“We just want to go home.” -- Alien, “District 9” ----------------- Monday, August 31, 2009 Puzzle by Fred Piscop, edited by Will Shortz FOUR-MINUTE MILER (17A. Roger Bannister was the first), FOR OLD TIME’S SAKE (35A. How something may be done, nostalgically) and FORE AND AFT SAILS (54A. Features of yawls or ketches) are the interrelated group of this fine Monday crossword. Mid-size entries include CLIENTS (24A. Agents’ customers), DESPITE (45A. Regardless of), HAREMS (26A. Women’s quarters, in sultans homes), LAMINA (36D. Thin layer), LASSOS (44D. Rodeo ropes), MOIRES (19D. Fabrics with wavy patterns), PLAINS (43A. Area west of the Mississippi), SLIVER (10D. Tiny slice of pie), SPEEDS (42D. Risks being caught in a radar trap), WAMPUM (5D. Indian beads used as money).
Five-letter entries -- ALIEN (49A. Visitor in “District 9”), ANNOY (6D. Really bother), AROSE (40A. Heeded the alarm), CHIME (24D. Doorbell), DAFOE (45D. Willem of Spider-Man movies), ELOPE (46D. Run off to the justice of the peace), EVENT (12D. Long jump or 100-meter dash), O’HARA (14A. Tara’s Scarlett), ORLON (60A. Fabric introduced by DuPont), OVINE (22A. Sheeplike), PALIN (11D. Politico Sarah), REFER (48D. Direct, as for information), SCREW (1A. Fastener that may have a Phillips head), 31A. “Rise and SHINE!”, SIREN (47D. Patrol car wailer), SKEET (63A. Sport with shotguns), SMART (42A. Mensa-eligible), STORE (31D. Part of a mall), WARES (13D. Peddlers peddle them), WHIRR (29A. Fan sound) and WHIST (29D. Predecessor of bridge). Short stuff -- AIRE, AKIN, ALSO, AOL, ARK, AVOW, BAG, BARI, CHOO, DECO, DIE, DRAT, DULY, EENS, ERR, EVAC, GEMS, HEFT, ILLS, ISNT, LAVA and SPEW, LINE, LOUD, NAP, NOON, ONE, OPED, PEAS and PEAT, PEER, PILE, PLOD, PRIM, PSI, RARA, RAUL, REAM, SLOE, SOFA, SOT, SPAM, TWA. ----------------- 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
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery.
Remaining clues -- Across: 6. “One more thing …”; 10. Eject, as 16-Across; 15. Factory whistle time; 16. Material from a volcano; 20. “You’ve got mail” co.; 21. Trudge (along); 23. In the proper manner; 30. Emergency removal of people, for short; 32. “Paper or plastic?” item; 39. Old competitor of Pan Am; 41. ___ and proper; 48. 500 sheets; 50. Little vegetables that roll; 51. Pitchfork-shaped Greek letter; 58. Essayist’s newspaper piece; 59. Suffix with billion; 61 Poetic nights; 62. Use a spyglass. Down: 1. Couch; 2. Part of a sneeze after “ah-ah-ah …”; 3. Fidel Castro’s brother; 4. “To ___ is human …”; 7. Ear-busting; 8. Drunkard; 9. Marine ___ (presidential helicopter); 18. Woes; 23. Art ___ (1920s-’30s style); 25. Queue; 26. Test the weight of; 27. Swear to; 28. ___ avis; 32. Italian port on the Adriatic; 33. Closely related; 34. Rubies, emeralds, etc.; 37. “Dang!”; 38. E-mail often caught in filters; 43. Bog fuel; 50. Whittle down; 51. Heap; 52. ___ gin fizz; 53. “Money ___ everything!”; 55. 40 winks; 56. Expire; 57. Noah’s vessel.
Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, August 28,2005, NASA ----------------- Sunday, August 30, 2009 ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz
This Sunday’s acrostic quotation is from “Domestic Manners of the Americans” by Fanny Trollope, published in 1832, described by Amazon.com: “When Fanny Trollope set sail for America in 1827 with hopes of joining a Utopian community of emancipated slaves, she took with her three of her children and a young French artist, leaving behind her son Anthony, growing debts, and a husband going slowly mad from mercury poisoning. But what followed was a tragicomedy of illness, scandal, and failed business ventures. Nevertheless, on her return to England, Fanny turned her misfortunes into a remarkable book. A masterpiece of nineteenth-century travel-writing, "Domestic Manners of the Americans" is a vivid and hugely witty satirical account of a nation and was a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The quotation: THE LAND IS DEFENDED FROM THE RIVER BY A LEVEE WITHOUT WHICH THE DWELLINGS WOULD SPEEDILY DISAPPEAR I COULD NOT HELP FANCYING NATURE WOULD SOME DAY TAKE THE MATTER INTO HER OWN HANDS AND IF SO FAREWELL TO NEW ORLEANS The author’s name and the title of the work: F TROLLOPE DOMESTIC MANNERS
The defined words: A. Exemplar of superfluity (2 wds.), FIFTH WHEEL; B. One unlikely to foot the bill, TIGHTWAD; C. Flavoring for Turkish delight (2 wds.), ROSE WATER; D. Tending to stay in line, OBEDIENT; E. Target of a late-night raid?, LEFTOVER; F. Game banned in the U.S. in 1988 (2 wds.), LAWN DARTS; G. Farther along in time or place, ONWARD; H. Protection from some harmful rays, PARASOL; I. One of the Waughs, or his first wife, EVELYN; J. “Annus Mirabilis” poet, DRYDEN; K. Confessed, admitted (2 wds.), OWNED UP; L. Stonehenge constituent, MEGALITH; M. Knockout, looker, hunk, babe, EYEFUL; N. Grant recipient’s regular allotment, STIPEND; O. Rock opera pioneers (2 wds.), THE WHO; P. Spoken with varying pitch, INFLECTED; G. Topper for satay or samosas, CHUTNEY; R. Figure you might see in a mosque, MULLAH; S. Offer a friendly word of advice, ADMONISH; T. Erstwhile requirement at New York’s “21” Club, NECKTIE; U. Improvise in a casual way, NOODLE; V. Fanged snake like a cobra or krait, ELAPID; W. Region of reduced precipitation to the lee of high mountains (2 wds.), RAIN SHADOW; X. John McEnroe memoir “You Cannot Be SERIOUS”.
The unabridged quotation: At no one point was there an inch of what painters call a second distance; and for the length of one hundred and twenty miles, from the Balize to New Orleans, and one hundred miles above the town, the land is defended from the encroachments of the river by a high embankment which is called the Levee; without which the dwellings would speedily disappear, as the river is evidently higher than the banks would be without it. When we arrived, there had been constant rains, and of long continuance, and this appearance was, therefore, unusually striking, giving to “this great natural feature” the most unnatural appearance imaginable; and making evident, not only that many had been busy there, but that even the mightiest works of nature might be made to bear his impress; it recalled, literally, Swift’s mock heroic, “Nature must give way to art;” yet, she was looking so mighty, and so unsubdued all the time, that I could not help fancying she would some day take the matter into her own hands again, and if so, farewell to New Orleans. 
Click on image to enlarge. Puzzle available on the internet at THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery.
"Ida," the small "missing link", a 47-million-year-old fossil that suggests a critical missing-link species in primate evolution --National Geographic ----------------- Sunday, August 30, 2009 LITERALLY SO, Puzzle by Ashish Vengsarkar and Narayan Venkatasubramanyan, edited By Will Shortz The clues for the interrelated group of this Sunday puzzle are constituted by both the in-all-caps clues with missing letters and the missing letters sequentially -- for TAKE OUT OF CONTEXT (23. -IRC-S-ANCES, missing C-U-T. BLOODLESS REVOLUTION (36. ANTI--VERNMENT UN--ST), G-O-R-E; THE MISSING LINK (52. AR--CL-), T-I-E; DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS (70. P---ARY CARE PHY-ICIANS), R-I-M-S; SPARE NO EXPENSE (86. FI-TH-WH--L), F-E-E; EATS SHOOTS AND LEAVES (98. WHAT A -ANDA DOES IN -EIS-RELY FA-HION), P-L-U-S; LEMON DROP COOKIES (121. W--THL-SS R-AD-TER), O-R-E-O-S. I found the gimmick made for an irritating and clumsy solve, whether or not it might be considered clever. Other entries of length include ALEATORY (92D. Dependent on chance); DIES IRAE (29. Hymn whose second line is “Solvet saeclum in favilla”); ELLIS ISLAND (15D. National monument site since 1965); EUROAREA (78A. Currency union since 1999); LOMILOMI (107A. Hawaiian massage); TEAR STAINED (71D. Like the face after a good bawl); THOM MCAN (66A. Shoe brand reputedly named after a Scottish golfer); and YOU AND ME (5D. Us). Mid-size entries -- ADVICE (92A. Tips, e.g.); AGATHAS (27A. Mystery writers’ awards); ALPACAS (96D. Sources of fleece); ARTSALE (6D. Gallery event); ATLANTA (115A. Home of the N.H.L.’s Thrashers); BATEAU (14D. French river craft); BONITO (36D. Mackerellike fish); ENCORE (50A. It’s music to a musician’s ears); ENGINE (73D. It typically has lots of horses); GNARLED (56D. Knotted up); INASEC (59A. Soon); LACTIC (37D. Kind of acid); METHANE (53D. Dangerous buildup in a mine); RANKLE (10D. Stick in one’s craw); REACTS (74D. Isn’t inert); REROUTE (51D. Send another way); STRATI (79A. Low clouds); STOLEN (100D. Pirated); TONNES (101D. British weights). Five-letter -- ASPCA, EAGAN, ERASE, GELID, INALL, LITRE, MERCK, NEXUS, NICOL, OSCAR (126A. 8 ½-pound statue), ORAMA, ORRIN, RHOMB, ROOTS, SANER, SASSY, TONAL, YAPAT. Four -- ADAM, AFTA, AKIN, AMFM, ANTA, ARLO and ORAL, ASEA, AVIS and AVIV, DAZE, DIAG, EGGS and EKGS, ENDS, EROS, FINE, GAZA, GEAR, GOAD, IMAX, IMHO, INRE and INTR, IRAN, LEAK, LIDS, MAZE, MCXI, MEET, MERE, MONK, NANA and NINA, NLER, NONE, ODOR, OPED, OTIS, PERT, RAGA, ROSA, SLEE and SKED and SLED, SNAP, SOLD, SPAR, STOA, TACO, TERN and TERP, TPKE, XBOX. Three -- AKC, ANT, ASS, DEM, ETO, HST, ITI, IDA, LAI, MBA, MTN, NEA, ODS, OLA, OOH, OSO and OSU, OTB, OUI, PAO, PCS, RNA, SCH, SIR, SON, SSE and SST (30D. Bygone flier), TWA (64D. Bygone flier), XOO (105A. Tic-tac-toe loser). ------------------- 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
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery.
Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Singer Lambert, runner-up on the 2009 “American Idol”; 5. Talk to shrilly; 10. Four-sided figure; 15. Halloween purchase; 19. “___ by me”; 20. Slangy commercial suffix; 21. Shelter org.; 22. Scuba diver’s worry; 26. Be a couch potato; 28. Person with few possessions; 31. Breeze; 33. Pay stub?; 35. Ninny; 45. Urge; 46. Maker of Fosamax and Zocor; 47. Moscow’s home: Abbr.; 48. Covered walkway; 57. Size unit of an English soda bottle; 58. Like 11-Down: Abbr.; 59. Soon; 60. “Is ___?”; 61. Underground network; 77. Together; 78. PBS benefactor; 82. Stranded messenger?; 84. 1991 Tony winner Daisy; 93. Heart lines: Abbr.; 94. Where some people get tips: Abbr.; 95. Like the Vietnamese language; 97. Like some verbs: Abbr.; 104. Tiny tunneled; 108. Box lightly; 112. Met, for one; 120. Modern home of the biblical Elam; 124. Stun; 125. Take out; 127. Regarding; 128. Bob in the Olympics; 129. Connection; 130. Fresh; 131. Favorite baby sitter, maybe. Down: 1. Brut rival; 2. TV screen meas.; 3. “It’s Time to Cry” singer, 1959; 4. Hook up; 7. Kung ___ chicken; 8. Alternative to satellite; 9. Kind of shell; 11. Pres. When the C.I.A. was created; 12. Piece of a newspaper?; 13. 1,111; 16. Skis, boots, masks, etc.; 17. Mideast tinderbox; 18. ___-Ball; 24. Very; 25. “___ off?”; 32. Fresh; 34. Company name that becomes another company name if you move its first letter to the end; 38. Effluvium; 39. Principal location?: Abbr.; 40. TV exec’s concern; 41. Some E.R. cases; 42. Chou En-___; 43. ___ Chandler, longtime publisher of the Los Angeles Times: 44. All’s opposite; 45. Icy; 49. Dog breeders’ org.; 54. Preface online; 55. “Excalibur” star Williamson; 62. Senator Hatch; 63. Spanish bear; 65. Word often following yes or no; 67. Agreement abroad; 68. Atlas abbr.; 69. Wharton deg.; 72. A.C.C. athlete; 75. Less bananas; 79. Toledo-to-Columbus dir.; 80. N.J. or Pa. route; 81. Music in Mysore; 83. Architectural pier; 85. Tel ___; 87. Cry at a circus; 88. W.W. II arena; 89. Wii alternative; 90. Male delivery; 91. Some receivers; 99. NBC inits. Since 1975; 102. Cry after the rap of a hammer; 103. Man’s name that’s an anagram of 108-Down; 107. Caps; 108. Exam format; 109. Something to be threaded; 110. Pure; 111. Kind of screen; 113. Psyche’s love; 114 Sub ___ (confidentially); 116. Similar; 117. Ship that sailed “the ocean blue”; 118. Shore flier; 119. On the ocean; 122. The cowboys of the Big 12 Conference; 123. They may be cloned.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Puzzle by Doug Peterson, edited by Will Shortz
Four 15-letter across entries are the main feature of this superior Saturday stumper -- CELL PHONE TOWERS (17. Some coverage providers), INTIMATE APPAREL (15. Revealing pieces), SECURITY COUNCIL (49. Russia, China and France are in it) and SKATEBOARD TRICK (46. Something shown off on a half-pipe).
Eight eight-letter down entries follow: ATOMIZED (7. Like turbojet fuel); ELSINORE (14. “To be, or not to be” soliloquy setting); I GUESS SO (29. “Um … all right”); MAP MAKER (30. Creator of the stuff of legends?); PLUTARCH (32. “On the Malice of Herodotus” author); POPULACE (31. Hoi polloi); SERRATED (13. Like many leaves); URETHANE (12. Bowling ball material).
Seven-letter entries are led by MUSSINA (1A. 2001-08 Yankees pitcher with seven Gold Gloves). Hey!, I was at Mussina‘s final game at Yankee Stadium last year, his 19th win of that season; the following week, he reached his only 20-win season with the Yankees' 6-2 win over the Red Sox, then called it, his 18th season, the final one -- and vanished. Other entries of seven letters, IMPUTED (29A. Credited); J’ACCUSE (8A. Headline during the Dreyfus Affair); HONESTY (51A. It can be brutal); OREGANO (50A. Greek salad ingredient); PRECEDE (32A. Appear before).
Six -- CATHAY (34D. Old Silk Road destination); DESOTO (36D. Studebaker alternative); ELICIT (38D. Summon up); ENAMEL (16D. Coat in one’s mouth); GAOLER (33A. Worker in a big house near Big Ben); JAEGER (8D. Bullying seabird); MICMAC (1D. Algonquian language); PANICS (37D. Loses it); PLANER (28A. Carpentry machine); ST LUKE (3D. He wrote of the prodigal son); UNEASE (2D. Butterflies, say); WEAKLY (39D. Without conviction).
Five -- APTED (9D. “Nell” directed Michael); BORNE (42D. Shouldered); CLOCK (34A. What an antsy person might watch); CRACK (23D. Figure out); DAUNT (36A. Cow); DETER (25D. Check); DOZER (25A. Inattentive type); ELECT (26D. Awaiting induction); JEWEL (27A. Particularly prized possession) and JULES (27D. Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Feiffer); MAGES (19A. Conjurers); MAULS (18A. Heavy hitters); MIMED (22A. Acted out); ); MOWER (22D. It may be pushed or ridden); PRONE (28D. Back up?); 41D. SABIN vaccine; SASHA (44A. “Peter and the Wolf” bird) and SONIA (45A. “Peter and the Wolf” duck); SETTE (41A. Otto follows it); SILLS (4D. Sash supporters); UPPER (35A. Boot part).
Short stuff -- ASKS, BALE, CAW, CEE, CHAN, CPOS, DOO, EMUS, IMPS, NAH, PEW, SAL, SERA, STUN, TRI, TUG (47D. Harbor pusher).
------------------
For today’s cartoons, 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
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery.
Remaining clues -- Across: 20. City or state lead-in; 21. Puts it to; 23. “Keeper of the Keys” was the last novel he was featured in; 37. Hymnbook holder; 40. Some farm stock; 42. Straw unit; 43. Seasoning cristales. Down: 5. Hell-raisers; 6. “Ixnay”; 10. Coast Guard noncoms; 11. Field call; 44. Clinic supplies; 45. Overwhelm; 48. Ending with Sea or Ski.
43D. Shoulder inflammation? -- CAR FIRE ----------------- Friday, August 28, 2009 Puzzle by David Quarfoot, edited by Will Shortz 
FATAL ERROR (53A. A bug may cause it) and TOOK IT EASY (24A. Chilled) are this multifarious Friday crossword’s two long entries, clocking in at ten letters each. Variety and vitality continue with the ensuing nine-letter entries -- AIR CANADA (15A. Company with a maple leaf logo); ERIE CANAL (65A. Construction with many locks); FREE TIBET (1A. Rallying cry supported by some monks); PENNY LANE (67A. Where “all the people that come and go stop and say hello”); SIMPATICO (62A. Congenial); and THE GRUDGE (17A. 2004 horror film about a passed-on curse).
Seven-letter entries -- 45D. Legendary soprano ADELINA Patti; EDGE OUT (8D. Barely best); ERE LONG (3D. By and by); FATHEAD (1D. Dolt); ILIESCU (13D. Two-time president of Romania); RIHANNA (2D. One-named Grammy winner of 2007); SAFE SEX (39D. Transmission blocker?); SATIRIC (41D. Swiftly done?); SHA LA LA (40D. Title syllables in a hit 1964 song); TO A HAIR (12D. Right in every detail); USS COLE (47D. Destroyer in 2000 headlines); VAN DYKE (14D. Facial feature with a point); VATICAN (46D. Swiss Guards’ setting); and the best of the lot, CAR FIRE (43D. Shoulder inflammation?).
Six-letter -- ANODES (31D. Some poles); BAD DOG (7D. Rebuke to Bowser); CORSET (11D. One with staying power?); DA GAMA (30A. He sighted and named Natal on Christmas Day of 1497); DÉJÀ VU (44A. Literally, “already seen”); ELIDES (57A. Leaves out); JINXED (21`D. Under a whammy) and JOSHED (21A. Chaffed); SADIST (49D. Happily humiliating type); ZOOM IN (51D. Get close, maybe). Five-letter -- ABBOT (10D. Superior title?); ACT IV (10A. When Antony says “I am dying, Egypt, dying”); ANNEE (26A. A year abroad); BOOLA (16A. Part of a college cheery); BRAIN (18A. Major processing center); E-LIST (64A. High-tech subscription aid); INUIT (6D. Kayak propeller); LENTO (54D. Funeral march direction); RIPEN (55D. Soften, often); SARIN (61A. Lethal compound); SODAS (52A. Pops); XACTO (66A. Brand for hobbyists).
Short stuff -- AHAS, AJOB, BETS, DIAZ (50A. Princess Fiona’s voicer in “Shrek”); ECG, EMIR, ENOS, FOIL, GUNN, HAL (19A. Memorable 1968 movie villain), IDES, KNAR, LACY, LIC, REDA, ROTC (42A. Recruiting org.), RUE, SEAT, SEP, SSS (39A. Recruiting org.), TAE and TAL, TART (5D. Napoleon‘s cousin), [JKA], TAXI, TICK, TIDE and TINS. ------------------ 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
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery.
Remaining clues -- Across: 20. Geophysics topic; 22. Book of Mormon book; 28. Jazz-loving TV sleuth of the 1950s-60s; 29. Second indicator?; 32. Airport waiter?; 37. Hawthorne novel stigma; 48. Words teachers like to hear; 56. All of them may be off; 58. That’s a wrap; 60. Hunting req. Down: 4. Beat recorder: Abbr.; 9. Inventor’s inits.; 23. Bottom; 25. Wood blemish; 27. Kaffiyeh-clad commander; 33. 10/15, e.g.; 36. The cooler; 38. Do ___ on; 59. Like some clouds; 62. Third qtr. Ender; 63. “Qué ___?” (José’s “How’s it going?”).
Pyramid, The Louvre
----------------- Thursday, August 27, 2008 Puzzle by Derek Bowman, edited by Will Shortz Circled letters in seven rows of this crossword act as “clues” for seven clues: PATTERN, PATTER, PATER, PATE, PAT, PA, A. The entries for the corresponding clues are themselves clues -- DESIGN (52A. First row); SPIEL (51D. Second row); DAD (43D. Third or sixth row); HEAD (64A. Fourth row); DAB (4D. Fifth row); DAD (43D. Third or sixth row); ONE (61D. Seventh row). The resulting inverted word ladder (removing one letter at a time in descending order) may or may not be of assistance in the solve, but is a pleasant-enough gimmick. Entries of length include ANDROMEDA (33D. Gene Roddenberry-inspired sci-fi series); ASTAIRES (33A. Brother-a
nd-sister dancing duo); CRUELEST (44A. Most merciless); DECREASES (10D. Shrinks); IN EARNEST (11D. Passionately); LPGA TITLE (13A. With 14-Across, Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam have each won this several times); PEDESTAL (12D. Support for the arts?); STALE AIR (5D. Result of poor ventilation); STEEL GREY (34D Metallic shade, in Sheffield); TIPS OVER (37D. Upsets). Mid-size -- CREATE (25A. Bring into being); ERRANT (32A. Straying); OPENERS (27A. Intros); PRATTLE (38A. Foolish chatter); PREAMP (46A. Stereo component); SOLDERS (50A. Joins). Five-letter -- 18A. Run AFOUL of; ANTIS (49A. Those against); AGAPE (3D. Wide open); 21D. “Don’t go in there! It’s A TRAP!”; 1D. Mont BLANC; ELIEL (40. Architect Saarinen); ELOPE (15D. Act without the parents’ blessings, say); EPHOR (2D. Ancient Spartan magistrate); GIANT (54D. Bigger than big); IRENE (53D. Classic Broadway musical with the song “Alice Blue Gown”); 29A. New York’s NODES (55D. Intersecting points); PLUTO (8D. Mickey Mouse’s puppy pal); PRATT Institute (art school); PROSY (48D. Like plain text); SINEW (62A. Muscle connector); 31D. Neon TETRA; YEARN (66A. Have a hankering). Short stuff -- ADIP, AERO, AHAB, ALT, AOL, APT, ARI, ASEA, BEAD, EDEN, EER, ENNE (67A. Suffix akin to -trix), ESL and ESS (45D. Suffix akin to -trix), HEP, ICED and IDED, ITO, LEOS, LIFT, NAE, NOP, NRA, OMG, PETS, RAE and RAYE (68A. Comedic star Martha), RENE, RIO, SLIP, STUN, TOE and TOP, TNT, TRAC, VERO. ----------------- 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
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery.
Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Moccasin adornment; 5. Faux pas; 9. Took ___ (went swimming); 16. Russo who co-starred in “The Thomas Crown Affair”; 17. Literary lead role for Gregory Peck in 1956; 19. Clinched; 20. Alphabet trio; 21. Keyboard key; 22. Boot feature; 24. Singer Corinne Bailey ___; 36. Out on the water; 37. C7H5N3O6; 41. Educ. Course in which grammar and idioms are taught; 42. Verified, in a way; 56. Online gasp; 57. “You’re the ___” (Cole Porter classic); 58. Popular ISP; 59. Brazilian hot spot; 60. ___ Beach, Fla.; 65. Paradise lost; 68. Comedic star Martha; 69. Many August babies; 70. Guinea pigs, maybe. Down: 6. Boost; 7. Japanese butler in “Auntie Mame”; 9. Shipping magnate Onassis; 23. Always, poetically; 26. Fitting; 28. Lobby in a D.C. building?; 30. ___ II razor; 35. Knock out; 47. Intersected; 58. Aviation-related; 63. Edinburgh refusal; 64. Up on things, daddy-o.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 -- post number 1,001! Puzzle by Gary Cee, edited by Will Shortz “Please” (and/or “request“) is/are the tie(s) for today’s interrelated group -- 17A. “CHOPSTICKS, please” (diner’s request); 27A. “ATTENTION, please” (announcer’s request); 36A. THE ENVELOPE, please” (awards show presenter’s request); 51A. “ONE MOMENT, please” (operator’s request); 60A. “TAKE MY WIFE, please!” (Henny Youngman’s request). Other entries of length-- SACRED COW (1D. With 45-Down, something not to criticize; 45D. See 1-Down); INEDIBLE (11D. Like poisonous mushrooms); TOLERANT (36D. Broad-minded) -- followed by seven-letter entries of APOSTLE (40D. Last Supper guest); MINEOLA (12D. Seat of Nassau County, N.Y.); POLECAT (43A Malodorous critter); PONCHOS (41D. Some rainwear); RETABLE (31A. Postpone yet again); STERNER (13D. Less lenient).
Six-letter -- ACTIII (14A. When Hamlet says “To be or not to be”); AMSTEL (46D. Dutch brew); ATTEST (50D. Swear to); 3D. ATOMIC FireBall (hot candy); ATTILA (48D. The Scourge of God); DECIDE (29A. What to do at a crossroads); EAGLES (66A. Band with the 1975 #1 hit “One of These Nights”); EMERGE (44D. Come into prominence); HEADER (22A. Shot using one’s noggin); MCHALE (2D. Ernest Borgnine title role); NONART (69A. Dada, to many); ORSINO (42A. “Twelfth Night” duke); ; RUSHEE (9D. Fraternity hopeful); SCREWS (55A. Hardware store boxful); SMARTS (1A. Hurts); SONATA (10D. Beethoven keyboard work); TIRADE (32A. Vehement speech); TWOFER (49D. Get-one-free deal); ZAPATA (47A. Mexican revolutionary played by Brando).
Five -- ELISE (24A. Beethoven dedicatee); 33D. “I can't sing A NOTE”; NET WT (54A. 18 oz., maybe, on a cereal box); NUKED (52D. Microwaved, slangily); PICOT (7D. Embroidery loop); TREES (28D. Familial diagrams). Short stuff -- ANE and ENE and ERE and ENT, AMEN and AOK, APO, DVR, EDIE (26D. Falco who played Carmela on “The Sopranos“), ESTE, IOU, IRA, LAR and PAR, LED, LIZ, LONG, NENE, ONAN and ONIT, POPE, RAM, RIP, SITH and SITS and SIMS, SRO, THAR, TIS and TSE, TOT, USA, WGN, YAO. “C’mon, please please me“…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
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery.
Remaining clues -- Across: 7. 3, 4 or 5, typically, in golf; 10. Best-selling computer game from the early 2000s, with “The”; 15. Payment promise; 16. “I’m ___!” (“Will do!”); 19. Endangered state bird; 20. PC capacity, for short; 21. “Full” sign; 35. Roman household god; 40. G.I.’s mail drop; 56. Springsteen’s birthplace of song; 58. Gerber eater; 59. Old salt’s direction; 64. Past the golf pin, say; 65. Direction from L.A. to K.C.; 67. Ferrara family name; 68. Blazed a trail. Down: 4. Job for a tailor; 5. Rejoinder to “tain’t!”; 6. Collects splinters, so to speak; 8. Just fine; 18. 401(k) alternative; 23. Fangorn in “The Lord of the Rings,“ e.g.; 25. Jedi enemy; 30. Bard’s before; 34. TiVo, for one; 37. Taylor, who said “I do” eight times; 38. ___ equal footing; 39. Wearer of a triple tiara; 63. “The Waste Land” monogram; 57. Grace ender; 61. “Id like to buy ___, Pat”; 62. Hoopster ___ Ming; 63. Chicago Cubs’ station.
1907 Stanley Steamer
-----------------
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 -- post number 1,000!
Puzzle by Bob Johnson, edited by Will Shortz
HYBRID VEHICLES (56A. Cars suggested by 20-, 26- and 48-Across?), SUBURBAN MALIBU (20A. Residential area of California [think Chevy]); MUSTANG ESCAPE (26A. Start of a stampede, maybe [think Ford]) and ACCORD ELEMENT (48A. Part of a peace treaty [think Honda]) are the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.
MOBILE HOME (11D. It might have a “wide load” sign) and SUNDAY BEST (28D. Going-to-church clothes) are the other long entries, followed by two of seven letters -- INSULAR (5D. Isolated, as a people) and SEA COWS (46D. Dugongs or manatees).
Six-letter -- CHINOS (8D. Casual slacks); COMBAT (4D. Front-line action); MULLAH (51D. Islamic leader); OODLES (49D. Lots and lots); REVIVE (50D. Bring back, as a fashion); TARMAC (9D. Takeoff or touchdown site).
Five -- ABACI (1A. Early calculators); ALIBI (12D. It’s good when airtight); EL CID (30D. Conqueror of Valencia, 1094); INDIA (43A. Locale of many outsourced jobs); 53D. “KYRIE eleison” (“Lord, have mercy”); MACON (14A. Georgia Music Hall of Fame city); NOT UP (13D. Still in bed); OLLIE (64A. Colonel North, informally); PALMS (17A. Conceals, as a card; RAN AT (21D. Charged); ROHAN (34A. Realm of Tolkien’s Middle-earth); SHAKE (71A. Soda shop order); SHARP (52D. Quick-witted); SOLTI (41D. Sir Georg of the Chicago Symphony); TACOS (39A. Sonora snacks); WALLY (68A. The Beav’s big brother).
Lots of short stuff -- ABIT, ACLU, ACTI, AFAR, AKIN, ALA, AMP and APU, AREA, ASEA, BAAS, ELLA, ERIC, EVIL, EYE, GIA, HALT, HINT, IDOS, LIP, LIRA, MAHI, MEIR, MIX (47A. Be sociable), NEXT, OAF, ODE, OMAN, OPAL, OSHA, PETE, POKE, POLO, POP, RAIL, RISK, RAKE, SECT, SILK, SKY, TACT and TIC, TAU and TOE, TOMB, UPIN.
…and then there‘s the carbon hybrid human auto -- 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
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery.
Remaining clues -- Across: 6. What it takes not to say “I see you’ve put on a little weight”; 10. Arabian Peninsula land; 15. Workplace watchdog org.; 16. Fashion line named for a sport; 18. Golda of Israel; 19. Just slightly; 23. In the style of; 24. Clumsy sort; 25. Fresh talk; 32. “The Simpsons” storekeeper; 33. Commuter’s option; 37. Subtle flavor; 42. Elbow; 45. Altar exchange; 52. Blue shade; 54. Tot’s “piggy”; 55. Letter-shaped cross; 62. Surface figure; 63. Trevi Fountain throw-in, once; 66. Put on the line; 67. Dr. ___ (Mike Myers character); 69. Rose who surpassed Cobb; 70. Religious offshoot. Down: 1. Roadie’s load; 2. Meadow calls; 3. Rights org.; 6. Mummy’s locale; 7. On a cruise; 10. Gem mined in Australia; 22. At a distance; 26. Hawaiian fish, on menus; 27. ___ arms (indignant); 29. Actress ___ Scala; 31. Much Top 40 music; 35. Closely related; 36. Barbershop call; 38. Quirky habit; 40. “___ to Billie Joe” (1967 #1 hit); 44. Play opener; 57. Do some yard work; 58. Idle o “Life o Brian”; 59. Sentry’s order; 60. Jazz’s Fitzgerald; 61. Symbol of smoothness; 65. Check out.
Don Quixote Attacks the Windmills, Illustration for Miguel de Cervantes’s “Don Quixote” Gustave Doré, 1863 ----------------- Monday, August 24, 2009 Puzzle by Anthony J. Salvia, edited by Will Shortz DON QUIXOTE (17A. Tilter at windmills), DAIRY QUEEN (49A. Place to order a Blizzard), DENNIS QUAID (11D. Star of “The Rookie,” 2002) and DOCTOR QUINN (25D. Medicine woman of 1990s TV) comprise the interrelated group of this Monday crossword. Other interrelated entries include SQUARE and PARADES (44A. Plaza / 45A Plaza displays), and LOREN and MOVIE (29D. Italian 31-Down star Sophia / 31D. See 29-Down). EXECRATE (9D. Detest) and FLARED UP (36D. Came back strong, as allergies) are the only other long entries.
Mid-size -- BAROQUE (40D. Like the works of Handel and Bach); CHANTS (21A. “Dee-fense! Dee-fense!“ and others); COURSE (46A. Psychology 101, e.g.); EUREKA (42D. “I’ve got it!); GAMING (43A. Industry in Las Vegas and Atlantic City); GRATIS (27A. For free); IDEATE (10D. Think creatively); LOAVES (29A. Biblical objects of multiplication); RETAIN (41A. Hire, as a lawyer); SIDEBAR (23A. Little article accompanying a bigger article); STUBBED (5D. Struck accidentally, as the toe); U S OPEN (28A. One of golf‘s four majors).
Five-letter -- BRAIN (40A. Cranium contents) and BRINE (33D. Salt water); CHEFS (1A. Kitchen V.I.P.’s); ELVES (39A. Santa’s little helpers); 60A. ENOLA Gay (W.W. II plane); FORGE (36A. Fabricate, as a signature); GONGS (27D. Pagoda instruments); ISAAC (24D. Newton with a law named after him); 31A. MONTE Carlo (part of Monaco); OMITS (12D. Fails to mention); PERON (45D. Argentine dictator who was ousted in 1955); RACED (30A. Sprinted); SOLID (44D. Sphere or cube); SONGS (34D. Hymns, e.g.); SURGE (23D. Increase in troop levels); U-BOAT (14A. W.W. II German sub); URGES (57A. Eggs on); 60A. WAXER (6D. Floor finisher). Short stuff -- ACHE and PAIN, ANA, APEX, BRED, CEDE, CUD, DEMI, DINK, ECO and EGO, the trio of EDNA, ENID and ERMA, the ever-present EEL, ELIE, EON, EPEE, ETAS, EURO, FAQ, GATE, HAVE, HBO, IDOL and IPOD, IRAN, LIDS, NSA, PET, PAIN and ACHE, QBS, UNTO, URN, WIPE, ZERO and ZITI. ----------------- 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
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery.
Remaining clues -- Across: 6. Towel (off); 10. Rock star, say; 15. Peak; 16. Moore of “G.I. Jane”; 19. City NNW of Oklahoma City; 20. Raised, as livestock); 32. “Hike!” callers in football, for short; 35. Entryway; 37. Multinational currency; 38. Umberto ___, author of “The Name of the Rose”; 47. Number of calories in water. 48. Nobelist Wiesel; 55. Softly hit ball in tennis; 56. “Render ___ Caesar …”; 58. Writer ___ St. Vincent Millay; 59. Aspirin target. Down: 1. What a cow chews; 2. “Entourage” network; 3. Ages and ages; 4. Online help page; 7. Item with earbuds; 8. Favorite; 13. Jar tops; 18. Ahmadinejad’s country; 22. One who’s well off; 26. Fencing sword; 37. Bombeck who wrote “The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank”; 39. Greek H’s; 43. Indiana birthplace of the Jackson 5; 46. Relinquish; 47. Casserole pasta; 50. “Gimme ___!” (Alabama cheerleader’s cry); 51. Container at many receptions; 52. Maniacal leader?; 53. Ingredient in some sushi rolls; 54. Intelligence-gathering org.
Five-letter entries -- ALIEN (49A. Visitor in “District 9”), ANNOY (6D. Really bother), AROSE (40A. Heeded the alarm), CHIME (24D. Doorbell), DAFOE (45D. Willem of Spider-Man movies), ELOPE (46D. Run off to the justice of the peace), EVENT (12D. Long jump or 100-meter dash), O’HARA (14A. Tara’s Scarlett), ORLON (60A. Fabric introduced by DuPont), OVINE (22A. Sheeplike), PALIN (11D. Politico Sarah), REFER (48D. Direct, as for information), SCREW (1A. Fastener that may have a Phillips head), 31A. “Rise and SHINE!”, SIREN (47D. Patrol car wailer), SKEET (63A. Sport with shotguns), SMART (42A. Mensa-eligible), STORE (31D. Part of a mall), WARES (13D. Peddlers peddle them), WHIRR (29A. Fan sound) and WHIST (29D. Predecessor of bridge). Short stuff -- AIRE, AKIN, ALSO, AOL, ARK, AVOW, BAG, BARI, CHOO, DECO, DIE, DRAT, DULY, EENS, ERR, EVAC, GEMS, HEFT, ILLS, ISNT, LAVA and SPEW, LINE, LOUD, NAP, NOON, ONE, OPED, PEAS and PEAT, PEER, PILE, PLOD, PRIM, PSI, RARA, RAUL, REAM, SLOE, SOFA, SOT, SPAM, TWA. ----------------- 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 
