July 2, 2023

Title: SIDE OF VEGGIES

Constructor: Jimmy Peniston

Editors: Jared Goudsmit & Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

THE LAST UNICORN (19A: 1982 animated film about a lone mythical creature)

APPLE ORCHARD (38A: Fruit-picking place that might have a cider mill)

MUSEUM ARCHIVES (56A: Collections of historical documents not currently on exhibit)

Theme synopsis: The last words of the theme answers contain the names of VEGGIES on the SIDE: CORN, CHARD, CHIVES.

Things I learned:

• LIN (23A: "The Ugly Vegetables" author Grace) Grace LIN is a children's book author and illustrator. The Ugly Vegetables, published in 1999, was her first book. The book is based on Grace LIN's childhood experience of her mother growing Chinese vegetables in her garden rather than the flowers the neighbors grew. This is a nice bonus clue for this puzzle's theme! Also, I plan on checking out more of Grace LIN's work. She advocates for diversity in children's literature, and has created a video essay for PBS News Hour titled, "What to do when you realize classic books from your childhood are racist?" In that essay, she says, "I'm not saying we should ban them. I'm saying we should treat them like an out-of-touch relative." Grace LIN also has a Ted Talk, "The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child's Bookshelf." I'm delighted to have learned about Grace LIN today.
• EMO (34A: Music genre aptly found in "Remo Drive") I easily discovered the answer of EMO, but didn't understand why it was "aptly found in 'Remo Drive,'" until I learned that Remo Drive is the name of a band that plays indie rock, alt roc, and EMO music. Apt, indeed.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• THE LAST UNICORN (19A: 1982 animated film about a lone mythical creature) The animated movie, THE LAST UNICORN, is based on a 1968 book of the same name by Peter S. Beagle. As the title suggests, the movie's main character is a UNICORN that discovers she is THE LAST of her species on Earth. She sets out on a quest to discover what happened to the other UNICORNs. Along the way, the UNICORN encounters a number of interesting characters, including Schmendrick, a magician that accompanies her on her quest. Mia Farrow voiced THE UNICORN, and Alan Arkin, who just died three days ago at the age of 89, voiced Schmendrick.
• APPLE ORCHARD (38A: Fruit-picking place that might have a cider mill) If you ever find yourself near Iowa City, I'd be delighted to take you to my favorite APPLE ORCHARD, Wilson's ORCHARD & Farm. Our family has visited Wilson's many, many times over the years, and have so many memories associated with this APPLE ORCHARD. And, they do have a cider mill.
• NFL (44A: Org. with Eagles and Seahawks) The Philadelphia Eagles and the Seattle Seahawks are teams in the National Football League (NFL).
• TALES (49A: "___ of the City" (novel series set in San Francisco)) TALES of the City - the city being San Francisco - is a series of nine novels by Armistead Maupin. The books tell the story of a group of friends. The books have been adapted into a 1993 TV miniseries and a 2019 Netflix series, both of the same name.
• EMOTICON (62A: :D or >:( ) An EMOTICON, short for "emotion icon," uses punctuation, numbers, and letters to represent facial features. EMOTICONs were the precursors of emojis. :D is an "open-mouthed grin," and >:( is an "angry face."
• ANA (67A: "Ghosted" actress de Armas) Ghosted is a 2023 rom-com adventure movie starring ANA de Armas and Chris Evans. I have not seen Ghosted, but I thoroughly enjoyed ANA de Armas and Chris Evans starring together (with others) in the 2019 movie, Knives Out. Adding Ghosted to my lengthy "to be watched" list.
• AROUND (6D: "Rock ___ the Clock" (1950s hit)) The song, "Rock AROUND the Clock," recorded in 1954 by Bill Haley & His Comets, is older than I am!
• LION (7D: Roaring feline) and CALICO CAT (8D: Tricolor feline) Not one, but two feline clues. Willow is quite happy about this. She's especially delighted with CALICO CAT.

  

  CALICO CAT

  The three colors seen in a CALICO CAT's fur are white, orange and black. Yesterday Willow posed nicely for this photo. Maybe she had a premonition that CALICO CAT would be in today's puzzle. 
• PEN NAME (11D: Anne Rampling, for Anne Rice) Anne Rice (1941-2021) wrote gothic fiction, erotic literature, and Christian literature. Anne Rampling was one of the PEN NAMEs she used for her erotic fiction.
• TAHINI (49D: Sesame-based condiment) TAHINI is basically ground toasted sesame seed. TAHINI is a major ingredient in hummus and baba ghanouj.

Geography review:

• HONG (47A: ___ Kong (Victoria Peak's city)) HONG Kong is a city and a special administrative region of China. It is located on China's southern coast, and is surrounded on all but one side by the South China Sea. HONG Kong also includes multiple islands, including HONG Kong Island, which is where Victoria Peak is located. Victoria Peak is the highest point on HONG Kong Island. Since its elevation is 1,811 feet, I saw sources referring to it both as a hill and as a mountain. (According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there isn't an official difference between the two.) Victoria Peak offers panoramic views of HONG Kong, making it a popular destination for tourists, and a sought-after residential area.
• OAHU (29D: Kualoa Ranch's island) OAHU is the third largest of Hawaii's eight major islands. It is home to over two-thirds of Hawaii's population, as well as the state capital, Honolulu. Kualoa Ranch is a private nature reserve located on OAHU. Kualoa Ranch is a working cattle ranch, and a tourist destination offering guided tours. Many movies and TV shows have been filmed at Kualoa Ranch, including Jurassic Park, Lost, Hawaii Five-O, and Magnum P.I.

Did you enjoy your crossword with a SIDE OF VEGGIES? I liked the consistency of the VEGGIE name being hidden in each theme answer, rather than a separate word. In addition to the answers I've highlighted above, LEGO SETS, FLAVORS, LEGEND, and PAELLA were also great. Thank you, Jimmy, for this puzzle that was a superb way to start my Sunday.

Bonus cat pic: Just after I took the photo shared above, Willow did this, illustrating her goofiness perfectly!

Willow in goofy mode