12.12.09 -- She's Alive!

The Lady with a Fan by Diego Velázquez of Spain, c 1638 

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Saturday, December 12, 2009

Puzzle by Karen M. Tracey, edited by Will Shortz

Bridezilla is the star of this Saturday crossword, a generic term used to describe a difficult, unpleasant, perfectionist bride who leaves aggravated family, friends and bridal vendors in her wake. This one's alive and kicking, so here's counting down the aisle:

Ten letters -- ACTIVE DUTY (11D. Reserves are not on it), BRIDEZILLA (12D. Hard-to-please wedding participant, EASY TARGET (27D. Soft touch), END OF AN ERA (56A. Historical transition point); MAIN FRAMES (59A. Data center workhorses), POOL SHARKS (26D. Some hustlers), THE NATURAL (14A. Moniker for fictional baseball Roy Hobbs), WORK PERMIT (17A. Minor employment need?).

Nine -- STEADY JOB (42A. Daily bread supplier?), TELEVISED (15D. Shown), VELAZQUEZ (28A. 17th-century painter of “Lady With a Fan”), ZACH BRAFF (29D. “Scrubs” Emmy nominee).

Eight -- FLIP SIDE (20A. Opposite), INKWELLS (4D. Quaint stationery store stock), L A RAIDER (49A. ‘84 Super Bowl celebrant), PERSONAL (37D. Like some decisions and demons).

Seven -- COAL BIN (30A. A scuttle might scoop from it), MYCENAE (40D. Agamemnon’s domain), RAILS AT (8D. Really reproaches), SHTETLS (41A. Literally, “little towns”).

Six -- ABODES (51A. Some are humble), ARMFUL (7D. Bib baby, maybe), BEL-AMI (31D. Guy de Maupassant novel), CAPRIS (47A. Alternative to culottes), COPULA (36A. Linking verb), ERASED (43D. Now blank), EREBUS (22A. Darkness personified), 44D. Paris’s JARDIN des Plantes, NASSAU (10D. Historic base for pirates of the Caribbean), PEQUOT (21D. Early Connecticut tribe), TOSSES (35A. Jettisons), TROWEL (19A. Plaster worker).

Five -- ASPIC (1A. Stuff in a meat can), CAPER (5D. Rémoulade bit), CHARM (46A. Third time, say), CLOSE (46D. Wind up), EAVES (24A. Hangover locales?), IBARS (48D. Bridge supports), SLOSH (62A. Apply carelessly), SORES (13D. They often get dressed).

Four -- ACRO, ALTI, ATWT, CARA, DEMO and DEMS, ERES, ESTD, NABS, OCTS, OPEL, ORGS, PASS (34D. Turn down, with “on”), PERO, RYAS, SASH, SENT, SHOR, SKEE-Lo, STIR.

Three -- BEN, CUR, DIP (33A. Turn down), LEM, ONT, SLY, SOP and TAU.

She‘s alive! 

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Remaining clues -- Across: 6. Cherished, in Cremona; 10. Picks up; 16. Tip end: Prefix; 18. Disturbance; 25. General Motors acquisition of 1929; 32. St. Anthony’s cross, e.g.; 38. Roguish; 39. Apollo part; 45. Scandinavian area rugs; 55. Sch. Yearbook section; 58. Rapper ___-Lo; 60. Abbr. after an institution’s name. Down: 1. Bit of elementary knowledge?: Abbr.; 2. Old Manhattan restaurateur; 3. Spanish “but”; 6. Meanie; 9. Some voices; 23. “The Waltons” son; 25. Fourth qtr. Starters; 41. Bread, at times; 50. House party, briefly; 52. It’s usually not for sale; 53. You are, in Yucatan; 54. Scout uniform part; 57. The Albany is its longest river: Abbr.