Sunday June 3, 2012 Gail Grabowski

Theme: Letter of Introduction - Each theme entry is a blend of a letter-starting phrase & a common phrase which share the same word with the former.

27A. Packrat's moving need? : LONG U-HAUL. Long haul. U-Haul. (Sorry for the Long U error earlier.)

29A. Scan on a bulb? : X-RAY OF LIGHT. X-ray. Ray of light.

46A. Stripper's scrapbook item? : FIRST G-STRING. First string. G-string.

65A. Topnotch Carnival vessel? : A-ONE LINER. A-One. One-liner.

86A. Spot for digital greeting displays? : E-CARD COUNTER. E-card. Card counter.

106A. Moisture-resistant pullover? : RUBBER V-NECK. Rubberneck. V-neck.

110A. Touchscreen device with a strap? : WRIST iPAD. Wrist pad. iPad.

37D. Profit from a swab? : Q-TIP INCOME. Q-tip. Tip income.

42D. Silly-looking steak? : FUNNY T-BONE. Funny bone. T-bone.

I mentioned last week that Mr. Ed's grid is a good Sunday template for 7-theme entry puzzle. Today we have 9, but none longer than 12-letter. 9/11 or 10/10 for the first two theme entries tend to make gridding easier as you can put them in the same row.

Gail's grid is never fancy. Just super smooth & solver friendly. Like Marti, Gail loves gardening and golfing. I have a feeling that she always shoots straight and seldom finds herself in the rough or downhill lie.

Across:

1. Tip off : TELL

5. Symbols of thinness : DIMES. Thought of RAILS first.

10. Name of four Holy Roman emperors : OTTO. Hi there cat-loving D-Otto!

14. Cost for classified info : AD FEE

19. Rod on a rig : AXLE

20. Tennyson work : IDYLL

21. Club for a chip : IRON. When I first played golf, all the clubs I used were 7 Iron and putter.

22. Back biter? : MOLAR. Nice clue.

23. "Let's leave __ that" : IT AT

24. Olive Oyl's creator : SEGAR. E.C. Segar.

25. Penitent period : LENT

26. Univ. VIPs : BMOCs. BMOC = Big Man on Campus.

31. How Hawaiian shirts are worn : LOOSELY. Sorry, Dennis, the dog is cuter.

32. Wears a long face : POUTS

33. Cartoon dog : REN. Pal of Stimpy's.

34. Multi-vol. references : OEDs

35. Bungles : FLUBS

36. Like Handel's music : BAROQUE

40. Big, in Variety : BOFFO

43. Stretched to the max : TAUT

44. Holiday landing site : HOUSETOP. For Santa.

45. Writer Santha Rama __ : RAU. Indian American. New name to me.

51. Gullible sort : SIMP

52. Annapolis inst. : USNA. So most SEALs don't attend this school, right, Spitzboov/D-Otto/eddyB?

54. It might consist of sandbags : DIKE

55. Cry of exasperation : AARGH

56. Not neg. : POS

57. Uncompromising words : I INSIST. Two consecutive I's look odd in the grid.

59. Jackie's predecessor : MAMIE (Eisenhower)

61. Spicy cuisine : THAI. Steve would have linked you a delicious looking Thai plate. Do you like Thai food, Jayce?

64. Self-titled 1990s band album : 'N SYNC

69. Choreographer de Mille : AGNES. Our Irish Miss' real name.

72. Plays (with) : TOYS

74. Handrail post : NEWEL

75. On the up-and-up : ETHICAL

77. Consumer protection org. : BBB

79. Tavern turmoil : MELEE

81. Half a '50s comedy couple : DESI (Arnaz). "I Love Lucy".

83. __ bene : NOTA

84. Per : A POP

90. Weather report staple : MAP

91. Like many rewards : MONETARY

93. Mysterious character : RUNE. Not a person.

94. Acts as a shill for, say : ABETS

96. Sheer : SEE-THRU. Remember this? Just designs on the back. You can't really see through.


97. "All done" : THERE

99. Darth's daughter : LEIA

101. Poetic preposition : ERE

102. They may need breaking in : SHOES

103. Scholar's pursuit, briefly : POSTDOC

112. Nocturnal disturbance : APNEA. Do you read books before falling asleep? I always listen to Terry Gross's "Fresh Air".

113. Bop on the bean : CONK

114. Rivera of Broadway's "West Side Story" : CHITA

115. Hamlet, for one : DANE

116. Go easy? : COAST

117. Court cover-up : ROBE

118. Comfy-cozy : HOMEY

119. City north of Pittsburgh : ERIE. Abejo grew up there.

120. Works on a muffler : KNITS

121. Legal postponement : STAY

122. Impressionists : APERS

123. Mail-routing abbr. : ATTN

Down:

1. Watch from behind : TAIL. For investigators.

2. Praise highly : EXTOL

3. South American plain : LLANO

4. Release : LET GO OF

5. Served : DISHED

6. Lofty standards : IDEALS

7. 1964 Mary Wells hit : MY GUY. No idea.

8. Mideast airline : EL AL

9. 35mm camera type : SLR

10. Massage option : OIL RUB. Never had an oil rub. I imagine it feels good. What kind of oil do you use, Melissa?

11. Takes care of dinner, say : TREATS

12. Stage awards : TONYs

13. In the know about : ONTO

14. Hurriers they're not : AMBLERS

15. Rectangular game pieces : DOMINOES

16. Thrash : FLOG

17. Pricing word : EACH

18. Formerly, formerly : ERST. Super-friendly letter combo for constructors.

28. Make __: employ : USE OF

29. Deletions : X'OUTS

30. Filled (with) : FRAUGHT

32. Good word : PLUG

35. The way it goes : FATE

36. Dull, ringing sound : BONG

38. Man of Milano : UOMO. Meet Giovanna Battaglia, editor of L'Uomo Vogue. Lovely bag.

39. "House" actor : EPPS (Omar). Who else is a fan of "House" besides Argyle?

40. UCLA athlete : BRUIN

41. Mirage, maybe : OASIS

43. "Naughty!" : TSK

44. New addition : HIREE

47. Cards with pics : IDS

48. '90s U.S. Poet Laureate __ Dove : RITA

49. Sri Lankan language : TAMIL

50. Parade concern : RAIN

53. "This comes __ surprise" : AS NO

58. Needing salt, perhaps : ICY. I was thinking of food.

59. Asked for milk, in a way : MEWED. Fun clue.

60. Yard filler : ALE

62. "Yeah, right!" : HAH

63. Fightin' : AGIN

66. Dental restoration : ONLAY

67. Poet's adverb : NE'ER

68. Put one's feet up : REST. We went to a neighborhood yard sale yesterday. Alas, no bobbleheads.

70. Trouble big-time : EAT AT

71. High-fives, e.g. : SLAPS

73. Nasty campaigner : SMEARER

76. Knot : TIE

77. Loud thuds : BAMS

78. Letters often seen under antlers : BPOE. Hi Abejo again!

80. Neutral tone : ECRU

81. Beachgoer's shield from an offshore breeze : DUNE. Also a perfume name. I like Dune.

82. GPS reading : ENE

85. Ringo Starr predecessor : PETE BEST. Was he forced out?

87. Golf course hazard : CREEK

88. Couple's pronoun : OURS

89. "Luck of the Draw" vocalist : RAITT (Bonnie)

92. They may be idle : THREATS

95. Hardly encouraging words : BAD IDEA! So I was reading "The ? of ?" while taking a hot bath the other day. Bad idea!

97. Hoops gp. : THE NBA

98. Game played with sticks : HOCKEY. Can never understand the beauty of hockey.

99. Hang around : LOITER

100. Think pieces : ESSAYS

102. Supercilious type : SNOOT

103. Heyday : PRIME

104. Illusory display : OP-ART

105. "Zip your lip!" : CAN IT

106. Display aid : RACK

107. Lying atop : UPON

108. __ B'rith : B'NAI

109. Passé TV attachments : VCRs

110. Hit hard : WHOP

111. "Paula's Home Cooking" host : DEEN. Not a fan. I like Ina Garten. Who's your favorite TV chef?

114. Half a dance : CHA

Answer grid.

C.C.

Sunday May 27, 2012 Ed Sessa

Theme: Suitable Employment - A gerund associated with the profession of each theme entry functions as a perfectly suitable adjective.

23A. Scientist who is tedious to a fault? : BORING GEOLOGIST. Our Spitzboov is certainly not boring. So knowledgeable.

35A. Bread maker not earning his bread? : LOAFING BAKER

50A. Arranger growing into her job? : BUDDING FLORIST

63A. Attorney who turns heads? : APPEALING LAWYER. Lemonade!

80A. Nightclubbing club pro? : SWINGING GOLFER. Reminded me a Sergio Garcia
"hit the club" commercial.

92A. Belle in blue? : ARRESTING COP. Fun clue/answer, projecting a vivid image. I'm waiting for CrossEyedDave for a perfect link.

111A. Practitioner who likes to practice? : DRILLING DENTIST

This is a great template for a Sunday puzzle: 7 theme entries, all between 12-15 in letter count. Very manageable. Gridding can get tricky if you have more entries.

And of course, Mr. Ed is a seasoned pro. He has never disappointed me, always coming up with entertaining themes and smooth fill. Really like these two today:

26A. Invitation on the road : NEED A LIFT?

69D. Beatles hit with the line, "Treasure these few words till we're together" : P.S. I LOVE YOU. But I loved the Hilary Swank/Gerard Butler movie more. So sweet.

Across:

1. Quran religion : ISLAM. So is their Allah the same as the Bible God?

6. Spaceship Earth locale : EPCOT

11. Cotillion honoree : DEB

14. Fischer's game : CHESS. Bobby Fischer was bizarre at times. I guess we all are.

19. NFL ref's aid : SLO MO

20. Tire : GROW WEARY. Tell me, what is the one movie you can watch again and again?

22. __ flush : ROYAL

25. Rome's Fontana di __ : TREVI

27. Old Colgate competitor : GLEEM

29. Zipped : SPED

30. Olin of "Chocolat" : LENA. Love Juliette Binoche. Her "Damage" is my all time favorite.

31. Lean (toward) : SWAY

33. "Milk's favorite cookie" : OREO

40. Vulnerable area : SORE SPOT. Don't go there!

44. Pound and Cornell : EZRAS

45. Meditative practice : ZEN

46. Jewel cases? : SAFES. Lovely clue. Don't you want to see Irish Miss' 11 rings? I do.

47. Blowgun ammo : PEA

48. Fool, to Puck : MORTAL. "Lord, what fools these mortals are!" - "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

53. Les États-__ : UNIS

54. Large pitcher : EWER. I find EWER hard to clue.

56. "The Valachi Papers" author Peter : MAAS.

57. __-car : RENT-A

58. Something seen in anger? : RED. Oh.

59. Jib, for one : SAIL

60. Den sleeper : BEAR

62. Play areas : STAGES

67. Watch with astonishment : GAPE AT

70. "Do __ others, then run": Benny Hill : UNTO

71. Blubber : LARD

72. Actress Lupino : IDA

75. Williams who played Potsie on "Happy Days" : ANSON. So who did he do after "Happy Days"?

76. Turf defender : GANG

78. Ride to hail : TAXI

79. Grade qualifier : PLUS

84. Sanctify with oil : ANOINT

86. Flier with Chicago H.Q. : UAL

87. Future J.D.s' exams : LSATS

88. China's Sun __-sen : YAT. Sun means "grandchild" in Chinese.

89. Lamebrained : INANE

90. Some candlelight vigils : PROTESTS

96. __ infra: see below : VIDE

97. Thailand, formerly : SIAM. Argyle loves ""One Night in Bangkok".

98. "The future __ what it used to be": Yogi Berra : AIN'T. Might be Rich's clue. He's a Yankees fan.

99. Hula accompanists : UKES

101. Security concerns : LEAKS. Deep Throat!

104. Old film short : ONE-REELER

109. Authority : SAY-SO

114. Guinness choice : STOUT

115. Fantasy land : UNREALITY

116. Valse, par exemple : DANSE. French for "dance". I did not know Valse is "Waltz".

117. Libertines : ROUES

118. Folded sleeper : COT

119. Tecumseh transport : CANOE

120. Butter substitutes : OLEOS

Down:

1. Library catalog no. : ISBN

2. Gin fizz flavoring : SLOE

3. Traditional wisdom : LORE

4. Surrounded by : AMID

5. 16th-century work also known as "La Gioconda" : MONA LISA. In Louvre. Behind bulletproof glass.

6. Urging (on) : EGGING

7. Ready-made : PREFAB

8. Aquatic bird : COOT

9. Big-eyed bird : OWL

10. V-sign, to a maître d' : TWO

11. Regular paper : DAILY

12. Celtic language : ERSE

13. Data unit : BYTE

14. Old PC monitor : CRT

15. Flicka and Fury : HORSES. I"ll have another!

16. Like fireworks displays : EYE-POPPING. Nice fill.

17. Except : SAVE

18. Hydroplaned : SLID

21. Samantha of "Doctor Dolittle" : EGGAR

24. Secluded valley : GLEN

28. Pricey mushroom : MOREL. Here it comes again. I couldn't find that firm one I used to link.

31. List of events, briefly : SKED

32. Make (one's way) : WEND

34. Finally turned (to) : RESORTED

35. Madagascan tree climber : LEMUR

36. Important layer : OZONE

37. Sure competitor : ARRID

38. Pool legend, familiarly : FATS. Minnesota Fats. We also have a Tubby Smith.

39. Côte d'__ : AZUR

40. Epic narrative : SAGA

41. Does in : OFFS

42. Mexicali-to-Tijuana dirección : OESTE. Quite close to French west OUEST.

43. Casual farewells : TA-TAS

46. Junkyard warning : SNARL

49. Sprang : LEAPT

50. Dracula portrayer Lugosi : BELA

51. Insect stage : IMAGO

52. Bring up : REAR

55. 22-year-old Stanford graduate who became a pro golfer more than six years ago : WIE (Michelle). Her WIE and Chinese WEI is the same. Same character.

59. Adorned with sequins : SPANGLED

60. Church hall shout : BINGO

61. Tonsillitis M.D. : ENT

62. Assad's country : SYRIA. Has anyone seen "The Dictator"?

63. Really long time : AEON

64. Organs usually found in pairs : LUNGS

65. Banned apple spray : ALAR

66. Honeycomb substance : WAX

67. Prepare to hit the road : GAS UP

68. Hosni's predecessor : ANWAR (Sadat)

72. Pelvic bone-related : ILIAC

73. "Search me" : DUNNO

74. Words after lost or gained : A STEP

76. Bitty biter : GNAT

77. Smart and 99: Abbr. : AGTS

78. Bordeaux block? : TETE. I know blockhead, but did not know Block can mean "head" also.

79. 1972 video game debut : PONG

81. Basketball Hall of Famer Dan : ISSEL. Very handy letter combo. I bet it's a gimme for every constructor.

82. Constellation named for a stringed instrument : LYRA

83. Place to sow one's oats? : FARM. Where did you sow yours, Dennis?

85. Mario franchise company : NINTENDO

91. Muscle or bone : TISSUE

92. Wedding path : AISLE. So, last week's InTouch has a cover of Sofia Vergara with a line "betrayed by her man". My first reaction: What did Bill G do?

93. Serenaded : SANG TO

94. Colorful tee : TIE-DYE

95. Legal memo starter : IN RE

97. Bypass : SKIRT

99. Old map initials : USSR

100. Green Hornet's sidekick : KATO

102. Part of HEW: Abbr. : EDUC. What is HEW?

103. Florentine flower? : ARNO. Flow-er. The river flows. Haven't seen this clue for some time.

104. "Come __!": "Welcome!" : ON IN

105. List ender : ET AL

106. Reel nylon : LINE

107. Big petrol seller : ESSO

108. AAA suggestions : RTES

110. They may decide some close games, briefly : OTS

112. Fond du __, Wisconsin : LAC

113. Dockworkers' org. : ILA

Answer grid.

C.C.

Sunday May 20, 2012 Will Nediger and Andy Kravis

Theme: Insert-a-ble - "Ble" is inserted into common phrases.

22A. Where peasants work? : NOBLEMAN'S LAND. No man's land.

45A. Fight organizer? : RUMBLE RUNNER. Rum runner.

67A. Telescope protector? : HUBBLE CAP. Hubcap.

94A. Commercial jingle segments? : PRICE WARBLES. Price wars.

119A. One tending a brush fire? : BRAMBLE STOKER. Bram Stoker.

16D. Doesn't speak clearly? : MUMBLES THE WORD. Mum's the word. This one involves grammatical change.

50D. Aimless walks around the Gateway Arch? : ST LOUIS RAMBLES. St Louis Rams. RAMBLES is a noun here, right? Since it's "Aimless walks" rather than "Aimlessly walks".

I had guessed the theme was inserting ABLE when I glanced at the puzzle title. But then all the new theme entries would be just adjectives from their verb forms and there would not be much change in terms of meaning. So, not an option.

I talked before about how a grid & fill often reflect its constructor's interest and background. Today's TOM THOMSON (5D. "The Jack Pine" Canadian painter with an echoic name) is a good example. It's a total stranger to me and I would not have put him in a grid. Will Nediger is a Canadian and a very knowledgeable and talented constructor.

Looks like this is Andy Kravis' debut. Congrats!

Across:

1. Cardiovascular implants : STENTS

7. "Apostrophe (')" album maker : ZAPPA (Frank). Not familiar with the album name.

12. Word with first, second or third : BASEMAN

19. How some tapes are played : IN A LOOP. I guess so.

20. '90s sitcom bookstore owner : ELLEN. Ellen DeGeneres. So witty, genuine and warm.

21. With deception : UNTRULY

24. Telescope user's aid : STAR MAP

25. Timberland : FOREST. Man, I just realize that this rapper's name is Timbaland.

26. Sarkozy's state : ETAT. Sarkozy lost power last Tuesday. His state now is "sorrow".

27. Luxurious fabric : SATIN

29. "The Price Is Right" action : BID

30. Senior attachment? : ITIS. Senioritis. I used to think it referred to old people's senior moment.

31. Fireplace shelf : HOB

33. Alumni newsletter word : NEE

35. Where Jefferson can be seen : NICKEL. D'oh!

37. VW followers : XYZ. Alphabet.

38. Doughnut shape : TORUS. Plural is tori.

40. Saws : ADAGES

42. Charcuterie fare : MEAT. Did not know the meaning of Charcuterie.

47. "Thong Song" singer : SISQO. No idea. The song title does sound familiar.

48. Puts forward : POSITS

51. "Perfect! Right there!" : AAH. 53. Place to hear 51-Acrosses : HOT TUB.

52. MSN alternative : AOL

54. Decides one will : OPTS TO

55. Appointment book opening : SLOT. And 60. Ones without appointments : WALK-INS. Clue echos.

57. Fair vis-à-vis cloudy, say : NICER

59. Loft filler : HAY

62. In the thick of : AMID

64. Hold water, so to speak : COHERE

66. Mary Jane, e.g. : SHOE. These shoes are all the rage now, with Mary Jane style ankle strap & rounded toe, thanks to Lady Gaga.

70. GI delinquent : AWOL

73. Father of the Titans : URANUS. Their mother is Gaea.

76. Eczema symptom : ITCH

77. Hand raised in support, say : YES VOTE

80. "A Farewell to Arms" conflict, briefly : WWI

82. Nocturnal insects : MOTHS

84. Fall in the rankings : SLIP

86. Puts on notice : ALERTS

87. Reservation waster : NO SHOW

89. Green gp. : EPA

91. Clark's "Mogambo" co-star : AVA (Gardner). Perfect measurements.

92. Mozart movements : RONDOS

93. Big yawns : BORES

97. Many miles off : AFAR

98. Sales targets : QUOTAS

99. Inn season visits : STAYS. Nice "Inn season".

100. Chowderhead : SAP

103. Enterprise crewman : MR. SULU

105. Hairy TV cousin : ITT

107. Sale rack abbr. : IRR

108. Puppeteer Baird : CORA. Total stranger. Wife to Bil Baird.

109. One of the Books of Wisdom : JOB. I could only think of Solomon.

111. "Cape Fear" actor : NOLTE (Nick)

113. __ avis : RARA

115. Archipelago component : ISLAND

117. "Could regret this, but tell me" : I'LL BITE

122. Prince of the Tigers : FIELDER. Prince Fielder. Previously with the Brewers. Can't get my hand on Bryce Harper's rookie cards now. Hot!

123. Forearm bones : RADII

124. Prepare for a comeback tour : REUNITE

125. Australian brew : FOSTER'S. And 126. Australian gems : OPALS.

127. Burning : ARDENT

Down:

1. Putting on airs : SNOOTY

2. City in NW Iran : TABRIZ. See this map. In northwest. I saw 2 more cities ending in Z. No such thing in Chinese. Z & ZH only start words.

3. Nice girls? : ELLES. Nice the French city of course.

4. Discouraging words : NOES

6. Chic getaway : SPA

7. Citrus shaving : ZEST

8. Literary middle name : ALLAN. Edgar ALLAN Poe.

9. Level of achievement : PLATEAU

10. Treaty-signing memento : PEN

11. Additions : ANDS

12. Push-up garment : BUSTIER. Look, some girls are so lucky.

13. Shenanigans : ANTICS

14. Displayed zero talent : STANK

15. Go astray : ERR

17. Jai __ : ALAI

18. "Blue" TV lawmen : NYPD. Linda, we need an Andy Sipowicz in our neighborhood.

19. Implant, as an idea : INFIX. Alright.

23. Fantasy writers' awards : NEBULAS. Guessed.

28. Sweet wine with a woman's name : ANGELICA. Ah, wine, Marti's forte, as is skiing or any risk-taking activity.

32. Heavenly body : ORB

34. Novelist Ferber : EDNA

36. Throw off : EMIT

38. __-frutti : TUTTI

39. Oceanographer's workplace : SEA LAB

41. Shortly : ANON

43. Blue hue : AQUA

44. "Twelfth Night" sir : TOBY

45. One taking chances : RISKER. Well, Splynter is one. Tough to be uprooted and move to a new city so far away.

46. Four-sided figures : RHOMBI

47. Nursing a grudge : SORE

48. Comic strip punches : POWS

49. Aquarium beauty : OPAH. "Beauty", ha ha! Beholder issue.

53. "Clever" : HEH

56. Isn't quite perpendicular : TILTS

58. Work to edit : COPY

61. Sealed : SHUT

63. Render harmless, in a way : DE-CLAW

65. Winged croakers : RAVENS

68. See to the exit : USHER OUT

69. Scotch choice, familiarly : CHIVAS. Chivas Regal. Was just asking Argyle about Whisky, Whiskey usage the other day. They use "whisky" spelling in Canada.

71. Preminger of film : OTTO

72. Minus : LESS

74. Baking entrepreneur Wally : AMOS. I have yet to try a "Famous Amos" cookie.

75. "Get cracking!" : NOW

78. One with a long commute, perhaps : EARLY RISER

79. Gin berries : SLOES

80. L.A. Sparks' org. : WNBA. Do they have good attendance, Bill?

81. Shepherd's comment : WOOF

83. Cookout aid : SPIT

85. Missing something : PARTIAL

88. Title for Brahms : HERR

90. Berry rich in antioxidants : ACAI

94. Tugboats, at times : PULLERS

95. "CHiPs" actor : ESTRADA. We see ERIK more often.

96. Watering hole : BAR

98. One issuing a citation? : QUOTER

100. Penetrate the mind : SOAK IN

101. Gulf War reporter Peter : ARNETT. His daughter is married to John Yoo, known for the "Torture Memos".

102. Father on a base : PADRE. Military base.

104. Slyly cutting : SNIDE

106. An official language of Sri Lanka : TAMIL

108. Knockoff : CLONE

109. Sec : JIFF

110. Hodgepodge : OLIO

112. River originating in Cantabria : EBRO. I only know it flows to the Mediterranean.

114. DH stats : RBIS. DH = Designated Hitter. Or Dear Husband on the blog.

116. Simple earring : STUD

118. Short order? : BLT. Sweet little clue.

120. Criticize : RAP

121. Big Band __ : ERA

Answer grid.

Happy Birthday to Mainiac!

C.C.

Sunday May 13, 2012 Pam Amick Klawitter

Theme: "I'll Drink to That" - Drink pun. One word in each common phrase is replaced by a drink.

23A. Music group that can't march in a straight line? : RUM AND BUGLE CORPS. Drum and bugle corps. Fun clue.

38A. Preoccupied with a green liqueur? : ABSINTHE MINDED. Absent minded.

74A. Draft critiques? : BEER REVIEWS. Peer reviews.

106A. Single-malt liquor store? : WHISKEY VENTURE. Risky venture.

124A. New Year's Eve assurance? : CHAMPAGNE PROMISE. Campaign promise.

14D. Spicy liqueur? : GINGER SCHNAPPS. Ginger snaps. The only one punning on last word. Slight inconsistency.

52D. "Another Wild Turkey, please," e.g.? : BOURBON RENEWAL. Urban renewal.

This is a perfect puzzle for Argyle to blog. He is very knowledgeable about various drinks. I hardly drink anything now. The wild days of Long Island Iced Tea are long gone.

Great to see Pam Amick Klawitter's byline again. She is one of the most innovative constructors and her puzzles are always fun to tackle.

Across:

1. Invites : ASKS

5. Miami's former county : DADE. Miami-Dade County since 1997.

9. Wild fancy : DREAM

14. Yaks and yaks : GABS

18. Old U.K. carrier : BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation).

19. Last stage of insect development : IMAGO. After pupa.

21. Posturepedic maker : SEALY. I don't really know our mattress name. It's just super comfortable.

22. Company with a cool-looking logo? : ICEE. Cool clue.

26. Iditarod terminus : NOME

27. Doomed mission : ALAMO

28. German menace : U-BOAT. In WWI & WWII.

29. Quip : EPIGRAM

31. Hill regulars : POLS. Not ANTS. Capitol Hill.

33. "There!" : VOILA

37. Change for the better : AMEND

43. ER procedure : CPR

44. Waitress at Mel's : FLO

45. Put a line through, maybe : DELE

46. Serb, for one : SLAV

47. California locale where "Maria Maria" fell in love, in a Santana hit : EAST LA. Love the song. "... Oh Maria Maria/She feel in love in East LA...". I like Santan's "Smooth" a lot.

51. Brindled cat : TABBY

54. Spreadsheet input : DATA

56. Times to remember : ERAs

58. New England seafood : SCROD

59. Engross : ABSORB

61. See-through item : LENS. Was thinking of a blouse.

63. NBC post-prime time staple : SNL

64. Bundle : SHEAF

65. One with a mouse : USER. Me. I'm with a mouse now. I'm so sorry about your cat, Linda. But I'm hoping for the best.

67. Garfield's "purebred clown" : ODIE

69. Manhattan Project, e.g. : CODE NAME. Mine would be "Deep Throat". I bet CrossEyedDave's would be cat-related.

71. Growl : GNAR

77. "... long __ both shall live?" : AS YE

78. Reuben component : RYE BREAD. For eddyB.

80. Summers on the Seine : ETES

81. Opera starter? : SOAP. Soap opera. I like this clue.

83. Sandbox reply : AM TOO

84. Letters in TV Guide : TBA

86. Genesis grandson : ENOS

88. Home of The Trop : ST PETE. Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Ray's)

92. Flowering tropical plant : SENNA

93. One may involve scales at La Scala : ARIA

95. Shpeak thish way : SLUR

97. Daisy lookalike : ASTER

98. Belle and Bart : STARRS. Not familiar with Belle Starr.

100. __ buco : OSSO

102. Sylvan bounders : DEER

104. Beach shade : TAN

105. Linguistic ending : ESE

110. Ghanaian former U.N. leader : ANNAN (Kofi)

112. Perot's "giant sucking sound" maker : NAFTA

113. Chick chaser? : ADEE. Chickadee.

114. Precipitated, in a way : SLEETED

116. "To recap ..." : IN SUM

119. Speed reader? : RADAR. Did you nail it?

123. Lobster delicacy : CLAW

129. Little bit : IOTA

130. Many a chat room visitor : AOLER

131. Had a bug : AILED

132. View from Presque Isle State Park : ERIE

133. Small-runway aircraft acronym : STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing)

134. Swampy tract : SWALE

135. Brand of women's socks : PEDS

136. Old wanted poster word : DEAD. Or LIVE.

Down:

1. Magician's opening : ABRA

2. Motown genre : SOUL

3. __ Sutra : KAMA

4. Red Lobster offering : SCAMPI

5. Finished : DID

6. Attacked from hiding : AMBUSHED

7. Apply, as finger paint : DAUB

8. Thick & Fluffy breakfast brand : EGGO

9. U.S. Army medal : DSC. And 70. U.K. mil. medals : DSOS

10. Antique auto : REO

11. Sympathetic attention : EAR

12. French high spot : ALPE

13. Forgotten social network : MYSPACE. Wow, guess what? Justin Timberlake now owns Myspace.

15. Item in a fall stash : ACORN

16. Hit the roof : BE MAD

17. Come across as : SEEM

20. Early Norwegian king : OLAV I

24. Whistle time : NOON. I don't get this clue.

25. Preppy jackets : ETONS

30. Gridlock : IMPASSE

32. Old Ford luxury car : LTD

34. Warming the bench, maybe : IDLE

35. Some corporate rides : LEARS

36. Forward motion : ADVANCE

38. Mennen product : AFTA

39. Run off at the mouth : BLAB

40. Convulsive sounds : SOBS

41. Its frequent flier program is called Matmid : EL AL. Gimme for Hahtool. I never heard of the program.

42. High streaker : METEOR

48. Financial off. : TREAS. Treasury or Treasurer? Since Off. can be office or officer.

49. Rich, as soil : LOAMY

50. Charge based on line count, perhaps : AD FEE

53. Timeline data: Abbr. : YRS

55. Giant of wrestling : ANDRE. André the Giant.

57. Loses steam : SLOWS

60. Emmy winner Neuwirth : BEBE

62. Número de días en una semana : SIETE. 7. Number of days in a week.

66. Vaquero's rope : REATA

68. Chooser's call : EVENS

71. Some clippings : GRASS

72. Queens player, briefly : NY MET

73. Company name inspired by a volcano : AETNA

75. '50s Bears quarterback : ED BROWN. Total stranger.

76. Tristan's love : ISOLDE

79. Finds hysterical : ROARS AT

82. One-time connector : AT A. One at a time.

85. Tyler of "The Talk" : AISHA. Here she is.

87. Chop __ : SUEY. Suey is literally "pieces". Chop Suey = Assorted pieces.

89. Words to a double-crosser : ET TU (Brutus)

90. It may be taped : TEAR. Nice clue too.

91. Shore eagle : ERNE

94. "No way!" : AS IF

96. Overhauled : REVAMPED

99. Native New Yorkers : SENECAS

101. Old Roman seaport : OSTIA. Looks like a bone word, doesn't it?

103. Checker choice : RED

107. Hundred Acre Wood mom : KANGA. Roo's mom.

108. Fictional Wolfe : NERO

109. Yoked : TEAMED

110. Divvy up : ALLOT

111. "Awesome!" : NEATO

114. Some H.S. courses : SCIS

115. Indian Ocean vessel : DHOW. Learned from doing Xword.

117. Salon sound : SNIP

118. Ubangi tributary : UELE. How do you pronounce UELE?

120. Like some straits : DIRE

121. China setting : ASIA

122. Robert of "The Brady Bunch" : REED

125. In the style of : ALA

126. Tillis or Tormé : MEL

127. Cautionary beginning? : PRE. Precautionary.

128. Some may be dirt-covered: Abbr. : RDs

Answer grid.

Happy Birthday to Jeannie! Check in when you feel like it. Your presence is really missed here.

C.C.

Sunday May 6, 2012 Patti Varol

Theme: "H-Hour" - H is added to the start of the first word of each familiar phrase.

26A. Presidential stylists? : HAIR FORCE ONE. Air Force One. John Edwards would have needed this, given his obsession with his hair.

45A. Helipad fee? : HOVER CHARGE. Overcharge.

71A. Fireside deity? : HEARTH GODDESS. Earth goddess. This one and 45A experienced sound changes.

97A. Punching range? : HARM'S LENGTH. Arm's length.

117A. Furs worn in a spring parade? : HIDES OF MARCH. Ides of March.

16D. Closet consultant's concern? : HANGER MANAGEMENT. Most shopaholics probably need this course. Anger management is the base phrase.

38D. What the winner of a catered wedding gets? : HALL-EXPENSES PAID. All-expense paid.

Easy to spot theme, isn't it? When I downloaded the puzzle and saw the title, I figured the theme entries might consist of 2 words, the first ends in H, the second starts in H.

The first theme entry on Sundays normally starts in Row 3, unless it has 19 or more letters. Today's first entry is of average length and it starts in Row 4. It's because the constructor wanted two 16's placed in Down slots and this gave her the best arrangement.

Patti Varol is Rich's assistant. I think this is her first LAT Sunday. Congrats, Patti!

Across:

1. Memorable touchdown maker, briefly : LEM (Lunar Excursion Module)

4. Girl having a ball? : DEB. Nailed it.

7. "Arabian Nights" woodcutter : ALI BABA. I just thought he was a thief.

14. Moral climate : ETHOS

19. Tchotchke holder : ETAGERE. Rooted in ETAGE (Floor). Tchotchke is difficult to spell.

21. CPU jointly developed by Apple, IBM and Motorola : POWERPC. Unaware of this joint effort.

22. Cook just below a boil : POACH

23. Intrinsically : AT HEART

24. First woman on the Supreme Court : O'CONNOR. Replaced by Alito. O'Connor was born in El Paso. An Avid golfer.

25. Sleeper's difficulty : APNEA

28. Apt. feature, in ads : EIK (Eat-in Kitchen)

30. "Criminy!" : EGAD

31. Plant deeply : ENROOT. New word to me. EN/EM prefix is so irrational. Why EMBED?

32. Banned pesticide : DDT

34. "Martin Chuzzlewit" novelist : DICKENS

36. Blond shade : ASH

39. Bk. read at Purim : ESTH (Esther)

40. Holdup : HEIST

42. __ beer: low-alcohol beverage : NEAR

43. Snowman's eyes : COALS

48. Humanities degs. : MAs

51. Perry of fashion : ELLIS. The model for Perry Ellis Night is very handsome. The Gucci Guilty guy has a wandering eye.




52. Narrow waterway : RIA

53. Filing aids : TABs

54. Like aged cheddar : SHARP

56. Kewpie, e.g. : DOLL

57. Still going : ACTIVE. Dennis just met & greeted The Beach Boys on Saturday night.

60. Canapé spread : PATE. Are those hot peppers on the left?

62. Enjoying a lot : INTO

63. Viscounts' superiors : EARLS

65. "I'm hunting wabbits" speaker : ELMER (Fudd)

67. Live-in helper : AU PAIR

69. Gift holder : BOX

75. Trick : GET. You got me!

76. Bird of prey : RAPTOR

78. Dalmatian, for one : CROAT. So the Dalmatian dogs came from this region originally?

79. Hasidic teacher : REBBE. Wanted RABBI.

81. Company that makes the Ektorp sofa : IKEA. What does Ektorp mean? Sounds like desktop.

82. "GWTW" plantation : TARA. "Gone with the Wind". And 58D. "GWTW" side : CSA. Should have been a full clue for former.

84. Church ceremony : RITUAL

87. Yemen neighbor : OMAN

90. Gives in : BENDS

92. Bits of wordplay : PUNS

94. Down for the count : OUT

95. Gun-shy : LEERY

96. Nav. rank : ENs

101. Palmer of the links : ARNIE. Hopefully he'll be at the 3M Championship this year. Was so happy to see Tom Watson last year.

102. 572-year-old school : ETON. Quite old.

104. Sets, as a trap : BAITS

105. Neurol. readouts : EEGs

107. Ink spots, briefly? : TAT (Tattoo)

108. Hollies hit featuring a shared umbrella : BUS STOP. Argyle will find you the perfect link.

111. NYC subway org. : MTA

112. Longtime "Sexually Speaking" host : DR. RUTH

114. View from Neuchâtel, to locals : ALPE. , Wikipedia says Neuchâtel is the capital of the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel on Lake Neuchâtel.

115. Courtroom VIPs : DAs

122. Cal __ : STATE

124. It's based on past legal decisions : CASE LAW

126. "If you ask me ..." : I, FOR ONE. I like this answer.

127. Like Samuel Beckett : IRISH. Hi there, Irish Miss (Agnes of Troy)!

128. Off the charts : EXTREME

129. Geico spokespeople with a short-lived sitcom : CAVEMEN

130. Puts on cargo : LADES

131. Has a conniption : SEES RED

132. Nor. neighbor : SWE

133. "Doctor Who" creatures : ETs

Down:

1. Sister of Rachel : LEAH. Both were married to Jacob.

2. Jazz legend James : ETTA

3. Half a food fish : MAHI. Got a good recipe for mahi-mahi?

4. "Children of a Lesser God" subject : DEAFNESS

5. Box score statistic : ERRORS

6. Affiance : BETROTH

7. Yeats's "__ to His Beloved" : A POET. Guessed.

8. Bonkers : LOCO

9. "Hmm, maybe ..." : I WONDER

10. Eggs __: brunch fare : BENEDICT

11. Prince Valiant's son : ARN. His wife is ALETA.

12. Fraternal org. : BPOE. For Abejo.

13. Nose-burning : ACRID

14. Org. concerned with climate change : EPA

15. Sunflower State capital : TOPEKA

17. Main : OCEAN

18. Roe sources : SHADS

20. "Brooklyn's Finest" co-star : GERE (Richard)

27. Partner in crime : COHORT

29. January honoree : KING

33. Like some road sign symbols : T-SHAPED

35. Ho-hum grades : CEEs

36. Solved with ease : ACED

37. Chorister's big moment : SOLO. And 88. Operatic 37-Down : ARIA.

40. Likely consequence of kicking dirt at the ump : HEAVE HO. Fun clue.

41. Knight wear : TABARD. New word to me. See here.

44. Philanthropist Wallace : LILA. No idea. Wiki said she co-founded "Reader's Digest" with her husband.

46. Sundial number : VII

47. Trio before U : RST

49. Clarinetist Shaw : ARTIE

50. Good-time Charlie : SPORT

55. Fanny pack spot : HIP

57. All eyes and ears : ALERT

59. "Pomp and Circumstance" composer : ELGAR(Edward)

61. Gallery stand : EASEL

64. P-like letter : RHO

66. What bored people may go through, with "the" : MOTIONS

68. iMac-to-iPhone connector : USB

69. Grease, as it were : BRIBE

70. Like bourbon barrels : OAKEN

72. "Keep on Truckin'" cartoonist : R. CRUMB. I just solved a puzzle with his name in the other day.

73. Classic muscle car : TRANS AM. Not a car person. I don't know what makes a car a muscle car.

74. Division of time : ERA

77. Wee bit : TAD

80. Dutch South African : BOER

83. When some Tauruses are born: Abbr. : APR

85. Jerk : TUG

86. Vocalizes : UTTERS

89. Kremlin vote : NYET. No!

91. Bar order : SHOT

93. Leaves no footprints, in a way : SLITHERS

95. Checkmate, e.g. : LAST MOVE

98. "And giving __, up the chimney ..." : A NOD

99. Web merchant : E-TAILER. Do any of you shop at Etsy?

100. Derring-do : HEROICS

103. Dangerous fly : TSETSE. The half fly was a staple at Wayne R. William's old puzzles.

106. Hearty chuckle : GUFFAW. I think this couple if fun to be with.

108. Spaghetti sauce herb : BASIL

109. Violet opening : ULTRA

110. Tries to walk off nerves : PACES

112. Like morning grass : DEWED. Spellchecker does not like this word.

113. Hound's prey : HARE

116. __-Altenburg: old German duchy : SAXE

118. Helen Mirren's title : DAME.She is so beautiful. My friend Maggie met her in a restaurant in Paris last year.

119. "I, Claudius" setting : ROME

120. Popular tech review site : CNET

121. Coop crowd : HENS

123. Quizzical sounds : EHs

125. Canonized Fr. woman : STE

Answer grid.

I'll Have Another! Thanks for the tip, Tinbeni. I wish I bet more against Boomer's Union Rags.

C.C.

Sunday April 29, 2012 Alan Arbesfeld

Theme: Amazing! - Each 3-word theme entry start with WOW.

23A. Steal : WALK OFF WITH

29A. Wouk work, with "The" : WINDS OF WAR.

35A. 2000 Sean Penn film, with "The" : WEIGHT OF WATER. Generally I'm not a fan of dropping articles for theme needs. But both "The" are dropped here. Quite consistent.

59A. Have a drink : WET ONE'S WHISTLE

80A. Last book in Robertson Davies' "Deptford Trilogy" : WORLD OF WONDERS

99A. Sage advice : WORDS OF WISDOM

106A. Laurel and Hardy film set in Brushwood Gulch : WAY OUT WEST

118A. '30s show tune that became a 1960 Dion and the Belmonts hit : WHERE OR WHEN. Not familiar with the song. Waiting for Argyle to link.

So four OFs in the middle, the other O's are different. I like the variety.

Have not seen Alan Arbesfeld's by line since Dec 2009. Excited to have the chance solving and discussing his puzzle. He is a veteran constructor and has been a regular contributor to the NY Times.

Only 67 black squares in this grid, and no cheater! Lots of nice fill today.

Across:

1. Colorful talker : MACAW

6. Hair net : SNOOD. This is similar to the one my Grandma used to wear.

11. Thai currency : BAHT. No plural form in Thai language. But "Bahts" seem to be in common use here.

15. Legal opening? : PARA. Paralegal.

19. Prominent period : EPOCH

20. New Mexico county whose seat is Alamogordo : OTERO. Sounds like Spanish. What does it mean?

21. Buck chaser? : AROO. Buckaroo.

22. Elliptical : OVAL

25. Shows no restraint : LETS LOOSE

27. Hit sign : SRO (Standing Room Only)

28. Work out an agreement : SETTLE

30. Honorary Muslim title in old India : NAWAB. I only know Nabob.

32. Fed. auditing agency : GAO

34. Crib sheet users : TOTS. I was thinking of cheat sheet.

40. Spoils : GOES BAD

45. WWII Italian beachhead : ANZIO. You did not think of OMAHA?

46. Waterfront org. : ILA (International Longshoremen's Association)

47. It's gone in less than a flash: Abbr. : NSEC (Nanosecond)

49. Go for an ace, maybe : SERVE

50. Corporate honcho : SUIT

51. King in "The Tempest" : ALONSO

53. Bilko and Klinger, e.g.: Abbr. : NCOs

56. "The Namesake" director Mira : NAIR. Excited about this new clue. She also directed "Amelia". She's an Indian.

57. Busy, design-wise : ORNATE

62. Blowup source, briefly : NEG (Negative). Photos.

63. Shield border, in heraldry : ORLE. Troublesome word for me. I can never remember it.

65. Germany, to Meg Ryan: Abbr. : ANAG (Anagram). Tricky clue.

66. Conference clip-on : NAME TAG

67. Defended : STOOD BY. Stand by Your Man.

69. Nailed down : SECURED

71. "It's my fervent wish!" : I HOPE SO. Splynter will need lots of luck in Las Vegas.

74. French monarchs : ROIs

76. Dr. visit : APPT

77. "Cheers" bartender : SAM

83. Mexican man, say : LATINO

85. Summer treat : ICEE

86. Whim : LARK. Made me think of CrossEyedDave, who's full of whimsical ideas, as you can see from his fun & creative links.

87. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David : CROSBY

89. Had too much : OD'ED

90. Sole protectors : SHOES

92. Said three times, a story shortener : YADA. "Seinfeld".

94. Sudden death cause : TIE

95. Last word in doughnuts : KREME. Krispy Kreme.

96. Self-important boss, facetiously : HIS NIBS. Is there a "Her nibs"?

102. Aid factor : NEED

104. Sun Valley loc. : IDA (Idaho)

105. Parts of some area calculations : RADII

111. They take things in stride : STOICS. Most East Asians are.

114. Go downhill, in a way : SKI

117. Basically : IN ESSENCE

120. Fictitious : TALL. Tall tales.

121. Time co-founder : LUCE (Henry)

122. Board : GET IN

123. Topple : UPEND

124. 1944 Normandy battle site : ST. LO. So is CAEN.

125. Unwanted messages : SPAM

126. Prevailing tendency : TREND. This eye make-up is very trendy, black eyeliner on the upper lid and a little wing tip around eye corner. I'm thinking only LaLaLinda will notice it.

127. Giving lip : SASSY

Down:

1. Cat calls : MEWS

2. On __ with : A PAR

3. Empire-building activity : COLONIZING

4. "Eew!" kin : ACK

5. A-list : WHO'S WHO

6. Cook for three minutes, say : SOFT BOIL. Do you like soft boiled eggs? .

7. Abbr. on many a can : NT WT

8. Eye, in Versailles : OEIL. Irrational spelling.

9. Maker of Taco Kits : ORTEGA. I've never had tacos.

10. "How stupid of me!" : D'OH!

11. Indonesian island on its own sea : BALI. I bet Dennis wants a "Bra brand" clue since he's an expert in the field. Lovely color, isn't it?


12. Isn't for couples? : AREN'T. Cute clue.

13. Show off : HOTDOG

14. Have an easy catch with : TOSS TO

15. Disappearing word : POOF

16. Declare : AVOW

17. Tabula __ : RASA

18. Tiger, e.g., briefly : AL-ER (American Leaguer). Detroit Tigers, for Jazzbumpa & Linda's husband, though I doubt they use AL-ER.

24. Something to be proud of : FEAT

26. Fails to prevail : LOSES

29. Troubles : WOES

31. Bad gut feeling : AGITA

33. When a memorable movie gunfight occurs : AT NOON. "High Noon".

35. Aired, as a TV show : WAS ON

36. Harden : ENURE

37. Ran smoothly : FLOWED

38. Dwindle : WANE

39. Break a promise : RENEGE

41. Had a feeling : SENSED

42. Benjamin of "Law & Order" : BRATT. Curtis! Who's the coolest TV cop? To me, it's Bobby Simone of "NYPD Blue".

43. Walled Spanish city : AVILA

44. Easing of govt. restrictions : DE-REG

48. IV amts. : CCs

51. Spray : AEROSOL

52. Extend one's visit : STAY ON

54. Confess : OWN UP. So, Bill's crush is Sofia Vergara. Mine is Daniel Craig. How about yours?

55. How rebukes are administered : SHARPLY

58. Schlepped : TOTED

60. Sadat's predecessor : NASSER

61. "__ man who wasn't there ..." : I MET A. What's the poem about? I read a few lines. Sounds creepy.

64. Bath scrubber : LOOFA

67. Anger : SPLEEN

68. Rather rival : BROKAW (Tom)

70. Othello's lieutenant : CASSIO

71. "If only!" : I WISH

72. __ Minh City : HO CHI. Saigon.

73. Hydrox rivals, once : OREOs

75. Driver's license, often : ID CARD

77. Fries and slaw : SIDE DISHES

78. Prefix with meter : ANEMO. meaning "wind".

79. Computer accessory : MODEM

81. Like some humor : WRY

82. Spoils : ROTS

84. Sculptors' subjects : TORSI. Plural of torso.

88. Get close to : BEFRIEND

91. One may get congested : SINUS

93. "Go ahead!" : DO IT

95. Former children's clothing chain : KIDS R US. Was it related to Toys "R" Us?

97. Chewable Asian leaves : BETELS

98. Clinched : SEWN UP

100. Reindeer name : DASHER

101. Baylor University site : WACO

103. "Rock Around the Clock" label : DECCA

106. Mental faculties : WITS

107. Gray area?: Abbr. : ANAT (Anatomy). "Gray's Anatomy" (Henry Gray). The TV series "Grey's Anatomy" is a play on word on former.

108. Whoop it up : YELL

109. Munch Museum city : OSLO

110. Appear to be : SEEM

112. Nice bean? : TETE. Again, Nice the French city.

113. Online __ print : OR IN. Drew a blank.

115. Guy dolls : KENS

116. Fedora-wearing adventurer, familiarly : INDY. Oh, Indiana Jones.

118. Driver's lic. stat : WGT. OK to lie a little.

119. FDR program : WPA. Works Project Administration.

Answer grid.

Happy 18th Wedding Anniversary to Ron Worden!

C.C.

Sunday, April 22, 2012 John Lampkin

Theme: "Hiss Story" - Snake puns. One word in each common phrase is replaced by a sound-alike snake name. Snake crawling paths are symbolized by consecutive black squares in the middle of the grid (I think).

24A. Healthy, happy newborn snake? : BOUNCING BABY BOA. Bouncy baby boy. This clue brought a big smile.

38A. Wild and crazy snake? : PARTY MAMBA. Party member. Fun clue also.

59A. Schmoozing snake? : SOCIAL ADDER. Social ladder. A consonant is added.

84A. Dashing young snake? : RACER BLADE. Razor blade. Not familiar with racer snake.

99A. Snake in the glass? : WINDSHIELD VIPER. Windshield wiper.

3D. Poolside snake's shedding spot? : COBRA CABANA. Copacabana.

62D. Run-of-the-mill snake? : ASP PER USUAL. As per usual.

40D. Classic Belushi comedy, or an apt description of this puzzle's grid? : ANIMAL HOUSE. Too broad a term. It's not really needed for this theme. I wonder if this entry came up at John's filling process.

100D. Warning from the critters that appear to be slithering through the grid? : SSS. Remember Marti's snake puzzle?

Can you tell John's playful personality by his theme clues? Outstanding!

You'll also notice that there are two long Down fill of the same letter count as the paralleled theme entries:

2D. Essential self : INNER SPIRIT

63D. The Information Age : INTERNET ERA

Constructors/editor try to avoid that for fear that solvers will be confused by what the real theme entries are. Two reasons for their existence today:

1) Theme answers all have question marks in the grid and all have "snake" in them;

2) Already 80 black squares in the grid. You don't want to go over that.

How about you point out John's distinctive clechos (clue echos) to me for a change?

Across:

1. Potato press : RICER.. I like potatoes stir-fried, with a splash of vinegar.

6. Point the finger at : ACCUSE

12. Endure : LAST

16. Local govt. unit : TWP (Township)

19. Jumper cable connection point : ANODE

20. Small bite : MORSEL

21. Sea lion predator : ORCA. What's the lifespan of orcas?

22. Calder Cup org. : AHL (American Hockey League). Minor league.

23. Out of favor : IN BAD. Can you make a sentence for me?

27. Amen prompter : SERMON

29. Future J.D.'s hurdle : LSAT. Shout out to my favorite JD.

30. Aircraft pioneer Sikorsky : IGOR

31. Shepard in space : ALAN

32. Roth investments : IRAs

33. Polish prose : EDIT

35. Persian Gulf leader : EMIR

36. Great Smokies st. : TENN

37. Foreign policy gp. : NSC (National Security Council). I used to think those Secret Service guys were rather cool.

41. Giggle : TEHEE

42. Taster's sense of taste : PALATE

44. Pro foe : ANTI

45. Made a profit on, perhaps : RESOLD

46. Put the __ on: quash : KIBOSH

47. NFL analyst Collinsworth : CRIS. His face looks familiar.

48. Moral misstep : SIN. For Dennis, who knows how to sin backward. He was once innocent, PK!

49. West Bank initials : PLO

50. Kneeling figure, in art : ORANT. Like this. I learned from doing Xword.

51. Injure gravely : MAIM

52. McDonald's arches, e.g. : LOGO

53. A word from P.M. Roget : SYN. Roget's Thesaurus.

54. Fragrant wood : PINE

55. Miraculous food : MANNA

56. Sun-withered tea : OOLONG. Literally "black dragon" in Chinese. Long = Dragon. Oo (Wu in Mandarin) = Black.

58. Critic's bestowal : STAR

61. Transportation option : RAIL

65. Pipsqueak : SQUIRT

67. Takes cover : HIDES

68. Ain't put right? : ISN'T. Right!

69. Conk on the head : BOP

72. Poi ingredient : TARO. Freshly baked taros is quite tasty. Similar to the texture of potatoes.

73. Deposits in 52-Down : ORES. 52D. Mineral-laden deposits : LODES

74. Barren : EMPTY

75. Top gun : ACE

76. "Now __ seen everything!" : I'VE

77. Sierra Club founder : MUIR (John)

78. Self-conscious smile : SIMPER. New word to me.

79. Delaware Valley tribe : LENAPE. Also new to me. Wiki said they're also called Delaware Indians.

81. 1998 Literature Nobelist Saramago : JOSE. Portuguese. Has anyone read his books?

82. Ship's treasurer : PURSER. Gimme for Spitzboov, eddyB & D-Otto. Never heard of it before.

83. Dens : LAIRS

87. Some OR staff : RNs

89. No longer fooled by : ONTO

90. Bumps hard : RAMS

91. Seemingly forever : EONS

92. Tune two croon : DUET. Who's your favorite duet of all time?

93. Jumpy critter : FLEA

94. "Cheerio!" : TA TA

95. What there oughta be : A LAW

97. Full of vitality : YEASTY

103. Peasant's porridge : GRUEL. Millet gruel is comfort food to me.

104. Siesta time: Abbr. : AFT

105. Beachfront property? : SAND. Fun clue.

106. "Sexy!" : OO LA LA. For you, Splynter.

107. Driving hazard : GLARE

108. Kisses, in letters : X'ES

109. Charon's waterway : STYX

110. Woven fabrics : TWILLS

111. Soup partner : SALAD

Down:

1. Trail mix tidbit : RAISIN. Reminds me of Steve J. St. John's RAISIN D'ETRE puzzle two weeks ago.

4. Red-coated cheeses : EDAMS

5. Update, in a way : RE-DO

6. Embassy VIP : AMB (Ambassador)

7. "Enough already!" : COOL IT. And 47. "Enough already!" : CAN IT!

8. Like a curmudgeon : CRUSTY

9. Middies' sch. : USNA. I used to think most Seals attended USNA. The Dummy set me straight.

10. Shakers, but not movers : SECT

11. Quarterback Manning : ELI.

12. Robert of "Prizzi's Honor" : LOGGIA. Stranger to me.

13. Shaded area : ARBOR

14. Surgery memento : SCAR

15. Bar account : TAB

16. Makes the rounds at an affair : TABLE HOPS. I was thinking of love affairs.

17. Sportscaster Keith Jackson's catchphrase : WHOA, NELLY! Thought it's spelled as "Whoa, Nellie!"

18. Anticipated : PLANNED ON

25. Radiant auras : NIMBI. Aurae might be a better clue. Yes?

26. "Bullitt" director : YATES (Peter)

28. Below, quaintly : 'NEATH

34. Dr. with Grammys : DRE

35. "Nurse Jackie" extras, briefly : EMTs

38. Over and done with : PAST. LaLaLinda's "good old days" Yaz post moved me greatly. Then LA CW Addict's subsequent comforting post to Linda just teared me up. Here is part of what he said: "..I did not know about this blog at the time. If I had, I thought, how nice it would have been to stop in and see Dad on my way home from work, so that we could have shared so many of the music clips and movie out-takes provided by you kind folks..."

39. Yacht basin : MARINA

41. Part of a dovetail joint : TENON. Fits into a mortise.

43. They keep to themselves : LONERS

45. Strictness : RIGOR

46. Keystone cutups : KOPs

48. Cobbler's inventory : SOLES

51. Computer shortcut : MACRO

55. Wavy fabric pattern : MOIRE. See this pattern.

56. Harder to explain : ODDER

57. "__ Fairy Tales" : GRIMMS'

59. Smooth-tongued : SUAVE. I recently listened to a John Barry ("James Bond" composer) interview. Man, was he smooth-tongued.

60. Less stuffy : AIRIER

64. Roughly six trillion mi. : LTYR (Light-year)

66. Small swabs : Q-TIPS

69. Everything, informally : BALL OF WAX. Great entry.

70. Marine flora and fauna : OCEAN LIFE

71. Hair shirt wearers : PENITENTS. What's a "hair shirt"?

74. Dún Laoghaire's land : EIRE

77. Comfy slip-ons : MOCs

78. Full of bubbles : SUDSY

80. "We're on __ to nowhere": Talking Heads lyric : A ROAD

81. Malcolm-__ Warner of "The Cosby Show" : JAMAL

82. Camera move : PAN

84. Hard-core, filmwise : RATED-X

85. "Little help here, bud?" : BE A PAL

86. Poet Amy : LOWELL. Oh, how I miss Clear Ayes!

88. Done at the salon : STYLED

90. Hardly fair : RAINY. Rainy and cold here. But I think my peas and cucumbers planted in March survived.

92. Alfalfa's heartthrob : DARLA. "Our Gang".

94. Pointer's word : THAT

95. Assert : AVOW

96. Taylor of "Six Feet Under" : LILI

98. Breakfast fare : EGGS

101. Web address part : DOT. Hi there, Dot!

102. Dorm figs. : RAs. Our dorms were guarded by an old couple who would not allow any boys in after 11:00pm.

Answer grid.

John Lampkin met with Annette and Lemonade during his Florida nature talk last month. Here is a beautiful picture of Annette & Lemonade. Gorgeous shirt, Annette! Here is a fun picture of Lemonade & John.

C.C.