LA Times Crossword Answers 15 Aug 14, Friday

Today’s Wiki-est, Amazonian Googlies
Across
1. Classic beginning or ending? HARD C
The first and last letters in the word “classic” are a “hard C”.

10. Some NYSE traders ARBS
“Arb” is short for an arbitrageur, one who profits from the purchase of securities in one market and the subsequent sale in another, hence taking advantage of price discrepancies across markets.

14. Playwright Fugard ATHOL
Athol Fugard was born in South Africa. Fugard became involved in the theater, writing plays that opposed apartheid, many of which had to be produced outside of South Africa given the political climate at home. Fugard now lives in San Diego, California.

15. Smart Simpson LISA
Lisa Simpson is Bart’s brainy younger sister on TV’s “The Simpsons”. Lisa is voiced by actress Yeardley Smith.

17. Cause of brittle cigars? DRY HUMIDOR (from “dry humor”)
A humidor is a box or room that has a controlled environment optimized for the storage of cigars, cigarettes and pipe tobacco. The main factor to be controlled is “humidity”, hence the storage area is called a humidor.

19. “This __ Song”: Petula Clark hit IS MY
Petula Clark is a an English singer of popular songs who had most of her success in the sixties, with hits such as “Downtown” and “I Know a Place”. Clark is a little unusual in the world of entertainment as she started to make recordings in French as well as English, and eventually in German, Italian and Spanish as well. For decades, Clark has been splitting her time between her properties in England, France and Switzerland.

24. Inventor for whom a N.J. township is named TAE
Thomas Alva Edison was nicknamed “The Wizard of Menlo Park” by a newspaper reporter, a name that stuck. He was indeed a wizard, in the sense that he was such a prolific inventor. The Menlo Park part of the moniker recognizes the location of his first research lab, in Menlo Park, New Jersey.

The township of Edison, New Jersey was established as Raritan Township in 1870, but changed its name to Edison in 1954. That change was in honor of inventor Thomas Edison who worked in the Menlo Park section of the township.

27. Friar __ de Torquemada TOMAS
Tomás de Torquemada was a Dominican friar famous as the Inquisitor General of Spain in the 15th century. As head of the Spanish Inquisition, de Torquemada was responsible for burning at the stake about one person every nine days.

29. Rebuke a revolutionary? CHIDE GUEVARA (from “Che Guevara”)
Ernesto “Che” Guevara was born in Argentina, and in 1948 he started to study medicine at the University of Buenos Aires. While at school he satisfied his need to “see the world” by taking two long journeys around South America, the story of which are told in Guevara’s memoir later published as “The Motorcycle Diaries”. While travelling, Guevara was moved by the plight of the people he saw and their working conditions and what he viewed as capitalistic exploitation. In Mexico City he met brothers Raul and Fidel Castro and was persuaded to join their cause, the overthrow of the US-backed government in Cuba. He rose to second-in-command among the Cuban insurgents, and when Castro came to power Guevara was influential in repelling the Bay of Pigs Invasion and bringing Soviet nuclear missiles to the island. Guevara left Cuba in 1965 to continue his work as a revolutionary. He was captured by Bolivian forces in 1967, and was executed. Fidel Castro led the public mourning of Guevara’s death, and soon the revolutionary was an icon for many left-wing movements around the world.

32. NYSE event IPO
An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the very first offer of stock for sale by a company on the open market. In other words, an IPO marks the first time that a company is traded on a public exchange. Companies have an IPO to raise capital to expand (usually).

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

34. Tortilla dough MASA
“Masa” is the Spanish word for “dough”, with the term often used as an abbreviated form of “masa de maíz”, referring to a corn dough made from freshly ground hominy. Masa is used to make tortillas and tamales, for example.

41. Jan. honoree MLK
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a US Federal holiday taking place on the third Monday of each year. It celebrates the birthday of Dr. King, and was signed into law by President Reagan in 1983 and was first observed in 1986. However, some states “resisted” naming the holiday MLK Day, and gave it alternative names (like “Civil Rights Day”), but it was officially celebrated as MLK Day in all 50 states from the year 2000 onwards.

42. 7UP’s opposite? COLA
7UP was introduced to the world as “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda”, and was a patent medicine that contained lithium citrate, a mood-stabilizing drug. Paradoxically, it came on the market in 1929 just two weeks before the Wall Street Crash. 7UP’s “Uncola” advertising campaign dates back to 1967.

43. “Pioneer Woman” cookbook writer Drummond REE
Ree Drummond is a food writer and blogger. Drummond’s blog “The Pioneer Woman” recounts her daily life on her family’s working ranch outside of Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

44. Tolerate a Midwest capital? ABIDE LINCOLN (from “Abe Lincoln”)
The city of Lincoln is the second-largest in Nebraska, and is the state capital. In the days of the Nebraska Territory, the capital was the larger city of Omaha. When the territory was being considered for statehood, most of the population (which lived south of the River Platte) was in favor of annexation to Kansas. The pro-statehood legislature voted to move the capital nearer to that population in a move intended to appease those favoring annexation. As this conflict was taking place just after the Civil War, a special interest group in Omaha arranged for the new capital to be named Lincoln, in honor of the recently-assassinated president. The thought was that the populace south of the River Platte had been sympathetic to the Confederate cause and so would not pass the measure to move the capital if the Lincoln name was used. But the measure passed, the capital was moved, and Nebraska became the thirty-seventh State of the Union in 1867.

49. Red head LENIN
“Lenin” wasn’t the birth name of the Russian leader. He was born Vladimir Ulyanov, and originally took the name Lenin as a pen name.

50. 7UP, e.g. SODA
7 Up was introduced to the world as “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda”, and was a patent medicine that contained lithium citrate, a mood-stabilizing drug. Paradoxically, it came on the market in 1929 just two weeks before the Wall Street Crash. The “Uncola” advertising campaign dates back to 1967.

54. Former vice-presidential family AGNEWS
Spiro Agnew served as Vice-President under Richard Nixon, before becoming the only VP in American history to resign because of criminal charges (there was a bribery scandal). Agnew was also the first Greek-American to serve as US Vice-President as he was the son of a Greek immigrant who had shortened the family name from Anagnostopoulos.

57. “… from __ far country blows”: Housman YON
“A Shropshire Lad” is a collection of poems published in 1896, written by the English poet A. E. Housman. Housman couldn’t find a publisher for his work, so he had to use his own money to get the collection in print. The poems all hark back to the simple life of a young man in rural England. The collection gained in popularity as young men went overseas to fight in the Second Boer War, and then again during WWI. The nostalgic themes struck a chord with the young soldiers. The was especially true of the most famous poem in the collection, “To an Athlete Dying Young”, with its story of a young man cut off in his prime. Here is another of the poems in the collection:

INTO my heart on air that kills
From yon far country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills,
What spires, what farms are those?

That is the land of lost content,
I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.

Nevil Shute used a line from this poem for the title of his 1952 novel “The Far Country”.

58. Kitchenware giant OXO
The OXO line of kitchen utensils is designed to be ergonomically superior to the average kitchen too. The intended user of OXO products is someone who doesn’t have the normal range of motion or strength in the hands e.g. someone suffering from arthritis.

59. Actor Wilson OWEN
The actor Owen Wilson was nominated for an Oscar, but not for his acting. He was nominated for co-writing the screenplay for “The Royal Tenenbaums” along with Wes Anderson.

60. God of honeymoon truck rentals? RYDER CUPID (from “Ryder Cup”)
The Ryder company was founded in 1933 in Miami, Florida by James Ryder. It started out as a concrete hauling company, but changed its focus a few years later to the leasing of trucks.

The Ryder Cup trophy was donated to the game of golf by Samuel Ryder, an English entrepreneur. Ryder made his money selling garden seeds in small packets. He only took up golf when he was in his fifties but became quite the enthusiast and eventually donated the trophy in 1927, when it was valued at 100 guineas.

66. Batik artist DYER
Genuine batik cloth is produced by applying wax to the parts of the cloth that are not to be dyed. After the cloth has been dyed, it is dried and then dipped in solvent that dissolves the wax.

Down
2. Heart chambers ATRIA
The heart has four chambers. The two upper chambers (the atria) accept deoxygenated blood from the body and oxygenated blood from the lungs. The atria squeeze the blood into the two lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles), “priming” the pump, as it were. One ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs, and the other pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

4. “I should have thought of that!” D’OH!
“The Simpsons” is one of the most successful programs produced by the Fox Broadcasting Company. Homer Simpson’s catchphrase is “D’oh!”, which became such a famous exclamation that it has been included in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) since 2001. “D’oh!” can be translated as “I should have thought of that!”

9. Epstein-__ virus BARR
The virologists Michael Anthony Epstein and Yvonne Barr discovered what’s now called the Epstein-Barr virus. It is in the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses found in humans. Epstein-Barr causes glandular fever, and is associated with some forms of cancer.

10. Heinlein contemporary ASIMOV
Isaac Asimov was a wonderful science fiction writer, and a professor of biochemistry. He was a favorite author as I was growing up and I must admit that some hero worship on my part led me to study and work as a biochemist for a short while early in my career. My favorite of his works is the collection of short stories called “I, Robot”, although Asimov’s most famous work is probably his “Foundation” trilogy of novels.

Robert Heinlein was a ground-breaking science fiction writer, one of the “big three” of the genre, along with Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke. Several Heinlein novels have been made into movies, the most famous of which is probably “Starship Troopers”.

11. “The Dick Van Dyke Show” actress ROSE MARIE
Rose Marie is an actress who is best known perhaps for playing the comedy writer Sally Rogers on “The Dick Van Dyke Show”. Marie also turned up a lot on the television game show “Hollywood Squares”. From the early age of three, she was a successful singer performing under the name “Baby Rose Marie”. Still focused on her singing career in her twenties, Marie sang at the opening night of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas in 1945.

18. Wailuku’s county MAUI
Maui County is pretty unusual. It is made up of four islands: Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai and Molokai (well, most of Molokai).

Wailuku was the main tourist destination on Maui in the early 20th century. It lies on the north coast of the island. Most people stay at resort towns now though and there are very few hotels in Wailuku. Wailuku is also the county seat of Maui County.

31. Mil. morale booster USO
The United Service Organization (USO) was founded in 1941 at the request of FDR “to handle the on-leave recreation of the men in the armed forces”. A USO tour is undertaken by a troupe of entertainers, many of whom are big-name celebrities. A USO tour usually includes troop locations in combat zones.

33. Typically long-haired breed PEKINGESE
The pekingese breed originated in China, as one might suspect from the name. Breeding practices have resulted in the the dog having many health problems, including breathing issues related to the “desirable” flat face. Standards have been changed in recent years, demanding an “evident muzzle” in an attempt to breed healthier dogs.

38. Sonora sun SOL
Sonora is the state in Mexico lying just south of the borders with Arizona and New Mexico. It is the second-largest state in the country, after Chihuahua.

39. Timothy Omundson’s role on “Xena” ELI
The actor Timothy Omundson is known more recently for playing the zany detective Carlton Lassiter on the TV show “Psych”. Earlier in his career, Omundson played Sean Potter on “Judging Amy” and Elion on “Xena: Warrior Princess”.

40. Coastal raptor ERN
The ern (also erne) is also called the white-tailed eagle or sea-eagle.

48. Cavalry soldier LANCER
Lancers were a special type of cavalry soldier, ones who fought with lances!

51. November birthstone TOPAZ
Topaz is a semiprecious stone made from silicate containing aluminum and fluorine. Topaz is the state gemstone of Utah, and the rare blue topaz is the state gemstone of Texas.

Here is the “official” list of birthstones by month, that we tend to use today:

January: Garnet
February: Amethyst
March: Bloodstone or Aquamarine
April: Diamond
May: Emerald
June: Pearl or Moonstone
July: Ruby
August: Sardonyx or Peridot
September: Sapphire or Lapis Lazuli
October: Opal or Pink Tourmaline
November: Topaz or Citrine
December: Turquoise or Zircon (also now, Tanzanite)

52. Napoleon, ultimately EXILE
Napoleon was sent into exile twice. A coalition of European powers sent him to the island of Elba in Tuscany in 1814, only for him to escape after a year and return to power. After Wellington defeated him at Waterloo, Napoleon was dispatched to the British-owned island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, where he spent the last six years of his life.

55. Stole, for one WRAP
A stole is a lady’s clothing accessory, a narrow shawl. It can be made of quite light decorative material, or it can be heavier especially if made of fur.

56. January 1 word SYNE
The song “Auld Lang Syne” is a staple at New Year’s Eve, the words of which were written by Scottish poet Robbie Burns. The literal translation of “Auld Lang Syne” is “old long since”, but is better translated as “old times”. The sentiment of the song is “for old time’s sake”.

59. It typically involves repetitive behavior, briefly OCD
Apparently obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed mental disorder, making it about as common as asthma.

61. Sot’s woe DTS
The episodes of delirium that can accompany withdrawal from alcohol are called Delirium Tremens (the DTs). The literal translation of this Latin phrase is “trembling madness”.

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For the sake of completion, here is a full listing of all the answers:
Across
1. Classic beginning or ending? HARD C
6. __ bag GRAB
10. Some NYSE traders ARBS
14. Playwright Fugard ATHOL
15. Smart Simpson LISA
16. Wet course SOUP
17. Cause of brittle cigars? DRY HUMIDOR (from “dry humor”)
19. “This __ Song”: Petula Clark hit IS MY
20. Intention AIM
21. Bit TAD
22. Artistic surroundings? FRAMES
24. Inventor for whom a N.J. township is named TAE
25. Said “You’re on!” to CUED
27. Friar __ de Torquemada TOMAS
29. Rebuke a revolutionary? CHIDE GUEVARA (from “Che Guevara”)
32. NYSE event IPO
34. Tortilla dough MASA
35. Manipulate illegally RIG
36. Bouncer’s demand, and this puzzle’s title LET’S SEE SOME ID
41. Jan. honoree MLK
42. 7UP’s opposite? COLA
43. “Pioneer Woman” cookbook writer Drummond REE
44. Tolerate a Midwest capital? ABIDE LINCOLN (from “Abe Lincoln”)
49. Red head LENIN
50. 7UP, e.g. SODA
51. Olympic diver’s ideal TEN
54. Former vice-presidential family AGNEWS
57. “… from __ far country blows”: Housman YON
58. Kitchenware giant OXO
59. Actor Wilson OWEN
60. God of honeymoon truck rentals? RYDER CUPID (from “Ryder Cup”)
63. Vintner’s quantity CASE
64. Certain tunnelers ANTS
65. Virtual transaction E-SALE
66. Batik artist DYER
67. Garden headache PEST
68. Obliterates RAZES

Down
1. Tackled HAD AT
2. Heart chambers ATRIA
3. Sound mostly the same RHYME
4. “I should have thought of that!” D’OH!
5. Shifting aid CLUTCH
6. Moved smoothly GLIDED
7. Free RID
8. Since AS OF
9. Epstein-__ virus BARR
10. Heinlein contemporary ASIMOV
11. “The Dick Van Dyke Show” actress ROSE MARIE
12. Hitches BUMS A RIDE
13. Furtive sort SPY
18. Wailuku’s county MAUI
23. Crackerjack group A-TEAM
26. Humiliates DEMEANS
28. Lose some support SAG
29. Camp sight COT
30. Natural resource GAS
31. Mil. morale booster USO
32. “That’s my vacation time” I’LL BE AWAY
33. Typically long-haired breed PEKINGESE
37. Dramatic division SCENE
38. Sonora sun SOL
39. Timothy Omundson’s role on “Xena” ELI
40. Coastal raptor ERN
41. Content beginning? MAL-
45. “What’s for __?” DINNER
46. Least straightforward COYEST
47. Burning sulfur quality ODOR
48. Cavalry soldier LANCER
51. November birthstone TOPAZ
52. Napoleon, ultimately EXILE
53. Meeting places NODES
55. Stole, for one WRAP
56. January 1 word SYNE
59. It typically involves repetitive behavior, briefly OCD
61. Sot’s woe DTS
62. Ryder Cup team USA

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