First Look Buzz Dear Spoko-Gnome, Do you know what the under-construction building on 29th Avenue, near Applebee’s, is going to be? I drive by it every day, but there are no signs telling what it is. I don’t see any windows. I’m thinking utility or waterworks building. ~Curious Commuter Dear Curious Commuter, I like to consider myself a gnome-in-the-know, but I didn’t have an answer at my fingertips. I’d also like to say I called up my connections in the construction world, you know, the ones who owed me a favor, but it wasn’t as intriguing as that. I simply Googled. But, hey, it worked, so why reinvent the wheel? Turns out that building – which does have windows on the front portion – is going to be a Massage Envy location. So get ready to have all of the knots and tightened muscles that you’ve developed during your daily drives, gently worked out, once it opens. Have a question for Spoko-Gnome? Send it to blythe@spokanecda.com, and she will get it to him.
Spoko-Gnome 22
spokanecda.com • MAY • 2015
[not so good]
lilacsandlemons by Vincent Bozzi
[good] LILACS to the city of Spokane and the Downtown Spokane Partnership for finally sprucing up our downtown entrances. They don’t have a ton of space to work with at the Division Street exit, but it looks like they are making great strides with that small space that has been a haven for loose trash, overnight street campers and panhandlers. Not sure if the panhandling will end but it’s less convenient for them to hang out. The other property is a fairly large triangle of asphalt at the corner of Division and Spokane Falls Boulevard. With new trees and a large new sculpture, it will be an asset instead of an eyesore. Kudos all around! LEMONS to elected officials who ignore the science of climate change. It’s one thing to debate whether it’s man-made or not, but it’s irresponsible to deny that it exists, and that planning for the change must commence. Being in denial causes problems like the “sudden” lack of water in California, the disappearance of the Everglades in Florida, which is causing flooding there because there’s no sponge to soak up excess water, and the almost gleeful rape of the environment by those who think it’s too late to do anything about it anyway, which is certainly not helping the problem. LILACS to the Spokane Police Department for creating a “Safe Zone” at the precinct in Hillyard where you can go and carry out your Craigslist transactions in the presence of an officer. They won’t help you negotiate your deal or tell you if you’re getting fleeced, but they will be there just in case either the buyer or seller was intending physical harm, or intending to take the money or the property and run. Meeting with a stranger in a home to buy and sell anything, or worse yet, in a hotel room, is ill advised. Having a cop there to make sure no funny business occurs should make both sides feel more safe. Craigslist should actually fund these all over America. LEMONS to drivers who don’t turn right on a red light when no cars are coming. They slow things down! You can even turn left on a red light onto a one-way street, but that makes most people feel weird. We won’t get on anyone’s case about that one, but at least turn right on red after coming to a complete stop, and help us all get to where we’re going a little faster. LILACS to Riverfront Park for beefing up their security patrol to 20 hours a day during the summer, up from 16 hours. Walking around our downtown park should feel safe, not life-threatening. Few women will walk across the park at night to go back to their car after walking through on a sunny day. The mere presence of greater security should be a deterrent to criminals and bullies. LEMONS to restaurant staff who are in a mad rush to clear the table before everyone has finished. The person who is still “working on it” (an awful expression to which we give instant Lemons), doesn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb at the table for not finishing yet. LEMONS, as well, to restaurants that require their servers to describe a long list of “specials.” They are rarely special in price, so I’m assuming they must be special in flavor or novelty. Pass out a “fresh sheet” instead! I can rarely remember all the specials and their wonderful ingredients by the time they’ve described each and every one, and LEMONS, too, that they rarely tell you the price. And restaurants, while you’re at it, could you please clean up or throw out the menus that have coffee and ketchup stains on them?