There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further! Sidetrack
Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel
Editor: Amanda Rafkin
What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle
- NINA (12A: “Dog Days” actress Dobrev) Dog Days is a 2018 romcom that centers on the lives of various dogs living in Los Angeles, and the intertwined lives of their owners. NINA Dobrev stars as the host of a morning show. Her character’s dog is a pug named DogDay.
- TREVOR MACK (16A: Tsilhqot’in filmmaker who directed “Portraits From a Fire”) The Tsilhqot’in are an Athabaskan-speaking Indigenous people in British Columbia, Canada. TREVOR MACK’s debut feature-length film, Portraits from a Fire, was released in 2021. The award-winning film is about an Indigenous teen who vlogs about his community and grandparents.
- ECON (67A: Emi Nakamura’s subj.) Emi Nakamura is a professor of Economics (ECON.) at the University of California, Berkeley. The abbreviation of the word subject in the clue alerts solvers the answer will be an abbreviation.
Random Thoughts & Interesting Things
- TAOS (1A: Art colony northeast of Santa Fe) TAOS, located in TAOS County in New Mexico, is a popular place for artists, and the area is home to many art galleries and museums.
- TART (5A: Like the taste of kumquats) Kumquats are citrus fruits that resemble tiny oranges. Kumquats, which are the size of large olives, are known for their TART flavor.
- ALI (22A: “Single Lady” comic Wong) Single Lady is a 2024 Netflix comedy special by ALI Wong. The show won her a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television.
- BACH (35A: Johann Sebastian ___) Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) was a German composer. BACH was a prolific composer, and many of his pieces are still played today. For all of his accomplishments, I’m a bit sheepish to admit that what I think of when I consider BACH is the miniature busts of composers that one of my childhood piano teachers gave to students who memorized their recital pieces.
- SIERRA (44A: ___ Nevada mountains) The SIERRA Nevada mountain range is located in the western part of the United States. The SIERRA Nevada is primarily in California, though part of the range extends into Nevada. The SIERRA Nevada is home to three National Parks: Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon.
- BRR (51A: “It’s freezing cold”) and ICE BATHS (15A: Cold soaks for marathoners) These two answers pair well together.
- FLORID (57A: Excessively ornate) The word FLORID derives from the Latin word for “flowery” or “blooming.” FLORID was originally used to mean “covered with flowers,” but over time it came to be used to refer to something – such as writing or decoration – that is excessively ornate.
- RCA (7D: Record label for H.E.R.) H.E.R. is an acronym for “Having Everything Revealed.” H.E.R.’s George Floyd protest-inspired song, “I Can’t Breathe,” won a 2021 Grammy Award for Song of the Year. H.E.R. signed with RCA Records in 2016.
- VERA (10D: Fashion designer Wang) VERA Wang is a fashion designer well-known for designing evening wear and wedding dresses for public figures. She also has a line of ready-to-wear clothing, Simply VERA.
- SNOW FORT (40D: Frozen playhouse for outdoor fun) Although at the moment I am ready for spring, I do enjoy a good SNOW FORT.
- DKNY (60D: Big Apple fashion brand) Donna Karan founded her fashion house in 1984. She was inspired by her daughter to launch DKNY in 1989, as a younger, more affordable line alongside her mainline label, Donna Karan New York, which had debuted in 1985.
Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis
- TREVOR MACK (16A: Tsilhqot’in filmmaker who directed “Portraits From a Fire”)
- TRAVELER’S CHECK (38A: Tourist’s secure payment option)
- TOUGH NUT TO CRACK (61A: Baffling problem)
SIDETRACK: The word TRACK is split and found at the SIDEs of the theme answers: TREVOR MACK, TRAVELER’S CHECK, and TOUGH NUT TO CRACK.
After discovering today’s theme, my main question was, “Do people still use TRAVELER’S CHECKs?” I remember using them, but it’s been years since I’ve done so. It seems like the use of TRAVELER’S CHECKs has been mainly replaced by credit cards and other means of electronic payment. At any rate, that thought in no way detracts from the enjoyment of this puzzle. Thank you, Zhouqin, for this splendid puzzle.
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