Theme: None (or rather E-less)
Total words: 72
Total blocks: 31
Today's puzzle includes a question which appears in the newspaper and in Across Lite Notepad, but not in LA Times on line Java format. Notepad asks: "Can you spot the unusual feature in this puzzle's clues and answers?"
Can you? Did you? I noticed letter E is missing from the clues/answers only after after I solved the grid. Incredible construction, as E is the most popular letter in crosswords. I can't imagine the time and effort that went into building this puzzle. Daunting task!
Some of the clues are a bit stretched due to the E elimination, for example: 56D. Quondam JFK arrivals : SSTs. Quondam is Latin for "former".
Across:
1. Hardly an intimidating soul : PUSSYCAT. Nice start.
9. Rap caps : DORAGs
15. In custody of, as a library patron : ON LOAN TO
16. Moon mission : APOLLO
17. Spot to savor old standards : PIANO BAR. "Play it again, Sam".
18. '60s-'70s Saudi king : FAISAL. I can never remember this guy. Wiki said he was assassinated by his nephew in 1975 for unclear reasons.
19. Sch. north of Gulfport : USM. OK, University of Southern Mississippi.
20. Pull : CLOUT. Noun "pull".
22. Woodworking slot : DADO. See here. We've got two groovy carpenters on the blog: Jerome & Splynter.
23. Natural bath body scrub : LOOFA
26. Canadian prov. : ONT
27. Old Roman port : OSTIA. No idea.
28. Civil rights activist Roy : INNIS. Is he very well-known?
29. Harts : STAGS
31. Org. with a multi-ring logo : IOC (International Olympic Committee)
32. Just okay : NOT SO HOT. Lots of Os in the puzzle.
34. Cockpit abbr. : ALT
35. Show sympathy toward, with "on" : GO SOFT
38. Qom inhabitants : IRANIS. Iranians is more common.
40. Auckland yam : OCA. It's not clued with reference to South American/ Andean due to the E concern.
41. Tough task : NO PICNIC
45. __-fi : SCI
46. Popular talk show : OPRAH
47. Spanish girl : CHICA
51. Bochco drama : L.A. LAW. Steven Boncho produced the show. Unknown fact to me.
53. In this location: Span. : ACA. So how do you say "You're here" in Spanish?
54. Soothing hot drink also known as Lucky Dragon : HYSON. Green tea. I've never heard of Lucky Dragon.
55. Kin of Osiris : ISIS. His sister/wife.
56. Apron : SMOCK
58. Roman 151 : CLI
59. Last innings : NINTHS
61. Short approach, in golf : CHIP SHOT. Hope Husker Gary chips in once in his pointless golf outing today.
64. Quit : GOT OUT
65. Island off California's coast : CATALINA
66. Liquor gulps : SNORTS
67. Butt loci : ASHTRAYS. D'oh, cigarette butt.
Down:
1. Vox __ : POPULI. Literally "voice of the people".
2. A choir may sing in it : UNISON
3. Apply strongly, as to start braking : SLAM ON
4. Offspring : SON
5. Shanghai-born NBA star : YAO (Ming). Yao is his surname.
6. Old FNN rival : CNBC
7. Stuck : AT A LOSS
8. Canadian city : TORONTO
9. Crazy : DAFT
10. __-Locka, Fla. : OPA
11. Sports no-nos, informally : 'ROIDS. Steroids.
12. Big companion dog : ALSATIAN. German shepherd? I'm not a dog person.
13. Plants with spiky blooms : GLADIOLI. Quite pretty.
14. Stand-up comics, typically : SOLO ACTS
21. Its motto is "Industry" : UTAH. Our motto is "L'Étoile du Nord" ("The Star of the North).
24. Dry Spanish libation : FINO. Spanish for "refined". Can't have "Sherry" due to E again.
25. So far : AS OF NOW
27. Bird with a strong kick : OSTRICH. I've never encountered an ostrich.
30. Antonym of withdraw : GO IN
33. Trans Am option : T-TOP
35. Young birds : GOSLINGS
36. Birthday, say : OCCASION
37. Bawl out : SAIL INTO. Criticize.
39. Hurting : ACHY
42. Nanny's aid : PRAM
43. "Talking Straight" co-author : IACOCCA (Lee)
44. Mambos' cousins : CHA CHAS
48. Volcanic Italian island known for its spas : ISCHIA. See this map. Learning moment for me.
49. Ant group : COLONY
50. Hill and Bryant : ANITAs
52. Fur tycoon : ASTOR
57. Kin kin : KITH
60. Shanty : HUT
62. Way to stand : PAT. Stand pat.
63. Nikon product : SLR
C.C.
