The Slice: Still hot despite its looks

Let’s start by saluting a veteran.

Last Saturday, The Slice asked for photos of backyard barbecue grills that prove looks aren’t everything.

And Lisa Walker of Hayden, Idaho, answered the call. She submitted a picture that shows her mom, Kathy, posing by her dad Tony’s high-mileage, battle scarred cooker.

It’s a Charmglow.

“This photo makes the grill look pretty good,” wrote Lisa. “The wheels are broken off and the bottom of the grill is rusted through so that the lava rocks fall out. Believe it or not, he still uses it every day.”

“Literal skirt-chasing: So this younger, single friend of mine is in a downtown Spokane bank. He sees a woman in a remarkably short skirt. Her appearance gets his attention.

When his bank transaction has been completed, he starts walking out. And he sees the same woman stepping onto an elevator. So he decides to get on with her.

“You know, we really should have a drink sometime,” he says, after a moment.

And the woman, projecting a skeptical vibe, asks him if he is paying attention to her because of the revealing skirt.

He admits that, yes, that might be part of it.

Well, she huffs, it’s short-skirt day in her office.

Still, she accepts his phone number.

Chances are, nothing will come of it.

But here’s what I want to know. Was she on the level about short-skirt day? Is that for real? And if so, what’s next? Thong Week?

“Slice answers: The five movies Michele DeBennedetto would include in an Essence of Summer film festival would be “My Girl,” “Stand By Me,” “The Sandlot,” “American Graffiti” and “A Summer Place.”

A list submitted by Jack and Sandee Buss included “Summer of ‘42,” “Picnic,” “American Graffiti,” “The Long, Hot Summer” and “Bull Durham.”

“Question for transplanted Southerners: What’s the dumbest thing people said to you after you moved here?

“Slice answers: Several readers said that they laughed when house-selling neighbors listed a ridiculously high asking price — until buyers offered to pay it.

Quite a few others sent in measurements of how far their cats can stretch out.

And I heard from several readers who told of having the same phone number for more than 50 years. But others insist that a six-digit number that evolved into seven digits isn’t the same number. So I’m settling this in time-honored Slice fashion. I’m moving on.

“Today’s Slice question: What’s the most remarkable thing a throwing partner ever said to you while playing catch?