Tuesday, September 27, 2022 Christina Iverson

An Ice Breaker:

17-Across. *   Another thing altogether: WHOLE NEW BALLGAME.  Whole Truth

30-Across. *    William S. Burroughs novel: NAKED LUNCH.  Naked Truth

49-Across. *    Background sound that may be a sleep aid: WHITE NOISE.  White Lie

And the unifier:

65-Across. Ice-breaker activity involving three claims, or what the starts of the answers to the starred clues literally are: TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE.  Two Truths and a Lie is a simple ice-breaker game that is designed to get to know others in a group.  Each individual shares three statements about themselves:  2 of the statements are true, and one is false.  The rest of the group tries to guess which statement is the lie by asking questions.

Across:

1. "How tragic": SO SAD!

6. Cent: PENNY.

11. Gender-neutral German article: DAS.  //  And 5-Down. Feminine German article: DIE.  The masculine German article, DER is missing from today's German lesson.

14. Food safety concern: E. COLI.  The full name of this bacterium is Escherichia coli.  Most strains of E. coli are actually harmless.  It is often used in microbiology teaching labs.

15. Infer: EDUCE.

16. Foot part: ARCH.

20. Annual presidential speech, for short: SOTU.  As in State Of The Union.

21. Maker of Simply Radishing and Can't Be Beet! nail polish: OPI.  This brand is becoming a crossword staple.

22. Sunburn soother: ALOE GEL.

23. Chain reaction component: DOMINO.

26. Restroom, to a Brit: LOO.

27. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame architect: I.M. PEI.  I.M. Pei (né Ieoh Ming Pei; Apr. 26, 1917 ~ May 16, 2019) was a Chinese-American architect.  He was quite a visionary and designed many unique looking buildings.  The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is designed to look like a record player.[Name # 1.]

35. Pad thai strand: NOODLE.  Yummers!

37. One-line rave on movie posters: A MUST SEE!

38. __ Angeles Kings: LOS.  The professional hockey team.

39. Medium for many homemade cards: CRAYON.  If you are lucky, you have 64 color choices.

42. Chapped, maybe: DRY.

43. Remains calm: ACTS COOL.

46. Interstate through Chicago: NINETY.  Interstate-90 runs from Boston, Massachusetts to Seattle, Washington.

52. High-IQ group: MENSA.

53. "__ Lasso": TED.  Ted Lasso is a fictional character portrayed by Jason Sudeikis. [Name Adjacent.]

54. Doodads: GIZMOS.

56. Pseudonym: PEN NAME.  //  And 18-Down. __ de plume: NOM.  Theodor Seuss Geisel (Mar. 2, 1904 ~ Sept. 24, 1991) used Dr. Seuss as his pen name.

60. Org. headed by Michael S. Regan: EPA.  Michael Stanley Regan (b. Aug. 6, 1976) is the current Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.  [Name # 2.]

61. Wooden barrel: CASK.

68. Hardens: SETS.

69. Sports data: STATS.

70. "Assuming there is one": IF ANY.

71. "Black-ish" role: DRE.  Actor Anthony Anderson (b. Aug. 15, 1970) portrays Dre Johnson on the television sit-com Black-ish.  [Name adjacent]

72. Generational tales: SAGAS.  I can get lost in a good saga.  I have read several on this list.  Ken Follett also writes wonderful historical sagas.

73. Trait carriers: GENES.

Down:

1. Wraps (up): SEWS.

2. Cuatro x dos: OCHO.  Spanish math.  Hi, Lucina!

3. Flue residue: SOOT.

4. Slyly referred (to): ALLUDED.

6. Peek through shutters, say: PEEP IN.

7. Holly's "Raising Arizona" role: EDWINA.  Raising Arizona was a 1987 movie that starred Holly Hunter (b. Mar. 20, 1958) and Nicholas Cage (b. Jan. 7, 1964).  Holly hunter portrayed Edwina McDunnough.  [Name Adjacent]

8. Much-used pencil: NUB.

9. March Madness gp.: NCAA.  As in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

10. Holler: YELL.

11. International reality show that inspired "Shark Tank": DRAGONS' DEN.  I am not familiar with Dragon's Den.

12. Pinnacle: ACME.

13. Writer Silverstein: SHEL.  Shel Silverstein (né Sheldon Allan Silverstein; Sept. 25, 1930 ~ May 11, 1999) was a poet, cartoonist and songwriter.  Did you know that he wrote A Boy Named Sue?  [Name # 3.]

16. Get too old: AGE OUT.

19. Lounges around: LOLLS.

24. Cruet contents: OIL.

25. Just so-so: OKAY.

27. Spouse's kin: IN-LAW.

28. Scrounging sort: MOOCH.

29. Sticky reminder: POST-IT NOTE.

31. Genre associated with black eyeliner: EMO.

32. Country duo Brooks & __: DUNN.  [Names # 4.]

33. "Two mints in one" mint: CERTS.

34. 2003 Outkast hit: HEY YA!

36. Business maj.: ECON.  As in Economics.

40. Milne joey: ROO.  A reference to Winnie-the-Pooh's reference.

41. Sacha Baron Cohen persona: ALI G. Ali G is a satirical character played by Sasha Baron Cohen (b. Oct. 13, 1971).  [Name # 5.]

44. Artery inserts: STENTS.

45. Fragrant wood: CEDAR.  Everything  you wanted to know about Cedar wood, but didn't know to ask.

47. "If u ask me ... ": IMO.  Textspeak for In My Opinion.

48. Brand that had instant success?: NESCAFÉ.  The brand that makes instant coffee.

50. Afternoon nap: SIESTA.

51. Toll-paying convenience: E-ZPASS.  I live in a state that doesn't use an electronic pass.  We did have to get a toll-tag for Texas, however.

55. "Wow": MAN!  Meh?

56. Survivor's struggle, briefly: PTSD.  As in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

57. Carafe kin: EWER.

58. No __, no fuss: MUSS.

59. Jazz legend James: ETTA.  Etta James (née Jamesetta Hawkins; Jan. 25, 1938 ~ Jan. 20, 2012) makes frequent guest appearances in the crossword puzzles.  [Name # 6.]

62. Actor Rickman: ALAN.  Alan Rickman (né Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman; Feb 21, 1946 ~ Jan. 14, 2016) was such a talented actor.  [Name # 7.]

63. __ wave: SINE.

64. Types (in): KEYS.

66. Folklore crone: HAG.

67. Use a trowel: DIG.

Here's the Grid:

חתולה

L'Shana Tova to all who celebrate.  This is the second day of the holiday.

Monday September 26, 2022 Emet Ozar

Theme: : IN THE DOG HOUSE (37. Out of favor with one's partner, and where to find the ends of the answers to the starred clues)

16. *Fancy costume party: MASKED BALL.

24. *Colorful garden plot: FLOWER BED.

51. *Sensitive spot on the elbow: FUNNY BONE.

 61. *Annual Florida college football game: ORANGE BOWL.

Boomer here.

Not a great last week for Minnesota pro sports. Twins lost 4 of 5 to Guardians, then the Vikings took a trip to Philly and got their butt kicked. Vikings took care of Lions yesterday in closing seconds, whew. Golden Gophers took care of Michigan State on Saturday and the Big Ten channel shown campaign ads for both Michigan and Minnesota candidates.   Today's puzzle sure has a lot of three letter words for answers. Must be Monday. And Happy Autumn everyone!

Across:

1. Symbol on an Angels baseball cap: HALO.  Wish I had a Shohei rookie card.

 

 

5. "Lucy and __": 2022 documentary about a classic sitcom couple: DESI. Mr. Arnaz.

9. Awaken: STIR.

13. Trendy purple berry: ACAI.  Fruits and veggies.

14. Top __: instant noodle brand: RAMEN.  Noodles

15. "Yeah, try again": UH NO.  UH - I don't know

18. Snap up: GRAB.  GRAB UP a bowling ball and have some fun.

19. Pulls, as a camper: TOWS.  Or as a snowbird in a Minnesota winter.

20. Wyo. neighbor: IDA.  Start a potato farm.

21. Top-notch: A-ONE.

22. Run out, as a subscription: LAPSE.

26. Tribute poem: ODE.  To Billie Joe - 3rd of June.

27. 2016 Summer Olympics city: RIO.  Home of a 98 foot statue of Jesus.

29. Letters on a car dealership sticker: MSRP.  Manufacture's Suggested Retail price that they never get.

30. Ritz-Carlton competitor: OMNI.  Hotels everywhere

32. Mourning dove sound: COO.

34. Messy stuff: GLOP.

41. Bygone toy company: TYCO.  I had some trucks when I was a kid.

 

42. Winter malady: FLU.  Get a shot. Stay healthy.

43. Future dr.'s exam: MCAT.

45. Woeful cry: ALAS.  Other team when Aaron Judge connects.

48. "How repulsive": UGH.

50. Blackjack card: ACE.  Still need a face

55. Shake hands (on): AGREE.

57. "__ it first!": "Dibs!": I SAW.  I thought  I SAW a puddy cat.

58. Bird who is the only player to win WNBA titles in three different decades: SUE.

59. CNN's "__ Burnett OutFront": ERIN.

60. 2021 Pixar movie set in Italy: LUCA.

65. Fish often grilled for tacos, informally: MAHI.

66. Label again: RE-TAG.  Lower the price?

67. Actress Falco: EDIE.

68. Mailbox opening: SLOT.  Machine in Las Vegas

69. Forehead: BROW.  I have one.

70. Govt.-issued IDs: SSNS.  I have one of these too.

Down:

1. Meat in a croque-monsieur: HAM.

 

 

2. Obama-era health law, for short: ACA. Affordable?

3. Final funds: LAST PENNY.  I never spend pennies any more.  They are stored in a metal box.

4. Brand of Greek yogurt: OIKOS.

5. Tiny amount of eye cream: DAB.  Brylcream - a little DAB will do ya.

6. Inbox accumulation: EMAIL.  SPAM.

7. Not frequently: SELDOM.

8. Relatives acquired by marriage: IN-LAWS.

9. Sweet treat in a Christmas poem: SUGAR PLUM.  Fairies.

10. Pulsate: THROB.  Another name for pain.

11. Foolish: INANE.

12. Dressed for choir: ROBED.  Nope, we had white tuxes.

14. Hwys.: RDS.  Ours get a bit slippery in winter.

17. Decorative pitcher: EWER.

22. British lav: LOO.

23. Confess: ADMIT.  Okay, I did it.

24. Grub: FOOD.  Glorious FOOD!  Hot sausage and mustard!

25. Thus, in logic: ERGO.

28. Freezer cubes: ICE.  Also known here as a slick coating on roads.

31. "No rush on this": IT CAN WAIT.  Stop for breakfast.  Puzzle will still be here when you get back.

33. "That's gotta hurt": OOF. Followed by DA                 

35. Prestigious showbiz nominations: OSCAR NODS.

36. "Later": PEACE.

38. "__ Toledo!": HOLY.  I've never been there.  Is it really holy?

39. Collage application: GLUE.  Not College.

40. Squeeze: HUG.

44. Summer shirt: TEE.  Also a summer wooden peg.

46. Soak up: ABSORB. Soak up some sun while we still have it!

47. More tart: SOURER.

49. Tortoise's race rival: HARE.  Not sure how a rabbit got called a hare.

51. Movies: FILMS.

52. Run-of-the-mill: USUAL.

53. Chip with cheese: NACHO.  That's NACHO lunch!

54. "Super cool": NEATO.  I have not heard this since the 60s.

56. Taunts: GIBES.

59. Frittata ingredient: EGG.

62. Opposite of "yep": NAW.  NOPE!

63. Take first prize: WIN.  Bowl a 300.

64. "__ Misérables": LES.

 Boomer

Notes from C.C.:

Happy birthday to Dennis, who always posted first on the blog before he moved to Florida. Here's a picture of him enjoying the morning paper in his old house in New Jersey.

 

Sunday September 25, 2022 Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

 

Theme: "Plush" (Plus -H) - H is added to each common phrase.

23A. Dormitory where honor roll students sleep?: HALL FOR THE BEST. All for the best.

46A. Ingredient for discerning brew masters?: SPECIAL HOPS. Special ops.

71A. Take care of eggs by sitting on them?: HEAT LIKE A BIRD. Eat like a bird.

92A. Learns about crops like maize?: HEARS OF CORN. Ears of corn.

117A. Cheap toupee?: BUDGET HAIRLINE. Budget airline.

15D. Light-up pumps?: ELECTRIC HEELS. Electrical eels.

57D. Weekly night for leftovers?: HASH WEDNESDAY. Ash Wednesday.

I linked this this interview about Gary Larson last time. Amy is his wife.

Gary is probably the most prolific LAT Sunday puzzle-maker the past few years. He's very fond of letter addition/deletion theme.

Across:

1. Little rascal: SCAMP.

6. Crunchy brownie piece: EDGE.

10. Natural bandage: SCAB. If your white blood count is low, your wound won't heal quickly.

14. Storm relief org.: FEMA.

18. Sierra Nevada lake: TAHOE.

19. Connections: TIES.

20. Skyline obscurer: HAZE. Xi'an is pretty polluted.

21. Ruck of "Spin City": ALAN.

22. Semis followers: FINALS.

26. Name of Davy Crockett's rifle: OLD BETSY. Unknown to me.

28. Enjoy again, as a favorite book: RE-READ.

29. Cubbies home: CHI. And 45. Cub's home: DEN.

30. __ carte: ALA.

31. "Fun Factory" clay: PLAY-DOH.

35. Tuft of feathers: CREST.

37. Name of B.B. King's guitar: LUCILLE. Also unknown to me.

41. Actor Mulroney: DERMOT.

43. Santa-tracking org.: NORAD.

48. Jazz lick: RIFF.

51. Sudoku digit: NINE.

52. Birdie topper: EAGLE.

53. Historical record: ANNAL.

54. App symbol: ICON.

55. Suzuki with 10 MLB Gold Gloves: ICHIRO.  See what comes up when you google  "August in Kansas City ..."

58. "Yosemite Valley Winter" photographer: ADAMS.

62. Do needlework: STITCH.

64. Dietary fiber: BRAN.

65. Forecast: PREDICT.

67. Charge for using, as an apartment: LEASE TO.

70. Apple platform: IOS.

74. New __: cap brand: ERA.

75. Cream cheese serving: SCHMEAR.

77. Genre revitalized by Britney Spears: TEEN POP. Christina Aguilera as well.

78. Thicken, as cream: CLOT.

79. Some year-end lists: WORSTS. Ken Tucker's year-end interviews with Terry Gross are always so good.

81. Calf's suckling spot: UDDER.

82. Turns way up: BLASTS.

84. Stadium level: TIER.

86. Rivendell inhabitants: ELVES. "The Lord of the Rings".

88. __ Island: ELLIS.

90. Tacks on: ADDS.

91. Went platinum?: DYED. Ha.

98. Lost cause: GONER.

100. Words on an orange juice container: NO PULP.

102. "Way to go, fella!": ATTA BOY.

103. Dodge: ELUDE.

106. Edible part of a pistachio: NUTMEAT.

108. Mystery writer Grafton: SUE.

109. Many pop-ups: ADS.

111. Refuse: LITTER. Noun "refuse".

113. Baggage handler?: TSA AGENT. Another great clue.

122. Duel choices: SWORDS.

123. Morales of "Ozark": ESAI.

124. With 112-Down, fish story: TALL. And 112. See 124-Across: TALE.

125. Song that might prompt a "Brava!": ARIA.

126. Cast: HEAVE.

127. Texter's "until next time": TTYL.

128. Turow book set at Harvard: ONE L. Just had this fill last Monday.

129. Burt's Bees product: BALM.

130. Fragrant compound: ESTER.

Down:

1. Not in bed yet: STILL UP.

2. Parker who was the 2020 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year: CANDACE. I bet this is Patti's clue.

3. "Pequod" captain: AHAB.

4. Mexican sauce flavored with chocolate: MOLE.

5. Fly, e.g.: PEST.

6. __ alcohol: ETHYL.

7. Jueves, por ejemplo: DIA. Thursday.

8. Salon goop: GEL.

9. Subj. for some citizenship applicants: ESL. Some of the questions on the citizenship test are pretty tough.

10. Help for a tight fit: SHOEHORN.

11. "Virgin River" novelist Robyn: CARR.

12. Tenochtitlan native: AZTEC.

13. "Joy Shtick" writer/comedian: BEHAR.

14. Terrif: FAB.

16. Classic TV series set in Korea: M*A*S*H.

17. Averse to: ANTI.

22. Farm young: FOALS.

24. Gift tag word: FROM.

25. Genesis plot: EDEN. D-Otto has mentioned Eden Prairie a few times. His sister and niece live here.

27. Be in a bee: SPELL.

32. Bustle: ADO.

33. "Okey-doke": YEP.

34. OB-GYNs, e.g.: DRS.

36. Former Seattle team, familiarly: SONICS.

38. Trap during a winter storm, say: ICE IN.

39. False witness: LIAR.

40. Spanish lake: LAGO.

42. Sardine cans: TINS.

44. "I'll take that as __": A NO.

47. Ticker: HEART.

49. Fistfight souvenir: FAT LIP.

50. Circular: FLIER.

53. Go up: ASCEND.

55. Sacred Nile bird: IBIS. The African sacred ibis.

56. Colorful clog: CROC.

59. Shoulder muscle, for short: DELT.

60. Parting words: ADIEUS.

61. Ready to be recorded: MIKED.

63. Bit: TAD.

65. To some degree: PARTLY.

66. Sealing stuff: TAPE.

68. Home run run: TROT. All Rise!

69. Stallion feed: OATS.

71. HRH part: HER.

72. Lightened (up): EASED.

73. Drill, e.g.: BORER.

76. Bite: MORSEL.

78. "Julius Caesar" role: CASCA.

80. Kristoff's reindeer in "Frozen": SVEN.

82. Dab at, as lipstick: BLOT.

83. British elevator: LIFT.

84. Graffiti signature: TAG.

85. Rite answer?: I DO. Good old clue.

87. Three-time "Modern Family" Emmy nominee: ED O'NEILL.

89. Future JDs' exams: LSATS.

92. Simple shelter: HUT.

93. Furniture wood: ELM.

94. Animal that beats its chest: APE.

95. Witness: OBSERVE.

96. Not as flat: ROUNDER.

97. Russian rejections: NYETS.

99. Govern: RULE.

101. Smooth engine sound: PURR.

104. "Likewise": DITTO.

105. One of the filmmaking Coen brothers: ETHAN. Both are working on their own projects now.

107. Crack squad: A TEAM.

109. Turn off the security cameras for, maybe: ABET.

110. Roomba target: DUST.

114. Queens, New York, stadium namesake: ASHE.

115. Dazzles: AWES.

116. Capricorn critter: GOAT.

118. Hodges who managed the Miracle Mets: GIL.

119. Chemist's workplace: LAB.

120. 401(k) kin: IRA.

121. Not a thing: NIL.

Boomer got his blood infusion last Monday. He has not perked up yet. The nurses said it might take up 5 to 7 days for him to feel better.

It was another challenging week, but it would be unimaginable without the generous help of Tom Pepper, who came to our house immediately after I called, drove us to the VA, spent a few hours with us at the VA and drove us back. He's been amazing, all these years.

 Tom Pepper, the 3rd MN Crossword Tournament, 6/23/2014