March 12, 2021

Title: BOTTOM LINE

Constructor: Mollie Cowger

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

BUSY AS A BEE (2D: Working nonstop)

HALLOWEEN PARTY (7D: Event with a costume contest, maybe)

CURBSIDE PICKUP (13D: Contactless shopping option)

FRUIT PUNCH (29D: Capri Sun flavor)

Theme synopsis: The BOTTOM word of each vertical theme answer can precede the word LINE. We have BEE LINE, PARTY LINE, PICKUP LINE, and PUNCH LINE.

And now a word from our constructor:

Mollie: I initially tried to construct this with left/right mirror symmetry so each of the "line" words hit the literal bottom of the puzzle. That didn't work well, because it was too constraining on the fill to have all the theme entries crowded down there. So I stuck with standard rotational symmetry, and I'm happy with how everything turned out! I especially like the unintentional combination of BARBECUE and FRUIT PUNCH- it gives me strong summer cookout vibes, which feels apt as things are warming up here in Dallas. I hope you enjoy the puzzle!

Things I learned:

• SKYLAR (18A: Basketball star Diggins-Smith) SKYLAR Diggins-Smith is a professional basketball player in the WNBA (63A: League for 18-Across). She is currently a point guard for the Phoenix Mercury, having previously played for the Dallas Wings (formerly the Tulsa Shock). 
• NORA (25A: "Always Becoming" artist ___ Naranjo Morse) Always Becoming is an outdoor sculpture exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. NORA Naranjo Morse created the artwork in 2007 after winning the museum's outdoor sculpture design competition. Always Becoming originally consisted of five separate sculptures that make up a family, and are created out of natural materials designed to take on a life of their own and change over time. Since its initial creation, NORA Naranjo Morse has maintained and added to Always Becoming. 
• DIANE (38A: "Doom Patrol" star Guerrero) In the DC Universe TV series, Doom Patrol, DIANE Guerrero plays the role of Jane, a woman who developed 64 identities (with superpowers related to each) as a result of an experiment she was involuntarily subjected to. Previously DIANE Guerrero has played the roles of Maritza Ramos on Orange is the New Black, and Lina on Jane the Virgin. 
• ERIN (57D: Paralympic swimming champion Popovich) ERIN Popovich is a three-time Paralympian, representing Team USA in swimming, and has won 14 Paralympic gold medals. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• CIARA (13A: "Goodies" singer) When CIARA appeared in yesterday's puzzle, I mentioned that the song "1, 2 Step" was a single from her debut album, Goodies, helpfully (unknowingly, of course!) providing you with the answer to this clue. The album also contains her debut single of the same name.
• AIN'T (17A: "___ I a Woman?") Sojourner Truth speech) Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist and women's rights activist. In 1851 she delivered an untitled speech at the Women's Convention in Akron, OHIO. The speech became known as "AIN'T I a Woman?" because of the question repeated during the speech. 
• TWO (28A: x, in x = 5x - 8) Ah, a math clue. I wonder how many of us attempted to solve the equation, and how many decided to simply wait until the letters were revealed by crossing answers.
• BARBECUE (54A: Cuisine with a Memphis style) According to Wikipedia, the four predominant styles of U.S. BARBECUE are Memphis, Carolina, Kansas City, and Texas. Memphis-style BARBECUE uses mostly pork ribs and shoulders, and is slow cooked in a pit.
• KOALA (8D: Tree-dwelling marsupial) Specifically, KOALAs dwell in eucalyptus trees. The leaves of these trees make up most of their diet. 
• MAGI (24D: Biblical trio found in "imagination") First of all, let me say that I thought this was a fun clue. A nice find to see the word MAGI in imagination. Now, here's a digression you have permission to skip: If you wanted to be picky (and sometimes I do, apparently!) you could say this clue could be improved by changing it to either [Trio found in "imagination"] or [Biblical group found in "imagination"], as nowhere in the Bible does it mention a specific number of MAGI. 
• ELLA (36D: ___ Baker Center for Human Rights) The ELLA Baker Center for Human Rights is a non-profit organization based in Oakland, California with the aim of working for justice, opportunitiy, and peace in urban America. 
• NASA (39D: Rocket-launching grp.) I have been enjoying following the Twitter feed of NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover. 
• AHOY (55D: "How do you do, fellow pirates?") It's never too early to begin practicing for "International Talk Like a Pirate Day," which is September 19. 
• RIOT (56D: ___ grrrr (punk movement)) I previously wrote about the RIOT grrrl movement for the January 29 crossword, and in looking up that reference, I notice that auto correct changed "grrrl" to "grill" - grrrr. Will change.

Geography review:

• OHIO (60A: "Little Fires Everywhere" state) Little Fires Everywhere is a 2017 novel by Celeste Ng which was made into a miniseries in 2020. The novel is set in OHIO.
• ERIE (9D: Lake on the U.S.-Canada border) Today is the first March appearance of our crossword friend, ERIE.

The BOTTOM LINE is that this is an enjoyable puzzle. Fun theme answers all around which yield a nice set of new phrases. I laughed when I realized CURBSIDE PICKUP was going to give us PICKUP LINE. Other nice entries include SELFLESS, STAR SIGN, and BARBECUE. Mmmmm, BARBECUE...so often, crossword puzzles make me hungry. This puzzle was a delightful way to begin my Friday.