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AVCX needs your help to keep publishing quality American cryptics in 2025 and beyond. Please read to the end of this email to learn how you can help!

Hello all!

Thanks for bearing with us last week while played with our puzzle schedule. You see, we're going seasonal tonight, and I think you'll find it absolutely worth the wait. We're thrilled to offer you another cryptic - nay, a debut variety cryptic - from Great Crossword Constructor Enrique Henestroza Anguiano. He was a pleasure to work with, and came up with something quite special. Please note that this is a paper (or .jpz) only puzzle, as is the case with all our variety cryptics; barred cryptics are not compatible with .puz format, unfortunately.

Here's Enrique: I'm thrilled to be back with another AVCX cryptic, this time with a variety theme near and dear to my heart. Many thanks to Steve for his patient editing and for the inspiration I've gotten from his series of lively and intricately designed variety cryptics over at Square Chase. Hope you enjoy this little holiday treat!

If you've been solving with us for any length of time, you know that cryptic crosswords, although popular in the UK, Australia, India, and elsewhere, haven't caught on here in the U.S. the way they deserve. For three years, the AVCX Expansion has allowed us to bring you quality cryptics, American-style, and we couldn't be more gratified to be able to do it.

Now, AVCX needs your help to stay independently funded -- and to keep cryptics alive as a part of the subscription offering. If you love cryptics and you're able to do so, will you consider subscribing at the Benefactor level to help us continue to publish great cryptic content and grow new constructors in this underappreciated art form?

We couldn't do this without you. Thank you for your continued support!

We hope you enjoy the puzzle! We'll be back with more fun next week!

Happy solving,
Steve + the AVCX Cryptics team