Some would just as soon send a do-not-care package

Slice-meister Paul Turner is taking some time off this month, but don’t despair: In his absence, we’re rerunning some of the tastier tidbits from this date in Slice history. Today’s sampling:

FROM 2003:

Sure, you can run into the occasional swarm of bloodsuckers. But in most of the Inland Northwest, it’s possible to step outside at night without being chewed up. It’s a wonderful thing, and something that should never be taken for granted.

FROM 2001:

Re: What to send Internet friends in Ohio that would capture the essence of Spokane:

Some of the readers responding to this query were in a sarcastic mood. Imagine that.

Suggestions included a parking ticket, a box of nepotism, a pothole, a defective turn signal, an apple maggot, a child’s decayed tooth, some litter, a tube of apathy, a bullet and meth-making ingredients.

On a more upbeat note, others suggested sending a mountain, an Expo ’74 souvenir, a small lava rock, a GU T-shirt, a Palouse postcard, tartar sauce with a coupon for french fries, Washington wines, a pine cone, WSU cheese and huckleberry jam.

FROM 1997:

George, George: Here’s an unofficial Slice survey.

This week, 33 percent of 4-year-olds riding in shopping carts could be heard vocalizing songs or sound effects from “George of the Jungle.”