Tuesday, January 24, 2017 Agnes Davidson & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Five-letter Jumble - Use circles if you got 'em.

60A. Lakota chief at Little Bighorn, and what's literally found in this puzzle's circles: CRAZY HORSE

17A. Golf stroke played from sand: BUNKER SHOT

40A. Tire-inflating aid: AIR HOSE

11D. "Wish me luck!": "HERE'S HOPING!"

25D. Historic educational center of Paris' Latin Quarter: THE SORBONNE

Argyle here(in very nice company). The circles span two words and don't (I believe) spell any actual words. And where else can you find an entry like "Neener neener!"?

Across:

1. Foot-in-mouth incident: GAFFE

6. Blue ox of folklore: BABE. Worked with Paul Bunyan.

10. Pork or lamb cut: CHOP

14. Indian or Iranian: ASIAN

15. Tag sale condition: [AS IS]

16. Helen of Troy's mother: LEDA. Somebody just had to sneak a Troy reference in.

19. Wrinkle remover: IRON

20. Remarkable times: ERAs

21. Homes of blue-plate specials: DINERS

23. "The Simpsons" creator Groening: MATT

26. Apple mobile platform: iOS

28. __ fit: tantrum: HISSY

29. Readily available: ON HAND

31. Jerry of "Law & Order": ORBACH. It's been thirteen years since he died.

34. Act division: SCENE

35. Irritated incessantly: ATE AT

36. Canadian Thanksgiving mo.: OCT.. CSO, eh.

39. Hesitant sounds: UH's

42. Part of rpm: PER

43. John of England: LOO

44. Softens, with "down": TONES

45. In an unfriendly way: ICILY

47. Bitterness: RANCOR

49. Skippers on ponds: STONES. Year round sport.

50. Torah teacher: RABBI

52. Napoleon or Nero: Abbr.: EMP. (emperor)

54. Rainbow flag letters: LGBT. (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender)

55. Digital library contents: E-BOOKS

57. Bone-dry: ARID

59. Hit the runway: LAND

66. Skin breakout: ACNE

67. Poker pot starter: ANTE

68. Longtime NBC newsman Roger: O'NEIL

69. Classic Jaguars: XKEs

70. Recent returnees to Los Angeles: RAMS

71. Oft-poached fruit: PEARS. So many recipes.

Down:

1. Chatter away: GAB

2. Sun Devils sch.: ASU

3. First sign of a shark: FIN

4. Faux glow: FAKE TAN. "Lady's eyes go off and on with a finger full of glue

Lips are drawn upon her face in come-to-me tattoo

Creamy suntan color that fades when she bathes" - Greasy Heart by Jefferson Airplane

5. Part of DOE: Abbr.: ENER. (Department of Energy)

6. Low voice: BASSO

7. Blond shade: ASH

8. Short life story?: BIO

9. Abbr. on a cornerstone: ESTD. (Established)

10. Treatment facility: CLINIC

12. Smells: ODORS

13. Cultivated violet: PANSY. Think spring.

18. Roach spray brand: RAID

22. Critic's harsh words: "I HATE IT!"

23. City in northern Iraq: MOSUL

24. Dried chili pepper: ANCHO. When fresh they are referred to as poblanos. Anchos are flat, wrinkled, and heart shaped. The ancho is the sweetest of the dried chiles; and is most commonly used in authentic Mexican cooking and is a staple in red chili and tamales.

27. "Neener neener!": "SO THERE!"

30. Clutter-averse type: NEATNIK

32. Vintage cars named with the initials of their company's founder: REOs

33. Music majors' degs.: BAs. (Bachelor of Arts)

35. River of Florence: ARNO.  Ponte Vecchio.

37. Fanzine figure: CELEB

38. Romantic rendezvous: TRYST

41. Org. with a five-ring logo: IOC. (International Olympic Committee)

46. Brewski: COLD ONE

48. Dwellings: ABODES

49. Agile: SPRY

50. "Just chill!": "RELAX!"

51. Taken __: shocked: ABACK

53. Puzzles with dead-end paths: MAZES

56. Lasting mark: SCAR

58. Chain famous for breakfasts: IHOP

61. Genetic letters: RNA

62. All-hrs. cash source: ATM

63. Belfast-born actor Stephen: REA

64. McCartney's title: SIR

65. Golf Hall of Famer Ernie: ELS

Argyle

Monday, November 21, 2016 Agnes Davidson & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Musical Monday - A bit of lyric is the unifier of three diverse words.

17A. It's "down at the end of Lonely Street," in an Elvis hit: HEARTBREAK HOTEL. Hotel Chain

28A. Oil well output, in slang: BLACK GOLD. Gold Chain

47A. Miracle-Gro, e.g.: PLANT FOOD. Food Chain

62A. Part of an Aretha Franklin refrain about fools ... and a hint to the ends of 17-, 28- and 47-Across: CHAIN, CHAIN, CHAIN. chain of fools.

Argyle here with a couple of classy ladies. Enjoy!

Across:

1. Correct: RIGHT

6. Dr.'s visit: APPT.

10. "No __": "Piece of cake": PROB. (no problem)

14. Farewell that's bid: ADIEU. Not yet.

15. Societal woes: ILLs

16. Weapon in Clue: ROPE. Current weapons.

20. Horse hair: MANE

21. Online marketplace: eBAY

22. City in upstate New York: UTICA

23. Business baron: TITAN

25. Liver secretion: BILE

27. Practice boxing: SPAR

33. Hindu teacher: SWAMI

34. Fútbol fan's cry: ¡OLÉ!

35. Fencing weapon: EPEE

36. Malleable metal: TIN

37. Historic events at Gettysburg and Vicksburg: BATTLEs

41. Sister of Zsa Zsa: EVA

42. Ye __ Shoppe: OLDE

44. Spoil: ROT

45. Word with circle or tube: INNER

50. Flower usually sold by the dozen: ROSE

51. Ivory source: TUSK

52. Upper crust: ELITE

54. NFL Hall of Famer Bart: STARR

57. Dreaded high school spots?: ACNE

59. Baker's amts.: TSPs. (teaspoon)

65. Swiss river: AARE

66. Congressional confidante: AIDE

67. Florida city on the Gulf Coast: TAMPA. Meanwhile, down at the dog beach ....

68. Waitstaff rewards: TIPS

69. Post-combat affliction, briefly: PTSD. (PostTraumatic Stress Disorder)

70. Sharply inclined: STEEP

Down:

1. Chicago mayor Emanuel: RAHM

2. Thought: IDEA

3. Big bamboo muncher: GIANT PANDA

4. "Peekaboo!": "HERE I AM!"

5. Boy king: TUT

6. Online service for booking rooms with local hosts: AIRBNB. (AirBed & Breakfast) Does it mean you get to sleep on an air bed?

7. Guilty, for one: PLEA

8. Ump's cry before the first pitch: "PLAY BALL!"

9. "For shame!": "TSK!"

10. Mentored person: PROTÉGÉ

11. Roast, in Dijon: ROTI

12. Oil cartel acronym: OPEC

13. Actor Lugosi: BELA

18. Arthur of "Maude": BEA

19. "Incredible" superhero: HULK

24. Chicago daily, familiarly: TRIB

26. Frozen drink brand: ICEE

27. Sty supper: SWILL

29. Keno kin: LOTTO

30. Ali Baba's magic words: OPEN SESAME

31. "Drove my Chevy to the __": "American Pie" lyric: LEVEE

32. Luv: DEAR

33. "Knock it off!": STOP

38. Kennel cacophony: ARFS

39. Suffered financially: TOOK A HIT

40. iPhone's voice-activated app: SIRI

43. Postings in ledgers: ENTRIES

46. "Please, anything else!": NOT THAT

48. Right or left, while driving: TURN

49. Didn't admit: DENIED

53. Sportscaster Berman: LEN

54. Ella's expertise: SCAT

55. Spicy Asian cuisine: THAI

56. Boomers' lobbying group: AARP

58. Scoundrels: CADS

60. Water carrier: PIPE

61. "Just like that!" fingers sound: SNAP

63. Put a limit on: CAP

64. Dol.'s 100: CTs. Dollars and Cents

Argyle

Note from C.C.:

Erik Agard, constructor for last Saturday's LAT, just released a set of 12 puzzles of various shapes and themes. Erik is known for his innovative themes with extra layers and brilliant clue writing ([Mitt with ten figures] for ROMNEY, e.g.).

You can get the puzzles here. Pay what you wish. If you don't use Stripe, you can pay agarderik@gmail.com via PayPal. Or just email Erik if you prefer paying via other methods. You'll get puzzles in both PDF and Puz formats.

I hope you can support Erik, who's been publishing a free puzzle at Glutton for Fun since 2012. Week after week, he's there, quietly delivering a quality puzzle.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016 Agnes Davidson & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Fry a brain - trying to think of a good theme title for this puzzle.

18A. Mug for the camera: MAKE A FACE

23A. Pitch in: LEND A HAND

37A. Do the slightest thing: LIFT A FINGER

50A. What the winning quarterback may do as time runs out: TAKE A KNEE

57A. Theatrical "Good luck!": BREAK A LEG

Argyle here. Very tight theme construction from C.C. and Irish Miss but I am at a loss at what to call it. Help me, please.

Across:

1. With 66-Across, crisp serving with pâté: MELBA. 66-Across. See 1-Across: TOAST

6. Gush forth: SPEW

10. Australian gem: OPAL

14. Mountains between Europe and Asia: URALS. How many euros to visit the Urals?

15. Singer Guthrie: ARLO

16. Bring on board, workwise: HIRE

17. Enjoy to the max: EAT UP

20. Govt. assistance program: SSI. (Supplemental Security Income)

21. "Holy smokes!": "WOW!". What you might say when you see how much we pay for SSI.

22. Hot spot: SAUNA

27. Battery post: ANODE

29. Aggressive poker words: "I RAISE". Non-aggressive, "I fold."

30. Some iTunes downloads, briefly: EPs. Extended play. It usually has 3-5 tracks.

32. Queen __: BEE. Every hive has one.

33. Road problem needing patching: POTHOLE

36. Catcher's protection: MASK

39. Aware of: IN ON

41. Voice of Carl Fredricksen in "Up": ED ASNER

42. "What's up, __?": DOC. "Carl Fredricksen"

43. iPhone, e.g., briefly: PDA. (personal digital assistant)

44. HOW THIS IS TYPED: IN CAPS

48. Shoulder wrap: STOLE

53. Contemptible sort: TWERP

55. Prosecutors, for short: DAs, (District Attorney)

56. Seine season: ÉTÉ. Save up your euros and take a boat trip on the Seine next summer.

59. "Really, bro?!": "AW, MAN!"

61. Was sorry for: RUED

62. Grand soirée: GALA

63. Super Bowl party bowlful: CHILI. Any Super Bowl pools started yet?

64. Chianti and cabernet: REDs. Wines; good with chili?

65. Paradise: EDEN

Down:

1. Granola kin: MUESLI

2. Error remover: ERASER

3. Rita Moreno or Gloria Estefan: LATINA

4. __-ray Disc: BLU

5. Snake that bit Cleopatra: ASP

6. South Pacific island nation: SAMOA

7. Shrimp kin: PRAWN

8. Fraternal club member: ELK. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

9. Misfortunes: WOES

10. "Terrific ... not!": "OH, FUN"

11. Lounge with keyboard music: PIANO BAR

12. Video game spots: ARCADEs

13. Dixie general: LEE. We haven't seen much of the General in some time.

19. Remote batteries: AAAs

21. Stimulated, as one's appetite: WHETTED

24. Scoop up, as salsa with a chip: DIP IN. Don't be a George.

25. Starting on: AS OF

26. Meat markets: DELIs

28. Cry of fright: [EEK!]

31. Cents: PENNIES

34. Attacked: HAD AT

35. All __ sudden: OF A

36. Pfizer rival: MERCK. (pharmaceutical companies)

37. Plant that is poisonous to livestock: LOCOWEED

38. Rowlands of "The Notebook": GENA. IMBd Gena portrays an old woman and Rachel McAdams has the role of the same character when she was young.

39. Crooks may have fake ones: IDs. (identification card)

40. "You lie!": "NOT TRUE!"

43. Company car, e.g.: PERK

45. Lack of vim and vigor: ANEMIA

46. Colorful flower parts: PETALS

47. "Caught that movie last week": "SEEN IT"

49. Detectives follow them: LEADS

51. Singer with the albums "19," "21" and "25": ADELE. Albums were named for how old she was when she made them.

52. Sotomayor colleague: KAGAN. Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

54. Senate aide: PAGE

57. "I'm freezing!": [BRR!]. Not here, not this week. Eighties predicted.

58. Young fellow: LAD

59. Fake it: ACT

60. "__ goes there?": WHO

Argyle

Tuesday, June 14 2016, Agnes Davidson & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: SIX FLAGS 

16. *Where hockey transgressors cool their heels : PENALTY BOX. Penalty Flag.

21. *Future attorney's hurdle : STATE BAR. State Flag.

47. *Polite applause on the tee : GOLF CLAP. Golf Flag.

54. *Vessel for Captain Jack Sparrow : PIRATE SHIP. Pirate Flag.

10. *Colorful sushi creation : RAINBOW ROLL. Rainbow Flag.

23. *"Drove my Chevy to the levee" Don McLean hit : AMERICAN PIE. American Flag.

37. June 14th observance ... and a hint to the first word in the answers to starred clues : FLAG DAY. 

Melissa here, Happy Flag Day, and congratulations to Agnes, our own Irish Miss, on her impressive, theme-heavy, and timely debut puzzle with C.C. Very impressive to see the FLAG DAY theme, on Flag Day, perfectly centered. A fun solve, that took a few turns around the grid. Ran into a little trouble when I entered TDS instead of YDS for 63A NFL gains.

Across

1. Drink-cooling shapes : CUBES

6. Family girl : SIS

9. Neighborhood : AREA

13. Seize : USURP

14. So very uncool : LAME

15. Mascara target : LASH

18. Issue a ticket to : CITE

19. Shout of discovery : EUREKA

20. Draft classification : ONE-A

25. Where sleeping dogs lie : PET BED

27. "Give me a break!" : OH MAN

28. Decide one will : OPT TO

29. Sound confirming a locked car door : BEEP

30. Oil-bearing rocks : SHALES

33. Jimmy Fallon asset : WIT. Fallon's (long but worth it) story about Prince and ping-pong.

36. Go wrong : ERR

38. Sudoku section : ROW

39. Camping gear brand : REI. Recreational Equipment, Inc. Love this store.

40. Winner's wreath : LAUREL

41. Voice quality : TONE

42. Film snippets : CLIPS. Saw this the other day, so bizarre.

 44. TV's "Kate & __" : ALLIE

45. "The ability to fully experience life," per Thoreau : WEALTH

50. "Money __ object" : IS NO

51. Sandy or Roberto of baseball : ALOMAR

53. Catch sight of : ESPY

59. Fired, with "off" : LAID

60. Look carefully : PEER

61. Gravel unit : STONE

62. Colors, as hair : DYES

63. NFL gains : YDS. Who else tried TDS first?

64. Cackling scavenger : HYENA

Down:

1. Many a sports trophy : CUP

2. Function : USE

3. Hot dog holder : BUN

4. Notable time : ERA

5. Organ associated with ill temper : SPLEEN. Vent your spleen.

6. "Light" sci-fi weapon : SABER

7. "Don't worry about me" : I'M OK

8. Physical attractiveness : SEX APPEAL

9. "Little Women" novelist : ALCOTT

11. Perfumer Lauder : ESTEE

12. Down the road : AHEAD

14. Harp constellation : LYRA

17. Shower stall alternative, if it fits : TUB

21. Unloaded? : SOBER. Nice clue.


22. "At last!" : THERE!

24. Water source : TAP

26. Online crafts shop : ETSY

28. Shoppe adjective : OLDE

30. Silly to the extreme : SLAP HAPPY.  Fun phrase.


31. Fräulein's abode : HAUS. German.


32. Farm sci. : AGR. Agriculture - the science and practice of farming.

34. Ancient Greek region : IONIA

35. Follower on Twitter, informally : TWEEP. Not a big twitter user - did not know this term.

37. Fly like a moth : FLIT

 41. Affectionate attention, briefly : TLC. Tender Loving Care.

43. London insurance giant : LLOYD'S

44. From scratch : AFRESH

45. Exercise, as power : WIELD

46. Thoreau work : ESSAY

47. Second family of the 1990s : GORES. Al and Tipper, now separated.

48. "Rubáiyát" poet : OMAR

49. Zero deg. at the equator, say : LAT. Equator = Latitude; Prime Meridian = Longitude.

52. Told tall tales : LIED

 55. Oinker's pen : STY

56. Clod chopper : HOE

57. Ramada __ : INN

58. Green soup base : PEA

 

Note from C.C.:

As Melissa mentioned earlier, this is Irish Miss's LAT debut. Congratulations, Agnes! She's such an observant and fast learner, a caring friend on and off the blog for many of our regulars. Thanks for being here for us, esp for me, Agnes. You're an angel! Thanks for inspiring me with your creative ideas & thoughtful observations.

Eileen (sister of Agnes) & Agnes, Nov 22, 2013