Sunday February 23, 2020 John-Clark Levin

Theme: "Herd Mentality" - Each common phrase is reinterpreted as if one of the words is a collective noun for animals.

23. Ants in the British colonies?: CONTINENTAL ARMY. Army of ants.

37. Fish attending Mass?: CATHOLIC SCHOOL. School of fish.

45. Lions marching event?: PRIDE PARADE. Pride of lions.

63. Whales' sorely lacking veggie supply?: TWO PEAS IN A POD. Pods of whales.
 
80. Wolves from Lower Manhattan?: BATTERY PACK. Pack of wolves.

89. Bats living in an old Chrysler?: PLYMOUTH COLONY. Colony of bats.

106. Crows sailing from Ethiopia to Egypt?: MURDER ON THE NILE. Murder of crows.

This seems to be the first Sunday LAT puzzle for John. He had two weekly puzzles published last year. Congrats, John.

Lots of collective nouns. Some are not workable. Some are not common. John gave us a good set.
 
Across:

1. Small Mercedes sedan: A CLASS. Gimme for Dennis.

7. Golf match equalizer: HANDICAP. Rich Norris, our editor, used to be a scratch golfer.

15. Less risky: SAFER.

20. Lighthearted: BLITHE.

21. Cheerio relative: AU REVOIR. Zai Jian.

22. Yearn for: CRAVE.

25. Drove at Indy: RACED.

26. Tentative agreement: I GUESS SO.

27. Baton Rouge-to-Jackson dir.: NNE.

28. "Great" Russian czar: PETER I.

29. Sun Devils' sch.: ASU.

30. Updike's "Rabbit Redux," e.g.: Abbr.: SEQ. Sequel.

31. Tennis immortal: ASHE.

33. Dull opening?: DEE. Just the starting letter in Dull.

34. Gp. with a three-finger salute: BSA.

35. Listing: ATILT.

41. Baroque painter Guido: RENI. Wiki says he painted "Crucifixion of St. Peter".

42. Elvis sings it in "Blue Hawaii": ALOHA OE.

44. Sarcastic "So sad": BOO HOO.

47. Cataract surgery replacement: LENS.

48. Green-lights: OKS.

50. Edmond __: the Count of Monte Cristo: DANTES. I read that book in Chinese.

51. Large body of eau: MER.

52. Fiscal execs: CFOS.

54. Pope's jurisdiction: HOLY SEE.

57. Reason for a star: HEROISM.

61. Juno, to Socrates: HERA. Roman/Greek.

62. Punk subgenre: EMO.

67. Goof: ERR.

68. Pringles alternative: LAYS.

70. Nestlé candy with a white covering: SNO CAPS.

71. "Shoulda listened to me!": I TOLD YA.

73. Cool, in '90s slang: PHAT.

74. LAPD unit?: LOS. Spelled out.

75. Madame's Spanish counterpart: SENORA.

77. Pale __: ALE.

78. Dilute: THIN.

85. Things to avoid: TABOOS.

87. Rangers' domains: FORESTS.

88. Wild plum: SLOE.

92. Whoopi's role in "The Color Purple": CELIE. Never saw the movie.

93. VCR button: REC.

94. Degree in math: NTH. Did our tax this year with TurboTax. Pretty sleek. Of course, I have a pro in Texas to guide me.

95. Tinged: HUED.

96. Texter's qualifier: IMO.

98. NBC show since 1975: SNL.

99. Gives the slip: EVADES.

101. Be on duty at, as a battle station: MAN.

102. Aids in DNA sequencing research: GENE MAPS.

105. Fathered: SIRED.

110. Orson Scott Card protagonist __ Wiggin: ENDER. "Ender's Game".

111. Documented: ON RECORD.

112. Swimwear fabric: TRICOT. Learning moment for me.

113. Short: TESTY.

114. Closed ecosystems: BIODOMES.

115. Net worth component: ASSETS.

Down:

1. "black-ish" airer: ABC.

2. Symbol of monastic life: CLOISTER.

3. Alfredo __, "Ratatouille" character named for a pasta: LINGUINI. Helpful clue.

4. Alaskan island invaded by Japan in WWII: ATTU.

5. Least likely to mingle: SHIEST.

6. Connotation: SENSE.

7. Brinker on skates: HANS.

8. Start to correct?: AUTO. Autocorrect.

9. Gun lobby org.: NRA.

10. __ Taco: DEL.

11. Scott classic: IVANHOE.

12. "Race Matters" author West: CORNEL. Unfamiliar to me.

13. Lyon lover's word: AIME.

14. Ask invasively: PRY.

15. Certain owl's howl: SCREECH.

16. "How now? __?": Hamlet: A RAT.

17. News source for millions: FACEBOOK FEED. Lots of great fill in this puzzle.

18. "Be it __ humble ... ": song lyric: EVER SO.

19. Phone button: REDIAL.

24. Law firm abbr.: ESQ.

28. Baja bar tender?: PESOS. Nice clue.

29. __ The Magazine: AARP. Soon they'll send me letters.

31. Just barely: A TAD.

32. Oxford, but not Cambridge: SHOE.

33. Mousetrap brand: D-CON.

36. 1970s Plumber: LIDDY. G. Gordon Liddy.

37. Exercise target: CORE.

38. Shouts of discovery: AHAS.

39. Madrid-based airline: IBERIA.

40. Moonshine: HOOCH.

42. Reuters apps alternative: AP NEWS.

43. Tardy with: LATE ON.

46. Down __: Maine nickname: EAST.

47. Writer Uris: LEON.

49. "My bad": SORRY.

51. ER scans: MRIS.

53. "Love Song" singer Bareilles: SARA.

54. Beatles album with a bang: HELP.

55. The Wizard of Oz's hometown: OMAHA. Really? I don't remember Omaha mentioned in the movie.

56. Rewards for regulars: LOYALTY CARDS. Does any of you have the Target RedCard?

57. Lukas of "Witness": HAAS.

58. Debatable "gift": ESP.

59. Small piano: SPINET.

60. General __: MOTORS. Hope Hyundai Santa Fe has big leg room. The Ford Escape was tough for Boomer to get in and out.

64. Refinement: POLISH.

65. Aspiring MBA's major: ECON.

66. Fishing boat: DORY.

69. Boiling sign: STEAM.

72. What a subscription renewal prevents: LAPSE.

75. WWII weapon: STEN.

76. Crafts website: ETSY.

78. Hypes: TOUTS.

79. Frozen planet in "The Empire Strikes Back": HOTH. Another learning moment for me.

80. Tree trunk: BOLE.

81. J.Lo's fiancé: A-ROD.

82. Pumpkin pie seasoning: ALL-SPICE.

83. Vending machine feature: COIN SLOT.

84. Underwater projection: KEEL.

86. Not even moist: BONE-DRY.

87. Based: FOUNDED.

89. Car radio button: PRESET.

90. Adam of Maroon 5: LEVINE.

91. Mexican horseman: CHARRO. Read more here. Mexican cowboy.

92. Rising stars: COMERS.

96. QB's pass to a CB, say: INT.

97. L.A. Philharmonic Conductor Emeritus: MEHTA (Zubin)

100. Tick-ing bomb?: DEET.

101. City bond, briefly: MUNI.

102. "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power" author: GORE.

103. Results: ENDS.

104. Spanish cordial: ANIS.

106. Rabble: MOB.

107. "The Name of the Rose" author: ECO.

108. __-com: ROM.

109. Presumed UFO crew: ETS.

Happy 81st birthday to dear Keith Fowler (Ol' Man Keith), the longest-living Fowler on record.
 

The 43rd American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (March 20-22, 2020) will be held at the Stamford Marriott in Stamford, Connecticut. 

Time to reserve your Cru Dinner again. As I mentioned before, the Cru Dinner officially kicks off the tournament and is a great opportunity to meet with constructors and fellow solvers. Will Shortz stopped by last year. The space is limited, so be sure to contact with Mike Alpern as soon as possible. Mike's email address is: alpernm@aol.com

More details can be found here.

Cru Dinner Celebrities, Will Shortz and Mike Alpern

 

Jeffrey Wechsler and Mike Alpern, ACPT, 3/23/2019

 

Sunday February 16, 2020 Ed Sessa

Theme: "Change for a Buck" - Anagrams of HORSE span across each theme entry.

26. *Ball game record: SCORE SHEET.

37. *One may be six feet long: HERO SANDWICH.

55. *Historic site in Paris' Latin Quarter: THE SORBONNE.

72. *Epithet for a fair British maiden: ENGLISH ROSE.

87. *Totally ripped: TORN TO SHREDS.

 

16D. *Car coolant carrier: RADIATOR HOSE.

61D. *Tourist's eye-opening experience, perhaps: CULTURE SHOCK.

Reveal:

102A. 1971 Stones hit, or what can be found in the answers to starred clues: WILD HORSES.

Great title. I'd be stumped and sent a SOS title help to Gary and D-Otto.

The key is to find different combinations of the letter HORSES and make sure they span across two more more words.

Lots of sparkly long fill in the grid, as it's expected from Ed, who's also an accomplished themeless constructor.

Across:

1. Ports in a storm: HAVENS.

7. Queens stadium namesake: ASHE.

11. HUN neighbor, to the IOC: CRO. Hungary. Croatia.

14. Wasn't indifferent: CARED.

19. Reading disorder: ALEXIA.

20. Car thief's contact: CHOP SHOP.

22. Cremona strings master: AMATI. Stradivarius' teacher. Sometimes we get STRAD in the grid.

23. How to handle fine china: GENTLY. Pretty tea cup.

24. "In your dreams!": NOT A HOPE.

25. Encouraged through chicanery: LED ON.

28. Was indebted to: OWED.

29. One way to solve crosswords: IN INK.

30. Nomadic Kenyans: MASAI. Maasai is the Wiki spelling.

31. Need an eraser, say: ERR.

33. __ New Guinea: PAPUA.

35. Near-eternity: AEON.

42. Asian holiday: TET.

45. Leveled, with "up": TRUED.

47. Like many indie films: ARTY.

48. Some interruptions: AHEMS.

49. Music to a matador's ears: OLE.

50. "Try it": TASTE THIS. That's baby yellow squash on the left.

53. Diner menu info: PRICE.

54. Apple starter: CRAN.

58. Indian title of respect: SAHIB.

59. Early Earth life forms: BACTERIA.

63. "The Great Dictator" Oscar nominee Jack: OAKIE. Oldie.

64. As an example: FOR ONE.

65. Either of two Indy 500 racers: AL UNSER.

66. Not fulfilled: UNMET.

67. Wanted poster listings: ALIASES.

68. Weaken: DILUTE.

69. Sheik's land, in song: ARABY.

70. Most ready for trouble: ALERTEST. And 76. Ready for trouble: ON THE BALL.

71. Baltic people: LETTS. FINNS too.

74. Burden: ONUS.

75. Yucatán "you": USTED.

81. __ Lingus: AER.

82. "The Jungle" author Sinclair: UPTON. A couple more authors:  94. "The Black Cat" author: POE. 110. "Rabbit" series author: UPDIKE.

83. Smoothie berry: ACAI.

85. Reliever's stat: SAVES.

86. Born, in some bios: NEE.

91. Woodwind piece: REED.

92. Courtroom pro: STENO.

95. Blood of the gods: ICHOR.

97. First name in furniture: ETHAN. There's an Ethan Allen in our neighborhood. The good old Slumberland was closed last year.

99. Intent look: GAZE.

107. Level and plane: TOOLS.

108. Mix thoroughly, as oil and vinegar: EMULSIFY.

111. Musician Minaj: NICKI.

112. Poppycock: NONSENSE.

113. E Street Band notable Van Zandt: STEVEN.  Wiki says he plays plays guitar and mandolin for the band.

114. Hydrocarbon group: ALKYL.

115. Enjoy a run, perhaps: SKI.

116. Director's challenges: EGOS.

117. Most affected by a workout: SOREST.

Down:

1. Baddies with pointy hats: HAGS.

2. Actor Guinness: ALEC.

3. Like cobras, but not pythons: VENOMOUS.

4. Web system allowing outside access: EXTRANET. Only knew INTRANET.

5. Frasier's brother: NILES.

6. Obeys a stick-wielding doctor: SAYS AH.

7. Bad marks in high school?: ACNE.

8. "If it fits" item: SHOE.

9. Most popular: HOTTEST.

10. Lead monitor, for short: EPA.

11. Word with line or hound: CHOW.

12. Climbing gear: ROPE.

13. Slanted column: OP-ED PIECE.

14. Islamic leaders: CALIPHS.

15. "Can we see __?": diner's request: A MENU.

17. Thames campus: ETON.

18. Tennis drop shot: DINK.

21. Fleeced: SHORN.

27. "... __ you home to dinner": Shak.: HIE.

32. Flat fish: RAY.

34. Summit: ACME.

35. Motion maker: Abbr.: ATT. Attorney.

36. Period of time: ERA.

38. Mrs. Gorbachev: RAISA. So elegant. Her husband is still alive.

39. Roughly: OR SO.

40. "Shoot!": DARN IT.

41. Weimaraner's complaint: WHINE.

43. Eatery seen in the film "Manhattan": ELAINE'S.

44. Car and Driver yearly listing: TEN BEST.

46. Can't brook: DETESTS.

51. Number of singers in The Chipmunks: THREE.

52. Estate beneficiary: HEIR.

53. Cans for cons: POKEYS. Great clue.

54. Jeweler's measure: CARAT.

56. Clown mascot's first name: RONALD.

57. Thumper's friend: BAMBI.

58. Evening parties: SOIREES.

59. Banking misjudgment: BAD LOAN.

60. Property recipient, in legal language: ALIENEE.

62. Letter-shaped fasteners: T NUTS.

64. Crayola color renamed Peach in 1962: FLESH.

66. Like a "Stat!" instruction: URGENT.

67. Way more than some: A LOT.

69. Composer Bruckner: ANTON. This is like our English Anthony, right?

70. Links army leader: ARNIE. Palmer. "The King" .

72. Ovarian hormones: ESTROGENS.

73. Frosty coat: HOAR.

75. Knowledgeable about: UPON.

77. Manhattan, say: BAR ORDER. Another great clue.

78. Causing avoidance: AVERSIVE. Only know AVERSE.

79. Peggy or Brenda of song: LEE.

80. Hallucinogenic letters: LSD.

82. Fork, for instance: UTENSIL.

83. Japan's largest active volcano: ASO. Mount Aso. We also have 97. Italian hot spot: ETNA.

84. Pondering, with "on": CHEWING.

88. Cars that sound like gems: OPELS. Opals.

89. "__ you really just say that?": DID.

90. Run down a mountain: SCHUSS.

93. Blathering: TALKY.

96. "__ it!": "Get moving!": HOP TO.

98. Hard work: TOIL.

100. Berserk: AMOK.

101. Pueblo people: ZUNI.

103. "That being the case ... ": IF SO.

104. Soapmaker's supplies: LYES.

105. Just makes, with "out": EKES.

106. Mailed: SENT.

109. Watch: SEE.

C.C.

Sunday February 9, 2020 Yaakov Bendavid

Theme: "No More Tears" - Different forms of "cry" are replaced by words with the same vowel sound but different starting consonants.

23. Chicken lover's comment?: NOTHING LIKE A GOOD THIGH. Nothing like a good cry.

43. Denial from one with a very recent white mustache?: LIE OVER SPILT MILK. Cry over split milk.

62. Local monastery VIP?: THE TOWN PRIOR. The town crier.

67. Bad do result?: A DYEING SHAME. A crying shame.

85. Young shepherd resigned to losing his flock?: BOY WHO SIGHED WOLF. Boy who cried wolf.

108. Evita's exhortation to use sunscreen?: DON'T FRY FOR ME, ARGENTINA. Don't Cry for Me, Argentina.

Our blog labels show that this is the LAT debut for Yaakov Bendavid, who has had 6 puzzles published by the New York Times. Congratulations, Yaakov!

I've mentioned before, sound deletion/addition/replacements are very difficult for me. I admire constructors who can pull this off.

Across:

1. Stand array: ZINES. Magazines.

6. Exams for aspiring MBAs: GMATS. GRES too, right?

11. Border: ABUT.

15. Word with dance or union: HALL.

19. Work as a team: UNITE.

20. Draw a bead on: AIM AT.

21. Old alphabet character: RUNE.  Old Germanic.

22. Inter __: among others: ALIA.

27. Most exceptional, in recent lingo: INSANEST.

28. Relish: ENJOY.

29. Afternoon service: TEA SET. Afternoon tea (Yum Cha) is a daily social activity for many retired people in Guangzhou. The dim sum plates are quite cheap. People just split the plates then chitchat.   Not now though. People all stay at home.

30. Not cluttered: NEAT.

31. Race: GUN.

32. Tannery tub: VAT.

33. Cycle starter: TRI.

34. What many writers work on: SPEC. Same for many crossword constructors.

37. Attains: REACHES.

41. Gondoliers' tools: POLES.

46. Ant or Arkin: ADAM.

50. Like much junk mail: UNREAD.

51. Title words before Legend or Woman: I AM.

52. Consume: EAT. Traditional Japanese breakfast. Freshly cooked rice, natto, green onions and raw egg.

53. "You __ Beautiful": Joe Cocker hit: ARE SO.

54. Roast job: MCING.

55. Some notebooks: PCS.

56. Reporter's query: WHEN.

58. Decides one will: OPTS TO.

59. Ewe, for one: SHE.

60. Biblical prophet: AMOS.

64. Air__, 2011 Southwest acquisition: TRAN.

65. Chicago's __ Tower: SEARS.

66. "Now, where __ we?": WERE.

71. Italian actress Virna: LISI. Learned from doing crosswords. Beautiful.

72. Submissions to an ed.: MSS.

75. Big name in plastic explosives: SEMTEX. New to me. What's it used for?

76. First name in folk: ARLO.

77. Hwy. crime: DUI.

78. Hogwarts potions master: SNAPE. "Harry Potter" films.

80. Word before county, river or Bill: PECOS.

81. Cincinnati-to-Detroit dir.: NNE.

82. Japanese assent: HAI.

83. "Turn! Turn! Turn!" songwriter: SEEGER (Pete)

84. Hand measure: SPAN.

89. Resignee before Richard: SPIRO (Agnew)

91. More jumpy: ANTSIER.

92. Camp equipment: COTS.

93. Soccer star Hamm: MIA. Bill G met him a few times.

96. N. American land: USA.

97. 82-Down's predecessor: FDR. 82. DDE's predecessor: HST.

98. Lawless role: XENA. Lucy Lawless.

100. Short __: little or no consideration: SHRIFT.

102. Environs: AREAS.

104. Drives out: BANISHES.

111. Aunt Bee's charge: OPIE.

112. Boathouse items: OARS.

113. Ancient: Pref.: PALEO.

114. Rock-'n'-roller whom Forrest Gump supposedly met: ELVIS. Did he? I can't remember clearly.

115. Look as though: SEEM.

116. Small amount: SPOT. My brother updates me often on the Coronavirus in Xi'an. Early last week it's 20 cases, then 70 cases a day later. One guy in his neighborhood went to Wuhan before Chinese Spring Festival. He then infected mom, who then lost her life. He also infected his two sisters.

117. Strict: STERN.

118. Saxes, e.g.: REEDS.

Down:

1. New Mexico native: ZUNI.

2. Aware of: IN ON.

3. Petty peeves: NITS.

4. "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" co-director: ETHAN COEN. Born and raised here in Minnesota.

5. Paris divider: SEINE.

6. Comic: GAGSTER. Spell check does not like this word.

7. Jazz legend Jackson: MILT. I googled him before.

8. Friend of Paris: AMI.

9. Personal point of view: TAKE.

10. "Casey at the Bat" autobiographer: STENGEL. Casey of course.

11. Gas in some lasers: ARGON.

12. Cheer (up): BUOY.

13. 108-card game: UNO.

14. Roger Ebert gave one entitled "Remaking My Voice" in 2011: TED TALK. What's your favorite Ted Talk?

15. "Funny not funny": HA HA.

16. Sought-after guests: A LIST.

17. Hybrid big cat: LIGER. Quite majestic.

18. "Swing Shift" actress Christine: LAHTI.

24. Got warmer while searching for: NEARED.

25. "... __, and a lasting peace": Lincoln: A JUST.

26. Head of Québec: TETE.

32. Electrical unit: VOLT.

34. Jacob Riis concerns: SLUMS.

35. Skosh: PINCH.

36. Like typical King novels: EERIE.

38. Reebok rival: ASICS. Are they good? I heard a guy raving about Brooks shoes at Dick's Sporting Goods a few weeks ago.

39. Pros with schedules: CPAS.

40. That guy: HIM.

41. Liszt's instrument: PIANO.

42. "Being and Nothingness" philosopher: SARTRE. Whatever between them, it worked. 

44. Unpredictable events: VAGARIES.

45. Tournaments: MEETS.

47. Bandleader Arnaz: DESI. Lots of "I Love Lucy" items at our local flea market.

48. Regarding: AS TO.

49. Peaty land: MOOR.

53. Kept in the know: APPRISED.

55. Pioneering video game: PONG.

56. Hacky Sack maker: WHAM-O. This is Chinese Hacky Sack. We call it Jianzi.

57. Present: HERE.

58. Change for a five: ONES.

61. Tailless feline: MANX.

62. Color named for a duck: TEAL.

63. D-Day conflict: WW II.

64. Jackson Hole backdrop: TETONS.

65. Kate, pre-taming: SHREW. "The Taming of the Shrew".

67. Dangerous biters: ASPS.

68. Insightful: DEEP.

69. Community pool site: YMCA.

70. 2009 Panasonic purchase: SANYO.

71. Mario's brother: LUIGI.

72. Myopic Mr.: MAGOO.

73. Competed in a British bee: SPELT.

74. Feudal workers: SERFS.

77. Roast site: DAIS. Good-natured roast.

79. English coal mining city: NEWCASTLE.

81. Filmmaker Ephron: NORA. I like "Sleepless in Seattle".

83. Unruffled: SERENE.

85. Small bars: BISTROS.

86. "Barry" star Bill: HADER. Read more details here.

87. Merging places: ON RAMPS.

88. Common nut shape: HEXAGON. Not the edible nut.

90. Musical dragon loved by Little Jackie Paper: PUFF.

93. Windows precursor: MS-DOS.

94. "That's my dream": I HOPE.

95. Memorable links nickname: ARNIE.  Palmer. He co-founded the Golf Channel.

97. Put icing on: FROST.

99. Bay Area NFLer: NINER.

101. Bullet point, e.g.: ITEM.

102. Curly do: AFRO.

103. Dodge City, to Ford County: SEAT.

104. Storied fox title: BR'ER.

105. Honey site: HIVE.

106. Writer Bagnold: ENID.

107. Cause for a kid's grounding: SASS.

109. Babble: YAP.

110. Belgian or brown: ALE.

Happy birthday to our Splynter (Richard), who turns 49 years old today. Splynter faithfully guided us on Saturdays for many years.

Splynter told me that Jan 8, 2020 was his 15-year anniversary in AA. He's still taking care of his mom, who might need to move to a nursing home soon. He's still looking for that perfect job. Wish all your dreams come true this year, Splynter!

Sunday February 2, 2020 Mike Peluso

Theme:  "When in Rome"- The first number (1-10) in each familiar phrase is replaced by a Roman numeral.

22. Show for which Erika Slezak won six Daytime Emmys: I LIFE TO LIVE. One Life to Live.

28. Films with depth?: III D MOVIES. Three-D movies.

34. Video poker basis: V CARD DRAW. Five-card draw.

57. It's not good to be behind it: VIII BALL. Eight ball.

59. It's usually attached to a house: II CAR GARAGE. Two-car garage.

74. Certain incumbent's rally cry: IV MORE YEARS. Four more years.

76. 1995 Hugh Grant film: IX MONTHS. Nine Months.

96. Symbol of untouchability: X FOOT POLE. Ten-foot pole.

106. Set of schools that includes Vassar: VII SISTERS. Seven Sisters.

115. 2000s series set in a funeral home: VI FEET UNDER. Six Feet Under.
 
So nice to see Mike's byline again. I always associate him with Wednesday puzzles, probably because he made a lots of Wednesday puzzles when I started blogging.

The numbers are not in order, probably because he did not want to give us free letters. Guess how many I's in this grid?

Across:

1. Learn to fit in: ADAPT.

6. Wilson's predecessor: TAFT.

10. Eponymous 2000s TV sitcom: REBA. McEntire.

14. Runs for it: LAMS.

18. Chili __: dish with green sauce: VERDE. Never had it. Looks yummy.

19. Early Arizona natives: PIMAS. And 21. Siouan people: OTOE.

20. Tourney format, briefly: ELIM. Elimination.

24. Amt. rarely charged: MSRP. Mostly cars.

25. Lahore tongue: URDU.

26. Carried out: DID.

27. Theater sight: POSTER.

30. Hayride seats: BALES.

31. Hammed it up: EMOTED.

33. Border range: URALS.

38. Home security giant: ADT. Our neighbor has a "Secured by ADT" in their lawn.

39. Tom Joad, e.g.: OKIE.

41. Kolkata wrap: SARI.

42. Heavy marble: STEELIE. It does sound heavy.

44. Slime: GOO.

45. Inflation spec: PSI. Tire.

48. Capital north of Syracuse: OTTAWA.

51. Window treatment: BLIND.

52. Rolled up: FURLED.

54. Scand. country: NORW. Norway.

56. Gospel singer Winans: CECE. Gimme for me.

63. Former Hanford overseer: Abbr.: AEC.  Atomic Energy Commission. Dissolved in 1975.

64. Key, perhaps: ISLE.

65. Management deg.: MBA.

66. Charmingly rural: FOLKSY.

67. Takes in, say: ALTERS.

70. La Méditerranée, e.g.: MER.

71. Hall of Fame pitcher Blyleven: BERT. Known for his curveballs. Twins' color commentator. Boomer often picks on Bert's gaffes. Like "This is the second debut of ...".

73. One always reaching for the Skyy?: SOT. And clue echo at 59. Reach for the Skyy: IMBIBE.

79. Década components: ANOS. Decade/years.

80. Pride and envy: SINS.

81. Barry Gibb, for one: BEE GEE.

82. Wing it: AD LIB.

83. Aggravate: NETTLE.

87. Immigrant's subj.: ESL.

88. Soup legume: PEA. Can't wait for the fresh peas at our local farmers' market. Pretty and tasty with rice.

90. Transmission need: GEAR OIL.

93. "I'm on it, I'm on it!!": OK OK.

94. Ratted: SANG.

95. Nevada Northern Railway Museum city: ELY.

99. Stand for a canvas: EASEL.

102. Swallow: INGEST.

105. Exhaust __: FUMES.

108. Sun-Maid product: RAISIN.

110. Portland summer hrs., perhaps: EDT.

113. Theta follower: IOTA.

114. El __: PASO.

117. Shut (up): CLAM.

118. Alaskan island in the Eastern Hemisphere: ATTU.

119. "Sorry, not for me": I PASS.

120. Barrel racing milieu: RODEO. Not familiar with barrel racing.

121. Flag: TIRE.

122. In the order given: Abbr.: RESP. Respective?

123. Sassy: PERT.

124. Whence the Israelites fled: EGYPT.

Down:

1. Lifelong, as a fan: AVID.

2. Seller of dogs: DELI.

3. Like the Namib: ARID.  Southern African desert.

4. Adobe file format: PDF.

5. Disc golf starting point: TEE PAD. I think Mike is an avid golfer.

6. Attacks, knight-style: TILTS AT.

7. Friend of François: AMIE.

8. Green Bay legend: FAVRE. Brett Favre's final season was with the Vikings.

9. Mao __-tung: TSE.

10. Sent in: REMITTED.

11. Pitcher of milk?: ELSIE. Fun clue.

12. Pudelpointer, say: BIRD DOG. Never heard of Pudelpointer. Wiki says "It is a pointing breed that came from a cross between the German hunting poodle (pudel) and the English Pointer.

13. Time toggle: AM PM.

14. Site of Pei's pyramid: LOUVRE.

15. Glass-roofed lobbies: ATRIA.

16. Runway walker: MODEL.

17. Grinch creator: SEUSS.

19. Toughies: POSERS.

23. All __: including everything: TOLD.

28. One of the halogens: IODINE.

29. "Yes, yes, Dominique": OUI OUI.

30. __ Scurry, 1999 Women's World Cup championship U.S. team goalkeeper: BRIANA. Also new to me.

32. Evil intent: MALICE.

34. Brandy letters: VSO.

35. Siamese, e.g.: CAT.

36. Museum works: ART.

37. Online program: WEBCAST.

40. 2001 Peace Prize sharer Annan: KOFI. Graduated from Macalester College here in MN.

43. Poem of loss: ELEGY.

45. Hospital supply: PLASMA.

46. Word with best or book: SELLER.

47. Cars in jams, say: IDLERS.

49. "Star Trek" franchise Klingon: WORF. Drew a blank.

50. 2012 Best Picture: ARGO.

53. DH's stat: RBI.

55. Former 49ers coach Bill: WALSH.

57. Nix: VETO.

58. Bakery workers: ICERS.

60. Alpine goats: IBEXES.

61. Monterey neighbor: CARMEL. Clint Eastwood was their mayor ages ago. Jesse Ventura was the mayor of our Brooklyn Park before I came here.

62. Old-time cinemas: RKOS.

63. Collection plate alternative: ALMS BOX.

67. French 101 verb: AVOIR.

68. Jockey strap: REIN.

69. "Auld Lang __": SYNE.

72. Dress (up) fancily: TOG.

74. Mosaic pieces: INLAYS.

75. Prevents, by law: ESTOPS.

77. Sherpa, commonly: NEPALI.

78. Suffix with ump-: TEEN.

79. Astaire and a singer: ADELES. "Hello, can you hear me?"

82. Survey category: AGE GROUP.

84. Fight stopper, for short: TKO.

85. Online response to humor: LOL.

86. Barely manage, with "out": EKE.

89. Disturb: AGITATE.

91. Most up in the air: IFFIEST.

92. Botches, with "up": LOUSES.

94. Option at the bagel shop: SESAME.

97. Forget to mention: OMIT.

98. Academic job security: TENURE.

99. Throw out: EVICT.

100. Its name is derived from Provençal words for "garlic" and "oil": AIOLI. So thick. What do you use the sauce for?

101. Stringed Asian instrument: SITAR.

103. Homes in the woods: NESTS.

104. Nonsense: TRIPE.

107. Engage in verbal jousting: SPAR.

109. In the distance: AFAR.

110. Marine hazard: EDDY.

111. Word with sleep or freeze: DEEP.

112. Pace with a wide range of speeds: TROT.

115. Guest in a team owner's skybox, often: VIP.

116. Eggy beverage: NOG.

C.C.