The Slice: Do they know the vice president’s name?

You learn something new every day.

For instance, a story distributed by the Reuters news service this week noted in passing that Eastern Washington University is in “Cheyenne, Washington.”

No wonder some people are confused about how to pronounce that.

Hmmm. So does that mean Cheney is the capital of Wyoming?

“Talking point: Kids who move away and then come back for visits are the ones who notice that certain Spokane TV news folks are getting older.

“Four stars: I seldom actually watch. But I’ve always liked the idea that channel 7’s “Saturday Night Cinema” is around. It’s sort of comforting.

Well, tonight the KSPS movie is one of my favorites – 1946’s “The Best Years of Our Lives.”

Slice readers know how I feel about this story of three World War II veterans returning to civilian life. According to the newspaper’s electronic archives (which go back only to 1994), I’ve mentioned it 10 times. (Of course, “Animal House” has shown up in The Slice 18 times during that same period. But I digress.)

Sure, it’s a terrific, Oscar-winning story. Still, the thing that makes this movie so memorable is the unexpected series of special moments.

There’s the scene when Myrna Loy calls out from the kitchen “Who was that at the door?” Then, when neither of her children answers, she realizes her husband, played by Fredric March, has come home.

There’s the moment when the sailor’s mother reacts to seeing her son without his hands for the first time.

There’s the moment when the bombardier’s father tears up after reading a commendation for valor that his son has discarded.

And, at the end, Dana Andrews and Teresa Wright team up for one of the screen’s all-time best kisses.

“Snugsville: A friend told about how her aunt used to knit outside under a big tree. Little snips of yarn wound up on the ground.

Well, one spring her aunt noticed that a bird’s nest in that tree incorporated countless strands of the cozy, colorful knitting material.

“Multiple choice: Your family’s home life is most like…

A) “The Godfather.” B) “Fraggle Rock.” C) “The Great Santini.” D) “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” E) “Little Miss Sunshine.” F) “Sid and Nancy.” G) “Scarface.” H) “The Brady Bunch.” I) Other.

“Spokane has work to do in the self-acceptance department: But that shouldn’t be confused with a call for complacency.

“Today’s Slice question: If the Spokane Indians baseball team asked you to throw out the first pitch before a game this season, how would you do?