The Slice: Recalling the roaring ’70s

Australian pop singer Helen Reddy performed in Spokane on this date in 1974, during the fair.

You probably remember her big hit, “I Am Woman.”

Well, here’s a question. If every woman in the Spokane area roared at the same time, how would it sound?

Of course, there are all kinds of ways to roar. In numbers too big to ignore.

What did that song mean to you?

Stage fright story No. 2: “The Salish School of Spokane held a fundraising event this spring,” wrote Tina Wynecoop. “Sherman Alexie was the guest speaker. His turn to speak followed presentations by young students from the language immersion school, and by students from Spokane Falls Community College who each read a personal essay about growing up Native American.

“One student, tall, slender, and made even taller by wearing very high heels, began to read her essay. It was honest and heartbreaking and she abruptly stopped before finishing it and fled the stage. This was not stage fright per se, rather it was stage grief.

“I don’t think she knew she had our support, that is, until Sherman took his turn at the microphone. His opening remarks were directed to her, and were both gracious and bolstering. He praised her for having the courage to leave before she was finished — an act of bravery, really. Then, as only Alexie can, he skewered the practice of wearing high-heeled shoes: ‘Girls, never, never wear them to make yourself look ‘better’ because it is not worth ruining your feet.’

“It all turned out very well in the end – magical and healing. So glad I was there to witness it.”

Slice answer: “I’d love to see a specialty license plate supporting your local library,” wrote Karen Wallace. “It could have literary quotations or books scattered randomly across the plate.”

Today’s Slice question: Do you have enough closet space to have all of your apparel easily accessible all year or do you have to do a rotation that involves relegating out-of-season garments to the basement or wherever?