The 2009 Garry Maddox BBQ Challenge

Saturday, August 8, is the second Big Event of the summer for me. Now that the American Cancer Society Bike-a-thon is over, I can now focus on the Garry Maddox BBQ Challenge, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to my Bike-a-thon ride. The event was a huge fundraising success, and there is still time to donate if you're interested.

The Garry Maddox BBQ Challenge, since 2001, is an annual event, sponsored by Phillie's centerfielder Garry Maddox. All proceeds benefit the Youth Golf & Academics Program (YGAP), an academic enrichment program founded by Garry Maddox to support children in grades K-8 who reside in troubled city neighborhoods (see website).

Last year, I competed for the first time, and did not win, probably because I was a rank amateur in the sport of competitive BBQ. This year I am still a rank amateur but just a bit less rank, thanks to lessons learned in last year's competition and in my experience as a judge at a BBQ event at the Keansburg, NJ Fire Company this past May. Thank you, Bill E., for that privilege!

I will be entering in all four categories:

• Chicken
• Ribs
• Chef's Choice
• Garry's Rib Challenge (the Big Prize: World Series tickets)

I'll be there from 6:30am to get set up and get my fires started.

If you're in the area, please stop by and say hello, and wish me luck!

The Super Bowl, uh, I mean, the "Big Game"

It's Super Bowl Sunday, and that means anyone who has coughed up the dough will be allowed to call it the Super Bowl. Everyone else must call it the "Big Game".

Since the Super Bowl will be broadcast on NBC this year, NBC news has the opportunity to turn the Today Show and all their other "news" shows into Super Bowl infomercials. They have already started Saturday morning with on-site reports from Tampa featuring Jenna Wolfe and Al Roker. Keith Olbermann has been broadcasting "Countdown" from Tampa all week.

MSNBC will be featuring the "Predator Bowl", a marathon Doc-Block of "To Catch a Predator". I must admit Predator is one of my favorites, and I will probably be catching a few episodes while I'm smoking my ribs and waiting for the Big Game to start.

I don't have much interest in who wins. I don't like either team, but to give credit where credit is due, I watched in reluctant amazement as the great Larry Fitzgerald tore up my beloved Eagles in the NFC Championship game. So I will be leaning toward Arizona, if only to see what Mr. Fitzgerald can do to the Steel Curtain.

I do not look forward to listening to John Madden prattle on about how great the Cowboys are, as he always does, no matter who is playing.

On the menu: baby back ribs, buffalo chicken tenders, other assorted snacks. Check my iReport page later in the day for a full report.

I am hoping the The Boss, during the half-time show, brings out the legend, Pete Seeger, to do an encore rendition of "This Land is Your Land", with ALL the lyrics, like they did at the Lincoln Memorial before the Obama inauguration.

Enjoy the game!

Bike-a-thon, BBQ Challenge - 2009

Two important dates have just been set for some of my favorite fund raising activities:

• Sunday, July 12th - The Philadelphia American Cancer Society Bike-a-thon
• Saturday, August 8th - The Garry Maddox BBQ Challenge

The Bike-a-thon is a 64.6 bicycle mile ride from Philadelphia, PA to Buena, NJ. This will be my fifth year participating and I am looking forward to it already. It is an exhausting but exhilarating event, riding with thousands of fellow cyclists to support the fight against cancer. I will be posting a link to my personal page soon in case anyone wishes to support my ride by making a donation.

The BBQ Challenge is a cooking competition to support the Youth Golf & Athletics Program (YGAP). Founded by former Phillies centerfielder Garry Maddox, the YGAP provides a safe after-school environment for young people in the Philadelphia area. This past year was my first competition, where entered my barbecued ribs. Unfortunately I fell short of a prize, but had a great time cooking and mingling with so many BBQ enthusiasts. This year I will be drafting a posse to help me out; we will bring many smokers and grills, and make a variety of foods for entry into the competition and for our friends to enjoy.

Stay tuned for more information on both these events as they get closer. If you wish to participate in either event please contact me directly.