Sunday May 3, 2026 Ben Wildman-Tobriner & Shaun Phillips

 Theme: "PERIODIC UPDATES" - The chemical element in each common phrase is replaced by its periodic table symbol. 

 22. Upside found periodically in a bad situation?: AG LINING. Silver lining. 

29. Queen singer played periodically by Rami Malek?: FREDDIE HG. Freddie Mercury. 

46. Cary Grant film that airs periodically on classic movie channels?: AS AND OLD LACE. Arsenic and Old Lace

41. Baking ware that's only used periodically?: MUFFIN SN. Muffin tin. 

96. Dickens novel that's only read periodically?: DAVID CUFIELD. David Copperfield. 

100. Perfect stand-up material performed periodically?: COMEDY AU. Comedy gold. 

115. Hairstyling device applied periodically?: CURLING FE. Curling iron.

124. Periodically prone to breaking the speed limit?: PB-FOOTED. Lead-footed. 

Reveal:

 69. Advantage in some situations, or an alternate title for this puzzle: ELEMENT OF SURPRISE.

This is a very straightforward symbol substitution theme. The constructors probably spent more time on the theme cluing then finding the theme set. 

Constructor Ben Wildman-Tobriner is also an Olympic swimmer. See this Wikipedia page.  He won a gold medal as part of the world-record 4x100 freestyle relay, one of the most exciting relays ever.  In the heats, he swam alongside Nathan Adrian, Cullen Jones, and Matt Grevers. Adrian and Jones also swam in the final, along with Michael Phelps and Jason Lezak. 

Across:

1. Cheerful: GLAD.

5. Wrigley product: GUM.

8. Ocean liner?: COAST. Literally. 

13. Brazilian coins: REALS.

18. Govern: RULE.

19. Inspired by: A LA.

20. Per __: CAPITA.

21. Kaitlin of "High Potential": OLSON. She also voiced the whale shark Destiny in "Finding Dory".

24. On the wrong path: ASTRAY.

25. Shelter org.: ASPCA.

26. __ turtle: SEA.

27. Fills with love: ENAMORS.

31. "Come on now!": PSHAW.

33. In the past: EARLIER.

35. Takes a rideshare: UBERS.

36. MLB stat: RBI.

38. Flavor of many a bright green martini: SOUR APPLE.  Granny Smith is the only sour apple I can think of.

51. Due-in hr.: ETA.

52. Parroted: ECHOED.

54. Swimmer's wear: CAP.

55. Midsize car: SEDAN.

56. Word: TERM.

58. Clutched: HELD.

59. Must pay: OWES TO.

62. Pagoda instrument: GONG. You can visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, very close to my childhood home. 

63. Fancy tie: ASCOT.

65. Tyler of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?": AISHA.

67. Anise aperitif: OUZO.

75. Beauty aisle brand: OLAY. Been into CeraVe the past few years. 

76. Dorm digs: SUITE.

77. Coins of the realm?: PENCE.  Kingdom "realm".

80. Basketball stuff: DUNK.

83. Civil rights icon Mandela: NELSON.

86. Olaf's creator in "Frozen": ELSA.

89. Udder part: TEAT.

90. Physicist Newton: ISAAC.

92. __ Quixote: DON.

93. Bee keeper: APIARY.

95. "Rocky III" actor: MR T.

102. Portrayal: DEPICTION.

104. "What a treat!": YAY.

105. "All the Light We Cannot See" novelist Anthony: DOERR. He won a Pulitzer Prize for the book. 

108. Perseveres with: KEEPS AT.

111. Warms: HEATS.

118. Like tiramisu and cannoli: ITALIAN.

120. Letter before sigma: RHO.

121. Desert near the Sinai Peninsula: NEGEV. Abraham lived in and moved through the Negev.

122. Victory celebration: PARADE.

126. Elevator stop, in Paris: ETAGE. French for "floor".

127. Fit to be farmed: ARABLE.

128. Chart topper: HIT.

129. Rae who plays President Barbie in "Barbie": ISSA.

130. Broadway awards: TONYS.

131. Bristlelike grippers on gecko feet: SETAE. Learned from doing crosswords.

132. Batteries in some remotes: AAS.

133. Soapmaking supplies: LYES.

Down:

1. Clutch: GRASP.

2. Olympic sleds: LUGES.

3. God of Islam: ALLAH.

4. Agnus __: DEI. Lamb of God.

5. Choice when the Tide runs out?: GAIN. Detergent. 

6. Lower arm bones: ULNAE.

7. Pre-eruption lava: MAGMA.

8. Conspirator in "Julius Caesar": CASSIUS.  He was the brother-in-law of Brutus. There are total 60 conspirators. We also have 79. "Not you too!": ET TU.

9. Go (for): OPT.

10. Carrier whose primary hub is Charles de Gaulle: AIR FRANCE.

11. Headliner: STAR.

12. Diggs of "All American": TAYE. He was married to our crossword regular Idina Menzel for many years. 

13. Surfaces that hold tracks and ties: ROADBEDS.

14. Borden mascot: ELSIE.

15. In accordance with: AS PER.

16. Scottish waters: LOCHS.

17. Hiccup: SNAG.

20. Bunch of clowns, maybe: CARLOAD. I like the visual image in this clue.

23. Greenhorn: NEWBIE.

28. RN workplaces: ORS.

30. Boring: DULL.

32. Shelter sound: ARF.

34. Significant stretch: ERA.

37. Inseam unit: INCH.

39. BlackBerrys, e.g.: Abbr.: PDAS.

40. Can opener: POP TOP.

41. Like a movie making fun of its own plot holes: META.

42. Great Basin people: UTES.

43. Mockery: FARCE.

44. __ shed: SHE.

45. Sports podcaster Katie: NOLAN. Wikipedia says she won a Sports Emmy Award in 2016 for her podcast Garbage Time with Katie Nolan.

47. The 587-piece Pok mon Eevee, e.g.: LEGO SET.

48. Big fuss: ADO.

49. "You __ do it!": CAN.

50. Cornwall lang.: ENG.

53. Exchange words?: EDIT.

57. Fifth-largest Hawaiian island: MOLOKAI.

59. "What a treat!": OH FUN.

60. "Now, where __?": WAS I.

61. Team's adjective: OUR.

64. Business card no.: TEL.

66. Only OK: SO SO.

68. Oomph: ZIP.

70. Fellow: MAN.

71. Got the measure of: EYED UP.

72. The Miners of the NCAA: UTEP.

73. Museum piece: RELIC.

74. Syndrome in "The Incredibles," e.g.: ENEMY. He's the archenemy of Mr. Incredible. Learning moment for me.

78. Model Delevingne: CARA.

80. Pulled off: DID.

81. Mex. neighbor: USA.

82. Pt. of USNA: NAV.

84. Lacking sharp sound quality, briefly: LO-FI.

85. Ridicule: SNICKER AT.

87. __ Paulo, Brazil: SAO.

88. Military force: ARMY.

91. Features of PC towers, once: CD DRIVES.

93. Rescue dog, e.g.: ADOPTEE.

94. "Hard pass": YEAH NO.

97. Home of the Large Hadron Collider: CERN. The European Organization for Nuclear Research. Based in Geneva.

98. Summer in la cit : ETE.

99. Go unused: LIE IDLE.

101. Give some shade?: DYE. Ha. I just pluck the white hair if I see one. Often I pluck the wrong strand.  

103. Intel org.: NSA.

105. As a result of: DUE TO.

106. Church instrument: ORGAN.

107. John Milton's "Lycidas," for one: ELEGY.

109. Letter before beta: ALPHA.

110. Lower leg bone: TIBIA.

112. Like many indie films: ARTSY.

113. "If __ walls could talk ... ": THESE.

114. Bar mixers: SODAS.

115. Tech news site: CNET.

116. College figs.: GPAS.

117. Grub: FARE.

119. Times before eves, in classified ads: AFTS. Afternoons.

123. Legal org.: ABA.

125. Snake __: OIL.

C.C.

Sunday April 26, 2026 Zhou Zhang & Kevin Curry

Theme: "A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT" - A well-known river runs through each theme entry between the letters I & T. 

26. Performs for only one side of the audience?: EXISTS STAGE RIGHT. Exits stage right. Crossing 27. Slithering reptile: SNAKE. 

35. Support for a fractured fruit?: BANANA SPLINT. Banana split. Crossing 12. Seattle-based retail giant: AMAZON.

69. Sew angry?: RAGE QUILT. Rage quit. Crossing  60. "Slow down" light color: YELLOW.

 94. Mass celebrations?: PIETY PARTIES. Pity parties. Crossing 78. __ blue: biology stain: NILE.

110. Needs size EEEEEE shoes?: HAS A PROBLEM WIDTH. Has a problem with. Crossing 100. "Song Sung Blue" Oscar nominee: HUDSON.

Very creative theme. Notice all the rivers are clued in the non-river direction. You can't have GANGES as there's no other way to clue it other than the river itself. So this grid has an extra layer of constraint. 

Our first Sunday from Zhou Zhang & Kevin Curry, a true puzzle family. Their kids are crossword constructors also.  

Across:

1. Salad follower?: BAR. Salad bar. 

4. Like clothes after a spin cycle: DAMP.

8. Dream state, briefly: REM.

11. Savors the sun: BASKS. Spring is finally here.

16. __ carte menu: ALA.

17. Cookies that debuted with a lemon meringue variety: OREOS. 

19. French friend: AMIE.

21. Italian fashion giant: ARMANI. 

22. Understand: GET.

23. "Don't interrupt!": I'M SPEAKING.

25. Longs for: CRAVES.

29. Puzzle pieces?: ZEES.

30. "Bleeding Love" singer Lewis: LEONA. British singer. 

31. "Otello" baritone: IAGO.

32. Herd word: MOO.

33. Like mackerel: OILY. Good fat. 

34. Natural rope fiber: SISAL.

40. Supermodel Heidi: KLUM.

43. Use a keyboard: TYPE.

44. Caterpillar roll ingredient: EEL. Eel sauce on top. Yummy! We also have 87. California roll ingredient: CRAB.

45. Calendar col.: FRI.

48. Ye __ Apothecary: OLDE.

51. Snoop (around): NOSE.

53. Snoop: PRY.

55. Leave for a minute: STEP OUT.

57. Beach volleyball team, e.g.: DUO. 64. Pair in a ring: TAG TEAM.

58. Kitchen gloves: MITTS.

59. First woman to be head writer on "SNL": FEY. Tina. 

61. Applies, as influence: EXERTS.

62. Head of the class: EDUCATOR.

67. Crush it, informally: SLAY. And  68. With competence: ABLY.

71. Wild guess: STAB.

72. Org. that sells "I Read Banned Books" bookmarks: ACLU. I always like the trivia angle. 

73. Headache remedy: ASPIRIN.

74. Texas symbol: LONE STAR.

77. Primps: PREENS.

79. High-end camera initials: SLR.

80. Was victorious in: WON AT.

81. Sense of self: EGO.

82. Cobbler container: PIE DISH.

84. Poorly lit: DIM.

86. Flabbergasts: AWES.

88. Donkey: ASS. I'm still searching for my lost donkeys. 

89. Gymnast Suni with six Olympic medals: LEE. Minnesotan!

90. Direction in a Steinbeck title: EAST.

92. Hindi film star __ Rukh Khan: SHAH.  "King Khan" of Bollywood. 

99. Shanghai salutation: NI HAO. Ni = You. Hao = Good.

103. Prop for Zach Galifianakis's talk show: FERN. Super funny show. "Between Two Ferns".

105. "__ out!": YER.

106. Home run run: TROT.

108. Poor skiing condition: SLUSH.

109. Graph lines: AXES.

114. Benefit: UPSIDE.

116. Ability to spot details: TRAINED EYE.

117. Moo __ pork: SHU.

118. Scottish monster, affectionately: NESSIE.

119. Chow for a Clydesdale: OATS.

120. American Red Cross visitor: DONOR.

121. Yoga chants: OMS.

122. Coin receivers: SLOTS.

123. Sound of disapproval: TSK.

124. Apprehends: NABS.

125. "I don't wanna": NAH.

Down:
 
1. Deli staples with cream cheese: BAGELS. 

2. Vronsky of "Anna Karenina": ALEXEI. Anna's lover. 

3. Mathematical comparisons: RATIOS.

4. Be good at everything: DO IT ALL.

5. Upper limbs: ARMS.

6. First MLS player to win consecutive MVP awards: MESSI. Leo. 

7. Can opener: POP TAB.

8. Zen garden tool: RAKE.

9. Mideast dignitary: EMIR.

10. A maximis ad __: MINIMA.  Latin for "from the greatest things to the smallest".

11. Sweater weather sound: BRR.

13. "Now's not the time": SAVE IT FOR LATER. 50. Risky late-night coffee order: DOUBLE ESPRESSO. We seldom see a pair of 14s as fill on a Sunday grid. Lovely.  

14. Pay respect, in a way: KNEEL.

15. Actress Spacek: SISSY.

18. Channels that provide ocean access: SEA GATES.

20. Freezer aisle waffles: EGGOS.

21. Playbill word: ACT.

24. Suffering: AGONY.

28. Crosses one's fingers: HOPES.

36. Where a QR code may lead: APP.

37. Toy ball blaster: NERF GUN.

38. "Who cares if they do": LET EM.

39. Holly genus: ILEX. Learned from doing crosswords. 

41. Foot or stone: UNIT.

42. Parts of e-bikes: MOTORS.

46. Root vegetable high in vitamin C: RUTABAGA. Didn't know this. Boomer always prepared us boiled rutabaga for Thanksgiving. So hard to cut. 

47. Tiny: ITSY.

48. Words of praise: ODE.

49. Rapper in the "Fast & Furious" franchise: LUDACRIS.

52. Thin parts on tanks: STRAPS.

54. Cooler named for a cryptid: YETI.

56. Younger siblings, stereotypically: PESTS.

58. Month that's rarely abbreviated: MAY.

63. Like crosswords: CLUED.

64. Yorkie, for one: TERRIER.

65. Pollution stat: AQI.

66. Makes amends (for): ATONES.

70. Give an expensive coat to: GILD.

71. Adjust, as an alarm: SET.

72. Dad, in Korean: APPA. Mom is eomma.

73. Liability opposite: ASSET.

75. Basketball Hall of Famer Steve: NASH.

76. Actor Corddry: ROB. Was a correspondent on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart".

80. Furniture prohibited in many apartment leases: WATER BED.

83. OutKast hit: HEY YA.

85. Small rug: MAT.

87. __ crisp oil: CHILI.

91. Hold back, as information: SIT ON.

93. Gets back to: ANSWERS.

95. Stand firm: INSIST.

96. Sauce made with pine nuts: PESTO.

97. Genesis mountain: ARARAT. Noah's Ark landed here.

98. Convinced of: SOLD ON.

101. Respiratory condition: ASTHMA.

102. "Quiet, you": OH HUSH.

103. Followers of Bacchus: FAUNS.

104. Boot: EXPEL.

107. "Congo Square" singer-songwriter __ Marie: TEENA.

110. Laugh syllable: HEE.

111. Bits of butter: PATS.

112. Game whose board has 42 territories: RISK.

113. "Stay out of this," for short: MYOB. Mind Your Own Business.

115. Put down: DIS.

In case you missed yesterday. I mentioned a thoughtful initiative from the Minnesota-based constructors Will Eisenberg and Hannah Slovut-Einertson: Midis for Minnesota, a pack of 13 midi puzzles tied to donations supporting immigrant families in need. The puzzles are edited by Will. Contribute to a mutual aid organization, send in proof, and the puzzles are yours. I made the preview puzzle. Give it a solve. 

C.C.

Sunday April 19, 2026 Adam Landau

 Theme: "SUPERMARKET SWEEP" - Each theme entry strings together three familiar product brands  in the aisle named in the clue.

23. Brief but strong infatuation in the beverage aisle?: BRISK MONSTER CRUSH.

38. Sly campaign to keep white birds out of the deodorant aisle?: SECRET DOVE BAN.

51. Huge supply of sled dogs in the household goods aisle?: HEFTY HUSKY BOUNTY.

66. Improve Alabama school spirit in the laundry aisle?: GAIN TIDE CHEER.

84. Ms. Witherspoon's Peruvian friends in the candy aisle?: REESE'S ANDES PEEPS.

92. Full commitment to benevolence in the cereal aisle?: TOTAL KIND LIFE.

114. Exclusive gathering around a cauldron in the snack aisle?: PREMIUM KETTLE CLUB.

In the old Tribune Media Daily days, we would have "three types of candy" or "three types of cereal" clues.

Adam elevates the concept beyond simple mashups. It takes real creativity to craft a coherent surface for each trio so that the brands read naturally when placed side by side.

Across:

1. Scary story emotion: FEAR.

5. Corrida star: TORERO. Spanish for "bullfighter".

11. Yogi's pose: ASANA.

16. "__ Is a Woman": Ariana Grande song: GOD.

19. Shakespearean villain: IAGO.

20. Putting in some miles, say: ON A RUN.

21. Trig function: COSEC.

22. Impersonate: APE.

26. __ of attrition: LAW.

27. Daytime show until 2022: ELLEN. "Call Me Maybe" era memories. Blurry images though.

28. Sundaes, e.g.: DESSERTS.

29. 2026 Olympics host country: ITALY.

31. Whiskey choice: RYE.

32. Spanish river to the Mediterranean: EBRO.

35. Evian, par exemple: EAU.

36. Sacramento daily: BEE.

37. French father: PERE. et Mere.

45. Opera solo: ARIA.

48. Ordinary: USUAL.

50. Financial: MONETARY.

56. Toledo's lake: ERIE.

57. Pitcher's rate?: AD FEE. Sales pitch. 

58. Cell service letters: LTE.

59. Check no.: ACCT.

60. Take by force: WREST. Not our normal USURP or SEIZE.

61. Vegan cafe order: SOY LATTE.

63. Farm insects: ANTS.

64. Bridal party attire: DRESSES.

69. Finalize, as a house purchase: CLOSE ON.

73. Exclude: OMIT.

74. Obscene: INDECENT.

79. Show runner?: AIRER. Literally. 

80. Borscht base: BEET.

81. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" singer Kamoze: INI. Learning moment for me. 

82. Radii neighbors: ULNAE.

83. Nota __: BENE.

88. Tool for an ENT: OTOSCOPE.

90. Have faith in: TRUST.

91. Campus group: FRAT.

96. Pet brand since 1946: IAMS.

98. Figure skater Alysa: LIU. She's stunning. 

99. Landlocked Eur. country: AUS.

100. Ocular issue: STYE.

101. Light-years away: FAR.

104. Dry shampoo target: SCALP. Not a fan of dry shampoo. 

107. Unleash: LET LOOSE.

111. Corn: MAIZE.

113. Sin City airport code: LAS.

118. Alias letters: AKA.

119. Consumed: EATEN.

120. City near Hueco Tanks: EL PASO. Hueco Tanks is a Texas state park. Unfamiliar to me. 

121. Neutral shade: ECRU.

122. __ in one's step: PEP.

123. Corp. shuffle: REORG.

124. Woven furniture material: RATTAN.

125. Ewes and does: SHES.

Down:

1. Nutrient found in most fruit: FIBER. I'm so looking forward to the peach season. 

2. At 4 a.m., say: EARLY.

3. Limber: AGILE.

4. "Titanic" heroine: ROSE.

5. __ yum: Thai soup: TOM. Tom means "boiling". Hot. 

6. Peace activist Yoko: ONO.

7. Stranger, in slang: RANDO.

8. Gaelic language: ERSE.

9. Tedious routines: RUTS.

10. "Be right back ... ": ONE SEC.

11. Build over time: ACCRUE.

12. Spreadsheet action: SORT.

13. Taiwanese tech giant: ASUS. Named after Pegasus, the winged horse.

14. Console known as Famicom in Japan: NES. Famicom stands for Family Computer.

15. Realize: ACHIEVE.

16. Big do: GALA.

17. Fall birthstone: OPAL.

18. Damp in the morning: DEWY.

24. Leg joint: KNEE.

25. Foster: REAR.

30. Wobbles: TEETERS.

33. "Dude, are you serious?": BRUH.

34. Bring about: RESULT IN.

36. Like hard-to-eat fish: BONY.

37. Dev of "Monkey Man": PATEL. Made his breakthrough  in "Slumdog Millionaire"

38. Quaff with sushi: SAKE.

39. "Tarzan" actor Ron: ELY.

40. Cartoon quartet named for Renaissance artists, for short: TMNT. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael

41. Half of a colon: DOT.

42. Exposes: BARES.

43. Pop up: ARISE.

44. Russian denials: NYETS.

45. Clicking sounds?: AHAS. Good old clue.

46. Second chance: REDO.

47. Not certain: IFFY.

49. Route that includes a ferry between Wisc. and Mich.: US TEN.

52. Record-setting pilot Chuck: YEAGER.

53. Wild West robbers: BANDITS.

54. One set of pawns, in chess: OCTET.

55. Sch. whose mascot is Sammy the Banana Slug: UCSC. University of California, Santa Cruz.

60. "It's our turn!": WE'RE UP.

62. Eastern philosophy: TAO. Dao in China. 

63. Mann of alt-rock: AIMEE.

64. Fights an allegation: DENIES IT.

65. Like half of Indonesia's flag: RED.

67. Pedicure targets: TOES.

68. One performing puja: HINDU. Puja is Hindu worship ritual. 

69. American statesman Henry __ Lodge: CABOT.

70. Mislead: LIE TO.

71. "... but maybe I'm off base?": OR NOT.

72. Has a panoramic view, say: SEES ALL.

75. Staff figures: CLEFS.

76. Fed. power dept.: ENER.

77. __ cabbage: NAPA. We ate napa cabbage and daikon every day during winter when I was a kid.  Popular ingredients in Chinese paocai, our version of kimchi. 

78. Sample: TEST.

80. "It's __ a minute!": BEEN.

81. Memo starter: IN RE.

84. Smart TV option: ROKU.

85. Prefix with dermal: EPI.

86. DOJ bureau: ATF.

87. Lisa Loeb hit single: STAY.

89. Intuit Dome player: CLIPPER. NBA's newest arena in Inglewood, CA.

93. Seeing romantically: DATING.

94. Doozy: LULU.

95. Chemical cousin: ISOMER.

97. Viral post: MEME.

100. Adjust to: SET AT.

101. Pilfer: FILCH.

102. Bright blue hue: AZURE.

103. Picture puzzle: REBUS.

104. Smack: SLAP.

105. Birthday order: CAKE. I want this. 

106. "Stat!": ASAP.

107. Sister of Asteria in Greek mythology: LETO.

108. Pt. of EMT: EMER.

109. St. with a panhandle: OKLA.

110. Mo. in a Green Day title: SEPT.

112. Vegas team: ACES.

115. Issa of "American Fiction": RAE.

116. Screening org.: TSA.

117. Silent film star Chaney: LON.

On a sad note, I'm sharing that Bill G, who used to comment regularly on our blog, passed away in February 2025. I had emailed him a "Happy Birthday" message, his daughter Bonnie let me know the  news. Bill was a warm and thoughtful presence here, and he will be missed. 

Barbara, Bill & their grandchildren

Happy Birthday to to dear Kelly Clark, a regular and a terrific crossword constructor! Happy Birthday also to Anonymous PVX!

And a belated Happy Birthday to our Thursday Sherpa Rusty Brain. Hope you had a great celebration yesterday, Brian! Here's to continuing to age like a fine cheese!

 

Sunday April 12, 2026 Darryl Gonzalez

 Theme: "MAJOR CHANGE" - Each academic degree is reinterpreted as a different kind in a fitting field. 

22. Degree in promoting mani-pedis?: DIGITAL MARKETING.

37. Degree in restoring historic factories?: PLANT CONSERVATION.

55. Degree in flytrap innovations?: WEB DEVELOPMENT.

81. Degree in pudding skin consistency?: FILM PRODUCTION.

94. Degree in preaching?: MASS COMMUNICATION.

116. Degree in building polite society?: CIVIL ENGINEERING.

Perfect title. All the key words shift meanings, key to this type of theme. Six long entries totally 94 theme squares, right in my sweet spot for a 21x21 grid. 

This grid also has chunky stacks along the left/right edges, with plenty of solid 6's and 7's.

Across:

1. Combine: MERGE.

6. Gym amenity: SAUNA.

11. Primate that can be lesser or great: APE. We're great, of course. 

14. Tags on social media: ATS.

17. Salchow cousins: AXELS. Salchow jump is named after its inventor, Ulrich Salchow,

18. Like this answer: ACROSS.

20. Young boy: LAD.

21. Blueberrylike fruit: SLOE.

25. Luau interlude: HULA.

26. Vivacity: ELAN.

27. Northern Scotland native: GAEL. Gaelic is their language. 

28. Beverage suffix: ADE.

29. Biology blueprints: GENOMES.

31. Muscle at the end of the clavicle: DELTOID. Strengthened by dumbbell lateral raises.

33. Blueprints: PLANS.

35. Building unit: CONDO.

36. Poetic tribute: ODE.

42. Accessory coordinated with a pocket hankie: TIE.

43. Remove from office: OUST.

44. Neighborhood: AREA.

45. Pick up with a fork: STAB.

48. "That girl?": HER.

49. Dish that helps expand cultural horizons?: PETRI. Lab dish. 

51. Paths on a flight tracker: ARCS.

60. Cloud of cosmic dust: NEBULA.

62. Goof: ERR.

63. ATM code: PIN.

64. In a strange way: WEIRDLY.

66. Bhutan neighbor: TIBET.

67. Sicilian snack whose name means "little oranges": ARANCINI. Deep fried rice balls.

70. "How could you?" sound: TSK.

71. Without fail: EACH TIME.

73. Mutton busting venue: RODEO. Mutton busting is a learning moment for me. Kids ride sheep in this event.

74. Fashion designer with the fragrance Dolly Girl: ANNA SUI.

77. N.Y. tech sch.: RPI. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Hi there Agnes!

78. "Four Quartets" monogram: TSE.

79. Starbucks size: TRENTA.

84. "Odyssey" peak: OSSA. And 114. Sicilian peak: ETNA.

85. Breezy songs: LILTS.

87. __ in igloo: I AS.

88. Trip stops: INNS.

89. "Insecure" star Rae: ISSA.

90. Deceptive "Frozen" prince: HANS.

92. Coffee maker unit: CUP.

101. Letters before a stage name: AKA.

104. Aristocratic: ELITE.

105. Award quartets, for short: EGOTS.

106. Perched: ROOSTED.

108. Some small suits: SPEEDOS. Most guys wear jammers. Want to see me flying?

111. UPS wt. units: LBS.

112. Cute "Star Wars" character: EWOK.

115. Grotto: CAVE.

120. Hit a hole-in-one on: ACED.

121. "Gotcha!": HAH.

122. Cry for more: ENCORE.

123. Be in sync: AGREE.

124. __ Vegas: LAS.

125. Meditation sounds: OMS.

126. Gave a prescription: DOSED.

127. Parts of fish sticks?: REELS. Not the fried ones.

Down:

1. Muddled through: MADE DO.

2. Like Romeo at the start of Act V: EXILED.  From Verona. "The Butterfly Lovers" is often called China's Romeo and Juliet. 

3. Tell amusing tales to: REGALE.

4. Twinkle: GLINT.

5. D.C. hrs.: EST.

6. Nestea shelfmate: SALADA.

7. Top: ACME.

8. Range that starts near the Kara Sea: URAL.

9. "That's neither here __ there": NOR.

10. Demand much (of): ASK A LOT.

11. "The Greatest" subject: ALI.

12. Hockey commentator Darren: PANG. Don't know him, the lead color commentator for the Chicago Blackhawks.

13. Advantage: EDGE.

14. Reunion invitees: ALUMNI.

15. Maumee River city: TOLEDO.

16. Use spices: SEASON. Look how much red pepper flakes in this Biang Biang noodles.

19. Rental category: SEDAN.

21. "Rats!": SHOOT.

23. Adaptable: AGILE.

24. Cards with the most pips: TENS.

30. Org. whose NIL rules changed in 2021: NCAA. NIL stands for Name, Image, Likeness.

32. Polish letters: OPI.

33. Windows boxes?: PCS. Plural Windows.

34. "Sleepless in __": Nora Ephron movie: SEATTLE.

38. Christmas tune: NOEL.

39. "Presumed Innocent" writer: TUROW.

40. Telugu-language movie originally named for the initials of its creators: RRR. Featuring the Oscar-winning song "Naatu Naatu."

41. Line in blue cheese: VEIN.

42. "Not sure yet" letters: TBD.

45. Avow: SWEAR TO.

46. Little brats: TERRORS.

47. Wears down: ABRADES.

48. Reddish-brown dye: HENNA.

49. Start paying attention: PERK UP.

50. Conclude: END.

51. Somewhat: A BIT.

52. "Sure, go ahead and gloat": RUB IT IN.

53. Tigers of South Carolina: CLEMSON. The Clemson Tigers. 

54. Glossy fabrics: SATEENS.

56. Magic Kingdom neighbor: EPCOT.

57. Seven, on a sundial: VII.

58. Poppy parts: PETALS.

59. Bette's "Divine" stage name: MISS M.

61. Guiding principle: ETHIC.

65. Gridiron gains: YARDS.

68. "99 Luftballons" group: NENA.

69. Stir up, as passions: INFLAME.

72. Apple core, for short: CPU.

75. Complaint hardly worth mentioning: NIT.

76. Russian fashion model Shayk: IRINA. She shares a daughter with Bradley Cooper.

80. "Plus ... ": ALSO.

82. Brewery oven: OAST.

83. Bit of advice: TIP.

86. Belief system: ISM.

89. Matcha option: ICED. I only drink it hot.  

90. Click a paper airplane icon, say: HIT SEND.

91. Aug. runners, often: ACS.

92. "Twistin' the Night Away" singer: COOKE (Sam)

93. "One card left!": UNO.

94. Tequila kin: MESCAL.

95. Andean camelid: ALPACA.

96. Strainers: SIEVES.

97. Majestic mount: STEED.

98. Wrinkly fruit: UGLI.

99. Aristocratic: NOBLE.

100. Flattened, in a way: IRONED.

101. Invite information: ATTIRE. I was baptized on Easter Vigil. Guess who showed up and sat through the full 3-hour service?

102. Pet hotel: KENNEL.

103. Well-known sayings: ADAGES.

107. Sturdy fabric: SERGE.

109. __ Rios, Jamaica: OCHO. Eight Rivers. Many scenes from "Dr. No" were filmed there.

110. Thailand, once: SIAM.

112. Boardroom battlers: EGOS.

113. Hidden mic: WIRE.

117. Blockbuster format: VHS.

118. Sgt., e.g.: NCO.

119. Piercing spot, perhaps: EAR.

C.C.