June 22, 2022

Title: UN ASSEMBLY

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

UPGRADE NOW (15A: Button encouraging users to download the latest version)

UTTER NONSENSE (25A: "Baloney!")

UDON NOODLES (62A: Bowlful often topped with tempura)

Theme synopsis: We have an ASSEMBLY (group) of theme answers with the initials U.N.

Things I learned:

• BART (21A: Football analyst Scott) BART Scott is a former professional football player. During his NFL career, he was a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens (2002-2008) and the New York Jets (2009-2012). BART Scott and Alan Hahn co-host the ESPN radio show BART & Hahn.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• NINE (17A: "Cloud ___" (Temptations hit)) The Temptations released "Cloud NINE" in 1968. It was the first Temptations single to feature Dennis Edwards (who replaced David Ruffin). The song won a Grammy award for Best R&B performance by a duo or group, making it the first Motown hit to win a Grammy.
• ART (48A: Butter sculptures, for example) Butter sculptures are exactly what they

  

  Butter Sculptures

  sound like. The ART of using food to create sculptures is ancient, as archeologists have found evidence of the practice at Babylon and Roman sites. In modern days, butter sculptures are most frequently associated with state fairs. The first state fair to feature a butter cow sculpture was the 1903 Ohio State Fair. The Iowa State Fair didn't have a butter cow until 1911, but butter sculptures are now an annual attraction. Each year at the Iowa State Fair, an artist creates a butter cow and additional sculptures. This photo shows the butter sculptures featured at the 2017 Iowa State Fair. 
• SIS (68A: Chloe, to Halle, for short) Chloe and Halle Bailey are the SISters that comprise the R&B duo, Chloe x Halle.
• LEIF (24A: Norse explorer Erikson) The Norse explorer, LEIF Erikson, is thought to be the first European to have set foot on North America. Fans of SpongeBob SquarePants may be aware that LEIF Erikson Day is SpongeBob's favorite holiday. LEIF Erikson Day is an actual holiday observed on October 9 by the federal government and some U.S. states. 
• DAN (63D: Rank in shogi) Shogi is a two-player strategy game known as Japanese chess or Game of Generals. Shogi players are ranked by DAN, with separate rankings used for amateur and professional players

Geography review:

• LEONE (43A: Sierra ___) Sierra LEONE is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia and Guinea, and has coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. The capital of Sierra LEONE is Freetown.
• RANGE (10D: The Tian Shan, for example) The Tian Shan is a mountain RANGE in Central Asia. The Tian Shan is located in Northwest China (Xinjiang) and the border regions of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
• SUN (12D: Star on Argentina's flag) Argentina's flag has three horizontal stripes - the top and bottom stripes are light blue, and the center stripe is white. Centered on the white band is the national emblem of Argentina, the SUN of May. The SUN of May is a golden SUN with a human face and 32 rays that alternate between wavy and straight. It is a replica of an engraving that appeared on the first Argentine coin. The SUN of May also appears on the flag of Uruguay.
• ARAB (22D: ___ Republic of Egypt) ARAB Republic of Egypt is the official name of the country of Egypt. 
• OSLO (38D: Capital home to the Akershus Fortress) The Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle in OSLO, Norway. The Akershus Fortress was built in the 1290s, and at various times has been used as a military base, a prison, and a royal residence. Although still used for military purposes, the Akershus Fortress is currently also the home of the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum and Norway's Resistance Museum. Akershus Fortress also has a Royal Mausoleum, which is the final resting place for several Norwegian royals.
• MAUI (54D: East ___ Taro Festival (event in Hana)) Hana is a census-designated place on the eastern coast of MAUI in Hawaii. Since 1993, Hana has hosted the East MAUI Taro Festival, although the festival has not had an in person event since 2019. (The festival will not be held this year either.) Like Taro Festivals held in other parts of Hawaii, the East MAUI Taro Festival promotes taro and other Hawaiian cultural products.

UTTER NONSENSE! That's not a reflection of my thoughts about this puzzle, but it is my favorite theme answer. I also enjoyed OVER TO YOU, SNAPSHOT, SURE BET, and TRADE BARBS. Thank you, Zhouqin, for this puzzle that was a great way to begin my Wednesday.