Theme: Bullseye - Five compound words that start with a synonym for omphalos.
22A. Acid indigestion, familiarly : HEARTBURN
38A. Auto wheel covers : HUBCAPS
51A. Go-between : MIDDLEMAN
3D. Stripe that equally divides the road : CENTERLINE
30D. Early computer data storage term : CORE MEMORY
Argyle here. The first four are closed compound words while 30-Down is an open compound word. Still a tight theme though not much zest. We don't get to see Mr. Meaker that often. I do like the pinwheel with an entry in the bullseye.
Across:
1. Physicist for whom a speed-of-sound ratio is named : MACH. Ernst Mach (1838–1916)
5. Steamers in a pot : CLAMS
10. Post-WWII commerce agreement acronym : GATT. (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) This entry has been around before...but not lately.
14. Toast topping : OLEO
15. Lose one's cool : PANIC
16. Eight, in Tijuana : OCHO
17. __ and rave : RANT
18. Stars, in Latin : ASTRA. Fly on an astral plane.
19. What winds do : BLOW
20. Book spine info : TITLE
24. Snigglers' catch : EELS
26. Not feel well : AIL
27. Serious play : DRAMA
28. San Francisco transport : CABLE CAR
33. Daring : BOLD
34. Ottoman governors : BEYs. Not a Monday word?
36. Chip away at : ERODE
37. Prefix with lateral : UNI
40. Fishing tool : ROD
41. Henry or Jane of "On Golden Pond" : FONDA
43. Kal Kan alternative : ALPO Pet food.
44. 0 : ZERO
45. Area where goods may be stored without customs payments : FREE ZONE. And then what?
47. Oozy stuff : SLIME
49. NRC predecessor : AEC. (Nuclear Regulatory Commission/Atomic Energy Commission)
50. Scotch __ : TAPE. and for Tin; 56D. "No ice, please" : NEAT
57. Performed without words : MIMED
60. Mesozoic and Paleozoic : ERAs
61. More pathetic, as an excuse : LAMER
63. Four-legged Oz visitor : TOTO
64. No longer here : GONE
65. Pacific, for one : OCEAN
66. Russia's __ Mountains : URAL
67. "Puppy Love" singer Paul : ANKA. "Puppy Love" is a popular song written by Paul Anka in 1960 for Annette Funicello, whom he was dating at the time. Clip
68. Campground sights : TENTS
69. War journalist Ernie : PYLE
Down:
1. Satirist Sahl : MORT
2. Jai __ : ALAI
4. Detective's breakthrough : HOT LEAD
5. Tax season VIP : CPA
6. Mascara target : LASH
7. Start the poker pot : ANTE
8. Actress Sorvino : MIRA
9. Sacred Egyptian beetle : SCARAB
10. Male turkey : GOBBLER
11. Rights org. : ACLU. (American Civil Liberties Union)
12. Son of Odin : THOR
13. Chrysler __ & Country : TOWN. Van.
21. Nightmare street of film : ELM
23. Mah-jongg pieces : TILES
25. "Elephant Boy" actor : SABU. India-born actor of 1940's movie fame making a rare Monday appearance.
27. Blood bank participant : DONOR
28. Washer phase : CYCLE
29. Manager's "Now!" : "ASAP!". (As soon as possible)
31. Be wild about : ADORE
32. Update, as a kitchen : REDO
33. Physically fit : BUFF
35. Israeli diplomat Abba : EBAN
38. Brownish-green eye color : HAZEL
39. Blog update : POST
42. Scrolls source : DEAD SEA
44. "Pipe down!" : "ZIP IT UP!". (snicker)
46. Spotted wildcat : OCELOT
48. Hightail it : LAM
51. Million: Pref. : MEGA
52. Golfer's choice : IRON
53. Unpleasantly moist : DANK
54. Medieval spiked club : MACE
55. Prayer finish : "AMEN"
58. And others: Lat. : ET AL.
59. Clinton's 1996 opponent : DOLE. Bob Dole.
62. BP checkers : RNs. (blood pressure/registered nurse)
Argyle