WAITING GAME: Sources expect Rep. Carlos J....

WAITING GAME: Sources expect Rep. Carlos J. Moorhead (R-Glendale) to formally announce by Labor Day whether he will retire from Congress as anticipated. Meanwhile, local legislators are scrambling for position. . . . If state Assemblyman James E. Rogan (R-Glendale) runs for Moorhead’s spot, also expect Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills) to seek Newton R. Russell’s (R-Glendale) state Senate seat. Said one Boland source: “It’s like a domino effect.”

BEST BITES: The new 1995-96 Zagat Survey of America’s Best Meal Deals is out--and a handful of Valley eateries is in it. . . . Top Deli: Brent’s Deli in Northridge. Top Chicken: Koo Koo Roo in Encino. Top Hot Dogs: Jody Maroni’s at Universal CityWalk. Top Mex / Tex-Mex: Baja Fresh in Woodland Hills. Top Middle Eastern: Zankou Chicken in Glendale and Van Nuys.

PLUNGING AHEAD: Jennifer Parmenter, above, is still pretty young. But her future is already giving her plenty to smile about. . . . The Granada Hills teen-ager already has won two national titles and qualified for the Olympic trials. She swims today in the Phillips 66 National Championships in Pasadena (C6).

GROUNDED: Citing safety reasons, Los Angeles Police Chief Willie L. Williams has grounded three LAPD helicopters--nearly one quarter of the Police Department’s helicopter fleet. . . . But police said the action would cause no substantial drop in service (B1).