This date in Slice history (2000)

The four stages of reactions to a newcomer’s observations about the Spokane area:

1. Reaction to someone who has lived here two weeks: “That’s cute. I guess that WOULD seem odd.”

2. To someone who has lived here two months. “Look, people around here just say ‘The Lake.’ OK?”

3. To someone who has lived here a year: “That’s how we’ve always done it.”

4. To someone who has lived here more than a year:”Hey, pal. Wake up. You’re part of the problem now.”