MONDAY - Mar 16, 2009

Copper State Regional

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Valley of the Sun Regional

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Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, 2009, the Arizona March Back to Backs were held at the Ahwatukee Swim and Tennis Club in Phoenix, AZ. You could not have asked for better weather as both days were bright and sunny with a very light breeze and temperatures in the low 80's. Contest Chairperson, Susan Hyden and her assistants, did an outstanding job of preparation so all events went smoothly. Dick and Nancy Swenberger were Chief Judge and Head Scorekeeper both days. They were assisted by their ever faithful friends Brett Kitani and Ken Brown who stepped right in to help where they were needed.

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The cookoffs were held on the grass of a beautiful Little League field. On Saturday, there were kiddie rides for the kids to enjoy while the adult spectators enjoyed the samples of chili. On Sunday, the Little League field was also the site of a local Farmer's Market which drew a large crowd to the chili cookoff as well and helped raise over $500 each day for the charities, the Ahwatukee Little League and the Ahwatukee Community Center.

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The judges did an outstanding job and were encouraging and helpful to the cooks by offering constructive comments for each and every cook. As you may know, cooks take the comments to heart in order to improve their chances on the road to qualifying for the World's Championship Cookoff next October. It is interesting to note that there were only 2 or 3 judges that judged both days. So there was quite a diverse group each day.

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Both days were regional qualifiers with the Copper State Regional on Saturday and the Valley of the Sun Regional on Sunday. There were cooks from California, Nevada, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska and of course, Arizona. There were well-seasoned cooks as well as a few brand new cooks. It is always refreshing to see those who know the ropes of chili competition offering help to the new cooks to encourage them and help them get their feet wet in the ways of the chili world. There was a lot of friendly gesturing and challenging going on between the cooks who have been around a while. Of course, this was all done with the best of intentions, just to keep things lively and add to the excitement of each day.

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After much contemplation, the judge's decisions were made. The results were tallied and verified and the awards were announced. The results were:

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Copper State Regional – Saturday, March 14, 2009

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People's Choice -

Keo Lynch of AZ

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Salsa -

5^th Place – Susan Hyden of AZ

4^th Place – Nibs Waters of CA

3^rd Place – Pam Wright of AZ

2^nd Place – Bob Plager of CO

1^st Place – Dione Cooley of NV (This makes her Hat Trick)

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Chili Verde –

5^th Place – Michelle Summerville of AZ

4^th Place – Paul Whitney of AZ

3^rd Place – Dave Wright of AZ

2^nd Place – Keo Lynch of AZ

1^st Place – Nibs Waters of CA

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Red Chili –

5^th Place – Nibs Waters of CA

4^th Place – Larry Eastep of IL

3^rd Place – Paul Whitney of AZ

2^nd Place – Al Henry of CO

1^st Place – Skip Cooley of NV (This makes his Hat Trick)

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Valley of the Sun Regional – Sunday, March 15. 2009

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People's Choice – Andy Jerdee of AZ

Salsa –

5^th Place – Sarah Whitney of AZ

4^th Place – Susan Hyden of AZ

3^rd Place – Nibs Waters of CA

2^nd Place – Pam Wright of AZ

1^st Place – Bob Plager of CO

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Chili Verde –

5^th Place - Dave Wright of AZ

4^th Place – Leeroy Watson of AZ

3^rd Place – Pam Wright of AZ

2^nd Place – Greg Virant of NE

1^st Place – Paul Whitney of AZ

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Red Chili –

5^th Place (Unbroken Tie) Lynn Kost-Virant of NE

and Don Hammes of CA

4^th Place – Mike Ford of CA

3^rd Place – Bob Plager of CO

2^nd Place – Nibs Waters of CA

1^st Place – Al Henry of CO (This makes his Hat Trick)

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Oak Tree results

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People's choice

Tie for 2nd/3rd - Ron Harris and Steve Crawford - 25 pts

1st - Bill Ray- 26 pts

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Salsa

3rd - Armando Sanchez - 14 pts

2nd - Maggie Harris - 15 pts

1st - Sylvia Steinberg - 17 pts

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Verde

3rd - Ray Calderon = 12 pts

2nd - Geraldine Villapanto - 27 pts

1st - Jim Stoddard - 33 pts - HAT TRICK

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Red

5th Honorable Mention - Geraldine Villapanto

4th Honorable Mention - Armando Sanchez

3rd - Bill Ray - 16 pts

2nd - Steve Crawford 16 pts (won tie breaker)

1st - Barry Steinberg - 23 pts
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Dennis and Allene Macklin

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Fearless Fred & Crazy Cow Patti

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Happy Burro Chili & Beer will be opening for business on April 1st. This is NO Fools Joke! If you can come and join us on our opening day it would be great, we will however be having a more 'formal' Grand Opening at a later date that will fit in with the scheduled Chili Cook offs.

Oh and sorry Phil... no free beer or dogs for you!

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If you have articles for posting to Dicks Chili World BLOG, they can be emailed to GWTWChili@aol.com

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