WHOA! SOROPTIMISTS TOSS 13TH CHILI COOK-OFF FOR CHARITY OCT. 14

East County News Service

September 30, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Get your appetites ready. Lemon Grove Soroptomists are fired up to host their 13^th annual hometown chili-cook-off.  Helen Ofield, president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society, serves up this spicy description to savor: 

No pikers need apply. If you admit to Triskaidekaphobia (Greek for fear of #13), you'll be laughed at all the way down Broadway, past the Big Lemon, right on Lemon Grove Avenue, south to the VFW Hall, where the chili mavens have brought in the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard to defend you, you 13-o-phobe, you.

Soroptimist of Lemon Grove is helming this famous bash and 20 wild women are making sure that your chili needs are not only met, but exceeded, on Oct. 14 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. in the VFW Hall, 2885 Lemon Grove Avenue, where $20 buys enough food to flatten a longshoreman, door prizes, the fun of the silent auction and raffles, good company and general hilarity.

Once again, the no-host Lucky 13 Bar will offer all manner of libations. No less than 12 community groups (so you don't have to pick the 13th) will vie for the coveted Fiery Chili Chef trophy and the also-ran plaques for Chili Chef Ablaze and Chili Chef Smokin'.  This is where it gets cutthroat, but throw caution to the winds, dear gourmands, dive in and discover your secret sauce.

As you test the 12 chilis and cast your ballots, remember this: All proceeds stay in Lemon Grove and benefit SILG's scholarship programs for women and girls, and the 2017 Holiday Food & Toy Drive. Chowing down was never so meaningful.

Added benefit: The VFW just repainted "Old Glory," its fabulous mural on the south wall, so, arrive early for photo ops in front of this beauty. Another benefit: Come as you are, only clothed. Further benefit: Wear boots so you can stomp on the dance floor--serendipitous twirling encouraged!

Buy your tickets now from any wild woman pounding on your door or waylaying you in a parking lot. High Priestess of Chili Nancy McCadam will answer your chili ticket questions at 619-922-3360 or Nancymccadam@gmail.com.

Be there or we'll never speak to you again. Whoa!