February 9, 2023

Title: STEP UP

Constructor: Erik Agard

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:
                STEPHANIE HSU (7D: Actress who played Joy in "Everything Everywhere All at Once")
    WASTE PRODUCTS (14D: Worthless materials)
FIRST EPISODE (19D: Season premiere)

Theme synopsis: The word STEP is found in each vertical theme answer, and in the grid, these STEPs visually STEP UP.

Things I learned:
  • NHL (5D: Washington Capitals' org.) I felt like I should have known this sports thing, but I didn't, so I let the answer fill in from crossings. The Washington Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL). Since 1997 they have played their home games at the Capital One Arena.
  • STEPHANIE HSU (7D: Actress who played Joy in "Everything Everywhere All at Once") I have previously written about the movie, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and I know that Michelle Yeoh plays Evelyn Quan Wang in the movie. I did not remember from reading about the movie that STEPHANIE HSU plays the role of Evelyn's daughter, Joy. In this Deadline article, STEPHANIE HSU talks about working on Everything, Everywhere All at Once.
Random thoughts and interesting things:
  • GOALKEEPER (17A: Someone who might save a bunch on turf) This is a great clue. It took me a moment to understand that it meant, "Someone who might save a bunch (of goals while playing a game) on turf.
  • ACRES (30A: "Green ___" (sitcom set on a farm)) In the sitcom Green ACRES, Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor played a New York City couple that moved to a country farm. Green ACRES originally aired from 1965-1971. 
  • PENN (31A: School near the Liberty Bell) and UNLV (49D: School near the Strip) I enjoyed the echoed format of these two clues. The University of Pennsylvania, also known as PENN, is located in Philadelphia, as is the Liberty Bell. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or UNLV, is located in Paradise, Nevada, which is part of the Las Vegas metropolitan area, and is where the Las Vegas Strip is located. 
  • BAKERIES (4D: Places to buy bolillos or baguettes) A bolillo is a type of bread that originated in Mexico. It is a variation of the baguette - the long, crusty loaf of bread of French origin - but is made as a shorter loaf. BAKERIES would be a good place to find bolillos or baguettes.
  • AGE (12D: "Act Your ___, Eve Brown" (Talia Hibbert novel)) I wrote about romance novelist TALIA HIBBERT when we saw her as a theme answer in the April 28, 2022 puzzle. Act Your AGE, Eve Brown, is the third in a trio of books featuring the Brown sisters, Chloe, Dani, and Eve. It's also the only one of this series I have yet to read - time to get on that!
  • TOES (13D: Paw parts) Speaking of paws and TOES, it did not escape Willow's notice that STEP backwards is PETS. Sometimes Willow likes to "help" me by placing her paws on my arm. 
    Helpful Willow
  • DROP (34D: ___ Everything and Read) DROP Everything and Read is a title some schools use for programs that promote sustained silent reading (SSR), or free voluntary reading. When my kids were in elementary school, their school used DROP Everything and Read. It think it's safe to say DROP Everything and Read was my son's favorite time of the school day.

    Geography review:

    • SRI (21A: ___ Lanka) The island country of SRI Lanka shares maritime borders with India and Maldives.
    • EURO (38A: Coin in Brussels or Berlin) The City of Brussels (located in the region, Brussels) is the capital of Belgium. Berlin is the capital of Germany. The currency in both Belgium and Germany is the EURO.
    I really like the visual aspect of today's puzzle. Not only does the word STEP appear to STEP UP, the arrangement of the black squares also have a STEP-like feel to them. We have some super bonus answers around the STEPS, in the aforementioned GOALKEEPER, as well as AT WHAT COST, RENT STRIKE, STEAMROLLS, PINPOINTED, and ILL-ADVISED. Thank you, Erik, for this puzzle that was a wonderful way to start my Thursday.

    Comments

    1. Always good to see Willow! Especially on a snow day.

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