Tuesday, January 23, 2018 ~ Michael Dewey

Theme: If It's Tuesday, This Must Be ... - some European city.

20A. 1666 conflagration that destroyed St. Paul's Cathedral: FIRE OF LONDON. Capital of England.

28A. Raphael fresco depicting Greek philosophers, with "The": SCHOOL OF ATHENS. Capital of Greece

48A. Gypsum used for casts: PLASTER OF PARIS. France's capital.

54A. Pope: BISHOP OF ROME. Italy’s capital.

Argyle here. I say, what a capital idea for a puzzle. Michael hasn't had a puzzle here for over a year. I hope he doesn't stay a stranger.

Across:

1. Daily bread?: WAGE

5. Convenient bag: TOTE

9. Flower that's a Buddhist symbol of purity: LOTUS

14. Unattributed, as a quote: Abbr.: ANON

15. Prof.'s employer: UNIV.

16. Stupefy: AMAZE

17. Checkout line unit: ITEM

18. Actress Russo: RENE

19. Words to live by: MAXIM

23. Military abbr. on a Beatles album: SGT. Pepper.

24. NYC subway line: IRT. (Interborough Rapid Transit)

25. Pup squeak: [YIP!]

33. "__-ching!": CHA

34. Venison source: DEER

35. Sunny feeling: WARMTH

36. Seventh-day activity, in the Bible: REST

38. __ Gone: gunk-cleaning product: GOO

40. Repeated Doris Day song word: SERA. 'Que Sera, Sera'. 'Whatever will be, will be'

41. Gave the slip: ELUDED

44. Indian bread: NAAN

47. At this moment: NOW

51. Subj. for immigrants: ESL. (English as a second language)

52. Color gradation: HUE

53. Coastal inlet: RIA

60. Complete chaos: HAVOC

63. Each: A POP

64. Rapper whose name sounds like a drink: ICE T

65. Plato's marketplace: AGORA

66. Fodder storage tower: SILO

67. Not this: THAT

68. Wooden peg: DOWEL

69. Informal greetings: HEYs

70. "Star Wars" guru: YODA

Down:

1. Many a Dickens child: WAIF and maybe 46D. Innocent soul: NAIF

2. Prefix with social: ANTI

3. Suffix with party: GOER. An antisocial partygoer sounds like a fun sponge.

4. Catch in a net: ENMESH

5. Sports injury on an artificial surface: TURF TOE

6. First-year law student: ONE L

7. Former Yankee slugger Martinez: TINO

8. Should it arise that: EVEN IF

9. De Niro's "Raging Bull" role: LAMOTTA. Giacobbe "Jake" LaMotta, middleweight champion boxer.

10. Arabian Peninsula nation: OMAN. Khasab Fort.

http://www.khalidkharusi.com

11. Payroll deduction: TAX

12. Action film weapon: UZI

13. College yr. division: SEM. (semester)

21. Prayer opener: "O, GOD ... "

22. Sketch: DRAW

25. Native of Sana'a: YEMENI

26. Emcees' duties: INTROs

27. "Horsefeathers!": "PSHAW!"

28. Beachcomber's finds: SHELLS

29. Like some Friday work attire: CASUAL

30. Meet portion, or portion of meat: LEG. One LEG of a relay race at a track meet.

31. Maine college town: ORONO

32. Store posting: Abbr.: HRs. (hours)

33. Parisian pancake: CRÊPE

37. NFL six-pointers: TDs. (touchdowns)

39. Dolt: OAF

42. Virtuous: ETHICAL

43. Latin god: DEUS

45. At just the right time: APROPOS

49. Go over again: REHASH

50. Uncommon thing: RARITY

54. Droning lecture, e.g.: BORE

55. Freckled boy of old TV: OPIE. Little Ronnie Howard.

56. Roly-__: POLY

57. Eight, in Ecuador: OCHO

58. Renaissance faire quaff: MEAD. Fermented honey.

59. Jazzy James: ETTA. Something different.

60. "I've been __!": HAD

61. Back in time: AGO

62. Pledge: VOW

Argyle

Monday, January 22, 2018 ~ Gail Grabowski & Bruce Venzke

Theme: Pedestrian Span - the word FOOT bridges the theme entries.

17A. *Grocery store: FOOD MARKET

28A. *Vessel for a cheesy dip: FONDUE POT

37A. *Ballroom dance that's also a phonetic alphabet "F": FOX TROT

44A. *All-terrain high shoe: FIELD BOOT

56A. Stream crossing for pedestrians ... and what is literally provided by the interior letters in the answers to starred clues: FOOT BRIDGE

Argyle here. There are circles but not really needed.

Across:

1. Cried on cue, say: ACTED

6. Nimble-fingered: DEFT

10. Auntie on Broadway: MAME. Before the musical.

14. Africa's Sierra __: LEONE

15. Butterlike topping: OLEO

16. Beatnik's "Understood": "I DIG"

19. Join the chorus: SING

20. Like the chains in a chain necklace: LINKED

21. Camp beds: BUNKS

22. Swear (to): ATTEST

25. Pair in a dinghy: OARS

27. Employee's reward: RAISE

33. Cone-dropping trees: FIRS

34. Recycling receptacle: BIN

35. Maps within maps: INSETS

36. Therapists' org.: APA. (American Psychological Association)

39. Shatner's "__War": TEK. William Shatner

40. Cash in, as coupons: REDEEM

42. "I __ only kidding": WAS. text JK

43. Shoulder muscle, for short: DELT

46. Sandburg and Sagan: CARLS. The poet and the astronomer.

47. Highest in quality: BEST

48. Gives a thumbs-up: SAYS OK

49. Wrinkle-removing injection: BOTOX

52. Acquires, as debts: INCURS

55. State firmly: AVOW

60. Filet mignon order: RARE

61. World power initials until 1991: USSR. (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

62. How contracts are signed: IN INK

63. Iditarod vehicle: SLED

64. Fishing rod partner: REEL

65. Occur as a result: ENSUE

Down:

1. 1980s TV ET: ALF. Gordon Shumway from the planet Melmac.

2. Corporate VIP: CEO. (chief executive officer)

3. Also: TOO

4. Tiresomely long: ENDLESS

5. Downfall: DEMISE

6. Nerdy sort: DORK

7. Sommer of cinema: ELKE. For Splynter.

8. Get nourishment from: FEED ON

9. Trike rider: TOT

10. Applies incorrectly: MISUSES

11. Score after deuce: AD IN. (tennis) The server's advantage.

12. Ermine cousin: MINK

13. They're often scrambled: EGGS

18. Tiny farm denizen: ANT

21. Main impact: BRUNT

22. Repetitive barking: [ARF! ARF!] and on the opposite side of the grid, 32. "You should be ashamed!": "TSK!, TSK!"

23. Taiwan's capital: TAIPEI

24. Rabble-rousing outburst: TIRADE

26. "Hasta la vista": "ADIOS"

28. Predicament: FIX

29. Quarterback's "Snap the ball at the second 'hut'": "ON TWO"

30. Fizzles (out): PETERS

31. Verdi opera with Desdemona: OTELLO

34. Lays an egg on stage: BOMBS

37. UPS alternative: FEDEX

38. Word before or after pack: RAT

41. Nudged sharply: ELBOWED

43. Best Western competitor: DAYS INN

45. Lazy: OTIOSE. Straight from Latin.

46. Underwood who performs the "Sunday Night Football" opening: CARRIE

48. Classroom stand-in: SUB. CSO's

49. Happy hour places: BARS

50. Mirror shape: OVAL

51. Ran like mad: TORE

53. Smoke detector?: NOSE

54. PC corner key: CTRL. (control)

56. Calico coat: FUR

57. Put down: DIS. (disrespect or disparage)

58. Oxlike antelope: GNU

59. Barely manage, with "out": EKE

Argyle

Note from C.C. 

Happy 72nd Birthday to our constructor John Lampkin, the master of crossword construction. John also enhances our solving pleasure by regularly providing us fantastic pictures related to this grid entries. Thank you, John!

Lemonade and John

Tuesday, January 16, 2018 ~ Roger & Kathy Wienberg

Theme: Petty Theft - Synonyms.

17. Delayed show of surprise: DOUBLE TAKE

23. "Frumious" beast in "Jabberwocky": BANDERSNATCH

38. Cosmetic surgery that removes bags: EYE LIFT

48. Eight-ball call: CORNER POCKET

60. Indicate willingness to date someone, on Tinder ... and an apt hint to the last part of 17-, 23-, 38- and 48-Across: SWIPE RIGHT. Words on the right are synonyms for SWIPE.

Argyle here and I have an alibi. I don't have a device that can be swiped. Can you swipe with a mouse?

Across:

1. Soaking spots: BATHS

6. Wile E. Coyote's supplier of iron bird seed: ACME. I'm not kidding. The Illustrated Catalog Of ACME Products.

10. Car ad no.: MSRP. (manufacturer's suggested retail price)

14. Cry during a winning streak: "I'M HOT!"

15. Stick in one's __: cause resentment: CRAW. Idiom.

16. Home furnishings giant: IKEA

19. River sediment: SILT

20. "Happy Motoring" company: ESSO

21. Philosopher Descartes: RENÉ

22. "Hamlet" courtier: OSRIC. A young courtier at Claudius's court. Rich and little more, he is affected in his speech and manner.

26. Suave: URBANE

29. Long, wriggly swimmers: EELS

30. "Rock-a-bye Baby" tree limb: BOUGH

31. "From the __ of Montezuma ... ": HALLS. Semper Fi.

34. Q's neighbor, on most keyboards: TAB

37. Tolkien creature: ELF

40. Program file ending: EXE

41. NFL official: REF

42. Graphic showing 50 sts.: US MAP

43. Central Florida city: OCALA

45. To be, to Caesar: ESSE

47. Wound like S-curves: SNAKED

53. Stubble remover: RAZOR

54. Big name in skin care: OLAY

55. Playbill listings: BIOs. SE corner gave me fits.

59. "Am __ early?": I TOO

62. Transmitted: SENT

63. Actress Campbell: NEVE. Quite active on the Corner of late.

64. Word before and after "de la": CRÈME. Best of the best.

65. Quarry: PREY

66. Tram loads: OREs

67. Madison Ave. pro: AD REP. AD MAN slowed me up.

Down:

1. __ one's time: wait: BIDE

2. "Famous" cookie man: AMOS. There is a short bio if you watch it on YouTube.

3. Therefore: THUS

4. Large, bindle-shaped purse: HOBOBAG. For all you bindlestiffs.

5. Abbr. on a Cardinal's cap: STL

6. Performed on stage: ACTED

7. "Whooping" marsh bird: CRANE

8. Manufacturer: MAKER

9. Flock female: EWE

10. Mass book: MISSAL. A missal is a liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year. - Aug 11, 2010 and Jan 30, 2014 Crossword Corner.

11. Beef often used in stir-fry: SKIRT STEAK

12. Thing of the past: RELIC

13. Pothole repair: PATCH

18. Fish-eating bird: ERNE

22. Brit's 14-pound equivalent: ONE STONE

24. Busch partner in beer: ANHEUSER

25. Starter starter: SELF

26. Lyft competitor: UBER

27. Playbill listing: ROLE

28. Minimal-conflict area: BUFFER ZONE. NOT the spot where you take your car after it has been washed and waxed.

31. Garment border: HEM

32. First state, alphabetically: Abbr.: ALA. Alabama

33. Impudence: LIP

35. Rod between wheels: AXLE

36. Necklace sphere: BEAD

39. River of Flanders: YSER

44. __ seat: advantageous spot: CATBIRD. Idiom.

46. High-and-mighty: SNOOTY

47. Breed of terrier: SKYE

48. Fruity dessert: CRISP

49. Wild West film: OATER

50. Remote button: POWER

51. Fruit that's black when fully ripe: OLIVE. Canned black olives have often been artificially blackened and may contain the chemical ferrous gluconate to improve the appearance. Acme olives?

52. Lighthouse locales: CAPES

56. Disney CEO Robert: IGER

57. "Good heavens!": "OH ME!"

58. Part of a recovery program: STEP

60. __-Caps: candy: SNO

61. Color TV pioneer: RCA

Argyle

Monday, January 15, 2018 ~ John Lampkin

Theme: Quick, the epinephrine - There's a swarm of B's.

16. NAACP co-founder: W. E. B. DUBOIS. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois

22. Pioneer suffragist on some dollar coins: SUSAN B. ANTHONY. Susan Brownell Anthony

36. "Stuart Little" author: E. B. WHITE. Elwyn Brooks White

49. "The Greatest Show on Earth" producer/director: CECIL B. DEMILLE. Cecil Blount DeMille

59. Apiculturist ... and, playfully, what 16-, 22-, 36- or 49-Across is: BEEKEEPER

Argyle here. Full disclosure on names today.

Note from John: My oldest daughter recently became a beekeeper, so what else could a proud papa do? This puzzle is for her, along with a pic of one of her busy bees.

Across:

1. Ear part: LOBE

5. Hamper load: WASH

9. Blow in a dojo: CHOP. Dōjō means "place of the way", and is used to name a hall for learning martial arts.

13. Former Twitter CEO Williams: EVAN. Evan Clark Williams

14. Actress Sommer of "A Shot in the Dark": ELKE. née Elke Baronesse von Schletz

15. Pickle juice: BRINE

18. One who lassoes dogies, say: ROPER. A stray or motherless calf is known as a dogie.

19. Martini order: DRY

20. Sgt. or cpl.: NCO

21. Military zone division: SECTOR

26. Hindu community: ASHRAM

28. Open the faucets onstage, so to speak: EMOTE

29. "Who's Afraid of Virginia __?": WOOLF

30. Rocky peak: TOR

31. Celebratory cry two days after hump day: TGIF

35. Cry at the World Cup: OLE

40. Prefix with cycle: UNI

41. Red ink: LOSS

43. Singer Peggy or comic-book writer Stan: LEE. Norma Deloris Engstrom or Stanley Martin Lieber

44. Winner's gesture: V SIGN

46. Warrior on the court, for short: NBAer. Golden State Warriors

48. Given temporarily: LOANED

53. Bolts and ties the knot?: ELOPES

54. Ltr. holder: ENV.

55. Cleo's killer: ASP

58. Talks like Daffy: LISPS

62. __ Park, Colorado: ESTES

63. Ultimatum close: ELSE

64. Marathon segment: MILE

65. Top of the line: BEST

66. Bound with rope: TIED

67. "This could get __": UGLY

Down:

1. Bawdy: LEWD

2. (See other side): (OVER)

3. Bootees: BABY SHOES

4. Close or complete: END

5. Selfie video device: WEBCAM

6. Crazy as __: A LOON

7. Enjoy the slopes: SKI

8. Guys: HEs

9. Make bootees, perhaps: CROCHET

10. Aware of: HIP TO

11. Situation before a two-run homer: ONE ON

12. Actor Luke or Matthew: PERRY. Coy Luther Perry or Matthew Langford Perry

15. Quarterback Favre: BRETT. Brett Lorenzo Favre

17. Hazardous: UNSAFE

21. Bull's sound: SNORT. Yes, it's hazardous and UNSAFE when you hear a bull snort.

23. Clickable address: URL

24. Start of a party invitation phrase: BE THERE

25. Mine, to Marcel: A MOI

26. GI gone missing: AWOL

27. Piano recital piece, e.g.: SOLO

32. Recipe tester, facetiously: GUINEA PIG

33. "Picnic" playwright: INGE. William Motter Inge

34. Discovery: FIND

37. Says too much: BLABS

38. Lawn intruder: WEED

39. Develop slowly: EVOLVE

42. Bit, as of news: SNIPPET

45. Cantina condiment: SAL. Salt

47. "God __ America": BLESS

48. Like chain rings: LINKED

49. Hollywood VIP: CELEB

50. Beethoven dedicatee: ELISE Bagatelle in A minor (Für Elise)

51. Expenses: COSTS

52. 1980s attorney general Edwin: MEESE. Edwin Meese III

56. Wall Street bear's suggestion: SELL

57. Mice, to owls: PREY

59. One placed in Vegas: BET

60. Yale alum: ELI

61. Grounded Aussie bird: EMU

Argyle

Note from C.C.:

Belated Happy Birthday to dear JD. Hope you had a wonderful celebration yesterday with the grandkids, JD!

JD & Bob

Tuesday, January 9, 2018 ~ Bruce Venzke & Gail Grabowski

Theme: TCOB - "Taking Care of Buisness"

17A. *Crimes of violence, e.g.: SERIOUS OFFENSES. Serious business.

23A. *Jungle gym: MONKEY BARS. Monkey business.

37A. *Not-so-humorous humerus spot: FUNNY BONE. Funny business.

54A. *Young boy's role model: BIG BROTHER. Big business.

61A. Fledgling enterprise ... and what the first word of the answers to starred clues can literally do: START-UP BUSINESS

Former businessman Argyle here. Great puzzle from Bruce and Gail. Two spanners and triple seven letter columns in all the corners. A few nuggets to crunch on.

Across:

1. Groups of orcas: PODs

5. Quaint "Holy moly!": "EGAD!"

9. Teases: JIVES. 1928, "to deceive playfully", like gibe but not as mean.

14. Scott Turow memoir: ONE L. Crossword staple, "The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School"

15. Stubborn critter: MULE

16. Calendario page: ENERO. Spanish for this month, the one named after Janus.

20. School sport, or its setting: TRACK

21. Inheritance recipient: HEIR

22. "Singin' in the Rain" dance style: TAP. What a production number! I found this tidbit: "The title number, filmed on a street set two blocks long on the MGM backlot, took seven days to film, with six hours of fake rain each day. The water was mixed with milk to make it show better on camera, but the mixture made Kelly’s wool suit shrink. The perpetually drenched Kelly had a bad cold and fever the whole time. Dancers Gwen Verdon, Jeanne Coyne, and Carol Haney dubbed Kelly’s tap sounds and splashing noises in post-production." >Huffington Post<

  

26. Operatic princess: "AIDA". Verdi opera.

27. Mo. with no holidays: AUG. (August) But there are some observances. Link

28. Patriotic org. since 1890: DAR. (Daughters of the American Revolution)

29. Lightly colored: TINGED

31. Fraction of a min.: NSEC. (nanosecond) A very small fraction of a minute, I'd say.

33. Go quickly: RUSH

36. Golden __: seniors: AGERS

40. Formal will?: SHALL. A small misdirection, following 'seniors'.

43. Trampled (on): TROD

44. Doesn't keep up: LAGS

48. Lightweight straw hat: PANAMA

50. Swiffer product: MOP. Any personal reviews?

52. Divide before the deal: CUT

53. Departure notice?: OBIT

58. Game with matchsticks: NIM. Link

59. "Catch a Falling Star" singer Perry: COMO

60. Verdi opera "__ Miller": LUISA. Not seen here nearly as much,if at all, as "Aida". Wiki link.

65. __ limits: extremes: OUTER

66. The life of Riley: EASE

67. Folk singer Burl: IVES. Too late for one of his many Christmas songs.

68. Snorkeling spots: REEFs

69. Inventor's spark: IDEA

70. Formally surrender: CEDE

Down:

1. One who "rings twice," in an old film: POSTMAN. The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946 film) A short clip.

2. Burdensome: ONEROUS

3. Drive up the wall: DERANGE

4. Smooth-talking: SLICK

5. Avian Aussie: EMU

6. Astronaut Grissom: GUS

7. "Welcome to Oahu!": "ALOHA!"

8. Schedule for later: DEFER

9. Boo and hiss: JEER

10. Stopover with a "keeper": INN

11. Slight trace: VESTIGE

12. Barnes &amp; Noble Nook, for one: E-READER

13. Steel wool scrubbers: S.O.S PADS

18. Gave one's blessing to: OKed

19. It may be pumped in victory: FIST

24. Knitting need: YARN

25. Full force: BRUNT

26. Well-behaved tot: ANGEL

30. English golfer Poulter: IAN. Leaving no doubt he's English.

32. Key equivalent to B: C FLAT

34. Damascus is its cap.: SYR. (Syria)

35. Weapon in a 1952 test: H-BOMB

38. Einstein's birth city: ULM

39. Baking-soda-in-the-fridge target: ODOR

40. One buying time, perhaps: SPONSOR

41. Regular patron: HABITUÉ

42. Bring to life, as cartoons: ANIMATE

45. Accomplish: ACHIEVE

46. Acted desperately on "Jeopardy!," perhaps: GUESSED

47. German street: STRASSE

49. "__ Ben Adhem": ABOU

51. __ sci: POLI

55. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame architect: I.M. PEI

56. Spoil: GO BAD

57. Roman garment of yore: TUNIC

59. NBA big men: Abbr.: CTRs. (centers)

62. Whistler between baskets: REF

63. Take advantage of: USE

64. Beach house view: SEA

Argyle

Monday, January 8, 2018 ~ Parikshit S. Bhat

Theme: Parental Guidance - Two word phrases that fit the P and G format.

21A. Admit to wrongdoing in court: PLEAD GUILTY

31A. Location-based smartphone game release of 2016: POKÉMON GO

41A. Similar set of individuals: PEER GROUP

52A. Inland sea between Iran and Saudi Arabia: PERSIAN GULF

41D. Like many animated films ... and a hint to 21-, 31-, 41- and 52-Across: PG-RATED

Argyle here. Straight forward letter plus letter puzzle. There are four of them and a neat reveal. I think the column crossings were intentional. (See grid) It's also a pangram.

Across:

1. Green gem: JADE. Tori earrings.

5. Actress Greta: GARBO

10. Ponzi scheme, for one: SCAM

14. Boy in "The Kite Runner": AMIR. Book, film, play. Wiki link

15. Toward the back: AREAR

16. When tripled, a 1970 WWII film: TORA. Roger Ebert review.

17. Spanish "nothing": NADA

18. Free, in France: LIBRE

19. Reddish-brown horse: ROAN

20. Israeli submachine gun: UZI

23. Embark from a dock: SET SAIL

25. Spaniel's welcome: ARF

26. Indian-born storekeeper on "The Simpsons": APU

27. Bening of "American Beauty": ANNETTE

35. Half a bray: HAW. HEE being the other half.

36. Radio knob: TUNER

37. 1998 biopic about model Carangi: GIA. She died at 26. (1986)

38. Travelocity ad figure: GNOME

40. Ctrl-__-Delete: PC reboot combo: ALT. Mine starts Task Manager.

43. Reveal: DIVULGE

46. Help: AID

47. Negative connection: NOR

48. Climbing plant: CREEPER

57. Dockworkers' gp.: ILA. (International Longshoremen's Association)

58. Soothing plant extract: ALOE

59. Pageant headgear: TIARA

60. Prefix with lateral: EQUI

61. Arctic seabird: SKUA. "Oh yeah?" "Yeah!"

62. No __ sight: END IN

63. Bugs Bunny adversary Elmer: FUDD

64. Smartphone message: TEXT

65. Gave medicine to: DOSED

66. Golf ball supports: TEEs

Down:

1. Two-faced god: JANUS. January's namesake.

2. Fill with wonder: AMAZE

3. Completed the task: DID IT

4. Significant period: ERA

5. Steel-gray metallic element: GALLIUM. Element in many semiconductors.

6. Disney mermaid: ARIEL

7. Country star McEntire: REBA. And TV.

8. The __: Shakespeare: BARD

9. Pizza herb: OREGANO

10. Conflict: STRIFE

11. Like much fall weather: COOL

12. "I smell __!": A RAT

13. Lots of: MANY

21. Daily news source: PAPER

22. Coffee vessel: URN

24. Japanese alcoholic beverage: SAKE

27. Ice cream thickener: AGAR

28. Old-style you: THOU

29. Pack (down) firmly: TAMP

30. Sheep girl: EWE

31. Sheepdog from Hungary: PULI. Cute when they're puppies.

32. Being aired: ON TV

33. S-shaped molding: OGEE

34. Never, in Dortmund: NIE. Germany.

36. Little bit: TAD

38. Bereavement: GRIEF

39. Bump on a branch: NODE

42. Floral wreath: GARLAND

44. Remove from office: UNSEAT

45. Law, in Lille: LOI. France.

48. Madame of physics: CURIE

49. Arouse, as interest: PIQUE

50. Avoid capture by: ELUDE

51. Surprise attacks: RAIDS

52. Good old days: PAST

53. Actress Sommer: ELKE

54. Gumbo thickener: ROUX. (equal parts of flour and fat by weight) Moi?

55. El __: weather phenomenon: NINO

56. Wanders restlessly: GADS

60. Baby newt: EFT

Argyle

Note from C.C.:

Happy Birthday to Patti Varol, Rich's assistant and editor for the Crosswords Club. Like Rich, Patti is incredibly efficient, patient and generous with her time. She is also sharp-eyed and notices every little dupe that might have escaped constructors. In one of the Club puzzles, Patti clued BLOG as [L.A. Times Crossword Corner, e.g.]. She does lots of little things for constructors. Thank you, Patti!

Tuesday, January 2, 2018 ~ John Lampkin

Theme: A Pressing Issue - if you want to look your best.

16A. Celebrate with abandon: LET OFF STEAM

27A. Lift a few weights: PUMP SOME IRON

46A. Sunday NBC public affairs show: "MEET THE PRESS"

60A. Like a shirt condition suggested by the ends of 16-, 27- and 46-Across: WRINKLE-FREE

Argyle here. For some reason, I was surprised to see a Lampkin puzzle. It doesn't appear to be a typical Lampkin puzzle either.

Across:

1. More hot under the collar: MADDER

7. Topper with a tassel: FEZ

10. Managed care gp.: HMO. (Health Maintenance Organization)

13. Repetitive World Cup cheer: OLÉ OLÉ

14. Commuter vehicle: AUTO

15. Alley __: OOP. Basketball play, comic strip, or this by The Hollywood Argyles.

18. Boring routine: RUT

19. Teen sleuth Nancy: DREW

20. Exchange for cash: SELL

21. Deep opera voice: BASSO

23. Razor sharpener: STROP

25. Corn serving: EAR

26. "Uh-huh": ISEE

31. "Wheel of Fortune" purchase: AN 'I'

34. High-priority task: MUST DO

35. __ Jones' locker: DAVY

36. Mob enforcer: HITMAN

38. Girls in the family: NIECES

40. Island off Tuscany: ELBA

41. Arts and __: summer camp activity: CRAFTS

45. Before, poetically: ERE

49. "The Well-Tempered Clavier" composer: BACH. Here is just a taste.

50. Long-armed primate: APE

51. Bit of prevention: OUNCE. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

55. Soak in the tub: BATHE

56. Ignoring, with "to": DEAF

58. Parliament member: LORD

59. Ride for Jesus on Palm Sunday: ASS

63. Edge of a glass: RIM

64. One shaken to seal a deal: HAND

65. Keen judgment: ACUMEN

66. SSW's opposite: NNE

67. Tweeter's "Wow!": OMG!

68. Parable messages: MORALS

Down:

1. Jell-O shapers: MOLDS

2. Warn: ALERT

3. Ward off: DETER

4. "Grease" music genre: DOO-WOP

5. Munchkin kin: ELF

6. Gridiron zebras: REFs

7. Nuclear reactor tube: FUEL ROD

8. H-like Greek vowel: ETA

9. "Shaun of the Dead" creature: ZOMBIE. Title is a riff on "Dawn Of The Dead".

10. Kentucky Derby, e.g.: HORSE RACE

11. Position the cursor without clicking: MOUSE OVER

12. Vision: Pref.: OPTO

14. "About time!": AT LAST!

17. Goes (through) slowly: SEEPS

22. "All kidding __ ... ": ASIDE

24. Saucony rival: PUMA. Athletic shoes.

28. Chew noisily: MUNCH

29. Three-card game: MONTE. A shell game played with three cards.

30. Wall St.'s "Big Board": NYSE. (New York Stock Exchange)The big shell game.

31. "Pardon me": "AHEM"

32. River drainage region that covers 11 African countries: NILE BASIN

33. "I haven't a clue!": "IT BEATS ME!"

37. Fire lighter: MATCH

39. "That __ awesome!": IS SO

42. Poetry performance: READING

43. Add as a supplement: APPEND

44. Flip (out): FREAK

47. "Pinball Wizard" band: THE WHO. From the rock opera "TOMMY".

48. Gunpowder element: SULFUR

52. Bellini opera: NORMA. Norma Synopsis.

53. Angler's basket: CREEL

54. Utopian places: EDENS

55. Place for a Deere, but not deer: BARN

57. Hoax: FLAM. Three-card montge.

61. Crash into: RAM

62. Green prefix: ECO

Argyle