LILACS to the Browne’s Addition residents who are seeking extra protections to ensure the historic flavor of their neighborhood is not lost. Once even one beautiful turn-of-the-century mansion is razed it is lost forever, and then another concrete bunker-like duplex or apartment building takes its place and little by little the neighborhood declines as it loses its identity. Here’s hoping the neighborhood council prevails. We’d hate to lose that little gem in the midst of our great city.

LEMONS to Frontier Airlines for bumping a friend of mine from a holiday flight because they couldn’t find a pilot. They offered no assistance on finding an alternative flight home other than a refund of the ticket price, which was $500 less than any other airline was offering. If they can’t get their pilots to come to work, they shouldn’t take it out on their passengers.

LILACS to the Modern Theater of Spokane for lasting downtown more than 40 years. All is Calm, a play Bozzi Media sponsored, was their last scheduled play before closing down for good. Perhaps an angel can rescue them. The theater does seem to have nine lives. In the meantime, we want to thank all those who worked there, performed there or served on their board for 40 delightful years of entertaining and enlightening us. Bravo!

LEMONS to the Spokane County Commission for suddenly banning new outdoor pot farms without a public notice. That will certainly throw some peoples’ plans askew. But LILACS to them for responding to the cries of property owners who have seen significant declines in their property values due to the skunk smell the marijuana plants generate. It seems that such farms are going to have to be in more isolated areas. I speak for many who would dread having that smell waft into my backyard.

LILACS to the artistic director of Spokane’s Northwest Bach Festival, Zuill Bailey, on receiving a grammy nomination for solo instrumental work. Bailey has performed at several of our venues and has been featured on our front cover. We are lucky that he’s affiliated with Spokane and wish him the very best. If you haven’t seen his captivating and mesmerizing way with his cello, built in 1693, you simply must treat yourself.

LILACS to Shaun Springer for spending his Thanksgiving at fast food restaurant drive-throughs and delivering bags of food to the needy. What a great example of getting into the holiday spirit. This local photographer was here without his loved ones and he decided to give back; to kind of adopt the homeless as his family. Finding people who delighted in Egg McMuffins and Taco Bell breakfasts was easy and welcomed. I think it’s a tradition we should consider emulating. Even the poor and addicted need to catch a break now and then. Knowing Shaun, he’ll say this helped him a lot more than it helped the recipients.

LEMONS to AMC Theatres for converting ALL their seats to recliners. Some find them uncomfortable, including myself. I applaud their investing in their theatre and trying to improve the theatre experience, but the biggest result is that new movies seem to sell out immediately because there are so few seats in the theatre. And since all the seats are assigned, it’s difficult to meet up with friends and join each other at the show to sit together.