After re-entering the fray (setting clues for the CCCs) after a while away 
I am beginning to remember how hard it is to win one of these damned
competitions ;-).  Bill's comments on my clues - which shall remain
unidentified - were fair.  I have a lot of work to do to gain a top spot in
Congratulations and thanks to Edward Coulson, (fyj@psu.edu )
the overall winner of CWC 110 with his fine clue for "standout"

"Special brew contains recombinant DNA  (8)"

Ed has graciously agreed to moderate CWC 111.  

Congratulations, as well to Greg Brume who scored
a first place on the alternate word "acrobat" and to Gail
Koontz who scored two solid second places on _both_ words.

In selecting the words for CWC 110 I consciously tried to 
pick more common and "easier" words than had been used for
some of the recent CWC's.  Apparently, I was only partially
successful as I received several (good-natured) grousings 
from the entrants about the difficulty of the chosen words.
With the benefit of hindsight, I think the problem was the
lack of alternative definitions for the chosen words - there
are only a limited number of ways "acrobat", for instance,
can be clued in the definition portion.  This put something of a
"straight jacket" on the way a clue could be approached.
Were I to do it again, I think I'd select words with more
alternative meanings and definitions which would allow more
variety and flexibility in the clue approaches.

The overall level of the submitted clues, IMHO, was decent 
to better than decent.  I could easily have awarded another 
half dozen or more honorable mentions.  Still awarding the four
honorable mentions together with the four first/second place 
finishers resulted in awards to 20% of the clues which seemed a 
reasonable cut-off point.

The clues, with my comments set off by ">" follow.  These are
strictly my own personal impressions of the submitted clues and,
as with most things, your mileage may vary.

The submitted clues for "standout" or "stand out":


1)Superior brew contains additive (8)

     Superior = definition
      brew = STOUT
      Contains = contains
      additive = AND

>"Superior", in its noun sense is not quite equivalent to
>"standout" in its noun sense - but it's probably fair
>enough and certainly solvable.  The surface is smooth enough
>and the cryptic portion works well but this clue does lack a
>certain "zing" necessary to place it among the very top clues. 

2)*St Dan* is an excellent example! (8)

     St Dan = STANDOUT = stand (fodder) + out (anagram indicator)
     an excellent example = def
     [this *could* be &lit if you think St Dan is an
     excellent example of  an anagram for *stand*. But I
     don't think St Dan exists]

>Well, I'm pretty sure there is no St. Dan - in the traditional
>pantheon of saints, at least.  But, I really don't understand
>this clue at all.  If you are going to anagram "standout", you
>need all the letters of "standout" there to anagram.  To
>omit the "OUT" and then expect the solver to not only divine
>the missing letters (through a prayer to St. Dan, perhaps?)
>for inclusion in the anagram fodder, but also to use those
>missing letters as a word to serve as the anagram indicator
>itself takes the indirect anagram to new heights!  "Out" would
>generally be a weak anagram indicator in any case although
>I can envision a couple of constructions where it could work.
>However, as "out" is not actually used in this clue at all,
>it's tough to determine whether this is a construction where
>it might work. 

>Perhaps I'm overlooking something here but I just don't 
>understand how this clue could be solved at all.     


3)Further limited by firm's most prominent employee (8)

     Further                   = AND (also)
     limited by                = container indicator
     firm                      = STOUT (adj)
     's                        = connector (is)
     most prominent employee   = STANDOUT (n)

>The cryptic portion is certainly solid enough but I have
>a difficult time assigning any logical meaning to the
>surface.  The use of "firm" to define "stout" is a nice
>original touch however.

4)Special brew contains recombinant DNA  (8)

     Special= Definition
     brew= STOUT 
     contains= container indicator
     recombinant DNA= AND => ST(AND)OUT

>Hmmmm - obviously the Mad Scientist is again up to no
>good in the laboratory!  Ordinarily, I don't like
>using initials as anagram fodder but "recombinant DNA"
>flows so nicely that this caused me no problems. A very
>nice clue with a smooth surface and some imaginative
>touches. First place to Edward Coulson!  

5)Holy man and loopy character do become noticeable (5, 3)

    become noticeable = STAND OUT

    Holy man = ST (abbrev. for "saint")
    loopy character = O
    do = UT
     (Merriam-Webster's 10th Collegiate: "_ut_ . . . a
     syllable used for the first note in the diatonic scale
     in an early solmization system and later replaced by
     _do_")
    
     ST + AND + O + UT = STAND OUT

>Well, I'm familiar with "ut" as it surfaced several times
>a while back in a PCWC contest.  It's an obscure word but
>it _is_ in most desk dictionaries so it's a "fair" obscure
>word.  This is a solid clue and the surface reads smoothly
>enough - my only reservations are about its solvability.
>Even knowing the answer, it took me more than a few minutes
>to puzzle this 'un out - I think the "loopy character"
>slowed me down more than the "ut".  

6)Wave at us - don't be obvious (5,3)

     Wave = anag. indicator
     at us - don't = anag. fodder
     be obvious = defin.

>Well, heck, if you don't want to be obvious, don't wave!
>"Wave", IMHO, is an excellent anagram indicator (although
>some may differ) and I like the way the anagram fodder
>"crosses" the dash.  A small bit of misdirection which
>increases the enjoyment of the eventual solution.  A
>very nice clue. Honorable mention to Gareth Williams.

7)Find a good Deli for Donuts at eye catching prices.

     "Find" anagram indicator. "Donuts at" anagram. "eye
     catching = Stand out.

>Hmmm - something is not quite right on this one.  "Find" is
>not, in my estimation, a particularly good anagram indicator.
>That might be overlooked but the plethora of superfluous words
>in the clue can't be.  "A good Deli" (why capitalized?) and
>"prices" are totally superfluous to the clue. While an
>occasional connecting word or a superfluous article or
>preposition are usually considered acceptable, entire phrases
>which form no part of the cryptic are generally not considered
>good form.  If nothing else, they tend to make a clue 
>unsolvable - how is the poor solver supposed to determine that
>"Find", "donuts at" and "eye catching" are the operative portions
>of the clue and the remainder is to be disregarded?

>It is traditional, as well, to omit the period and add an
>enumeration (i.e. "(5, 3)") when writing the clue. 

8)Don't sit in - be conspicuous? (5,3)

     Don't sit in =  stand out (punny) 
     be conspicuous = stand out 

>I'm not really sure of the fairness and validity of the
>"don't sit in" portion of the double def.  Still, I do
>appreciate the originality and the attempt at "something
>different".  Alas, it just doesn't quite work for me.

9)Recalcitrant and infirm (8)

     Recalcitrant = definition as an awkward non-conformist
     and = insertion fodder 
     in = insertion indicator
     firm = STOUT
     joining to form infirm to mislead solver
     Thus ST(AND)OUT

>There are two schools of thought on combining two portions
>of the clue in a single word like "infirm" - those who claim
>it should never be done and those who feel it is permissible, 
>especially if it adds something to the clue.  I fall into the
>latter camp and applaud the clever use of "infirm".  However,
>"recalcitrant" is an adjective and "standout" is a noun so
>the definition isn't quite right.  Still, a very solid
>effort.   

10)Exceptional, and in a dark beer (5,3)

     Type: Charade

     Exceptional = definition (STAND OUT)
     and = AND
     in = positional indicator
     a dark beer = STOUT = ST[AND] OUT

     Surface: Heard at a beer tasting

>What other type of beer _could_ be exceptional save a
>dark one?  My only nit to pick with this clue is that
>"exceptional" is an adjective and "stand out" is a verb -
>by convention and in fairness to the solver, the definition
>should be the same part of speech as the word defined.
>But otherwise, short, sweet, and solvable.

11)Excited ants taking doughnut filling away are easily spotted
   (5,3)

     excited - anagram indicator
     ants - anagram fodder  (= STAN)
     taking - indicator to add on
     doughnut - doughnut
     filling away - indicator to remove centre of do(ughn)ut
      (= DOUT)
     are easily spotted - definition

     I hope the picnic surface reading is self explanatory
     (presumably you do have jam-filled doughnuts in the US
      - even if you happen to call them jelly donuts)

>Yes, we USAians are familiar with both ants and jelly
>donuts (or doughnuts, if you prefer).  Both are a curse
>on mankind!  :-)  My only problem with this clue is
>that there is nothing which indicates the "filling" of
>a doughnut equals "UGHN" as opposed to "GH" or "OUGHNU".
>I suppose one could arrive at the correct solution by
>trial and error but it does seem a tad inelegant. An
>original clue with a smooth and logical surface though.

12)Magnificent performer was a pious man and open about his 
   homosexuality (8)

     Magnificent performer:  defn.
     a pious man:            saint -> ST
     and:                    AND
     open...                 OUT


>A nice clue although I have reservations about clueing the
>cryptic "out" as "open about his homosexuality". I'm
>familiar with the term "outing" and the phrases "come out"
>and "out of the closet" but I don't think just the word
>"out" is used in this sense, even colloquially.  
  
13)Associate of Ollie North removed from NYPD food project (5,3)

        Associate of Ollie = STAN (Laurel and Hardy)
        North = N
        NYPD food = DONUT
        STAN + (N removed from DONUT) = STAND OUT =  project

        "I'm not going to feed dat bum, he's a 
          traitor to his country! Throw him out!"

>Caught using the soup kitchen proceeds to buy donuts for
>the Contras, perhaps?   :-)

>A very nice, if perhaps overly difficult clue. The "aha!"
>in the cryptic portion is a nice bonus and switch between
>the two different meanings (and pronunciations) of 
>"project" in the surface and in the cryptic is inventive 
>and original.  Thumbs up and honorable mention to R. W.
>Thearle.


14)Conspicuous in overcast and outdoor conditions (8)

     conspicuous = standout
     in = container indicator
     overcaST AND OUTdoor = standout
     conditions = necessary extra word to give good surface -
      hopefully forgivable?

>Well, I did say I demanded a logical surface, did I not?  
>Yet, while I'm not a purist who demands that every word
>contribute to the cryptic and I readily excuse an occasional
>connector or an extra article or preposition if required
>for the surface reading, I'm afraid inserting the wholly
>superfluous "conditions" stretches things a bit too far.
>And, "conspicuous" is an adjective while "standout" is
>a noun. Both convention and fairness to the solver require
>that the definition be the same part of speech as the
>defined word.  Still, a decent effort as "standout" does
>hide smoothly and seamlessly in the clued phrase.


15)Exceptional recipe: hearty and filling [8]

  
     Exceptional = STANDOUT; recipe (instructions for making the
     word): hearty = STOUT (as in a stout fellow) with AND filling.

     ST[AND]OUT

>I think the use of "recipe" is an acceptable connector word
>although some may differ.  Short, sweet, logical.  A nice
>clue.

16)Conjunction includes large star (8)

     ST(AND)OUT

>Using "conjunction" in the astrology/astronomy sense
>makes the surface certainly plausible and smooth enough.  
>And the definition is excellent.

>My problem is that if the conjunction ("and") __includes_
>large ("stout"), the cryptic would seem to clue A(STOUT)ND
>rather than ST(AND)OUT.  

17)Endless sweets incorporated in corpulent bulge (5,3)

     Endless sweets - CANDY without its ends > AND
     incorporated in - container indicator
     corpulent - STOUT
     bulge - definition of STAND OUT

>Ah, we must all ultimately pay for our small vices!  A
>smooth, logical, and amusing surface and a solid cryptic.
>The "bulge" = "stand out" definition is a little unusual but,
>after consulting a couple of dictionaries, it seems 
>indisputably fair and certainly solvable. Second place to
>Gail Koontz!

18)Wonder and love embraced by dynasty's fifth notable pharaoh (8)

     "wonder" = def.
     "and" = "and"
     "love" = "o" (tennis term.)
     "embraced by" = containment indicator
     "dynasty's fifth" = "s" (5th letter of dynasty)
     "notable pharaoh" = "Tut"
     thus "s + t (and o) ut"

>I'm not completely comfortable with the "wonder" =
>"standout" definition - they are not quite the same
>and the differences are great enough that this may not
>be a completely fair definition. And, the charade clueing
>is unusual enough that it might be considered unfair as
>well.  Still, a nice logical surface and some imaginative
>clueing. 


19) Excel may do a stunt, if configured improperly (5,3)

     "Excel" = def. of STAND OUT
     "may" = equivalence word
     "do a stunt" = anagram fodder
     "if configured improperly" = anagram indicator
     Surface: Microsoft strikes again!

>Actually, just about anything by Microsoft will "do a
>stunt" whether configured properly or otherwise.  
>Generally, once they discover these "stunts" (bugs!)
>they add it to the documentation and call it "an additional
>feature." :-) A nit-picker would quibble a bit over the use of
>"may" as an equivalence word but all in all, both imaginative
>and solvable.  Honorable mention to John Hakemian.

20)Shine too in black beer (5,3)

     Shine -> definition STAND OUT
     too -> AND
     black beer -> STOUT (a strong porter - a beer made with
      burnt grain)
     in -> ST(AND)OUT

>The cryptic portion is certainly solid and solvable but I
>have a tough time assigning any meaning to the surface.  A
>good effort but, IMHO, just a little short of the top ranks.
    
Bonus clues for "standout."

A) A Stud not impressed or changed by Large Topless Waitress

B) Nato Stud makes all the Ladies swoon, he is one in a
   million.

C) Also noticed in fat wizard (8)


CLUES FOR "ACROBAT"

1) Tumbler: A short vessel without hold-up (7)
	Tumbler = definition
	A = A
	short vessel = CAT (Catboat or Catamaran)
	without = container indicator
	hold-up = ROB
	A[C(ROB)AT]

     Surface: This is the historical definition for "tumbler".
     S.O.E.D. - 6.a "A drinking-vessel, orig. having a
     rounded or pointed base, so that it could not stand 
     upright unsupported."

>I was aware of the origin of the term "tumbler" as it
>applies to drinking vessels - although why anyone would
>design a glass which would tip over and spill your beer 
>unless it was kept tightly clutched in hand is beyond me.
>Perhaps this is the origin of the phrase, "two-fisted
>drinker"?

>In any case, a nice charade/container although I'm a little dubious
>of the "short vessel = cat" portion.  While both catboats
>and catamarans _tend_ to be smaller, they do come in all sizes,
>including, occassionally, some of quite substantial size.


2) Bill rides rolling drum - such a performer! (7)

     Bill = ac
     rides = on top of (for a Down clue)
     rolling = reverse indicator
     drum = tabor (reversed) = robat
     such a performer = def
     lit: Bill *is* such a performer

>I'm afraid I don't understand the "Bill = ac" portion of the
>clue.  Perhaps this is a Britishism, beyond the ken of
>us colonials but I can't find it in any of my references.
>This is a decent clue save for that undecipherable (for me)
>reference but I'm afraid that problem kills this one for me.

3) Car and boat crash in midair sensation (7)

     Car              = anagram fodder
     and              = conjunction
     boat             = more anagram fodder
     crash            = anagram indicator
     in               = connector
     midair sensation = ACROBAT

>And a sensation it would take to actually get a car and a boat
>airborne in order to have a midair collision.  Still, a
>good clue - clearly solvable with a decent and logical
>surface.

4) Daredevil looks like a cool guy holding rifle (7)

     I know it SOUNDS like an NRA advertisement but it's just
     a clue :-)

     Daredevil= definition
     looks like= connector phrase
     a=A
     cool guy=CAT
     holding= container indicator
     rifle=ROB =>    A/C(ROB)AT

>And you have something against NRA advertisements?  :-) A fine
>clue - my only disagreement is with the definition.  While The
>Great Wallendas, who performed their high-wire daring-do without
>a net were certainly daredevils who happened to be acrobats,
>Mary Lou Retton and Olga Korbett were equally acrobatic 
>without a trace of daredevilry.  Just as Evel Knevel doesn't
>make "daredevil" a good clue for "motorcyclist",
>I don't think the Wallendas are sufficient to allow you to >clue acrobat as 
"daredevil".  

5) A carnivorous beast gets to violently seize a circus performer
   (7)

     a circus performer = ACROBAT

     carnivorous beast = CAT
     to violently seize = ROB
     A CAT "gets" ROB = AC(ROB)AT

>Hmmmm! I don't generally think of cats as carnivorous _beasts_
>but the clued definition is certainly accurate and fair.  A
>solid container with a nice surface.  An all-around good effort
>and honorable mention to Kevin Wald.

6) One who can balance a small drum can almost somersault (7)

     One who can balance = defin.
     a small drum = tabor
     can almost = ca(n)
      somersault = reversal indicator

>I have some reservations about "somersault" as opposed to
>"somersaulting" or "somersaulted" as the reversal indicator 
>but, with some hestitation, I think it works.  A clean, 
>logical surface and a fine cryptic portion - the "can
>almost" portion is particularly nice IMHO.  

7) Jewish and Arab Oct war leads to some pretty delicate
    balancing by the Diplomats.

     Anagram of "Arab Oct" 
     Anagram indicator leads.delicate balancing points
     to Acrobat.

>I just don't understand this clue at all - it certainly doesn't
>fit the traditional cryptic clue form.  There are too many
>superfluous words (what are "Jewish" "war" and "diplomats" doing 
>in there, anyway?) and "delicate balancing" just doesn't make it
>as an anagram indicator, IMHO. 

8) Daring gymnast smashed car, boat (7) 

     Daring gymnast = defn.
     smashed = anagram indicator
     car, boat = fodder (ACROBAT)

>Perhaps overly obvious but problem-free and a solid clue. As
>to the definition, see my comments above on clue (4) 
>regarding "daredevil" - acrobats _can_ be daring but
>it is hardly their defining characteristic or even a
>necessary characteristic.

9) Steal in a pet gymnast (7)
     Steal = ROB = insertion fodder
     in = insertion indicator
     a pet = A CAT
     gymnast = definition
     Thus, AC(ROB)AT

>The cryptic is solid but the surface perplexes me.  Gymnasts
>are seldom kept as pets and how would one "steal in" a
>gymnast, pet or otherwise, in any case?  

10) Find tumbler in taco bar (7)

     Type: Anagram

     Find = Anagram Indicator
     tumbler = definition (ACROBAT) also read as drink container
     in = location indicator
     taco bar = anagram fodder 

     Surface: The taco bar also sells drinks

>Of course they sell drinks - ya' can't make any money just
>selling tacos.  I'm not sold on the dual usage of "tumbler" -
>I don't think it quite works.  Moreover, taken literally, the
>clue seems to require that the entire "in taco bar" be anagramed.
>I think I would have preferred something along the lines of
>"Find tumbler in decrepit taco bar (7)" or some such.  Still,
>"taco bar" is a smooth and non-obvious anagram fodder.

11) He takes a tumble as current and river rock boat (7)

     he takes a tumble - definition (my Chambers defines 'tumble
     ' as 'to perform as a dancer or acrobat)
     as - link word
     current - AC (alternating current); and 
	river - R
     rock - anagram indicator
     boat - anagram fodder (= OBAT)

>The definition is just fine and the surface and the cryptic 
>are more than OK.  My only question is the use of "rock"
>as the anagram indicator - "rocked" or "rocks" would seem better
>without harming the surface a bit.  

12) Gymnast was a mean-tempered, crazy woman without any
    curves (7)

     Gymnast:        defn.
     a               A
     mean-tempered:  CROSS
     crazy woman:    BAT
     curves:         esses
     ACROSSBAT without any 'esses' is ACROBAT.
     Surface:        Mary Lou Retton's evil twin?

>Or, perhaps, Olga Korbett on a bad hair day?  I'm unfamiliar 
>with the "bat" = "crazy woman" definition and none of my
>references support this.  A shrew or a nag or just a 
disagreeable old woman ("she's an old bat!) perhaps but not
>a "crazy woman". But, the surface is smooth and the "S's" removal
>clue is imaginative without being unfair.  A nice effort.

13) I could make an agile burglar, having to steal (7)

     an agile burglar = A CAT
     to steal = ROB
     ACROBAT could make ACAT, having ROB &lit

>Well, I suppose an acrobat _would_ make an agile burglar and
>while getting from "agile burglar" to "cat" is a bit 
>unorthodox and something of a stretch, it does seem not unfair.
>My only reservation is that the "having to steal" while
>required for the cryptic and certainly smooth enough in the
>surface, seems a little redundant and quirky in the &lit 
>definition.  A nice clue.

14) Cab rota changes form quickly (7)

     cab rota = acrobat
     changes = anagram indicator
     changes form quickly = acrobat
     dual use of changes :*)

>"Cab rota" is kinda obvious anagram fodder.  And I'm not
>sold on either the definition or the dual use of "changes" -
>these would seem to be unfair to the solver 

15) He tumbles from a high bar act.  Note: without a net! [7]

	A + (anag. of BARACTNOTE - ANET)

     He tumbles: definition of ACROBAT
     from: link
     a: A
     high: anagram indicator 
     anagram fodder: BARACTNOTE without ANET = BRACOT

>But, you can't anagram "BRACOT" into "ACROBAT", as you
>end up being one "A" short!

>The use of "high" as an anagram indicator is a nice original
>touch and the &lit definition works well.  But, alas, the
>flaw in the cryptic portion disqualifies this 'un from
>placing.


16) A cold swipe at a bouncer, perhaps? (7)

     A+C+ROB+AT

>A very nice clue - the cryptic is solid and the surface 
>logical.  The definition is fair, inventive, and amusing,
>all at the same time.  Congratulations and first place to
>Greg Brume.

17) A Yugoslavian drinks primarily beer - get a tumbler (7)
     A - A
     Yugoslavian - CROAT
     drinks - container indicator
     primarily beer - B
     A-CRO(B)AT
     get - connector
     a tumbler - definition of ACROBAT

>Another excellent clue.  A Croat would probably reject the
>"Croat" = "Yugoslavian" definition but it seems fair for the
>rest of us.  I think the surface and the cryptic might be improved
>if the clue were "A Yugoslavian drinks primarily beer FROM a
>tumbler." but still a fine and certainly solvable clue. Second
>place to Gail Koontz.

18) Gymnast and pirate trapped in a lion's cage (7)

     "gymnast" = def.
     "pirate" = "rob"
     "trapped in ... 's cage" = containment indicator (a "cage"
     formed by "acat")
     "a lion" = "a cat"

>For some reason, the container indicator doesn't quite work 
>for me - I hope that's not just because it's a little 
>unconventional.  I think my problem is that either "rob" is
>"trapped" by "a cat" or it is "caged" by "a cat" but it is
>not "trapped" by the "cage" itself which is what the clue
>seems to require.  Why not just "Gymnast and pirate trapped
>by a lion (7")??

19) Insert on wet performer's back! (7)

     "Insert" = TAB  ("insert Tab A in Slot Q...)
     "on"=charade connector
     "wet performer" = ORCA  (as in Shamu and his brethren)
     "back" = reversal indicator
     TAB+ORCA backwards is ACROBAT
     Straight reading: the humans who are "inserted" on a killer
     whale like Shamu in a water show are acrobatic in their skills.

     Surface: Not this kid!

>Well, I don't think "insert" fairly defines "tab" - one can
>insert all sorts of things (tabs, coins, mail, bank cards, etc.)
>and I'm not quite sure just how the solver is supposed to 
>select "tab" from the entire universe of objects which can
>be inserted.  (Nor are risque thoughts to be encouraged!)
>I am not all that convinced that the &lit fairly
>defines "acrobat" either  Still, the reversal of the "tab+orca" 
>combination is a nice touch.

20) Willy, perhaps, returns to hit tumbler (7)

     Willy, perhaps -> ORCA (reference to the film Free Willy   
     about a Killer Whale)
     returns -> ORCA=>ACRO
     to hit -> BAT
     ACRO+BAT -> ACROBAT
     tumbler -> definition ACROBAT

>Willy, of course, was only his stage name - the critter's
>true name is "Keiko".  This is a variation of the previous clue
>but more solvable, I feel.  I think "Willy" was sufficiently
>famous that getting from "Willy, perhaps" to "orca" is not
>too much of a stretch.  A nice effort with a decent surface.

BONUS CLUES FOR "ACROBAT"

A) Deviled crab to a frequent flyer? (7)

     Deviled - anagram indicator
     crab to a - anagram fodder for ACROBAT
     frequent flyer? - "definition" of ACROBAT

B) Clark Gable ordered that the drive at "Tara" be cobbled in
     part before the Damm Yankee Tumbler arrived.
     
     "ordered" Anagram indicator. Tara and part of cobbled anagram 
     of Acrobat. Tumbler points to Acrobat

==================================================================

--
                    - Bill Shatzer   bshatzer@orednet.org -
 "Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say 'ni' at will to 
 old ladies."