June 30, 2023

Title: START WITH A BANG

Constructor: Bruce Haight

Editors: Kelsey Dixon & Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

POWDER PUFF (16A: Fluffy makeup applicator)

BOOMERANG (36A: Instagram video that, aptly, plays forward and backward)

BAMBOO POLE (61A: Hard stick used for building material)

Theme synopsis: Each theme answer STARTs WITH A synonym of BANG: POW, BOOM, BAM.

Things I learned:

• AJA (22A: Steely Dan album with "Peg" and "Josie") Steely Dan's six studio album, AJA (pronounced "Asia"), was released in 1977, and was the bands biggest selling album. Three of the songs on the album were "AJA," "Peg," and "Josie." I've heard all of these songs, but my Steely Dan knowledge is a bit weak and therefore I needed the help of crossing answers to figure this one out.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• TAFT (20A: U.S. president before Wilson) William Howard TAFT was the 27th President of the United States, serving from 1909-1913. He followed Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) and preceded Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921). Eight years after serving as president, William Howard TAFT was nominated by President Warren G. Harding to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a position he held from 1921-1930. To date, he is the only person to have been both the President and the Chief Justice of the United States.
• AMORE (35A: "That's ___" (Dean Martin classic)) I wrote about Dean Martin's 1953 song, "That's AMORE," just last month.
• BOOMERANG (36A: Instagram video that, aptly, plays forward and backward) It was in 2015 that Instagram launched its BOOMERANG app, which creates one second videos that play forward and backward in a continuous loop. This clue / answer reminded me of this BOOMERANG video from six years ago. (That's my hair in the video.)
• BAMBOO POLE (61A: Hard stick used for building material) The BAMBOO plant is a member of the grass family. Some types of BAMBOO are the fastest-growing plants in the world. Certain species can grow up to 36 inches a day! BAMBOO has a strength-to-weight ratio similar to wood, which makes it a useful building material. The sustainability of BAMBOO has led to an increased use of BAMBOO POLE construction in recent years.
• ENYA (68A: "Orinoco Flow" singer) Why, yes, I do listen to ENYA's 1988 song, "Orinoco Flow" every time it's mentioned in a puzzle. 
• NOEL (69A: "The First ___" (Christmas song)) Speaking of that holiday, Christmas is less than six months away.
• PCP (5D: Main M.D.) PCP here stands for primary care physician.
• ART DECO (14D: Architectural style of the Empire State Building) The 102-story ART DECO Empire State Building was built in New York City in 1930-1931. At the time of its construction, it was the world's tallest building; it's currently the 54th-tallest in the world. ART DECO architecture is characterized by symmetry, verticality, and a use of geometric ornamentation.
• KNEES (29D: "Head, shoulders, ___ and toes") Need a brain break? Move along with a couple of rounds of "Head, shoulders, KNEES and toes (knees and toes)." 
• TRANS (34D: ___ rights are human rights) Always worth repeating: TRANS rights are human rights.
• BOS (36D: Red Sox, on an MLB scoreboard) The Boston Red Sox play their home games at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, and are thus represented as BOS on scoreboards.
• ESTELLE (43D: "The Golden Girls" actress Getty) ESTELLE Getty (1923-2008) portrayed Sophia Petrillo on The Golden Girls. She won Golden Globe and Prime Time Emmy Awards for the role.
• MAS (44D: "Live ___" (Taco Bell slogan)) Taco Bell introduced the slogan ,"Live MAS" ("Live More"), in 2012. 

Geography review:

• TEXANS (21D: People from Plano) Plano, Texas is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
• RIO (53D: Brazilian port city) Welcome back, RIO - it's only been four days since we last saw you. RIO de Janeiro, Brazil is a port city on the Atlantic Ocean.

With today's sound effects - POW! BOOM! BAM! - this crossword is enjoyably reminiscent of a cartoon panel. Perhaps it's preparing us for fireworks. In addition to the answers I've already highlighted, I liked NO CAN DO, BONJOUR, HAN SOLO, WOBBLE, and EGO TRIP. Today Kelsey Dixon (USA Today constructor, Sally's Take guest blogger, and all-around great person!) is making her USA Today editorial debut. Congratulations! Thank you, Bruce, for this puzzle that was a fantastic way to start my Friday.