03.30.12 — The Great Red Spot

The Great Red Spot is a persistent anticyclonic storm, 22° south of Jupiter's equator,

which has lasted for at least 182 years and possibly longer than 347 years. 

The storm is large enough to be visible through Earth-based telescopes.

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Friday, March 30, 2012

Puzzle by Joe Krozel / Edited by Will Shortz

Eight fifteen-letter answers constitute the main feature of this Friday crossword:

NO NEED TO THANK ME (15A. “My pleasure”)
I MEAN IT THIS TIME (17A. Dubious claim after crying wolf)
TRIPLE WORD SCORE (29A. Great red spot?)
RESIDENTIAL AREA (37A. Unlikely place to take one’s business)
IMITATION BUTTER (38a. Promise, e.g.)
BEATS ONE’S BREAST (39A. Weeps and wails)
OPERATION CONDOR (56A. 1991 Jackie Chan film)
LONG-TERM PARKING (60A. Sign words often accompanied by an airplane symbol)

Other — ARRESTEE (62A. One may get printed), ARISES, BALLAD (42A. “Yesterday,” e.g.), ESTHER (61A. Megillah book), INTOXICATE (11D. Put under the table), MAN-TO-MAN (19A. Defense option), OTOE / TRIBE (33D. Plains people; 29D. 33-Down, for one), PECULIAR (52A. Funny), PITTSBURGH (32D. Pirates’ hangout), RINSED, SEWN IN, SLURPS, SYNTAX, TEN / CENT (5D. With 54-Down, kind of store), ZELDAS.

Five — Drop A HINT, ALATE, ANITA, AROMA, ASSEZ, ATONE, DABBA, DOMES, END IT, HEART, ISIAH, LITER (44D. Gas unit), MERGE, NOT MY, ONE A’S, PEASE, RASTA (10D. Dreaded believer?), REMET, SEE TO, SORTA, STEAM, TANKS (48D. Gas units), TREES.

Short stuff — ANTE, CAR, EAP, EMMA, EPOS, ESE, ETHS, IDI, ISTH, LAIR (45D. Pirates‘ hangout), NPR, ORE, OTT, POLE, SEEN, SKIM, TEAS, THAN.

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Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Pet subject; 9. Presents itself; 18. They may be carted around; 20. Enough, to Étienne; 22. Grammar subject; 23. Guam-to-Tahiti dir.; 25. Common canal locale: Abbr.; 40. Old English letters; 41. “The Black Cat” writer’s inits.; 47. Really tick off; 55. Let go to pot? — DOWN: 1. One of the Pointer Sisters; 2. Some vaults; 3. They’re in the first draft; 4. Kind of porridge; 6. First name in 1970s tyranny; 7. Giant among Giants; 8. Words before problem or department; 9. Drop ___ (be suggestive); 12. Not peruse; 13. Actress Watson; 14. Admitted to a doctor’s office; 16 More or less follower; 21. Mrs. F. Scott Fitzgerald and others; 22. Like many monograms on clothing; 24. Arrange for; 26. Rather colloquial?; 27. Much paper, originally; 28. Compassion; 30. Formed another congress; 31. N.B.A. great Thomas; 34. Like many bagged vegetables; 35. Part of a Flintstone’s yell; 36. Consumes impolitely; 43. Winged; 46. Starbucks has one; 49. Get a divorce; 50. Make right; 51. Sign of a narrowing path; 52. John Paul II, e.g.; 53. “Beowulf” or “Gilgamesh”; 57. “Tell Me Mo

re” broadcaster; 58. Runner with a hood; 59. Valuable stuff in a pocket.