The Slice: Call it the SAT: The Spokane Attendance Test

So I was visiting with a personable Slice reader at Auntie’s Bookstore.

I asked this woman, who lives in Pullman, how often she comes to Spokane. And without bashing the Lilac City, she said “hardly ever” or something like that.

Hmmm. It seems a survey of readers in outlying areas is in order.

If you don’t come to Spokane very often, please circle the numbers of the explanations that characterize your stay-away attitude. Then mail me the clipped-out column.

E-mail is also acceptable. Feel free to add your own comments. Be sure to tack on your name and phone number.

I’ll report the results before the end of this month.

OK. I don’t come to Spokane very often because …

1. Spokane doesn’t have anything I can’t get closer to home.

2. Spokane has a lot of hostile, scary people.

3. I don’t like driving in/trying to find a place to park in Spokane.

4. Restaurants, concerts, movies, museums, plays, sports and medical specialists aren’t a big deal to me.

5. Spokane is a great place to raise prices.

6. Spokane residents seriously overestimate the city’s cultural appeal.

7. I’m more than just a consumer.

8. The less time I spend on this area’s highways, the better – especially at night.

9. When I want an urban experience, I go to Seattle.

10. I saw all I needed to during Expo ’74.

11. Spokane is overstimulating.

12. I shop online.

13. Stores and service providers closer to home need my support.

14. The theater seats are too small.

15. Spokane’s signature events bore me.

Today’s Slice question: Isn’t it sad that seeing a police officer standing watch over Temple Beth Shalom on Saturdays just seems routine now?