10.21.12 — Galapagos — the Acrostic

 

 

A Galapagos Sea Lion swims through a large school of Black-striped Salem off Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands

 

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Sunday, October 21, 2012

 

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Edited by Will Shortz

 

This Sunday’s admirable acrostic draws a fragmented quotation from Chapter 1 of Galapagos at the Crossroads: Pirates, Biologists, Tourists, and Creationists Battle for Darwin's Cradle of Evolution by Carol Ann Bassett.

 

As eloquent as it is alarming, Carol Ann Bassett’s portrait of today’s Galápagos depicts a deadly collision of economics, politics, and the environment that may destroy one of the world’s last Edens.

For millions, the Galápagos Islands represent nature at its most unspoiled, an inviolate place famed for its rare flora and fauna. But soon today’s 30,000 human residents could surpass 50,000. Add invasive species, floods of tourists, and unresolved conflicts between Ecuadorian laws and local concerns, and it’s easy to see why the Galápagos were recently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger list.

 

Each chapter in this provocative, perceptive book focuses on a specific person or group with a stake in the Galápagos’ natural resources—from tour companies whose activities are often illegal and not always green, to creationist guides who lead tours with no mention of evolution, from fishermen up in arms over lobster quotas, to modern-day pirates who poach endangered marine species.

 

Bassett presents a perspective as readable as it is sensible. Told with wit, passion, and grace, the Galápagos story serves as a miniature model of Earth itself, a perfect example of how an environment can be destroyed-- and what is being done to preserve these islands before it's too late. ~ amazon.com

 

The quotation: BIZARRE LIFE-FORMS … EVOLVED THERE: … IGUANAS ABLE TO HOLD THEIR BREATH UNDER WATER …, CORMORANTS THAT NO LONGER NEED WINGS …, VAMPIRE FINCHES THAT SURVIVE ON THE BLOOD OF … BOOBIES, DAISIES THAT HAVE MORPHED INTO GIANT TREES. 

The author’s name and the title of the work: CAROL ANN BASSETT GALAPAGOS 

The defined words: 

A. 1982 film horror fest written by Stephen King, “CREEPSHOW”

B. No. 1 among evildoers, ARCHFIEND

C. Bad guy often masked, ROBBER

D. Much bigger than normal, OVERSIZE

E. Formidable marine behemoth, LEVIATHAN

F. Rain-forest rodent that swims well, AGOUTI

G. Belladonna or bittersweet, NIGHTSHADE

H. Cryptic cry in a haunting 1845 account, NEVERMORE

I. Monster-slaying hero of the Geats, BEOWULF

J. Physostigmine vis-à-vis belladonna, ANTIDOTE

K. One working on a graveyard shift?, SHOVELER

L. Reaction to a ghost shouting “Boo!”, START

M. Place in a Gothic setting?, ENTOMB

N. Killer plants in John Wyndham’s 1951 sci-fi novel, TRIFFIDS

O. Source of Word H (2 wds.), “THE RAVEN”

P. Develop as the star-nosed mole has (2 wds.), GO BLIND

Q. Shape shifter, AMOEBA

R. What Diogenes the Cynic carried in the daytime, LANTERN

S. Set to receive trick-or-treaters, say (2 wds.), AT HOME

T. Sign of calamity in the wind, PORTENT

U. Conveyor of a sanguine sort, AORTA

V. Like something out of “Night of the Living Dead”, GHOULISH

W. Strange things, ODDITIES

X. Evidence of horror, SHIVERS 

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10.21.12 — Vault

 

Vault — cmiked, flickr photos

 

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Sunday, October 21, 2012

 

BYPASSING SECURITY, Puzzle by Caleb Rasmussen

Edited by Will Shortz

 
A note accompanies this crossword:
 
The Sunday, October 21, 2012 puzzle is a contest.
 

This puzzle's grid represents a sealed vault and its well-guarded surroundings. After completing the crossword, start in the upper-left corner and find a safe path to an important item. Then determine where to use this item to access the vault and its contents.

 

To enter the contest, identify the following 10 things: a) the name of the "important item," b) where to use it, c) seven hazards to avoid, and d) the contents of the vault. Each of these things is named by a single word.

 

When you have found the 10 words, send them in an e-mail to: crossword@nytimes.com. Twenty-five correct solvers, chosen at random, whose entries are received by 6 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, Oct. 23, will receive copies of "The New York Times Sunday Crossword Puzzles 2013 Weekly Planner Calendar" (Andrews McMeel). Only one entry per person, please.

E-mail from Will Shortz of The New York Times:

Hi guys,

A heads-up: The NYT crossword of Sunday, Oct. 21, involves a contest. The deadline for entries (by email) is 6 pm ET on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

 

The puzzle is not particularly hard -- no harder than a typical Sunday. But it has a nice twist, and I think (hope) solvers will get a kick out of it.

 

I'm writing to ask that you not post the solution grid on your blog until after the deadline. I'd also appreciate it if you'd caution the commenters on your blog not to say things that will give away the answer. General discussion, of course, is fine.

 

BTW, as in previous NYT crossword contests, the prize this time is modest: 25 copies of the 2013 New York Times crossword engagement calendar. In the past some people have wondered why the prize isn't bigger. The reason is because of laws prohibiting lotteries. Since the 25 winners are selected at random from the correct entries, there is a large element of luck in winning, and it is illegal to charge people anything (even the cost of a newspaper) to enter a contest.

 

This is why the prize is small. No one is going to get too worked up by the chance to win a calendar. We're just trying to have fun and add a little fillip to solving.

~ Will

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The clues — ACROSS: 1. Carne ___ (burrito filling); 6. Times when the French fry?; 10. Chess champion Mikhail; 13. Highland fling participants; 19. Gave props on Facebook; 20. Big drop; 21. Inveigle; 23. Husky relative; 24. Not entirely real, as a photo; 25. “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” poet; 26. Footwear preserver; 28. Poetic basis for an N.F.L. team name; 30. It has a light bark; 31. Go back over; 33. Affix, as a patch; 34. Move, in real-estate lingo; 35. Soft scent; 38. Actress Davis of “The Matrix Reloaded”; 39. Warner who played Charlie Chan; 40. Oodles; 41. Bands seen at Japanese weddings; 42. Football figs.; 43. Carnivorous plant; 44. Christopher Robin’s last name; 45. Ripken with a 17-year consecutive game streak; 46. Org. with a wing and a globe in its logo; 49. ___ B; 51. BlackBerry features; 53. Secretary of labor who became a Supreme Court justice; 58. He wrot: “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.”; 62. Rom-___ (some film fare); 63. Clearheaded; 64. Franklin output; 65. One with a reduced term?; 68. Skipping syllables; 69. Scheduled; 70. ___ Palace; 71. Caper … or going around the wrong way, in Britain?; 72. Owlish; 73. Do a line of shots?; 74. Gabrielle of volleyball and modeling; 75. Kind of barometer; 79. Fossil-rich location; 81. ___ Pepper; 82. Kind of dye; 83. Warren site; 86. Jazzman Jones; 90. Fan noise; 93. Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity establishment; 94. Bodybuilder’s count; 96. Get ___ on; 96. Skirt; 99. Presumptuous, say; 100. Elephantlike walker in “The Empire Strikes Back”; 101. Former capital of 10+ million; 102. Historical figure in Isabel Allende’s novel “Inés of My Soul”; 104. Pet food container; 105. Digital problem; 107. Like a winning X Games trick, maybe; 111.”Harrumph!”; 113. Inopportune; 115. Island entertainer; 116. Persuasive Dr. Seuss character; 117. Pod; 118. Daughter of King Triton; 119. Retro light sources; 120. Boasts; 121. Predatory insect; 122. Pirate’s moniker. — DOWN: 1. Sighed line?; 2. Guru’s disciple, maybe; 3. Toyota exec ___ Toyoda; 4. Concludes; 5. “It’s ___!” (“You’re on!”); 6. Orson Scott Card’s “___ Game”; 7. Not a challenge at all; 8. F1 neighbor; 9. Sofas; 10. Gets bored with; 11. Diplomat W. ___ Harriman; 12. What a handcuffed person may be; 13. There’s one surrounding Atlantis; 14. Before long; 15. Jeanne d’Arc, e.g.: Abbr.; 16. Rest awhile; 17. Tier; 18. Reader’s direction; 21. “Stupid me!”; 27. Postal abbr.; 29. Musical family name; 32. “Cantar de Mio ___” (Spanish epic); 34. Runoff, perhaps; 35. Crop holder; 36. Basic rhyme scheme; 37. Crop holder; 44. New World monkey; 46. How a rocket launch is usually viewed; 47. Fan; 48. Stubborn ones; 50. Lying about; 52. Scores 100; 53 Reward for one who 52-Down?; 54. Lifted; 55. Cash back from an online purchase; 56. Museum holding; 57. Beginning of many a meal; 59. Tolkien’s Treebeard, e.g.; 60. Port from which Amelia Earhart left on her last flight; 61. TV type; 64. ___ expected (predictably); 65. Windows users; 66. Tattler; 67. Always, if the meter requires it; 76. Waikiki locale; 77. Brand associated with a crocodile logo; 78. Dummy; 80. Fictional Miss Jane; 83. Central European capital; 84. ___ detachment; 85. Rio de Janeiro neighborhood; 87. Gluttonous; 88. Setting of “Anne of Green Gables”; 89. University in Center Valley, Pa.; 90. The statue of David in Florence, e.g.; 91. Bird: Prefix; 92. Least defined; 93. Steel mill input; 95. Some cellphone settings; 97. Certain salad green; 98. Triage locales; for short; 103. Trooper’s tool; 105. Great deal; 106. “___ be a pleasure”; 108. “Idylls of the King” wife; 109. Mama grizzly; 110. Ordered; 112. Pep; 114. “Bambi” villain.

 

10.20.12 — Puttin' on the Ritz

 

 

Saturday, October 20, 2012

 

Puzzle by Ned White / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Aid in football tackling drills, DUMMY BAG; 9. Grifter’s repertoire, SCAMS; 14. “I’m still waiting …”, ANY DAY NOW; 16. Boston pop, TONIC; 17. Old TV cliff-hanger, WHO SHOT JR; 18. Jane LYNCH of “Glee”; 19. Little belt, NIP; 20. Apple flaw, BRUISE; 22. Pitching need, ARM; 23. SPERM cell; 26. Recess riposte, AM TOO; 27. Feathered 500-pounder of old, MOA; 28 Unlikely ballet dancer, OAF; 30. Flock member’s perch, PEW; 31. Turn on the waterworks, BAWL; 32. Epic featuring Nero, QUO VADIS; 35. Corday slew him, MARAT; 36. Hit from Berlin, PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ; 38. The Chi-LITES (“Oh Girl” group); 39. Didn’t change hands?, STOOD PAT; 40. More than conjecture, AVER; 41. Burning evidence, ASH; 42. Designer of D.C.’s L’Enfant Plaza, PEI; 43. “YER out!”; 44. More remote, ICIER; 46. Auntie ANNE’S (pretzel bakery chain); 50. Lab report?, ARF; 51. Everything, THE LOT; 53. Durham sch., UNH; 54. Big cards, RIOTS; 56. Alfa Romeo, e.g., RADIO CODE; 59. Mammoth, old-style, ENORM; 60. One might go after pearls, SKIN DIVER; 61. Errant, to Burns, AGLEY; 62. Port called the Cinderella of the Pacific, ENSENADA.

 

Down — 1. Crowing periods, DAWNS; 2. Square, UNHIP; 3. One who’s shortsighted, MYOPE; 4. Treating people, briefly, MDS; 5. Disdainful cry, YAH; 6. Abbr. often near “R.S.V.P.”, BYOB; 7. Bone cavities, ANTRA; 8 “Get lost, creep!”, GO JUMP IN THE LAKE; 9. Catholic university near Tampa, Fla., ST LEO; 10. Hardly forward, COY; 11. “Carnival!” Tony winner ANNA MARIA Alberghetti; 12. Little bit of power, MICROWATT; 1`3. Mush, SCHMALTZ; 15. E-mails, e.g., WRITES TO; 21. Spread, SOW; 24. Noisy 29-Down, ROOTER; 25. Staples of R&B, MAVIS; 29. See 24-Down, FAN; 31`. Slender brooch, BAR PIN; 32. Full of anticipation, perhaps, QUIVERING; 33. Imbecile, UTTER FOOL; 34. Reading for 007, DOSSIERS; 35. Euripides tragedy, MEDEA; 36. Pediatrician’s amenity, often, PLAY AREA; 37. React to a bad toe-stubbing, HOP; 41. Holy cow for Hamburgers?, ACH; 44. “IT’S MY fault”; 45. He sculpted Adam and Eve, RODIN; 47. Milan’s Porta NUOVA; 48. Finito, ENDED; 49. “Princess o Power” of cartoons, SHE-RA; 52. Spam is removed from them, TINS; 55. Amount over due?, TRE; 57. Many a paean, ODE; 58. Red letters?, CIN.

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10.19.12 — Thank Goliath It's Friday!

 

David and Goliath, a color lithograph by Osmar Schindler (c. 1888)

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Friday, October 19, 2012

Puzzle by Patrick Berry / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Upscale kitchen feature, ISLAND; 7. Talked trash?, BABBLED; 14. Second Punic War general, SCIPIO; 15. Director of the “Evil Dead” trilogy, SAM RAIMI; 16. One hanging around the nursery, MOBILE; 17. Period book ended by extinction events, TRIASSIC; 18. “I don’t mind”, SURE; 19. Purple territory on some maps, SWING STATE; 21. Dash part, TACH; 23. Territory returned to France by the Treaty of Versailles, ALSACE; 24. Shot run, STREAMLET; 26. Worldly path?, ORBIT; 30. Shapiro of NPR, ARI; 31. Soup tidbit, WONTON; 33. Balanced, SANE; 34. Predator that suffocates its prey, BOA;35. Like the color gray, NEUTRAL; 37. “Conan” airer, TBS; 38. Like books in two volumes, LONG; 40. Doesn’t tread lightly, STOMPS; 41. Rested, SAT; 42. Old English spa town, EPSOM; 44. Tom Jones hit written by Paul Anka, SHE’S A LADY; 46. More verdant, LUSHER; 48. High tee goody, TART; 49. Former attorney general in the Iraq Study Group, EDWIN MEESE; 53. Patriarch who died at age 950, NOAH; 55. First battery brand to feature an indefatigable pink bunny in its ads, DURACELL; 56. Charge, ACCUSE; 58. Personal letters, INITIALS; 59. Good Samaritan types, SAINTS; 60. Keeps from going too far, TETHERS; 61. Deals with baseball players, TRADES.

 

Down — 1. Ideologies, ISMS; 2. Boy band?, SCOUT TROOP; 3. Quiet demanders, LIBRARIANS; 4. For one, APIECE; 5. Nothing at all, NIL; 6. Pulls off, DOES; 7. Some traveling performers, BARNSTORMERS; 8. Bygone computer brand, AMIGA; 9. 1997 title role for Depp, BRASCO; 10. Turkey Day utensils, BASTERS; 11. Phoebe’s portrayer on “Friends”, LISA; 12. Radiate, EMIT; 13. Shooter’s pair, DICE; 15. Sharp-looking footwear, STILETTO SHOES; 20. They’re wrinkled and cracked, WALNUT SHELLS; 22. “Foul Play” actress, HAWN; 24. Old Mercury model, SABLE; 25. Srpingfield bar, MOES; 27. Ponders the possibilities of, BATS AROUND; 28. Practically guaranteed to offend, IN BAD TASTE; 29. Irascible, TESTY; 32. Day breaks, NAPS; 36. Obstacle for an aspiring D.A., LSAT; 39. He went down in the Valley of Elah, GOLIATH; 45. Indiana city nicknamed “Middletown, U.S.A.”, MUNCIE; 45. Italian automaker, LANCIA; 47. What decrepit windshield wipers do, SMEAR; 49. Tighten, possibly, EDIT; 50. Hill with a “slip face”, DUNE; 51. Legal document, WRIT; 52. EAST Room (largest room in the White House); 54. Gas station name, HESS; 57. Elevator CAR.

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10.18.12 — Which Switch Is Which?

 

Stoned Snake by blueferret

 

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Thursday, October 18, 2012

 

Puzzle by Samuel A. Donaldson / Edited by Will Shortz

 

Switching the first and last words in five common four-word phrases accompanied by justifying clues constitutes the interrelated group of this sly Thursday crossword:

 
SADDLE IN THE BACK (17A. Bit of riding gear on a truck’s flatbed?)
HOLE IN THE ACE (28A. Evidence of some marksmanship?)
DARK IN THE SHOT (37A. Lighting director’s woe?)
HAY IN THE ROLL (45A. Baking hazard at a manger?)
GRASS IN THE SNAKE (59A. Diagnosis for a stoned viper?)
 

Other — ABASES, ANYHOO (1A. “Changing the subject …”), AMBIENCE, AUTO LOAN, DETAIN, HAREMS, JOE PESCI, MUTTER, OIL SLICK (5D. Film about the sea?), ONE PIN (6D. The first to go on a strike, usually), POETIC, REST STOP, SPEEDS UP, SPELLS (68A. Ones cast in “Wicked“).

 

Five-letter — ALIAS, ASPCA, BOTOX (35D. Crow’s-feet treatment), CACTI, CRABS, Mary DORIA Russell, EARTH, “J. EDGAR,” 2011 film, ENIAC, ETHER, HIT ON, INKED, PETIT four, PONDS, SOARS, STILT, TARTE, TORME, USRDA.

 

Short stuff — ADS, ANTE, ATL, BAR, CASE, ELBA, ERS, ETC and ETH, “If I HAD A nickel …”, ICE T, ILYA Ulyanov, INT, IS IT, “IT’S Magic“, JANA Kramer, KEL, LIE, LOO, MCI, METH lab, NCO, NEA, NOIR, OUT, “That’s what SHE said“, SID, SST, TBS, TLC, TUSH, UAE, UTEP, XTC, YTD.

 

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 7. Oscar winner who appeared in a Snickers ad; 15. Hold for questioning; 16. Money for a ride?; 19. Humane org.; 20. Parisian pastry; 21. Pampering place; 24. Crooked line?; 25. Verizon subsidiary; 27. PBS’s Science Kid; 32. “Giant Brain” that debuted in 1946; 33. Doris Day hit “___ Magic”; 34. Cable channel owned by Time Warner; 41. Bygone flier, for short; 42. Card game akin to euchre; 49. Series ender, often; 52. Block; 53. OPEC member, briefly; 54. 1970s-90s band with a euphoric-sounding name; 55 Novelist Mary ___ Russell; 57. Old F.D.A. guideline; 65. Atmosphere; 66. Grumble; 67. Place to walk a dog, maybe. — DOWN: 1. Spots; 2. “The Big Read” sponsor, for short; 3. Thus far, on a quarterly stmt.; 7. Actress/country singer Kramer; 8. Published; 9. Biblical suffix; 10. Kind of license; 11. Island off the coast of Tuscany; 12. Climbs swiftly; 13. They have sticking points; 14. Having tattoos; 18. “O.G. Original Gangster” artist; 22. Skin care brand; 23. Name on a spy’s passport, perhaps; 26. Portmanteau, e.g.; 20. “Battlestar Galactica” destination; 30. Tried to pick up; 31. Knockout number?; 36. Circus clown prop; 38. ___ Ulyanov, Vladimir Lenin’s father; 39. Film genre; 40. Hastens; 44. Pampering, in brief; 46. Belittles; 47. Rear; 48. Old Turkish quarters; 50. Singer who co-wrote “The Christmas Song” 51. Beefs; 56. “That so?”; 57. Sch. Whose fight song is “Miners Fight”; 58. Get in on the deal; 60. QB’s blunder; 61. Cpl. Or sgt.; 62. Home of the Braves, on scoreboards; 63. Kenan’s former Nickelodeon pal; 64. Where you might see a lot of chest-pumping, for short?

 

10.17.12 — Square Roots

 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

 

Puzzle by Peter Koetters / Edited by Will Shortz

SQUARE / ROOTS (1D. With 55-Across, what the circled letters, reading clockwise, form; 55A. See 1-Down) and the four squares reading SHALLOTS, PARSNIPS, RADISHES and POTATOES constitutes the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

 

Other — ANDREOTTI (60A. Italian P.M. nicknamed Divo Giulio), ASPIRIN (37A. Trademark of 1899 that’s no longer protected), DEEP SPACE (9D. Distant regions of the universe), FEARS NOT (11D. Is intrepid), GROUPINGS (31A. Collections of like objects), INCITES (40A. Stirs up), IRRADIATE (43A. Expose to UV waves, say), IT’S ON ME (42D. “My treat”), MALWARE (7D. 7D. Viruses, worms, etc.), PERSEIDS (39D. August meteor shower), PRUDISHLY (34D. In a Victorian manner), UNSHACKLE (17A. Free from bondage).

 

Mid-size — AERATE, DEFOG, DUELS, ELATE, ELECT, EPPIE (33A. “Silas Marner“ girl), Ab INITIO, INSET, ISIAH Thomas, LOEWS, MEDAL, ONEIDA, PIPIT (35D. Larklike songbird),  PORTAL, PSEUD, QUOTH (14A. Verb in “The Raven“), RAN OUT, RETOLD, RUNLET, SASSY, SHALL, SNAILS, SPED UP, SPOT ON, SRTAS, STATUE, TOSS TO, TURNS, UNESCO, “USUAL Gang of Idiots“.

 

Short stuff — ACTS, AGUE, ALS, ARA Parseghian, AS IS, ATH, COD, EEN, EHS, ELKE Sommer, ELLA, EMU (6A. Big bird), ETON, GIN, GTE, Lukas HAAS, IMS, INE, ITES, LAN, LSTS, OCT, ODIN (56D. Asgard ruler), OSU, PAR, SAL, SEA, SPRY, STR, SYS, TMI.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Mlles., across the border; 9. Clear up, in a way; 15. PC connection; 16. Word on a lawn sign; 19. Send sky-high; 20. Gore and Green; 21. Cinema chain; 22. Something that’s good to break; 23. Handed down, as lore; 25. Stops procrastinating; 27. Frivolous gal of song; 30. Aldous Huxley’s school; 36. Lapsed, as a subscription; 41. Hit the gas; 42. Atlas feature; 45. Connections to the WWW; 498. S.S.S. part: Abbr.; 50. Devotees: Suffix; 51. Exactly right; 53. Quizzical utterances; 57. Coach Parseghian; 58. Hoops Hall-of-Famer Thomas; 60. Italian P.M. nicknamed Divo Giulio; 62. Uniform decoration; 63. Excessive detail, in a text; 64. Mad magazine’s “___ Gang of Idiots”; 65. Smart-alecky; 66. Yet, in verse; 67. Hamilton vs. Burr and others. — DOWN: 2. Brook; 3. Throw in the direction of; 4. Greek capital, to airlines; 5. Intend to definitely; 6. Sommer of film; 8. Intl. peace and human rights grp.; 10. First name in scat; 12. Thanksgiving mo., in Canada; 13. Co. that merged into Verizon; 18. Salted fish; 24. Five Nations tribe; 26. Spins, rolls or draws; 28. Malaria symptom; 29. Normandy vessels of ‘44; 31. Martini base, maybe; 32. Ab ___ (from the beginning); 37. Floor model caveat; 38. Nimble for one’s age; 40. Suffix with serpent; 44. Fill with gas; 46. Center of many a plaza; 47. Way in; 48. Slimy pests; 51. Orch. Section; 52. Pretentious sort; 54. Lukas of “Witness”; 58. Some AOL transmissions; 59. Chantey subject; 61. The Cowboys of the N.C.A.A.
 

10.16.12 — Fashion

 

A model presents a creation for Christian Dior fashion house as part of his

Haute Couture 2009 Autumn/Winter collection in Paris, France, 06 July 2009.

 

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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

 

Puzzle by Bill Thompson / Edited by Will Shortz

FASHION DESIGNER (38A. One can be found in each of the answers to 17-, 24-, 54- and 63-Across), FARM ANIMALS (17A. Cows, pigs and chickens), ALASKA RANGE (24A. Location of Mount McKinley), RADIO REPORT (54A. A.M. or F.M. news dispatch) and ANKLE INJURY (63A. Sprain, say) constitute the interrelated group of this stylish Tuesday crossword — with FENDI (6A. Gucci rival) fending for itself.

 

Other — AQUEOUS (20A. Watery), ARKANSAN (11D. Bill Clinton, by birth), BABY GAP (22D. Where one might get one’s first pair of overalls), INSTINCT (42D. You might not think to use it), ISAO AOKI (5D. Japanese-born P.G.A. star), OPIATES (59A. Certain sedatives), SEA DEVIL (40D. Manta), SENDS UP (25D. Lampoons), SPHERIC (30D. Ball-like).

 

Mid-size — ALARM, ALIEN, ARTURO Toscanini, BOOERS, CARRÉ, CHERRY, DEFANG, DELTA, “Madre, non DORMI?”, Buddy EBSEN, EPEES, King FAISAL, GESSO, INSURE, MORASS, OPAQUE, RERUNS, RUN TO, SONGS, SPACY, STEER, TROYS, YES YES.

 

Short stuff — ADZ, Teatro ALLA Scala, ALI, ASU, BUS, DIE, DUB, ECRU, ELEE, ELM and ELS, ENGR, FEAR, GENE, GOB, KEN and KEG, Bryant KOBE, LEG and LEO, MEME, NBA and NIA, NUDE (41D. Like the athletes in the ancient Olympics), NUL and NUN, PKG, RAY (61D. Manta, e.g.), REV, RHE, RIA, RPI, TUBA, UNA, YANG, YSL (69A. Inits. on a bottle of Parisienne), ZAG.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 14. Cousins of foils; 15. Strange; 16. Narrow inlet; 19. Equivalent of about seven cases of beer; 21. Deep-toned instrument; 23. Sister; 29. Mural surface; 31. ___ the Lip (major-league nickname); 32. Buddy of “The Beverly Hillbillies”; 33. UPS delivery: Abbr.; 35. See 26-Down; 37. Masculine side; 43. Gen. Robt. ___; 44. Otto’s vehicle on “The Simpsons”; 45. Italian article; 46. Frighten; 48. Do a voice-over for; 50. Out of touch with reality; 57. Baseball scoreboard letters; 58. Cream-toned; 61. Gun, as an engine; 66. Alcindor : Abdul-Jabbar :: Clay : ___; 67. Direct (to); 68. French square; 70. Tin Pan Alley output; 71. Aikman and Donahue. — DOWN: 1. Render harmless, as a snake; 2. Impossible to see through; 3. “Seinfeld” episodes, now; 4. Idea that may spread via the Internet; 6 Former Saudi king; 7. Blight victim; 8. Actress Vardalos; 9. The Mississippi has a big one; 109. Cover, in a way; 12. Go out, as a fire; 13. Turn back sharply; 18. Void, in Versailles; 26. Bryant of the 35-Across; 27. There’s one for curly hair; 28. 56-Down grad: Abbr.; 34. Hunk; 36 Tempe sch.; 38. Be frightened; 47. Quagmire; 49. Pro wrestling fans, frequently; 51. Conductor Toscanini; 52. Sundae topper; 53. “You’re right, absolutely”; 55. Total; 56. Upstate N.Y. sch.; 60. Like a door that doesn’t afford complete privacy; 62. Loop transports; 64. “Brainiac” author Jennings; 65. Calf’s place.

 

10.15.12 — It's a Tie

 

Monday, October 15, 2012

 

Puzzle by Tom Pepper / Edited by Will Shortz

Royalties, nineties, properties, casualties, beauties and novelties are split in two, providing neckwear for this tidy Monday crossword:

ROYAL TIES (20A. Neckwear for princes?)
NINE TIES (24A. Neckwear for a full baseball team?)
PROPER TIES (32A. Neckwear just right for the occasion?)
CASUAL TIES (43A. Neckwear for informal occasions?)
BEAU TIES (51A. Neckwear for boyfriends?)
NOVEL TIES (58A. Neckwear in a work of fiction?)

Other — JOTTED (Scribbled), ON RAMP, SAME DAY, SAN JOSE (48A. City that a song asks “Do you know the way to …?“), SHIP OUT (26A. Alternative to “shape up”), SUBURBAN, VEGETATE, WHAT’S UP (5D. “Anything going on?”).

 

Five-letter — AERIE, ANDRE Agassi, AVERS, BAHAI, Andrea DORIA, ECOLI, ENROL, ERRED, EVERT, EXIST, HAGAR, JEERS, JELLO, OGDEN Nash, SEALY, SHALE, SLYLY, SORRY, TARSI, TARTS, TO-DOS, WROTE (Scribbled).

 

Short stuff — Golden AGER, AJAR, ALTO, ARIA, BRA, CASH, ECHO, EDS, ELIS, ERE, EROS, EWOK, GIN rummy, GOAD, HERB, HEXA, IAGO, IOWA, IRIS, I-TEN, JOHN (14A. Lav), Chou En-LAI, LOGO (2D. Target‘s target, e.g.), LOO (21D. Lav), “O Sole MIO”, MOS, Bill NIL, NYE, OBE and OBI, PEES, PER, RANI, SIKH, SPEC, SYNE, THEY, TORI, TROT, VEIL, VEST, YEA.

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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. Woman in a choir; 5. Scribbled, say; 10. One piece of a three-piece suit; 15. “Horrible” comic strip character; 16. Sound in a long hallway; 17. Golden ___ (senior); 18. Tennis champ Agassi; 19. Provoke; 22. Jiggly dessert; 23. Calendar pgs.; 30. Vote for; 31. The “p” in r.p.m.; 38. Have a life; 41. U.K. honour; 42. Posturepedic maker; 47. Top of a woman’s swimsuit; 57. States with confidence; 63. Rosemary, for one; 64. Blew it; 65. Doughnut shapes, mathematically; 66. Song in a libretto; 67 Andrea ___ (ship in 1956 headlines); 68. Furry ally of Luke Skywalker; 69. Major Calif.-to-Fla. Route; 70. With cunning; 71. 100-yard race, e.g. — DOWN: 1. Cracked a little; 3. He and she; 4. Entrance to a freeway; 6. Indian princess; 7. Nash who loved to rhyme; 8. Ankle bones; 9. Byron’s “before”; 10. Do nothing; 11. Food-poisoning bacteria; 12. Oil-producing rock; 13. Fusses; 22. Derisive shouts; 25. Bill ___ the Science Guy; 26. Design detail, for short; 27. Six: Prefix; 28. Pupil surrounder; 29. Harness race gait; 33. Japanese sash; 34. What “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” has a lot of; 35. Villain who says “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy”; 36. Yale students, informally; 39. Like bedroom communities; 40. Bite-size pies, maybe; 44. China’s Chou En-___; 45. Expeditious type of delivery; 49. Goose egg; 50. Scribbled (down); 51. Faith founded in 19^th-century Persia; 52. Turn inside out; 53. Eagle’s nest; 54. Become a member: Var.; 55. “My bad”; 59. Part o f a bridal ensemble; 60. Des Moines’s state; 61. Arrow shooter of Greek myth; 62. Worshiper in a temple; 64. Magazine staffers, for short.

 

10.14.12 — Cryptically Yours

 

 

Caiman crocodilus, photograph by Andreas Schlüter

 

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Sunday, October 14, 2012

 

Cryptic Crossword by Rosalie Moscovitch / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Forefather featured in romance story (8), ANCESTOR; 5. Isaac swimming around end of Trout Lake in Minnesota (6), ITASCA; 9. Full of vigor and picking up one friend (8), ANIMATED; 10. A large vagrant’s records (6), ALBUMS; 12 Start to embellish handle and hollow counter with a glossy surface (9), ENAMELLED; 13. Broadcast commercial in Rio (5), RADIO; 14. Cautious means “having resistance” (4), WARY; 16. Grease protects any piece of rope (7), LANYARD; 19. Peas all over top of dishwasher after train went by (7), ELAPSED; 21. Even current in the sound (4), TIED; 24. Cult’s leader upset Igor’s dog (5), CORGI; 25. Genius keeps running convent … (9), MONASTERY; 27. … while Ray follows tribe’s chief on the wrong path (6), ASTRAY; 28. Guy in front of drawer with a scarf (8), MANTILLA; 29. Agreement to have food brought in to sample, TREATY; 30. Ma brought back a torte prepared with almond liqueur (8), AMARETTO.

 

Down — 1. Eva gave some bears plants (6), AGAVES; 2. Jail guards point to large reptile (6), CAIMAN; 3. Balance plate of fish? (5), SCALE; 4. Love song about reverend returning blanket (7), OVERLAY; 6. Ole enters brown study with stamina (9), TOLERANCE; 7. Police vehicle Mark used to secure university area (5,3), SQUAD CAR; 8. Bacon’s ruined; disheartened, Dolores runs away to hide (8), ABSCONDS; 11. Popular performer still heard (4), IDOL; 15. Attacker agitated Alsatians (9), ASSAILANT; 17. Bent charm found under piano (8), PENCHANT; 18. Hair clip Rex almost dropped into nutty batter (8), BARRETTE; 20. Make me a roof (4), DOME; 21. Cat gets close to part of record player (7), TONEARM; 22. New motel imports red wine (6), MERLOT; 23. Energetic person working Monday (6), DYNAMO; 26. Principal takes one lute (5), SITAR.

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Click on image to enlarge.

 

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.