Today's GeoQuiz- Chile

The capital of Chile which features this mural (pictured here) is the subject of today's GeoQuiz, which we dedicate to students at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colo.,-admittedly one of our favorite college towns.

This city has had a bit of a dark history in recent years as Chile was ruled by dictator Augusto Pinochet from 1974-1990 after he toppled Marxist leader Salvador Allende with the assistance of the CIA. These events were profiled in the epic French documentary "The Battle of Chile" (1975-79) from Chilean emigre Patricio Guzman.

My late uncle Ilhan Gokbudak, who died in 2000, was actually a Turkish diplomat in Chile during the 1970s and 1980s, and he told me many stories about his life there. And, I actually inherited an autograph from Pinochet from him, which felt a bit strange since...well, he was a dictator!

But, today, this city and Chile is back on its proverbial feet as many tourists come to this capital which has also been sister cities with the likes of other capitals ranging from Ankara, Turkey, to Manila, Philippines. This mystery city is also currently a sister city with Miami.

Is this capital city:

A) Asuncion

B) Montevideo

C) Lima

D) Santiago

SIDEBAR: We want to wish a happy birthday to fellow Radford University (Va.) alum Jayma Mays of tv's "Glee" (a show that my friend Moviezzz really, really likes) who turned 31 on Friday. She is originally from the coal-mining town of Grundy, Va., which is not to far away from Wise, Va., where the late actor George C. Scott ("Patton") was born. Many people are surprise to find out that far southwestern Virginia town of Grundy is close to three hours away from Roanoke, Va., my hometown which is the largest city in the region.

SIDEBAR TWO: Spaghetti western movie fans will be happy to learn that TCM is airing the Sergio Leone film "For a Few Dollars More" with Clint Eastwood tomorrow at 5:30 p.m., EDT. It is the sequel to "A Fistful of Dollars." My favorite spaghetti western is another Leone film "Once Upon a Time in the West."

PS-The answer to last week's GeoQuiz was "B," Valencia.

Radford U Alum Starring in TV's "Glee"

Jayma Mays, who graduate from my alma mater Radford University in Radford, Va., in 2000 is one of the stars of Fox TV's hit musical comedy series "Glee," which airs on Wednesdays.

"Glee" is one of my friend Moviezzz's favorite shows on tv, and he has written many features about the show on his blog: www.moviezzz.blogspot.com

Mays (this photo is apparently an older one of her) is originally from the coal-mining town of Grundy, Va (in far southwest Virginia, near the Kentucky border). She plays the role of Emma Pillsbury, a high school guidance counselor who is really into hand-washing.

Radford University is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the school was supposed to have its annual Homecoming Festival this weekend, but the Blacksburg-Radford area is projected to get (yikes!) a foot of snow at last report.

RU's men's basketball team is also scheduled to host UNC-Wilmington for college basketball'a Bracket Busters, televised on the ESPN networks, on Feb. 20.

Of course, the way things are going, it may well snow then too!