The Slice: Germans? Forget it, he’s rolling

Let’s just call this “Misspeaking at Chase Middle School” and leave my source out of it.

A kid with an apparently limited knowledge of music history was referring to a ‘60s pop movement as “the Germans are attacking.”

Finally a friend noted that the actual expression is “British invasion.”

“There ought to be a sign: “We think it should be on top of Steptoe Butte,” wrote Carol and Verle Bingman of Colville. “We’ve been told you can see three or four states from up there. It would be helpful to know which ones and what way to look.”

Darlene Price of Electric City would like to see a sign that better clarifies the location of the towns with “coulee” in their names – Grand Coulee, Coulee Dam and Coulee City.

Spokane’s Jacque Hendrix would appreciate a sign that somehow indicates which panhandlers are hungry and looking for work and which are planning to buy alcohol or drugs.

Nancy Nelson of Colbert thinks there should be one that distinguishes between Valley, Wash., and “The Valley,” as in Spokane Valley.

Dave Schreffler of Spokane suggested, “A sign on Interstate 90 east of downtown Spokane with arrows that point down to the ‘Big Ruts’ and ‘Even Bigger Ruts.’ “

A couple of other readers said the perfect sign for this area would point motorists toward various buffet-style restaurants.

“According to real estate agents: Certain renters try to sabotage home sales by purposely leaving the bathroom in a spectacularly uninviting state just before the house is shown.

“Slice answer: “In today’s column you asked how Mormon missionaries are received in Spokane,” wrote my friend Scott Miller. “I’m sure that they get a fair share of rudeness, but I hope they also find that most Spokane residents are at least tolerant, if not hospitable.”

Last summer, two missionaries rang his doorbell. Usually, Miller simply informs them that his family already has a church home. This time, though, the young men in suits and ties volunteered to do some yard work.

“I thanked them but said we had two teenaged boys who were responsible for mowing, pruning, et cetera.”

The proselytizers surveyed the front yard. Then one of them said, “We’d be happy to teach them how to do that.”

Miller declined the offer. But wouldn’t you know it – his boys soon found themselves out working in the yard.

“Warm-up question: What incident prompted you to declare, “No more slumber parties”?

“Today’s Slice question: If you establish a rapport with a clerk or cashier of the opposite sex, what are the chances that someone in your family will begin referring to that person as “your boyfriend” or “your girlfriend”?