MONDAY - November 5, 2007

Harvest Fair Regional

Weather reports on Thursday and Friday indicated Santa Ana winds for the weekend. We were fearful that this would make conditions unpleasant for the Harvest Fair Regional Cookoff on Sunday. Worse, Santa Ana winds could contribute to more devastation as that caused by the wildfires of the past weeks. But the Chili Gods warded off the Santa Ana Devils and created a perfect day for the Harvest Fair and cookoff, with temperatures in the low 80's and no wind!

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The usual Southern California competitors gathered early in the morning awaiting entrance to the grounds. This is a cookoff where the first 8 or 10 arrivals are allowed to park at their booths. For esthetic reasons any cooks who do not get space in this first row must take their vehicles out to a nearby parking lot. When we arrived at 7:00 am, the parking row was filled immediately.

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This very special cookoff is held in conjunction with the Harvest Fair, the major annual fundraiser for the Center for Individual Development, a regional nonprofit organization which provides recreation and therapy for individuals of all ages with disabilities. It is called a trip back to the 1800s. A full Western town is erected at the site and all of the participants are dressed in authentic 1800s garb. The Harvest Fair has been named as one of the best Western shows in America by American Cowboy magazine. The event runs for the first and second weekends of November each year. The chili cookoff is the featured event on Sunday of the first weekend.

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Chief Judge, Bill Ray, was assisted by Mike Stewart. Chief Scorekeeper, Karen Ray, had the assistance of Kathy Stewart and Mary Ellen Weber. This was Bill and Karen's last time to officiate at this cookoff, which they have shepherded every year since its inception. Mike and Kathy Stewart will take over next year as Chief Judge and Scorekeeper. A mixture of experienced and neophyte judges sampled the concoctions presented by the cooks and proclaimed the winners to be:

Salsa (12 entries):

3rd, Mary Nicoll

2nd, Chris Nicoll

1st, Fujiko Poston, who also won this contest last year

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Chili Verde (7 entries):

3rd, Mary Nicoll

2nd, Nibs Waters

1st, Tom Clarke. This is Tom's first time to qualify for the World's Championship Chili Cookoff!

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People's Choice Chili:

3rd, Russell Barnes

2nd, Charlie Blosfield

1st, Dan Placencia

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Traditional Red Chili (20 entries):

4th, Jim Rasey tied with Mike "Homie" Austin

3rd, Bob Dyer

2nd, Red Brecke

1st, Sachiko Brecke "Call the Cops! Sachiko is 'beating' her husband again!"

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NFL ALUMNI GOLF TOURNAMENT AND CHLI CONTEST

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Sometimes our membership and involvement in the International Chili Society gives us entry into something really special. Such was the case this past weekend. We were privileged to compete in the First Ever NFL Alumni Chili Contest. This very special competition was held in conjunction with the NFL Alumni "Legends of Golf" Tournament at the Cottonwood Golf Club in El Cajon, CA. This tournament is part of a tour, which culminates with the "Super Bowl of Golf" in the spring of the year. To our knowledge, this was the first time that chili has been introduced into the contest.

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On Sunday afternoon we arrived at the Sheraton Hotel San Diego Harbor to check into our free rooms for the night. A group of chiliheads gathered together in the cocktail lounge, awaiting the time to assemble for the party, also free to the chili folks. Dave and Carol Hancock, along with Dave and Kathy Hipskind and Cliff Moody were not present. They were busy upstairs, counting out cups and spoons for the cooks to use to hand out their chili on Monday. When the time arrived, we all assembled in the banquet room, where tables had been reserved for us.

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What a party! There was an awesome silent auction. Many, many pieces of memorabilia lined the walls, waiting for bids from the participants. The one that caught my eye was a signed, framed photo of President Ronald Reagan with Roger Staubach. But there were many, many other pieces from sports figures to entertainers to jewelry. There was also a fun dice game, and the top three places were won by teams of chilifolk! This was followed by a buffet dinner with Mexican and Italian stations of excellent food. The talented band was called the "Heroes" and entertained with modern music very well presented. We all retired pretty early, knowing that we had a big day ahead.

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On Monday morning, we were led to our hole on the golf course by one of the course marshals. We happened to be presenting our chili on Hole Eleven. Since this is a celebrity tournament, it deviates somewhat from the traditional contest. Each hole on the course featured beverages (alcoholic) and food, as well as some other vendors. Ask Dave and Kathy Hipskind about which vendors accompanied them at their site!

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We had been asked to provide four gallons of quality chili with beans for this contest. We brought more than that, and probably most of the contestants did, too. As the golfers arrived at the hole, they sampled the beverages and food provided by the Firehouse American Grill (mojitos and buffalo chicken lettuce wraps), jewelry from Mia Roseberry and, of course, our chili. They then teed off and proceeded to the next hole.

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It was exciting to see all of the celebrities at this event. Many, many legendary football players were there to participate. The first person to sample our chili was Efren Herrera, the legendary place kicker for the Dallas Cowboys. WOW! There were stars from other sports (Jay Johnstone from baseball was one of our favorites), actors (many of the Disney kids), comedians and just plain folks. The golfers were the judges. They were enthusiastic and very interested in what we were doing and asked many questions about the chili and about the ICS.

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All throughout this event we ourselves were treated as if we were the celebrities. The course marshals came by frequently offering ice, water, trips to the potties, and asking what they could do to make us comfortable. At the end of the day they made sure that we were able to make our way back to the clubhouse. There we were treated to a prime rib dinner complete with complimentary wine while we awaited the awards.

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The competitors were:

Hole 1. Russell & Judy Barnes

Hole 2. Jim & Eileen Beaty

Hole 3. George & Maud Swick

Hole 4. Mike & Kathy Stewart

Hole 5. Mike & Bonnie Ford

Hole 6. Dave & Kathy Hipskind

Hole 7. Cliff Moody

Hole 8. Armando & Patricia Sanchez

Hole 9. Red & Sachiko Brecke

Hole 11. Bill & Karen Ray

Hole 12. Bob & Fujiko Poston

Hole 13. Chris & Mary Nicoll & Nibs Waters

Hole 15. Steve McIntyre & Adrian Fuhrman

Hole 16 Jim Rasey

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The entry fee to compete in this event was a hearty $250! However, the rewards were worth it. The winners were:

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3^rd $ 500 Jim & Eileen Beaty

2^nd $1,500 Chris Nicoll

1^st $3,000 Bill and Karen Ray

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Thanks, Carol. Thanks, Jim Weatherly and the NFL Alumni. What an experience!

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Thanksgiving Double-Header at Avi Casino, Laughlin, NV

The weather predictions are for Avi at Thanksgiving are highs in the 70's, lows in the 50's with very little wind and zero percent chance of rain. Sounds like PERFECT chili-cooking weather!

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Two world qualifying cookoffs, back-to-back, at the beautiful Avi Casino, cooking on the grass overlooking the Colorado River. Rooms are $26/night. Call 1-800-AVI-2WIN and request the special rate by saying "CHILI

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Just a reminder that, as before, there will be a VOLUNTARY People's Choice on both days of the Thanksgiving Back-2-Backs (Thursday - Mojave Desert Regional and Friday - High Desert Robinson Regional), with the proceeds split half to First Place People's Choice Cook (voted by ballot), and half to the charity of choice for the Lancaster Rotary, the Lancaster Literacy Project. As we have done in the past, ANYONE can enter People's Choice, and we will save and chill the left-over competition red and green chilis from the first day for anyone who wants to supplement their People's Choice pot on the second day. Hope to see you there!

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". If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me at my cell, (661) 714-6234. Hope to see you there!

Ref. Susan Burt Baumberger
43356 20th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
661-714-6234

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Warren Smith

Warren Smith, Blue Moon Chili, passed tonight at about 7:00 pm. He was at home, surrounded by family, both his and Charlotte's. Warren was diagnosed with cancer in several parts of his body shortly after the Laughlin cookoffs in 2007. Arrangements are pending, and will be announced. Cards of condolence can be sent to:

The Family of Warren Smith

23880 South Road

Apple Valley, CA 92307

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