January 30, 2010 Hello BBQ Gang! Welcome to the unpredictable Illinois BBQ Society's Weekly(ish) eNewsletter. Thanks to your double-opt-in subscription; you're now receiving regular to semi-regular emails from ILBBQS. Perhaps even a random delivery or two to keep you on your toes. You might want to alert your spam nanny so that valuable information and critical news release information are not unduly delayed. Now to the good stuff. Here's what's going on the world of the Illinois BBQ Society... ~ KCBS Certified BBQ Judge's Class in Southern Illinois ~ The Pathetic Suburban Males' Grill Club ~ FREE ILBBQS Weekly(ish) eNewsletter ~ Upcoming Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... ~ Upcoming KCBS Contests... ~ Upcoming MBN Contests... ~ Upcoming Classes... For additional information on these stories, and more, be sure to visit the Illinois BBQ Society online at http://www.ILBBQS.com . x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x This eNewsletter brought to you by: "In the Heat of Battle" Competition BBQ Boot Camp - http://www.TheBBQBootCamp.com After a successful (and sold-out) BBQ Boot Camp in Murphysboro last year, we're now set to roll out bigger BBQ Boot Camps for 2010! You will have the opportunity to experience a full-on, world-class barbecue competition FROM THE INSIDE! Join Bandit BBQ Crew for an ALL ACCESS glimpse into the Professional BBQ Competition arena as a fully fledged member of their Pit Crew. This totally hands-on experience is only available to a few select individuals who are willing to learn the secrets of prepping, smoking, and presenting award winning competition style barbeque in a real life Kansas City BBQ Society Sanctioned (KCBS) Competition. Battle dates have been expanded to include at least 2 KCBS Sanctioned Contests for 2010. July 2nd & 3rd - The Best Dam BBQ Cookoff @ Rend Lake, Illinois; and October 2nd & 3rd - The American Royal @ Kansas City, Missouri. As of this newsletter, ONLY 5 SPOTS REMAIN FOR REND LAKE AND 6 SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR THE AMERICAN ROYAL...Don't miss out on this experience of a lifetime! For additional information, visit http://www.TheBBQBootCamp.com to find out how you to can learn the secrets of the pros! x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x KCBS Certified BBQ Judge's Class in Southern Illinois Belleville, Illinois (Near St. Louis) Starts: 04/01/2010 Ends: 04/01/2010 Instructor: Mike Lake Contact Information: Dennis Keck, Phone: 618-277-4444, keckjewelers@gmail.com *************************************** The Pathetic Suburban Males' Grill Club Just wanted to let the group know about a website for a fun group of guys. The Pathetic Suburban Males' Grill Club is a group of more than 160 members spread out over nine states. Basically, the club is a cyber-collection of middle-aged men who have almost no peace in their lives due to demanding wives, bratty kids and tedious jobs. They drink beer, grill and share their creations with each other in the club. Check out their site at http://www.psmgc.com .   *************************************** FREE ILBBQS Weekly(ish) eNewsletter Wow, in the past week, we maxed out our email list quota for those of you who receive the ILBBQS Weekly(ish) eNewsletter! Our membership is still on the rise! We have expanded our mailing list quota to the next level, and are now ready for even more subscribers. If you're not already receiving the eNewsletter, its completely in your control, easy to sign-up for, and best of all, IT'S FREE!! Simply scroll to the top of this page; enter your name and email address in the blue box; confirm your subscription on the next page; then (and this is important) CHECK YOUR EMAIL AND CLICK THE CONFIRMATION LINK that will be sent to you. This may sound like extra steps, but it ensures you want to receive the email updates, and keeps your email address safe from anyone to just add your address without your permission. If you have changed your email address, please follow the above steps with your new address to begin receiving the updates to your new address. Should you have any questions, please let us know! Our email address has remained the same for since the beginning... bbq@ilbbqs.com . We look forward to hearing from you! *************************************** Do you know of some barbeque event, contest, class, or function going on in Illinois, or the surrounding areas? Let us know! *************************************** Upcoming 2010 Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ February 14th - 2010 Winter Burn-Off & Chili Cook-Off - Contact: Keith Engstrom, 915 Second Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60016 - Phone: (847) 312-4053 - E-mail: rekengstr@ameritech.net ~ August 7th - Alma, Illinois ~ 4th Annual Holy Smoke Backyard BBQ Cook-Off @ Orchard View Winery ~ Contact: Jim Rhino ~ Phone: 618-407-3300 ~ Email: rhino@banditbbq.com ~ September 18th - Glen Ellyn Backyard Barbeque Cook-Off - Contact: Tom Koprowski, Glen Ellyn, Illinois - Phone: 630-890-0465 - Email: koprowski1@sbcglobal.net ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming 2010 KCBS Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ April 23 & 24 ~ Hazelwood, Missouri ~ 2009 Kick-Off Cookoff Classic ~ Greg Wilkinson, 2680 Narraganset, Florissant, MO 63033 ~ Phone: 314-955-1104 ~ E-Mail: gawilk@swbell.net ~ June 4 & 5 - Taylorville Main Street Barbeque Blues and Cruise - Contact: Paul Mizeur, 108 W Market / PO Box 350, Taylorville, IL 62568 - Phone: 217-287-1876 Fax: 217-287-1876 - Email: paul.mizeur@usbank.com ~ July 2 & 3 - The Best Dam BBQ Cookoff Benton-West City, IL - Contact: Charles Cockrum , 211 N Main St., Benton, IL 62812 - Phone: 618-927-6157 - Email: bestdambbq@gmail.com ~ July 9 & 10 - 20th Annual Illinois State Championship & Butt to Butt Pork Invitational - Contact: Connie Smith, 301 E. Sunrise Drive, Shannon, IL 61078 - Phone: 816-864-2542 ~ Fax: 815-864-2825 - E-mail: connieroethesmith@yahoo.com ~ September 10 & 11 - Smoke on the River Quincy, IL - Contact: Mel Dillman, 523 South 8th St, Quincy, IL 62301 - Phone: 217-228-1208 - Fax: 217-228-1976 - Email: mdillman5905@sbcglobal.net ~ September 10 & 11 - Wabash Ribber Fest Barbecue Championship Mt. Carmel, IL - Contact: Colette Grigsby, 9403 Sand Barrens Lane, St. Francisville, IL 62460 - Phone: 618-262-4339 -Fax: 618-262-4339 - Email: gcysmith@shawneelink.net ~ September 24 & 25 - Murphysboro Barbeque Cook-Off - Contact: Gary Strothmann, PO Box 382, Murphysboro, IL 62966 - Phone: 618-684-8902, Fax: 618-687-4311 - Email: becky@17thstreetbarbecue.com ~ October 8 & 9 - Super City Blues & Ques - Contact: Priscilla Abell, 106 W. 5th Street, Metropolis, IL 62960 - Phone: 618-524-1696 Fax: 618-524-2582 - Email: metropolisparks@verizon.net ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming 2009 Memphis BBQ Network Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ September 24 to 25 - Murphysboro Barbeque Cook-Off - Contact: Gary Strothmann, PO Box 382, Murphysboro, IL 62966 - Phone: 618-684-8902, Fax: 618-687-4311 - Email: catering17@egyptian.com ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming Certified BBQ Judge's and Certified Table Captain's Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ April 1st, 2010 ~ Belleville, Illinois (Near St. Louis) ~ Instructor: Mike Lake ~ Contact Information: Dennis Keck, Phone: 618-277-4444, keckjewelers@gmail.com ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming BBQ Cooking Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ Plainfield, Illinois ~ January 28-30, 2010 ~ Fire & Flavor Workshop ~ Instructor: Mathew Freistadt ~ Contact Information: Mathew Freistadt ~ Phone: (630)-347-5807 ~ Email: mathew@theschooloffire.com ~ Online: www.TheSchoolOfFire.com ~ Westmont, Illinois ~ 02/19/10 to 02/20/10 ~ Instructors: Scottie Johnson & Mike Wozniac ~ Contact Information: Scottie Johnson ~ Phone: 630-988-0526 ~ Email: scottie@cancersuckschicago.com ~ Rend Lake, Illinois ~ 07/02/10 to 07/03/10 ~ The Best Dam BBQ Cookoff ~ Instructor: Jim 'Rhino' Reincke ~ Contact Information: Jim Rhino ~ Phone: 618-407-3300 ~ Email: rhino@banditbbq.com ~ Kansas City, Missouri ~ 10/02/10 to 10/03/10 ~ The American Royal BBQ Contest ~ Instructor: Jim 'Rhino' Reincke ~ Contact Information: Jim Rhino ~ Phone: 618-407-3300 ~ Email: rhino@banditbbq.com ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** These stories, and more, can be found online at http://www.ILBBQS.com . Most of the stories online have active links for ease of finding more information...be sure to visit the website for your full ILBBQS experience! If you have a BBQ related news item you would like to share with the group, be sure to send it in! As always, if you have any pictures, stories, news items, comments, suggestions, questions, or ideas, let me know! Carpe 'Que, Jim Rhino