Bragging About The Kids Can Head Downhill Fast

Fri., Jan. 8, 1999

By Paul Turner srpaulturner@gmail.com

Sometimes it’s hard to resist the conclusion that some South Hill residents are, well, different.

Two mothers standing near a display of apples at the Rosauers on 29th were talking about their first-graders. And one of the women, referring to her daughter, said “She’s a really aggressive skier.”

* Wrong numbers: Sally Bean wonders about others’ experiences with receiving calls intended for businesses. You can guess what sort of place has a number similar to hers after you read what a caller once asked Bean when she answered.

“Do you sell edible underwear?”

* Namecalling: Helen Fitzsimmons was at a local model train show when she noticed a man approach a booth and point to a sign that read “WE POWER DUMMIES.” (A dummy is a locomotive without power).

“Could you do anything for my brother?” the man asked. “He sits on the couch all day.”

* One thing you seldom hear guys say: “So, can I borrow that sweater for Saturday?” - one woman talking to another at the downtown High Nooner restaurant Tuesday.

* Eastern Washington’s best name for a gas station/restaurant/mini-mart: Big Wally’s, near Coulee City.

* Slice answers: The best strategy for dealing with someone who lies to you at work? “You make that person a supervisor,” said a reader named Ed.

And in the matter of forecasting the area’s most popular baby names for 1999, we heard from Susan G.

She wrote: “I have no idea what the most popular name will be, but I’m sure it will have a Y in it.”

* Candid camera: Tina Watkins sent us a snapshot taken in traffic in the Spokane Valley. It shows a minivan in the next lane with what appears to be a llama riding in the front seat.

* Reader request: A Spokane man thinking of getting a tattoo patterned after Reddy Kilowatt wonders where besides the company formerly known as WWP he can go to find that image.

* Great Moments in Inland Northwest History: Dire Straits doing “Calling Elvis,” April 3, 1992, at WSU’s Beasley Auditorium.

* Eye-catching band name: Big Al Olsen did a double-take when he saw on the Met’s marquee that Second Coming is scheduled for this weekend. Plan accordingly.

* Warm-up question: Does every family have one person who feels the need to read signs aloud?

* Today’s Slice question: Can you usually tell if someone owns a 4-wheel drive vehicle without ever seeing that person’s car or truck?

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