Puzzle - WSJ Friday, February 3

"Bank On It" by Randolph Ross (Here Be Spoilers!)

Mr. Ross is one of my puzzle-creating soulmates, because both of us have day jobs in education. Ross is the principal at Great Neck South High School on Long Island in New York.

Sometimes (although this doesn't seem to be a rigid requirement) the Wall Street Journal puzzles speak to the newspaper's core readership of finance experts and money handlers, and today's theme is no exception. He has collected a bunch of everyday phrases like MINERALDEPOSIT and CHECKPLEASE and has clued them in the financial vein. My favorite was "Money in the bank from a Grand Ole Opry singer?" (JUNECARTERCASH)

The tight theme is supplemented by lots of good fill, including the new 3-letter perennial WIE, signifying golfer Michelle, the lovely teen who wants to play from the men's tees but isn't having any success*. Heretofore unseen entries include EYEHAND, for "Type of coordination". In all, a great way to start the weekend puzzling. Thanks Randy!

10:46
(Also this weekend: Merl Reagle 10:11, Washington Post 10:42, HEX 11:11 (see below), Newsday 10:12, LA Times 12:16, LA Times Calendar 10:30, NY Times 22:59 (don't give me "see notepad" on the timed applet when there is NO NOTEPAD, guys))

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*Please note that I mentioned that Michelle Wie is a golfer. She is NOT, however, a member of the LPGA yet, as hinted at in a clue in this week's Hex puzzle. She has stated that she will not join the LPGA until her 18th birthday.