128. Funny Money

The entry deadline for the annual Jay Kennedy Scholarship is Feb. 12. The award goes to the best college cartoonist (starting his/her junior or senior year this fall).

127. P(alindr)oem

Happy New Year — Text and illustration © 2008 Patrick Merrell, from Bird Brainteasers

126. 2010 Calendar

Back by semi-tepid demand, my 2010 mouse calendar is now ready for download in two popular sizes (PDF):
• COMPACT for young eyes
• REGULAR for old eyes

124. Blogging for the NYT

Starting today Monday, November 2, I begin writing for the daily New York Times crossword blog, Wordplay. I’ll be manning the desk all this week and then continuing on beyond that, playing tag team in weekly chunks with the incumbent host, Jim Horne. Come check it out, and leave a comment about the day’s puzzle if you’re feeling the urge.

122. Odd Night Is a Failure

An odd group, 67 competitors, turned up for the 13th annual Pleasantville crossword tournament on the night of September 25th and failed to finish off an overflowing table of baked goods. They did much better with the Monday through Wednesday crosswords from next week’s New York Times. Jeffrey Schwartz, Bob Mackey and Ken Stern tackled the final (Thursday) puzzle on stage, finishing in that order. One of the highlights of the evening was host Will Shortz’s correct pronunciation of the name of Ashish Vengsarkar’s collaborator on a recent Sunday Times puzzle, Narayan Venkatasubramanyan.

Below: MAD magazine art director Sam Viviano, one the contestants, kept himself busy by doodling between rounds. Pictured, clockwise from left, are: Frank Longo, ?, Barry Weprin, maybe Tony Orbach (although Sam was doubtful since the resemblance is iffy), Rob (one of Will’s Ping-Pong-playing pals) and Amanda Yesnowitz.

115. Crosswide Puzzle

Can you figure out why this crossword grid looks the way it does? The answer appears after the cut.

108. 2009 Mouse Calendar

My annual mouse calendar is now ready for downloading. It features all 365 days as well as highlighted drawings of red-letter days such as July 4th (so you won’t forget which day it’s on) Grandparents Day, and the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.

…………………………………………………………………
Download the hi-res PDF of your choice:
• Compact version (5×7″ — 2 on a sheet)
• Midsize version (7×9″)
• Both in one handy pdf!

Calendar preview:

101. 4 Years Ago

The NYT crossword from Election Day ’04 (pdf only): DOWNLOAD

PLUS! A 2008 POLITICAL QUICK QUIZ
Unscramble each phrase to spell a candidate’s name:
1. I NEED JOB  2. MACcHO IN N.J.  3. AAA BARK COMB
4. NASAL I HARP  5. HARDER PLAN

100. Squares #41

93. Fall Books (for the kids)

Count Gravy’s Horror Hall of Fun: 64 pages of ghoulish fun for ages 8-12 — puzzles, illustration and book design by Patrick Merrell
Pony Play Games & Puzzles: 144 pages for all your equestrian pals ages 6-10 — puzzles by Patrick Merrell and Helene Hovanec, illustration and book design by Patrick Merrell

Click on the HORROR HALL cover to see the TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Click on PONY PLAY cover to go to Amazon.

80. Hasta La Vista, SCI-DOKU

The last Scientific American SCI-DOKU will run Tuesday, March 4th, ending the puzzle’s 15 month run. It will then “march forth” no more.

67. 2008 Mouse Calendar

Click to download a pdf of my 2008 “mouse”
calendar in both compact and AARP sizes:

41. Pleasantville Wrap-up

A sizeable flock of contestants braved the clammy weather Friday night to test their wits at the 11th annual crossword tournament in Will Shortz’s hometown of Pleasantville, NY. The room was filled with both individual and doubles team competitors, puzzlemaker types who hovered as judges, and enough baked goods to feed the town’s middle school. Next week’s Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday NY Times puzzles winnowed the field down to three finalists — Nancy Taubenslag, “Jeffurry” Schwartz, and the eventual champ at solving Thursday’s puzzle on the big easels, Bob Mackey!

Afterward, a small parade of the crossword faithful made their way over to Will’s house for more snacks. A fine spread of Doritos, Lay’s potato chips, dip, carrots, cookies, soda, and beer were laid out. I assume Will provided his traditional house and puzzle collection tour for the uninitiated, but since it’s so close to Halloween, I headed home before the witching hour. All in all, another highly successful installment of this very friendly and fun annual event, with proceeds benefiting the town’s Fund for Learning.

39. This Just In

On WordPress’s Growing Blogs page, Pat Tricks stands one spot ahead of Football Jesus Betting Consultant. However, it still trails Drug Education News and ΦΩΝΗ ΤΗΣ ΡΟΔΟΠΗΣ and lags far behind Gerbil News Network.

37. Shortz Sightings

Will Shortz’s annual crossword tournament in Pleasantville, NY, will take place Friday, October 26, 7:30-9:45. It’s a friendly, low-key event featuring the Mon-Thur puzzles that will appear in The NY Times the following week. Proceeds benefit the Pleasantville schools. [CLICK HERE] for complete info.

On Wednesday, October 24, Will Shortz and longtime puzzle figure Doug Heller will host a night of dinner, fun and games, and a showing of “Wordplay” in the Philadelphia area. This a fundraiser for Doug’s run for commissioner in Springfield, PA. [CLICK HERE] for complete info.