02.19.11 — West of the Nile

Collage of the painting Cain Kills Abel by Bartolomeo Manfredi with

a still frame from the 1955 film of East of Eden with Richard Davalos and James Dean

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

Puzzle by Tim Croce, edited by Will Shortz

Two large black-square bifurcating brackets supporting twelve ten-letter entries within seven small boxed-in puzzles is the main feature of this engagingly labyrinthine Saturday crossword…

OCEAN-BORNE (1A. Like a message in a bottle)
HAD A BAD DAY (11A. What makes cats happy?)
SIGN A LEASE (15A. Needed to relax and unwind, say)
EAST OF EDEN (20A. Classic novel with biblical parallels)
SPACE CADET (24A. Flake)
GO WIRELESS (43A. Eliminate lines of communication?)
NFL UNIFORM (50A. Wear for some guards)
REMEMBER ME (59A. Reunion question)
LEAVES TIME (62A. Allows an adequate period)
STRESS TEST (64A. Many a police officer must pass one)
EYE OPENERS (10D. Surprises)
SPICE GIRLS (24D. “Wannabe” hitmakers)

Other — A AND E, ACUTE, AERIE (47D. Takeoff point for many a flight), BRETT, CAIRO (2D. City of a Thousand Minarets), west of the Nile, the Valley of the Kings, CASES, CATER, EDGAR, IN USE, IT FIGURES (34D. “I should have guessed as much”), JAMES AGEE (11D. “Death in the Desert” writer, 1930), OH SAY (1D. Key starter?), PECAN, PENAL, SAMMS, SLEET.

Short stuff — ALAR, ANEW, ARED, ATAD, ATOI, BALE, BASS and BSS, DIVA, EARS, EVEN, EXES, FCC, FEET, FLAX, GAG, GIVE, HERO, JAZZ, LANE, MANO, MMES, NAST (9D. Santa drawer), NAVE, NBA, ODEA, OMAR, PCS, PREF, RAN, RDAS, REAL, RÊVE, TENS, THAI, TVPG, VANE and VENT, YORE, ZION, ZONE.

It seems to me that if you or I must choose between two courses of thought or action, we should remember our dying and try so to live that our death brings no pleasure on the world.
 ~ John Steinbeck, East of Eden

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 11. What makes cats happy?; 16. Parisian possessive; 18. Palma’s place; 19. “Wielding ___ Sword” (Piers Anthony novel); 22. Old; 23. Some office equipment; 31. Language with 44 consonants; 35. Kind of tart; 36. With 37-Across, express freely, with “to”; 37. See 36-Across; 39. Unlike one; 40. Aisle or window, e.g.: Abbr.; 41. Do a wedding, maybe; 42. Contents of some farm bushels; 45. Shut up; 46. Sam Adams alternative; 57. Not knocked off; 58. Controversial color enhancer; 61. Source of current information?; 63. They’ve split. — DOWN: 3. Tidying tool; 4. “Billy the Exterminator” network; 5. Drafting org.; 6. Paper quantity; 7. Some ancient halls; 8. Some ancient halls; 8. They’re good stds. To follow; 12. Opposite of much; 13. Bus schedule specification; 14. Utah’s ___ Canyon; 21. Grp. caring about airing; 25. Kind of code; 26. Penetrating; 27. Spade work?; 28. Hissy-prone missy; 29. Present opener?; 30. Composition of some wads; 31. “Seinfeld” designation; 32. One may win a heart; 33. Fresh; 44. Led; 46. 1980 A.L. M.V.P.; 48. “The Colbys” co-star; 49. Driving danger; 50. Mass gathering place; 51. Oil source; 52 Pool or carpool concern; 53. Shuffled things; 54. Baseball’s Minaya; 55. “Le ___,” Picasso painting of his sleeping mistress; 56. Some Eur. Ladies; 60. First degs.

02.18.11 — Friday Flash

Albino Peacock by Darren Stone, Pixdaus

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Friday, February 18, 2011

Puzzle by Patrick Berry, edited by Will Shortz

With its black squares dividing it into five small puzzles, this evasively-clued, flamboyant Friday crossword is a stop-and-go affair best suited for the most patient of solvers.

Across — 1. Crossbar supporter, GOAL POST; 9. 2009 “Survivor” setting, SAMOA; 14. Attempt, HAVE A GO AT; 16. Like wearing socks on your hands, INANE; 17. “Be that as it may …”, AT ANY RATE; 18. Four-time presidential candidate, NADER; 19. “Isn’t that so?,” to Rousseau, N'EST-ÇE PAS; 20. Roman leader?, GRECO; 21. Sci-fi beeper, ARTOO; 22. Old doctor’s supply, LEECHES; 24. Milquetoast of old comics, CASPAR; 28. Stop order, HALT; 29. Return a letter, say, BACKSPACE; 32. Venezuela’s ISLA Margarita; 33. 2008 greatest hits album that includes the song “Proud Mary”, TINA; 34. Palindromic name high on the Forbes billionaires list, SOROS; 35. Indicator of second thoughts, STET; 36. Statement of resignation, ALAS; 37. Peevish, IRRITATED; 39. Knife injury, GASH; 40. Touch screen toucher, STYLUS; 41. Certifies, ATTESTS; 43. They support TV viewers, SOFAS; 48. Take temporarily, LEASE; 49. Creator of strange worlds, FANTASIST; 53. Unseen “Mork & Mindy” character, ORSON; 54. Totals, AMOUNTS TO; 55. Common praenomen among Roman emperors, GAIUS; 56. Bright school member, NEON TETRA; 57. Blank SLATE; 58. Considers beneath one’s notice, SNEERS AT.

Down — 1. African soccer powerhouse popularly known as the Black Stars, GHANA; 2. Gun show?, OATER; 3. Stop order?, AVAST; 4. Slow than adagio, LENTO; 5. Bird in a Sean O’Casey title, PAYCOCK; 6. Baddie in Perrault’s tales, OGRE; 7. It may be found in a dish, SOAP; 8. “Toodles”, TATA; 9. Expose to flame, SINGE; 10. Disorderly sort?, ANARCHIST; 11. Got a move on, MADE HASTE; 12. Like early life, ONE-CELLED; 13. Balloon, e.g., AEROSTAT; 15. Early radio transmitter, TESLA COIL; 23. 1974 Billboard hit with Spanish lyrics, ERES TU; 25. Run interference for, e.g., ASSIST; 26. Game animal?, SPORTS FAN; 27. Evasive answer, PARRY; 29. Involving both sides, BILATERAL; 30. 1997 animated film set in Russia, ANASTASIA; 31. Quits gambling, CASHES OUT; 33. More than a quarter of native Filipinos, ethnically, TAGALOGS; 38. “The Mambo Kings” co-star, ASSANTE; 42. Somehow know, SENSE; 44. Mixer maker, OSTER; 45. Handmade things?, FISTS; 46. Word in Kansas’ motto, ASTRA; 47. Fur source, STOAT; 50. AMES Research Center (NASA lab in Silicon Valley); 51. It comes before one, NOON; 52. Make less sharp, maybe, TUNE.

I'll put some o' the gorgeous feathers out o' your tail!

 ~ Juno and the Paycock

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Puzzle available on the internet at

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02.17.11 — A Piece of WAR

Alien tripod illustration by Alvim Corréa,

from the 1906 French edition of H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds".

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Thursday, February 17, 2011

Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel, edited by Will Shortz

Handsome reward, game wardens, buyer beware, arrest warrants, Academy Award and flash forward are implied in six answers by WAR (33A. What’s broken out of the answers to the starred clues?), not incidentally crossing PEACE (40A. Opposite of 33-Down) in the center of the puzzle.

HANDSOME RED (18A. *Photogenic athlete from Cincinnati?)
GAME DENS (22A. *Cozy rooms for playing?)
BUYER BEE (56A. *Social gathering for auction participants?)
ARREST RANTS (61A. *Diatribes from captured criminals?)
ACADEMY AD (3D. *Commercial for a private school?)
FLASH FORD (35D. *Expose oneself to a former U.S. president?)

Other — ASHLAND (4D. Henry Clay’s historic Kentucky estate), COME NOW (27A. “You must be joking …“), ELAPSED (46D. Passed), EXACTOR (23A. Tax collector, e.g.), ONE A / DAY (28D. With 70-Across, vitamin bottle phrase), PRETEENS (39D. Much of Nickelodeon’s target audience), TALKS ON (50A. 50A. Yaps), THE DOORS (10D. “Hello, I Love You” band, 1968) and THE WASH (54A. What dirt may come out in).

Mid-size — AND GO, ARMADA, AVERS and AYRES, CARFAX, CORPSE, CURIO, DISARM, ENROBE, HEART (55D. Gift from the Wizard of Oz that’s really a clock), ICE SAW, MEDAL, MENSA, NOT BAD, OVENS, PUFFS, SEEN IT, STERNO, TIRED.

Short stuff — AERO, AKA, “ANY hope?”, ARI, Mr. ATOM, radioactive enemy of Captain Marvel; ATOM, AXE, BALM and CALM, BTEN, CATE and CITE, DREW, FLEA (59D. Pet peeve?), LEAP, HIC, HIKE and HIVE, KSU, LEAP, LIEN, MEN, MISO and MOSS, NOB, NODS, OLÉ, PEDS, REA and REX, RISE, SEXY, SLED, TBA, T-TOP, TWEE, WHA and WHAM, X’D IN.

I have never advocated war except as a means of peace. ~ Ulysses S. Grant

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. “Huh …?!”; 4. Fleet; 10. Muscle car feature; 14. What this would be to Caesar?; 15. Jaded response to a movie suggestion; 16. Hive container; 17. Wanted poster abbr.; 20. Ceremonial presentation; 23. Tax collector, e.g.; 26. Drifts (off); 29. Food made fermented beans; 32. Drafted, with “up”; 34. Company concerned with automobile history; 38. Spring; 42. Bob, e.g.; 43. Indian city now known as Chennai; 45. Mount; 47. NPR’s Shapiro; 48. Days before; 42. Actress Blanchett; 58. Drags; 64. Stadium cheer; 65. Bank holding; 66. Get into a habit?; 67. Andy’s dinosaur in “Toy Story”; 68. Shade of green; 69. “I’m impressed”. — DOWN: 1. Pow!; 2. Shout before a snap; 5. “The End of the Affair” actor, 1999; 6. Playing pieces; 7. “Start … now!”; 8. Neutralize, as a bomb; 11. Shopworn; 12. Kitchen window sites; 13. Walkers, in brief; 19. Organization that sponsors an annual Mind Games competition; 21. Let go; 24. Halloween costume, maybe; 25. Cutesy, in London; 27. Like Type B personalities; 30. Winter fishing tool; 36. Prefix with -naut; 37. Marked, as a questionnaire box; 41. Reference; 46. Caterer’s supply; 51. The Wildcats of the N.C.A.A.; 52. ___ cabinet; 53. 1948 Best Actor nominee for “Johnny Belinda”; 56. Lip ___; 57. Classic Army bomber plane; 60. Hot; 62. San Francisco’s ___ Hill; 63. Not yet determined: Abbr.

02.16.11 — Twenty-One

21 Club in New York City by David Shankbone

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Puzzle by Michael Barnhart, edited by Will Shortz

Five clues make-up the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword: 17A. “Twenty-One”, TV GAME SHOW; 24A. 2100, NINE O’CLOCK; 35A. 21, DRINKING AGE; 51A. “21 JUMP STREET” and 59A. Twenty-ones, BLACK JACKS.

Other — ARTHURS, ENCASED and ENGRAVED, EROTICAL (39D. Blue), GATORADE (38d. Product pitched by Michael Jordan), HARPERS, LEAP YEAR (4D. 1984, e.g.), NEVADAN, NOMINEE, TSARINA (56A. “Great” Catherine, for one), TWINKLE (42D. What stars do).

Mid-size —ADALE, ALTHEA, AMTRAK, ANELE (1A. Anoint with sacred oil, old-style), A-TOWN, BETCHA, BULOVA, ECARTE, ELINOR, GOSSIP, HAGGLE, HOW SO, IPHONE, RAVES, RELED, RENES, SIGNAL, SNEAKS, SOLACE, STALK, TABBY.

Short stuff — ACA and ACC, AJAR, A LOT, ASH, BACH, BAIT, ELAN, ERN, SME, EVAN, GASH, GILA, HERE, HESS, KERR, LAM, LEN, LGE, MAL de mer, MORO, OSLO, OTIC, POL, REB, SAKE, SKI, SLO, SNL, TSE and TSK, UDAY, YMCA.

More of 21?  HERE.

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THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 6. Cause of a scar; 10. Physics Nobelist Victor who discovered cosmic radiation; 14. Painter Magritte and others; 15. Where the Storting parliament sits; 16. Heaps; 19. Colorado feeder; 20. First American magazine to excerpt “Moby-Dick”; 21. Wink, e.g.; 23. Son of Saddam; 27. Awards four stars, say; 29. Party planner, for short?; 30. In no other place; 31. Tennis shoes, informally; 40. Hall-of-Fame QB Dawson; 41. 32-card game; 44. Setup for a switch; 48. Fighter in gray; 50. Georgia’s capital, in slang; 54. Suffix with psych-; 55. 1950s tennis champion Gibson; 58. Former Italian P.M. Aldo; 62. ___ Lysacek, 2010 Olympic figure skating gold medalist; 63. One of the Three B’s; 64. Allan-___, Robin Hood companion; 65. Alcoholic beverage often served warm; 66. Where there are “many ways to have a good time,” in a 1978 hit; 67. Took back the top spot. — DOWN: 1. King ___ court; 2. Resident of one of only seven states with no income tax; 3. Made an impression on?; 5 Salinger girl; 6. Rumors and such; 7. Parliament residue; 8. Pavement warning; 9. “In what way?”; 10. Bargain; 11. “Sense and Sensibility” sister; 12. Bond film “Quantum of ___”; 13. Follow closely; 18 It follows directions; 22. Freud’s “I”; 25. Oscar hopeful; 26. Style; 28. Take to the slopes; 32. Wiig gig, for short; 34. Big: Abbr.; 36. Steve ___, 1990s teammate of Michael Jordan; 37. 30-Across, in Mexico; 43. Boxed in; 44. Watchmaker with the first U.S. TV commercial, 1941; 45. Acela Express operator; 46. “There’s an app for that” device; 47. Mao ___-tung; 49. The Stylistics’ “___ By Golly, Wow”; 51. “Bond, ___ Bond”; 52. Housecat; 53. “For shame!”; 57. Slightly open; 60 Flight; 61. Duke’s athletic org.

02.15.11 — The Usual

"Round up the usual suspects". Casablanca

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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Puzzle by Paula Gamache, edited by Will Shortz

Common, average, usual and regular found within COMMON KNOWLEDGE (17A. Something everybody is aware of), AVERAGE HEIGHT (26A. It’s not very short and not very tall), USUAL SUSPECTS (46A. They may be rounded up after a crime, with “the”) and REGULAR GASOLINE (60A. Cheapest choice at the pump) comprise the interrelated group of this ordinary Tuesday crossword.

Other — AENEAS (22A. Trojan War hero), BEWARE (9D. “Watch out now”), COLLAR, GO BUST, HOMBRE, LANAIS, NAVAHO (18D. Like the land that includes Monument Valley), OHIOAN, ROENTGEN (10D. Winner of the first Nobel Prize in Physics, 1901), SUPERS, THETAS (25D. Sorority members such as Ann-Margret and Laura Bush), Artist Henri de TOULOUSE-Lautrec.

Five-letter — ADIEU, “There’s A HOLE in my Bucket” (children’s song), ALOOF, ARKIN, ELIHU, FANTA, HEART, LEO IV, MACHU, NASAL, OBITS (38A. Expiration notices?), SEW ON, TRIOS, U-HAUL, VEERS, VIEWS, TRIOS.

Short stuff — AGES, A LOT (2D Oodles), ANTI, A-ONE, ASS, CDI and CDS, COMA, DEAN,DIET, EGAD, EROS, ERR, EXO, HERO, I-BAR, IGOR, LOAD, LSAT, MACS, MEGA, NAIL, OF A, OINK, OLDE, OLEG, ORES, RARE, RBI, REV, ROMA, ROY, SAKS, SIDE, SLY, STAB and STUB, TONS (7D. Oodles), TROT, UNO and UFO.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. ___ Picchu (site of Incan ruins); 6. It’s returned by a ticket-taker; 10. “Arrivederci ___”; 14. Standoffish; 15. Topnotch; 16. Designer Cassini; 20. Stick with a stick; 21. Nincompoop; 23. Gun, as an engine; 25. Gait faster than a walk; 32. 401, in old Rome; 34. Changes course suddenly; 36. Plan that changes courses; 40. It can scratch an itch; 41. Attach with needle and thread; 43. Do-it-youself relocation rental; 45. Orbison who san “Oh, Pretty Woman”; 49. Exam for an aspiring J.D.; 50. Prefix with sphere; 51. Buckeye; 54. Goof up; 56. Mutual fund charge; 63. Freud’s libido; 64. Letter-shaped beam; 65. Orange or grape soda brand; 66. Peeved; 67. Fries, to a burger; 68. Alan or Adam of filmdom. — DOWN: 1. Non-P.C. choices?; 3. State it’s not good to be in; 4. Man, in Havana; 5. Sci-fi sight; 6. Noted Fifth Avenue emporium; 8. Numero ___; 11. Shoppe description; 12. Huge: Prefix; 13. Matures; 19. Sainted ninth-century pope; 24. Elizabethan ___; 26. “Farewell”; 27. Pros and cons; 28. Lose one’s shirt, in business; 29. Yale of Yale University; 30. What the Tin Woodman sought from the Wizard of Oz; 31. The Ghostbusters and the Police; 32. D.J.’s collection; 35. Cunning; 39. Apartment building overseers, informally; 42. Twangy-sounding; 44. Comics villain ___ Luthor; 47. Hawaiian verandas; 48. Arrest; 51. Lucky strikes?; 52. Subway fare?; 53. Composer Stravinsky; 54. Oath of old; 55. Burger order specification; 57. Piggy plaint; 58. Dead set against; 59. Watergate figure John; 61. Cleanup hitter’s stat; 62. “Anatomy ___ Murder”.

02.14.11 — Valentine's Day

Venus and Nymphs, c. 1780, François Guérin

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Monday, February 14, 2011 — Valentine’s Day 

Puzzle by Victor Fleming and Lynn Lempel, edited by Will Shortz

Four love songs are the sweet gift of this Valentine’s Day crossword:

I CAN’T STOP LOVING / YOU (17A. & 62-D. 1962 Ray Charles hit)
I’M WALKING BEHIND / YOU (25A. & 62-D. 1953 Eddie Fisher hit)
GIRL, I’M GONNA MISS /YOU (47A. & 62-D, 1989 Milli Vanilli hit)
ONLY WANNA BE WITH /YOU (61A. & 62-D. 1995 Hootie & the Blowfish hit)

Other — ANDIRON (24D. Fireplace log holder), BROWSES (8D. Reads a little here and there), CHOOSES (57A. Takes one’s pick), DISOWNS (43D. Renounces), MANILA (4D. Errata), MEOWED (50D. Made Persian or Siamese sounds), MISTAKES (5D. Errata), LUNCH BOX (40D. Carrier of a sandwich, soda and cookies, say), T-SHIRTS (20A. Tops worn with shorts).

Five-letter — AMEND, BRAVO (8A. “Well done!”), DRESS, GOONS, ID TAG, IRAQI, MIAMI, NESTS, ONION, REBUS, REVEL, SKILL, SPRIG, SURER, TAHOE, TROLL, WEBER.

Short stuff — ACTS, AIMS, ANNE, ARCS, AREA, AVIS, BAG, BAIT, BALM, BASE, BMX, BOOR, CALM, CEO, CHE Guevara, DEAN, DIE, ETTA and ETTU, GLIB, HUB, ICES, INK, LAMB, LEAH, LEND, Mauna LOA, LON, MAC, “MONA Lisa“, NIB, OLGA, ONO, QTS, RAW, REV, ROUT, SHUN, SILO, SITE, SNL, SOON, STA, REV, TABS, VENT and, of course, YOU (62D. Object of affection in 17-, 25-, 47- and 61-Across).

The rose is red, the violet's blue

The honey's sweet, and so are you

Thou are my love and I am thine

I drew thee to my Valentine

The lot was cast and then I drew

And Fortune said it shou'd be you

~ English nursery rhyme

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Puzzle available on the internet at

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Soothing ointment; 5. Big ___ (sandwich); 13. Word after rest or residential; 14. Puts frosting on; 16. Takes great pleasure (in); 21. Uncooked; 22. Depot: Abbr.; 24. Gets ready to shoot; 33. Six-sided game piece; 34. Give for a while; 35. More confident; 36. Keep ___ on (watch); 38. Aptitude; 41. First, second, third or home; 42. Change, as the Constitution; 44. Drubbing; 46. Some milk ctns.; 51. “Not much longer”; 53. Sack; 56. Lennon’s second mate; 62. Peeling one may make a person tear up; 65. Rural grain holder; “___, Brute?”; 67. Word puzzle with pictures; 68. Big name in stunt bikes; 69. Faculty head. — DOWN: 1. Cheese in a mousetrap; 2. Firecrackers’ paths; 3. Jacob’s first wife; 6. Every play of Shakespeare has five of them; 7. Corp. honcho; 9. Sun. sermon giver; 10. Rara ___; 11. Air outlet; 12. ___ Korbut, 1972 Olympic gymnastic sensation; 15. Parsley bit; 18. Dweller under a bridge, in fairy tales; 19. Mary had a little one; 26. City known for its Heat; 27. Big name in outdoor grills; 28. Sign, as a deal; 29. Wheel’s center; 30. Baghdad natives; 31. Hatchlings’ homes; 32. Gown; 37. NBC weekend skit show, for short; 39. 45. California/Nevada resort lake; 49. Thugs; 53. Socially inept sort; 54. Meara of comedy; 55. Smooth-talking; 57. Smooth, as seas; 58. Web page; 59. Jazzy singer ___ James; 60. Steer clear of; 63. Penpoint.

02.13.11 — Flowers — the Acrostic

The Stargazer Lily 

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Sunday, February 13, 2011

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

Happy Valentine’s Day a day early! This Sunday’s passionate and delightful acrostic draws a quotation from "Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers," by Amy Stewart.

Stewart is a fine interviewer and historian, and she does a superb job with this hardcover scoop on "the good, the bad, and the beautiful in the business of flowers." Well-researched details about the cut-flower trade draw you in, and her writing style and character development make the book as good a choice for vacation reading as a novel. You won't finish it in one sitting, as the tale moves from one plant to another. ~ Washington Post

The quotation: FROM… ONE LILY, YOU CAN LEARN… ABOUT HOW FLOWERS ARE MADE. ITS ANATOMY IS RIGHT THERE, OUT IN THE OPEN—THERE’S NO NEED TO GO HUNTING AROUND BETWEEN CRUMPLED PETALS TO FIND A STAMEN OR A STIGMA THE WAY YOU MIGHT WITH A ROSE.

The author’s name and title of the work: STEWART FLOWER CONFIDENTIAL

The defined words:

A. Big and bold, attention-getting, SHOWY
B. Scottish national emblem, THISTLE
C. Pleasingness to the ear, EUPHONY
D. Hopeful as a swain, suppliant, WOOER
E. Houseplant with a striking spathe and spadix, ANTHURIUM
F. “I Can’t Stop Loving You” singer, 1962 (2 wds.), RAY CHARLES
G. Process of cultivation, TILTH
H. Soft spot in a neonate’s skull, FONTANEL
I. What Vishnu is often depicted atop, LOTUS
J. Instrument played with all four limbs, ORGAN
K. Shriveled, as from a lack of moisture, WITHERED
L. Surround with greenery, EMBOWER
M. Passionate, sizzling (hyph.), RED-HOT
N. Name connected with a crime on February 14, 1929, CAPONE
O. Hummingbird attractor also known as bee balm (2 wds.) OSWEGO TEA
P. Seed from whose aril mace is made, NUTMEG
Q. Fragrant bloomer with a long vase life, FREESIA
R. Place taxonomically, IDENTIFY
S. Jay’s obsession in “The Great Gatsby”, DAISY
T. Coconut meat, in botanical terms, ENDOSPERM
U. Automaton too tiny to see with the naked eye, NANOBOT
V. Dance whose name is a letter in the phonetic alphabet, TANGO
W. Up close and personal, INTIMATE
X. Blue bloomer in many a rock garden, AGERATUM
Y. Lepidopteran with green wings (2 wds.), LUNA MOTH

Read more of "Flowers Confidential" HERE.

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02.13.11 — BARGAINING

McSorley's Bar, 1912, John French Sloan

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Sunday, February 13, 2011

BARGAINING, Crossword by Ian Livengood, edited by Will Shortz

Inserting the word BAR into common phrases gaining an uncommon one accompanied by justifying “clues” constitutes the interrelated group of this intoxicating Sunday crossword.

WHAT’S MY BAR LINE (22A. “Should I say ‘Come here often?’ or ‘Hey, babe!’”?)
NO BARFLY ZONE (26A. Area banning pub regulars?)
THE DA VINCI BARCODE 42A. Lines on a Dan Brown best seller?)
ALIEN SPACE BAR CRAFT (53A. E.T.’s ability to use the lower part of a keyboard?)
CASH BAR FOR CLUNKERS (75A. Where dimwitted people pay to drink?)
SAVED BY THE BARBELL (90A. Like a former 97-pound weakling?)
SOAP BAR OPERA (103A. Dramatic production about Ivory or Dial?)
MARS BAR ATTACKS (114A. Certain cases of munchies?)

Other — ALL-STAR GAMES (60D. Annual baseball events), ASTOLAT (18A. Home of Elaine, in Arthurian legend), AXL ROSE (71A. “Welcome to the Jungle” rocker), BLUSHES, BRAIN / TEASER (23D. With 25-Across, a puzzle), GET LUCKY (85D. Score on a night out), IN STYLE, LACOSTE, NO NUKES, OPOSSUM, ORANGES, PEN-NAME, PLIABLE, POST-ITS, SNOOKER TABLE (15D. Where an Englishman might get a break?), STATE PEN (3D. Attica, e.g., informally), STEELIE, TANTRIC (49A. Like some yoga), VAMOOSE.

Mid-size — ABROAD, ACT II, AL GORE, ALLOT, ARSON, ASPIC, DARLA, EL CID, EL CID, ENTER, ERES TU, HOBOS, HOSTEL, IDAHOS, ID TAG, IGLOO, IMPEL, MSNBC, NOONER, OMERTA (50A. Sworn secrecy), OSAKA, PEG LEG, SABRE, SOMALI, STIGMA, TERNS, TEASER, USENET.

Short-stuff — ACHY, AER, AGER, ALIT, ALLY, ALSO, ANTZ, APO, ARTE, ASPS, ASST, BEAM, CARL, ELIA, EMI, ENE, ERA, ERGO, ESSE, ETON, FIES, FLEA (58D. Small part of a pound?), FOTO, GLIB, HEXA, ILE and IBLE, ILSA, IRA, ITEM, KAL and KEL, KOBE, LAD, LAIT, LEX, MARC, MAST, MEAT, MENA, MESS, NIT, ODDS, OMAN, OMG, ONYX, OOX, OSH and OSHA, OVA, PALO, PANS, PAR and PAW, RABE, RANI, RARA, “Riddle-me-REE”, RHO, RYN, SCAB, SER, SHAG, SILO, SLID, SPA, SSE, STAC, STNS, STYLE, TAMS, TAUT, TEL, TEXT, TOOK, TOTE, VIA and VII, VICE, WATT, WOE.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Little reminders; 8. Bad record, e.g.; 14. Coiled killers; 19. Pirate’s support; 20. Donne piece; 24. Recite, as a prayer; 28. Heartache; 30. “Before I forget …”; 32. Losing tic-tac-toe row; 33. Actor Penn of “Van Wilder; 34. Kind of jelly; 37. Connecting word; 38. Pirate’s support?; 41. Capitol Records’ parent co.; 51. Settled (on); 58. Carpet option; 61. Subject for gossip; 62. Easily swayed; 63. ___ Dan (Israeli archaeological site); 64. Guidebook recommendation; 67. Not in the country; 70. N.Y.C. avenue; 73. Support provider; 74. Crux; 82. Won; 83. Some potatoes; 84. Smoothie ingredients; 88. Starts of some reproductions; 93. It’s bad to be over it; 94. To be, to Augustus; 95. Chemical suffix; 98. When Macbeth asks “Is this a dagger which I see before me?”), 100. No. 2: Abbr.; 102. Little guy; 108. 1974 hit whose title is sung twice after “Como una promesa”; 113. Horn of Africa native; 118. Early online forum; 119. Author of the 2009 book subtitled “A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis”; 120. Protest sign; 121. Quagmire; 122. Midday meeting; 123. Chic. — DOWN: 1. Mitt; 2. Kyrgyzstan city; 4. Carry-on; 5. Lund of “Casablanca”; 6. Headwear worn over dreadlocks; 7. Eye problem; 8. Day___; 9. Coastal fliers; 10. Home under the midnight sun; 11. Silver tongued; 12. Actress Suvari; 13. New ___; 14. DreamWorks’s first animated film; 18. George Orwell, e.g.; 17. Agate alternative; 20. Storage spot; 21. Jet black; 27. Picture, commercially; 28. Small bit of power; 29. Injury monitoring org.; 31. High-end French retailer; 35. Aid in lost and found; 36. Co-worker of Homer on “The Simpsons”; 37. Underworld activities; 38. Singer Anthony; 39. El Prado hangings; 40. Union deserter, maybe43. The King Henry who founded the Tudor dynasty; 44. Push; 45. Show of pride; 46. “Our Gang” girl; 47. Spanish hero of yore; 52. Subj. of Form 1040’s line 32; 54. Tiny complaint; 55. How to address a maj.?; 57. Modern communication; 58. Opposite of leg. In music; 59. Prefix with -pod; 64. Some campfire makers; 65. Home of Kansai International Airport; 66. Special deliver on Sun.; 67. Divide up; 68. Some sweet wines; 69. Rembrandt van ___; 72. Fraternity chapter #17; 73. Bruised, say; 74. Big initials in news; 76. Cries of disgust; 77. Betting line; 78. Broccoli ___; 79. Japanese port; 80. Stat for Seaver or Santana; 81. “Ta-___ Boom-de-ay”; 86. Lamb not found on a farm; 87. Tried to make it home, say; 88. Pouch bearer; 89. Skedaddle; 91. Tack; 92. A.T.M. button; 98. Suffix with contempt; 9. Bébé’s need; 100. Match play?; 101. Buffalo N.H.L.’er; 104. Roasts; 105. Home of the Bahla Fort and nearby oasis; 106. Arizona’s ___ Verde Nuclear Generating Station; 107. Hence; 109. Eastern blueblood; 110. School near the Royal Windsor Racecourse; 111. Radio choices: Abbr.; 112. Strained; 115. ___ Lingus; 116. Kenan’s old partner on Nickelodeon; 117. D.C.-to-Va. Beach direction.

02.12.11 — Them Is Fits!

Sunrise on the Matterhorn, 1875, Albert Bierstadt

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Saturday, February 12, 2011

Puzzle by Joel Fagliano, edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Urban playground barb, YO MAMA JOKE; 11. MONT Cervin (11-Down, to French speakers); 15. All-purpose putdown, WHAT A LOSER; 16. Keystone’s place, ARCH; 17. Region with the highest concentration of national parks in the U.S., COLORADO PLATEAU; 19. “Don’t forget about me”, AHEM; 20. “The best of animals,” in a classic children’s book, MISTER TOAD; 21. Curly rider?, MOE; 22. Work’s antithesis, briefly, REC; 23. “Football Night in America” host, COSTAS; 27. It develops before your eyes, POLAROID; 32. Like 21-Across’s behavior, ANTIC; 33. What runs ruin, PANTYHOSE; 34. Set of sheets, REAM; 35. They’re prepared for breaks, CASTS; 36. The redbud is one of its symbols: Abbr., OKLA; 37. Try demonstrating that one can, ATTEMPT TO; 39. Buttinsky, PRIER; 40. Fifth-century capital of the Visigoths, TOULOUSE; 41. It’s dangerous to do on the road, NINETY; 42. Bearded TIT; 43. What some A.L.’ers play for, SOX; 44. 1961 film scripted by Arthur Miller, THE MISFITS, parse it "them is fits!"; 49. Capping, ATOP; 53. They’re the cutest in the world, per a hit song, CALIFORNIA GIRLS; 55. Handful, maybe, BRAT; 56. “Ooh, aren’t you special!”; WELL LA DI DA; 57. Composition of some hedgerows, YEWS; 58. Education supporters, STATE TAXES.

Down — 1. Geneva-based org., YWCA; 2. “I know that one!”, OH OH; 3. Father or son, MALE; 4. Excitable one, ATOM; 5. Nick, say, MAR; 6. Poplar trees, ALAMOS; 7. Foster child in ‘60s TV commercials, JODIE; 8. Some growlers, in Granada, OSOS; 9. Didn’t surrender, KEPT; 10. “Out o the Silence” novelist Cox, ERLE; 11. It was first conquered in 1865, MATTERHORN; 12. Its outsides are ornately embossed, OREO COOKIE; 13. Org. with a Hall of Champions, NCAA; 14. Fall’s end, THUD; 18. Variety, ARRAY; 21. Leopard runner, MAC; 23. 100 points, CARAT; 24. Almost at the hour, ONE TO; 25. Result of bill-passing, STATUTE LAW; 26. Features of many quiz shows, TIME LIMIT; 27. What a copier will often do, PASTE; 28. Seeing right through, ONTO; 29. Some police dept. personnel, LTS; 30. It may have a single palm, ISLET; 31. Sugar, DEARY; 33. Spread things?, PATS; 35. Hi-tech “guts”, CPU; 38. Interior decorator’s concern, MOTIF; 39. 27-Acrosses, slangily, PIX; 41. Key phrase, NO SALE; 43. Cousin of an avocet, STILT; 44. Tastee-Freez alternative, TCBY; 45. Fabulous slacker, HARE; 46. Pigtailed mothers?, SOWS; 47. Not rest easy, FRET; 48. Visiting the Getty, e.g., IN LA; 49. “Another Pyramid” musical, AIDA; 50. Honeycomb alternative, TRIX; 51. Quaint, quaintly, OLDE; 52. Some TV spots, briefly, PSAS; 54. Piece of the ‘hood, GAT.

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Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.