I think it's important to publicly recognize superior service or special courtesy. 

We have a lot of that in Edmonds where, when possible, I prefer to do all of my purchases of services, food or merchandise.

Restaurants?  While I'll admit to not having patronized all of the fine eating establishments in our fair city (if the Beacon paid for it I would gladly do so... heh heh heh) and I don't mean to slight those not mentioned but we only have so much money in our budget for eating out so we're limited. 

Some come to mind as delivering fine food and exceptionally personal service.  Chopsticks, Claire's, Las Brisas and Pancake Haus are some of our favorites. 

Not because they provide haute cuisine but, rather, because the food is good, reasonable and the servers make one feel like family.  High-end restaurants?  I don't know how anyone could find fault with Arnie's or Anthony's Home Port on the waterfront.  They treat diners like Royalty.

I buy gas and get my car washed at Kwik 'N' Kleen (just east of Westgate on Edmonds Way) where the one-time owner referred to it as a "car waRsh" in TV ads. 

I had a little problem there recently. 

A determined seagull decided to dive bomb my car.  The flying rodent was the splatterer and my car was the splatteree.  The problem was that, apparently in addition to garbage, the varmint must have been consuming super glue. 

One pass through the car wash at Kwik 'N' Kleen just didn't do the job.  I came back after noticing the same "material" on the car a short time later.  On my return they quickly and courteously offered to have me run it through again.  Still the acidic, paint-eating poop remained. 

I pointed it out to the man in charge and he personally took the time to manually remove the offending splatter willingly and with ultimate courtesy. 

I thanked him profusely, verbally and materially.  He, and the service there, deserves kudos. 

Plumbers?  Many of you know how I feel about Steve's Plumbing.  He's not cheap but he is the best in the business in my opinion and absolutely honest, prompt, fair and trustworthy. 

I told Steve the long story (some day I might share it with you) about an inept plumber who, in a comparatively minor repair, caused another leak, half a house away and ultimately set my kitchen wall on fire. 

His fire extinguisher was exhausted so I ran and got mine before the need to call the fire department arose. 

Believe it or not, the whole story is laughable and I think Steve chuckles over it yet.

Sound like commercials?  They're not intended to be. 

I just think excellence should be rewarded with a thank you as often as possible.

This is my thank you.