Crossword Blog & Answers for March 10, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

• BACH (8A: “Air on the G String” composer) “Air on the G String” is an arrangement of the second movement of Johann Sebastian BACH’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV. The arrangement was done by German violinist August Wilhelmj, who transposed the part of the first violins so that the entire piece can be played on the violin’s G string. The title “Air on the G String” has come to be used for other arrangements of BACH’s piece as well.
• BLUE (15A: Babe the ___ Ox) In American and Canadian folklore, Babe the BLUE Ox is an animal who accompanies the giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan.
• LORAX (17A: Kid-lit character who “speaks for the trees”) The LORAX is a 1971 children’s book by Dr. Seuss. The LORAX is a character who “speaks for the trees,” and confronts the Once-ler, a business person causing environmental destruction.
• OTIS (18A: R&B legend Redding) Thanks to this answer, I now have OTIS Redding’s song “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” going through my head. It could be worse.
• ANDOR (22A: “Star Wars” prequel series) The TV series ANDOR, which premiered on Disney+ in 2022 is part of the Star Wars franchise. The show is a prequel to the 2016 movie Rogue One. The series follows the story of Cassian ANDOR, who is portrayed by Diego Luna.
• RIM (24A: It’s 10 feet high in basketball) Here’s a fun fact!
• SERB (32A: Balkan native) The Balkans are a geographical region in southeastern Europe. The SERBs are an ethnic group native to the Balkans.
• FOLLOW YOUR NOSE (38A: “___! It always knows!” (Froot Loops slogan)) “FOLLOW YOUR NOSE! It always knows!” is the slogan said by Toucan Sam, the mascot of Froot Loops cereal.
• SAUTE (41A: Make a mirepoix) A mirepoix is a mixture of diced vegetables – often onions, carrots, and celery – that are sautéed in butter. A mirepoix serves as a base for stocks, soups, stews, and sauces.
• AREA (51A: Vatican City’s is 0.17 square miles) Here’s another fun fact! Vatican City is a landlocked country surrounded by Rome, Italy. It is the smallest sovereign state in the world, both according to AREA and population.
• LENT (53A: Time before Easter) This answer is timely, as Christians are currently observing LENT, which began on March 5 this year.
• TYRA (69A: Smize & Dream founder Banks) Smize & Dream is a boutique ice cream brand founded by model and TV personality TYRA Banks in 2020. I enjoyed reading TYRA Banks’ explanation on the website about how she decided to start an ice cream store. It’s related to memories of eating ice cream with her mom.
• IDAHO (6D: The Gem State) Although many people (myself included) think of IDAHO as The Potato State, its official nickname is The Gem State. The nickname is a reference to the more than 72 types of gems found in IDAHO, including garnet, jasper, and opal. 
• ALTER EGO (9D: Ms. Marvel for Kamala Khan, e.g.) In the Marvel Universe, Kamala Khan, whose ALTER EGO is Ms. Marvel, is a Pakistani American teenager from New Jersey with shapeshifting abilities. She took over as Ms. Marvel when Carol Danvers became Captain Marvel.
• NOW (29D: “___ and Then” (1995 coming-of-age film)) The 1995 movie NOW and Then follows four women who were childhood friends as they are reunited in their hometown. The friends remember a memorable summer they shared together.
• RAND (31D: “The Fountainhead” author Ayn) Ayn RAND (1905-1982) was the pen name of Russian-born American author and philosopher Alice O’Connor. The Fountainhead is her 1943 novel about an innovative architect named Howard Roark who fights for his creative ideas. In her work, Ayn RAND sought to describe man, “as he could be and should be.”
• KENYA (46D: Country featuring a Maasai shield on its flag) The Maasai people are an ethnic group of KENYA and northern Tanzania. As the clue informs us, the East African country of KENYA has a flag featuring a Maasai shield.
• BEAUTY (48D: Attribute of someone benefitting from pretty privilege) Pretty privilege refers to the idea that people who are considered to have BEAUTY receive more opportunities and benefits than those who are considered to be less attractive.
• ASNER (52D: “Up” actor Ed) Ed ASNER voices the role of Carl Fredricksen in the 2009 animated movie Up. I think Up is a great movie even though I always forget how sad the beginning of it is!
• MRS (59D: “___ Dalloway”) MRS. Dalloway is a 1925 novel by Virgina Woolf. It begins with the line, “MRS. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.” The book, set in England after World War I, tells about one day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class woman. During that day, MRS. Dalloway reminisces about her life, while preparing for a party she is hosting that night.
• A few other clues I especially enjoyed:
  • RAKED (64A: Played in a sand tray, perhaps)
  • SCIENCE FAIR (2D: Event showcasing students’ experiments)
  • PARADE ROUTE (3D: Path for a certain Pride event)