The Slice: Forgive the fuss, but what about bus?

Ask around and you discover that a fair number of Spokane residents have never ridden an STA bus.

Never. Not once.

It’s not a big deal, I guess. Still, it seems like that’s missing out on one small aspect of city life.

“A dozen reasons to record “Perry Mason” at noon on Spokane’s KAYU-TV and then watch it before going to bed:

12. There’s something soothing about black and white.

11. The cars.

10. The shows aren’t as dated as you might suspect because there is hardly ever any reference to current events of the era.

9. The parade of guest stars provides almost limitless opportunities to say, “Hey, that’s the guy who was in that show about, you know, the thing.”

8. Some of the million or so episodes are actually pretty good mysteries.

7. No cell phones. (Though detective Paul Drake did have some sort of radio-phone in his car.)

6. Women’s fashion, circa 1962. If you don’t have personal memories of put-your-eye-out bras, this is your chance to study up.

5. District Attorney Hamilton Burger’s inspirational ability to keep showing up even after losing and losing and losing again.

4. The judges saying stuff like “I’ll allow it” and “Yes, Mr. Mason, where are you headed with this?”

3. Della Street — the world’s most capable assistant.

2. Characters in the show read newspapers.

1. The climactic confessions offer a dependable clarity usually missing in real life.

“Just wondering: “We have an employee who we call back to fill in for employees who leave for various reasons,” wrote Rob Golden. “When she is finished with her weeks/months stint, she expects a goodbye party on her ‘last day.’ Which leads me to think: Who in Spokane has celebrated the most ‘last day’ parties at the same place of employment?”

“Denatured inspiration: “Over the years, many have either admired or criticized what sometimes appeared to be Spokane’s desire to be just like Seattle (some of those desires were good and some were not so good),” wrote Gordon Budke. “Spokane is now the pacesetter. It appears as if Seattle wants to emulate Spokane, so it has chosen the rebranding slogan ‘Metronatural.’ “

Budke finds that “just as fuzzy” as Spokane’s “Near nature, near perfect.”

How does “Metronatural” strike you?

My first thought was of rained-soaked urban nudists.

“Today’s Slice questions: OK, there are still four weeks until Thanksgiving. But I’m going to go ahead and ask.

Will we have a white Christmas this year? On what do you base your forecast?