What do you give someone when you’ve already given them the greatest present they’ll ever know? I ask because I lost a bet and have to pay off. I didn’t really lose the bet myself as much as I lost it on behalf of all residents of Tacoma. If we had surpassed Spokane as the state’s second-most-populated city, I would be the one accepting the payoff. But you all dropped the ball in the procreation department. As reported Wednesday by the U.S. Census, Spokane retains the silver medal as runner-up to the mutually resented Seattle. It wasn’t even close, with Spokane building a 10,519 human advantage after leading by just 2,073 in 2000. I bet Doug Clark, a columnist for The Spokesman-Review/Peter Callaghan, Tacoma News Tribune. More here. (SR file photo of Spokane falls)

Question: I've always wondered why Spokane and Tacoma care so much re: which city is second most populated in Washington state. Neither will ever supplant Seattle as No. 1. Can anyone explain this to me?