›› TRiViA CAFÉ 1. According to a recent pothole report by the Bay Area’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission, what city was ranked worst in Marin in terms of quality and upkeep of roads and streets? 2. By what name did the ancient Romans refer to the moon? 3. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor is better known to the world by what name? 4. What popular TV competition is often referred to as DWTS? 5. The name of what liquid refreshment means “little water” in Russian? 6. Pictured, right: Name these cities. 7. What 1985 film with a color in the title received 11 Academy Award nominations but did not win any Oscars? 8. What body of water separates England and Ireland? 9. What are their first names of the literary Bronte sisters?
by Howard Rachelson
6a
6b
6c
10. How many questions are needed for one televised game of Jeopardy? BONUS QUESTION: The first one of these communication products was introduced in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1889, and cost 10 cents to use. What was it? Send your best trivia question (with your name and hometown) to howard1@triviacafe. com; if your question is used in the ‘Pacific Sun,’ we’ll give you credit!
HERO
WLesli L. and her friend brought their kids to play on the plaza in downtown Mill Valley. A boy, younger than 2, wandered over to the group and climbed into their play car. The toddler’s mother, walking around the plaza with a cell phone attached to her ear, completely ignored him. Later, a dog bounded over to Lesli’s brood, grabbing food from one of the kids. The pooch belonged to the same inattentive woman, who, unbelievably, retrieved the dog and left her child behind. Eventually, Lesli interrupted the woman, explaining that the little boy asked for “mama.” Continuing her call, the woman shooed her son toward another unsuspecting family. Rude behavior is a Zero, but we also think there’s a better way to find qualified baby sitters. Cell Phone Mom, we hope you figure it out soon. —Nikki Silverstein
Got a Hero or a Zero? Please send submissions to e-mail nikki_silverstein@yahoo.com.
ZERO
VSome companies ask employees to turn off unused lights and others buy hybrid vehicles for their sales team. Every little bit helps our planet. But Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, headquartered in Novato, decided to make a big difference by employing emerging technology. Recently installing six Bloom boxes, purchased from Bloom Energy in Sunnyvale, Fireman’s Fund now relies on fuel cells for most of its electricity. Simply put, the boxes generate electricity without burning fossil fuel. Not only has Fireman’s Fund significantly cut its electric bills, it will also receive state and federal tax incentives to help defray the $5 million price tag for the boxes. With a 15 percent reduction in its carbon footprint as a bonus, the company is taking big steps to keep Marin clean and green. Thanks, Fireman’s Fund.
Answers on page 38
›› THAT TV GUY
by Rick Polito
FRIDAY, JULY 1 Bolt A dog from an advenTUESDAY, JULY 5 ture TV show wanders into the real world Nightmare A film and discovers that it was all special effects: student finds a video he has no super powers.This is happening to camera with footage Michele Bachmann right now! (2008) Disney of him murdering Channel. 6:45pm. somebody. Not only Paranormal Challenge This reality show does he have to unravel the mystery of where the camera pits two teams of ghost hunters against each other.The first one to kiss a girl or move came from and what the footage actually depicts, he has to decide whether to post it out of their parents’ house wins. Travel on Facebook or YouTube. (2005) IndependChannel. 9pm. ent Film Channel. 7:15pm. SATURDAY, JULY 2 Flight of the Phoenix Wipeout Tonight’s obstacles have patriotic After their plane crashes in the Gobi desert, themes, saluting “the land of the free and the the passengers and crew struggle to rebuild home of the gigantic inflatable liberty bell the plane and fly back to civilization. But the water slide.”ABC. 8pm. airline still figures out a way to charge them Clearing the Smoke: The Science of Canfor baggage. (2004) American Movie Classics. nabis Examining whether 5:30pm. the alleged medical benScream A masked murefits of marijuana can be derer preys on teens in a validated in the lab, and small California town where whether you could make a everybody leaves windows totally bitchin’ bong out of open and nobody ever test tubes, clear plastic tubturns on the lights when ing and other kickass stuff entering a dark room. (1996) from your chemistry set. TBS. 9:45pm. KQED. 11pm. Falling Skies The doctor discovers a way to free chilWEDNESDAY, JULY 6 dren “harnessed” by the Deadliest Warrior Tonight, aliens. At home, you can just it’s the Irish Republican take the batteries out of the Army vs.Taliban.The Taliban WiiMote. TNT. 10pm. has the religious zealotry Already shaped like a panettone. of suicide bombers, but the SUNDAY, JULY 3 Tour de Sunday, 8pm. IRA can beguile law enforceFrance Cycling The top ment with a bit of the blarcyclists in the world race ney. Spike TV. 6pm. from one part of France to some other part Undercover Boss The mayor of Cincinnati of France. Versus. 5pm. poses as a municipal employee.This allows Challenge The bakers prepare cakes with “Star Wars”themes. Somehow the Death Star him to accept the kickbacks directly. CBS. 8pm. isn’t as threatening when it’s cream-filled. Love Don’t Cost a Thing An unpopular Food Network. 8pm. high school student hires a cheerleader to Celebrity Rehab Amy Fisher threatens pose as his girlfriend.We’re not sure what to quit rehab and return to her life as the the going rate is for a cheerleader girlfriend, answer to a trivia question. VH1. 9pm. but if you buy your wife a CSI: Miami The team investicheerleader outfit the price is gates a murder at a roller-dera night on the couch. (2003) by match. This is one of those ABC Family. 9pm. cases where they can identify the suspect by the brand of THURSDAY, JULY 7 Monmascara and traces of fishnet sterQuest The team climbs stockings. CBS. 10pm. down into the New York sewers hunting alligators.We MONDAY, JULY 4 A Capitol thought the alligators had all Fourth July 4 is just the day been eaten by CHUD. History they signed the Declaration Channel. 6pm. of Independence. The divorce World’s Dumbest ... Tonight, wasn’t final for several years. it’s the world’s dumbest “comKQED. 8pm. petitions,” in case you just Hoarders This is the “followcan’t wait for the GOP presiup” episode where they check dential debates. TruTV. 7pm. in on hoarders profiled in One former Cincinnati mayor Big Brother The contestants earlier episodes to see if they wrote a check to a prostitute. aren’t really interested in the have kicked their hoarding Wednesday, 8pm. prize any more.They just habits. It’s never a good sign want the free rent until the when they say they “lost” the garage door opener and all the closet doors job market improves. CBS. 9pm. < are stuck. A&E. 9pm. Critique That TV Guy at letters@pacificsun.com. Swamp Wars A python eats an alligator. Wildlife biologists describe such incidents Turn on more TV Guy at as “highly unusual” and “totally awesome.” ›› pacificsun.com Animal Planet. 9pm. JULY 1 - JULY 7, 2011 PACIFIC SUN 9