Sequels and "whatever-happened-to" stories are in vogue. If it's not "Batman Forever and Ever," it's "Jurassic Porkbarrel II." There's even an occasional sequel to stories that stray into this column. A sample:

-- Mr. Squirrel. A stuffed squirrel belonging to Burien vet Dr. Michel Jolivet vanished mysteriously four years ago. More than a year later, a shoebox arrived on Jolivet's doorstep.

Inside was the missing mascot, outfitted with a hobo knapsack and a photo album, showing Mr. Squirrel at tourist attractions in the Europe and the United States.

Jolivet quizzed his friends, but no one would admit taking part in the caper. Since then, the well-traveled Mr. Squirrel has occupied a place of honor in the Jolivet household.

That is, until a few weeks ago.

Word has been received - anonymously, of course - that Mr. Squirrel again has vanished. The caller said, "Mr. Squirrel is traveling in Asia."

-- Spud Goodman. The spatula-wielding star of "The Spud Goodman Show" recently hosted his final wacky comedy show on KTZZ-TV.

Spud - in his native Tacoma, they call him Bruce - prudently kept his day job. But he also circulated videos and - surprise - the show has been picked up by Fox for "The Set," a new TV channel aimed at small markets. Goodman says, "We're the only local show they've picked up."

-- The Pie Lady. Catherine Doser, known in Tukwila as "the Pie Lady," collected autographs from Mariner players after one of the playoff games. She promised to bake them apple pies.

But when Doser checked with the front office, the Mariners' trainer said, "No pies. Not until after the season."

When the season concluded, Doser called to ask where to deliver the pies. But, alas, the players have dispersed and Doser must wait until next spring. She says, "Meantime, I'm baking pies for the church bazaar."

-- Trees on Lummi. The Lummi Island (Whatcom County) cemetery board in August awarded a contract to clear-cut 18 stately old firs that guard the island's tiny cemetery. The reason? The three commissioners feared the trees might blow over.

When word got around, islanders rallied to save the trees. They circulated petitions, patrolled the churchyard and parked cars under the trees. The board resigned en masse, but left in force the contract to chop down the trees.

An interim board of tree lovers now has been appointed. New commissioner Polly Hanson says, "I think the trees may be saved. None of us wants to cut them down. We're negotiating with the contractor."

-- Market masters. In the late 1980s, friends of the Pike Place Public Market were stunned to learn the market had been "sold" to New York-based investors. The Urban Group, led by Arthur Malman and Martin Majors, had purchased the market's tax credits.

Did that give the new "owners" control of the city's historic public market? A campaign was mounted to save the market. The investors eventually agreed to bow out following Judge Frank Sullivan's landmark 1990 judgment, delivered on Halloween.

But the city hasn't seen the last of Malman and Majors. Last week they were spotted crossing Fifth Avenue at Columbia Street, headed toward Seattle's retail core. Just in time for Halloween.

Jean Godden's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the Local News section of The Times. Her phone is 464-8300.