Happy New Year! There are some things during the holidays that just can't be avoided, such as fruit cake, colds and the barking dog version of "Jingle Bells." To this list, we add the annual Press Democrat Editorial Department News Junkies Quiz. We are happy to say that this the 20th year that we have been offering this feature, which returns once again with great enthusiasm, deep analysis and relatively little fanfare.
As always, we ask that you keep your eyes on our own paper and place your books, backpacks and all iPods, iPads and other gadgetry under your desks. This is not an open-browser exam. There is no time limit in taking this test, but we ask you to be sensitive to those around you, particularly if any family member or friend is in trouble, in labor or is in the car waiting for you. There are some things that are more important than this.
So without further delay, here is the 2012 quiz:
1. After the Santa Rosa Plaza started charging for parking, changes had to be made because:
a. Shoppers objected to new parking fees
b. Merchants complained about lost business
c. Several pedestrians were hit on the head by automated parking gates.
d. Solar-powered parking meters didn't work inside the garage.
2. President Barack Obama won the popular vote in Sonoma County. Within five points, tell us his percentage of the total votes cast,
3. Who are Danny Marzo, Quinton Gago, James O'Hanlon and Logan Douglas?
4. On Christmas night, members of the U.S. Coast Guard in Bodega Bay were called to rescue a kayaker who was on his way to:
a. Catalina Island
b. The Rose Bowl
c. Hawaii
d. Oblivion
5. Santa Rosa Junior College trustees selected the fifth president in the school's 93-year history. Name him. Can you name the other four?
6. Sporting a baseball hat and a mitt, Supervisor Shirlee Zane stood in front of a large group of people on Oct. 19 and announced "We are coming back in a big way." What was she was referring to?
a. The San Francisco Giants, who, at that point, were down 3-1 in a best-of-seven National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals and had Barry Zito pitching that night.
b. The Sonoma County economy which started to show some signs of a real economic recovery in 2012, particularly in employment and in the housing market.
c. The climate protection campaign, which, after some setbacks in public awareness, celebrated Sonoma County's initial steps toward creating its own "green" power agency
d. The concentrated effort the county was making to catch up on pothole repairs.
7. On June 17, America recognized the 40th anniversary of what historic event?
a. Atari Inc.'s release of "Pong," the first commercially successful video game, which opened the door to a whole new industry of gaming.
b. A strange break-in at a posh new hotel and office complex in Washington, D.C. that opened the door to the downfall of a president.
c. President Richard Nixon's visit to China, which opened the door to a steady stream of cheap consumer goods from Asia.
d. The first publication of "The Joy of Sex," which opened the door to all kinds of things we can't talk about here.
8. Name the Sonoma Valley resident who won and lost an election over a five-month period.
9. What was banned in Petaluma this year?
a. Hardware stores
b. Smoking in condominiums and apartments
c. Asphalt plants
d. Drive-thrus
10. True or false, Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo, who KO'd Ernie Carpenter in the June primary, then made headlines with a Labor Day weekend street fight in San Diego, has a black belt in taekwondo.
11. True or false, a chain-store ordinance adopted by the city of Sonoma will block the return of Williams-Sonoma to its hometown.
12. During an August visit to Monte Rio, Gov. Jerry Brown:
a. Paddled to the left, then paddled to the right.
b. Got cited for violating the leash law while walking his dog Sutter.
c. Personally lobbied county officials to OK a local flea market.
d. Joined protesters outside the Bohemian Grove.
13. The Press Democrat reported that my 650-acre estate with 20,000 square-foot manor home and "Kevlar-wrapped safe rooms" went on the market in 2012. Who am I? Extra points if you can come within $5 million of the asking price.
14. True or false, one of the world's most acclaimed violinists, Lang Lang, performed on opening night at the Green Music Center and Weill Hall at Sonoma State University.
15. This iconic landmark celebrated its birthday in 2012. Name the landmark - which is the easy part - and then tell us how old it is.
16. In the deciding game, game four, of the 2012 World Series, this San Francisco Giant scored the winning run. Who is he? And what team did he play for in 2011?
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