Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Robin Stears

The Mating Game.  The word Mate can be placed after each word in the starred answers to give us a new concept.

17-Across. * Expensive flying option: FIRST CLASS.  First Mate and Classmate.

28-Across. * Space for home projects, e.g.: WORK ROOM.  Workmate and Roommate.

43-Across. * Collaborative activity: TEAM PLAY.  Teammate and Playmate.

56-Across. * Payment method being replaced by mobile banking: PAPER CHECK.  Paper Mate and Checkmate.

And the Unifier:
63-Across. Aussie pal, or what can follow each word in the answers to starred clues: MATE.

Across:

1. Catch sight of: ESPY.

5. Nudged with one's snout: NOSED.

10. Come clean, with "up": 'FESS.  Not to be confused with Fess Parker (né Fess Elisha Parker, Jr.; Aug. 16, 1924 ~ Mar. 18, 2010), who played Daniel Boone on television.

14. Escape: FLEE.

15. Greek marketplace: AGORA.  Today's Greek lesson.

16. Ski resort near Salt Lake City: ALTA.  This ski resort is not on my radar.

19. Greenish-blue: TEAL.  Also a duck.

20. Egg: Pref.: OVI-.

21. Warning word often preceded by a color: ALERT.

22. Scarlett of Tara: O'HARA.

23. Chemical reaction named for its two processes: REDOX.  A Redox reaction is one in which one species is reduced and another is oxidized.

25. Rhoda's sister: BRENDA.  A reference to the Mary Tyler Moore spin-off sit-com, Rhoda.  Apparently, Rhoda had a sister on the show whose name was Brenda.  Brenda was played by Julie Kavner (b. Sept. 7, 1950), who is best known for being the voice of Marge Simpson on The Simpsons.  Brenda is in the yellow sweater.

26. __ of Capricorn: TROPIC.  The Tropic of Capricorn is the circle of latitude that contains the subsolar point on the December Solstice.  In other words, it is the southernmost latitude where the sun can be directly overhead.  It's northern equivalent is the Tropic of Cancer.  Both the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer are books written by Henry Miller in the 1930s.  Both books were banned in the United States on grounds of obscenity.  In 1961, the United States Justice Department ruled that their contents were no obscene.

30. Old fast jets: SSTs.  As in SuperSonic Transport, a crossword staple.

31. Augusta National signature shrub: AZALEA.  They have such beautiful flowers.

33. __ Titanic: ill-fated ship: RMS.

34. Of the seventh planet: URANIAN.

35. Snake's sound: SSS.

38. Red wine choice: MERLOT.  The name Merlot is believed to derive from the French word merle, which is short for blackbird.  The color of the wine is very dark, like a blackbird.

39. Atomizer output: MIST.

45. 1920s-'30s "Blonde Bombshell" Jean: HARLOW.  Jean Harlow (née Harlean Harlow Carpenter; Mar. 3, 1911 ~ June 7, 1937), was an actress and sex symbol in the 1930s.  Sadly, she died very young.  She was only 26 years old when she died of some sort of respiratory failure.  During her short life, however, she managed to marry and divorce 3 times.

47. Let out, as fishing line: UNREEL.

48. Vodka brand, familiarly: STOLI.  It's more formal name is Stolichnaya.  It has an interesting history.

49. Group of musical notes: CHORD.

50. Lauder of makeup: ESTÉE.  Estée Lauder (née Josephine Esther Mentzer; July 1, 1906 ~ Apr. 24, 2004), was the founder of the cosmetics company that bears her name.

54. Auto title ID: VIN.  As in the Vehicle Identification Number.

55. Word after King or Hong: KONG.

58. Impulse: URGE.

59. Prepare, as Parmesan: GRATE.

60. Et __: and others: ALII.  Today's Latin lesson.  This is commonly abbreviated as Et al.

61. Bridge "no bid": PASS.

62. After, in French: APRÈS.  Today's French lesson.

Down:

1. Serious attempts: EFFORTS.

2. Thin fragments: SLIVERS.

3. August birthstone: PERIDOT.  It's generally a beautiful yellowish-green stone.

4. Cry of success: YES!

5. Table salt, to a chemist: NaCL.  Also known as Sodium Chloride.  The symbol for Sodium is Na, which comes from the Latin word Natrium.

6. Look at rudely: OGLE.

7. Skyrocket: SOAR.

8. Once, once upon a time: ERST.

9. Some govt. lawyers: DAs.  As in Districe Attorneys.

10. Priest's title: FATHER.

11. __ Roosevelt, first lady for 12 years: ELEANOR.  Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (Oct. 11, 1884 ~ Sept. 7, 1962) was the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  She led an interesting life in her own right.

12. Celebrity status: STARDOM.

13. Respectful bows: SALAAMS.

18. Curbside cry: TAXI.

22. Like Mindy's alien husband: ORKAN.  A reference to Mork and Mindy, the sit-com that ran from 1978 to to 1982.  I wasn't a fan.

24. Covert missions: OPs.  As in Covert Operations.

25. Inhalation: BREATH.

27. "The Office" star Steve: CARELL.  Steve Carell (b. Aug. 16, 1962) was born on the same date and same hospital as my sister.

28. Without vigor: WANLY.

29. Miscellany: OLIO.

32. Swedish singer Larsson with the Top 20 hit "Never Forget You": ZARA.  I am not familiar with Zara Larsson (b. Dec. 16, 1997).

34. Called balls and strikes: UMPED.  Think baseball.

35. Snobby: STUCK UP.

36. Portuguese lady: SENHORA.  Today's Portuguese lesson.

37. South Seas wrapped garments: SARONGS.

39. "The A-Team" actor: MR. T.  The A-Team was a television show from the 1980s and Mr. T was one of the characters.  That's my entire knowledge of the show.

40. Randy Newman song played at Dodger Stadium: I LOVE LA.  Randy Newman (né Randall Stuart Newman; b. Nov. 28, 1943) lived in New Orleans as a child.  Some of his songs are about Louisiana.

41. Formally request: SOLICIT.

42. Hostess sponge cake: TWINKIE.  When I was in the grocery story yesterday, I saw that you can now buy Twinkie flavored coffee.

44. Joins the flow of traffic: MERGES.  I just hate it when the car in front of me stops at the top of the entrance ramp.

46. "Just gimme __!": A SEC.

50. Wild West Wyatt: EARP.  Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (Mar. 19, 1848 ~ Jan. 13, 1929) is probably best known for his role in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, although his role was minor compared to that of his brother, Virgil.

51. Practice boxing: SPAR.

52. A beret covers it: TÊTE.  More of today's French lesson.

53. "__ Tu": 1974 hit: ERES.  I am not familiar with this musical piece.  Apparently, it was Spain's entry into the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest where it received 2nd place.  The following year it peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 10 chart.  Still doesn't ring a bell.

56. Tiger Woods' org.: PGA.

57. Sandwich meat: HAM.

Here's the Grid:

QOD:  You can only hold your stomach in for so many years.  ~  Burt Reynolds (Feb. 11, 1936 ~ Sept. 6, 2018), American actor

Monday February 10, 2020 Gail Grabowski & Bruce Venzke

Theme: CLAY (72. Potter's material associated with the end of 17-, 27-, 49- and 64-Across) - Synonym theme.

17. Bit of insurance paperwork: CLAIM FORM.

27. No longer in style: OUT OF FASHION.

49. Work out regularly at the gym: GET INTO SHAPE.

64. Fungus on an old loaf: BREAD MOLD.

Boomer here.  

Hello everyone. I remember when I used to hate Mondays, but now I have retired and my bowling league competes every Monday morning in the winter. Speaking of winter, it is still here in Minnesota.  Waiting for April.

Across:

1. Depletes, with "up": USES.  We used to have so many uses for modeling clay when I was a kid.

5. Pod in Creole cuisine: OKRA.

9. Theme park that retired its IllumiNations show in 2019: EPCOT.  I visited there around 1987.  I don't remember IllumiNations but it was an interesting theme park.

14. Tall and skinny: LANK. I used to be that in the 60s.  Then I got old and my upper chest dropped down a foot or two.

15. Umpire's call: FOUL. Yup, I am waiting for the season to begin.  I heard that the first pitch is in mid to late March.  That would be interesting at Target Field.  I guess the Twins open on the road.

16. Greek played by Anthony Quinn: ZORBA. Zorba the Greek.

19. Earlier offense: PRIOR.  Interesting - Minnesota has a small city called Prior Lake.  I suppose that means that there was one of 10,000 lakes there first.

20. Series-ending abbr.: ETC.

21. Set as a price: ASK.  ASK and you will receive.

22. Accumulates: AMASSES.  I have AMASSED a bunch of Baseball cards.

24. Letters shown in the "Wheel of Fortune" bonus round: R S T L N E.

26. PC panic key: ESC.  I had a bit of panic on the computer but C.C. fixed it. 

34. Public tantrum: SCENE.  Shakespeare, Clifford O'Dets,  Arthur Miller, Pirandello ??  (The Hip Song - Chad Mitchell of course.)

37. Hydroplaned: SLID.  I think Jack and Jill SLID down the hill.

38. Writer Ferber: EDNA.

39. Novelist Levin: IRA.  Keep it loaded to delay income tax.  But when you get to be my age, Uncle Sam says you have to take some out.

40. Charge card charge: LATE FEE.  This is how credit cards make $$$.  Not from C.C. and me though.

43. Tarzan player Ron: ELY.

44. Owlet's home: NEST. N E S T L E S, Nestle's makes the very best.  Chocolate.

46. With everything in place: NEAT.

47. ER images: X RAYS.  Do not need anymore.  The ER figured out what was wrong with me.  Well, physically anyway.

52. __ ring: foot jewelry: TOE.  Waste of money.

53. Postgame rundowns: RECAPS.  My bowling league secretary emails a RECAP every week, So we can see how we did.

57. Domed hall: ROTUNDA.

61. Watergate pres.: RMN.  Tricky Dick.  Always thought Milhous was an odd middle name.

62. Sigma follower: TAU.

63. Soft palate part: UVULA.

67. Latish wake-up hr.: TEN AM.  I am on my third cup of coffee and thinking about lunch by then.

68. James of "Elf": CAAN.  I suppose folks remember him in the "Godfather" but my favorite roll was his portrayal of Brian Piccolo in a TV movie called Brian's Song.

69. Charitable offerings: ALMS.

70. Catch by trickery: SNARE.

71. Prefix with formal or final: SEMI.  Also a big truck.

Down:

1. Worrier's stomach woe: ULCER.  I have been lucky to never have one of these.  And I have eaten some outrageous stuff in my lifetime.

2. Seasons with crystals: SALTS.  Don't use these to treat an ulcer.

3. Make official: ENACT.

4. Tackle moguls: SKI.  We have many small mountain ski areas here in MN, but I have never tried.  My winter sport is ... You know.

5. Cancel out: OFFSET.

6. Eccentric sort: KOOK.  KOOKIE,  KOOKIE lend me your comb.

7. Capek play about automatons: RUR.

8. __ mater: ALMA.  "Bright college years we sing to thee"

9. Toll-paying convenience: EZ PASS.  We have no toll roads in Minnesota.  Come on up and drive for free.

10. Sports car that has two syllables in German: PORSCHE.  I don't think you can drive one of these for free.  Insurance will take its toll.

11. NFL analyst Collinsworth: CRIS.

12. Slender wind: OBOE.

13. Seasoned sailors: TARS.  Never knew how they got that name.  I have seasoned TAR on my driveway.

18. "Hamilton" creator Lin-__ Miranda: MANUEL.  Quite a production.  It's making the rounds.

23. Victor at Gettysburg: MEADE.  Civil War General - Kicked Robert E. Lee's butt at Gettysburg.

25. Chaney of silents: LON.  I've heard of him but he was well before my time.

28. Bone: Pref.: OSTEO.

29. Pet peeves?: FLEAS.  "My dog has fleas!"

30. Saks __ Avenue: FIFTH.  Also a bottle of Chivas Regal.

31. Mental flash: IDEA.

32. "I'm __ human": ONLY.  "Only the Lonely" Roy Orbison.

33. Negative votes: NAYS.  A bunch of these on the Senate floor last week.

34. Act the fink: SING.  Sing, Sing a song.  Make it simple to last the whole day long. (Carpenters).

35. First Nations tribe: CREE.

36. "__ of Eden": EAST.  Home of the AL Yankees and Red Sox.  Get 'em Twins 2020.

41. Paid for a hand: ANTED.  Years ago we caddies would play poker in the country club caddy shack.  The ante was usually five cents.  But that was a lot of $$$ in 1960.   

42. Use, as energy: EXPEND.

45. In name only: TITULAR.  I'll leave this alone.

48. DVR button: REC.

50. Like a generic brand: NO NAME.  There's a company in MN called "No Name Steaks".  I have never tried one, I like steak with a name, even if it is only sirloin.

51. Designer Giorgio: ARMANI.  I don't need his clothing and I cannot afford it anyway.

54. Ring-shaped reef: ATOLL.

55. Director Brian De __: PALMA.

56. Like dishwater: SUDSY.  And also like Pabst Blue Ribbon.

57. Boring routines: RUTS.  We have ice ruts up here this year that are unbelievable!  Dangerous but C.C. and I take our time.  I would hate to have to call the fire department to pick me up off the ground.

58. Baking appliance: OVEN.

59. Fish in cat food: TUNA.  I did not know it was cat food,  StarKist is a favorite on Fridays in Lent.

60. Preschool basics: ABCS.

61. Paper quantity: REAM.  I think it's 500 sheets.  One ream lasts us about two years.

65. Grammy winner Corinne Bailey __: RAE.

66. PC alternative: MAC.  Oh yeah, that thing.  I always thought it was a big sandwich.

Boomer