The Slice City Marmot Steps Out

After returning to her home in the Spokane Valley following a trip downtown on the day it rained so hard last week, Laurie Vaughn heard an odd chirping coming from her 1989 Camaro.

Husband Jeff was sent to investigate. He looked under the hood and found himself face-to-face with a bedraggled marmot.

Inasmuch as the Vaughns never see marmots anywhere around their home, Laurie theorized that the furry little animal secretly hitched a ride from downtown.

They left it alone and the marmot eventually got down out of the car and headed for parts unknown.

“I felt so sorry for it,” said the unwitting chauffeur.

Well, it could’ve been much worse. And who knows? If the marmot survives, it might turn into a legendary figure among Spokane Valley rodents.

Maybe it’ll wind up nicknamed “Downtown” by other animals and be asked over and over to tell the story about the magical city park with the Clock Tower and big red wagon. Here’s hoping.

Proof that we’re not afraid of controversy: Randy Richter has won bets by using a 1970 Swell Paper article to back his claim that the “huckleberries” found in the Inland Northwest are actually a kind of blueberry and that true huckleberries don’t grow around here.

Complete this sentence: No Spokane area block party is complete without…

How to conduct yourself at the company picnic: “After a few beers, switch to soft drinks. Don’t say things you’ll regret back at work. Be friendly but not amorous. Avoid skimpy attire. Leave while the picnic is still upbeat.” - a consultant quoted in The Wall Street Journal

Another career tip: Tell your mother not to call you at the business where you are interviewing for a job unless it’s really important.

Warm-up question: What local restaurant specialty has stained more shirts and blouses than any other?

Today’s Slice question: If, against all odds, a previously undiscovered Inland Northwest lake was found and you got to name it, what would you come up with? (We’ll send socks adorned with the Olympic logo to the reader submitting the best answer by 5 p.m. Tuesday.)

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Drawing

MEMO: The Slice appears Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; fax (509) 459-5098. If all you’re going to do at the office today is complain about being at work, just stay home.