Good day everyone.


Over the past several weeks I have had an idea rolling around in my head and I believe that I have it worked out now.  Chili cooks are unique individuals.  Each of us has our strengths, weaknesses, quirks and superstitions.  We all have one other thing that makes us unique.  Chili names.  Have you ever seen or heard a chili name and wondered where in the world that came from?  Many of our names were given to us; or were inspired by something that happened to us, or we just thought it would be a great chili name.

I am asking the membership to send me a short story detailing how you got your chili name.  Did someone special give it you?  Did something happen to you and it just became a nickname?  Or was there some other circumstance where you derived your name.

I am compiling these stories and am looking at starting a column in the Trails featuring two or more each month.   With all the cooks we have out there surely we will have enough material to continue this column for a while. I think this would be an interesting read for not only our members and friends but for those that receive the Trails at events that aren't all that familiar with the chili world.

Please take the time and jot down your story.  You can send submissions to the following email address:

casiedkeith@att.net

please put  "CHILI NAME" in the subject line.

I  look forward to receiving your stories.

Thank you   

Howdy, y’all –
 
            I’ve been working with a group called Fire It Up! Events to get a cookoff going out here in Southern California.  Here’s the invitation from Ben Lobenstein:
 
“Happy New Year and well-seasoned greetings Chili Heads!
“This is your team invitation to participate in the 3rd Annual Santa Anita Park Chili Cookoff. This contest takes place on February 24, 2018, in front of the grandstands of the grandstands of the iconic Santa Anita Park (in Arcadia, CA) where you will enjoy an unobstructed front-row view of thoroughbred horse racing (all day) and the magnificent San Gabriel Mountains as a majestic backdrop.  If you attended this event in previous years, you know how unique this venue is, and how well attended it was.  If this will be your first time, prepare to be wowed!
“This year our cookoff will be raising funds for the Foothill Unity Center, a place for real hope and possibilities for people in crisis.  As they are the ones benefiting from our People’s Choice ticket sales, we’re going to help by offering free entries to those who participate in People’s Choice (minimum two gallons, please).
“New for 2018 … we are adding a CASI cookoff.  We’d like to ask that if you are planning to attend you let us know which contests/categories you are planning to compete in, using the form at http://fireitupevents.com/santa-anita-chili-cook-off-2018/.  Details about the cookoff can be found at the same site.
“Once again we will provide tents, tables, and chairs to the first 25 teams who sign up (all set up – for FREE!).  As always, we hope you can make it out.  Please help us spread the word about this great event. 
“We look forward to seeing our chili head friends once again and to meeting new ones.  Limited space is available, so don’t wait too long to sign up or you may miss out.
“Thank you, Ben Lobenstein.”
 
            They have plenty of RV parking – no hookups! – and a golf cart brigade to transport your stuff from the parking lot to the cooking area.
            I know that the Texas State Open is planned for this same weekend, but for some of you, California is a lot closer, so please come out and help CASI get started in SoCal.  Please!
            Feel free to call or email if you have any questions.  Thanks, y’all!
                                                                       
                                                                        Pam Clark
                                                                        903.316.0353
                                                                        PamClark@casichili.net
​

Four new recipes have been added to the RECIPES tab featuring the CASI Terlingua Chili Mix.  The recipes range from sweet to savory.  New recipes will be added to the website over the next several months so check them out!

The CASI Winter Board meeting will take place the weekend of January 20 and 21 at the Irving Elks Lodge, 2015 N Britain Rd in Irving TX. Saturday will be the work session beginning at 8:30am and the official meeting will be on Sunday beginning at 8:00am. If you would like to address the BOD on Sunday and be placed on the agenda, please get in touch with the Executive Director at casied@casichili.net   Deadline to placed on the agenda is January 16.