Just up the street from the tranquil waters of the Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach awaits the aptly named Laguneros Internet Café. The chill spot offers all the basics, plus free, high-speed wifi access and comfortable furniture for laptop lounging. Co-owned by Sherman Austin and his wife, Panquetzani, it distinguishes itself as a technosocial community space at a time when we are transforming into touch-screen zombies endlessly staring into 21st-century reflecting pools, hosting regularly scheduled live-streamed comedy nights and open-mic sessions for locals to test their talents out. With a focus on the healthy, Laguneros also serves up non-corn-syrup-laden drinks to quench thirsts and plenty of vegetarian-friendly snacks and sandwiches to quiet those hunger pangs. The future of Laguneros looks bright, with the café planning to expand into a full coffeehouse.
