Sunday November 8, 2026, 2026 Katie Hale

Theme: EMPTY WORDS - T is changed into M in each phrase.

22. Rowing teams that spread good cheer?: MERRY CREWS. Terry Crews.

40. Scampering after a letter caught by the wind?: CHASING ONE'S MAIL. Chasing one's tail.

47. Exhausted after cramming for a geography test?: ALL MAPPED OUT. All tapped out.

64. Trick to getting the cleanest floors?: MOP SECRET. Top secret. 

71. Courthouse employee responsible for maintenance?: BAR MENDER. Bartender.

85. Solution when it's too hard to choose one Halloween costume?: MULTI-MASKING. Multi-tasking.

92. "Let's raise a glass to our favorite silent performers of yore!"?: FOR OLD MIME'S SAKE. For old time's sake.

115. Shop displays of long skirts?: MAXI STANDS. Taxi stands. 

"Empty" sounds like "M-T," hence the title. Some letter changes occur in the first word, some in the middle, and a couple in the last word. No odd man out.

Across:

1. NYC home of Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory": MOMA.

5. Leader of the Aesir: ODIN. Aesir is the pantheon of Norse myth. Also 97. Home of 5-Across: ASGARD.

9. Use the Track Changes feature in a document, say: EDIT. Microsoft Word.

13. Roles, metaphorically: HATS.

17. At any moment: EVER.

18. Body lotion brand: NIVEA. I like Curel. Scent-free. 

20. Places: PUTS.

21. Hebrew prophet: MICAH. One of the twelve minor prophets. 

24. Solo at the Met: ARIA.

25. The Gem State: IDAHO.  Idaho is home to more than 72 different types of precious and semi-precious gemstones.

26. Jealous: ENVIOUS.

27. Superlative suffix: EST.

29. From Laos, say: ASIAN.

31. NL East or AL West: DIV.

32. "Ciao!": BYE.

33. Afternoon TV fillers: RE-RUNS.

35. Clear plastic: LUCITE. Type of acrylic. 

37. Mesoamerican fruit: CACAO.

43. "For You" singer Rita: ORA.

44. Take to court: SUE.

45. Insta profile part: BIO.

46. Killer whale: ORCA.

52. Ides of March utterance: ET TU.

53. Texas metropolis, for short: DFW. Dallas Fort Worth. 

56. Jeep headquarters city: TOLEDO. Mud Hens.

57. Shortly after the big bang, e.g.: EONS AGO.

59. Orléans river: LOIRE.

61. Notable deeds: FEATS.

63. Title role for Benicio del Toro: CHE.

66. Collapsible bed: COT. 69. No longer in 73-Across: RISEN. 73. Place to be tucked in: BED.

67. Chobani competitor: OIKOS.

70. Took lunch: ATE.

74. Cacophonous: NOISY.

76. Starts a fresh pot: ANTES. Poker.

77. Leaves no room for doubt: ENSURES.

79. Bully: COERCE.

82. "It was fine": MEH.

83. Tax pros: CPAS.

88. Late-night TV pioneer: PAAR (Jack)

89. Prefix with dermis: EPI.

90. 2019 W.S. champ: NAT. World Series. National.

91. Corp. bigwig: CEO.

98. NHL legend Hull: BRETT. Son of Bobby Hull.

100. Image in a group chat, perhaps: AVATAR.

101. Runway figures: MODELS.

102. Hip-hop pioneer Kool __ Dee: MOE.

103. Blue rep.: DEM.

104. Lure: TEMPT.

106. Prayer __: RUG.

107. Airport areas with extra amenities: LOUNGES.

111. Muse of poetry: ERATO.

113. Self-involved: VAIN.

117. Contract addition: RIDER.

118. Ruse: PLOY.

119. Media coverage: PRESS.

120. "Heat" director Michael: MANN. He also directed "Ali".

121. "I need it now!": STAT.

122. Rational: SANE.

123. Normandy landing time: D DAY.

124. Round-about figs.?: ETAS. Oh, "round-about" here means approximate. 

Down:

1. Image in a group chat, perhaps: MEME.

2. Busy spot at Thanksgiving: OVEN. Look at this pumpkin bar. Loaded.

3. "Wheel of Fortune" creator Griffin: MERV.

4. Up, in Spanish: ARRIBA.

5. Perfectly timed: ON CUE.

6. Short ways to go?: DIRS. Directions. 

7. "__ seen enough": I'VE.

8. Cap company: NEW ERA.

9. Org. that regulates pesticides: EPA.

10. Chihuahua neighbor: DURANGO. Both are states in northern Mexico; Durango borders Chihuahua to the south.

11. "Affirmative": IT IS SO.

12. Ming who hosts the cooking show "Simply Ming": TSAI.

13. Camouflaged: HID.

14. National park near Bar Harbor: ACADIA.

15. Largest island in French Polynesia: TAHITI.

16. Sandbox toy: SHOVEL.

19. Burros: ASSES.

21. Wee: MINUSCULE.

23. Go up and down: YO-YO.

28. The Texas __: nonprofit media company: TRIBUNE.

30. "Nerd __!": ALERT.

34. Liters and meters: UNITS.

36. Nashville awards org.: CMA. The Country Music Association. 

37. Polish layer: COAT.

38. "Heaven" singer Parks: ARLO. Born and raised in London. 

39. Summon: CALL FORTH.

40. Measuring __: CUP.

41. Laugh syllable: HEE.

42. Closed for business: NOT OPEN.

44. Totally right: SPOT ON.

48. "Let's get together": MEET ME.

49. Lovelace of computing history: ADA. Daughter of Lord Byron.

50. Room designs: DECORS.

51. Cries of wonder: OOHS.

52. Self-images: EGOS.

53. Cajun dish cooked with giblets: DIRTY RICE.

54. No charge: FREE.

55. Like a martini with extra vermouth: WET.

58. Surrounded by: AMIDST.

60. Ric of The Cars: OCASEK.

62. Like many infield throws: SIDEARM.

65. Ski run vehicle: SNO-CAT.

66. Peppermint candy shape: CANE.

68. Some dolls: KENS.

69. Spool: REEL.

71. "Bang!": BAM.

72. Moving staircase: ESCALATOR.

73. Elle Woods' dog: BRUISER. 

75. Apple platform: IOS.

78. Called someone out, perhaps: UMPED.

80. Tech coverage site: CNET.

81. Awards quartet: EGOT.

84. Fernando Tatís Jr., for one: PADRE.

86. Tattoo parlor supply: INK.

87. Astronaut Jemison: MAE.

88. Tea holder: POT.

89. Strong feeling: EMOTION.

92. Sliding volume controls: FADERS.

93. No longer interested: OVER IT.

94. Best Western rival: RAMADA.

95. Antelope with twisted horns: IMPALA.

96. Losing streak: SLUMP.

98. Session: BOUT.

99. File menu choice: RE-NAME.

102. Like green logs: MOSSY.

105. Some post-series interviewees, for short: MVPS. The latest World Series MVP: William Contreras. 

107. Kudrow of "The Comeback": LISA.

108. Little pest: GNAT.

109. Writer Ferber: EDNA.

110. IDs on blue cards: SSNS.

112. Lunar festival in Vietnam: TET. Feb 6, 2027.

114. Dec. 31: NYE.

116. Marked (out): X'ED.

C.C.

Sunday November 1, 2026, 2026 Doug Peterson

Theme: "READ THAT BACK TO ME" - Each clue needs to be read backwards. 

23. Bonk?: DOOR HANDLE. Knob. 

34. Laced?: WINDOW STICKER. Decal. 

44. Pacer?: POSTGAME REPORT. Recap. 

65. Drab?: MEDIEVAL POET. Bard.

74. Ergo?: FANTASY BEAST. Ogre.

93. Gulp?: BATHTUB STOPPER. Plug.

102. Mined?: JEANS MATERIAL. Denim. 

121. Rebut?: FLESHY ROOT. Tuber. 

 
I just learned that this type of word is called a "semordnilap," which is "palindromes" spelled backward.

There are plenty of other semordnilaps, like EVIL/LIVE and GOLF/FLOG. The challenge is finding solid in-the-language phrases.

 Across:

1. Low voice: BASSO.

6. Out of fizz: FLAT.

10. Zoning measure: ACRE.

14. Expressed disdain: TSKED.

19. Room that often has a slanted ceiling: ATTIC.

20. Undoer of Othello: IAGO. He has more lines than Othello in "Othello".

21. Son of Noah: SHEM. Semite derives from Shem through the biblical genealogy. The other two sons were Ham and Japheth.

22. Absolut rival: STOLI. Originated in the Soviet Union. Absolut is a Swedish brand. 

25. Considerate: KIND.

26. March 14 observance: PI DAY.

27. Classic record label: EMI.

28. Repetitive sonata movement: RONDO.

29. Trojan hero in a Virgil epic: AENEAS. He deserted Dido.

31. London art gallery: TATE.

32. Performer honored with a Billboard Icon Award in 2017: CHER. Do you believe in life after love? 

37. One of Pittsburgh's Three Rivers: OHIO. The other two are the Allegheny and Monongahela.

39. Inked body art: TAT.

42. Monopoly token that replaced the iron: CAT.

43. Corned beef __: HASH.

49. "Jingle Bells" transport: SLEIGH.

53. South Pacific island group: SAMOA.

54. Picked out, in a way: ID'ED.

55. Los Angeles Philharmonic, e.g.: ORCHESTRA.

57. "My turn": I'M NEXT.

59. Sorceress whose aunt is the sorceress Circe: MEDEA. She helped Jason in his search for the Golden Fleece.

61. Exploits: USES.

62. Invalidated: NULLED.

68. __-Wan Kenobi: OBI.

69. Cheer syllable: RAH.

71. Sticky pine product: RESIN.

72. Padmé's beloved: ANI. Anakin Skywalker is often called "Ani" by Padmé.

73. JFK predecessor: DDE.

77. Precisely correct: DEAD ON.

79. Egyptian cross: ANKH.

80. __ Hall: MONTY.

81. Princess introduced in season four of "The Crown," familiarly: LADY DI.

84. "So much for that plan": I GUESS NOT.

87. Norway home of the Munch Museum: OSLO.

88. Wreck: TRASH.

92. Carpentry tool: RIPSAW.

97. Shortly, shortly: ASAP.

99. She/__ pronouns: HER.

100. Consumed: ATE. Have you tried pumpkin bars before? 

101. Goes (for): OPTS.

108. Once-sacred snakes: ASPS. Sacred to the Ancient Egyptians.

110. Within: AMID.

111. Schoolbook: PRIMER.

112. Shelter org.: ASPCA.

115. Poetic contraction: TIS.

118. Move like a crab: SIDLE.

120. "Voulez-Vous" pop group: ABBA.

123. Nondairy spreads: OLEOS. Short for oleomargarine, a name derived partly from Latin oleum ("oil").

124. Food plan: DIET.

125. Pet aisle brand: IAMS.

126. Maker of iComfort mattresses: SERTA.

127. Cozy spots: NESTS.

128. Hearing things: EARS.

129. Doofus: TWIT.

130. Endless expanse: OCEAN.

Down:

1. Commanded, quaintly: BADE.

2. Particle with an electron cloud: ATOM.

3. Philosophy stressing self-control: STOICISM. The most famous Stoic philosophers are Marcus Aurelius and Seneca. 

4. Title for Idris Elba: SIR.

5. Earthy colour: OCHRE.

6. Literary Huckleberry: FINN.

7. Cheryl of "Charlie's Angels": LADD.

8. Radiant: AGLOW.

9. Digit covered by a sock: TOE.

10. Sent an invitation for: ASKED TO.

11. Khaki-colored cloth: CHINO. The name comes from Spanish for "Chinese," referring to the fabric's association with China.

12. Extend, in a way: RENEW.

13. Punctuation mark that may signal an abrupt change: EM DASH. I was going to text you—but then I changed my mind.

14. Minced garlic amt.: TSP.

15. Repairs with thread, as a torn pocket: STITCHES UP.

16. Classic camera brand: KODAK.

17. Make merry: ELATE.

18. One who may watch how-to videos online, for short: DIYER.

24. Vital artery: AORTA.

29. Take __: rest up: A NAP.

30. Save for later: STASH.

33. Deep conditioning choice for hair: HOT OIL. Not going to put oil in my hair. 

35. Coffee specification: ICED.

36. __ of Wight: ISLE.

37. Short missions?: OPS. Operations.

38. Residential community org.: HOA.

40. Dijon companion: AMIE. The city Dijon. 

41. Lecture series spinoff: TEDX.

45. Giant fire-breathing turtle in Japanese monster films: GAMERA. Godzilla's giant turtle rival.

46. Pt. of IRA: RET.

47. The Burghers of Calais sculptor: RODIN. 

48. Plant with a trunk: TREE.

50. "Hmm, strange": IT'S ODD.

51. "Star Wars" bounty hunter shot by Han Solo: GREEDO. Learning moment for me.

52. Hotfoot it: HASTEN.

56. Spanish wine similar to Champagne: CAVA.

58. "Keep this private" docs: NDAS.

59. Stylike: MESSY.

60. Make a long story short?: EDIT.

62. "You cheated!": NO FAIR.

63. Congo River tributary: UBANGI.

64. Connect (with): LINK UP.

65. Veal or venison: MEAT.

66. "Toy Story" boy: ANDY.

67. Wasn't honest with: LIED TO.

70. Church song: HYMN.

71. Fashion designer Oscar de la __: RENTA.

75. Baseball movie with the line "You're killing me, Smalls!": THE SANDLOT. I need to watch this movie someday. 

76. __ tube: BOOB.

78. Prepare a movie snack, perhaps: AIR-POP.

81. Baton Rouge sch.: LSU.

82. Actress and entrepreneur Jessica: ALBA.

83. "__ thou love me?": Juliet: DOST.

85. Attitude: SASS.

86. __ Thing: green DC Comics superhero: SWAMP.

87. Other, in Oaxaca: OTRA.

89. Place to buy games: APP STORE.

90. Matching group: SET.

91. Time sheet abbr.: HRS.

94. Menacing messages: THREATS.

95. Beneficiary: HEIR.

96. Do some school work?: TEACH. Real school work.

98. Show off: PARADE.

102. "Matlock" actor Ritter: JASON.

103. "Ratatouille" rat: EMILE.

104. West Wing staffers: AIDES.

105. Leg bone: TIBIA.

106. Live coal: EMBER.

107. Former TV drama set in SoCal: LA LAW.

109. Final word: SAY SO.

113. Sweet start?: SEMI. Semi-sweet.

114. Soft "Hey, you!": PSST.

116. Tiny bit: IOTA.

117. Big fan, in slang: STAN.

119. Curvy shape: ESS.

121. In shape: FIT.

122. Button for making a voice note, briefly: REC.

C.C.,

Sunday October 25, 2026, 2026 Pam Amick Klawitter

Theme: "EASING DOES IT" - Long E sound is replaced by ING in each familiar phrase.

21A. Light fare after a breakup?: PARTING SNACKS. Party snacks.

51A. Like the first little pig?: STRAW BEARING. Strawberry. 

69A. Best time of year to visit a pawn shop?: HOCKING SEASON. Hockey season. 

84A. Golf club that's almost too heavy to swing?: TAXING DRIVER. Taxi driver.

116A. One who makes relocating even harder than it already is?: MOVING VILLAIN. Movie villain.

15D. Task for a haunted house after Halloween?: GHOST STORING. Ghost story. 

63D. Youngest sibling's lot?: LIFE OF RILING. Life of Riley. 

I actually read the title as "Easy Does It". Tough to come up with a title that sums up this theme gimmick.

The long E sound has various spellings in the base phrases: Y, EY, IE and I. The title itself demonstrates the change: EASY becomes EASING.

Across:

1. Muted hue: PASTEL.

7. "I'm off!": SEE YA.

12. Signs fraudulently: FORGES.

18. Queen of mystery: ELLERY. Ellery Queen is a joint pseudonym for the authors and the name of their most famous fictional detective character.

19. Like a major artery: AORTAL.

20. "South Pacific" song: BALI HAI. Sung by Bloody Mary. 
 
23. Line judges?: EDITORS. Fun clue.

24. Ramen mushroom: ENOKI. I mostly put enoki in soup. 

25. Caffeine-rich nut: KOLA.

27. Sleeveless tops: VESTS.

28. General vibe: MOOD.

32. Way out: ESCAPE ROUTE. 103. Over the moon: ON CLOUD NINE. Two 11's. It's OK to put them in Across slots as long as they're shorter than the shortest theme entries. 

36. Archaic possessive: THY.

37. __ penguin: EMPEROR.

40. Tree on the Lebanese flag: CEDAR.

41. Curved paths: ARCS.

43. Haberdashery clip: TIE BAR.

44. Deal that generates interest: LOAN.

46. __ as a pin: NEAT.

48. Large med. facilities: CTRS. As in VA Medical Centers.

54. Save from ruin: BAILOUT.

56. Hit that clears the bases: TRIPLE. Rooting for the Brewers. 8. Bullpen stat: ERA. Here I am warming up in the Twins bullpen. Plenty of time to work on my ERA before Opening Day.

57. Blokes: LADS.

60. Enter traffic: MERGE.

61. Brazilian icon known as "The King of Football": PELE.

64. "Unstoppable" singer: SIA. That Wig. 

65. Visual: IMAGE.

67. Longtime language columnist William: SAFIRE.

68. Bird: Pref.: AVI.

72. Afternoon refresher: NAP.

73. Pan coating: TEFLON.

75. Fancy pitchers: EWERS.

76. Genetic letters: DNA. 108. 76-Across strand shape: HELIX.

77. Some NCOs: SGTS.

78. Oscar winner Tatum: O'NEAL.

79. Play thing: PROP.

80. Will, given a chance: MEAN TO.

82. Chemical variant: ISOTOPE.

90. Like butter ready for whipping: SOFT.

91. Baby sheep: LAMB.

94. Dec. 25: XMAS. Two months away. 

95. Charcuterie slice: SALAMI.

96. "Not That Fancy" writer McEntire: REBA.

98. "Tiny Alice" playwright: ALBEE (Edward)

100. Snippets of time: MOMENTS.

101. CBS forensic franchise: CSI.

107. Part of a classroom lineup: DESK.

110. Unflappable: COOL.

111. Drug cops: NARCS.

114. Put to work: UTILIZE.

123. Broadway honor: TONY NOD.

124. Paperless event notices: EVITES.

125. Over-the-top: TOO TOO.

126. Partake (in): ENGAGE.

127. Barber's tool: RAZOR.

128. "You'll love doing this!": IT'S FUN.  

Down:

1. Friskiness: PEP.

2. Huntsville's st.: ALA.

3. Camera choice, initially: SLR.

4. Vietnamese celebration: TET.

5. Source of some lake-effect snow: ERIE.

6. Swann who won four Super Bowls with the Steelers: LYNN.

7. Sega hedgehog: SONIC.

9. Short "... need I go on?": ETC. And 10. Went on and on and on: YAKKED.

11. One who didn't get a seat: ALSO-RAN.

12. Rage: FAD.

13. "Last Week Tonight" host John: OLIVER.

14. Formal ceremony: RITE.

16. Habitat for humanity: EARTH.

17. Actress Spacek: SISSY.

19. Satisfies one's curiosity, in a way: ASKS.

20. Boyfriend: BEAU.

22. One on the move: GOER.

26. Legends: LORE.

28. Team whose mascot's head is a baseball: METS. Patti's team. Also 80. The Marlins, on scoreboards: MIA. Miami.

29. Skip over: OMIT.

30. Abbr. on old phones: OPER.

31. Primary event: DEBATE.

33. Smoothie berry: ACAI.

34. Teller's partner in magic: PENN.

35. Bye line: TA TA.

38. Flirty growl: RAWR.

39. "Only the Lonely" singer: ORBISON.

42. Staff symbol: C CLEF.

44. Player coached by JJ Redick: LA LAKER. Redick has coached the Lakers since 2024.

45. Resource in Minecraft and Catan: ORE.

47. Core muscles: ABS.

49. Toddler, slangily: RUGRAT.

50. Brews: STEEPS. 74. Hot drink with foam art: LATTE.

52. Like a large-scale tale or fail: EPIC.

53. Tumbler: GLASS.

55. Somali supermodel: IMAN.

58. Get old: AGE.

59. Numbs, as pain: DEADENS.

61. Local lingo: PATOIS.

62. "Despite that ... ": EVEN SO. And 67. Scoundrel: SO AND SO. Tiny dupe.

65. Likely to err: INEPT.

66. Ballpark fig.: MGR.

69. Graphic start: HOLO.

70. __ Jima: IWO.

71. Hidden hiccup: SNAG.

77. Ready for the laundry: SOILED.

79. Shell game pellet: PEA.

81. Zurich transport: TRAM.

83. Scheme: PLAN.

85. Chopped down: AXED.

86. Jean Grey's cohort: X MEN. Jean Grey is a founding member of the X-Men.

87. Wind indicator: VANE.

88. 911 responders: Abbr.: EMTS.

89. Board game played on a map: RISK.

92. Bueno's opposite: MALO. Bueno = good. Malo = bad.

93. Late __: BLOOMER.

97. Olympic sport since 1904: BOXING.

99. Luxury watchmaker bought by Citizen in 2008: BULOVA.

100. "Jeopardy!" creator Griffin: MERV.

101. Laundry slide: CHUTE.

102. __ Hall University: SETON.

104. Included, in a way: CCED.

105. Baltimore's __ Harbor: INNER.

106. Bugs or badgers: NAGS. Verbs.

109. "Heated Rivalry" role for Connor Storrie: ILYA. Learning moment for me. There's a great swimmer called ILYA Kharun, who's going to make a big splash in 2028.

112. Big Four bank name: CITI.

113. Bank opening: SLOT.

115. "The Batman" actress Kravitz: ZOE.

117. To wit, for short: VIZ.

118. Skater Midori: ITO.

119. Word in many California place names: LOS.

120. DOJ division: ATF.

121. "We'll settle this later" letters: IOU.

122. __ sequitur: NON.

C.C.

Sunday October 18, 2026, 2026 Patti Varol

Theme:  "CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN'" - CA is added to each common phrase. 

25A. "12-Point Type: A History"?: LIFE OF PICA. Life of Pi.

27A. Prankster?: CAPER PERSON. Per person.

45A. Cut-rate vacation rentals?: BARGAIN CABINS. Bargain bins.

83A. Motto of a therapist who uses origami to teach anger management?: PAPER PLACATES. Paper plates.

98A. Morning-after-the-wedding stories?: UNION RECAPS. Union reps

104A. Useful tool in making some Thanksgiving pies?: PECAN KNIFE. Penknife.

35D. One with next-level skills in being thoughtful and compassionate?: CARING MASTER. Ringmaster.

40D. The dog days of summer?: CANINE MONTHS. Nine months.

Our first Patti Sunday puzzle in a few years. For those who don't know, long before Patti became the LAT crossword editor, she edited both the Uptown Puzzle Club and Crossword Club puzzles for many years. Those were all 21x21 puzzles.

I like how CA is inserted at different points in the phrases, sometimes at the beginning of a word, sometimes in the middle. The base phrases are all solid and familiar, which is essential for this type of letter-addition theme. Patti prefers constructors to keep the number of three-letter entries in the 20s or fewer. This grid has only 20.

Across:

1. Come & Get It! pet food brand: ALPO.

5. "Scrubs" role for Judy Reyes: CARLA. She was the head nurse.

10. Some language exams: ORALS.

15. Escalator part: STEP.

19. Large Hadron Collider org.: CERN. The European Organization for Nuclear Research. CERN comes from its original French name, Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire.

20. Orca habitat: OCEAN.

21. Upgrade, as machinery: RE-FIT.

22. Simplicity: EASE.

23. Fizzled out: DIED.

24. Versace parent company: PRADA. Prada acquired Versace on December 2, 2025. 

30. Fortune: KISMET.

31. Corporate VIPs: CEOS.

32. Dance club version, say: REMIX.

34. Like fabric in a quilting kit: PRE-CUT.

38. Silver-white metal: NICKEL.

41. Audition hopeful: ACTOR.

43. Like a car made between 1919 and 1930: VINTAGE. After that, classic cars. 

44. "You for Me" singer Rita: ORA. And  49. Issa of "Insecure": RAE. Friendly letter combo. 

50. Chutney fruit: MANGO. I like Asian mangoes. Sweeter.

52. D-backs st.: ARIZ. And 95. H-Town ALer: STRO.  And 105. Cy Young stat: ERA.  Pattie is an avid Mets fan. 

53. Chimp kin: ORANG.

54. Helsinki native: FINN.

55. Perform terribly: STINK. 

56. Barbie's boo: KEN.

57. IRS convenience: E FILE.

58. Pickles: BINDS.

59. Rowlands with an Honorary Academy Award: GENA. Loved her in "The Notebook".

60. Poor grade: DEE.

61. Played a pipe in a parade: FIFED.

62. Figure in the 1953 British Mount Everest expedition: NORGAY. Tenzing Norgay reached the summit with Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953.

63. Decorative jugs: EWERS.

65. Teams: SIDES.

66. Home network need: MODEM.

67. "MasterChef" host Gordon: RAMSAY.

69. Bank investment?: LEVEE. Clever clue. A levee protects a riverbank.

70. Word with brow or blow: LOW.

71. __ bean: FAVA.

74. Noisy, as a crowd: AROAR.

75. Driveway brick: PAVER.

76. With 16-Down, official cocktail of the city of Oakland: MAI. 16. See 76-Across: TAI. Associated with Trader Vic's in Oakland.

77. Shot in the arm, say: DOSED. Need another blood draw next Monday. That nurse always scares me, esp when she says "Oops!".

78. Eyelash treatment: TINT.

79. Basic framework: BONES.

80. Frames: RIMS.

81. Leftover: EXTRA.

82. Playpen denizen: TOT.

86. Cake mix need: EGG.

87. Traditional source of wood for baseball bats: ASH TREE. Maple is another popular choice.

89. On the periphery: OUTER. 113. Periphery: EDGE.

90. "No __!": SIRREE.

92. Had a snack: NOSHED. And  93. Fillable flatbreads: PITAS.

96. Gain back: RE-EARN.

108. Vedder of Pearl Jam: EDDIE.

109. Make mittens, perhaps: KNIT.

110. Winged archer: EROS.

111. Primer mes del año: ENERO. First month of the year,

112. PowerPoint unit: SLIDE.

114. Well-worn trail: PATH.

115. Showed again: RE-RAN.

116. Words to live by: TENET.

117. Short message of gratitude: TYSM. Thank You So Much.

Down:

1. Adapter letters: AC DC.

2. "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope" speaker: LEIA.

3. Slice and dice, perhaps: PREP.

4. Coming right up: ON DECK.

5. "Priscilla" writer/director Sofia: COPPOLA.

6. Ranch units: ACRES.

7. Raise: REAR.

8. Some pub pals: LADS.

9. "Devious Maids" star: ANA ORTIZ. She played Marisol Suarez. Here she is with Susan Lucci.

10. Magic, on sports tickers: ORL. Orlando Magic.

11. Form of energy healing: REIKI. The Japanese ki is similar to the Chinese qi, meaning life energy.

12. Tack on: AFFIX.

13. "Not one word of this is true!": LIES.

14. Walking noisily: STOMPING.

15. The continents, e.g.: SEPTET.

17. PC "oops" key: ESC.

18. Split __ soup: PEA.

26. Forest plants: FERNS.

28. Hoka rival: REEBOK.  I like Asics. 

29. Highlighter hue: NEON.

33. Automatic drip-brew pioneer: MR COFFEE. A fixture in our home for many years.  

36. Tanzania neighbor: UGANDA.

37. Wee: TEENSY.

38. Claim on some menus: NO MSG.

39. Mighty mad: IRATE.

41. Correspond: AGREE.

42. Adam's eldest: CAIN.

43. Ivy, for one: VINE.

46. Tools with teeth: RAKES. Leaf-raking season is here.

47. Zodiac ram: ARIES.

48. Un-locked?: BALD. 69. Strike zone?: LANE. Fun clues.

51. Really bothers: GNAWS AT.

54. Mozilla web browser: FIREFOX.

57. Down source: EIDER. The soft down of eider ducks is prized for bedding.

58. Figure, casually: BOD.

60. Towel off: DRY.

61. Fin: FIVE SPOT. Slang for a five-dollar bill.

62. "I don't have all day!": NOW.

64. Tuner's asset: EAR.

65. Cut: SEVER.

66. Damp: MOIST.

67. Lanai furniture material: RATTAN.  Lovely woven furniture.

68. Melodic passage: ARIOSO. A vocal style somewhere between recitative and aria.

70. Pulitzer-winning rapper Kendrick: LAMAR.

72. Brink: VERGE.

73. Wise words: ADAGE.

75. Leader of the Holy See: POPE.

76. Attic pests: MICE.

77. Strong urge: DESIRE.

79. Big name in classic travel guides: BAEDEKER. Learning moment for me. Karl Baedeker was a German publisher whose detailed travel guides became so influential that his surname became synonymous with guidebooks.

80. Disorderly place: RAT'S NEST.

83. Primp: PREEN.

84. Island feast: LUAU.

85. Springsteen's __ Band: E STREET.

88. Clobber: THRASH.

91. "Guardians of the Galaxy" voice role for Bradley Cooper: ROCKET. Rocket Raccoon.

93. Overly inquisitive sort: PRIER.

94. Prefix with structure: INFRA.

95. Slyly cutting: SNIDE.

97. Hathaway of "The Odyssey": ANNE.

99. Just chilling: IDLE.

100. All-father of Norse myth: ODIN.

101. Roddick who was the last American man to win the US Open: ANDY. That was 2003. Holy cow!

102. __ in a blanket: PIGS.

103. Half note feature: STEM.

104. Energy: PEP.

106. Basic bed: COT.

107. Long time: EON.

C.C.