LILACS to New York City lawmakers who have passed a law that shops and restaurants must be able to accept payments in cash. Among some hipper shops there’s a movement away from cash to cards and Venmo, which is fine, although there is a cost. Some of the less privileged don’t have cards, banks or phones with apps. We personally don’t care how anyone pays, but cash should always be an option. We’d be fine, though, if they ever want to do away with pennies.

LILACS to Washington lawmakers who are promoting two bills that would allow Native American students to wear tribal regalia at their graduation ceremonies. Just as some are allowed to wear burkas, we feel the original peoples who lived here should be able to wear deeply meaningful objects of cultural significance. As it is, Native American students have the highest dropout rates in the country. Why not be supportive and inclusive and make them feel welcome?

LEMONS to the insurance company who tried to deny Clark’s Diamond Jeweler’s claim to pay for all their customers’ purchases between November 22 and December 31 as long as it snowed at least three inches on January 11. All the local meteorologists said it snowed well over that amount, but the insurance agency’s own “expert” said it snowed only 1.8 inches. In the end, Clark’s won, but the insurance company did their best to skate away.

LILACS to Washington lawmakers who overwhelmingly passed a bill that protects students and workers with ethnic hairstyles, such as dreadlocks and afros. Sending students or workers home for simply wearing their hair the way it grows naturally is wrong. Look at any high school yearbook from the 1970s and you’ll see plenty of the craziest hair styles imaginable (including mine), and on people from every background. My friends in the ‘70s who sported ‘fros and hippie hair are now mostly wearing short hair, if they have hair at all. It’s just hair, folks.

LEMONS to a recent report from apartmentlist.com that says Spokane is the eighth worst city in America for dating. Apparently, Provo, Utah is the best. We feel that dating is rough all over; and it’s not a Spokane thing. Since we are somewhat insulated and isolated, people here THINK it’s terrible for dating, but the only thing that should make a city poor for dating would be if there’s a huge mismatch in genders or places to go. We feel dating apps have ruined romance by giving people the idea that there are tons of choices out there, and the next one might be the best one. 

LILACS to Elijah Osborn who surreptitiously filmed grievous health code violations at QQ Sushi, which led to their closing for several days and a complete overhaul of the kitchen staff. Kudos to the owner, Bao Zhang, for taking immediate action, passing a new health district inspection, and reopening. Side note: businesses should probably be careful who they allow on their premises with a camera, but in this case it all worked for the best.

LEMONS to the Washington State Department of Transportation for buying up all those homes along Second and Third Avenues and then announcing that they’ve redesigned the freeway and maybe housing could go back there again. Putting that many affordable housing units out of commission placed a terrible burden on the available inventory. Plus wasn’t it a huge waste of taxpayer money to buy and move or demolish all of those homes? The new scaled back freeway plans might save even more money than was lost, but it still seems like poor planning. Maybe we should give them a break, though, they’ve only had since 1946 to figure this out.