It has been brought to my attention that no notice has been given about the recent changes in the LA Times Sunday Puzzler. That's the crossword exclusive to the Times, in print and online, not the syndicated puzzle.We'll continue to post the grid and spell out the theme of Sylvia's puzzle when it returns. In the meantime, you can check out Orange's blog for a discussion of Merl's puzzles.
I've been writing the puzzle solo since the 2007 death of Barry Tunick, my co-constructor for almost 28 years. For a few weeks now the Puzzler has been on a break, replaced with Merl Reagle's puzzle which for some years has appeared in the LA Times Sunday Magazine section.
As things stand now, the hiatus should last into early or mid July. It's heartening to know that the Puzzler has been missed.
July 22 update: If you miss Sylvia's puzzle, send an e-mail to the L.A. Times' reader representative (readers.rep@latimes.com) to let the paper know. Sylvia's been making puzzles, but it's up to the paper to start publishing them again.
Looking forward to its return here in central Virginia.
ReplyDeleteThis answer isn't the same puzzle that I received for Sunday,
ReplyDeleteJune 7,2009.
A-1 question is Check mates.
I was planning to cancel my LA Times subscription until I came across this information. I'm happy to learn that this is temporary.
ReplyDeleteJuly can't come soon enough.I'm a creature of habit and my sundays are not the same.
ReplyDeleteMerl without Sylvia and vice versa is like coffee without milk or toast without honey - they are good by themselves, but together, divine. Thank Sylvia for working so hard for us
ReplyDeleteI'm really missing Sylvia's puzzles. I really enjoy her sense of humor and the difficulty level. I'm so happy to know that the puzzler will return soon.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for your return. I called the Times to register my complaint after 2 weeks. Thank you, Sylvia, for making my Sunday mornings so precious. I look forward to your return.
ReplyDeleteA Fan
Sylvia: Please come back!
ReplyDeleteSylvia -
ReplyDeleteYou are SO missed! I am looking forward to your return!
Dawn in Long Beach
Sylvia -
ReplyDeleteYou are SO missed! I am looking forward to your return!
Dawn in Long Beach
Disappointed to see that it is Merle's puzzle this morning and not Sylvia's. As an ex-Angelo who has moved to Denver and now Scottsdale, it is the one part of L.A. that I truly miss. Please return soon.
ReplyDeleteMy brain has not been the same....Sylvia I need you!!
ReplyDeleteWe MISS SYLVIA!!!!! Please, please, please RETURN!!!!! Sundays are not the same without you!!!! My mom and I love your puzzle -- it keeps her 96 year old brain stay active.
ReplyDeleteLiving in Phoenix now, I don't get many opportunities to solve your puzzles, especially now that some of the local libraries no longer carry the Los Angeles Times to copy your puzzle from. When I bought a Times on a visit back to Los Angeles (specifically to get your puzzle) I saw your puzzle was gone. I hope you do come back!
ReplyDeleteSunday morning coffee with Sylvia's puzzle has been my ritual for years. Please bring it back! I find the Merl crossword neither challenging nor pleasurable to do.
ReplyDeleteJuly is over, and still no Sylvia! I emailed the Times again today. It's likely that I'll cancel my subscriptions (1 weekly and 1 Sunday only for my Mom) if Sylvia doesn't come back soon or unless the Times gives us an ETA. Her puzzle is one of the reasons I still subscribe. It's been a Sunday morning tradition for too many years!
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's one of the only reasons I get the Sunday paper. No offense, Merl, but your puzzle clues just don't cut it compared to Sylvia's. Bring Sylvia back asap.
ReplyDeleteHere's the complete reply I received on 8/3 from the LA Times Readers' Representative in response an email I sent them on 8/2:
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inquiry. I’m not sure if you’ve read it, but the readers’ representative office posted information about the crossword puzzle several weeks ago on the readers’ representative journal. Here is a link to that post:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/readers/2009/06/crossword-confusion-.html
There is a bit of an update: Our understanding is that editors will be publishing the latest information about the crossword puzzle arrangements at some point in August, as soon as details are finalized.
Thanks again for taking the time to ask about this,
Jamie Gold
Readers' Representative
She's back!! Check out today's (8/16) Calendar puzzle!!
ReplyDeleteSad news. Today's Puzzle was Sylvia's
ReplyDeletelast. She died on Dec. 30 at 62 yrs. old. I'm going to miss her so much.
Merl is just not as much fun. Sunday will never be the same.
I just found out about Syulvia's death from this blog, as I searched for what had happened to her weekly puzzles. They were enjoyed for years. Did not see anything noted in the Los Angeles Times, just "Meryl Reagle only". It's not the same.
ReplyDelete