Tuesday, October 1, 2019 C.C. Burnikel

Mom and Pop Stores:  Each answer "KEEPS" the word "SHOP" hidden within the two-word spans.

16-Across. Golf tournament won by Shane Lowry in 2019: BRITISH OPEN.  Shane Lowry (b. Apr. 2, 1987) is an Irish professional golfer.

19-Across. "Easy Rider" actor: DENNIS HOPPER.

Dennis Lee Hopper (May 17, 1936 ~ May 29, 2010)

51-Across. Baltimore-based medical school: JOHNS HOPKINS. Johns Hopkins (May 19, 1795 ~ Dec. 24, 1873) was an American entrepreneur, abolitionist and philanthropist.  He amassed a large forture, which was bequeathed to a number of institutions, the most memorable is the still existing Johns Hopkins University.  His first name is actually Johns, which was his mother's maiden name.

57. "Fingers crossed!": HERE'S HOPING.

And the unifier:

34-Across. Stocking experts, and what 16-, 19-, 51- and 57-Across literally are: SHOPKEEPERS.  Shopkeepers are the individuals who own and operate an independent shop.  A lot of the little Mom and Pop stores in my city are disappearing and are being replaced by the big stores.

All the tripe you want from the Shopkeeper of this little shop we found in Naples.

Across:

1. Fisherman's __: waterfront district in San Francisco: WHARF.

6. Police HQ alerts: APBs.  As in All Points Bulletins.

10. Sushi bar sauce: SOY.

13. Swiss mathematician: EULER.  Leonhard Euler (Apr. 15, 1707 ~ Sept. 18, 1783) was influential in many areas of mathematics, including topology and analytical number theory.  It's all over my head, but ...

14. Soft palate dangler: UVULA.

15. "t," in "btw": THE.  Textspeak for By The Way.

18. Cavity-fighting org.: ADA.  As in the American Dental Association.

21. eharmony profile part: BIO.  As in a Biography.

24. Entry point: DOOR.

25. With 31-Across, "The Aviator" Oscar nominee: ALAN.  //  And 31. See 25-Across: ALDA.  This gives us Alan Alda (né Alphonso Joseph D'Abrusso; b. Jan. 28, 1936).

26. Maxim: OLD SAW.

28. Pequod crew: WHALERS.  A reference to Moby Dick, the novel by Herman Melville (Aug. 1, 1819 ~ Sept. 28, 1891).  The book is on my TBR list, but way, way down on that list!

32. Tidy (up): SPRUCE.

38. Give as a task: ASSIGN.

39. Office notice: MEMO.

42. Govt. drug bust, perhaps: FBI RAID.

45. Post-workout refresher: SHOWER.  Most of the showers in our hotels were very, very tiny.

47. __ mater: ALMA.

48. TriBeCa neighbor: SOHO.  TriBeCa is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City that is the Triangle Below Canal Street.  It is near the area that is South of Houston Street.

50. "__ Blinded Me With Science": 1983 hit: SHE.

56. "Sands of __ Jima": 1949 film: IWO.  This was a John Wayne movie.

61. Country star McGraw: TIM.  Tim McGraw (né Samuel Timothy McGraw; b. May 1, 1967) was born in Delhi, Louisiana.

62. Gas brand BP relaunched in 2017: AMOCO.

63. Less prevalent: RARER.

64. Had chips, say: ATE.

65. Fail to notice: MISS.  What happened to the Swiss Miss logo on the chocolate?  Do you Miss her?

66. Washington, e.g.: STATE.  Washington was admitted into the Union on November 11, 1889.  The State is named for George Washington.  Its capital is Olympia and its largest city is Seattle.

Down:

1. Spider's creation: WEB.

2. "Ben-__": HUR.  Before it was an epic 1959 movie, starring Charlton Heston in the title role, it was a novel entitled, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, by General Lew Wallace (Apr. 10, 1827 ~ Feb. 15, 1905).  Wallace was a Union General in the American Civil War.  He presided over the trial of Henry Wirz (Nov. 25, 1823 ~ Nov. 10, 1865), who was the Confederate Commander over the prisoner-of-war camp near Andersonville, Georgia.  Wirz was found guilty of cruelty and endangering the lives of the prisoners and was executed.  Wirz was only 1 of 2 individuals executed for war crimes during the American Civil War.

3. Baba in a cave: ALI.  The story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is just one of the Arabian Tales in the collection One Thousand and One Nights.  Ali discovered that the phrase "Open Sesame" would open the thieves' den, and hence, its treasures.

4. No longer working: Abbr.: RET'D.  As in Retired, like many of us here on the blog.

5. Curly-haired "Peanuts" character: FRIEDA.  I don't remember this character.

6. To have, in Paris: AVOIR.  Today's French grammar lesson.

7. Baby seals: PUPS.

 

8. "Yuck!": BLEH!

9. Twins infielder Miguel: SANO.  Miguel Sano (né Miguel Ángel Jean Sanó; b. May 11, 1993) is a 3rd baseman for the Minnesota Twins.

10. Rice, in Chinese cuisine: STAPLE.

11. "My goodness!": OH, DEAR!

12. Hankers (for): YEARNS.

14. "Hmm ... not likely": UH, NO.

17. Winter flakes: SNOW.

20. Capital of Sicily: PALERMO.  I was in Palermo a few weeks ago.

 Here I am waving from the balcony of our hotel.

 Our hotel was a few feet from the Quattro Canti, the intersection of the city's two main thoroughfares.

The Cappella Palatina, within the Norman Palace, is covered in beautiful mosaics.

21. Fluffy wrap: BOA.

22. "__ be darned!": I'LL.

23. Vegas calculation: ODDS.

27. Like most of northern Africa: SAHARAN.

28. Little songbird: WREN.

29. Drillmaster's syllable: HUP.

30. Opening day pitcher, typically: ACE.  The pitcher should be an Ace, but those selected to throw out the first ball aren't.

 

32. Icy road worry: SKID.

 

33. Cribbage piece: PEG.  My grandfather taught me to play cribbage.  Playing cribbage with my mother was one of the last things we did together.

35. Mama bear, in Seville: OSA.  Today's Spanish lesson.

36. Omega preceder: PSI.  It's Greek to me.

37. Puts a Singer to work: SEWS.  My grandmother had a Singer like the one below.

40. "Not really a fan": MEH!

41. Mined metal: ORE.

42. Sizzling Tex-Mex fare: FAJITA.  Yummers!

43. Fail epically: BLOW IT.

44. Shout from the foyer: I'M HOME!

45. __ Tzu: toy dog: SHIH.

46. Advanced student's course: HONORS.

48. Contractor's parameters: SPECS.

49. "Yeah, and ... ?": OK, SO.

52. Fancy pillowcase: SHAM.

53. Prefix with sphere: HEMI-.

54. Gold medals, to Spaniards: OROs.  More of today's Spanish lesson.

55. Quarrel: SPAT.

58. Nest egg acronym: IRA.  As in the Individual Retirement Account.

59. "Nothing but __": "Swish!": NET.

60. College sr.'s test: GRE.  As in the Graduate Record Examinations.

Here's the Grid:

A BIG "Thank You" to Boomer for filling in for me over the last several weeks while I was away.  Doing double duty two days in a row is a lot.  I really appreciate his fine and humorous commentaries.

Finally, here is your QOD:  My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn't pay the bill, he gave me six months more.  ~  Walter Matthau (né Walter John Matthow; Oct. 1, 1920 ~ July 1, 2000)

Wednesday, September 25, 2019 C. C. Burnikel

Theme: ECO ECHOES. Famous persons who have the letter sequence E CO spanning their names are called out.  In each case, the letters are split E in the first name and CO in the last.  Not sure how ready any of them might have been to do battle, but had they been warriors their ECO ECHO was ready to go.

17. Former "CBS Evening News" anchor: KATIE COURIC.   She held this job from 2006 - 2011.  As a TV personality, she's done many other things, both before and since.

23. "School's Out" rocker: ALICE  COOPER.  Vincent Damon Furnier (b. 1948) in an American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spans over 50 years.  He is regarded as the Godfather of shock rock.

36. "You Are So Beautiful" singer: JOE COCKER. John Robert Cocker (1944 – 2014), better known as Joe Cocker, was an English singer known for his gritty voice and spasmodic body motions.

51. Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows" partner: IMOGENE COCA.  (1908-2001) She was an American comic actor who started in vaudeville as a child acrobat.  Her TV carer ran from the '40's to the '90's.

60. Based on a common feature of their names, what 17-, 23-, 36- and 51-Across are well-suited to be?: ECO WARRIORS.  These are people actively involved in preventing damage to the environment.

Like her or not, agree with her or not, Greta Thunberg is the real deal

Hi Gang, JazzBumpa here with our own C.C.'s latest effort.  You don't often see a theme built around people's names, so this is a creative effort.   Let's dig in and see what else our gracious host has created for us.

But first, a reminder: today's theme reveal could be a hot button issue, with overt political overtones.  So - in keeping with the rule of this blog - let's not go there.

As I say on my own blog, play nice and we'll all have fun.  So - onward.

Across:

1. "I'm so stupid!": D'OH.

4. Lobbying orgs.: PACS.  Political Action Committees.

8. Dr. Oz's faith: ISLAM.  He is a surgeon, university professor and television personality who promotes pseudo-science and alternative medicine.

13. Craft beer initials: IPA.  India Pale Ale.

The best, from right here in Michigan

14. Material for tatami mats: STRAW.  These mats are traditional Japanese floor coverings, and are made with an exact 2:1 aspect ratio.

15. Disney princess from Motunui: MOANA.

16. FedEx alternative: DHL.  An American-founded German company which is now the international courier, parcel, and express mail division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post DHL. [Wikipedia]

19. "I'll take it from here": LET  ME.

21. Twistable cookie: OREO.  Of course

22. Like a thick, green lawn: LUSH.  Teeming with thick, healthy growth.

26. Go out with: SEE.  He is SEEING her and should be discrete if they don't want to be SEEN.

27. Papier-mâché fiesta item: PINATA. A construction of mashed paper over a skeleton frame, usually brightly decorated, and often in the form of an animal, filled with candy or toys.

28. Magnified atlas image: INSET. A small map set next to or within a larger map to show more detail.

30. Give a little: SAG. Droop.

31. Item in a folder: FILE.

35. Garden tool: SPADE.  A type of shovel with a sharp rectangular metal blade and a long handle.  Can you dig it?

39. Biblical hymn: PSALM.  A sacred song used in worship.

42. Breakfast brand in the freezer aisle: EGGO.  Toaster waffle.

43. Grounded jet: SST. Super Sonic Transport.  Due to technical issues, as well as economic factors, limited range, and high fuel consumption, these planes are no longer in use.

46. Hayride invitation: HOP ON.

47. Allergic reaction: AHCHOO.  Sneeze.  This past week was the peak season for pollen related allergy and asthma difficulties.

50. Capp and Gore: ALS.Alfred Gerald Caplin (September 28, 1909 – November 5, 1979), better known as Al Capp, was an American cartoonist and humorist best known for the satirical comic strip Li'l Abner, which he created in 1934 and continued writing and (with help from assistants) drawing until 1977.  [Wikipedia]

Albert Arnold Gore Jr. (born March 31, 1948) is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th vice president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Gore was Bill Clinton's running mate in their successful campaign in 1992, and the pair was re-elected in 1996. [Wikipedia]

56. __ puppet: SOCK.  1) a simple hand puppet made from a SOCK. 2)  A false online identity used for purposes of deception.

58. Cowhand's chow: GRUB.  Slangy meal.  Hope it's more appetizing than it sounds.

59. Objects of adulation: IDOLS. 1) Images or representations of gods used in worship.  2) Person or things that are greatly admired, loved, or revered.

63. Little kid: TOT.  Potential moppet.

64. In the country: RURAL. Non-urban.

65. Cruise stopover: ISLET. A small island

66. Find a place for: USE.  Deploy as a means of achieving something.

67. Dead tired: SPENT.  All used up.

68. Half-moon tide: NEAP.  The tide just after the first and third quarters of the moon, when the difference between high and low water is the least.

69. Each: PER.

Down:

1. Hit the pool: DID LAPS.  Swam repeated pool lengths.

2. "Hamlet" character who drowns: OPHELIA.  She had climbed a willow tree, and a branch broke, dropping her into a brook where she drowned.

3. Hesitant: HALTING.  Slow, hesitant, faltering.

4. Org. concerned with students: PTA.  The National Parent Teacher Association.

5. Threepio's buddy: ARTOO.  Bots in the Star Wars saga.

6. North African capital: CAIRO.  Egypt

7. Win every game: SWEEP.  In a short series during regular or post season play.

8. Letters before a viewpoint: IMO.  In My Opinion.  Opinions worth heeding have some basis in facts and reality.

9. Motown music: SOUL.

10. Tony who managed three World Series-winning teams: LARUSSA. [b 1944] Over a career of 33 years, he managed the Cardinals, A's and White Sox.  You knew there would be some baseball - right?

11. Ouzo flavoring: ANISEED. Also called ANISE; this is a flowering plant native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia that produces a licorice like flavor element.

12. Hacker's tool: MACHETE.  For LUSH jungle undergrowth, not computer mayhem.

14. Sport with clay targets: SKEET.  Dynamic aerial target shooting.

18. Iowa campus: COE.  This college is new to me

20. __ Nashville: country label: MCA.  Not sure what the MCA stands for.  You can read about it here.

24. Barista's workplace: CAFE.  A barista prepares and serves different kinds of coffee.

25. Go higher: RISE. Literally or figuratively in an organization structure.

29. "Planet Money" network: NPR.  National Public Radio.

32. Winter hazard: ICE.   It's slippery.

33. Piece of campfire fuel: LOG.  Wood fires are de rigueur at our lake-side vacations.

34. Lines at a hosp.: ECG. ElectroCardioGram - a graphic representation of electrical activity in the heart.

36. "World of Dance" judge, to fans: J.LO.  Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), also known by her nickname J.Lo, is an American actress, singer, dancer, fashion designer, producer and businesswoman.

Also, THIS.

Rounded bottom

37. Luxury hotel chain: OMNI.

38. Zen paradox: KOAN.  Think hard, but don't think so hard.

39. "Star Trek" stunners: PHASERS.  Typical weapons used by the Starfleet personnel.

40. Popular beer pong choice: SOLO CUP.

41. Test result for a HS student: AP SCORE.  Advanced Placement test for prospective college students.  IMHO, a huge scam.

43. Grow dramatically: SHOOT UP.  Grow like a weed.

44. "You almost got it": SO CLOSE.

45. 42-Across cooker: TOASTER.  EGGO heater.

48. Bank holdup: HEIST.

49. Looped in on an email, briefly: CCD.  Originally Carbon CopieD, in the pre-email days.

52. Bus. bigwig: MGR.Abrv for Manager.

53. Former senator Hatch: ORRIN. [b 19340]  He retired in January of this year.

54. False front: GUISE. An external appearance that can conceal the true nature of something.

55. Deadly virus: EBOLA.  Cause of a rare and deadly disease, mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa, for which there is no known cure.

57. Olympic skating medalist Michelle: KWAN.  History making.

61. Keyboard shortcut key: ALT.

62. Weight room unit: REP. Repetition of a lift.

There you have it.  Did you skate through?  Was it uplifting?  Did you find some headache relief?

Cool regards!
JzB

Wednesday, August 21, 2019 Jim Bordoni and C. C. Burnikel

Theme: Say HI to the islands - but in their own language.  Here we have an initial theme, i.e. one where the first letter of each of two theme entry words combine to form the abbreviation for the most remote of the 50 states in the U.S.A.  Let's check it out.

17. *British-owned American hotel chain: HOLIDAY INN.  The first HOLIDAY INN was opened in 1952.  It and the next two were on roads to Memphis.  The name was a play on the title of a 1942 Christmas movie starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.  The chain is now owned by InterContinental Hotels Group, and has 1173 active locations.

22. *Went on foot: HOOFED IT.  Traveled by shank's mare - the horse with 10 toes.

33. *Wind chill factor relative: HEAT INDEX.  A combination of heat and humidity which puts stress on the human body.  Read about it here.

38. *Three-time U.S. Open champion: HALE IRWIN. [b 1945] He became the oldest ever Open champion in 1990 at age 45.

46. *Subject of much debate: HOT ISSUE.  Pick a side.

56. With "The," one of 50 since 8/21/1959, as hinted at by the answers to the starred clues: ALOHA  STATE.  Which is, of course HAWAII, our most recently admitted state. It's abrv is HI.

So HI, or alternatively, ALOHA, Gang.  JazzBumpa here to guide today's tour.  This puzzle is brought to you by our own C. C. and Corner denizen Jim.  I'll admit it took me a bit of time and mental energy to suss this theme.  We have miles to go before we sleep, so let's get moving.

Across:

1. Half of a stiff price to pay: ARM. Along with a leg.  Better than "Half a fly," in my opinionated opinion.

4. Chinese food additive: MSG. MonoSodium Glutamate.  Flavor enhancer that gives some people a headache.

7. Breed from Honshu: AKITA.  Dogs originating in the mountainous regions of northern Japan that now come in two varieties.

American Akitas [left] and Japanese Akitas [right]

12. Sob story makeup: WOES.  General ills and misfortunes.

14. __ Nui: Easter Island: RAPA.  An extremely remote island, 2182 miles of the coast of Chile, which annexed it in 1888.  First inhabited ca 1200 A.D., it is the most southeastern point of the Polynesian Triangle, and famous for its unusual stone artifacts.

Why the long face?

15. Jell-O flavor: LEMON.  One of many

16. Food for the kitty?: ANTE.  Price of entry for a poker hand.  The kitty is the accumulation of bets to be won.

19. Robert the Bruce, for one: SCOT.  He was King of Scotland from 1306 until his death in 1329.  At the battle of Bannockburn in 1314 he defeated a large English army and won independence from England.

20. Speak with style: ORATE.  Give a formal address or speak pompously and at great length.

21. Latin "to be": ESSE.

24. Boys: LADS.  Young fellas.

26. Actress Longoria: EVA.  Eva Jacqueline Bastón (née Longoria) [b 1975] is an American entertainer, business person and activist.

She got her star last year, and her baby, Santiago, this year.

27. Substitute for: RELIEVE.  Usually in a work setting or on a pitcher's mound.

30. Cat Deeley's role on "So You Think You Can Dance": EM CEE.  Master of Ceremonies. Never watched it.

35. Jobs title, once: CEO.  Steven Jobs [1955-2011] was, among other things, the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Apple, Inc.  Slightly misleading clue.

36. Represent inaccurately: BELIE. Deceive by lying.  Current usage is from the 17th century, but the word has solid old Anglo-Saxon roots.

37. Web access co.: ISP.  Internet Service Provider.

41. "Semper fidelis" is one: MOTTO.  A phrase that captures the beliefs or ideals of an individual or institution.  This one belongs to the U. S. Marine Corps, and means "always faithful/loyal." Mine is "What I lack in youth, I make up for with immaturity."

43. Veterans: OLD PROS.  Experienced experts.  In contrast, I am an old amateur.

44. Refuge for couples?: ARK.  Animals, two by two.

45. Italian automaker: FIAT.  Owner of Chrysler.

51. Golfer's transport: CART.  Gets you from tee to green.

53. Night calls: HOOTS.  Owl calls.  Assuming you give a HOOT.

55. Radius neighbor: ULNA.  Bones of the forearm, in case you weren't forewarned.

58. Eyeglass frames: RIMS. Lens holders.

59. Have more People come to the house?: RENEW.  Re-up a subscription to People magazine.  Took me a minute.

60. City near Anaheim: BREA.  This is not the home of the La Brea tar pits, which are about 40 miles to the northwest, within the city of Los Angeles.  It is an important retail center and home to an extensive public arts program.

61. Dueling sport: EPEE.  For sword play.

62. Midler of "Hello Dolly": BETTE.  The divine miss M [b 1945.]

63. Leb. neighbor: SYR.  Lebanon is on the coast of the Mediterranean. SYRIA surrounds it on the east and north.

64. Cap initials at Busch Stadium: STL.  Cardinals baseball team.

Down:

1. Knee-deep (in): AWASH.  Flooded by.

2. Chop-O-Matic maker: RONCO.  Former American company founded in 1964 by Ron [no relation] Popeil.  In 2005, he sold the company to Fi-Tek VII, a Denver holding company.  After a couple Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings, the company refiled under Chapter 7 in 2018, to be liquidated and shut down.

3. Anti-harassment movement: ME TOO.  A movement begun in 2017 to demonstrate the wide spread prevalence of sexual harassment, especially in the workplace

4. New Zealand settler: MAORI.  Eastern Polynesians who arrived in NZ by canoe in several waves from ca. 1320 to 1350.  Over several centuries of isolation, they developed their own culture, language, arts and mythology.

5. Paint spill sound: SPLAT.  Or generic cartoon falling sound.

6. Stable pace: GAIT.  One's manner of walking.

7. In the style of: ALA.

8. Entered, as data: KEYED IN.

9. "That went right over my head": I MISSED   IT.  As almost happened to me with today's theme.

10. Truckloads: TONS.   Non-specific large quantities.

11. Heche of "Psycho" (1998): ANNE. [b. 1969]

13. Fixed charge: SET FEE.  A stated amount paid for work or service that does not depend on time spent or how much the service is used.

14. Valerie Harper sitcom: RHODA. The original run on CBS was from September, 1974 to December, 1978.

18. Get rid of: DELETE.

23. Christmas __: EVE.  'Twas the night before.

25. Boxer who beat Frazier twice: ALI.  Muhammed Ali [Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, 1972 - 2016] was also an activist and philanthropist.

27. Ball game delayer: RAIN.  Baseball.  Football plays through blizzards.

28. Tuxedo part: VEST.

29. Former Canadian MLBer: EXPO.  The EXPOS, based in Montreal, played in the NL East Division from 1969 to 2004.

30. Repeat: ECHO. Literally - sound bouncing back from a solid surface.  Figuratively - a repetition of something.

31. Happy __: MEAL.  Kid's fare from McDonald's.

32. Leading edge of cooler temperatures: COLD FRONT.  Just exactly this.

33. Cuts down: HEWS.  With an ax, pick or other tool.

34. Yale alum: ELI.  For Elihu Yale, founder of the University.

36. Thin soups: BROTHS. Savory liquids in which bones, meat or vegetables have been simmered.

39. Peter the Great, e.g.: EPITHET. An adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality or characteristic on a person or thing.

40. 401(k) kin, briefly: IRA. Individual Retirement Account.

41. CT scan relative: MRI. Magnetic Resonance Image.

42. "Sounds good": OK, SURE.  Fine by me.

44. Utterly confused: AT SEA. Baffled.

46. White with frost: HOARY.  Grey or white, as if with age.  I'm taking this one personally.

47. Furry swimmer: OTTER.  Carnivorous mammal with a diet based on fish and invertebrates, related to weasels, badgers, minks and skunks.  The 13 existing species are all aquatic, semi-aquatic or marine.

48. Berth places: SLIPS.  Docking spots adjacent to wharfs or piers.

49. Not yet achieved, as a goal: UNMET. Work in progress, or have you given up?

50. Art class item: EASEL.  Support for your item to be painted.

51. Atkins no-no: CARBohydrates - starches and sugars.

52. Toward shelter: ALEE.  Protected from the wind.

54. Some parlors, for short: OTBS.  Off Track Betting Sites.

57. Stun: AWE.  Amaze.

That wraps up today's adventure. We met movie stars and extensively traveled the pacific basin.  Plus, of course, there were some baseball references.  Hope you enjoyed the journey.

Cool regards!
JzB

Notes from C.C.:

As Ron mentioned earlier, Jim is from our Crossword Corner. He used to comment regularly with the avatar JimmyB. His mom and Chickie (Leah) were classmates, if I recall correctly.

Jim proposed this idea to me in early 2018. He and his wife Diane go to Hawaii for vacation every year. Jim and I met in 2016 when he visited Minneapolis for the Roy Griak Invitational. It was lots of fun working with him. He's so resourceful and efficient. Thanks for making this puzzle happen, Jim!

Diane, Jim and C.C., 9/25/2016

2) Owen had another surgery yesterday, but he's back on line now. I still have not figured out the numbers in his 1:28 pm post. Anyone, anyone? Stay healthy for your fans, Owen!


3) Look what I just got. Fresh Lei from Hawaii! Holy smokes. Thanks, Jim!
 

Sunday August 4, 2019 C.C. Burnikel

Theme: "Walk-off" - BAT goes backward in each theme entry.
 
3. Hacker's coup: DATA BREACH.
 
5. SunTrust Park player: ATLANTA BRAVE.

11. Presidential moniker: HONEST ABE.

15. Genre from Mississippi: DELTA BLUES.

40. Heart rhythm manager: BETA BLOCKER.

66. University of California city: SANTA BARBARA. And 50. City near 66-Down: OJAI.

74. "Sweet Love" R&B singer: ANITA BAKER.

79. Annual Arizona football game: FIESTA BOWL.

82. Almost: JUST ABOUT.

Reveal:

118. Something flipped after a walk-off home run ... and in the nine longest Down answers: BAT.

Again, the title is Rich's, who is a devoted Yankees fan. I originally had "Bat Flip" as a title. Rich suggested that I put BAT in the grid and used "Walk-Off" as title.

Rich accepts Sunday theme queries, so constructors do not waste time filling in a Sunday grid. Such a luxury!

Across:

1. Org. with the slogan "No More Victims": MADD. You can't talk on the phone while driving in Minnesota now. Hands-free law went into effect last Thursday.

5. Addis __ University: ABABA.

10. Thunder god: THOR.

14. Tributes in verse: ODES.

18. Inbox pileup: EMAIL.

20. Made level, with "up": TRUED. I only submitted "Made level". Rich added [ " with "up" ] extra. TRUED up = Made level. Hence the extra. He's just a wordsmith.

21. State since 1846: IOWA.

22. Present: HERE.

23. Mucho: LOTSA.

24. Ski resort hangout: LODGE.

25. Big name in women's apparel: ANN TAYLOR. Owns the Loft brand.

27. "Ozark" or "Fargo": DRAMA.

28. Young Darth: ANI.

29. Goose that sometimes nests in lava fields: NENE.

31. Lies for, maybe: ABETS.

32. On an even keel: BALANCED.

35. Job for Sam Spade: CASE.

37. Remote battery: AAA.

38. Two-time NBA Finals MVP: BRYANT. Kobe.

39. Asian fusion restaurant chain: NOBU. Their signature dish is miso-marinated black cod. Yellowrocks probably made this before.

41. Glad offering: TRASH BAG.

45. Become defunct: DIE.

46. Multi-platinum Steely Dan album: AJA.

47. Type of sale: CLEARANCE.

49. Language in the Tai family: LAO. Lots of vowels in Lao: 33.

52. Challenge in court: OBJECT.

54. Orchestra pitch setter: OBOE.

55. Fourth-down play: PUNT.

56. Unbearably confident: COCKSURE.

58. Instruction Alice followed: EAT ME.

60. Rapid-fire: SPEEDY.

62. "Hmm ... doubt it": UH NO.

63. Withdrawal site: ATM. Money withdrawal.

65. Cry at a shearing: BAA.

66. "I'm good with it": SUITS ME.

67. Streamed, perhaps: ON TV.

69. Run-D.M.C.'s "You Be __": ILLIN.

71. Pretended to be: APED.

72. "You don't have to remind me": I'M AWARE.

75. "The Matrix" role: NEO.

76. Big ball of energy: SUN.

78. Food since the Han Dynasty: TOFU. One of my favorite food.

81. "Casino" co-star: DE NIRO.

82. Like ripe mangoes: JUICY. These are the Asian-style mangoes.

84. "Well done, sista!": ATTA GIRL.

87. Chocolat chaud need: LAIT. Hot chocolate.

88. It has colorful suspects: CLUE.

90. __ Khan: KUBLAI. Grandson of Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire.

92. Crazy Taxi publisher: SEGA.

93. Summer hrs. in Buffalo: EDT.

94. Knock response: WHO'S THERE.

96. Deli order: BLT.

98. Put a Singer to work: SEW.

99. Track tie: DEAD HEAT.

101. 105-Across output: ARTE. 105. "Mae West Lips Sofa" sculptor: DALI.

102. Modifies to fit: ADAPTS.

104. Drone, e.g.: BEE.

107. Thai chili sauce: SRIRACHA. In that red bottle. Popular sauce for Pho. You should be able to find it in your local grocery store. Asian section.

109. Saves, with "away": SALTS.

111. Cause of some nodding: BORE.

113. "Hold on a sec," in texts: BRB. Be Right Back.

114. Lunar path: ORBIT.

117. Acknowledges the applause: TAKES A BOW.

119. Early life stage: LARVA.

121. Haka dancers: MAORI.

122. "American Psycho" author __ Easton Ellis: BRET.

123. Ancient France: GAUL.

124. Prime minister after Major: BLAIR. Tony Blair was the prime minster when Hong Kong was handed over to China. I don't remember paying attention to him, or Prince Charles at the ceremony. The guy in the middle is the then-governor Chris Patten, who was very liked. So sad to see what's happening in HK now.

125. Nubian Museum city: ASWAN.

126. Have the nerve: DARE.

127. Bar worker: Abbr.: ATTY.

128. Cigna rival: AETNA.

129. "Frozen Fever" queen: ELSA.

Down:

1. Canasta play: MELD.

2. Love in Spain: AMOR.

4. Consternation: DISMAY. A bit of mess when Boomer and I went to the Mississippi dam on Friday. Lots of construction work along the parking lot area. Looks like they're going to charge a fee next year.

6. Rodeo mount: BRONC.

7. Theater group: AUDIENCE.

8. Plead with: BEG.

9. Yemen's principal port: ADEN. Their capital now.

10. "The Princess and the Frog" princess: TIANA.

12. Beat consistently: OWN.

13. Pro __: RATA.

14. "Now I remember": OH YEAH.

16. Bow-toting god: EROS.

17. Sun. delivery: SER.

19. Yellow Teletubby with a curly antenna: LAA LAA.

26. Humiliate: ABASE.

30. Quito's land: Abbr.: ECUA.

33. European pear: ANJOU. I think I tried it once. I much prefer Korean pears on the bottom.

Korean Pears

34. Sweetly, to Salieri: DOLCE.

36. Game designer Rubik: ERNO.

38. Delicate trinket: BIJOU.

42. Hickok's last hand, reportedly: ACES UP.

43. Texas school, informally: A AND M.

44. "Somebody That I Used to Know" singer: GOTYE. Unusual name. Hope this area did not give you trouble.

45. Dwarf wearing specs: DOC.

48. Punic Wars fighters: ROMANS.

51. "You don't have to remind me": I KNOW IT.

53. Jacuzzi feature: JET.

55. Nana and Toto: PET DOGS.

57. Ping producer: SONAR.

59. __ chi: TAI.

61. St. Peter's Basilica sculpture: PIETA.

64. Movement in Brahms' Serenade No. 1: MINUET. Rich's clue, of course!

68. Throat lozenge: TROCHE. MedicinNet says "Strictly speaking, a troche should be circular since the word derives from the Greek "trokhiskos" meaning "a little wheel."

70. Molokai memento: LEI.

72. Sat at a light: IDLED.

73. Winner at Gettysburg: MEADE.

77. AA flying rival: UAL. American Airlines.

80. Prompts: URGES.

83. Domed Asian shelters: YURTS.

85. Swinton of "Burn After Reading": TILDA.

86. Bar code?: LAW.

89. Dryer unit: LOAD.

91. Sausage at tailgate parties: BEER BRAT.

94. Piques, as an appetite: WHETS.

95. Locks up?: HAIR.

97. Washington port: TACOMA.

100. Remove: DELETE.

103. Sentence fragment: PHRASE.

106. Humble: LOWLY.

108. NFL Network analyst Michael __: IRVIN.

109. Lee whom nobody doesn't like: SARA.

110. Long tale: SAGA.

112. Island off Tuscany: ELBA.

115. Some S&L plans: IRAS.

116. Grammy winner Turner: TINA.

117. Sched. uncertainty: TBD.

120. Mirror Pond product: ALE. Again, Rich's clue. Never heard of this brand.

C.C.