Sunday March 22, 2020 Gail Grabowski

Theme: "Components Lacking" - ING is deleted from each familiar phrase.

23A Roadway closed for repairs?: DOWN STREET. Downing Street.

45A. TV show about Amtrak services?: TRAIN PROGRAM. Training program.

66A. Cornfield maze, e.g.?: LAND PATTERN. Landing pattern.

88A. Free-for-all debate?: OPEN ARGUMENT. Opening argument.

112A. Unarmed spy?: CLEAN AGENT. Cleaning agent.

114A. Sidewalk vendor's supply request?: STAND ORDER. Standing order.
 
37D. Incidental music at a race?: TRACK NUMBER. Track number.

41D. Make sketches of Barbie dolls?: DESIGN WOMEN. Designing Women.

DESIGN WOMEN is the only phrase clued as a verb phrase. Did you know that constructor Andrea Carla Michaels was a writer for "Designing Women"?

Seeing Gail's byline just makes me so happy. She never fails to deliver a solid puzzle. So many sparkling long fill in this grid.

Across:

1. Thin coating: FILM.

5. Square things: ATONE.

10. Hi-tech training site: PC LAB.

15. City on the Aare: BERN.

19. Palm native to South American swampland: ACAI. You can get the frozen acai packets at Trader Joe's.

20. Precept: TENET.

21. Family name in Civil War fiction: O'HARA.

22. Golfer Aoki: ISAO. Saw lots of legends at 3M Championship over the years. Not him.

25. Sturdy piece of lumber?: SOUNDBOARD. Fun clue.

27. "Not interested" feeling: ENNUI.

28. Maintain control (over): RIDE HERD.

30. Oater orphans: DOGIES.

31. Online biz: E-TAIL.

33. Quirky: ODD.

34. Prop for Mr. Monopoly: CANE.

35. Hot Wheels maker: MATTEL.

38. "Nixon in China" tenor role: MAO.

40. Showed up for: ATTENDED.

44. Omits an attachment, say: ERRS. I do this at times.

50. "Dumbo" actress Green: EVA. She was the Bond Girl in "Casino Royale".

51. Stephen of "Counterpart": REA.

52. Had a stable baby: FOALED.

53. Insignia automaker: OPEL.

54. Presentation prop: EASEL.

56. __ 5000: annual list of the fastest-growing privately held companies: INC.

57. "Stranger Things" actor: ASTIN (Sean)

58. Despicable sort: TOAD.

59. Surface: ARISE.

60. Pay attention: TAKE NOTE. And 76. "Right this way": FOLLOW ME. 92. Rutted route: DIRT ROAD. 105. Preempts the following show, perhaps: RUNS LATE. These are just four.

62. Cold War st.: SSR.

63. Pequod co-owner: PELEG.

65. HR dept. data: SSNS.

70. Agitated state: SNIT.

73. Apply to: USE ON.

75. Mdse. category: IRR.

78. Boiling words: I'M MAD.

80. PepsiCo-owned chip brand: LAYS. Cucumber-flavored.

81. Command to start playing: HIT IT.

82. Choose: OPT.

83. Plane part: CABIN.

84. Carson's successor: LENO.

85. "I won't miss it": NO LOSS.

86. Put a nick in: MAR.

87. Chemistry suffix: ENE.

91. Mother of Ares: HERA. Sister and wife of Zeus.

94. "You're a fine __ to talk": ONE.

95. Triathlon segments: EVENTS. Hope Tokyo Games will be delayed rather than canceled.

97. Address bar letters: HTTP.

98. Played for a sap: HAD.

100. Guitar-making hardwood: ALDER. And 121. Key wood: EBONY.

102. V8 veggie: CARROT.

108. Ford named for a legendary flier, briefly: T BIRD.

116. They're often scrambled: EGGS.

117. Big dos: GALAS.

118. Sure rival: ARRID.

119. It's near the humerus: ULNA.

120. Recipe smidge: DASH. Looking forward to my salt kelp.

122. Besmirch: TAINT.

123. Often-pickled veggie: BEET.

Down:

1. Lose steam: FADE.

2. Quicken's boxed Q, for one: ICON. Any of you use Quicken?

3. Scotts Turf Builder target: LAWN.

4. French social dances: MINUETS.

5. NFL pass, complete or not: ATT.

6. Gibbs of country: TERRI.

7. Ninja Turtles' human pal April __: O'NEIL. No idea. Read more here.

8. Requirement: NEED.

9. Kin of -kin: ETTE.

10. Prepared for a selfie: POSED.

11. Bit of guitar music notation: CHORD.

12. Heap kudos on: LAUD.

13. Prince Valiant's son: ARN.

14. Statistician's concern: BAD DATA.

15. Giant in the development of neurological disease therapies: BIOGEN. This Biogen employee has been widely ridiculed in China. I feel sad for her.

16. Actor Morales: ESAI.

17. Hard to come by: RARE.

18. Affirmative actions: NODS.

24. Webmaster's creation: SITE.

26. Animal-based fertilizer: BONE MEAL. Never used it.

29. Hula __: HOOP.

32. "He Was Despised," in Handel's "Messiah": ALTO SOLO.

34. PC corner key: CTRL.

35. Is worthy of: MERITS.

36. Concert venues: ARENAS.

38. Personal bearing: MIEN.

39. "So?": AND.

40. Improved in a barrel: AGED.

42. Pre-event periods: EVES.

43. Glen relative: DALE.

46. Porch furniture material: RATTAN.

47. Sci-fi visitor: ALIEN.

48. Stick in a cage: ROOST.

49. Genre of Vasarely's "Zebra": OP ART.

52. Twitter follower, often: FAN.

55. Recess rebuttal: ARE SO.

58. Bygone despots: TSARS.

61. Advanced French class assignment: ESSAI. Essay.

63. Positive particle: PROTON.

64. Signed up: ENLISTED.

67. Krall of jazz: DIANA.

68. Richard __, first black "SNL" host: PRYOR.

69. IRS convenience: E-FILE.

71. Convey: IMPART.

72. Colorful swimmers: TETRAS.

74. Sewer worker in a '50s sitcom: ED NORTON. "The Honeymooners".

77. Sgts.' superiors: LTS.

78. Like most cupcakes: ICED.

79. Salon service with a pedi: MANI.

80. Give for a while: LEND.

81. __ office: HOME.

84. Go for a rebound: LEAP.

85. "Sister Act" extra: NUN.

89. Thick soup: POTTAGE.

90. Jupiter and Mars: GODS.

91. Fragrant coating for grilling: HERB RUB.  I seldom use herb.

93. Clobber: THRASH.

96. Preventative power: VETO.

98. Spicy Asian cuisine: HUNAN. Originated in Hunan province, which is south of Hubei province where Wuhan is the capital. Hu means "lake".  Hunan means "south of the lake". Hubei means "north of the lake". The two provinces are neighbors separating by a big lake.

99. Pacing, perhaps: ANTSY.

100. Gaming pioneer: ATARI.

101. Bolshevik leader: LENIN.

102. Duped?: CC'ED.

103. Bit of plankton: ALGA.

104. Short standards?: REGS. Regulations.

105. Move, for short: RELO.

106. Six-part undergrad exam: LSAT.

107. Blade brand: ATRA.

109. Not occupied: IDLE.

110. Surrealist Magritte: RENE.

111. "Phooey!": DRAT.

113. Yak it up: GAB.

115. "Silent Spring" subj.: DDT.

   

Today we celebrate the 79th birthday of Pat (PK on our blog). Stealing this nice cake from CrossEyedDave again. Happy birthday, PK, you're a special person!

C.C.

Sunday March 15, 2020 Pam Amick Klawitter

Theme: "No Rhyme, No Reason" - The two words in each theme entry have similar spellings but different pronunciations.
  
23. Costuming choice for a "Cats" performance?: LEOPARD LEOTARD.

37. Proctor's nightmare?: GREAT CHEAT.

41. Tree surgeon's challenge?: TOUGH BOUGH.

51. One skilled at squandering?: MASTER WASTER.

70. Sweeping thoroughfare?: BROAD ROAD.

84. Expert on current energy options?: SOLAR SCHOLAR.

95. Dud of a car that Stephen King might write about?: DEMON LEMON.

100. Chophouse bandit?: STEAK SNEAK.

118. Lazy son, vis-à-vis his lazy dad?: YOUNGER LOUNGER.

Are these called eye rhymes?

I feel English pronunciations are mostly rational, but the above are great examples of the exceptions. And of course, the classic set of Bough, Cough, Through & Dough.
 
Across:

1. Just one of the fam: SIS.

4. Quayle successor: GORE. Not much climate talk lately.

8. Part of PBR: PABST.

13. Brazilian dances: SAMBAS. Rio Carnival goes on.

19. 1881 face-off spot: OK CORRAL.

21. "... only God can make __": Kilmer: A TREE.

22. How some bills are paid: IN CASH.

25. Move to protect a king: CASTLE. Oh, chess move.

26. Put away: EATEN. Look at the empty shelves at the toilet paper section at our local grocery store. Just can't find sushi rice in any of the stores.

27. Mag. edition: ISS.

28. "Hulk" director Lee: ANG.

29. Retired flier, briefly: SST.

30. Fair-hiring abbr.: EOE.

31. Narrow inlets: RIAS.

33. Crowded subway metaphor: SARDINE.

36. Prince in "Frozen": HANS.

44. Just right: TO A TEE.

45. Yucatán's yesterday: AYER. Opposite "Manana"'.

47. Reeves of "Point Break": KEANU.

48. Self-descriptive adjective: OLDE.

49. Prof's assistants: TAS.

57. "Mamma Mia!" song: SOS.

58. See 87-Down: BELT. 87. With 58-Across, area with severely declining industry: RUST.

59. Midori in a rink: ITO.

60. Brother of Macaulay and Rory: KIERAN. I only know Macaulay.

61. Like each succeeding eye chart line: TINIER.

63. Butterflies: NERVES.

66. Broad bean: FAVA.

67. Fathered, biblically: BEGAT.

72. Mont Blanc's range, to its west: ALPES.

73. News source, perhaps: LEAK.

74. Pool slip-up: MISCUE.

75. Author of kids' Busytown books: SCARRY (Richard). Not a familiar name to me.

77. Showing faith in: TRUE TO.

79. Bit of animation: CEL.

80. "We're gonna be late!": C'MON.

81. Utter: SAY.

88. Classic ending?: IST. Classicist. 109. Piece of TNT?: TRI. Trinitrotoluene. 127. Self starter?: ESS.

89. "Mi __ es tu __": CASA.

90. Wide receiver Don who played in five Super Bowls: BEEBE.

91. Shanghai money: YUAN. All have Mao's face.

93. Part of a Norwegian-sounding ice cream name: HAAGEN. I visited Haagen-Dazs Shanghai ages ago.

102. All over: ANEW.

103. Lasagna layer: RICOTTA.

105. More than half: MOST.

106. H.S. dropout's goal: GED.

107. Small shot: BBS.

110. First lady Hoover: LOU.

112. Garlicky spread: AIOLI.

116. "Aladdin" backdrop: ARABIA.

121. They bite: MOLARS.

122. Sleep disorder: APNEA.

123. Fib: TELL A LIE.

124. Prominent Syrian family: ASSADS.

125. Bette's "Divine" nickname: MISS M.

126. Editor's backpedaling: STET.

Down:

1. What's underfoot?: SOLE.

2. DIY furniture brand: IKEA. Has any of you tried their cod roe?

3. Robbie Coltrane, e.g.: SCOT.

4. Curling stone: GRANITE.

5. Hockey great: ORR.

6. Salad slice: RADISH. I love daikon.

7. Some annexes: ELLS.

8. Kung __ chicken: PAO.

9. Rose oil: ATTAR.

10. 1971 Peace Prize awardee: BRANDT (Willy). Unknown to me. He looks friendly.

11. Golfer Garcia: SERGIO. His daughter is named Azalea.

12. Talks acronym: TED. Ted talks.

13. Unleashes (on): SICS.

14. Med school subj.: ANAT.

15. Mic wielders: MCS.

16. Flat-bottomed boat: BATEAU. Here is the pic from Wiki.

17. Comparable in distance: AS LONG.

18. "Blimey!" cousin: SHEESH.

20. Run or work: OPERATE.

24. English homework: ESSAY.

29. Rocker Bob: SEGER.

32. Blackjack holding: ACE TEN.

34. "Up and __!": AT 'EM.

35. Zap in the kitchen: NUKE.

36. Indoor buzzer?: HOUSEFLY.

37. Sporty muscle cars: GTOS.

38. Milk Dud rival: ROLO.

39. "CSI" actor George: EADS.

40. Egg-hunt holidays: EASTERS.

42. Sells aggressively: HAWKS. So glad Amazon deleted many accounts of of those price gougers.

43. __ B'rith: BNAI.

46. Deluge result, perhaps: RAIN DELAY.

50. The best one is airtight: ALIBI.

52. Ending for hip: STER.

53. Bilbao bulls: TOROS.

54. Con game, say: TRAP.

55. Roof edge: EAVE.

56. Genetic strands: RNAS. Odd pluralized.

58. Trace: BIT.

61. "Brava!": TAKE A BOW.

62. Cookbook author DiSpirito: ROCCO. What's his signature dish?

64. Protective shot: VACCINE.

65. Dutch wheels: EDAMS.

67. Diner menu staples: BLTS.

68. MIT Chapel designer Saarinen: EERO.

69. Caesar's France: GAUL.

71. Writer of really old stories?: AUEL. Read more here.

72. Valiant's son: ARN.

74. German wine region: MOSEL. Must be gimme for Marti.

76. Abstract expressionist Mark: ROTHKO.

78. Chihuahua choo-choo: TREN. And 96. Juarez winter months: ENEROS. 89. Bar in Baja: CANTINA.

81. Stuffing stuff: SAGE.

82. Well offshore: ASEA.

83. Reb's rival: YANK.

85. Transmitting truckers: CBERS. Thought or Argyle.

86. Sphere opener: HEMI.

92. Dickens title starter: A TALE.

94. Verbal attack: ASSAULT.

95. First European to sail to India: DA GAMA.

97. Gold and silver: MEDALS.

98. Well-armed swimmers?: OCTOPI. Cute clue.

99. Shutout feature: NO RUNS.

101. Good luck charm: AMULET. My friend Roberto used to wear an evil eye.

104. Fork "fingers": TINES.

107. Frequent flier: BIRD.

108. Singer Lance, or the part he sang with *NSYNC: BASS.

111. Leftover scraps: ORTS.

113. Check out creepily: OGLE.

114. Island chains: LEIS.

115. Ticks off: IRES.

117. Barnyard bleat: BAA.

118. Thanksgiving tuber: YAM.

119. Whale group: GAM.

120. World Cup cry: OLE.

C.C.

Sunday March 8, 2020 Robin Stears

Theme: Losing an Hour - HR is removed from each theme entry.
 
23. Floating flower going under?: SINKING VIOLET. Shrinking violet.

28. Ratio of a synagogue's center column to its roof slope?: TEMPLE SINE. Temple shrine.

52. Simon, partly?: GAME OF TONES. Game of Thrones.

69. Highways pitted with potholes?: TOUGH ROADS. Through roads.

71. Cast of "Caddyshack"?: TEE STOOGES. Three stooges.

87. Hauling beach umbrellas?: TOWING SHADE. Throwing shade.

113. Pointy-bottomed paper cups missing their holders?: CONIC PAINS. Chronic pains.

119. "Someone stole our cash box!"?: THE TILL IS GONE. The Thrill is Gone.

Timely theme today. Extra TH in "THE TILL IS GONE", but it's such a fun entry and clue. (Sorry, mistake on my part. Thanks, Owen! Good eye on the HR In TOUGH ROADS.)

Robin also went with 140. Our normal is 144.  The fill is so solid.
 
Across:

1. __ copy: CARBON.

7. Stopped the ship, in nautical lingo: LAID TO.

13. Female Plymouth Colony settler, say: EMIGREE. We see EMIGRE more often.

20. Bagel Bites brand: ORE-IDA.

21. Nostalgic numbers: OLDIES.

22. Cradlesong: LULLABY.

25. Everywhere: ALL OVER.

26. Montréal morning: MATIN. But then, "bonjour" rather than "bon matin".

27. Longings: YENS.

30. Aerosmith's "Love __ Elevator": IN AN.

31. __ dixit: unproven claim: IPSE.

32. They're selective: CHOOSERS.

33. Tricolor cats: CALICOS.

35. Tony nominee Phillipa of "Hamilton": SOO. Wiki says "Soo was born to a Chinese-American father and a European-American mother". Chinese use Su spelling though.

37. Like a prof. emeritus: RET. Retired.

38. Folklore pests: IMPS.

42. End a slump?: SIT UP. Nice clue.

44. Darts: FLITS.

47. Least ludicrous: SANEST.

49. Org. involved in the Waco Siege: ATF.

55. Jamaican tangelos: UGLIS. The skin looks tough and ugly, but it's quite juicy. Nothing beats sumo oranges though.

56. Stable girls: MARES.

58. Girl in a wool coat: EWE. The clue made me smile.

59. Sell in a hurry: UNLOAD.

61. James Patterson hero __ Cross: ALEX.

62. Playful swimmer: OTTER.

64. Put to work: UTILIZE.

74. Home to Purdue: INDIANA.

75. Like a hawk: AVIAN.

76. Altar attire: ALBS.

77. Revealing type: GOSSIP.

81. Bother a lot: NAG.

82. Nocturnal dorm annoyance: SNORE.

83. Longtime SeaWorld star: SHAMU.

91. Luis Almagro's org.: OAS. Organization of American States. Don't know him. Wiki says he's the 10th Secretary General of OAS. A Uruguayan lawyer.

92. Source of a movie poster quote: REVIEW.

94. Place to stay: MOTEL.

95. Romanov royals: TSARS.

97. Pitcher and poker pro Hershiser: OREL.

98. Portuguese pronoun: ELA.

100. Equinox mo.: SEP.

102. Song refrain: TRA LA LA.

106. Defamatory: LIBELOUS.

110. Word on an Irish euro: EIRE. Harp.

112. Dwarf planet formerly known as Xena: ERIS.

116. Place name from the Greek for "I burn": ETNA.

117. Pablo's last word: ADIOS.

118. Like the moons Titania and Oberon: URANIAN.

122. Film sequel word: REVENGE. Oh, OK, "Revenge of the ...".

123. Make bubbly: AERATE.

124. __ Pieces: REESE'S.

125. Came out: EMERGED.

126. Tuning shortcut: PRESET.

127. Art supporters: EASELS.

Down:

1. __ dust: COSMIC.

2. Grande dame of pop: ARIANA. "Thank U, Next."

3. Thrifty offering: RENTAL. We'll probably go back to Payless next time.

4. They don't cover much: BIKINIS.

5. Hopkins' "Thor" role: ODIN.

6. Tandoori bread: NAN.

7. Is sweet on: LOVES.

8. Dior skirts: A-LINES.

9. Pledges that end an engagement: I DOS.

10. Pickles on "Rugrats": DIL. Learned from doing crosswords.

11. They may be gnashed or gritted: TEETH.

12. Path lead-in: OSTEO.

13. Go by: ELAPSE.

14. Rod Stewart and David Bowie rocked them in the '70s: MULLETS.

15. Not as healthy: ILLER.

16. Treating as unimportant, with "over": GLOSSING.

17. Beatle George's Indian friend: RAVI. Ravi Shankar & George Harrison.

18. Irving Bacheller's "__ Holden": EBEN.

19. Brontë heroine: EYRE.

24. Plaster of Paris component: GYPSUM.

29. Bite: MORSEL.

31. I as in Iris: IOTA.

32. Seabiscuit, once: COLT.

34. Butts: CIGS.

36. Starts to dicker, maybe: OFFERS.

39. Blanc who voiced Bugs: MEL.

40. Chi follower: PSI.

41. HI and OK: STS. States.

43. Katniss' "Hunger Games" ally: PEETA.

45. Letters for short people?: IOU.

46. Spike TV, formerly: TNN.

48. Film part: AUDIO.

49. Early luthier family name: AMATI.

50. Eagle claw: TALON.

51. Slip eponym: FREUD. Freudian slip.

53. Due: OWED.

54. Musical "phone" namesake: SOUSA.

57. Nov. celebrant: EX-GI.

60. Sorting aid on an env.: ATTN.

62. Yes-__ question: OR NO.

63. Done for: TOAST.

65. Freddie Mac purchase: LOAN.

66. Aptly named cooler maker: IGLOO.

67. Marty, in "Madagascar" films: ZEBRA. No idea.

68. Twisty turns: ESSES.

70. World Court site, with "The": HAGUE.

71. Snarl: TANGLE.

72. Mendes and Perón: EVAS.

73. Oxygen's atomic number: EIGHT.

78. Djibouti language: SOMALI.

79. "Letters From __ Jima": 2006 film: IWO.

80. Tire-changing spot: PIT.

82. Toxin fighters: SERA.

83. Sign of being full?: SRO. Standing Room Only.

84. Yon yacht: HER.

85. One of 17 Monopoly props.: AVE.

86. Hat designer: MILLINER.

88. Capone nemesis: NESS. Watched "The Untouchables" in Chinese ages ago.

89. __ projection: ASTRAL.

90. "I __ you!": DARE.

93. Home or FAQ, e.g.: WEB PAGE.

96. Heavy hammers: SLEDGES.

99. Listed at sea: LEANED.

101. Dress size: PETITE.

103. Easy on the ears: ARIOSE. Not a common word.

104. Duettist with Diana in "Endless Love": LIONEL.

105. Do taxing work?: ASSESS.

107. Cupcake topper: ICING.

108. Ready in the keg: ON TAP.

109. One who helps you find your place: USHER.

111. Fjord, for one: INLET.

113. Antidote: CURE.

114. City once known as Provo Bench: OREM. Learning moment for me. 

115. Church part: NAVE.

116. Flight sked info: ETAS.

117. In the Red?: ASEA.

120. Middle of a memorable palindrome: ERE.

121. Extreme umbrage: IRE.

Evan Birnholz, the brilliant Washington Post crossword constructor, kindly asked me to guest-construct a puzzle for the Post to celebrate International Women's Day 2020. You can solve the puzzle here.

C.C.

Sunday March 1, 2020 Mike Torch

Theme: "Lo and Behold" - LO is added to each theme entry.
  
24A. Film VIP's influence?: DIRECTOR'S CLOUT. Director's cut.
 
35A. Derision of a parade entry?: FLOAT SHAMING. Fat shaming.

57A. Calligrapher specializing in punctuation?: COLON ARTIST. Con artist.
 
77A. Hardwood seller's markup?: FLOOR PROFIT. For profit.

92A. Period when Lindsay ruled?: LOHAN DYNASTY. Han Dynasty, together with Zhou, Qin and Tang, all had Xi'an as their capital city.

112A. "Two Women" actress teaming up with a cartoon cat?: LOREN AND STIMPY. Ren and Stimpy.
 
43D. Prosthetic eagle claw?: FAKE TALON. Fake tan.

52D. Imitation semolina?: FAUX FLOUR. Faux fur. Neat to see both fake and faux in Downs.

Nice follow-up to this "Lo and Behold" we had a few years ago. Notice there's no dupe answers.

Great to see Mike back. We've covered 5 puzzles on our blog, 4 are Sundays.

Across:

1. They cross in sights: HAIRS.

6. "Hmm ... ": LET'S SEE.

13. Aetna competitor: HUMANA. Based in Louisville, Kentucky.

19. Store, as fodder: ENSILE.

21. Giving it one's all, theatrically: EMOTING.

22. In-groups: ELITES.

23. Battery terminal-related: ANODAL. Or ANODIC at times.

26. Passport extension, say: RENEWAL.

28. Lacking face value: NO-PAR.

29. Eroded: ATE INTO. This is how much the richest lost last week.

30. Granola tidbit: OAT.

31. Bookmarked item: PAGE.

33. Official motorcade protection: ESCORT.

41. "Dancing With the Stars" judge Goodman: LEN.

42. "__ one, think ... ": I FOR.

46. Transvaal settlers: BOERS.

47. More in order: NEATER.

49. "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" rhyme scheme: AABA.

50. Tax return?: REFUND. Filed. But unprocessed.

53. Orbital point: APOGEE.

54. Performed in the street for tips, in London: BUSKED. Learning moment for me.

56. Give an address: ORATE.

60. Frozen Wasser: EIS. Ice.

61. Unilever men's brand: BRUT.

62. Check writers: PAYERS.

63. Surgical inserts: STENTS.

65. Biological groups: TAXA. Singular is TAXON.

66. Not rented: UNLET.

67. "__ español?": HABLA.

70. Thin batteries: AAAS.

72. Pats or Jags: NFL-ERS.

74. Roof window: DORMER.

75. It parallels the radius: ULNA.

76. Blood test letters: HDL. Good cholesterol.

81. Supply: STOCK.

82. WWII threats: U BOATS.

84. Starts the pool game: BREAKS.

85. Cactus features: SPINES.

86. One may be common: NOUN.

87. Rhythm instrument usually played in pairs: MARACA.

88. Israelite patriarch: ISAAC. And 100. Daughter-in-law of 88-Across: LEAH.

90. Banks on a runway: TYRA.

91. Nocturnal acronym: REM.

97. Clothing giant that's lost an article over the years: THE GAP. And 116. Lincoln Center landmark, familiarly: THE MET.

101. Fair-hiring letters: EOE.

102. Two-handled Greek vase: AMPHORA.

105. Davis of "Dr. Dolittle": OSSIE.

109. Former tykes' clothing chain: KIDS R US.

115. Tot's foot: TOOTSY.

117. Elemental variant: ISOTOPE.

118. Reduced: ON SALE. Did you see the face mask prices on Amazon? Crazy. Singapore gives each household a pack of four masks. It prevents profiteering.

119. Gamer's venue: ARCADE.

120. Ski report highlight: NEW SNOW.

121. Softens: EASES.

Down:

1. Learn about: HEAR OF. There have been no new Coronavirus cases in either Xi'an or Guangzhou the past week.

2. Temper: ANNEAL.

3. Knows about: IS ONTO.

4. Disney World attraction: RIDE.

5. Side for a dog: SLAW.

6. Commanded: LED.

7. "Lose Yourself" rapper: EMINEM.

8. Barcelona bull: TORO.

9. Part of a process: STEP.

10. Italian Neorealism film pioneer Vittorio De __: SICA. He directed "Two Women" .

11. Between, to Berlioz: ENTRE.

12. It may be inflated: EGO.

13. Ben-Hur portrayer: HESTON (Charlton)

14. Stomach woe: ULCER.

15. Armed forces units: MILITIAS.

16. Heaps: A TON.

17. Like Switz. in WWII: NEUT. Neutral.

18. Concerning: AS TO.

20. Went by: ELAPSED.

25. Indy competitor: RACER.

27. Cowardly Lion portrayer: LAHR. I wonder why there's never been "The Wizard of Oz" remake.

32. Road trip need: GAS.

34. Wintry pellets: SLEET.

36. Boundary: ABUTTAL.

37. Musical pitch: TONE.

38. Tied up at the harbor: IN PORT.

39. Bright signs: NEONS.

40. Lady of song: GAGA.

44. Bow or curtsy: OBEISANCE. New Year's bow in Korea! I did the same when I was a kid.

45. X-ray doses: RADS.

48. Thrice, in Rx's: TER.

50. Part of RFK, briefly: ROBT. Robert.

51. Gofer guy: ERRAND BOY.

53. Sheltered, at sea: ALEE.

54. Bright, blue-white heavenly body: B STAR. What does B stand for?

55. Multi-purpose vehicle, briefly: UTE.

57. Playground retort: CAN SO.

58. Toondom's Olive: OYL.

59. Key: ISLET.

62. Knitting loops: PURLS.

64. Izod competitor: NAUTICA. There cologne seems to be everywhere.

67. What the Wonderland caterpillar smokes: HOOKAH.

68. Sounds from pounds: ARFS.

69. Dietitian's calc.: BMI. Body Mass Index.

71. Fifth Avenue retailer: SAKS.

73. Pond dweller: EFT.

74. Harsh Athenian lawmaker: DRACO. From him the word "draconian".

76. Pursuit: HUNT.

78. President who appointed Justice Kagan: OBAMA.

79. Educ. basics: R R R.

80. Toll: PEAL.

81. Hand measurement: SPAN.

83. Cursed thing: ANATHEMA.

85. Greet informally: SAY HI TO.

87. Fox of "Transformers": MEGAN.

88. Like Vivaldi's "Spring": IN E.

89. The Missouri R. runs through it: S DAK.

91. Upgrade, as on Yelp: RE-RATE.

93. City of NW Syria: ALEPPO. Always think of Tim Hetherington when I see Aleppo.

94. Perfect Sleepers, e.g.: SERTAS.

95. Rumple: TOUSLE.

96. "Absolutely!": YES YES.

98. Refined: HONED.

99. Entourage: POSSE.

102. Utah ski resort: ALTA.

103. "Jerry Maguire" actor Jay: MOHR.

104. Occurring before: Abbr.: PREC. Preceding.

106. Put in a hold: STOW.

107. Watches tykes: SITS.

108. "It's showtime!": I'M ON.

110. Cooked: DONE.

111. Slugger Sammy: SOSA.

113. Hubbub: DIN.

114. Red-berried tree: YEW.

C.C.