google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Sunday

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Showing posts with label Sunday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunday. Show all posts

Mar 8, 2020

Sunday March 8, 2020 Robin Stears

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. __ copy: CARBON.

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

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

20. Bagel Bites brand: ORE-IDA.

21. Nostalgic numbers: OLDIES.

22. Cradlesong: LULLABY.

25. Everywhere: ALL OVER.

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

27. Longings: YENS.

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

31. __ dixit: unproven claim: IPSE.

32. They're selective: CHOOSERS.

33. Tricolor cats: CALICOS.

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


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

38. Folklore pests: IMPS.

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

44. Darts: FLITS.

47. Least ludicrous: SANEST.

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

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


56. Stable girls: MARES.

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

59. Sell in a hurry: UNLOAD.

61. James Patterson hero __ Cross: ALEX.

62. Playful swimmer: OTTER.

64. Put to work: UTILIZE.

74. Home to Purdue: INDIANA.

75. Like a hawk: AVIAN.

76. Altar attire: ALBS.

77. Revealing type: GOSSIP.

81. Bother a lot: NAG.

82. Nocturnal dorm annoyance: SNORE.

83. Longtime SeaWorld star: SHAMU.

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


92. Source of a movie poster quote: REVIEW.

94. Place to stay: MOTEL.

95. Romanov royals: TSARS.

97. Pitcher and poker pro Hershiser: OREL.

98. Portuguese pronoun: ELA.

100. Equinox mo.: SEP.

102. Song refrain: TRA LA LA.

106. Defamatory: LIBELOUS.

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



112. Dwarf planet formerly known as Xena: ERIS.

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

117. Pablo's last word: ADIOS.

118. Like the moons Titania and Oberon: URANIAN.

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


123. Make bubbly: AERATE.

124. __ Pieces: REESE'S.

125. Came out: EMERGED.

126. Tuning shortcut: PRESET.

127. Art supporters: EASELS.

Down:

1. __ dust: COSMIC.

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



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

4. They don't cover much: BIKINIS.

5. Hopkins' "Thor" role: ODIN.

6. Tandoori bread: NAN.

7. Is sweet on: LOVES.

8. Dior skirts: A-LINES.

9. Pledges that end an engagement: I DOS.

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



11. They may be gnashed or gritted: TEETH.

12. Path lead-in: OSTEO.

13. Go by: ELAPSE.

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

15. Not as healthy: ILLER.

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

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



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

19. Brontë heroine: EYRE.

24. Plaster of Paris component: GYPSUM.

29. Bite: MORSEL.

31. I as in Iris: IOTA.

32. Seabiscuit, once: COLT.

34. Butts: CIGS.

36. Starts to dicker, maybe: OFFERS.

39. Blanc who voiced Bugs: MEL.

40. Chi follower: PSI.

41. HI and OK: STS. States.

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



45. Letters for short people?: IOU.

46. Spike TV, formerly: TNN.

48. Film part: AUDIO.

49. Early luthier family name: AMATI.

50. Eagle claw: TALON.

51. Slip eponym: FREUD. Freudian slip.

53. Due: OWED.

54. Musical "phone" namesake: SOUSA.

57. Nov. celebrant: EX-GI.

60. Sorting aid on an env.: ATTN.

62. Yes-__ question: OR NO.

63. Done for: TOAST.

65. Freddie Mac purchase: LOAN.

66. Aptly named cooler maker: IGLOO.

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

68. Twisty turns: ESSES.

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

71. Snarl: TANGLE.

72. Mendes and Perón: EVAS.

73. Oxygen's atomic number: EIGHT.

78. Djibouti language: SOMALI.

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

80. Tire-changing spot: PIT.

82. Toxin fighters: SERA.

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

84. Yon yacht: HER.

85. One of 17 Monopoly props.: AVE.

86. Hat designer: MILLINER.

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



89. __ projection: ASTRAL.

90. "I __ you!": DARE.

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

96. Heavy hammers: SLEDGES.

99. Listed at sea: LEANED.

101. Dress size: PETITE.

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

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

105. Do taxing work?: ASSESS.

107. Cupcake topper: ICING.

108. Ready in the keg: ON TAP.

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

111. Fjord, for one: INLET.

113. Antidote: CURE.

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

115. Church part: NAVE.

116. Flight sked info: ETAS.

117. In the Red?: ASEA.

120. Middle of a memorable palindrome: ERE.

121. Extreme umbrage: IRE.





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

C.C.

Mar 1, 2020

Sunday March 1, 2020 Mike Torch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Across:

1. They cross in sights: HAIRS.

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

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

19. Store, as fodder: ENSILE.

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

22. In-groups: ELITES.

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

26. Passport extension, say: RENEWAL.

28. Lacking face value: NO-PAR.

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



30. Granola tidbit: OAT.

31. Bookmarked item: PAGE.

33. Official motorcade protection: ESCORT.

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


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

46. Transvaal settlers: BOERS.

47. More in order: NEATER.

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

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

53. Orbital point: APOGEE.

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

56. Give an address: ORATE.

60. Frozen Wasser: EIS. Ice.

61. Unilever men's brand: BRUT.


62. Check writers: PAYERS.

63. Surgical inserts: STENTS.

65. Biological groups: TAXA. Singular is TAXON.

66. Not rented: UNLET.

67. "__ español?": HABLA.

70. Thin batteries: AAAS.

72. Pats or Jags: NFL-ERS.

74. Roof window: DORMER.


75. It parallels the radius: ULNA.

76. Blood test letters: HDL. Good cholesterol.

81. Supply: STOCK.

82. WWII threats: U BOATS.

84. Starts the pool game: BREAKS.

85. Cactus features: SPINES.

86. One may be common: NOUN.

87. Rhythm instrument usually played in pairs: MARACA.


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

90. Banks on a runway: TYRA.

91. Nocturnal acronym: REM.

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

101. Fair-hiring letters: EOE.

102. Two-handled Greek vase: AMPHORA.

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

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

115. Tot's foot: TOOTSY.

117. Elemental variant: ISOTOPE.

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

119. Gamer's venue: ARCADE.

120. Ski report highlight: NEW SNOW.

121. Softens: EASES.

Down:

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

2. Temper: ANNEAL.

3. Knows about: IS ONTO.

4. Disney World attraction: RIDE.

5. Side for a dog: SLAW.

6. Commanded: LED.

7. "Lose Yourself" rapper: EMINEM.

8. Barcelona bull: TORO.

9. Part of a process: STEP.

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


11. Between, to Berlioz: ENTRE.

12. It may be inflated: EGO.

13. Ben-Hur portrayer: HESTON (Charlton)

14. Stomach woe: ULCER.

15. Armed forces units: MILITIAS.

16. Heaps: A TON.

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

18. Concerning: AS TO.

20. Went by: ELAPSED.

25. Indy competitor: RACER.

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

32. Road trip need: GAS.

34. Wintry pellets: SLEET.

36. Boundary: ABUTTAL.

37. Musical pitch: TONE.

38. Tied up at the harbor: IN PORT.

39. Bright signs: NEONS.

40. Lady of song: GAGA.

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



45. X-ray doses: RADS.

48. Thrice, in Rx's: TER.

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

51. Gofer guy: ERRAND BOY.

53. Sheltered, at sea: ALEE.

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

55. Multi-purpose vehicle, briefly: UTE.

57. Playground retort: CAN SO.

58. Toondom's Olive: OYL.

59. Key: ISLET.

62. Knitting loops: PURLS.

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

67. What the Wonderland caterpillar smokes: HOOKAH.


68. Sounds from pounds: ARFS.

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

71. Fifth Avenue retailer: SAKS.

73. Pond dweller: EFT.

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

76. Pursuit: HUNT.

78. President who appointed Justice Kagan: OBAMA.

79. Educ. basics: R R R.

80. Toll: PEAL.

81. Hand measurement: SPAN.

83. Cursed thing: ANATHEMA.

85. Greet informally: SAY HI TO.

87. Fox of "Transformers": MEGAN.


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

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

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

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


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

95. Rumple: TOUSLE.

96. "Absolutely!": YES YES.

98. Refined: HONED.

99. Entourage: POSSE.

102. Utah ski resort: ALTA.

103. "Jerry Maguire" actor Jay: MOHR.

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

106. Put in a hold: STOW.

107. Watches tykes: SITS.

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

110. Cooked: DONE.

111. Slugger Sammy: SOSA.

113. Hubbub: DIN.

114. Red-berried tree: YEW.

C.C.



Feb 23, 2020

Sunday February 23, 2020 John-Clark Levin

Theme: "Herd Mentality" - Each common phrase is reinterpreted as if one of the words is a collective noun for animals.

23. Ants in the British colonies?: CONTINENTAL ARMY. Army of ants.

37. Fish attending Mass?: CATHOLIC SCHOOL. School of fish.

45. Lions marching event?: PRIDE PARADE. Pride of lions.

63. Whales' sorely lacking veggie supply?: TWO PEAS IN A POD. Pods of whales.
 
80. Wolves from Lower Manhattan?: BATTERY PACK. Pack of wolves.

89. Bats living in an old Chrysler?: PLYMOUTH COLONY. Colony of bats.

106. Crows sailing from Ethiopia to Egypt?: MURDER ON THE NILE. Murder of crows.

This seems to be the first Sunday LAT puzzle for John. He had two weekly puzzles published last year. Congrats, John.

Lots of collective nouns. Some are not workable. Some are not common. John gave us a good set.
 
Across:

1. Small Mercedes sedan: A CLASS. Gimme for Dennis.

7. Golf match equalizer: HANDICAP. Rich Norris, our editor, used to be a scratch golfer.

15. Less risky: SAFER.

20. Lighthearted: BLITHE.

21. Cheerio relative: AU REVOIR. Zai Jian.


22. Yearn for: CRAVE.

25. Drove at Indy: RACED.

26. Tentative agreement: I GUESS SO.

27. Baton Rouge-to-Jackson dir.: NNE.

28. "Great" Russian czar: PETER I.

29. Sun Devils' sch.: ASU.

30. Updike's "Rabbit Redux," e.g.: Abbr.: SEQ. Sequel.

31. Tennis immortal: ASHE.

33. Dull opening?: DEE. Just the starting letter in Dull.

34. Gp. with a three-finger salute: BSA.

35. Listing: ATILT.

41. Baroque painter Guido: RENI. Wiki says he painted "Crucifixion of St. Peter".


42. Elvis sings it in "Blue Hawaii": ALOHA OE.

44. Sarcastic "So sad": BOO HOO.

47. Cataract surgery replacement: LENS.

48. Green-lights: OKS.

50. Edmond __: the Count of Monte Cristo: DANTES. I read that book in Chinese.


51. Large body of eau: MER.

52. Fiscal execs: CFOS.

54. Pope's jurisdiction: HOLY SEE.

57. Reason for a star: HEROISM.

61. Juno, to Socrates: HERA. Roman/Greek.

62. Punk subgenre: EMO.

67. Goof: ERR.

68. Pringles alternative: LAYS.

70. Nestlé candy with a white covering: SNO CAPS.

71. "Shoulda listened to me!": I TOLD YA.

73. Cool, in '90s slang: PHAT.

74. LAPD unit?: LOS. Spelled out.

75. Madame's Spanish counterpart: SENORA.

77. Pale __: ALE.

78. Dilute: THIN.

85. Things to avoid: TABOOS.

87. Rangers' domains: FORESTS.

88. Wild plum: SLOE.

92. Whoopi's role in "The Color Purple": CELIE. Never saw the movie.


93. VCR button: REC.

94. Degree in math: NTH. Did our tax this year with TurboTax. Pretty sleek. Of course, I have a pro in Texas to guide me.

95. Tinged: HUED.

96. Texter's qualifier: IMO.

98. NBC show since 1975: SNL.

99. Gives the slip: EVADES.

101. Be on duty at, as a battle station: MAN.

102. Aids in DNA sequencing research: GENE MAPS.

105. Fathered: SIRED.

110. Orson Scott Card protagonist __ Wiggin: ENDER. "Ender's Game".

111. Documented: ON RECORD.

112. Swimwear fabric: TRICOT. Learning moment for me.

113. Short: TESTY.

114. Closed ecosystems: BIODOMES.

115. Net worth component: ASSETS.

Down:

1. "black-ish" airer: ABC.

2. Symbol of monastic life: CLOISTER.

3. Alfredo __, "Ratatouille" character named for a pasta: LINGUINI. Helpful clue.


4. Alaskan island invaded by Japan in WWII: ATTU.

5. Least likely to mingle: SHIEST.

6. Connotation: SENSE.

7. Brinker on skates: HANS.

8. Start to correct?: AUTO. Autocorrect.

9. Gun lobby org.: NRA.

10. __ Taco: DEL.

11. Scott classic: IVANHOE.

12. "Race Matters" author West: CORNEL. Unfamiliar to me.


13. Lyon lover's word: AIME.

14. Ask invasively: PRY.

15. Certain owl's howl: SCREECH.

16. "How now? __?": Hamlet: A RAT.

17. News source for millions: FACEBOOK FEED. Lots of great fill in this puzzle.

18. "Be it __ humble ... ": song lyric: EVER SO.

19. Phone button: REDIAL.

24. Law firm abbr.: ESQ.

28. Baja bar tender?: PESOS. Nice clue.

29. __ The Magazine: AARP. Soon they'll send me letters.

31. Just barely: A TAD.

32. Oxford, but not Cambridge: SHOE.

33. Mousetrap brand: D-CON.

36. 1970s Plumber: LIDDY. G. Gordon Liddy.


37. Exercise target: CORE.

38. Shouts of discovery: AHAS.

39. Madrid-based airline: IBERIA.

40. Moonshine: HOOCH.

42. Reuters apps alternative: AP NEWS.

43. Tardy with: LATE ON.

46. Down __: Maine nickname: EAST.

47. Writer Uris: LEON.

49. "My bad": SORRY.

51. ER scans: MRIS.

53. "Love Song" singer Bareilles: SARA.

54. Beatles album with a bang: HELP.

55. The Wizard of Oz's hometown: OMAHA. Really? I don't remember Omaha mentioned in the movie.

56. Rewards for regulars: LOYALTY CARDS. Does any of you have the Target RedCard?

57. Lukas of "Witness": HAAS.

58. Debatable "gift": ESP.

59. Small piano: SPINET.

60. General __: MOTORS. Hope Hyundai Santa Fe has big leg room. The Ford Escape was tough for Boomer to get in and out.

64. Refinement: POLISH.

65. Aspiring MBA's major: ECON.

66. Fishing boat: DORY.

69. Boiling sign: STEAM.

72. What a subscription renewal prevents: LAPSE.

75. WWII weapon: STEN.

76. Crafts website: ETSY.

78. Hypes: TOUTS.

79. Frozen planet in "The Empire Strikes Back": HOTH. Another learning moment for me.


80. Tree trunk: BOLE.

81. J.Lo's fiancé: A-ROD.

82. Pumpkin pie seasoning: ALL-SPICE.

83. Vending machine feature: COIN SLOT.

84. Underwater projection: KEEL.

86. Not even moist: BONE-DRY.

87. Based: FOUNDED.

89. Car radio button: PRESET.

90. Adam of Maroon 5: LEVINE.

91. Mexican horseman: CHARRO. Read more here. Mexican cowboy.

92. Rising stars: COMERS.

96. QB's pass to a CB, say: INT.

97. L.A. Philharmonic Conductor Emeritus: MEHTA (Zubin)

100. Tick-ing bomb?: DEET.

101. City bond, briefly: MUNI.

102. "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power" author: GORE.

103. Results: ENDS.

104. Spanish cordial: ANIS.

106. Rabble: MOB.

107. "The Name of the Rose" author: ECO.

108. __-com: ROM.

109. Presumed UFO crew: ETS.

Happy 81st birthday to dear Keith Fowler (Ol' Man Keith), the longest-living Fowler on record.
 

The 43rd American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (March 20-22, 2020) will be held at the Stamford Marriott in Stamford, Connecticut. 

Time to reserve your Cru Dinner again. As I mentioned before, the Cru Dinner officially kicks off the tournament and is a great opportunity to meet with constructors and fellow solvers. Will Shortz stopped by last year. The space is limited, so be sure to contact with Mike Alpern as soon as possible. Mike's email address is: alpernm@aol.com

More details can be found here.

Cru Dinner Celebrities, Will Shortz and Mike Alpern
 
Jeffrey Wechsler and Mike Alpern, ACPT, 3/23/2019
 

Feb 16, 2020

Sunday February 16, 2020 Ed Sessa

Theme: "Change for a Buck" - Anagrams of HORSE span across each theme entry.

26. *Ball game record: SCORE SHEET.

37. *One may be six feet long: HERO SANDWICH.

55. *Historic site in Paris' Latin Quarter: THE SORBONNE.

72. *Epithet for a fair British maiden: ENGLISH ROSE.

87. *Totally ripped: TORN TO SHREDS.
 
16D. *Car coolant carrier: RADIATOR HOSE.

61D. *Tourist's eye-opening experience, perhaps: CULTURE SHOCK.

Reveal:

102A. 1971 Stones hit, or what can be found in the answers to starred clues: WILD HORSES.

Great title. I'd be stumped and sent a SOS title help to Gary and D-Otto.

The key is to find different combinations of the letter HORSES and make sure they span across two more more words.

Lots of sparkly long fill in the grid, as it's expected from Ed, who's also an accomplished themeless constructor.

Across:

1. Ports in a storm: HAVENS.

7. Queens stadium namesake: ASHE.

11. HUN neighbor, to the IOC: CRO. Hungary. Croatia.

14. Wasn't indifferent: CARED.

19. Reading disorder: ALEXIA.

20. Car thief's contact: CHOP SHOP.

22. Cremona strings master: AMATI. Stradivarius' teacher. Sometimes we get STRAD in the grid.

23. How to handle fine china: GENTLY. Pretty tea cup.


24. "In your dreams!": NOT A HOPE.

25. Encouraged through chicanery: LED ON.

28. Was indebted to: OWED.

29. One way to solve crosswords: IN INK.

30. Nomadic Kenyans: MASAI. Maasai is the Wiki spelling.


31. Need an eraser, say: ERR.

33. __ New Guinea: PAPUA.

35. Near-eternity: AEON.

42. Asian holiday: TET.

45. Leveled, with "up": TRUED.

47. Like many indie films: ARTY.

48. Some interruptions: AHEMS.

49. Music to a matador's ears: OLE.

50. "Try it": TASTE THIS. That's baby yellow squash on the left.


53. Diner menu info: PRICE.

54. Apple starter: CRAN.


58. Indian title of respect: SAHIB.

59. Early Earth life forms: BACTERIA.

63. "The Great Dictator" Oscar nominee Jack: OAKIE. Oldie.

64. As an example: FOR ONE.

65. Either of two Indy 500 racers: AL UNSER.

66. Not fulfilled: UNMET.

67. Wanted poster listings: ALIASES.

68. Weaken: DILUTE.

69. Sheik's land, in song: ARABY.

70. Most ready for trouble: ALERTEST. And 76. Ready for trouble: ON THE BALL.

71. Baltic people: LETTS. FINNS too.

74. Burden: ONUS.

75. Yucatán "you": USTED.

81. __ Lingus: AER.

82. "The Jungle" author Sinclair: UPTON. A couple more authors:  94. "The Black Cat" author: POE. 110. "Rabbit" series author: UPDIKE.

83. Smoothie berry: ACAI.

85. Reliever's stat: SAVES.

86. Born, in some bios: NEE.

91. Woodwind piece: REED.

92. Courtroom pro: STENO.

95. Blood of the gods: ICHOR.

97. First name in furniture: ETHAN. There's an Ethan Allen in our neighborhood. The good old Slumberland was closed last year.

99. Intent look: GAZE.

107. Level and plane: TOOLS.

108. Mix thoroughly, as oil and vinegar: EMULSIFY.

111. Musician Minaj: NICKI.

112. Poppycock: NONSENSE.

113. E Street Band notable Van Zandt: STEVEN.  Wiki says he plays plays guitar and mandolin for the band.


114. Hydrocarbon group: ALKYL.

115. Enjoy a run, perhaps: SKI.

116. Director's challenges: EGOS.

117. Most affected by a workout: SOREST.

Down:

1. Baddies with pointy hats: HAGS.

2. Actor Guinness: ALEC.

3. Like cobras, but not pythons: VENOMOUS.

4. Web system allowing outside access: EXTRANET. Only knew INTRANET.

5. Frasier's brother: NILES.


6. Obeys a stick-wielding doctor: SAYS AH.

7. Bad marks in high school?: ACNE.

8. "If it fits" item: SHOE.

9. Most popular: HOTTEST.

10. Lead monitor, for short: EPA.

11. Word with line or hound: CHOW.

12. Climbing gear: ROPE.

13. Slanted column: OP-ED PIECE.

14. Islamic leaders: CALIPHS.

15. "Can we see __?": diner's request: A MENU.

17. Thames campus: ETON.

18. Tennis drop shot: DINK.

21. Fleeced: SHORN.

27. "... __ you home to dinner": Shak.: HIE.

32. Flat fish: RAY.

34. Summit: ACME.

35. Motion maker: Abbr.: ATT. Attorney.

36. Period of time: ERA.

38. Mrs. Gorbachev: RAISA. So elegant. Her husband is still alive.


39. Roughly: OR SO.

40. "Shoot!": DARN IT.

41. Weimaraner's complaint: WHINE.

43. Eatery seen in the film "Manhattan": ELAINE'S.

44. Car and Driver yearly listing: TEN BEST.

46. Can't brook: DETESTS.

51. Number of singers in The Chipmunks: THREE.

52. Estate beneficiary: HEIR.

53. Cans for cons: POKEYS. Great clue.

54. Jeweler's measure: CARAT.

56. Clown mascot's first name: RONALD.

57. Thumper's friend: BAMBI.


58. Evening parties: SOIREES.

59. Banking misjudgment: BAD LOAN.

60. Property recipient, in legal language: ALIENEE.

62. Letter-shaped fasteners: T NUTS.

64. Crayola color renamed Peach in 1962: FLESH.

66. Like a "Stat!" instruction: URGENT.

67. Way more than some: A LOT.

69. Composer Bruckner: ANTON. This is like our English Anthony, right?

70. Links army leader: ARNIE. Palmer. "The King" .

72. Ovarian hormones: ESTROGENS.

73. Frosty coat: HOAR.

75. Knowledgeable about: UPON.

77. Manhattan, say: BAR ORDER. Another great clue.

78. Causing avoidance: AVERSIVE. Only know AVERSE.

79. Peggy or Brenda of song: LEE.

80. Hallucinogenic letters: LSD.

82. Fork, for instance: UTENSIL.

83. Japan's largest active volcano: ASO. Mount Aso. We also have 97. Italian hot spot: ETNA.


84. Pondering, with "on": CHEWING.

88. Cars that sound like gems: OPELS. Opals.

89. "__ you really just say that?": DID.

90. Run down a mountain: SCHUSS.

93. Blathering: TALKY.

96. "__ it!": "Get moving!": HOP TO.

98. Hard work: TOIL.

100. Berserk: AMOK.

101. Pueblo people: ZUNI.

103. "That being the case ... ": IF SO.

104. Soapmaker's supplies: LYES.

105. Just makes, with "out": EKES.

106. Mailed: SENT.

109. Watch: SEE.

C.C.




Feb 9, 2020

Sunday February 9, 2020 Yaakov Bendavid

Theme: "No More Tears" - Different forms of "cry" are replaced by words with the same vowel sound but different starting consonants.

23. Chicken lover's comment?: NOTHING LIKE A GOOD THIGH. Nothing like a good cry.

43. Denial from one with a very recent white mustache?: LIE OVER SPILT MILK. Cry over split milk.

62. Local monastery VIP?: THE TOWN PRIOR. The town crier.

67. Bad do result?: A DYEING SHAME. A crying shame.

85. Young shepherd resigned to losing his flock?: BOY WHO SIGHED WOLF. Boy who cried wolf.

108. Evita's exhortation to use sunscreen?: DON'T FRY FOR ME, ARGENTINA. Don't Cry for Me, Argentina.

Our blog labels show that this is the LAT debut for Yaakov Bendavid, who has had 6 puzzles published by the New York Times. Congratulations, Yaakov!

I've mentioned before, sound deletion/addition/replacements are very difficult for me. I admire constructors who can pull this off.

Across:

1. Stand array: ZINES. Magazines.

6. Exams for aspiring MBAs: GMATS. GRES too, right?

11. Border: ABUT.

15. Word with dance or union: HALL.

19. Work as a team: UNITE.

20. Draw a bead on: AIM AT.

21. Old alphabet character: RUNE.  Old Germanic.


22. Inter __: among others: ALIA.

27. Most exceptional, in recent lingo: INSANEST.

28. Relish: ENJOY.

29. Afternoon service: TEA SET. Afternoon tea (Yum Cha) is a daily social activity for many retired people in Guangzhou. The dim sum plates are quite cheap. People just split the plates then chitchat.   Not now though. People all stay at home.

30. Not cluttered: NEAT.

31. Race: GUN.

32. Tannery tub: VAT.

33. Cycle starter: TRI.

34. What many writers work on: SPEC. Same for many crossword constructors.

37. Attains: REACHES.

41. Gondoliers' tools: POLES.

46. Ant or Arkin: ADAM.

50. Like much junk mail: UNREAD.

51. Title words before Legend or Woman: I AM.

52. Consume: EAT. Traditional Japanese breakfast. Freshly cooked rice, natto, green onions and raw egg.




53. "You __ Beautiful": Joe Cocker hit: ARE SO.

54. Roast job: MCING.

55. Some notebooks: PCS.

56. Reporter's query: WHEN.

58. Decides one will: OPTS TO.

59. Ewe, for one: SHE.

60. Biblical prophet: AMOS.

64. Air__, 2011 Southwest acquisition: TRAN.

65. Chicago's __ Tower: SEARS.

66. "Now, where __ we?": WERE.

71. Italian actress Virna: LISI. Learned from doing crosswords. Beautiful.


72. Submissions to an ed.: MSS.

75. Big name in plastic explosives: SEMTEX. New to me. What's it used for?


76. First name in folk: ARLO.

77. Hwy. crime: DUI.

78. Hogwarts potions master: SNAPE. "Harry Potter" films.


80. Word before county, river or Bill: PECOS.

81. Cincinnati-to-Detroit dir.: NNE.

82. Japanese assent: HAI.

83. "Turn! Turn! Turn!" songwriter: SEEGER (Pete)

84. Hand measure: SPAN.

89. Resignee before Richard: SPIRO (Agnew)

91. More jumpy: ANTSIER.

92. Camp equipment: COTS.

93. Soccer star Hamm: MIA. Bill G met him a few times.

96. N. American land: USA.

97. 82-Down's predecessor: FDR. 82. DDE's predecessor: HST.

98. Lawless role: XENA. Lucy Lawless.

100. Short __: little or no consideration: SHRIFT.

102. Environs: AREAS.

104. Drives out: BANISHES.

111. Aunt Bee's charge: OPIE.

112. Boathouse items: OARS.

113. Ancient: Pref.: PALEO.

114. Rock-'n'-roller whom Forrest Gump supposedly met: ELVIS. Did he? I can't remember clearly.

115. Look as though: SEEM.

116. Small amount: SPOT. My brother updates me often on the Coronavirus in Xi'an. Early last week it's 20 cases, then 70 cases a day later. One guy in his neighborhood went to Wuhan before Chinese Spring Festival. He then infected mom, who then lost her life. He also infected his two sisters.

117. Strict: STERN.

118. Saxes, e.g.: REEDS.

Down:

1. New Mexico native: ZUNI.

2. Aware of: IN ON.

3. Petty peeves: NITS.

4. "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" co-director: ETHAN COEN. Born and raised here in Minnesota.


5. Paris divider: SEINE.

6. Comic: GAGSTER. Spell check does not like this word.

7. Jazz legend Jackson: MILT. I googled him before.


8. Friend of Paris: AMI.

9. Personal point of view: TAKE.

10. "Casey at the Bat" autobiographer: STENGEL. Casey of course.


11. Gas in some lasers: ARGON.

12. Cheer (up): BUOY.

13. 108-card game: UNO.

14. Roger Ebert gave one entitled "Remaking My Voice" in 2011: TED TALK. What's your favorite Ted Talk?

15. "Funny not funny": HA HA.

16. Sought-after guests: A LIST.

17. Hybrid big cat: LIGER. Quite majestic.


18. "Swing Shift" actress Christine: LAHTI.

24. Got warmer while searching for: NEARED.

25. "... __, and a lasting peace": Lincoln: A JUST.

26. Head of Québec: TETE.

32. Electrical unit: VOLT.

34. Jacob Riis concerns: SLUMS.

35. Skosh: PINCH.

36. Like typical King novels: EERIE.

38. Reebok rival: ASICS. Are they good? I heard a guy raving about Brooks shoes at Dick's Sporting Goods a few weeks ago.

39. Pros with schedules: CPAS.

40. That guy: HIM.

41. Liszt's instrument: PIANO.

42. "Being and Nothingness" philosopher: SARTRE. Whatever between them, it worked. 

44. Unpredictable events: VAGARIES.

45. Tournaments: MEETS.

47. Bandleader Arnaz: DESI. Lots of "I Love Lucy" items at our local flea market.

48. Regarding: AS TO.

49. Peaty land: MOOR.

53. Kept in the know: APPRISED.

55. Pioneering video game: PONG.

56. Hacky Sack maker: WHAM-O. This is Chinese Hacky Sack. We call it Jianzi.



57. Present: HERE.

58. Change for a five: ONES.

61. Tailless feline: MANX.

62. Color named for a duck: TEAL.

63. D-Day conflict: WW II.

64. Jackson Hole backdrop: TETONS.

65. Kate, pre-taming: SHREW. "The Taming of the Shrew".

67. Dangerous biters: ASPS.

68. Insightful: DEEP.

69. Community pool site: YMCA.

70. 2009 Panasonic purchase: SANYO.

71. Mario's brother: LUIGI.

72. Myopic Mr.: MAGOO.

73. Competed in a British bee: SPELT.

74. Feudal workers: SERFS.

77. Roast site: DAIS. Good-natured roast.

79. English coal mining city: NEWCASTLE.

81. Filmmaker Ephron: NORA. I like "Sleepless in Seattle".


83. Unruffled: SERENE.

85. Small bars: BISTROS.

86. "Barry" star Bill: HADER. Read more details here.


87. Merging places: ON RAMPS.

88. Common nut shape: HEXAGON. Not the edible nut.

90. Musical dragon loved by Little Jackie Paper: PUFF.

93. Windows precursor: MS-DOS.

94. "That's my dream": I HOPE.

95. Memorable links nickname: ARNIE.  Palmer. He co-founded the Golf Channel.


97. Put icing on: FROST.

99. Bay Area NFLer: NINER.

101. Bullet point, e.g.: ITEM.

102. Curly do: AFRO.

103. Dodge City, to Ford County: SEAT.

104. Storied fox title: BR'ER.

105. Honey site: HIVE.

106. Writer Bagnold: ENID.

107. Cause for a kid's grounding: SASS.

109. Babble: YAP.

110. Belgian or brown: ALE.


Happy birthday to our Splynter (Richard), who turns 49 years old today. Splynter faithfully guided us on Saturdays for many years.

Splynter told me that Jan 8, 2020 was his 15-year anniversary in AA. He's still taking care of his mom, who might need to move to a nursing home soon. He's still looking for that perfect job. Wish all your dreams come true this year, Splynter!