Tuesday, October 1, 2019 C.C. Burnikel

Mom and Pop Stores:  Each answer "KEEPS" the word "SHOP" hidden within the two-word spans.

16-Across. Golf tournament won by Shane Lowry in 2019: BRITISH OPEN.  Shane Lowry (b. Apr. 2, 1987) is an Irish professional golfer.

19-Across. "Easy Rider" actor: DENNIS HOPPER.

Dennis Lee Hopper (May 17, 1936 ~ May 29, 2010)

51-Across. Baltimore-based medical school: JOHNS HOPKINS. Johns Hopkins (May 19, 1795 ~ Dec. 24, 1873) was an American entrepreneur, abolitionist and philanthropist.  He amassed a large forture, which was bequeathed to a number of institutions, the most memorable is the still existing Johns Hopkins University.  His first name is actually Johns, which was his mother's maiden name.

57. "Fingers crossed!": HERE'S HOPING.

And the unifier:

34-Across. Stocking experts, and what 16-, 19-, 51- and 57-Across literally are: SHOPKEEPERS.  Shopkeepers are the individuals who own and operate an independent shop.  A lot of the little Mom and Pop stores in my city are disappearing and are being replaced by the big stores.

All the tripe you want from the Shopkeeper of this little shop we found in Naples.

Across:

1. Fisherman's __: waterfront district in San Francisco: WHARF.

6. Police HQ alerts: APBs.  As in All Points Bulletins.

10. Sushi bar sauce: SOY.

13. Swiss mathematician: EULER.  Leonhard Euler (Apr. 15, 1707 ~ Sept. 18, 1783) was influential in many areas of mathematics, including topology and analytical number theory.  It's all over my head, but ...

14. Soft palate dangler: UVULA.

15. "t," in "btw": THE.  Textspeak for By The Way.

18. Cavity-fighting org.: ADA.  As in the American Dental Association.

21. eharmony profile part: BIO.  As in a Biography.

24. Entry point: DOOR.

25. With 31-Across, "The Aviator" Oscar nominee: ALAN.  //  And 31. See 25-Across: ALDA.  This gives us Alan Alda (né Alphonso Joseph D'Abrusso; b. Jan. 28, 1936).

26. Maxim: OLD SAW.

28. Pequod crew: WHALERS.  A reference to Moby Dick, the novel by Herman Melville (Aug. 1, 1819 ~ Sept. 28, 1891).  The book is on my TBR list, but way, way down on that list!

32. Tidy (up): SPRUCE.

38. Give as a task: ASSIGN.

39. Office notice: MEMO.

42. Govt. drug bust, perhaps: FBI RAID.

45. Post-workout refresher: SHOWER.  Most of the showers in our hotels were very, very tiny.

47. __ mater: ALMA.

48. TriBeCa neighbor: SOHO.  TriBeCa is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City that is the Triangle Below Canal Street.  It is near the area that is South of Houston Street.

50. "__ Blinded Me With Science": 1983 hit: SHE.

56. "Sands of __ Jima": 1949 film: IWO.  This was a John Wayne movie.

61. Country star McGraw: TIM.  Tim McGraw (né Samuel Timothy McGraw; b. May 1, 1967) was born in Delhi, Louisiana.

62. Gas brand BP relaunched in 2017: AMOCO.

63. Less prevalent: RARER.

64. Had chips, say: ATE.

65. Fail to notice: MISS.  What happened to the Swiss Miss logo on the chocolate?  Do you Miss her?

66. Washington, e.g.: STATE.  Washington was admitted into the Union on November 11, 1889.  The State is named for George Washington.  Its capital is Olympia and its largest city is Seattle.

Down:

1. Spider's creation: WEB.

2. "Ben-__": HUR.  Before it was an epic 1959 movie, starring Charlton Heston in the title role, it was a novel entitled, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, by General Lew Wallace (Apr. 10, 1827 ~ Feb. 15, 1905).  Wallace was a Union General in the American Civil War.  He presided over the trial of Henry Wirz (Nov. 25, 1823 ~ Nov. 10, 1865), who was the Confederate Commander over the prisoner-of-war camp near Andersonville, Georgia.  Wirz was found guilty of cruelty and endangering the lives of the prisoners and was executed.  Wirz was only 1 of 2 individuals executed for war crimes during the American Civil War.

3. Baba in a cave: ALI.  The story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is just one of the Arabian Tales in the collection One Thousand and One Nights.  Ali discovered that the phrase "Open Sesame" would open the thieves' den, and hence, its treasures.

4. No longer working: Abbr.: RET'D.  As in Retired, like many of us here on the blog.

5. Curly-haired "Peanuts" character: FRIEDA.  I don't remember this character.

6. To have, in Paris: AVOIR.  Today's French grammar lesson.

7. Baby seals: PUPS.

 

8. "Yuck!": BLEH!

9. Twins infielder Miguel: SANO.  Miguel Sano (né Miguel Ángel Jean Sanó; b. May 11, 1993) is a 3rd baseman for the Minnesota Twins.

10. Rice, in Chinese cuisine: STAPLE.

11. "My goodness!": OH, DEAR!

12. Hankers (for): YEARNS.

14. "Hmm ... not likely": UH, NO.

17. Winter flakes: SNOW.

20. Capital of Sicily: PALERMO.  I was in Palermo a few weeks ago.

 Here I am waving from the balcony of our hotel.

 Our hotel was a few feet from the Quattro Canti, the intersection of the city's two main thoroughfares.

The Cappella Palatina, within the Norman Palace, is covered in beautiful mosaics.

21. Fluffy wrap: BOA.

22. "__ be darned!": I'LL.

23. Vegas calculation: ODDS.

27. Like most of northern Africa: SAHARAN.

28. Little songbird: WREN.

29. Drillmaster's syllable: HUP.

30. Opening day pitcher, typically: ACE.  The pitcher should be an Ace, but those selected to throw out the first ball aren't.

 

32. Icy road worry: SKID.

 

33. Cribbage piece: PEG.  My grandfather taught me to play cribbage.  Playing cribbage with my mother was one of the last things we did together.

35. Mama bear, in Seville: OSA.  Today's Spanish lesson.

36. Omega preceder: PSI.  It's Greek to me.

37. Puts a Singer to work: SEWS.  My grandmother had a Singer like the one below.

40. "Not really a fan": MEH!

41. Mined metal: ORE.

42. Sizzling Tex-Mex fare: FAJITA.  Yummers!

43. Fail epically: BLOW IT.

44. Shout from the foyer: I'M HOME!

45. __ Tzu: toy dog: SHIH.

46. Advanced student's course: HONORS.

48. Contractor's parameters: SPECS.

49. "Yeah, and ... ?": OK, SO.

52. Fancy pillowcase: SHAM.

53. Prefix with sphere: HEMI-.

54. Gold medals, to Spaniards: OROs.  More of today's Spanish lesson.

55. Quarrel: SPAT.

58. Nest egg acronym: IRA.  As in the Individual Retirement Account.

59. "Nothing but __": "Swish!": NET.

60. College sr.'s test: GRE.  As in the Graduate Record Examinations.

Here's the Grid:

A BIG "Thank You" to Boomer for filling in for me over the last several weeks while I was away.  Doing double duty two days in a row is a lot.  I really appreciate his fine and humorous commentaries.

Finally, here is your QOD:  My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn't pay the bill, he gave me six months more.  ~  Walter Matthau (né Walter John Matthow; Oct. 1, 1920 ~ July 1, 2000)

Monday September 30, 2019 Roland Huget

Theme: WHITE MATTER (60. Certain brain tissue, or what each half of the answers to the starred clues can be) -

17. *Realtor's client: HOUSE-HUNTER. White House. White hunter.

26. *Surface for slicing rye, say: BREADBOARD. White bread. Whiteboard.

36. *Vehicle's rear warning lamp: TAILLIGHT.  Whitetail. White light.

50. *Feline metaphor for an empty threat: PAPER TIGER. White paper. White tiger.

Boomer here. First and foremost, I am pleased to convey a Happy New Year,  Rosh Hashanah to members of Jewish faith that participate on the Crossword Corner.

At home, the "Magic Number" finally hit zero, and it looks like our Twins are headed to New York to play the Yankee Doodle Dandies.  Too early to JUDGE who might win.

Across:

1. Gull relatives: TERNS. I wonder if, when the birds get together for Thanksgiving, do they sit on the left or right?

6. Spots to fast-forward through: TV ADS.  I am not able to fast forward, I watch TV in real time.  I hate most of the ads, especially car insurance and "Ask you doctor".

11. Cleopatra's killer: ASP.  "Would you take that lousy life if it was offered to you?  You can bet Cleopatra's ASP you would."  (Chad Mitchell Trio on Liz Taylor.)

14. Sharply inclined: STEEP.

15. Trip odometer function: RESET.  I do not have a Trip Odometer.  I am sure it was an option that I chose not to waste money on.

16. Chinese steamed bun: BAO.

19. Category: ILK.

20. Rural stopover: INN.  My favorite - C'Mon INN in Billings Montana.  I think it's about 800 miles from my home, but I am not sure.  I don't have a trip odometer.

21. __ d'Alene, Idaho: COEUR.

22. "Well, gosh!": OH GEE.  Together worth three points in Scrabble.

24. Social reformer Jacob: RIIS.

28. Body ink: TATTOO.  De plane, De Plane!

30. Eye part that may become detached: RETINA.

31. Golf's Slammin' Sammy: SNEAD.  It's amazing what this guy could do with woods made of real wood and a golf ball that is not Super Soft or a Pro V1.

32. Karma: FATE.

35. Vegas' "one-armed bandit": SLOT. Yeah you should expect to donate to the casino.  I like the draw poker machines. They make you think a little bit and not wait for three 7s to show up on the pay line.

39. Head or tooth pain: ACHE.  Or the New York Yankees whose pain is a bit lower and on the back side.

42. Pick out with care: CULL.

43. Aficionados: BUFFS.

47. "Ye Olde" retailer: SHOPPE.  You know, I see this in crosswords frequently, but I have never seen or been to a Shoppe.

49. Lose its fizz, as soda: GO FLAT.  I had a nail in a tire a few months ago but amazingly it was found and repaired by the tire store before it went FLAT.

54. Pâté de __ gras: FOIE.

55. Goodnight woman of song: IRENE.  I'll see her in my dreams.

56. "The __ Wears Prada": 2006 film: DEVIL.

58. "__ you awake?": ARE.  Of course.  You think I could do this if I was asleep??

59. Vied for office: RAN.  Only about 13 months away.

63. Pre-marital (just barely) promise: I DO.

64. Parisian love: AMOUR.

65. Reagan attorney general Ed: MEESE.

66. After taxes: NET.  After taxes, a NET is about the only thing I can afford.

67. Easy victories: ROMPS.  The Gophers took care of Purdue Saturday although it should not be called a ROMP. I was impressed by the folks in West Lafayette.  A college town of about 30,000 people.  I think most of them were at the game.

68. Medicare Rx section: PART D.  I really don't think Part D covers much. I am very thankful to have VA prescription service.  Co-pays are pretty reasonable.

Down:

1. Tops with slogans: T-SHIRTS.  I have many.

2. Ian Fleming or George Orwell, schoolwise: ETONIAN.

3. Get the old gang together: REUNITE.  Graybar has one of these for retired old coots in Las Vegas.  Usually in February, but I have not heard yet this year.

4. Old Nintendo game console: Abbr.: NES. This looks like half a name to me. Right Irish Miss?

5. Job detail, briefly: SPEC.

6. More accurate: TRUER.  Words were never spoken.

7. Change of __: trial request: VENUE.

8. Stars, in Latin: ASTRA.

9. Lousy grade: DEE.  Sandra of old time flicks.

10. Flasher at a disco: STROBE.  These things drive me nuts, almost as bad as the whoopers at ball games,

11. 1797-1801 first lady Adams: ABIGAIL.  I remember "Dear Abby" - Abigail Van Buren.

12. City near Naples: SALERNO.  South of Rome near Naples.

13. Prodded: POKED AT.

18. Stereotypical boxcar hopper: HOBO.  Red Skelton.

23. 1979 Donna Summer hit: HOT STUFF.

25. Local govt. prison: STATE PEN.  Or Jesse Ventura's retirement benefit.

27. Bit of wine sediment: DREG.

29. "Ghost" psychic __ Mae Brown: ODA.

32. Winter malady: FLU.  Do the shots really work?  Every pharmacy even the small ones in grocery stores beg me to get a flu shot every year.  I pass, and have never gotten the flu.  Too bad they don't sell cancer shots.

33. "__ My Children": ALL.

34. Shop __ you drop: TIL.

37. Rapper/actor whose name sounds like a summer drink: ICE T.  I DO NOT care for Rap, but I did like ICE T in "Law and Order SVU."  Did you know Mariska Hargitay is Jayne Mansfield's daughter?

38. "Westworld" network: HBO.  I pay enough for Direct TV.  I don't need to pay extra for whatever.

39. Pill for pain: ASPIRIN. Boy, that's old school. Now it is Ibuprofen, Aleve, Afrin, Oxycodin, Tylenol, etc.

40. Pantomimed act in a parlor game: CHARADE.

41. "Sure wish that doesn't happen": HOPE NOT.  My Mom's name was HOPE.  Earlier during doctor questions I was asked if I had "hopeless feelings".  I answered that my mother had passed away. Then explained her name was HOPE.  I am sure the nurse thought I was a smartass, which I am.

44. Pool noodle, e.g.: FLOATER.

45. "... who is the __ one of all?": Evil Queen: FAIREST.  Mirror Mirror on the wall ?

46. Manned the helm: STEERED.

48. Like the Great Depression, timewise: PRE-WAR.  We have had way too many PRE-WAR periods in the 20th Century.

49. Like the Reaper: GRIM.  Speaking of the 20th Century, Bob Grim was a pitcher for the Yankees, Kansas City A's, and others in the late 50s and early 60s.

51. Figure of speech: IDIOM.

52. Hop out of bed: GET UP.  "Get up Jimmie Newman, the morning has come." (Tom Paxton).

53. Activist Medgar: EVERS.  This clue should be "Tinker to ______ to Chance."

57. Tanning device: LAMP.  SUN did not fit in the grid.

61. Medical ins. plan: HMO.

62. Scone go-with: TEA.  Tea for two and two for me

Boomer

Notes from C.C.:

Happy Birthday to our dog lover Pat and her husband, who were born in the same day and same year. Pat was a few hours older than her husband. Hope today is extra special, Pat!

Sunday September 29, 2019 Paul Coulter

Theme: "Where It's At" - Two-part theme. One part is the literal interpretation of its position with regard to the other part.
 
22. Ahead of time ... and where it's at: BEFOREHAND. This answer comes ahead of the hand in 24A.

24. It includes a king and queen: ROYAL FLUSH.

44. On the up and up ... and where it's at: ABOVEBOARD. Above 52A.

52. Food squares?: MEALS.
 
50. Bout enders, for short: KOS.

53. In a ship's hull ... and where it's at: BELOW DECKS. Under 50A.
 
88. More than flamboyant ... and where it's at: OVER THE TOP. Over 93A.

93. Casual shirt: TEE.

92. Red __: SEA.

95. Mortgaged to the hilt and then some ... and where it's at: UNDERWATER. Under 92A.
 
118. Final football score including at least one safety: NINE TO FIVE. Ahead of 121A.

121. Subsequent to the normal closing time ... and where it's at: AFTER HOURS.

Another creative effort from Paul Coulter. Like the "Greek Cross" we had a few weeks ago. This grid is also very challenging to fill. Tremendous restrictions. 

Across:

1. Bite: TANG.

5. Arabic for "commander": EMIR.

9. Exam administered by the College Board, briefly: PSAT.

13. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame architect: I M PEI. Born in Guangzhou. He also designed the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong. 

18. Burn balm: ALOE.

19. "Mostly Ghostly" series author: STINE.

20. Charity: ALMS.

21. High times?: NOONS.

26. Regards intensely: STARES AT. And 31. Bedevil: NAG AT.

27. Like the White Rabbit: LATE.

29. About to explode: IRATE.

30. Cherbourg cherub: ANGE. Angel. Another alliteration: 118. Nancy, in Nancy: NOM.

33. Speak colorfully, so to speak: SWEAR. Ah, colorfully.

35. Rescue op: EVAC.

37. Not for: ANTI.

39. MileagePlus rewards co.: UAL.

40. Puts in stitches: SEWS.

48. Chutney fruit: MANGO. Never had this. Probably a fixer at Steve's house.

51. Lenient: LAX.

56. West Point newbie: PLEBE.

59. Rapa __: NUI.

60. Japanese beer brand: KIRIN. Same letter count as ASAHI.

61. Native Nebraskan: OTOE.

62. Atlanta suburb: SMYRNA. I learned that Julia Roberts went to Smyrna's Campbell High School.

64. Complain: CRAB.

66. Itsy-bitsy: TEENY.

68. Frisk: SEARCH.

70. "... __ he drove out of sight": Moore: ERE.

71. Compass points: RHUMBS. New word to me.

74. Bank: CAROM.

76. Strong-voiced Mama: CASS.

78. Bends: STOOPS.

80. The Miners of the Lone Star St.: UTEP.

82. Add: PUTIN.

84. Blackguard: CAD. Wiki says "Blackguard" is an old-fashioned term for a scoundrel.

87. Nab in a trap: SNARE.

90. Artist Matisse: HENRI. He's wearing Matisse's work. "Blue Nude".

94. Adult: OF AGE.

98. Highland toppers: TAMS.

100. Away from the office: OUT.

101. "__ here": SAME.

103. Burpee product: SEED.

104. Big dipper: LADLE.

106. Areas for religious statues: APSES.

108. Former WNBA star __ Leslie: LISA. First one to dunk in WNBA.

111. José's "good": BUENO.

113. Speedy steed: ARAB.

115. Zone that may be restricted: AIRSPACE.

123. Martini garnish: OLIVE.

124. Each: APOP.

125. Salad green: CRESS.

126. Notices: SEES.

127. Doled (out): METED.

128. Puts the kibosh on: BANS.

129. "Categorical imperative" philosopher: KANT.

130. Scots Gaelic: ERSE.

Down:

1. Checks with tax, usually: TABS.

2. Prince Valiant's wife: ALETA. Mom of another crossword regular ARN.

3. Hardly in favor (of): NO FAN.

4. Paternal grandfather of Elizabeth II: GEORGE V.

5. 2007 Best Director Oscar sharer: ETHAN COEN. With Joel Coen. "No Country for Old Men".

6. Mazda model: MIATA.

7. B&B, e.g.: INN.

8. City near San Bernardino: REDLANDS.Also learning moment for me.

9. Actor's goal: PART.

10. Gin flavor: SLOE.

11. One of Alcott's "Little Women": AMY.

12. Org. with a lot of baggage?: TSA. I like this clue also.

13. Prefix with red: INFRA.

14. Back biters: MOLARS.

15. Displeased look: POUT.

16. Massachusetts motto opener: ENSE. "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" . What a mouthful.

17. Book end?: ISH. Bookish.

19. French possessive: SES.

23. Christopher of "Superman": REEVE.

25. Hide out: LIE LOW.

28. ABA member: ATT.

32. Aioli ingredient: GARLIC. My brother just told me how to make the perfect spinach salad. The key is this Zhenjiang Vinegar.

33. Naturally illuminated: SUNLIT.

34. Conestoga driver: WAGONER.

36. 1972 USA-USSR treaty subj.: ABM.

38. Drinks: IMBIBES.

41. Big name in kitchenware: EKCO. I don't think we own any of their product.

42. Active against racial injustice, in slang: WOKE. Stay woke.

43. Sautéing sound: SSS.

44. "The Sound of Music" backdrop: ALPS.

45. Salves: BALMS.

46. Daisy variety: OXEYE.

47. Sullivan Award sports org.: AAU. Amateur Athletic Union. Sullivan Award is awarded to "the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States" every year, a la Wiki.

49. __ Lingus: AER.

54. Breakfast sinkers: DONUTS.

55. Linguistic root: ETYMON.

57. Pick-me-up: BRACER.

58. Absorbed: ENRAPT.

60. Part of DKNY: KARAN.

63. Spanning: Abbr.: ACR. Across.

65. Chef's creations: RECIPES. My friend Carmen and her husband Lao Pan are terrific chefs.  The girl in red is Lao Pan's daughter Xiao Pan, who was just a little girl when I left Guangzhou. If you look closely, both Xiao Pan and Carmen are wearing a jade bracelet. Girls in Guangzhou like to wear jade bracelets or jade necklaces.

67. "Come again?" sounds: EHS.

69. Auditioning actor, say: HOPEFUL.

72. Sing one's own praises: BOAST.

73. Bender: SPREE.

75. Change genetically: MUTATE.

77. Clips for trailers: SCENES. Movie trailers.

79. Lightly burn: SEAR.

80. Eye layer: UVEA.

81. Abound (with): TEEM.

83. Dude (up): TOG.

85. Connector of partners: AND.

86. Most formal, fashion-wise: DRESSIEST.

88. Giant whose #4 was retired: OTT.

89. Jinx: HOODOO.

90. Large whale: HUMPBACK.

91. Steamed state: IRE.

96. From Swansea, say: WELSH.

97. Fatty: ADIPOSE.

99. Short one seen more in warm weather: SLEEVE. Cute clue angle. Long-sleeve shirt weather here in MN.

102. Battery size: AAA.

105. Started the pot: ANTED.

107. Consumed: EATEN.

109. Acidic, in Augsburg: SAUER. Sour.

110. Farm measures: ACRES.

111. Irascibility: BILE.

112. Condo, e.g.: UNIT.

113. HarperCollins romance imprint: AVON.

114. Gym set: REPS.

116. Monopoly foursome: Abbr.: RRS.

117. To be, to Brutus: ESSE.

119. Terrif: FAB.

120. Draft pick: IPA.

122. Monk's title: FRA.

C.C.