Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Beth Rubin

Give 'em the old Razzle-Dazzle!  Today's theme is exemplified in 4-Down: Really wowed: DAZZLED.  

I've highlighted how the clue and answer are paired.  Be prepared to be DAZZLED by the creativity of  Beth Rubin, today's puzzle creator.

17-Across. Thelma's "Wow!"?: GEEZ LOUISE!  A reference to the 1991 movie Thelma and Louise.

24-Across. Astronomer's "Wow!"?: OH, MY STARS!

39-Across. Saint's "Wow!"?: GOOD ONE!

48-Across. Safari guide's "Wow!"?: THAT'S WILD!

60-Across. Chameleon's "Wow!"?: OUT OF SIGHT!

How else are we dazzled today?

Across:

1. Gave money to: PAID.

5. Shawkat of "Being the Ricardos": ALIA.  Alia Shawkat (née Alia Martine Shawkat; b. 1989) also portrayed Maeby Fünke in Arrested Development.  She has made occasional guest appearances in the puzzles.  [Name # 1]

9. Bygone Swedish automaker: SAAB.  Saab Automobile was founded 1945 and ceased operations in 2016.  The name comes from Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Swedish for "Swedish aeroplane corporation"), a Swedish aerospace and defense company.  

13. Icelandic saga: EDDA.  Everything you wanted to know about the Icelandic saga, but didn't know to ask.  //  Not to be confused with 67-Across. Whirlpool: EDDY.

14. Code creator: MORSE.  Samuel Morse (né Samuel Finley Breese Morse; Apr. 27, 1791 ~ Apr. 2, 1872) was known as a portrait painter before delving into creating the eponymous code that was the  social media of his time.   [Name #2.]

16. Canyon comeback: ECHO.

19. Site with handmade goods: ETSY.

20. Ilana of "Broad City": GLAZER.  Ilana Glazer (b. Apr. 12, 1987) is also a stand-up comedian.  [Name # 3.]

21. "__ Lot": Stephen King novel: SALEM'S.  Salem's Lot is a horror story about a little town in Maine where the residents become vampires.  Not a fan of Stephen King's writings, but he is a graduate of my alma mater, albeit, he attended several years earlier.  A Stephen King novel also appeared in last Tuesday's puzzle.  [Name adjacent.]

23. Raises one's voice: YELLS.

27. British prep school: ETON.  This school appeared in last Tuesday's puzzle.  Prince William (b. June 21, 1982) and Eddy Redmayne (b. Jan. 6, 1982) were classmates there.

29. Property manager's sign: TO LET.

30. Like memories to smile about: FOND.

33. Badminton target: BIRDIE.  Also known as a shuttlecock.

37. Fertility clinic cells: OVA.

38. Smog watchdog org.: EPA.  As in the Environmental Protection Agency.

40. Religious sister: NUN.  Hi, Lucina!

41. Bolivia neighbor: Abbr.: ARG.  Both countries in South America.

42. File manager menu option: RENAME.

43. Requirement: NEED.

44. Stark daughter played by Sophie Turner on "Game of Thrones": SANSA.  Sophie Turner (née Sophie Belinda Jonas; b. Feb. 21, 1996) made her acting debut as Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones.  [Name # 4.]

46. Canadian gas brand: ESSO.  Hi, CanadianEh!  This gas brand has become a crossword staple.

52. Scarecrow innards: STRAW.

56. "Jinkies! That's out of the question!": GOSH, NO!

57. Loosen, as a corset: UNLACE.

58. "Lip __ Battle": SYNC.  Hand up if you knew that Lip Sync Battle is a television musical reality competition.

62. Enjoy a bath: SOAK.

63. "Me too": DITTO.

64. Change direction suddenly: VEER.

65. Pulls (at), as heartstrings: TUGS.

66. Gentle throw: TOSS.

Down:

1. "__ Sue Got Married": PEGGY.  Peggy Sue Got Married is a 1986 film that starred Kathleen Turner (née Mary Kathleen Turner; b. June 19, 1954) and Nicholas Cage (né Nicolas Kim Coppola; b. Jan. 7, 1964).  [Name Adjacent]

2. "Rolling in the Deep" singer: ADELE.  Adele, whose given name is Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (b. May 5, 1988), appeared in last Tuesday's puzzle.  [Name # 5.]

3. Like a best-case scenario: IDEAL.

5. Spanish for "love": AMOR.  Today's Spanish lesson.  Hello, again, Lucina!

6. Singer Rawls: LOU.  Lou Rawls (né Louis Allen Rawls; Dec. 1, 1933 ~ Jan. 6, 2006) released over 60 albums.  [Name # 6.]

7. Notre Dame Fighting __: IRISH.  Hello, Irish Miss!

8. Tea region of India: ASSAM.  Did you know where it was located in India?

9. Appear that way: SEEM TO.

10. Has no help: ACTS ALONE.

11. Tonsils-checking sounds: AHS!

12. Son: BOY.

15. Too wiggly to hold: EELY.  Everything you wanted to know about eels, but didn't know to ask.

18. "__ we forget": LEST.

22. Cosmetician Lauder: ESTÉE.  Estée Lauder (née Josephine Ester Mentzer; July 1, 1908 ~ Apr. 24, 2004) cofounded the eponymous cosmetic company in the 1940s.   [Name # 7.]

24. Scallion kin: ONION.  Do you know the difference?

25. Variety show: REVUE.

26. Kiosk: STAND.

28. Orchestra pitch setter: OBOE.  Did you ever wonder why the Oboe is used to tune the orchestra?

30. Sumptuous meal: FEAST.

31. Media mogul Winfrey: OPRAH.  [Name # 8.]

Oprah Gail Winfrey (b. Jan. 29, 1954)

32. "I heard you the first dozen times!": NAG!  NAG!  NAG!

34. Dietary guideline letters: RDA.  As in Recommended Daily Allowance.  A brief history on the RDA.

35. Like some all-weather stadiums: DOMED.  The Superdome in New Orleans is now known as the Caesar's Superdome.  A few years ago, it was the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.  It's all about the money.

36. Trésor spokesmodel Sastre: INÉS.  Inés Sastre Moratón (b. Nov. 21, 1973) is a Spanish model.  She was the face of one of Lancôme's signature perfume, Trésor, back in the 1990s.  She succeeded Isabella Rossellini as the perfume's spokesperson.  A pretty obscure clue for a Tuesday.   [Name # 9.]

39. Wimbledon playing surface: GRASS.  Why Wimbledon uses a grass court.

43. Prerecorded: NOT LIVE.

45. Wall Street investments: STOCKS.

47. IRS IDs: SSNs.  As in Social Security Numbers.

49. "__'ve thought it?": WHO'D.

50. Arctic natives: INUIT.

51. Numbers game: LOTTO.

53. Threw a fit: RAGED.

54. Had sore muscles: ACHED.

55. Humble reply to "Great work, team!": WE TRY.

57. Sci-fi hoverers: UFOs.

58. Old ultrafast plane, briefly: SST.  A crossword staple.  Everything you wanted to know about the SST but didn't know to ask.

59. "__ and me both!": YOU.

61. Bonus WNBA periods: OTs.  As in Over Times

Here's the Grid:

חתולה

It's that time again of year again.  Stay warm, folks.

Monday December 5, 2022 Amie Walker

  

Hello Cornerites!

sumdaze here. With heavy hearts and inquisitive minds, we do our best to carry on....

From what I can tell, this is Amie Walker's 7th LAT puzzle byline in 2022. She has been published on every day except Saturday. Are you contemplating a Saturday puzzle for us down the road, Amie?

Today's theme is        All in the Fam.

Sister Sledge (1979)

Are you ready to get moving?

The reveal is located in the middle of the puzzle:

36 Across.  Instantly recognizable brand, and what can literally be found in this puzzle's circles?: HOUSEHOLD NAME.  a person or thing that is well known by the public.

The 'names' of people living in the household are found in the circles:  SIS, MOM, BRO, DAD. Everyone's here so let's get started!

Across:

1. Insults, with "down": PUTS.  At first I thought it should be "put downs" but then I realized that "insults" is being used as a verb. (He insults his co-worker. / He PUTS down his co-worker.)

5. Swaps: TRADES.  Helpful travel hint:  Wait for the cabin doors to be closed before agreeing to swap seats with someone on an airplane.

11. Shiverer's sound: BRR.  

14. Volcano's output: LAVA.  The world's largest, active volcano (and a frequent CW puzzle entry), Mauna Loa on Hawaii's Big Island, is erupting for the first time since 1984.

15. Do another voter survey, e.g.: REPOLL.  no hyphen. I checked.

16. Regret: RUE.

Stewie, a BRO on Family Guy

17. "Sounds reasonable to me": YES I SUPPOSE.

19. French fashion brand monogram: YSL.  Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008)

20. Barely passing grade: DEE.  "D minus" did not fit.

21. Unprocessed information: RAW DATA.  I like that this crosses with 10D SLEW.

23. Dress with a flared skirt: A-LINE.  Christian Dior (1905-1957) is credited for first coining this term in 1955. more info on A-Line dresses You might also be interested in the difference between YSL and Dior.

26. Cyberchats, briefly: IMS.  Instant MessageS

28. "I'm __ human": ONLY.  Aren't we all?

29. Setting for floor-model electronics: DEMO MODE.  Short for "demonstration mode".

31. Waterslides: CHUTES.  and ladders?

33. "Lah-di-__!": DAH. Did you get this one? Well good for you!

34. Commuter's ride-sharing option: VANPOOL.

41. Award recipient: HONOREE.

42. Copy: APE.

44. Six-point completion, informally: TD PASS.  TouchDown PASS (football) NFL TD PASS leaders

47. Core-working fitness device with a wheel: AB ROLLER.

How to Properly Use the AB ROLLER (in case you were wondering...)

50. Light brown shade: ECRU.

51. __-Hulk: superhero played by Tatiana Maslany: SHE.

SHE-Hulk (2022) Official Trailer (1:48 minutes)

52. Sees regularly: DATES.  verb. As opposed to binging on these:

53. Manicurist's design: NAIL ART.

56. Transgression: SIN.

57. Rainbow shape: ARC.  why a rainbow is shaped like an arc

58. Personalized promos: TARGETED ADS.  "A form of online advertising that focuses on the specific traits, interests, and preferences of a consumer."

TARGETED AD for pet adoption
Hi Pat!

64. Surname separator: NEE.

65. Take too far: OVERDO.

Get it? He's starting to look like a pumpkin! Haha!

66. Revise: EDIT.

67. Small bit: TAD.

68. Chime in: PIPE UP.  to say something suddenly.

Lurkers are welcome to PIPE UP in the Comments section below.

69. Refuse to admit: DENY.

Down:
1. Tissue layer: PLY.  I never before connected 2-PLY toilet paper with PLYwood until reading this.

2. Federation in OPEC: UAE.  United Arab Emirates

3. Sports bar screens: TVS.  TeleVisionS

4. Refused: SAID NO.

5. Not false: TRUE.

6. Sales agt.: REP.  "Agt." is abbreviated, so is REPresentative.

7. iPad download: APP.

8. Ways in or out: DOORS.  Also, the name of an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965.

The Doors, Light My Fire, Live in Europe 1968

9. Anna's "Frozen" sister: ELSA.

Elsa (left) and Anna

10. Whole bunch: SLEW.

11. Lane __: plus-size clothing chain: BRYANT.  According to Wiki, the company began in 1904 with maternity designs and has grown to 448 stores in 46 states. I remember seeing these stores in malls in the '80s and '90s but I have not seen one in a long time.

12. Whip (up), as some snacks: RUSTLE.

13. Pass-the-baton events: RELAYS.  Track & Field

18. "I __ to recall ... ": SEEM.

22. Childbirth attendant: DOULA.

noun

1. a woman, typically without formal obstetric training, who is employed to provide guidance and support to a pregnant woman during labor.

23. Tally: ADD.  another verb

24. Remini of "Kevin Can Wait": LEAH.  I do not watch this show so I LIU. It turns out "Kevin" is Kevin James. He and Leah also acted together in King of Queens (1998 - 2007).

Leah Remini & Kevin James in King of Queens

25. Texter's modest "I think ... ": IMHO.  In My Humble Opinion, we see this one a lot.

26. State known for potatoes: IDAHO.  Ever wonder if the other IDAHO crops get a little tired of potatoes getting all the attention?

27. Hanukkah candleholder: MENORAH.  In 2022, Hanukkah is Dec. 18 - 26.

30. Bakery appliances: OVENS.

31. Programmer: CODER.  We have a few Cornerites who know a lot about this.

32. Sweetie: HON.  HONey.  Somewhat preferable to that loathsome "bae".

35. Academy trainee: PLEBE.  a newly entered cadet or freshman, especially at a military academy

37. Company for DIY movers: U-HAUL.

38. Scouring pad brand: SOS.  8 Uses for SOS Pads

39. Ice cream drink: MALT. Those little wooden spoons that come with frozen MALTS at ballparks give me the heebee-jeebees if they touch my teeth, sort of like nails on a chalkboard. Anyone else?

40. Fencing sword: ÉPÉE .  We see ÉPÉE a lot in CWs but there are 3 fencing blades used in Olympic fencing -- the foil, sabre, and ÉPÉE.  Olympic Fencing

43. Hosp. areas: ERS.  "Hospital" is abbreviated, so is Emergency RoomS.

44. One paying rent to a landlord: TENANT.

Count the ants.

45. Beltway region, briefly: DC AREA.  Traffic is notorious within the DC beltway but it was worse before they replaced the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. They actually held a contest where the winner with the worst commuter story won the privilege of detonating the explosives in 2006.  NPR transcript

DC Area Beltway and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project location

46. Valued (at): PRICED.

48. Dimwitted cartoon dog: ODIE.  Last Monday we had 40D Garfield.

49. Text sent while one's plane is taxiing to the terminal: LANDED.

51. __ throat: STREP.  Foods to Eat & Avoid with Strep Throat

54. Perched on: ATOP.

55. Sitarist Shankar: RAVI.  Are there more well-known clue options for the name RAVI? Not according to this site.

Ravi Shankar at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967

56. Put an end to: STOP.  Not yet -- 5 more to go.

59. Test for M.A. hopefuls: GRE.  Master of Arts is abbreviated, so is Graduate Record Examinations

60. College URL ending: EDU.

61. Fruit drink suffix: ADE.

62. Loud noise: DIN.

63. Pigpen: STY.

Here's the grid:

That's all for today. I look forward to reading your thoughts!

Sunday December 4, 2022 Jill Rafaloff & Michelle Sontarp

Theme: "Hesitations" - ER is added to each theme entry.

25. Milwaukee slugger who keeps striking out?: COLD BREWER. Cold brew.

27. Put an album up for auction?: OFFER. THE RECORD. Off the record.

52. Animal hospital amenity?: DOG AND PONY SHOWER. Dog and pony show.

66. Robbery involving a diamond?: BASEBALL CAPER. Baseball cap.

85. C-suite member who shreds on the half-pipe?: EXECUTIVE BOARDER. Executive board.

109. Rooster?: CHICKEN BROTHER. chicken broth.

115. Selfie taken by a financial professional?: BANKER SHOT. Bank shot.

Looks like a Sunday debut for Jill Rafaloff & Michelle Sontarp. Congratulations! Maybe Gary can find more information about them.

Five of the ERs are added to the last word, two are added to the first one. So no odd-man out.

Across:

1. Secured, in a way: TAPED.

6. Quick inhalation: GASP.

10. Stitched loosely: BASTED. I bought a Jennie-O turkey breast this year. So easy to prepare.

16. Morsel: BIT.

19. Short digression: ASIDE.

20. Layered snack: OREO.

21. Slide subject: AMOEBA.

22. Written tribute: ODE.

23. Sail (through): COAST.

24. Connections: TIES.

30. Actor Neeson: LIAM. 

31. Vuitton of fashion: LOUIS. And 100. Fashion monogram: YSL.

32. Start of the Common Era: ONE AD.

34. Senses: FEELS.

35. Fuel additive brand: STP. Scientifically Treated Petroleum. Owned by Energizer.

38. Bus. letters: INC.

39. "¿Qué pasa?": SUP.

41. Reception problem: STATIC.

43. Manage, as an art exhibit: CURATE.

45. Home of BTS: KOREA. South Korea. "Butter"!

47. Put back: RESTORE.

51. Sitting upon: ATOP.

56. Relocated: MOVED. Boomer can't move by himself now. His legs are just numb. Quite a challenge for me to change the bed sheet, bed pads and the diapers. My arms do get stronger!

58. Venomous snake: ASP.

59. Iridescent gem: OPAL.

60. Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew: BREES.

61. Part of GDP: PRODUCT.

63. Cardiff's country: WALES.

65. Scuffle: TUSSLE.

70. "Cat's in the Cradle" singer: CHAPIN (Harry)

 

 

74. See 13-Down: LASSO. 13. With 74-Across, 2021 and 2022 Emmy winner for Outstanding Comedy Series: TED.

75. Guts: INNARDS.

80. Prefix meaning "sun": HELIO.

81. Michael who plays Luis in the "Ant-Man" movies: PENA.

82. Geological span: EON.

84. Supply with gear: EQUIP.

90. Tropical tangelo: UGLI. Tried once. Pretty juicy. 

91. Accumulates, as debt: RACKS UP. Scary.

92. Trojan War epic: ILIAD.

93. Functional: USABLE.

95. Maine-based retailer since 1912: L.L. BEAN. They have a store in Mall of America.

98. "The Marvelous __ Maisel": MRS.

99. Bioengineered food source, briefly: GMO.

101. First name of boy detective Encyclopedia Brown: LEROY.

104. Night noise: SNORE. For me, it's the air mattress noise from the hospital bed.

106. Garlicky mayo: AIOLI. So vowel-y.

108. Apple variety: IMAC.

119. Early spring flower: IRIS. And 7. Many an April birth: ARIES.

120. Fast Amtrak train: ACELA.

121. Oil field sight: RIG.

122. Scandinavia locale: EUROPE.

123. Motorcade vehicle: LIMO.

124. Gorge: CHASM.

125. Draft selection?: ALE. Good old clue.

126. Gawks: STARES.

127. What "T" stands for, in video game ratings: TEEN.

128. Sorts: TYPES.

Down:

1. Snack from a truck: TACO.

2. Beginning with: AS OF.

3. "La Vie en Rose" singer Édith: PIAF. Marion Cotillard on the left.

4. Short-lived Ford model: EDSEL.

5. Largest city on the border between the U.S. and Canada: DETROIT.

6. Like "Dracula" and "Frankenstein": GOTHIC. Gothic novels.

8. Oracle: SEER.

9. Model: POSE.

10. BLT part: BACON.

11. Collection of love poems by Ovid: AMORES.

12. Were bought for: SOLD AT.

14. Wane: EBB.

15. __ es Salaam: DAR. Tanzania.

16. "Modern Love" singer David: BOWIE.

17. Utopian: IDEAL.

18. School sessions: TERMS.

26. Certain college members: ELECTORS.

28. Pitched well?: TUNED. Nice clue.

29. Managed somehow: COPED.

33. Hannah of "Roxanne": DARYL. Married to Neil Young.

34. Laurence who played Pops on "Black-ish": FISHBURNE.

35. Scalawag: SCAMP.

36. Teach privately: TUTOR.

37. Home of Brigham Young University: PROVO.

39. Caress, e.g.: SOAP.

40. Banquet coffeepot: URN.

42. QB targets: TES. Tight Ends.

44. Mimicked: APED.

45. Metric wts.: KGS.

46. Twin of Artemis: APOLLO.

48. Sees red?: OWES.

49. Stagger: REEL.

50. Irish Gaelic: ERSE.

53. Muffin grains: OATS.

54. Crude cartel: OPEC.

55. Mars rover org.: NASA.

57. With skepticism: DUBIOUSLY.

62. Food drive donation, often: CAN.

63. Sashimi condiment: WASABI. My favorite brand. So good.

64. Singer Green and politician Gore: ALS.

65. Decimal base: TEN.

67. Mtn. stat: ELEV.

68. Downfall: BANE.

69. Christmas candle scent: PINE.

70. "Moonstruck" Oscar winner: CHER.

71. Half dodeca-: HEXA. Dodeca is prefix for 12.

72. Smart __: ALEC.

73. Burglar: PICK LOCK.

76. Water color: AQUA.

77. Sport with an oval ball: RUGBY.

78. Some pickles: DILLS. Best brand.

79. Sales pitch: SPIEL.

81. Singing voice, informally: PIPES.

82. Historical spans: ERAS.

83. Not even: ODD.

86. Sudsy spot: TUB. Thankfully our tub works great. The sink faucet is another matter.

87. Early Mesoamerican: OLMEC.

88. Ventilate: AIR.

89. "__ has it ... ": RUMOR.

94. Typical open mic performance: SOLO ACT.

96. Last runner in a relay race: ANCHOR.

97. Zero chance: NO HOPE.

99. Martini with an onion: GIBSON.

101. Heavenly scales: LIBRA.

102. Inbox message: EMAIL.

103. Scope: RANGE.

105. Custom-made things?: RITES. Ritual "custom".

106. "Spirited Away" genre: ANIME.

107. Like a mosquito bite: ITCHY.

110. Bagpiper's skirt: KILT.

111. Lake near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: ERIE.

112. Pile: HEAP.

113. Otherwise: ELSE.

114. Los Angeles team: RAMS.

116. Some Caltech grads: EES.

117. Boring routine: RUT.

118. Sp. address: SRA.

To borrow a line from Marc Maron, Boomer Lives!

He did develop a few issues last week. Itchy eyes bother him the most. One of his pressure sores also got worse. Hopefully more rounds of barrier & Mepilex will ease the pain. We also hope to get the thickening powder Dr. Nina recommended soon so Boomer won't choke on water. 

The good news is that Father Charlie Lachowitzer (Twin Cities' vicar general) visited us on Thursday. He spent quite a bit of time at our home and gave Boomer a special blessing. He said before he left that "Now I know why everyone likes to visit you".

C.C.