NEWS QUIZ

1. Mike Valladao, who goes by the moniker “Farmer Mike” during the Halloween season, likes to sculpt huge pumpkins each year at the annual “Trick or Treat” festival at the Orange County Marketplace. This year, he picked a movie character for one of his giant gourds. Who was it?

A. Borat

B. Shrek

C. Davy Jones

D. Harry Potter

2. Newport Beach residents Jude Steele and Frances Gadbois recently wrote about their adventures starting a jewelry business. What’s it titled?

A. “Just Go For It”

B. “Diamonds in the Rough”

C. “A Cut Above”

D. “Blingin’ It”

3. Estancia High School beat Costa Mesa High School to win the Battle for the Bell this year. What was the score?

A. 21-0

B. 17-0

C. 48-21

D. 49-38

4. Halloween wasn’t the only holiday celebrated by some area residents this week. At. St. Joachim Catholic Church in Costa Mesa a special altar was set up to mark what holiday?

A. Day of the Dad

B. All Saints’ Day

C. Sweetest Day

D. Winter Solstice

5. Actors Mimi Kennedy and Ed Asner were there to boost Democratic congressional candidate Steve Young at his rally. But one famous scheduled speaker had to phone it in because of illness. Who was it?

A. Cindy Sheehan

B. Hilary Clinton

C. Sean Penn

D. Barbra Streisand

6. Illya Bond, a Newport Beach man, was sentenced to eight years in prison for running an investment scam through his company PowerSource. How much did the judge order him to pay in restitution?

A. $1

B. $2 million

C. $2.4 billion

D. $2.4 million

7. After 17 years at its Balboa Peninsula address, Surfside Sports is moving to 17th Street and Orange Avenue in Costa Mesa. Why?

A. The store needed more space

B. Rent jumped and it wasn’t worth it to stay

C. The store next door burned down and Surfside’s building was damaged

D. No reason

8. Newport Beach officials have found a novel way to prevent runoff into the ocean. What is it?

A. Hammer residents who over-water their lawns with steep fines

B. Use a grant to hire water-enforcement officers

C. Offer rewards for residents who snitch on neighbors who over-water their lawns

D. Use a grant to buy “smart” sprinklers that can automatically shut off when necessary, and encourage up to 500 homeowners to use them

9. Democratic congressional candidate Jim Brandt got an endorsement from a past presidential hopeful. Who was it?

A. Ross Perot

B. The Rev. Al Sharpton

C. Howard Dean

D. Wesley Clark

10. Why did the National Federation of Independent Businesses give Assemblyman Van Tran a perfect score?

A. For his votes on small-business issues

B. For opposing an increase in the minimum wage

C. For attending all of the nonprofit group’s meetings

D. Because he asked them to

11. If UCI’s men’s soccer team beats Cal State Northridge today it will mark a first for the university. What is that milestone?

A. An automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament

B. An undefeated season

C. The first win of the year

D. The first defeat of Cal State Northridge

12. Orange County prosecutors filed felony charges against rapper Snoop Dogg in connection with a September incident at John Wayne Airport. The rapper is accused of trying to board a plane with something illegal. What was it that authorities say he was carrying?

A. Marijuana

B. A 20-inch collapsible baton

C. Bootlegs of Usher compact discs

D. Drug paraphernalia

ANSWERS: 1: C; 2: A; 3: B; 4: A; 5: A; 6: D; 7: B; 8: D; 9: D; 10: A; 11: A; 12: B