Sunday March 23, 2025 Gary Larson & Doug Peterson

Theme: "World Series" - Each theme entry contains a popular TV series and the show is re-imagined at a different setting.

23. A spunky teenage girl works as an intern in Silicon Valley?: APPLE BLOSSOM.

29. A forensic anthropologist investigates crime at a topless beach on the French Riviera?: BARE BONES.

42. Hugh Laurie's character practices medicine in Tokyo?: HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN.

68. The bar where "everybody knows your name" opens a franchise in a New York borough?: BRONX CHEERS.

93. Rachel, Ross, and the gang climb the Himalayas?: FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES.

109. A navy lawyer visits the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem?: CRYING JAG.

116. High-powered attorneys vacation at the Yellowstone Hot Springs?: BATHING SUITS.

The new settings are all over the place, hence "World Series".

Gary and Doug have collaborated quite a few Sunday puzzles. From the byline we can see that this is Gary's initial idea. Doug helped him find more theme entries.

Across:

1. Fashion brand that makes Luna Rossa Ocean fragrances: PRADA. For man. This is Jake Gyllenhaal.

6. Web crawler?: SPIDER. Not the website.

12. "The Big Bang Theory" character: RAJ.

15. Sale caveat: AS IS.

19. Narrow: TAPER.

20. "Sweet": OH NICE.

21. Big bird: EMU.

22. Fill a hold: LADE.

25. Home of the Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden: HONOLULU. Streams and waterfalls. I want to be there.

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

28. Bard's nightfall: EEN.

30. Bach work: CANTATA.

33. Center of activity: HUB.

34. Blue-white twinklers: B STARS.

35. Actress Gilbert: SARA.

38. Tic-__-toe: TAC.

39. Shadowbox: SPAR.

41. Basketball great Bird: SUE.

48. Yosemite photographer Adams: ANSEL.

49. Tabasco kin: TIO.

50. Arabian Peninsula citizen: OMANI.

51. Sugar __ peas: SNAP. You can just pop them into your mouth.

53. [Yawn]: MEH.

54. Tasteless: INSIPID. My taste buds have changed. The COVID I got last spring changed everything.

57. "Sick!": RAD.

58. Saint __ fire: ELMO'S.

60. Actress Rae: ISSA.

62. Major obligation: ONUS.

64. Most in need of a trim: WEEDIEST.

66. Is not misused?: AIN'T.

72. "California Gurls" singer Perry: KATY. I like her "Teenage Dream".

73. Plan for: FIGURE ON.

75. Gobsmack: STUN.

76. Get ready: PREP.

78. Familiar theme: TROPE.

79. Wearable souvenir: TEE.

81. Resembling the king of the jungle: LEONINE.

84. Crater's edge: RIM.

87. Budget execs: CFOS.

88. Eel, to a sushi chef: UNAGI. Mouth-watering. Eels boost your stamina.

90. "Lost" actor Daniel Dae __: KIM.

91. Stand for: ABIDE.

97. Pops: DAD. Ba ba.

98. Nodder's phrase: I SEE.

99. Shake a leg, quaintly: HIE.

100. Salty expanses: SEAS.

101. More glum: SADDER.

105. Explosive block in Minecraft: TNT.

106. Nursery noisemakers: RATTLES.

111. Former Interior Secretary Haaland: DEB. Not many way to clue this word.

112. Wonderland cake words: EAT ME.

115. Spot of Texas tea: OIL STAIN.

120. Not very convincing: WEAK.

121. Wily: SLY.

122. Camden Yards player: ORIOLE.

123. "Sneak Previews" co-host Roger: EBERT.

124. HR dept. data: SSNS.

125. NYC subway org.: MTA.

126. Formal announcement: DECREE.

127. Bowling alley lineup: LANES. Just had this last week. 

Down:

1. Fundraising org.: PTA.

2. Knocks: RAPS.

3. Calendar entry: Abbr.: APPT.

4. One might be full of baloney: DELI CASE. Fun clue.

5. Big game venue: ARENA.

6. Fa follower: SOL.

7. Vietnamese soup: PHO. They use thin rice noodles. I like wide noodles.

8. Map feature: INSET.

9. Pathologists' focus: DISEASE.

10. Sci. of money: ECON.

11. Sleep acronym: REM.

12. Post-surgery therapy, for short: REHAB.

13. Spanish "love": AMOR.

14. Insect similar to a figeater beetle: JUNE BUG.  Not familiar with the figeater beetle. But I like fresh figs also.

  

15. Parcel out: ALLOT.

16. Hot spot: SAUNA.

17. One whiling away the time: IDLER.

18. Sam-I-am's creator: SEUSS.

24. Square meal?: BENTO. Some squares inside, but bento boxes are often rectangular.

26. Preoccupied (with): OBSESSED.

29. Tuition collector: BURSAR. Learning moment for me.

31. White House family of the early 1910s: TAFTS.

32. Popcorn brand: ACT II.

33. One of "The Two Coreys": HAIM. Corey Haim and Corey Feldman.

35. Bogus: SHAM.

36. First-class: A ONE.

37. Heading out in a hurry: RUSHING OFF.

40. Collection of a brand's goods: PRODUCT LINE. Aritzia stopped their Go-to T-shirts. Drive me crazy.

41. Dee of heavy metal: SNIDER. Lead singer of Twisted Sister.

43. Yale grads: ELIS.

44. "I'll give you a lift!": HOP ON.

45. Not just impressed: IN AWE.

46. Not similar to: UNLIKE.

47. Prepare to haggle, perhaps: NAME A PRICE. I'm not good at haggling. You?

52. Fence upright: POST.

55. Part of town, for short: NABE.

56. "Devil Inside" band: INXS.

59. Pen for a pig: STY.

61. Daze: STUPOR.

63. Elisabeth of "The Boys": SHUE.

65. "NBA Today" airer: ESPN.

66. Toward the stern: AFT.

67. Texter's "Unless my memory deceives me": IIRC. If I Recall Correctly.

69. Portly: ROTUND.

70. Upright: ON END.

71. Long, thin mushroom: ENOKI. Essential in hot pot dishes.

74. Junk mail addressee: RESIDENT.

77. Not made up: REAL.

80. Softening: EASING.

82. __-light: NIGHT.

83. Battle cry: I'M HIT.

85. Notion: IDEA.

86. Total jumble: MESS. I'm slowly starting to understand this medical insurance thing. Scary.

89. Point: GIST.

92. Low-pitched wind in a marching band: BASS TUBA.

94. Auditory ecstasy: EARGASM.

95. Religious dissident: HERETIC.

96. "Moby-Dick" figure: PELEG.

101. Freight tubs: SCOWS.

102. Sign of spring: ARIES. Can't wait for dandelions to pop up everywhere.

103. "The Practice" actor McDermott: DYLAN.

104. Floppy __: DISKS.

105. Tucker of country: TANYA.

107. Detest: ABHOR.

108. Meeting room stand: EASEL.

110. Stand up: JILT.

111. "I double-dog __ you!": DARE.

113. Personal bearing: MIEN.

114. Basic French verb: ETRE.  And 117. __ de la Cité: Notre-Dame locale: ILE.

116. Physique, for short: BOD.

118. Once called: NEE.

119. Ave. crossers: STS.

Dear Irish Miss (Agnes) shared with me this sweet picture of her and her siblings at the first Christmas cocktail party in her new home in 2004. She and Eileen hardly aged.

Left to Right: 

 

Seated: Bud, Agnes, Anne, Mary and Eileen

 

Standing: Jack, Peggy, Bill

Anne, Bud, Mary, and Jack now deceased.

Sunday March 16, 2025 Ryan Mathiason

Theme: "I Have To Ask" -  Each common phrase is humorously reinterpreted as a question fitting the corresponding clue.

23. "Is he really the best actor for the role?": CASTING DOUBT

34. "Why is this keyboard key bigger than the others?": SPACE PROBE.

50. "How did the magician do that?": TRICK QUESTION.

68. "Is this actually a vegan burger?": BEYOND SUSPICION. Beyond Burger.

91. "Can you do me a favor?": FRIEND REQUEST.

103. "It's 'abracadabra,' not 'hocus-pocus,' right?": SPELLCHECK.

119. "How many Grammy Awards has Ms. Nicks won?": STEVIE WONDER.

I enjoyed very much this puzzle. Fun theme clues. Perfect title. So many gorgeous Down fill.

Another LAT debut. And a Sunday. I think this is our Ryan. Congrats, Ryan!

 

Across:

1. South American dances: SAMBAS. Not TANGOS.

7. Cumin, for one: SPICE. Essential seasoning in Xinjiang lamb kabobs.

12. Sci. class: BIO.

15. Nile cobras: ASPS.

19. "Seinfeld" character: ELAINE. Benes.

20. Church instrument: ORGAN.

21. Estimate qualifier: ISH. 62. Estimate qualifier: OR SO.

22. Fuss: FLAP.

25. Opening: GAP.

26. Lawn care brand: TORO. Based here in Minnesota.

27. U-turn from NNW: SSE.

28. Soaps, e.g.: DRAMAS.

29. Close tightly: SEAL.

30. CPR experts: EMTS.

31. Superlative suffix: EST.

33. "College GameDay" airer: ESPN.

36. Dream stage: REM.

38. Jedi played by Daisy Ridley: REY.

40. Long-snouted animals: TAPIRS.

42. Goal: AIM.

43. Makes blank: ERASES.

45. Incision: SLIT.

46. Rating systems: SCALES.

55. Go to a cafe, say: EAT OUT.

56. Caramel candies: ROLOS.

57. Lion voiced by Moira Kelly and Beyoncé: NALA.

58. Superfan: STAN. With a negative connotation.

61. Water line: SHORE.

63. Golden Arches sandwiches: MCRIBS.

65. Own (up): FESS.

67. Cut: MOW.

73. Mud bath spot: SPA.

76. Ivy League school in Connecticut: YALE.

77. Lot attendants: VALETS.

78. Other, in Spanish: OTRO.

82. Not mainstream: NICHE.

84. Very little: A DAB.

87. Apple variety: GALA. Can't wait for the peach and nectarine season. Had enough apples this winter.

88. Work __: ETHIC.

89. Wealthy family on HBO's "The Gilded Age": ASTORS.

94. "Beauty and the Beast" villain: GASTON.

95. Snack introduced in 1912: OREO.

96. "You, Me and __": rom-com starring Owen Wilson: DUPREE.

97. Director Roth: ELI.

98. Gear for benched players: PIANOS. Piano bench.

101. "Houdini" singer Lipa: DUA.

102. Colony worker: ANT.

107. Seized auto: REPO.

109. Sass: LIP.

111. Pic takers: CAMS. Hey, first cache for me.

112. Hawaiian coffee region: KONA.

113. Subway handholds: STRAPS.

115. Connections and Spelling Bee publisher, for short: NYT.

117. Jessica of "Fantastic Four": ALBA.

118. Geologic span: EON.

122. Snorkeler's spot: REEF.

123. Pi follower: RHO.

124. "Understood": ROGER.

125. Cactus bud: AREOLE. Learned from a previous LAT puzzle. 

126. Cry from a bad driver?: FORE. Golfer after a bad tee drive.

127. Adage: SAW.

128. Tablets at some checkout counters: IPADS.

129. Came together: MERGED.

Down:

1. Min. portion: SEC.

2. Word of regret: ALAS.

3. Blasted messages: MASS EMAILS. More great fill: 12. Conference with Providence and Villanova: BIG EAST. 14. "You're being ridiculous!": OH PLEASE. 69. Dad joke reaction, perhaps: EYE ROLL. 79. Spot that might make people feel comfortable?: THERAPY DOG. 83. Where people on vacation may store their bread?: HOTEL SAFE. 95. Filter option on some search results: OPEN NOW.

4. Gives more than a licking?: BITES. Fun clue.

5. Singer DiFranco: ANI.

6. Wire: SEND.

7. Crushes, e.g.: SODAS. This Crush.

8. Cue: PROMPT.

9. Tropical lizard: IGUANA.

10. Airport waiters: CABS. Wait-ers.

11. Doc who treats sinusitis: ENT.

13. Physicist Newton: ISAAC.

15. Consequence: AFTERMATH.

16. Replay speed: SLO MO.

17. Second installment: PART B.

18. Slangy "Let's say ... ": S'POSE.

24. Earl __ tea: GREY.

29. Netflix series featuring track stars: SPRINT.

32. Long hikes: TREKS.

34. Buildings near barns: SILOS.

35. Fashion designer Paloma: PICASSO. Daughter of Pablo Picasso.

36. Old-school: RETRO.

37. Goof: ERROR.

39. Law firm abbr.: ESQ.

41. Trident-shaped Greek letter: PSI.

44. Nickname used by Shaggy: SCOOB.

47. Weaving device: LOOM.

48. German currency: EURO.

49. Hearty meal: STEW. Chinese stew.

51. 7UP nickname, with "the": UNCOLA.

52. Made: EARNED.

53. Moved smoothly: SLID.

54. Surfer's subwindows: TABS.

59. Off the beaten path: AFIELD.

60. Divine drink of Greek mythology: NECTAR.

63. "Smoove Jones" R&B singer: MYA.

64. Santa Fe, for one: SUV. Our car.

66. Fam member: SIS.

70. Herb in some rituals: SAGE. Smudging.

71. Strategy: PLAN.

72. Still in bed: NOT UP.

73. Hiccup: SNAG.

74. Tuscan tower town: PISA.

75. Takes steps: ACTS.

80. Out of bed: RISEN.

81. A side of pawns, in chess: OCTET.

85. Continent that's home to Victoria Falls: AFRICA.

86. Shatter: BREAK.

88. Peer: EQUAL.

90. Official chocolate bar sponsor of the NFL: SNICKERS.

92. Charged particle: ION.

93. Ending for some college addresses: EDU.

99. "Wednesday" actress Jenna: ORTEGA.

100. Started a tennis rally: SERVED.

101. "Cool!": DOPE.

103. Winter wrap: SCARF.

104. Prefix with -lithic: PALEO.

105. Bonfire remnant: EMBER.

106. Ruckus: HOOHA.

108. Socks, hopefully: PAIRS.

110. Baltimore's __ Harbor: INNER.

113. Halt: STOP.

114. Freestyled, perhaps: SWAM. More into breaststrokes. Finally off the month-long predisone. Steroid withdrawal symptoms are real.

116. Lead-in to health: TELE.

119. __ Lanka: SRI.

120. Minecraft block: ORE.

121. Checkers side: RED.

C.C.

 

Sunday March 9, 2025 Mark McClain

Theme: "Two-Way Switch" - D is changed into W, then W is changed into D. Repeat 3 times.

28. Fashion accessory found in an ancient tomb?: ARCHAEOLOGICAL WIG. Dig.

41. Awkward sorts who are into classic novels?: LITERARY DORKS. Works.

61. Historic roads such as Route 66?: GOOD OLD WAYS. Days.

68. Penalty against the Bills?: BUFFALO DING. Wing.

86. Irrational urge to go to the moon?: SATELLITE WISH. Dish.

100. Comment about a sweetheart who has to work incessantly?: NO REST FOR THE DEARY. Weary.

Reveal:

105D. Scrabble play, or, when parsed in three parts, a hint to the switch featured in this puzzle's longest answers: WORD. Parse it as W or D.

Orderly W/D switch. This adds some grid constricts as you can shift the theme entries around.

Great to see Mark back for a Sunday. He's a generous mentors to many new constructors.

Across:

 

1. Revue segments: ACTS.

5. ID-checking org.: TSA.

8. Italian tower city: PISA.

12. Actresses Cheryl and Diane: LADDS.

17. "Sweet Surrender" artist McLachlan: SARAH. Her song ADIA appears in our puzzle from time to time.
 
19. Data, for Spiner: ROLE. Brent Spiner.

 

21. Deity for whom Wednesday is named: ODIN.

22. Half-birthday month for someone born in October: APRIL.

23. __-bouche: AMUSE. AI overview: Amuse-bouche is a French phrase that refers to small bites served before a meal to whet the appetite. OK, I guess Korean banchan dishes fit the bill.

24. Toiling away: AT IT.

25. Go blonder, perhaps: TINT.

26. Puck's eatery in Beverly Hills: SPAGO.

27. Fluffy lapdog, familiarly: POM.

32. Anatomical roofs: PALATES.

34. Whirs: HUMS.

35. "Men in Black" characters: AGENTS.

36. Got away quickly: FLED.

38. Goopy mass: GOB.

39. Scottish name prefix: MAC.

40. Dryer trap stuff: LINT. The guy at 5507 probably never cleaned his lint. Caught fire a while ago.

45. Glass on NPR: IRA.

46. Tree "blood": SAP.

49. Of no value: USELESS.

50. With 40-Down, "Honest" prez: ABE. And 40. See 50-Across: LINCOLN.

51. "Deal __ Deal": OR NO.

53. "Thanks, I __ it": HATE. Are you familiar with the meme? It's a sarcastic response to a jarring image.

54. Openly displayed: BARED.

55. Cleverly funny: WRY.

56. Actor Guinness: ALEC.

57. Major vessel: AORTA.

58. Loaded, as computer data: FED IN.

63. Big rig drivers: HAULERS.

66. Cowboys quarterback Prescott: DAK. Now we don't need the terr. angle.

67. High rolls: ELEVENS.

70. Nerve-wracking: TENSE.

71. Record again: RE-LOG.

72. Cold-smoked salmon: NOVA.

73. Drive-thru device: ATM.

74. Popadam dip: RAITA. Made with legume flour.

79. Spacewalks, briefly: EVAS. EVA = Extravehicular Activity.

80. Image shared in a group chat, perhaps: MEME.

81. Not outgoing: SHY.

82. Advanced univ. pursuit: POSTDOC.

84. "i" requirement: DOT.

85. Barn sound: MOO. And 89. Barn or sound: NOUN.

90. "__ Sam": Seussian declaration: I AM.

91. Colony member: ANT.

92. Grayish: ASHY.

93. Aft: ASTERN.

96. Targets of some PETA protests: FURS.

98. Acura compact: INTEGRA.

103. LAL rivals: GSW. LA Lakers. Golden State Warriors

106. School level: GRADE.

107. Smoothie berry: ACAI.

108. H.G. Wells race: ELOI. From "The Time Machine".

109. Explorer Polo: MARCO.

111. To this day: STILL.

112. Not excited: CALM. Turns out my RA doctor was out of network. Holy cow, guys, you won't believe my bill. Scary.

113. __ Ration: pet food brand: KEN-L.

114. Hurled weapon: SPEAR.

115. Poe works: TALES.

116. "Who __ knows this?": ELSE.

117. __ Plaines, Illinois: DES.

118. Look after: TEND.

Down:

1. "Get a move on!" abbr.: ASAP.

2. Mil. print: CAMO.

3. Dizzy Gillespie, for one: TRUMPETER.

4. Flier to Oslo: SAS. Scandinavian Airlines System.

 

5. Deere products: TRACTORS.

6. Big name in high-end auctions: SOTHEBY. I just learned that Sotheby's is named after John Sotheby, the nephew of the original founder.

7. Assumed identity: ALIAS.

8. Dinner at which everyone does the dishes?: POTLUCK. Great fill & clue.

9. Piece of cake, e.g.: IDIOM.

10. Does karaoke: SINGS.

11. Start to trust?: ANTI. Antitrust.

12. Layered pasta dish: LASAGNA.

13. Small program: APPLET.

14. Depicted with a crayon: DRAWN.

15. Toe, for one: DIGIT.

16. Exhausting treks: SLOGS.

18. Make better: HEAL.

20. Summer on the Loire: ETE.

29. Classical sitar compositions: RAGAS.

30. Airport on the L: O'HARE.

31. North African capital: CAIRO.

33. "30" vocalist: ADELE. All her albums are her age when she released the albums.

36. Silly error: FLUB.

37. Maggie Simpson's sister: LISA.

39. "__-Dick": Melville novel: MOBY.

42. Warning sign: RED FLAG. My first time visiting a specialist. I didn't even know what a red flag was. The PA referred me there, so I went.

43. "Oh, heck!": DARN.

44. Audition piece, often: SOLO.

46. Kitchen wrap brand: SARAN.

47. Firm partners, briefly: ATTYS.

48. Pod residents: PEAS.

52. Exchange, as a coupon: REDEEM.

53. Gordie in the Hockey Hall of Fame: HOWE.

55. Great leader's trait: WISDOM.

56. Just perfect: A-OK.

57. Harmful: ADVERSE.

59. Slippery critter: EEL.

60. Talk and talk and talk: DRONE ON.

61. Clown's bit: GAG.

62. "You're what the French call __ incompétents": "Home Alone" line: LES. Incompetent ones.

63. Spanish egg: HUEVO.

64. Key next to G: A FLAT.

65. Mysterious blips: UFOS.

66. Genetic letters: DNA.

68. __-in-the-bone: BRED.

69. St. __: Cornwall town: IVES.

70. Texter's sign-off: TTYL.

73. Attention-seeking sound: AHEM.

75. Not just quarreling: AT WAR. And 76. "You're wrong!": I DISAGREE.

77. Brit's "Baloney!": TOSH.

78. Somewhat sore: ACHY.

80. Everest or Etna: MOUNT.

81. Secret supply: STASH.

82. Mallard cousins with distinctive rear feathers: PINTAILS.

83. Playful river mammal: OTTER.

85. Tasty bits: MORSELS.

87. Opportunity to talk: AIRTIME.

88. Bowling area nearest the wall: LANE ONE. Also my spot in the pool, because I'm the weakest link. 

89. Pine tree feature: NEEDLE.

93. Uneasy feeling: ANGST.

94. In a way: SORTA.

95. Hiker's route: TRAIL. Can't wait to get better and hike again. Haven't been on the trails for ages.

96. __ point: FOCAL.

97. Eurasian range: URALS.

98. Sat around: IDLED.

99. Personal trainer employers: GYMS.

101. Nose locale: FACE.

102. "A mouse!": EEK.

104. Read a barcode: SCAN.

110. Perfectly suited: APT.

C.C.

Sunday March 2, 2025 Jill Singer

Theme: "In a Manner of Speaking" - Each common expression is reinterpreted literally.

22. "It's so cold my fingers are going numb": DIGITAL COMMUNICATION.

35. "I love my new down comforter": BLANKET STATEMENT.

52. "You should have seen that game-winning throw": PASSING COMMENT.

74. "I only carry one if there's more than a 50% chance of rain": UMBRELLA POLICY.

89. "Granite is best because it's heat-resistant and easy to clean": COUNTER-ARGUMENTS.

108. "Eve and I really wanted that apple": FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE.

I think this is our Jill Singer, a filmmaker in the Boston area. 

She has a fondness for this type of rephrasing theme type. Chuckled at the clues. Fun. 

This grid only has 138 words. Normally we have 142 or 144.

Across:

1. Go from ice to water: MELT.

5. Penn State rival: PITT. Roc the Panther.

9. Church topper: SPIRE.

14. Not stick around: BAIL.

18. Old short film: ONE-REELER.

20. Like an escaped balloon: ALOFT.

21. "Free Willy" mammal: ORCA.

25. Conceptualism debate starter: IS IT ART.

26. Cursed: DOOMED.

27. Cattle markers: BRANDS. San Gu's son-in-law has a huge cattle farm. This is her grandson Er Cong. Don't think he wants to be a farmer.

29. Polar bear platforms: FLOES.

30. Piano key wood, traditionally: EBONY.

32. Laugh half: HEE.

33. Langley org.: CIA.

34. Craving: YEN.

40. Period of time: SPELL.

42. Really annoys: DEVILS. Did not know devil can be a verb. OK, deviled egg. 

43. Creep: EDGE.

44. Escort: SQUIRE.

47. Beats by __: DRE.

50. Collapsible shelter: TENT.

51. Tangy salad herb: CRESS. Just had it last Sunday.

55. S.F. and L.A. locale: CAL.

56. Crème de la crème: A TEAM.

57. __ silence: RADIO.

58. Soak (up): SOP.

59. Starts of some logic problems: IFS.

62. __ photography: still-life genre: TABLETOP.

64. Business letters: LLC.

66. Wine grape variety: CABERNET.

68. Texter's apology: SRY. Sorry.

69. Like sashimi: RAW.

70. Ann __, Michigan: ARBOR.

72. Dye used in mehndi: HENNA.

73. Josh: KID.

78. Big shot: NABOB.

81. Court entry: PLEA.

82. Jimmy Eat World genre: EMO.

83. Rings around pupils: IRISES.

84. "__ be great!": IT'LL.

85. Part of the largest ethnic minority in the U.S.: LATINO. Hispanic and Latino. Han is the largest in the world. I'm a Han.

87. Very thin: GAUNT. And 99. Gray-faced: ASHEN.

93. Half of hexa-: TRI.

96. WSW reversal: ENE.

97. Urban scourge: RAT.

98. Composer Maurice: RAVEL. "Boléro".

101. Some field day races: RELAYS.

103. Peppermint __: PATTIE.

106. Sticks: ADHERES.

111. "Got that, boss": ON IT.

112. Brother's wife or wife's brother: IN-LAW.

113. Transfers legally: SIGNS OVER.

114. Cincinnati players: REDS.

115. Festoon: ADORN.

116. Cookie one might twist to open: OREO.

117. Robin's home: NEST.

Down:

1. Alter: MODIFY.

2. Maroon: ENISLE.

3. Roman military group: LEGION.

4. Overused: TRITE.

5. Comice or Seckel: PEAR. Seckel pears.

6. Tattler's refrain: I'LL TELL.

7. Private eye: TEC. Detective.

8. Trampled: TROD ON.

9. Siberian dog breed: SAMOYED.

10. Reddish purple hue: PLUM.

11. "La Brea" actress Skye: IONE.

12. Microchip initialism: RFID. Radio Frequency Identification.

13. "You know the rest," briefly: ETC.

14. Buddha's meditation spot: BO TREE.

15. Oratorio solo: ARIA.

16. Words following a loss: I CONCEDE.

17. Positions to stick after vaults: LANDINGS.

19. Airport pickup figs.: ETAS.

23. One living a life of prayer: MONK. Nice clue.

24. Offers some bad advice?: ABETS. Really bad advice.

28. Quenches: SATES.

31. Part of an Uncle Fester costume: BALD CAP.

32. Stop: HALT.

35. "Where have you __?": BEEN.

36. Spot for un béret: TETE.

37. Cartoon reindeer: SVEN.

38. Eyelash treatment: TINT.

39. Reagle who was a special guest on a crossword episode of "The Simpsons": MERL. Had a few nice email exchanges with Merl when I first started making puzzles.

40. Natural fiber in rugs and rope: SISAL.

41. Steakhouse selection: PRIME RIB.

44. Quarrels: SPATS.

45. Saudi Arabia neighbor: QATAR.

46. Important date: USE BY.

48. Towel holder: ROD.

49. Wakim of "SNL": EMIL.

51. Meeting point of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans: CAPE HORN.

53. "Oh, __ up!": GROW.

54. Wisdom tooth, e.g.: MOLAR.

55. Kernel holder: COB.

58. "Love Song" singer Bareilles: SARA.

59. Civil rights leader Roy: INNIS.

60. Ideal yard feature for pet owners: FENCE.

61. Legal postponements: STAYS.

63. Small amount: TAD.

65. Indigenous Canadians: CREE.

66. City on the Rhine: COLOGNE. 73. 66-Down, in German: KOLN.

67. Got going again, as a gas lamp: RE-LIT.

71. Anti-racism gp.: BLM.

74. Cosmetics chain with beauty salons: ULTA.

75. Golda of Israel: MEIR.

76. Sound of a slamming door: BANG.

77. Name of 12 popes: PIUS.

78. More sympathetic: NICER.

79. Right, as a wrong: ATONE FOR.

80. Transit option to Boston's Logan Airport: BLUE LINE.

81. Hair band?: PART. 

85. "It's the __ I can do": LEAST.

86. Play in which the Stage Manager is a character: OUR TOWN.

88. On the loose: AT LARGE.

90. Secret meetups: TRYSTS.

91. Common street name: MAIN.

92. "Nevertheless ... ": EVEN SO.

93. Not just survive: THRIVE.

94. Actor Keanu: REEVES.

95. Magazine addition: INSERT.

99. Exclamations of understanding: AHAS.

100. Determined to have: SET ON.

102. Like the Namib: ARID. The Namib is world's oldest desert.

103. Await settlement: PEND.

104. Folk singer Guthrie: ARLO.

105. Peter the Great or Nicholas II: TSAR.

107. Spy film starring Sean Connery: DR NO.

109. Actress Zadora: PIA.

110. Affectation: AIR.

C.C.