08.31.08 -- The First Lady of the Theatre -- the Acrostic

Actress Helen Hayes in her Hanna Theatre role of Queen Victoria during the 1937 production of "Victoria Regina." During the course of the play, Hayes had to age six decades to portray the monarch during her entire life.
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Sunday, August 31, 2008
ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emil Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz
Helen Hayes, the First Lady of Theatre, provides today’s acrostic quotation. Rarely do I come across an acrostic quotation that I know almost by heart -- but today’s is one! Having worked in theater all of my life, it is probable that I have cluttered my mind with too much "showbiz". That aside, it is always a delight to come across a quotation as sad-but-true yet humorous as this old friend!
The quotation: IT IS DIFFICULT FOR A STAR TO OCCUPY AN INCH OF SPACE WITHOUT UNBALANCING A PLAY NO MATTER HOW SELF-EFFACING HE MAY BE HE MAKES AN ENTRANCE AS A CASUAL NEIGHBOR AND THE AUDIENCE INTEREST SHIFTS TO THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR
The author’s name and the title of the work: HELEN HAYES ON REFLECTION
The defined words: HOTFUDGE (A. Soda fountain supply [2 wds.]); EASEMENT (B. Right to use another’s land); LASTSTRAW (C. Cause of snapping? [2 wds.]);
ECORCHE (D. Anatomical depiction of a body without its skin); NINAFOCH (E. Dutch-born actress in “An American in Paris” [2 wds.]); HUMPBACK (F. Sort of rorqual known for singing); APHORISM (G. “Predigested wisdom,” to Ambrose Bierce); YUCATAN (H. Mexican peninsula or state); ESCAPADE (I. Fun and daring adventure); SHERIDAN (J. Wyoming town named for a Union general); OUTOFTHEWAY (K. Far from any hustle and bustle [hyph.]); NATASHA (L. “War and Peace” heroine); REBUFF (M. Snub or slight; turn away); ECHINATE (N. Prickly, like a porcupine); FASTLANE (O. Metaphorical venue for jet-setters and high rollers [2 wds.]); LUSHLIFE (P. Billy Strayhorn jazz classic [2 wds.]); EXOTIC (Q. Nonnative plant or animal); COGITATE (R. Put on your thinking cap); TYROSINE (S. Amino acid from which melanin derives); INASNIT (T. Disgruntled, peeved, miffed [3 wds.]); OLDENBURG (U. Sculptor of Philadelphia’s monumental “Clothespin”); NONFICTION (V. Pulitzer category won twice by Barbara Tuchman).
For the record, the full quotation reads: “The flattering, if arbitrary, label, First Lady of the Theatre, takes its toll. The demands are great, not only in energy but eventually in dramatic focus. It is difficult, if not impossible, for a star to occupy an inch of space without bursting seams, cramping everyone else’s style and unbalancing a play. No matter how self-effacing a famous player may be, he makes an entrance as a casual neighbor and the audience interest shifts to the house next door.”
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08.31.08 -- OT

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld, edited by Will Shortz

Adding OT (Over Time, e.g., Extra Play) to say it ain’t so, all the same, crystal ball, big business, school marm, lo and behold, Bard of Avon, and an act of God, produced today’s interrelated entries of SAYITAINTSOOT (23A. Plea made to a chimney sweep?); ALLOTTHESAME (38A. Distribute equal amounts?); CRYSTALBALLOT (58A. Vote involved in a 15th wedding anniversary?); BIGOTBUSINESS (76A. Narrow-minded affairs?); SCHOOLMARMOT (95A. Teacher’s pet?); LOOTANDBEHOLD (112A. Stop to admire one’s pillaging?); BARDOTOFAVON (17D. Sexiest bell ringer?); ANACTOFGODOT (62D. Part of a Beckett play?).

Other across entries and their clues: 1. Pep rally shout, GOTEAM; 7. Sics on, LETSAT; 13. More than a favorite; SUREBET; 20. Program begun under Kennedy, APOLLO; 21. Digs, ISINTO; 22. Single advancement, ONEBASE; 25. Holding one’s own, NOWORSE; 26. Topic in a golf lesson, STANCE; 27. Pancho’s pal, CISCO; 29. Colonial John ALDEN; 20. Moving, ASTIR; 30. EATSA hole in (corrodes); 35. Graduation deliveries, ORATIONS; 37. Jobs for some underwriters, for short, IPOS; 41. “The Daughter of Time” novelist, 1951, TEY; 42. Friendliness, WARMTH; 44. “BESAME Mucho” (1944 #1 hit); 45. 1968 live folk album, ARLO; 47. Humorist Sedaris, AMY; 48. Sub, HOAGIE; 51. Maximum extent, hilt; 53. Pushover, SOFTY; 59. Recipient of a lettera amorosa, CARO; 60. Missile Command maker; ATARI; 63. Floors, KOS; 64. Sounds from a hot bath, AHS; 65. Subject to loss on a laptop; UNSAVED; 67. Follies, LUNACIES; 68. Genetic letters, RNA; 70. Have no accomplices, ACTALONE; 71. Done, ATANEND; 72. Three times a day, on an Rx, TID; 73. Thurman of “The Avengers”, UMA; 74. Title role for Streisand, YENTL; 75. Mire, MUCK; 80. Kitchen appliance brand, OSTER; 82. When doubled, an old sitcom sign-off; 83. Blasts from the past, briefly, NTESTS; 84. Payroll fig., SSN; 87. N.B.A. star Lamar ODOM; 89. Act as a go-between, LIAISE; 91. Main lines, AORTAE; 93. Peter Pan rival, JIF; 99. Commercial prefix with jet, AERO; 100. One making an impression, ENGRAVER; 102. Poet who wrote “She walks in beauty, like the night”, BYRON; 103. Belong, FITIN; 104. Blacksmith, often, SHOER; 105. Race of Norse deities, AESIR; 108. Picks up, LEARNS; 110. More like a bubble bath, SUDSIER; 117. Hams, EMOTERS; 118. World capital said to have been founded by King Midas, ANKARA; 119. Muse of astronomy, URANIA; 120. “Hmmm…”, LETSSEE; 121. Theater annoyance, BEEPER; 122. Manager, GETSBY.

I’ll leave out the much more interesting downs so that this doesn’t run into OT!

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Xword information -- Down: 1. Oomph; 2. W.W. II agcy.; 3. Movie with the repeated line “To infinity, and beyond!”; 4. Snobbery; 5. Site of many kisses; 6. Sound from a dungeon,;7. Hereditary’ 8. Around 1,000, e.g.: Abbr.; 9. Word repeated in Emily Dickinson’s “___ so much joy! ___ so much joy!”; 10. Winter vehicles with treads; 11. Yours, in Nemours; 12. Day care charges; 13. State in the Sierra Madre; 14. Game with Wild Draw Four cards; 15. Runs the hose over again; 10. Stopping place in a Carlo Levi title; 18. Ancient Jewish ascetic; 19. Lilliputian; 24. Home of the world’s northernmost capital: Abbr.; 28. “I Never Played the Game” writer; 30. Sanyo competitor; 31. ___ blocker; 33. “This Boy’s Life” author Wolff; 34. Nerve material?; 36. Health org.; 38. Stern cry?; 39. “Very funny!”; 40. Oscar winner Jannings and others; 43. Again and again?; 46. Spots; 49. Showed hospitality at the door; 50. Bygone muscle cars; 52. They have substantial bills; 54. Sen. Lott; 55. Mountain air; 56. Got started, with “up”; 57. Alternative to a hotel, briefly; 58. Cable channel whose first showing was “Gone With the Wind”; 60. John Wayne film, with “The”; 61. “Swan Lake” garb; 66. Makes an assertion; 68. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 8 ___ minor; 69. Mass, for one; 70. Gallic girlfriend; 72. “Pagliacci” clown; 73. Guam, e.g.: Abbr.; 77. Aplenty; 78. Take back; 79. Ministre d’ ___; 81. You can count on them; 84. Texas toppers; 85. Delhi wrap; 86. Bygone Dodge; 88. Early 12th-century year; 90. What turned-out pants pockets may signify; 92. Slicker accessory; 93. Toastmaster General of old comedy; 94. Bury; 96. Last ride?; 97. Hungarian playwright known for “Lilliom”; 96. Like a line, briefly; 101. Pauses; 103. Partner in a French firm, maybe; 106. Hunk; 107. Actress Skye; 109. Put ___ in one’s ear; 111. Prior to, in verse; 113. Select; 114. We may precede this; 115. Ad ___; 116. Box on a calendar.

08.30.08 -- Bon Appétit!

Saturday, August 30, 2008
Puzzle by Michael Shteyman, edited by Will Shortz
Six 15-letter entries are the main feature of this Saturday crossword with more than a soupçon of trivia.
FRENCHONIONSOUP (38A. Common restaurant offering that was Julia Child’s last meal), good grief, who keeps track of these things?!; PARKERHOUSEROLL (12D. Bakery item folded in half), maybe to soak up the soup?; GOODCHOLESTEROL (17A. Carrier of fatty acids), from the onions?; IDONFEELLIKEIT (3D. Unenthusiastic response to an offer); and Julia’s dinner guests, CALIFORNIAGIRLS (7D. 1965 hit parodied by the Beatles’ “Back in the U.S.S.R.”), who knew?; along with EBENEZERSCROOGE (59A. Name associated with spirits), now that‘s a clue one can use on any occasion! Maybe he'll bring a goose!
Joining the California girls and Ebenezer Scrooge in this puzzle, people and/or personages include ALDAMATO (16A. Former senator with the memoir “Power Pasta and Politics”); ARTISTES (65A. Cirque du Soleil troupe, e.g.); EEK (21A. Cartoon cat with an exclamation mark in his name); ELGAR (51A. Knighted English composer); an EMEER (11D. Arab commander); EMILES (66A. “Ratatouille” rat and namesakes); ETHEL (6D. One of the Barrymores); HAGMAN (1D. 1970s- ‘80s prime-time soap star); a HURLER (64A. Ace, say); ISAAC (44A. Singer of sewing machine fame); a LECHER (36A. Rake); LENIN (32D. “What Is to Be Done?” writer); NED (4D. Songwriter Washington); an OTO (13D. Plains native); REDD (2004 N.B.A. All-Star Michael); TALOS (25D. Brass guardian of Crete, in myth); but not HAMLET (28D. Dorp), the Dane.
Other mid-sized entries of this soupe du jour are a bit eclectic -- ALEGAR (8D. Sour condiment) and ALLELE (45D. Mutated gene); APOGEE (47D. Peak); ARDENT (15A. Burning); CACHEPOT (7A. Florist’s container); 34A. EASTER Island, discovery of Sunday, April 5, 1722; EROICA (2D. Symphony inspired by Napoleon); HEINE (1A. Bum); INCAPS (40A. With emphasis, as text); INSITU (42A. Undisturbed); LOWERS (48D. Brings down); OROMEO (18D. Start of a cry by Juliet); PAINPILL (63A. Anodyne); and TALKIE (41A. Silent‘s opposite).
The fill is fairly standard with just a few tortured clues. Five-letter entries -- ASCII, CSTAR, LIPID, LOFAT, MORAL, NAFTA, NASAL; PENNI, RERIG, RICHE, STANK, THESE. Four-letter -- ACTS, BLIP, DIEU, DRUM, FTLB, HATE, INCR, RAIL, REPO, YEPS. Three-letter -- BAR, CDS, EPA, KEY, LIL, MIN, ORI, OTO, RIO, ROW, TOL and the always unwelcome ZIT.
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Xword search information -- Across: 19. Part of a deg.; 20. Fix, as sails; 22. Play makers?; 24. Health claim on a food label; 29. Western deal since 1994: Abbr.; 31. Kind of support; 33. Kia model; 43. Teeny “tiny”; 46. Like “m” or “n,” to linguists; 49. It’s barely noticeable; 53. Auctioned property, maybe; 54. Crucial; 56. Oil, e.g.; 58. Brawl. Down: 5. Elevation: Abbr.; 9. Spinning circles?; 10. Not like; 14. “My mama done ___ me”; 27. Word in many French family mottoes; 30. Computer acronym; 35. “___ Dreams,” 1986 #1 hit; 37. Cool red giant; 38. Work unit abbr.; 39. Bitterly complain; 50. Old Finnish coin; 52. Like un millionnaire; 55. Slangy assents; 57. Oil holder; 59. Abbr. in car ads; 60. Setting of many jokes; 61. Accutane target, slangily; 62. “… ___ will die”.

08.29.08 -- One Trick Pony

Merry-go-round, Leon Bibel, 1939
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Friday, August 29, 2008
Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel, edited by Will Shortz
Across: 1. Building blocks; 5. Way around in some comic books; 14. Bandar SERI Begawan (capital of Brunei); 15. Succumbs to interrogation, perhaps; 16. “Varsity Blues” actor Scott; 17. Annual college event since 1935; 18. Exceedingly rare infant; 20. Gravitate; 21. S.E. Hinton classic; 24. Purely physical; 25. Prefix with glottal; 26. Wave function symbol; 29. Light construction material; 30. Third-degree, in math; 32. Group from a very distant place; 33. Like; 34. Looking forward to being docked?; 36. Nail holder; 37. Breed; 38. Words after an iffy statement; 39. Rod; 41. K’ung Fu-TSE (Confucius); 42. Org. at the center of the 2007 memoir “At the Center of the Storm; 43. Like Ibsen, to his countrymen; 44. Providers of many openings?; 48. Director and star of the 1958 Best Foreign Language Film; 50. One whose motto is “The only easy day was yesterday”; 51. “No way, no how”; 54. No gentle giant; 55. Like some nonvoters; 56. Ancient dweller in present-day Kurdistan; 57. Sorry souls ; 58. “Step the meek fowls where ERST they ranged”: Emerson.
Down: 1. Component of morning dress; 2. They’re blown up and thrown up; 3. Image on Oregon’s state quarter; 4. Making waves?; 5. Shows; 6. Treasured instrument; 7. Real good-looker; 8. Where the N.Y. Liberty play; 9. Person who’s talented but not versatile, ONETRICKPONY; 10. Contents of some arms; 11. “That’s my cue!”; 12. More than spicy; 13. Many an ex-pat takes it; 15. “Mulholland Falls actor, 1996; 19. “That’s enough out of you!”, PUTASOCKINIT; 22. Payment option; 23. It might have a lot of extras; 26. Protest music pioneer; 27. Where many heads are put together; 28. Listener’s acknowledgment; 29. Provoke; 30. See 35-Down; 35. With 30-Down, locale of lots of locks; 31. Tour grp.; 40. Trying; 43. Rice product; 44. Brand with Ohranj and Razberi varieties, briefly; 45. Pass; 46. TARAS Bulba (literary Cossack); 47. Driving hazard; 48. Go for a few rounds?; 49. Swarms; 51. Go out for a bit?; 52. Absorbed; 53. Big blast.
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08.28.08 -- An Eye for an I

Thursday, August 28, 2008
Puzzle by Sheldon Benardo, edited by Will
Shortz
ANEYEFORANI
(53A. Punny hint to answering 20-Across, 11-Down and 29-Down), along with EYECLAUDIUS (20A. Historical 1976 miniseries), EYETHEJURY (11D. Classic 1947 detective novel) and EYELIKEIKE (29D. Bygone political slogan) are the interrelated entries of this Thursday crossword.
Longer entries include DESIARNAZ (8D. 1940s- ‘50s film/TV star with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame) and SPONGEBOB (33D. Title TV character in Bikini Bottom), both over-clued. Seven-letter entries are CRISPER (30A. Refrigerator part), LISTENS (46A. Obeys), PATROLS (45D. Soldiers’ jobs), SLACKEN (4D. Abate) and SOPRANO (37A. Juliet, e.g., in Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet”). CREATE (5D. Hatch), CRISIS (9D. Cause for using a hot line), SLEEVE (27A. Record holder), SOFTON (48D. Not punishing sufficiently), STAYED (48A. Didn’t raise) and TEASER (47D. Come-on) are the six-letter entries.
Those of five letters are ANIGH (25A. Close, old-style); CARDS (30D. ‘06 Series winner); CREST (9A. Place for a motto); HAGUE (6D. Global legal venue, with “The”); ICEAX (19A. Mountaineering equipment); 49A. KLEIG light: Var.; LAPEL (28D. It’s sometimes grabbed); LIVES (21D. Biographies); SHIPS (58A. Sends); OLEIN (38D. Liquid fat); OSTEO (39D. Prefix with sclerosis); PEKOE (62A. Black tea); PETER (50D. One of the “Brady Bunch” kids); RANEE (31D. Eastern royal); ROYCE (16A. Early British automaker Henry); SPREE (44A. Tear); STEER (65A. It may be rounded up in a roundup); 22D. UNION Station; WAYNE (32A. Big name in Gotham City).
The fill: APE, AREA, AROD, ASPS, AWAY and AWOL, BERN, BUTT, CADS, CAGE, CHAD, DOZE, EGOS, ESL, GAZA, GPO, ICED, IONS, KITE, LEAN, LODZ, NEAL, OJAI, OLEO and OREO, PELE, POE and POET, RARE, ROC, SALS, SANO, SCAN, SWAP, TEXT, TNT , UNC, WHET, YULE.
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Xword search information -- Across: 1. Poor dating prospects; 5. Central Africa’s Lake ___; 14. M.P.’s quarry; 15. Bloody, so to speak; 17. Hot strip?; 18. Washington has some big ones; 23. C7H5N3O6; 24. Toy at the beach; 33. “Mens sana in corpore ___”; 34. California’s ___ Musical Festival, since 1947; 36. Goon; 40. Chapel Hill sch. 41. Only player to be part of three World Cup-winning teams; 43. Poland’s second-largest city; 50. Lay person?; 51. Reverence; 60. Object of ridicule; 61. After-lunch bite; 63. Stick on a dish; 64. Scraggy; 66. European capital; 67. “Do the Right Thing” pizzeria. Down: 1. Part of a pound; 2. Out; 3. Siesta; 7. Yankee nickname starting in 2004; 10. Sinbad’s avian attacker; 12. Process, in a way, as documents; 13. Transcript; 26. Delivery notation: Abbr.; 27. Give and take; 35. Put away; 42. Night school class, for short; 51. Cold-blooded killers; 52. Stimulate; 54. Holiday season; 55. Quarter; 56. “Hud” Oscar winner; 57. Ones with charges; 59. Writer who wrote “I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity”.

08.27.08 -- Echoes

The Universe is My Mind. Ink and color on paper, Irene Chou, 2003. Duolun Museum of Modern Art in Shanghai
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Puzzle by Donna Hoke Kahwaty, edited by Will Shortz

Echoed syllables, PAWPAWPRINTS (20A. Some fruit still lifes?), CANCANOPENER (26A. Showy dance intro?), TOMTOMTURKEY (41A. Gobbler in a powwow musical group?) and BONBONVOYAGE (47A. Chocolate’s journey?) are the interrelated entries of today's crossword.

Other long entries are FOOTLOOSE (17A. Unencumbered); HONOREE (39D. Roasted one); IN AMERICA (52A. Stateside); NITPICKY (4D. Sweating the small stuff); SLURPEE (9D. 7-Eleven cooler); SORCERER (37D. Dungeons & Dragons character).

The major portion of the crossword is occupied by middle-sized entries -- 34D. In the blink of ANEYE; ANION (45D. Negative particles); APOGEE (25A. Orbital extreme); BRIAR (51A. Prickly plant); DANTE (59A. Writer who went to hell?); EBBED (43D. Fell back); ECLAT (22A. Super success); ECOLE (56A. Where élèves study); ELAYNE (43A. Comical Boosler); ENCORE (46A. Call for more); ENORM (29D. Huge, in verse); ESKIMO (22A. Parka wearer, maybe); GOING (11D. In action); GROWON (5D. Gradually appeal to); 39A. Actor Rutger HAUER; KNACK (24D. Natural ability); LAMAS (18D. Priests of the East); LEAKS (30A. Security concerns); 16A. Sierra LEONE; LOCKE (40A. Political philosopher John); 44D. Poet Federico Garcia LORCA; LUNGE (40D. Fencing move); 27D. “Are you in OROUT?”); PALEO (28D. Archaeologist’s prefix); PANGS (21D. Hunger signals); POKER (33D. Cincinnati and lowball are versions of this); RAMEN (36D. Japanese bowlful); RANGE (31A. Diva’s asset); ROLOS (36A. Chocolate-caramel candies); 23D. Composer Camille Saint-SAENS; SENIOR (10D. Like half of U.S. senators); SENSE (13D. Pick up on); SOCKO (32D. Super, in Variety); SSGTS (9A. Some N.C.O.’s); TEAMUP (42D. Get together for a task); TNOTE (12D. It takes up to 10 yrs. to reach maturity); TYBALT (41D. Capulet murdered by Romeo); UNION (19A. Shop group).

Short fill -- AAA, ANCY, BLEW, CNN, ECO, ECRU, EDNA, FOCI, GLIB, IDO, ILSA, LOOP, MOO, OFF, OMEN, ROLL, RONA, SOON, SPA, VIEW, WEEP, YARE ...and the unechoed TSK (38A. Terse reproof).

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Xword search information -- 1. Gathering clouds, e.g.; 5. Smooth-talking; 14. Centers of attention; 15. Rock’s partner; 32. Where one might get steamed; 35. Suffix with buoy; 37. In short order; 57. Hosiery shade; 58. “Hairspray” mom; 60. Get blubbery; 61. Novelist Jaffe. Down: 1. Not quite oneself; 2. Jersey sound; 3. System starter?; 6. In the ___; 7. Rick’s film love; 8. Totally bungled; 48. Penthouse asset; 49. It’s enough, for some; 50. Easy to maneuver, at sea; 53. Oath affirmation; 54. “The Situation Room” airer; 55. Rte. suggester.

08.26.08 -- Roses

Roses - P.A. Nisbet
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Puzzle by Nancy Salomon, edited by Will Shortz

AMERICANBEAUTY (20A.
Rose), CHARLIEHUSTLE (36A. Rose) and TOOKTOONESFEET (57A. Rose) are the interrelated entries of this Tuesday crossword puzzle.

Eight-letter entries include
ATLANTIC (2D. Monopoly avenue); BADMOUTH (3D. Put down); BLUELIPS (9D. Symptom of hypothermia); BROCCOLI (6D. Some spears); HYSTERIA (38D. What 1938’s “The War of the Worlds” broadcast set off); LANCELOT (39D. Most trusted knight of King Arthur); ROOSTERS (37D. Natural alarms) and ETCETERA (40D. Yadda yadda yadda).

Seven-letter -- BERMUDA (22D. Its capital is Hamilton); BUSYBOYS (45A. Waiters’ aides); TALLYHO (28D. Hunter’s cry);
TRILLED (29A. Sang like a bird).

Six -- ACTUAL (11D. Honest-to-goodness); BATONS (45D. They’re relayed in relays);
SARTRE (12D. “Nausea” author); SLAYED (13D. Cracked up at a comedy club); SONNET (8D. One begins “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”); SOOTHE (48D. Give relief); STOICS (47D. Unmovable ones); UTOPIA (46D. Heaven on earth).

Five -- ANWAR (7D. Peace Nobelist Sadat); BLASS (9A. Bill of fashion);
CREEL (24A. Angler’s accessory); EMCEE (55A. Host a roast, say); LOCAL (16A. In town); MEOWS (56D. “I want in” or “I want out” indicators, maybe); NICER (64A. More agreeable); OPINE (60A. Suggest); 54D. Jermaine ONEAL, six-time N.B.A. All-Star; SASES (67A. Enclosures with MSS.); SHEET (4D. Cover of night?) and SHOOT (53A. “Go ahead, ask”); TNOTE (23A. Bill from the govt.); ULTRA (19A. Extreme).

Four --
ARNO, DABS, ELAL, GOWN, HAIL, KNEE, LOLA, LSTS, MAGI, MBAS, OLDE, OLEG, SAAB, SATE, SILL, SITS, STAT, TERI, UTAH, WORE.

Three -- ALT, AOL, ARE, ATT, BTU, CYD, DEF, DUO, EOE, GET, MPS, NCO, OTO, ALT, MPS, NCO,
REO, SAD, TBS, TEC.

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Search information -- Across: 1. Smidgens; 5. Corp. recruits; 14. Home of Zion National Park; 15. The New Yorker cartoonist Peter; 17. Antique, antiquely; 18. Formal frock; 25. Lionel Richie’s “You ___”; 26. A/C meas.; 27. Nebraska native; 31. Tends tots; 33. PC key; 35. Base cops; 41. Co. in a 2001 merger with Time Warner; 42. Charisse of “Silk Stockings”; 43. Fill fully; 49. Moping; 51. U.S.M.C. barracks boss; 52. Case worker: Abbr.; 61. Garr of “Tootsie”; 62. Designer for Jackie; 65. Precipitation that can leave dents; 66. Abraded; 68. Mideast carrier; 69. Runs, hits or errors. Down: 1. Batman and Robin, e.g.; 5. Travelers to Bethlehem; 10. 1970 Kinks hit; 21. Former automaker that manufactured trucks in W.W. II; 23. SuperStation inits.; 30. D-Day carriers: Abbr.; 32. Volvo rival; 34. Sleuth, informally; 44. Help wanted abbr.; 58. Common arthritis site; 59. Window part; 63. Comprehend.

08.25.08 -- Mother Goose

Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers, Sharon, Lois, & Bram's Mother Goose. Illustrated by Maryann Kovalski. Boston, MA: Little Brown and Co., 1985.
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Monday, August 25, 2006
Puzzle by Andrea Carla Michaels and Michael Blake, edited by Will Shortz
Plosives have the run of the puzzle today with PACKAPUNCH (16A. Be very potent); PECKINGORDER (22A. Social hierarchy); PICKOFTHELITTER (35A. Very best puppy or kitten); POCKETCHANGE (45A. Miscellaneous coins); and PUCKEREDUP (57A. Got ready to kiss). So, we’ve got PACK, PECK, PICK, POCK and PUCK, nicely placed in the puzzle in alphabetical order.
Worthy of Mother Goose’s tongue twister, Peter Piper, etc., the puzzle continues with PEEVE (21A. “Pet” annoyance); POLICE (24A. Shout before “Open up!”); LAPAZ (29A. Capital of Bolivia); STP (32A. Engine additive brand); TARP (59A. Tent floor, maybe); AMPS (1D. Concert equipment); SPICE (14D. Zest); PONZI (21D. Kind of scheme that’s fraudulent); PINK (22D. Like the sky at dawn or sunset); 24D. Boston POPS; PER (31D. The “p” in m.p.g.); PROS (34D. Experts); SKIMPY (42D. Meager); PUTTS (45D. Strokes on the green); OPTS (55D. Chooses, with “for”); and PEN (57D. Quill, sometimes).
People in the puzzle include AARONS (43A. Burr and Copland); ADAM (53D. Father of Cain and Abel); ALBERT (9D. Physicist Einstein); ALEC (17D. Baldwin of “30 Rock”); AMES (64A. Ed with the 1967 hit “My Cup Runneth Over”); ANSEL (43D. Photographer Adams); a BRIT (18A. Londoner, e.g., for short); CLARA (47D. Barton of the Red Cross); ETHEL (60A. Lucy’s pal on “I Love Lucy”); HECHE (49D. “Men in Trees” actress Anne); HESSE (52A. “Steppenwolf” writer Hermann); LINDA (20A. Singer Ronstadt); ONEAL (46D. Hollywood’s Ryan or Tatum); an OCTET (36D. Eight-piece band); a RATER (12D. Consumer Reports employee); a TEAM (56A. Squad); a TEEN (33D. College freshman, usually); and the notorious Charles PONZI.
The remaining clues across: 1. Opposed to; 5. Leg part below the knee; 9. Come from AFAR; 13. Have as a definition; 14. Tour of duty; 15. Singsong syllables; 19. “Seats sold out” sign; 27. Toronto’s prov.; 28. Neighbor of Yemen; 39. Pig’s place; 40. Moth-repellent wood; 41. Lower-priced spread; 42. RR stop; 51. Dark; 53. Fuss; 61. Go ballistic; 62. Kill; 63. Requirement.
The downs: 2. Within easy reach; 3. Stuffed tortilla; 4. What a quill may be dipped in; 5. Reeked; 6. Language of India; 7. Of an old Andean empire; 8. To the NTH degree; 10. Got along; 11. Dead’s opposite; 23. Aim; 25. Leave out; 26. Like some delicate lingerie; 29. Inc., in England; 30. “I get it!”; 32. Normandy town in W.W. II fighting; 37. Accomplishment; 38. Ripped; 44. Ripening agent; 48. Water park slide; 50. Inquired; 54. Hill you might drive a buggy over; 58. Eisenhower years, e.g.
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, / A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. / If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, / Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked? / ask Mother Goose!
What a pleasant puzzle!
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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
Click on image to enlarge.
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 subscription.

08.24.08 -- Spruce Goose

H-4 (HK-1) Hercules -- "Spruce Goose"
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Sunday, August 24, 2008
COME FLY WITH ME, Puzzle by Kevin G. Der, edited by Will Shortz
The clue for 30-Across (Instructions for what to do when this puzzle is done) is, of course, no clue at all, but merely a warning that this Sunday crossword will occupy a bit more time, accompanied by frustration, than usual. The related across “clues”, are not worth noting, e.g., 48. With 67- and 97-Across, second part of the instructions; 67. See 48-Across; 97. See 48-Across; 138. Final part of the instructions. The resulting “instructions” are CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE, FOLD THROUGH EACH PAIR OF NUMBERS IN THE GRID SEQUENTIALLY -- GO THROW THE PAPER AIRPLANE.
Go throw it yourself! I don’t like post-solution instructions having nothing to do with the content of the crossword -- there‘s no reference in the puzzle to origami, office or schoolboy pranks, aerodynamics, etc. I handed the completed puzzle to the nearest tween and received the query, “Why don’t you do it on the computer?”!, which is yet another way of saying, and yes I repeat -- “GO THROW IT YOURSELF!”
Following are the across entries and clues involved in the production of the numbers (5, 1, 4; 3, 2; 3, 2; 5, 4; 1) mentioned in the “instructions“ (essentially a non-attributed quotation achievable through tedious clues and entries that barely fly):
MI 5 (5A. U.K. counterespionage agcy.);
AS 1 OF (8A. Belong to);
4 TH (13A. July holiday, with “the”);
3 SETS (78A. Need for the winner of a Wimbledon men’s match);
STEP 2 (83A. It follows the initial part of a procedure);
3 RS (109A. Staples of early education);
BY 2 (113A. How one must win in Ping-Pong);
5 AGAINST 4 127A. Common hockey power play);
DO 1 IN (149A. Slay somebody).
The electronic version of the puzzle is prefaced: “Note: We recommend printing out and solving this puzzle on paper. Download the PDF.” Unfortunately, the majority of solvers will be working the crossword from The New York Times Magazine itself -- why, unfortunately?
The paper of the New York Times Magazine is too flimsy to fly and the addition of lead or ink will cause it to drop to the floor like Howard Hughes’ H-4 (HK-1) Hercules, better known as the "Spruce Goose".
Add to that cutting through the face of child with a cleft in the advertisement from Smile Train on the back of the crossword page, any attempt at flying the “airplane” is one of the least palatable tactile crossword experiences of which the Times could possibly conceive.
The New York Times Crossword Puzzle of August 24, 2008 held up to the light, illustrating the exceptionally thin nature of the paper and the advertisement that can be clearly discerned upon the back of the crossword page.
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The voluminous and fragmented remainders of the crossword puzzle exist merely to support the conceit of an origami airplane, albeit comprised of unwise material for any execution of the instruction to GO THROW THE AIRPLANE, except perhaps into the nearest wastebasket.
The acrosses: 1. Dish that’s often roasted; 16. Spell caster; 20. Declare; 21. PC key; 22. Silents star Bara; 23. Agent Gold of “Entourage”; 24. Teensy bit; 25. Think the world of; 27. “Now I remember”; 28. Leaves in the kitchen; 34. “Moving forward” sloganeer; 34. Galilee’s locale; 35. G.I. addresses; 38. Soft-shoe, e.g.; 41. “CAS in cat”; 43. Something to go in… or on; 47. CUL-de-sac; 57. “NOI won’t!”; 58. Sequoyah, for one; 60. Victim of Hercules’ second labor; 61. Given directly; 63. Ones caught in a maze?; 64. Little squirt, maybe; 65. Lachrymose; 66. MENS et manus” (M.I.T.’s motto); 72. Brag; 74. Digs; 75. In and of ITSELF; 76. Most liable to sunburn; 77. Call on a pitch; 81. Young ‘un; 82. “KUM Ba Yah” (campfire song) ; 85. Beethoven’s Third; 88. Forecast for improved weather; 92. College BOARDS; 94. Religious image: Var.; 95. Seasonal activity; 96. Capital of Italy; 103. Baby kangaroos; 104. Start of a counting rhyme; 105. BlackBerrys, e.g., for short; 106. Blackthorn pickings; 108. Request for Vanna; 110. “The War of the Worlds” invaders, briefly; 115. Rubbish!”; 116. Some corner stores; 119. Orange and green fruits; 123. Rock candy, essentially; 126. Einstein’s birthplace; 129. Author mentioned in the Beatles’ “I Am the Walrus”; 130. Trillionth: Prefix; 132. Study of the heavens: Abbr.; 133. Bias; 135. Collaborative Web document; 145. Something you later might think better of; 146. Consumer; 147. “Death in Venice: and “Of Mice and Men”; 148. Machine used to maneuver manure; 150. Thoreau, e.g.
The downs: 1. Head; 2. With: Fr.; 3. A small one helps the indecisive; 4. QB Favre and others; 5. Like corn bread; 6. Childish retort; 8. Rat-ATAT; 9. “Zip it!”; 11. Experimented too much?; 12. Burkina FASO; 14. Court figure; 15. “Broom-HILDA; 16. MANILA Bay, 1898 battle site; 17. Memo abbr.; 18. 2007 Peace Nobelist; 19. Subgenre of punk rock; 26. 1990s Indian P.M.; 29. Mugful; 31. Commerce treaty starting 1947; 32. “Oh, pooh!”; 35. Big Ten rival: Abbr.; 36. “Stupidest thing I ever heard!”; 37. Poisonous shrub; 39. Sound at a sauna; 40. Remove with effort; 41. Assume the fetal position; 42. Ottoman big shot; 44. Opened, as a flag; 45. Skating jumps; 46. Suffix with planet; 48. Pro; 49. Safari sight; 50. Unleash upon; 51. “Avast!”; 52. Pantheon head; 53. Respect; 54. Copycats; 55. Succeed effortlessly; 56. Bygone TV control: Abbr.; 59. 62-Down carriers: Abbr.; 62. Gridiron grp.; 68. Access the contents of, say; 69. Mother, slangily -- OLDLADY!?; 70. Invents; 71. Let slip; 79. Hoity-TOITY; 80. Punjabi believers; 83. A Little Princess” heroine and others; 84. Internet forum rabble-rouser; 86. Iowa college; 87. Brings to a boil; 89. Audible pauses; 90. Greeting to Gaius; 91. Necessary: Abbr.; 92. BETSYS Wedding,” Alan Alda film; 93. Overseas O.K.; 97. Prefix with sphere; 98. Sine qua non; 99. Dos’ followers; 100. Pick up; 101. Western wolf; 102. Some hand-raisers; 103. Alternative to a cross; 107. SHE Cried” (1962 hit); 110. Emissions org.; 111. TAI chi; 112. Thesaurus offering: Abbr.; 117. Trick-taking game; 118. Girl’s name that’s Latin for “fame”; 119. Walk; 120. “I concur”; 121. Behind; 122. Hubbub; 124. Black-eyed legume; 125. Comic Charles Nelson REILLY; 130. Tire (out); 131. Like ITOR not …”; 132. Bide-AWEE; 134. Monterrey kin; 136. Many-armed Hindu goddess; 137. Old actresses Claire and Balin; 138. Traveler’s aid, for short; 139. Funny; 140. Kung PAO chicken; 142. Eastern Canadian prov.; 143. Campers, briefly; 144. Id EST.
A transfer to hard copy produces the origami crossword puzzle airplane desired as shown in the photograph below:
Nevertheless, a Spruce Goose!
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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
Click on image to enlarge.
Puzzle available on the internet at
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 subscription.