Today starts the new Chili Year 2009-2010.  We all have equal points and that is 0.  So now comes the race to see who can qualify first.  Here is hoping this is a great chili year for all of us.

Today you can go to the web page and the Resource Center to find the following new posted documents: Amend Bylaws, the Amended Rule Book, the new list of Regional Referees, the new National Scholarship Program Policy, and the new National Scholarship Application.  Thank you Jim Stateczny for posting those documents.  I want to also thank Bill Pierson for assisting me in the formating of the Rule Book.  It had been updated several times and had several different formats within it.  Thanks again  Bill.  I have also posted the Sep 11 Board of Director's Meeting Minutes in the History Section of CIS.

From Donna Conrad:
I would like to invite everyone out to our 10th Annual Crawford BBQ Cook Off and our 1st Annual Darren Williams Memorial CASI Chili Cook Off Sat. Oct. 17th. $20.00 Entry Fee, Turn in 2:00 PM Chili Grind ONLY



All Proceeds go to St Jude's Hospital. Next day cook off Sunday Oct. 18th Entry Fee $18.00 Turn In Time NOON, Chili Grind ONLY. All proceeds go to Crawford Saddle Club. The cook offs will be held at the Saddle Club right next to the Crawford football field. Plenty of RV Parking NO HOOK UP's. For information about the chili cook offs or if your interested in the BBQ Cook Off please contact me @ 254-855-4733 or 254-855-2767.

HOPE TO SEE YALL THERE

From Ron Barnes:
The new chili year is upon us and you are cordially invited to come to Irving/Grand Prairie to the 8th Annual Veteran's Memorial CCO at the VFW at 3375 N. Belt Line (don't use Google, Mapquest, Yahoo Maps, etc., they will get you lost!!) Behind the Skateland on Belt Line. From I-30 go 2 1/2 miles north, or from 183 go south 3 miles, 1 block south of Shady Grove. Campers welcome (no hookups/self contained only). Friday: Dinner 6pm - 8pm (with pre-register head cook eats free - charge for all others-usually around $6 - $8. 7:30pm Electronic Dart tournament entry fee $3. (limited to first 32 that sign up). Saturday: Registration begins at 9:00. Free breakfast while it lasts. Bean Entry $5 - turn in at 12:00, 100% payback. Chili turn-in at 1:00 p.m. Entry fee $20. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Horseshoe competition, concessions, and as always, lots of fun!!! Contact Margaret Hobbs Phone 972-513- 0593 (leave message) or e-mail macintexas058@yahoo.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

From Tonya Jester:
Your Invited.
"Terlingua Wednesday Night Theme Party" on Wednesday, November 4 at 9:00pm.


Event: Terlingua Wednesday Night Theme Party
"The Sixties ~ Terlingua A Go Go"

What: Night of Mayhem
Start Time: Wednesday, November 4 at 9:00pm
End Time: Thursday, November 5 at 2:00am
Where: Rancho CASI de los Chisos

It's not Wed, but I am listing the CCO's for this weekend.  I didn't do it yesterday, since there were 2 Last Chance CCOs to advertise.

Oct 3, 2009-001 - Fort Wayne, IN CASI. Chilifest Fire in the Fort Cookoff. Held at Headwaters Park, 333 S Clinton, West Pavillion. Benefits American Cancer Society. Entry fee $25, covers all entries. Turn- in Noon. Make checks payable to Chilifest. Contact Bob Anweiler rdanweiler.afm@verizon.net. 260- 418-2170. Open divisions: Red, White, Verde. Salsa, Showmanship. Plan on preparing at least 5 Gallons of chili for the public tasting Gates open at 12n. Chili tasting 12n-5pm. Rocktoberfest After Party 5pm - ????? Live Music, Food, & Fun! No one under 21 admitted without a parent. See web www.Chilifestfortwayne.com.


Oct 3, 2009-002 - Ruidoso Downs, NM CASI. 28th New Mexico State Open Championship. This Cook Off is an automatic qualifier for the 1st Place over all winner and top three NM Cooks. Cooks pot luck party Friday evening. The meat will be provided. Please bring a side dish. Dry camping is available. Local lodging nearby the cook site. USDA approved meat must be used so your purchase receipt will be required by inspectors as proof. Cookoff held at Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Billy the Kid Casino, 1466 Hwy 70 West. Entry fee $25 turn-in 2 PM. Contact Rick Thomas 575-336- 8399. Make checks payable to Ruidoso Chili Society. There will be a Peoples choice division, no rules competition, cash prize will be awarded. This year we will be joined by the Lone Star BBQ Assn. This cookoff has been proclaimed to be The New Mexico State Chili CCO & Championship BBQ Day, by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

Oct 3, 2009-003 - Grand Prairie, TX CASI. TAGF Hardcore Texas Annual Cookoff. This cook off is in conjuction with Tommy Alverson's Family Gathering Texas Country Music festival. Held in Loyd Park 3401 Ragland Rd, in a beautiful location near Joe Pool Lake. While there is plenty of camping with hookups, most of them are reserved already but there are plenty of non-electric camping available. Phone number for Loyd Park 817-467-2104. Reservations are from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday thru Friday. There will be lots of Great Texas Country Music and fun for all. Music festival starts on Thursday night October 1st. Chili Cookoff will be on Saturday October 3rd. Turn in will be 2:00pm. CHILI GRIND ONLY! The cookoff is going to the Farm Aid charity, supports our farmers of America. For more information you can contact Chili Rick Boyd at chiliman7@aol.com or 214-909- 9448.

Oct 3, 2009-004 - Peoria, IL CASI. Central Illinois Chili Championship The cookoff will be held on the riverfront in Peoria, Ill. at the Gateway Festival Park. The cookoff is in conjunction with the 25Th annual "Ribfest". Entry fee $20 turn-in 2 PM. Make checks payable to PACE. Contact Lyle Cunningham 309-696-3280. Email buzz1421@hotmail.com. Top name entertainment will be on the CEFCU stage Saturday evening plus chidren activities during the day.

Oct 3, 2009-005 - Irving, TX CASI. 8th Annual Veteran's Memorial CCO 3375 N. Belt Line (don't use Google, Mapquest, Yahoo Maps, etc., they will get you lost!!) Behind the Skateland on Belt Line. From I-30 go 2 1/2 miles north, or from 183 go south 3 miles, 1 block south of Shady Grove. Campers welcome (no hookups/self contained only). Friday: Dinner 6pm - 8pm (with pre-register head cook eats free - charge for all others-usually around $6 - $8. 7:30pm Electronic Dart tournament entry fee $3. (limited to first 32 that sign up). Saturday: Registration at 9:00. Free breakfast while it lasts. Bean Entry $5 - turn in at 12:00, 100% payback. Chili turn-in at 1:00 p.m. Entry fee $20. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Horseshoe competition, concessions, and as always, lots of fun!!! Contact Margaret Hobbs Phone 972-513- 0593 (leave message) or e-mail macintexas058@yahoo.com.

Oct 3, 2009-006 - Tomball, TX CASI. 10th Annual Piney Woods Pod CCO. Held at Tomball VFW Post 2427, 14406 Alice Rd. Entry fee $20, turn-in 2 PM. Make checks payable to Piney Woods Pod. For VFW Post 2427 charities. Contact Earl Who? Gorhum 936-447-1060 home 713-724-5736 cell.

Oct 3, 2009-007 - Geronimo, TX CASI. Geronimo Memorial VFW Post 8456 Chili Cook-Off and Jackpot Bean competition, 6808 North Highway 123, 5 miles north of Seguin, TX. $20 entry fee, 1 PM turn-in time. Jackpot Bean (dry pinto beans only) 50/50 payback, turn in time 12 noon. Benefits the VFW Military Assistance Programs RVs, campers, and tents are welcome. Limited electrical hook- ups. Local contact Bill Owen (830) 303-9903 billoltx@airmail .net

Oct 3, 2009-008 - Austin, TX CASI. Lions Sight and SOT lst and 2nd Pts Lions Sight/SOT Pod presents lst and 2nd Points for Sight. Held at Giddy Ups located south of Slaughter Lane on Manchaca Road. Chili, Grind Only, $20.00 turn in 2:00. Beans 100% Payback, turn in 1:00. Silent Auction. Cooks' party Friday night, breakfast Saturday, Pot Luck Saturday night, and Breakfast Sunday. Dry Camping, No hook ups, plenty of parking. COme in Thursday afternoon and Friday. Cook Off also on Sunday. $20.00, grind only, turn in l:00. Please come see us, help us, and hug us. Checks to ALSCC. We buy eyeglasses for the needy school kids in AISD. Sunday cook off for SOT Charities. Nancy promises penty of cold beer inside and lots of friendliness. She is a CASI Corporate sponsor. Caffeys H 512-446-2364 cell 512-760-8789 Remember this is the lst cook offs of the chili year, so we are all Pointless. Will welcome you with open arms, that's a promise.


Oct 3, 2009-009 - Madison, GA CASI. 5th Annual Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff. Held at the city's new Town Park located at 218 W Jefferson St, Madison, GA. All of the benefits will go to the City of Madison's Volunteer Fire Department. Entry fee for CASI is $18.00 and the turn-in time is 1:30 pm (CHILI GRIND ONLY). Entry fee for Open Chili is $25.00 and the turn-in time is 12:30 pm. People's Choice Award voted on by the attendees for the best chili. Register by September 15th to receive chef's bag, applications will be not be accepted after September 30th. So, why not come and join us for a lot of family fun, chili tasting, and live music. Contact Lori Stapp at (706)342-1251 ext. 208 and at lstapp@madisonga.com, or P.O. Box 32, Madison, GA 30650.

Oct 3, 2009-010 - North Little Rock, AR CASI. Elks Chili Cookoff Fall Festival. Held in Elks Park on Hillard Rd North Little Rock AR. Benefits Elks charities. Entry fee $20 turn-in 1 PM. Make checks paid to ASS CASI. Contact Preston Nickle, 617 W M St, North Little Rock AR 72116. CHILI GRIND ONLY. 501-791-2191.

Oct 3, 2009-011 - Hallsville, TX CASI. 12th Annual Hallsville Western Days chili cookoff on Cal Young Rd, 1 mile north of Hwy 80, follow signs, Hwy 450 North. Benefits East Texas Angel Network Entry fee $20 turn-in 1 PM. Make checks payable to East Texas Chili Pod. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Goody bags for 1st 50 entrants. Please bring tasting chili for public. Beans $5 turn-in Noon. Cooks Supper Friday, Saturday. Come join us for the 2nd Annual Battle of Fort Crawford War Re-enactment Saturday with Battles both days and dance Saturday night. School day Friday for kids. Over 1500 kids last year. Contact David Trice 903-668-3974, John Oswalt 903-407-2586. See Pod cookoff next day.


Oct 3, 2009-012 - Kansas City, MO CASI. Outlaw Cigar Fall Cookoff. Held at 6234 N Chatham Ave, I-29 at NE 64th St. Benefits Soldier Angels. Entry fee $20 turn-in Noon. Make checks payable to Outlaw Cigar Company. Contact Tim Claytor outlaw@outlawcigar.com 816-505-2442

Oct 3, 2009-013 - Dubuque, IA CASI. Tri States Largest Chili Cookoff. At Cable Car Square 4th and Bluff. Benefits: Dubuque County Firefighters Association Training Facility. Turn in 12:30 pm. Also, Open, Business, Junior, and Salsa ($5) Fee: $20 or 2 catagories $30 Checks payable to Cable Car Square Association. Contact Teri Connely 63 Carter Court, East Dubuque, Illinois 61025 815-747- 2504. jtconn56@aol.com. no special meat.

Oct 3, 2009-014 - Broken Arrow, OK CASI. Elks Chili Cookoff. Held at 10266 S 241st E Ave. Hwy 51 and 241st E Ave (Oneta Road). Entry Fee $25.00. Elks Division $10. Turn-in time for both 1 PM. Trophies for CASI 1st thru 10th place and 1st thru 3rd Elks. Horseshoe compeition and other activities.Dry camping available Charity-Elks National Foundation benefiting Scholarships for Elks families. Info Everett Crawford 918-810-3274. Bobby Walker 918- 261-3274.

Oct 3, 2009-015 - Mooresville, NC CASI. Mooresville Great Chili Cookoff. Held in Mooresville Town Square. Entry fee $25 turn-in 2 PM. For the Mooresville Rotary Steering Committee. Contact Harold Pruitt, geotec1@earthlink.net. 704-564- 1980.

Oct 3, 2009-016 - Port Aransas, TX CASI. South Texas Music Fest Chili BBQ Cookoff. Held at Sharkey's 2600 S.H. 361. Benefits the Jody McCormick Vocational Scholarship Fund. Entry fee $20 turn-in 2 PM. Contact Victoria Hart 361-749-4254

Oct 3, 2009-017 - Paris, TX CASI. George Robinson Memorial Chili CCO. Held at 570 E Center St. Entry fee $20 turn-in 1 PM. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Benefits Red River Valley Fair Assn. Contact Tim Masters 903-785-7971

Oct 3, 2009-018 - Helotes, TX CASI. Marketplace at Old Town Helotes The cookoff is being held in conjunction with the Helotes Marketplace. The Marketplace draws about 2,000 people each month. The mayor is planning to block off Main Street for the cookoff. Free dry parking is available for RVs in the town. If you plan to bring an RV, please call for details. All cooks must cook on Main Street in Helotes on Saturday. Golf carts will be available to shuttle stuff to and from your RV if you don't park on Main Street. Friday night cooks party 6PM at the famous Floores Country Store. Two Tons of Steel is playing that night. Chili grind only. 2PM turn-in. Entry fee is $20, but if you bring 2 gal of chili for people's choice, your entry fee is $10. Bean cookoff with a 50/50 split. Great prizes for People's Choice winners. Goodie Bags for all cooks. Contact Bruce Pinnell (210) 372- 0469 bruce@bigbruce.com . Helotes is located on Bandera Rd. (TX 16) two miles outside loop 1604 on the NW side of San Antonio. All vehicles need to be parked by 9AM on Sat. before the street is blocked off.

Oct 3, 2009-019 - Congress, AZ CASI. Old Congress Days Cookoff. Held at the Community Center located South of HWY 71 on the West side of Santa Fe Road. This CASI sanctioned Cook Off benefits Congress local charities. Peoples choice chili will be served starting at 11:00 and Red Chili turn in is at 1:00. Entry fee is $12 make checks payable to YCS. For information contact Jerry Lee at 623-388-9748 alchemistchili@gmail.com

Oct 3, 2009-020 - Beltsville, MD CASI. Extreme Chili Cookoff. Held at Behnke Nurseries, 11300 Baltimore Ave. Located on west side of Route 1, approximately 1.5 miles north of 195/495 (Washington Beltway). Entry fee $20 turn-in 2 PM. Make checks payable to Mason Dixon Pod. Info Rick Sievering, 5 Candytuft Court Rockville MD 20853. 301-938-4969 301-460-2522. nsievering@verizon. net, info@chili-mac.com. On advertising probation.

Oct 4, 2009-001 - Ruidoso Downs, NM CASI. Ruidoso Chili Society Pod CCO This is a pod cookoff. Dry camping is available. Local lodging is available near the cook site. Only USDA approved meat can be used so bring your purchase receipt to show inspectors as proof. Cookoff held at Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Billy the Kid Casino, 1466 Hwy 70 West. Entry fee $20 turn-in Noon. Make checks payable to Ruidoso Chili Society. Contact Rick Thomas 575-336-8399. CHILI GRIND ONLY.

Oct 4, 2009-002 - Tomball, TX CASI. 10th Annual Day After Piney Woods Pod CCO. Held at Tomball VFW Post 2427, 14406 Alice Rd. Entry fee $20 turn-in 1 PM. Make checks payable to Piney Woods Pod. For Pod charities. Contact Earl Gorhum 936-447-1060 home, 713-724- 5736 cell.

Oct 4, 2009-003 - Geronimo, TX CASI. Geronimo VFW Annual Chili Cook-Off and Jackpot Beans Competition at the Geronimo VFW Post, 6808 North Highway 123, 5 miles north of Seguin, TX. $20 entry fee, 1 PM turn-in time. Jackpot Beans (dry pinto beans only) 50/50 payback, turn-in time 12 noon. Proceeds benefit the VFW Post 8456 Scholarship Program. Contact Bill Owen 830-303-9903.

Oct 4, 2009-004 - Austin, TX CASI. Lions Sight and SOT 2nd Pts. See details from Saturday cook off. Chili, Grind Only, turn in l:00. Only chili today. Will feed you breakfast. Chili fee $20.00 We're at NANCYS GIDDY UPS. Thank you for your continued support of Lions Sight and Sot Pod. GOD Bless US All and GOD Bless Amerca. 512-446-2364 HOME 512-760-8789 CELL.

Oct 4, 2009-005 - Hallsville, TX CASI. 7th Annual East Texas Chili Pod C00 Held on Cal Young Rd, 1 mile north of Hwy 80, Hwy 450 North. Follow signs. Benefits East Texas Chili Pod. Entry fee $20 turn-in 1 PM. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Goody bags for 1st 50 entrants. Beans $5, turn-in Noon. Battle of Fort Crawford Sunday afternoon. Make checks payable to East Texas Chili Pod. Contact David Trice 903-668-3974, 903-407-2586.

Oct 4, 2009-006 - Ottawa, IL CASI. Genes Really Big Birthday Blowout Chili Cookoff. Held at 116 W. Jefferson St. Ottawa, Illinois - Ottawa Elks Lodge #588. Benefits Elks Charities. Turn in Noon. Entry Fee $20.00. Make checks payable to Gene Enke. Gene Enke, 730 Green Street, Ottawa, IL 61350 Contact Phone 815-434-4144. CHILI GRIND ONLY.


Cliff and I are leaving for Ruidoso, NM this morning.  There may not be a posting tomorrow depending upon the availability of the internet.  I should be able to post from my Blackberry, but I need some practice before I attempt that.  Here's hoping that everybody has a Great Chili Weekend and that the Chili Gods shine on you and you get those first points for our new chili year.