When Mary O'Malley got her hands on a family chili recipe, she had a vision.
"I said 'let's step it up a few notches,' " O'Malley said.
Come Saturday, Sept. 26, the heat will be on as O'Malley and a parade of other contestants put their prized chili recipes up for judging and sampling at the first Industrial Strength Chili Cookoff in Gulfport.
The event will be held at the Industrial Arts Center, where visitors are invited to awaken their taste buds.
"I think people entering the competition so far have many motivations: to share a great chili recipe with their community, have a good time, and support their Industrial Arts Center," said Amy Oatley, executive director of the Industrial Arts Center.
O'Malley, who owns Reef Dog Gifts and Grooming in Gulfport, was the first entrant for this spicy event. Her entry, "Reef Dog's Seam Splittin' Chili," will be the winner she says. Her recipe: white chicken chili.
"I wanted to lighten the calories and I didn't want it to be greasy," O'Malley said of her twist on the traditional.
All chili will be prepared in advance and officials have imposed no restrictions on the meat, fillers or beans. It will be judged in a blind tasting by a panel of local judges, including Gulfport Mayor Mike Yakes, said Oatley who is coordinating the event with her colleague Lynn DiVenuti, president of the Industrial Arts Center.
First, second, and third place winners will take home a glass chili pepper trophy created by master glassblower Owen Pach, who will be on hand to offer glassblowing demonstrations.
The event will also feature live music and if you are up for a little friendly competition there are still slots available to enter.
Gulfport City Council member Michele King has even signed up to show her support for the event. Besides, she says she's got talent.
"I make a mean chili. However, I'm sure there will be some really stiff competition. However it turns out, it will be fun," King said.
Sept. 20
'Break The Silence — The Paris Project': This exhibit of artwork was produced by children in a program named in memory of Paris Whitehead Hamilton, who was killed in a drive-by shooting. Through Sept. 30. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 Fifth St. S, St. Petersburg. Call (727) 820-0100 or visit flholocaustmuseum.org.
Spanish Language Tours: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Dali Museum presents tours of the collection and the world of Dali in Spanish. 1:45 p.m. Dali Museum, 1000 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. Included with museum admission. Call (727) 823-3767 or visit salvadordalimuseum.org.
21 Monday
International Day of Peace: Jimbo of Drum Quest leads a drum circle to honor the United Nations International Day of Peace. Bring your own drum or use instruments provided. Donations benefit Adopt-A-Minefield to eliminate remaining land mines. 7 p.m. Lakewood United Church of Christ, 2601 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 867-7961.
Tampa Bay Job Fair: 30 to 40 employers will showcase their organization and promote available employment opportunities. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 893-8523 or visit www.stpete.org/coliseum.
22 Tuesday
Fall Equinox Celebration: Bring a lawn chair and gather around the fire pit to cleanse, create balance, and honor the "West" which represents water and the flow of life's journey. 6 p.m. First Unity Church, 460 46th Ave. N St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 527-2222.
Heartsmart Shopping Tour: Confused about what foods to choose for a healthy lifestyle? Take a guided tour with registered dietitians from St. Anthony's LifeHelp program and learn how to decipher nutrition labels and make smarter food choices. 2 to 4 p.m. Sweetbay Supermarket, 3327 Ninth St. N, St. Petersburg. $10; limited space; registration required. Call (727) 825-1111.
23 Wednesday
Fences: American Stage's first season in its new theater opens with the third installment in August Wilson's Century Cycle. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play, Fences is set in 1957 and explores what holds families together, and drives them apart, in a powerful story filled with humor, love, hope, failure, and triumph. 7:30 p.m. American Stage Theatre Company at Raymond James Theater, 163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg. $26 to $45 depending on day and time of performance. Student rush tickets are $10 and are available 30 minutes prior to curtain. Call (727) 823-7529.
24 Thursday
Curtain Call Event: This annual event is the kick off the 2009-2010 entertainment season with guest hosts, including Sean Daly, pop music critic of the St. Petersburg Times; and Charley Belcher, star of Good Day Tampa Bay's "Charley's World." Includes live entertainment, backstage tours, door prizes, refreshments and more. Bay area arts and cultural groups will be on site with information about their events and local restaurants provide light hors d'oeuvres. 6 to 8 p.m. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 892-5798 or visit mahaffeytheater.com.
25 Friday
Rock the Dali Dedication: St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and Joan Borrel, mayor of Cadaques, Spain, mark the foundation of the new Dali Museum with a rock from Dali's homeland. 11 a.m. Future home of the Dali Museum, Bayshore Drive SE and Fifth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 823-3767 or visit salvadordalimuseum.org.
26 Saturday
Creative Clay Folkfest 2009: Contemporary folk art and music street festival on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, from 11th to 13th streets. Donna the Buffalo is the featured artist, along with other folk, outsider, and intuitive artists, performance acts, and bluegrass, and country musicians from around the country. Also dance stage, children's and community arts workshops, family activities and food vendors. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Creative Clay, 1124 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 825-0515 or visit creativeclay.org.
K.C. and Friends 2009 Center for Great Apes Fundraiser: This benefit will support the Center for Great Apes, a sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees and orangutans in Wauchula, and will feature music, food and craft vendors, kids crafts, silent auction and raffle. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sacred Lands, 1620 Park St. N, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 545-5173 or visit sacredlands.info.
Natural Facelift: Get a mini acupuncture facelift and tips for facial health through supplements, better nutrition and hormone treatment. 1 to 3 p.m. Living Room Yoga, 1608 29th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $50. Call (727) 826-4754 or visit livingroomyoga.biz.
Pilates for Pink: Been thinking about trying Pilates or yoga? Here's a great opportunity to help cancer research and try a 30 minute Pilates or yoga class; also massage, healing touch with pendulum work, and Reiki healing sessions. Donations benefit the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research. Classes and massage sessions will be by appointment, but drop-ins will be accommodated, if possible. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pilates Powerhouse and Yoga Center, 735 Arlington Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Call (727) 894-6811.
.IF YOU GO
Industrial Strength Chili Cookoff
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Industrial Arts Center, 2902A Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport.
Admission: $9 adults, $5 kids.
Entry Details: Deadline is midnight Wednesday; entry fee is $25.
For information: Call (727) 289-9365 or visit industrialartscenter .org.
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