Tuesday, July 27, 2021 Winston Emmons

Shall We Dance?  The last word of each theme answer is a type of dance.

21-Across. *   Site of an annual ball drop: TIMES SQUARE.  Square Dance.  Hi, Yellowrocks!

38-Across. *   Comedic climax: GAG LINE.  Line Dance.

53-Across. *     Ray Kinsella in "Field of Dreams," e.g.: BASEBALL FAN.  Fan Dance.  Sally Rand (née Helen Gould Beck; Apr. 3, 1904 ~ Aug. 31, 1979) was a famous (infamous?) American fan dancer.

3-Down. *     Keg buy in a pub: BEER ON TAP.  Tap Dance.

And the unifier:

34-Down. Wedding reception finale, and a feature of the answers to starred clues: LAST DANCE.

Across:

1. Eva of "Green Acres": GABOR.  Eva Gabor (née Éva Gábor; Feb. 11, 1919 ~ July 4, 1995) was the youngest of the Gabor sisters.  Eva was an actress and socialite, but was probably best known for her role as Lisa Douglas on Green Acres.

6. Smart guy?: ALEC.

10. Mosque leader: IMAM.

14. L.A.'s Staples Center, e.g.: ARENA.

15. "The lady __ protest too much, methinks": "Hamlet": DOTH.  Hamlet, Act III, Scene II.  Hi, OMK!

16. Zilch: NADA.

17. Frozen rain: SLEET.

18. "The African Queen" co-screenwriter James: AGEE.  James Agee (né James Rufus Agee; Nove. 27, 1909 ~ May 16, 1955) makes frequent guest appearances in the crossword puzzles.  Sadly, he died of a heart attack at age 45.

19. Fairly brisk gait: TROT.

20. ESP neighbor, to the IOC: POR.  An appropriate, but obscure clue, since the Olympic Games are being played this week.  The IOC is the International Olymoics Committee and is based in Switzerland.  The official language of the IOC is French.  Therefore, ESP is the French abbreviation for Espagne (Spain) and it neighbor is POR (le Portugal).

24. Acrylic fiber: ORLON.

26. Bach composition: SUITE.  Bach's Cello Suite # 1 as played by Yo-Yo Ma (b. Oct. 7, 1995).

27. Was understood, finally: SANK IN.

If the Titanic sank today.

29. Halley observation: COMET.  The next time Halley's Comet will be seen is 40 years from tomorrow (July 28, 2061).  Sadly, I will probably not be around to see it.  Hubby saw the last time it passed by, which was a few months before we were married in 1986.

31. Bernie's songwriting partner: ELTON.  That's Sir Elton John (né Reginald Kenneth Dwight; b. Mar. 25, 1947) and Bernie Taupin (né Bernard John Taupin; b. May 22, 1950).

32. Hawaii state bird: NENE.  This used to be a crossword staple when I began doing the puzzles in the 1980s.

33. Poetry competition: SLAM.

37. Flight tracker info: ETA.  A crossword staple.  Estimated Time of Arrival.

41. In the style of: À LA.  Today's French lesson.

42. Unkempt dos: MOPS.  //  And 47-Across: Lock on one's head: TRESS.

44. Electrical unit: VOLT.

45. Polite refusal: NO SIR.

49. "To clarify ... ": THAT IS.

50. Less prevalent: RARER.

52. Oscar, for one: AWARD.  Anthony Hopkins won one for his role as Hannibal Lector.

56. Quarterback's asset: ARM.

Joe Burrow

59. Como una mujer con mucho dinero: RICA.  Hi, Lucina!  If I win the Louisiana vaccination lottery, I will be Rica.

60. Best ever, initially: GOAT.  The Jeopardy! GOAT.

61. Paddled boat: CANOE.  //  And 46-Down. Item for a dinghy: OAR.

63. Haphazard way to run: AMOK.

64. Salinger title girl who says, "I'm extremely interested in squalor": ESMÉ.  The full name of the book is For Esmé—with Love and Squalor.  It is actually a short story in the book that contains several other short stories by Salinger.

65. Florida theme park: EPCOT.  EPCOT: the Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow.

66. Things of little consequence: NITS.

67. Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams," e.g.: STAR.  This movie was released over 30 years ago!

68. Judges: DEEMS.

Down:

1. Shocked sound: GASP.

2. Folksy Guthrie: ARLO.  Arlo Davy Guthrie (b. July 10, 1947) is the son of folk singer, Woodie Guthrie (né Woodrow Wilson Guthrie; July 14, 1912 ~ Oct. 3, 1967).

4. Half a pair: ONE.

5. Not good under-the-hood sound: RATTLING.

6. Rhett's last words: A DAMN.  A reference to Gone with the Wind.

7. Theater tier: LOGE.  Everything you wanted to know about a Loge, but didn't know to ask.

8. Sorbonne summers: ÉTÉS.  More of today's French lesson.  The Sorbonne is a public research university in Paris, France.

 

9. Knights or rooks: CHESS MEN.

10. Somehow knows: INTUITS.

11. French Revolution radical: MARAT.  Jean-Paul Marat (May 24, 1743 ~ July 13, 1793) was a French political theorist, physician and scientist.  He had a skin disease, so spent much time soaking in his bath.  While in the bath, he would often allow colleagues and other to come to speak with him.  Thus, in July 1793, Charlotte Corday (née Marie-Anne Charlotte de Corday d'Armont; July 27, 1768 ~ July 17, 1793) entered the bath and stabbed him to death.  She was beheaded 3 days later.  Marat is probably best known today because of Jacques-Louis David's painting, The Death of Marat.

12. Love to pieces: ADORE.

13. Deckhand: MATE.

22. Charged particle: ION.  A crossword staple.

23. Montreal's prov.: QUE.  Hi, CanadianEh!

25. Old MGM rival: RKO.

27. Apparently are: SEEM.

28. Kind of sax: ALTO.  The come in all sizes.  The saxaphone is a relatively new instrument.  It was invented in the 1840s.

29. Phones in pockets or purses: CELLS.

30. Working the case: ON IT.

32. Oxfam and CARE, for two: NGOs.  As in Non-Governmental Organizations.

35. Et __: and others: ALII.  Today's Latin lesson.  This is becoming a crossword staple.

36. Damages: MARS.

39. Batting stats: AVERAGES.

40. Improved in value: ENHANCED.

43. Barely runs?: STREAKS.  Clever clue!

48. Civil War soldier: REB.  As in a Rebel.

49. Pan Am rival: TWA.  My first plane flight was on a TWA plane.  I was just a kid and at the time the airlines gave out wings and other trinkets to children.  I still have the little TWA bag.  I think it was filled with candy.

50. "Spider-Man" trilogy director Sam: RAIMI.  I haven't seen any of the Spider-Man movies.

Samuel M. Raimi (b. Oct. 23, 1959)

51. Fancy neckwear: ASCOT.

52. Subsequent to: AFTER.

53. Source of fiber: BRAN.

54. 121-episode TV drama set on a mysterious island: LOST.

55. Tibetan honorific: LAMA.

The current and 14th Dalai Lama

57. Space: ROOM.

58. Citi Field team: METS.

62. Bonobo, for one: APE.

Here's the Grid:

חתולה

Monday July 26, 2021 Rebecca Goldstein

 

Theme: TANGLED WEB (56. According to Sir Walter Scott, what "we weave, / When first we practice to deceive" ... and what appears in each set of circles) - Anagrams (full set) of WEB are hidden inside each theme answer.

17. Reebok rival: NEW BALANCE.

22. "Bravo!": A JOB WELL DONE.

36. Pasture neckwear: COWBELL.

38. Creator of a spider named Charlotte: E B WHITE.

48. 1968 Steppenwolf hit featured in "Easy Rider": BORN TO BE WILD.

Boomer here.  

I think the above says it all about this puzzle.  So I just want to mention that my younger sister from San Francisco is traveling the USA with a friend and plans to stop here in Minnesota for a round of Mini Putt Putt golf and a meal on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. C.C. and I are looking forward to the fun.

Across:

1. "A Sorta Fairytale" singer Tori: AMOS.  Many years ago Tim Moore and Spencer Williams were AMOS and ANDY on a sitcom TV show.  I enjoyed the comedy but it was removed and deemed racist.

5. Hawaiian coffee region: KONA.  Hyundai has one of these on sale.  It is smaller than a Santa Fe. 

9. Mostly closed, like a door: AJAR. 

13. Points connector: LINE.  Also connects a hook and sinker to your fishing pole.

14. World's most populous democracy: INDIA.  They seem to have a Covid problem there.  Of course the USA is not totally vaccinated either.

15. Expert: GURU.

16. "Closing Bell" channel: CNBC.  I tune in a bit to check the stock market, but I cannot stand Jim Cramer.

19. Rowing implement: OAR.  "Gently down the Stream."

20. Field of expertise: AREA.  C.C.'s AREA is Crossword Puzzles.

21. There are 10 in standard Monopoly named for states: Abbr.: AVES. Vermont. Connecticut, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and the three I have been to: Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois.

26. Chicken-king link: A LA.  Also a link between Mississippi and Georgia.

27. Creep (along): SLINK.  Who might remember a SLINKEE and making it travel downstairs ?

28. "Sesame Street" rating: TV G.

31. Passions: ARDORS.

34. "__ you ready?": ARE. I am always ready but I do not know "For What"?

35. Poet Silverstein: SHEL.

40. GPS calculations: ETAS.

41. Pro vote: YEA.

43. "Silent Spring" author Rachel: CARSON. Also  "Tonight Show Host" Johnny.

44. Like wallflowers: SHY.  Not Me.

45. Vegan sources of protein: BEANS.  We planted some in our backyard garden but I think squirrels ruined the plants.  I thought those varmints only ate nuts.

47. Sign-off kisses: XES.

52. Distort, as data: SKEW.  Is there any way to SKEW squirrels?

54. Bearded flower: IRIS.  We do not have IRIS In our flower garden.  I suppose the squirrels would eat them too.  They ruined our Asian Lily.

55. Actress/activist Ruby: DEE.  I only remember Bobby Darin's wife Sandra DEE.

59. Fervor: ZEAL.

60. Swedish furniture store: IKEA.  I think they sell a lot of half-done stuff.

61. Bursts of laughter: PEALS.

62. Expel: OUST.  Looks like fans got the OUST from Tokyo. Stupid Covid strikes again.

63. Stitched up: SEWN.

64. Haywire way to go: AWRY.  Sometimes my golf ball does this.

65. Chooses: OPTS.  Then I take a new one from my bag.

Down:

1. Former maker of Reynolds Wrap: ALCOA.  Aluminum is used in many electrical wires however copper is a better conductor but it costs more.

2. Rapper Nicki: MINAJ.

3. Where many caught "Cats": ON BROADWAY.

4. Part of a min.: SEC.  And the red hand on your clock will count them for you.

5. Gets down to a tot's level: KNEELS.  When I was a kid, we use to have kneelers in church.  Now the choices are sit or stand.  Good thing too, If I had to kneel I don't think I could get up.

6. Discontinued smoothie brand: ODWALLA.

7. Penpoint: NIB. I remember that this is licorice sold in movie theatres.

8. Roadside assistance org.: AAA.

9. Tequila source: AGAVE.

10. May follower: JUNE.  We just said goodbye to June, Now I wonder if it will cool off a bit in August.

11. Rainbows, e.g.: ARCS.

12. Feel remorse for: RUE.  Or one of the "Golden Girls"

14. Memo heading: IN RE.  I don't think anyone uses this anymore.

18. Like a beanpole: LANK.

20. Far from clueless: AWARE.  What did DelAWARE?  She wore her brand New Jersey.

23. Splotches: BLOBS.

24. Desperate, as straits: DIRE.

25. Last non-AD yr.: ONE BC.  I wonder how people lived without TV, computers, or bowling balls.

28. Box orientation instruction: THIS SIDE UP.

29. White House no: VETO.

30. Secluded spot: GLEN.

31. "Pocket rockets," in poker: ACES.  I used to play a bit of poker but I never heard an ace called a rockets.  I did hear them called Bullets now and then.

32. Kind of IRA: ROTH.  I guess this is okay for some. I get by with a regular IRA.

33. More foxy: SLYER.

35. Mole-like mammal: SHREW.  I think it's been tamed.

37. Tilt: LEAN.  That's all Jack Sprat could eat.

39. Shapes, as eyebrows: WAXES.  Does anyone wax their car anymore??

42. Like many peaceful protests: ANTI-WAR.

45. Cereal serving: BOWL. Yes I have cereal in a BOWL every morning but I can think of another meaning.

46. In a bad way: SORELY.

48. Started: BEGAN.

49. Drool catchers: BIBS.  I cannot remember those days when I wore a BIB.  But these days some of my meal ends up on the front of my shirt.

50. "It's the __ I can do": LEAST.

51. Shoulder muscles, briefly: DELTS.

52. Sushi bar beverage: SAKE.  No Thank you.

53. Was informed (of): KNEW.

56. "__ the season ... ": TIS. "The season to be jolly" (In 5 months)

57. AQI monitor: EPA.

58. Beads on grass: DEW.  I have not seen much of it this year.

59. State of chaos: ZOO. "Someone told me it's all happening at the ZOO." Simon and Garfunkel.

Boomer

Sunday July 25, 2021 Tony Caruso & C.C. Burnikel

 Theme:  "Call Up"- Seven different types of phone goes up in the grid.

 3D. Amusement park pickup areas: TRAM STOPS. Smartphone.

 5D. Cooper classic: THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. Home phone.

 11D. Striped walkways: ZEBRA CROSSINGS. Car phone.

 15D. Sweet snacks on sticks: CANDY APPLES. Pay phone.

 21D. "Absolutely!": THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. Bat phone.

 55D. Best Actor role for Anthony Hopkins: HANNIBAL LECTER. Cellphone.

 71D. "That's not news to me": I'M WELL AWARE. Wall phone.

Reveal:

86D. Motorola Razr, e.g., and a hint to each set of circles: FLIP PHONE.

Tony Caruso is the beloved Anonymous-T on our blog. He came up with this idea a few years ago, but we could not make it happen. We still had trouble with the SMART/HOME choices this time around, but we came up with a good set.

Rich changed our 107A from IDA to IRA, otherwise, the grid is just what we sent in. As always, some of the great clues are Rich's. 
 

Can't wait for Tony to retire so he can dedicate more to crossword-making or blog for us occasionally.

Tony with his Alfa Romeo Spider

Across:

1. Club alternatives: BLTS. Tony is a foodie. You can find some of his recipe here on our blog.

5. Word often after an "-er" word: THAN. Larger THAN life.

9. Adjusted to fit, as a ring: SIZED.

14. Future doc's hurdle: MCAT.

18. Mark replacement: EURO. Deutsche Mark.

19. Upbeat greeting: HI HO. We just had "Kermi' intro".

20. One's due: CREDIT.

22. Going rate: PACE.

23. Sweet Sixteen org.: NCAA.

24. Jacob's brother: ESAU.

25. Unexpected attack: AMBUSH. I'm now confused after reading your comments on SIEGE.

26. Pot builder: ANTE.

27. Distressed ones in some fairy tales: DAMSELS. Tony had ["They're "distressed" in cartoons]

29. Sun, for one: G STAR.

31. Pale green glaze that originated in China: CELADON. So pretty.

33. Adoption candidate, maybe: STRAY CAT. Rich's clue.

35. Antonio's love: AMORE. Guess what our original clue is?

37. Timeline divs.: YRS.

38. Seminole rivals, in college sports: GATORS.

40. Simpson trial judge: ITO.

41. Signature Obama legis.: ACA.

42. James played by Beyoncé in "Cadillac Records": ETTA.

44. "Mr. Blue Sky" rock gp.: ELO.

45. Inventor who had his ups and downs: OTIS. Tony had [Lift letters?]

47. Victory wreaths: LAURELS.

50. Wall St. debuts: IPOS.

53. PGA leaders, say: TOP PROS. Do you like Bryson DeChambeau? Boomer is not a fan.

55. Whacked at, as left field: HIT TO.

56. Stuck: IN A SPOT.

58. Slangy meeting: SESH. Session.

59. Bug with bounce: FLEA. Tony had the cute [Insect seldom seen at the market].

61. Requirements: MUST DOS.

63. EWR alternative: LGA.

64. Summer temp, maybe: INTERN.

66. Sch. with the mascot Sparty: MSU.

67. Sup at home: DINE IN.

69. 1862 Tennessee battle site: SHILOH.

72. Luanda is its cap.: ANG. Angola. We just had the Ang Lee angle.

74. Minor issue: NIT.

75. Ric of The Cars: OCASEK. Here with his then happy wife.

76. "Who wants cake?" eager reply: ME ME ME.

77. Polite title: SIR.

78. Easy, in ads: NO FUSS.

80. "That's so cute!": AWW.

81. Slide organisms: AMOEBAE.

84. Take suddenly: GRAB.

85. Pickable do: AFRO. Boomer wants to emulate Kyle Troup's routine. So I got him an Afro pick.

89. Second-marriage relationship: STEPSON.

91. "Et __?": "And then what?": APRES.

93. Awesome: STELLAR. Sorry to annoy Husker Gary.

95. Hindu festival of love: HOLI.

96. Detective's promising discovery: HOT LEAD.

98. Fly high: SOAR.

99. Cold rocks: ICE. Tony had [Robber's rocks].

100. Jeans name: LEVI.

102. Racing Unsers: ALS.

103. Hoppy brew, briefly: IPA.

105. Seedy company?: BURPEE.

107. Nest egg initials: IRA. And 108. Crew member: ROWER. We had IDA/DOWER. Rich's version is much better.

109. Words of comfort: I CARE.

111. Music genre big in China: CANTOPOP. My favorite singer is Andy Lau. Lau is just Cantonese for Liu (Lucy Liu, e.g.).

113. Mastered: DOWN PAT.

115. Box with openings: CRATE.

118. Pet rabbits' homes: HUTCHES.

121. Not at one's desk: AWAY.

122. Like some revenue, as parking fines: NON-TAX. Our original clue is too wordy.

124. Café additive: LAIT.

126. Stimulating nut: KOLA.

127. German gent: HERR.

128. Blessing elicitor: SNEEZE.

129. Civil rights activist Guinier: LANI. Wiki always has the best picture.

130. Baseball's Slaughter: ENOS.

131. Cookie that's customizable: OREO. Tony had [Cookie that's not famous?]

132. Dog-__ pages: EARED.

133. Type of prof.: ASST.

134. Teller's stack: TENS.

Down:

1. Compromise: BEND.

2. Hatchet man __ Brasi of "The Godfather": LUCA. Scary.

4. In order that one may: SO AS TO.

6. __ fit: HISSY.

7. "Take on Me" band: AHA.

8. Snickers ingredient: NOUGAT.

9. Vocal improv: SCAT.

10. Hogwarts librarian __ Pince: IRMA.

12. School URL ender: EDU.

13. Summer songs?: DISCO. Donna Summer. Rich's creation.

14. Movie-rating org.: MPAA.

16. Stage figure: ACTOR.

17. Many new drivers: TEENS.

28. Fact-checker's find: ERROR.

30. Vodka nickname: STOLI.

32. Rent: LET.

34. Lead-in to gender: CIS. Opposite of "trans".

36. Astronaut Jemison: MAE.

38. Receives: GETS.

39. Sunburn-soothing balm: ALOE.

41. Halloween is in it: AUTUMN.

43. "Whether __ nobler ... ": Hamlet: TIS.

 

46. Wight, e.g.: ISLE.

48. 20s dispenser: ATM.

49. Cap: LID.

51. __ Boogie: "The Nightmare Before Christmas" villain: OOGIE.

52. Won a Razzie Award, say: STANK.

54. Lover's suffix: PHILE.

57. Kobe-based shoe company: ASICS. I love my Skechers.

60. Remove entirely: ERASE.

62. Personal teacher: TUTOR. Tony had [Master of one?]

65. "Enough, Jorge!": NO MAS.

68. __ cavity: NASAL.

69. Huge success: SMASH.

70. Strictly follow: HEW TO.

73. Fox's quest in a fable: GRAPES. Tony had [Fruits of wrath?]

79. Burkina __: FASO.

82. "Blueprint for a Sunrise" artist: ONO.

83. Laundry brand: ERA.

87. Political battle: RACE.

88. First Black NHL player Willie __: O'REE. Hope he did not stump you. We made sure that the crossings were fair. He's known as the Jackie Robinson of ice hockey. A historical figure.

90. March 14 food: PIE.

92. Official proclamation: EDICT.

94. Blow: ERUPT.

97. Road crew supply: TAR.

98. Honshu honorific: SAN.

101. Big shot, briefly: VIP.

104. Dish from Valencian for "frying pan": PAELLA.

106. __ Mortgage: Quicken brand: ROCKET. Learning moment for me.

107. Oregon Trail state: IDAHO.

110. Yom Kippur verb: ATONE.

112. Wheat __: cracker brand: THINS.

114. "Stoned Soul Picnic" songwriter Laura: NYRO.

116. Level: RAZE.

117. Canned: AXED.

119. Tech mogul Musk: ELON.

120. Lip: SASS.

123. Org. with annual Jazz Master Awards: NEA.

125. Small batteries: AAS.

C.C.