Sunday January 25, 2026 Priyanka Sethy & Rajiv Sethy

 Theme: "DARN IT ALL" - Six different kinds of stitches bookend each theme entry. 

23. *Result of turning over a new leaf: BLANK SHEET. Blanket.

33. *Staple of mid-century campus style: BASEBALL JACKET. Basket.

51. *Composure metaphor in a P.G. Wodehouse title: STIFF UPPER LIP. Slip.

69. *Royal who's next in line: CROWN PRINCESS. Cross.

90. *Circle of care: SUPPORT SYSTEM. Stem.

105. *Silent film legend in a bowler hat: CHARLIE CHAPLIN. Chain.

Reveal:

120. Laughing hysterically, or what the answers to the starred clues literally are: IN STITCHES.

Priyanka Sethy and Rajiv Sethy are a daughter-father construction team who have published puzzles in several outlets. This is their Los Angeles Times debut. Congratulations to both!

I often see complaints about circles in crossword grids, and I've never quite understood them. You aren't  asked to draw the circles. You're simply being asked to notice them. Circles are an important tool for constructors. They allow for original theme ideas like today's, and, in some cases, help create visual elements that couldn't otherwise be shown. If you can spot the theme without the circles, great. But many solvers rely on them to see what's going on.

Across:

1. Aries animals: RAMS.

5. WWII sub: U BOAT. U stands for undersea.

10. Toiling away: AT IT.

14. Swanky events: GALAS.

19. "Planet of the __": APES.

20. River that crosses the equator twice: CONGO. I always love trivia clues.

21. Extinct Mauritian bird: DODO.

22. Japanese 65-Across: UNAGI. 65. Fish in East London pie shops: EELS. I could eat this every day.

25. Onion relative: LEEK. More food: 29. Kebab bread: PITA. 64. Soba alternative: UDON. And 68. Tuna variety: AHI.

26. Geography text: ATLAS.

27. Fen: BOG.

28. Pop star: IDOL.

30. Routing word: VIA.

31. "That is to say ... ": I MEAN.

40. Harness part: BRIDLE.

43. School staff org.: NEA. The National Education Association. Also 45. Government org. with a flower logo: EPA.

44. Entreaties: PLEAS.

46. Cattle chorus: MOOS.

47. Guise: GARB. I associate "Guise" with "false front". Not GARB.

49. "__ queen!": YAS.

50. Grand __: PRIX.

56. Future JD's major, maybe: POLI SCI. Political science. 78. Future MBA's major, maybe: ECON.

58. Wine-y prefix: OENO.

59. Go-getters: DOERS.

60. Fastidious sort: NEATNIK.

62. "Killers of the Flower Moon" director: SCORSESE.

74. Consume: EAT.

76. Speak unclearly: SLUR.

79. Rosary unit: HAIL MARY. I can recite this and the Lord's Prayer. 

81. Too much of a good thing: SURFEIT.

84. Fungus propagator: SPORE.

86. Quelques-___: some, in French: UNES.

87. Soap with a bird imprint: DOVE BAR.

93. Bygone Apple player: IPOD.

94. Static cling particle: ION.

96. Status of a Microsoft Teams message: SEEN.

97. French possessive: A TOI.

98. Cul-de-__: SAC.

99. "No more for me!": I'M SET.

101. Appeal of texting?: PLZ. Please. 

102. Tacky: GAUCHE.

109. Chuckle: LAUGH.

111. Abbreviation before stating a new fact: TIL. Today I Learned.

112. Nut in early Coke recipes: KOLA.

113. Dutch cheese?: EURO. Dutch currency.

116. Mexican Mrs.: SRA.

117. __ donna: PRIMA.

119. PC key: CTRL.

123. Slender woodwinds: OBOES.

124. Parting word: CIAO.

125. Source of dust allergies: MITES.

126. Green action: PUTT. Golf green. 

127. Belarus capital: MINSK.

128. Hot: SEXY. And 129. Not hot: PASSE.

130. Abbey space: APSE.

Down:

1. Jewish leader: RABBI. Funny!

2. Poise under pressure: APLOMB.

3. Scant: MEAGER.

4. Target of ID thieves: SSN.

5. La Jolla sch.: UCSD. UC San Diego.

6. Flower child style: BOHO.

7. Roughly half a kg: ONE LB.

8. Get old: AGE.

9. Tyke: TOT.

10. Improvise: AD LIB.

11. Movement in a core-strengthening Pilates exercise: TOE TAP. Toe taps the ground.

12. In a perfect world: IDEALLY.

13. Tik follower: TOK.

14. Pink-fleshed tropical fruits: GUAVAS.

15. Caper: ANTIC.

16. Kobe Bryant's team: LA LAKERS.

17. Ottoman title: AGA.

18. Part of the fam: SIS.

24. "Ish": KIND OF.

29. Oyster gem: PEARL.

32. Work toward: AIM FOR.

34. Make mad: ANGER.

35. Old name on Chicago's Willis Tower: SEARS.

36. Hopped: LEAPT.

37. Actor Momoa: JASON.  The Aquaman.

38. The Mahabharata, for one: EPIC. The other is Ramayana.

39. Summoned ride: TAXI.

41. "For those in the back!": LOUDER.

42. Spanish partner: ESPOSO.

48. Adornment below a maang tikka, perhaps: BINDI. Maang tikka is traditional headpiece for Indian brides.

50. __ Place: Starbucks blend: PIKE.

51. Sammy who hit 609 homers: SOSA. And 54. Dodger great Reese: PEEWEE.

52. Lab assts.: TECHS.

53. How samosas are fried: IN OIL.

55. Laborer: PEON.

57. Eldest von Trapp daughter: LIESL.

61. Sailor's tattoo, perhaps: ANCHOR.

63. Use elbow grease: SCRUB.

64. Catering container: URN.

66. Inclined, to a Brit: LEANT.

67. South Asian dress: SAREE.

70. CBS procedural set in D.C.: NCIS.

71. Article II subj.: POTUS. Article II established the Executive Branch.

72. Livestock tracker: EAR TAG.

73. Afternoon nap: SIESTA.

75. Texter's show of gratitude: TYSM. Thank You So Much. 

77. Like preloved items: USED.

80. Reguetón, e.g.: MUSICA. Reggaeton/Music.

82. "Spider-Man" filmmaker: RAIMI (Sam) I often confuse him with Sam Mendes, who directed "Skyfall".

83. Icy wine drink: FROSE.

84. Mage's cast: SPELL.

85. __ scheme: PONZI.

87. Hockey puck, e.g.: DISC.

88. Moonfish: OPAH.

89. Calling: VOCATION.

91. Cartoon pig with a British accent: PEPPA.

92. British collective: YOU LOT.  Their "Y'all" 

95. Part of some school uniforms: NECKTIE.

99. "Let me find out": I'LL ASK. Such a big comfort to have TTP back. 

100. Middle of an ant: THORAX.

103. "Zip it": HUSH UP.

104. National Audubon Society symbols: EGRETS.

106. Country star LeAnn: RIMES.

107. Metallic mixture: ALLOY.

108. Gets comfortable: NESTS.

110. Eagerness to act: HASTE.

114. Salt Lake City athletes: UTES. The Utah Utes.

115. "__ and shine!": RISE.

117. Fluffy dog, familiarly: POM.

118. Slugger's stat: RBI.

119. Includes on an email: CCS.

120. Troublemaker: IMP.

121. "The Marvels" director DaCosta: NIA. The first Black woman to direct a Marvel film.

122. IRS form expert: CPA.

C.C.

Sunday January 18, 2026 Samuel A. Donaldson

 Theme: "THE ROAD TO SELF-DISCOVERY" - One letter is dropped from the first word of each theme entry, resulting in I in the end.

23. Part of an executive job offer: STARTING SALARY.

30. Game lost in the blink of an eye: STARING CONTEST. Losing T.

45. Chamber group: STRING QUARTET. Losing A. 

63. Undercover setups: STING OPERATIONS. Losing R.

76. Tell all to the police: SING LIKE A CANARY. Losing T.

94. Break divine law: SIN AGAINST GOD. Losing G.

107. Having celebrity status: IN THE PUBLIC EYE. Losing S.

120. Backstreet Boys hit: I WANT IT THAT WAY. Losing N.

I bet Sam thought of STARTLING REVELATION, but could not make a workable set. 

Great to see Sam back! He is a witty law professor and wrote some of the most incisive posts on Amy's blog.

Across:

1. Finishes: WRAPS UP.

8. Mercedes line: E CLASS.

14. One on girth control?: DIETER. I can picture smile on Sam's face when he thought of this clue. 

20. San Diego neighbor: TIJUANA.

21. Twain of note: SHANIA. "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!"

22. Cheaper than usual: ON SALE.

25. One of the seven kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England: WESSEX. Learning moment for me.  Three Exes: Essex, Sussex and Wessex.

26. Rest __: AREA.

27. Worry: FRET.

28. Louvre Pyramid architect: PEI.

29. Campus org. for wannabe ensigns: NROTC. Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. Also 113. Employee rts. agency: NLRB. The National Labor Relations Board. 

34. List-ending abbr.: ETC.

36. Thai money: BAHT.

39. Negroni need: GIN.

40. Bucko: PAL.

41. Comparatively damp: SOGGIER.

43. Big whoop: ADO.

44. Resource in Minecraft and Catan: ORE.

48. Sets as a goal: ASPIRES TO.

51. Phillipa of "Hamilton": SOO. Her dad is Chinese American. 

52. LAX checkers: TSA.

53. Plié joint: KNEE.

54. Lummoxes: OAFS.

57. Sound of an air-kiss: MWAH.

59. Minor dustup: SPAT.

67. Wolfgang Puck's flagship eatery: SPAGO.

68. Teapot Dome commodity: OIL. Wikipedia says "Before the Watergate scandal, Teapot Dome was regarded as the "greatest and most sensational scandal in the history of American politics".  Happened during the Harding administration.

69. Opening number?: ONE. Not song.

70. Snag: NAB.

71. Sort of: ISH.

73. Was published: RAN.

74. Ghanaian with a Nobel Peace Prize: ANNAN. He graduated from Macalester College here in MN. 

82. "Not interested": PASS.

83. Audio giant: BOSE.

84. Sub text?: EDIT. OK, verb sub, substitute.

85. Classic Monopoly token: IRON.

86. To be, in Toledo: SER.

88. AC meas.: BTU.

90. Casually mentions a famous friend: NAME-DROPS. Confession time: Do any of you have a famous friend you've ever name-dropped?

100. Tennis center?: ENS. Tennis.

101. Marker: IOU.

102. Soft cloth: CHAMOIS. Traditionally made from sheepskin or lambskin.

103. Bruins great Bobby: ORR.

104. Three-pointer's path: ARC.

105. Holes: GAPS.

106. Over 100, say: HOT. Degree-wise. 

112. Co. that makes Secret and Scope: P AND G.

114. Former NPR host Shapiro: ARI.

115. Hebrides isle: IONA.

116. Grandson of Adam: ENOS.

119. "Daddy, Papa, and Me" writer Newman: LESLEA. She also wrote "Heather Has Two Mommies".

124. Guru's residence: ASHRAM.

125. Musical liability: TIN EAR.

126. Term paper starting point: OUTLINE.

127. Not too difficult: DOABLE.

128. Cobbler's part: INSOLE.

129. Gives a new tournament ranking to: RE-SEEDS.

Down:

1. Lb. and oz.: WTS. Weights. 

2. Actress Hayworth: RITA.

3. Somewhat open: AJAR.  You know what she would say! 

4. Least contaminated: PUREST.

5. Pulled a chair up to: SAT AT.

6. Sea urchin, at a sushi bar: UNI. Salty, creamy roe. 

7. Cooks in a skillet: PAN FRIES.

8. German steel city: ESSEN.

9. OpenAI bot since 2022: CHATGPT.

10. Luka Doncic's team, on scoreboards: LAL. Los Angeles Lakers.

11. Brazilian city that sounds like Maryland's capital: ANAPOLIS. City of Ana.

12. Homer's rock singer: SIREN.

13. "Come on, tell us!": SAY IT.

14. Where snowbirds flock in winter: DOWN SOUTH. And 15. Xenon, e.g.: INERT GAS. Their symmetrical partners are 83. Activity that may improve problem-solving skills: BRAIN GAME. And 87. Best version of oneself, in psych-speak: EGO IDEAL. Four great fill. 

16. Brand on some Canadian pumps: ESSO.

17. "I think you'll find this yummy!": TASTE IT. I want that egg tart.

18. Winning candidate: ELECTEE.

19. Pet name fit for a king?: REX.

24. Expression that might be evil or silly: GRIN.

31. Mutually approve: AGREE ON.

32. Item on a Dollar menu?: CAR. Dollar Car Rental.

33. ABA member's title: ESQ.

35. Early PC monitor: CRT.

36. Whatever ewe say?: BAA. 

37. YouTube annoyances: ADS.

38. Oasts: HOP KILNS. 

42. Fully understand: GRASP.

44. The Beaver State: OREGON.

45. Skyrocket: SOAR.

46. Hideo who threw no-hitters in 1996 and 2001: NOMO. He opened for the door for Ichiro and Shohei Ohtani.

47. Ball purchase: GOWN. 50. Lowest digit: TOE. Liked both clues.

49. Bucolic lodging: INN.

55. Canine's canine: FANG.

56. Like a day-old bagel: STALE.

58. Home of Jordan and Georgia: ASIA.

60. Irrational fear of persecution: PARANOIA.

61. Vegan gelatin substitute: AGAR. Seaweed-based. Widely used in Japanese desserts.

62. Best Play, for one: TONY.

63. Daytime drama: SOAP.

64. Bassist Weymouth of Talking Heads: TINA.

65. Dinero unit: PESO.

66. Footnote space saver: IBID. Short for ibidem, meaning "in the same place".

67. Glass bits: SHARDS.

72. Bill Nye's field: SCIENCE.

75. State bordering Bhutan: ASSAM.

77. Publication ID: ISBN. Sigh, someone said my book was too easy. The title is Easy Mini Crosswords.

78. Clears after taxes: NETS.

79. Healthy Grains snackmaker: KIND.

80. GPS guess: ETA.

81. Neither partner: NOR.

89. Visionaries: UTOPIANS.

91. Early proponent of a flat Earth?: MERCATOR. Mercator is a conformal cylindrical map projection  originally created to display accurate compass bearings for sea travel. Presented by Gerardus Mercator in 1569. Learning moment for me. We also have 99. Revolutionary?: ORBITAL.Witty clues.

92. Dua Lipa genre: POP.

93. Questionable, in slang: SUS. Suspicious. 

94. NYU or MIT: SCH.

95. "Fingers crossed!": I HOPE SO.

96. Lyonne of "Poker Face": NATASHA.

97. Believer's ending: IST.

98. "Despicable Me" antihero: GRU.

104. "Say it __ so!": AIN'T.

105. Lenient: GENTLE.

108. Part of Hispaniola: HAITI.

109. Physicist Schrödinger: ERWIN. Schrödinger's cat. 

110. French wine region: LOIRE.

111. "Sailing to Byzantium" poet: YEATS.

117. Boo-boo: OWIE.

118. Unwanted beach souvenir, often: SAND.

119. Wee fella: LAD.

121. Red pill consumer of film: NEO.

122. Shade: HUE.

123. Triumphant shout: YES.

C.C.

I know it's hard to completely stay away from politics and religion. I myself touch on them from time to time. But persistent comments in those areas, as well as personal attacks, can be upsetting. Let's stay focused on crosswords and keep the Corner welcoming and enjoyable for everyone. 

C.C. 

Sunday January 11, 2026 Jill Singer

 Theme: "REPAIR WORK" - A pair of identical letters are replaced by another matching pair.

27. Irresistibly cute river animal?: AN OTTER YOU CAN'T REFUSE. An offer you can't refuse.

42. "Get that pool float out of my way!"?: MOVE THE NOODLE. Move the needle.

55. Question about a new romantic partner?: WHO ARE YOU KISSING. Who are you kidding?

78. Photo taken as milk spreads over a table?: THE SPILLING IMAGE. The spitting image.

91. Goo or ga, for a baby?: HALF THE BABBLE. Half the battle. 

108. Working the barbecue at the corn festival?: GRILLING FROM EAR TO EAR. Grinning from ear to ear.

I've mentioned last time. This is our Jill Singer, a filmmaker in the Boston area. 

 

Great title, Jill! I would have struggled mightily to find a title that captures the gimmick so perfectly. Only six theme entries, but they're all long.

Across:

1. Bottom of a platter?: SIDE B.  Vinyl record,

6. Singer Guthrie: ARLO.

10. Actress Mireille: ENOS. Her husband is Alan Ruck, who was in "Succession".

14. Beta preceder: ALPHA.

19. Solo: ALONE.

20. Shakespearean king: LEAR.

21. Catholic leader: POPE. We also have 73. Prayer ender: AMEN. And 77. "__ Maria": AVE.

22. Prepare for a long drive: TEE UP.

23. Santa Ana __: WINDS.

24. Miami-__ County: DADE.

25. Risks a "TMI" response: OVERSHARES.

30. Video game thief Sandiego: CARMEN.

31. Learning ctr.: SCH.

32. Pastoral people of Kenya: MASAI. Also spelled as Maasai. 

33. Actor Sean: ASTIN.

36. Equivalent: SAME.

38. Update a cartographer's work: RE-MAP.

47. Fury: OUTRAGE.

49. Obey, with "by": ABIDE.

50. Early show since 1975, briefly: GMA. Good Morning America.

51. Aspiring atty.'s hurdle: LSAT.

53. Freelancer's job: GIG.

54. __ a one: NARY.

61. Ostrich kin: EMU.

62. Sausages served with sauerkraut, for short: BRATS.

63. Sonoma product: WINE.

64. Swimmer's unit: LAP. Two lengths.

65. "Have a bite": TASTE IT. Xi'an-style sandwich. 

67. Juniper-flavored liquor: GIN.

68. Huge favors: BIG ASKS.

72. Zoo doc: VET.

75. Astonish: AMAZE.

83. Figure skating gold medalist Nathan: CHEN. He's becoming a doctor now.

84. Email signature info: TEL.

85. Catches: NABS.

86. Apple variety: MAC. 

87. Bars under cars: RAILS.

88. Gulf of Mexico structures: OIL RIGS.

96. Show off in the mirror: PREEN.

97. Give a hoot: CARE.

98. Davenport citizen: IOWAN.

99. G-Shock watchmaker: CASIO.

102. Some British sports cars: MGS.

104. Superficially attractive: GILDED.

114. Unit in Chagall's "Four Seasons": MOSAIC TILE.

115. "Another thing ... ": ALSO.

116. Pay stub data: WAGES.

118. K.T. of country music: OSLIN.

119. Airline figs.: ETAS.

120. Narrow inlets: RIAS.

121. Basketball great Shaquille: O'NEAL.

122. Ignominy: SHAME.

123. Hall of Fame safety Ronnie: LOTT.

124. Chooses, as a replacement: TAPS.

125. Square: NERDY.

Down:

1. Glimpsed: SAW.

2. __ crest: pelvis part: ILIAC. 

3. Disco legend Summer: DONNA.

4. "Return of the Jedi" forest moon: ENDOR.

5. Brit's close pal: BEST MATE.

6. Like some pasta: AL DENTE. I like chewy udon noodles.

7. __ admiral: REAR.

8. British title: LADY.

9. Cookies similar to Trader Joe's Joe-Joe's: OREOS. Never had Joe-Joe's.

10. Momentous: EPOCHAL.

11. Bossa __: NOVA.

12. Enticing words on a gift box: OPEN ME.

13. Sealy rival: SERTA.

14. Fundamentally: AT HEART.

15. Less raked: LEAFIER.

16. Home of the Spectacled Bear Conservation Society: PERU. Wikipedia says "Spectacled Bear is the only living species of bear native to South America". Learning moment for me. 

17. Shades: HUES.

18. Church recess: APSE.

26. Soon-to-be grads: SRS.

28. Musician and radio host John: TESH.

29. The Tritons of the NCAA: UCSD.

34. Gold block: INGOT.

35. Spanish "Stop!": NO MAS.

37. Honeydew, e.g.: MELON.

39. Crèche figures: MAGI. I saw them during Christmas. 

40. Opposin': AGIN.

41. Simon of "The Boys": PEGG.

42. Impressionist douard: MANET.

43. "The Light We Carry" writer Michelle: OBAMA.

44. Self-replicating malware: VIRUS.

45. Ice cream maker Joseph: EDY.

46. Paddle kin: OAR.

47. Shipbuilding wood: OAK.

48. Employ: UTILIZE.

52. Take to court: SUE.

55. Cuneiform, e.g.: WRITING. 

56. Panama, for one: HAT.

57. "Dallas" surname: EWING.

58. __ and yang: YIN.

59. Wise one: SAGE.

60. Massage locale: SPA.

62. Page: BEEP.

66. Den sets: TVS.

67. X, Y, or Z intro: GEN. I'm a Gen Xer.

68. Purse: BAG.

69. Hindi title: SAHIB.

70. Rejoice with pride: KVELL. Consonants-heavy.

71. Get a feeling about: SENSE.

73. Clerical robe: ALB.

74. "Supernatural" actor Collins: MISHA.

75. Rare Italian violin: AMATI.

76. "__ Man": Village People hit: MACHO.

78. Mustang roof option: T TOP.

79. Successor: HEIR.

80. French pronoun: ELLE.

81. __ Vegas Raiders: LAS.

82. Global finance org.: IMF. The International Monetary Fund, based in D.C.

83. Hired ride: CAB.

87. Was almost out of: RAN LOW ON.

89. Win back: RECLAIM.

90. Waiting, perhaps: IN A LINE.

92. Coveted territory in the air?: ARM REST. Fun clue. 

93. Brickmaker: LEGO.

94. "That's disgusting!": EW GROSS.

95. Angler's supply: BAIT.

97. "__, ergo sum": COGITO.

100. "I know this is wrong," from an editor: SIC.

101. Spy collection: INTEL.

103. Like some watches: SMART.

105. Silas of the Continental Congress: DEANE. This is pretty sad. 

106. Enthusiastic: EAGER.

107. Anticipate with fear: DREAD.

108. Engineered foods, for short: GMOS.

109. __ Hashana: ROSH.

110. Cuba, por ejemplo: ISLA.

111. Like an open can of soda, eventually: FLAT.

112. Director Kazan: ELIA. He directed "East of Eden".

113. "Right now!": ASAP.

117. Underhanded: SLY.

C.C.

Sunday January 4, 2026 Doug Peterson

Theme: "CONFOUNDED" - CON is added to the start of each common phrase.

27. Bistro where diners rarely get what they order?: CONFUSION RESTAURANT. Fusion restaurant.

37. One who makes a huge profit in the gaming industry?: CONSOLE BENEFICIARY. Sole beneficiary. 

50. Museum employee who specializes in topographic maps?: CONTOUR GUIDE. Tour guide.

67. Well-secured garden vines?: CONSTRAINED PEAS. Strained peas.

89. Inflatables ridden in a river race?: CONTEST TUBES. Test tubes.

97. Inchworm with a successful YouTube channel?: CONTENT CATERPILLAR. Tent caterpillar. 

109. Remodel of a badly designed airport terminal?: CONCOURSE CORRECTION. Course correction. 

I think "Confound" works as a title too, right, as CON is FOUND.

Very consistent set, all the CON are inserted in the first word. And the theme entries are all quite long, occupying a total 113 squares. Super smooth fill, Doug is one of a kind. He can make easy Monday puzzles. And he can also make hard stumpers. He's also a test solvers for Patti. 

Across:

1. Geyser output: STEAM.

6. Cause to blush: ABASH.

11. Some Caribbean exports: RUMS. Ideal climate to grow sugarcane there.

15. "Goldberg Variations" composer: BACH.

19. Blender button: PULSE.

20. Marisa who plays Peter Parker's aunt: TOMEI. 

21. Cookie with six Thanksgiving-inspired flavors: OREO.

22. Crass: RUDE.

23. Dined at home: ATE IN.

24. Massage: KNEAD.

25. Annapolis sch.: USNA. 

26. "For All Mankind" side: Abbr.: USSR. Sci-fi drama for Apple TV. Wikipedia says "The series dramatizes an alternate history depicting "what would have happened if the global space race had never ended" after the Soviet Union succeeds in the first crewed Moon landing ahead of the United States".

31. Bullpen stat: ERA.

32. Get into: DON.

33. Poke bowl choice: AHI.  Looks delicious. 

34. Vassals: SERFS.

44. Branch of Islam: SHIA.

47. Part to play: ROLE.

48. Give off: EXUDE.

49. Chaney of classic horror: LON.

55. Marvel superhero with martial arts expertise: IRON FIST. He knows Kung Fu too. 

57. Road beneath a freeway: UNDERPASS.

58. Uncomfortable spot: ZIT.

60. Layers: STRATA.

61. TV actress Susan: DEY.

62. Understood: GOT.

63. Parts of quotes: PRICES.

66. Black stone: ONYX.

72. Word in classic mystery novel titles: CASE.

75. Kumquat shade: ORANGE. It's called "golden orange" in Chinese.

76. Concert piece: AMP.

77. Long-running CBS drama: CSI.

80. Part of a vague threat: OR ELSE.

83. Nail art brand: OPI.

84. Row of stores: STRIP MALL. I also love this fill: 87. Sunday planning that makes weeknight dinners easier, say: MEAL PREP.

92. Shiba __: INU.

93. Maximum or minimum: LIMIT.

95. Shoddy: POOR.

96. The Hawkeye State: IOWA.

103. "Goosebumps" series writer: STINE (R. L.)

104. Retro hip beer, for short: PBR. Pabst Blue Ribbon.

105. Coconut __: OIL.

106. Hosts, for short: MCS.

117. Storyline: PLOT.

119. River of northern Spain: EBRO.

120. Made manageable: TAMED.

121. "The Studio" actress Catherine: O'HARA.

122. In short supply: RARE.

123. Corporate image: LOGO.

124. "Judge Mathis" event: TRIAL.

125. Election Day figure: VOTER. 

126. Doesn't rent: OWNS.

127. Abound (with): TEEM.

128. In a suitable way: APTLY.

129. Clear: ERASE.

Down:

1. __ bar: SPACE.

2. Teach privately: TUTOR.

3. Two-time WNBA MVP __ Delle Donne: ELENA.

4. "Ew! No!": AS IF.

5. Mexican soup made with tripe: MENUDO. Tripe and red chili.

6. Guitarist Chet who helped create the Nashville sound: ATKINS.

7. Pro __: at no charge: BONO.

8. "Right on!": AMEN.

9. Cook the surface of: SEAR.

10. Sleeper sofa: HIDE-A-BED.

11. Ordinary: ROUTINE.

12. __ Major: URSA.

13. OpenTable link: MENU.

14. Skyrocket: SOAR. As my health insurance did. Scary. 

15. Country surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak: BRUNEI. Fun trivia clue.

 

16. Like koalas: AUSTRALIAN.

17. IRA options: CDS.

18. See 29-Down: HER. 29. With 18-Down, pronoun pair: SHE.

28. Daughter's brother: SON.

30. Way up: ASCENT.

35. Extremely unfriendly: FROSTY.

36. Sentence structure: SYNTAX.

37. Blanchett with two Oscars: CATE.

38. Agcys.: ORGS.

39. Singers Reed and Rawls: LOUS.

40. Yale student: ELI.

41. Left: EXITED.

42. Dog coat: FUR.

43. Rite words: I DOS.

44. Skim along, as clouds: SCUD. Learned from doing crosswords.

45. Sharpen: HONE.

46. Memorial Day weekend race, casually: INDY.

51. Chem class for premeds: ORGO. Organic Chemistry.

52. "__ further reflection ... ": UPON.

53. "Midnight Cowboy" hustler: RATSO. Ratso Rizzo. "Hey, I'm walking here"

 

54. Online mag: E ZINE.

56. Curly hairstyles, informally: FROS.

59. Zamboni surface: ICE.

63. Freak out: PANIC.

64. Semi: RIG.

65. Trades barbs: SPARS.

67. Minesweeper unit: CELL.

68. Torrid Zone boundary: TROPIC. Guangzhou is near the Tropic. The week around the Chinese Spring Festival is often the coldest time of year. Even then, temperatures typically remain above 32F.

69. Sharp knock: RAP.

70. Give off: EMIT.

71. Spot on a sked: APPT.

72. Stand-up individuals?: COMICS. Stand-up comic. 

73. "We __ alone": ARE NOT.

74. Narwhal: SEA UNICORN. Because of its spiral tusk.

77. Baja resort, familiarly: CABO.

78. Whole lot: SLEW.

79. The "kid" in "Here's looking at you, kid": ILSA.

81. Organ near the pancreas: SPLEEN.

82. CNN anchor Burnett: ERIN. And  86. ABC News anchor David: MUIR.

84. "Enough!": STOP.

85. Actress Polo: TERI.

88. First aid pro: EMT.

90. "The Mikado," for one: OPERETTA.

91. Scand. kingdom: NOR.

94. Place to make draft picks: TAP ROOM. Non-sports related.

98. IRA options: T NOTES.

99. Network that airs "TBBT" reruns: TBS. "The Big Bang Theory".

100. Imperious: LORDLY.

101. Tell tales: LIE.

102. Cozy spot: ALCOVE.

106. Mazda two-seater: MIATA.

107. Apple centers: CORES.

108. Drum kit piece: SNARE.

110. Saxon foe: CELT.

111. Wind with keys: OBOE.

112. Hankering: URGE.

113. Complain querulously: CARP.

114. Conveniently leave out, maybe: OMIT.

115. Word in some Spanish team names: REAL. Meaning "Royal". Real Madrid, e.g.

116. Hammer-wielding god: THOR.

117. __ rata: PRO.

118. Brief topic: LAW.

I made today's puzzle for Slate. Click here to give it a whirl! It was edited by the fantastic Quiara Vasquez, who added so much fun trivia and sparkle to the clues.

I'd love to hear about your solving experience. 

C.C.