It's beginning to look a lot like . . . my annual Solano quiz

"It's a Wonderful Life" on TV, the burning of the yule log, college football bowl games sponsored by companies you've never heard of, crowded shopping malls and shockingly early sunsets. All December traditions.

It's time for another, my annual Solano County quiz. I started this December tradition in the late 19th century, when Hezekiah McNaughton first launched the Daily Republic as The Weekly Wind-Blown Emporium and Newsatorium. It has appeared uninterrupted for the past 137 years.

The rules are simple. See how many of the following 20 questions about Solano County can you answer correctly. Googling is discouraged and educated guesses are encouraged. Correct answers are provided at the end.

If you live in the county, you should be able to get some of these right. Get your pen or pencil . . . I'll wait.

Ready? Go!

1. Name the seven incorporated Solano County cities.

2. Within five years, when was Fairfield incorporated as a city?

3. What was Solano County's largest cash crop in 2022?

4. Name the four Interstate freeways in Solano County.

5. Name the five state highways in Solano County.

6. Where have all the flowers gone?

7. Name the five counties that are adjacent to Solano County.

8. Within 100,000, what was Solano County's population in 2020?

9. What was the last presidential election in which Solano County voted Republican?

10. What month has the average highest daily temperature in Fairfield?

11. Within 200 miles, how long a drive is it from Fairfield to Fairfield, Connecticut?

12. How many public schools are in Suisun City?

13. Name at least two of the three members of the House of Representatives who represent parts of Solano County.

14. Of the two major prisons in Vacaville (California Medical Facility and California State Prison Solano), which had more inmates as of Dec. 1?

15. Based on the Census Bureau's 2022 estimates, is Fairfield among the 300 most populated cities in the United States?

16. In 2022, what Solano County did financial news and opinion company 24/7 Wall St. determine to be the "most diverse small town in America?"

17. In what cities are the two general aviation airports in Solano County?

18. Within 1,000, how many students attend Solano Community College?

19.  In what year did Brig. Gen. Robert Travis die in a plane crash at what was then called the Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base?

20. What is five times five?

ANSWERS

1. Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, Vallejo.

2. 1903.

3. Tomatoes (for the first time in seven years).

4. 80, 505, 680, 780.

5. 12, 29, 37, 84, 113.

6. Young girls have picked them, every one. When will they ever learn?

7. Contra Costa, Napa, Sacramento, Sonoma, Yolo.

8. 453,491.

9. 1984, when Ronald Reagan got 54.5% of the vote.

10. July, at 89.6 degrees (August is 89.2 degrees).

11. 2,916 miles.

12. Four (Suisun Elementary, Crescent Elementary, Dan O. Root Elementary, Crystal Middle).

13. Mike Thompson, John Garamendi and Doris Matsui (who represents a tiny slice of Solano).

14. California State Prison Solano had 2,594 inmates as of Dec. 1, 276 more than CMF.

15. Yes. It ranks 245th in the nation.

16. Vallejo, with a 77% chance that any two residents would be of a different census racial category.

17. Rio Vista and Vacaville.

18. 9,500.

19. 1950. The base was renamed for Travis a year later.

20. 25, in case you need a right answer to feel good enough to retake this quiz next year.

SCORING

15-20 correct: Brilliant.

10-14: Pretty smart.

5-9: Smart.

0-4: Resilient.

Reach Brad Stanhope at bradstanhope@outlook.com.