We could call it ‘North Side Story’

Fri., Feb. 3, 2006

Paul Turner The Spokesman-Review

Something’s coming.

Elliot Eaton, a junior at Lewis and Clark High School, is in the cast of an upcoming production of “West Side Story.” He’s one of the Jets.

Rehearsing the tale of colliding ethnic factions has made him wonder: “If ‘West Side Story’ were set in Spokane, what two types of people would be the rival gangs?”

Hmmm. My phone line is open.

By the way, the LC production of the classic musical sounds promising. Elliot told me they have an excellent “Maria.”

Slice answer: Forest Service cartographer Kevin Wolfe saw the question about whether people who bathe regularly need to use deodorants. “My observation is that body odor is much like common sense (not scents) in that the final judgment does not rest with the individual in question but with his or her peers,” he wrote.

So I guess you could ask around.

In any case, it’s better to be safe than sorry, he said.

And Wolfe added an excellent piece of advice. “Easy on the cologne, aftershave or perfume, and avoid body sprays at all costs.”

Parking garage strategy: Slice reader Don Frasier said he seeks out the area reserved for sub-compacts and tries to find a spot between a Suburban and a crew-cab pickup.

Slice answer: Diana Justice said the person who makes the most trips up and down a flight of stairs each day might be Kathy Sherrick, who works at Gonzaga University. She is an assistant to an administrator whose office is on the second floor. Sherrick’s office is in the basement.

Following up: The question about TVs in the bedroom prompted a friend to ask if some couples savor 10 p.m. network dramas in much the same way consenting adults once enjoyed après-intimacy cigarettes.

Following up 2: Yes, I came in for some abuse following my public failure to get behind the Seahawks (Tuesday’s Slice). But rooting for Seattle sports teams has always struck me as arguably crazy for Spokane residents.

Sure, I get why some people do. I understand about regionalism, West Side connections, loyalties formed in childhood, et cetera.

But the assumption that everyone here ought to care about Seattle teams strikes me as vaguely nuts.

Seattle loves nothing more than to mock or ignore Spokane. That’s never produced in me a desire to worship that great city’s rented ballplayers.

Warm-up question: Who around here has the least understanding of the work his or her spouse/significant other does?

Today’s Slice question: What nickname do you have for your boss?

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