California cities prepare local rules for legal marijuana, texting contributes to more traffic fatalities and First Friday kicks off a perfect October weekend

 *... TRAFFIC FATALITIES: This may not surprise you but traffic fatalities are surging, thanks in part - experts say - to our love affair with the dangerous habit of texting while driving. The Wall

Street Jounral said traffic deaths rose more than 10 percent in the first half of this year. Said the Journal: "While drunken driving is historically a big culprit for fatalities, motorists are also inundated with more technology in the car cabin, and the use of smartphones by drivings remains a concern for regulators."

 * ... MARIJUANA: Interesting to read that the city of Arvin is looking into ways to regulate the indoor growth of marijuana. It's yet another sign that experts expect an easy passage for Proposition 64, the measure which will largely legalize marijuana in California and put into place a system to tax and regulate it. Expect more cities to follow Arvin's lead and start preparing for the inevitable.

 * ... FIRST FRIDAY: A big first Fall First Friday is on tap in the Arts District of downtown Bakersfield. A new exhibit by former Bakersfield resident Robin Noble is at Metro Galleries. Noble married and moved to the central coast a few years ago and once settled discovered a huge talent and passion for painting. Her show' "Language of Light" kicks of the evening at 5 pm. Also on display at Metro is "Breath of Fresh Air." A series of paintings by local artists and BHS art students that will be used in a clean air, healthy lungs public art campaign sponsored by Dignity Health. A number of the pieces will be installed in the Arts District in February."

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "I am in my truest form when the food comes at a restaurant and I side-eye plates, suspicious that everyone got more fries than I did."

 * ... FOODIE: And speaking of food, when was the last time you were at an event catered by Moo Creamery? Lamb tacos, bacon wrapped meat with blue cheese, chicken pot stickers, mini tortas and dessert trays that will make you blush.

  * ... INFANTRY: Fred Drew is a proud Vietnam veteran, and he recently returned from Fort Lewis, WA., for a special ceremony. "There was a ‘change of command’ parade on the Division parade field where I was inducted as the Honorary Regimental Commander of the 23rd Infantry Regiment. This is one of the oldest Infantry Regiments in the US Army, and has fought in every war from the Civil War to the global war on terrorism. I commanded a company in the regiment in Vietnam from August 1969 to March 1970 as a 22-year-old captain. This was a great honor for me and my family. It was awesome to see and meet so many great young Americans who have sworn to protect and defend the United States of America."

 * ... MEMORIES: How many of you have lived here long enough to remember when the "southwest" part of town ended short of West High School? Loren Stroppe does, and she shared this memory: "I worked for the Ewings at the Tam O' Shanter in the early 1960s and in 1964 they decided to open the Stockdale Inn and wanted me to be the assistant manager, so I worked there from the ground up literally. We were the real pioneers all out there by ourselves. Some of my good memories were that the southwest was just starting to develop and some of the people I got to meet.  Occidential Petroluem had just been formed, they were located about where the In 'n Out Burger is now. Armand Hammer and Gene Reid would would bring their entire staff 30-40 people over for drinks after work whenever they hit a big well. Other people of note that also dined there was Del Webb as he was just starting Kern City and Park Stockdale. Also the Valley Plaza was just being built by by Farber and Gladstone whom also dined there."

Banning fracking in Kern County would cost us thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue, much like the devastating impact on the Pacific Northwest after the spotted owl devastated Oregon's timber industry

 * …  FRACKING: The recent incident involving Moo Creamery and a petition to ban hydraulic fracking is part of a larger effort that could have serious consequences for energy rich areas like Kern County. There is little doubt that environmentalists and anti-fossil fuel advocates are

doing everything they can to alarm the public over fracking, which has been practiced for decades in Kern County without incident. As of yet, there is no scientific evidence that fracking harms the environment, much less trigger earthquakes, the latest spurious argument to come from an environmental group. So what could happen if those who "suspect" or "fear" fracking get their way? Consider this:  when the Spotted Owl was listed as an endangered species in the Pacific Northwest, more than 168,000 people lost their jobs and timber production decreased by 80 percent. And once robust cities like Roseburg, Oregon, were thrown into economic tailspins. Said one informed reader, Eric Hansen: "Fracking has been done on the westside for 50 years. Where is the proof of subterranean damage leading to environmental calamity? There isn’t. This does not mean that fracturing should be conducted in an uncontrolled manner, however all parties with vested interests should be a bit more sensible."

 * … LAWSUIT: And speaking of misguided efforts, did you hear about the Colorado man who is suing the same firefighters who saved his life during the recent flash floods in Boulder County? That's right, an attorney for Roy Ortiz said he is seeking $500,000 because the firefighters and a dive team didn't rescue him quickly enough and he needs the money "to pay bills." And the fact that Ortiz is an undocumented alien has added fuel to the fire. (photos courtesy of ABC News)

* … WALL STREET: The latest boutique restaurant to open downtown, the Wall Street Cafe on L Street, is holding its official grand opening this Friday. The cafe is a cozy, warm bistro owned by the same couple that runs the Japanese-themed restaurants Enso and Toro at The Marketplace. On Friday some bottles of wine and beer will be half price and there will be specials on appetizers. Reservations are preferred for the grand opening. Call (661) 322-9255.

* … FRENCH VILLAGE: I received a note from Ruth Paulden Raney recalling going to a dance party at a place called the French Village. She said this was in 1955 and she cannot remember if it was on Real Road or near Garnsey Avenue. "I talked with my friend Milt Huggs about this place and he remembered it too but did not remember the story about it. He thought it was located where the Parkview Healthcare Center is now located on North Real Road... Would you ask your readers if any of them remember the place?"

 * … MEMORIES: From my friend and Navy veteran Gene Bonas: "Just a note to let you know today's blog made my day. Your reader, Elinor Grant, validated my memory of the meat market at the corner of 23rd and L streets during World War II. Having just turned 75 this past Wednesday, I thought my mind may have been playing tricks on me when I discovered those 5 pound sugar coupons. They allowed me to remember the walks with my mom from east Bakersfield to the market to buy meat and sugar. Back in those days sugar was extremely important because everything my mother cooked or baked was from scratch. Cooking and baking for nine kids was no easy task. There were no ready made meals in those days. " Thanks Gene.