November 11, 2005 in Features

The Slice: This contest ends in a photo finish

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The Spokesman-Review photo

Jill Weiszmann’s “Rural.”
(Full-size photo)

Today I’m announcing the winners of The Slice’s Postcard Photos Contest.

The idea was to submit pictures that would make good local postcards. And dozens of readers did just that. I’m telling you, these entries were a pleasure to see.

In determining winners, I elected to pick three that surely would strike some as quirky selections. But, hey, it’s my contest.

Pat Schilling’s shot of the Steam Plant smokestacks is the winner in the “Spokane” category. I liked that it showed the Lilac City looking up, so to speak.

John Ryder’s photo taken inside Hudson’s Hamburgers wins the “Coeur d’Alene” competition. My only explanation for picking this over all the fine waterfront scenes and obligatory shots of the resort is that I get tired of Coeur d’Alene being viewed as a boutique for tourists. Rumor has it, real people live and work there.

And though there were several excellent entries featuring Palouse contours, barns, lake sunsets and what have you, I chose Jill Weiszmann’s snow-on-trees photo as the best “Rural” shot. I must be ready for winter.

Honorable mentions go to Dave Kerns, Wes Hedrick, Jeremiah Donier, Larry Nason, Anne Williams, Judi Durfee, Benita Mason, Joni Kirk, Miriam Slater and Allen Howard.

Thanks to all who entered.

“Pet Names Department: A local veterinarian told about a colleague who kept referring to a pet as “Butt” because “Bert” had been written in sloppy fashion on the animal’s chart.

“Five ways to marginally differentiate yourself in Spokane:

1. Don’t be one of these idiots who assumes everyone within earshot automatically shares all his political/social views.

2. Always insist that food handlers on the other side of the counter wash their hands or at least change gloves after they’ve been using caustic cleansers or handling money.

3. Be informed and specific when critiquing The Spokesman-Review.

4. When picking something to be a snob about, choose something that actually matters to other people.

5. Try not to obsess about finding miracle parking spots.

“How to discourage your college-age grandkids from coming back for another visit anytime soon: Keep reminding them that, unlike what passes for pop musicianship today, the guys in 1940s big bands could really play their instruments.

“Facts of Life: Maybe it’s not fair. Maybe it’s the sort of thing you believe matters only to elitist twits. And perhaps you would rather not care what others think.

But we might as well face it. If you routinely place the word “at,” on the end of spoken sentences, you are branding yourself and inviting others to judge you.

“Veterans Day tip: If you are not a veteran, stay out of risk-ranking conversations about whose military service was more perilous.

“Today’s Slice question: Who gets to wear cowboy hats and cowboy boots?

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