55-A. With 61-Across, radar trap question ... and a hint to what can precede each part of the answers to 3-, 6-, 30- and 40-Down : WHERES 61-A. See 55-Across : THE FIRE?
So, we may not have started the fire, but "fire" starts all the theme words.
3. Cheaper market option : HOUSE BRAND. Firehouse, firebrand.
6. "Jaws" shark, e.g. : MAN EATER. Fireman, fire-eater.
30. Protected from violent weather : STORM PROOF. Firestorm, fireproof.
40. Keep at it : PLUG AWAY. Fireplug, fire away.
Now let's plug away at the rest of the answers to see what we can dig up.
Across
1. Performance enhancement banned by MLB : HGH. Human Growth Hormone.
4. Descartes' conclusion : I AM. "I think, therefore..."
7. Placate : APPEASE.
14. "Evil Woman" gp. : ELO. Electric Light Orchestra.
15. Govt. benefits org. : SSA. Social Security Administration.
16. Strutted : PARADED. With 76 trombones, HG?
17. Annual get-together : REUNION.
19. Stop : PREVENT.
20. Ash, for example : RESIDUE.
21. Rise : ASCEND.
22. __ Gay : ENOLA.
23. Waikiki wreath : LEI.
24. "Green Acres" co-star : GABOR. Eva GABOR and Eddie Albert were hilarious in that show.
26. "__ We Meet Again": 1940 romance film : TIL. A remake of the 1932 movie "One Way Passage." Star-crossed lovers on an ocean voyage.
28. 2006 skating silver medalist Cohen : SASHA. Watch her Olympic performance here.
33. Classic sci-fi play : RUR. I knew it was where the word "robot" comes from, but JazzB gave us a thorough explanation of the play just last Wednesday. (44-Down.)
34. Squeezed (out) : EKED.
36. Gossips : YENTAS.
37. "The Wealth of Nations" author Smith : ADAM. Also called "The Father of Modern Economics."
39. Complaint : GRIPE. We never see one of those at this Corner, right?
41. Puts on : DONS. "Don we now our Gagliardi..."
42. Muscle cords : SINEWS.
44. Snowman in "Frozen" : OLAF. All perps!
46. 1973 Court decision alias : ROE. v. Wade.
47. MLB Network analyst Martinez : PEDRO.
48. A/C measure : BTU. British Thermal Units.
49. Take the blame for : ADMIT.
51. What "I" may indicate : RTE. Interstate - route.
53. Fill the tank : GAS UP. DH gassed up for me the other day, for only $1.98 / gallon!
58. Sticks : ADHERES.
62. Hunker down for the duration of : WAIT OUT.
63. Most extensive : VASTEST.
64. In times past : AGO.
65. Miner's reward : ORE. We went down a slide into the depths of the salt mines outside Salzburg while we were there. Wheee!!
66. Accumulates : AMASSES.
67. Longing : YEN.
68. Dandy : FOP.
Down
1. Munich man : HERR. Gimme! Here is my HERR overlooking Bad Ischl in Austria.
2. Joy : GLEE. After several beers at this cool brewery during Oktoberfest, we were feeling pretty GLEE-ful!!
4. Spanish encyclopedist St. __ of Seville : ISIDORE. Mostly perps and WAGs.
5. Nary __: no one : A SOUL.
7. Horrify : APPALL.
8. Break down, in a way : PARSE.
9. Exact : PRECISE.
10. Roof extension : EAVE.
11. Site of the 2000 USS Cole attack : ADEN.
12. Email : SEND.
13. Fla. summer setting : EDT. Eastern Daylight Time is almost at an end for our Fla. denizens.
18. Young hombre : NINO.
24. Understand : GRASP.
25. War hero Murphy : AUDIE.
27. Fool : IDIOT.
29. Common link : AND.
31. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum city : HANOI.
32. Diamonds, say : ASSET. Also, a girl's best friend. ;-)
35. Metric wts. : KGs. Kilograms.
36. Vocal nod : YEA.
38. Marseille sight : MER. "Sea" in French.
43. Troubles : WORRIES.
45. Style : FASHION.
48. Lays siege to : BESETS.
50. Piano piece for four hands : DUET.
52. Concise : TERSE.
54. Old saw : ADAGE.
55. Impact sound : WHAM!
56. "__ real nowhere man": Beatles lyric : HE's A.
57. Young newts : EFTS. They are quite tiny, but fully formed.
59. Vatican City coin : EURO.
60. Word often followed by a number or letter : STEP.
61. FDR power project : TVA. Tennessee Valley Authority.
I am retiring from doing the blog after today. I have really enjoyed all my virtual friends here at the corner, but my plate is getting too full to do the blog justice every week. I know C.C. has an entire stable of talented and witty commenters who can step in to fill the gap!
Hugs,
Marti
Note from C.C.:
I'm sad to lose dear Marti as our
Thursday Sherpa. I'll sorely miss her unique take on Thursday LAT. I'll
miss her chuckle-evoking links, quick zingers and warm presence. It's
fun to blog once or twice, but doing it week after week for more than
four years takes enormous patience and dedication. Thank you so much for
being our reliable guide and friend, Marti! I hope you continue to stay
involved with the blog. Your simple presence makes me happy.
I'm
also happy to let you know that Steve has agreed to guide us on
Thursdays from now on. Husker Gary will take up Steve's Wednesday spot.
