Happy Monday, everyone! sumdaze here with a Max Schlenker offering. Max had two LAT puzzles published last year -- a Wednesday and a Thursday.
Today's theme is: 
50. Rex Stout's stout sleuth Wolfe: NERO. IIRC, Splynter has been reading these books lately.
55. Was introduced to: MET. I wonder if Patti has ever MET a NY MET?
57. Ripped: TORN.
59. Cut in two: CLEAVE. CLEAVE is one of those Janus words that can also mean its opposite, "to adhere firmly".
63. Golf target score: PAR.
64. Multicountry org. based in NYC: THE UN "New York City" is abbreviated, so is "The United Nations".
66. Celebration at the end of Ramadan, informally: EID. more info.
67. Goal in the board game Sorry!: HOME. Great clue! Perhaps this is where the phrase, "Sorry, not sorry," originated.
68. Wails woefully: KEENS. KEEN as a verb means to lament, mourn, or complain loudly.
Down:
1. Girl who meets the Cheshire Cat: ALICE. One of my favorite soundtracks is the one for Alice in Wonderland by Danny Elfman (2010).
2. Holy text in Hebrew: TORAH.
3. Disney film set in Polynesia: MOANA. Here is the trailer for the 2016 Disney animated film. A live action version (also starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) will come out in 2026.
4. Calls dibs on: CLAIMS.
5. Retained: HELD ON TO.
6. Holiday lead-in: EVE.
7. Practical know-how: SAVVY. The verb form is an alteration of sabi (or sabe or sapere) meaning "to know" in Latin-based languages such as Portuguese and Spanish.
8. Elm or oak: TREE.
9. "La Cage __ Folles": AUX.
10. Small sour fruit: CRABAPPLE. Speaking of trees, here is a CRABAPPLE tree.
11. First word for some babies: MAMA.
12. "What __ is new?": ELSE.
15. Bring up again, as a web page: RELOAD. I started with "reopen".
18. Struggle with "s" sounds when speaking: LISP.
20. The "D" of FDA: DRUG. The Food and Drug Administration is a federal agency in the Department of Health and Human Services.
24. "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" realm: NARNIA. C.S. Lewis penned this novel in 1950. It is the best known of the seven-novel series.
26. 1950s POTUS: DDE. Dwight David Eisenhower was the 34th President Of The United States. The Eisenhower Tunnel is located about 60 miles west of Denver on I-70.
28. Mischievous: IMPISH.
29. Cheer (for): ROOT.
30. Director Preminger: OTTO. (1905-1986) his IMDb page
31. Casual top with a collar: POLO.
32. Relocation in an emergency, for short: EVAC. EVACuation
33. Song in a Pride event set list: GAY ANTHEM. This fill crossed O CANADA.
35. Bubbly prefix: AER-. It means "air".
39. 1980s maze runner with a red bow: MS. PAC-MAN.
42. French one: UNE.
43. Superstar Dolly: PARTON. Dolly Rebecca Parton was born January 19, 1946 in Pittman Center, TN. She is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist, known primarily for her decades-long career in country music. Her website calls her a living legend and who can argue with that? Here is an old clip of Dolly singing Jolene on The Porter Wagner Show in 1973.
45. "South Park" kid in a green hat: KYLE. While there technically isn't a town called "South Park" in Colorado, most people consider Fairplay, CO (population 737), located in the South Park National Heritage Area to be the setting for this animated TV series. I used to drive through it on my way to go snowboarding in Breckenridge.
47. __ and gloom: DOOM.
49. Focus of some lessons in history class and math class: RULERS. This was my favorite clue today!
Each of the six themed answers begins with a voiced vowel name. Additionally, they appear in alphabetical order. Here they are:
17 Across. Hurdles for British students hoping to attend university: A-LEVEL EXAMS. Advanced Levels are qualifications in particular subjects that are usually the final academic courses taken before a student attends university.
They were unfamiliar to me but easily sussable after I saw EXAMS on my second lap.
23 Across. App for finding a main squeeze: EHARMONY. Not an app for buying avocadoes, eHarmony is an on-line dating website launched in 2000. I read that it mainly attracts heterosexual men and women aged 35 to 55 who are currently single and looking to meet (and eventually marry) their soul mate.
Did you meet your SO (Significant Other) on-line? If not, how? DH and I met running. It's a great story for another day.
28 Across. Apple tablet option: IPAD PRO. It was first introduced in 2015. The newest edition is M4 and is only slightly thicker that the diameter of a pencil-top eraser.
46 Across. National song celebrating "the True North strong and free": O CANADA. ♪♪
Last week I missed an opportunity to note a CSO to CanadianEh!. This week I am sending her (and all Canadians) not only a CSO but also good wishes for a Happy Victoria Day!
51 Across. Rental option on moving day: U-HAUL VAN. U-Haul has been serving do-it-yourself movers since 1945. They launched their SuperGraphic program in 1988. Since then, over 250 different images have been created, each one honoring individual states and provinces, and saluting North America's public. Here's one for Husker-Gary:
 |
| No, that's not me kissing the rhino SuperGraphic. |
60. Sex-determining heredity unit: Y CHROMOSOME. Children learn in school that "Y is sometimes a vowel". (See 48A and 69A for two excellent examples.)
Here's an early look at the grid so you can see the theme-dense construction. The themers are 11-, 8-, 7-, 7-, 8-, and 11-letters. Well done, Max! 
Let's facetiously move on to the other clues and answers. As it turns out, every one of them contains an A, E, I, O, U, or (sometimes) Y.
Across:
1. 20s dispenser: ATM. twenty dollar bills
1. 20s dispenser: ATM. twenty dollar bills
Are you seeing $50 bills at ATMs? I guess $20 does not go as far as it once did.
4. See 65-Across: CHEST. and 65 Across. With 4-Across, storage unit made of fragrant wood: CEDAR.
4. See 65-Across: CHEST. and 65 Across. With 4-Across, storage unit made of fragrant wood: CEDAR.
I used to live in an old ranch house that had CEDAR-lined drawers and closets in the bedroom. I loved it!
9. Apex: ACME. Companies liked the name back when it appeared near the top of an alphabetical order phone book listing.
13. Brit's restroom: LOO.
14. "Reading Rainbow" host Burton: LEVAR. (b. Feb. 16, 1967) In 2017 he created and hosted the podcast, LeVar Burton Reads, sometimes described as "Reading Rainbow for adults."
15. In the boonies: RURAL.
16. 401(k) kin: IRA. Individual Retirement Account.
19. Frank and sincere: CANDID. One definition of CANDID is "marked by honest and sincere expression". Another definition is "relating to photography of subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without being posed." It is that second definition that gave us the alliteratively titled TV show, Candid Camera. (2:45 min.)
21. Face covering: VEIL. In the 13th century, VEIL was considered a noun. In the 14th century, people started also using it as a verb.
22. Main squeeze: BAE. According to 23 Across, you can find one with an app.
25. Bubbly drink: SODA.
27. Military sch. located in "America's Sailing Capital": USNA. I do like a good trivia clue with an embedded hint!
9. Apex: ACME. Companies liked the name back when it appeared near the top of an alphabetical order phone book listing.
14. "Reading Rainbow" host Burton: LEVAR. (b. Feb. 16, 1967) In 2017 he created and hosted the podcast, LeVar Burton Reads, sometimes described as "Reading Rainbow for adults."
15. In the boonies: RURAL.
16. 401(k) kin: IRA. Individual Retirement Account.
19. Frank and sincere: CANDID. One definition of CANDID is "marked by honest and sincere expression". Another definition is "relating to photography of subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without being posed." It is that second definition that gave us the alliteratively titled TV show, Candid Camera. (2:45 min.)
21. Face covering: VEIL. In the 13th century, VEIL was considered a noun. In the 14th century, people started also using it as a verb.
22. Main squeeze: BAE. According to 23 Across, you can find one with an app.
25. Bubbly drink: SODA.
27. Military sch. located in "America's Sailing Capital": USNA. I do like a good trivia clue with an embedded hint!
The United States Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established in 1845. It's motto is Ex Scientia Tridens, which means "Through Knowledge, Sea Power". more history
31. "Shaun of the Dead" actor Simon: PEGG. He plays the titular character in this 2004 zombie-themed film.
34. Coal mine carrier: TRAM. How strong and huge must one be to carry a coal mine? I am reminded of the title of this book: 
36. Bus station: DEPOT.
37. Egg cells: OVA.
38. 1300, in military time: ONE P.M.
40. "Thanks a __!": LOT. Is it just me or does this apology seem insincere?
41. Short-range basketball shot: LAYUP. Here is a how-to video:
31. "Shaun of the Dead" actor Simon: PEGG. He plays the titular character in this 2004 zombie-themed film.
 |
| PEGG is in the foreground. |
37. Egg cells: OVA.
38. 1300, in military time: ONE P.M.
 |
| The clock at the USNA only goes to 12. 😜 |
41. Short-range basketball shot: LAYUP. Here is a how-to video:
44. Colorful eye part: IRIS.
45. Low-carb diet: KETO.
48. Agile: SPRY. and 69 Across. Sneaky: SLY.
45. Low-carb diet: KETO.
48. Agile: SPRY. and 69 Across. Sneaky: SLY.
...and sometimes Y
50. Rex Stout's stout sleuth Wolfe: NERO. IIRC, Splynter has been reading these books lately.
55. Was introduced to: MET. I wonder if Patti has ever MET a NY MET?
57. Ripped: TORN.
59. Cut in two: CLEAVE. CLEAVE is one of those Janus words that can also mean its opposite, "to adhere firmly".
63. Golf target score: PAR.
66. Celebration at the end of Ramadan, informally: EID. more info.
67. Goal in the board game Sorry!: HOME. Great clue! Perhaps this is where the phrase, "Sorry, not sorry," originated.
 |
| Remember the SLIDEs? If you land on the first space of a SLIDE that is not your color, you get to move all the way to the end of it, bumping any opponents in your way back to their own START spaces. Sorry! |
Down:
1. Girl who meets the Cheshire Cat: ALICE. One of my favorite soundtracks is the one for Alice in Wonderland by Danny Elfman (2010).
2. Holy text in Hebrew: TORAH.
3. Disney film set in Polynesia: MOANA. Here is the trailer for the 2016 Disney animated film. A live action version (also starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) will come out in 2026.
4. Calls dibs on: CLAIMS.
6. Holiday lead-in: EVE.
7. Practical know-how: SAVVY. The verb form is an alteration of sabi (or sabe or sapere) meaning "to know" in Latin-based languages such as Portuguese and Spanish.
8. Elm or oak: TREE.
9. "La Cage __ Folles": AUX.
10. Small sour fruit: CRABAPPLE. Speaking of trees, here is a CRABAPPLE tree.
11. First word for some babies: MAMA.
12. "What __ is new?": ELSE.
15. Bring up again, as a web page: RELOAD. I started with "reopen".
18. Struggle with "s" sounds when speaking: LISP.
20. The "D" of FDA: DRUG. The Food and Drug Administration is a federal agency in the Department of Health and Human Services.
24. "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" realm: NARNIA. C.S. Lewis penned this novel in 1950. It is the best known of the seven-novel series.
26. 1950s POTUS: DDE. Dwight David Eisenhower was the 34th President Of The United States. The Eisenhower Tunnel is located about 60 miles west of Denver on I-70.
28. Mischievous: IMPISH.
29. Cheer (for): ROOT.
"Let me ROOT, ROOT, ROOT for the home team." ♪♪
(It's cute when he eats the pop fly.)
30. Director Preminger: OTTO. (1905-1986) his IMDb page
31. Casual top with a collar: POLO.
32. Relocation in an emergency, for short: EVAC. EVACuation
33. Song in a Pride event set list: GAY ANTHEM. This fill crossed O CANADA.
Here is a Spotify list of 50 songs considered to be GAY ANTHEMs. YMCA is on that list but we had that one last Monday. Let's go with a Diana Ross tune....
I'm Coming Out (1980)
35. Bubbly prefix: AER-. It means "air".
39. 1980s maze runner with a red bow: MS. PAC-MAN.
42. French one: UNE.
 |
| for future reference.... |
43. Superstar Dolly: PARTON. Dolly Rebecca Parton was born January 19, 1946 in Pittman Center, TN. She is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist, known primarily for her decades-long career in country music. Her website calls her a living legend and who can argue with that? Here is an old clip of Dolly singing Jolene on The Porter Wagner Show in 1973.
45. "South Park" kid in a green hat: KYLE. While there technically isn't a town called "South Park" in Colorado, most people consider Fairplay, CO (population 737), located in the South Park National Heritage Area to be the setting for this animated TV series. I used to drive through it on my way to go snowboarding in Breckenridge.
 |
| They have one of those signs where you can put your face in the holes. I did Stan. L to R: Kenny, Stan, Kyle, and Eric |
47. __ and gloom: DOOM.
49. Focus of some lessons in history class and math class: RULERS. This was my favorite clue today!
Human body parts made handy measuring devices before someone invented a standardized rod. read more
51. "I wish I could __ that!": "My eyes!": UNSEE. The definition of UNSEE is to erase the image of something from one's memory. It does not have to be a bad thing. For example, once you see Australia this way, you might always think of these images.
52. Flouts a "No Smoking" sign, perhaps: VAPES. Flout vs. flaunt: Flout is to ignore the rules. Flaunt is to show off. Good job, LAT editors!
53. To no __: in vain: AVAIL.
54. Geeky: NERDY.
55. Legend: MYTH.
56. Empty room sound: ECHO.
58. Boulder: ROCK.
61. Feel remorse over: RUE.
62. Poem in tribute: ODE.
51. "I wish I could __ that!": "My eyes!": UNSEE. The definition of UNSEE is to erase the image of something from one's memory. It does not have to be a bad thing. For example, once you see Australia this way, you might always think of these images.
 |
| (Is Tasmania is a coughed-up furball? 😀) |
53. To no __: in vain: AVAIL.
54. Geeky: NERDY.
55. Legend: MYTH.
56. Empty room sound: ECHO.
58. Boulder: ROCK.
61. Feel remorse over: RUE.
62. Poem in tribute: ODE.
I will sign off with one more vowel giggle....
