September 22, 2022

Title: TORE DOWN

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

TOMATO RED (3D: Color similar to scarlet)

NO NEED TO REPLY (5D: "This email doesn't require a response")

AUTO REPAIR (30D: Mechanic's field)

Theme synopsis: Each vertical (DOWN) theme answer contains the word TORE.

Things I learned:

• MAMA (17A: Who Grey says "thank you" to) I needed to rely on crossing answers to figure out this answer, but learning about Grey and MAMA has brought joy to my day. This clue is a reference to a TikTok video that has received over 12 million views. The video was posted on Mother's Day 2020, and is a compilation of videos of a young child thanking his MAMA for giving him plates of food. It's adorable, and I can understand why it went viral. Grey's MAMA is Linda Meeker, and she has written a children's book called, "Thank you, MAMA," that was published earlier this year. 
• MAURA (36A: "General Hospital" actress West) MAURA West has played the role of Ava Jerome on the soap opera, General Hospital, since 2013. She previously (1995-2010) played the role of Carly Snyder on As the World Turns. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• NATO (5A: Alliance since 1949) The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance between 28 European countries and Canada and the United States. NATO's headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium.
• BAND (9A: BTS or Black Panther) I fell into the trap here or thinking about the Marvel Comics superhero, Black Panther, instead of the Chinese rock BAND founded in 1987. BTS is a South Korean BAND formed in 2013. 
• STATUE (20A: Christ the Redeemer is one) Christ the Redeemer is a 98-foot tall STATUE on a 26-foot high pedestal located at the peak of Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The STATUE was voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. 
• AGE (30A: The minimum one for Medicare is 65) This clue made me laugh, not because Medicare is funny, but because we have been thinking a lot about Medicare at our house lately. Although I am a number of years away from qualifying for Medicare, my husband is just one month and one week from the AGE of 65. The amount of mail we receive about various Medicare plans and programs is equivalent to what our children received from colleges when they were juniors and seniors in high school.
• ANIMALS (56A: Dogs, hogs and frogs) This is a fun clue. Why are rhyming words so delightful?
• INTRA (64A: The "I" in IUD) IUD stands for INTRAuterine device. IUDs have been used as a form of birth control since the 1800s.
• EARL (32D: The James ___ Jones Theatre) The James EARL Jones Theatre is a Broadway theater in New York City. Previously known as the Cort Theatre, it was renamed earlier this year to honor three-time Tony Award-winning actor, James EARL Jones. The first production in the newly-renamed theater will be the play Ohio State Murders, which will open in December.
• ASHES (37D: "In order to rise from its own ___ a phoenix first must burn" (Butler)) "In order to rise from its own ASHES a phoenix must first burn," is a quote from Octavia Butler's 1998 novel, Parable of the Talents. 
• LASIK (49D: Vision correction surgery) LASIK stands for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis" - is it any wonder it's referred to as LASIK? LASIK surgery is performed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. I had the honor of watching this procedure when my daughter had LASIK. It's amazing to me that LASIK is possible, but the thing I will always remember is the look on my daughter's face when she first realized she was able to see clearly without glasses.

Geography review:

• SFO (26A: Bay Area airport code) The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located south of San Francisco, California in San Mateo County. 
• EURO (33A: Currency in Spain and Lithuania) Spain is located in southwestern Europe, and its capital is Madrid. Lithuania is located in central Europe on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. The capital of Lithuania is Vilnius. Both Spain and Lithuania are members of the European Union, and use the EURO as their currency.
• ERIE (65A: City between Cleveland and Buffalo) ERIE, Pennsylvania is located along Lake ERIE. If you traveled approximately 100 miles from ERIE, Pennsylvania, following the coastline of Lake ERIE, you would find yourself in Cleveland, Ohio (if you were traveling west) or Buffalo, New York (if you were traveling east).

My favorite theme answer today is NO NEED TO REPLY - such magical, freeing words. I enjoyed this take on a classic USA Today theme type. In addition to the theme, I liked the answers NOBLE CAUSE, SAFETY NETS, ARE WE ON, and MY DEAR. Thank you, Zhouqin, for this puzzle that was a fabulous way to begin my Thursday.