Punk Smurf pens a bilingual blog

Even though Southern California is a melting pot of different cultures and deliciously diverse dining, the ways of the yummy Asian noodles might be lost on lawmakers. Kim Tar noodle factory has been in business for 25 years, supplying restaurants and markets with fresh rice noodles. But, a state law requiring refrigeration of noodles is threatening the life of these Asian noodles. Thankfully, some wise Asians are gathering their forces to fight the man who is trying to keep our noodles down. What I love even more than the fact that they are going to rally for the noodles is that they are planning a press conference at a restaurant in Monterey Park! (I grew up a stone-skip away from Monterey Park and still enjoy delectable Asian cuisine in MP.)

Health officials are standing their ground saying this is a matter of public safety and that “ethnic foods are not treated differently than other foods.” Newsflash health officials — Not all foods are created equal! If it’s customary for rice noodles to be stored at room temperature — and they have been for thousands of years — then storing them in the fridge doesn’t suddenly make them safer to eat! In fact, putting rice noodles in the fridge can ruin them! Asians noodles are not like other pastas. Leave our noodles alone!

Whoever is trying to impose those laws on noodles obviously doesn’t know anything about them. On the upside LA Times reports that the WIC nutrician program’s food vouchers now enables women and children to buy themselves fresh fruit and vegetables. Isn’t that grand?

Another study finds no difference between children raised by gay or straight adoptive parents. DUH! And in the meantime the authors of “And tango makes three” finally have a baby of their own.

Earlier this week Bruce Springsteen debuted a new song, called “Wrecking Ball” at Giants Stadium. Listen to it here. Serena Ryder is currently touring the US with NeedToBreathe, and popped into a studio in Charlottesville for an interview and a couple of songs. Listen to it here. And in the meantime rocker Melissa Etheridge is contemplating using her celebrity to form a high-powered lesbian coalition, made up of fellow famous gay rights activists.

I’m thrilled actress Ming-Na plays an out lesbian Asian-American in Stargate Universe. Read about it here and here. Let’s hope her character has at least a half decent storyline.

This is what Ming-Na had to say about the part: “I’ve never played a gay character, and for me that was such an incredible challenge. And I said, “As long as you write her with absolute depth and she’s well rounded, and there’s no stereotypes, and she’s a real person — then yes, let’s go for it.” Being an Asian woman in this business, I have had to deal with a lot of adversities…So I relate a lot to Camille’s character, because I think being a woman who’s also gay in an environment where she has to be the head of a department - she’s an IOA officer, head of the human resources department, and she is in charge in a man’s world. So it’s a really great challenge.”