The Slice Finally, A Place For Local Garage Band Practice

We know this area had its share of Cold War backyard bomb shelters.

But here’s our question: What is their most popular 1995 use?

Madcap magpies: Walla Walla’s Kathy Potter encountered a Hitchcockian magpie that pecked the eyes out of her dolls and said something close to “Hello” when the phone could be heard ringing.

Last summer, Spangle’s Lila Raab discovered too late that magpies were helping themselves to the steaks she had set outside for a barbecue.

Ann Brotherton lived in Ellensburg when she became acquainted with one that would regularly follow her cat, Dolly.

But Dorine Hanenburg observed a magpie attack her cat, Kitty Bob.

And Margaret Wenk saw two magpies gang up on a cat, taking turns nipping at its tail when the frustrated feline whirled to strike.

Espanola’s Phil Duval saw one snatch a bone away from a dog.

Spangle’s Terrie Roberts saw several team up to outsmart her dog and quickly empty its food bowl.

And Del Lusk was in a tent in Utah when he peeked out and saw a magpie developing a crush on its reflection in a car’s hubcap.

Slice answers: Best clam chowder? Nominations included Milford’s Fish House, Nature’s Kitchen, Double Dan’s, The Otter, Fairwood Village Retirement Resort, Coffee Pot Cafe, Cricket’s in Coeur d’Alene, Kristians in Chewelah, Cafe Bienville in Methow, the student union at North Idaho College and the American Legion hall in Moses Lake. Best ways to recycle car-seat beads? “Macrame projects,” suggested Charlotte Dubois.

And they make excellent rosary beads for those who have difficulty handling smaller objects, said Jean Oxrieder. “Also necklaces for kids.”

Or call Laura Pleas at (509) 533-8519 and donate them to the Head Start program in Hillyard.

Today’s Slice question: Who was the famous person you encountered in an unlikely place? (Our answer: Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, in the T-shirts section of the University of Vermont bookstore in 1976.)

MEMO: The Slice appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday on IN Life. Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; fax (509) 459-5098.