Unfortunately, Elizabeth was feeling too sick for pics but check her out doing the robot on youtube.

At age two, Elizabeth, now 4, was diagnosed with a low grade glioma, a type of brain tumor, while visiting her grandmother in New York. Since being diagnosed, Elizabeth has received chemotherapy treatments, as well as three biopsies of her brain tumor in an attempt to confirm her diagnosis. Unfortunately, the first two biopsies were inconclusive and the results from the third biopsy are still pending.  Elizabeth’s diagnosis has changed from a low-grade glioma to an aggressive, high-grade  glioma. Since March 21, 2011, Elizabeth has been admitted to our inpatient unit here at Children’s Hospital where her treatment plan consists of rehabilitation services and in the near future, radiation treatments.  She is currently being followed by her oncologist, Dr. Maria Velez, her neurosurgeon, Dr. Lori McBride, her radiologist, Dr. Ellie Zakris, as well as the Rehabilitation Team here at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Board Member Zandy Rainold, Rene and Becker with Grant recipient and beautiful girl Emily Maricle and her mom Janice.

Emily, 8 years old, was diagnosed with an Anaplastic Grade III Ependymoma, which is an aggressive form of Ependymoma with limited treatment options and which carries a somewhat poor prognosis.  On March 21 of 2011, the Children’s Hospital neurosurgery team attempted a complete resection of Emily’s tumor.  Even though the surgery team was able to remove the majority of Emily’s tumor, she is now neurologically devastated and in need of intensive treatments.  She is currently being followed by Joseph Nadell, M.D. and Jamie Morales, M.D. here at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, LA.

Hogs made a grant to The Cure Starts Now a national organization dedicated to funding and finding a cure for all cancers. The Cure Starts Now believes that finding a cure to pediatric brain cancer will spur developments in treatment and cure options for all types of cancer. The level of grant given ensures that Erin Sarrat, the mother of Ben, Jr., has a seat on the national board and can direct funds to research projects which have a real shot at cooking cancer.

Ribs

1. Piggy Stardust
2. Boudin Man
3. Beers Fly When Pigs Die
4. The Joint
5. Seymore Butts
6. Fat Buddy’s
7. Elanor Pigby
8. HWA
9. Cochon Dat
10. Squeal and the 610 Stompers

Butt

1. Swine Krewe
2. Fat Hen Grill
3. The Company Burger
4. Guys K-Asian
5. Squeal and the 610 Stompers
6. Pig Slayer
7. Widespread Piggy
8. Fat Harrys
9. Piggy Stardust
10. The Big Neuski

Whole Hog

1. Pig Slayer
2. Gastro Roots
3. 7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon
4. Swine Krewe
5. Bamboo Nursery
6. The Joint
7. Taint Kosher Cochon
8. Fleur De Que
9. The Death Chefs
10. Squeal & the 610 Stompers

Porkpourri

1. The Company Burger
2. Fat Buddy’s
3. Squeal & The 610 Stompers
4. Swine Krewe
5. Go Pig or Go Home
6. Stand Up and Snout!
7. Seymore Butts
8. Piggy Stardust
9. Little Miss Piggy and the Big Bad Wolfpack
10. The Death Chefs

Grand Champion

1. Swine Krewe
2. Squeal & The 610 Stompers
3. The Company Burger
4. Piggy Stardust
5. Pig Slayer
6. Fat Buddys
7. HWA
8. Cochon Dat
9. Seymore Butts
10. The Death Chefs

Congrats guys, we like to think we helped!

We are happy to announce Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys as their replacement!!

A letter from Gourds front man Kevin Russell:

It is with great sadness and regret The Gourds inform you that, due to circumstances beyond our control, it is has become necessary to pull out of the Hogs For The Cause concert in New Orleans on Mar 26, 2011. The reason being one of great inspiration and excitement for us, we would like to share the news with all of our fans and friends in The Crescent City.

Recently we agreed with Vanguard Records to make our next recording within the studios at Levon Helm’s legendary barn, produced by the one and only Larry Campbell. Any Gourds fan could tell you the absolute perfection of this musical pairing. The only window of time to accomplish this feat within the year unfortunately fell between Mar 21 and April 1st, thereby jeopardizing our commitment to perform for all of you in New Orleans.

As a consolation we have promised to be on stage with you next year in that fabulous city to support this wonderful cause. And, we will be bringing a contingency of master pig cookin’ Gourds fans to compete. So be ready next year for The Gourds at Hogs For The Cause. We’ll have a great new record by then for everyone to enjoy. Please accept our apology and have a damn good time at this years event.

Sincerely,

Kevin Russell
The Gourds
Austin,TX

However, if that does not excite you, then maybe this will:  Hogs For The Cause tickets are on sale!  And only $10!!!  “You mean to tell me, Becker, that I can see The Radiators, Anders Osborne, The Gourds, Soul Rebels, Honey Island Swamp Band, and Mississippi Rail Company for only $10?  And its tax deductible because it’s a 501c3″  Yes, I mean that.  I mean exactly that.  “Now if I buy tickets today, can you promise me that my hair will match the sheen, volume, and vibrancies that your mane portrays?”  Unfortunately, I’m not a miracle worker.

Buy now: http://www.hogsforthecause.org/tickets/

We already have as many competitors signed up as last year but please keep spreading the word! 

Non-Pork Vendors will be comprised of most of the local Food Trucks of Baton Rouge and New Orleans.  Pretty cool concept. 

It’s the only charity event you’ll go to that you know John Daly would thoroughly enjoy…and we like to think that means something special.  Together, we can do something great!

My name is Harvey Milk and I’m here to recruit you!  Wait a minute, that’s incorrect, despite my affinity for tight fitting clothing…My name is Becker Hall and I’m here to recruit you!  Teams are still filing in for the Ben Sarrat Jr High on the Hog LA State Pork Cook-Off.  We’re close to last year’s total already. However, we still have room for your team…sign up now!: http://www.hogsforthecause.org/event/#register_tab While Billy Joel is too busy getting divorced and wrecking cars, we’re starting the fire March 25!

I know most of you are probably pretty dejected with the state of the world right now.  With Wesley Snipes being thrown in jail, commercials with Flo from Progressive airing constantly and Lance Bass almost nonexistent these days, I can understand your utter disdain for humanity.  Well, I have news for you that is going to change all that—> I just saved a buttload of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico!  Just kidding…but that really happened.  I want to announce that we’ve booked our last act: Anders Osborne w Big Chief Monk Boudreaux! The final line-up is Mississippi Rail Company, Honey Island Swamp Band, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Swamp N Soul, The Gourds, Anders Osborne and the Radiators.  This is shaping up to be the Ron Burgundy of Food Festivals….it’s kind of a big deal.

Tickets will be going on sale very soon and much like myself, they will be cheap, easy to access and may or may not have mommy issues.  We’ve got some awesome things in store as far as other food vendors, surprises, merchandise, whips and chains, and other all around good times.  Much like Kenner, we’re on the move!  Interested in getting involved?  Just ask me how…Together, we can do something great.

So hot you’ll melt your popsicle,

Becker

“Our responsibility is much greater than we might have supposed, because it involves all mankind.” ~ Jean-Paul Sartre

“Barbara Streisand!” ~ Duck Sauce, “Barbara Streisand”

“Quotation is a serviceable substitution for wit” ~ Oscar Wilde

• A new location – City Park rugby fields
• Live Music
• 50-75 cook off teams
• 15 celebrity judges

You don’t want to miss out this year so start making plans now.