Arrow-right Camera
Subscribe now

This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

The Slice: Come one, come all

There’s certainly nothing wrong with trying to make Spokane appealing to vibrant young creatives (or whatever they’re called now).

A good case could be made that 24-year-old graphic designers or online game inventors with of-the-moment haircuts, stylish eyeglasses and a taste for craft beer are good for the local economy and live music scene.

But I wonder if Spokane isn’t missing a bet by not going after crabby old farts more vigorously. I mean, wouldn’t that be playing to our strength?

We already welcome retirees. But what if instead of simply trying to lure them with pictures of smiling oldsters on golf courses and stats about our first-rate medical center, we actively pitched the Lilac City as an ideal home for the “Get off my lawn!” crowd?

You know, come right out and say it.

I know what you’re thinking. “It already is.”

Is it, though? Official Spokane has lusted after happening young people for as long as I can remember. Maybe it’s an image thing. Some here want Spokane to be a mini Seattle or Portland with less rain and traffic.

That’s fine. But let’s be sure the young creatives we seek know their grandparents would be welcome, too.

Actually, all of them moving here would be kind of nice. They could keep an eye on each other. A win-win for Spokane.

How she got on TV: More than 60 years ago, when she was 16, Diane Kelly and her future husband went to KHQ to watch the production of a local show where they played charades. The program was hosted by Rod Clefton.

“One of the guests didn’t show up, so they asked me to fill in. I was scared to death but did it anyway.”

Diane’s on-air challenge was to induce the other players to say “Spike Jones.”

They got it quickly when she pointed to the bottom of her high heels. “That was the beginning and end of my TV career.”

Today’s Slice question: When you hear that someone who has lived here for a long time is moving away, what’s your assumption?

A) She must have accepted a job offer in another state. B) He got tired of being on the losing side in local politics. C) It must have something to do with wanting to be closer to family. D) This winter was the last straw. E) Simple desire for a change. F) He or she has come to regard Spokane as a cult and wants to break free. G) Other.

Write The Slice at P. O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Hospital staffers charged with bathing patients have heard every tattoo story you could imagine and a few you couldn’t.

More from this author