I just recieve the following note from Johyne Harriman:

Russ died yesterday afternoon. I believe he recognized that he received Last Rites and I was able to hold him as he left. Russ was surrounded by friends (as he always was). Please remember him in your prayers.

I want to give a BIG thanks to all of those pods who have already sent me their Annual Reports. I am getting them recorded and will contact each Great Pepper if I need more information. I am hoping by August 15, that every Pod has sent me their report and that they are all complete so that I will not have to use the Credentials Committee to determine any actions. If you need assistance or have questions, be sure to contact me.

Speaking of Committees, the CASI Bylaws identify 5 Special Committees whose purpose is to handle specific portions of CASI Business. Those 5 Committees are the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Public Relations Committee and the Events Committee. There are several other committees that have been appointed to assist the Board with other activities. There is the Rule Committee, Nominations Committee and the Credentials Committee. We thank those people who have volunteered their time to work on these committees. Those committees and their members can be found in the CIS system in the CASI Organization Groups.

It's already Wednesday and it is time for me to post the CCOs for this weekend. Note that there are several CCOs this weekend that are automatic qualifiers. Win one of those and it is a quick way to qualify for TICC which is just around the corner.

Jul 11, 2009-001 - McDade, TX CASI. 8th Annual Star Ranch Chili Cookoff Held at Star Ranch, 166 Eely Rd. McDade is 35 miles east of Austin on Hwy 290. Turn off 290 beside the white church onto Waco St. Go across RR tracks and turn left onto Brown Rd. Go approx. 2 miles turn left on Eely Rd. Follow signs to Star Ranch. Entry fee $18. Turn in 3:00PM. Charity American Heart Association. Cooks meal Friday night @ 7:30. CHILI GRIND ONLY. CASI cookoff next day same location. RV hookups & rental cabins available. Nature trails, tennis, volleyball & Petanque courts, 2 swimming pools, hot tub & rec room. (No open fires, charcoal grills allowed in designated area only). Star Ranch is a naturist club, (clothing optional for chili cooks). For hookups & reservation contact Debra toll free 866-705- 5978 or info@starranch.net. Cookoff info contact Bubba Reinke 512-357-6227.

Jul 11, 2009-002 - Gering, NE CASI. 23rd Annual Nebraska State Open Championship. Held in Oregon Trail Park, 1125 J St. Entry fee $20 for CASI red. Entry fee $7.50 for dry beans, beef and green. Turn-in 2:15 PM red, 2:30 PM dry beans, 2:45 PM green, 3:00 PM beef. Public tasting at 3 PM. Friday night cooks party at The Oregon Trail Building 1125 J st in Gering starts at 6 PM. Parade, Carnival and Concert. Make checks payable to Pepe's Pod c/o Kyle Haberman 1624 4th Ave Scottsbluff NE 69361. Information Contact: Kyle Haberman Home:308-635-7852 Cell: 308-672-3502, e-mail; khab@charter.net, Bill Schaepfer 308-631-2293 e-mail ill@gvpman.com

Jul 11, 2009-003 - Schertz, TX CASI. Summer Heat Cookoff. Held at 1000 FM Road 78, Schertz VFW Post 8315. Entry fee $20 turn-in 2 PM. Benefits Voice of Democracy Scholarships. Make check payable to VFW Auxiliary 8315. Contact C W Reese 210-658- 6765. See cookoff next day.

Jul 11, 2009-004 - Odessa, TX CASI. American Legion Post 430 Cookoff. For Boys State, at 8th and Pueblo Entry fee $20.00. Turn-in 2 PM. For info call Keith Coffman 432- 376-9093.

Jul 11, 2009-005 - Bloomfield, IA CASI. 5th Annual Chili Cookoff located in Davis County Fair Grounds. Benefits Davis county 4H. Turn in 12:00 noon, Entry Fee $20.00. Salsa contest $5:00 Turn in 11:00 AM. Contact Virgil or Roylene Johnson Phone 641-684- 4525 0r Cell 641-455-9210.

Jul 11, 2009-006 - Oklahoma City, OK CASI. Oklahoma State Cookoff. Held at Elks Lodge, 5600 N Tulsa Drive. Turn-in 2 PM entry $25.00. Chili grind only Jr. Division Entry $10.00 Turn in - 1:00pm same charity Contact Donell Dickerson 405-227-8689. Joe Spears 405-650-3354 E-mail joespookyj@aol.com. RV parking no hookups. Friday night cooks party. Donell's 50th Birthday Friday night, come party with us. Automatic Qualifier for TICC

Jul 11, 2009-007 - West Tawakoni ,TX CASI. Amvets Mens Charity Cookoff. Held in Amvets parking lot next to Tawakoni City Park on Hwy 276, 9 miles East of Quinlan. Entry fee $18, turn-in 1 PM. Beans $5, turn-in Noon, 50/50 first place only. Jackie Grose 903-883-4916, 903-456-9498. Make checks payable to West Tawakoni Amvets.

Jul 11, 2009-008 - Conway, AR CASI. CAP-CASI Pod Cookoff and Elections Held at Eagles Park on Lake Conway Entry fee $20, turn in 1:00 pm. Make checks payable to CAP-CASI. Pod election after cookoff results. Camping available and motorhome hookups and dump. Onsite showers. Contact Richard Jones 8325 Barrett Rd. Roland,AR. 72135 or call 501-868-8206. Call for directions. richardjones55@aol .com.

Jul 11, 2009-009 - Shannon, IL CASI. Illinois State BBQ Behind the the Fence Chili Cookoff, held in Town Park. Benefits Shannon Lions Club. Entry fee $18,turn-in 2 PM. Site opens 8 AM. Cooks Meeting at 10 AM. Make checks payable to Chillini Pod. There will be overnight camping. Contact Kathy Martin, 6206 Crescent Dr, Huntley, IL 60142. Phone 815-245-0099. BBQ cooks see www.ilstatebbqchampionship.com for more information. Email Kathy kemartin@foxvalley.net.

Jul 11, 2009-010 - Amarillo, TX CASI. Elks Lodge Fun in the Sun Cookoff. Elks Lodge Fun in the Sun Cookoff. Held at the Elks Lodge 932 Clyde around the pool. Chili entry fee $20, turn in 2 PM. Benefits special needs children. Contact Pam Gonzalez at 806-373-9292, 806- 359-8469. CHILI GRIND ONLY.

Jul 12, 2009-001 - McDade, TX CASI. Next Day Star Ranch Chili Cookoff Held at Star Ranch 166 Eely Rd. McDade is 35 miles east of Austin on Hwy 290. Turn off 290 beside the white church onto Waco St. Go across RR tracks and turn left onto Brown Rd. Go approx. 2 miles turn left onto Eely Rd. Follow signs to Star Ranch. Entry fee $18., turn in 12 noon. Benefits Rose Cancer Foundation. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Cookoff previous day, same location. RV hookup & rental cabins available. Nature trails, tennis, volleyball, Petanque courts, 2 swimming pools, hot tub & rec room. (No open fires, charcoal grills allowed in designated area only). Star Ranch is a naturist club. (Clothes optional for chili cooks). For hookups & reservations contact Debra toll free 866-705-5978 or info@starranch.net. Cookoff info contact Bubba Reinke 512-357-6227.

Jul 12, 2009-002 - Schertz, TX CASI. Sunday Summer Heat Cookoff. Held at 1000 FM Road 78, Schertz VFW Post 8315. Entry fee $15 turn-in Noon. Benefits Youth Activities. Contact C W Reese 210-658-6765.

Jul 12, 2009-003 - Oklahoma City, OK CASI. Oklahoma Womens State CCO. At Elks Lodge, 5600 N Tulsa Dr. Benefits C.A.R.E. Turn in 1 PM. Entry fee $25.00, Chili Grind Only. Contact Donell Dickerson 405-227-8689. Joe Spears 405-650- 3354 e-mail joespookyj@aol.com See CCO day before. Automatic Qualifier for TICC.

Jul 12, 2009-004 - Oklahoma City, OK CASI. Oklahoma Men's State CCO. At Elks Lodge, 5600 N Tulsa Dr. Turn in 1:00 pm entry fee $25, Chili Grind Only. Contact Donell Dickerson 405-227-8689 Joe Spears 405-650-3354, joespookyj@ aol.com See CCO day before. Benefits City Rescue Mission. Automatic Qualifier for TICC.