The Abduction (Rapture) of Psyche by William Bouguereau, 1895 ----------------- Friday, July 31, 2009 Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel, edited by Will Shortz DEAD TO RIGHTS (5D. Red-handed), IRISH WHISKEY (21D. Mayo sauce?), FREE-THROW LINE (46A. Where a fouled player might go) and WITHIN EAR-SHOT (22A. Relatively close) are the main entries of this Friday crossword, which has been lavishly described in partial quarters with words such as “delicious, fun, great, ingenuous, poetic, rare, sparkle, wonderful, zingy” -- oh you cruciverbalists! THERE’S MORE (13A. “I’m not done yet!”) heads a group of ten-letter entries including SALMA HAYEK (17A. Oscar-nominated portrayer of Frida Kahlo), BAZOOKA JOE (56A. Comics character with a “gang”), OPEN SESAME (60A. Passage enabler), and nine-letter HELD WATER (3D. Wasn’t full of holes), LEYDEN JAR (32D. It might store an electric charge) and its’ clue-mate EELS (24D. They might store electric charges) creating an image of an odd fishbowl. SWOON (44D. Become rapturous) and ELATE (48D. Make rapturous) along with GAZE (33D. It might be piercing) provide emotion for the puzzle’s remarks which include 1A. “IT HAD better be!”, 2D. “Not THAT!”, I PASS (21A. What a player may mean by knocking on the table), EEK (8D. Cry of surprise) and two quotes from the Bard, 11D. “… love’s shadows ARE SO rich in joy!”: Romeo and 58D. “My baby at my breast,” in Shakespeare (ASP). Other -- BRONZED (41D. Like many beachgoers), 43D. Single-CELLED, CHAIRS (43A. Heads up), DOYENNE (6D. Helen Thomas in the White House press corps, e.g.), ELAPSE (9D. March on), ONESIE (28A. Baby shower gift), SCHMEAR (37A. Roll top?), SITARS (29A. Band members with long necks?), SPECIAL (35A. Something not on the menu), SWAYZE (42A. Early TV news commentator famous for doing Timex ads). Five-letter -- ALAMO (26A. Subject of the 1955 film “The Last Command”); ASICS (25D. Nike rival); FJORD (46D. Product of glacial erosion); HIDES (45A. Makes scarce); JELLS (50A. Crystallizes); 12D. LEAST of all; MARIO (15D. Plumber seen in an arcade); REPAY (47D. Square things); SARAH (30D. Fast Eddie’s girlfriend in “The Hustler”); TORAH (10D. It contains 613 mitzvoth); YPRES (63A. City in 1917 headlines). Short stuff -- APE, AREA and ARES, ARM, ASSN, BOW, DARE, DIE and DYED, ELIS, ETAL, GRAB, HOME, IMAC, IRE, ITSY, LAIR, LEES and LEOS, LGA, LIPO, LORE, MAIN, NHL, NOES, NOR, OPAL, RATE, SHAH, WED, YTD. All together now, swoon!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 6. Factory staple; 9. Abbr. in a “works cited” list; 16. It’s passed on; 18. Discipline; 19. Financial statement abbr.; 20. Reason to make a prank call, maybe; 31. Many students on “Gilmore Girls”; 32. It’s 11 miles NNW of JFK; 39. Certain correlative; 40. Really appeal to; 51. Passage blockers; 52. Stars participate in it: Abbr.; 55. Pendant option; 59. Not be a nobody; 61. Not dyed; 62. Bond. Down: 1. Minute, informally; 4. The Adriatic vis-à-vis the Mediterranean; 7. Boiling point?; 14. Onetime C.I.A.-backed foreign leader; 23. Computer debut of 1998; 26. Part of M.P.A.A.: Abbr.; 27. Slimming option, for short; 34. Vultures were sacred to him; 36. Refuge; 38. Cardinal; 49. Independent, noble types, it’s said; 53. Typist’s position; 54. Remains; 56. It comes after the last number; 57. Troglodyte.
Marquee Letters, Olympia Film Society
----------------- Thursday, July 30, 2009 Puzzle by Ashish Vengsarkar, edited by Will Shortz FOUR-LETTER WORDS (16A. Profanities [and a hint to this puzzle’s anomalies]) and REPEAT OFFENDERS (51A. Record holders? [and a punny hint to this puzzle’s anomalies]) -- along with EEEE (1A. Facility), e.g., ease; QQQQ (8A Signals), cues; IIII (19A. Peer group?), eyes; TTTT (20A. Razz), tease; BBBB (47A. Garden sights), bees; OOOO (49A. Is behind), owes; GGGG (61A. “Man oh man!”), geez or jeeze; YYYY (63A. Hip), wise -- are the interrelated entries of this Thursday crossword. Other entries of length include ANCESTORS (43A. Some people in a tree); FACE OFFS (36D. Starts of some sporting events); GANGSTER (40A. Blood, e.g.); GETS THERE (28A. Arrives); MATINEES (5D. Show types); ONE TO TEN (32A. Scale range).
Mid-size -- ARBORS (43D. Pergolas); DROIDS (38A. Many “Star Wars” fighters); EERIEST (4D. Like H.P. Lovecraft among all popular writers?); EIGHTHS (17D. Some musical notes); ICEBERG (39D. Big chip off the old block?); JANE DOE (33D. Courtroom identification); JIGGLE (33A. Do what Jell-O does); MEGATON (26D. Nuclear unit) ; QUOTING (8D. Offering, as a price); SELLERS (27D. Merchants); SENORAS (21D. They may have niños and niñas); STEP OUT (22D. Exit); YVETTE (7D. Actress Mimieux of “Where the Boys Are”). Five-letter -- ABDUL (60A. “American Idol” judge); ARCED (45A. Wasn’t straight); CUT IT (15A. Perform acceptably); GNATS (23A. Buzzers); GOODS (28D. Stuff on a shelf); INERT (58A. Sluggish); MEDEA (12A. Jiltee of myth); REARS (31D. Cans); SAUCY (42A. Forward); SINGS (30D. Squeals); SNEER (30A. Mean mien); TOADY (29D. Kowtower). Three-letter -- ABT, AHS, ALA, ALI, ARN (24D. Royal son of the comics), ATT, ATV, BAT, EDU, EDY, EEO, EMF, ENG, FAN, FEY, GNC, IMS, MAY, ONA, ONS, OOP (34A. Alley of Moo), PEG, QID, QTR, QTS, REF, RIG, RTS, RUY, SLY, SSE, STE, SYS. ----------------- For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. 
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Remaining clues -- Across: 5. <-- What this is, on a calendar); 14. Yamaha offering, in brief; 21. Liverpool-to-Portsmouth dir.; 25. Some exchanges, quickly; 34. Alley of Moo; 35. Patient responses; 36. Geisha’s accessory; 37. Like; 44. Division of an office bldg.; 46. Carry-___; 59. Whistle blower; 62. ___ admin (computer techie). Down: 1. Voltaic cell meas.; 2. Abbr. in a help-wanted ad; 3. E-mail address ending; 6. Part of a 2005 SBC merger; 9. 12 or 15 min.; 10. Rx abbr.; 11. Peck parts: Abbr.; 13. Iranian supreme leader ___; 15. 100 lbs.; 18. Football linemen: Abbr.; 24. Royal son of the comics; 40. Health supplement chain; 45. Dance grp. At the Met; 48. It goes over a plate; 50. ___ leash; 51. Horse and buggy; 52. Official lang. of Barbados; 53. Part of a violin; 54. Hardly macho; 55. Actress Williams of the 1960s-’70s; 56. ___ Lopez (chess opening); 57. On the ___.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Puzzle by Tim Wescott, edited by Will Shortz Six long entries, each containing consecutive circles spelling out the name of various Major League Baseball teams seems to be the losing game of today’s crossword -- Astro, MAKES A STRO NG CASE (17A. Argue forcibly); Ray, CROP SPRAYER (28A. Presticide spreader, e.g.); Twin, SHORT-WINDED (48A. Terse); Giant, NORWEGIAN THRONE (61A. Where Olaf I or Olaf II sat); Ranger, ORANGE RINDS (11D. Juicer remnants); Met, COME TO TERMS (24D. Shake hands). That leaves 24 teams in the cold. There are other references to sports in the crossword, but most are unrelated to baseball. What? Continuing on, entries of mid-size include ARE TOO (23D. “Am not!” response); BRONCO (26D. It’s most useful when it’s broken); GARRET (19D. “La Boheme” setting); HEDGED (49D. Counterbalanced, as bets); INCHES (50D. What some races are won by); NESSIE (40D. Storied monster informally); NOLTES (33D. Actor Nick and family); ONE-SIDED (55A. Like a Möbius strip) and ONSIDE (34d. Like some football kicks); RENEGE (9D. Bridge no-no); SCHULZ (22D. Charles who created Peppermint Patty); STAINS (5D. Discolorations); TIE A KNOT (21A. Finish lacing up); YEASTY (31D. Like bread dough or beer). Five-letter -- ARBOR (30D. Shady retreat); 52D. AS WAS the custom (traditionally); EASES (68A. Moves gingerly); ENRON (37A. Name in 2001 bankruptcy news); INLET (14A. Sheltered water); JAILS (1A. Clinks) and TAILS (42A. “Call it!” call); LOTTE (43A. Lehmann of opera); SICKO (10D. 2007 Michael Moore documentary); SOAPY (18D. Needing a rinse); SQUAT (71A. Like Yogi Berra, physically); TWIST (45D. Dance for Chubby Checker); UTENN (39A. Knoxville sch.). Short stuff -- AFAR, ANA, ANET, ANTI, ART, ATOI, COST, DANK and DEKE, EIRE, ENO, ERNE, EST, FORT, GROG, HEMI, ILK, IRAQ, IRMA, IRON, JIM, LEER, NAAN, NAB, NBA and NEA, NORA, ONIT, OSU, PINT, RIO, ROTE, SAC, SCI, SOSA and SOSO, SSE, TASE and TASS, YIN, YORE, ZOO. ------------------ For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. 
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Remaining clues -- Across: 6. Way out; 10. Baseball star in Senate steroid hearings; 15. Repetitive routine; 16. It may be pumped; 20. South American cruise stop; 22. ___ fly (run producer); 25. Catch red-handed; 27. Royal Navy drink of old; 32. Brian of ambient music; 35. Prefix with sphere; 36. Arthurian times, say; 41. Grizzlies’ org.; 44. Damage, so to speak; 46. Con man?; 47. Chaotic place; 51. “Don’t ___ me, bro!”; 53. Dark half of a Chinese circle; 54. G.P.S. heading; 59. Class with the periodic table on the wall, often: Abbr.; 66. “___ la Douce” (1963 film); 67. Fish-eating raptor; 69. Cold war propaganda disseminator; 70. Rink fake. Down: 1. Huck’s raft mate; 2. Bibliophile’s suffix; 3. Sort; 4. Loung lizard’s look; 6. Works in a gallery; 7. Snow structure; 8. Yours, in Tours; 12. Eh; 13. Work without ___ (be daring); 29. Blood drive donation; 38. Tandoor-baked bread; 55. “Get ___!” (“Stop procrastinating!”); 56. “The Thin Man” detective; 57. Mayo’s land; 58. Dungeonlike; 60. Modern home of ancient Ur; 62. Alumna bio word; 63. Columbus sch.; 64. Teachers org.; 65. 1970s self-improvement program.
Eternal Scream by Josh Sommers
----------------- Tuesday, July 28, 2009 Puzzle by Tony Orbach, edited by Will Shortz Now you’re talking! This Tuesday crossword is filled with conversation. Going from the positive to the negative outlook, WITHOUT QUESTION (17A. “Sure thing”), IN ALL LIKELIHOOD (28A. “Chances are good”), MAYBE YES MAYBE NO (35A. “It could go either way”), NOT LOOKING SO HOT (43A. “Doubtful!”) and AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN (56A. “Forget it!”) are the main interrelated entries of this lively puzzle. MUM (1A. Tight-lipped) is not the word for the rest of the crossword either with entries including a GASP (8D. Shocked reaction); a MOAN (27D. Haunted house sound); WEPT (66A. Had a bawl); AYE (61D. Floor vote); 33A. “I AM I Said” (Neil Diamond hit); I DO (57D. Words said after “ … so help you God?“); MOI (10D. “You don’t mean ME?!“); 46A. “Movin’ ON UP” (The Jeffersons” theme); three entries clued as “Stat!”, e.g., PDQ, ASAP, NOW, all in all somewhat MOODY (65A. Apt to pout) and with a bit of IRE (64A. Ill temper).
MOTHRA (3D. Insect monster of Japanese film) stars among the crossword's creatures with a ROLE (26D. Thing to play) in the puzzle which include an AGT (9D. F.B.I. worker: Abbr.); AHAB (25D Melville’s obsessed captain); 6D. Amazon ANT (aggressive insect); an AWOL (36D. Whom an M.P. hunts); a COUPLE (54A. Counselor’s clients, perhaps) and the 34A. DALAI Lama; EARL (19D. Banjoist Scruggs); FONDA (14A. Jane of “Monster-in-Law”); HIPPIE (47D. Cheech or Chong persona); KENNY (45D. “South Park” boy); LORI (22A. Loughlin of “90210”); MOWGLI (1D. “The Jungle Book” hero); NEO (58D. Keanu’s “The Matrix” role); OGLERS (48D. Gawking sorts); the ever-present ONO (13A. Lennon’s second wife); SON (12D. Sequel title starter, sometimes); TSAR (23A. Bygone despot); and the YETI (37D. Hulking Himalayan of legend).
Other -- AGOGO (16A. Disco-era suffix); AURAE (15D. Surrounding glows); GAMES (8A. Seven-up and crazy eights); G SHARP (20A. Note in an E major scale); IDEAL (62A. Perfect) and IDYLS (31D. Pastoral poems); LIE TO (29D. More than deceive); SKI SUIT (24D. Attire on the slopes); SWEET (41A. Like dessert wines); UNISON (2D. Oneness); YOYOS (63A. Fluctuates wildly). Short stuff -- AFOR, AIG and AIM and ARM, BELT, CHOP, DIO (32D. God, in Roma); EGO, EST, HAIL, LAY, LIT, MSN, MTNS, NIGH, OAST and OSSO, RAP, SETS, SOUP, TAD, TIME, UGLY, USN, UTIL. Finally, there’s THE NET (49D. Where one might see “OMG” or TTYL”) -- I knew OMG, but not the “talk/type/talk to you later” abbreviation, so… From TokyoMonster.com, TTYL!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 21. Word before sheet or music; 25. Outfielder’s asset; 42. Water co., e.g.; 50. Turned on; 51. Studio constructions; 52. Close by; 53. Gitmo mil. Branch; 67. Ballpark fig. Down: 4. Get an ___ effort; 5. Borscht, e.g.; 11. Self-esteem; 18. Precipitation that may be the size of golf balls; 23. The so-called fourth dimension; 30. Put down; 35. AOL alternative; 38. Asteroid area, e.g.; 39. Range units: Abbr.; 40. Bailed-out co. in the news; 44. ___ buco; 53. Hideous; 54. Dojo blow; 55. Brewery dryer; 56. Deadeye’s skill; 59. Wee bit.
The Lantern Bearers, Maxfield Parrish ----------------- Monday, July 27, 2009 Puzzle by Allan E. Parrish, edited by Will Shortz PUBLISH OR PERISH (17A. College professor’s mantra), MAXFIELD PARRISH (38A. Highly collectible illustrator), any relation?, and LOUISIANA PARISH (59A. Lafayette or Orleans) cannot help but call attention to the surname of the constructor of this crossword -- deliberate? Perish the thought! Pairs? AWOLS (7D. Mil. Truants) and RENEGADE (41D. Deserter); DAIQUIRI (5D. Rum and lime juice drink) and SUNDAE (18D. Dairy Queen order); AUNT (56D. See 39-Down) and FRITZI (39D. Nancy’s 56-Down in the comics) or ELLER (4D. Aunt from “Oklahoma!”); MAP (1D. Atlas page) and RTE (34A. G.P.S. offering: Abbr.) and/or I’M LOST (29D. “Please help me with directions”) -- any others? Other mid-size entries-- AGE GAP (40D. Feature of a May-December romance); ARSENIC (30A. As, chemically); CASPAR (26D. One of the Wise Men); CO-HOST (33D. Matt Lauer or Meredith Vieira for “Today”); ENRICH (47D. Fortify with vitamins, e.g.); FORMER (22D. Previous); FUN RUN (22A. 2K race, e.g.); GET SET (52A. Gird oneself); GLAZER (54A. Finisher of pottery or cakes); INSOLE (32D. Cushiony part of a shoe); NO EXIT (24D. 1944 Jean-Paul Sartre play); NOISES (31D. Boom, zoom and vroom); PRANKS (21A. Short-sheeting a bed, TP’ing a house, etc.); RATED R (19D. Deemed not suitable for kids); 46D. REESES Peanut Butter Cups; RETIRES (45A. Hit’s the hay); ); STERNS (10D. Backs of boats); TIPPER (9D. One leaving cash on the table?); UNTAMED (23D. Wild).
Five-letter -- ACELA (14A. High-speed train); AWAIT (15A. Stand in a queue for, say); DREAR (66A. Dull, in poetry); EARLS (69A. English nobles); ECLAT (65A. Dazzling effect); EQUAL (20A. Splenda rival); HAFTS (6A. Sword handles); HUNAN (51D. Style of Chinese cuisine); MIRED (1A. Bogged down); 43A. OSAGE orange; RAMPS (35A. Highway entrances and exits, typically); SCENT (25A. Bloodhound’s trail); SHINE (68A. What light bulbs and bootblacks do); TENTH (50A. Penny vis-à-vis a dime); 57A. USAGE note (dictionary bit); 53D. TERRA incognita. Short stuff -- ALI, BET, CHIN, CRO, 37A. “First, DO NO harm” (medical axiom), ELS, EMIR, FAR, GLIB, HIC, HRS, ICU, IDI, IER, INN, LONE, OCHS (13D. Adolph who was chief of The New York Times from 1896 to 1935), speaking of publish or perish, and then there's oh no, not again ONO, PDS, REB and REN, RISK, SAL, SATE, SOO. Oh, and HA HA (6D. LOL, out loud)!
----------------- For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. 
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Remaining clues -- Across: 11. ___-Magnon man; 16. Drink with Grabbin’ Grape and Smashin’ Wild Berry flavors; 27. Yoko of “Double Fantasy”; 28. Uganda’s ___ Amin; 42. Kuwaiti chief; 44. The upper Midwest’s ___ Canals; 48. Stimpy’s cartoon pal; 49. Ernie of golf fame; 57. ___ note (dictionary bit); 64. Bed-and-breakfast; 67. “Wanna ___?”. Down: 2. Critical hosp. area; 3. Yank’s foe in the Civil War; 8. Distant; 11. It might be cut by an uppercut; 12. Jeopardy; 36. They have precincts: Abbr.; 54. Fast-talking; 55. Unaccompanied; 58. Completely fill; 60. Rope-a-dope boxer; 61. Suffix with ash; 62. “My gal” of song; 63. 60-min. periods.
The Parting of Abelard and Heloise, 1775, Angelica Kauffmann
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Sunday, July 26, 2009
PUNS AND ANAGRAMS, Puzzle by Mel Taub, edited by Will Shortz
Across: 1. He could be in a class or clash, SCHOLAR; 8. Perfect announcement at a card table, IDEAL; 13. Eagerest for some ship accommodations, STEERAGE; 14. Sounds like an unfeeling diva, CALLAS; 16. Like an airplane stored with hand gear, HANGARED; 17. When to shoot, after “Ready, aim …”, ON FIRE; 18. Be there at telephone company demise, ATTEND; 19. I hear she’s a complainer, MONA; 21. Billy said it to his mother, MAA; 22. Mother of PURL (inventor of knitting); 23. Things with which a person hears, mostly, EARS; 24. Car TOMB (where to bury an auto in Sudan); 25. 243 years, perhaps, ERA; 26. Source of groan in the jungle, ORANG; 28. Cousin of Irene, ERNIE; 29. Overwhelms in duels, e.g., DELUGES; 31. Blended in dear old Yale, ALLOYED; 33. In which t’ carry things t’ Charles, TRAY; 34. Nab in L.A., NAIL; 35. Tried 2000 test, MIDTERM; 38. Form of worship in 1552? So? IDOLISM; 42. Sign of raise, ARIES; 43. Seats, to a theater or stadium, ASSET; 45. Kind of thing, SEE; 46. Noise from boarder with no bed, ROAR; 47. Like a proper girl in Rhode Island in the evening, PRIM; 48. Time it seemingly takes when one’s waiting in line, EONS; 49. End for end, ING; 50. Force Alaska inside Maine, MAKE; 51. Stately home, say, of Athena, PALLAS; 53. Governor Manning has a part in “Psycho”, NORMAN; 55. Like 50 Seattle stars, STELLATE; 57. Unlike bare L.A. field, ARABLE; 58. What emitters of shrieks were surprised to discover, TERMITES; 59. Communication that travels a mile in a split second, EMAIL; 60. I.e., a lass who’s an outlaw may have several of these, ALIASES.
Down: 1. Astuter level of attainment, STATURE; 2. Middle of a decent rally, CENTRAL; 3. Haig’ll speak to a German philosopher, HEGEL; 4. Where Nora hails from, ORAN; 5. Follower of Abe, LARD; 6. Time for a certain brand of appliance, AGE; 7. Mr. Dean of the Algonquin, REDMAN; 8. Images on coins, ICONS; 9. Who ended ban?, DANA; 109. Little fellow without owl, ELF; 11. Monthly payment from oil man? Why?, ALIMONY; 12. Where to send air male, LARAMIE; 13. Molded head: Sp., SHAPED; 15. What pollution will debase, SEABED; 20. Living being that arms go in, ORGANISM; 23. German version of a fast buck, once, EASY MARK; 24. Comptroller showing folklore figure, TROLL; 26. What horror movie goers see, OGRES; 27. Dreary, at heart, REAR; 28. He used to lie, poetically, ELIOT; 30. Out-and-out, say, UTTER; 32. Put a great deal of stuff on board, LADE; 35. Unlikely place to find an airman, MARINA; 36. Nothing Renoir dug up, IRON ORE; 37. Figure of a maid: Gr., DIAGRAM; 39. Keep from getting close to Elias, ISOLATE; 40. Where lawmakers are as tense, SENATES; 41. 1,000 S’s in disarray, MESSES; 44. Period when everyone eats, si? No!, SIESTA; 47. Group that may give a railway a bad review, PANEL; 48. E. 50s is where you’ll find him, ELLIS; 50. Where Liam paid in francs, MALI; 51. Ripe fairy in Persian myth, PERI; 52. She’s in Alabama surroundings, ALMA; 54. What a random banker holds, MBA; Let up, TEL. One more..
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Medieval engraving of the Knights of the Round Table
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Sunday, July 26, 2009
STORY CIRCLE, Puzzle by Kevin G. Der, edited by Will Shortz
KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE (14D. With 76-Down, 1953 Ava Gardner film … as depicted elsewhere in this puzzle?) and SIR squeezed into five of the puzzle's squares in a loose circle with no particular centerpiece is this crossword’s conceit, along with the interrelated entries of EXCALIBUR (2D. 1981 film in which Helen Mirren plays a sorceress), A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHURS COURT (4D. With 12-Down, 1889 Twain novel), MIST OF AVALON (71D. 2001 Anjelica Huston miniseries, with “The”), SWORD IN THE STONE (137A. 1963 animated film with the song “Higitus Figitus,“ with “The”) and QUEST FOR CAMELOT (143A. 1998 animated film featuring the voice of Pierce Brosnan). The puzzle does not have circles in the Magazine.
The entries containing SIR -- Across: 38. [SIR]ES (Fathers); 40. AE[SIR] (Norse pantheon); 72. [SIR]IUS (Part of Canis Major); 73. YES[SIR] (Boot camp affirmative); 101. DE[SIR]ED (101A. Popular. Down: 18. PUMP[SIR]ON (Does some heavy lifting); 19. FIRE[SIR]EN (Red alert?); 72. [SIR]LOINS (72D. Some steaks); 74. [SIR]OCCOS (Hot desert winds); 88. YA[SIR] (Chairman Arafat).
The remainder of the crossword is lavished with a nerve-racking compilation of bits and pieces, fragments, abbreviations, nonsense and other gruesome and grueling fill! -- ACE, ADA, ARI, AYN, BIZ, CAL and CAS and GAS, DOS, ESS, EVA and EVE, FGS, HRS, ICS, IRR, LAN, LEE, LST, NAH and NAG, NHL, NSA, OAR, ORU, RAH, REN, SAX, SNO and SON, TAT, TEC, THO, YAO and YON.
More? -- ANNI, AURA, CERA, COMA, DEFT, DORM, EARS, ESAI, ETCH, FLOR, FOES, IFFY and ILLE, INRE, IONO, ISAO and IPSO, JAVA, KNOB, LABS, LRON, MERC and MESH, NANS, NILS and NIPS, NANS, ODON, ORSO, PODS, ROTC, SINO, SQIN, STEM, STYE, UGLI, VOUS. Five-letter -- ADIEU, ANGIE, AOLER, AUFEU, CHAIN, CHICO, DISKS, DOESA, ENCYC, ENRON, ERICA, EXIST, FLYIN, FRIAR, INGOT, KOMBU, LEDGE, LOFAT, MEDAL, NEALS, NISAN, NOTIF, OPTIN, DISKS, CHAIN, OCEAN, OLMOS, REHEM, RHINE, SABOT, STOCK, SYNOD, TITAN, TVSET, ULTRA, UVULA, VIDEO, VIXEN, YEANS. Other longer entries -- BAR LINES (58A. Additions to a musical staff); BEATIFIC (62A. Blissful); GUIDE RAIL (24A. Stabilizing track); SAID HELLO (65A. Expressed a welcome); UP TO SNUFF (17A. Satisfactory). Mid-size -- AGEISM (110D. AARP concern)); AMEN-RA 78D. Supreme Egyptian deity); AM I LATE (120A. “Did you start without me?”); ASHCAN (123D. Antisub weapon); BRANDT (108D. 1971 Peace Nobelist from Germany); CASSIO (47D. One of Iago’s victims); DARIAS (3D. Onetime MTV animated title character and others); DOG STAR (41A. Another name for 72-Across); EJECTS (118D. Gives the heave-ho); ENAMEL (118A. Crown covering); ENVYING (87A. Green-eyed); ESCROW (23A. Place in trust); 124A. Rachmaninoff’s “ETUDES-tableau”; EYRIES (125D. Cliff homes: Var.); IGNORE (121D. Not pick up); KAISERS (35A.Bygone leaders); KEITHS (69D. Conductor Lockhart and others); LATRIA (122D. Highest worship in Catholicism); LEONORA (117D. Heroine in Verdi’s “Il Trovatore”); 29D. NADINE Gordimer, Literature Nobelist; NAVAHO (119D. Arizona native); NUANCE (10D. Subtlety); ONE NIL (21A. Low soccer score); ON SITE (27D. Kind of inspection); OTIOSE (6D. Slothful); OX CART (70D. Rustic transport); REVEAL (77D. Magic trick’s climax); RIBOSE (51D. Five-carbon sugar); SEEN AS (13D. Perceived to be); SEIZES (126D. Takes by force); SKEINS (25A. Weaver’s supply); SLOW-UPS (114D. Delays); TEXACO (16A. Sky Chief company). So much for CAMELOT! ------------------ For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Do well in the Olympics; 6. Choose to take part; 11. Modern storage sites; 26. Word with mail or letter; 27. Actor Edward James ___; 28. 2001 headline maker; 30. It’s worth its weight in gold; 31. PC linkup; 32. Tweaks; 33. Michael of “Juno” and Superbad”; 34. “Ixnay”; 45. Center; 46. A Marx brother; 48. Thither; 50. Longtime Susan Lucci role; 52. ___-Caps (candy); 53. Tulsa sch.; 54. Largest moon of Saturn; 55. Subject of a tipster’s tip; 56. Joe Montana or Jerry Rice, informally; 57. Windsor’s home: Abbr.; 60. ___ but when; 64. Crackerjack; 68. Org. with spring playoffs; 69. Dried seaweed popular in Japanese cuisine; 75. Fanatic; 79. Be more than a dream; 80. Lite; 82. Clip, e.g.; 83. Bring up, perhaps; 84. Suffix with magnet; 85. 7’6” Ming; 89. ___ in Charlie; 91. Wall-E’s love in “Wall-E”; 92. One side of an exchange; 93. It may be bid; 95. Big band instrument; 96. It comes in volumes: Abbr.; 98. Cartoon pooch; 99. Slugger’s stat; 100. Tandoor flatbreads; 103. Prefix with sphere; 104. Galley figure; 105. Bones may be found in it; 107. Cousin of a clog; 109. Oscar winner Patricia and others; 111. It’s found near the tongue; 113. Achilles and Hector; 115. Clothes rack abbr.; 116. Gridiron scores: Abbr.; 117. Scientologist ___ Hubbard; 127. Island where Sundanese and Madurese are spoken; 128. Take too much of briefly; 131. Windbag’s output; 132. Golfer Aoki; 135. Certain infection; 136. Operatic heroine wooed by Beckmesser; 141. ___ Gold, character of “Entourage”; 142. Stanford’s Big Game rival; 144. Hollywood, with “the”; 145. Notwithstanding that, for short; 146. ___ jure (legal tem); 147. “The Canterbury Tales” traveler; 148. Gun for hire; 149. Loser at Gettysburg; 150. Heir, perhaps; 151. Org. in Clancy’s “Red Storm Rising”; 152. Gives birth to a kid; 153. Bit of cheer; 154. Road twist. Down: 1. Work together; 5. Weathercast figure; 7. Underwater families; 8. Japanese market: Abbr.; 9. Memo header; 11. Things first on the way up?; 15. ___-Japanese; 16. Gumshoe; 17. Relative of a grapefruit; 20. Bilbao bloom; 22. W.W. II vessel; 35. Aid in finding a station; 36. Magical glow; 37. River that flows past more than 40 castles; 39. Bishop’s group; 40. 1973 Rolling Stones #1 hit; 42. Davy Jones’s locker; 43. Years in old Rome; 44. Drilling grp.; 49. Words of commitment; 59. Culture areas?; 60. Passover month; 61. Arrive by air; 63. “Winnie ___ Pu”; 66. Pot-___ (French stew); 67. Overhang; 81. Soap box?; 82. One of Santa’s reindeer; 86. Drilling grp.; 90. ___ Rand, developer of Objectivism; 94. Lou’s “La Bamba” co-star; 101. Temple structure?; 102. Quick; 106. Result of going out?; 112. “Parlez-___ francais?’ 129. ___ number on; 130. About; 133. What an inflectional ending is added to; 134. Certain netizen; 137. Area meas.; 138. Up in the air; 139. Canal sites; 140. Emulate some of Goya’s work.
Carpe Diem, Copyright © Marleen Provençal
----------------- Saturday, July 25, 2009 Puzzle by Victor Fleming, edited by Will Shortz Plenty of long entries in this Saturday crossword -- Coming in at 15 letters are COMING INTO FOCUS (7D. Losing the fuzz?), ELECTRICAL STORM (60A. Meteorological shocker?), PROPOSE MARRIAGE (17A. Inquire about a union contract?) and VESTED INTERESTS (39A. They benefit personally)…
Ten- and eleven-letter entries include DISTRESSED (65A. Hardly happy); INCUMBENTS (5A. They’re in seats); NEOREALISM (16A. Philosophy of Montague or Santayana), a philosophy developed chiefly by 20th-century American philosophers, including Montague and Santayana, characterized by a presentationist epistemology and by the assertion of the real status of universals; NOM DE PLUME (63A. Something often written under); NUMISMATIST (35A. Quarter master?); and also, EMPIRE STATE (41A. East Coast sobriquet) with its clue-mate ROSE (43A. One symbol of the 41-Across).
Mid-size entries -- APPEAR (4D. Be published); AREOLAS (38D. Biological interstices), OFTENER (18D. Not so rarely), come on now!, no one says anything else except “more often“ --don't even try!, RELATE (22A. Connect), SOUTER (45D. Brennan’s successor on the Supreme Court) and SLOPPY (50A. Kind of joe) with its clue-mate DECAF (46A. Certain joe). Just this past Wednesday, a SLOPPY JOE puzzle appeared -- well, the puzzle wasn’t sloppy, just the JOEs were jumbled… HERE.
Five-letter -- AARON (57A. Father of Eleazar, in the Bible); 19A. Roman ACLEF; ARILS (49D. Edible pomegranate parts); AT PAR (1D. For what it’s worth); AURAE (59A. Psychics claim to see them); 10A. St. BARTS (Caribbean hot spot); CARPE (48D. Seize, in a saying); EATER (47D. One working on the side?); ETUDE (23D. Something to practice); FARCE (2D. Play genre); MERCI (9D. Word of politesse); METES (37D. Dishes [out]); NOISE (24A. Crash accompanier); OREOS (44A. Filled treats); PARMA (52D. Province next to Piacenza); PROMO (51D. Many an ad); RETAG (26A. Alter in a clothing store?); TINCT (20A. Color faintly); TROLL (3D. Sing the parts of in succession); URANO (8D. Heavens: Prefix); YEMEN (53D. Mocha setting).
Short stuff -- AFTA (1A. Brand seen near razors) and its clue-mate NEET (6D. Brand seen near razors, once), AMIS, ASTA (30D. Hairy clue-sniffer), BEG, BEND, CAB, CDT, ELI and ELOI, EMME, ESTE, GEMS, INS, LED, NAME and NEMO, NIAS, NTSB, ONT, OVER, ROAN, SMEE, STAR, SWAN (28A. Trumpeter with a prominent neck), TARP, TIED, TSGT and TSPS, WISC (29D. Superior setting: Abbr.). ------------------ For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. 
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Remaining clues -- Across: 15. Cover-up during a shower; 21. One may be prayed to: Abbr.; 32. Home to Stratford: Abbr.; 42. Crane component; 54. Seek change?; 64. Model Melissa Aronson, familiarly; 66. Relative of a chestnut. Down: 5. It’ll cover you: Abbr.; 11. “My God!,” as cried by King David; 12. Actress Long and others; 13. U.S.A.F. NCO; 14. Hook go-with?; 25. Cit near Padua; 27. “London Fields” novelist, 1989; 31. It may delve into a derailment: Abbr.; 32. Supervising; 33. Seaman whose last word were “God and my country!”; 34. Some are level: Abbr.; 36. Kindergarten “grade”; 40. Even; 54. Rive feature; 55. Wellsian race; 56. Beauties; 58. It may be dropped; 61. Spring setting in Chi-Town; 62. Had the edge.
Self Portrait (The Desperate Man) 1844, Gustave Courbet
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Friday, July 24, 2009
Puzzle by Patrick Berry, edited by Will Shortz
T.G.I.F.! -- nearly a dozen never-before entries and slew of clues of no clue!
Across: 1. It doesn’t exist, NO SUCH THING; 12. Find fault with, COMPLAIN ABOUT; 14. A soldier’s gear, for example, GOVERNMENT ISSUE; 16. AMELIA Bloomer after whom bloomers are named; 17. Raison D’ETRE; 18. Rent to another, RELET; 19. Toy from China, PEKE; 23. “Young DAN’L Boone” (short-lived 1970s TV series); 24. You might grind it out, BUTT; 25. Fast hits, LINE DRIVES; 27. With 5-Down, snooping aid, CAM; 28. Discussed at length, HASHED OVER; 29. Musical direction that means “lyrical” in Italian, CANTABILE; 30. Actor who debuted in “Kung Fu: The Movie”, BRANDON LEE; 32. Snooping aid, TAP; 35. Activities at punk rock concerts, SLAM DANCES; 36. “Gotta run!”, TATA; 37. High bark, YELP; 38. End USER; 39. Foolish, in British slang, BARMY; 40. Fruit salad ingredient, MELON; 42. Folk singer Tom PAXTON with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; 43. It gets you up and around, SPIRAL STAIRCASE; 48. Words from one who won’t settle, SEE YOU IN COURT; 49. People in a line DESCENDANTS.
Down: 1. Whim-wham, NOVELTY; 2. It might contain a filling, OMELET; 3. Diagonally set spar, SPRIT; 4. Bone involved in pronation, ULNA. 5. See 27-Across, CAM; 6. Move quickly, HIE; 7. Spike’s former name, TNN; 8. Ring contents, maybe, HAT; 9. Bibliog. Equivalent of “ditto”, IBID; 10. Calamitous decline, NOSE DIVE; 11. French painter GUSTAVE Courbet; 12. Arise, COME UP; 13. Pulitzer-winning historian Frederick Jackson TURNER; 14. Outfits, GARBS; 15. Fish that can move equally well forward and backward, EELS; 19. Team whose home arena is the Palace of Auburn Hills, PISTONS; 20. Better, ENHANCE; 21. Company with a tree in its logo, KEEBLER; 22. Fluid dynamics phenomena, EDDIES; 25. Convertible carriage, LANDAU; 26. It’s assumed, ROLE; 28. Bit of assistance, HAND; 29. Local or regional Boy Scout gathering, CAMPOREE; 30. Nullifies, as an oath?, BLEEPS; 31. Made a comeback, RALLIED; 32. Medieval conquerors, TARTARS; 33. Maximally, AT MOST; 34. Max PAYNE of video game fame; 35. “SYMS by Sinatra” (1982 collaborative jazz album); 36. Reaganomics recommendation, TAX CUT; 39. One addressed as “lord”, BARON; 41. Parliamentary faction, NAYS; 44. Ad LOC (at the place: Abbr.); 45. Good name for a trial lawyer, SUE; 46. Ingredient in Delftware glazing, TIN; 47. “What next?”, AND…
Voilà!
-----------------
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Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
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funnydogsite.com
------------------ Thursday, July 23, 2009 Puzzle by Gary & Stephen Kennedy, edited by Will Shortz WHO LET THE DOGS OUT (7D. Hit song from 2000 … and a hint to 10 symmetrically arranged Across answers) and the imaginary entries of hotdog, Devil Dog, alpha dog, dog-ear, dog tag, dog catcher, dog breeder, lucky dog, salty dog, dog-eat-dog via the omission of DOG in the entries of HOT (1. Show-off); DEVIL (9. U.S. Marine); ALPHA (15. Leader of the pack); CATCHER (34. Animal control officer); EAR (36. Folded corner); TAG (46. G.I.’s ID); BREEDER (47. Person who raises and sells pups); LUCKY (70. One falling into good fortune); SALTY (72. Old sailor); EAT (74. Cutthroat). All very shaggy! Two sets of cross-referenced entries, MADE IN / USSR (4D. With “the” and 32-Across, describing an old Matryoshka doll) and POR / EJEMPLO (37D. With 48-Down, for example, south of the border) are the next longest entries, followed by five of seven -- CAVE ART (34D. Lascaux paintings, e.g.); KASHMIR (23D. K2 locale); REGALES (56A. Entertains); SATIRIC (8D. Mocking, in a way); VISCERA (25A. Innards).
Six-letter -- EXACTA (51D. Firs-and-second bet); INURES (12D. Habituates); LESSER (13D. Inferior); MAGLEV (20A. Bullet train type); MENTAL (52D. A little nuts); MODEL A (38A. 1927-31 Ford); OPEN UP (60A. Cry that may accompany pounding); 42A. Alexander PETROV, Russian who popularized a chess opening; SAMOAS (50D. Some Girl Scout cookies); VIXENS (11D. She-foxes); ZEPHYR (54D. Feature of a pleasant summer day). Five -- AT ALL (69A. One bit); DEPOT (18A. End of the line, e.g.); ELEVS (5D. Hgts.); LEXUS (19A. Auto debut of 1989); LOCKE (57D. “Two Treatises of Government” writer); MEOWS (4A. Manx cries); OCTAL (64A. Using base8); OTTER (73A. Animal in a lodge); OVINE (16A. Like some flocks); POACH (55A. Steal); SIT-IN (28A. Certain occupation); ZONED (54A. Plotted for urban uses).
Short stuff -- ACT and ALT, AGED, Get A JOB, ALLY, ANA, ATMS, AXES, COAT, DOLE, ERIN, EON and ETON, ERS, EVE, HARM, Dies IRAE, KNEE, KURD, LAME, LIKE, LVII, MAN, NOSE, OLE Miss, ONEA, OPP, OTIS (31A. Milo‘s canine pal), PATH, PELT, RBIS, REBA, REN (17A. Neurotic cartoon character), ROME and ROSE, SEMI, SNL, STEP, TANG, TORT, TROI, ULNA. Who let the dogs out?!…HERE!!!
------------------ For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. 
Click on image to enlarge. Puzzle available on the internet at THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
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Remaining clues -- Across: 14. “Wheel of Fortune” purchase; 22. Go for; 24. Hosp. locations; 27. Common sports injury site; 33. “Star Trek” empath; 37. Trail; 44. Hibernia; 49. City containing a country; 50. Big rig; 55. Cans; 58. “Holy moly!”; 59. 20 places?; 71. NBC-TV inits. Down: 1. Damage; 2. Ready to serve; 3. Kraft Foods drink; 6. Antonym: Abbr.; 9. Loser to Clinton; 10. The 31st vis-à-vis the 1st, e.g.; 21. Super Bowl of 2023; 26. Mac, e.g.; 27. Many a Kirkuk resident; 28. Dance bit; 30. Injury, in law; 35. Long, long time; 39. Cornwallis’s school; 40. Pricey fabric; 41. Yellowing, maybe; 43. Parts of box scores: Abbr.; 45. Sitcom with the character B.J.; 49. Shot up; 61. It has two holes; 62. Arms runner?; 63. Stone, e.g.; 65. PC key; 67. Not delay.
Click on image to enlarge. Puzzle available on the internet at THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games 
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