Maybe the 13 in 2013 was an omen. Though I wouldn’t call 2013 an unlucky year, the past 12 months have brought frustrations at the national, state and local level.
Still, looking back on local events always fascinates me. Factoids and numbers can say a lot.
So before 2014 starts, try testing yourself on 2013. (Answers are at the end of this column.)

1. Namdar sold the Bojangles on Jake Alexander Boulevard to a trust for $1.2 million and the remainder of the Salisbury Mall property to Rowan County for $3.425 million. How much did Namdar pay for all that property?
a. $4.6 million
b. $6.4 million
c. $2.5 million

2. Historic Salisbury Foundation sold bricks from which historic structure this year?
a. The Salisbury Station
b. Grimes Mill
c. The Hambley-Wallace House

3. What event caused the city to block off more than 10 blocks of downtown?
a. A gay pride festival
b. Filming of a pilot for “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
c. A prayer rally in support of Rowan County commissioners

4. The ACLU and three local residents sued Rowan County, challenging what action by commissioners?
a. Praying on government property.
b. Posting “In God We Trust” on the county administration building.
c. Opening commission meetings with sectarian prayer.
5. Growing concerns about school safety led to what initiative?
a. Free shooting lessons for teachers.
b. Expanded mental health programs for people prone to violence.
c. Armed resource officers at every school.

6. On March 16, women gathering in downtown Salisbury brandished broomsticks, pitchforks and rakes for what reason?
a. To demonstrate in favor of more money for schools.
b. To re-enact the 1863 Bread Riot against high food prices during the Civil War.
c. To demand the city recruit a Target store.

7. What was given the title, “Salvation”?
a. Catawba professor Kurt Corriher’s latest novel.
b. The hiring of a new principal at Salisbury High School.
c. Approval of a new union contract at Freightliner.

8. Mooresville Middle School’s advanced use of technology prompted a visit from whom?
a. President Barack Obama, advocating a national Internet access plan.
b. Microsoft founder Bill Gates, offering a grant to give students laptops.
c. The ghost of Charles Darwin, muttering about “survival of the fittest.”

9. Waffle House made news in Rowan County when:
a. Neighborhood advocates opposed a new restaurant on Innes Street. “A lot of people have never eaten at Waffle House sober,” one man said.
b. A police officer was injured while breaking up a disturbance.
c. Justin Bieber ate at a Waffle House while in town for a photo shoot.

10. A Freightliner truck is a character in what upcoming movie?
a. “Smokey and the Bandit II: Completely for the Money.”
b. “Fast and Furious 8: Mexico Drift”
c. “Transformers 4: Age of Extinction.”

11. The Rowan County Board of Commissioners considered censuring one of its own members for:
a. Excluding the public from a tour of Salisbury Mall.
b. Using a county copier and paper for personal use.
c. Defying a federal court injunction by reciting the Lord’s Prayer, taught by Jesus.

12. Amid concerns over growing poverty, struggling schools and stagnant population growth in Rowan County, Salisbury voters:
a. Re-elected the entire City Council.
b. Initiated separation of Salisbury schools from the Rowan-Salisbury School System.
c. Formed a Concerned City-Dwellers Club to offer encouragement and support to county commissioners.

13. The Nolee District in Salisbury is;
a. A place where discussions about Civil War Gen Robert E. Lee are banned.
b. A day care center for children of Florida State graduates.
c. The former warehouse district off North Lee Street.
1. c. Namdar Realty Group of New York bought the property in foreclosure in March 2012 for $2.5 million.
2. b. After a fire of unknown origin destroyed the old mill, the foundation sold bricks to raise funds for cleaning up the site
3. b. The show, now filmed in Wilmington, uses footage shot around St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and the Belltower.
4. c. The county’s consistent use of Christian prayer sparked the lawsuit and an injunction from a federal judge.
5. a. Rowan Wildlife Club offered the free sessions.
6. b. At the end of Bread Riot in 1863, the women had seized 23 barrels of flour, a half barrel of molasses, two sacks of salt and $20 in Confederate currency. In November 2013, a marker commemorating the “Female Raid” was unveiled in the 100 block of West Fisher Street.
7. a. Corriher’s story of passion and suspense is his first since publication of “Someone to Kill” in 2002.
8. a. “In a country where we expect free Wi-Fi with our coffee, why shouldn’t we have it in our schools?” Obama said.
9. a, b and c. Trick question.
10. c. The menacing-looking 2014 Argosy heavy-duty truck used in the film — modified from the Argosy produced for international markets — was assembled at Freightliner’s Rowan County plant.
11. b. Commissioner Jon Barber has been accused of making more than 4,000 copies on county equipment.
12. a. Voter turnout was 13.44 percent in Salisbury precincts.
13. c. Nolee includes the Lee Street Theatre at the corner of Lee and Kerr streets.
0-5 correct: You’re disconnected. Turn off the “Breaking Bad” and “Walking Dead” marathons and plug into the real world of Rowan County. You’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
6-10 correct: Pretty good. You are interested in local events and news. Stay tuned for 2014.
11-13 correct: Excellent! You are a fully involved citizen. Have you considered running for public office?
Elizabeth Cook is editor of the Salisbury Post.