Lou MC Yelps a Lot

It's expected to see our colorful background disappear right after midnight new year eve. No worry. This happens every year. I captured this image to share with you. The apps have been evolving in 2015 and the layouts are little different. Our Elite badges will be released on the next business day. They normally come in several waves. We'll see what will happen next year. Here is a Talk thread from our CM Farrah in January 2014. Android & iPhone version of my profile on New Year's Day 1/1/15. It's always fun to send and receive compliments whenever we get the badge. Badge in different colors Red Badge - 1st to 4th year Gold Badge - 5th to 9th year Black Badge - 10th year and more Here is an example of a tenured Elite Yelper . I can't wait to see what color after 15 years of Elite.

We love Six Ping Bakeries in Chinatown. I received a message from Yelper Que N. as she notice a Six Ping sign at Saigon Plaza. It is technically not inside of Chinatown on the east of Beltway. So, I went to investigate. Six Ping has 4 location in Houston Chinatown area On their website, there isn't any information about their 4th store at 10623 Bellaire Blvd Ste C120 (Next to Pho Dien & UT Medical). Then, I went to the Dun Huang Plaza bakery and asked about it. The store clerk said, it will open sometime early December. I went back to check daily. It finally opened on Saturday, 12/5/15. Then, I thought to write a blog to have a collection of the stores in one location: Bellaire Six Ping - 9384 Bellaire  yelp.com/biz/six-ping-houston Viet Hoa Plaza - 8388 W Sam Houston Parkway, Ste 184  yelp.com/biz/six-ping-houston-2 Dun Huang Plaza - 9889 Bellaire Blvd, Ste D246  yelp.com/biz/six-ping-houston-5 Saigon Plaza - 10623 Bellaire Blvd, Ste C123  http://www.yelp.com/biz

Not sure when this Black Friday frenzy started with me. I think I can better off stay at home next year. I had to stop what I was doing to buy something. It used to be the day we sleep outside of Best Buy store in hoping to get some cheap TV's or DVD players. I think the time has passed. I haven't find anything I really need after reviewing the Black Friday sales sheet. However, I saw something I really want a week before and a week after Thanksgiving. I finally replaced my USB printer to HP - Officejet Pro 6830 Wireless e-All-In-One Printer  at half of original retail price. Then, I bought a high tech cooker during the 4-hour . Catch my review on  Midea 6-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker  later. Another Black Friday Blues at Macy's. I saw the ad about Alfani Boots for $24.95. Sure, I want to be in style without breaking the bank. Here is my experience posted on Yelp at Macy's in Sugar Land. I ended up buying the size I needed online with $2 cheaper during th

My Mr Magoo look Do you like my UYE's? These Unofficial Yelp Events are uniquely designed. I welcome your feedback. As usual, I incorporate cultural events and local businesses to interact with the guests. There is always trinkets offering at my UYE. 2016 is going to be a busy year for me. I'd like to plan my UYE far in advance. It is very time consuming to send invitations on Yelp. So, please pay attention to your friends' feeds on mobile app, Talk posts or Events page for the latest announcement. Remember, it takes 2 to have an UYE. If no one replied "I'm in", the event is likely to be cancelled. I need your support to promote my events by your "Sounds Cool" votes. Date Name Purpose Sun, 1/31 Year of the Monkey UYE Celebrating Lunar New Year at Jinya Ramen on Louisiana (moved due to schedule) Early March Cross+Cities UYE – Dallas Edition Similar to my Austin Edition March

I noticed a new features today November 3rd. It's kind of funky. Event page on Google Chrome Version 46.0.2490.80 m Compared with the old version.  I noticed these new features in October. They removed "To Review" and "To Try". It's Nothing now. Photo taking tips are kind of cool. But people can't see this on the phone. I can't disable auto befriending from Facebook. I kept seeing people I don't want on my friend list. Auto Friending is kind of embarrasing

First of all, I am not affiliated with Yelp and I write reviews on Yelp for fun. Secondly, I don't ask for special treatment from businesses because I write reviews for fun. Third, I am a hard-core Elite Yelper. I always encourage Yelpers to write reviews. Now, let’s go to the featured presentation. Many ideas created this UYE . Since my ROTD (Review of the Day) on 2/11/2014, I have been a regular customer to Eatwell Bakery Cafe for my yogurt fix and remain in contact with the owner, Ziad. The more I talk to him, the more I like to feature Eatwell in my UYE choices. Ziad has a passion in promoting healthy gourmet with a Mediterranean twist. It was perfect timing to wrap up the challenge while Eatwell celebrates its anniversary in October. The UYE was named "Zoom Zoom 100 & Beyond" as a result from a Talk thread . This UYE was dedicated to the Yelpers who participated in the  2015 Yelp Challenge . I started the cyber event as a challenge to encourage my fellow Yel

I drafted this blog since February. Most of UYE hosts disagreed with me on writing reviews on UYE, they rather write on the biz page. I recently noticed this new category "Unofficial Yelp Events" on biz page categories. I was so excited.  I'm happy that HQ is seeing the value of such event. This also distinguish from being Yelp Events, but wasn't hosted by CM. There are sources on the Event Terms of Service  explaining about UYE and the article explaining to biz owners.  Rules for UYE... Ooooh... In short, I used Q&A format to summarize the idea: Why do you need a UYE page? It's a good idea to leave your UYE experience outside of the official biz page. A separate UYE page allows your guests to post photos and feedback on a review. If you choose not to, just be mindful how you describe the occasion. What exactly is UYE? According to the Event Terms and Conditions, "members of the Elite Squad and the Yelp Community organize their own meet

A new category for UYE, only available from a computer post. I love to plan events, especially UYE's (Unofficial Yelp events). Once I learned how to use the event feature on Yelp site, everything comes naturally. Many Yelpers who attended UYE's often ask me, "how many UYE have you submitted?" Well... I never bother to count. But, I decided to publish it here. Name Date Purpose Biz Page Attended Review UYE: Eat Hot Pot like you're in Winter Olympics 2/23/14 Chinese New Year here 7 Yes Asian Heritage Month UYE 5/15/14 1 st Annual Asian Heritage Month here 7 Yes Pholkloric UYE 11/9/14 Meeting Elite Yelpers couldn’t attend Elite Events here 11 Yes UYE - 2B or Not 2B UYE - 2B or Not 2B Sequel 1/27/15 Before / after of a lite-bite YEE (new concept) here 20 Yes Year of

What's is special about Sunday, September 27? This is the traditional Chinese moon festival, as well as the Total Lunar Eclipse only happens once every 2.5 years. I created an Event on Yelp http://www.yelp.com/events/houston-celestial-event-total-lunar-eclipse-2015  just to entice and remind people of such great celestial event. I also want to promote local grocery stores and bakeries in Chinatown. They're selling some yummy moon cakes, whether it's imported or freshly baked. You should give them a try. Low sugar low fat variety moon cake purchased at Yin Wall City Grocery Stores: Welcome Food Center -  http://www.yelp.com/biz/welcome-food-center-houston-2 H Mart -  http://www.yelp.com/biz/h-mart-houston Viet Hoa International Foods -  http://www.yelp.com/biz/viet-hoa-international-foods-houston Jusgo Supermarket -  http://www.yelp.com/biz/jusgo-supermarket-houston Dynasty Supermarket -  http://www.yelp.com/biz/dynasty-supermarket-houston Specialty Stores: Y

To tell you the truth, I lived in Houston for almost 10 years and I thought I would never see any folks from the Islands and listen to the familiar melodies. Last week, just so happened that I was poking around on Yelp Events and found Aloha TexFest during Labor Day Weekend. Oh yeah! I'm in! Mahalo to Nina P. for the posting. I, for one, waited 8 years for this one-and-only Aloha Festival since I heard about it. Suddenly, it disappeared from the cyberspace. According a long-time vendor, there were a few missed years due to hurricane and other emergencies. Various vendors showcase their crafts, talents and cuisine. The event was an eye-opener for many people who never seen live hula dancers and fire performers. For me, it was my opportunity to network with people of common interests and to get out of Houston to see Clear Lake for the first time. My impression was like, "wow, ocean!" (Not really, it was a lake close to the bay.) I didn’t stay for the entire show due

Why does my profile on Google Chrome look different started last weekend? Oh, wait. Every profile looked the same as mine, including non-elites. It was just awkward to see elements in different places. I got so used to using the app. It took me awhile to get used to the new iPhone version 10. So, I posted a thread on Yelp Talk: Yelp Profile Redesign . So far, there isn't a single person has the same view as me. I thought it may disappear after a reboot my Windows 7 laptop. But I still see it. There was no change on Internet Explore. Am I on a beta testing that I'm not aware of? I didn't see any mention of this on Yelp Engineering Blog , Yelp Official Blog , and Developer Blog . Mmm... Google Chrome 44 - profile image slideshow like on an app Internet Explore 11

My recent Time for Taiwan UYE was filled with lots of fun, energy and conversations. I love it. That's how an UYE should be. This UYE was created with helps from many Yelpers. The UYE idea came from Jamie A . as I posted an event on  2015 Time For Taiwan-Restaurant Month in Houston (I also posted one in Dallas ). Then, I solicited on the Talk thread. Chris C recommended Cafe 101 because alcohol beverages are available. I was a little discouraged to proceed after many obstacles: can't modify the time, low RSVP turnout and scorching Houston's 101°F+ heat. But I was craving for some Taiwanese food. It actually went very well. Que N & Sarah Y; Lou & Depp; Sarah Y & Matt S I have so many ties with Taiwan. Yelp added Taiwan as 5th market in Asia this April. I made contact with CM Roxanne L . I have plans to visit my birthplace in October 2016. My recent review on the 2nd Annual Taiwan Yes Taiwan Way Festival. I saw an ad on local newspaper about th