Theme: RUNNER (48D. Ball carrier, and clue for 20-, 40- and 59-Across)
20A. See 48-Down: ICE SKATE BLADE. Figure skating is beautiful to watch.
40A. See 48-Down: TRACK COMPETITOR. Ah, the Lightning Bolt (Usain), probably the most famous Jamaican after Bob Marley.
59A. See 48-Down: LONG NARROW RUG. Now I want a Navajo runner rug, with a purposely woven flaw.
Normally I am not fond of same clue for different theme answer puzzles. This one is rather unique, with the defining RUNNER structured in the grid.
Not familiar with this constructor Jack Sargeant. Could be his debut. If so, congratulations!
JimmyB, one of our regular commenter, wrote a very informative post yesterday:
"Today marks the 6-month anniversary of switching to the LA Times crosswords. In that period Rich Norris has presented us with 159 puzzles (only counting Monday's through Saturday's) submitted by 67 different "constructors". Five of those constructors were actually Rich himself. Most often used by far is Dan Naddor with 22 puzzles. Next most popular are David W. Cromer, Don Gagliardo, and Donna S. Levin with 7 apiece. Doug Peterson and Jack McInturff are close behind with 6. Thirty-six constructors have been used only once."
I forwarded the information to Rich Norris. Rich responded: "Thanks to Jimmy for the update. I haven't kept count since March, but I do keep track on an annual basis. Through October 31st, I will have published 95 different constructors in 2009, not including me."
Across:
4. Strokes on a green: PUTTS. The other golf reference is SAM (21D. Golf legend Snead). I think Rich Norris likes Ben Hogan more. Hogan had the most efficient swing.
14. What the Mad Hatter served: TEA. Mad Hatter is a fictional character in "Alice in Wonderland".
15. Apple's instant messaging software: ICHAT. Guessed. I am using a PC.
16. No longer tied up: LOOSE. Adjective here.
18. Barton of the Red Cross: CLARA. The Red Cross founder.
19. Divided country: KOREA. Divided at the 38th parallel. Since 1948.
23. Piano part: PEDAL
24. Bando of baseball: SAL. Got his name from Down fill. Don't know much about the old Oakland A's. Did pull a Catfish Hunter autograph out of a blaster box once.
25. Airport waiter: CAB. And SEMIS (31D. Big rigs).
28. Sheds feathers: MOLTS
32. Stereotypical eye patch wearer: PIRATE. "Aaarrr!"
34. Start of an order to an attack dog: SIC. "SIC 'em!"
37A. Partner of woes: CARES. Why? I am at a total loss.
39. Fed. org. concerned with workplace woes: OSHA. I like the consecutive "woes" weaving.
44. Ill-advised: RASH
45. Pageant topper: TIARA
46. Old draft org.: SSS (Selective Service System)
47. Clothes: ATTIRE. And TAILORED (43. Fitted, as a suit).
50. Slow mover: SNAIL. Edible snail would be ESCARGOT.
52. Canada's smallest prov.: P.E.I. (Prince Edward Island). No idea. It's on the right coast. Just learned that there are ten provinces and three territories in Canada. How are those territories differ from provinces?
53. Fashionable boot brand: UGG. OK, they all wear UGG boots. From left to right, Kate Moss, Eva Longoria and Jennifer Aniston.
55. Starbucks offering: LATTE
64. Descendant: SCION. Chinese often call ourselves as "Descendants of Dragon".
66. Walking __: euphoric: ON AIR
68. Fill with wonder: AMAZE
69. Three-card scam: MONTE. No idea. Have no knowledge on card games.
70. Cocktail party bowlful: DIP
71. Chair craftsperson: CANER. Alliteration again.
73. Va. clock setting: EST
Down:
1. Vegas attraction, with "the": STRIP. Sitting above STRAP (34D. Subway rider's aid).
3. Went off course, at sea: YAWED
4. Burglar: PICKLOCK. New word to me.
5. Golden State sch.: UCLA. The Bruins.
7. Empty truck's weight: TARE. The "Waste allowance" is TRET.
9. Acid neutralizer: ALKALI. It turns red litmus paper blue.
11. Weather Channel offerings: FORECASTS. Still summer here, but my morning glory suddenly stopped blooming yesterday.
13. Grazing site: LEA
22. Once around the track: LAP. Would prefer a different clue as TRACK is part of the theme answers.
26. Pal of Aramis: ATHOS. And Porthos. Dumas' "The Three Musketeers".
27. Nursery rhyme trio: BEARS. "Goldilocks and the Three BEARS".
29. Fond du __, Wisconsin: LAC. Any fellow solvers there? I know we have quite a few from the Madison area.
30. Horse's gait: TROT
33. Louis XIV, to his subjects: ROI. Louis XIV is known as "le ROI Soleil (the Sun King). Haute couture originated in his reign.
35. Hot under the collar: IRATE
36. Spanish dialect that's now standard: CASTILIAN (ka-STIL-yuhn). No idea. Only know Catalan.
38. Period of time: SPAN
41. Greek X: CHI. The "Greek T" is TAU.
42. Paleozoic __: ERA
49. "Which came first?" item: EGG. Or chicken.
51. Judge's concern: LAW
54. Travelocity mascot: GNOME. I liked this new clue.
56. Stock market transaction: TRADE
57. North African capital: TUNIS. Nice parallel with EGYPT (58D. Exodus locale). TUNIS is the capital of Tunisia. I wonder if anyone fell into the CAIRO for the capital trap.
60. Seep: OOZE
61. Any minute now, to a bard: ANON
62. "The Fountainhead" author: RAND (Ayn). Waiting for Windhover to comment on her philosophy.
63. Baptism or bar mitzvah, e.g.: RITE
64. Anatomical pouch: SAC
65. Nashville awards gp.: CMA (Country Music Association). Started in 1967. Tell me what Jessica Simpson & Carrie Underwood have in common.
Answer grid.
Picture of the Day: Here is a photo our fellow solver Bill and his wonderful wife Nancy at his sister's wedding a week ago. Both Bill and Nancy love solving Xword. Bill often makes me laugh with his witty and grumpy comments. Ask him if you have any question on computer or bluegrass.
C.C.
20A. See 48-Down: ICE SKATE BLADE. Figure skating is beautiful to watch.
40A. See 48-Down: TRACK COMPETITOR. Ah, the Lightning Bolt (Usain), probably the most famous Jamaican after Bob Marley.
59A. See 48-Down: LONG NARROW RUG. Now I want a Navajo runner rug, with a purposely woven flaw.
Normally I am not fond of same clue for different theme answer puzzles. This one is rather unique, with the defining RUNNER structured in the grid.
Not familiar with this constructor Jack Sargeant. Could be his debut. If so, congratulations!
JimmyB, one of our regular commenter, wrote a very informative post yesterday:
"Today marks the 6-month anniversary of switching to the LA Times crosswords. In that period Rich Norris has presented us with 159 puzzles (only counting Monday's through Saturday's) submitted by 67 different "constructors". Five of those constructors were actually Rich himself. Most often used by far is Dan Naddor with 22 puzzles. Next most popular are David W. Cromer, Don Gagliardo, and Donna S. Levin with 7 apiece. Doug Peterson and Jack McInturff are close behind with 6. Thirty-six constructors have been used only once."
I forwarded the information to Rich Norris. Rich responded: "Thanks to Jimmy for the update. I haven't kept count since March, but I do keep track on an annual basis. Through October 31st, I will have published 95 different constructors in 2009, not including me."
Across:
4. Strokes on a green: PUTTS. The other golf reference is SAM (21D. Golf legend Snead). I think Rich Norris likes Ben Hogan more. Hogan had the most efficient swing.
14. What the Mad Hatter served: TEA. Mad Hatter is a fictional character in "Alice in Wonderland".
15. Apple's instant messaging software: ICHAT. Guessed. I am using a PC.
16. No longer tied up: LOOSE. Adjective here.
18. Barton of the Red Cross: CLARA. The Red Cross founder.
19. Divided country: KOREA. Divided at the 38th parallel. Since 1948.
23. Piano part: PEDAL
24. Bando of baseball: SAL. Got his name from Down fill. Don't know much about the old Oakland A's. Did pull a Catfish Hunter autograph out of a blaster box once.
25. Airport waiter: CAB. And SEMIS (31D. Big rigs).
28. Sheds feathers: MOLTS
32. Stereotypical eye patch wearer: PIRATE. "Aaarrr!"
34. Start of an order to an attack dog: SIC. "SIC 'em!"
37A. Partner of woes: CARES. Why? I am at a total loss.
39. Fed. org. concerned with workplace woes: OSHA. I like the consecutive "woes" weaving.
44. Ill-advised: RASH
45. Pageant topper: TIARA
46. Old draft org.: SSS (Selective Service System)
47. Clothes: ATTIRE. And TAILORED (43. Fitted, as a suit).
50. Slow mover: SNAIL. Edible snail would be ESCARGOT.
52. Canada's smallest prov.: P.E.I. (Prince Edward Island). No idea. It's on the right coast. Just learned that there are ten provinces and three territories in Canada. How are those territories differ from provinces?
53. Fashionable boot brand: UGG. OK, they all wear UGG boots. From left to right, Kate Moss, Eva Longoria and Jennifer Aniston.
55. Starbucks offering: LATTE
64. Descendant: SCION. Chinese often call ourselves as "Descendants of Dragon".
66. Walking __: euphoric: ON AIR
68. Fill with wonder: AMAZE
69. Three-card scam: MONTE. No idea. Have no knowledge on card games.
70. Cocktail party bowlful: DIP
71. Chair craftsperson: CANER. Alliteration again.
73. Va. clock setting: EST
Down:
1. Vegas attraction, with "the": STRIP. Sitting above STRAP (34D. Subway rider's aid).
3. Went off course, at sea: YAWED
4. Burglar: PICKLOCK. New word to me.
5. Golden State sch.: UCLA. The Bruins.
7. Empty truck's weight: TARE. The "Waste allowance" is TRET.
9. Acid neutralizer: ALKALI. It turns red litmus paper blue.
11. Weather Channel offerings: FORECASTS. Still summer here, but my morning glory suddenly stopped blooming yesterday.
13. Grazing site: LEA
22. Once around the track: LAP. Would prefer a different clue as TRACK is part of the theme answers.
26. Pal of Aramis: ATHOS. And Porthos. Dumas' "The Three Musketeers".
27. Nursery rhyme trio: BEARS. "Goldilocks and the Three BEARS".
29. Fond du __, Wisconsin: LAC. Any fellow solvers there? I know we have quite a few from the Madison area.
30. Horse's gait: TROT
33. Louis XIV, to his subjects: ROI. Louis XIV is known as "le ROI Soleil (the Sun King). Haute couture originated in his reign.
35. Hot under the collar: IRATE
36. Spanish dialect that's now standard: CASTILIAN (ka-STIL-yuhn). No idea. Only know Catalan.
38. Period of time: SPAN
41. Greek X: CHI. The "Greek T" is TAU.
42. Paleozoic __: ERA
49. "Which came first?" item: EGG. Or chicken.
51. Judge's concern: LAW
54. Travelocity mascot: GNOME. I liked this new clue.
56. Stock market transaction: TRADE
57. North African capital: TUNIS. Nice parallel with EGYPT (58D. Exodus locale). TUNIS is the capital of Tunisia. I wonder if anyone fell into the CAIRO for the capital trap.
60. Seep: OOZE
61. Any minute now, to a bard: ANON
62. "The Fountainhead" author: RAND (Ayn). Waiting for Windhover to comment on her philosophy.
63. Baptism or bar mitzvah, e.g.: RITE
64. Anatomical pouch: SAC
65. Nashville awards gp.: CMA (Country Music Association). Started in 1967. Tell me what Jessica Simpson & Carrie Underwood have in common.
Answer grid.
Picture of the Day: Here is a photo our fellow solver Bill and his wonderful wife Nancy at his sister's wedding a week ago. Both Bill and Nancy love solving Xword. Bill often makes me laugh with his witty and grumpy comments. Ask him if you have any question on computer or bluegrass.
C.C.
