Tuesday, November 20, 2018 Craig Stowe

"Larcenous Behavior"

17. Traditional Easter dinner: ROAST LAMB.

25. Steinway seat, perhaps: PIANO BENCH.

33. Ohio's has wheat and arrows: STATE SEAL.

51. Boating safety feature: LIFE JACKET.

59. Glancing blow on the road, and a hint to the puzzle's circles: SIDESWIPE.  Forms of thievery are found by combining the circled letters at the leading and trailing sides of these compound words..

Across:

1. Worked off nervous energy, say: PACED.

6. Grounded fast jet: SST.

9. Like imitators: APISH.

14. Maine town on the Penobscot: ORONO.    Named after the Maine town, the Lake Minnetonka city of Orono, Minnesota gets little reference in crossword puzzles.   It deserves a CSO. 

15. Letter after sigma: TAU.

16. Food from heaven: MANNA.

19. "... better __ worse": wedding vow words: OR FOR.

20. Wedding rental: TUX.

21. "Not bad, not great": SO SO.

22. Cuts anew: RESAWS.

23. "In your dreams!": AS IF.

27. Biological mapping subjects: GENOMES.  About the Human Genome Project

If you want to find out about your ancestral lineage, buy a kit from National Geographic for $70.  That's the Genographic Project. 

29. By the seashore: COASTAL.

30. Garden tool: EDGER.

31. Scientist Wernher __ Braun: VON.

32. Undercover agent: SPY.  Secret agent man.  Secret agent man.  They've given you a number, and taken away your name.   I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that Desper-otto has the song on his music server.

38. Transmission type: Abbr.: STD. Standard.

41. Line on many a receipt: TAX. 

42. Hold (onto): LATCH.

46. Take advance orders for: PRESELL.

49. Colder than cold: SUBZERO. 

53. Former couples: EXES.

54. Curly-horned goats: IBEXES.   Sure-footed creatures.

Alpine Ibexes live in the mountainous alps of Europe.


Nubian Ibexes live in the mountainous desert areas of the Middle East and parts of Africa.


55. Mama's mama: NANA.

57. Vietnam New Year: TET.

58. Renaissance fair garment: TUNIC.

61. Still soft, as concrete: UNSET.

62. Sci-fi vehicle: UFO.  After subzero earlier,  we need something warm.  How about this hit from the British rock band ?


63. Golf targets: HOLES.

64. Jury members: PEERS.

65. Wooden pin: PEG.

66. Wide-mouthed pitchers: EWERS.

Down:

1. Canoe carrying: PORTAGE.   Probably pretty safe to assume that the city names of Portage Michigan, Portage Indiana, and Portage Wisconsin were each influenced by the language of the French fur trappers of early America.  I read there are 8 more city names of Portage in the U.S.,  and 1 in Canada. 

2. Turned on: AROUSED.  See the image at 47D.

3. Cajolery: COAXING.  Arm-twisting. 

4. Running trio?: ENs.  Quantity three of the letter n.

5. Colon components: DOTS.  In this clue and answer, the punctuation mark.   Not the large intestine in human anatomy.

6. Equilibrium: STASIS.

7. Polynesian island nation: SAMOA.

8. "Rub-a-dub-dub" vessel: TUB.   A container for the butcher,  the baker, and the candlestick maker.

9. Microscopic organism: AMOEBA.

10. Analyzes grammatically: PARSES.

11. Babies: INFANTS.

12. Mt. Hood hood?: SNOWCAP.

13. How scolding words may be spoken: HARSHLY.

18. Leisurely gait: LOPE.

22. ABC exec Arledge: ROONE.  In Memoriam.

24. Enemies: FOES.

26. Cpls. and sgts.: NCOs.

28. Muscular 2017 "Dancing With the Stars" competitor: Mr. T. 


31. Distress: VEX.

34. Book of maps: ATLAS. 

35. Gymnast's powder: TALC.

36. Vatican vestment: ALB.

37. Lounge (around): LAZE.  Initially had loaf.

38. Call it quits: SPLIT UP.

39. Chicago newspaper: TRIBUNE.

40. The "D" of "NORAD": DEFENSE.   Now it is the North American Aerospace Defense Command.  When I served, it was the North American Air Defense Command.   

43. Silk or cashmere: TEXTILE.

44. Climbing vine: CREEPER.

45. Snack cake maker with the Nasdaq symbol TWNK: HOSTESS.

47. More appealing: SEXIER.   Error 404 - There's nothing here.

48. Spits out, as a DVD: EJECTS.

49. Old salt: SEADOG.

50. __ Reader: eclectic digest: UTNE.   Utne Reader is a digest of the new ideas and fresh perspectives percolating in arts, culture, politics, and spirituality. - Utne.com - About

52. Chef's cutter: KNIFE.

56. Tennis great Arthur: ASHE.

59. "How's it hangin'?": SUP.  Slang.  Contraction of What's up ?

60. __ factor: impressive quality: WOW.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 C.C. Burnikel

"SPICE MIX"

16. Area behind velvet ropes, often: VIP SECTION.

60. Former "SNL" regular known for Sinatra impressions: JOE PISCOPO.

10. Commercial rental property: OFFICE SPACE.

24. Beverage-named Denver arena: PEPSI CENTER.

And the reveal:
35. Curry powder, e.g. ... and what each set of puzzle circles contains: SPICE MIX.

C.C. mixes in some spice to season this sumptuous repast.

I was puzzled at the top because I typed in VIP SEaTIng on the across run.  Everything was going swimmingly on the down run until I got to 7 and 8 down.

Across:

1. Condition before a storm: CALM.

5. Secure at the pier: LASH.

9. Swamp croaker: TOAD.


13. Hand lotion ingredient: ALOE.

14. Triangular Greek letter: DELTA.

15. Jackson 5 hairdo: AFRO.


18. Sci-fi hoverers: UFOs.

19. Cul-de-__: SAC.

20. Completes a sentence?: DOES TIME. 

22. Cholesterol-inhibiting drug: LIPITOR.   Atorvastatin.

26. Smokey Bear TV ad, e.g.: PSA.   Here's a collection of them:


27. Scoundrel: CAD.

28. Sports drink suffix: ADE.

29. Stockpile: AMASS.

31. JFK's predecessor: DDE.

Meeting between President Dwight D. Eisenhower (DDE) and President-elect Kennedy

33. Favoring relatives in hiring: NEPOTISM.  How Stuff Works: Nepotism

35. Richter scale event: SEISM.  Seism; A shaking of the Earth's surface; an earthquake or tremor. - Wiktionary.  Jayce's arena.  Here's some reading about Richter scale from How Stuff Works.

37. Pinch in a recipe: DASH.

38. Tourney winner: CHAMP.

40. Rotisserie rod: SPIT.

 Be careful - the spit and forks are blazing hot.

42. Pride members: LIONS.  Matt Patricia is the new head coach of the Detroit Lions.

The Pride of Detroit

44. Baggage claim bag: SUITCASE.

46. John of "Star Trek" (2009): CHO.

47. Word of choice: WHICH.

48. So-so grade: CEE.

49. Tribute in verse: ODE.  The first ode I heard was to Billie Joe:


51. Yellowfin tuna: AHI.

53. Book buyers: READERS.  Or non-prescription reading glasses. Wilbur uses those for reading the blog.  I have 20-40 vision with my glasses on.  New glasses should be here soon.  Hopefully, less blurry vision and fewer errors and headaches.

55. Not-so-subtle verbal nudge: HINT HINT.

58. "O Sole __": MIO.

59. Relaxing soak, or a financial soaking: BATH.

65. Draft classification: ONE A.  1-A.   Selective Service Classifications

66. Building extension: ANNEX.

67. Be acquainted with: KNOW.


68. Knitter's purchase: YARN.  Madame Defarge enjoys knitting, as did my MIL. 

69. Rock group: BAND. Was going to link their Rock and Roll Band song, but this 1990 international hit would be the most famous song of this German rock group that started plying their trade at the height of Beatlemania.  The video has 574M views.


70. Planted, as seed: SOWN.

Down:

1. Cleveland NBAer: CAV.   The Cavaliers.  The star player of the Cavs is LeBron James.  Marc Stein of the NY Times wrote of LeBron James, "Just don’t forget that it’s James’s unwavering brilliance, above all, that convinced the Warriors — after a 73-win season in 2015-16 — that they had to do anything they could to add (Kevin) Durant to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala to ensure they could beat this one guy."

2. "Moonlight" Oscar winner Mahershala __: ALI.

More at IMDb

3. Chop off: LOP.

4. Argentine soccer superstar Lionel: MESSI.   Star forward playing for FC Barcelona.

Forbes Profile

5. Net judge's call: LET.

6. "Put __ on it!": A LID.

7. Hunches over: STOOPS.

8. Underwear brand: HANES.

9. Tightly drawn: TAUT.

11. Candle shop allure: AROMA.  This place sells over 1200 candles scents and fragrances if you are into making your own.  This household has enough scented candles.  They seem to multiply like Tribbles.

12. Provided with medicine: DOSED.

14. "Wonder Woman" publisher: DC COMICS.

17. Bother a lot: EAT AT.

21. Marquis de __: SADE.  Who Was the Marquis de Sade?

22. Arrive onshore: LAND.

23. Perfect example: IDEAL.


25. Reckless: RASH.

30. Roaring success: SMASH.

32. Blu-ray buy: DISC.

34. "Looks like trouble!": OH OH. Mercy, look what just walked through that door.


36. Unlikely GoFundMe donor: MISER.

39. "ABC World News Tonight" anchor David: MUIR.  David Muir, Lester Holt and Jeff Glor.

 Wikipedia says WNT is the "most watched newscast in America" but the cited reference is for the week of August 14th, 2017.  A little research led to this Forbes article.

41. Casual shirts: TEES.

43. Ark builder: NOAH.

45. Bangkok natives: THAIs.

47. Ryder of "Edward Scissorhands": WINONA.  Winona Ryder starred opposite Johnny Depp.

 Named after the nearby city of Winona

49. "Yippee!": OH BOY.

50. Mythical hunter: DIANA.  In Roman Mythology.  More here.

52. Muslim woman's headscarf: HIJAB.

54. Comes to port: DOCKS.

56. Larger __ life: THAN.

57. Ky. neighbor: TENN.  Speaking of getting to know you:


61. One on foot, in signs: PED.

62. Musician Yoko: ONO.

 Yoko Ono to Receive Songwriting Credit on John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’

63. "Kaboom!": POW.

64. Part of MYOB: OWN.  Mind Your Own Business.  Alternatively - for those with teenagers - Make Your Own Bed.

Tuesday, March 20, 2018 C.C. Burnikel

Title:  Intravenous Therapy

Four down answers hiding IV:

 

3D. Handheld cleaner :   MINI VACUUM.
9D. 2006 cop drama set in Florida :   MIAMI VICE.
31D. Reagan Library site :   SIMI VALLEY.
34D. Like much Norton software :   ANTI-VIRUS.

And the reveal:
24D. Hosp. fluid-administration methods hidden in 3-, 9-, 31- and 34-Down : IV DRIPS.

TTP here after being called up from the minor leagues.  Honored to be asked.  Delighted it's a C.C., but unfortunate timing as I think of our dear friend Argyle.

ACROSS:
1. Affectionate sideline greeting : HI MOM.  The stereotypical shot of the football player waving to the camera and mouthing the words after a big play. You tend to see these in televised coverage of college bowl games. 

6. "I understand now!" : AHA.   Often an exclamation.  I understand now (revelation) the effort and skills required to blog the puzzle.  Plenty of first-time blunders and some AHA moments along the way.  I'm looking forward to Argyle's return. 

 9. Mud bath coverings : MASKS

14. Gal pal, in Genoa : AMICA.  Female friend in Genoa, Italy. 

15. Searchlight used by Gotham police : BAT-SIGNAL.  Police Commissioner Gordon most often used the BatPhone in the ABC TV Series. BAT-SIGNAL   

17. One changing pitches : TUNER.  Piano tuner comes to mind.

18. "Are you declining?" : IS THAT A NO ?   Please clarify your position.

19. "Tell me!" : SPILL IT !   Yes or no !   

21. Response to a tasty treat : YUM.   Yum! Brands was renamed from Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc,  in 2002 to match its NYSE ticker symbol.   It is based in Louisville, Kentucky.  Yum ! sounds better to me. 

22. Understand : GET.  Clecho with 6A, but perhaps without as much excitement.  Are you picking up what I'm putting down ?

23. "Va-va-__!" : VOOM

24. Long Island town : ISLIP

26. Dog-tired : BEAT

28. 605, to Seneca : DCV.   The person, not the people.  Roman philosopher and statesman.  He would have read 605 as DCV in Roman numerals. D = 500, C = 100,  V = 5. 

30. Stop, to swabs : AVAST

33. Circle segment : ARC

34. "Humble" home : ABODE.  Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.

36. "Why would __?" : I LIE. The question, "Why would I lie ?" was asked eight times in The Tubes 1983 Top 10 hit "She's a Beauty."  The music video became an MTV staple. Not going to link it.   

37. Dealer's query : YOU IN ?   Yes ?  Then ante up. 

39. Class with smocks : ART

40. Punctuation in many lists : COMMA

42. Sign of disuse : DUST

43. Like yoga teachers : LITHE

45. Many a craft beer, for short : IPA - India Pale Ale

46. Online box filler : EMAIL

48. Cough up the cash : PAY.   Lucina, I imagine that ESL students might struggle with idioms.

49. Enterprise rival : AVIS. 

50. KitchenAid appliances : OVENS.  One of many countertop and major appliances bearing the company name.    "I don't care what you call it, but I know it's the best kitchen aid I've ever had!"  That was purportedly the response of the wife of a Hobart Company exec after she received and used a prototype mixer.  Paraphrased from Wikipedia.  

52. __ colada: rum drink : PINA.  The "Pina Colada" song by Rupert Holmes is actually entitled "Escape." 

54. Old vitamin bottle no. : RDA

57. Shiba __ : Japanese dog : INU.   A spitz breed of dog of Japan.  INU is the Japanese word for dog.

  

58. Scored well under par, in golf lingo : WENT LOW.    A PGA Tournament television color commentator's standard, often used in describing the leader's 18 hole score relative to par.  

61. Bart Simpson's "Holy cow!" : AY, CARAMBA! 

64. "Love Me Like You Do" singer Goulding : ELLIE.  Knew neither her nor the song "Love Me Like You Do", but with 1,702,176,952 views (and counting) of the official video,  I decided to listen.

65. Apple Store support station : GENIUS BAR

66. Preps, as potatoes : PEELS.  Peeling potatoes on KP duty probably means using one of these.  50 to 60 pounds peeled in a jiff on the 6460.  Beetle Bailey and Sad Sack would have loved one of these.

Irish Miss, does your sister rent one of those for her St. Patrick's Day gatherings ? 

67. Icon tappers : USERS

68. Bashful : SHY

69. Risky rendezvous : TRYST.   "At a bar called O'Malley's..." in the song "Escape."

DOWN:
1. Fashionable Kentucky Derby array : HATS.   Fashionable hats will also be on display at the upcoming royal wedding. 

2. "My turn to bat" : I'M UP.   Baseball lingo with the "to bat" modifier.

4. Spotted wildcat : OCELOT

5. Thomas of "That Girl" : MARLO

6. Somewhat : A BIT. 

7. Polishes off : HAS.   Food or drink.   Finishes. 

8. Legal dept. staffers : ATTYS.  Attorneys, abbreviated.

10. Star's rep. : AGT.  Representative, Agent.  Probably didn't need clarification.

11. Hose mishap : SNAG.  Hose inconvenience ? Kink ?

12. Welles' "Citizen" : KANE.  Orson Welles, "Citizen Kane."  The classic.  A Viewer's Companion to 'Citizen Kane' by Roger Ebert.

13. Schedule opening : SLOT. 

16. Six-time Super Bowl coach Don : SHULA.  One with the Baltimore Colts.  Five with the Miami Dolphins.  Born near Abejo's lake, but on the Ohio side, near Painesville.

20. Website with film profiles : IMDb.  Internet Movie Database. 

25. __ Alto, Calif. : PALO.  Silicon Valley.

26. Tampa __ Buccaneers : BAY.  I love puzzles.  They can take you from the Silicon Valley to the Gulf Coast of Florida in seconds.

27. Slowly wear away : ERODE

29. West Virginia natural resource : COAL. Just read that as of 2014, twenty-five states produced coal.

32. Allegro, largo, lento, etc. : TEMPI.  The plural of tempo. 

35. Bluesy James : ETTA

38. Japanese golf great Aoki : ISAO.  Isao Aoki with Arnold Palmer.  

He credits watching Arnold Palmer for giving him the inspiration to pursue a golfing career.  "Isao Aoki only plays with golf balls marked with the number 5.  That number is pronounced “Go” in Japanese and it also represents the worst score he wants to make."  He was elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.  Source - World Golf Hall of Fame.

41. Remote batteries : AAs

44. Promote aggressively : HYPE

47. Dunham and Olin : LENAs.  New York born actress Lena Dunham and Sweden born actress Lena Olin.

49. Buck horn : ANTLER

51. Anesthetizes : NUMBS

53. Bumbling : INEPT

54. Sauce brand with an accent on its last letter : RAGÚ.


55. Salon colorings : DYES

56. OXY 10 target : ACNE

58. Suspicious (of) : WARY

59. Art store buys : OILS

60. Wild or Old area : WEST

62. Balloon filler : AIR.   Hot Air Ballon Rides near Chicago, and other local sightseeing deals,  as seen on Groupon.

63. Scrooge's scoff : BAH

Argyle,  come back soon. 

See all y'all later n'at.

Notes from C.C.:

1) TTP (Took the Plunge) has kindly agreed to take the Tuesday helm while Argyle is recovering from his surgery. TTP has been with the blog since 2012. He quietly helped me navigate many troubled spots, often behind the scenes with various technical issues. Without him, we might still be in the Google Hell. And many of the comments on old blog posts might never see the light of day.

2) Happy 80th birthday to dear Spitzboov (Al), a big milestone! Al has been with our blog for a long time. His posts and emails are often knowledgeable, witty and light-hearted, befitting his rascal avatar.  Al served in the Navy Reserve for over 20 years and retired as Commander. Thanks for being part of our family, Commander Al! Boomer and I are always proud of the flag you gifted me, the best in the neighborhood.  

Argyle and Spitzboov

(August 23, 2014, Washington County Fair)

3) Happy Birthday to John28man as well! How are you doing lately, John?