Bako bits: heading into another "First Friday" weekend and a crackdown at coffee houses?

Heading into what promises to be a terrific weekend. How did we go from temperatures nearing 110 to a high today of 85? Hope it lasts. Here we go ...

* ... GET OUT OF THAT SEAT DEADBEAT: Read with interest a front page story in the Wall Street Journal today about coffee houses cracking down on all those folks who take up valuable space gazing into their computers-for hours on end. The Journal says this crackdown on loiterers - folks who show up for the free Wi-Fi, order one cup of coffee and sit there for hours-is a direct result of the recession during which revenue per table is all important. Haven't heard of anything similar locally, either at the multiple Starbucks or at the popular Dagny's downtown, but you couldn't blame them. Said the Journal:

"Amid the economic downturn, there are fewer places in New York to plug in computers. As idle workers fill coffee-shop tables - nursing a single cup, if that, and surfing the Web for hours-and as shop owners struggle to stay in business, a decade-old love affair between the coffee shops and laptop-wielding customers is fading."




* ... DOWNTOWN: WHERE THE ACTION IS: Don't forget about the "First Friday" fun downtown tomorrow night. Don Martin over at Metro Galleries is sprucing up the place and promises some new art to consider. Make a night of it and have dinner at Uricchio's or Mama Roombas and then hit the art galleries. It all starts around 6 p.m. and goes well into the evening, and you are bound to see a few dozen of your closest friends. If Cafe Med is more your cup of tea, make sure you check out the Friday Eye Street entertainment section in The Californian and take advantage of the 20 percent off Cafe Med coupon, good for weekends. You'll find it on page D12.



* ... MENTO BURU AT FISHLIPS: If you're in the mood for some of the Caribbean salsa/jazz/swing of popular local band Mento Buru, head over to Fishlips on 18th Street Saturday night for a party celebrating the release of the band's new CD. This is one of the most popular bands in Bakersfield and they always - without fail - put on a good show. Starts at 9 p.m. Saturday, admission is $5 for those 21 and over. Fishlips is located at 1517 18th Street.