THURSDAY - June 7, 2007

River City Regional Chili Cookoff Huge Success

By: David Hipskind

The weather was perfect, in the mid 80's, nice cool breezes all day. Both days!!! Historic Old Town Folsom was the perfect setting for a spectacular 2 day event to crown the contenders that will represent the River City Regional Chili Cookoffs at the 41^st Annual World Chili Championships in Omaha, NE, the first weekend in October.

25 of the best red chili cooks in the west vied for the honors on Saturday and 20 on Sunday. Chili Verde brought out 16 cooks for Saturday and 10 on Sunday. Salsa rounded out the ICS competitions with 9 contestants each day. However, our Restaurant-People's Choice division stole the show. 9 of the best restaurants in the Folsom area turned out to serve their best chili in a effort to win fantastic trophies and a relaxing weekend for their team at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. They did a fantastic job and the public loved it. Each restaurant served about 10 gallons of chili each day. They helped raise thousands of dollars for our benefactor, CureBreast Cancer Foundation . CureBreast Cancer Foundation was established by Dr. Ernie Bodai, the creator of the Breast Cancer Stamp. Dr Bodai was his usual gracious self. He came out to volunteer and meet the people. He could be found pouring beer, selling trinkets in the Foundation booth, greeting the contestants and helping with the award presentations on stage. That is true dedication, especially since he just returned home on Thursday from a 2 week long trip in Eastern Europe and the Middle East promoting the Breast Cancer Stamp globally to fight this dreaded disease.

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We had the honor to have ICS Owner and CEO, Carol Hancock and her husband Dave, attend our festivities. They both helped in the judging area. It is always good to have them at our event. I realize it is difficult, with their busy schedules, to get away to as many cookoffs as they would like, so to have them was very special.

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We also hosted 2 very special guests, Fred and Leah Weiland. Fred was up in our area visiting family and brought them out to enjoy a great day. Naturally, I put Fred to work and he offered his expertise with judging in all three categories, red, green and salsa. AS Fred would say, "If you don't have a good time today, It's your own damn fault." I can honestly say they had a good time. I hope they make it an annual trip.

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Now for the results:

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River City Regional #1 – Saturday June 2, 2007

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People's Choice The Balcony Bistro Folsom, CA

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Best Booth Rick & Susie Decker Pleasanton, CA

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Salsa

3^rd Place Susie Decker Pleasanton, CA

2^nd Place Richard Raey Sacramento, CA

1^st Place John Jepson Merced, CA

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Chili Verde

3^rd Place Rick Decker Pleasanton, CA

2^nd Place John Jepson Merced, CA

1^st Place John Medcraft Reno, NV

ICS Red

3^rd Place Adrian Fuhrman Felton, CA

2^nd Place Jim Watson Placerville, CA

1^st Place Harry Robinson Lincoln, CA

River City Regional #2 – Sunday June 3, 2007

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People's Choice Folsom Prison Guards

Overall Weekend Winner People's Choice

3^rd Place Powerhouse Pub Folsom, CA

2^nd Place The Balcony Bistro Folsom, CA

1^st Place Folsom Prison Guards Folsom, CA

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Best Booth Gerry Lind

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Salsa

3^rd Place Dorothy Van Wagoner Visalia, CA

2^nd Place Susie Decker Pleasanton, CA

1^st Place Harry Robinson Lincoln, CA

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Chili Verde

3^rd Place Dorothy Van Wagoner Visalia, CA

2^nd Place Ron Judson Red Bluff, CA

1^st Place Lynn Robinson Lincoln, CA

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ICS Red

5^th Place John Ammerman

(Current Salsa Champion – 2^nd time cooking ICS red) Carson City, NV

4^th Place Isabella Robinson Lincoln, CA

3^rd Place Jim Beaver Mammoth Lakes, CA

2^nd Place Margo Knudson Granite Bay, CA

1^st Place Adrian Fuhrman Felton, CA

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NEPA Chili Cookoff

Dear Chili Head peeps,

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This weekend is the Annual North East Pa. Chili cookoff in Lake Ariel,Pa.

It's a beautiful cookoff on a scenic lake run by our chili cook friend Jim Miller who is also a fire fighter!
Not only that....it's being chief judged by Dave Lorenz and score keeping is wonderfully done by Audrey and Steve Falkowski.

Jim's also arranged for a killer band to be there.

I know it's last minute,etc. however.....it would be great to see you and it is a qualifier in Salsa and Verde as well as getting you to the Last Chance dance!So please consider coming to the NEPA Chili Cookoff this Saturday.

For more info:

JIM MILLER 570-698-1440

Jwm52461@aol.com

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WWW.NEPACHILI.TRIPOD.COM

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Please tell Jim that Mad Mike sent you and that you are cooking!

Send NO regrets to me...as I'll be driving and won't get them.

Stay HOT!!

Mad Mike.

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PRAYERS Needed for Elaine Lloyd

(Lake Havasu City Judges)

This is just an update on my health status. As of the latest Mayo visit I have been diagnosed with Bone Cancer. It seems that the pain I have been having on my left side, near the incision from the Lung removal....is not just scar tissue....

Its really Cancer. And its just a matter of managing the pain at this time. Radiation can't be done as the ribs that are affected are too close to the heart...so right now its just status quo.....

Will let you know if anything else happens, but for now, I ask that you pray for me....and I appreciate all your concerns.

Take care, Love, Elaine

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