>I broke this into two parts,  part 2 on its way... Thanks to Pete.
Incredible moderating job, even though I didn't get placed :-(
>
>-=------------------------------------------------------------
>
>==>  SPOILER ALERT!  SPOILER ALERT!  SPOILER ALERT!  SPOILER ALERT!
>
>Thanks to everyone who participated!  This was great fun.
>
>First, let me just say that this was one tough contest to judge!
>There were great clues and great puzzles, and selecting a winner from such
>a diverse collection was no easy task.  So, before I change my mind <g>,
>the winner is:
>
>Jake Bergmann, with his extremely clever and entertaining clue set #8;
>
>followed by runner up
>
>Gail Koontz, with her challenging and thematic clue set #11,
>
>and honorable mentions to
>
>David Ellis Dickerson, clue set #1
>Murray Smith, clue set #2,
>Karen Lingel, clue set #5, and
>John Hakemian, clue set #6.
>
>Jake has indicated a willingness to moderate ACC #91.
>
>Before I actually get to the clue judging, there are some things I'd like
>to note.
>
>1)  At the risk of repeating myself, these were excellent puzzles on the 
>    whole.  The fact that there were seven clues per puzzle, with all
>    different words, made comparisons very difficult.  I want to stress
>    that many puzzle sets didn't miss by much, that judging is a very
>    personal and subjective activity, and that even within that realm
>    of personal preferences it is extremely tough to compare unlike
>    clues; frankly, on a different day, other puzzles may have risen
>    to the top -- it was *that* close.
>
>2)  Cruciver (David Ellis Dickerson) warned me when I announced this 
>    puzzle that the grids might be difficult to solve since I had
>    more unchecked squares (i.e. no confirmation from crossing words)
>    than checked ones.  He was right, especially on some of the tougher
>    word sets!  My reasoning at the time was that I didn't want to make
>    the grid so restrictive as to scare off people who might not be
>    that adept at choosing a wordset.  In retrospect, I think eight
>    seven-letter words, each with four checked letters might have
>    been better.  Who's to say.  :-)
>
>3)  If you're even reading this, I assume it's because you like cryptics.
>    If you like cryptics, and you're reading this, and you haven't
>    gone and solved the puzzles first, then just stop now and go get
>    the other post that has just the clues -- there's a solid block
>    of good entertainment there, believe me!  Why spoil it?
>
>4)  I elected to put the "author recognition" (where requested) in the
>    clues-only post, where I felt it belonged.  This makes it slightly
>    removed from the judging (making it less "personal") while still
>    acknowledging people's creations.  
>
>5)  I found it interesting that there was some similarity in the selection of
>    words.  There were not only two "elegy" clues, but also "shadows",
>    "shadowy", "shallow", and "swallow".  Not that there's anything wrong 
>    with that, but what are the odds given only 14 entries?  :-)
>
>Okay, enough rambling.  Here is the full clue listing with explanations and
>my comments (indicated by "==> ").
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #1
>
>1) Film set's rewritten action for Jane Fonda? (7)
>1A) LEFTISM
>Explanation: "Film set" anagram
>
>==>  Is "leftism" action or philosophy?
>
>5) Crispin's part in flawed *Teachers* (7)
>5A) FACULTY
>Explanation: C ("Crispin's part") inside FAULTY
>
>==>  Very good.  
>
>6) More accurate author in *The Recital* (7)
>6A) RIGHTER
>Explanation: homophone of "writer"
>
>==>  I don't know...if one *my* kids said "righter" to mean "more accurate"
>==>  I'd certainly admonish them.  On the other hand, I really like the
>==>  homophone indicator.
>
>1) Role: a Fierstein part that's more developed (7)
>1D) LEAFIER
>Explanation: hidden word
>
>==>  Nicely hidden.
>
>2) Movie that's a brief hit (5)
>2D) FLICK
>Explanation: two definitions
>
>==>  Easy, but good.
>
>3) Test one color set in *Damage* (7)
>3D) MIDYEAR
>Explanation: I ("one") plus DYE ("color") inside ("set in") MAR ("Damage")
> (A "midyear" is a type of exam, when used as a noun)
>
>==>  A sound clue.
>
>4) One hundred walked out of Kirk Douglas feature? (5)
>4D) CLEFT
>Explanation: C (100) + LEFT  (One of Kirk Douglas's most striking features is
>the cleft in his chin)  
>
>==>  Nice surface; nice concept.  If only it weren't so obvious.  Still, every
>==>  puzzle needs its starting point; for me, this was it.
>
>==>  Overall, nice blend of theme and balanced clue types into a solvable and
>==>  entertaining puzzle.  Surface readings are functional, but not elegant;
>==>  there are only a couple that could possibly be mistaken for anything but
>==>  a cryptic clue.  Honorable mention for David Ellis Dickerson.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #2
>
>1/6A) Colorful sunset delights Hakemian? (1,3,3,2,5)
>        Answer: A RED SKY AT NIGHT
>        Clue-type: definition-by-example
>        Colorful sunset = definition
>        delights Hakemian = 2nd definition by inference from the 
>                well-known adage "A red sky at night, sailor's delight 
>                - A red sky in the morning, sailors take warning". 
>                
>         SURFACE: Obviously this clue has a limited circulation
>         potential given the obscure (even to followers of this newsgroup)
>         reference to Sailor John (Hakemian). The first two words in the 
>         clue are intentionally 14 letters long as a red herring.
>
>==>  Actually, it was a double red herring, with either "colorful" or 
>==>  "delights" doing duty as the indicator.  What I don't understand is 
>==>  why you chose to use Hakemian [no offense, John].  Not only does it 
>==>  limit the circulation of the puzzle, but it doesn't seem to me to *add* 
>==>  anything to it; it's not a common enough name to be misleading in any 
>==>  way (I figured pretty quickly what you meant by it), and it's not like 
>==>  "sailor" is a particularly difficult word to clue, either directly or 
>==>  by allusion.
>
>5) *in 1d* Joe encased uranium in larger bomb (7)
>5A) *in 1d* Joe encased uranium in larger bomb (7)
>        Answer: REGULAR
>        Clue-type: anagram/container
>        *in 1d* refers solver to the 1 Down answer for clarification
>        Joe = definition
>                In America, Joe is a uniformed soldier in the army - 
>                hence, a regular
>        encased = container indicator
>        uranium = U
>        in larger = fodder
>        bomb = anagram indicator
>        REG(U)LAR     
>
>==>  If this had been a single clue competition, and this clue had just 
>==>  started "In America, Joe encased...", I might have argued that it 
>==>  bordered on unfair.  However, in context I did solve it (thanks in 
>==>  large part to the 'R' and 'G'), so I can't criticize it on that front.  
>==>  It's one of those clues for me that you figure out what the word 
>==>  probably is from the context of the puzzle and then say "but how does 
>==>  fit the def--[light goes on]-- Oh yeah!"  :-)
>
>6A) *See 1 across*
>
>==>  ditto
>
>1D) The states Maine, Rhode Island, and California follow one (7)
>        Answer: AMERICA
>        Clue-type: charade
>        The states = definition (uncapitalized intentionally to mislead)
>        Maine = ME; Rhode Island = RI; California = CA
>        follow = directive
>        one = A
>        A(ME)(RI)(CA)
>
>==>  This was the "gimme" clue for me.  My immediate reaction upon seeing
>==>  state names was to note their two-letter abbreviations.  From
>==>  "MERICA", there wasn't much of any place else to go.  I'm not sure
>==>  what the surface means -- follow one *what*?
>
>2D) First resurrect your God ... expect little except lament (5)
>        Answer: ELEGY
>        Clue-type: reverse acrostic
>        First = initial letters indicator
>        resurrect = raise from the ground = reversal in down clue
>        Y(our) G(od) E(xpect) L(ittle) E(xcept) = ELEGY
>        lament = definition
>
>==>  The surface meaning escapes me, and I'm not convinced that the indicators
>==>  are perfect.  I would think "first" ought to be "firsts", as it is
>==>  applying to more than one word.  Also, it would seem cleaner if the 
>==>  acrostic indicator and reversal indicator swapped positions; you
>==>  want to reverse the acrostic, not take an acrostic of the reversal
>==>  (which would amount to grabbing the last letters of each word, no?)
>==>  Still, I knew what you meant...  :-)
>
>3D) Beginning time period! (4,3)
>        Answer: YEAR DOT
>        Clue-type: &lit
>        Beginning = definition ("In the beginning ...")
>        time = year
>        period = dot
>
>==>  I had to go to the dictionary for this one, but it works.  Though it does
>==>  fall into what I consider "partial &lits", since "beginning" applies only
>==>  to the definition and not the wordplay.
>
>4D) Dialect from this language (5)
>        Answer: SLANG
>        Clue-type: hidden word
>        Dialect = definition
>        from = hidden word indicator
>        thi(S LANG)guage = fodder
>
>==>  Solid hidden word.  Easy, but most hidden words are.
>
>==>  Overall, I enjoyed solving this puzzle.  Great balance of clue types and
>==>  difficulty, resulting in the moderate challenge I expected from a puzzle
>==>  of this size, with three pretty easy clues giving enough help to crack
>==>  the more difficult ones.  Honorable mention for Murray Smith.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #3
> 
>1) Biting fish? (7)
>1A) SNAPPER	&lit.  Snapper is one who bites and is a kind of fish.
>
>==>  Hmm.  This sounds like a typical American crossword "punny" clue,
>==>  but I feel it's lacking as a cryptic.  To be an &lit double definition
>==>  (if such a thing truly exists...I haven't seen any definitive arguments
>==>  on this one) it would have to, as a whole clue, define two different
>==>  meanings of the word.  This sort of does, but each "definition" suffers
>==>  from the superfluous half.  In other words, though a fish that bites 
>==>  could be called a "snapper", so could a dog or a horse or a camel --
>==>  the "fish" part is irrelevant.  Likewise, a "snapper" is a fish, whether
>==>  it happens to bite (or even have a biting taste) or not.  A straight
>==>  double definition would be cleaner.  Perhaps: "One who bites fish (7)"?
>
>5) He delivers a game knock (7)
>5A) POSTMAN	Double definition.
>	He delivers = what a POSTMAN does
>	a game knock = 1. Postman's Knock (parlour game)
>      2. a good innings (cricket; perhaps one who bats for a long time 
>                          without scoring many runs)	
>
>==>  I find the second definition a stretch no matter which you choose.
>
>6) Formal attire required at this party (7)
>6A) NECKTIE	&lit. Formal attire = NECKTIE
>	      this party = necktie party (a hanging or lynching)	
>
>==>  Again, I wouldn't call it an &lit, but at the very least it probably
>==>  warrants a '?'. 
>
>1) The first course is served, but very little of it, apparently (7)
>1D) SOUPCON	Homophone.
>	the first course is served = soup's on
>	very little of it = SOUPCON (yes, it's in the OED)
>	apparently = homophone indicator
>
>==>  Two problems here.  1) "apparently" refers to how something *appears*,
>==>  thus referencing the sense of sight, not sound;  as such, it fails as
>==>  a homophone indicator.  2) your definition splits the indicator and
>==>  the fodder.  Definitions must be either at the beginning or at the
>==>  end (not in the middle), and an indicator must appear adjacent to
>==>  the fodder it to which it applies.  On the bright side, I like the
>==>  concept of the clue and did figure out what you meant the answer to be.
>==>  A word of warning, though.  Be careful in your decision to use homophones
>==>  for words that have multiple pronunciations.  Especially for words like
>==>  this one where the primary pronunciation reflects the language from 
>==>  which the word comes (in this case French).  Remember that cryptics
>==>  tend to cater to a global audience.
>
>2) Collect a large quantity (5)
>2D) AMASS	Charade.
>	Collect = AMASS
>	a = A
>	large quantity = MASS
>
>==>  AMASS means "to gather into a mass".  Therefore, using the "a mass"
>==>  charade for the cryptic portion is too close etymologically. 
>
>3) Broken tureen I put together again (7)
>3D) REUNITE	Anagram.
>	Broken = anag indicator
>	tureen I = anag fodder
>	put together again = REUNITE
>
>==>  Decent anagram.
>
>4) Soldier encountered another soldier (5)
>4D) EMMET	Charade.
>	Soldier = EM (enlisted man)
>	encountered = MET
>	another soldier = ant = EMMET
>
>==>  Nice concept for a difficult, but not unfair, clue.  I do think a '?' is 
>==>  appropriate here, since "soldier" referring to "ant/emmet" is not a 
>==>  straight definition.
>
>==>  Overall, I found the obscurity of several of the clues made the whole
>==>  close to unsolvable.  Still, you had some nice concepts.  Keep at it!
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #4
>
>Puzzle theme, of sorts:  Living Things
>
>1) Eat and roll around like a pig on Saturday (7)
>1A) SWALLOW 
>    "eat" = def.
>    "roll around like a pig" = "wallow"
>    "on" = adjoinment indicator
>    "Saturday" = "S"
>
>==>  Nice charade.  Fairly easy, as there aren't many words besides 
>==>  "wallow" that mean "roll around like a pig".  Good imagery.  :-)
>
>5) NBC's logo and program intro:  each deplorable to the audience (7)
>5A) PEAFOWL 
>    "NBC's logo" = def.
>    "program intro" = "P"
>    "each" = "ea" (abbrev.)
>    "deplorable to the audience" = homophone ("foul")
>
>==>  If you asked 10,000 people what the NBC logo was, how many do you think
>==>  would say "Peafowl"?  I think I'd put my money on "zero"... :-)
>==>  Especially when you consider the likely possibility that the cluer is
>==>  looking at (as I was):  P _ A _ O _ _ , where the logical definition
>==>  so obviously (it would seem) fits.  Also, I had no problem justifying
>==>  to myself that "pea" and "cock" could both be considered 
>==>  deplorable-sounding.  Really threw me off when I got to the 
>==>  WALLEYE clue.  :-)
>
>6) At heart, mistletoe takes after this prickly plant (7)
>6A) THISTLE 
>    "at heart" = use central letters of
>    "mistletoe"'s heart = "tle"
>    "takes after" = positional indicator 
>    "this" = "this"
>    "prickly plant" = def.
>
>==>  I found this clue easier than its construction would seem to indicate.  I
>==>  think its because the similarity of mISTLEtoe to the answer, even though
>==>  you're technically only using the middle three letters, makes the answer
>==>  jump out at you just a bit quickler than it otherwise might.
>
>1) Eve was deceived by this false present (7)
>1D) SERPENT
>    "Eve was deceived by this" = def. (Biblical ref.)
>    "false" = anagram indicator
>    "present" anagrammed = "serpent"
>
>==>  Decent, if easy, anagram.  Personally, I like my anagrams "more mixed".
>
>2) A gale dispersed the seaweed (5)
>2D) ALGAE
>    "a gale" anagrammed = "algae"
>    "dispersed" = anagram indicator
>    "the seaweed" = def.
>
>==>  Nice surface; easy anagram.  In fact, for people bordering on dyslexia
>==>  (like I am sometimes) the answer's sitting there.  :-)  Not much
>==>  "dispersion" from "a gale" to "algae".
>
>3) Before you, in days gone by, we kept every game fish (7)
>3D) WALLEYE
>    "before" = positional indicator ("you ... by" after "we ... every")
>    "you, in days gone by" = "ye"
>    "we" = "we"
>    "kept" = containment indicator ("we" kept "every")
>    "every" = "all"
>    "game fish" = def.
>
>==>  This one would have been easier if I didn't have a 'K' in the middle
>==>  from "PEACOCK"...  :-)  Reasonable charade/container.
>
>4) Turkey's youth demonstrate displeasure about Lebanon's capital (5)
>4D) POULT
>    "Turkey's youth" = def.
>    "demonstrate displeasure" = "pout"
>    "about" = containment indicator
>    "Lebanon's capital" = "L"
>    [Webster's Ninth indicates that "youth" is "usually" plural when
>    referring to animals, which hopefully leaves the door open for 
>    using it singularly for my definition]
>
>==>  Excellent container.  I think "outside" as an indicator would flow
>==>  better in the surface reading, though I like "about" better from
>==>  a cryptic standpoint.
>
>==>  Overall, not bad.  I found the PEACOCK/PEAFOWL confusion to be
>==>  frustrating.  Also, a bit heavily dependent on charades and
>==>  charade-combinations.  Nice selection of words.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #5
>
>TRICKS AND TREATS
>=================
>
>TRICKS AND TREATS:  I chose this name because many of my clues have 
>	misdirections (the "tricks"), but hopefully figuring it out 
>	was a "treat".  Also it is almost Halloween.  
>
>==>  Since this was a stated attempt, I feel comfortable commenting on
>==>  your misdirections.  Note that they are comments only, I did not
>==>  penalize a clue if I didn't find the "trick" misleading.
>
>	Also I should say I had a lot of fun doing this contest.
>	I am pleased with the progress I am making in writing cryptic
>	clues.  Meeting the challenge to my satisfaction is more 
>	important to me than the competition itself.  
>
>1) Celebrity:  with it, fudge makes a comeback (7)
>1A) STARDOM   (reversal charade)
>	Celebrity        = def.
>	with it          = MOD   ("with it" and "mod" are from the same era.)
>	fudge            = RATS  (as in "Oh, fudge, I broke a nail!  Rats!")
>	makes a comeback = reversal indicator = STAR DOM
>	Trick:  I think this whole clue is tricky, but fair.
>
>==>  Well, I figured out that the answer was probably STARDOM and *still* 
>==>  couldn't see how it worked.  I even noticed that it was "mod rats" 
>==>  backwards -- still nothing...  Yes, now that I see your explanation I 
>==>  can understand it, but I doubt it would have come to me since both 
>==>  charade parts are pretty obscure usages.  The "with it" = MOD, wouldn't 
>==>  be that bad on its own, but I wonder how many would figure out the 
>==>  "fudge" = RATS connection without your sentence example in the 
>==>  explanation.
>
>5) Monster ate nothing but cavalry man (7)
>5A) DRAGOON  (container)
>	Monster     = DRAGON
>	nothing     = O
>	ate         = container indicator (DRAG(O)ON or DRAGO(O)N)
>	cavalry man = def.
>
>==>  Nice clue.  In a less constricted environment it probably would have
>==>  read better as a plural clue (Monsters...men --> dragoons).  As it is,
>==>  we've probably got one *hungry* monster.  :-)
>
>6) Thin models lend erotic clothes (7)
>6A) SLENDER  (hidden)
>	Thin               = def.
>	modelS LEND ERotic = hiding place
>        clothes            = hidden indicator (clothes, the verb, as in covers)
>	Trick:  "erotic" could have been an anagram indicator	
>
>==>  Well, it wasn't *too* tricky since "clothes" would have to be the 
>==>  fodder, which would leave the unlikely "Thin models lend" as the 
>==>  definition.  Also, and perhaps this is picky, I find the cryptic 
>==>  sentence structure to be a bit awkward grammatically.  It would seem 
>==>  that either:
>==>    [hiding place] [hides] [definition]  or
>==>    [definition] [found in] [hiding place]
>==>  are smoother than
>==>    [definition] [hiding place] [hides]
>==>  Still, I liked the clue.  Excellent use of the indicator "clothes" 
>==>  as a noun!
>
>1) Secretly follows ghosts (7)
>1D) SHADOWS (double def.)
>	Secretly follows = def.
>	ghosts           = def.
>	Trick: "follows" is sometimes used in charade clues.
>
>==>  Excellent double definition!  Again, the "trick" doesn't last (unless 
>==>  the clue is an &lit) as there aren't enough words to satisfy the red 
>==>  herring charade with a definition.
>
>2) Spoken sounds of psychic origin (5)
>2D) AURAL  (homophone)
>	Spoken             = "oral"
>	sounds             = homophone indicator
>	of psychic origin  = def.
>	Trick:  Either "spoken" or "sounds" could be homophone indicators.
>
>==>  I need to check my other dictionary; I know you mean AURAL as "with an 
>==>  aura", but my MW9 defines it only as "of or relating to the ear or to 
>==>  the sense of hearing".
>==>  [Later...] Well, Chambers bears you out with "pertaining to the air or to 
>==>  an aura".  Thank God for multiple sources.  :-)
>
>3) She and I, like cockneys, wander aimlessly (7)
>3D) MEANDER (charade)
>	like cockneys      = "with cockney accent and grammar"
>	She and I          = ME AND 'ER
>	wander aimlessly   = def.
>	Trick:  "aimlessly" could be an anagram indicator.
>
>==>  Not to keep picking on your tricks or anything, but... <g> "aimlessly"
>==>  would be unlikely to be construed as an anagram indicator (for more than 
>==>  a second or two) since there is no fodder of the appropriate length.
>==>  As for the clue itself, I don't know how to validate the cockney...but I
>==>  was able to solve the clue, thanks mostly to a pretty straight-forward
>==>  definition (not many other words come to mind that mean "wander 
>==>  aimlessly").
>	
>4) Might possibly stir up cloud (5)
>4D) COULD (anagram)
>	Might possibly     = def.  ("Take your umbrella; it could rain today")
>	stir up            = anagram indicator
>	CLOUD              = anagram fodder
>	Trick?: "possibly" might be used as anagram indicator?  
>
>==>  Yes, we have definite "trick" potential here.  Also, "up" (in a down
>==>  clue) has to make one think reversal.  My only problem with this one
>==>  is that I don't like anagrams that aren't mixed enough.  Somehow,
>==>  shifting one letter a couple of positions doesn't seem "stirred up".
>
>==>  Overall, a nice puzzle with good variety.  Except for the "STARDOM"
>==>  clue, I liked them all.  Excellent set of words.  Honorable mention
>==>  for Karen Lingel.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #6
> 
>1) Had sex together, conducted bounding out of bed (7) 
>1A) COUPLED  
>    "Had sex" = definition of COUPLED 
>    "together conducted" = COLED (co-led) 
>    "bounding" = container indicator 
>    "out of bed" = UP   CO[UP]LED 
>    Surface: makes an interesting picture... 
>
>==>  I don't understand the surface.  What does it mean to "conduct
>==>  bounding"?  Or am I reading it wrong?  Nice cryptic elements.
> 
>5) Lost container's top, returned the wine (7) 
>5A) RETSINA 
>    Beheadment (of CANISTER) and Reversal clue. 
>    "container" = CANISTER; "Lost top" = ANISTER 
>    "returned" = reversal indicator = RETSINA 
>    "the wine" = definition of RETSINA (ever visit a Greek Taverna?) 
>    Surface: I keep pushing the cork INTO the bottle! 
>
>==>  Tough clue,  but not unfair.  Strange surface.
>
>6) No pardons without a hundred connections (7) 
>6A) NEXUSES  
>    "No" = N plus "pardons" = EXCUSES = NEXCUSES 
>    "without a hundred" = instruction to remove the C (hundred) 
>    "connections" = definition of NEXUSES 
>    Surface: a lesson for the McDougals? 
>
>==>  I like the surface and I like the construction.  The purist
>==>  in me notes that both "nexus" and "connection" stem from
>==>  from the Latin "nectere" -- to tie or to bind, making the
>==>  definition a bit close. 
>     
>1) Heard roadkill is kept under the seat? (5-2) 
>1D) CARRY-ON 
>    "Heard" = homophone indicator 
>    "roadkill" = carrion, homophone for CARRY-ON 
>    "is kept under the seat" = definition of a CARRY-ON, 
>                               a standard piece of luggage 
>    Surface: ...only on pickup trucks 
>
>==>  Cute.  :-)
> 
>2) Put metal back into American singles (5) 
>2D) UNITS 
>    "metal" = TIN and "American" = US 
>    "back" = reverse TIN to NIT; "into" US = UNITS 
>    "singles" = definition of UNITS 
>    Surface: probably HEAVY metal, I bet... 
> 
>==>  Not *Kraft* singles I hope!  :-)  Very good reversal/container.
>
>3) Surprisingly, Mondays are for active people (7) 
>3D) DYNAMOS 
>    "Surprisingly" = anagram indicator 
>    "Mondays" = anagram fodder, anagrammed to DYNAMOS 
>    "are for" = equivalence language 
>    "active people" = definition of DYNAMOS, as is popularly used today. 
>    Surface: I guess I'm not a dynamo, since I hate Mondays 
>
>==>  In fact, it's not really that surprising at all!  :-)  Good
>==>  anagram -- not too obvious at all, IMO. 
>
>4) Whomever is not eating, smell the leader's roses (5) 
>4D) WINES 
>    Acrostic Clue, with "the leaders" as the indicator 
>             Whomever Is Not Eating Smell 
>    "roses" = definition of WINES 
>    Surface: I have NO IDEA what this surface means! 
>
>==>  I'll have to agree with you here; the surface is pretty meaningless.
>==>  Took me a few moments after I figured the acrostic to see how it
>==>  fit the definition (I thought you meant *color* at first).  Loses
>==>  something without the accent on the 'e'.
>
>==>  Overall, a very enjoyable puzzle.  Surfaces a bit strained, but
>==>  very good balance and usage of styles.  Excellent cryptic elements.
>==>  Honorable mention for John Hakemian.
>--------------------------------------------
>
>Clue Set #7
>
>Theme: crosswords (except for those darn 5-letter words)
>
>1) Arranged letters "let rest" (7) 
>1A) SPELLED
>	double definition
>
>==>  Nice surface, with a misdirection that had me thinking "anagram"
>==>  all the way.  The problem I have is with the first definition;
>==>  I don't see "arranging letters" to be the same as "spelling".
>==>  Arranging implies that they already exist in some improper
>==>  order and that they need to be reorganized.  Spelling is determining
>==>  both what the letters are AND in what order they belong.
>
>5) Composed the grid with correct orientation (7)
>5A) RIGHTED
>	anagram of "the grid"
>
>==>  Okay, which way did you mean it?  I assume you meant "composed"
>==>  to be the indicator, as it doesn't seem to quite fit as a 
>==>  definition (though not that far off).  But, "with correct
>==>  orientation" is an adverbial phrase, and just "correct
>==>  orientation" is a verb of the wrong tense to mean "righted".
>==>  Actually, it's damn close to being an &lit!  :-)
>
>6) Trouble was at first seen in light that was vague (7)
>6A) SHADOWY
>	trouble = ADO
>	was at first = W
>	light = SHY (as in poker)
>	SH(ADO+W)Y
>	vague = defn.
>
>==>  Very tough clue, but I like it.
>
>1) Solution from still cryptic output? (7)
>1D) SPIRITS
>	double definition
>	a solution produced from a still
>	and an output of crypts
>
>==>  Hmm.  I like the concept.  Unfortunately, I can't find any
>==>  support for "cryptic" meaning "pertaining to crypts".  The
>==>  adjective found is always "cryptal".  I don't know that the
>==>  '?' can legitimize this leap.  Still (no pun intended), I
>==>  *did* know what you meant...
>
>2) Ella F.'s successor vocalized Dead's song (5)
>2D) ELEGY
>	F's successor = G
>	Sounds like ELLA G.
>
>==>  Cute.  It seems, though, that "Dead" ought not to be capitalized
>==>  for the definition.  (Or are you referring to a Grateful Dead
>==>  song called "Elegy"?)  Was there no way to get the word to the
>==>  beginning of the clue?
>
>3) Fill in crossword, and if you do, make it look nice (7)
>3D) DANDIFY
>	hidden word
>	(Fill is to be used as a noun)
>	do make it look nice = defn.
>
>==>  Congratulations are in order here.  Hidden word clues are 
>==>  notoriously obvious and easy to solve.  This one does a
>==>  *great* job both in fodder and indicator, weaving it into
>==>  a "dandy" clue!
>
>4) Partner invested sawbuck in office pool (5)
>4D) STENO
>	partner = SO (significant other)
>	sawbuck = TEN
>	S(TEN)O
>	a steno pool exists in some office environments
>
>==>  Nice container.  I still don't think of partner as SO, though
>==>  I'm certainly aware of the acronym.  Even after I solved it I
>==>  was thinking that SO meant "south" (as in bridge partner).  :-)
>
>==>  Overall, just a couple of weak spots.  Nice work with the
>==>  theme, and a challenging little puzzle.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #8
>
>**INSTRUCTIONS  -  PLEASE READ**
>In this puzzle, clues can be solved only after inserting
>a three-letter item in place of the asterisks.  The seven
>items are the members of an everyday set.  The surface
>will not make sense after insertion, however.
>
>The inserted items, the abbreviations of the days
>of the week, are shown in braces.
>
>1) Sounds like Santa's laugh ** and my echo? (7)
>1A) HOMONYM
>Sounds like Santa's laugh {MON} and my echo?
>sounds like (sounds-like)   slightly askew definition
>Santa's laugh               HO
>MON                         MON
>my echo                     YM
>
>==>  Two issues.  Firstly, I agree that the defintion is askew:
>==>  "Homonym" is a noun, "sounds like" is a verb phrase.
>==>  Secondly, I don't care for "my echo" -> YM.  To me,
>==>  "echo" does not imply a mirror-image reversal but rather
>==>  a repetition or imitation.  Sure, it comes "back" -- but
>==>  it doesn't come back "backwards".
>
>5) Story about lively ** Cremona's second violin maker (7)
>5A) LUTHIER
>Story about lively {THU} Cremona's second violin maker
>Story                       LIE
>about                       container signal
>lively THU                  UTH
>Cremona's second            R
>  L(UTH)IE + R
>violin maker                definition
>
>==>  This is one hard clue!  I suppose if the fact that a 
>==>  violin maker is called a luthier is common knowledge to
>==>  someone, it would be quite simple.  But for those of us
>==>  for whom this is not the case, it's a hard word to get
>==>  to.  Partial anagram/container/charade combination!
>==>  Wow!  Still, nothing inherently wrong or unfair.  Just 
>==>  tough, and that in itself is not necessarily a bad thing.
>
>6) In the mouth, ** close to being drilled (7)
>6A) TUTORED
>In the mouth, {TUE} close to being drilled
>In the mouth                homophone signal
>close to                    TOWARD
>  TUE TOWARD homophone
>being                       link to definition
>drilled                     definition
>
>==>  I suppose you could make an argument that tutoring and
>==>  drilling are close enough to the same thing.  It's not
>==>  a natural definition to me, but it works.  Nice homophone.
>
>1) ** Dog feet gripping yellow part of a barn (7)
>1D) HAYLOFT
>{SUN} Dog feet gripping yellow part of a barn
>sun dog                     HALO
>feet                        FT
>gripping                    container signal
>yellow                      Y
>  HA(Y)LO+FT
>part of a barn              definition
>
>==>  Another tough combination, but this time without the
>==>  tough definition, making it much more reasonable.
>
>2) Objectively, I ruin ** roasts (5)
>2D) MEATS
>Objectively, I ruin {SAT} roasts
>Objectively, I              ME
>ruin SAT                    ATS
>roasts                      definition
>
>==>  Very nice.  "Objectively, I" is not obvious, but it
>==>  works.
>
>3) Vivacious admirer ** (7)
>3D) MARRIED
>Vivacious admirer {WED}
>vivacious                   anagram signal
>admirer                     anagram fodder
>WED                         definition
>
>==>  Good anagram.
>
>4) Be caught in tangled ** thread (5)
>4D) FIBER
>Be caught in tangled {FRI} thread
>be                          BE
>caught in                   container signal
>tangled FRI                 FIR
>  FI(BE)R
>thread                      definition
>
>==>  Another solid clue.
>
>==>  Overall, this was a fine puzzle!  Above and beyond what was called
>==>  for, slightly unorthodox, and very creative!  Isn't that what the
>==>  ACC is all about?  I was particularly impressed with the variety
>==>  with which you wove the days of the week into the clues.  Winning
>==>  entry for Jake Bergmann!
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #9
>
>1) Support obstruction of physical therapy (7)
>1a) BACKRUB
>support=BACK
>obstruction=RUB (as in "there's the rub")
>physical therapy= definition
>
>==>  Breaking a compound word into its component parts is usually
>==>  considered a cheap way out.  Also, I think maybe calling a
>==>  backrub "physical therapy" is a bit of a stretch.  On the
>==>  plus side, I was convinced for quite some time that the word
>==>  was going to end in "PT".  :-)
>
>5) Chessboard pieces-- they aren't with it? (7)
>5a) SQUARES
>double definition (squares are pieces of a chessboard, the surface is 
>an attempt to make one think of chess pieces;  squares are also 
>people who are not with it.)
>
>==>  No problem here.
>
>6) Force use of note paper (7)
>6a) REQUIRE
>Force use of= definition
>note =RE
>paper= QUIRE
>
>==>  Tough charade, but solid.
>
>1) Blowhard uses it after bad, bad result (7)
>1d) BLUSTER
>Blowhard uses this= definition
>bad=B
>bad= anagram indicator
>result= fodder => B+LUSTER
>
>==>  I don't understand why the "after" is in there for a charade/
>==>  anagram.  Also, I can't figure out in what context one would
>==>  abbreviate "bad" as "b".  Is this a standard abbreviation?
>
>2) To obfuscate is Canadian forte (5)
>2d) CLOUD
>To obfuscate= straight definition (to "cloud" the issue)
>Canadian=C
>forte = loud  (standard musical definition, and, note, a reversal of 
>               the typical convention of loud=f).
>
>==>  Nice charade.  Interesting surface.  
>
>3) Short British version of EQUUS (7)
>3d) BRUSQUE 
>Short = straight definition of brusque
>British = Br
>version of EQUUS = USQUE =>  BRUSQUE (EQUUS was a famous stage play and 
>                                     (movie.  The flick starred Richard
>                                     (Burton, I believe.)
>
>==>  Good clue.
>
>4) Extremists question one Asian  (5)
>4d) IRAQI 
>Extremists =IRA
>question = Q
>one = I
>Asian = IRAQI
>
>==>  Interesting charade.  I find "extremists" to be a touch vague
>==>  for IRA without some indication of either geographical area or
>==>  that an abbreviation is involved.  Still, a good clue.
>
>The only theme is the attempt to put as many q's in the puzzle as possible
>without using unfamiliar words.  Thanks for moderating.  This was fun.
>
>==>  Overall, a pretty difficult puzzle.  A bit heavy on charade and 
>==>  charade-combinations.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #10
>
>1)  Pesters animals (7)
>1A)  BADGERS (7)
>
>Double def  Pesters = BADGERS (as in bothers) = animals
>
>==>  Solid double definition.
>
>5)  Very loud music introduces top flyer, nothing loud, to start the
>    game (4,3)
>5A   FACE OFF (4,3)
>
>very loud music = FF
>introduces = container indicator
>top flyer = ACE
>nothing = O
>loud = F
>to start the game = def of face off
>
>==>  A few little things about this clue bother me, but most of all
>==>  it's the awkward and seemingly meaningless surface.  FF means
>==>  "very loud" in a musical sense, but not "very loud music"; it's
>==>  an adjective, not a noun.  "Introduces" is a good container
>==>  indicator!  Container/charades can be awkward if it's not clear
>==>  where the breaking point is.  By this I mean, how much of what
>==>  follows the container indicator is contained?  Something of the
>==>  form "'AB' contains 'c' plus 'd' plus 'e'"  could mean any of 
>==>  the following:  "AcdeB", "AcBde", or "AcdBe".  Also, I think
>==>  I would have said "start a game" instead of "start the game"
>==>  since it is a very small percentage of kinds of games that
>==>  actually start with a face-off.
>
>6)  Bovine raised to the power of three?   Grandparent took one to make
>    me a member of the top university (7)
>6A)   OXONIAN
>
>bovine = ox, raised to the power of three? = cubed - hence OXO
>grandparent = NAN
>took = container indicator
>one = I
>member of the top university = def (an Oxonian is a member of Oxford
>University)
>
>==>  Pardon me if it's my own ignorance, but I don't understand why "OX"
>==>  "cubed" is "OXO".  Am I missing something here?   I feel like there's
>==>  a clever concept here, but I never would have figured it out.  (Still
>==>  haven't, actually).  :-)
>
>1)  Nude and topless symbol of virtue is plain animal (7)
>1D)   BUFFALO (7)
>
>plain animal = def of buffalo
>nude = BUFF
>topless = decapitation indicator
>symbol of virtue = (h)ALO
>
>==>  Nice concept here; I like the charade/deletion combination and
>==>  the use of the word "plain".  My only quibble, and granted many
>==>  would consider it minor, is that the meaning of "buff" as "nude"
>==>  stems (at least indirectly) from the word "buffalo".  Strange
>==>  surface (and doesn't nude sort of *imply* topless?).
>
>2)  Floppy, so nought follows at this music venue (5)
>2D)   DISCO (4)
>
>floppy = DISC
>nought = O
>follows = position indicator
>this music venue = def of disco
>
>==>  Not a bad charade.  Some would call it "computerese" I'm sure,
>==>  but these days anyone who doesn't know "floppy dis[k/c]" probably
>==>  isn't hanging around any newsgroups...  :-)  Don't know what the
>==>  surface is supposed to mean.
>
>3)  First spicy and fragrant flower redolent of nectaries (7)
>3D)   SAFFRON (7)
>
>first = initial letter indicator
>(S)picy (A)nd (F)ragrant (F)lower (R)edolent (O)f (N)ectaries = def of
>saffron
>
>==>  I'm assuming this is an &lit clue (i.e. that the whole sentence is
>==>  meant to define "saffron").  I'm no botonist, and I'm not sure
>==>  what you mean by it being the "first" such flower, but I don't
>==>  feel I'm in any position to call the definition wrong by any
>==>  means.  And the clue is easy enough to solve that it almost
>==>  doesn't matter, even without the '!', favored by most American
>==>  cluers to indicate the &lit type.  This clue type is generally
>==>  known as an "acrostic".
>
>4)  Time I pursued my voluptuous gazelle-eyed beauty (5)
>4D)   HOURI
>
>time = HOUR
>pursued = position indicator
>me = I
>voluptuous gazelle-eyed beauty = def of houri (from arabic hawra =
>gazelle-like)
>
>==>  I like this clue.  It's difficult, but even if you don't know
>==>  that "houri" exists you can still get there and then verify it.
>==>  I think "gazelle-eyed" is superfluous, as the dictionaries I
>==>  checked just say "voluptuous beauty".  Frankly, I doubt the
>==>  Arabic derivation would clue that many people in.  :-)
>==>  Oh yes, and the surface is good also.
>
>==>  Overall, a decent effort.  Tough, bordering on unfair in spots,
>==>  but clever, with an interesting selection of words.  Surface
>==>  readings could use some attention.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #11
>
>I call it CRIME DOESN'T PAY:
>
>1A) Medicine's rapid absorption reversed poison (7)
>	Medicine's rapid - hiding place for CINESRA
>	absorption - hidden word indicator
>	reversed - reversal indicator ( > ARSENIC)
>	poison - definition of ARSENIC
>	[reversal, hidden word]
>
>==>  Very nice reversal/hidden word.  Excellent usage
>==>  of fodder into a meaningful surface.
>
>5A) Avonlea girl sucked up by spring twister (7)
>	Avonlea girl - ANNE (from _Anne of Avonlea_)
>	sucked up by - container indicator
>	spring - SPR, container for ANNE, > SP-ANNE-R
>	twister - definition of SPANNER
>	[container]
>
>==>  Another good one.  Tough for me, not being familiar 
>==>  with the term "spanner", but certainly fair.
>
>6A) Think:  odd issues upset Scots (7)
>	Think: - definition of SUSPECT
>	odd - use odd letters only
>	issues upset Scots - fodder for S-U-S-P-E-C-T
>	[odd letters]
>
>==>  Okay, two problems here -- one serious and one a personal
>==>  pet peeve.  The peeve first:  odd numbers are 1,3,5,7,...
>==>  therefore the "odd" selections from fodder letters are
>==>  the first, third, fifth,... *not* the second, fourth,...
>==>  ("alternate" or "every other" are each less specific, as
>==>  they don't indicate whether you start on the odds or the
>==>  evens).  But here, the more serious issue is that you have
>==>  an extra letter.  iSsUeS uPsEt ScOtS  =>  SUSPESOS.  It would
>==>  only work if you took the even letters from each individual
>==>  word, not of the fodder pool as a whole.
>
>1D) Snipers disguised as rubes (7)
>	Snipers - definition of ABUSERS
>	disguised - anagram indicator
>	as rubes - anagram fodder for ABUSERS
>	[anagram]
>
>==>  This one's a bit of a stretch for me.  I think "sniper" and
>==>  "abuser", while both indicating a perpetrator of some type of 
>==>  attack (whether verbal or physical), have very different 
>==>  connotations.  Sniping tends to imply precision attacks 
>==>  from a safe distance and often hidden.  Abuse tends to be
>==>  more "heaped on" and "in your face".
>
>2D) Poach estate's last duck (5)
>	Poach - definition of STEAL
>	estate's last - S
>	duck - TEAL
>	[charade]
>
>==>  Nice charade.  Good surface.
>
>3D) Crooked policeman traps railroad union head with marijuana (7)
>	Crooked - definition of CORRUPT
>	policeman - COP
>	traps - container signal
>	railroad - RR
>	union head - U
>	with marijuana - T
>		so:  CO-RRU-P-T
>	[charade with container] 
>
>==>  Nice weaving of charade/container into a surface theme.  My only
>==>  complaint is your "with marijuana" for 'T'.  I understand that
>==>  one of the older slang terms for it is "tea", but I don't follow
>==>  the direct jump from there to the letter 'T'.  Still, I figured
>==>  out what you meant...  
>
>4D) Stab turncoat English double-crosser (5)			
>	Stab - definition of KNIFE
>	turncoat - reversal indicator
>	English - E
>	double-crosser - FINK
>		for:  KNIF-E
>	[reversal]
>
>==>  Very good!
>
>==>  Overall, a very challenging and decent puzzle with obvious thought
>==>  put into the theme.  Only one really "suspect" clue.  :-)
>==>  Runner-up honors for Gail Koontz!
>
>P.S.:  I think asking whether people prefer recognition or anonymity is a 
>GREAT idea that should be kept. I don't mind a bit having my clueing 
>mistakes exposed.
>
>==>  Thanks.  Of course, it's really up to each individual moderator to 
>==>  propogate or not.  My purpose for doing it in this particular case was
>==>  that I felt it was unfair to withhold recognition for a complete puzzle
>==>  representing a fair amount of creativity and work.  For your average
>==>  two or three clue competition, I don't think it's as critical.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #12
>
>
>1) Everything in presentation is superficial (7)
>1A) SHALLOW
>Everything = ALL
>in = containment
>presentation = SHOW
>
>ALL in SHOW = SH ALL OW
>
>superficial = shallow
>
>==>  Solid and straightforward container.  Good surface.
>
>5) Travel permit for threesome (7)
>5A) TRIPLET
>Travel = TRIP (in OED 'trip' is also listed as a verb meaning to take
>a trip; I hope this is okay)
>permit = LET
>threesome = triplet
>
>==>  Good charade.
>
>6) Smile, and embarrassed, return tooth (7)
>6A) GRINDER
>Smile = GRIN
>emabarassed = RED
>return = DER
>Tooth = grinder
>
>==>  Not bad.  The "cryptic grammar" of "embarrassed, return" seems
>==>  a touch off; it would be cleaner as "embarrassed, returned" or
>==>  "return embarrassed".  Granted, it wouldn't necessarily work
>==>  in the surface reading.
>
>1) Arranging scenery (7)
>1D) SETTING
>Arranging = setting
>scenery = setting
>
>==>  Good double definition.
>
>2) 'Moving stair' in motion (5)
>2D) ASTIR
>Moving = anagram indicator
>stair = anagram fodder
>
>in motion = astir
>
>a moving stair is an escalator
>
>I don't like partial &lits either, but if you had said you liked them,
>this was a perfect opportunity for simply:
>
>Moving stair! (5)
>
>==>  A slightly strange surface read, but an okay (if easy) anagram.
>
>3) Dancer goes round and round (7)
>3D) WALTZER
>Dancer = waltzer (i.e one who waltzes)
>goes round and round = waltzer (the fairground ride also known as a
>roundabout)
>
>==>  I'm not as crazy about this one for two reasons (well, three if
>==>  you count the fact that I'd never heard of a "waltzer" fairground
>==>  ride; but I can't fault you for that <g>).  Firstly, I have to
>==>  imagine that a "waltzer" is so called because it's motion
>==>  resemble that of someone doing the waltz.  If so, are we really
>==>  defining two etymologically different usages of the word?
>==>  Secondly, "goes round and round" is a verb phrase describing
>==>  what a waltzer does, while "waltzer" is a noun.  
>
>4) Squeeze part of a double-edged sword (5)
>4D) BLEED
>Squeeze = bleed (as in to take advantage of)
>part of = hidden word indicator
>
>a douBLE-EDged sword = hidden word fodder
>
>==>  The handle, I hope.  :-)  My only minor quibble here is that
>==>  "sword" is extraneous in the fodder.
>
>==>  Overall, a solid and well-balanced set of clues.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Clue Set #13
>
>1) Death reported on a carriage (7)
>1A) PHAETON
>
>reported = homophone indicator
> death = fate = homophone fodder = PHAET
> straight clue = carriage = PHAET + ON = PHAETON
>
>==>  This is tough word for a partial homophone.
>
>5) Controversial composition of a mole in the photograph (7)
>5A) POLEMIC
>
>composition = anagram indicator
> mole = anagram fodder = OLEM
> photograph = PIC
> in the = containment indicator
> straight clue = controversial = P + OLEM + IC = POLEMIC
>
>==>  Wow, another toughie.  Surface is strangely awkward, but it's
>==>  hard to put my finger on why.  What makes a the composition
>==>  controversial?
>
>6) Ordered the editor to back up the statement of his opinion (7)
>6A) DECREED
>
>editor = ED
>back up = reversal indicator = DE
>statement of his opinions = CREED
>straight clue = ordered = DE + CREED = DECREED
>
>==>  Good reversal/charade.  Excellent surface reading.
>
>1) Inflamed procurer directed proceedings (7)
>1D) PIMPLED
>
>procurer = PIMP
> directed proceedings = LED
> straight clue = inflamed = PIMP + LED = PIMPLED
>
>==>  I wouldn't have classifed "pimpled" and "inflamed" as the
>==>  same thing, but there are definitions of each that come
>==>  pretty close.  Fine charade.
>
>2) And pull it oddly, having reached majority (5)
>2D) ADULT
>
>oddly = position indicator
> AnD pUlL iT = ADULT
> straight clue = having reached majority = ADULT
>
>==>  The definition is a bit off, I think.  "Having reached
>==>  majority" is a verb phrase, while "adult" is a noun.
>==>  Even "majority" by itself would most correctly map
>==>  to "adulthood".  I won't speculate what the surface
>==>  means...  ;-)  
>
>3) Paid very close attention around the chapter marked (7)
>3D) NOTCHED
>
>paid very close attention = NOTED
> around = position indicator
> chapter = CH
> straight clue = marked = NOT + CH + ED = NOTCHED
>
>==>  Good cryptic elements.  Does it make sense to pay
>==>  close attention *around* a chapter? 
>
>4) Times change - strike quickly (5)
>4D) SMITE
>
>change = anagram indicator
> times = anagram fodder = SMITE
> straight clue = strike quickly = SMITE
>
>==>  I'm not sure why you chose "quickly", as "smite" generally
>==>  connotes overpowering force more than speed.  Still, a
>==>  decent anagram.
>
>==>  Overall, a very difficult puzzle.  Good cryptic elements.
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>Clue Set #14
>
>1A) Florid conservative edges near (crimson) 
>    Straight clue: florid
>    conservative = c
>    edges = rims
>    near = on
>
>==>  Good charade.  While there is a definition of "on" that means
>==>  "near" (i.e. the house ~ the lake), I think they are not
>==>  *generally* considered to be the same.  "On" tends to imply
>==>  contact, while "near" implies lack thereof.
>
>5A) Feminist woman accepts different parents (mothers)
>    feminist woman = ms
>    different = other
>    accepts = indicator to put "different" inside "ms"
>    straight clue: parents
>
>==>  I don't like "Feminist woman" for "Ms".  "Ms" is not a
>==>  woman, it is a *title*.  And there's nothing inherently
>==>  feminist about it.  I like the cryptic construction a lot.
>==>  Surface is a little awkward.  What are different parents?
>
>6A) Exact urge (enforce)
>    exact urge = double meaning
>
>==>  Hmm.  Are these really two different meanings of the same
>==>  word?  They seem very similar to me, as in "to use force
>==>  to accomplish...".
>
>1D) Red jalopy belongs to me (carmine)
>    Straight clue: red
>    jalopy = car
>    belongs to me = mine
>
>==>  Nice charade.
>
>2D) furious pirate loses money (irate) 
>    Straight clue: furious
>    "pirate" loses "p"
>    money = p (pense -English penny) 
>
>==>  Good deletion concept, though I don't understand why you didn't
>==>  clue "pirate" instead of using it straight.
>
>3D) Revolting moose in rampage... (noisome)
>    straight clue: revolting
>    moose in (anagram)
>    rampage = anagram indicator
>
>==>  Is the moose disgusting or rebelling?  :-)  Nice anagram,
>==>  as it is unclear which end is the indicator and which is
>==>  the definition.
>
>4D) ...to reappear with dire curses (recur)
>    straight clue: to reappear
>    hidden word
>
>==>  I don't like this one much because it's too easy.  I think
>==>  it's a combination of using the word "reappear", which starts
>==>  with "re-" as the anwer does (instead of, say, "appear again"),
>==>  and the fact that the hidden word breaks on the syllable 
>==>  boundary, so that the "cur" jumps right out.
>
>==>  Overall, some nice clues with a couple that could be touched
>==>  up.
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