Off the Grid: Sally breaks down Paste BN's daily crossword puzzle, Tracks Down
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! Tracks Down
Constructor: Noelle Griskey
Editor: Anna Gundlach
Random Thoughts & Interesting Things
- DOS (7A: Cuatro halved) and OCHO (58D: Cuatro doubled) I enjoyed this mathematical inclusion in this word puzzle, and I enjoyed the added twist of the numbers being in Spanish. Cuatro is the Spanish word for four. Cuatro halved is DOS (two), and cuatro doubled is OCHO (eight).
- CDC (10A: Atlanta-based health org.) The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is the national public health agency of the United States. CDC headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1946, the CDC is an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services.
- RIO (14A: 2016 Olympics host) The 2016 Summer Olympics were held in RIO de Janeiro, Brazil. The motto for the RIO Olympics was "Um mundo novo," Portuguese for "A New World." The 2016 Olympics were the first to be held in South America, and the first to be held in a Portuguese-speaking country.
- ZOO (15A: Facility that might have an animal conservation program) For many modern ZOOs, a primary focus is the conservation of endangered species, as well as research and education. One example of a ZOO focused on conservation is Lincoln Park ZOO in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1868, Lincoln Park ZOO is the second oldest ZOO in the United States (only Central Park Zoo in New York City is older). Lincoln Park ZOO is also notable for its free admission. The conservation programs at Lincoln Park ZOO extend beyond the ZOO itself, including projects that monitor wildlife populations in Chicago, and partnering with countries around the world.
- REN (29A: "Star Wars" villain Kylo) In the Star Wars franchise, Kylo REN is the chosen name of Ben Solo, the son of Princess Leia Organa Skywalker and Han Solo. Kylo REN was originally trained as a Jedi by Luke Skywalker (his uncle), but is persuaded to join the dark side. Adam Driver portrays Kylo REN in The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
- BISMARCK (62A: North Dakota's capital) I'm always happy to be prodded to review my knowledge of U.S. capitals. BISMARCK is the capital of North Dakota. It's also the state's second-largest city, following Fargo. My first thought here was Pierre, but then I remembered that Pierre is the capital of South Dakota, and was able to come up with BISMARK.
- UGH (67A: Negative reaction to a dad joke) and HAH (68A: Positive reaction to a dad joke) HAH! I had a positive reaction to this pair.
- UTAH (1D: Four Corners state) Four Corners is the site where the boundaries of four U.S. states meet. Those states are UTAH, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
- PUGET SOUND (3D: Inlet that Seattle and Olympia are on) PUGET SOUND is located along the northwestern coast of the state of Washington. The city of Seattle is located between PUGET SOUND and Lake Washington. The city of Olympia – which is the capital of Washington – is located on the southern end of PUGET SOUND.
- USPS (24D: Org. that sells Forever Stamps) The United States Postal Service (USPS) has been issuing Forever Stamps since 2007. Forever stamps are sold at the current first-class postage rate, and remain valid as first-class postage forever (thus the name!) regardless of postage rate increases. I took advantage of the mention of Forever stamps to take a look at the designs that are currently available. Have you seen the Alex Trebek stamps? I think they're quite fun. Pairing nicely with the reference to animal conservation in the ZOO clue, USPS currently offers Protect Sea Turtles and Save Manatees designs in their Forever stamp offerings.
- THE FAR SIDE (31D: Gary Larson comic strip) THE FAR SIDE comic ran in syndication from December 31,1979 until Gary Larson's retirement on January 1, 1995. Gary Larson's work can be found on THE FAR SIDE's official website. THE FAR SIDE comic is characterized by its surreal and often random style of humor.
- ESTEE (33D: Cosmetician Lauder who said, "Be strong. Be confident. Be the star of your own life.") ESTÉE Lauder founded her cosmetics company in 1946 with her husband, Joseph Lauder. We see the name ESTÉE in the puzzle on a fairly regular basis thanks to those helpful three Es. I really liked that this clue gives us a quote – and an inspiring one at that – to add some interest.
- ASHA (57D: "Wish" protagonist voiced by Ariana DeBose) Wish is a 2023 animated Disney movie. Ariana DeBose provides the voice for ASHA, a 17-year-old girl who makes a wish on a star and then meets a living, magic fallen star.
Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis
- PUGET SOUND (3D: Inlet that Seattle and Olympia are on)
- RUNNING BACK (17D: Offensive football position)
- THE FAR SIDE (31D: Gary Larson comic strip)
TRACKS DOWN: The last word of each vertical (DOWN) theme entry can be placed in front of the word TRACK: SOUNDTRACK, BACKTRACK, and SIDETRACK.
When I see the word DOWN in the title, it immediately alerts me to look in the DOWN answers for the theme. Today that is indeed where the theme is to be found. I appreciate the consistency that each type of TRACK is a single word. Thank you, Noelle, for this enjoyable puzzle.