LEMONADE to the city of Coeur d’Alene for choosing not to sell a tiny parcel of land on Blackwell Island at the gate of the Spokane River open for public access. The idea was floated to sell it off as surplus land, which would have removed the one and only access point for kayakers, boaters and other water recreationists. Europeans are sometimes amazed at how much land we keep open and available to the public; let’s always maintain that legacy.

LEMONS to car thieves lurking at hiking trails, waiting for hikers or runners to leave their car, knowing they won’t return for a while. Vehicle prowls have tripled in Liberty Lake and we’ve heard they’re up in other areas as well. It makes some of us want to find other less obvious places to park. Let’s all keep a lookout on suspicious activity. Someone who seems to be overly interested in what’s in parked cars, for example, should be reported.

LILACS to Greenstone Corp for announcing a new full service grocery store at the Monroe entrance to Kendall Yards, providing a great resource for fresh foods in an under-served lower income neighborhood. Naturally, it’s also serving Kendall residents, but it’s a great example of progess and success spreading out in wider concentric circles. They originally considered smaller specialty stores such as Trader Joes, but in the end a full-service store will better suit the needs of the neighborhood.

LILACS to Scott Kusel, who is now on a quixotic mission to RESTORE a grocery store to the East Central neighborhood. All good things come through activists who rattle the cage of the status quo, and we are hoping he succeeds. Yes, the residents of East Central can drive to Fred Meyer, but it’s far from walking distance and there’s nothing like a grocery store to serve as a neighborhood hub and meeting spot.

LILACS to classic car collectors who display their cars at local car shows. The Inland Northwest Car Club Counsel outdid themselves with their downtown nighttime July show. Just as those who restore and maintain lovely vintage homes are keeping a part of our past alive, classic car enthusiasts keep an important part of our past alive, and each one rescued from the junkyard is one more diamond burnished from a lump of coal.

LEMONS to product manufacturers who bundle their offerings into two-fers or four-packs rather than just selling ONE item. Ever try to buy just one or two batteries? Sometimes the double packs are for items that won’t even require another of its kind for years. For example, who really needs two staplers, or two pairs of scissors? The day they make us buy two left shoes and two right shoes is the day I switch to online.

TEARY LILACS as we say goodbye to Hastings Entertainment. One of the last bastions of books, CDs, vinyl(!) and videos, its demise was as predictable as it is stunning. A way of life, a hangout place and a great source of used treasures for under $1 to while away a Saturday afternoon will soon go the way of Blockbuster and Tower Records. So sad to see a sweet thing die.