M O N D A Y September 6, 2010 Lila Cherry

Theme: What's black and white and read less and less frequently every day? — Theme answers end with words that can describe parts of a newspaper.


Theme answers:

• 18A: Watch or clock (TIMEPIECE).
• 20A: Second floor of a home, say (UPPER STORY).
• 33A/35A: Real McCoy (GENUINE / ARTICLE).
• 52A: Where to begin adding numbers (ONES COLUMN).
• 54A: Daily publication where you'd read the ends of 18-, 20-, 33/35- and 52-Across (NEWSPAPER).

I'm still a little freaked about learning that the contrusctor of today's New York Times puzzle is also a college wrestling referee. I was pretty sure there weren't any puzzle/wrestling people besides, ya know, me. I can't imagine talking to someone about both puzzles and wrestling. With most people, I can't really talk about either subject. Without them looking at me like I have three heads. Anyway, this is a very cool bit of news. I'm going to have to think about how I can take advantage of it in my quest to take over the world. I'm sure there's a way.

But hey — let's talk about this puzzle. I didn't time myself, but it felt like I blew through it pretty quickly, which is what I expect on Monday of course. The theme is solid, though not incredibly interesting — GENUINE ARTICLE is a nice entry and ONES COLUMN made me chuckle. TIMEPIECE and UPPER STORY don't do much for me, but they're fine. Well, now that I think about, UPPER STORY sounds a little awkward. I would be more likely to say "upper floor" or "second story." But that very well might just be me.

The interesting thing about this puzzle, though, is that it doesn't have much crosswordese at all. We'll talk about ESTER later and we've mentioned AGAPE (17A: Open-mouthed) before, but that's pretty much it.

Bullets:

• 1A: Moved on all fours (CREPT). I kinda wanted "sneek" for this but CREPT is so much better.

• 9A: Action film high point (CHASE). Do people really enjoy the chase scenes? They always bore me.
• 24A: QVC competitor (HSN). I don't know what QVC stands for (if anything), but HSN is Home Shopping Network.
• 29A: Brighton buddy (MATEY). PuzzleDaughter has this new thing where she talks in either a British or Australian accent when we're out in public. When we get out of an elevator, she'll say to the other passengers "g'day, mate" or "cheerio." It's pretty funny.
• 32A: Amt. still owed (BAL.). An amount still owed is a BALance.
• 45A: Bump off (DO IN). I had a heckuva time parsing this one. "DOIN? Shouldn't there be another letter in there somewhere?"

• 51A: Actress Gardner (AVA). I can never remember whether her name is Eva or AVA. And I could swear I just saw her in a puzzle with the E spelling. If I had been paying attention today, of course, I would have noticed EVA PERÓN (3D: Argentine leader played by Madonna) at another spot in the puzzle and realized they couldn't both be spelled the same way.
• 59A: Perrier, to Pierre (EAU). French!
• 60A: Cybercommerce (ETAIL). I can think of another thing ETAIL might mean, but it's completely inappropriate.
• 1D: Civil War org. (CSA). Confederate States of America.
• 13D: Pizazz (ENERGY). I've said it before and I'll say it again. I want four Zs in my PIZZAZZ.
• 36D: Dungeness delicacy (CRAB MEAT). I don't eat seafood so this answer made me hold my nose. And then 37D: Tart dessert (LEMON PIE) made me hurl.
• 53D: Nikki Sixx/Tommy Lee group Mötley __ (CRÜE).

Crosswordese 101: I don't really know what ESTER is, but I know how to recognize an early-week clue for it. Late in the week, clues for ESTER are often examples of ESTER like diglyceride, butyl acetate, banana oil, phosphate, or other science-y sounding things that I can never keep in my brain. Early in the week though? An ESTER is basically a "Perfumer's compound," "fragrant compound" or 63A: Aromatic compound.

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Everything Else — 6A: "Snow" veggie (PEA); 14A: Break off completely (SEVER); 15A: Select, with "for" (OPT); 16A: Like Cheerios (OATEN); 22A: Your and my (OUR); 23A: John who played Basil Fawlty (CLEESE); 25A: Town, informally (BURG); 26A: Animal fat (LARD); 27A: Keats or Yeats (POET); 30A: Ear: Pref. (OTO-); 31A: Ernie's Muppet pal (BERT); 39A: Got ready for a lap dog (SAT); 40A: Ink stain (BLOT); 41A: Accelerate, with "up" (REV); 42A: Gets nosy (PRIES); 46A: Arrived (CAME); 47A: Swedish soprano Jenny (LIND); 48A: Tyrannosaurus __ (REX); 49A: Element used in dating rocks (CARBON); 56A: Microwave alerts (BEEPS); 58A: Speechify (ORATE); 61A: Justin Timberlake's boy band ('N SYNC); 62A: AAA suggestion (RTE.); 2D: Control, as temperature (REGULATE); 4D: Livened (up) (PEPPED); 5D: Ancestral diagrams (TREES); 6D: Pans partner (POTS); 7D: Nickname (EPITHET); 8D: Maximally (AT MOST); 9D: Xerox (COPY); 10D: See 25-Down (HAI); 11D: Enjoyed a diner (ATE OUT); 12D: Tie tightly (SECURE); 19D: Directional suffix (-ERN); 21D: Regret one's sins (REPENT); 23D: Drain obstruction (CLOG); 25D: With 10-Down, "South Pacific" song (BALI); 28D: Calif. neighbor (ORE.); 29D: Damon of "Good Will Hunting" (MATT); 31D: Skewed view (BIAS); 32D: "Bucking" horse (BRONCO); 34D: Secondhand (USED); 35D: Baba who stole from thieves (ALI); 38D: All square (EVEN); 40D: Costlier ballpark spot (BOX SEAT); 42D: Expect to happen (PLAN ON); 43D: Funny Joan (RIVERS); 44D: Sort of (IN A WAY); 45D: Farther below the water's surface (DEEPER); 46D: Salad oil bottles (CRUETS); 48D: Cell "messenger," briefly (RNA); 50D: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" playwright (ALBEE); 52D: Oil cartel acronym (OPEC); 55D: RR depot (STN.); 57D: 35mm camera type (SLR).

S U N D A Y September 5, 2010Sylvia Bursztyn (calendar)

Theme: "Unlabored Day" — The word REST is hidden within theme answers.

[Note: This is the puzzle that appears in the Sunday L.A. Times newspaper. If you don't get the paper, you can find the puzzle here. Scroll down to see today's syndicated puzzle.]


Theme answers:

• 23A: Earthy (TERRESTRIAL).
• 29A: Eminent (PRESTIGIOUS).
• 48A: Sell short (UNDERESTIMATE).
• 84A: Nelson, for one (WRESTLING HOLD).
• 111A: Gorbachev policy (PERESTROIKA).
• 116A: Good-as-new state (RESTORATION).
• 4D: Wilderness warden (FOREST RANGER).
• 67D: Free (UNRESTRICTED).

Everything Else — 1A: Turned over pages (LEAFED); 7A: Tina's "30 Rock" costar (ALEC); 11A: Ghana's capital (ACCRA); 16A: Dinghy thingy (OAR); 19A: Big name in San Francisco politics (ALIOTO); 20A: Grammy winner Erykah (BADU); 21A: Sandbank (SHOAL); 22A: Cartagena article (UNA); 25A: Aegean island (SANTORINI); 27A: Floor square (TILE); 28A: QED part (ERAT); 31A: Nile deity (ISIS); 32A: Brow-slapper's syllable (DUH); 33A: Leader of the band (MAESTRO); 34A: Hill of "The West Wing" (DULÉ); 35A: Medieval narrative (CONTE); 37A: Gutter spot (EAVE); 39A: On the main (ASEA); 40A: Skating gold medalist Carol (HEISS); 41A: Physicist's field (ENERGY); 43A: Goat quote (MAA); 44A: Get into (DON); 45A: Oil can abbr. (SAE); 46A: Pulitzer winner James (AGEE); 54A: Isle of poetry (ERIN); 57A: Sylphlike (SVELTE); 59A: Does and does (DEER); 60A: Bus. card no. (TEL.); 61A: Swamp thing (SEDGE); 63A: Nissan models (ALTIMAS); 66A: Like some professors (TENURED); 68A: Junky (CHEESY); 70A: Keepsake (MEMENTO); 72A: File menu option (RENAME); 73A: Cheer (HEARTEN); 75A: Plate useful at mealtime (DENTURE); 77A: Judge (TRIER); 78A: Put away (EAT); 79A: Natural balm (ALOE); 81A: Straightened (TIDIED); 83A: Purposes (ENDS); 88A: "Bye Bye Birdie" number (KIDS); 90A: "... ain't heavy, --- my brother" (HE'S); 91A: Singsong syllable (TRA); 92A: Pants part (LEG); 94A: In-crowd actors? (EXTRAS); 98A: Altar areas (APSES); 101A: Open carriage (SHAY); 102A: Gouda displaymate (EDAM); 104A: Swift specialty (IRONY); 105A: Anaheim Ducks' disk (PUCK); 106A: Restaurant staff (SERVERS); 108A: Eye opener (LID); 110A: "--- old cowhand ..." (I'M AN); 113A: Trim (PARE); 114A: "Origines" author (CATO); 115A: Irrepressible (EBULLIENT); 119A: Father's robe (ALB); 120A: Sleep disorder (APNEA); 121A: Otherwise (ELSE); 122A: In a fair way (EVENLY); 123A: --- Alamos (LOS); 124A: Lawn interlopers (WEEDS); 125A: Music's Coolidge (RITA); 126A: Hardison of "A Different World" (KADEEM); 1D: Pergola pattern (LATTICE); 2D: "Kyrie ---" (ELEISON); 3D: El Al or Alitalia (AIRLINE); 5D: Tours summer (ÉTÉ); 6D: Medicated (DOSED); 7D: Isaac's father (ABRAHAM); 8D: Milk in Cannes (LAIT); 9D: Educator LeShan (EDA); 10D: Part of a confession (CULPA); 11D: Tax pro (ASSESSOR); 12D: Took to task (CHASTENED); 13D: --- Costa County (CONTRA); 14D: Proportion (RATIO); 15D: Like a bump on --- (A LOG); 16D: ""Absolument, Monsieur!"" ("OUI! OUI!"); 17D: Rescinds (ANNULS); 18D: Elevates (RAISES); 24D: Faithful (TRUE); 26D: "--- cowboy!" (RIDE 'EM); 30D: "The Cloister and the Hearth" author (READE); 33D: Interim (MEANTIME); 36D: Word with good or goose (EGG); 38D: Jumped over (VAULTED); 40D: Do restrainer (HAIRNET); 42D: "You rang?" ("YES?"); 45D: Guide (STEER); 47D: Movies' Mendes (EVA); 49D: Dr. of radio fame (DEMENTO); 50D: Good to go (SET); 51D: Ellington title transport (A TRAIN); 52D: Abounded (TEEMED); 53D: Presbyters (ELDERS); 54D: Shun (ESCHEW); 55D: Try again (REHEAR); 56D: Form thoughts (IDEATE); 58D: Slasher film street (ELM); 62D: Will subjects (ESTATES); 64D: Guadeloupe's group (ANTILLES); 65D: Adorned with nailheads (STUDDED); 69D: Whoops (YELLS); 71D: Tolkien dwarf (ORI); 74D: "There's --- in team!" (NO I); 76D: Comics outcry (EEK); 80D: Put in power (ENTHRONED); 82D: Game piece (DIE); 85D: Kibbutz currency (SHEKEL); 86D: Solemnity (GRAVITAS); 87D: She played Kahlo (HAYEK); 89D: Sixth-century date (DXI); 93D: Pygmalion's love (GALATEA); 95D: Iceberg alternative (ROMAINE); 96D: "Penguin Island" author France (ANATOLE); 97D: Attain for gain, say (SYNONYM); 98D: Charm (APPEAL); 99D: Hopi home (PUEBLO); 100D: Operation attire (SCRUBS); 101D: Unruffled (SERENE); 103D: Joan of art (MIRO); 106D: Michael of R.E.M. (STIPE); 107D: Less seen (RARER); 109D: Jeter or Jacobi (DEREK); 112D: Deli side (SLAW); 113D: Low "Yo!" ("PSST!"); 117D: Wallach or Whitney (ELI); 118D: Gardner of "One Touch of Venus" (AVA).

S U N D A Y September 5, 2010 John Lampkin (syndicated)

Theme: "Funny Business" — Puns on places of business.

[Note: This is the syndicated L.A. Times puzzle. It does not appear in the actual newspaper, but is available for free at cruciverb.com.]


Theme answers:

• 27A: Fishmonger's workplace? (SCHOOL BUILDING).
• 41A: Justice of the peace's workplace? (HITCHING POST).
• 65A: Cattleman's workplace? (STOCK MARKET).
• 89A: Matchmaker's workplace? (CHEMISTRY LAB).
• 104A: Dentist's workplace? (FILLING STATION).
• 15D: Racetrack owner's workplace? (OVAL OFFICE).
• 34D: Slapstick comedian's workplace? (CORNFIELD).
• 54D: Hard rock musician's workplace? (METAL SHOP).
• 70D: Ammunition supplier's workplace? (POWDER ROOM).

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 40A: Norwegian ruler (OLAF).
• 50A: Prince Valiant's son (ARN).
• 61A: Green land (EIRE).
• 114A: Folk singer Guthrie (ARLO).
• 115A: Adlai's running mate (ESTES).
• 120A: Old Russian ruler (TSAR).
• 13D: Addams family cousin (ITT).
• 29D: Brit. mil. awards (DSO'S).
• 45D: Hawk's nest (AERIE).
• 78D: Yale Blue wearer (ELI).
• 80D: Land on its own gulf (OMAN).
• 101D: Greek square (AGORA).
• 107D: Scott Turow memoir (ONE-L).

Everything Else — 1A: Leg-pulls (JESTS); 6A: Mean boss (OGRE); 10A: Underworld boss? (DEVIL); 15A: Chooses (OPTS); 19A: How some risks are taken, after "on" (A DARE); 20A: "I'd like to say something" (AHEM); 21A: Title singer of "You Must Love Me" (EVITA); 22A: Full of oneself (VAIN); 23A: Beethoven's love (MUSIC); 24A: Grave (TOMB); 25A: Kids' snow creations (FORTS); 26A: Spell opener (ABRA); 30A: Ring tone activator (CALLER); 32A: Traffic tangle (SNARL); 33A: Strong-ox connector (AS AN); 34A: Last to arrive at the station (CABOOSE); 35A: Ruler divisions: Abbr. (CMS.); 38A: Letters from your parents? (DNA); 39A: Greenhouse gas (OZONE); 44A: Slapstick antic (PRAT FALL); 48A: First name in B-29 history (ENOLA); 49A: Bard's contraction (E'EN); 51A: Letters sung after various animal names (E-I-E-I-O); 52A: Hard drive title (FILE NAME); 55A: Rice dish (PILAF); 57A: Bit for Fido, perhaps (SCRAP); 58A: Dept. store stock (MDSE.); 59A: It's south of Georgia (ARMENIA); 62A: Bears (HAS); 68A: Twisting shape (ESS); 69A: Put __ on: limit (A CAP); 71A: Property claim resulting from a default (TAX LIEN); 72A: Timber wolf (LOBO); 75A: Mill output? (RUMOR); 77A: Rimes of country (LEANN); 78A: Classic sitcom sidekick (ED NORTON); 82A: Vermont tourist town, home to the Trapp Family Lodge (STOWE); 83A: One of Beethoven's nine: Abbr. (SYM.); 84A: Denom. (REL.); 86A: 1836 siege site (ALAMO); 87A: Big pain (HEADACHE); 93A: Nymph who loved her own voice (ECHO); 94A: Thigh muscles (QUADS); 95A: Spain's El __ (CID); 96A: Canyon pair? (ENS); 97A: Begin (START UP); 100A: One of two Monopoly squares: Abbr. (UTIL.); 101A: Danny of the NBA (AINGE); 103A: Drive to drink? (THIRST); 109A: Baja buck (PESO); 110A: New, in Nicaragua (NUEVA); 112A: Sticky substances (GOOS); 113A: Spiritual sustenance (MANNA); 116A: Protagonist (HERO); 117A: Duck down (EIDER); 118A: Pour (TEEM); 119A: They're always advancing (YEARS); 121A: With a wink, perhaps (SLYLY); 1D: Traffic tangles (JAMS); 2D: PTA concern (EDUC.); 3D: It takes panes (SASH); 4D: Small chamber groups (TRIOS); 5D: Used (SECOND-HAND); 6D: Healthful cereal choice (OAT BRAN); 7D: Grave robber (GHOUL); 8D: Do-fa links (RE MI); 9D: Decorate with brilliant colors (EMBLAZON); 10D: Rebellious (DEFIANT); 11D: Four-time Australian Open champ Goolagong (EVONNE); 12D: It's N of North Carolina (VIRG.); 14D: Where "Madama Butterfly" premiered (LA SCALA); 16D: Cubist Picasso (PABLO); 17D: Some swing seats (TIRES); 18D: Drum kit item (SNARE); 28D: Legal scholar Guinier (LANI); 31D: Dies down (ABATES); 35D: Anthony Bourdain, for one (CHEF); 36D: 2004 iPod debut (MINI); 37D: Small-runway mil. craft (STOL); 39D: Reveal, to a bard (OPE); 42D: Skelton's Kadiddlehopper (CLEM); 43D: "Golly" ("GEE"); 44D: Leg-pull (PRANK); 46D: Truth twisters (LIARS); 47D: Horses' gaits (LOPES); 50D: Mem. of seven consecutive All-Star Game winning teams, 2003-2009 (AL'ER); 53D: Admin. aide (ASST.); 55D: Image creators (PR MEN); 56D: Somalian supermodel (IMAN); 59D: Analogous (AKIN); 60D: Oodles (A TON); 62D: Austere (HARSH); 63D: Extreme, as pain (ACUTE); 64D: Margaret Mead subject (SAMOA); 66D: Daisy whose buds may be used as a caper substitute (OXEYE); 67D: No blabbermouth (CLAM); 73D: Monopoly and others (BOARD GAMES); 74D: Airport south of Paris (ORLY); 76D: Hits back, say (REACTS); 79D: Fishing souvenir? (TALE); 81D: Heads, in slang (NOBS); 84D: Traffic stopper (RED LIGHT); 85D: Ambulance initials (EMS); 88D: Indian relish (CHUTNEY); 89D: Old sailor's blade (CUTLASS); 90D: Come down hard? (HAIL); 91D: Cut with small blades (SCISSOR); 92D: Salon request (TINT); 94D: Tremble (QUIVER); 97D: Green land patron, for short (ST. PAT); 98D: "Done" ("THERE"); 99D: Shopping cart path (AISLE); 102D: Shopping with virtual carts (ETAIL); 104D: Greek cheese (FETA); 105D: Denials (NOES); 106D: Dr. Jones, familiarly (INDY); 108D: Quaint "not" (NARY); 111D: Employment (USE).

S A T U R D A Y September 4, 2010 Barry C. Silk

Theme: None


Good morning and Happy Labor Day Weekend to y'all! Nice Barry Silk offering today. I'm a little surprised not to see what I usually think of as a tip-off that it's Barry's puzzle: references to (a) Philadelphia or (b) baseball. In any case, late start + busy day ahead = straight to bullets.

Bullets:

• 12A: Water potential symbol (PSI). PSI is a Greek letter that's used to represent water potential which, according to Wikipedia, "quantifies the tendency of water to move from one area to another due to osmosis, gravity, mechanical pressure, or matrix effects such as surface tension." Alright-y then.
• 18A: Manhattan liquor (RYE). Also a town in New York not far from Manhattan.
• 34A: Milk sources (TEATS). Wasn't expecting the answer to be quite so … specific.
• 36A: Stumblebums (LUMMOXES). Great word!
• 40A: Pocono and others (RACEWAYS). Got this one through crosses. I thought it was going to be something more like "resort."

• 43A: Virginie et Floride (ÉTATS). French spelling in the clue indicates French answer. As we learned earlier this week in the New York Times puzzle, ÉTATS is STATES spelled backwards!
• 47A: Sound heard very close to your ear (SNIP). Pair this with 2D: Buzz, e.g. (HAIRCUT) and you've got yourself a mini-theme.
• 51A: Spoke Abyssinian? (MEWED). I always think Abyssinian is referring to an ancient people but it's always referring to a cat.
• 66A: Cologne conjunction (UND). And in German (where Cologne is located).
• 68A: Orgs. with chiefs (PD'S). Police Departments.
• 1D: Item for a camp project (T-SHIRT). This would be an item needed for tie-dye day.

• 5D: Mr. Big's org. on "Get Smart" (KAOS). I guess I'm from a different generation. When I see "Mr. Big," I think "Sex and the City," not "Get Smart." Which is actually kind of bizarre since I've never seen "Sex and the City." I did enjoy Chris Noth on Law and Order though.
• 9D: USSR successor (CIS). The Commonwealth of Independent States was esablished upon dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1991.
• 12D: Seeming contradiction (PARADOX). My first thought was "oxymoron." At least I got the "ox" part right.
• 14D: Summer refreshers (ICE TEAS). Yes, it should be "iced." No, crossword puzzles don't care.
• 24D: Old-fashioned tightening tool (SKATE KEY).



• 26D: Historical Oder River region (SILESIA). Got this one through crosses. I wish there was room in my brain for more stuff.

• 35D: Places for sweaters? (SPAS). Get ready for three tricky clues in a row. In this one, "sweaters" means "people who sweat," not the item of clothing.
• 37D: Physics leader? (META-). META- is a prefix that can be placed in front of the word "physics," thus "leading" it.
• 39D: Fine and dandy: Abbr. (SYNS.). The N here was the last letter I entered into the grid. The cross was making sense to me with the N, but it took a while before I understood that the words "fine" and "dandy" are SYNonymS.
• 64D: SEAL's org. (USN). United States Navy.

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Everything Else — 1A: Symbol of concentration (THINKING CAP); 15A: Noted pier site (SANTA MONICA); 16A: Org. offering the Canine Good Citizen program (AKC); 17A: Rap sheet notes? (HIP HOP MUSIC); 19A: Vexation-plus (IRE); 20A: Irish __ (SEA); 21A: Make potable, in a way (DESALT); 23A: Some phones (RCA'S); 25A: Emit coherent light (LASE); 28A: "Sexy" Beatles woman (SADIE); 29A: Folded parts (TUCKS); 31A: The south of France (MIDI); 33A: __ fide (BONA); 38A: Clearance level (TOP SECRET); 46A: Out of control (AMOK); 49A: Mexican waters (AGUAS); 53A: "Don't __ word!" (SAY A); 55A: -an counterpart (-ENNE); 56A: Hoped (PRAYED); 58A: Polish, say (RUB); 60A: Memorable time (ERA); 61A: Respectful title (SIR); 62A: Stock, usually (LIQUID ASSET); 67A: Calcium oxide (CAUSTIC LIME); 69A: Accepting personal responsibility (ON ONE'S HONOR); 3D: Good way to go (IN PEACE); 4D: High degree (NTH); 6D: Press forward (IMPEL); 7D: Polite turndown (NO MA'AM); 8D: Savanna sighting (GNU); 10D: Biting (ACID); 11D: Shows impatience, in a way (PACES); 13D: View when landing, perhaps (SKYLINE); 22D: Spy's doing (SABOTAGE); 27D: Cabinet dept. (EDUC.); 30D: Store (STOW); 32D: 2002 Literature Nobelist Kertész (IMRE); 40D: Increases sharply (RAMPS UP); 41D: Portmanteau word for a certain native (AMERIND); 42D: Each of them is "one who, in a perilous emergency, thinks with his legs": Bierce (COWARDS); 44D: Receives on the radio (TUNES IN); 45D: Italian Riviera resort (SAN REMO); 48D: Fool's gold (PYRITE); 50D: Two-__: tandem (SEATER); 52D: Car battery ignition system pioneer (DELCO); 54D: Q5 and Q7 (AUDIS); 57D: Anthropologist Fossey (DIAN); 59D: "The Well-Tempered Clavier" composer (BACH); 63D: Locus in __: the place in which (Lat.) (QUO); 65D: Pitch preceder (SLO-).

F R I D A Y September 3, 2010 Anthony J. Salvia

Theme: Identity Theft — Theme answers are familiar phrases with the letter string ID removed, thus requiring wacky clues.


Theme answers:

• 17A: Like a dialect coach? (ACCENT PRONE). [accident prone]
• 53A: Answer from LL Cool J? (RAP RESPONSE). [rapid response]
• 11D: Christmas? (PRESENTS DAY). [Presidents Day]
• 25D: Herbivorous reptiles? (FLORA GATORS). [Florida Gators]
• 36A: Web danger, and a hint to this puzzle's theme (ID THEFT).

Before we get started today, I just want to say that I've noticed a few people venturing out of lurkdom recently and I want you to know I appreciate you! It's always a pleasure to hear new voices chiming in — so thank you!

Now this kinda theme right here? This is what I'm talking about. It's not just random "add this letter" or "remove that letter" — the letter removal actually has a point. The letters ID have been stolen, see? The phrase is "identity theft" and ID has been stolen. Mad props to Mr. Salvia for a clever theme that makes sense. (Do you think he knows his last name anagrams to "saliva"? Yeah, you're right. He probably does.)

Couple things I didn't know in this puzzle:

• 6A: 1990s-2000s Irish leader Bertie (AHERN).
• 50A: Titania's consort (OBERON).
• 28A: Whalebone (BALEEN).

I feel a little bad about not knowing OBERON. Seems like something I should know. The others though? I'm gonna let myself off the hook for those.

More:

• 30A: New York home of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (TROY). I did know this one. RPI is, of course, the alma mater of one Tyler Hinman who just happens to have a redesigned blog these days. Speaking of Tyler, if you haven't seen the documentary "Wordplay" yet, you really should rent it or put it in your queue or whatever it is people do with movies these days. I watched it again last weekend and it gets better every time.
• 42A: Key of Mozart's Symphony No. 40 (G MINOR). The thing to remember about musical keys is that (1) the first letter can only be A–G and (2) the rest of the entry will follow the pattern M**OR because it has to be either MAJOR or MINOR. So even if you don't know the key of the piece of music in question (and really, who does?) you can definitely fill in three of the letters and have a pretty good head start on one other.

• 3D: Slicker (MAC). Hmmm. Both MAC and 6D: Record label launched in 1968 (APPLE) in the puzzle today. Subliminal advertising?
• 4D: Performer with five #1 hits in his first year on the Billboard charts (PRESLEY). Me while solving: "Why won't ELVIS fit?"
• 29D: A or Ray (AL'ER). Thank you all for being so nice yesterday about my spectacular bungling of the Major League Baseball division explanation yesterday. Central! Ack!

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 62A: They're heavier than foils (ÉPÉES).
• 9D: Toon dog (REN).
• 31D: City SE of Cherbourg (ST.-LÔ).
• 46D: Cigna competitor (AETNA).
• 50D: Boy with a fishing pole in a '60s sitcom title screen (OPIE).

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Everything Else — 1A: What some sirens do (TEMPT); 11A: Pres. counterparts (PM'S); 14A: It may be blank (STARE); 15A: Food processor setting (PUREE); 16A: Outback critter (ROO); 19A: End of an academic address (EDU); 20A: Periods (SPELLS); 21A: Amount-and-interval numbers (DOSES); 23A: Not connected (OFFLINE); 26A: Reel art (CINEMA); 27A: Knack (TALENT); 31A: Three-time French Open champion (SELES); 32A: Its symbol is Sn (TIN); 35A: Musical knack (EAR); 38A: Murcia Mrs. (SRA.); 39A: Nutritional stat (RDA); 40A: Like some panels (SOLAR); 41A: Genesis locale (EDEN); 44A: Where the Maine sank (HAVANA); 46A: Expects (AWAITS); 48A: Consequences of an all-nighter (RED EYES); 49A: Obsess (EAT AT); 52A: General on a menu (TSO); 58A: Where Nina Totenberg reports (NPR); 59A: Inuit for "women's boat" (UMIAK); 60A: Gives some TLC to, with "in" (TUCKS); 61A: Doofus (ASS); 63A: Source of brown fur (STOAT); 1D: Airport safety org. (TSA); 2D: Last letters on some lists (ETC.); 5D: One at the edge of the gutter (TEN PIN); 7D: Pitch (HURL); 8D: Lover of Psyche (EROS); 10D: Most impoverished (NEEDIEST); 12D: Cable __ (MODEM); 13D: "Semper Fidelis" composer (SOUSA); 18D: It may pop up in a clearing (TENT); 22D: Vending machine insert (ONE); 23D: Fish-eating mammal (OTTER); 24D: Capacitance unit (FARAD); 26D: Bass symbol (CLEF); 28D: Joy of "The View" (BEHAR); 33D: Papas of "Zorba the Greek" (IRENE); 34D: Family matriarchs (NANAS); 36D: "For real?" ("IS IT TRUE?"); 37D: Oxford fellows (DONS); 41D: Become balanced (EVEN OUT); 43D: Athletes for Hope co-founder Hamm (MIA); 44D: Word on a towel (HERS); 45D: Embraces (ADOPTS); 47D: Mud daubers, e.g. (WASPS); 48D: Smells (REEKS); 51D: Highlands hillside (BRAE); 54D: Rock concert fixture (AMP); 55D: U.S. Army E-6, e.g. (NCO); 56D: Jamaican genre (SKA); 57D: Phila. setting (EST).

T H U R S D A Y September 2, 2010 Dan Naddor

Theme: Palindromes — Pairs of answers end in 'em.


Theme answers:

• 17A: *Dense fabrics (DOUBLE KNITS).
• 60A: *More than just grumble (RAISE A STINK).


• 20A: *Ready to blow? (OVER-STRESSED).
• 54A: *"Top Chef" spin-off involving competitive baking (JUST DESSERTS).


• 27A: *It'll keep your hat on (CHIN STRAP).
• 44A: *Carquest stock (AUTO PARTS).


• 36A: Three pairs of them end the answers to starred clues (PALINDROMES).

Okay, that's pretty cute. DOUBLE KNITS is a little bland but it's paired with RAISE A STINK which is awesome. Nothing jumped out at me as very flashy, or even "Naddor-ish," about this grid but it didn't give me any big problems, which I guess is about what we should expect until at least Friday in the L.A. Times.

Misc.:

• 1A: Yankees' div. (A.L. EAST). In baseball, there's the American League and the National League. And each league is divided into two regions, East and West. I can never remember which team is in which league so I just get the first letter from the cross.

• 11A: Jenny or jack (ASS). Heh.
• 25A: Aborigines of Hokkaido (AINU). Completely unknown to me. I don't even know what Hokkaido is. Is this something I should know?
• 32A: Cat tail motion (SWITCH). Started with "twitch." An easy fix.
• 50A: Bingo call (B TEN). Here's the thing. Bingo only goes up to a certain number although I can't remember exactly what that number is right now. I want to say 80 or 80-something. In crosswords, we're never going to see a Bingo answers that's anywhere but the B column because in the other columns the spelled-out numbers are too long. With a four-letter answer, you know you're looking for B ONE, B TWO, or B TEN, and you just have to check the crosses.

• 51A: Kettle pair (MA AND PA). With the ANDPA in place I entered GRANDPA before I looked at the clue and wondered how the heck a GRANDPA could be a pair and what it had to do with a kettle.
• 65A: Ain't right? (ISN'T). If this is the first time you've seen this clue, you were probably a little confused. You'll see it again, though, so remember it for next time! (ISN'T is the right (i.e., correct) way of saying "ain't.")
• 1D: Not easy, to a Cockney? ('ARD). Unless it's part of the theme, I think using "Cockney" words generally just indicates desperation.
• 7D: Six-pack units (CANS). Love how this is paired with 22D: Six-pack units (ABS).
• 9D: Czech hockey player Nedved (PETR). Not a hockey fan but I do know a couple hockey players' names from crosswords. But I've never heard of this guy.
• 11D: Music to a captain's ears (AYE SIR). Tried AYE AYE first. Wouldn't that be a better answer?

• 12D: Star sometimes seen opposite Venus? (SERENA). Timely clue with the U.S. Open happening right now.
• 29D: Factory outlet tag abbr. (IRR.). An item of clothing with a flaw in it is "irregular" and might end up in the outlet store for quick sale.
• 37D: Where the Lofoten Isl. are (NOR.). Whoa. I need to know more about NORway than just Oslo and the Kon-Tiki? Cripes.
• 42D: Skip over water, as stones (DAP). Learned this from crosswords.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 19A: Prior to, to Prior (ERE).
• 48D: Hook's right hand (SMEE).
• 58D: Grounded jets: Abbr. (SST'S).

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Everything Else — 7A: Deal (COPE); 14A: Alter, as boundaries (REDRAW); 15A: Slain shepherd (ABEL); 16A: "Fer sher" ("YEP"); 22A: Fettuccine follower (ALFREDO); 26A: Compress, in a way (BALE); 35A: Specialty (AREA); 40A: Lots (A TON); 41A: Area 51 location (NEVADA); 49A: 15-Across's dad (ADAM); 59A: www address (URL); 64A: Messenger letters? (RNA); 66A: Have suspicions about (BE ONTO); 67A: One hairpin turn after another (ESS); 68A: Cribbage markers (PEGS); 69A: Quixote's squire __ Panza (SANCHO); 2D: MGM mascot (LEO); 3D: 59-Across ending (EDU); 4D: Botanical gardens (ARBORETA); 5D: Soother (SALVE); 6D: Rough wool cloth (TWEED); 8D: Notice with a bio, often (OBIT); 10D: Threat ender (ELSE); 13D: Stepped on it (SPED UP); 18D: McDonald's founder (KROC); 21D: Gathered dust (SAT); 23D: Postgraduate study (LAW); 24D: Emma Peel's hair style (FLIP); 28D: "I wish I __ seen that" (HADN'T); 30D: Vegas gas (NEON); 31D: Identical (SAME); 33D: Show enjoyment at a show (CLAP); 34D: __ high note (HIT A); 38D: Northwestern University city (EVANSTON); 39D: Teen safety org. (SADD); 43D: Doc bloc (AMA); 44D: Officially retract (ABJURE); 45D: One-way street no-nos (U-TURNS); 46D: Magnetic measures (TESLAS); 47D: Hudson Bay prov. (ONT.); 52D: Saudis, usually (ARABS); 53D: On the Aegean (AT SEA); 55D: Water waster (DRIP); 56D: Slack off (EASE); 57D: Participate in karaoke (SING); 61D: Ltd. relative (INC.); 62D: Nonspecific extreme (NTH); 63D: "Koochie-__!" (KOO).

W E D N E S D A Y September 1, 2010 Mark Bickham

Theme: Don't Stand So Close to Me — Familiar phrases that start with words meaning "close by" are clued as if the last part of the phrase is a synonym of its meaning in the original phrase.


Theme answers:

• 17A: Young woman next door? (NEAR MISS).
• 24A: Adjoining floor? (TOUCHING STORY).
• 53A: Proximate coins? (CLOSE QUARTERS).
• 66A: Chess piece within reach? (HANDY MAN).

Can't say I feel strongly about this puzzle one way or the other. It had a decent Scrabbly-ness factor (just a J short of a pangram), a middle-of-the-road theme, and some fine, fine fill. There were also a couple of clunkers but nothing outrageous. Well, maybe that ABBR. / RISHI crossing is outrageous (4A: It's an example of itself / 7D: Hindu poet). I don't understand what the clue for ABBR. means At All. Not to say that it's necessarily bad — just that I don't get it. Perhaps one of you kind people will 'splain it to me in the comments. As a matter of fact, yes. Yes, I'm sure one of you will.

I'm not crazy about the forced pluralization of all of the long downs: PEAR TREES / BRIOCHES / FOURSOMES / PORTENTS. Can't PORTENT be a verb as well? If so, it should have been clued that way if only so we could say that not all of the long downs were randomly pluralized. The only other thing that really slowed me down at all was 33D: Charles LE BRUN, major decorator of the Palace of Versailles. Um, who? But again, that might just be another sign that I'm not actually smart enough for this particular hobby. But I'm not going to let a little lack of knowledge stop me! And you shouldn't either!

More:

• 19A: Green light (ASSENT). Very tricky using "green light" as a verb!
• 43A: Grimace (MOUE). Love this word. I don't think I've Ever said it out loud but I would like to some day.
• 51A: Brought up (REARED). I was thinking about this in terms of promotion, like baseball. Bringing someone up from the minor leagues.
• 70A: Letter opener? (ELL). The "opening" (first) letter of the word "letter" is L (ELL).
• 71A: "When a Man Loves a Woman" singer Percy __ (SLEDGE). Oh sure. Why not?



• 18D: Part of a Clue accusation (ROOM). With a RO in place, I immediately entered ROPE but realized my error almost immediately. Did you all know that they have different weapons in newer versions of Clue?

• 25D: Adaptable truck, for short (UTE). Short for "utility."
• 53D: Biker leggings (CHAPS). The other kind of biker.
• 56D: Pal of Porthos (ATHOS). Whoa. ATHOS actually threw a mountain at Zeus. Oh wait, wrong ATHOS! The one I'm thinking of is a mythological giant, but the one actually clued here is the musketeer.
• 62D: Part of SRO (ONLY). SRO = Standing Room Only.
• 64D: Doze (NOD). Tried NAP here at first.

Crosswordese 101 Round-Up:

• 15A: "Star Trek: T.N.G." counselor (TROI).
• 20A: Architect Saarinen (EERO).
• 32A: Certain fisherman (EELER).
• 3D: Bosc sources (PEAR TREES).
• 34D: Somme season (ÉTÉ).

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Everything Else — 1A: Energy (ZIP); 8A: Pure (CHASTE); 14A: Suffix with verb (-OSE); 16A: Bring about sooner (HASTEN); 21A: Earth pigment (OCHER); 23A: Hide-hair link (NOR); 28A: Fireside emanation (WARMTH); 30A: "__ me!" (DEAR); 31A: '50s White House nickname (IKE); 35A: Annoys (MIFFS); 39A: __ Piper (PIED); 41A: Police sting, say (SET-UP); 44A: Happen as a result (ENSUE); 46A: "Who Can It __?": Men at Work hit (BE NOW); 48A: Exhaust, with "up" (USE); 49A: [see other side] (OVER); 58A: Spell (HEX); 59A: Loosen, as laces (UNTIE); 60A: Emerald City visitor (TOTO); 63A: List of things to discuss (AGENDA); 68A: Dividend, e.g. (PAYOUT); 69A: Germany's von Bismarck (OTTO); 72A: Insolence (SASS); 73A: Generous limit? (SKY); 1D: Area (ZONE); 2D: "Got it" ("I SEE"); 4D: 24-hr. cash source (ATM); 5D: French breads (BRIOCHES); 6D: "The Garden of Earthly Delights" artist (BOSCH); 8D: Old battlefield shout (CHARGE); 9D: Is suffering from (HAS); 10D: Beast of burden (ASS); 11D: Court figure (STENO); 12D: Pavarotti, notably (TENOR); 13D: Datebook notation (ENTRY); 22D: Football play also called a sweep (END RUN); 26D: "Casablanca" pianist (SAM); 27D: Request to a barber (TRIM); 28D: Use a napkin on (WIPE); 29D: Like, with "to" (AKIN); 36D: Links groups (FOURSOMES); 37D: A hothead has a short one (FUSE); 38D: Future plant (SEED); 40D: Couples (DUOS); 42D: Omens (PORTENTS); 45D: "The Three Faces of __": 1957 film (EVE); 47D: Very small (WEE); 50D: Treat as the same (EQUATE); 52D: Affectedly cultured (ARTY); 54D: Corporate department (LEGAL); 55D: Daisy variety (OXEYE); 57D: Calf catcher (RIATA); 61D: Chitchat (TALK); 65D: Grooved on (DUG); 67D: Elaborate affairs (DOS).