Editorials

The impending closure of Paul Brecht’s Orchid Garden makes us wonder if

this is yet another symbol of an era lost to big boxes and big business.

To be sure, Brecht’s decision to shut down his Harbor Boulevard

establishment after 40 years had everything to do with retirement and

little to do with economics. Brecht did try to find another flower shop

to replace his, but the attempt failed.

And that’s too bad.

These little stores have been the bedrock of our communities, yet it’s

getting harder and harder for them to compete.

And we have to wonder: Is the personal touch Brecht and others like him

offered going the same route as the milkman, typewriters and record

albums -- fondly remembered but hardly ever a need to use them?

Probably.

And that’s also too bad.

Costa Mesa’s former Mayor Arlene Schaefer summed it up best when she

compared the mom and pop touch to the newfangled style of chain store

America.

“You can call Paul and say, ‘I’ve got a problem, what should I do?’ If

you call up one of the new huge stores, they’ll say, ‘Can you hold?’ ”

Keeping library battle in perspective

Like all mere mortals, we, too, are sometimes guilty of overlooking the

good and focusing on the bad.

Such may have been the case in the continuing imbroglio that has pitted

the Newport Beach Library board of trustees against the institution’s

main fund-raising arm, the Library Foundation.

The board and foundation are at odds over money-raising techniques and

philosophies. Both sides admit personality conflicts have played a major

role in the dispute.

But seemingly lost in all the infighting has been the library itself,

which happens to be doing just fine despite being in the eye of the

hurricane.

The Central Library facility on Avocado Street boasted its best year ever

in attendance and programs in 1999. The facility is one of the best in

the nation, and Daily Pilot staffers are among those in the community who

use the resource for research and putting today’s issues into historical

context.

Another testament to the library’s success will be evident later this

year as TV journalist Tom Brokaw -- as well as social activist Susan

Faludi and other notable speakers -- will address a sold-out crowd for

its Distinguished Speakers Series.

We won’t ignore the conflicts going on between the two library groups.

That is still our job.

But we will do our best to keep it all in perspective.

That’s also our job.