05.31.12 — A Band in Boxes

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski / Edited by Will Shortz

BAND BOXES (20A. Cylindrical cardboard containers apropos for this puzzle?), along with ELO (the band) appearing in six squares (boxes) of the puzzle constitutes the interrelated group of this engaging Thursday crossword.

Answers containing the ELO “band boxes:: Across in order — M[ELO]BALL, CHEESE[ELO]G, M[ELO]TT, OC[ELO]T, R[ELO]CATES, COUNS[ELO]R; Down — H[ELO]ISE, F[ELO]NY, LI[E LO]W, V[ELO]UR, FE[EL O]K, ANG[E LO]U.

Other — AILERON, AT LARGE, COMBINES, ENVIOUS, HANGING, INTO IT, LABATT, PISTON, REAGANS, SABERS, SHARP WIT, SHIA TSU, SKORTS, SLOSHY, STRIFE, TENSES, TRAIL MIX, WHOOPS.

Five-letter — CUBIT, IN-LAW, IVANA, PEACE, PIERS, SMALL, SPEWS, TORSO, ULNA.

Short stuff— ABET, ASS, ATTA, AUTO, CHE, EFT, EGGS, ENTS, EPIC, ERRS, EVIE, GAR, ICY, “I’M AT the end of my rope!”, ISIS, LEW, LSAT, LUV, MDVI, MUTI, ONCE, “Hey, what’s going ON IN in there?!, OTOE, PEW, RANI and RONI, REG, RHEA, SYS, TACO Bell, TAB and TAP and TAR.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Massage treatment; 8. Intense conflict; 14. Fruit salad item; 15. Rich, cheddary party food; 16. Banking aid; 17. Wall art; 18. Future atty.’s exam; 19. Charges may be made with these; 21. Lead-in to “ops”; 22. “Holiday” actor Ayres; 23. Bird with a mythological name; 24. Some people kneel in front of it; 26. Numbing, in a way; 27. Amount of space in a paper to be filled with journalism; 32. A Trump; 35. Year Christopher Columbus died; 37. N.L. home run king until Willie Mays surpassed him in 1966; 38. Ancient measure; 39. Certain wildcat; 40. It may get in a jam; 41. Nebraska county whose seat is Nebraska City; 42. Shoots out; 43. Snack on the go; 45. ___-de-Calais (French department; 46. Keyboard key; 47. Grand; 49. Water source; 52. Wee amphibian; 55. Tendencies; 57. Noodle ___; 58. Onetime White House family; 60. Not yet caught; 62. Moves; 63. Camp employee; 64. Hybrid articles of apparel; 65. Green, in a way. — DOWN: 1. Trivial; 2. Provider of hints; 3. Many a holiday visitor; 4. Help in wrongdoing; 5. Blacken; 6. Like water in a moving tank; 7. Parts of arms; 8. Dorothy Parker attribute; 9. Sometimes they’re perfect; 10. Rule, briefly; 11. Nile deity; 12. It’s a crime; 13. Bakers’ supply; 15. “Evita” role; 23. Record company with a lightning bolt in its logo; 25. “My bad!”; 26. Really digging something; 28. 1960s singer Sands; 29. Some time ago; 30. Hide out; 31. Tolkien tree creatures; 33. Velvety pillow cover; 34. Start for boy or girl; 35. Conductor Riccardo; 38. Farm machines; 42. Pollen holder; 44. Canada’s largest brewery; 45. Engine part; 48. “Shalom”; 49. Trunk; 50. Poet with a role in “Roots”; 51. Fishing spots; 52. Goes astray; 53. “You all right?”; 56. Foot; 57. Eastern royal; 59. Air-gulping fish; 61. Hon.

05.30.12 — Dick Clark

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Puzzle by David J. Kahn / Edited by Will Shortz

DICK CLARK (63A. Late beloved TV personality), EMCEE (16A. 63-Across, for one), AMERICAN / BANDSTAND (40A. With 14-Across, long-running TV show popularized by 63-Across), IT’S GOT A GOOD BEAT/ AND / YOU CAN DANCE TO IT (17A. With 38- and 59-Across, typical opinion about a record on 40-/14-Across), THEME / SONG (27D. With 51-Down, “14-Across Boogie,“ on 40-14-Across) and World’s Oldest TEENAGER (nickname for 63-Across) constitute the interrelated group of this flashy Wednesday crossword. Front row in reform school was hard to come by! You know... the skirts!

Other — ACT AS, AGASP, “Give it A REST!”, BAA BAA, BEING, BISONS, CHAVEZ, CLOWN, EDGAR, EMBARRASS, ENTER, FARER, IGLOO, INGOT, NEONS, OBESE, RABAT, SERIALS, SHOAL and SHOAT, SIMMS, SNAIL mail, SOLACE, TITLE, TSARINA, VARIANCES, WHENCE.

Short stuff — AAS, “ADD A little surgar“, ALES, “Is that A NO?”, ARP and ART, ATF, BED, BIZ, BOMB, BOO, CKS, CIA, EDOM, ENOS, ERR, GET, IAN, ICER, IN SO many words, MIRO, MOAN, NEAT, OBIE and OPIE and OBIS, OST and OTT, “I’m OUTA here!”, PATH, RAN, SLOE, SON, TED, TERA, TSKS, WANE, WON, YEA.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. TV sitcom boy who liked to fish; 5. Theater prize; 9. Essence; 19. Nautical hazard; 20. Flop; 21. Subject of a hanging without a trial; 22. African capital; 24. Miscalculate; 26. Grp. On a raid; 29. Org. in Robert Ludlum novels; 30. Catherine I of Russia, e.g.; 34. Labo leader Cesar; 37. Prefix with flop; 39. Juicy fruit; 43. Buffalo’s Mets-affiliated team; 45. “Buck Rogers” and others; 46. Prevailed; 47. Cologne compass point; 49. Little squealer?; 51. Many a beneficiary; 53. Ebb; 55. Former Giants QB Phil; 62. Step in; 64. Audibly stunned; 65. Saloon choices; 66. Genesis figure. — DOWN: 12. Tokyo ties; 2. Lane; 4. Award for mystery writers; 5. Giant who swung for the fences; 6. Start of a children’s rhyme; 7. Gold bar; 8. Biblical land whose name means “red” in Hebrew; 9. King or queen; 10. Cause to blush, maybe; 11. Cake finisher; 12. In order; 13. Understand; 15. Comfort; 18. Too weighty; 23. Hollywood, with “the”; 25. Bled; 26. Pretend to be; 28. Sea follower?; 30. ___ talks (annual idea conferences); 31. Nanook’s home; 32. Las Vegas signs; 35. Zoning board issues; 36. C&W channel, once; 38. Standard batteries; 41. Actor McShane; 42. Funny one; 43. Heckle, in a way; 44. Right away; 46. From what place; 50. King or queen; 54. “___ little sugar (recipe directive); 56. Complain; 57. A Barcelona museum is dedicated to his work; 58. Nasdaq listings: Abbr.; 59. Vote of approval; 60. Dada pioneer; 61.Bank printings: Abbr.

05.29.12 — The Envelope Please...

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Puzzle by Daniel A. Finan / Edited by Will Shortz

This sticky Tuesday crossword bears the note: The circles in this puzzle are contained in words that form a sequence. Connect these circles, in the order of the sequence, to form an appropriate image.

The interrelated group consists of BACK OF THE ENVELOPE (39A. Location for some quick calculations), ONE (16A. … of a 1968 Jefferson stamp), TWO (44A. … of a 1903 Washington stamp), THREE (11A. Price in cents of a 1968 Monroe stamp), FOUR (1D. … of a 1954 Lincoln stamp), FIVE (51D. … of a 1964 Kennedy stamp), SIX (69A. … of a 1970 Eisenhower stamp), SEVEN (18A. … of a 1938 Jackson stamp). Go figure.

Other — ACROBAT, ANTENNA, BLESSES, BRIGHTS, CUISINE, EPISODE I, HEMATOLOGY, IT’S OPEN, MILK SHAKES, NOT SO FAST, POUNDERS, RAN RIOT, RESOURCE, SHA LA LA, START IN ON, TEDDIES, TOY DOG, UNSOCIAL.

Mid-size — AMEND, BRAES, ELYSE, HUMOR, I LIKE, IOTAS, RANDI, ROCHE, ROOMED, STALE, STOUT, TONES, VANES.

Short stuff — A FOG, ARTS, BAI, BBB, BIRL, DERN, EDA, EENT, ELAL, ENDS, ETH, EWE, FEMA and FETA, FUR, GAS X, GRAD, GRE, HIND, INT, NES, NO TV, OLD, OSU, OTT, OUIS, RES, RVER, TET, TINY, USE and USS.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Grooms groom it; 4. High beams; 17. Went berserk; 19. ___ Arizona (Pearl Harbor memorial); 20. Caterpillar part; 21. Correct; 22. Shared quarters (with); 24. Laura of “Jurassic Park”; 26. Fine ___; 27. Chef’s subject; 30. Guinness, e.g.; 32. Do some logrolling; 33. Hall-of-Famer Mel; 35. “Come on in!”; 43. Sanctifies; 45. They might precede “Monsieur!”; 46. Funny stuff; 48. Low-ranking officers; 51. Crumbly cheese; 54. In ___ (dazed); 56. Chihuahua, e.g.; 58. “Ni-I-ice!”; 60. Circus performer; 63. Author LeShan; 64. Barn toppers; 65. Refrain syllables; 66. Hi-___ graphics; 67. “Family Ties” mother; 68. Sexy nightwear. — DOWN: 2. Not mixing well; 3. Tapped asset; 4. Bonny hillsides; 5. The Amazing ___; 6. Bank earnings: Abbr.; 7. Aspiring Ph.D.’s test; 8. Rear; 9. Colorations; 10. Begin to berate; 11. Org. doing pat-downs; 12. Study of blood; 13. Camper driver, for short; 14. Med. Specialty; 15. Gridiron positions; 23. Ice cream drinks; 25. Angry parent’s decree, maybe; 28. “Where do you think you’re going?!”; 29. Archaic verb suffix; 31. “It’s no ___!”; 32. Consumer protection org.; 34. Asian celebration; 36. Quarter ___ (McDonald’s orders); 37. “The Phantom Menace,” in the “Star Wars” series; 38. Super ___ (game console); 40. The Cowboys of the Big 12 Conf.; 41. Disaster relief acronym; 42. Lamb suckler; 47. Swiss pharmaceutical giant; 49. Played out; 50. Minute bits; 52. Tel Aviv lander; 53. Pint-size; 55. Tassel sporter; 57. Beano alternative; 59. Suffix with Taiwan; 61. Bygone; 62. Acress ___ Ling of “The Crow”.

05.28.12 — Tongue Twister

Monday, May 28, 2012 — Memorial Day

Puzzle by Kurt Mueller / Edited by Will Shortz

TONGUE TWISTER (53A. The starts of 20-, 29-, 36- and 46-Across, e.g., when repeated quickly in order), e.g., RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPER, found in RUBBER CHICKEN (20A. Stereotypical entrée at a campaign event), BABY BOOMER (29A. One born in the late 1940s or ‘50s), BUGGY WHIP (36A. Item carried by an Amish driver) and BUMPER CROP (46A. Farmer’s wish), constitutes the interrelated group of this light-hearted Monday crossword.

Other — BOOTIES, EMOTION, EXURBAN, NEBULAE (2D. Interstellar clouds), PET NAME (11D. Honeybunch or snookums), ROCK SOLID, SUPER NOVA (34D. Luminous stellar explosion), THE ROAD, TRIBORO, UP TEMPO.

Mid-size — AMINO, AMMAN, BIBLE, BLOOD, BOYER, BRUIN, CHEAP, CHUBBY, CITED, COAST, ENTITY, FANTA, LEO IV, LOEWE, OPERA, PACED, PAINE, RAPID, WINES, WROTE, YEATS.

Short stuff — AARP, ALA and ALF, AMOR, ANG Lee, “… blackbirds backed in A PIE”, ARE, BIG, BAP and BOP, BUT, CAB, CBS, DAD, ENT, EPA, ERIE, EYED, HEP, HUN, IMAC, IMO, IRE, LEW, MEA culpa, NASH, NEO, “I‘m ON IT!”, “Alley OOP!“, RAG and RAH, SINO, SNO-Caps, SOD, SOPH, SRS, TAS, TUBA, UBI, WILT, WYO, Gen XER.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Suffix with differ; 4. Early American patriot Thomas; 9. Speedy; 14. Gen ___ (child of a 29-Across); 15. Capital of Jordan; 16. “William Tell,” for one; 17. Where: Lat.; 18. Land that’s not inland; 19. Gave a speeding ticket; 23. It’s transfused in a transfusion; 24. Brits’ thank-yous; 25. ___ carte; 28. Powerful D.C. lobby; 33. Prefix with conservative; 34. ___-Japanese War; 35. Lerner’s songwriting partner; 39. Way under priced; 42. Ogled; 43. Nothing ___ the truth; 46. Farmer’s wish; 49. 10^th grader: Abbr.; 51. Cheerleader’s cheer; 52. Authorized; 58. Protein acid, for short; 60. U.C.L.A. athlete; 61. “If you ask me,” in texts; 62. Sainted ninth-century pope; 63. Daily reading for a pope; 64. Clean air org.; 65. Orange soda brand; 66. “Sailing to Byzantium” poet; 67. Roll of green? — DOWN: 1. Beyond the metro area; 3. ___ Bridge (former name of New York’s R.F.K. Bridge); 4. Walked back and forth; 5. Love personified; 6. Apple computer; 7. Poet Ogden; 8. Thing; 9. Absolutely dependable; 12. Rage; 13. Annual June honoree; 21. Jazz style; 22. Taxi; 26. ___ Alcindor; (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, once); 27. Live and breathe; 29. Gargantuan; 30. Taiwanese-born director Lee; 31. Charles of “Algiers,” 1938; 36. Protestant denom.; 37. Cheyenne’s home: Abbr.; 38. Cool, in old slang; 39. “___ News Sunday Morning”; 40. Attila, for one; 41. Love or rage; 43. Wee ‘un’s footwear; 44. Lively, in music; 45. In phrases, something to share or hit; 47. Dishcloth; 48. A little on the heavy side; 49. 12^th graders: Abbr.; 52. Rosé s, e.g.; 55. Great Lake between Huron and Ontario; 56. Heavy instrument to march with; 57. Lose freshness, as a flower; 58. 1936 candidate Landon.

05.27.12 — PIE — the Diagramless

 

Sunday, May 27, 2012

DIAGRAMLESS, Crossword by Fred Piscop

Edited by Will Shortz

PIE (69D. Word that can follow the starts of the answers to the five starred clues), A LA MODE (19A. One way to order 69-Down), HONEY BUNCH (15A. *Dearie), MOON RIVER (40A. *1961 Henry Mancini song), ESKIMO ROLL (66A. *Way to right a capsized kayak), HUMBLE ABODE (1D. Prima donnas’ problems) and MUD WRESTLER (33D. *Dirty fighter, of sorts) constitutes the interrelated group of this Sunday’s diagramless crossword.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Foot’s opposite; 5. TV lineups, for short; 10. Hideous; 11. Toe of Italy’s boot; 14. Haunted house sound; 17. Rowdy crowds; 21. “A ___ bagatelle”; 22. Klink’s rank of “Hogan’s Heroes”: Abbr.; 23. Dumbbell; 24. “Ghosts” playwright; 25. Skinflints; 28. Tussaud’s title: Abbr.; 29. Easily carved mineral; 32. Shia leader; 34. “Animal House” college; 35. Speak highly of; 37. “___ pray”; 39. “Turn to Stone” rock grp.; 43. Diplomat Hammarskjold; 45. Clio award contenders; 47. Fill to the gills; 48. Made sure of; 50. Life of Riley; 51. “Macarena” group; 53. Courtroom figs.; 54. Venus and Serena Williams, e.g.; 55. Shakespearean forest; 58. Wise ones; 61. Bishop’s jurisdiction; 62. Churlish sort; 63. Passenger’s restraint; 65. Tiny, to a tot; 68. Australian mine find; 70. Sana native; 71. Winter coating; 72. Condoms-on-bananas course; 73. Go like the dickens. — DOWN: 1. 2. Prima donnas’ problems; 3. Montgomery’s state: Abbr.; 4. Go-getters; 5. Flexible Flyer, e.g.; 6. 1960’s TV’s “The Danny ___ Show”; 7. Fall back; 8. Rhythmic percussion; 9. Trigonometry ratios; 11. “Catch a Falling Star” singer; 12. Like some comments on blogs: Abbr.; 13. One of the “north forty”; 15. Ralph Kramden laugh syllable; 16. Brooding one; 17. Golden Arches java chain; 18. “Sexy!”; 20. Got whipped by; 24. Engrosses fully; 26. $5 bill, in slang; 27. Spaghetti and meatballs topping; 28. Post marking at a racetrack; 30. Time immemorial; 31. Like Mayberry; 36. Josip Broz ___; 38. Mad magazine pieces; 41. Till compartment; 42. Cutter or clipper; 44. Foolish; 46. Stepped on it; 49. ___-rock; 52. Twist; 55. Cream ___; 56. Like Santa’s cheeks; 57. You may put ‘em up; 58. Cleaner target; 59. Up to the job; 60. Toothpaste variety; 63. Set apart; 64. Dry; 65. “Today ___ man”; 67. Tex-___.

05.27.12 — State Quarters

Obverse of redesigned proof quarter.

The 50 State Quarters were released by the United States Mint every ten weeks, or five each year. They were released in the same order that the states ratified the Constitution. Each quarter's reverse commemorated one of the 50 states with a design emblematic of its unique history, traditions and symbols. Certain design elements, such as state flags, images of living persons, and head-and-shoulder images of deceased persons were prohibited. ~ Wikipedia

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Sunday, May 27, 2012

STATE QUARTERS, Puzzle by Byron Walden

Edited by Will Shortz

Twelve state names, each crammed into four squares (quarters) and clued as the images utilized in the U. S. Mint series on commemorative quarters for those twelve states constitutes the interrelated group of this stupefyingly sluggish solve of a Sunday crossword:

DE LA WA RE (10A. *Patriot Caesar Rodney on horseback)

MI CH IG AN (19A. *The Great Lakes)

OK LA HO MA (27A. *Scissor-tailed flycatcher with wildflowers)

NE BR AS KA (59A. *Covered wagon next to Chimney Rock)

AR KA NS AS (66A. *Rice stalks, a diamond and a mallard)

MA RY LA ND ((100A. *Statehouse dome)

KE NT UC KY (112A. *Racehorse in front of the Federal Hill Mansion)

IL LI NO IS (109A. *Abraham Lincoln)

CO LO RA DO (39D. *Rocky Mountains)

PEN NSY LVA NIA (46D. *”Commonwealth” statue and a keystone)

NEW HAM PSH IRE (69D. *Old Man of the Mountain rock formation)

MI SS OU RI (75D. *Lewis and Clark and the Gateway Arch)

Other — ABLE SEAMEN (26D. Salts), AIR-RAID S[IRE]NS (82A. Civil defense devices), [AS] DRY AS A BONE (61D. Severely parched), GEORGES DE LATOUR (101A. French Baroque artist who painted “The Fortune Teller”), LAUGHING FALCONS (24A. Snake predators named for their calls), NURSE[RY] MEN (76D. Greenhouse workers), RADAR RANGE (57D. Area that’s frequently swept?), RI[PEN]ESS IS ALL (44A. Much-quoted line from Edgar in “King Lear”), SHA[H O]F IRAN (3D. Noted exile of 1979), SNORKEL PAR[KA] (16D. Military jacket with a furry hood).

Uncle!

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Entourage, in slang; 6. Hide pokers; 14. Person running the show; 18. “___ Majesty’s Secret Service”; 20. Parallel, e.g.; 21. “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” musical; 23. Some dabblers; 28. D-backs, e.g.; 29. P.R. problem; 30. Beach lotion abbr.; 31. Ones getting away; 34. Battery type; 37. Zales rival; 38. Reduce to a symbol; 40. Hosiery shade; 41. Irons, in Paris; 42. “The Goodbye Kiss” author Massimo; 48. Royal title that means “great house”; 49. Common sweetener; 50. Go by; 53. Lacking rhyme or reason; 54. Versatile delivery vehicles; 55. Outlets in a chemistry lab; 56. Island province of the Roman Empire; 58. Nonauthoritarian; 63. Concerning; 64. United in purpose; 67. Old comic book cowboy; 69. Eager reporters; 71. Venture to postulate; 72. Nassau residents; 74. “Lose Yourself” rapper; 79. The Perfesser’s nephew in the comic strip “Shoe”; 80. Party hat?; 81. Beauty contest since 1952; 84. Help in a bind; 85. Simpson girl; 87. Author Jorge; 88. Sui ___; 89. With 95-Down, “The Royal Family of Broadway” star, 1930; 90. Postcard in a barrel, perhaps; 91. Expose; 94. Old French coin; 97. Tennis’s Stefan; 99. Result of failing banks?; 106. “Get Smart” robot; 107. Film composer Morricone; 108. 110-Across set in Egypt; 110. See 108-Across; 111. Fair sight; 113. “A madness most discreet,” per Romeo; 114.Not flabby — DOWN: 1. “Wanderings: Chaim ___ Story of the Jews”; 2. Quarter-mile, for many tracks; 4. Home to the National Voting Rights Museum; 5. Hosp. zones; 6. “Thanks ___!”; 7. Father of the Blues; 8. Outgrowth from the base of a grass blade; 9. Birth control pioneer Margaret; 10. Handlers of brats; 11. Stretched out; 12. Designer Vera; 13. Island protector; 14. Islamic analogue of kosher; 15. Like many music reissues; 17. What a poor listener may have; 22. Athletic awards since 1993; 25. Some baseball scores: Abbr.; 26. Salts; 31. Inter; 32. Neighbor of Poland: Abbr.; 33. ET carrier; 34. ___ belli (war-provoking act); 36. Prefix with center; 40. Arctic ___ (pole-to-pole) migratory; 41. Part of many a freight train; 42. E.M.T. application; 43. Bingo alternative?; 44. Saint in a Sir Walter Scott title; 45. “___ my garment and my mantle”: Ezra 9:3; 47. Too; 49. Do dos, say; 51. Goes across; 52. “Cómo ___?”; 54. Like the scent of many cleaners; 55. Homo, for one; 57. Area that’s frequently swept?; 58. “Lorna ___”; 59. Uncool types; 60. Spring ___; 62. Part of Russia next to Finland; 64. Like the eastern part of Russia; 65. Herring varieties; 68. Belgian river; 70. Winter solvent; 72. Villain; 73. “I ___ bored!”; 77. Sinuous character; 78. ___ West; 80. Fabulist; 81. Word repeated before “tekel” in biblical writing on the wall; 83. Billing fig.; 84. Race, as an engine; 85. Lord or vassal; 86.86. Move toward the middle; 88. “Boris ___”; 90. Cereal killer?; 91. Suffix with form; 92. Kind of farming that doesn’t disturb the soil; 93. “Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper; 95. See 89-Across; 96. Like zombies; 98. Ireland; 99. Unreliable; 100. “I want my ___!” (old advertising catchphrase); 102. Benefit; 103. Force; 104. Cabinet dept. since 1979; 105. Go up; 106. Scorching.

05.26.12 — The Saturday Crossword

The Kiss ~ Auguste Rodin, (Marble 1888-1889)

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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Puzzle by Peter Wentz / Edited by Will Shortz

Thirty-some seven-letter answers constitutes the main feature of this Saturday crossword.

Across — 1. Accompanier of a thrown tomato, BOO HISS; 8. Reddish-orange gem, JACINTH; 15. Settled, AT PEACE; 16. Like the sky, UP ABOVE; 17. High-carb party snack, CHEX MIX; 18. Midwest birthplace of Orson Welles and Don Ameche, KENOSHA; 19. Berry of “Mayberry R.F.D.”, KEN; 20. “Ha, see?!”, SO THERE; 22. Heart, to Hadrian; 23. Norway’s Order of St. OLAV; 25. Local protest acronym, NIMBY; 26. Avoid work, in Britain, DOSS; 27. Try, informally, FLING; 29. Jack-a-POO (hybrid dog); 30. Perfect Day maker, SERTA; 31. Green acres?, FORESTS; 33. Basic bit of algebra, X TIMES Y; 35. News newbie, CUB; 36. Sartre’s soul, AME; 37. Musée Rodin masterpiece, THE KISS; 41. Home of the U.S. Army Airborne Forces, FT BRAGG; 45. One of about a million on a jetliner, RIVET; 46. Fictional title sch. of a 1994 comedy film, PCU; 48. Choice at some check-ins, AISLE; 49. “I DID it!”; 50. No-no for objectivity, SLANT; 52. Allowing no play, TAUT; 53. Adapted intro?, MAL; 54. Make stylish, SPIFF UP; 56. Bush much seen around Florida, JEB; 57. Approach from out of nowhere, SWOOP IN; 59. Stylish, A LA MODE; 61. Edible floppy disk?, PANCAKE; 62. Select from a menu, CLICK ON; 63. World’s largest nocturnal primates, AYE-AYES; 64. TEN CENT Beer Night (1974 baseball promotion that ended in a riot).

Down — 1. “I don’t want to fight, man”, BACK OFF; 2. His opening line is “’Tis better as it is”, OTHELLO; 3. Like some markets and headphones, OPEN AIR; 4. Bit of witchery, HEX; 5. Brand with a paw print in its log, IAMS; 6. Progeny, SCION; 7. Advice from Dr. Ruth, SEX TIPS; 8. Target of Fonzie’s fist bumps, JUKEBOX; 9. Impressionism?, APERY; 10. One to walk with, CANE; 11. Nigerian people, IBO; 12. Pointless situation, NO SCORE; 13. Program guides, TV HOSTS; 14. Talk of the town, HEARSAY; 21. Subj. in the 2007 documentary “Sicko”, HMO; 24. Like some pullovers, V-NECKS; 26. Point out?, DEMERIT; 28. It might prevent a blackout, G-SUIT; 30. Friend of Pumbaa, SIMBA; 32. “Are We There Yet?” airer, TBS; 34. Skin pick?, TAT; 37. Big name in weight-loss pills, TRIMSPA; 38. Stowed, HID AWAY; 39. Prince of Darkness, EVIL ONE; 40. Thin construction strips, SPLINES; 41. Cool bit of trivia, FUN FACT; 42. For laughs, AS A JOKE; 43. Like some fingernails and eyelashes, GLUED ON; 44. Bart Simpson catchphrase, GET BENT; 47. Half-CAF; 50. Rail nail, SPIKE; 51. Tutu material, TULLE; 54. Make unbearable?, SPAY; 55. It may be unbearable, PAIN; 58. Andean tuber, OCA; 60. Turn-of-the-century year, MCC.

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05.25.12 — Nepeta Cataria

Cats on catnip enjoy rolling around in the herb and may even lick or chew it.

Image via www.earthpetsorganic.wordpress.com.

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Friday, May 25, 2012

Puzzle by Brendan Emmett Quigley / Edited by Will Shortz

Hallucinogenic cluing is the foremost feature of this frightful Friday crossword:

Across — 1. Finery, REGALIA; 8. Key for someone with 20/20 vision?, C SHARP; 14. Audit targets, EVADERS; 15. Concluding syllables, ULTIMAS; 16. Take at an opportune time, SEIZE ON; 17. Grooms, NEATENS; 18. Modern chemistry experiment?, INTERNET DATING; 20. End of a dictionary, ZEES; 21. “The Scarperer” author, BEHAN; 22. “Ciao”, TATA; 24. “The cautious seldom ERR”: Confucius; 25. Teary, SAD-EYED; 27. MRS Fields; 28. Winter ailment, informally, STREP; 29. Get dressed for a party, say, DUDE UP; 31. 52-Down unit, ISSUE; 34. One who’s blue, for short?, DEM; 36. Poison ivy and others, VINES; 37. Herb that causes euphoria, CATNIP; 39. 2022 World Cup host, QATAR; 41. Threshold, EVE; 42. Raw, NATURAL; 44 Lead character in Larry McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove”, GUS; 47. Many a “Twilight” fan, TEEN; 49. Stick for a kite, ROOST; 50. Bankrupted, SUNK; 51. It might be covered by an umbrella, FROZEN DAIQUIRI; 54.”Aladdin” princess, JASMINE; 55. Remove spots from, LAUNDER; 56. Compass divisions, OCTANTS; 57. Most slapstick, INANEST; 58. Showcases of rock bands?, GEODES; 59. Ones who are hurting?, SADISTS.

Down — 1. Blow up, maybe, RESIZE; 2. Fix for a wobbly table, EVENER; 3. Boot cover, GAITER; 4. Carving tools, ADZES; 5. A wolf may have one, LEER; 6. Part of a jail cell, IRON BAR; 7. Prescription direction, AS NEEDED; 8. Swept, say, CLEANED; 9. Yards, e.g., STAT; 10. Command associated with numbers, HIT IT; 11. “Couldn’t agree with you more”, AMEN, AMEN; 12. Seemed right, RANG TRUE; 13. They go below signatures, briefly, PSS; 15. Oct. 24, UN DAY; 19. “Moby-Dick” setting, THE PEQUOD; 23. Lethal injection administer, ASPS; 25. Hinged vessel, often, STEIN; 26. 2001 British Open champion David DUVAL; 28. Britain’s biggest-selling paper, with “The”, SUN; 30. Certain board member: Abbr., DIR; 31. “Home Invasion” rapper, ICE T; 32. Avoid humiliation, SAVE FACE; 33. Points in the direction of, STEERS TO; 35. First jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize, MARSALIS; 39. Raises, PARENTS; 40. “Eugene Onegin” girl, TATIANA; 43. Conditions, with “up”, TONES; 44. Museum employees, GUIDES; 45. Revolutionary state, UNREST; 46. Christmas tree base coverings, SKIRTS; 48. One who’s rally going places, NOMAD; 50. Like the majority of Saudis, SUNNI; 52. Informal pub, ‘ZINE; 53. Brown green?, QUAD; 54. Prod, JOG.

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05.24.12 — Crossroads

Highway #1, Intersection 105 & 110,

Los Angeles, California, USA, 2003 Photo by Edward Burtynsky

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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Puzzle by Derik Moore / Edited by Will Shortz

CROSSROADS (62A. 1969 Cream hit … or a hint to the seven “mathematical” clues in this puzzle), along with the names of seven cities clued by highway numbers constitutes the interrelated group of this Thursday crossword:

BIRMINGHAM (17A. 65 + 20)

ATLANTA (40A. 75 + 20)
MEMPHIS (4D. 55 +40)
LOS ANGELES (11D. 5 + 10)
SAN ANTONIO (28D. 35 + 10)
OMAHA (30D. 29 + 80)
DETROIT (44D. 75 + 94)

Cream, 1966 — Left to right: Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, and Eric Clapton

Other — ALEPPO (20A. City of Syria), ANTHEM, DOORNAIL, ERRAND, IN A FLASH, NONETS, RIALTO, SAMOAN, SCALER, SURGES.

Five-letter — AARON, ALAMO, AMOCO, ARENA, ASSAD, BESOS, FIONA, HABIT, HASID, HANOI, HONOR, KOREA, NOOKS, ORGAN, RAMAL (9D. Of a branch), SNEAD, TACKS, TONER.

Short stuff — “ALAS, I am dying beyond my means“, ALBA, AROD, ATM and ATOM, BAN, BLUR, CORE, DECK, DEJA vu, EDEN, EDNA, EMO, GABE, HAIR, I BET, “I’M A-coming‘!”, ION, IPAD, IRON, JOIN, LIEN, LOGE and LORE, LOO, MESH, NEHI, OAT Chex, ODOR, OGRE, Put ON AN act, ORG, SALT, SEA, SLUM, SSTS, STN, TENS, TOIL, TROT, URIS.

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I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.

Down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.

Asked the Lord above for mercy, "Save me if you please."

I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.

Down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.

Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by.

~ Crossroads, Cream

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Maker of bonds; 5. Oscar nomination, e.g.; 10. Hardly a high-rent district; 14. Ticket option; 15. Bowl; 16. Part of the earth; 19. Unreturnable, in way; 21. Very quickly; 23. Common drain clogger; 25. Payment guarantee; 26. Certain pious Jew; 32. Pipe holder; 35. “___, I am dying beyond my means”: Oscar Wilde; 36. Language with only 14 letters; 38. Music genre; 39. Block; 41. London facilities; 43. Key work?; 44. Send to the canvas; 45. It may be found on a drum; 48. Signs of amor; 49. Bring (out); 51. See 63-Down; 53. Carpentry item in a common simile; 57. Swells; 61. Bart’s teacher; 64. Couple; 65. Cold war flashpoint; 66. Sarcastic reply; 67. Hot corner Yank; 68. Youngest golfer to shot his age (67) in a P.G.A. Tour event; 69.Kind of column. — DOWN: 1. Jessica of “Fantastic Four”; 2. Slave; 3. Figure in “Jack and the Beanstalk”; 5. Capital known in literature as Thang Long; 6. Society: Abbr.; 7. ___ Grape; 10. Tackle box item; 12. “Trinity” novelist; 13. Jungle camping supply; 18. Apple tablet; 22. Apple on iTunes; 24. Commercial district; 26. Something that’s often best broken; 27. Thrifty competitor; 31. Fair-sized musical groups; 33. Bygone gas brand; 34. Quiet reading spots; 36. RR stop; 37. $ dispenser; 40. Man with a rod, in the Bible 46. Picking up the dry cleaning, e.g.; 48. You can hardly see it; 50. Tire deflators; 52. Syrian strongman; 54. Effluvium; 55. Wood alternative; 56. Legends; 58. “Welcome Back Kotter” role; 59. First place; 60. Fast “birds”; 63. Potential source of 51-Across.

05.23.12 — Jedi Masters

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Puzzle by Eric Williams / Edited by Will Shortz

OBI-WAN / KENOBI (36A. With 39-Across, Jedi master first seen on 5/25/77), ALEC GUINNESS (20A. Player of 36-/39-Across), EWAN MCGREGOR (56A. Player of 35-/39-Across), LIGHT / SABER (45A. With 31-Across, favored weapon of 36-/39-Across) and DARTH / VADER (53D. With 9-Down, villain faced by 36-/39-Across) constitute the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

Other — ESPANOL (19D. Univision interviews are conducted in it), LOANER CAR (59A. Temporary transport from a garage), ORINOCO (7D. River past Ciudad Bolivar), TIGHTEN (32D. Constrict), VIN DIESEL (18A. “The Fast and the Furious” co-star), WALMART (43D. World‘s largest retailer).

Six-letter — ATTEST, BRONCO, CARTEL, Beverly CLEARY, COSTED, DECREE, NAGANO, NAVIES, REPAVE, ROLLIE Fingers.

Five — AREAR, CRASH, DISCO, DROOL, ELTON John, I CAN’T, LADDS, LE CAR, LOTTA, John NANCE Garner, RISES, STARE, STOCK, TEWES.

Short stuff — ABAB, ADD and AND, BUGS, DOL and DOW, Dr. DRE, ERA, FRY, HANG, HATE, I DO, IFS, LARA, LAX, LEO, NANA, NBC, NCAA, NEO, NOL and NOS, NO TV, OAK and OAR, OHIO, ONE, Castor OYL, RIND, RISK, SOW, TENN, THUG, TLC, TOT, VENI, XED, YET.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Best Picture of 2005; 6. Homework-time prohibition; 10. Vow words; 13. 1978 Nicolette Larson hit “___ Love”; 14. To the back; 15. Cook like the Colonel; 17. John who’s now a Sir; 22. Global conquest board game; 23. Keanu Reeve’s character in “The Matrix”; 24. Fix, as a drive; 28. So far; 29. Place for a revolving ball, maybe; 32. Sitter’s charge; 33. Paddle; 35. Grandma, affectionately; 41. Tough guy; 42. Scatter, as seed; 44. Currency board abbr.; 47. Father-and-son Hollywood duo; 49. “Rock Center” network; 52. Figured the price of; 54. MGM roarer; 55. Zhivago’s love; 62. Pessimist’s plaint; 63. Not to mention; 64. Gawk; 65. Vice President John Garner’s middle name; 66. Crossed (out); 67. Not go for at all; 68. What a napkin may catch. — DOWN: 1. Children’s writer Beverly; 2. Relief pitcher Fingers; 3. Swear; 4. Cattle, e.g.; 5. Pend; 6. Combatants of Trafalgar; 8. Home state of Andrew Johnson: Abbr.; 10. Hypothetical cases; 11. Rap’s Dr. ___; 12. Castor ___ of the comics; 15. Reacts to leaven; 19. Univision interviews are conducted in it; 21. The Colts retired his #19; 25. Simple rhyme scheme; 26. Caesar’s “I came”; 27. The “E” in B.C.E.; 29. Styrofoam maker; 30. Barrel material; 32. Constrict; 34. Blitz, in football; 36. Answer to the old riddle “What’s round on the sides and high in the middle?”; 37. Perturbs; 38. ___ pros. (court record abbr.); 40. Figs.; 41. Mom’s “healing touch”; 43. World’s largest retailer; 46. Lauren of “The Love Boat:; 48. Issuance of Pontius Pilate, e.g.; 49. 1998 Winter Olympics site; 50. Mile High player; 51. OPEC, e.g.; 55. Renault model of the 1970s-’80s; 57. Final Four org.; 58. Watermelon hull; 59. So-called “Gateway to the Pacific Rim,” informally; 60. Undivided; 61. Put on.

05.22.12 — Enigma

The Enigma, Gustave Doré

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Puzzle by Kyle T. Dolan / Edited by Will Shortz

ENIGMA VARIATIONS (38A. Work by Sir Edward Elgar hinted at by this puzzle’s circled squares) and variations (anagrams) of the word ENIGMA, e.g., MEANGI, NIMAGE, AMENGI and GAMENI found in the aforementioned circled squares within MEAN GIRLS (18A. 2004 movie with a screenplay by Tina Fey), GRAVEN IMAGE (24a. Carved figure used for rituals), STEAM ENGINE (54A. Industrial Revolution-era power source) and GAME NIGHT (65A. Family play time) constitutes the interrelated group of this puzzling Tuesday crossword.

Mid-size answers — ADJOINED, ATARIS, ATONAL, AVAUNT, CASH IN, COWARD, DEE DEE, DEMAND, DILATE, G MINOR, ILLINI, KETTLE, LOVE NEST (60A. Illicit rendezvous locale), MARINA, NOTING, ONE TON, OREGON, PATENT LAW (9D. Intellectual property subject), PATINA (9A. Film about a statue?), PERSIA, Stravinsky’s “L’Histoire du SOLDAT”, TABLELAND (34D. Plateau), TATAMI, TRAJAN.

Five-letter — AKITA, “A ROOM of One’s Own”, DENIM, EVENT, GLOCK, GLUED, MOSSO (4A. Rapid, in music), NO MAS (56D. Enrique’s “Enough!”), O-RING, SORER, STAND, TESTS, TORTS, TOTEM.

Short stuff — “Break A LEG!”, ALI, ALTO, ANO, AWOL, BAL, DDT, EER, ENDS, EROS, EWES, GO IN, GST, IDLE, INA, ”Dies IRAE”, ISL, KILT, LOW, MAGI, MOC and MOM, NAM, NEAT and NEWT, NNE, “NOT A chance!”, OIL and OWL, OMS, PERE, RED and REW, TIE, TOG, VOIR dire.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Insecticide whose spelled-out name has 31 letters; 4. Rapid, in music,; 9. Film about a statue?; 15. Always, in verse; 18. Woolf’s “___ of One’s Own”; 17. Hard-to-hum, say; 20. Japanese mat; 21. Was next to; 22. ___ Noel (French Santa Claus), 23. Straight, at a bar; 29. Lees material; 31. Legal wrongs; 32. How a limbo dancer dances; 36. N.Y.C.’s Roosevelt ___; 37. Railroad beam; 44. Like most of China’s flag; 45. Fig. on an A.T.M. receipt; 46. Improperly off base, in brief; 47. “Wise” bird; 48. Like the cutouts in some children’s artwork; 50. Austrian-made pistol; 54. Industrial Revolution-era power source; 59. Bit of Highlands costume; 60. Illicit rendezvous locale; 62. Yacht site; 66. 2,000 pounds; 67. It’s taken by witnesses; 68. Try to stop from squeaking, say; 69. Chicken; 70. Trials; 71. SSW’s opposite. — DOWN: 1. Supply’s partner, in economics; 2. Pundit Myers; 3. Roman emperor born in Spain; 4. Nativity scene figures; 5. Part of an airtight seal; 6. More achy; 8. Meditation chants; 10. 1600 and 6200 consoles; 11. Figure on a pole; 12. ___ while; 13. ‘60s ware zone; 14. Clay, after a transformation?; 19. Mentioning; 22. Xerxes’ empire; 25. ___ dire (jury selection process); 26. Choir voice; 27. Enter; 28. Milk providers; 30. May honoree; 34. Plateau; 35. “___, and quit my sight!”: Macbeth; 38. Love god; 39. Wetlands creature; 40. Empty, as talk; 42. Dress (up); 43. Urbana-Champaign athletes; 48. Key of Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 or 40; 49. Grow, as a pupil; 51. Terminus of a famous trail; 52. Collect one’s winnings; 53. One whistling in the kitchen?; 55. Japanese dog; 57. News conference, e.g.; 61. Terminates; 62. Comfy bit of footwear; 63. Enero-to-diciembre period; 64. Button with two triangles: Abbr.; 65. Astronomical observation std.