The Slice: Talk about feeling snowed under

Spokane school teacher David Rolando says everyone here knows about “pickup truck envy.”

But lately he wonders if snow-thrower envy has become an equally significant psychological syndrome hereabouts.

“Slice answers: Lots of readers recalled fathers and grandfathers who were big fans of boxing. More on that another day.

But Vicky Kienholz said her grandmother used to get so wrapped up in televised fights that her normally ladylike decorum would desert her.

Vicki Barnes described her great-grandmother undergoing a similar transformation while watching wrestling on TV.

“Go for it: Lesley Haskell smiled while watching a TV station’s community calendar scroll — sponsored by a mattress store — when she saw that there would be a Christian singles “speed dating” event in Opportunity, Wash.

“Two for Tuesday: 1. When you hear on a radio commercial that a performer such as Tony Orlando is being brought to Spokane “by popular demand,” do you believe it?

2. Over the years, what Spokane Public Radio promo for the annual recordings and videos sale has made you cringe the most?

“In the matter of whether Seattle sports fans would root for pro teams in Spokane: Bob Kirlin said the example of Wisconsin, where the NFL team is not in the state’s largest city, suggests that they might.

“The Gilbert and Sullivan lines most applicable to Spokane: Pam Pierson offered a snippet from “H.M.S. Pinafore.”

Things are seldom what they seem

Skim milk masquerades as cream

“Speaking of Gilbert and Sullivan: One reader said her husband thought that was the name of a Spokane law firm.

If it were, what would be the firm’s ad slogan?

Probably not, “Let the punishment fit the crime.” They’d never get any clients.

“Slice answers: Several readers said any celebration of the International Year of the Potato would have to involve their couches.

“Just wondering: Do you find certain politicians’ promises of unspecified “tax relief ” a tad brainless if, for example, you believe we ought to be paying more to rebuild our infrastructure?

“Sunday quiz: Dozens of readers knew that Tommy Lee Jones makes a passing reference to Spokane in the 1980 movie “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” But Leslie Jaqua was first with the answer and she will receive the coveted reporter’s notebook.

“Today’s Slice question: Is there any place Spokane men will not wear a ballcap?