| Asset-freezing org. (CONTEST ALERT! My new all-skill, solve-at-home crossword contest benefiting the Alzheimer's Foundation of America is Sept. 30. First prize, $2,500. For details visit www.alzfdn. |
| A crossword editor has to be very careful when changing one--unlike this puzzle's editor, who was careless four times herein |
| Phase of history. |
| First word across in the first-ever crossword (1913) and the first of a dozen appearances of the word in this puzzle's grid, written word search-style (left, right, down, and diagonally) ... Can you f |
| Conversation is ___ in which a man has all mankind for his competitors": Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| A bakery has one |
| Alternative to purchase |
| Padded purchase, perhaps |
| Crossword framework |
| Anchor who has no idea what he's talking about? |
| Evergreen tree has critical condition that's contagious (7) |
| Activity suggested by this puzzle's theme entries |
| All, e.g., for this answer's last six letters? |
| Type of guitar that usually only has four strings |
| Every garçon has one |
| Partially obscured (and a hint to this puzzle's theme) |
| Roman goddess of chastity |
| Fictional rabbit chaser |
| Alternative title of this puzzle, in view of what can be placed in front of the answers to the 10 asterisked clues |
| Adjective forbidden in crosswords because it's gross and bodily |
| Annual cause of losing an hr.'s sleep hidden in this puzzle's 10 longest answers |
| Alternate title for this crossword? |
| ALS Ice Bucket Challenge participant who's scored 4,976 buckets for the SuperSonics and Thunder: 2 wds. |
| It has tasty legs |
| Dilbert" cartoonist Scott Adams has one: Abbr. |
| Worshipped crossword constructor, e.g. (okay, I know, there aren't any, but a man can dream) |
| Video game that comes out today (9/9/09), whose songs/levels are referenced in this puzzle, with "The |
| French comic series that has sold 350+ million copies worldwide |
| Audiophiles' purchases |
| Free cash machines, but apparently only if you have a "bank account" that already has "money" in it |