Get ready for the Super Bowl of Cooking!

There is always fun stuff happening in town Curry Junction.  It’s one of the reasons why it is so great living where we live!  Here’s another example of one of those fun things to do in town.  Beginning Labor Day weekend September 3rd, and ending Sunday September 5th, Ben Richey Boys Ranch will present The Chili Super Bowl XXIX!

The Chili Super Bowl is an amazing three day event, filled with great family activities, games, and of course… food!  Some of the best cooks in Texas will be showcasing their skills in some of the best food competitions you will ever see!  Several cook-offs will be on display, such as brisket, BBQ chicken, pinto bean, pork spare rib, and naturally, chili.

The Super Bowl is held on Old Settlers Grounds in Buffalo Gap, just about 30 minutes from us here at Curry Junction.

For complete details, including entry forms, listed entertainment, and schedule of events, please visit Ben Richey’s website. Come out and have fun this holiday weekend.

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Are you ready to get fit with boot camp?

Hey Curry Junction!  Looking for a real challenge?  Are you trying to get into better shape? Why not try boot camp.  No, not boot camp of the military variety–although you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference once you’re enrolled–fitness boot camp.  The city of Abilene has wonderful options if you’re interested in a little blood, tears, and sweat.

The Keep Movin’ Fitness Camps are six week undertakings in pure adrenaline, intestinal fortitude, and courage–but the payoff will be tremendous. The camps work with everyone–no matter your fitness level–to make  sure you are doing as much as you can to reach all your targeted fitness goals.

The next camp beings September 7th.  Check out the Keep Movin’ webpage for more information.

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You may get a chance to see America's team for free!

All of you Dallas Cowboy fans here at Curry Junction now have an opportunity to win a very special prize:  You can all register to win two tickets to the September 19th game against the Chicago Bears!  Not only that, the grand prize winner will also win a tour of Valley Ranch, home of the Dallas Cowboys facilities, and an autographed helmet!  Sounds like a sweet deal for any fan!

The runner-up will receive two tickets to that same game.  Simply register here for your chance to win the big prize.  You must be a Texas resident to receive your reward.  The sweepstakes ends September 12th, so make sure you register before that date.  For more details on the rules and requirements of the contest, please see the State Farm Texas rules page.

Hurry and register Curry Junction!  You can’t win if you don’t play!

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Enjoy a delicious port after a touch day

Okay Curry Junction, let me paint the scene for you:  You’ve would just not end.  It was filled with mishaps and disagreeable people.  You spilled a good portion of your lunch (a very bland veggie soup) on your shirt.  Your car’s check engine light came on as soon as you left the office.  Long story short here– you’ve had a pretty crummy day.  Why not try something different, that just might turn your Monday frown into a Tuesday grin:  Try some port.

Port wine is a fortified wine.  Fortified wines are wines with distilled spirits that increase its alcohol content.  In general, wines usually have a alcohol content of about 13 percent. A fortified wine’s alcohol content will be about 20 percent.  More alcohol content?  You bet!  As much as this may be appealing to some of you, there are even more benefits to the higher content of alcohol in port wines.  Here’s an explanation from Mark Maberry:

The higher alcohol content stops the fermentation of the wine, leaving residual sugar, which gives port the characteristic “sweet, grapy” flavor

So port wines give you more of a sweet taste than your average wine.  Just the pick-me-up you’ll need after a brutal day.

There are a few types of ports.  White port is made from white grapes.  Ruby port is the least expensive, and darker in color.  Tawny port is made from red grapes, and is aged between 10-40 years in barrels.  Tawny is more of a dessert wine, so it should be served chilled.

Whatever your preference in color, port wine would make a fine nightcap for any occasion.  It’s a full-bodied wine with a sweet grape taste that you just might find irresistible.

Image by the Italian voice via Flickr

Get that back to school shopping done and save some money in the process!

I sure hope so because this weekend is the Texas’s Sales Tax Holiday! From Friday, August 20th, through Sunday, August 22nd, sales tax will be waived on a number of back to school items.

The tax exemption includes clothes, shoes and school supplies under $100. There are some products which don’t qualify. The Texas Government website specifies which items are taxable and which are exempt.

If you need to get the back to school shopping done then this is definitely the weekend to do it. If you don’t have anyone going back to school then just enjoy the tax holiday and get yourself a “welcome to fall” outfit (I know that’s what I’ll be doing)!

Lucky for us we have a great selection of store that are walking distance of Curry Junction (if you were so inclined that is) and the Mall of Abilene is just minutes away as well!

Are you planning to take advantage of the tax free weekend?

Come to Fuji and enjoy delicious cuts of beef such as this.

Care to try something slightly different from your average meal Curry Junction?  How about taking the plunge and heading to Fuji Japanese Steakhouse? Fuji is one of the most well reviewed and successful restaurants in Abilene—and it reputation was built by delivering high-quality food,  and perfecting amazing, interactive customer service.

Fuji Japanese Steakhouse serves high quality cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and vegetables.  The chefs not only know how to prepare every meal to your liking, but they have totally mastered the art of  table entertainment.  Enjoy a succulent piece of wagyu beef–while watching a flying cleaver cleave the air and land properly in the right palm of the chef–as he stares intently in your eye, looking for your enthused response.  It is pretty awesome!

So check out Fuji Japanese Steakhouse, located literally two miles away from us here at Curry Junction.  The experience is amazing, and one you are not sure to forget.

Are you planning to attend the August ArtWalk?

ArtWalk is a wonderful monthly event here in Abilene and is taking place this Thursday, August 12th. It’s a great, family friendly affair that incorporates a number of businesses downtown. Take in the wonderful art of Abilene for free!

Things get started at 5:00pm on Thursday and continue to 8:30pm. There will be live music from the Nomadic Arts Team from 6:30 to 8:00pm at the Paramount Theatre benefiting the children in Laos.

Come out tomorrow and see what they have in store for us this week! This event is orchestrated by the Center for Contemporary Arts.

Things start at the Center for Contemporary Arts which is just over five miles from Curry Junction. There is plenty of parking in the area. Just be warned it still going to be pretty hot tomorrow evening!

This Saturday, August 7th, is Salutation Nation, a national outdoor yoga event. OH.M! Yoga here in Abilene will be offering a free yoga class from 9:00 to 10:00am at Everman Park. Abilene Family Karate will be following that with a free kickboxing class from 10:00 to 11:00am.

Do you want to do your yoga outdoors?

This is a unique opportunity to enjoy yoga with other in the great outdoors! Plus you can get your weekend workout out of the way Saturday, and for free no less!

The temperature should still be pretty comfortable Saturday morning. We’re not supposed to hit our high for the day until about 3:00pm. So toss on your favorite workout gear, grab your mat and some water and head outside for yoga!

Everman Park is just about five miles north of Curry Junction, in down town Abilene. Are you planning to take part this Saturday?

What about a free Whataburger? I know, sounds too good to be true, but it’s not! Tomorrow, August 3rd, they will be giving away free burger in honor of their 60th Birthday!

Because sometimes happiness is a burger and fries…

Just head into one of the Whataburger’s near Curry Junction between 5:00 and 8:00pm. Show up in something orange (Whataburger’s tell-tale color) and you’ll get a free burger!

So, if you’ve been craving something greasy then head on over for some free food on Tuesday! Celebrate 60 years of great food and show your orange pride.

Are you a fan of this slant-roofed burger joint? Which Whataburger in Abilene do you usually go to?

We have been getting quite a bit of rain the last few days, with more one the way. I always remember I need to get new windshield wipers or I need to clean my windshield when the rain arrives.

Be safe driving in the rain this week.

In light of the rain that’s been drenching Abilene here are a few ways to keep your vehicle rain ready:

Check your wiper blades regularly. Heat and sun, something we get lots of in Texas in the summers, can cause them at age faster. Look for cracking, stiff or brittle rubber, and lack of flexibility. Change the blades if you notice these signs of age and wear. The NHTB suggest you change your wiper blades every year.

Consider using Rain-X or a similar product to help improve visibility in the rain. It’s particularly useful during heavy downpours!

Keep the interior windshield clean to reduce fogging when it rains. There are actually anti-fog products which work pretty well.

I personally am a big fan of rain-x. My dad always use to apply it to my windshield for me when I was younger and I use it about twice a year these days. Do you have any tips for keeping you and your car ready for the rain?

Stay dry Curry Junction!