Sunday, October 20, 2019 Gary Larson

Theme: "Off to a Good Start" - The first words of all the theme entries are synonyms of "good".

22A. Awesome product component?: CHILL FACTOR.

24A. Awesome mattress covering?: DOPE SHEET.

43A. Awesome plumbing connector?: TIGHT FITTING.
 
68A. Awesome hobby?: HOT PURSUIT.

70A. Awesome hunting dog?: HIP POINTER.

88A. Awesome entitlement?: RADICAL RIGHT.

113A. Awesome suit fabric?: BOSS TWEED.

115A. Awesome predicament?: SWEET PICKLE.

Each first word has a totally different meaning than "good", awesome!

I'm not familiar with "tight" and "radical" as "good". Is it common or new slang?
 
Across:

1. Dojo maneuver: CHOP.

5. Guitarist Joe of The Eagles: WALSH.

10. Wilts: SAGS.

14. Start of an incantation: ABRA. Do you have Abra auto repair shop in your area? 

18. The last Mrs. Chaplin: OONA.

19. Slow down: BRAKE.

20. Shiraz's land: IRAN.

21. Trickle: SEEP.

26. Step on it: INSOLE. Nice clue.

27. Stuck a fork in: STABBED.

29. Glenn Miller Orchestra singer Ray: EBERLE. Unknown to me. The guy on the left.

30. Immortal name in dance: ASTAIRE.

32. Ultimatum word: ELSE.

33. Staring-into-space experiences: TRANCES.

34. DEA agent: NARCO.

36. Court game word: ALAI. Jai alai.

39. Routine: ACT.

40. Stubborn critter: ASS.

48. Tiny toiler: ANT.

49. Fall collection?: LEAVES. We have quite a collection in our yard.

51. More consequence?: MERRIER. The more, the merrier.

52. Poetic adverb: OFT.

54. "__ & Basie": 1963 jazz collaboration: ELLA.

55. "True Detective" actor McNairy: SCOOT.

56. Bump from the schedule: PREEMPT.

60. Peacock's pride: PLUMAGE. I'll be proud too if I have plumage like this.

64. QVC sister channel: HSN.

65. Shot in the arm: BOOST.

66. Wall St. trader: ARB. Arbitrator. (Correction: It's arbitrager. Thanks, Sandyanon.)

72. Bit of legal advice: SUE.

73. Lose control: GO APE.

74. Chicken dinner choice: LEG. Roasted pigeons are very popular in Guangzhou.

75. Support: ENDORSE.

76. Gallivant: TRAIPSE.

78. Sound: NOISE.

80. Wine choice: ROSE.

81. Originally called: NEE. Wang for me.

82. Tool in a kit: NAIL GUN.

84. Shadowed: TAILED.

86. Low-tech note-taking aid: PAD. Scored a few cute pads during my last Marshalls' trip.

91. Snake's sound: SSS.

92. Zodiac animal: RAM.

93. Vacation spot: ISLE.

94. "Truly, the souls of men are full of __": Shak.: DREAD.

96. "We the Living" novelist: AYN RAND. Never heard of the book.

100. Big drink of water: SWIG.

104. Retail outlets: EMPORIA.

108. Low wind: BREEZE.

109. Like some receptions: CATERED.

112. In a showily pretentious manner: ARTILY.

117. Tennis great Nastase: ILIE.

118. Villain named Julius: DR NO.

119. Points at the dinner table: TINES.

120. Pepsi rival: COKE. Only Pepsi in our home.

121. Picnic staple: SLAW.

122. Cereal grain: OATS. I finally tried oat milk for the first time. It's a bit thin but pretty good with cocoa powder.

123. Mocking sarcasm: SNARK.

124. Arab leader: EMIR.

Down:

1. Movie mogul Harry and sportscaster Linda: COHNS. Wiki said Harry Cohn co-founded Columbia Pictures.

2. Lift: HOIST.

3. Checked out at the library: ON LOAN.

4. Ease, as symptoms: PALLIATE.

5. Ring org.: WBA. Boxing ring.

6. Scythe blade shapes: ARCS.

7. Starbucks serving: LATTE.

8. Bar word meaning "cup" in Danish: SKOAL. The fight song for Vikings is "Skol,Vikings".

9. Sage and thyme: HERBS.

10. Pro or con: SIDE.

11. 2000s Yankee nickname: A-ROD.

12. Sign of something missing: GAP.

13. Unkind look: SNEER.

14. Whitish: ASHEN.

15. Tailgate party recyclable: BEER CAN.

16. Campaign poster word: REELECT.

17. Most pertinent: APTEST.

22. Org. in Clancy novels: CIA.

23. Wheel inventor: FERRIS.

25. Govt. agency that aids entrepreneurs: SBA. Small Business Administration.

28. "Get lost!": BEAT IT.

31. Hosp. readout: ECG. All too familiar to Dennis.

33. Bolivian export: TIN.

35. Units of resistance: OHMS.

37. '80s-'90s Compaq laptop model: LTE. No idea.

38. Prepare sans oil, as a movie treat: AIR POP.

40. Israeli leaders?: ALEPHS. First letter in Hebrew.

41. Betray: SELL OUT.

42. Soldier, at times: SALUTER.

44. Electronics whiz: TECHIE. A few T's on our blog. Tony, TTP and the Hainan Tom (a la Carmen, D-Otto), all vets.

45. "Mending Wall" poet: FROST.

46. Wrinkle remover: IRON.

47. Continues: GOES ON.

48. Supplier of bills: ATM.

50. Seductress: VAMP.

53. Far from fragrant: FETID.

57. It may be skipped: ROPE.

58. Security rounds: PATROLS.

59. Locks: TRESSES.

61. Bellow title hero March: AUGIE. Also unknown to me.

62. One looking for a switch, maybe: GROPER.

63. Those, in Tijuana: ESAS.

65. Coastal California scenic attraction: BIG SUR.

67. Basenji and Borzoi: BREEDS.

69. Flips: UPENDS.

70. Katherine of "Suits": HEIGL.

71. Edible seaweed: NORI.

74. 1970 Kinks hit: LOLA.

77. What's more: AND.

78. Like Miss Congeniality: NICEST.

79. Writer Bagnold: ENID.

83. Trouble: AIL.

84. Prominent, after "on": THE MAP. Took me forever to identify this song. Has anyone heard of Mindme or Ebba? The song is amazing. 

85. "... but it'll cost you": AT A PRICE.

86. __ tax: PAYROLL.

87. "The Bourne Identity" malady: AMNESIA.

89. Assist: AID.

90. Test for M.A. seekers: GRE.

92. Yeshiva leaders: RABBIS.

95. One involved in a speculative "bubble": DOTCOM.

97. Fix, as a hem: RESEW.

98. AIDS-fighting drug: AZT.

99. Salon overhaul: NEW DO.

101. Bridge positions: WESTS.

102. Novelist Shaw: IRWIN.

103. Actress Davis: GEENA.

105. Kipling's "__-Tikki-Tavi": RIKKI.

106. Less well: ILLER. Ill is good too.

107. Word of support: AYE.

109. Small change: CENT.

110. Bothers: ADOS.

111. Critter on XING signs: DEER.

114. Notable time: ERA.

116. Word of reproof: TSK.

 C.C.

Sunday October 13, 2019 Kevin Salat

Theme: "Flip the Switch" - ON and OFF change positions.  

22A. Lectured about links?: SPOKE ON THE CUFF. Spoke off the cuff

47A. "We have that in stock," e.g.?: ON HAND REMARK. Offhand remark.

70A. Extra-base hit, likely?: FLY OFF THE WALL. Fly on the wall.

91A. Fake modeling material?: KNOCK OFF WOOD. Knock on wood.

117A. Let go of a factory workers unit?: LAID OFF THE LINE. Laid on the line.

32D. Guidebook for throwing a shot?: ON PUTTING. Off-putting.

60D. Stage hog staying sober?: HAM OFF RYE. Ham on rye.

Three Off to ON, Four On to OFF. One more will be an even switch.

Grid design can be deceiving at times. I thought this is a 140-worder, a few spots just feel so chunky.

Across:

1. Expert's nugget: PRO TIP.

7. Seaside eatery: CLAM BAR. Never been to a clam bar.

14. Relative challenge for some: IN-LAW. Real "relative".

19. Stand-up sort: MENSCH. So many on our blog.

20. Filmmaker for whom a Golden Globe award is named: DEMILLE. Also 127. Academy bestowals: OSCARS.

21. Part of TNT: NITRO.

24. Got out of the pen: SPRUNG. Jail. And 81. Sentence structure?: CELL.

26. 1974 Peace Nobelist from Japan: SATO. Wiki says he "brought Japan into the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1974." He died in 1975.

27. Gram opening: INSTA. Instagram.

28. Word on a towel: HIS.

29. Icky stuff: GOO.

30. __-cone: SNO.

33. Portable preparedness kit: GO BAG.

35. Rang: TOLLED.

37. 2019 NCAA hoops champ: UVA. And 34. 37-Across conf.: ACC.

38. Start of a few choice words?: EENIE.

40. World Golf Hall of Famer Lorena: OCHOA. One of my favorite LPGA players.

42. Big discount events: FIRE SALES.

45. Fabric flaws: RIPS.

46. Govt. health org.: CDC. And 66. 46-Across HQ city: ATL.

49. Uniformed "O Canada" singer: BLUEJAY. And 52. Maple syrup base: SAP.

51. Prom coif: UPDO.

53. Oktoberfest vessel: STEIN.

54. Balaam's mount: ASS.

55. "In memoriam" piece: OBIT.

59. Adjust the length of: RE-HEM.

63. Peach center: PIT. Tried a few white peaches this year. So sweet.

64. "Cabaret" film director: FOSSE.

66. Spanning: ACROSS.

68. Foo Fighters frontman Grohl: DAVE.

69. "__ dreaming?": AM I.

73. Guys: MEN.

74. Frog hangout: POND.

76. Like many awards: ANNUAL.

77. Similarly named rival of a video game plumber: WARIO. Arch-rival of Mario.

78. PDX : Portland :: __ : Chicago: ORD.

79. Heavenly body?: ANGEL.

82. Wetland: FEN.

83. Tips politely: DOFFS. Hat.

85. Complainer who won't quit: NAG.

87. Dressed: CLAD.

89. Fundraiser: BENEFIT.

97. Round number?: PAR. Nice clue.

98. Obama Education secretary Duncan: ARNE.

99. Specialized market segment: NICHE AREA.

100. Big name in grills: WEBER.

102. Utah's __ Canyon: BRYCE.

103. Do brunch, say: EAT. Not a Chinese tradition.

104. Maze navigator: LAB RAT.

106. Cara of "Fame": IRENE.

108. Yet, in poetry: EEN.

109. "That was ages __": AGO.

110. Law firm fig.: ATT.

111. Brief affair: FLING.

113. XL, for one: SIZE.

115. Work intermittently (in): DABBLE.

122. Intel-gathering mission: RECON.

123. Premier League powerhouse: ARSENAL. Quite a few soccer fields in our area. 

124. Syrian city: ALEPPO.

125. Rainbow-shaped: ARCED.

126. Has no wrong answers, say: GETS AN A.

Down:

1. Downing St. VIPs: PMS.

2. Union __: REP.

3. "Blueprint for a Sunrise" artist: ONO. Wiki says it's a "concept album of experimental feminist rock". She looks like a Chinese empress here.

4. Chiding sounds: TSKS.

5. Frigid time: ICE AGE.

6. ID card feature: PHOTO. Do you all have a real ID?

7. New Orleans summer hrs.: CDT.

8. Bethlehem university: LEHIGH.  Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. (Thanks, billocohoes~)

9. "Absolutely!": AMEN.

10. Prop for an emcee: MIC STAND.

11. Olive pursuer of comics: BLUTO.

12. Sprouts source: ALFALFA. I only like beansprouts.

13. Call the game: REF.

14. First to hear the news: INSIDERS.

15. Little bites: NIPS.

16. P.O. delivery: LTR.

17. Peppery salad green: ARUGULA. Aldi has a spinach & arugula mix.

18. Convinced: WON OVER.

23. Twerp: NOBODY.

25. "Find out": GO ASK.

28. __ mentality: HERD.

30. NBA's Nikola Jokic, e.g.: SERB. Not familiar with him.

31. "Lost in Yonkers" playwright: NEIL SIMON.

36. "Hamilton" creator __-Manuel Miranda: LIN.

39. "Aha!": I SEE.

41. "I'm such a klutz!": OOPS.

43. Char: SEAR.

44. Energetically excited: AMPED.

46. Cooking oil option: CANOLA. Canola field is pretty.

48. Poor spirits?: HOOCH. Oh, I like this clue.

50. Sec: JIFF.

51. Good to have around: USEFUL.

54. All together: AS ONE.

56. Prepared, as beer: BREWED.

57. Waterloo resident: IOWAN.

58. Ruler until 1917: TSAR.

61. From then on: EVER SINCE.

62. Patch: MEND.

63. Rollin' stone, in a Motown classic: PAPA. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone".

65. What collaborators should be in: SYNC.

67. Small burger: SLIDER.

71. Edie of "The Sopranos": FALCO.

72. Fish-eating bird: LOON.

75. Academy Award winner Dame Judi __: DENCH. I still have not figured out why Rich sometimes uses __ in the clue, esp when the actress is so famous.

80. Limnologist's subject: LAKE. Never heard of limnologist.

82. Wither away: FADE.

84. Funhouse reaction: FEAR.

86. Commit a hoops no-no: GOALTEND. Read more here.

88. Good times to build sand castles: LOW TIDES.

89. Least adorned: BAREST.

90. Many a "Freaks and Geeks" character: TEEN.

91. Manipulate digitally: KNEAD.

92. Falls for someone who's married?: NIAGARA. Good old clue.

93. Red __: fictional sub: OCTOBER.

94. __ party: FRAT.

95. American Heart Mo., aptly: FEB. Valentine's Day.

96. Armed conflict: WARFARE.

97. What "/" may mean: PER.

101. Ardent enthusiast: BIG FAN.

102. Frames around smartphone displays: BEZELS. The middle one is bezel-less. The screen looks bigger.

105. Top-tier: A LIST.

107. Mandarin hello: NI HAO. Literally "you good".

110. Lotion ingredient: ALOE.

112. Hendryx of the "Lady Marmalade" trio Labelle: NONA. We had her before.

114. Util. supply: ELEC.

116. Include covertly, briefly: BCC.

117. Online gaming annoyance: LAG.

118. St. Pete's place: FLA.

119. Beer choice: IPA.

120. "Code Switch" airer: NPR.

121. Dawn goddess: EOS.

Dennis is going to have a full open-heart surgery at the JFK Medical Center (Atlantis, Florida) next Tuesday Oct 15, 2019. The operation is quite risky as they need to replace both valves.

Dennis jokes that he is always a risk-taker and loves new adventures, but this is quite a battle. The surgery is long and the recovery is longer. Tough for someone who's always on the go.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Stay tough, Dennis!

Dennis

Sunday October 6, 2019 David Alfred Bywaters

Theme: Time for "A" Change - Words with long A sound are replaced by their homophone.

20. Sumo wrestler's asset?: HAZARDOUS WAIST. Hazardous waste.

30. Consequence of overtweezing?: RAZED EYEBROWS.  Raised eyebrows.

 

49. Hawaiian tour company specialist?: LEI PERSON. Lay person.

58. Common sight on "L.A. Law"?: DEY IN COURT. Day in court.

80. Mid-morning coffee, say?: BREAK FLUID. Brake fluid.

89. Problem for Roman Britain?: GAEL FORCE. Gale force.

104. Said goodbye, dog-style?: BAYED FAREWELL. Bade farewell.

 

121. Low-voiced choir member's goal?: GET TO FIRST BASS. Get to first base.

This is a very tight theme set. All homophones. All go through spelling changes of course.

David is a linguistic genius. He has found so many ways to play with the addition/deletion/replacement themes. All of his themes are very tight. Always an extra layer.

Across:

1. Followers who may be friendly or hostile: POSSE. We don't often see a black square at the starting corner. It makes clean fill possible.

6. Word of Gallic gratitude: MERCI. A few more French: 54. Him, to Henri: LUI. 55. Cannes concept: IDEE. And 81. French article: UNE.

11. Voltaire's faith: DEISM.

16. Bring up to date: CLUE IN.

17. "Am I awake?": PINCH ME. Great fill. And 25. Source of ignition: MATCH.

19. Game for two or four: TENNIS. And 25. Source of ignition: MATCH.

22. Car starter: ENGINE.

23. Agenda entry: ITEM.

24. Avid: EAGER.

27. Altered by time: AGED. Our crossword regular ALBA. No aging at all.

28. Skunk cousin: POLECAT.

33. Halloween follower: Abbr.: NOV.

34. Gutenberg's movable invention: TYPE.

35. Comic-Con attendee: NERD.

36. Met acquisition: ART.

39. Revolver, maybe: DOOR. Revolving door.

41. Rent what you've rented: SUBLET.

45. Dizzy's jazz genre: BEBOP.

52. Greeted, with "to": SAID HI.

56. Locations: SITES.

61. Disproportionate reactions: TO-DOS.

63. Disgraced: SHAMED. Public shaming in China. The placards have their names & the word "robber".

65. Three-syllable limerick foot: ANAPEST.

66. Like much testimony: ORAL.

68. Restorative: TONIC.

70. Social climber: SNOB.

71. Current site of ancient Carthage: TUNISIA.

74. Gazed lasciviously: LEERED.

77. Go wild on Twitter: TREND.

83. Presidents' Day phenomena: SALES. We'll probably get our Santa Fe at Veterans Day next year.
Hyundai gives veterans a nice discount.

85. Crosby, Stills & Nash, e.g.: TRIO.

86. Previously: AGO.

87. Problem for a claustrophobic driver: TUNNEL. Tough when you need a MRI.

91. Kidney-related: RENAL.

94. Standard of measurement: METRIC.

96. Loyal: TRUE.

97. "__ Blues": Beatles song with the line "Even hate my rock and roll": YER.

98. Help to withdraw: WEAN.

100. Confront: FACE.

102. Natter: GAB.

110. Some chalets: A-FRAMES.

114. ET vehicles, in theory: UFOS.

115. Lariat: REATA.

116. Overhang: LEDGE.

118. Main squeeze: BEAU.

119. Hired escort: GIGOLO.

124. Tony winner Tammy: GRIMES. Won a Tony for "The Unsinkable Molly Brown". Unknown to me.

125. Do: EXECUTE.

126. Niños' needs?: TILDES. The squiggles.

127. Affirmatives: YESES.

128. Support framework: TRUSS.

129. Base stealer's asset: SPEED.

Down:

1. Socrates' pupil: PLATO.

2. Eurasian blackbird: OUZEL. Learning moment for me also.

3. Many mariners: SEAMEN.

4. Word of respect: SIR.

5. Attempts: ENDEAVORS.

6. King novel that shared the first Bram Stoker Award (1987): MISERY.

7. Covers completely: ENWRAPS.

8. 1929 purchaser of Victor: RCA.

9. Wind instrument?: CHIME. Sweet clue.

10. :-(: I'M SAD. One day my brother closed his WeChat with me with "🥣安 ". I had to ask him what it meant. Turns out 🥣 is a bowl. So " 🥣安" means "good night".  "Bowl" and "evening" are pronounced the same but they're two different characters. Jayce probably would get it. I just sighed.

11. Lair: DEN.

12. Sword-wielder's cry: EN GARDE.

13. Architect Jones: INIGO. Wiki says "Jones was the first person to introduce the classical architecture of Rome and the Italian Renaissance to Britain."

14. Tendon: SINEW.

15. Advanced teaching degrees: Abbr.: MS EDs.

16. Dip holder: CHIP.

17. Wrinkly little dog: PUG.

18. Suffix with kitchen: ETTE.

19. Tiny chuckle: TEHEE.

21. Nose bag particle: OAT.

26. Nixon of "Sex and the City": CYNTHIA. Also ran for governor last year.

29. Encrypt: CODE.

31. Consort of Hera: ZEUS.

32. Texter's "I will return shortly": BRB.

34. What a plighter plights: TROTH.

36. Landed: ALIT.

37. Try again: REDO.

38. Had a few: TIED ONE ON.

40. Medical suffix: OSIS.

42. No-goodniks: BADDIES.

43. Make up a story, maybe: LIE.

44. Eponymous ice cream maker: EDY.

46. Muffin fruit: BLUEBERRY. Our state muffin.

47. Hers and mine: OURS.

48. Surname of father-and-son British prime ministers: PITT. William Pitt & William Pitt the Younger. Read more here.

50. Geographical symbol of Middle America: PEORIA.

51. Cool: NEAT.

53. Hostelries: INNS.

57. Burn without flames: SMOLDER.

59. Tilt: CANT.

60. Iberian wine city: OPORTO. North of Lisbon.

62. Regina's prov.: SASK.

64. KC-to-NYC dir.: ENE.

67. Hoist: LIFT.

69. Outcropping: CRAG.

71. Vanishing ski lift: T BAR.

72. Hankering: URGE.

73. Bryn Mawr graduates: ALUMNAE.

75. Induce euphoria in: ELATE. And 78. Pleasant: NICE. 92. Fab equivalent: AWESOME.

76. Road sign ruminant: DEER.

79. One who doesn't just think about it: DOER. That's D-Otto! Just dug out this pic from my Ginger Roots blog. D-Otto mentioned said then: "A 1970 snapshot at the control console of the shipboard radio station during the final cruise of the carrier Bon Homme Richard. I stumbled across that one in an online copy of the ship's cruise book."
 


82. Pass gone seriously astray: Abbr.: INT.

84. Hard-hitting contests: SLUGFESTS.

88. __ insurance: LIFE.

90. Cause of tremors, at times: FEAR. He also wrote "Miracle of Mindfulness".

93. Conducted: LED.

95. Insensitive: CALLOUS.

99. Locks that are picked: AFROS.

101. Chin indentations: CLEFTS.

103. Blather on: BABBLE.

104. Full of glitches, as programs: BUGGY.

105. Flaming: AFIRE.

106. Hindu mystics: YOGIS.

107. Steamed state: RAGE.

108. Kindle reading, e.g.: E-TEXT.

109. Do a gardening task: WATER. We're having the wettest year in Minnesota history. 

110. Growth-oriented field?: Abbr.: AGR.

111. Civil War general: MEADE.

112. Abated: EASED.

113. Figure (out): SUSS.

117. Cease to function: DIE.

120. "__ Misérables": LES.

122. Big 12 rival of Baylor: Abbr.: TCU.

123. Bit of inside information: TIP.

C.C.

Sunday September 29, 2019 Paul Coulter

Theme: "Where It's At" - Two-part theme. One part is the literal interpretation of its position with regard to the other part.
 
22. Ahead of time ... and where it's at: BEFOREHAND. This answer comes ahead of the hand in 24A.

24. It includes a king and queen: ROYAL FLUSH.

44. On the up and up ... and where it's at: ABOVEBOARD. Above 52A.

52. Food squares?: MEALS.
 
50. Bout enders, for short: KOS.

53. In a ship's hull ... and where it's at: BELOW DECKS. Under 50A.
 
88. More than flamboyant ... and where it's at: OVER THE TOP. Over 93A.

93. Casual shirt: TEE.

92. Red __: SEA.

95. Mortgaged to the hilt and then some ... and where it's at: UNDERWATER. Under 92A.
 
118. Final football score including at least one safety: NINE TO FIVE. Ahead of 121A.

121. Subsequent to the normal closing time ... and where it's at: AFTER HOURS.

Another creative effort from Paul Coulter. Like the "Greek Cross" we had a few weeks ago. This grid is also very challenging to fill. Tremendous restrictions. 

Across:

1. Bite: TANG.

5. Arabic for "commander": EMIR.

9. Exam administered by the College Board, briefly: PSAT.

13. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame architect: I M PEI. Born in Guangzhou. He also designed the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong. 

18. Burn balm: ALOE.

19. "Mostly Ghostly" series author: STINE.

20. Charity: ALMS.

21. High times?: NOONS.

26. Regards intensely: STARES AT. And 31. Bedevil: NAG AT.

27. Like the White Rabbit: LATE.

29. About to explode: IRATE.

30. Cherbourg cherub: ANGE. Angel. Another alliteration: 118. Nancy, in Nancy: NOM.

33. Speak colorfully, so to speak: SWEAR. Ah, colorfully.

35. Rescue op: EVAC.

37. Not for: ANTI.

39. MileagePlus rewards co.: UAL.

40. Puts in stitches: SEWS.

48. Chutney fruit: MANGO. Never had this. Probably a fixer at Steve's house.

51. Lenient: LAX.

56. West Point newbie: PLEBE.

59. Rapa __: NUI.

60. Japanese beer brand: KIRIN. Same letter count as ASAHI.

61. Native Nebraskan: OTOE.

62. Atlanta suburb: SMYRNA. I learned that Julia Roberts went to Smyrna's Campbell High School.

64. Complain: CRAB.

66. Itsy-bitsy: TEENY.

68. Frisk: SEARCH.

70. "... __ he drove out of sight": Moore: ERE.

71. Compass points: RHUMBS. New word to me.

74. Bank: CAROM.

76. Strong-voiced Mama: CASS.

78. Bends: STOOPS.

80. The Miners of the Lone Star St.: UTEP.

82. Add: PUTIN.

84. Blackguard: CAD. Wiki says "Blackguard" is an old-fashioned term for a scoundrel.

87. Nab in a trap: SNARE.

90. Artist Matisse: HENRI. He's wearing Matisse's work. "Blue Nude".

94. Adult: OF AGE.

98. Highland toppers: TAMS.

100. Away from the office: OUT.

101. "__ here": SAME.

103. Burpee product: SEED.

104. Big dipper: LADLE.

106. Areas for religious statues: APSES.

108. Former WNBA star __ Leslie: LISA. First one to dunk in WNBA.

111. José's "good": BUENO.

113. Speedy steed: ARAB.

115. Zone that may be restricted: AIRSPACE.

123. Martini garnish: OLIVE.

124. Each: APOP.

125. Salad green: CRESS.

126. Notices: SEES.

127. Doled (out): METED.

128. Puts the kibosh on: BANS.

129. "Categorical imperative" philosopher: KANT.

130. Scots Gaelic: ERSE.

Down:

1. Checks with tax, usually: TABS.

2. Prince Valiant's wife: ALETA. Mom of another crossword regular ARN.

3. Hardly in favor (of): NO FAN.

4. Paternal grandfather of Elizabeth II: GEORGE V.

5. 2007 Best Director Oscar sharer: ETHAN COEN. With Joel Coen. "No Country for Old Men".

6. Mazda model: MIATA.

7. B&B, e.g.: INN.

8. City near San Bernardino: REDLANDS.Also learning moment for me.

9. Actor's goal: PART.

10. Gin flavor: SLOE.

11. One of Alcott's "Little Women": AMY.

12. Org. with a lot of baggage?: TSA. I like this clue also.

13. Prefix with red: INFRA.

14. Back biters: MOLARS.

15. Displeased look: POUT.

16. Massachusetts motto opener: ENSE. "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" . What a mouthful.

17. Book end?: ISH. Bookish.

19. French possessive: SES.

23. Christopher of "Superman": REEVE.

25. Hide out: LIE LOW.

28. ABA member: ATT.

32. Aioli ingredient: GARLIC. My brother just told me how to make the perfect spinach salad. The key is this Zhenjiang Vinegar.

33. Naturally illuminated: SUNLIT.

34. Conestoga driver: WAGONER.

36. 1972 USA-USSR treaty subj.: ABM.

38. Drinks: IMBIBES.

41. Big name in kitchenware: EKCO. I don't think we own any of their product.

42. Active against racial injustice, in slang: WOKE. Stay woke.

43. Sautéing sound: SSS.

44. "The Sound of Music" backdrop: ALPS.

45. Salves: BALMS.

46. Daisy variety: OXEYE.

47. Sullivan Award sports org.: AAU. Amateur Athletic Union. Sullivan Award is awarded to "the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States" every year, a la Wiki.

49. __ Lingus: AER.

54. Breakfast sinkers: DONUTS.

55. Linguistic root: ETYMON.

57. Pick-me-up: BRACER.

58. Absorbed: ENRAPT.

60. Part of DKNY: KARAN.

63. Spanning: Abbr.: ACR. Across.

65. Chef's creations: RECIPES. My friend Carmen and her husband Lao Pan are terrific chefs.  The girl in red is Lao Pan's daughter Xiao Pan, who was just a little girl when I left Guangzhou. If you look closely, both Xiao Pan and Carmen are wearing a jade bracelet. Girls in Guangzhou like to wear jade bracelets or jade necklaces.

67. "Come again?" sounds: EHS.

69. Auditioning actor, say: HOPEFUL.

72. Sing one's own praises: BOAST.

73. Bender: SPREE.

75. Change genetically: MUTATE.

77. Clips for trailers: SCENES. Movie trailers.

79. Lightly burn: SEAR.

80. Eye layer: UVEA.

81. Abound (with): TEEM.

83. Dude (up): TOG.

85. Connector of partners: AND.

86. Most formal, fashion-wise: DRESSIEST.

88. Giant whose #4 was retired: OTT.

89. Jinx: HOODOO.

90. Large whale: HUMPBACK.

91. Steamed state: IRE.

96. From Swansea, say: WELSH.

97. Fatty: ADIPOSE.

99. Short one seen more in warm weather: SLEEVE. Cute clue angle. Long-sleeve shirt weather here in MN.

102. Battery size: AAA.

105. Started the pot: ANTED.

107. Consumed: EATEN.

109. Acidic, in Augsburg: SAUER. Sour.

110. Farm measures: ACRES.

111. Irascibility: BILE.

112. Condo, e.g.: UNIT.

113. HarperCollins romance imprint: AVON.

114. Gym set: REPS.

116. Monopoly foursome: Abbr.: RRS.

117. To be, to Brutus: ESSE.

119. Terrif: FAB.

120. Draft pick: IPA.

122. Monk's title: FRA.

C.C.