09.30.10 — "Uh-uh!"

Thumbs Down by Jean-Leon Gerome. PaintingHere.com

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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Puzzle by Victor Fleming, edited by Will Shortz

“Uh-uh!” is the clue for I WOULDN’T / IF I WERE YOU, BAD IDEA, BACK OFF, THINK AGAIN and DON’T DO IT in this talkative thumbs-up Thursday crossword. Four more vocables are OH WOW (46A. “That’s amazing!”), DARE ME (62A. “You think I won’t?!”), CAN TOO (11D. Shout in a playground debate), YES BUT (12D. “I’ll grant you that. However …”) and “Don’t have A COW!”

Other — DECOROUS (13A. Marked by dignity and taste), FAUN and SATYR (38D. 8-Down’s Roman equivalent, 8D. Nymph pursuer), MR SPOCK (1A. Sci-fi-role starting in 1966), OMNIVORE (37D. Hardly a picky eater), SCORE PAD (3D. Bridge need), SUBMERSE (63A. Put under), TALLEST (65A. Guinness superlative).

Six-letter — ARROYO (10D. Arid region’s watercourse), ASTERN, BISTRO, E-TRADE, KUNG FU, LHASAN (44D. Like the Dalai Lama, historically), MACRAE, REAMER, SHARDS, STOICS, TO A MAN, U-TURNS, WIN OUT.

Five — ACORN, À GOGO, BRUCE, DWEEB, ENOLA (64A. Girl in “Waterworld”), ERIKA, GODLY, IRREG, KARMA, L’EGGS, MILAN, MODEL, POUTS, SERAI (31A. Destination for a Near Eastern caravan), STACY, RAT ON.

Short stuff — ACNE, ALP, BARB, BEDE, BEES, COD, EEL, ELBA and ELEA, FNMA (39D. Low-cost home loan corp.), HOV, HTML (55D. Webmaster’s lingo), ISS, MDI, MINA, MULE, NBA, NUM, ORLE, OTB, RAS, REW, ROOT, RTE, TCU, TET.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 8. Keach of “W.”; 15. He played opposite Jones in “Carousel” and “Oklahoma!”; 17. Reversals; 18. Map line: Abbr.; 19. Like the devout; 21. Wagering locale: Abbr.; 22. Some socials; 26. Backdrop for many a Winter Olympics; 27. Wayne or Lee; 28. It may be square; 29. It gets the juice out; 40. Brand associated with Everyday Knee Highs; 42. Unanimously; 43. Island in the Tyrrhenian Sea; 48. Deut. Preceder; 52. ___ Harker, wife in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”; 53. Dorm V.I.P.’s, for short; 54. Part of a winter stash; 55. Letters on the road; 56. Behind. — DOWN: 1. Year Michelangelo began work on “David”; 2. VCR button; 4. Shows disappointment, in a way; 5. Heraldic band; 6. Mail order option; 7. Style of fighting; 9. Fort Worth sch.; 14. Greek philosophical group; 15. Pack carrier; 20. One who’s definitely not in the in-crowd; 22. Nasty remark; 23. Zeno’s locale; 24. Sale table notation; 25. Actress Alexander of “The Cosby Show”; 27. Eliot protagonist; 30. European fashion capital; 32. Betray; 35. Disco phrase; 41. Some broken glass; 43. Brokerage name since 1992; 45. Spot for a bite; 47. Emerge on top; 50. Fate; 51. Teen breakout; 52. Feature at an auto show, in two different ways; 57. Sushi fish; 59. Jazz group, for short; 60. Mag. Edition; 61. New Year festival overseas.

09.29.10 — Now Showing

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Puzzle by Charles Gersch, edited by Will Shortz

Seven film titles constitute the interrelated group of this entertaining Wednesday crossword.

• ANGER MANAGEMENT (14A. 2003 Sandler/Nicholson comedy)
• ROAD TO SINGAPORE (17A. 1940 Crosby/Lamour/Hope film that was the firt of a “travel” series)
• LAST PICTURE SHOW (37A. 1971 film that was Cybil Shepherd’s debut, with “The”)
• ON THE WATERFRONT (41A. 1954 Elia Kazan Oscar winner)
• HORTON HERS A WHO (59A. 2008 film derived from Dr. Seuss)
• THE COLOR OF MONEY (62A. 1986 film for which Paul Newman won his only Oscar)
• A NIGHT AT THE OPERA (7D. 1936 Marx Brothers romp)

Other — AGAIN (3D.“Encore!“), AHOYS and ALOHA, AMPERE (26D. Current unit), ATEAM, ATRAS, BASRA (6D. Mideast city whose name, coincidentally, is an anagram of ARABS), BERET, CATCH, CIAOS, ENOLA, ENRON, HENCE, HOOTCH (45D. The sauce), IMPELS, Sierra LEONE, MOOLA, OCHRE, OLEOLE, PREFAB, RARER, REARM, ROGUE, STENOS, TOPPS, TOWNE, USERS, WHARF.

Short stuff — ABO, AGAR, ALOT, BAA and BAN, BABE, BATH (25D. Setting for candelit romance), really?, CWTS, EAT, EGGS, ELIS, ENLS, ESTO, HOE, HOCH and LOCH IONA, ILES, IWON, LAOS, LAHR, LEN, LOO, MRT, OATH, “OH TO be in England …”, ORG, PARR, PIA, RAN, REDS, ROTH, SEAS, SMU, SRTA, STES, TANK, THOR, TIC, TKO, TOA, WBA.

I promise you I'll never desert you again because after 'Salome' we'll make another picture and another picture. You see, this is my life! It always will be! Nothing else! Just us, the cameras, and those wonderful people out there in the dark!... All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up. ~ Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard”

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Supply with more ammo, say; 6. Term of endearment; 10. Bits of land in la Seine; 18. Yalies; 19. Part of NATO: Abbr.; 2. “Mad Men” extras; 21. Conducted; 22. Actor Bert; 24. Mystery writer Deighton; 25. It may make a ewe turn; 27. Big name in baseball cards; 30. Starters; 33. Gelantinous ingredient in desserts; 34. First X or Q, say; 42. Bout stopper; 43. Author Philip; 44. Some razors; 45. Ergo; 46. Pugilists’ grp.; 47. Blood-typing syst.; 49. Mystery writer Edward D. ___; 51. Ode title starter; 54. World Cup chant; 57. Singer-actress Zadora; 58. Lamond, e.g.; 63. Inauguration Day highlight; 64. Proverbial heptad; 65. Addicts. — DOWN: 1. Less well done; 2. ___ Gay, historic plane displayed by the Smithsonian; 4. N. L. Central team; 5. “I pity the fool” speaker; 8. Proscribe; 9. Drives (on); 10. Drives; 12. Bankrupt company in 2001-001 news; 13. Fr. Holy women; 15. Lettuce or kale; 16. Corrode; 23. Ne’er-do-well; 28. Henry VIII’s sixth; 29. Like some suburban homes; 30. Scads; 32. “___ perpetua” (Idaho’s motto); 34. Thursday’s eponym; 35. College in New Rochelle, N.Y.; 36. 100-lb. units; 38. Triumphant cry; 39. Fisherman’s 10-pounder, e.g.; 450. Mex. Miss; 46. Fisherman’s spot; 47. Lei-person’s greeting?; 48. Covering for la tête; 50. Piertro’s at-tas; 51. Olde ___ (historic area, quaintly), 52. Orangish shade; 53. Shipboard cries; 55. Old card game with foreits; 56. Photo blowups: Abbr.; 58. Vietiane’s country; 60. Implement in a Millet painting; 61. Dallas sch.

09.28.10 — NO PAR

Gaggle of Pairs by Mary Kane

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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Puzzle by Michael Torch, edited by Will Shortz

PAIRAGRAPHS (20A. Two charts?), PAREAPHRASE (58A. Edit?), PEARAMOUNT (11D. A bushel of Boscs?) and PEREAMOURS (29D. French father’s affairs?) are the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword, and uh… perhaps NO PAR (41A. Like some stock).

Other — BUS STOP (9D. Point on a line?), DEPLETED (51A. Drained), DRAPERS (45D. Fabric dealers, to Brits), HIT HARD (25A. Severely affected), HOP ON POP (27A. Dr. Seuss title), SAMBAED (53A. Danced at Rio’s Carnival, maybe), RIP APART (42D. Shred), WING SPAN (5D. Bird spec).

Mid-size — ACUTE, ALCOA, BIPED, CORER, DOSED, DRAMA, EASES, ERROR, EUROPE (52D. One side of “the pond”), KNEAD, LYMPH, PIPED, PLOWS, SATIN, SEPIA, SPACE, STEREO, UTERO.

Short stuff — ADDA, ADIA, AKIN, ALPH, ANAT, ANNS, APU, ARRS, ASIA and ASIT, BARB and CARB and CARP, DOOM, DUAL, EDEN, ENS and ENDS, EYES, HID, HOCK, HOLD, INKY, ITE, MEIR, NAPE, NNE, NORM, OKAY and OKRA, ONOR, ORAN, ORE, OTOS, PINE, PLO, RIFE, SAND, SEA, SLED, TEE, WANE, WIFI, WOOL.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Cornfield sounds; 5. Scarf material; 9. Any member of the genus Homo; 14. “___ happens …”; 15. Black; 16. In ___ (not yet born); 17. Prevalent; 18. Having two or three kids in a family, nowadays; 19. What to “Come see the softer side of,” in a slogan; 23. ___ v. Wade; 24. Nav. Rank; 25. Severely affected; 32. Gloom’s partner; 33. Shipment to a smeltery; 34. Audited a class, say; 36. Winter highway department needs; 43. With 39-Across, kind of engine; 44. Massage; 46. Retro photo tone; 48. New Orleans-to-Detroit dir.; 49. Some airport data: Abbr.; 51. Drained; 53. Danced at Rio’s Carnival, maybe; 56. Homer Simpson’s Indian friend; 57. Mideast grp.; 64. Sharp; 66. Recipe step starter; 67. Approve; 68. Implement for an apple; 69. Israel’s Golda; 70. “Lonesome” tree; 71. Lets (up); 72. Basic subj. for a surgeon; 73. Goals. — DOWN: 1. Fault-find; 2 Large part of a world atlas; 3. Coffee shop convenience for a laptop; 4. Not mono; 6. ___ about (approximately), 7. Gumbo staple; 8. ___ node; 10. Suffix with suburban; 12. Boo-boo; 13. Gave medicine; 21. Raggedy ___ (dolls); 22. Concealed; 26. Full or half nelson; 27. What a debtor might be in; 28. Algerian port; 30. Western tripe; 31. Spoke (up); 35 Back of the neck; 37. Ebb; 38. Toboggan, e.g.; 40. Cutting remark; 47. Coleridge’s sacred river; 50. Large quantity; 53. Gap; 54. Foil-making giant; 55. Comedy alternative; 59. Fall place; 60. 1998 Sarah McLachlan song; 61. Related; 62. Hourglass fill; 63. Prominent features of a “Cats” poster; 65. Plumbing fitting.

09.27.10 — Baseball

Baseball by J. Matt Miller

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Monday, September 27, 2010

Puzzle by Janice M. Putney, edited by Will Shortz

Baseball, anyone? — PITCHES A FIT (17A. Shows petulant anger), CATCHES A BREAK (23A. Gets lucky), FIELDS A QUESTION (40A. Doesn’t stonewall, say), BATS AN EYELASH (51A. Reacts slightly), STEALS A KISS (63A. Shows affection unexpectedly) are the interrelated group of this winning Monday crossword.

Other — AKITAS, ALMOST, AS A SET, BIG THRILL (37D. Cause of goose bumps, perhaps), HENRYS, LATECOMER (3D. Recent arrival), ORNATE, SEESAW, STROKE, T-NOTES.

Five-letter — ACCRA, AISLE, BRUIN, DAFOE, ELENA, ELIZA, ERASE, Pro FORMA, HE-MAN, MARIA, OTERI, PABLO, SAKES, SLEEK, SOFAS, SUEDE, TOAST, YEARS.

Short stuff — ALL, ALMA, AMIS, ASAP, BOPS, CHAS, DANA, DES, DOM Pérignon, ECOL, EGGY, ELLA, ETS, “Fee, FIE, foe, fum” GAFF (27D. Large iron hook), GOO, HITS, IMAC, ILS and IQS, ISLA, LIPO, LOGE, “ Whatever LOLA wants, LOLA gets“, from the baseball musical “Damn Yankees“, LYE, MAMA, NET, NSEC, OLE and OLIO, OMIT, ONT, ONYX, OOZE, RIOT, SAT, SHA and SHE, SLAP, SON, SSE and SST, TEX, USA, WET (10D. Rainy).

It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. ~ A. Bartlett Giamatti, "The Green Fields of the Mind," Yale Alumni Magazine, November 1977

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Remaining clues — 5. Teeter-totter; 11. ___ Moines; 14. Apple computer; 15. Hitting of a golf ball; 16. Nothing’s opposite; 20. Cheri formerly of “S.N.L.”; 21. Exam for H.S. seniors; 22. Seep; 27. Hot tar, e.g.; 29. “Here ___ comes, Miss America”; 30. Heir, but not an heiress; ___ mater; 33. “Lucky Jim” author Kingsley; 36. Painter Picasso; 40. Pro ___ (perfunctory); 44. Tiny time unit: Abbr.; 45. Like an omelet; 46. Toronto’s prov.; Lone Star State nickname; 57. Run amok; 58. Cheer for a matador; 59. “Ave ___” (Latin prayer); 62. Fourth of July celebration inits.; 66. They, in Marseille; 67. Eight English kings; 68. Fitzgerald known as the First Lady of Song; 69. Volleyball court divider; 70. How china may be sold; 71. Possible response to a grabby boyfriend. — DOWN: 1. Quick weight loss option, informally; 2. Leave out; 4. Ghana’s capital; 5. Opposite of NNW; 6. Co. that oversees the 21-Across; 7. Rub out; 8. Couches; 9. Dogs whose tails curl up the back; 11. Actor Willem; 12. Doolittle of “Pygmalion”; 13. Streamlined; 18. Chart-toppers; 22. Highly decorative; 24. Addams who created “The Addams Family”; 25. Muscular fellow; 26. Knocks on the noggin; 28. Medley; 32. Not quite; 34. 100 is average for them; 35. Soft leather; 38. Pricey seating section; 39. Gem with colored bands; 41. Carvey who used to say “Well, isn’t that special?”; 42. Environmental sci.; 47. Gov’t securities; 49. Papa’s partner; 51. Boston N.H.L.’er; 52. Window or middle alternative; 53. Raise a glass to; 54. Justice Kagan; 55. Senior, junior and sophomore; 56. Rice wines; 60. Cuba, por ejemplo; 61. “Rush!,” on an order; 63. ___ Na Na; 64. Soapmaker’s need; 65. Fast jet, for short.

09.26.10 — Amsterdam — the Acrostic

The Windmill on the Onbekende Canal, Amsterdam by Claude Monet

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Sunday, September 16, 2010

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s beauty of an acrostic draws a quotation from An Epistle to Posterity: Being Rambling Recollections of Many Years of My Life by Mary Elizabeth Wilson Sherwood, currently in publication from Amazon as “an exact reproduction of a book published before 1923. This is not an optical character recognition book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.”

The quotation: AMSTERDAM WITH ITS PATCHWORK OF WATER STREETS ITS LONG DOUBLE ROWS OF TREES ITS PALACES ITS MAGNIFICENT HOUSES WITH MACHICOLATED ROOFS AND THE OLD DUTCH GALLEONS WITH THEIR SHADOWY SAILS IS A PARADISE FOR THE PAINTER.

The author’s name and the title of the work: SHERWOOD EPISTLE TO POSTERITY

The defined words:

A. Exoskeleton in a littoral setting, SEASHELL
B. Founding father who said “Man is a reasoning rather than a reasonable animal”, HAMILTON
C. Like “The Good Samaritan” by Rembrandt, ETCHED
D. Withdraw, invalidate, RESCIND
E. “Week-End at the WALDORF” 1945 Ginger Rogers/Walter Pidgeon film
F. Punch, zing, pizazz, OOMPH
G. Home to the N.H.L.’s Senators, OTTAWA
H. Tennis ploy using backspin (2 wds.), DROP SHOT
I. Outcome of the 1521 Diet of Worms, EDICT
J. Hook-like crook, PIRATE
K. Performance involving blades (2 wds.), ICE SHOW
L. What a buff promotes, SHINING
M. Mat for a judo match, TATAMI
N. Good conditions for clamming (2 wds.), LOW TIDE
O. Chicago suburb that was once home to Carl Sandburg, ELMURST
P. Cluster of ankle bones, TARSUS
Q. Linen, ivory or pearl (hyph.), OFF-WHITE
R. Deltiologist’s collectible, POSTCARD
S. Bit of housecleaning, OUSTER
T. Tree with mitten-shaped leaves, SASSAFRAS
U. Get off the ground (2 wds.), TAKE WING
V. Multiplied by an ogdoad, EIGHTFOLD
W. Egyptian port where a precious stone was found, ROSETTA
X. Short-tempered, touchy, choleric, IRASCIBLE
Y. Central point of a tract, THESIS
Z. Open like a large crevasse, YAWN

Amsterdam 1874 by Claude Monet

The full paragraph of the quotation: But Amsterdam, with the river Amstel helping to give a lively current to its canals, with its patchwork of water streets, its long double rows of trees which seem endless, its palaces, its magnificent houses with machicolated roofs, and, above all, the quaint craft, the old Dutch galleons, with their shadowy sails, their fine brown color, their queer round outlines, their unending picturesqueness, is a paradise for the painter. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and I do not wonder that the artists have gone mad over it. Imagine having in front of your door a row of trees, then a broad beautiful river, then on the other side another row of tall elms, and on the bosom of the river the most quaint and most impressive of Dutch galleons, of that dark-brown color like old mahogany, for which Dutch ships and Dutch sails seem to have taken out a patent. Yes, a dozen of them, with families living on the ship. Even the family washing, which the boatman’s wife hangs out, with an occasional red shirt, helps the picture. It is a dream of color and tender tones.

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09.26.10 — Dislocation

Sunday, September 26, 2010

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION, Puzzle by Pamela Amick Klawitter, edited by Will Shortz

This messy Sunday crossword comes with an overblown title and a terse note: Each set of circled letters is described by an answer elsewhere in the grid — well, it’s all just DRESSING ON THE SIDE (22A. Specification in a salad order). The solver gets little more from the circled letters than a painful post-puzzle head-scratch. In the meantime…

Fragmentation and strained fill abound — ACED, AHIS, AGRA, ALIT, ARIZ, ASTA, ATRI, BENO, BUDD, CAR, CDRS, CHIS, DAWN, DEES, DEG, EEN, EGER, EKED, ELAN, ENE, ENID, EPIC, ERN and ERIN, ERAT, ERSE and ERST, ESCE, ESTA, ETAL, GAP, HEMI, HTS, IDEA and IDIO, IERE, ISH, ITGO and ITOO, KLEE, LOMB, MART, MEME and MENO, MISC (44A. Grab bag: Abbr.), NCO, OKE and OLE, ONEI, ONME, OSO, QING, REEF, RELY, RIC and RIM, SAK, SEA and SELA, SHER, STLO, THAN, TORY, TOV, USGA, VCRS, YSL.

Mid-size — AABOND, AARON (68A. First name alphabetically in the Baseball Hall of Fame), ADARN, AENEAS, ADLAI, AFTER, ALICES, ANDIM, ANGST, ANTES, BADEN, CASSIA, DESICA, DIESEL, DIMLY, EISNER, ENAMI, GOFERS, GOLEM, HEEHEE, INHER, INMATE, KEELS, LATTE, LIONEL, MASTO, MAYORS, NANCI, NOTME, NSTAR and NTEST, OLEOS, RATEL, REMOTE, RESNIK, RETIE, RHINE, SIMEON, SLOGS (73A. Hard, boring efforts), SNOOTS, STREET, TAPING, TEEMED, TEPEE (98D. Chief dwelling?), UTERO, YSHAPE.

Oh, yes, about those circled letters: AARON is THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE (115A. Go-between), DEN is the ROOM AT THE TOP (57A. Opening for an aspiring leader), EEL is a BOTTOM FISH (97A. Carp or flounder, typically), LINES relates to SLANTED LINES (75A. Diagonals), MAYO to DRESSING ON THE SIDE, MENTAL to MENTAL BLOCK (67D. Cause of thoughtlessness?), MILE to SQUARE MILE (34A. Unit in measuring population density), and STONE relates to CORNERSTONE (15D. Place for a date, frequently). For a detail outline, read Wordplay, The New York Times crossword blog, Location, Location, Location Explanation.

The remains are even less interesting— AND THEN (88D. “Next …”), ANSPACH (37D. Susan who co-starred in “Five Easy Pieces”), CATERED TO (45D. Indulged), DISTEND (26A. Swell), HEAD TO TOE (84A. Complete), KENNEDY (70A. President who said “I’m an idealist without illusions”), NOMADISM (85D. Bedouins’ trait), NO SECRET (5D. Public knowledge), NOTARIZES (27A. Certifies, in a way), ON STAFF (64D. Employed), OTHER SHOE (105A. You might wait for it to drop), PEDICAB (109A. Three-wheeled vehicle), SIM CITY (65A. Hit computer game with the original working title Micropolis), TEA TASTER (49A. Worker who may create a stir?), WADES IN (13D. Begins energetically).

Dislocation, dislocation, dislocation!

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Clues — ACROSS: 1. When repeated, a resort near the Black Forest; 6. How things may be remembered; 11. Beginning; 15. Caboose, for one; 18. In ___ (unborn); 19. Homeric hero; 20. Part of Q.E.D.; 21. ___ Miss; 25. A lens fits in it; 28. U.S.M.C. barracks boss; 29. XXX; 31. Homeric genre; 32. Address part; 40. As a friend, to the French; 42. Relative of Manx; 43. Michael who once headed Disney; 46. Some stakes; 48. Dreadful feeling; 53. Following; 56. Opening; 59. Fine and dandy, in old slang; 60. “I don’t give ___!”; 62. Zing; 63. Writer/critic Trilling; 71. Giggle; 72. Suffix with lumin-; 74. Directional suffix; 79. “Mazel ___!”; 82. Fix, as a shoelace; 85. Country singer Griffith; 87. Name on 1952 campaign buttons; 89. Romance of 1847; 90. Errand runners; 91. Mid 12th-century year; 93. Cool, very red celestial body; 99. Highly rated security; 101. Hungarian city; 103. Actress Ward; 104. Fashion inits.; 114. Spanish bruin; 117. Rapper ___-A-Che; 118. Same: Fr.; 119. Convict; 120. Relative of a canary; 121. Cinch ___ (Hefty garbage bag brand); 122. “Idylls of the King” lady; 123. Falls (over); 124. Breast: Prefix. DOWN: 1. Melville’s “Billy ___”; 2. Italian bell town; 3. Dead ends?; 4. Formerly, once; 6. Ph.D., e.g.; 7. Barge ___; 8. “Don’t give ___ lip!”; 9. Beverage that may be foamy; 10. A wishbone has one; 11. Director Vittorio; 12. 48th state: Abbr.; 14. Explosive trial, for short; 16. “___ Restaurant”; 17. Not likely; 19. “ … ___ the queen of England!”; 23. “And to those thorns that ___ bosom lodge”: Shak.; 24. St. Patrick’s land; 30. One of the 12 tribes of Israel; 33. Shipwreck locale; 34. Ship locale; 35. Last dynasty of China; 38. Links org.; 38. Actor Neeson; 39. “Como ___?”; 41. Shopping locale; 45. Indulged; 47. Pre-broadcast activity; 49. David Cameron, e.g.; 50. Normandy battle town; 51. More ___ enough; 52. Dark time, in verse; 54. Just got (by); 55. Trust, with “on”; 57. Honey badger; 58. Dinner spreads; 51. Engine type; 65. “Fer ___!”; 66. French noun suffix; 68. Dog of old films; 69. Didn’t just pass; 70. Noted Bauhaus artist; 72. Dallas-to-Memphis dir.; 73. High-hats; 76. Large food tunas; 77. Bausch & ___ (lens maker); 78. Langston Hughes poem; 80. “The ___ Gave My Heart To” (1997 Aaliyah hit); 81. Tapers, briefly; 83. Peculiar: Prefix; 86. It’s like “-like”; 90. Dimwit; 91. City chiefs; 92. Cinnamon tree; 94. Swarmed; 95. Indian tourist city; 96. Challenger astronaut Judith; 98. Chief dwelling?; 100. “I’m innocent!; 102. Liechtenstein’s western border; 106. Certain engine; 107. “This round’s ___”; 108. List-ending abbr.; 110. Notion; 111. Mil. Leaders; 112. Came to earth; 113. “There Shall ___ Night” (Pulitzer-winning Robert E. Sherwood play); 116. Elevs.

09.25.10 — Playing Out September

Jack Benny Statue at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center in Ranch Cucamonga

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Saturday, September 25, 2010

Puzzle by Patrick Berry, edited by Will Shortz

I LIKE IT LIKE THAT (19A. 1965 top 10 hit for the Dave Clark Five) and RANCHO CUCAMONGA (45A. California city with a statue of Jack Benny) are the two longest entries of this rock-solid last Saturday of September musically-inclined crossword. The countdown…

Nine-letter — DATE PALMS (29D. Oasis sights), DRESS COAT (28D. Tails), HEAT PUMPS (11D. Alternatives to furnaces) and RESIDENCE (6D. Requirement for running for political office).

Eight — 16A. ADRIENNE Shelly, writer/director/costar of “Waitress,” 2007, AS GOOD AS (48A. Practically), IMITATES (18A. Draws inspiration from, maybe), LIE-A-BEDS (50A. Reluctant risers), SAD TO SAY (52A. “Unfortunately …”), WATCH OUT (7A. “Duck” call?).

Seven — ADDENDS (27A. Total producers), CRINGED (34D. Drew back), DATA SET (35A. Table of values), DEBUSSY (35D. “L’Enfant Prodigue” composer) , EURASIA (33D. The majority of people live here), EVENS UP (36D. Balances), HELIPAD (3D. Takeoff spot for many a traffic reporter), ON THE GO (12D. Active), SHA LA LA (2D. 1974 top 10 Al Green hit subtitled “Make Me Happy”), SPIRALS (32D. Increases alarmingly), TANGELO (37D. Juicy fruit), TESTERS (14D. Tough questions), UNEATEN (13D. Left over, possibly), WAILERS (7D. 1960s- ’70s group originally known as the Teenagers, with “the”).

Six — ADMIRE (8D. Prize), ASHLAR (1A. Masonry that requires little mortar), ATTICA (1D. Ancient land on the Aegean), DEMONS (29A. Personal problems), LEADEN (41D. Sluggish), LOUSED (49A. Made a hash of, with “up”), MODULE (51A. Computer program subsection), SECADA and SECEDE (39D. Two-time Grammy winner Jon; 32A. Withdraw), SNAP-ON (53A. Attachable by pressing), TALONS (17A. They might grab something to eat), THE ONE (15A. Mr. or Mrs. Right).

Five — BEBOP (43A. Specialty of Charlie Parker), BODES, DEERE, GENRE, GEODE, GOUDA, HAVOC, LOOKS, PURSE, RERAN, RUGER (26A. Maker of rifles and revolvers), SEVEN, TENDS, TRIKE.

Short stuff — ALA, ANNE, CAPS, CITE, GENE, HARP (31A. Instrument capable of glissandi), HOBO, IRIS, MOON, PETE, ROCS (30A. Birds said to feed their young with elephants), VAL.

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THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 21. Mushroom parts; 22. Big name in agribusiness; 23. British actor Postlethwaite; 24. Hank Williams’s home state: Abbr.; 38. Compact container?; 39. Common number of spots on a ladybug; 40. Crime novelist McDermid; 42. Shade akin to lavender; 44. There might be one for depression. — DOWN: 4. Attractiveness; 5. James I’s queen consort; 9. Short ride?; 10. Make an example of; 20. Cares for; 25. Sparkly rock; 26. Showed, as a classic; 31. Devastation; 43. Seems to indicate; 44. It may be smoked in a supermarket; 46. Depression-era traveler; 47. Sentimentalize.

09.24.10 — Peach

Friday, September 24, 2010

Puzzle by Mark Diehl, edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Construction zone sign, REDUCE SPEED; 12. Band pieces, BARITONE SAXES; 14. Jean Rhys opus, WIDE SARGASSO SEA; 16. Psychoanalyst Fromm, ERICH; 17. Affix securely, PASTE DOWN; 18. Coroner’s subj., ANAT; 19. Deli option, TO GO; 20. Performed as a minstrel, maybe, LUTED; 21. Ones doing lab exams?, VETS; 22. Ain’t right?, AREN’T; 24. Dixie rival, SOLO; 25. Ball in a socket, EYE; 26. Saw, GRASPED; 28. Big inits. In photography, SLR; 29. Possible IV pusher, EMT; 30. 1971 Tony-winning actress RAE Allen; 31. Atlanta-based org., CDC; 34. She quipped “I’ve been in more laps than a napkin”, MAE WEST; 36. Night that “Dynasty” aired for most ot its run: Abbr., WED; 39. Curse out, REAM; 41. CRÈME de Noyaux (almond-flavored liqueur); 42. Anathema, BANE; 43. Line up, ARRAY; 45. Slightly, A BIT; 46. Island off the coast of Tuscany, ELBA; 47. Vague, IMPRECISE; 49. God, with “the”, MAKER; 50. Aid to researching 35-Downs by topic, GOOGLE DIRECTORY; 52. Ganging up on, in basketball, TRIPLE TEAMING; 53. What patients may need patience to get, TEST RESULTS.

Down — 1. Throw off, RADIATE; 2. Puts up, ERECTS; 3. Knockout, DISH; 4. Hagen of stage and screen, UTA; 5. Carl Icahn or T. Boone Pickens, CORPORATE RAIDER; 6. Attracts, ENGAGES; 7. SEASON PREMIERES (September happenings, often); 8. Tip preceder, maybe, PSST; 9. Oil support, EASEL; 10. Escapist reading?, EXODUS; 11. Firedome and Firelite, DESOTOS; 12. David of “St. Elsewhere”, BIRNEY; 13. “Black Beauty” author, SEWELL; 14. Hair extension, WEAVE; 15. Some choice words, AND OR; 19. Touchdown locale, TARMAC; 23. Sideboard collection, TEA SET; 26. Peach, GEM; 27. Cannon, e.g.: Abbr., DET; 31. First blond bond, CRAIG; 32. Actor Mulroney of “The Wedding Date:, DERMOT; 33. End of many a driveway, CAR PORT; 35. Free cookie distributor, WEB SITE; 36. They sometimes create a scene, WALK-ONS; 37. Sportscaster Dick ENBERG; 38. “My pet”, DEARY; 40. “My little” girl of early TV, MARGIE; 42. Get lost, BEAT IT; 44. Dog park noises, YELPS; 48. Invader of Rome in 390 B.C., CELT; 49. Credits date for “Cinderella” or “All About Eve”, MCML; 51. EAU de parfum.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

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09.23.10 — RING CYCLE

Das Rheingold, Scene 1.

(From the original sketch for the scenery used at Bayreuth, by J. Hoffmann.)

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Thursday, September 23, 2010 — Autumnal Equinox

Puzzle by David J. Kahn, edited by Will Shortz

Today’s crossword is headed with the note: When this puzzle is completed, the circled letters starting at 21-Across and reading clockwise, will reveal the first part of 17-Across. Well, that’s DAS RHEINGOLD. 17-Across, clued as Musical work in four parts, with its first part opening the Met’s 2010-11 season is RING CYCLE. From there, OPERA GOER (35A. Attendee at a 17-Across), BARITONES (59A. Singing voices in the 17-Across), 11D. “Die WALKÜRE” (Second part of the 17-Across), LEVINE (13D. Met maestro James, longtime conductor of the 17-Across), SOPRANO (39D. Singing voice in the 17-Across), and WAGNER (44D. Composer of the 17-Across) complete the interrelated entries of this excellent Thursday crossword.

The Metropolitan Opera web site proclaims: The Met’s 2010–11 season kicks off on September 27 with the gala premiere of Robert Lepage's new production of Wagner’s "Das Rheingold." James Levine, celebrating his 40th anniversary with the Met, will conduct, and Bryn Terfel stars as Wotan. Curtain time is 6.45pm.

In this Sept. 13, 2010 photo (above) provided by the Metropolitan Opera, a scene from Wagner's "Das Rheingold" is rehearsed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. The set, created by director Robert Lepage and unlike any ever seen on an opera stage, will be put on public view for the first time Monday night Sept. 27, when the company opens its season with “Das Rheingold," first of the four operas that make up the "Ring" cycle. From left are Eric Owens as Alberich, Bryn Terfel as Wotan, and Richard Croft as Loge. (AP Photo/Metropolitan Opera, Ken Howard) — The Canadian Press.

Must-read article "The Valhalla Machine" with photographs and video in The New York Times — HERE. 

 

Other — ABSENCE (2D. It may be excused), ARCADE (10D. Pac-Man centers), CONGEST (45A. Clog up), DINE OUT (1D. Patronize a bistro, say), DOWSERS (29A. Divining rods), NUCLEIC ACIDS (27A. With 6-Down, genetic carriers), ORIOLES (43D. Birds with hanging nests), ROTH IRA (49A. Savings vehicle), TIPTOES (42D. Sneaks [around]), UNTIRED (40D. Peppy).

Mid-size — COMBAT, DRIVE, Yankee ELSTON Howard, 1963 A.L. M.V.P., ENSUE, FLEER (65A. First company to successfully manufacture bubblegum), HASSLE, IN NEED, KNEADS, LEGATO (8D. Smooth and connected), LIBEL, LIE TO, MOULIN Rouge, NEURAL (3D. Kind of network), Down ON ONE knee, RISE TO (24A Meet, as expectations), VEERED, TURNER (48D. Hurt‘s “Body Heat“ co-star), VEERED.

Short stuff — ACNE, AKA, ANEW, Ireland’s ARAN Islands, Eat like A PIG, AROW, CROW, DANK, DEAR, DUD, EMIT, ESP, ETE, EXT, GENX, GERI, HAWK, HAY (9D. Mudders fodder), ICER, INRI (56A. Letters on a crucifix), IONA, IWO, JAIL (5A. “The Usual Suspects“ setting), JAR, Artist Paul KLEE, LOFT, METE, MRI, NAG, OMG. OPT, “O SOLE Mio”, SEW, SUM, Big SUR, SVEN Kramer, 2010 Dutch Olympic gold medalist in speed skating, TESS (68A. Trueheart of the comics), TODO, TOW, USE.

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An Autumnal Equinox Prayer

May we know the depth and width of the patterns that hold us today. May we recognize the preciousness of each atom that, by being right where it needs to be, creates balance and stability and wholeness. May we be awed by the sheer beauty in the wholeness of it all. — Rev. Meg Riley, Church of the Larger Fellowship 

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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. Like many a cellar; 9. Peddle; 13. Suit material?; 14. Unwanted spots; 16. Come next; 19. Went off on a tangent; 21. Sugar; 22. Letters between a name and a nickname; 23. Hebrides isle; 26. Turkey; 31. Somme time; 34. Practice; 39. Bottom line; 41. Boomers’ kids; 42. What you might need after a breakdown; 51. Decide; 55. Hosp. test in a tube; 63. All over; 64. Parcel (out); 65. Bother; 67. In ranks. — DOWN: 5. It might get tips; 7. Strapped; 12. Folds, presses and stretches; 18. Exult; 20. Motivation; 25. “Happy Birthday” writer, say; 28. Medium strength?; 33. Kvetch; 35. “Yikes!,” online; 36. Spice Girl Halliwell; 38. No. after a no.; 45. Fighting; 46. Issue; 47. County next to Napa; 50. Bother; 53. Mislead, and more; 58. Artist’s pad?; 60. W.W. II site, briefly; 61. Clinch, with “up”.