A month or so ago, I posted a list of Rosemead restaurants:

http://saveourcommunity.us/files/Rosemead%20Restaurant%20Roundup.pdf

     I knew at the time that it was not a complete list (which doesn't take away from the effort it took to compile the list in the first place).  One restaurant that's not on the list is Hakata Ramen Shin-Sen-Gumi:  http://www.shinsengumiusa.com/R_ramen/index.php

     Wow.  That's all I can say about yesterday's parade.  Notwithstanding a number of snags in preparation and execution, I think that, for a bunch of folks who (for the most part, if not for all of the folks pitching in) have never organized a parade before, Rosemead's Fourth of July Parade went off very well.

     Yes, I know that, from my participant's seat, I didn't get to experience the parade like everyone else out on the streets could experience it.  But, judging by the thousands of smiling faces I saw as I rode the back of a ridiculously large and yellow pickup truck, people were having fun.

     I have pasted a .pdf copy of the lineup of parade participants as it is known to me on July 3.  I notice that several groups that were listed on earlier "confirmed" lists are no longer listed on this final list.  I'll assume they had to drop out, but it is also possible that some additional groups not listed on the attached file may also participate in the parade.

Remember the coming frozen yogurt invasion I mentioned a few weeks (or months?) ago?  Well, they've established a beach head in San Gabriel.  "Peach House," on Valley, just east of New and just west of Mission Hardware, is open.

They're a Pinkberry clone:  same paper cups, same cutey logo, same pricey fro yo and fruit toppings.  I still think this is over-priced dessert, but it's a whole lot quicker to get to than Westwood or Beverly Hills or West Hollywood or the other Pinkberry outlets.

This story appeared in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune recently. It suggested that contributions and meals might sway the decisions of city staff and politicians.

My initial reaction was to wonder where these stories were when Wal-Mart's consultant (Mike Lewis) was buying Councilmembers Taylor and Imperial drinks and appetizers every Wednesday evening at Denny’s for about two years. My second reaction was to think that there was something misleading about this story. For example, it notes that "The conditions for a fourth project, which is located on one parcel owned by Eric Lee and Bob Nguyen, was approved by the City Council after it was originally denied by the planning commission."

At the next planning commission meeting, the planning departent staff will be doing a workshop (presentation) on the two items noted above.  Both items are in the process of being drafted, and both are going to be very important in shaping the future appearance and development of our city.

It's likely that both issues will eventually come before the city council late this summer.

I would encourage all Rosemead residents to get educated on these issues and help the planning commission and the city council create a city we can all be proud of.

The Offices of Board of Equalization Member Judy Chu and State Senator Gloria Romero invite you all to a small business seminar this Friday.  The flyer is attached.

Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo has been getting some bad press recently.

I wonder if it has anything to do with this?