The Slice: Homemade motto

Here’s your chance to come up with a homemade motto.

Not long ago I witnessed a couple of University of Arizona graduates who had never met greet each other with “Bear down!” – an expression with long-ago sports origins that those with connections to the Tucson college embrace.

I happen to like both men, so I enjoyed the moment.

There are other examples. You might know how University of Alabama loyalists practically get out of bed in the morning saying “Roll Tide!”

And there are WSU faithful here who end all their emails “Go Cougs!”

The list goes on.

But what if Spokane had a saying? You know, a brief expression residents of the Lilac City would exchange when meeting. Something encouraging. Something that would reinforce a sense of civic belonging.

I’m not necessarily advocating this, mind you. It could get old in a hurry. But I do wonder what that expression might be.

Have any ideas? “Get off my lawn!”? “Kan do!”?

Send them my way, along with your name and phone number, and you might win a coveted reporter’s notebook.

Teresa Vanairsdale’s annual Priest Lake litter report: Here are just some of the brands of empties she bagged up along East Shore Road: Budweiser, Pellegrino Limonata, Starbucks Double Shot Energy Mocha, Coors, Gatorade, Smirnoff Ice and a Grandma’s Cookies box.

Teresa noted an energy drink can sporting the claim, “For clearer mental focus.”

She picked up one personal hygiene item. Yes, she wears gloves.

And gum wrappers, which make her shake her head. How much room do they take in your pocket until you can make it to a trash barrel?

“I thought Coors was going to win the race until the last few yards of road, when I found three Buds in rapid succession. It’s funny how one year differs from another. Last year Keystone Light won.”

The list of Spokane residents who have been bitten by a marmot includes: Chad Mitchell.

Warm-up question: Ever have a round of layoffs at your workplace coincide with Halloween?

Today’s Slice question: If you tack “nut” onto a word or phrase describing your avocation or personal passion, what do you end up with?

Write The Slice at P. O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. You tend to remember if the car in which you first attempted parallel parking had the approximate dimensions and handling attributes of an oceangoing supertanker.