How Now Brown Cow?, Heidi Malott
------------------ Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Puzzle by Steve Dobis, edited by Will Shortz HOW GOES IT (17A. *Informal Greeting), NOW AND AGAIN (30A. *At times), BROWN BAGGER (47A. *One not using the company cafeteria, maybe), COW PALACE (64A. *Bay Area concert venue) and ELOCUTION PHRASE (40A. Exercise in pronunciation … like the first words of the answers to the starred clues) -- HOW NOW BROWN COW. Other -- ABACUS (49D. Device you can count on); BIRDBATH (9D. Small pool site in a yard); INTERN (8D. Worker for free often); JEERS AT (55A. Mocks); LENDING (21A. Credit union’s activity); UNNERVES (41D. Rattles). Five-letter entries -- ACERB (27D. Sharp-tongued); AMOCO (29D. BP gas brand); AMONG (31D. In the midst of); ANNEX (20A. New wing); AWARE (33D. Clued in); BANKS (9A. Places of interest?); EGGED (4D. Prodded, with “on”); HALER (28D. More vigorous); INSERT (34D. Boxed-off map section); I QUIT (“Take this job and shove it!”); IRATE (67A. More than sore); JIBED (59A. Were in accord); LILAC (54D. Pale shade of violet); NYETS (35D. Kremlin denials); RECON (44A. Scout’s mission, for short); RUNNY (19A. Like undercooked eggs); TAWNY (39A. Lion-colored); WEB TV (63A. PC-less Internet hookup, once); ZINES (70A. Fan mags). Short stuff -- ACHE, AGHA and AHA, AIDE, AQUI, BACH, BBS, BRET, CAMS, CHOP, COLT, DEEP, DECK, DOWN, EBAN, EBB, ECHO, ETS, ETTE, FIJI, FOE, GARB, GROG, IRON, IRS, JAIL, JERI, KING, KWAI, LAM, NOD, NOGO, NOR, NUNN, OPAL, ORAN, PREP, PTA, ROB, SEGA, STY, UNIT, WIG and WIZ. How now, brown cow? ------------------- For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. 
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Senate page, e.g.; 5. Island neighbor of Tonga and Tuvalu; 14. Sea dog’s libation; 15. North African port; 23. It may be stacked or cut; 26. Knock over, so to speak; 27. “Eureka!”; 36. PC video gear for short; 38. Take it on the ___; 39. Lion-colored; 45. Hide-hair link; 46. One of TV’s Mavericks; 51. U.F.O. crew; 52. Fall back; 53. Stone for many Libras; 68. Newton or oh; 69. Liniment target; 71. Sonic the Hedgehog’s company; 72. Black belt’s blow. Down: 1. Ottoman Empire V.I.P.; 2. Hotel room amenity; 3. Elevator direction half the time; 5. “Friend or ___?”; 6. Org. with a code; 7. One corner of a Monopoly board; 10. Here, in Honduras; 11. Former Georgia senator Sam; 12. Piece moved in castling; 13. Pig’s home; 18. Plow team; 22. Affirmative action; 24. Revolver inventor; 25. “The Bridge on the River ___”; 32. Clothing; 37. Garbage hauler; 42. Scrapped, as a mission; 43. Get ready for an exam; 48. Small ammo; 50. Big Indian; 56. Israel’s Abba; 57. Suffix with kitchen or room; 58. TV color adjustment; 60. “Goldberg Variations” composer; 61. Tunnel effect; 62 Hard to fathom; 63. 1978 Diana Ross musical with “The”; 65. Halloween wear; 66. Education-conscious org.
Mousetrap, Shelley Grund
------------------ Monday, June 29, 2009 Puzzle by Paula Gamache, edited by Will Shortz GOOD, BETTER and BEST found in the entries of GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP (17A. Seven or eight hours, typically), BETTER MOUSE TRAP (35A. Inventor’s goal) and BEST-KEPT SECRETS (52A. They rarely see the light of day) comprise the interrelated entries of this Monday, back-to-work crossword puzzle. OLD HABITS (4D. Things that die hard) and STAR TURNS (34D. Bravura performances) are the other two entries of any length, followed by two eight-letter entries, GENIUSES (48A. Brainy bunch), ON THE SLY (20A. Furtively) and two seven-letter entries, PREEMIE (23A. Early delivery in the delivery room), SAT HOME (44A. Did nothing). HORSES (43A. Mustangs, e.g.) and RANGE (40A. Where 43-Across run free) are inter-clued. Six-letter -- EROTIC (37D. X-rated); E-TYPES (26D. Classic Jaguars); HONEST (43D. “Really and truly”); ICE AGE (25D. Freezing period); ISSUES (9D. Topics of debate); LOW KEY (42D. Hardly ostentatious); MOURNS (24D. Expresses great sorrow); NEGATE (128D. Make null and void); NOT BAD (27A. “Hey, way to go!”); NO BUTS (27D. “Forget the excuses!”); OREIDA (28D. Frozen potato brand); POISED (5D. Self-confident, as a pageant contestant); ROOMIE (36D. Dormmate); STRIPS (19D. Prepares to streak); TB TEST (29D. Diagnostic that entails sticking the forearm with a needle). Five -- ANGLE (6D. Journalistic slant); HD TVS (45D. Modern viewing options, for short); INCUR (9a. Bring upon oneself); KNOLL (30D. Small, rounded hill); MESAS (46D. Flat-topped Southwestern hills); NOLTE (10D. Nick of “48 HRS.”); OLIVE (56A. Martini garnish); ORBIT (32A. Moon’s path); PRIUS (23D. Fuel-efficient Toyota); SOUSE (16A. Drunkard) and the milder TIPSY (59A. A little drunk). Short stuff -- ACHY, AGEE, ASST, BOT, CUE, DOAS, DWI (47A Drunk motorist‘s offense, briefly), ECOL, ELI, ETUI, GTOS, ICON, KRIS, LEGO, LIMO, LOLL, MOOT and MOTT, NEUT, OCT, OILS, ONCE, PAR, PDA, REP and RET, SEEK, SIP (54D. Not guzzle), SKIS, SNIP, SSTS, SUEY, TDS, TUT, UIES, USE. It’s a short week this week -- SMILE (33D. “Say cheese!”)! ----------------- For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. 
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Prom night transportation; 5. Jack who once hosted “The Tonight Show”; 14. “Green” sci.; 15. “___ upon a time …”; 21. When repeated, sound of disapproval; 30. Kristofferson of music; 31. Columbus Day mo.; 33. Salon sound; 34. Chop ___; 38. 180-degree turns, in slang; 39. Removes a squeak from; 41. Super Bowl stats; 42. Do nothing and like it; 46. Rock’s ___ the Hoople; 47. Drunk motorist’s offense, briefly; 57. “___ I say, not …”); 58. Neither fem. Nor masc.; 60. Igor, to Dr. Frankenstein: Abbr.; 61. Equipment at Vail. Down: 1. Plastic block brand; 2. Pic you can click; 3. Not worth debating, as a point; 7. Sore all over; 8. Like Gen. Colin Powell: Abbr.; 11. Pool player’s stick; 12. Take advantage of; 13 Dem.’s opponent; 48. Old Pontiac muscle cars; 49. Hide-and-___; 50. Decorative needle case; 51. Former fast fliers; 52. Automaton, for short; 53. Yeller in the Yale Bowl; 54. Not guzzle; 55. BlackBerry or iPhone, briefly.
Messier 101
----------------- Sunday, June 28, 2009 SPIRAL, Puzzle by Will Shortz INWARD -- 1-3 - Out of one’s mind, MAD; 4-11 - Halt, as of traffic or work, STOPPAGE; 12-19 - Setting for “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, DARTMOOR; 20-25 - Hollow-nosed bullet, DUMDUM; 26-32 - One way to serve pie (3 wds.), ALAMODE; 33-40 - Lengthen - PROTRACT; 41-51 - Scientist after whom element #102 is named (2 wds.), ALFREDNOBEL; 52-56 - French book, LIVRE; 57-62 - Allah worshiper, MOSLEM; 63-68 - One after whom a church or mosque may be named, MARTYR; 89-77 - Carrying significant debt, maybe, LEVERAGED; 78-82 - Carrying a lot of excess baggage, OBESE; 83-89 - Blanket makers, NAVAJO; 90-95 - A lot of Alaska, TUNDRA; 95-100 - Its capital is Cardiff, WALES. OUTWARD -- 100-93 - Co-star of TV’s “Sisters” and “Once and Again” (2 wds.), SELAWARD; 92-88- Off one’s rocker, NUTSO; 97-80 - People of Indonesia’s most populous island, JAVANESE; 79-74 - Place to buy alimento and cigarrillos, BODEGA; 73-67 - Merriment, REVELRY; 66-60 - Entangle in a net, TRAMMEL; 59-50 - Boston suburb between Medford and Cambridge, SOMERVILLE; 49-44 - Glue, for example, BONDER; 43-37 - Part of a train consisting of a platform without sides or top, FLATCAR; 39-30 - Ruin, as chances, TORPEDO; 29-23 - Novelist Bernard, MALAMUD, 22-16 - Place to take off dirty shoes, MUDROOM; 15-8 - The U.S. has one with China (2 wds.), TRADEGAP; 7-1 - Allied conference site of 1945, POTSDAM. ------------------ 
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The Three Witches in Macbeth, 1948 film by Orson Welles ----------------- Sunday, June 28, 2009 SECRET INGREDIENTS, Puzzle by Barry C. Silk, edited by Will Shortz The long entries of this plodding puzzle exist in the main to contain letters within circles spelling out DILL, OREGANO, FENNEL, PEPPER, ROSEMARY, THYME, JASMINE and GINGER "hidden" in the entries of ADMIRAL NELSON (23A. Battle of Trafalgar hero) which produces dill; COARSE-GRAINED WOOD (38A. Oak or ash), oregano; FALLEN ANGEL (60A. Lucifer, notably), fennel; PAY THE PIPER (83A. Suffer for acting unwisely), pepper; PRINCETON SEMINARY (101A. New Jersey ecumenical institution), rosemary; TIMOTHY Q MOUSE (124A. Tiny friend of Dumbo), thyme; JAMES A MICHENER (17D. “The World Is My Home” memoirist, 1991), jasmine; MANAGING EDITOR (52D. Deadline maker), ginger.
Remaining across: 1. Blade for blades, SCYTHE; 7. Pandemonium, BEDLAM; 13. 1965 title role for Peter O’Toole, LORD JIM; 20. Rip into, TEAR AT; 21. Loose, AT EASE; 22A. Cow, OVERAWE; 25. Last king of a united Israel, in the Bible, SOLOMON; 26. Chinese export, TEA; 27. Sleep like A LOG; 28. Kind of track, TENURE; 30. Proceed, WEND; 31. “God’s IN HIS heaven, all’s right with the world”; 33. Manhattan neighborhood, NOHO; 35. Two-time host of the Olympics, ATHENS; 43. Antique, say, AGE; 46. Obama cabinet member Salazar, KEN; 47. Silents star Renée ADOREE; 48. Platypus, e.g., MAMMAL; 50. Hasty escape, LAM; 53. Not so civil, RUDER; 56. Slate, e.g., informally, E-MAG; 57. Computer letters, E-MAILS; 58. “She’s A RAG doll” (4 Seasons lyric); 63. ESPN topic, NCAA; 64. It was flown by James Bond in “Dr. No”, PAN AM; 68. Investor’s concern, YIELD; 67. Mimic of a sort, MYNAH; 69. Site of many a fountain, PLAZA; 70. SAM’S Club; 71. You may work on it, SPEC; 74. Container that’s hoisted, STEIN; 77. Costume, GET-UP; 79. Kid, TEASE; 80. Title girl of a 1964 Beach Boys song, WENDY; 81. Runner Zátopek, EMIL; 88. Spiny EELS (aquarium fish); 89. The Brady Bill is one, GUN LAW; 91. Elvis’s middle name, ARON; 92. “Me too”, SO DO I; 94. Bar stock, RYE; 95. German chancellor Merkel, ANGELA; 96. 1983 Peace Nobelist, WALESA; 98. Magazine department, ART; 100. Stop, DIE; 108 Daydreamer’s doing, DOODLE; 110. Biblical kingdom, MOAB; 111. Fifth-century pope, ST LEO; 112. Medical suffix, ITIS; 114. Party to a financial transaction, DRAWEE; 118. Transaction option, CASH; 120. Upper limit, LID; 121 Co-star of “Gumpy Old Men, “ 1993, MATTHAU; 127. Amorphous, AMOEBIC; 128. Like a yellow polka dot bikini in a 1961 #1 hit, TEENIE; 129. The Father of Genetics, MENDEL; 130. Eat away CORRODE; 131. Tumult, UNREST; 132. Lays low?, INTERS.
Down: Interference, STATIC; 2. César CEDENO, five-time Gold Glove winner, 1972-76; 3. Kawasaki competitor, YAMAHA; 4. Numerical prefix, TRI; 5. Tormentor, HARASSER; 6. Abbr. after some names, ET AL; 7. City on the Penobscot, BANGOR; 8. When ecole is not in session, ETE; 9. Shoulder muscle, DELTOID; 10. Perform high-tech surgery on, LASE; 11. “And she shall bring forth A SON”. Matthew 1:21; 12. It may be written on a blackboard, MENU; 13. Finish behind, LOSE TO; 14. Egg: Prefix, OVO; 15. Brother or brother-in-law: Abbr., REL; 16. Be covered, with “in”, DROWN; 18. Cry of glee, I WON; 19. Heal, MEND; 24. Time-consuming, LONG; 29. Possible source of salmonella poisoning, RAW EGG; 32. Bug, IRK; 34. Tulip-exporting city, HAARLEM; 36. Plain, HOMELY; 37. Cheese town, EDAM; 39. Ample, informally, ENUF; 40. NO END in sight; 41. Witty Bombeck, ERMA; 42. School appointment, DEAN; 44. Bash, GALA; 46. Designer Schiaparelli, ELSA; 49. Sighting off the Florida coast, MANATEE; 50. Dweller on the Arctic Circle, LAPP; 51. Uzbekistan’s ARAL Sea; 54. Place for a masseuse, DAY SPA; 55. “Dream Children” essayist, ELIA; 59. Swift runner, GAZELLE; 61. 2002 British Open champ, ELS; 62. Made introductions, say, EMCEED; 65. Gymnast’s need, MAT; 68. Australian state: Abbr., NSW; 71. Equinox mo., SEP; 72. Buddy, PAISANO; 73. Former Orr teammate, familiarly ESPO; 75. Without purpose, IDLY; 76. It has 1,366 seats: Abbr. NYSE; 78. To the stars, UPWARD; 79. Principle, TENET; 81. Old expletive, EGAD; 82. Bond type, briefly, MUNI; 84. Big bore, YAWNER; 85. Gillette’s TRAC II; 86. Argument weakness, HOLE; 87. Meander, ROAM; 90. Purina brand, ALPO; 93. Ones whose symbol is a harp, IRISHMEN; 97. A person, SOMEONE; 99. Coyote’s supply in Road Runner cartoons, TNT; 102. Axis leader, IL DUCE; 103. Bag in a closet, SACHET; 104. Web site with the headings “Toys & Hobbies”: and “Music”, E-BAY; 105. Refer, ALLUDE; 106. Paul of “Made About You”, REISER; 107. Snack food made by Drake’s, YODELS; 109. Blender brand, OSTER; 112. G4 or G5, IMAC; 113. TAMO-shanter; 115. North Pacific island, ATTU; 116. Locale for Apfelstrudel and Sachertorte, WIEN; 117. Like 911: Abbr., EMER; 119. 640 acres: Abbr., SQ MI; 122. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” airer, HBO; 123. First AID; 125. Poetic contraction, TIS; 126. Home of Point Pelee Natl. Park, ONT. No more secrets!
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The Confession, 1896, Sir Frank Bernard Dicksee ----------------- Saturday, June 27, 2008 Puzzle by Trip Payne, edited by Will Shortz CHRIST (42D. Word that first appears in Matthew 1:1) and BLESS ME FATHER (35A. Start of a confession) stand out in this craftily-clued Saturday crossword, along with the pair of ILL AT EASE (52A. Uncomfortable) and SELF-CONSCIOUS (31A. Uncomfortable, in a way), continuing with TELLS (59A. Relates to) and VESPERS (20A. They’re observed in the evening) with ENEMIES (2D. They’re opposed) and MEDIATE (3D. Talk to two 2-Down, say) recommending conciliation -- a little religion never hurts! Mystery continues in many clues of the remaining long entries -- ANCESTOR (24D. Genealogical discovery); CAT LITTER (58A. Contents of a certain household box); DEMO TAPES (1A. Rock samples); EYE CHART (21D. It begins with an E [in two ways]); ONE OR MORE (15A. Any); RED PEPPER (17A. Salad ingredient); SETS ON FIRE (28A. Lights); SPRITZERS (60A. Cocktails lacking hard liquor) and TOMB RAIDER (43A. Influential 1996 video game), FYI nearly 500 video games were released in 1996. Seven-letter -- ANGELOU (12D. “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie” poet); BRIOCHE (35D. French bread); EDUCATE (40D. School); LACKEYS (23A. Henchmen); LACTEAL (36D. Milky); MOSAICS (37D. Multipart art); POST-ITS (46A. Yellow squares, often); REVISER (41D. Agent of change); ROTH IRA (48A. Receiver of some contributions); SERVERS (9D. Waitstaff); STEREOS (13D. They’re often playing at home). Five- and six-letter -- DO-RAGS (1D. Rappers wrappers); EAGER (18A. Keen); GLESS (10D. Actress co-starring in TV’s “Burn Notice”); GNASH (10A. Rub together); 30D. HO CHI Minh; HORSED (14D. Cut up, with “around”); ICE UP (51A. Freeze); IOTAS (32D. Is in Athens?); LENTO (16A. “Proceed slowly”); LOFTS (23D. Throws up); PIPES (46D. They have connections); RAVERS (44D. Movie critics, sometimes); SHALE (57A. Oil source); SLEET (29D. Some pellets). Short stuff -- ALI, AMIS, AMP, CFO, CRAT, EMT, ERE and ETE, FBI, GIA, HIC and HOC, HOOD, HULL, KIN, LAP (53A. You could stand to lose it), LEE, LTR, MCIV, METZ, NEAP, OOPS, POP, TIT, TRE, UVA. ------------------ For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. 
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Remaining clues -- Across: 19. Author of “Time’s Arrow,” 1991, a novel written in reverse chronological order; 22. Actress Scala; 27. “Pushing Daisies” star ___ Pace; 33. Quebec’s Festival d’___; 34. Post ___ (after-the-fact); 42. Auto finish?; 45. Drink whose name suggests its vitamin content; 47. Sch. Founded by a president; 50. Year that Acre fell in the First Crusade. Down: 4. Mumble after a fumble; 5. Hero of “Boyz N the Hood”; 6. Excite, with “up”; 7. ___ psychology; 8. Outmoded preposition; 11. Spring’s opposite; 25. Budgetary bigwig, for short; 26. They have connections; 38. Defibrillator user, for short; 39. RICO Act enforcer; 49. Bottom of the sea?; 50. Birthplace of poet Paul Verlaine; 54. Delta, for one: Abbr.; 55. BBC’s Sports Personality of the Century; 56. Black-throated ___ (Asian bird.
Friday, June 26, 2009 Puzzle by Lynn Lempel, edited by Will Shortz A very casual Friday crossword with lots of noun and/or verb mix in the clues. Nine-letter entries -- AAAMEMBER (17A. One calling about a tower, maybe); DNASAMPLE (28D. Bit of forensic evidence); ENVIOUSLY (12D. Way to watch someone win the lottery?); GEEKSQUAD (11D. Techies affiliated with a major electronics chain); GREENZONE (50. Walled-off enclave in Iraq); LIVEDALIE (14A. Was perpetually dishonest); MARRIAGES (48A. Occasions that begin with misses?); REDSQUARE (27D. Military parade site). Eight-letter -- ASSUAGES (37A. Softens); BENGHAZI (33D. Libya’s second-largest city); COLLOQUY (24A. Formal discussion); FORSHAME (46A. Cry of reproof); INSPADES (19A. To the extreme; TEMPERED (4D. Like some steel). Seven -- DERAILS (9D. Thwarts); GANGWAR (41A. Rumble); LATEFEE (21A. Fine, in a sense); SATEENS (35D. Sheet materials). Six -- BARKIN (20A. Ellen of “Ocean’s Thirteen”); BARRED (39D. Forbidden); CAMDEN (5D. New Jersey city that was home to Walt Whitman); DEAFEN (15D. Pierce the ears of); FUMIER (45A. More vaporous); OVERDO (10D. Exaggerate); QANTAS (40A. Kangaroo carrier?); RUNSIN (36D. Arrests); SAIDSO (22A. Made a claim); UNISON (38D. People often sing in it). Five -- ALBEE (6D. Winner of three Pulitzer Prizes for Drama); AMENS (43D. Famous last words); ARDEN (26A. “All the world’s a stage” monologue setting); AVAST (3D. Check from a deck?); BALDY (20D. Guy who needs no 24-Down) and COMBS (24D. Dopp it items); CAMPY (32A. Like drag shows); CIGAR (32D. It usually has a band around it); DOGES (9A. Bygone magistrates); EVENT (16A. Calendar listing); FLAIL (1D. Beat); GATES (29D. Mountain passes); GOADS (29A. Cattle drivers); GOREN (41D. Bridge guru); LAPSE (47A. Concentration problem); LIANA (2D. Tropical climber); ORLON (49A. Knitwear material); PEENS (51A. Tool parts for bending and shaping); REDYE (36A. Make even brighter, say); REEVE (18A. 1998 Grammy winner for narrating his book “Still Me”); RESET (44D. Back to zero, say); SITBY (35A. Be indifferent); SOAPY (22D. Ivory-covered?); WAGON (42D. Family car, informally). Short stuff -- ALFA (26D. Romeo might go after it); BALK (33A. Resist); BUN (39A. Dog holder); CAPP (5A. Lower Slobbovia creator); FARE (46D. It’s taken for a ride); FLAT (1A. What a 17-Across might get assistance with); FDA (34A. Recalling org.); FLOP (45D. Lay an egg); INST (53A. Franklin in Phila., e.g.); LEND (31A. Give up for a while); MEND (52A. Make sound); MGM (48A. Letters associated with a lion); PER (8D. Minute or hour lead-in); PIES (7D. Quiches, e.g.); REN (23A. Nickelodeon title character); STEN (13D. Antique gun); USO (30A. Grp. Of major supporters?); YOKE (25D. It can hold a team together). So, go casual!
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Sunset Geese Flight, Jeff Cushner
----------------- Thursday, June 25, 2009 Puzzle by Bill Zais, edited by Will Shortz Including the clue number for five entries to complete a phrase constitutes the interrelated entries of this terse Wednesday crossword composed of otherwise unrelated miscellanea -- 3. SHEETS TO THE WIND (Plastered); 5. CARD STUD (Gambling game); 7. PER CENT SOLUTION (Sherlock Holmes novel, with “The”); 20. SOMETHING (One starting a career, perhaps); 40. HOUR WEEK (Work period). Continuing with the gallimaufry, the seven-letter entries include DIPTYCH (38A. Hinged pair of pictures); DOASIDO (19A. “Follow me”); EPISTLE (62A. Philemon, e.g.); EYEDROP (16A. Red remover, maybe); GRECIAN (64A. Like the Trojan horse); LINSEED (66A. Oil source); OUTGROW (58A. Get too big for); 39. PAINTED Desert; POTTERY (13A. Some arts and crafts); PRIMARY (13D. Race before a race); RAHRAHS (10A. Spirited cries); REWARDS (17A. Bonuses); STEPONE (67A. Starting instruction). Six-letter -- COHOST (45A. Either of two emcees); HAWAII (47A. Where “Waikiki” means “to hurry”); MADMEN (29A. Psychos); OUTRUN (31A. Leave in the dust, say). Five -- ARDOR (8D. Heat); ARETE (1D. Craggy crest); ANIMA (28D. Inner self); ASSOC (1A. Formal club: Abbr.); AVERS (25A. States); DECCA (30D. Record label of Bill Haley and His Comets); ETTES (22A. Diminutive endings); HOPIN (51D. Cabbie’s line); KINKS (69A. Garden hose problems); PRANK (55D. Call that may result in an abrupt hang-up); REUPS (54A. Signs on for another tour); SAYIT (2D. “Tell me!”); SHEAR (50A. Clip); SINES (56D. Math figures); STELE (50D. Archaeological find); SYSTS (9D. Methods: Abbr.); TWOAM (15D. Wee hour); WROTE (48D. Penned). Short stuff -- AAA, AUEL, BETA, COT, CPI, ENDS, ERR, ETON, HEE and HOO, MAH and MOM, NET, NNE, OED and ORD and ORT, OTB and OTS, SPAS, SRTA, SSS, STA and STE, TIE, TOW, TRI, TSO, ULE and USE, VEE (25D. Migration formation?). -------------------- For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. 
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Remaining clues -- Across: 6. Places to press the flesh?; 18. It’s just a formality; 21. Motel extra; 24. Apple pie companion?; 27. Sp. Title; 33. Long introduction?; 34. English town near Windsor Bridge; 37. General on a Chinese menu; 41. ___-Foy, Que.; 42. Kind of blocker; 44. Start of a Chinese game; 49. “The Shelters of Stone” author; 52. Anchorage-to-Fairbanks dir.; 57. Result of an emergency call, maybe; 61. Prefix with -logy; 68. What circles lack. Down: 4. JFK : New York :: ___ : Chicago; 6. RR building, 11. Part of a sob; 12. Rarely read letters; 14. 20-vol. work; 23. Drop the ball; 26. Migration formation?; 31. Gambling site: Abbr.; 32. Milk; 35. What buzzer beaters may lead to, briefly; 36. What you keep; 43. Like some baseball teams; 46. Tee follower; 53. Parts of a joule; 59. Diminutive ending; 60. Crumb; 63. Snake’s warning; 65. Cost-of-living meas.
Mabel Normand in an advertisement for “Back to the Woods”, 1918
------------------ Wednesday, June 24, 2009 Puzzle by Corey Rubin, edited by Will Shortz TAKE OUT AN AD (60A. Promote one’s business, maybe … or a hint to 16-, 23-, 30-, 41- and 47-Across), along with DRUG DICTION (16A. Talking like a junkie?), e.g., drug addiction, SHOW OF A DOUBT (23A. Agnostic’s display?), shadow of a doubt, RIO ACTIVITY (30A. Sunbathing at Ipanema, e.g.?), radioactivity, ROLLER BLING (41A. Rink jewelry?), rollerblading, and MAILING DRESS (47A. Letter carrier’s uniform?), mailing address, are the interrelated entries of this odd crossword.
Mid-size entries include AIRIER (12A. More delicate); BONE DRY (8D. Parched); HIGH SEAS (4D. Buccaneers’ place); HOAXES (46A. E-mails from Nigerian princes, e.g.); LAZ BOY (38A. With 22-Down, recliner brand); LOVE IS (26A. Vanessa Williams/Brian McKnight duet), never heard of it much less heard it, believe me; PLASMA TV (39D. Device with a flat panel); RHESUS (43D. What “Rh” may stand for); RIPOST (13D. Fencing thrust: Var.); ROISTER (41D. Whoop it up); SHTETL (65A. “Fiddler on the Roof“ setting). Five-letter -- 48D. Make A CASE for (support); ACRES (53A. The 40 of a “back 40”); ANJOU (9D. Pear variety); EBOLA (21A. “The Hot Zone” virus); 50D. Gordon GEKKO (“Wall Street” role); 49D. Operation IRAQI Freedom; KARAT (11D. Unit of purity); MABEL (47D. Normand of old movies); ORAL B (10D. Name in dental hygiene); STAHL (1A. “60 Minutes” correspondent starting in 1991); THIEF (6D. Fence supplier); UVRAY (68A. Tanning element).
Short stuff -- ALA, ANO, AOK, APT, ARUT, BAA, BOS, CAW and COW, CLE, DATA, DYES and EYES, ELKS, ESQ, HIC, IDLY, ILL, IZE, JAR, KEGS, LED and LEI, LRON, MODI, NED. NRA, OHNO, OISE and OSIS, ONER, OTTO, OWN, PATE, PINE, PRIE and PRY, RAO and REO, ROTH, SADR, TAB, THU, TIRO, TPK, TRIX, VAL, VOID. For a really big ad -- HERE!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 6. It may be run up; 9. Hunky-dory; 14. “I don’t believe this!”; 15. Many-armed org.?; 19. Rock’s David Lee ___; 20. Canapé topper; 29. Be nosy; 34. Plaza locale: Abbr.; 37. Suffix with psych-; 39. ___ -dieu; 40. Widower of Maude on “The Simpsons”; 45. Female whale; 54. Targets of a Moe Howard poke; 55. ___ operandi (methods); 59. Cote call; 63. Barrister’s abbr.; 64. Group with a Grand Lodge in Chicago; 66. Wahine’s offering; 67. Indian novelist Raja ___. Down: 1. Baghdad’s ___ City; 2. Newbie: Var.; 3. Stuck, after “in”; 5. Set the tempo; 7. May is part of it; 14. Uniformed comics dog; 17. Call from a farm field; 24. Blazin’ Blueberry drink brand; 26. Scientology’s ___ Hubbard; 27. Chantilly’s department; 28. Tear up, so to speak; 31. Off one’s feed; 32. Batman after Michael; 33. Suffix with final; 34. Fare “for kids”; 35. ___ tar (baseball team supply); 36. Things to tap; 42. Part of M.Y.O.B.; 44. A.L. East team, on scoreboards; 45. A.L. Central team, on scoreboards; 51. Shoemakers’ supplies; 52. Flying Cloud of 1927-36; 56. Lollapalooza; 57. What’s spread on a spreadsheet; 58. Way to stand by; 61. Tuskegee U. locale; 62. Day after so-called “hump day”: Abbr.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 Puzzle by Caleb Madison, edited by Will Shortz PUNCH AND JUDY (20A. Slapstick puppet show), SOCK IT TO ME (33A. “I’m ready for anything!”), HIT THE SACK (44A Go get some shuteye) and DECK THE HALLS (57A. Yuletide tune) are the interrelated entries of this Tuesday crossword.
GROUCHO MARX (11D. He said “Here’s to our wives and girlfriends … may they never meet!”) makes his second appearance this week, having his deathbed quote in Sunday’s crossword (“Die, my dear? Why, that’s the last thing I’ll do!”). FACT CHECKER is clued as a Magazine staffer. Other entries of length include HIGH IQS (44D. 140 and up, say), REAL LIFE (42D. Actuality), REPUBLIC (5D. Form of government Plato wrote about) and STAN LEE (9D. Co-creator of the Fantastic Four). ELIXIR (55A. Drink said to prolong life) and LEFT BE (23A. Didn’t bother) are the only six-letter entries. The crossword is holoalphabetic.
Five-letter aplenty -- ADMEN (50D. Some Madison Ave. workers); ADOPT (4D. Take on); ALOHA (7D. Lei giver’s greeting); ALTAR (1A. Place for an oath); ATTIC (40A. Room at the top of stairs); CACTI (38D. They have many needles); DIODE (14A. Loads); EDGAR (71A. Mystery writer’s award); EMOTE (24D. Ham it up); FIERY (68A. Like redheads’ tempers, supposedly); GENUS (53D. The “Homo” in “Homo sapiens”); IAMBS (62A. Da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM); INKER (39D. Worker on a comic book); ISAID (56D. “In case you didn’t hear me the first time …”); LISAS (23D. Simpson and Kudrow); 8D. POLAR opposites; ROMAN (42A. Tacitus or Tiberius); SHOOT (54D. “Tell me”); SLAYS (13D. Wows at a comedy club); TARDY (12D. Arriving after the bell, say); WEAVE (51D. Drive drunkenly, perhaps); ZZTOP (17A. “Sharp Dressed Man” band). Short stuff -- ADZ, ALOT, ANIS, ARAL. ARLO, AWE, BRA, CFOS, CYS, DORA, DOT, EGGS, ETCH, ETUI, EVEN, FOCI, HADJ, HEEL, HELI, HGTS, IMA, INON, KENO, KITE, LEE and LET, LIZ, LOLA, MAKE, MEG, METS, NEED, NERO, OAT, QUOI, RTE, SEA, SECT, SSTS, SYR, TALC, TAPS, TOT, UAE. Punch, sock, hit and deck!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 6. It’s bugled on a base; 10. Elevs.; 15. Loads; 16. Asia’s shrunken ___ Sea; 18. 1970 Kinds song; 19. TV explorer of note; 26. Guthrie at Woodstock; 27. Baseball’s Young and others; 28. The Monkees’ “___ Believer”; 29. Kind of tide; 31. Impress permanently; 37. Centers of circles; 41. Mideast fed.; 43. Not a mainstream religion; 46. Prefix with pad; 48. Mermaid’s realm; 49. Mail carrier’s assignment: Abbr.; 50. State of shock; 52. Custard ingredients; 60. Mercury or Saturn; 61. Wise to; 66. Tied; 67. Je ne sais ___; 69. Villain in 2009’s “Star Trek”; 70. Bygone barrier breakers. Down: 1. Carpenter’s tool with a curved blade; 2. Eight-times-married Taylor; 3. Tyke; 6. Baby powder ingredient; 10. Journey to Mecca; 21. Classic brand of hair remover; 22. E, in Morse code; 30. It has many needles; 32. Bus. Honchos; 34. Toy you might enjoy while running; 35. Basis for a Quaker cereal; 36. Citi Field team; 38. They have many needles; 45. Cad; 47. Tennis umpire’s cry; 58. Casino game with Ping-Pong-like balls; 59. Spanish liqueur; 63. Computer unit, informally; 64. Cup holder?; 65. Leb. Neighbor.
Sea Breeze I, Carol Saxe
----------------- Monday, June 22, 2009 Puzzle by Fred Piscop, edited by Will Shortz Si, C, see and sea, e.g., the sounds, are the interrelated elements of this refreshing Monday crossword -- SISISENOR (17A. Emphatic south-of-the-border assent), CMAJORSCALE (26A. Beginning piano student’s exercise), SEEYOULATER (45A. Parting words) and SEABREEZE (62A. Wind that cools a beach).
Other long entries are DEBITCARD (10D. Quick, cashless way to pay for things) and POLYESTER (36D. Leisure suit fabric), followed by six six-letter entries -- ARAMIS (9D. Fragrance named for a Musketeer); ENABLE (47D. Give power to); ICEJAM (5D. Winter river obstruction); NETTLE (49A. Prickly plant); ONEEYE (46D. Cyclops feature); PANAMA (23A. Central American canal locale). AESOP and HARE share the clue of Loser to a tortoise in a fable.
Five-letter -- ABATE (19A. Lessen); ACURA (15A. Japanese automaker); ADEPT (9A. Highly skilled); ALLEN (68A. Woody or Grace); 27D. The Beatles’ “Any Time ATALL”; EBERT (53D. Roger with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down); ELITE (61A. A-list); ESSEN (3D. Ruhr Valley city); FALSE (40A. Test answer you have a 50/50 chance of guessing right); HELLO (65A. Word said upon answering a phone); HITCH (4A. Trailer’s connection to a car); IDLES (44A. Just sits around); JULIA (28D. Roberts of “Erin Brockovich”); LAZED (52D. Vegged out); MINTS (22A. After-dinner candies); ONSET (29D. Beginning); PASSE (54A. No longer fashionable); 2D. PRIMA donna (vain sort); REVUE (16A. Theatrical medley); SLOPS (33A. Feeds, as pigs); 64A. Aviator WILEY Post; STORE (67A. Shop); TREED (51D. Cornered).
Short stuff -- ALIT, APE, ARAB, AXEL and AXON, CALL, CROP, DDT, EER, ELIE, END, ENOS, ERS, EVAN and EVIL, FEUD, FIT, FREE, HAS, HOBO, INA, IRE, JAPE, LONE and LOVE, MCS, OBIE, OMEN, ORCA, OSHA, PEWS, PUTT, REEL, RENO, RON, SHES, SILO, TAE, TEES, TUNA and TUNE. Here‘s The Sound of C. ------------------ For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. 
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. King Kong, e.g.; 14. Where IVs may be administered; 20. Comet, say, to the impressionable; 21. Mocking remark; 25. In great shape; 37. Thing to hum or whistle; 38. Neural transmitter; 39. Vagrant; 41. Nevada gambling mecca; 42. Demon’s doing; 43. Nobelist Wiesel; 48. Finish; 57. Killer whale; 60. United ___ Emirates; 66. Suffix with rocket or racket; 69. Banned bug spray. Down: 4. Contains; 6. Bluefin, for one; 7. Wheat or soybeans; 11. “___ Almighty” (2007 movie); 12. Miniature golf shot; 13. Gadgets not needed in miniature golf; 18. “___ pig’s eye!”; 21. Mocking remark; 25. Costing nothing; 30. Rink leap; 31. The ___ Ranger; 32. Outfielder Slaughter in the Baseball Hall of Fame; 33. Kenny Rogers’s “___ a Mystery”; 34. Zero, in tennis; 35. Village Voice award; 40. Hatfield/McCoy affair; 44. Ill temper; 50. ___ kwon do; 54. Sunday seats; 55. Touched down; 56. Storage for forage; 57. Workplace watchdog org.; 58. Irish dance; 59. Do some telemarketing; 63. “Apollo 13” director Howard.
Click on image to enlarge. Puzzle available on the internet at THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games 
