Morning Memo for July 11, 2009

Daily Temecula's intrepid crew of scienticians has been hard at work analyzing raw data to bring you....The Yogurt Index, our arguably statistically-relevant measure of a city's quality of life.



Manhattan has a population approaching two million yet their YI pales in comparison to Temecula's. How? Our 100,000(ish) population enjoys 15 (at last count) frozen yogurt shops. Factor in Murrieta's 100,000(ish) population as well and the two-city region is a veritable yogurt powerhouse, weighing in stronger than such traditional yogurt strongholds as Orange County's Irvine (population over 200,000 with a measly nine shops.)



And, we have Pinkberry.



Yup, Pinkberry, which created a sensation by backing up traffic as celebrities double parked to run in for their fix of original tart with fresh fruit topping, has a Temecula outpost on Winchester Avenue near Trader Joe's.



Irvine has a Pinkberry now, too (at the Spectrum.) See? Yogurt everywhere!



We are also the home of local franchise sensation White Lime, whose adorable shops and tasty yogurt are causing a frosty stir.



Yogurt Point. Another Yogurt Point. Mangoz. Wild Mango. Yogurt Island. And the list goes on...



So do you miss ice cream? Or are you happier with self-serve by the ounce with fresh toppings and clean rocks, pebbles, tile, and hip mod furniture?



Send me your yogurt stories. Love it? Hate it? Eat it daily? Eat it for breakfast? Eat it on a date? Did your kids get a White Lime gift certificate as their prize from the summer reading program at the Temecula Library?



FULL YOGURT INDEX REPORT COMING SOON!<

...and speaking of yogurt, I had a chance to hang out with Fabian on the job at family-owned Wild Mango Yogurt. He'd just invented a new flavor (Jolly Rancher green apple) and the shop was jumping. Wild Mango is in the former Baskin-Robbins store on Margarita and Rancho California, in the Baron's shopping center.



Wild Mango is one of several shops joining in Eye Appeal Optometry's open house TODAY, featuring raffles, prizes, freebies, and a live broadcast by local smooth jazz station 94.5 (KMYT.) Other merchants participating include: Joie de Vie Scents & Decor; Starbucks; Barons; Great Harvest Bread Co; and Fitwize 4 Kids.



The main event in town this weekend is the Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival. There's not a hotel room to be found in town this weekend. Going to hear some jazz? Enjoy!



Daily Temecula reader Freida Hall advised me to grab a glass of sangria and settle in for a terrific sounding event tomorrow (Sunday, July 12) at Keyways Winery: Jacqui Foreman performing in an open-air concert from 2-6 p.m. Check out Foreman's website and the Keyways site for more info.

Whatever you end up doing with your weekend, make it fun & relaxing!



Juliet