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1957 Patrick White novel 1986 opera / FRI 9-5-14 / Deterioration of standards...
Constructor: Joe KrozelRelative difficulty: Easy-MediumTHEME: WAITING (20D: On hold … or what the seven rows of black squares in this puzzle's grid spell in Morse code)Word of the Day: REEDUCATION CAMP...
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Ratso's given name / SAT 9-6-14 / Predigital beeper / Profiles in Leadership...
Constructor: James MulhernRelative difficulty: Medium (though not for me—I tanked it)THEME: noneWord of the Day: NEOLOGIC (37D: Linguistically adventurous) — a.1.Of or pertaining to neology; employing...
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Atomic clock part / SUN 9-7-14 / Expensive Super Bowl purchase / Ayatollah...
Constructor: Tracy Gray and Jeff ChenRelative difficulty: MediumTHEME:"All-Encompassing"— 8 different squares in the puzzle have to be entered as mini-compasses; that is, like so:NW ESWE works in...
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Like oak leaves brains / MON 9-8-14 / 2011 Tony-winning religious satire /...
Constructor: Dan SchoenholzRelative difficulty: EasyTHEME: THE BIG FIVE-OH (53A: Milestone birthday, informally … with a hint to 20-, 31- and 41-Across) — theme answers have five "O"s in them:Theme...
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Country getaways in Russia / TUE 9-9-14 / Cher's son Chaz / Discovery in...
Constructor: Ed SessaRelative difficulty: Medium-Challenging (*for a Tuesday*)THEME: The Twist — long, cross-referenced theme answers give us the artist (CHUBBY CHECKER) (10D: Starter of a dance craze...
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Sinatra's big band leader / WED 9-10-14 / Bandoleer filler / Cleanser brand...
Constructor: Jim PeredoRelative difficulty: Easy-MediumTHEME: Been There, Done That— "message" referred to in the clue 69A: Where you might see the message formed by the last words in 21-, 32-, 42- and...
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Sturdy tree in beech family / THU 9-11-14 / Canadian pop singer Lavigne /...
Constructor: Patrick BlindauerRelative difficulty: ChallengingTHEME:"Change Of Heart" —Note: "This crossword was the most-discussed puzzle at Lollapuzzoola 7, a tournament held in August 9 in New York...
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Pioneer in Nevada gaming industry / FRI 9-12-14 / Tamid ever burning...
Constructor: Michael WiesenbergRelative difficulty: MediumTHEME: noneWord of the Day: NER Tamid (39D: ___ Tamid (ever-burning synagogue lamp)) — In Judaism, the sanctuary lamp is known by its Hebrew...
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Comedian Paul / SAT 9-13-14 / Montreal eco-tourist attraction / Source of...
Constructor: Josh KnappRelative difficulty: Medium-ChallengingTHEME: noneWord of the Day: Paul MOONEY (41D: Comedian Paul) — Paul Gladney (born August 4, 1941), better known by the stage name Paul...
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Lost lady in Raven / SUN 9-14-14 / Philippine province with repetitive name /...
Constructor: Tony Orbach and Patrick BlindauerRelative difficulty: Easy-MediumTHEME:"Celebrity Spoonerisms"— just what it says. (Definition of "spoonerism" HERE)Theme answers:CAINE PILLAR (from...
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Polynesian island whose internet suffix is tv / MON 9-15-14 / Old British...
Constructor: Andrea Carla MichaelsRelative difficulty: Easy-MediumTHEME: JELLY (67A: What quivering legs feel like … or a word that can precede the starts of 17-, 27-, 45- and 60-Across) — Theme...
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Resin used in incense / TUE 9-16-14 / 1990s R B group with repetitive...
Constructor: Gary CeeRelative difficulty: Medium (with lots of variation likely)THEME: ON and ON and ON (52A: How a motormouth talks … or what 20-, 29- and 43-Across literally have in common) — theme...
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Dickens' scheming clerk / WED 9-17-14 / Original Veronica Mars airer /...
Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel and Don GagliardoRelative difficulty: EasyTHEME: POLLINATION (62: Job done by the insects seen above the circled words in 17-, 26- and 50-Across) — grid features three...
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Celebrity couple portmanteau / THU 9-18-14 / Tree in giraffe's diet /...
Constructor: Joel FaglianoRelative difficulty: Easy-MediumTHEME: CASEY (16A: Man trying to clarify the spelling of his name in 21-, 25, 38-, 52- and 57-Across) — Theme answers all start "C as in …,""A...
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Colony in ancient Magna Graecia / FRI 9-19-14 / Alcopop relative / South...
Constructor: Finn VigelandRelative difficulty: EasyTHEME: noneWord of the Day: PEIGNOIR (36D: Negligee) — n.A woman's loose-fitting dressing gown.[French, from Old French peignouer, linen covering used...
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Professor who tries to kill Harry Potter / SAT 9-20-14 / Red juice hybrid /...
Constructor: Erik AgardRelative difficulty: Medium-ChallengingTHEME: none … whoops, sorry, I mean CTR (56D: Abbr. found a the 56-Down of this puzzle's four longest answers)Word of the Day: Frederick...
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Drama critic John of New Yorker / SUN 9-21-14 / Glam band with six #1 hits in...
Constructor: Michael AshleyRelative difficulty: Easy-MediumTHEME:"Nascar Rocks!"— "Rock" songs that have been subjected to racing-related puns:Theme answers:WON'T GET FUELED AGAIN (27A: "Hey, what did...
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Dadaist artist Jean / MON 9-22-14 / Appurtenance for Santa Sherlock Holmes /...
Constructor: Ian LivengoodRelative difficulty: Medium-Challenging (**for a Monday**)THEME: Picket line— first words are all narrow, stiff implementsTheme answers:STICK-UP MEN (17A: Bank heist...
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Snowman in Disney's Frozen / TUE 9-23-14 / Jazz great named after Egyptian...
Constructor: Gerry WildenbergRelative difficulty: ChallengingTHEME: GOLD NUGGETS (38A: Valuable finds suggested by the circled letters) — circled letters spell out gold if you read them … well, it...
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Battery containing liquid electrolyte / WED 9-24-14 / First family of Germany...
Constructor: Andy KravisRelative difficulty: Medium-ChallengingTHEME: X replaces a letter in a movie title, creating a wacky title:Theme answers:"MARX ATTACKS" (17A: Film about a Communist invasion?...
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