The Slice: He’ll always be ‘The Zero’ to a few

Celebrated Spokane novelist Jess Walter has many, many friends.

But surely there are people who don’t like him, for one reason or another. Jealousy, perhaps.

It must drive them crazy when he wins yet another award or scores one more rave review.

Where to head when someone says “Let’s go for a drive”: Gerald Ray recommends pointing the family truckster in the direction of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge or Palouse Falls State Park.

Three tens: The Slice heard from readers who will note 10/10/10 on Sunday by celebrating birthdays, observing anniversaries, getting married and running in a first marathon, among other things.

Blessing of the pets: At St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on Spokane’s South Hill, a dog named Bronte Pine-Smith saw all sorts of canines and cats as well a goldfish, a parakeet and a chicken. Then there were congregants who presented cell-phone photos of their pets to be blessed.

At Messiah Lutheran Church on the North Side, a parrot named Banner Reeder-Carson counted nine other animals there to be blessed — dogs, a cat, a chicken and a hamster.

Go in peace.

Two-fer: Carol Dikes saw a label on a pair of socks that said “Outdoor hiking socks” and wondered if there’s another kind of hiking.

Dana Freeborn thought for a second that the sign outside the convention center said “Northwest Meth Conference.” But it actually said “Math.”

I’ll try to do better: In a column last weekend, I used the expression “low IQ” as if it is synonymous with “stupid.”

That was dumb and insensitive.

Today’s Slice question: Which comes closest to summarizing your attitude about Spokane’s ability to change?

A) I believe Mr. and Mrs. Joe Spokane are against progress, so why bother trying? B) I enjoy hating new proposals. C) I don’t believe in evolution. C) Every good idea creates a backlash. D) I like Spokane but believe it can be better. E) “We’ve always done it this way” is my creed. F) Minority views should be shouted down. G) Other.