The Slice: As seen on TV

Jeffrey Neuberger had phoned a national bank’s customer service line.

A representative in some distant corner of America answered. When Jeffrey said he was calling from Spokane, she responded “Oh, I wouldn’t want to live there; that’s a scary city.”

He asked her why she thought Spokane is a scary place. Her answer: “I’ve watched a few ‘cold case’ television shows and they always seem to mention Spokane.”

Oh, OK.

Let’s move on.

A Centennial Trail pet peeve: “There are three kinds of dog walkers,” wrote Jay Leipham.

One kind bags up their pets’ droppings and takes the bag with them.

A second kind lets the animals do their business and then proceeds as if nothing had happened.

Then there is a third kind. These people bag up the dog’s deposit but leave the full bag on the edge of the trail.

“The plastic protects its contents from the deteriorating effects of precipitation and the desiccating effects of sunlight and dry air, FOR MONTHS.”

Jay can only shake his head. “Someday, if there is any ultimate justice, these people will suffer the consequences, although I’m at a loss as to the appropriate punishment.”

Your chance to vote: “I’m going to be starting a horticulture club next spring for folks interested in African violets,” wrote Lynn Lombard. “I’m hoping to attract folks from both Washington and Idaho. What would be the more appealing, appropriate name, given local sensitivities, such as I read about regularly in your column?”

Lynn offered a choice between “Inland Northwest African Violet Society” and “Inland Empire African Violet Society.”

And she wondered if “club” might be more welcoming than “society.”

Slice answer: “How did quitting smoking change my life?” wrote Terry Martin. “I always knew I would quit smoking the moment I found out I was pregnant. But when I turned 35 and nothing had happened yet, I was beginning to wonder. Then my future husband suggested a vacation traveling in his little Toyota pickup with a standard cab. I knew I couldn’t smoke in that small area so I decided to quit smoking.

“Seven days later, I got pregnant. Of course, I didn’t know that for a few months, but I’ve always said it was a divine reward for quitting.”

Today’s Slice question: When did your attitude about RVs change?

Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Do you regard a state income tax as the boogeyman?