February 12, 2023

Title: OUTSIDE CHILD

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

TOOK TO HEART (17A: Internalized)

THANKS A LOT (28A: "That was really helpful," sarcastically)

TEAM MASCOT (47A: T.C. Bear, for the Minnesota Twins)

TOMATO PLANT (61A: Something staked in a garden)

Theme synopsis: The word TOT is found at the OUTSIDE edges of each theme answer.

Things I learned:

• CRISP (23A: Like a just-picked Zestar) Zestar - stylized as Zestar! - is an apple cultivar developed at the University of Minnesota. Zestar! is known for its early ripening season, and is capable of growing in northern climates.
• IRS (42A: Form 1040-SR org.) I recognized the 1040-SR as a tax form, so was able to easily fill in the answer of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, I just learned when I looked it up that the 1040-SR is a tax return form for seniors. (That's taxpayers age 65 or older, not high school seniors.) The form, which was created as a result of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, features larger print and a standard deduction chart. It's designed to be used for those filling out their taxes by hand rather than online. Even if you are over 65 (or your spouse is), Form 1040-SR is simply an option, not a requirement.
• MTV (64A: "The Challenge" channel) The Challenge is a reality TV show on MTV that first aired in 1998 and is currently in its 39th season. Contestants on the show compete against each other in various extreme challenges. 
• EVEN PAR (7D: What E stands for on a golf leaderboard) This made sense once I uncovered the answer, but I didn't know this sports-related answer when I first read the clue. In golf, each hole is assigned a PAR score. A player's score is recorded in relationship to PAR, either a certain number of strokes under (-1, say) or over (+2, perhaps) PAR. And, as the clue informs us, if a player scores EVEN PAR, their score for that round is marked as an E.
• TARO (49D: Root vegetable in imoni) Imoni is a soup that originated in Japan. The soup is made of TARO and meat.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• TEAM MASCOT (47A: T.C. Bear, for the Minnesota Twins) MLB's Minnesota Twins have had T.C. Bear as their TEAM MASCOT since 2000. The "T.C." in the TEAM MASCOT's name stands for the "Twin Cities" of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Here's a fun fact: Only three of MLB's 30 teams do not currently have an official TEAM MASCOT: the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Yankees, and the Los Angeles Angels.
• SAKE CUP (4D: Drinking vessel for nigori) Nigori is a variety of SAKE which is generally cloudier than other varieties. This is due to a broader mesh used for filtration, resulting in fine rice particles remaining in the drink. 
• KSU (30D: School with an Olathe campus, for short) Kansas State University (KSU) has its main campus in Manhattan, Kansas, and branch campuses in Olathe and Salina.
• SEEN (31D: "Have You ___ Her" (Chi-Lites hit) "Have You SEEN Her" is a 1971 song by the R&B/Soul quartet, the Chi-Lites.
• SLIT (33D: Thin cut on a qipao) A qipao is a close-fitting Chinese dress. A qipao has a SLIT on each side of the skirt.

Geography review:

• SYRIA (66A: Country with the world's oldest capital) SYRIA is a Western Asian country along the Mediterranean Sea. Its neighbors are Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon. Damascus is the capital of SYRIA. Damascus has been continuously inhabited since the early 2nd millennium BCE. That's a lot of history. Sadly, partly as a result of the ongoing Syrian Civil War, Damascus is currently ranked as the least livable city in the world.
• SKI RESORTS (26D: Aspen and Sun Valley, for two) Aspen is a SKI RESORT town in Colorado. It was originally founded as a mining camp, and is named for the abundance of aspen trees in the area. Sun Valley is a SKI RESORT city in central Idaho. 
• O CANADA (44D: National anthem sung in Vancouver) Although "O CANADA" has served as CANADA's national anthem in practice since 1939, it only officially became the country's national anthem in 1980. Vancouver is a city in the Canadian province of British Columbia. I have not been to Vancouver, but my husband and I are planning a trip there this fall. So, if you've been to Vancouver (or live there!), please send travel tips our way. (We're planning to drive across Canada from Winnipeg to Vancouver, so we'd welcome tips for any place along that route!)
• TEL (62D: ___ Aviv) Prior to this month, we hadn't seen TEL Aviv, Israel mentioned in the puzzle since October 5, 2022. However, the city is currently on a crossword roll, as this is its third appearance so far this month. (Just a reminder that the only thing this means is that I like data!)

In addition to the answers highlighted above, I also liked FUNNEL CAKE, I KID YOU NOT, and I FEEL YA. Thank you, Zhouqin, for this puzzle that was an enjoyable way to start my Sunday.