03.10 Thu

T H U R S D A Y
March 10, 2011
Pamela Amick Klawitter

Theme: Switchblade — The letters BLADE appear in the theme answers, in a different order each time.

Theme answers:

• 17A: Negotiation obstacle (DEAL BREAKER).
• 23A: Recovery sites (HOSPITAL BEDS).
• 48A: Most agree it should be reduced (NATIONAL DEBT).
• 59A: Street weapon, and a hint to the circled letters in 17-, 23- and 48-Across (SWITCHBLADE).

Before we get started talking about this fun puzzle, I just want to say a little bit about the blog's Crosswordese 101 feature. This blog has always been geared toward solvers who might just be starting out doing crossword puzzles or who want to learn some things that will help them enjoy crossword puzzles more fully. We decided to highlight in each puzzle a word that will be super helpful to you as a solver — a word that appears over and over again in puzzles because of its useful letters. A list of all the crosswordese we've featured is available here, with links to the individual posts.

For a while now, I've been including a "Crosswordese 101 Round-Up" at the end of each post because a lot of times we've already covered all the crosswordese in that day's grid. But having it down there at the bottom means people ignore it, which is totally fine! Believe me, I'm not under the impression that everyone gives their full attention to this blog every single day, reading every single word. But if you're new to solving or are having trouble parsing a short entry with a lot of common letters, chances are it would be really helpful for you to know that word and how it's likely to be clued. This is all a long drawn-out way of saying that I'm moving the CW101 round-up to the top of the blog because I think it might be more helpful up here. I guess we'll see.

Crosswordese 101 Round-Up:

These words should be added to that part of your brain where you keep information you need for solving crossword puzzles. They appear over and over (and over and over … and over) in puzzles, so it will help you to know them! (Each word in this list is a link. If you click on it, you'll be taken to the post where the word was first featured in CW101. There are probably some details there that will help you remember the word and how it's clued!)

• 1D: Yeats's "__ and the Swan" (LEDA).
• 27D: "House" actor Omar (EPPS).
• 41D: Dubai big shot (EMIR).

So. On to the puzzle. Today's puzzle has one of those themes that makes sense to me. The letters of the word BLADE are "switched" around in the theme answers because there's this thing called a SWITCHBLADE that we've all heard of. The word BLADE was not chosen randomly — it's word play is what it is, and I appreciate that. HOSPITAL BEDS and NATIONAL DEBT are kind of ho-hum as far as phrases go, but DEAL BREAKER is awesome and is a tricky first theme entry. I saw that the circled letters were DEALB and wondered what the heck that could be about. (Me: "DEAL B? Does that come after DEAL A?")

There was some fun, tricky cluing in this one too:

• 40A: State capital component, often (SALES TAX). "Capital" in this clue is the money kind, not the seat of government kind.
• 46A: Trading places (EMPORIA). Places where things are traded.

• 54A: Reason for the downfall of many kings? (ACES). The question mark should have clued you into the fact that this wasn't about actual royalty.
• 3D: Sweet Sixteen initials (NCAA). When the NCAA basketball tournament is narrowed down to 16 teams, that's called the "Sweet Sixteen." After that you get the "Elite Eight," then the "Final Four." Is there a nickname for the championship game? I thought it was "The Big Dance," but that's actually a nickname for the whole tournament. Hmmm.

There were a couple things in the grid that I just really didn't know:

• 1A: Calrissian of "Star Wars" films (LANDO). Is there a first name in there somewhere? Okay, LANDO Calrissian is the character played by Billy Dee Williams in a couple of "Star Wars" movies.
• 16A: __ mater (PIA). Never heard of this. Apparently it's the "delicate innermost layer of the … membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord." So, yeah, kind of important I guess.
• 26D: "Taking Woodstock" director (LEE). I kind of knew this but couldn't come up with it without crosses.
• 61D: Electronic storage density meas. (BPI). "Bits per inch" or "Bytes per inch" indicates the density of magnetic tape, which is used as electronic storage.

Bullets:

• 22A: Surgeon's patient, perhaps (TREE). I mistyped TBSP. (22D: Kitchen meas. ) as GBSP and couldn't figure out what the heck a GREE was.
• 45A: Apollo 11 destination (MOON). Four letters having to do with space? Yeah, my first thought was MARS. (Mars!)
• 65A: Turk's topper (FEZ). Always happy to see a FEZ in the grid. People should wear more FEZes.
• 66A: Fills (up) (GASES). The other college sports tournament gearing up right now is, of course, the NCAA Wrestling Championships (Go Hawks!). In wrestling, the word GAS is mostly used to describe a wrestler who isn't in good enough condition to be competitive through a match's total seven minutes. Example: "I can't believe Bubba Jenkins got the fourth seed. You know he just gases in the third."
• 9D: Rush find (ORE). Followed immediately by 10D: Galley tool (OAR). There are days when this probably would have annoyed me, but today I thought it was kinda cute.
• 24D: Come-__: lures (ONS). Really the only entry that jumped out at me as a real clunker today.

• 32D: First name in comics villains (LEX). LEX Luthor, right? Something to do with Superman? Help me out here, Doug.
• 38D: Cops' favorite birds? (CANARIES). CANARIES is a slang word for police informants (because they "sing").
• 42D: Jack of "Barney Miller" (SOO). Is it time to have another conversation about the best television theme songs of all time? Why yes, I believe it is.



• 51D: Petrol unit (LITRE). The word "petrol" in the clue is a hint that the answer will not have an American spelling.

Crosswordese 101: EMME (21A: Palindromic fashion model) is a plus-size supermodel who just goes by the one name. Her "real" name is Melissa Miller. She hosts the current television show "More to Love," and previously hosted the show "Fashion Emergency."

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Everything Else — 6A: Playground rejoinder (AM TOO); 11A: Down (SAD); 14A: Center of Florida? (EPCOT); 15A: Pageant prop (TIARA); 19A: Gallery opening? (ART); 20A: PDQ relative (ASAP); 21A: Palindromic fashion model (EMME); 27A: Chip away at (EAT INTO); 30A: Paint choices (HUES); 31A: A and B, at times (PLANS); 32A: Holdup note? (LATE PASS); 36A: '70s-'80s televangelist show "The __ Club" (PTL); 37A: Vinegary prefix (ACETO-); 39A: Be in the running (VIE); 43A: Old fallout source (A-TEST); 52A: Skunk's weapon (ODOR); 53A: "Children of the Poor" author (RIIS); 58A: __-secret (TOP); 62A: Rollover subj. (IRA); 63A: Turn away (AVERT); 64A: Kitchen tubes (PENNE); 67A: Germs may lead to them (IDEAS); 2D: Copies (APES); 4D: 7-Down athlete (DOLPHIN); 5D: Place to play favorites, briefly (OTB); 6D: Score direction after accelerando, perhaps (A TEMPO); 7D: Home of a 4-Down (MIAMI); 8D: Words of aggression (TAKE THAT); 11D: Fifth wheel (SPARE); 12D: Broadcast (AIRED); 13D: Some are blind (DATES); 18D: Doctor's suggestion (REST); 25D: Bronco or Charger (AUTO); 28D: Wasatch Mountains resort (ALTA); 29D: One way to stand (TALL); 33D: Say and mean (AVER); 34D: Speedy Gonzales assent (SÍ SÍ); 35D: __ precedent (SET A); 37D: Loads (A TON); 43D: NYPD broadcast (APB); 44D: Beyond repair (TOTALED); 46D: Orders from above (EDICTS); 47D: Screen door material (MESH); 48D: "__ you paid me!" (NOT IF); 49D: Hold precious (ADORE); 50D: Birthstone after opal (TOPAZ); 55D: Mr. Peanut prop (CANE); 56D: Tracy Turnblad's mom in "Hairspray" (EDNA); 57D: Gets it (SEES); 59D: Show age, in a way (SAG); 60D: Sen. Byrd's state (W. VA.).

F R I D A Y December 3, 2010 Pamela Amick Klawitter

Theme: Add ARY — The letters ARY are tacked onto the end of familiar phrases, then … everything's wacky.

Theme answers:

• 20A: Where a witch's influence ends? (SPELL BOUNDARY).
• 25A: Office employee to avoid? (DEADLY SECRETARY).
• 47A: Shuttle evangelist? (SPACE MISSIONARY).
• 53A: Bird in a landfill? (GARBAGE CANARY).

The big news at the PuzzleHouse is that I got a new job yesterday. Yay! I know, I know. You probably thought I still had that other job. Well, that one didn't work out and it ended sort of traumatically, so I didn't really want to talk about it. But yesterday I got two job offers, chose the one that I think will be best for me, and am now ready to get back to work later this month. With the interviewing, waiting, weighing, and negotiating (plus dealing with strep girl), this week has been a little stressful. Today it's time to get caught up on everything I missed. But let's talk about today's puzzle first.

I really like this puzzle. It seems like more of a Monday/Tuesday theme and, in fact, the puzzle overall was much easier than I like to see on Friday. There were definitely a few iffy spots, but nothing that made me fight with it too hard. Basically, this feels like a perfect Wednesday puzzle.

We covered OONA previously in Crosswordese 101, but there are a couple other names in the puzzle that I'm going to guess caused problems for some solvers. I would consider these names CW301 — not so common that I'm going to spend a lot of time on them, but common enough that they definitely should be noted:

• 8D: Linebacker Junior who played in 12 consecutive Pro Bowls (SEAU).
• 29D: Gulager of "The Virginian" (CLU).
• 56D: "The Long, Hot Summer" vixen __ Varner (EULA).

Then there are a couple names that I don't consider crosswordese at all, but that I might have been problematic for some of you: that would be YANCY (32D: "The Waltons" handyman Tucker) and ALS (24A: Tim's "Tool Time" sidekick et al.). Because "The Waltons" was before my time, I know the name "John Boy" and that the name of the actor who played Grandpa is like Richard Gere's name but spelled differently (that would be Will Geer). Obviously, there are many ways to clue ALS, but if you didn't watch "Home Improvement" religiously the way some people did (who me?), you might not be familiar with AL Borland.

Bullets:

• 23A: River past Memphis (NILE). I admit it, I was tricked by this for a hot minute. Was thinking Tennessee and not Egypt.
• 34A: What a recent ex may need (TLC). I actually tried "tac" for this at first, thinking the ex in the clue was the first X in "tic tac toe."
• 35A: With 62-Down, call (SEE A). Funny that the clue for the cross-reference answer BET has to include the word "see" (62D: See 35-Across), when SEE is part of the answer.
• 42A: Cookie recipe morsels (NUTS). I tried "oats" first.
• 59A: Actress Thomas who is now St. Jude's National Outreach Director (MARLO). St. Jude's must have a lot of banner ads on the internet because I totally knew this even though I don't recall ever consciously thinking about it.
• 65A: Kate __, a.k.a. Batwoman (KANE). Not knowing my superheroes, I considered the possibility that Batwoman was Lois Lane's evil twin.
• 3D: Source of the food thickener alginate (KELP). If this is in any of the food I eat, I really don't want to know about it.

• 12D: Unlike folks on "Hoarders" (TIDY). I haven't watched this show because the few ads I've seen for it make me really, really sad for those people.
• 22D: Some traffic monitors (NARCS). Drug traffic.
• 50D: Mississippi source (ITASCA). I knew this because as a child growing up in North Dakota, I visited ITASCA State Park.
• 53D: 8 on the Beaufort scale (GALE). I guess the Beaufort scale measures wind. Good to know.

Crosswordese 101: ÉTAT is the French word for "state." It's often clued as the partial "Coup d'_____" or "'L'_____, c'est moi': Louis XIV." Other clues, however, are a little trickier, but they definitely give you a hint that the answer you're looking for is French. It might include the name of a place that you know is a state, but use the French word for it, like Californie, Pennsylvanie, or Floride. Or, it will indicate the need for French with an obviously French name, like "Jacques's state," "State to Sarkozy," "South Dakota, to Pierre, " or 28D: Texas and Tennessee, in Toulouse.

Other crosswordese in the puzzle that we've already covered:

• 15A: Cartoon drooler (ODIE).
• 18A: Eugene O'Neill's daughter (OONA).
• 64A: Actor Baldwin (ALEC).
• 11D: Kuwaiti VIP (EMIR).
• 39D: Sch. in Troy, NY (RPI).
• 57D: Some HDTVs (RCA'S).

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Everything Else — 1A: Actor Gyllenhaal (JAKE); 5A: Big rolls (WADS); 9A: "Zorba the Greek" setting (CRETE); 14A: Very top (APEX); 16A: Invoice word (REMIT); 17A: Downed shot (BELT); 19A: Lab flask contents, perhaps (ACIDS); 33A: Teen sensation? (ANGST); 36A: Early 16th-century date (MDI); 37A: "Also sprach Zarathustra" composer (STRAUSS); 41A: Shade on a beach (TAN); 44A: Fitting (APT); 45A: Phoenician dialect (PUNIC); 51A: Part of a roadie's load (AMP); 52A: __ bomb (ATOM); 60A: For all of us (OURS); 61A: Certain line crosser (SCAB); 63A: Sunburn soothers (ALOES); 66A: Air ducts (VENTS); 67A: "There you have it!" ("TA-DA!"); 68A: USMC rank (SSGT); 1D: Setup punch (JAB); 2D: Fossey focus (APES); 4D: Lengthens (EXTENDS); 5D: Wild associate? (WOOLLY); 6D: Sun-dried structures (ADOBES); 7D: Flintstones' Snorkasaurus (DINO); 9D: Treetop rocker (CRADLE); 10D: Changes the actor (RECASTS); 13D: Saturn drivers? (ET'S); 21D: Light melodies (LILTS); 25D: Condemns (DAMNS); 26D: Become, finally (END UP); 27D: Antacid target (AGITA); 30D: Insurance company named for a mountain (AETNA); 31D: Televise again (REAIR); 38D: City on its own bay (TAMPA); 40D: Item in a stirring picture? (SPOON); 43D: Like an infamous "A" (SCARLET); 46D: Exposes (UNMASKS); 48D: Make stand out (EMBOSS); 49D: Divine (SACRED); 54D: Elvis __ Presley (ARON); 55D: Billy __ (GOAT); 58D: Bright side? (YANG); 59D: Dallas NBAer (MAV).

W E D N E S D A Y November 10, 2010 Pamela Amick Klawitter

Theme: Give-and-Take — Theme answers are familiar phrases that begin with a word meaning quid pro quo.


Theme answers:

• 18A: Flea market cousin (SWAP MEET).
• 24A: Mickey Mantle or Mark Teixeira, notably (SWITCH HITTER).
• 39A: Fill in at school (SUBSTITUTE TEACH).
• 51A: Currency differential (EXCHANGE RATE).
• 62A: Commercial imbalance (TRADE GAP).

This puzzle is a little unusual in that we don't often see eight-letter theme answers. The theme is totally solid although not particularly sparkly and the fill is smooth with a touch of scrabbliness. Overall, thumbs up.

Bullets:

• 1A: "60 Minutes" correspondent (SAFER). I tried STAHL first.

• 44A: Friend's pronoun (THEE). Friends as in Quakers.
• 60A: Smack back? (-EROO). EROO can go on the "back" of the word smack. Smackeroo.
• 64A: "The Sound of Music" quintet (OSCARS). I only know a few things about "The Sound of Music." One is that there's a family with a lot of kids named Von Trapp. I actually had it in my head that there were more than five children and, obviously, Von Trapp didn't fit anyway, but the misdirection definitely worked on me.
• 68A: Golf commentator Pepper (DOTTIE). Yeah, it figures. I've been bragging so much about knowing all the golf answers that we were bound to get one I had no clue about.
• 70A: Texter's sign-off (TTYL). Talk To You Later. I actually tried TTFN first (Ta-Ta For Now).
• 9D: Danced like Bojangles Robinson (TAPPED).



• 19D: Sportscaster Albert (MARV). This is a pretty common "trick": using a person whose last name can also be a first name. I thought of Al Michaels first but don't recall him ever being called Albert.
• 29D: Apple touchscreen computer (IPAD). Want!

Crosswordese 101: Luckily for us, there's only one guy named EBAN we have to know, so he's pretty easy to see once you know what to look for. Abba EBAN was an Israeli statesman who died in 2002. He was Israel's first ambassador to the United Nations. EBAN is often clued as simply "Israel's Abba" or "Abba of Israel." Sometimes — like today — he's clued with a reference to one of his books, typically "My Country," "Voice of Israel," or "Diplomacy for the Next Century."

Other crosswordese in the puzzle that we've already covered:

• 32A: "__ Gold": Peter Fonda film (ULEE'S).
• 8D: Ticketing place: Abbr. (STA.).
• 57D: Name on a razor (ATRA).

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Everything Else — 6A: __ Helens, Wash. (MT. ST.); 10A: Setup punch (JAB); 13A: Pump option (PREPAY); 15A: Tad (IOTA); 16A: L.A.-based oil giant, familiarly (OXY); 17A: Get there (ARRIVE); 20A: Soccer VIPs? (MOMS); 21A: Source of low-alcohol wines (ASTI); 23A: No longer newsworthy (PASSE); 27A: Diet successfully (LOSE); 28A: Counsel (ADVISE); 35A: Helper: Abbr. (ASST.); 38A: Lobbying gp. (PAC); 43A: Modern __ (ERA); 45A: "Then ..." ("AND SO …"); 46A: Karate instructor (SENSEI); 49A: Glued to the tube, say (RAPT); 57A: Shoelace protector (AGLET); 61A: It's wet in Oaxaca (AGUA); 66A: "Awesome!" ("RAD!"); 67A: Botanical junction (NODE); 69A: Poet Lowell (AMY); 71A: Many Miley Cyrus fans (TEENS); 1D: Sends unwanted e-mail (SPAMS); 2D: Road sign symbol (ARROW); 3D: Nuclear pioneer Enrico (FERMI); 4D: Bible letters (EPISTLES); 5D: Toyota __4: SUV model (RAV); 6D: Peruvian volcano El __ (MISTI); 7D: Namely (TO WIT); 10D: Stereotypical diner name (JOE'S); 11D: Forest choppers (AXES); 12D: Unit of computer memory (BYTE); 14D: Slangy assents (YEAHS); 22D: Knife holder (SHEATH); 25D: Budgetary concern (COST); 26D: British art institution (TATE); 30D: Anatomical pouches (SACS); 31D: Return from a cave? (ECHO); 32D: Finds a purpose for (USES); 33D: Dangle a carrot in front of, so to speak (LURE); 36D: Seek damages (SUE); 37D: Buffet heater (STERNO); 40D: Suffix with meteor (-ITIC); 41D: Finish line indicator (TAPE); 42D: Play break (ENTR'ACTE); 47D: Watermelon bit (SEED); 48D: Magnitude (EXTENT); 50D: "... 'What __ boy am I!'" (A GOOD); 52D: Exciting (HEADY); 53D: Adrien of cosmetics (ARPEL); 54D: Colorful quartz (AGATE); 55D: Shroud city (TURIN); 56D: Lets up (EASES); 58D: Fat measure (GRAM); 59D: __ Luck (LADY); 63D: Understood (GOT); 65D: Heavy drinker (SOT).

S U N D A Y August 22, 2010 — Pamela Amick Klawitter (syndicated)

Theme: "An Earlier Flight" — The letter string SST is hidden in theme answers

[Note: This is the syndicated L.A. Times puzzle. It does not appear in the actual newspaper, but is available for free at cruciverb.com.]


Theme answers:

• 23A: Military overstock seller (ARMY SURPLUS STORE).
• 33A: 21-Across are taken on it (WITNESS STAND).
• 38A: Nickname at the Derby (BLUEGRASS STATE).
• 65A: "No verdict yet" ("THE JURY IS STILL OUT").
• 92A: Applying to all (ACROSS THE BOARD).
• 101A: Exerts influence (PULLS STRINGS).
• 116A: 1952 Jane Russell film (THE LAS VEGAS STORY).
• 118D: Earlier flight hidden in the seven longest puzzle answers (SST).

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 53A: New Balance competitor (AVIA).
• 1D: Ice cream thickeners (AGARS).
• 15D: Arp contemporary (ERNST).

Everything Else — 1A: Ed of "Lou Grant" (ASNER); 6A: Lou Grant's ex (EDIE); 10A: Cuts the crop (REAPS); 15A: Even start? (EQUI-); 19A: Dutch big wheel? (GOUDA); 20A: Falana of "Golden Boy" (LOLA); 21A: Formal promises (OATHS); 22A: Arrivals at home, perhaps (RUNS); 26A: "Sorry, can't" ("NOPE"); 27A: Stonewall Jackson et al. (REBS); 28A: Sales chart metaphors (PIES); 29A: R&B singer __ Marie (TEENA); 30A: Sean of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy (ASTIN); 31A: Jun. grads (SRS.); 32A: Corp. moneymen (CFO'S); 35A: Yoo-__: beverage (HOO); 36A: 50-Across wrong? (AIN'T); 37A: Deli array (MEAT); 44A: Often critical innings (NINTHS); 49A: Turner on the screen (LANA); 50A: 36-Across right? (ISN'T); 51A: Pro foe (ANTI); 54A: All worked up (IN A LATHER); 56A: List of rounds (BAR TAB); 58A: Stock holder? (BARN); 59A: Skins (PELTS); 60A: Chair designer Charles (EAMES); 62A: Reason for a court replay (LET); 64A: Born (NÉE); 71A: "Ginger __": 1952 Newbery Medal-winning book (PYE); 73A: Big rig compartment (CAB); 74A: Pitch-related (TONAL); 75A: "A Paper Life" autobiographer (O'NEAL); 78A: Spanish bread (EURO); 80A: Places under siege (BESETS); 83A: San Bernardino suburb (LOMA LINDA); 86A: Draft choices (ALES); 87A: A TV Maverick (BRET); 88A: Notice (ESPY); 89A: Go off the deep end (SNAP); 90A: Play the siren (SEDUCE); 97A: Ray Stevens's "Ahab the __" (ARAB); 99A: Skin soother (ALOE); 100A: River to the Rhone (AIN); 106A: Bribes, with "off" (PAYS); 108A: Pepper, e.g.: Abbr. (SGT.); 111A: Novelist Nin (ANAÏS); 112A: Engineer Nikola (TESLA); 113A: Ball role (MAME); 114A: Restaurateur Toots (SHOR); 115A: Devils' playground? (RINK); 119A: Old Venetian elder (DOGE); 120A: Brings down the house? (RAZES); 121A: Start of an Andy Capp toast ('ERE'S); 122A: Backs up (SAVES); 123A: Tens neighbor (ONES); 124A: Controversial explosion (A-TEST); 125A: Unschooled signers (X'ERS); 126A: Lott of Mississippi (TRENT); 2D: More put out (SORER); 3D: Uses an icepack on (NUMBS); 4D: Slow Churned ice cream brand (EDY'S); 5D: Dorm bosses, briefly (RA'S); 6D: Ventura County town who name means "the river" (EL RIO); 7D: Chowderheads (DOPES); 8D: Afflictions (ILLS); 9D: Mer filler (EAU); 10D: Nile home of an historic stone (ROSETTA); 11D: Moth tail? (EATEN); 12D: Satisfaction of a sort (ATONEMENT); 13D: It's elegant when turned (PHRASE); 14D: Opposite of NNW (SSE); 16D: Limit of a kind (QUOTA); 17D: Let down, as hair (UNPIN); 18D: "Children, Go Where __ Thee": spiritual (I SEND); 24D: Raring to go (UP FOR IT); 25D: Hitch (STINT); 30D: Italian wine city (ASTI); 32D: ___ railway (COG); 33D: Badger's st. (WIS.); 34D: Florida resort island (SANIBEL); 35D: A "4-H" H (HEALTH); 36D: Bad way to be led (ASTRAY); 38D: Radar signal (BLIP); 39D: Spot for a strike (LANE); 40D: The same as always (UNALTERED); 41D: Reminder of an old flame? (ASH); 42D: Disdainful glance (SNEER); 43D: Road topper (TAR); 45D: Collar (NAB); 46D: Dish alternative (TV ANTENNA); 47D: Bring aboard (HIRE); 48D: Having no screws loose? (SANE); 52D: Like a hard-to-fill order (TALL); 55D: "Hang on __" (A SEC); 56D: Córdoba kisses (BESOS); 57D: AAA part: Abbr. (ASSN.); 61D: You might have a hand in it (MITT); 63D: Shop item (TOOL); 66D: Goes on and on (JABBERS); 67D: It's over for Hans (ÜBER); 68D: "Unto the Sons" novelist (TALESE); 69D: Postgame recap? (I LOST); 70D: A choir may sing in it (UNISON); 71D: Pod fillers (PEAS); 72D: Time for carols (YULE); 76D: Purim's month (ADAR); 77D: "Dragnet" gp. (LAPD); 79D: The Beavers of the Pac-10 (OSU); 81D: Boardwalk cooler (SEA BREEZE); 82D: More of the same, briefly (ETC.); 84D: NASCAR stat (MPH); 85D: Madagascan lemurs (AYEAYES); 91D: Mama of pop (CASS); 93D: Didn't outrace anyone (RAN LAST); 94D: Gymnast Korbut et al. (OLGAS); 95D: "Mamma Mia" number (SOS); 96D: Grafton's "__ for Burglar" (B IS); 98D: In addition (AT THAT); 101D: "SNL" announcer (PARDO); 102D: Group for people in labor? (UNION); 103D: "Tootsie" role winner (LANGE); 104D: eHarmony category (LIKES); 105D: Archipelago units (ISLES); 106D: Sales rep's gadget (PAGER); 107D: Get a load of (AMASS); 108D: Sail, with "off" (SHOVE); 109D: Bridge immortal (GOREN); 110D: Risky rendezvous (TRYST); 113D: It often precedes technicalities (MERE); 114D: Bronze __ (STAR); 116D: Part of a chorus line? (TRA); 117D: Bug (VEX).

SUNDAY, July 11, 2010 — Pamela Amick Klawitter (syndicated)

Theme: "Geek Squad" — The word tech is hidden in each theme answer.

[Note: This is the syndicated L.A. Times puzzle. It does not appear in the actual newspaper, but is available for free at cruciverb.com.]

Theme answers:

• 23A: Welsh pop singing sensation (CHARLOTTE CHURCH).
• 37A: Cookie tidbit (CHOCOLATE CHIP).
• 60A: "The Awakening" author (1899) (KATE CHOPIN).
• 85A: Knifehand strike (KARATE CHOP).
• 101A: Environmentalist's concern (CLIMATE CHANGE).
• 123A: 1971 counter-culture film revue hosted by Richard Pryor (DYNAMITE CHICKEN).
• 15D: Holiday song that begins "The sun is shining, the grass is green" (WHITE CHRISTMAS).
• 53D: Legislative meeting area (SENATE CHAMBERS).
• 120D: Support worker hiding in the eight longest puzzle answers (TECH).

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 49A: Pageant prop (TIARA).
• 133A: Signs of success, for short (SRO'S).
• 2D: Turkish chiefs (AGHAS).
• 16D: Slippery swimmers (EELS).
• 36D: Cathedral section (APSE).
• 44D: Arced molding (OGEE).
• 55D: HDTV brand (RCA).
• 83D: Down Under gem (OPAL).
• 90D: SASE, for one (ENCL.).
• 114D: Madame's mine (À MOI).

Everything Else — 1A: Addition, e.g. (MATH); 5A: Five-sided home? (PLATE); 10A: Sandy color (ECRU); 14A: __ pants (SWEAT); 19A: Princess Fiona, e.g. (OGRE); 20A: Ben-Hur portrayer Novarro (1925) (RAMON); 21A: Place for a speaker (DAIS); 22A: Letter after eta (THETA); 26A: Like some carpets (PILED); 27A: Capital near the Gulf of Tonkin (HANOI); 28A: Davis who voiced Yar in "Dinosaur" (OSSIE); 29A: Datsun starter? (DEE); 30A: Cruising (AT SEA); 31A: Gives, as homework (ASSIGNS); 33A: 27-Across site, briefly (NAM); 35A: Matter of interest? (RATE); 42A: Place to pick up chicks (COOP); 46A: Price limit (CAP); 50A: If-__: conditional statements (THENS); 51A: Stock market stat (HIGH); 52A: Off the mark (AMISS); 54A: 1860s Jefferson contemporary (ABRAHAM); 57A: ERA component (EARNED); 59A: Function (ROLE); 63A: Gives a thumbs-up (LIKES); 64A: Curling tool (IRON); 65A: Liam Neeson's land (IRELAND); 66A: Downs a sub? (EATS); 68A: __ blocker (BETA); 69A: Leader leader? (LOSS); 70A: Times to remember (ERAS); 72A: Clay pigeon hurler (TRAP); 76A: Powder mineral (TALC); 78A: Choir production (CANTATA); 81A: 1974 Lucille Ball role (MAME); 82A: Yacht spots (COVES); 88A: Some 75-Down (ANTS); 89A: Cochise, for one (APACHE); 91A: Ice cream soda ingredient (SELTZER); 92A: Broad-ended cravat (ASCOT); 93A: Sensitive area (RASH); 94A: Pertaining to birth (NATAL); 96A: Strike lightly (TAP ON); 99A: Sounds from Santa (HO'S); 100A: Entreaty (PLEA); 105A: Teen hangout (MALL); 107A: Poivre companion (SEL); 108A: Picked on (NEEDLED); 112A: Parts of a butcher's inventory (SLABS); 115A: Stock market stats (UPS); 118A: "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" singer (EVITA); 121A: "South Park" mom (LIANE); 122A: "Charles in Charge" co-star Willie (AAMES); 126A: Link in a chain? (STORE); 127A: __ the Red (ERIC); 128A: Rolling in francs (RICHE); 129A: Actress Polo (TERI); 130A: Bank caper (HEIST); 131A: Michaelmas mo. (SEPT.); 132A: Workout consequences (ACHES); 1D: Starbucks choice (MOCHA); 3D: Former prefix? (TRANS-); 4D: Medal-worthy (HEROIC); 5D: Woods or Els (PRO); 6D: Play on which a Puccini opera was based (LA TOSCA); 7D: Small quantities? (AMTS.); 8D: Hose fillers (TOES); 9D: Spanish name for the holm oak (ENCINA); 10D: Univ. URL ending (EDU); 11D: It might be wild (CARD); 12D: Sushi staple (RICE); 13D: Herald, as a new era (USHER IN); 14D: Mar. parade honoree (ST. PAT); 17D: Precisely, with "to" (A TEE); 18D: "There!" ("TA-DA!"); 24D: Wrigley Field's lack until 1988 (LIGHTS); 25D: It can drive people to the mountains (HEAT); 32D: "There's __ in 'team'" (NO I); 34D: Madness may involve one (METHOD); 38D: Spouts off (ORATES); 39D: Stickers (LABELS); 40D: Mate (CHAP); 41D: Spherical opening? (HEMI-); 43D: Porker's plaint (OINK); 45D: Ones who get a third degree (PH.D.S); 46D: Antilles native (CARIB); 47D: Puccini's love (AMORE); 48D: Tube test? (PILOT); 56D: Philip __, Asian-American actor known for war movie roles (AHN); 58D: Flying level: Abbr. (ALT.); 60D: Veto (KILL); 61D: Hard as __ (A ROCK); 62D: "Awesome!" ("NEATO!"); 67D: Quickly, in memos (ASAP); 70D: "Blah, blah, blah," briefly ("ETC., ETC."); 71D: Enthusiastic (RAH-RAH); 73D: Dressing choice (RANCH); 74D: Sandbox retort (AM TOO); 75D: Exterminator's targets (PESTS); 77D: Eyjafjallajökull output (ASH); 78D: Coloratura legend (CALLAS); 79D: Bar passer: Abbr. (ATT.); 80D: Pince-__ (NEZ); 82D: Moan and groan (CARP); 84D: Flower holder (VASE); 86D: Piedmont wine area (ASTI); 87D: Paper purchase (REAM); 92D: Gabriel et al., in 86-Down (ANGELI); 95D: Refers casually (to) (ALLUDES); 97D: Dash (PANACHE); 98D: Washington is on it (ONE); 102D: Overflow (TEEM); 103D: "Movie Macabre" host (ELVIRA); 104D: Orders from on high (EDICTS); 106D: It's a plus (ASSET); 109D: California cager (LAKER); 110D: January, to Jorge (ENERO); 111D: Patron saint of France (DENIS); 112D: Obi, e.g. (SASH); 113D: Past curfew (LATE); 116D: Rite heap (PYRE); 117D: Salon sound (SNIP); 119D: Meteor ending (-ITIC); 124D: Make it happen (ACT); 125D: Bucks and rams (HES).

SUNDAY, May 23, 2010 — Pamela Amick Klawitter (syndicated)

Theme: "They're Beside Themselves" — Theme answers are made-up two-word phrases where the last three letters of the first word are also the first three letters of the second word.

[Note: This is the syndicated L.A. Times puzzle. It does not appear in the actual newspaper, but is available for free at cruciverb.com.]


Theme answers:

• 22A: Introductory assortment of wreckage? (FLOTSAM SAMPLER).
• 40A: One-of-a-kind book? (CUSTOM TOME).
• 65A: Place to leave the flock during vacation? (CHICKEN KENNEL).
• 92A: Try to get tallow? (PURSUE SUET).
• 114A: Music for painters? (ENAMEL MELODIES).
• 15D: Scallions for an anniversary party? (JUBILEE LEEKS).
• 59D: Short treatise on junk e-mail? (SPAM PAMPHLET).

Crosswordese 101 Round-Up:

• 6A: Tiptop (ACME).
• 13A: Big Indians (RAJAS).
• 30A: Boris Godunov, e.g. (TSAR).
• 45A: Barely earn, with "out" (EKE).
• 79D: Fido's dinnertime extra (ORT).
• 88D: Slender swimmer (EEL).
• 112D: Start of North Carolina's motto (ESSE).

Everything Else — 1A: Garfield's middle name (ABRAM); 6A: Tiptop (ACME); 10A: Timber shaper (ADZ); 13A: Big Indians (RAJAS); 18A: At large (LOOSE); 19A: Property claim (LIEN); 20A: Scripps competition (BEE); 21A: Disqualify (oneself), in court (RECUSE); 25A: Protozoan (AMEBIC); 26A: Swears to (ATTESTS); 27A: Home of Texas A&M International University (LAREDO); 28A: Pooh-pooh (DERIDE); 29A: Manhattan component (RYE); 30A: Boris Godunov, e.g. (TSAR); 31A: Lost the point (RAMBLED); 32A: Vardon Trophy org. (PGA); 35A: Be of service to (ASSIST); 38A: Pointed remark (BARB); 39A: Legal conclusion? (ESE); 43A: Exercised in a lane (SWAM); 45A: Barely earn, with "out" (EKE); 47A: Online bulletin board mgr. (SYSOP); 48A: Pub staple (ALE); 49A: It isn't really a bear (KOALA); 50A: Vestige (RELIC); 53A: Put in the warehouse (STORE); 55A: Cut down (FELLED); 56A: One who follows the news? (LENO); 57A: Cinnamon tree (CASSIA); 60A: IV to III? (SON); 61A: River duck (TEAL); 63A: Writers (PENS); 64A: Marching start? (HUP); 70A: Hobby shop buy (KIT); 71A: Significant times (ERAS); 73A: Hard on the eyes (UGLY); 74A: Thing to bend or lend (EAR); 75A: Speaks disrespectfully to (SASSES); 77A: "If it's all the __ to you ..." (SAME); 78A: Star's opposite (NOBODY); 80A: Bow ties and elbows (PASTA); 82A: Early mobile home (TEPEE); 84A: Soap whose first slogan was "It floats" (IVORY); 85A: Scroogean word (BAH); 86A: Uses a keyboard (TYPES); 90A: Rule of crime writing (ANN); 91A: BlackBerry message (TEXT); 94A: Fire or side attachment (ARM); 96A: Secluded lowland (GLEN); 98A: Continued (GONE ON); 99A: Practice, as a trade (PLY); 100A: Comebacks (REPLIES); 102A: Like some telegrams (SUNG); 103A: Dosage amt. (TSP.); 106A: Goddess of wisdom (ATHENA); 107A: Noisy summer bug (CICADA); 109A: Artful handling (FINESSE); 113A: Lost some locks (BALDED); 116A: Feudal lords (LIEGES); 117A: He played Quasimodo in 1923 (LON); 118A: Justice's garb (ROBE); 119A: Dylan Thomas's home (WALES); 120A: Put in (ENTER); 121A: Explosive letters (TNT); 122A: Whack (SWAT); 123A: Skiing locale (SLOPE); 1D: __ Romeo (ALFA); 2D: Cloth quantity (BOLT); 3D: Cheer (ROOT); 4D: Sunflower relative (ASTER); 5D: Like Oscar Madison's room (MESSY); 6D: Charity (ALMS); 7D: Grafton's "__ for Corpse" (C IS); 8D: When many a bell is rung (MEALTIME); 9D: As a group (EN MASSE); 10D: More competent (ABLER); 11D: Safe document (DEED); 12D: Nonentity (ZERO); 13D: Common word in rallying slogans (REMEMBER); 14D: Biting (ACERB); 16D: Parenthetical comments (ASIDES); 17D: Withdraw (SECEDE); 21D: Hawkeye associate (RADAR); 23D: Starting squad (A-TEAM); 24D: Duff (PRAT); 31D: Islamic holy month (RAMADAN); 32D: Modern office staples (PCS); 33D: Chap (GUY); 34D: Mule's papa (ASS); 36D: Antares, for one (STAR); 37D: Something to walk on (SOLE); 38D: Whalebone (BALEEN); 41D: Chuck (TOSS); 42D: __ nerve (OPTIC); 43D: Sun, in Spain (SOL); 44D: 21-Down's real first name, on TV (WALTER); 46D: Food for sea urchins (KELP); 49D: President under whom the Peace Corps was formed (KENNEDY); 51D: Navel phenomenon (INNIE); 52D: Expenditures (COSTS); 54D: Hawaii's "Gathering Place" (OAHU); 55D: Other side (FOE); 57D: Pirate booty holder (CHEST); 58D: Halos (AURAE); 60D: Luxury seating (SKYBOX); 62D: Discounted (LESS); 66D: Fires up (IGNITES); 67D: Split, as some hoofs (CLOVEN); 68D: Round Table knight (KAY); 69D: Starbucks buy (LATTE); 72D: As __ on TV (SEEN); 76D: Indicates (SAYS); 79D: Fido's dinnertime extra (ORT); 80D: Trim, as apples (PARE); 81D: Semi-serious "I understand" ("AH SO"); 83D: Casey Jones, e.g. (ENGINEER); 85D: Cottage (BUNGALOW); 87D: Lassie, once (PUP); 88D: Slender swimmer (EEL); 89D: 5-Down place (STY); 92D: Thinks over (PONDERS); 93D: Up to (UNTIL); 94D: Like productive land (ARABLE); 95D: Hang on to (RETAIN); 97D: Reporters chase them (LEADS); 98D: Largest of the Marianas (GUAM); 101D: Outcropping (LEDGE); 102D: Meager (SCANT); 104D: Hoodwinks (SNOWS); 105D: Step on it (PEDAL); 107D: Breton, e.g. (CELT); 108D: Privy to (IN ON); 109D: Pump inserts (FEET); 110D: Storage cylinder (SILO); 111D: Trickle (SEEP); 112D: Start of North Carolina's motto (ESSE); 115D: Many a Wharton grad (MBA).

SUNDAY, March 28, 2010 — Pamela Amick Klawitter (syndicated)

Theme: "From the Product Department" — Theme answers are familiar phrases with names of fruit hidden in them.

[Note: This is the syndicated L.A. Times puzzle. It does not appear in the actual newspaper, but is available for free at cruciverb.com.]



Theme answers:

• 23A: Chancellor Angela Merkel leads it (GERMAN GOVERNMENT).
• 32A: Bologna location (DELI MEAT COUNTER).
• 54A: 1989 Fred Savage comedy (LITTLE MONSTERS).
• 70A: Houdini et al. (ESCAPE ARTISTS).
• 91A: Proving ground NW of Vegas (NEVADA TEST SITE).
• 105A: 50:1 bet, e.g. (EXTREME LONG-SHOT).
• 122A: Striped reef dweller (EMPEROR ANGELFISH).
• 112A: A different one is hidden in each of this puzzle's seven longest answers (FRUIT).

Everything Else — 1A: Pamplona parlor (SALA); 5A: 1912 Nobelist Root (ELIHU); 10A: New Balance rival (ASICS); 15A: Ancient symbols of Egyptian royalty (ASPS); 19A: 2005 A.L. MVP, familiarly (A-ROD); 20A: They get carried away (REPOS); 21A: Vietnam's capital (HANOI); 22A: First name in "Popeye"? (SWEE'); 26A: Clue (LEAD); 27A: Historical records (ANNALS); 28A: Oft-named period (ERA); 29A: __-a-brac (BRIC); 30A: Cathedral feature (APSE); 31A: Rise (STAND); 36A: Top cards (ACES); 38A: Radio CD players (DJS); 39A: "Mad Men" airer (AMC); 40A: Tubs with jets (SPAS); 44A: "Shall we?" response ("LET'S"); 46A: Internet commerce (ETAIL); 49A: Truman's Missouri birthplace (LAMAR); 57A: Tussaud, for one (MADAME); 58A: Firenze's land (ITALIA); 59A: Luau fare (POI); 60A: Friend of Rover (FIDO); 62A: Neural impulse conductor (AXON); 63A: 1983 self-titled debut album (MADONNA); 65A: Pigged out (on) (OD'ED); 68A: Ristorante dessert (TIRAMISU); 73A: Do covers (HAIRNETS); 77A: Con __: spiritedly (BRIO); 78A: Furniture movers (CASTERS); 83A: Salinger character who said "I prefer stories about squalor" (ESME); 84A: Ply a scythe (REAP); 86A: School name follower in many addresses (EDU); 88A: Eye maliciously (LEER AT); 89A: Car shoppers' options (LEASES); 95A: Olive Garden specialty (PASTA); 96A: Had an effect on (FAZED); 97A: Bigfoot cousin (YETI); 98A: Come across as (SEEM); 99A: Genealogically based men's gp. (SAR); 101A: "Norma __" (RAE); 103A: Rave partner (RANT); 117A: Ditzy waitress on "Alice" (VERA); 118A: Trompe l'__ (OEIL); 119A: Winter coat (ICE); 120A: Sault-Marie filler (SAINTE); 121A: Dhow sailor (ARAB); 126A: Diana's escort (DODI); 127A: Lingerie shade (BEIGE); 128A: "__ a Grecian Urn" (ODE ON); 129A: Heavy reading? (TOME); 130A: Crossed (out) (EXED); 131A: "Consequently ..." ("AND SO …"); 132A: Jane of "Father Knows Best" (WYATT); 133A: NY Giants lineman Chris (SNEE); 1D: Epics (SAGAS); 2D: Ain't like it oughta be? (AREN'T); 3D: Doone of Devon (LORNA); 4D: Hyper? (ADMAN); 5D: Coastal raptors (ERNS); 6D: Something to shake or break, so to speak (LEG); 7D: NYSE launch (IPO); 8D: Ramshackle home (HOVEL); 9D: PIN relative (USER ID); 10D: Philip of "Kung Fu" (AHN); 11D: Carnival dance (SAMBA); 12D: Like helium (INERT); 13D: Like dunce caps (CONICAL); 14D: "The Big Bang Theory," e.g. (SITCOM); 15D: Lewis lion (ASLAN); 16D: Used a broom (SWEPT); 17D: Veggies in a porridge (PEASE); 18D: Passover feast (SEDER); 24D: "Flash of Genius" actor (ALDA); 25D: Certain aircraft engine (RAM JET); 32D: Regard (DEEM); 33D: Prohibit, legally (ESTOP); 34D: Right on a mapa (ESTE); 35D: Golden State sch. (UCLA); 37D: Spot removers (CLEANSERS); 40D: Unlikely (SLIM); 41D: Gyro bread (PITA); 42D: The slightest bit (A TAD); 43D: Manche department capital (ST.-LÔ); 45D: Poke around (SNOOP); 47D: Corgi comment (ARF); 48D: Last Supper query (IS IT I); 50D: Sistine Chapel ceiling figure (ADAM); 51D: Modest skirt (MAXI); 52D: Cookie guy Wally (AMOS); 53D: Eye care brand (RENU); 55D: Sheets and such (LINEN); 56D: Hit back? (SIDE B); 57D: Sermon subject (MORTAL SIN); 61D: Record (DISC); 64D: French play part (ACTE); 66D: Kernel holder (EAR); 67D: Did a dishwashing chore (DRIED); 69D: Plus (ASSET); 71D: Yoga position (ASANA); 72D: USA __ (TODAY); 73D: Troubleshooting menu (HELP); 74D: Cruising, maybe (ASEA); 75D: "__ shocked as you are!" (I'M AS); 76D: Musical symbol (REST); 79D: Alec D'Urberville's slayer (TESS); 80D: Northern terminus of I-79 (ERIE); 81D: Matter of interest? (RATE); 82D: Apple projection (STEM); 85D: Candy originally from Austria (PEZ); 87D: Unborn, after "in" (UTERO); 90D: Effortlessness (EASE); 92D: Offscreen friend in "Ernest" films (VERN); 93D: Slowly, to Liszt (ADAGIO); 94D: Coup d'__ (ETAT); 96D: Citizens (FREEMEN); 100D: Lab slide critter (AMOEBA); 102D: Third-party account (ESCROW); 104D: Nonstick cookware brand (TFAL); 105D: Dodge (EVADE); 106D: Copy (XEROX); 107D: Diamond deal (TRADE); 108D: Beyond gung-ho (RABID); 109D: Oily compound (LIPID); 110D: Designer Cassini et al. (OLEGS); 111D: Intoxicating, as wine (HEADY); 113D: Breaks in relations (RIFTS); 114D: Strike caller (UNION); 115D: Shout upon arrival (IT'S ME); 116D: Little laugh (TEHEE); 120D: E-mailed (SENT); 123D: Vintage auto (REO); 124D: Museum funder: Abbr. (NEA); 125D: Figured out (GOT).