BORDER JEOPARDY!...

By DUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ
The Paz Files

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - It's that time of the month again, boys and girls. Put your notes and books away and take out a sheet of paper. Today's quiz is on Border Life & Culture. Seven out of ten correct answers is the passing score. Do try for more, however. The questions were prepared by a distinguished panel of South Texas scholars born in the region, but no longer living there. Good luck!

1.) He is a candidate for Congress whose background includes the killing of his father at a Sebastian, Texas cockfight.

a.) Who is Rigo Tovar?
b.) Who is Felipe Alou?
c.) Who is Armando Villalobos?

2.) When he leaves his wife, Brownsville blogger Jerry McHale generally sets up house at this hotel.

a.) What is El Economico?
b.) What is the Cameron Motor Hotel?
c.) What is El Western Motel?

3.) State Rep. Rene Oliveira is a chubby man who likes to eat beef, but his nickname among bloggers is...

a.) What is The Plump Partridge?
b.) What is The Luby's Marauder?
c.) What is The Menudo Monster?

4.) He is best known for stand-up reporting from storm-ravaged South Padre Island, where he invented the line, "I'm standing in front of a dead pelican."

a.) Who is blogger Jim Barton?
b.) Who is Brownsville PIO Bill Young?
c.) Who is blogger Jerry Deal?

5.) She is generally credited with helping Brownsville rid itself of plastic bags at grocery stores.

a.) Who is Yolanda Begum?
b.) Who is Erin Hernandez?
3.) Who is Melissa Hernandez-Zamora?

6.) The publisher of The Brownsville Herald has not made a name for himself, but there are those who say he never liked his name.

a.) Who is Cavazos Daniel R.?
b.) Who is Daniel R. Cavazos?
c.) Who is R. Daniel Cavazos?

7.) The population of Brownsville sort of mirrors that of this Mexican city?

a.) What is El Zumbido?
b.) What is Boy's Town in Laredo?
c.) What is Reynosa?

8.) This Browntown blogger was arrested during the past two Christmas seasons, for driving recklessly and for non-payment of child support, but he's not been in jail since then.

a.) Who is Junior Bonner?
b.) Who is Juan Montoya?
c.) Who is Jim Barton?

9.) This famous country singer was born in Brownsville, but never really lived there.

a.) Who is Wayne Newton?
b.) Who is Kris Kristofferson?
c.) Who is Johnny Cash?

10.) She was ousted as a city commissioner in Harlingen after a tumultous political ride that saw her get indicted and convicted for an ethics violation.

a.) Who is Whitney Houston?
b.) Who is Barbara Bush?
c.) Who is Kori Marra?

There. No go at it without using the Internet and, when done, set your pencils down, turn your papers over and leave the classroom quietly. [Editor:....Correct answers appear in red]...

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