May 3, 2022

Title: COLD OPEN

Constructor: Sara Cantor

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

BITTER HERB (17A: Horseradish at a Seder)

COOL STORY BRO (27A: Response to an underwhelming anecdote)

BRISK ICED TEA (42A: Refreshing Lipton drink)

CHILLY RECEPTION (54A: Unfriendly welcome)

Theme synopsis: The first word (i.e. the OPENing word) of each theme answer is a synonym for COLD: BITTER, COOL, BRISK, CHILLY.

Things I learned:

• PEOPLE (36A: "Who Are Your ___?" (picture book about family)) Who Are Your PEOPLE? is a recently published picture book by attorney and CNN political analyst, Bakari Sellers. The book is written from the perspective of a Black father talking to his children about the questions, "Where are you from?" and "Who are your PEOPLE?" The illustrations include many historical figures and events. You can watch Bakari Sellers read his book; it will take less than three minutes of your day, and I recommend it. I had not heard about this book, and I'm glad to learn about it. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• BITTER HERB (17A: Horseradish at a Seder) The Seder is a ritual feast marking the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Part of the ritual includes placing symbolic foods on a Seder Plate that are referred to during the telling of the story of the Israelite exodus from Egypt. A BITTER HERB, such as horseradish, is eaten as a symbol of the bitterness and harshness endured by the Hebrew people enslaved in Egypt.
• COOL STORY BRO (27A: Response to an underwhelming anecdote) This answer made me chuckle. One of my high school English teachers used a version of "COOL STORY, BRO." He would simply say, "Thank you for sharing..."
• FLAIL (32A: Move like an inflatable tube man) This clue excellently evoked an image of an inflatable tube man FLAILing. 
• FILO (38A: Spanakopita dough) FILO dough is extremely thin, unleavened dough. Sheets of FILO are layered, with butter or oil brushed in between, to make a flaky pastry crust. Spanakopita is a savory spinach pie of Greek origin made with FILO dough.
• USUAL (48A: Diner regular's order) I really like this clue. It took me a moment to figure out, and it was satisfying when it clicked.
• ELSA (62A: Oldest of all the Disney princesses) Oldest is definitely a relative term here, as ELSA is 21 years old in Frozen, and 24 years old in Frozen II. The majority of Disney princesses are teenagers. This is a fun cluing angle.
• YORK (8D: Peppermint Pattie brand) The first YORK Peppermint Pattie was, appropriately, made in YORK, Pennsylvania in 1940. YORK Peppermint Patties are currently made by Hershey.
• QUEER BAIT (11D: Hint at an LGBTQ+ relationship as a marketing ploy) The term QUEER BAIT refers to a marketing technique where entertainment creators hint at characters having an LQBTQ+ relationship, and then not actually depicting such a relationship. This is a fabulous answer and I enjoyed seeing it in the puzzle.
• BIRD (22D: Animal on a Wingspan card) This is a great clue, because since a BIRD is an animal with a wingspan, it is accessible to all solvers, even those not familiar with the board game Wingspan. However, if you are not familiar with Wingspan, I highly recommend it to you once again.
• SCAPES (24D: Stems and buds of garlic plants) As garlic begins to grow, it sends out curly thin flower stems. These stems, known as SCAPES, are removed in order to focus the garlic's energy into bulb growth. Garlic SCAPES are edible, having a milder flavor than mature garlic bulbs. I was first introduced to garlic SCAPES when we joined a CSA (community supported agriculture) 12 years ago. I like to use them in stir-fries and pasta dishes. They are a treat, as well as a promise of garlic to come later in the season.
• KELLY (43D: Singer Rowland) From 1990-2006, KELLY Rowland was a member of Destiny's Child, alongside Beyoncé and Michelle Williams. In addition to her success with Destiny's Child, KELLY Rowland has had a successful solo career. In 2021, to commemorate her 40th birthday, KELLY Rowland released the song, "Black Magic." 

Geography review:

• NYC (7A: Marsha P. Johnson State Park city (Abbr.)) Marsha P. Johnson State Park is located in New York City (NYC), along the East River in Brooklyn. Previously known as East River State Park, the park was renamed in 2020 to honor gay rights activist Marsha P. Johnson, who I have previously written about.

Live from your computer/tablet/phone/newspaper...it's today's USA Today crossword! Okay, it wasn't that kind of COLD OPEN, but it's an enjoyable theme with a great set of theme answers. Answers I liked that I haven't already highlighted include FLAUNTED, WORMHOLE, and AT PLAY. This puzzle was not at all ICKY; it was a great way to begin my Tuesday.

Two more crossword-related things to mention: First, I've previously recommended the puzzle pack, These Puzzles Fund Abortion, Too, edited by Rachel Fabi, Brooke Husic, and Claire Rimkus, and today seems like a good day to recommend it again. Secondly, congratulations to Erik Agard, who won the Boswords Spring Puzzle League last night, completing the final puzzle in an impressive three minutes and three seconds!