Sunday February 2, 2020 Mike Peluso

Theme:  "When in Rome"- The first number (1-10) in each familiar phrase is replaced by a Roman numeral.

22. Show for which Erika Slezak won six Daytime Emmys: I LIFE TO LIVE. One Life to Live.

28. Films with depth?: III D MOVIES. Three-D movies.

34. Video poker basis: V CARD DRAW. Five-card draw.

57. It's not good to be behind it: VIII BALL. Eight ball.

59. It's usually attached to a house: II CAR GARAGE. Two-car garage.

74. Certain incumbent's rally cry: IV MORE YEARS. Four more years.

76. 1995 Hugh Grant film: IX MONTHS. Nine Months.

96. Symbol of untouchability: X FOOT POLE. Ten-foot pole.

106. Set of schools that includes Vassar: VII SISTERS. Seven Sisters.

115. 2000s series set in a funeral home: VI FEET UNDER. Six Feet Under.
 
So nice to see Mike's byline again. I always associate him with Wednesday puzzles, probably because he made a lots of Wednesday puzzles when I started blogging.

The numbers are not in order, probably because he did not want to give us free letters. Guess how many I's in this grid?

Across:

1. Learn to fit in: ADAPT.

6. Wilson's predecessor: TAFT.

10. Eponymous 2000s TV sitcom: REBA. McEntire.

14. Runs for it: LAMS.

18. Chili __: dish with green sauce: VERDE. Never had it. Looks yummy.

19. Early Arizona natives: PIMAS. And 21. Siouan people: OTOE.

20. Tourney format, briefly: ELIM. Elimination.

24. Amt. rarely charged: MSRP. Mostly cars.

25. Lahore tongue: URDU.

26. Carried out: DID.

27. Theater sight: POSTER.

30. Hayride seats: BALES.

31. Hammed it up: EMOTED.

33. Border range: URALS.

38. Home security giant: ADT. Our neighbor has a "Secured by ADT" in their lawn.

39. Tom Joad, e.g.: OKIE.

41. Kolkata wrap: SARI.

42. Heavy marble: STEELIE. It does sound heavy.

44. Slime: GOO.

45. Inflation spec: PSI. Tire.

48. Capital north of Syracuse: OTTAWA.

51. Window treatment: BLIND.

52. Rolled up: FURLED.

54. Scand. country: NORW. Norway.

56. Gospel singer Winans: CECE. Gimme for me.

63. Former Hanford overseer: Abbr.: AEC.  Atomic Energy Commission. Dissolved in 1975.

64. Key, perhaps: ISLE.

65. Management deg.: MBA.

66. Charmingly rural: FOLKSY.

67. Takes in, say: ALTERS.

70. La Méditerranée, e.g.: MER.

71. Hall of Fame pitcher Blyleven: BERT. Known for his curveballs. Twins' color commentator. Boomer often picks on Bert's gaffes. Like "This is the second debut of ...".

73. One always reaching for the Skyy?: SOT. And clue echo at 59. Reach for the Skyy: IMBIBE.

79. Década components: ANOS. Decade/years.

80. Pride and envy: SINS.

81. Barry Gibb, for one: BEE GEE.

82. Wing it: AD LIB.

83. Aggravate: NETTLE.

87. Immigrant's subj.: ESL.

88. Soup legume: PEA. Can't wait for the fresh peas at our local farmers' market. Pretty and tasty with rice.

90. Transmission need: GEAR OIL.

93. "I'm on it, I'm on it!!": OK OK.

94. Ratted: SANG.

95. Nevada Northern Railway Museum city: ELY.

99. Stand for a canvas: EASEL.

102. Swallow: INGEST.

105. Exhaust __: FUMES.

108. Sun-Maid product: RAISIN.

110. Portland summer hrs., perhaps: EDT.

113. Theta follower: IOTA.

114. El __: PASO.

117. Shut (up): CLAM.

118. Alaskan island in the Eastern Hemisphere: ATTU.

119. "Sorry, not for me": I PASS.

120. Barrel racing milieu: RODEO. Not familiar with barrel racing.

121. Flag: TIRE.

122. In the order given: Abbr.: RESP. Respective?

123. Sassy: PERT.

124. Whence the Israelites fled: EGYPT.

Down:

1. Lifelong, as a fan: AVID.

2. Seller of dogs: DELI.

3. Like the Namib: ARID.  Southern African desert.

4. Adobe file format: PDF.

5. Disc golf starting point: TEE PAD. I think Mike is an avid golfer.

6. Attacks, knight-style: TILTS AT.

7. Friend of François: AMIE.

8. Green Bay legend: FAVRE. Brett Favre's final season was with the Vikings.

9. Mao __-tung: TSE.

10. Sent in: REMITTED.

11. Pitcher of milk?: ELSIE. Fun clue.

12. Pudelpointer, say: BIRD DOG. Never heard of Pudelpointer. Wiki says "It is a pointing breed that came from a cross between the German hunting poodle (pudel) and the English Pointer.

13. Time toggle: AM PM.

14. Site of Pei's pyramid: LOUVRE.

15. Glass-roofed lobbies: ATRIA.

16. Runway walker: MODEL.

17. Grinch creator: SEUSS.

19. Toughies: POSERS.

23. All __: including everything: TOLD.

28. One of the halogens: IODINE.

29. "Yes, yes, Dominique": OUI OUI.

30. __ Scurry, 1999 Women's World Cup championship U.S. team goalkeeper: BRIANA. Also new to me.

32. Evil intent: MALICE.

34. Brandy letters: VSO.

35. Siamese, e.g.: CAT.

36. Museum works: ART.

37. Online program: WEBCAST.

40. 2001 Peace Prize sharer Annan: KOFI. Graduated from Macalester College here in MN.

43. Poem of loss: ELEGY.

45. Hospital supply: PLASMA.

46. Word with best or book: SELLER.

47. Cars in jams, say: IDLERS.

49. "Star Trek" franchise Klingon: WORF. Drew a blank.

50. 2012 Best Picture: ARGO.

53. DH's stat: RBI.

55. Former 49ers coach Bill: WALSH.

57. Nix: VETO.

58. Bakery workers: ICERS.

60. Alpine goats: IBEXES.

61. Monterey neighbor: CARMEL. Clint Eastwood was their mayor ages ago. Jesse Ventura was the mayor of our Brooklyn Park before I came here.

62. Old-time cinemas: RKOS.

63. Collection plate alternative: ALMS BOX.

67. French 101 verb: AVOIR.

68. Jockey strap: REIN.

69. "Auld Lang __": SYNE.

72. Dress (up) fancily: TOG.

74. Mosaic pieces: INLAYS.

75. Prevents, by law: ESTOPS.

77. Sherpa, commonly: NEPALI.

78. Suffix with ump-: TEEN.

79. Astaire and a singer: ADELES. "Hello, can you hear me?"

82. Survey category: AGE GROUP.

84. Fight stopper, for short: TKO.

85. Online response to humor: LOL.

86. Barely manage, with "out": EKE.

89. Disturb: AGITATE.

91. Most up in the air: IFFIEST.

92. Botches, with "up": LOUSES.

94. Option at the bagel shop: SESAME.

97. Forget to mention: OMIT.

98. Academic job security: TENURE.

99. Throw out: EVICT.

100. Its name is derived from Provençal words for "garlic" and "oil": AIOLI. So thick. What do you use the sauce for?

101. Stringed Asian instrument: SITAR.

103. Homes in the woods: NESTS.

104. Nonsense: TRIPE.

107. Engage in verbal jousting: SPAR.

109. In the distance: AFAR.

110. Marine hazard: EDDY.

111. Word with sleep or freeze: DEEP.

112. Pace with a wide range of speeds: TROT.

115. Guest in a team owner's skybox, often: VIP.

116. Eggy beverage: NOG.

C.C.

Sunday Janaury 26, 2020 Blake Slonecker

Theme:  "Em Dash" - EM is removed from each familiar phrase.

23. Tales of woe?: AIL ACCOUNTS. Email accounts.

25. Piggy bank?: CENT MIXER. Cement mixer.

39. Leave politics to wander?: ROVE FROM OFFICE. Remove from office.

48. App for getting a hip escort?: DIAL-UP MOD. Dial-up modem. Quite a few Ups in this grid: 54. Plug: STOP UP. 79. Ties: EVENS UP. 88. Really dug: ATE UP.

67. Precipitation not yet visible?: RAINS TO BE SEEN. Remains to be seen.

85. Mafia hopefuls' repressed personas?: INNER DONS. Inner demons.

92. Musty sheets?: OFFENSIVE LINEN. Offensive linemen.

108. Libertine on screen?: MOVIE RAKE. Movie remake. "libertine" always reminds me of Alec from "Tess of the d'Urbervilles". That's where I first learned the word.

111. Musical works for deep voices?: BASSY SUITES. Embassy suites.

I think this is Blake's first Sunday. And a nicely filled 140-worder. Congratulations!

I enjoyed this theme. The EM's are dropped in various spots. Fun phrases.

  

Across:

1. Sent regrets, say, briefly: RSVP'D.  Sometimes it's RSVP'ed.

6. Tank to go under: SCUBA.

11. Sweater predator: MOTH.

15. Morsel in a linguine sauce: CLAM. Easy to make.

19. Get around: ELUDE.

20. Upstanding: MORAL. Heard from Dennis the other day. He's doing fantastic.

21. Twistable treat: OREO.

22. "The Godfather" enforcer __ Brasi: LUCA. Sleeps with the fishes.

27. High hybrid stat.: MPG.

28. Organization for the 50+ crowd: AARP.

29. Train units: CARS.

31. Musical corps members: FIFERS.

32. Feminist poet Lorde: AUDRE. Read more here.  We also have 99. Writer Sontag: SUSAN.

34. Delicate fabric: LACE.

35. Explode: GO OFF.

37. Inflated accommodation: AIRBED.

44. Historian's Muse: CLIO.

45. The Emerald Isle: EIRE.

46. Attack: SET AT.

47. Yemeni port: ADEN.

51. __ Diego: SAN.

52. What some hounds follow: SCENT.

53. Fails to understand: CAN'T SEE.

58. Car dealer's offering: LEASE.

59. Kama __: SUTRA.

61. Illinois-to-Washington family: OBAMAS.

63. Early fur trader: ASTOR.

64. Tired routine: RUT.

70. Busy hosp. areas: ERS. They're building a new hospital in Wuhan in 10 days. During 2003 SARS pandemic, a basic emergency hospital was completed within a week.

71. Absinthe flavoring: ANISE. Star anise is a key ingredient in Five Spice powder.

73. Sarges' superiors: LOOIES.

74. English glam rockers since the '70s: SLADE.

76. Someone to pay?: PIPER. Oh, pay the piper.

77. Big bomb trials: N TESTS.

83. Cher and Che: ICONS.

84. Big __: SUR.

87. Artful: DEFT.

90. Sarah McLachlan hit: ADIA. Gimme for regulars.

91. Basic diamond trio: OUTS.

95. Metaphorical incentive: CARROT.

97. Part of TNT: NITRO.

98. Crimson rivals: ELIS.

100. Winter hanger: ICICLE. Look at the icy road in our mail box area.

103. Burt's Bees product: BALM.

104. Tap lineup: ALES.

105. Neruda wrote one to "things": ODE.

114. Scheme: PLAN.

115. Novelist Murdoch: IRIS.

116. Cyber Monday sector: E TAIL.

117. Tiptoe, say: CREEP. I walk like a penguin when I'm out.

118. Performed on karaoke night: SANG.

119. 'Tis the season: XMAS.

120. Currently: TODAY.

121. Quicker than is prudent: HASTY.

Down:

1. Copier supply unit: REAM.

2. Freudian __: SLIP.

3. One with unrefined tastes: VULGARIAN.

4. Peck in the park, briefly: PDA.

5. An era may be confined to one: DECADE.

6. Camping treat: S'MORE. Never had this.

7. Brilliant stroke: COUP.

8. One may be measured in cups: URN.

9. It's under Wayne Manor: BAT CAVE.

10. French border region: ALSACE.

11. Oft-beaded footwear: MOCS.

12. W. state whose largest city is named for a New England city: ORE. Named after Portland, Maine.

13. Perfect score, often: TEN.

14. Hurry, with "it": HOTFOOT.

15. Challenges for climbers: CLIFF FACES. Three F in a row.

16. Swanky: LUXE.

17. Taiwanese tech giant: ACER. Our monitor.

18. Rover's destination: MARS.

24. ID __: CARD.

26. Tick off: MIFF.

30. Ones crying foul?: REFS.

33. Curved fasteners: U BOLTS.

34. Leapers in a carol: LORDS.

35. Avoided unhappy consequences: GOT A PASS.

36. Muscat's land: OMAN.

37. "Back in Black" band: AC/DC.

38. Pelvic bones: ILIA.

39. Cristo Redentor city: RIO.

40. Job application component: RESUME.

41. Brainstorm: IDEATE.

42. Bleeping official: CENSOR.

43. Joins, as a club: ENTERS.

45. TV chef Lagasse: EMERIL."Kick it up a notch!"

49. Ones taking a lot of interest in their work?: USURERS. Real interest.

50. Org. that sued SeaWorld on behalf of orcas: PETA.

52. Libel, in speech: SLANDER.

55. Comedian Fields: TOTIE.

56. Orchestral winds: OBOES.

57. Milwaukee theater named for a brewer, with "the": PABST.

60. Spanish New Year: ANO NUEVO. Ours is Spring Festival. Tet for the Vietnamese. Seollal for Koreans. All in the same day.

62. One-named Tejano singer: SELENA.

64. Quick, in Quito: RAPIDO. And 90. Lively movement: ANIMATO.

65. Peace Prize-winning relief org.: UNICEF.

66. Hoops jump ball: TIP OFF.

68. "Couldn't agree more": SO TRUE.

69. Roof edge: EAVE.

72. It follows a guilty verdict: SENTENCING.

75. "Bewitched" witch: ENDORA.

78. A and B, on LPs: SIDES.

80. Harmony ruiners: SOUR NOTES. Great fill.

81. "Do __ others ... ": UNTO.

82. Sibilant attention-getter: PSST.

84. Soup step: STIR.

86. "Henry & June" diarist: NIN (Anais)

88. French comics series set in Gaul in 50 BC: ASTERIX. Learning moment for me.

89. Entreaty: PLEA.

93. River where down means north: NILE.

94. "Doubt it": I'LL BET.

95. Sticks by the pool table: CUES.

96. Per se: AS SUCH.

99. In a wily way: SLYLY.

100. Little handfuls: IMPS.

101. Royal Crown, for one: COLA.

102. "Terrible" leader: IVAN.

103. Téa's "Madam Secretary" role: BESS.

104. Home to most of the Silk Road: ASIA.

106. Ingredient in OFF!: DEET.

107. Best Upset, e.g.: ESPY.

109. Shot spot: ARM.

110. Soul supplier: KIA.

112. Blue: SAD.

113. Glass of NPR: IRA.

As Jayce mentioned, yesterday was Chinese Spring Festival. People in Guangzhou like to buy special flowers and golden orange trees for Spring Festival. Supposed to bring good luck. 

The big flower markets were closed earlier this year due to the coronavirus. People wear face masks wherever they go. And the face masks are in short supply.  

My friend Carmen sent me this picture. Very pretty, right? All her family gatherings and outings have been canceled.

蝴蝶兰 (Empress Orchids) & Golden Oranges

Sunday January 10, 2020 Pam Amick Klawitter

Theme:  "Flight of Fancy" - Part of each familiar phrase is replaced by a sound-alike bird name.

27A. Museum piece depicting a songbird battle?: WREN WAR PAINTING. Renoir painting.

40A. Turkey concerned with the details?: TECHNICAL FOWL. Technical foul.

65A. Supply for a bird-of-prey flu epidemic?: ILL EAGLE DRUGS. Illegal drugs.

84A. Target audience for squawkdates.com?: SINGLE PARROTS. Single parent.

103A. Troupe of pink entertainers?: FLAMINGO DANCERS. Flamenco dancer.
  
16D Where seabirds grab buses?: PETREL STATIONS. Petrol station.

47D. Bird skilled at long hoops shots?: THREE-POINT TERN. Three-point turn.

Hey, I got all the original phrases without asking D-Otto. Success!

This type if theme is the hardest for me as sometimes the replacement is a full homophone, sometimes it's just sound-alike. But they're all so imaginative.

Across:

1. Col. Potter on "M*A*S*H," to pals: SHERM. Sherman T. Potter.

6. Where Biles balances: BEAM. The amazing Simone Biles.

10. GQ stat: CIRC. Circulation.

14. Jokes around: JAPES.

19. Anne of "Psycho" (1998): HECHE.

20. Something up your sleeve: ULNA. Fresh clue angle.

21. Sign of hollowness: ECHO.

22. Idaho's Coeur d'__ River: ALENE.

23. 1944 Italian beachhead: ANZIO. No idea. It's south of Rome.

24. Standing lead-in: LONG. Long-standing.

25. Broadway lighter: NEON.

26. Terra __: COTTA.

30. Tabloid-worthy: LURID.

31. Key fruit: LIME.

32. Grafton of mystery: SUE. And 80. "__ for Innocent": Grafton: I IS.

33. Mexican menu meat: CARNE.

34. Bayou sound: ZYDECO. What does this word mean?

35. Pageant accessories: SASHES.

37. "Hulk" star Eric: BANA.

38. Games go-with: FUN.

39. KFC choice: LEG. KFC entered Xi'an market around 1992. McDonald's a decade later. But Xi'an now has Uniqlo and Muji. I bet most of you still don't have those two in your area.

44. Ed.'s inbox fillers: MSS.

45. Oregon city namesake: ASTOR.

48. Bank acct. item: INT.

49. Reach, finally: END UP AT.

51. "High Hopes" lyricist: CAHN (Sammy)

52. Quietly keeps in the loop: BCCS.

54. Dugout sight: MITT.

56. Khan of Rufus: CHAKA.

59. Item in a Blackpool boot: TYRE. Not familiar with this British city.

60. Massage response: AAH.

61. Spot for an icicle: EAVE.

62. Rockies roamers: WAPITIS.

64. Find a purpose for: USE.

68. Cards with pics: IDS. Star Tribune said only that 10% of the Minnesotans have applied for Real IDs.

69. Like Purell-treated hands: ASEPTIC.

71. "Archie's Pals 'n' __": old comic book series: GALS.

72. El Al's home: Abbr.: ISR.

73. Tip-top: A ONE.

74. World Golf Hall of Famer Nancy: LOPEZ. She used to appear regularly at the 3M Champions Tour event. Annika was there also.


75. Frees (of): RIDS.

76. __ jure: by the law itself: IPSO.

77. Genetic chains: RNAS. Spell check does not like the plural form.

78. Soapbox address: ORATION.

81. Blood pressure raiser: IRE. Not mine. Nothing raises mine. Absurd. I eat pickled stuff almost every day.

82. Talks like Daffy: LISPS.

83. Knight supporter?: PIP. Gladys Knight.

89. __ star: TIN.

90. Is afflicted with: HAS.

91. Those, south of the border: ESOS.

92. Vital lines: AORTAS.

95. Bluff and bluster: HOT AIR.

97. "Now you've done it!": I'M MAD.

99. Lane target: PIN. Bowling.

100. Snack with a Green Tea version in China and Japan: OREO. Nailed it.

102. Fighters: ANTIS.

106. Runs rampant: TEEMS.

107. Panelist Love of "The Real": LONI. Learning moment for me also.

108. It's high in France: ALPE.

109. MGM motto ender: ARTIS.

110. Sleeper's option: SERTA. Hey, we fixed our box spring undercover fiasco with tacks rather than those hard-to-operate staple guns. D-Otto just knows everything. 

111. "More than a beauty company" company: AVON.

112. Gritty film genre: NOIR.

113. Persian faith: BAHAI.

114. Uncertain ending words: OR NOT.

115. Titanic problem: BERG.

116. Virtually never loses to: OWNS. Oh, like owns the game.

117. Well past its prime: STALE.

Down:

1. Prayer garment: SHAWL.

2. Matisse and Rousseau: HENRIS.

3. Aloe target: ECZEMA.

4. Imitation gem: RHINESTONE. Great fill.

5. "Where's my cat treat?": MEOW.

6. Plant associated with the infant Moses: BULRUSH.

7. Tie the knot on the run: ELOPE.

8. "Frozen" princess: ANNA.

9. Performance with tricks: MAGIC ACT.

10. Primary: CENTRAL.

11. Trap during winter: ICE IN. Lots of snow here on Friday/Saturday. 

12. River at Avignon: RHONE.

13. D.C. group: CONG. Just short for "congress".

14. She played Kelly on "Charlie's Angels": JACLYN (Smith)

15. One way to read: ALOUD.

17. Baits: ENTICES.

18. Salty sort: SEA DOG.  Salt-y.  Boomer is jealous of Spitzboov's white uniform.

28. "Just wait __!": A SEC.

29. Baby spoiler, often: NANA.

34. Last letter in radio lingo: ZULU. And 36. That ship: HER. All for Spitzboov, who uses "Brave Zulu" at times.

37. Hoppers: BINS.

38. Email abbr.: FWD.

41. __ market: NICHE.

42. Threw a party for: FETED.

43. N.Y. neighbor: ONT.

44. Half a luau serving?: MAHI. Huge.

45. Real: ACTUAL.

46. Tells it like it is: SAYS SO.

50. HMO doctor designations: PCPS. Primary care physicians.

52. Java neighbor: BALI.

53. H.S. math course: CALC.

54. Etail alternatives: MALLS. I just want Uniqlo to come to Minnesota. This is the best I've worn. So comfy. It's like you're wearing nothing.

55. Currier's partner: IVES.

57. Take badly?: KIDNAP.

58. Take stock of: ASSESS.

61. "Yikes!": EGAD.

62. Gutless one: WUSS.

63. Farming prefix: AGRO.

65. Chichén __: Mayan ruins: ITZA. Hahtoolah was there.

66. Kept in a cask, say: AGING.

67. Not as green: RIPER.

70. APB subject: PERP.

73. Upper crust type: ARISTOCRAT.

75. Hermione's guy: RON. "Harry Potter".

76. Nest egg plans: IRAS.

79. Royal until 1917: TSAR.

81. Music player with many generations: IPOD NANO.

82. Ptr. paper size: LTR.

83. Initiate: PIONEER.

85. Legendary migrator: LEMMING. Forgot. We had him before.

86. "Ozark" actor Morales: ESAI.

87. 2020 Vegas NFLers, if the new stadium is ready: RAIDERS.

88. Chaplin of "Game of Thrones": OONA.

89. "Oh, really?": THAT SO.

90. Warn, feline-style: HISS AT.

93. "Queen of Soul": ARETHA.

94. "To be continued" story: SERIAL.

96. "We __ please": AIM TO.

97. Valentine message words: I LOVE.

98. Estate centerpiece: MANOR.

99. Drop by: POP IN.

101. Actor Davis: OSSIE.

103. Trainer's concern: FLAB.

104. What embers do: GLOW.

105. Arrests: NABS.

C.C.

Dear Agnes lost her older sister Anne on January 11. May you rest in peace, Anne! 

Agnes also developed some eye issues. Constantly tearing. It'll probably take a few more days for the artificial tear to work its magic. Get well soon, Agnes! We need you on the blog.

L-R: Anne, Agnes, Eileen, Mary, and Peggy. March 2019

Sunday January 12, 2020 David Alfred Bywaters

Theme: "Up Above" - Up is added to front of each theme entry.

  

3. Like many characters in 22-Across?: UPSET TO MUSIC. And 22. Mozart works: OPERAS. One more cross-reference: 24. Mozart works for 22-Across: OVERTURES.

12. Fashion house employee?: UPSCALE MODEL. Scale model.

14. Belt firms?: UPHOLDING COMPANIES. Holding companies.

25. Some online forum posts?: UPLOADED QUESTIONS. Loaded questions.

28. Like an enthusiastic shrubbery salesperson?: UPBEAT ABOUT THE BUSH. Beat about the bush.

 

63. Unwanted piano key noise?: UPRIGHT CLICK. Right-click.

66. Niacin and protein, say?: UPSIDE OF BEEF. Side of beef.

Great visual! We don't often see theme entries placed in Down entries, unless the theme itself dictates, with reveals like DOWN *, or * FALLS.

One of the simple themes from David. His puzzles often have tricky wordplay.

Across:

1. Cozy: SNUG.

5. Dublin-based air conditioner company: TRANE. Ours is Rheem.

10. Fontaine filler: EAU. French "Fountain". Also 40. Fromage hue: BLEU.

13. Red and blue: PURPLE.

19. Sulk: MOPE.

20. Seriously flirt with: HIT ON.

21. Matterhorn or Jungfrau: ALP.

23. Informally formal entry announcement: IT'S I.

26. "Friends" friend: PHOEBE. "Smelly Cat".

27. "Friday I'm in Love" group: THE CURE.

29. Google __: MAPS. And 47. Google __: EARTH.

30. Rival of J.H. and W.K. Kellogg: CW POST. Post Cereals.

32. From bottom __: TO TOP.

33. Hiker's path: TRAIL.

35. Hall with Oates: DARYL.

36. Clear (of): RID.

39. Ambulance worker, briefly: EMT.

42. Unhappily unaccompanied: LONELY.

44. Holder of rays: DAISY. Can't wait to see this again.

46. Modernist's prefix: NEO.

49. Staff helper: AIDE.

50. Big finish: FINALE.

51. Intend: MEAN.

53. Bad sort whose second syllable is often dropped: HOODLUM. Hood.

55. Hart part: ANTLER.

56. Incisively sarcastic: CAUSTIC.

59. Intl. supporter of the arts: UNESCO. My pal Lesley (the Guangzhou girl) was in Xi'an last week. She went to this UNESCO site of course.

60. Metric wts.: KGS.

61. "__ luego": HASTA.

62. Enticed: LURED.

64. Like some ancient Icelandic works: EDDIC.

66. Strike caller: UMP.

69. Bigeye or yellowfin: AHI.

70. Appliance alert: BEEP.

72. Times and Herald, in NYC: SQS. Squares.

74. 21-year-old currency: EURO.

75. Taro dish: POI. Never tried poi. I bet I'll love it, since I love taro.

76. U.S. org. chaired by the president: NSC.

77. Aerosol targets: ODORS.

79. Eurasian range: URALS.

81. Surveying partner of Dixon: MASON. Oh, the Mason–Dixon line guys.

83. Area __: RUG.

84. They may abut peninsulas: INLETS.

86. "Kim" author: KIPLING.

88. Scold: BERATE.

91. Loses it: GOES APE. Surprise to see GONE PRO (100. Surrendered amateur status).

93. Incursion: RAID.

94. Calendar listings: EVENTS.

95. Search: HUNT.

96. Name after Paul or before Peter: SIMON.

98. Chicken source ... and product: EGG. We also have 124. Chicken choice: BREAST.

101. Often perpendicular measure: DEPTH.

102. Get to: ATTAIN.

104. Hindu princess: RANI.

105. Conquistador's treasure: ORO. The Korean "gold" is just "Kim", like Kim Jong-un.

106. Significant period: ERA.

107. The "Iliad" and the "Odyssey": EPICS.

109. Like some cookies: OATEN.

111. Impish: ELFIN. Spitzboov, do you have a childhood picture to share with us?

113. Submit a new invoice to: RE-BILL.

115. No longer fooled by: ONTO.

116. Render nonfunctional: DISABLE.

118. "Absolutely!": SO TRUE.

120. Mutton dish: IRISH STEW. Here is a well-known Xi'an mutton dish (Paomo).

123. Rightmost menu, often: HELP.

125. CO rank: COL.

126. Northeast express train: ACELA.

127. One in the headlights?: DEER.

128. 1994 Grammy Lifetime Achievement awardee: ARETHA.

129. Way in: KEY.

130. Grandmas: NANAS.

131. "In that case ... ": IF SO.

Down:

1. In love: SMITTEN.

2. Off somewhere: NOT HOME.

4. Insurance giant: GEICO.

5. Son of Odin: THOR.

6. Rosie, notably: RIVETER. The only one I know.

7. Consumed: ATE.

8. Marilyn's birth name: NORMA. So pretty.

9. Involve: ENTAIL.

10. Rabbit __: EARS.

11. Pub order: ALE.

13. "Row on row" blower in a classic poem: POPPY.

15. Flying Clouds, e.g.: REOS.

16. Like some court motions: PRE-TRIAL.

17. Workplace with tests: LAB. I was very nervous last November when Boomer's PSA went up. Dr. Nina calmed me down. Dr. Downs also said it's normal for the numbers to fluctuate. He said he has another patient whose prostate cancer metastasized to the bone. The guy's PSA number was 50 for six consecutive months. They had a bone scan but found no more bad cells.  

18. Salem-to-Boise dir.: ESE.

31. Twisted: WRY.

34. Bible book: RUTH.

35. Emulate Columbo: DEDUCE. The detective.

37. Many a map dot: ISLE.

38. Garment worker: DYER.

41. Social activist Guinier: LANI.

43. Good name for a Swedish soccer goalie?: NILS. Cute clue.

45. Picnic invaders: ANTS.

48. Time piece: HOUR.

50. Muslim mendicant: FAKIR. Wiki says it's Arabic for "poverty". And it refers to "a Sufi Muslim ascetic who has taken vows of poverty and worship, renouncing all relations and possessions. Fakirs are prevalent in the Middle East and South Asia. A fakir is thought to be self-sufficient and possesses only the spiritual need for God".

52. Ga. winter hours: EST.

54. People: ONES.

56. Sleuth Charlie known for aphorisms: CHAN.

57. Sighed lines: AAHS.

58. Jazz singer Laine: CLEO. Dame.

65. Gloaming: DUSK.

67. Tidal influence: MOON.

68. Send a text to: PING.

71. Borders: EDGES.

73. Span. title: SRTA.

78. Prominent noses: SNOUTS.

80. Nile serpents: ASPS.

82. Muhammad with gloves: ALI.

83. Tirade: RANT.

85. Horne or Headey: LENA.

87. Golfer's choice: IRON.

88. Old historian of older Britain: BEDE. The Venerable Bede.

89. One or more times: EVER.

90. Witty exchange: REPARTEE. You can find it our Comments section.

92. Hibernia: EIRE.

97. South African liberator: MANDELA.

99. Ornamental front ends: GRILLES.

102. Feel sick: AIL.

103. Revolutionary Hale: NATHAN.

108. Michelangelo masterpiece: PIETA.

110. Puccini masterpiece: TOSCA.

112. "Well, __-dah!": LAH-DI.

114. Part of Q.E.D.: ERAT.

115. Unctuous: OILY.

117. "As __ saying ... ": I WAS.

118. Entrepreneur-helping org.: SBA.

119. Bruins legend: ORR.

121. Shad spawn: ROE.

122. Half a score: TEN.

Sunday January 5, 2020 David Kwong

Theme: "Initial Offerings" - The initials of each three-word entry are also contained in each theme entry.
  
23. When the Commodore 64 computer was released: NINETEEN EIGHTY TWO. (Thanks, Owen).
     
30. World capital since 1931: NEW DELHI, INDIA. Steve traveled their for business once. Toxic smog.

52. 1982 Physical Tour singer: OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN.

67. "Excuse me ... ": PARDON THE INTERRUPTION.

85. What a shutout lowers: EARNED RUN AVERAGE.

104. Capital near Siena College: ALBANY,  NEW YORK. Two places in our theme set.

116. Highest grossing movie of 1980, with "The": EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

I like EARNED RUN AVERAGE answer the best as ERA is an common abbreviations, very apt initial.

So nice to see David Kwong's byline. He's a magician and a fantastic crossword constructor.

Across:

1. Extra NHL periods: OTS.

4. Official order: EDICT.

9. Prefix suggesting savings: ECONO.

14. Weightlifting units: REPS.

18. Like a nonexistent chance: FAT.

19. Provides an excuse: ALIBIS. Did not know it's also a verb.

20. Queen Amidala's "Star Wars" home: NABOO. Forgot. We had this before. We also have 112. Lucas droid: ARTOO.

21. Rink move: AXEL.

22. Christmas buy: FIR.

26. Clean Air Act org.: EPA.

27. Eye drop: TEAR.

28. Looks for prints: DUSTS.

29. Driveway hoops game: H-O-R-S-E. Unfamiliar to me.

34. Bart Simpson's grandma: MONA. We see ABE more often.

35. One might be slipped: DISC.

36. California's Santa __ River: ANA.

37. Character who said about her father, "Yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself": REGAN. Sounds like Rich's clue.

40. Amigo of Fidel: CHE.

43. Doctrines: ISMS.

47. Tennis great: ASHE.

50. Hood: GANGSTER.

57. Corrida participant: TORO.

58. Bug: NAG.

59. Novel makeup: PROSE.

60. Prey for a Hauskatze: MAUS. Gimme for Spitzboov. Hauskatze is house cat in German. We also have 51. German town: STADT.

61. Starchy roots: TAROS. I love taros. You can find taro cakes in some dim sum places.

62. Card game shout: UNO.

63. "Cotton Candy" jazzman: HIRT (Al)

64. Defeat: LICK.

65. Low-pH stuff: ACID.

74. Son of Seth: ENOS.

75. "Gigi" playwright: LOOS (Anita)

76. Assures, as a win: ICES.

77. Cal Poly campus site, initially: SLO. OK, San Luis Obispo.

78. Zoo features: CAGES.

81. "Beloved" novelist Morrison: TONI.

82. Lab dish eponym: PETRI.

83. Give the chance to: LET.

84. Word on a bill: UNUM.

89. Place to get a lift: SKI SLOPE.

91. Aspiring atty.'s exam: LSAT.

92. Sushi roll wrap: NORI. I like these hand rolls. Sometimes I spread a thin layer of wasabi inside.

93. Camera move: PAN.

94. Ahead: ON TOP.

96. Personal quirk: TIC.

98. Org. giving G's and R's: MPAA.

102. Declines: EBBS.

110. Stiller's partner: MEARA.

114. Quick reminder: MEMO.

115. Hindu title: SRI.

120. X, at times: TEN.

121. Cut out: OMIT.

122. Attach with twine: TIE ON.

123. Unsettling looks: STARES.

124. Bread grain: OAT. Never tried oatmeal bread.

125. Living __: WAGE.

126. Professional gps.: ASSNS.

127. One of the vitals: PULSE.

128. With 87-Down, fairly: PRO. 87. See 128-Across: RATA.

Down:

1. Insult: OFFEND.

2. National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall site: TAIPEI. Gimme.

3. Soda shop supply: STRAWS.

4. Architect Saarinen: ELIEL.

5. Alice's cat: DINAH.

6. Andorra's region: IBERIA.

7. Op. __: CIT.

8. Half a fly: TSE.

9. Ho-hum feeling: ENNUI.

10. Type of salad: CAESAR.

11. Parting words?: OBIT.

12. Quaffs with punch: NOGS. Eggnogs.

13. Massage reaction: OOH.

14. Ersatz silk: RAYON.

15. Tool for removing broken screws: EXTRACTOR. Do you have this in your tool box, TTP/D-Otto?

16. Seats arranged in rows: PEWS.

17. Shrub with a purple fruit: SLOE.

19. Chip in a pot: ANTE.

24. Baseball Hall of Famer Roush: EDD.

25. Beachwear for the immodest: THONG.

31. Lowest multiple of CLI that fits in this space: DCIV. Wow, can anyone explain this to me?

32. Thunderstruck: IN AWE. I'm in awe of the above clue.

33. Creator of the GOP elephant: NAST (Thomas)

34. "Death in Venice" author: MANN.

38. Freudian topics: EGOS.

39. "Dilbert" cry: GAH.

41. Subway fare?: HERO.

42. God with a quiver: EROS.

44. Drawing tools: SIPHONS.

45. First quarterback to exceed 5,000 passing yards in a season: MARINO (Dan)

46. Derisive sounds: SNORTS.

48. Superfamily including gibbons: HOMINOIDS.

49. Makes into law: ENACTS.

52. "Movin' __": '70s-'80s sitcom theme song: ON UP.

53. "Smallville" character: LANA.

54. Horror film helper: IGOR.  "Young Frankenstein".

55. O.T. queen: ESTH.

56. Artful dodge: JUKE. Learning moment for me.

61. More under the influence: TIPSIER.

64. Soccer great Messi: LIONEL. FC Barcelona. Has anyone shopped via Rakuten?

65. Inverse trig function: ARCTAN.

66. Big name in tequila: CUERVO. Wiki says Jose CuervoIt is "the best-selling tequila in the world".

68. Thinks: DEEMS.

69. SpaceX CEO Musk: ELON. One of the Most Admired Men in 2019.

70. Nothing, in Nantes: RIEN.

71. Madonna's "La __ Bonita": ISLA.

72. Cassini of fashion: OLEG.

73. Reference book reference: NOTE.

78. Verge: CUSP.

79. "Lonely Boy" singer: ANKA.

80. Testing subject: GUINEA PIG. Nice fill.

81. Palm smartphone: TREO.

82. World leader who's a judo black belt: PUTIN.

85. Long times: EONS.

86. Pertinent: APT.

88. Frost-covered: RIMY.

90. Kind of pneumonia: LOBAR.

95. Benefactor: PATRON.

97. One of two in a crash: CYMBAL.

99. Recovery place: POST-OP.

100. Overdue debt more commonly pluralized: ARREAR. True

101. Quite a bit like: AKIN TO.

103. Shiny, in product names: BRITE. Love this lint roller.

105. Butcher shop cuts: LOINS.

106. __ choy: BOK. With oyster sauce.

107. Is closer to reaching: NEARS.

108. Run the show: EMCEE.

109. Bowl-shaped pans: WOKS.

110. "I'm ready to come in now": MEOW.

111. John's first partner on American TV's "The Avengers": EMMA (Peel)

112. Clearance item caveat: AS IS.

113. Highways: Abbr.: RTES.

117. Bus sched. letters: ETA.

118. FRA neighbor, to the IOC: ESP. France. España.

119. Onetime Beatle Sutcliffe: STU.

C.C.