Wednesday August 25, 2021 Alan Olschwang

Theme: THREE-PEATS (57. Features of the answers to starred clues, from a trademarked sports term) - Each theme entry contains three identical letters in the middle.

21A. *Edge of a storm: SQUALL LINE.

39A. *Chase away: SHOO OFF.

3D. *Severe legal penalty: STIFF FINE.

35D. *Incense-burning implement: JOSS STICK.

C.C. here. Hope all's well with Jazzbumpa, who was supposed to blog today. He might have lost power in his house.

Good to see Alan Olschwang back. For a middle 7-letter theme entry, we often see this type of pinwheel design, though often with first theme answer in Row 3 rather than Row 4.

Across:

1. Sun-blocking piece: VISOR.

6. Lay eyes on: SPOT.

10. Mischievous types: IMPS. Hi there, Spitzboov!

14. IV component: INTRA.

15. Sub that never plays?: HERO. Sandwich rather than the sub at a ball field.

16. Civil suit cause: TORT.

17. Met favorites: ARIAS. The Met.

18. Ship that survived the Clashing Rocks: ARGO. Lemonade and his Argonaut went through that pair of rocks.

19. Instrument heard in the intro to Madonna's "Crazy for You": OBOE.

20. Departed: LEFT.

23. Crusty fellow: FOGY. Old.

25. Teased: NEEDLED.

26. Insults: AFFRONTS. 50. Bolshevik foes: TSARISTS. Two of the longest non-theme fill in this grid.

30. __ shift: DAY.

31. "You mean yours truly?": MOI. Always thought of our farmer Windhover.

32. States, abroad: ETATS.

34. Bar Keepers Friend alternative: AJAX.

38. Tolkien's The Prancing Pony, e.g.: INN.

42. Pamplona plaudit: OLE.

43. [It's a keeper]: STET.

45. Native Israeli: SABRA.

46. __ Barton, first Triple Crown horse (1919): SIR.

47. iPad launched in 2013: AIR.

52. Allayed: STILLED.

56. Wee ones: TOTS.

60. Brood: STEW.

63. Setting of Camus' "The Plague": ORAN.

64. French friar: ABBE. And 26. French friends: AMIS. And 48. Land in l'eau: ILE. And 59. Chapeau's place: TETE.

65. Return option: E FILE.

66. Abolitionist Lucretia: MOTT. Quaker. Died in 1880.

67. Shaker fill: SALT.

68. Port St. __, FL: LUCIE.

69. Stuns, in a good way: AWES.

70. Shoe insert: TREE.

71. Tatted up: INKED.

Down:

1. Ampule: VIAL.

2. Legal memo opener: IN RE.

4. Source of windiness, maybe?: ORATOR. Long-winded.

5. College dorm figs.: RAS.

6. NBAer seen in IcyHot ads: SHAQ.

7. Machu Picchu's place: PERU.

8. Pipe __: ORGAN.

9. Equipped with machinery: TOOLED.

10. "Shoulda listened to me!": I TOLD YA. And 44. Audition display: TALENTS. Love these pair of 7's.

11. Exxon merger partner: MOBIL.

12. Inclined (to): PRONE.

13. Knight's horse: STEED.

21. Moog, briefly: SYNTH.

22. __ & Perrins: Worcestershire sauce: LEA. Never tried Worcestershire sauce.

24. Departs: GOES.

27. Lettering choice: FONT.

28. Southwestern art mecca: TAOS.

29. Weasel cousin: STOAT.

33. Sorrowful sounds: SOBS.

36. Hit the ground: ALIT.

37. '60s-'70s births: XERS. I'm one.

40. Brothers' housing: FRATS.

41. Baccarat relative: FARO. Sounds like "pharaoh".

49. Meal: REPAST.

51. "Whee!": IT'S FUN.

52. Tiny leaf opening: STOMA.

53. Fling: THROW.

54. Quite hot: IRATE.

55. Exclude from practice: DEBAR.

58. Qualified: ABLE.

61. Writer Wiesel: ELIE.

62. Work in the garden: WEED.

65. First name in pharmaceuticals: ELI.

I'm very sorry to tell you that Hahtoolah (Susan) lost her father yesterday. As you know, she flew to Maine to take care of her Dad and continued to blog for us the past few weeks.

Please accept our deepest condolences, Susan!

C.C.

Sunday, October 25, 2020 Alan Olschwang

Theme: "A Series of Missteps" - Anagrams of STRIDE span across each theme entry.

27A. Many an investment: CALCULATED RISK.

44A. MTV Video Music Award category: BEST DIRECTION.

69A. Where many scenes are presented: THEATER DISTRICT. And 104. 69-Across presentation: DRAMA.

99A. Used one's clout: PULLED STRINGS.

119A. Freegan's activity: DUMPSTER DIVING.

16D. It's often passed at family meals: BUTTER DISH.

76D. Records: WRITES DOWN.

Wow, I'd be at a big loss at how to title this puzzle.

It's good to see Alan Olschwang back. Still remember those Tribune Daily days? We see him every Thursday. 

We don't often see 6-letter anagrams. Shorter words are easier to scramble. Fortunately the letters here are all quite common.

Across:

1. South American rodent: PACA. With white spots.

5. "Little Man __": 1991 Foster film: TATE.

9. Minor cuts: SNIPS.

14. Blot with a tissue: DAB AT.

19. God with a quiver: EROS.

20. Times often named for music genres: ERAS. Maybe we should call our blog pre-2018 as the "Argyle Era".

21. Refined, as skills: HONED.

22. Seed-to-be: OVULE.

23. One: SOLE.

24. It's rarely paid to a car dealer: LIST. List price. Thanks for the seat suggestions. We have one just like what Dr. Nina uses. I brought it to Vegas last time. It's easier for Boomer to get up from the low chairs.

25. Big game name: ATARI.

26. Richest person in the world before Bezos: GATES.

30. Treats with malice: SPITES.

31. Sr.-supporting component: IRA. Account.

32. Encl. with postage: SASE.

33. i-opening company?: APPLE.

34. Revolutionary War name: HALE. Nathan Hale.

35. Cambodian cash: RIEL. I saw Norodom Sihanouk, who spent his remaining years in Beijing. He was on TV all the time.

37. Flag: TIRE.

39. Slothful sort: IDLER.

41. Some colas: RCS.

48. Invited to the penthouse: ASKED UP.

50. Loss nos., perhaps: ESTS.

51. British Isles tongue: ERSE. "Ciamar a tha thu?"

52. Pride letters: LGBT.

54. Skyline feature: SPIRE.

55. Store: STASH.

57. Rice, e.g.: STAPLE. And 60. Sushi serving: AHI.

62. K2 locale: ASIA.

63. "Wanna bet?": OH YEAH.

65. Southernmost of the Marianas: GUAM. D-Otto & Edward Duarte were both there.

66. Goddess of marriage and family: HERA.

68. LBJ beagle: HER.

74. Cornfield call: CAW.

77. Up start or follower: SIZE. Size up or upsize.

78. For fear that: LEST.

79. Apply forcefully, as the brakes: SLAM ON.

83. Subway fare?: HERO. Does Subway sell torpedo sandwiches in America? I remember my boss Ken (ex-Marine) bought us torpedo tuna sandwiches in Shanghai in 1995. The taste was so foreign to me.

85. West Coast pro: RAM.

86. Newspaper supplement, maybe: INSERT.

89. Fern seed: SPORE.

90. First of 12: ARIES.

92. Zap: LASE.

94. Cab category: REDS.

96. Corporate honcho: SUIT.

97. Meat-curing compound: NITRITE.

103. Summer wear: TEE. Our weather has been winter-like the past two weeks. Lots of snow. A record for October so far.

106. Simplify: EASE.

107. Family reunion attendee: AUNT.

108. Arcade game word: SKEE.

110. Preferred group on the field: A TEAM.

112. Do a rest stop machine's job: VEND.

114. You, in Germany: SIE.

117. Dark-colored cigar: MADURO. Only knew that the Venezuelan Maduro.

122. Cell terminal: ANODE.

123. Anaheim athletes, in local sportscasts: HALOS.

124. Banned orchard spray: ALAR.

125. Kendrick of "Pitch Perfect" films: ANNA.

126. "Holy moly!": YOWZA. Hi there, Lucina!

127. Big name in violins: AMATI.

128. It can smell: NOSE.

129. Announced: SAID.

130. Undo, in a way: ANNUL.

131. It's about 30 kilometers from Düsseldorf: ESSEN.

132. Exude: SPEW.

133. Relationships: TIES.

Down:

1. "Goodfellas" Oscar winner: PESCI.

2. Loudly cheering: AROAR.

3. Formal outfit accessory: COLLAR STAY.  I like "Before".

4. "Just __ ... ": A SEC.

5. Fudge, perhaps: TELL A LIE. And 7. Pepsi Challenge feature: TASTE TEST. 9. Chinese dog breed: SHAR PEI. So many great fill in this area.

6. La Scala solos: ARIAS.

8. Uruguay's Punta del __: ESTE.

10. Waiter's disappointment: NO TIP.

11. Like many an injured arm: IN A SLING.

12. Brewed: PERKED.

13. Star Wars initials: SDI.

14. Places to walk with best friends?: DOG PARKS. Sweet clue.

15. Be of use to: AVAIL.

17. On the protected side: ALEE.

18. Melanie's "Working Girl" role: TESS. OK, I just read the Wiki plot again. The lady in red is mean.

28. Secondhand: USED.

29. Quick movement: DART.

30. "__ the One": 1996 Aniston/Diaz movie: SHE'S.

36. "We're good to go": IT'S SET.

38. Long cold spell: ICE AGE.

40. Tizzy: LATHER.

42. First female Nobelist: CURIE. And the only female to win two!

43. Asparagus unit: SPEAR.

44. Kiss, in Cancún: BESO.

45. Bk. before Job: ESTH.

46. Monopoly props.: RRS.

47. The Rebels of the SEC, familiarly: OLE MISS. Alma mater of Marti's husband, I think.

49. Eco-conscious org.: EPA.

53. Thai dough: BAHT. Thais are finally fed up with their king. Lots of protests in in Oo's homeland.

56. Expressions of skepticism: HAHS.

58. Regular hangout: PURLIEU.

59. Encumbered: LADEN.

61. __ West, wife of DC Comics' Flash: IRIS. Learning moment for me.

64. One who gets what's coming: HEIR.

67. They may be torn on the field: Abbr.: ACLS.

70. Augusta National shrub: AZALEA.

71. Musical motif, to Verdi: TEMA. Theme.

72. Firewood units: STERES.

73. Finishes up on the green: TAPS IN. For a par/bogey.

74. Stands sound: CHANT.

75. Eagle's home: AERIE.

80. Biblical peak: MOUNT SINAI.

81. Not a dup.: ORIG.

82. Takes in and keeps: NETS.

84. Poetic contraction: O'ER.

87. Improve, as an urban area: RE-DEVELOP.

88. NFL "sixes": TDS.

91. Determined by the stars, as time: SIDEREAL. Not a common word.

93. Pancake-making aids: SPATULAS.

95. Brother of Peter, briefly: ST. ANDREW. St. Andrews golf course was named after him, right?

98. Early smartphone: TREO.

100. Doesn't bother to check the water first: LEAPS IN.

101. Hightails it: LAMS.

102. Fashion's Gernreich: RUDI. He invented the monokini.

105. Chair titles: MADAMS.

109. Invasive vine: KUDZU.

111. Ham it up: EMOTE.

113. Rub off: ERASE.

115. Anatomical button type: INNIE.

116. "Yipes!": EGADS.

117. Uxmal denizen: MAYA.

118. Auth. unknown: ANON.

120. Summer shades: TANS.

121. Grand Canyon adjective: VAST.

123. "Scots Wha __": patriotic song: HAE. "Scots Who Have". Wiki says "it's a patriotic song of Scotland written using both words of the Scots language and English, which served for centuries as an unofficial national anthem of the country, but has lately been largely supplanted by "Scotland the Brave" and "Flower of Scotland".

C.C.

Wednesday July 10, 2019 Alan Olschwang

 Theme:  DEUCES WILD (58. Card game declaration, and a hint to what can be found in the four other longest answers) - Anagram of "Deuce" are hidden in each theme answer.

 18. *Soft material: SUEDE CLOTH.

 23. *Supply support for a claim: PRODUCE EVIDENCE.

 36. *"Coming Home" and "Nebraska" Oscar nominee: BRUCE DERN.

 50. *Like many new job seekers: COLLEGE-EDUCATED.

Boomer again, filling another blogging gap.

Hello everyone. I can relate to this theme because I really like playing the deuces wild version of draw poker machines at the casinos.  You don't win a lot but also you can play a while without losing much. I did hit a royal flush (no wild cards) for $200, on a five nickel bet at Treasure Island. The one in Minnesota, not the one on the Strip in Vegas.

Boomer, Treasure Island, 2013

Across:

1. Chopped garden clods: HOED.  Easier than pulling weeds, but careful around the tomatoes .

5. Wash: BATHE.

10. Thailand neighbor: LAOS.

14. Basketball Hall of Famer Donovan: ANNE.  We met Lindsey Whalen once.  She was a star Minnesota Gopher and Minnesota Lynx guard.  She now coaches the Gopher women's basketball program and I expect will be elected to the Hall of Fame. She is from Hutchinson, MN, a city 40 miles west of Minneapolis and was founded by my great, great, great grandfather Asa Hutchinson.  Leader of the Hutchinson Family Singers, but no relation to the governor of Arkansas.  (I asked).  

Anne Donovan (November 1, 1961 – June 13, 2018)

15. Dislike to the max: ABHOR.

16. Foot part: INCH. Toe did not have enough letters and heel didn't work either.

17. Rose and ruby: REDS.  Cincinnati baseball team.  I wish they could have taken a game or two from Cleveland last weekend.

20. "Downton Abbey" actor Stevens: DAN.

21. Ph.D. hurdle: DISS. Dissertation.

22. Quarterback Manning: ELI.  Brother of Peyton.  "Nationwide is on your side." 

29. Absolute: UTTER.

30. Cork's land: Abbr.: IRE.

31. "Mazel __!": TOV. Congratulations and best of luck!!

32. Ancient city on the Nile: THEBES.  The Nile River does not get enough credit.  I believe the source is either the Red Sea or the Mediterranean and winds its way through Egypt.  It forms a few lakes south of Cairo, reminds me of the Mississippi in Missouri.

34. "That scared me!": EEK.  Monday we had EKE, now we are treated to EEK.

35. Many a map dot: ISLE.  Reminds me of Lake of the Isles, featured on the intro of many Mary Tyler Moore episodes.

Mary Tyler Moore House, August 16, 2017

39. West Point team: ARMY.  Hup, Sarge.

42. It's never free of charge: ION.

43. E-tailer: DOT COM.

47. Life story, briefly: BIO.

48. Spike TV, once: TNN.

49. Candle emanation: AROMA. That's odd, I never realize an aroma from a candle.  How about "Outhouse emanation"?

55. Filming site: LOT.  It is said his wife was turned to a pillar of salt.

56. Phnom __, Cambodia: PENH.

57. Ancient times, poetically: ELD.

62. Tire swing support: TREE.  Brings back memories.  I have not seen a tire swing for years.

63. "A Beautiful Mind" mathematician: NASH.  I have not seen one of them for years either,  My Mom drove a 1952 sedan.  (Not a Rambler).  I owned a 1975 Pacer before AMC went under.

64. Numbered market section: AISLE.  Home Depot has numbered aisles, and I swear every store employee knows exactly which number everything is in. 

65. Is in session: SITS.

66. Slow-moving boats: ARKS.

67. Old Renault: LE CAR.  Never owned or drove one of these.  Is Renault still in business?

68. 38-Down, e.g.: PEST. 38D. Orkin target: ROACH.

Down:

1. Barely able: HARD PUT.  Add a "T" and you have the Hard putt made on the 18th green by Matt Wolfe at the 3M Open Sunday.

2. The heck: ON EARTH. Peace ON EARTH finally, now that July 4th has passed.

3. Back-of-the-book explanatory comment: END NOTE.

4. Paris' Pont __ Arts: DES. 

5. Like 101 courses: BASIC.

6. Vituperation: ABUSE.

7. This and this: THESE.  Life Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness.

8. Brick carrier: HOD.

9. Prior to, in verse: ERE.

10. De Gaulle's birthplace: LILLE.  Charles De Gaulle was a key ally for the U.S. in World War II and was still President of France when I was in high school in the sixties.

11. Applies holy oil to: ANOINTS. Our sick parishioners receive this monthly in church.

12. U.N. Day month: OCT.  The 27th is my birthday.

13. "Be quiet!": SHH.

19. Relinquish officially: CEDE.  Hairlines must cede twice, because they RECEDE.

21. Engraver Albrecht: DURER.

24. "You Light Up My Life" singer Boone: DEBBY.  I see her on infomercials with Peter Marshall selling old time greats CDs.  Her dad PAT was a legend, now he sells bathtubs.

25. Competed: VIED.

26. Ticked: IRKED. See also 46. Superlatively 26-Down: MADDEST.

27. KFC title: COL.  Good old Colonel Sanders.  We visited the very first KFC in Corbin, KY about 17 years ago on our way to Myrtle Beach, SC.  A great historical stop.

28. Biblical garden denizen: EVE.  Please pass me an apple.

33. Acting litigiously: SUING.

34. Poetic twilight: EEN.  Oh I'm just eightEEN, got a ruptured SplEEN and I always carry a purse, (Draft Dodger Blues.  Chad Mitchell Trio)  

35. IV part: INTRA.

37. Cold Stone Creamery buy: CONE.  Former Mets pitcher David.

39. "The Rookie" network: ABC.  I don't watch ABC too much anymore.  Maybe if they had "Law & Order" reruns.

40. __ Grande: RIO.

41. Oyster or clam: MOLLUSK.

44. Social circle: COTERIE.

45. Brunch buffet station fare: OMELETS.  Great name!  I think it is Latin for three scrambled eggs, grilled flat, then rolled up around ham and cheese.

48. Beret's perch: TETE.

51. Highland waters: LOCHS. Home of the Ness Monster?

52. Protestant denom.: EPISC.

53. Street in a law office: DELLA.  I used to watch Perry Mason all the time.  Now I hardly ever tune in a rerun.

54. Sedated: UNDER.

58. Paternity identifier: DNA.  Had this on Monday.

59. Musical gift: EAR.  I have heard that a person might have a good ear for music.  What do they do with their other ear?

60. "Do the Right Thing" pizzeria owner: SAL.

61. LPGA golfer Michelle: WIE.  She was in Chaska Minnesota at Hazeltine several weeks ago.  However it seems she has injured wrists, and was not able to make the cut.

62. Dose meas.: TSP.

Boomer

Thursday, March 14th 2019 Alan Olschwang

Theme: Scrambling - the four theme entries contain scrambles of the word "EIGHT", as the reveal succinctly explains:

63A. Simple card game, and what's hidden in the answers to starred clues: CRAZY EIGHTS

17A. *Like power lines: HIGH-TENSION. There's some debate around whether living close to power lines is bad for your health. They can look pretty in the right setting though:

24A. *End an engagement?: GET HITCHED. The best way to end an engagement.

38A. *Teddy kin: NIGHTIE. I'm not sure I knew the difference between the two, but arduous research over an extended period of time on various lingerie websites reveal that a teddy combines a top and panties. The things I go through for this blog.

51A. *Feature items in some annual sales: WHITE GOODS. Refrigerators and the like, although sometimes used to describe linens.

I thoroughly enjoyed this puzzle, it was quite a challenge. I didn't check my time, but I know it took longer than most Thursdays. I like having to slowly work through, unpicking as I go. The theme reveal definitely helped with a couple of the white spaces which were left. Some smart cluing, nothing in the fill I'd call a clunker, some nice longer entries - definitely an "A" today. One of my favorite puzzles of the year so far, Alan checked all the boxes. Let's see what else:

Across:

1. Grammy category word: ALBUM. Album of the Year at this year's Grammys - Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves

6. "And here it is!": VOILA!

11. Pickup spot, perhaps: BAR

14. Take a break: PAUSE

15. "Return of the Jedi" forest moon: ENDOR. The moon Endor is forested, and the home of the Ewoks.

16. Fashion or sense preceder: IN A

19. Band booking: GIG

20. Conspiring (with): IN LEAGUE

21. Cake invitation Alice accepted: EAT ME. The grow-tall cupcakes.

23. Does, say: DEER. The noun, not the verb. I like these kinds of misdirections.

27. Alternative rock genre: EMO

29. "Come on in!": ENTER!

30. Any member of ABBA: SWEDE

33. What a birdie beats: PAR. Golf, one under par.

34. Aromatic herb: DILL

37. '90s game disc: POG

42. One of the fire signs: LEO

43. Pull a fast one on: FOOL

45. Served, as time: DID

46. Brilliance: ÉCLAT. From the French éclater - to burst out.

48. One-footer, e.g.: TAP-IN. I've seen them missed. I've missed one (at least!) myself.

50. Gray shade: ASH

55. World-weary words: AH ME!

59. Up: RISEN

60. Babe __, only woman in ESPN's Top 10 North American Athletes of the 20th Century: ZAHARIAS. Quite the athlete. She won gold at the 1932 Olympics in the 80-meter hurdles with a world-record time, and also won Javelin gold with an Olympic record throw. She won silver in the high jump with a world-record equaling effort. She then moved on to professional golf where she won 10 LPGA major championships, which ranks her 4th all-time.

62. Life-saving pro: E.M.T.

66. __-disant: self-styled: SOI. From the french. The French also use it in the "so-called" sense, e.g. a so-called improvement.

67. Ancient Aegean region: IONIA

68. "The Wreck of the Mary __": DEARE. I read the book by Hammond Innes when I was young and I was rapt - I went on to read quite a number of his novels. The movie is probably better-known. I love the tag line in the center of the poster, rather dates it!

69. Channel that airs many RKO films: TMC. Turner Classic Movies. The one above doubtless shows up from time to time.

70. __ closet: LINEN

71. John of "The Addams Family": ASTIN. He's also Sean Astin's father - Sean played Samwise Gamgee in "The Lord of the Rings" and Rudy in the eponymous movie of the Notre Dame football walk-on.

Down:

1. Agricultural pest: APHID

2. "Rawhide" singer: LAINE. Let's have us some Frankie.

3. Taps player: BUGLE

4. Brought (in): USHERED

5. Like a footnote that explains footnotes: META. The crosses filled this in for me. I'm sure some of you are familiar with "meta" crossword puzzles which feature a hidden (often very hidden) theme and unifier.

6. Locale: VENUE

7. Early stage: ONSET

8. Dictator played by Forest: IDI. Amin, as portayed by Whitaker.

9. Leicester toilet: LOO

10. Journalist Peter: ARNETT. The ex-CNN reporter was one of the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists for his Vietnam war reporting for the Associated Press. He, David Halberstam and Neil Sheehan were all contrarian members of the press corps who repeatedly questioned the official line.

11. Time of one's life: BIG THRILL

12. Cartoon genre: ANIME. It has a very distinct style.

13. Continued unabated: RAGED

18. "The one who makes it, takes it" breakfast brand: EGGO

22. Breezed through: ACED

25. Recipe verb: HEAT

26. Crucifix letters: INRI. From the Latin "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum" - "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews".

28. Fellows: MEN

30. Beach letters: SPF. Sun-tan lotion's protection factor.

31. Try to attract: WOO

32. Lacking humility: EGOTISTIC

33. Third deg.?: PH.D. I like the clue, I think it was used recently if I recall correctly.

35. Verdant patch: LEA

36. Auction unit: LOT

39. "Gotcha!": I DIG!

40. Singer Vannelli: GINO. Canadian singer from the 70's & 80's. He had some big hair!

41. Some RIT grads: E.E.S. I'm guessing Electrical Engineers from Rochester Institute of Technology?

44. After-hours: LATE

47. Supplies power to: CHARGES

49. #2, for one: PENCIL. I know them as "HB" pencils from the European grading system.

50. '60s-'70s tennis great Arthur: ASHE

51. Extract forcibly: WREST

52. Bleachers sign: HI MOM!

53. David and Ricky's dad: OZZIE. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, as I'm sure you all know.

54. Israeli hero Moshe: DAYAN. "He would wake up with a hundred ideas. Of them ninety-five were dangerous; three more had to be rejected; the remaining two, however, were brilliant." Ariel Sharon

56. Drum kit part: HI-HAT

57. Motherly introduction?: MATRI-. Matriarch, for example.

58. German steel center: ESSEN. I learned this from school German classes. Our textbook Mr. Müller and his family lived in Essen. You never know when this stuff is going to come in handy.

61. Operatic princess: AIDA

64. Versailles monarch: ROI

65. Taylor of fashion: ANN

I didn't come across anything "terribble" this week, but then again, I didn't last week either, that was the problem!

Just let me double-check I've got the correct squares highlighted ...... yup, all's good .... and I'm done!

Steve

Saturday, March 17, 2018, Alan Olschwang

A THEMELESS SAINT PATRICK'S DAY SATURDAY WITH ALAN OLSCHWANG

Another worthy Saturday puzzle! I fell for the bait and switch mode as the entire top tier fell easily after which I found I was in for a real fight. The triple stack of grid spanners was very impressive and helpful. I was so proud I got 39. Event on a fall highlight reel : INTERCEPTED PASS with

 I _ T _ _ _ _ P _ _  D P _ A _. 

Interestingly, those spanners made for a disproportionate number of Down clues as the 45 cells of the spanners didn't leave room for the usual number of horizontal entries.

Here is an interview in 2009 with Alan conducted by C.C. where he reveals he is a retired lawyer who developed his love of crosswords by watching his Dad do them in ink so he, of course, eschews using a pencil.

I hope this St. Patty's Day finds you in fine fettle and that you got the same pleasure out of the puzzle that I did!

Let's start with the wonderful stacked grid spanners:

29. Hose : PAIR OF STOCKINGS - Each Radio City Rockette here is sporting a lovely PAIR OF STOCKINGS! 

38. "Mom," e.g. : SITUATION COMEDY - Of all the SITUATION COMEDIES available, Alan chose this one

39. Event on a fall highlight reel : INTERCEPTED PASS - Some think this Malcom Butler INTERCEPTED PASS was the most important of all time as it won Super Bowl XLIX (I'm not sure why 49 is not IL). Some also say it was the dumbest play call in history.

Here's the balance of the former barrister's clues 

Across

1. Surfers' banes : WIPEOUTS - Talk about spectacular!

9. Figures in Spanish skating : OCHOS - Figure 8's. Cool cluing!

14. Caught : IN A SNARE

15. Concord, for one : GRAPE - Not a PLANE as it turns out

16. NBC slogan that covered "Hill Street Blues," among others : MUST SEE TV - When I watched this scene from Hill Street my jaw dropped when Belker delivered this "best ever TV line" starting at 1:00. Worth the wait!

18. Took on cargo : LADED

19. Orchestra area : PIT

20. Some functionally limited applications : SHAREWARE - SHAREWARE all kids were playing in the late 70's - Lemonade Stand

22. WWII camp : STALAG - Some thought Hogan's Heroes set in STALAG 13 came out too soon after WWII

26. Feature of some lights : LESS TAR

27. NL West team : ARI - ARIZONA Diamondbacks

28. Wee : SMA - Here  is SMA in a Burns stanza with an explanation I truly needed!

40. Zebra kin : ASS - Speaking of kin that are ASSES...


41. "Blueberries for __": kids' book awarded a 1949 Caldecott Honor : SAL - Last Saturday SAL was the name Jack Kerouac took for himself in On The Road.

42. Newsletter editor's filler : CLIP ART - My first, although limited, access to images  for my files

47. Has an online chat with : SKYPES - We SKYPED our granddaughter in Grenoble, France last year. That sill amazes me!

51. Like evil villains : REDUNDANT - e.g. Absolutely essential, Fewer in number, Merge together... Others?

54. Skeletal start? : EXO - Great lobster meat lies beneath one which requires a nutcracker to break through 

55. Sluggish : INERT

56. One who's not at all graceful : SORE LOSER

60. Put on : STAGE - Speaking of losers...

61. Popular Canadian beer : LAKEPORT - New to me

62. Opposite ends : POLES

63. License requirements, perhaps : EYE TESTS - It took about 15 seconds for me last year. Not what you would call an exhaustive process

Down

1. Timid types : WIMPS

2. Arctic inhabitant : INUIT

3. Ristorante regular? : PASTA

4. World-record finish? : EST - The margins of victory for Usain Bolt, the FASTEST man in the world, in successive Olympics

5. Switch statuses : ONS - Switches have ONS and OFFS I guess. C.C. would call this "gluey fill" as it is less than desirable but is necessary to hold the puzzle together

6. Gulf states fed. : UAE - United Arab Emirates

7. Tijuana trio : TRES - Por favor, dénos TRES margaritas (Please give us three margaritas)

8. Newborn mentioned in Genesis 4:25 : SETH - Said to have been born after the death of his brother Abel 

9. Gives more than the once-over : OGLES

10. Crows' crops : CRAWS - Like this gull, a crow has a Crop or CRAW where excess food is stored for later digestion or feeding young

11. Attacked : HAD AT

12. Work often with subtitles : OPERA - My favorite aria with Italian and English subtitles

13. Where the same questions are asked annually : SEDER - A ritual Jewish passover feast held on the 15th of Nisan

17. 1989 Firth/Bening movie : VALMONT - Also a huge world-wide manufacturer of center pivot irrigation systems 10 minutes from here in Valley, NE

21. Log onto after a crash, say : REACCESS - Computer speak

23. "CSI: Miami" actress Eva : LARUE - Did Lash have grandchildren? 😏

24. Like the arena after the home team's winning goal : AROAR - Our old friend Marty hated the "A" words

25. Present with many options : GIFT CARD

28. Timetable listings : STOPS - I once asked a concierge in downtown Chicago what STOP I should look for on the Red Line to get out for the Cubs game. He looked at me and said, "If can't figure that out, you're the dumbest SOB in world! Just get out when everybody else does!" Uh, it was the Addison Ave. STOP.

29. Meas. checked at a garage : PSI - The low PSI warning light led me to find a nail in my tire last month

30. River to the Rhone : AIN - Europe seems full of rivers that are full of water and vowels

31. Former comm. giant : ITT

32. Shuteye sessions : SIESTAS


33. Brownie maker : KODAK - The camera of my ute!

34. Suggest : IMPLY

35. "Great Public Schools for Every Student" org. : NEA

36. Whse. filler : GDS - Hey, those are my initials as well as an abbr. for GOODS

37. __ admin : SYS  SYStem Administrator

42. Like fresh lettuce : CRISP

43. Slow tempo : LENTO - Not LARGO I guess

44. As good as it gets : IDEAL - Don't let IDEAL get in the way of possible

45. Completely cleanse : PURGE - His name is synonymous with that word to me

46. Asks for a hand? : ANTES - Ya gotta pay to play!

48. Monterrey jack : PESOS - Ah the euphemisms for money

49. Apply : EXERT

50. Gets ready to file : SORTS

52. NCAA 'Cane's rival : NOLE - The Seminole Nation Of Florida fully supports the use of SEMINOLE as Florida State's athletic nickname. Below tribe members are shown with the FSU homecoming king and queen

53. Airplane platform? : TRAY

57. Supplement, with "out" : EKE

58. Give leave : LET - I give you leave to comment on Alan's fine puzzle

59. "... thus wide I'll __ my arms": "Hamlet" : OPE - So spoke Laertes 

DA GRID

Tabhair do thuairim dúinn! (Please give us your opinion! in Gaelic)

 
Notes from C.C.:

Tried many times still could not reach Argyle yesterday. His friend Jennifer said Argyle had the phone off the hook by accident. She also said Argyle is still very tired and still groggy from medicine, but he's stable and doing OK. I'll update you when I have more news. Miss you, Santa!