Sunday April 15, 2023 Amie Walker

Theme: Stereo Types - Different sounds bookend each theme entry.

22. *Space to recover: BREATHING ROOM. Boom.

37. *Sending mixed messages, maybe?: DRUNK TEXTING. Ding.

50. *Pickle-y condiment: SWEET RELISH. Swish.

67. *Ham it up for the camera, say: PUT ON A SHOW. Pow.

70. *Chewable candy with a comic in its wrapper: BAZOOKA GUM. Bam.

83. *Satisfactory compromise: HAPPY MEDIUM. Hum.

98. *10 or 11, at many hotels: CHECK OUT TIME. Chime.

Reveal:

113. Home theater feature, and a feature of the answers to the starred clues?: SURROUND SOUND.

My type of Sundays. Simple theme that's never done before. Reminds me of the great Gail Grabowski.

Amie also took advantage of Patti's 144 word limit and black square limit. Clean fill. Lots of great entries in Down slots.

Across:

1. Just slightly: A TAD.

5. Golden State sch.: USC. The Trojans. Also 25. Ohio college town: OBERLIN.

8. Lambs' moms: EWES.

12. Loose-fitting tops: TUNICS.

18. Whittle (down): PARE.

19. Sold-out letters: SRO.

20. Egg-shaped tomato: ROMA.

21. 100%: TOTALLY.

26. Smoothie berry: ACAI. Ingredient in so many products.

27. Warty hopper: TOAD.

28. Pro __: gratis: BONO.

30. Received: GOT.

31. Food Network garb: APRONS.

33. Have a bite: EAT.

34. Westley's repeated line in "The Princess Bride": AS YOU WISH. He meant "I love you".

41. GPS tech: SAT NAV. Satellite Navigation.

42. Iditarod runners: DOGS.

43. Steel-cut grain: OAT.

44. Raccoon kin: COATI. So cute.

46. Word with market or circus: FLEA.

48. Smartphone tech: SMS. Short Message Service.

49. Pediatricians, e.g.: Abbr.: DRS.

54. Part of a parfait: LAYER. Durian parfait! The smell will repel many of you. Very thorny & hard to cut. But the taste, oh my goodness, wish I could have fresh durian every day.

56. Air filter acronym: HEPA.

57. Baton: ROD.

58. Sheridan of "Ready Player One": TYE.

59. Indian tea region: ASSAM.

62. Historical divisions: ERAS.

64. Skate park fixture: RAIL.

66. "Sarah, Plain and __": Newbery winner by Patricia MacLachlan: TALL.

72. Spanish model Sastre: INES.

73. Not quite dry: DAMP.

74. Director Preminger: OTTO.

75. Science class models: ATOMS.

76. Gas additive brand: STP.

77. Actress Gadot: GAL.  "Wonder Woman".

78. Obstacles to good teamwork: EGOS.

80. Panoramic view: VISTA.

86. Secret agent: SPY.

87. Genetic material in some vaccines: RNA.

90. Warm, in a way: NEAR.

91. Not fitting: INAPT.

93. Latvia, once: Abbr.: SSR.

94. Notary's imprint: SEAL. Guess how long the probate process take in Minnesota? At least 6 months. Boomer would be so mad.

95. Risked putting one's students to sleep, say: DRONED.

101. Virgo and Scorpio, for two: STAR SIGNS.

104. Poke bowl tuna: AHI. 

105. Brings about: CAUSES.

106. Holds: HAS.

107. Peacekeeping gp. since 1949: NATO.

108. Classic muscle cars: GTOS.

109. "House" actor Omar: EPPS.

110. Left out: OMITTED.

118. Cinnamon candies: RED HOTS.

119. Brunei's continent: ASIA. Surrounded by Malaysia, big durian exporter.

120. "We'll square up later" letters: IOU.

121. Paper unit: REAM.

122. Accord: TREATY.

123. Claim to be untrue: DENY.

124. Recipe amt.: TSP.

125. Phased-out jets: SSTS.

Down:

1. BOLO kin: APB.

2. 2022 film starring Cate Blanchett as a conductor: TAR.

3. Some floor decor: AREA RUGS.

4. Church officers: DEACONS.

5. Required H.S. course, often: US HISTORY. I learned more while studying for my citizenship exam.

6. __ Lanka: SRI.

7. Frame of reference: CONTEXT.

8. Unpredictable: ERRATIC.

9. Lumber: WOOD.

10. Punk offshoot: EMO.

11. Afro-Brazilian dance: SAMBA.

12. As well: TO BOOT.

13. Four Corners Native: UTE.

14. Professional org. for some brokers: NAR. The National Association of Realtors.

15. "All right, let me try": I'LL GIVE IT A GO. Great fill.

16. Ad prizes: CLIOS.

17. Keytar, e.g., briefly: SYNTH.

21. Skater Harding played by Margot Robbie: TONYA.

23. Lose purposefully: TANK.

24. Billy __: GOAT.

29. "Do the Right Thing" actor Davis: OSSIE.

31. Does the math: ADDS.

32. Teen soiree: PROM.

35. Hungry, probably: UNFED.

36. Outlet site: WALL.

38. Lighten: EASE.

39. Snoops (around): NOSES.

40. Stare open-mouthed: GAWP.

45. Try to rip: TEAR AT.

47. Sanctuary: ASYLUM.

49. Pulitzer-winning Kendrick Lamar album: DAMN.

51. Half a sextet: TRIO.

52. Caramel candy: ROLO.

53. Command posts: HELMS.

54. Thailand neighbor: LAOS. I finally tried the green papaya salad last week. A bit heavy on the fish sauce & shrimp paste for my taste. That Asian grocery store also carries Lao beef larb and pork larb.

55. Longtime NPR host Diane: REHM. 86 years old. Still working.

56. Hem's counterpart: HAW.

59. Mighty silly: APISH.

60. Beach acquisition: SUNTAN.

61. Got out of the way: STEPPED ASIDE.

63. Convince to participate: ROPE IN.

65. Sea of __: Black Sea arm: AZOV.

66. "Toodles!": TA TA.

68. "Severance" actor Scott: ADAM. Also a great golfer.

69. Blowout event: SALE.

70. "Dynamite" K-pop group: BTS. Their "Butter" is my favorite.

71. "Harleys in Hawaii" singer Perry: KATY.

74. Zing: OOMPH.

77. Greek wraps: GYROS. 79. Avocado dip, casually: GUAC. Food. Here's our Foodie Steve at his NBC Universal Studio office. I just learned that he's 98% Irish. Guess what's the other 2%.

81. "This __ unfair!": IS SO.

82. Refreshed, as decor: SPRUCED UP.

84. "The Incredibles" family name: PARR.

85. Neglected to: DIDN'T.

87. Prints a new edition of: RE-ISSUES.

88. Identify: NAME.

89. Brewpub libations: ALES.

92. Serving piece for an afternoon social: TEA TRAY.

93. Slopes outfit: SKI SUIT.

94. Fogs: STUPORS. Is it a verb?

96. A- on a test, e.g.: NINETY.

97. "Jeepers!": EGADS.

99. Shoe designer Jimmy: CHOO. His real name is CHOW. CHOO is a misspelling. Chow is the same character as the Zhou in my Zhouqin.

100. Designates: TAPS.

101. Brief: SHORT.

102. Less wild: TAMER.

103. "Such a pity": SO SAD.

108. Broad smile: GRIN.

111. Fourth letter of the Arabic alphabet: THA. Learning moment for me. Glad of the new clue angle.

112. Small fry: TOT.

114. Mileage, in a sense: USE.

115. Crossword clue features: Abbr.: NOS.

116. MLBer since '05: NAT.

117. "__ are open": invitation to reach out on social media: DMS.

C.C.

Saturday, April 15, 2023, C.C. Burnikel

Themeless Saturday by C.C. Burnikel

Our beloved blogmistress (and very pretty honorary Cornhusker) has another Saturday challenge for us. I had one bad cell in the same location as last week. 8 Across and 8 Down cost me a "got 'er done". My vowel coin flip came up wrong.

Across:

1. Green edges: FRINGES - C.C. had to steer this golfer away from green dress fringes to golf green FRINGES.

Can you see the ball on the FRINGE?

8. Art form also known as "kado," or "way of flowers": IKEBANA.

15. African country whose flag is similar to Old Glory: LIBERIA.

16. Sheep from Spain: MERINOS - I guessed correctly on the M

17. Get better with time: AGE WELL.

18. Wall Street figure: ANALYST - The ones on TV can really get it wrong!

19. Soft touches: PATS.

20. Victoria Arlen's cable channel: ESPN.

22. "Les Misérables" escape route: SEWER.

23. Close: NEAR.

24. 2020 NL batting champion Juan: SOTO - In the Covid year where he played only 47 games.

25. Largest moon of Saturn: TITAN.

28. Is behind, perhaps: OWES.

32. "This Is Us" Emmy winner __ Cephas Jones: RON.

33. Bar mixer: TONIC.

34. Minute: SMALL.

35. Cold case evidence: DNA.

36. "Big congrats!": I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU - This was my first long fill that helped unlock the puzzle 

39. Pin cushion?: MAT.

40. Ingredient in some crusts: OREOS.

41. Part of the inn crowd: GUEST 😀

42. "What's ur __?": ETA - Police code, "What's your 10-77?"

43. Brief periods: SECS.

44. Lipstick type: MATTE.

45. Policy maven: WONK - My granddaughter just accepted a big time job in D.C. where she will be well on her way to using her love of being a WONK.

47. Close (to): AKIN.

49. Destination for the last flight?: ATTIC - 😀 and 58. Place for playthings: TOY ROOM - Here the last flight of stairs end up in the ATTIC TOY ROOM.

51. Knock harshly: SLAM.

52. X6 and i4 cars: BMWS - Here's an X6

56. Seedy place: RAT TRAP.

60. Record in advance: PRE-TAPE - These days, I am recording the old Perry Mason shows from the 50's and 60's that feature some of the most beautiful cars ever made.

61. Emphatic denial: I SAID NO - No means no!

62. Hold a grudge: STAY MAD.

63. Old money neighborhood in "The Great Gatsby": EAST EGG.

Down:

1. Wing it?: FLAP - 😀

2. Birthplace of Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mikhail Tal: RIGA - Ballet and Chess masters were born in Latvia

3. Skeptical reply: I BET.

4. Paper product?: NEWS - I still get some NEWS from the Omaha World Herald after I do the cwd

5. Test for some srs.: GRE.

6. Collins who was the first woman Space Shuttle commander: EILEEN and 14. Space Shuttle commander, e.g.: ASTRONAUT.

7. __ verde: SALSA - Even I know verde is Spanish for green.

8. "Ms. Marvel" star Vellani: IMAN.

9. Mental perception: KEN - Knowledge of the woman above is beyond my KEN

                                 ken

1. one's range of knowledge or sight.

   "such determination is beyond my ken"

10. Significant stretches: ERAS.

11. Gymnast named Time's Athlete of the Year in 2021: BILES - Her TRIPLE DOUBLE was featured in Monday's puzzle

12. Request for an update: ANY WORD YET.

13. Like the traditional Maori greeting known as the Hongi: NOSE TO NOSE - With then Prince Charles

21. Senior's big ask: PROMPOSAL - Portmanteau of PROM and PORPOSAL

23. Chips on the table: NACHOS and 46. Chips on the table: KITTY - 😀

  
 

25. Tangy pastry: TOMATO TART.

26. Quick beverage: INSTANT TEA - I can't imagine C.C. drinking this 😒

27. Nico Márquez, to Dora the Explorer: TIO - Can you find Uncle Nico?

29. Routes: WAYS.

30. Jon Favreau holiday film: ELF - Good luck finding Jon's name

31. Commercial line: SLOGAN.

33. Sci-fi anomalies: TIME WARPS - Is that how Marty McFly made it Back To The Future? 😀

34. Contractor's detail, briefly: SPEC.

37. Amount to: ARE.

38. Tire track: RUT - They can cause great damage on a golf course

44. Bottomless brunch drink, often: MIMOSA.

48. Journalist Couric: KATIE.

50. Quick study?: CRAM.

51. Apt rhyme of "fled": SPED.

52. Many a theatre attendee: BRIT.  - "theatre"

53. Gamer's choice: MODE - The USA Today Puzzle allows to you to choose between Casual or Expert MODE

54. King, in Cantonese: WONG - C.C. gave me the okay on these ways of writing it.

55. Hazy stuff: SMOG.

57. "I Still Believe" actor KJ __: APA.

59. "Love it!": YAS.