November 2, 2022

Title: RUSH AHEAD

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

PASS THE BAR (18A: Something lawyers have to do to get licensed)

GOLD KIWI FRUIT (29A: It has yellow flesh and black seeds)

SUGAR SKULL (64A: It represents a departed loved one on an ofrenda)

Theme synopsis: The first word of each theme answer can be placed AHEAD of the word RUSH to form a new phrase. We have a PASS RUSH, a GOLD RUSH, and a SUGAR RUSH.

Things I learned:

• LION (5A: Animal symbol of Rastafari) The religion known as Rastafari or Rastafarianism developed in the 1930s in Jamaica. Rastafari is based on a specific interpretation of the Bible. Rasta beliefs include monotheism, a belief in one God, who is referred to as Jah. The LION of Judah, which was a symbol of the Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie, is a prominent symbol in Rastafari. The LION is also a symbol of strength, kingship and pride. I knew of Rastafarianism, but learned about its use of the LION as a symbol.
• LEI (46A: Chinese for "thunder") LEI is a common Chinese surname. As the clue informs us, the name means "thunder."

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• GOLD KIWI FRUIT (29A: It has yellow flesh and black seeds) GOLD KIWI FRUIT tastes slightly sweeter than its green cousin. Although KIWI is native to China, it was first grown commercially in New Zealand. Naming the fruit after a flightless bird native to New Zealand was a marketing move.
• FRIED (43A: Like churros and tonkatsu) Churros are pastries made of FRIED dough. Tonkatsu are pork loin chops that have been breaded and FRIED. 
• DE LA (51A: Creme ___ creme) Crème DE LA crème is a French phrase meaning "cream of the cream." The idiom is used to refer to items that are the best of the best. Here's a fun thing: The branch of Severn House Publishers that produces British crime fiction is named Crème DE LA Crime. 
• SUGAR SKULL (64A: It represents a departed loved one on an ofrenda) and LOS (52D: Dia de ___ Muertos) This is a timely pair of clues, as the Mexican holiday Dia de LOS Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated on November 1 and 2. As part of the celebration, many people make an ofrenda, or altar, to honor those who have died. A SUGAR SKULL, often colorfully decorated with royal icing, may be used to represent a family member or friend who has died. We saw the plural, SUGAR SKULLS, as a theme answer in September of this year. Today's Google doodle features a couple of SUGAR SKULLS. 
• EPEE (73A: Parafencing sword) The adaptive sport of parafencing is an event at the summer Paralympic Games. Parafencing athletes compete in wheelchairs that are fixed in a frame to limit the movement of the chair. Opponents compete to score points by touching opponents with an EPEE in certain target areas. Parafencers also compete with foil and saber, but EPEE is the most popular fencing sword in crosswords.
• LAP (5D: Spot for a sitting kitten) At our house, having COL - cat on LAP - is a legitimate excuse not to move (say to answer the door, or get clothes out of the dryer). 

  

  Willow on my LAP

• RABBIT HOLE (11D: Quick internet lookup that somehow leads to two hours of reading about the Shmoo, for example) Well, this clue made me laugh! As they say on social media, "@ me next time." Going down a RABBIT HOLE is something I do almost every morning while writing this blog. There's just so much interesting information! By the way, the Shmoo is a cartoon character shaped like a bowling pin.
• ILANA (31D: "Broad City" star Glazer) Broad City is a TV sitcom in which ILANA Glazer plays a fictionalized version of herself. 
• EYE ROLLS (40D: "Here we go again" looks) Whenever EYE ROLLS are mentioned, I am reminded of a comment my daughter once said to me. I don't remember what I said, but I remember her response, "I just rolled my eyes all the way to Minnesota." 
• LOW (66D: "Friends in ___ Places") "Friends in LOW Places" is a 1990 song by Garth Brooks. I'm not sure I'm grateful to the puzzle for this earworm!

Geography review:

• NORTH (9A: Sudan-to-Egpyt direction) Sudan and Egypt are countries in northeast Africa. (Part of Egypt extends into southwest Asia.) Egypt is directly NORTH of Sudan.
• ERIE (53A: Great Lake with a lot of walleye) Lake ERIE has been called the "Walleye capital of the world." Prior to the Clean Water Act of 1972, walleye populations in Lake ERIE declined, with one species - the blue walleye - becoming extinct. Since the 1970s, the walleye population has recovered, making Lake ERIE a popular destination for those who enjoy fishing.
• EAGLE (54D: Bird on Zambia's flag) Zambia is a landlocked country in South-Central Africa. The flag of Zambia is green with an orange African fish EAGLE in the upper right corner. Below the EAGLE is a rectangular block of three vertical stripes that are red, black, and orange. The EAGLE is flying above the vertical stripes, representing the ability of the people of Zambia to rise above the country's problems.
• YUMA (56D: Arizona's "Sunniest City on Earth") YUMA, Arizona is located in the southwest corner of Arizona. It is located near the state's borders with California and Mexico. YUMA is the sunniest place on Earth, receiving over 4,000 hours of sunshine a year. This works out to an average of 11 hours of sun a day. YUMA's weather makes it ideal for growing a number of crops. If you've eaten a salad in the winter, there's a good chance you've eaten lettuce that was grown in YUMA, Arizona.

It took me a little while to catch on to today's theme. While I am familiar with the terms GOLD RUSH and SUGAR RUSH, I did not know the term PASS RUSH. Not surprisingly, it's a sports term! Add it to the sports knowledge I have gained from crossword puzzles. My favorite answer in today's puzzle is the previously mentioned RABBIT HOLE. I also liked DEEP RED and SEEMS LEGIT. Thank you, Zhouqin, for this puzzle that was an enjoyable way to begin my Wednesday.