1. In this 1947 Robert Mitchum movie, the hero (Mitchum) and his lover (Jane Greer) hide out in San Francisco, where their shady past eventually catches up with them.
a. Thunder Road
b. Out of the Past
c. Five Card Stud
2. In his introduction to the collected writings of former Hearst Examiner journalist Ambrose Bierce, Clifton Fadiman noted in 1946 that “San Francisco tolerated and even encouraged salient personalities.” Bierce himself:
a. vanished without a trace in Mexico in 1913
b. challenged Bret Harte to a sunrise duel at Lake Merced
c. offered his The Devil’s Dictionary to Noah Webster in vain
3. “I can look back…and know that I was safe and that I put down a good coat of paint,” says Herbert Gabriel, a Golden Gate Bridge painter for 27 years. In 2012, on May 27, the famous span will be:
a. 45–years old
b. 55–years old
c. 75–years old
4. In October of 1965, at Longshoremen’s Hall at Fisherman’s Wharf, which group sang: “Do you…believe in the magic in a young girl’s soul/Believe in the magic of rock ‘n’ roll?”
a. Herman’s Hermits
b. Quicksilver Messenger Service
c. The Lovin’ Spoonful
5. In 1873, tailor Jacob Davis had teamed up with Bavarian immigrant Levi Strauss; the latter’s booming business on Battery Street produced distinctive and durable work pants whose pocket corners were secured with copper rivets. These denim “waist overalls” sold for:
a. 2 dollars a pair
b. 22 cents a pair
c. one Liberty Head gold dollar a pair
6. “I feel like my entire career (as an opera singer) has been one big Christmas present.” Name the celebrated singer who has given the San Francisco Opera her very best, and who is “here to tell you that you don’t actually die from shame.” (On an off day.)
a. Susan Graham
b. Zheng Cao
c. Frederica (Flicka) von Stade
7. Name the founder of the San Francisco 49ers who died of a heart attack watching his team battle the Chicago Bears at Kezar Stadium, October 27, 1957.
a. Al Davis
b. Tony Morabito
c. Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr.
8. At Mission High School recently, The Nation’s sports writer Dave Zirin promoted his new book about the 1968 Mexico City Olympic sprinter who raised his black-gloved fist during the medal awards ceremony.
a. John Carlos
b. Tommie Smith
c. Usain Bolt
9. Maharaja, the special exhibit at the Asian Art Museum, celebrates the splendor of India’s royal courts. In Indian culture, these animals are thought to resemble rain clouds in color and shape, and have long been associated with fertility and prosperity.
a. rhinos; b. hippos; c. elephants
10. In the 1950s, this city-wide event, sponsored by the SF Chronicle, had folks digging up San Francisco dirt in hopes of:
a. reaching China
b. unearthing Emperor Norton’s treasure
c. discovering much-needed oil
Answers:
1. b
2. a
3. c
4. c
5. b
6. c
7. b (the 49ers roared back to win the game, 21-17)
8. a
9. c
10. b
Victor Turks was born in Germany and grew up in Haight-Ashbury. He teaches English as a Second Language at City College. Victor’s work has appeared in Kansas City Star Magazine, San Francisco Downtown, Times of Contra Costa, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
