Southern' cooking on display in Arbuckle

There was some smokin' delicious Southern cookin' going on in Arbuckle on Sunday — as in southern Colusa County with south-of-the-border flavor.

And while the number of people may have been down from the previous year's Carnitas and Salsa Cook-Off, officials with the Arbuckle Revitalization Committee report the organization is going to make more money this year.

"I would not miss this for anything," said Howard Townzen, who said he actually lived in Arbuckle for several months as part of a well drilling firm many years ago.

Now he lives in Woodland, officially, but his heart — and stomach — belong to Arbuckle.

"I come up for the car show each year, visit some old friends now and then, and I love this salsa party," Townzen said. "The food is great.

His wife, Kary Townzen, said she likes the Belfour Park setting, but wonders why the event is not held downtown like the car show.

"I think that would be great."

Perhaps, but there are more than a few young soccer players who would be disappointed with that, and a handlful of folks took advantage of the breezy conditions to fly kites in the open spaces of Belfour.

The top prize for the best carnitas — and the judging was tough, went to the Ballet Folklorico Nueva Generacion group.

Second place went to Sun Valley Rice, followed by the Familia Ascencion.

Jeff Carter Farms captured the prize for the best booth at the event, while the top salsa was made by Dill Dolbow and Kim Vann.