The Slice: We could call it the Inland Empire State Building

With the economy the way it is, it is not likely to happen anytime soon.

And even in more robust times, the demand for commercial office space simply might not be there.

But I’ve thought for a long time that the construction of a truly tall building in downtown Spokane might change everything for the better.

Your thoughts?

•Slice answers: Readers were sharply divided about whether families should abide by the wishes of those who declare that they do not want a funeral after they die.

None of the arguments would surprise you.

But the Rev. Tara Leininger told a story I thought I’d share.

She recalled conducting a funeral in a light rain. The service had barely begun when lightning zapped a tree at the Metaline Cemetery.

Those in attendance could smell fried pine.

Leininger suggested they move the proceedings indoors. And after they were concluded, the two daughters of the deceased woman came by to thank the minister. One of them noted that their mother had expressly requested that there not be a service.

Leininger found herself thinking that it might have been nice to have been warned a little sooner.

•I’m waiting for someone to say, “They’re just trying to sell papers”: After the S-R runs yet another story on the bus benches controversy.

•Just wondering: How do you react to Q6’s Bill McGinty?

•Sometimes Spokane seems like an episode of … : Gary Smith and several other readers opted for “I) Other” and mentioned “The Twilight Zone.”

But Craig Heimbigner had this to say. “The shows you suggest that might remind us of Spokane are merely 30 or 60 minute diversions,” he wrote. “The smug ignorance that pervades Spokane goes on hour after hour, day after day, more like Fox News.”

•Today’s reminder that you are getting old: “Dead Poets Society” came out 20 years ago.

•Planning your week: Friday is National Hairball Awareness Day.

What can you do? Brush your cat more often.

•Let’s go over this again: A few of my readers have comprehension issues. I never said I had a problem with people saying “the lake” without specifying which one.

The thing I’m tired of is newcomers pointing this out, as if we were unaware of it.

Let’s move on.

•Thanks much for the cookout invites: Stay tuned.

•Today’s Slice question: Five weeks till Memorial Day. What do you need to accomplish before then?