LILACS to Spokane for installing orange parking meters downtown in random spots where passersby can put in a few coins to help homeless people rather than giving to panhandlers. Those who believe that if you feed the birds, you’ll attract a flock, can now donate directly to homeless shelters. Not sure how much they’ll generate, but we applaud all efforts to address the problem.

LEMONS to the city of Spokane for spending $150,000 to dump rocks under I-90 so people won’t gather there. We understand the legitimate concerns of neighboring schools and businesses, but spending that kind of money, which could have done something to HELP, is just horrible P.R. and felt heartless.

LEMONADE to Riverfront Park officials who are dropping plans to build an expensive climbing gym in the vacant parking lot near Anthony’s. With competing climbing gyms in town completely left out of the discussion, it hardly seemed fair, as they’ve faithfully been paying their share of taxes to the city; the city shouldn’t be competing directly with its constituent businesses. There are plenty of other options for that lot, for NEW ideas. Glad they reconsidered on this.

LILACS to Chaps Restaurant for closing the store and opening it ONLY to parents and students at Freeman School, who endured the unthinkable tragedy of a gunman killing one of their own and injuring three others. For many businesses, a day lost can ruin an entire month’s profit margin. We are proud of our entire community for coming together in love.

LEMONS to people who take all the books at those cute Little Free Libraries. I don’t think anyone minds if you take one or two, but the idea is you’re supposed to try to replace it with a book of your own, either now or next time. It’s called paying it forward, not collecting them all and breaking the chain.

LILACS to the board of directors at Spokane Public Schools for adding former Fairchild AFB commander Brian Newberry to their board. He’s now executive director of Leadership Spokane and will add a wonderful dimension of leadership to the board. We have known Mr. Newberry for some time now and he’s always the epitome of class, wisdom and fairness.

LEMONS to the careless campers or smokers who started the great majority of the forest fires (yes, most of the fires were man-made) that made our air foul and smoky for weeks on end. For some it’s an inconvenience, for others it’s a matter of life and death.

LILACS to the Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors for starting a program that gets former prisoners into construction work so they can learn trades and become productive members of society. Head Start to the Construction Trades helps those who need a hand up get legitimate jobs instead of forcing them to take under-the-table jobs or resort to crime to make a living. The program is working magnificently and should help reduce property crime in the area.