Dragon Cave, by Robert M. Katkowski
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Monday, April 14, 2008
Puzzle by Christina Houlihan Kelly, edited by Will Shortz
Block, hamper, check, foil in the entries of AUCTIONBLOCK (20A. Bidding impediment?); PICNIC HAMPER (33A. Outdoor meal deterrent?); REALITYCHECK (44A. Truth obstruction?); and ALUMINUMFOIL (58A. Metallic element’s obstacle?) constitute the inter-related entries in this Monday back-to-work puzzle.
Block, hamper, check, foil is the name of the game for authors of crossword puzzles, and today we’re given a free pass, with nary a frisk or an XRAY (73A. Photo taken after an accident). From ATOZ (completely) (17A.) without J, Q or W, this puzzle will bring a SMILE (54D. Photo- grapher’s request) with it’s ails, such as NAUSEA (49D. Pregnancy symptom, frequently); ACHY (42D. Hurting all over); RANKLE (13D. Annoy); TRASH (52A. Garbage); SOTS (54A. Tipplers); FANG (1A. Vampire’s tooth); YIPE (23D. “Eeek!”); SPAY (31A. Neuter); No PETS allowed (sign) (41D); and TKOS (43D. Some boxing results), all melding nicely with those main negatives.
People in the puzzle are old crossword friends: XENA (16A. Lucy Lawless TV role); OTERI (18A. Cheri formerly of “S.N.L.”); YENTL (27A. Streisand film about a Jewish girl masquerading as a boy); HOSEA (39A. Book after Daniel); ANITA (63A. Anita Bryant); NEMO (70. Nautilus captain); GOTTI (6D. Crime boss known as the Teflon Don); STAMOS (47D. Actor John of “Full House”); ARLENE (48D. Dahl or Francis); and ROY (67D. Dodgers catcher Campanella).
We’ve got gas, AMOCO (5D. BP gas brand) and ESSO (38A. Gas brand with the slogan “Put a tiger in your tank”); food, INOIL (28A. How sardines may be packed) and UGLI (21D. Aptly named tropical fruit) -- YUM (23A. “Ooh, tasty!”); places to go, IRAN (19A. Persia, today); SAN Francisco (47A.) MESA (62A. Small plateau); Mideast’s GAZA Strip (4D.); RUHR (37D. German industrial valley); but will need to Show UPAT (attend, as a meeting) (40A.) work instead. NAME (59D. Partner of rank and serial number) pairs include UNIS and UNIV, along with ASE and ASI; after that it’s a free-for-all.
Gee, Monday and we’re all SMART (53D. Brainy)!
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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
