The Slice: The Slice: For many, it has a familiar ring to it

No, you aren’t the only one to mark the passing of time by noting the growth of a certain young tree.

Let’s move on.

“Homemade BBQ setups: Britta Conner sent a picture of the cooking pit her husband, Chris, built at her parents’ place on Green Bluff.

“The white rocks used to be cemented onto the side of the house,” she wrote.

Chris, who is in the Army, used rebar for the grill.

“Dullest lake name: Mary Alyce Konesky said Fish Lake is either the dullest or most inspired name.

Dale Roloff said it’s the dullest. He’s just glad it wasn’t named “Wet Lake.”

Debbie Davis nominated Davis Lake. “Davis Lake would only be interesting to me if I owned it,” she wrote.

“Among friends: Several geese were walking around outside the local Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife office and someone inside wondered aloud if the birds should be invited in.

“If Spokane were a candidate running for high public office: Being the least candid candidate would eventually be its undoing, said Ann Echegoyen.

And Lesley Haskell said voters would eventually discover that Spokane has a drug problem.

“Saturday quiz winner: There was no shortage of readers who knew that “Missing” Link Gaetz played for the Spokane Chiefs 20 years ago and went on to a much-traveled pro hockey career featuring far more fights than goals or elegant defensive plays.

But I’m sending the notebook to Joy Grammar, who earned it.

You see, Gaetz lived with her family when he was in Spokane. “He forgot something one night and kicked in my back door to get it,” she said.

Grammar housed several other Chiefs over the years. Most were really good kids. But the Missing Link? “He was a handful.”

“Slice answers: John Petrofski said he thinks the escalation of the birthday party arms race can trace its roots back to the time some families on New York’s Long Island began to get competitive about bar mitzvah celebrations.

And Herb Postlewait suspects Seattle bike riders don’t envy our climate. “Their weather isn’t as hot in the summer and they don’t have to ‘chain up’ in the winter.”

“Two for Tuesday: 1. Disagreement about the appeal of stopping at yard sales must have contributed to at least a few divorces.

2. Knowledge of basic astronomy can be useful when it’s your desire to park in the shade.

“Today’s Slice question: Does every extended family include at least one out-of-control liar?