January 6, 2023

Title: TECH HUBS

Constructor: Rebecca Goldstein

Editor: Anna Gundlach

Theme Answers:

WHITE CHRISTMAS (14A: 1942 holiday song that is the bestselling single of all time)

CLIMATE CHANGE (35A: Subject of Just Stop Oil protests)

CHOCOLATE CHIPS (56A: Semi-sweet pancake mix-ins)

Theme synopsis: Each theme answer has a TECH HUB in the sense that the word TECH connects the two words of each answer.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• WHITE CHRISTMAS (14A: 1942 holiday song that is the bestselling single of all time) Irving Berlin wrote "WHITE CHRISTMAS" for the 1942 musical movie, Holiday Inn, which starred Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. There are over 500 recorded versions of "WHITE CHRISTMAS," but it is Bing Crosby's version that is the bestselling single of all time. 
• CLIMATE CHANGE (35A: Subject of Just Stop Oil protests) Just Stop Oil is a coalition of environmental activists in the United Kingdom that uses civil resistance and direct action to bring awareness to CLIMATE CHANGE. Their aim is for the British government to commit to stopping the licensing and production of fossil fuels. CLIMATE CHANGE is, of course, a serious issue, but it delighted me to see that someone in the Just Stop Oil group has a sense of humor, as evidenced on their FAQ page. The response to "What do you do with your money?" is "Apart from tea and sandwiches we use the funds to organise, pay for accommodation and travel costs." Sidenote: A similar organization in the United States is called Declare Emergency.
• OTIS (44A: Singer-songwriter ___ Redding) It's been just three days since we've seen OTIS Redding in the puzzle. Tuesday's clue also mentioned OTIS Redding's songwriting abilities with a reference to the song, "Respect." He also wrote "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," "These Arms of Mine," and "I've Been Loving You Too Long." OTIS Redding (1941-1967) was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1994. 
• HAL (54A: "Malcolm in the Middle" dad) Malcolm in the Middle is a TV sitcom that originally aired from 200-2006. The show centers on a family whose middle child - named Malcolm, of course - has a photographic memory and an IQ of 165. Malcolm's dad, HAL, is played by Brian Cranston.
• LOO (55A: Looky-___ (rubbernecker)) In addition to a rubbernecker or gawker, another definition of looky-LOO (also spelled lookie-LOO) is one who looks but doesn't buy. This second definition is often used in reference to those attending Real Estate Open Houses without any intention of buying. It was fun to see a clue for LOO that wasn't a reference to a British bathroom!
• CHOCOLATE CHIPS (56A: Semi-sweet pancake mix-ins) Yum! This clue/answer combo reminded me of a Facebook post of mine from 13 years ago:
  
• TREVOR (61A: The ___ Project (LGBTQ youth nonprofit organization)) I'm always happy to highlight The TREVOR Project, a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services, as well as other mental health support services, to LGBTQ+ youth. I encourage you to learn more about this organization that is doing good work.
• EVE (5D: Titular Sandra Oh spy character) That character would be EVE Polastri. On the British TV series, Killing EVE, Sandra Oh portrays an investigator tracking the psychopathic assassin, Villanelle (played by Jodie Comer).
• SESAME (16A: Major ingredient in halvah) Halvah (also spelled halva or halwa) is a confection that originated in the Middle East. There are many varieties of halva, including a VERSION made with SESAME butter or SESAME paste (tahini). SESAME halva is popular in Israel and among Jewish communities throughout the world.
• LOPEZ (50D: "I'm Real" singer Jennifer) "I'm Real" is a 2001 song from Jennifer LOPEZ, recorded for her album, J.Lo. Another song titled, "I'm Real," with completely different lyrics, was included on a re-issue of the album as well as on the 2002 remix album, J to tha L-O! The Remixes.

Geography review:

• FIR (41A: Evergreen tree on Oregon's license plate) Since 1988, Oregon's license plates have featured a Douglas FIR in the center of the plate and mountains in the background. The Douglas FIR is Oregon's state tree. The Douglas FIR is native to the western United States. Its name honors a Scottish botanist, David Douglas, who traveled through Oregon in the 1820s. The scientific name of the Douglas FIR, Pseudotsuga menziesii, honors a Scottish surgeon and naturalist, Archibald Menzies.
• LOS (58A: The "L" in L.A.) LOS Angeles (L.A.), California is the second most populous city in the United States (following New York City). 

ALL RIGHT! Three fabulous theme answers today united by being TECH HUBS. I also enjoyed the answers SECRET SAUCE, HIGH ROLLERS, and the ACHOO-SNEEZE combo. Thank you, Rebecca, for this puzzle that was a fantastic way to start my Friday.