LEMONS to the board of the Museum of Arts and Culture for once again firing director Forrest Rodgers on the heels of a successful event (the Lego exhibit), using the flimsiest and nitpickiest of excuses, including his not arranging two free tickets for a board member at a fundraiser. We can’t seem to hold on to talent in this town because so many institutions have small-minded and provincial board leadership.

LILACS to WSU for making what looks like a brilliant hire in new president Kirk Schulz, previously at the helm at Kansas State University. The two campuses are somewhat similar, and Shulz made great improvements at KSU. Kudos to them, also, for doing the hiring with a minimum of fuss and not putting all the candidates out for potshot making.

LEMONS to presidential candidates who resort to smear tactics, name calling and blackmail rather than telling us about their ideas and vision in detail.

LEMONS to potheads who smoke in parks and on the streets of downtown. Taking a peaceful stroll is difficult in parks now, as we are accosted by that skunk smell. Some of us who voted for legalization are having regrets.

LILACS to Avista for cutting down all the overgrowth on the river behind the Flour Mill. Chateau Rive’s view of the river is open and powerful now. The brides love it. And thank you to the owners of the Flour Mill for placing an attractive fence in back rather than the bare-minimum chain link that Avista asked for.

LILACS to restaurants that encourage (or at least do not frown on) couples who share plates. Some of us just want to eat a little less, and possibly have room for dessert. Accommodating restaurants reap the benefit with more happy customers in the long run.

LEMONS to restaurants and caterers who haven’t noticed that Spokane is becoming a foodie city. Keep up or watch your customers move on. LILACS to Jeremy Hansen, Adam Hegsted, Tony Brown, Chad White, Charlie Connor and Bob Rogers and others are taking us to a new level.

LILACS to Devries Moving and Storage Solutions for moving our entire office downtown with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of care. Nothing broke and everything is unpacked and all of us are looking forward to our new downtown home, at the corner of First and Howard. We’ve always loved downtown, and now we’re enjoying the synergy that occurs when you step out to lunch and run into someone you never knew you needed to see again.

LEMONS to the overzealous parking meter attendant who discourteously rapped on the car window of one of our team members, saying “You need to plug the meter, you can’t just park here for free.” She DID know; she had driven around you seconds before you accosted her, and was searching for spare change. We are not parking complainers and see the need for the meters, but what a difference if the patrols could be ambassadors instead of detractors.

Vincent Bozzi is the publisher of this magazine.