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There are roughly, by my ears, ten, probably more, different birds outside my window cawing and chirping at the top of their lungs right now. It’s a chaotic symphony, equal parts Philip Glass and Glenn Branca. It’s lovely and can really only mean one thing: spring is upon us.
Another sign of spring is The Indie 500 which is this Saturday! It’s D.C.’s finest crossword tournament. Nay, D.C.’s only tournament. Alas, I won’t be able to make it, but maybe you can. Now, I know most of the guys and the gals behind the event, and like I always say, they’re okay. You’ve got tournament directors Erik Agard (fresh off some HBO special), Andy Kravis, Neville Fogarty, and Angela Halsted. Them’s good people. They’ve also assembled a gorgeous batch of puzzles from some up-and-coming constructors. I know because I test-solved the lot. So anyway, it’s a fun event, apparently they serve pie. So throw them a couple bucks if you can’t make it in person and you’ll get the crosswords via email. And you’ll keep the alternative puzzling community happy and healthy. All right? All right.
Share the puzzle. New one on Monday.
Can someone explain the pun in 27 across? I’m feeling particularly dense today and can’t figure it out myself.
When altered as according to the theme, the answer is the name of a TV producer who was prolific in the 70’s and 80’s.
I think it’s a reference to Aaron Spelling, famous TV producer of extremely popular series in previous decades, And father of Tori Spelling, famous actress in current, or at least recent TV series. Tori also makes frequent apprearances in crosswords, perhaps even some by BEQ.
Must be STARLINGS outside your vvindovv. These noisy predatory birds that multiply at fiercer rates than lemmings or rabbits are here cuz some Shakespearean Scholar vvanted to introduce to the American ecosystem every single bird mention in a Shakespearean Play. “Starling” happens to be mentioned in one of the Henry IV plays. All the other birds did not fare too vvell in their nevv environment but the inaptronymic Starling did just find.