Theme: "As American As Apple π"
18A. How 58-Across can be written : ENDLESSLY.
27A. 34-Across factor : DIAMETER.
34A. 58-Across times 27-Across : CIRCUMFERENCE. Pi X DIAMETER = CIRCUMFERENCE (Can also be written as 2 π r.)
47A. Mathematically, what 58-Across is : CONSTANT.
58A. Subject of an annual March 14 celebration and of this puzzle, celebrated in its circled squares in both a literal and a numerical way : VALUE OF PI. Celebrated on 3.14 because those are the first significant numbers contained in Pi (3.1415926...)
But wait! There's more! If you look at the circles (going from left to right in the puzzle), it is not only the letters you should notice, but their associated numbers:
3. 14 15 9 26
p....i....d....a....y
Clever execution of the theme for National Pi day. Don G. and C.C. often add extra layers to their puzzles. I imagine the circles made it quite a design challenge, since the numbers had to appear in order. The "helper" square at the end of 1-Across was put in just for that purpose, I expect.
Marti, here, to see what other gems we can dig up.
Across:
1. Retained : KEPT.
5. Music storage medium : IPOD.
9. In the thick of : AMID.
13. Kirin rival : ASAHI. Two well-known Japanese beers.
15. Arp's art : DADA. Jean (Hans) Arp
16. Scale pair : SO-LA.
17. Last one in : LOSER. Because "rotten egg" wouldn't fit...
20. Diamond deal : TRADE.
22. Heartfelt : EARNEST.
23. Quote from a pitcher? : AD RATE. From one giving a sales pitch.
25. Rigid : PRIM.
26. USN clerk : YEO.man.
29. "A Doll's House" playwright : IBSEN.
31. Mil. honor : DSM. Distinguished Service Medal.
32. Shout in la arena : OLE.
33. Forensic ID : DNA.
40. 1967 NHL rookie of the year : ORR.
41. Long time : AGE.
42. One of them, maybe : HIM.
44. "Let's Dance" singer : BOWIE. Musical interlude. 4:05
50. Walkoff hit stat : RBI. Run Batted In. Learning moment for me - a "Walk-off hit" is any game-winning drive, but it must occur in the bottom of final inning. The team that makes a walk-off hit can walk off the field without finishing the inning. The term was originally intended for the pitcher, who had to walk off the field alone while the other team celebrated.
51. Sighed line : AH ME. Probably what the losing pitcher was saying to himself, you think?
54. Elect : CHOSEN.
55. Top player : ALL STAR.
57. Gluten-rich grain : WHEAT.
60. Sends out : EMITS.
63. Works that glorify : ODES.
64. Minnesota's state bird : LOON.
65. Leisurely stroll : PASEO. Usually taken in the evening. It can also refer to the formal entrance of bullfighters into the arena.
66. Caesar and others : SIDS.
67. Fair : EXPO.sition.
68. Post office call : NEXT.
Down:
1. Actor Penn who has worked for the Obama administration : KAL. You may remember him as Kumar Patel on "Harold & Kumar". He was Associate Director of The Office of Public Engagement for Obama.
2. That, south of the border : ESO.
3. Deli order : PASTRAMI.
4. Spring sign : THE RAM. Crocus also fits...(just sayin')
5. French bean product? : IDEE. Cute clue for the French "idea."
6. Blast on Broadway : PAN. "Blast" here means to trash, not a really fun time.
7. Farther out? : ODDER.
8. ___ Lama : DALAI.
9. Part of the LPGA: Abbr. : ASSN. Ladies Professional Golf Association. Stacey Lewis is currently leading the money list in the LPGA. Cute kid!
10. Isn't in a big hurry : MOSEYS.
11. "Let me check" : I'LL SEE.
12. Ohio home of the Wright Brothers : DAYTON.
14. Hopping mad : IRATE.
19. Valuable fur : ERMINE. Here he is in the Championship Fight. 1:10
21. Construction sight : DETOUR.
23. Throw in : ADD.
24. Blu-ray buy : DISC.
25. Its pages are often numbered i, ii, iii, etc. : PREFACE.
28. Common street name : ELM.
30. Outlaw : BAN.
33. Soak : DRENCH.
35. Le ___ Soleil: Louis XIV : ROI. He was known as "The Sun King."
36. Dream up : CREATE. How do Don and C.C. dream up these clever ideas?
37. Common star characteristic : EGO.
38. Chew out : CHASTISE.
39. German article : EINE. Could mean a, an, one, you, someone or somebody.
43. Atlas abbr. : MTN. I was looking for misdirection and thought of the Atlas MTNs. But those are always plural. So it's just the straightforward Rand McNally atlas we're talking about.
44. Met cheers : BRAVOS. Really? When the Mets play baseball, the fans say "bravo?" ;-D
45. Start of a Beatles title : OBLA DI....obla da. 3:10
46. Left (to) : WILLED.
48. Blind followers : SHEEP.
49. Unanimously : TO A MAN.
52. Nonnative Hawaiian : HAOLE. Hoo boy, I needed perp help for this one. Totally forgot the word.
53. Dahl's "Fantastic" title critter : MR FOX.
56. Dope (out) : SUSS. Were you able to suss the theme on this one before coming here?
57. Lush : WINO. And 62-Down. Lush : SOT.
59. Burst open noisily : POP.
61. DDE's birthplace : TEX.as. His mother originally named him David Dwight.
That's all for this week - see you next time!
Hugs,
Marti
Notes from C.C.:
1) Don came up with this creative theme. I'd never have dreamed of this concept!
2) More sweet pictures from ACPT:
Notes from C.C.:
1) Don came up with this creative theme. I'd never have dreamed of this concept!
2) More sweet pictures from ACPT:
Here is a picture of Marti and Mike Alpern, who organized the annual ACPT Cru Dinner and warmly welcomed Marti. Thanks again, Mike! The picture is not as clearly as the above two as I stole the above from Mike's Picasa page. Please click here to view all of Mike's pictures.
