Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Matthew Gritzmacher

Bubbles, Bubbles EveryWhere.

6-Across. Oscar-nominated Disney film set in Alaska: BROTHER BEAR.  BOBA.  Brother Bear was a 2003 animated Disney film.  It was not on my radar.

26-Across. Hostile territory, idiomatically: BELLY OF THE BEAST.  BOBA.  For many people, having an IRS audit is like going into the Belly of the Beast.

43-Across. Canadian province that hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics: BRITISH COLUMBIA.  BOBA.  British Columbia is the western-most Canadian province.

And the unifier:

56-Across. Bubble tea option, or a feature of 16-, 26-, and 43-Across: POPPING BOBA.  The Bubbles in Bubble Tea are typically made of tapioca pearls.   In this puzzle, the word BOBA is spread out across each them clue, hence the bubbles (or boba) are being "popped."

Here's the Grid, so you can see all the "popped" bubbles.

Across:

1. Latte purveyors: CAFÉS.  A latte is an espresso-based coffee drink consisting of roughly 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk, topped with a thin layer of foam.  The full name of this Italian coffee is short for caffè latte, which literally means milk coffee.

6. __ one's time: BIDE.

10. Volcanic eruption residue: ASH.

13. Company name often said with a quack: AFLAC.  AFLAC stands for American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus.  The company, which was founded in 1955, specializes in supplemental insurance for individuals and groups.

14. Indiana NBAer: PACER.

15. Community leader?: CEE.  As in the letter "C".

18. Programming language named for the first Countess of Lovelace: ADA.  Ada Lovelace, Countess of Lovelace (née Augusta Ada Byron; Dec. 10, 1810 ~ Nov. 27, 1852) led a fascinating life.  She was an English mathematician and writer. whom many consider to be the world's first computer programmer.  Her work focused on Charles Babbage's proposed mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine.  She was the first to recognize its potential beyond pure calculation.  She understood that computers could perform abstract operations, not just calculations.  She was the only legitimate of the poet, Lord Byron.  See also 60-Across.

19. Decisive periods, for short: OTs.  As in OverTimes.

20. Tinkered (with): TOYED.

Cat toying with a mouse.

21. Leave a mark on: SCAR.  Did you know that Princess Eugenie has scar running the length of her spine?

22. Kimono sash: OBI.  The Obi make an appearance in the puzzle quite often.

23. P-like Greek letter: RHO.

24. Peaceful protests: SIT-INS.

30. Esteems: VALUES.

31. Savory flavor: UMAMI.  Everything you wanted to know about Umami but didn't know to ask.

32. Comics icon Lee: STAN.  Stan Lee (né Stanley Martin Lieber; Dec. 28, 1922 ~ Nov. 12, 2018) was the creative leader of Marvel Comics.  He started his career at Timely Publications, which later became Marvel Comics. 

33. Startup co.'s milestone: IPO.  As in Initial Public Offering.

34. Angel City FC org.: NWSL.  Angel City FC is the Los Angeles area's first women's professional soccer team.  The team first began playing in the 2022 season.  It is a member of the National Women's Soccer League.

38. "Fear of Flying" author Jong: ERICA.  Fear of Flying has nothing to do flying.

41. __ dust: pervasive orange powder: CHEETO.

47. Moving van sign, perhaps: RENT ME.

48. Tent stake: PEG.

49. Cozy lodging: INN.

50. Kauai, for one: ISLE.  Kaua'i is the 4th largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago.  It's called the Garden Isle and is known for its dramatic cliffs.  Many Hollywood films and TV shows were filmed on this island, including scenes from South Pacific, Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the opening credits of  M*A*S*H.

51. __ Rica: COSTA.  The coastlines of Costa Rica are on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

54. "I'll __ around": ASK.

55. Outstanding: DUE.

59. Dosage no.: AMT.

60. Pioneering computer: ENIAC.  As in Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer.  The ENAIC was was the world's first programmable, electronic, general-purpose digital computer, completed in 1945.  It was a tad larger than my laptop.  See also 18-Across, above.

61. "Opposites Attract" singer Paula: ABDUL.  Paula Julie Abdul (b. June 19, 1962) is an American singer, dancer, and choreographer, actress, and television personality. She began her career as a  cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers. 

62. Arles article: LES.  Today's French lesson.  Arles is a city in southern France.  It's known largely for being where Vincent Van Gogh (Mar. 30, 1853 ~ July 29, 1890) lived and painted.

63. Dangerous date for Caesar: IDES.  We've had a lot of Julius Caesar in the past several Tuesdays.  We learned a couple of weeks ago that Caesar died in Act III of the Shakespear play, Julius Caesar on the IDES of March.

64. Blockade: SIEGE.

Down:

1. Bus alternative: CAB.

2. Genre created by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti: AFROBEAT.  Afrobeat is a Nigerian music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz.  Fela Kuti (né Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; Oct. 15, 1938 ~ Aug. 2, 1997) is considered the creator of this musical genre.

3. Nautical convoy: FLOTILLA.

4. Sups or downs: EATS.

5. CalArts or Caltech: SCH.  Both are schools in California.

6. Coddle: BABY.

7. Slurpee kin: ICEE.  What's the difference?

8. Salt lake fed by the Jordan River: DEAD SEA.  If you are ever in Israel, I highly recommend a stop at Ein Gedi on the Dead Sea.

9. Mispronounce a word, say: ERR.  But ... to Err is Human.

10. Prominent part of a giraffe's diet: ACACIA.  Everything you might ever want to know about the relationship between the Giraffe and the Acacia Tree.

11. Impalas and Civics: SEDANS.  An Impala is made by Chevrolet and and the Civic is made by Honda.

12. Publisher William Randolph __: HEARST.  William Randolph Hearst (Apr. 29, 1863 ~ August. 14, 1951) was an American newspaper publisher and politician.  He created the country's largest newspaper chain and media company, Hearst Communications.  He is also known for Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California.

14. Evidence: PROOF.

17. Institutional belief: ETHOS.

21. Ms. magazine co-founder Gloria: STEINEM.  Gloria Marie Steinem (b. Mar. 25, 1934) will be 92 years old next month.  She is American feminist, journalist, and political activist.  In the 1960s and 1970s, she was a prominent leader of the women's rights movement.

22. "Duh," in a text: OBVS.  Textspeak for Obvious.

23. Bread with caraway seeds: RYE.  Yummers!

25. PC pioneer: IBM.  Why is IBM called Big Blue?

27. Crescent moon shape: LUNETTE.  The word Lunette comes from the French and means Little Moon.

28. Rapper Shakur: TUPAC.  Tupac Amaru Shakur (né Lesane Parish Crooks; June 16, 1971 ~ Sept. 8, 1996) was a talented rapper, actor and dancer.  He was tragically murdered when he was just 25 years old.  He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. 

29. Med. care option: HMO.  As in Health Maintenance Organization.

33. German personal pronoun: ICH.  Today's German lesson.

35. Installment in an online series: WEBISODE.  Suffered through a lot of Webisodes during the Covid era.

36. Invasive insect native to East Asia: STINK BUG.  What do you know about Stink Bugs?

37. Advance, as funds: LOAN.

39. Outer edge: RIM.

40. Words to support a motion: I SECOND.  Following Robert's Rules of Order.

41. Like a radio edit: CLEAN.  A modified song to take out the profanity so it is family friendly.

42. Remain close to: HUG.

43. __ shower: BRIDAL.

44. Job application document: RESUME.

45. Shore recesses: INLETS.

46. Fiber-__ cable: OPTIC.

52. Mayberry moppet: OPIE.  It's been a while since we've seen Opie Taylor in the puzzles.  His alter ego, Ron Howard (b. Mar. 2, 1954), is almost 72 years old!

53. Me-time spots: SPAS.

54. "Broad City" star Jacobson: ABBI.  I am not familiar with Broad City.  Apparently it was a sit-com that ran for 5 years in the 2010s.  Abbi Jacobson (b. 1984) was one of the co-creators.

56. Shar-__: wrinkly dog: PEI.  The Shar-Pei is a dog breed from southern China.  The dogs were used as  property guardians.

57. Hybrid need: GAS.

58. Taphouse offering: ALE.

I think I need an Ale instead of Boba Tea after this puzzle!

חתולה

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 Hannah Binney

Land Sharks!  The circles spell out a type of shark.

17-Across. Amphibians with sticky toes: TREE FROGS.  Reef Sharks.  Reef shark can be found in the tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Brazil.

Tree Frogs will also stick to windows.

27-Across. "Moonlight" and "Hidden Figures" actress: JANELLE MONÁE.  Lemon Shark.  Lemon sharks got their name due to their yellowish skin.

Janelle Monáe Robinson (b. Dec. 1, 1985)

44-Across. Fishy breakfast combo: BAGELS AND LOX.  Sand Shark.  Sand Sharks aren't as mean as they look.

And the unifier:

60-Acriss. Reality show with entrepreneurs and investors, or what each set of circled letters make 17-, 27-, or 44-Across?: SHARK TANK.

Here's the grid so you can see the sharks.

Across:
1. Practical jokes: GAGS.

5. Bit of a cloud: WISP.

9. Type of hair extension: SEW IN.  Ouch!  Sounds painful.

14. Shrek or Fiona: OGRE.  In fairy tales, ogres are generally villainous, but Shrek and Fiona are good ogres.

15. Falco of "The Sopranos": EDIE.  Not to be confused with 32-Down. Water current: EDDY.

Edie Falco (née Edith Falco; b. July 5, 1963)

16. "True Colors" singer Lauper: CYNDI.  Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper (b. June 22, 1953) was big in the 1980s, but she's still going strong in here 70s.

19. Flout convention: REBEL.

20. Person-shaped piece in a board game: MEEPLE.  Hand up if you knew this.  According to the OED, the word was coined in 2000 and was first used in reference to the game Carcassonne.  Not familiar with that game, either.

21. Center of operations: HOME BASE.

23. "I saw a mouse!": EEK!

24. Lip balm brand whose name is short for "evolution of smooth": EOS.  I have seen EOS products in stores, but did not know that it is an abbreviation for Evolution Of Smooth.  The company also make other body products, such as lotions, and body wash.

26. Unit of corn: EAR.

33. Soft drinks: SODAS.

36. Sans ice, in a bar: NEAT.

37. __ one's way: meander: WEND.

38. Standard: NORM.

39. Corrodes: WEARS.

40. Material that's dated using dendrochronology: WOOD.

41. Responsibility: ONUS.

42. Land division: ACRE.  Are the acres green?

43. Child care provider: NANNY.

47. Took a load off: SAT.

48. Energy bite morsel: OAT.

49. "Gross": UGH!

52. Thrives: PROSPERS.

57. Sarcastic response to whining: BOO-HOO.

59. Column style: IONIC.  Column styles, originated from classical Greek and Roman architecture, are classified.  There are five basic classical styles: Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite.

62. Brownie ingredient: COCOA.  Everything you wanted to know about Cocoa, but didn't know to ask.

She's not wrong!

63. Aloe __ gel: VERA.

64. Ditty: TUNE.

65. Arterial tube: STENT.

66. Formal diplomatic agreement: PACT.

67. Brand of facial cleanser: OLAY.  A brief history of Olay, which was originally known as Oil of Olay.

Down:

1. "Understand?": GOT ME?

2. Match, as a subject and verb: AGREE.

3. "But for mine own part, it was __ to me": Shakespeare: GREEK.  In last week's Shakespeare lesson, we learned about the death scene of Julius Caesar.  This week, we are staying with Julius Caesar.  This phrase can be found in Act I, Scene II.  Casca was speaking to Cassius, and referenced a speech delivered by Cicero in Greek.  Casca did not understand the speech, hence, "It's Greek to me."

4. Ooze: SEEP.

5. "It's our turn!": WE'RE ON.

6. Wedding words: I DO.

7. "Alas ... ": SIGH.

8. Philippine money: PESO.  Eight countries use the peso as their unit of currency.  Can you name them all?

9. Absolute riot: SCREAM.

10. Product needed for some hair removal: EYEBROW WAX.

11. Dream home?: WNBA.  Atlanta, Georgia is the home of the Women's National Basketball Association team, The Atlanta Dream.

12. March day to be wary of: IDES.  Beware ...  Willie the Shakes continues.  Beware the Ides of March can also be found in Julius Caesar, Act I, Scene II.  It comes before the Greek idiom, referenced in 3-Down.

13. River with Blue and White tributaries: NILE.  The Blue Nile and White Nile converge in Khartoum, Sudan.

18. Performers in a tiny circus: FLEAS.

22. Runs into: MEETS.

25. Iroquois nation: SENECA.  One of the Five Nations.

27. Impromptu jazz gathering: JAM SESSION.  We had a Jam Session last Wednesday.

28. Discover: LEARN.

29. Capital of the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande: LAREDO.  I think a cowboy died there.

30. Highlighter yellow, e.g.: NEON.

Obviously, he's colorblind.

31. Unknown author attribution, briefly: ANON.

33. Stuck-up sort: SNOB.

34. Actress Chaplin: OONA.  Oona Chaplin (née Oona Castilla Chaplin; b. June 4, 1986) is the granddaughter of actor Charlie Chaplin (né Charles Spencer Chaplin; Apr. 16, 1889 ~ Dec. 25, 1977).  She was named after her grandmother, Oona O'Neill Chaplin (May 14, 1925 ~ Sept. 27, 1991), Charlie's 4th wife.

35. Medication: DRUG.

39. "Haste makes __": WASTE.  This is Not from Julius Caesar, nor is it from Willie the Shakes.

43. "Unacceptable": NOT OK.

45. Friendly feline: LAP CAT.

46. Maze-running rodent: LAB RAT.  or, parsed differently, it becomes La Brat.

49. Moving day rental: U-HAUL.

50. "Never __ Give You Up": Rickrolling song: GONNA.  Rickrolling is an internet meme where, when you click on a link, you are sent, not to what you are looking for, but to the song Never Gonna Give You Up.

51. Contrived: HOKEY.

52. Insta content: PICS.

53. Cheer (for): ROOT.

54. Fairy tale start: ONCE.  What children's story begins with "There was once upon a time a piece of wood ..." 

55. Evite request: RSVP.  Today's French lesson.  RSVP is the abbreviation for Répondez s'il vous plaît, which in English translates to Please Respond.

56. __ butter: SHEA.  Shea Butter is a nutrient-rich fat extracted from the nuts of the African shea tree.

58. Director Preminger: OTTO.  Otto Ludwig Preminger (b. Dec. 5, 1905 ~ Apr. 23, 1986) was born in Austria-Hungary.  He is known for directing many films that addressed controversial and taboo subjects, such as premarital sex, homosexuality, and drug addiction.

61. Path of a fly ball: ARC.

The eight countries that use the peso are:  Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the Philippines, and Uruguay.  Although they all call their currency the peso, they are not interchangeable.

חתולה