MONDAY - Aug 11, 2008

Tropicana Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Nevada

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By Captain Jim Maehl, ICS Site Coordinator.

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As it has been some time since Willma and I have visited the Tropicana Hotel & Casino we decided to take a quick trip over and get reacquainted with the property. I of course had to check out the area where the event will be held. Looks like a great area plenty of room with good access for the public to attend. After a little snooping around I satisfied myself that this is going to be a great place for the WCCC. By now Willma and I had worked up an appetite so we took a little tour into the Tropicana Resort. We discovered there is plenty to choose from. We had lunch in the Garden Café and were pleasantly surprised at the quality of food, plenty of it and very tasty. The staff there made us feel totally welcome, refreshing. A variety of restaurants to choose from within the Hotel & Casino. There is a great looking Italian restaurant plus a very elegant looking steakhouse. We also spotted a very nicely arranged Deli with a rather large menu. You can dine there or take it out for a little nosh in your room or to your chili booth. And of course there is the old standby the buffet. And the one at the Tropicana is just waiting for your arrival. They also have a couple of interesting looking liquor stores with a variety of beer and spirits. And if you are a cigar aficionado they have that too. We also noticed a couple of gift shops that stocked necessities of life in case you forget something. There is an area where they have several kiosk selling everything from dark glasses to helicopters (not the real ones those little remote control type). Don't forget to bring your swimming gear as there are beautiful swimming pools set in a tropical theme. The weather in October in southern Nevada is warm during the day but not too hot, perfect weather for a swim or to cook a pot of chili. Don't forget to check out the Casino in the area of the live gaming such as blackjack and roulette look up at the ceiling it is beautiful. This Casino has been featured in several movies. There are photographs in every area of the Hotel and Casino of the old-time movie stars and entertainers that used to play Vegas, such as Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. John Wayne and so on. Check them out. Did I mention the airport is only 15 minutes or less away from the Tropicana, very convenient. With the myriad of shuttle buses, taxicabs and yes you can even hire a stretch limo to whisk you comfortably to the Tropicana Hotel & Casino

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There is no reason to stay anywhere else, the Tropicana has it all. And this year especially Carol Hancock has worked very hard as you all know so please support her and stay at the Tropicana. You really will have a great time. If this whole article sounds like a commercial, it' is! If we don't use it, we all could lose it! Good luck and good chili cooking.

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WCCC Golf Tournament

With the welcome news of where the WCCC will be held this year comes the news that I can now work on the golf tournament to be held on Thursday, October 9. Las Vegas area courses are notorious for sticking it to the tourists, so we will be working very hard to find an affordable course to play. As a reminder, the tournament is being held on the 9th is so that any cooks doing Last Chance will have the opportunity to play if they wish. Those wishing to tee it up this year please email me at GolfNChili@aol.com so that I can book the proper number of tee times. See you in Vegas on the course!

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A letter of thanks

Friends,

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I would like to say thank you to ALL members of the ICS who helped secure the sight for the upcoming WCCC. I have been participating in this "sport" for 13 years and have only been cooking for ICS for the past 4. Chili and cook -offs have made me richer than anyone can believe. If it weren't for chili I wouldn't have had been able to marry my wife ( Thats a very long story we wont go into now). In 2005 I had major open heart surgery and had to put my cooking aside. But, the first place I went when I could travel was to see my friends at a cook off. I only judged, but just being near the ring and so close to my chili friends helped in my recovery. Now 3 years later I have my hat trick I have my 2 adult children cooking and enjoying it. Furthermore, my yet unborn son already has his plane ticket to Vegas. While we were all waiting for the annoucement for the worlds I heard alot of negative stuff about the ICS and what " should" be done. The economy in this country is wrecked. I'm an auto mechanic and can see that people can't even afford to change the oil in there cars or any other minor repairs. So I can imagine what it must be like to ask some companies for a upwards of a quarter of a million dollars to watch us cook chili. I personally would have cooked for a pat on the back. For me, all I want is too cook next to my chili friends and family. Yeah the money would be nice, but I would honestly cook just to have the title. How many people do you know that can say they have competed for a World Championship in anything? Now that we have a sight lets prove to the sponsors that their investment was worth it. And if you happen to see Carol, Vikki and their crew tell them thank you. I would hate to have been in their shoes through all of this. So to Carol Vikki and all of the rest THANK YOU!!!.

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Ghon Eckley

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P.S. Carol when we see you in Vegas I expect to have a picture of you, Kim and my son to put with the one from Delaware Valley!! HAHA

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