Tuesday, June 3, 2014 Greg Johnson

 Theme: Quiet Time - Keep it down low.

17A. "Please let me get my beauty rest" : "I'M TRYING TO SLEEP"

30A. "Too much noise" : "KEEP IT DOWN"

49A. "No one can know" : "IT'S A SECRET"

65A. "Junior needs his nap time" : "DON'T WAKE THE BABY"

41A. Warning that often precedes 17-, 30-, 49- and 65-Across : "SHH!"

Argyle here with our constructor from Zelienople, Pa.(8-13-2013) A fun and unique puzzle today. Eighty words but not that noticeable and two very noticeable grid spanners. The unifier smack in the middle.

Across:

1. A Swiss Army knife has many of them : USEs

5. Halley's __ : COMET. Its next appearance should be in 2061.

10. Crow calls : CAWS

14. Peel in a cocktail : ZEST

15. Stylish : SWANK

16. Nueve preceder : OCHO. Spanish 8, 9

20. Half of a 45 : SIDE A

21. Title for a superior : SIR

22. Loosens, as restrictions : EASES

23. Place for a massage : SPA

25. Hymn finale : AMEN. Sometimes said when the sermon finally ends.

27. Kitchen amts. : TSPs

36. Need to remit : OWE

37. Shopping aid : CART

38. "My __ Amour": Stevie Wonder hit : CHERIE

39. __ toast : MELBA

43. Remove from the board : ERASE

44. Bistro, e.g. : EATERY

46. Ages and ages : EONS

48. Joe and Rose Kennedy's youngest : TED

51. Exceedingly : VERY

52. Burn a lot ... or slightly : CHAR

53. Pink or purple : HUE

55. Wyoming neighbor : IDAHO

58. Altar agreement : "I DO"

61. Make a case : ARGUE

68. Fashion designer Marc : ECKO. Not familiar with him.

69. "Super!" : "NEATO!"

70. U.S. native : AMER. This should generate some comments.

71. Like the ground after a campfire : ASHY

72. Climbing rope material : NYLON

73. Bard's instrument : LYRE

Down:

1. Israeli guns : UZIs

2. Truck stop rig : SEMI

3. Storefront sign abbr. : ESTD. (established)

4. Emotional strain : STRESS

5. Long-running TV crime drama : CSI

6. Possesses : OWNS

7. O. Henry's "The Gift of the __" : MAGI

8. Lure into a crime : ENTRAP. Lure into a corner : rope-a-dope.

9. Ref's decision : TKO. (technical knockout)

10. Lettuce-washing aid : COLANDER

11. Poker "bullets" : ACES

12. Sledding shout : "WHEE!"

13. Soaks (up) : SOPS

18. Run off at the mouth : YAP

19. Does a slow burn : SEETHES

24. Wanted poster initials : AKA. (also known as)

26. Audio jack label : MIC. (microphone)

27. Marisa of "The Wrestler" : TOMEI. She'll always be Mona Lisa Vito to us.

28. Workout output : SWEAT

29. Trapper's goods : PELTS

31. "This can't wait" hosp. areas : ERs

32. Bygone anesthetic : ETHER

33. Speak with pomp : ORATE

34. More sage : WISER

35. Down-and-out : NEEDY

37. Where models stand by models : CAR SHOW

40. Plastic shovel, for one : BEACH TOY

42. Soil chopper : HOE. Is it safe to transplant the tomatoes yet? Maybe.

45. Supporting vote : YEA

47. Ultimate degree : NTH

50. "Holy moly!" : "CRIKEY!". Australian.

51. Spoken : VERBAL

54. Seven-member Mideast fed. : UAE. (United Arab Emirates)

55. Overhead exclamation point, in comics : IDEA

56. HMO staffers : DOCs

57. Egyptian royal cross : ANKH

59. Business agreement : DEAL

60. "Beetle Bailey" bulldog : OTTO

62. Like wild boar meat : GAMY. Who here has had wild boar meat?

63. Over, in Germany : ÜBER

64. Brontë's Jane : EYRE

66. Cape NNW of Cod : ANN

67. Dearie : HON. (presumptuous terms of endearment)

Argyle
 

Notes from C.C.:

1) Here is a pretty picture of Chickie's great-granddaughter Cecelia Rose (nicknamed Cece), who was born on Wednesday May 28, 2014. Cece lives in Tacoma, WA and she's the first great-grandchild for Chickie.

36- hour old Cece

2) Happy birthday to dear Owen! When I talked with him last November, he mentioned he preferred to forget his birthday (not surprising after his poem on Sunday). He also said "... knowing how I tend to lose interests in things, I'll be mildly surprised if I'm still around then. But I get so much positive feedback from our supportive group that this might be an exception."

He's still here, entertaining us every morning with his wits, humor & hard work. Thank you, Owen! Now I don't feel a LAT crossword is complete until it's been Owenized.

Owen & Brenda (Feb 28, 2009)