Thursday, February 15, 2024, Billy Ouska

 

Today's constructor Billy Ouska's last visit to the Corner was on January 22, 2024 blogged by sumdaze.   Today he's here to fill us in on that ever popular topic, the vicissitudes of FATE (today's Latin lesson) ...

 O Fortuna!
Lyrics

(which didn't work out too well for Prometheus!)

And just like one hit wonder Carl Orff's  secular cantata Carmina Burana, Billy's puzzle is all about ...

60. Reversal in luck, and what can be found in the answers to the starred clues: CHANGE OF FORTUNE.  I'm sure that some in our community will be delighted that Billy doesn't circle around his fill, but gets right to the point (which I've decided to do today 😀) ...

17. *Critical juncture: POINT OF NO RETURN.  In Prometheus' case it was after he had defied the gods and had given FIRE to humanity ...

27. *Record: CAPTURE ON FILM.  No one was around to capture his defiance on film, but Orff later captured it in music.

46. *Online discussion site: INTERNET FORUM.  Ours will begin immediately after (*the trailer to) this review.

Here's the grid ...
 

Here's the rest ...

Across:
1. Surge of adrenaline: RUSH.   If you really want to get your hormones up, try a little of Rush's Fly By Night (and a CSO to Tony for all of his help when I was away) ...  

Click CC for lyrics

5. Regent's order: EDICT.

10. Mil. branch with wings: USAF.  The United States Air Force.  See also 22A.

14. Tactical political research, for short: OPPO.  Prepare yourself for a blitz of it this year.

15. Birthplace of pesto: GENOA.  Also the birthplace of GENOA salami ...

16. Issue at the ATM: NOTE.

17. [Theme clue]

20. [New paragraph]: ENTER.

21. "Handling that now!": I'M ON IT.  This review.

22. Take to the sky: SOAR.  Fly like an eagle ...

25. Friend __ friend: OF A.  Is the enemy of my enemy my friend?

26. Midnight to midnight: DAY.  1440 is the number of minutes in a DAY; the approximate year that the printing press was invented; and a daily news site:  here's what they have to say today.

27. [Theme clue]

32. Not just some: ALL.

33. Kitchen scale button: TARE.  A TARE button zeros the scale to compensate for the weight of any containers used to weigh ingredients in.   When weighing ceramic glaze ingredients I use a triple-beam balance with a sliding TARE weight on a separate beam to compensate for container weights.

34. Frangipani garlands: LEIS.

Aloha!

36. Water taxi: BOAT.

38. Longtime "One Life to Live" actress Renée __ Goldsberry: ELISE. In addition to starring as Evangeline Williamson in One Life to Live,  Renée Elise Goldsberry (born January 2, 1971) also created the role  Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway musical Hamilton, for which she won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

Renée Elise Goldsberry

40. Red sign above a door: EXIT.

42. Mantis quintet: EYES.   Six astonishing facts about the Praying Mantis.

Praying Mantis
The three additional eyes are tiny and
are in the center behind its tentacles

44. Literary magazine contributor, perhaps: POET.  As this is the 400th Anniversary of  the printing of Shakespeare's First Folio I think one of his sonnets would be appropriate.

45. Status update fig.: ETA.

46. [Theme clue]

50. Fellow: MAN.

52. Tres menos dos: UNO.

53. As appropriate: DULY.   I guess appropriately is close enough ...

54. Garden container?: EDGING.

56. Isaac of "Dune": OSCAR.    Here's a father son talk between Duke Leto Atreides (Isaac) and his son Paul (Timothée Chalamet).  Dune Part 2 will be upon us soon.  I wonder if OSCAR will get an Oscar?

60. [Theme reveal]

65. Show up: COME.

66. Record company: LABEL.

67. God who took a bow: EROS.  His darts can be painful and sometimes even fatal.

68. Half of all blackjacks: ACES.

69. Did half of a biathlon: SKIED.

70. "Seasons of Love" musical: RENT.  Here it is ...

Down:

1. Tire swing line: ROPE.

2. Right after: UPON.

3. Doner kebab rod: SPIT.  Doner kebab is a dish of Turkish origin made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Seasoned meat stacked in the shape of an inverted cone is turned slowly on the rotisserie, next to a vertical cooking element. The operator uses a knife to slice thin shavings from the outer layer of the meat as it cooks. The vertical rotisserie was invented in the 19th-century Ottoman Empire,  I guess it saves counter space in small kitchens ...

Doner Kebab
meat cooking on a vertical rotisserie

4. "No fooling!": HONEST.

5. Boosting target: EGO.

6. Dict. entry: DEF.

7. Airbnb alternative: INN.

8. Soft murmur: COO.

9. Trade hindrance: TARIFF.  A TARIFF is a tax imposed by the government of a country or by a supranational union on imports or exports of goods.

10. Biblical preposition: UNTO.

11. Audio engineer's equipment: SOUND MIXER.  A SOUND MIXER, AKA a SOUND BOARD takes multiple input signals—such as microphones, instruments, iPods, DJ turntables, etc.—and merges them together so they can be sent to speakers as one signal.

Sound Mixer

12. Heart duo: ATRIA.  The atrium (plural ATRIA) is one of the two upper chambers in the heart that receives blood from the circulatory system. The blood in the atria is pumped into the heart ventricles through the atrioventricular mitral and tricuspid heart valves.

13. Rihanna's fashion brand: FENTY.  Fenty Beauty  is a cosmetics brand by Rihanna, that was launched on September 8, 2017. Popular for its broad inclusivity across various skin tones, its Pro Filt'R foundation became high-demand upon first release. The original foundation launch included 40 shades, and has since expanded to 50. The inclusion of Fenty Beauty concealer includes 50 shades, offering a wide variety for all skin types.

18. Slangy britches: TROU.  "Cut offs"?

19. "Inbox zero" killer: EMAIL.  Inbox Zero is a rigorous approach to email management that aims to keep an inbox empty -- or almost empty -- at all times.  Digital OCD?
 
23. Collezione della galleria: ARTE.  Today's Italian lesson.  No English or French ART allowed.

24. Expert: REAL PRO.

25. Top rank in a tournament: ONE SEED.

27. __ franc: CAB.  Cabernet Franc is a grape varietal blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to make Bordeaux wines.

28. Plant with lace and soap varieties: ALOE.  Soothe your aches and take a bath at the same time.

29. Qualifying contest, perhaps: PLAY-IN GAME.  A play-in game is a game, usually played at the beginning of a tournament or just prior to the tournament depending on how the tournament is defined. In a play-in, the lowest qualifiers and/or participants who have earned conditional qualification compete for qualification to the main portion of the tournament.

30. Star-studded hunter: ORION.

31. Name sewn onto some jeans pockets: LEE.

35. In __: unmoved: SITU.  In SITU (Latin) is a phrase that translates literally to "on site" or "in position."  It can mean "locally", "on site", "on the premises", or "in place" depending on a wide variety of contexts.  My father, who was a carpenter, used to build cabinets, counters, and benches "in situ" (not his term for it) -- nowadays they're brought in prefabbed and then installed.  In fact today whole houses are prefabbed, trucked in, and assembled on site --  or even 3D printed! ...

Ugh!

37. Number of Canadian provinces: TEN.  A CSO to CanadianEh!  IIRC she lives in Ontario.

39. Caesar's rebuke: ET TU.  I think this is a myth.  Can you imagine Crossword puzzles using Roman numerals? 😁

41. Edinburgh topper: TAM.  This one's for you Lucina!

Scottish Tam

43. Wounded by a jellyfish: STUNG.

47. Marx collaborator: ENGELS.  Friedrich Engels (8 November 1820 – 5 August 1895) was a German philosopher, political theorist, historian, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. He was also a businessman and Karl Marx's closest friend and collaborator.  It turns out that Engels continued to work in his Father's cotton business throughout his life and used a lot of his money to support Marx -- but then they do say that "the ends justify the means".

Friedrich Engels

48. __ de Mayo: Christmas orchid: FLOR.  There are several "Christmas Orchids", but Billy apparently wanted this one, Cattleya trianae

Flor de Mayo

49. Raw bar offering: OYSTER.  My favorite bivalve.  Chesapeake Bay sushi!

50. Muslim holy site: MECCA.  Mecca  is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia and the holiest city in Islam.  Mecca is revered in Islam as the birthplace of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.  Visiting Mecca for the Ḥajj at least once is an obligation upon all able Muslims.

The Kaaba during the Hajj

51. __ committee: AD HOC.  Latin: "for this".  An AD HOC committee is formed for a specific purpose and upon completion of its mission is disbanded.

55. Spanish model Sastre: INES.  Inés Sastre Morató (born 21 November 1973) is a Spanish model and actress.  She studied at The Sorbonne in Paris, and in addition to Spanish, she speaks French, English and Italian fluently. In 1996, Sastre succeeded Isabella Rossellini as Lancôme's spokes model for its perfume, Trésor.

Ines Sastre

57. Medical research objective: CURE.

58. Quote book abbr.: ANON.

59. Have a nap: REST.

61. Tree on the Connecticut quarter: OAK.   The story of the Charter Oak.

25 cents

62. CBS crime drama: FBI. 

63. Service charge: FEE.

64. Played out: OLD.  This review is almost played out.

Cheers,
Bill

And as always, thanks to Teri for proof reading and for her constructive criticism.

waseeley

*Bonus trailer:  This is a short romantic comedy called Crossword (13 minutes).  We are certain you will love it!

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 Margi Stevenson and Katie Hale

Theme: Terms of Endearment - Career-specific phrases identifying one's object of affection.  

17. Beekeeper's valentine?: HONEY BUNCH.  A beekeeper is a person who owns and breeds bees, especially for their honey.  Their love is sweet.

25. Juice barista's valentine?: MAIN SQUEEZE.  A juice barista prepares and serves fruit-based beverages, which presumably involves some squeezing.  The main squeeze is someone's preferred girl/boyfriend or lover. No indication is given for the one in second place.  

37. Optometrist's valentine?: GOOD LOOKING.   Optometrists examine, diagnose and treat diseases and disorders that affect your eyes and vision.   A good looking person is one who is physically attractive, either with or without glasses, on either of you.

52. Aesthetician's valentine?: SWEET CHEEKS.  An aesthetician is a person trained to administer facials, advise customers on makeup and the care of skin and hair, etc.  I did not know that. So the reference is to the attractiveness of the beloved's facial shape.  My mind never even considered the callipygian alternative. Nope, not even for a microsecond.

I feel like such an ass

61. Baker's valentine?: STUD MUFFIN.  This is a sexually attractive, usually muscular young man.  Unlike a culinary muffin, which is a small domed cake or quick bread made from batter or dough.

Probably low carb

Hi, Gang, and happy Valentine's Ash Wednesday!  JazzBumpa here to share the love.  Margi and Katie have cooked up some tasty treats for us, and a bit of Valentine's eye-candy.  And then comes Lent.  So let's have some fun while we can. 

Across:

1. Plot points?: BEDS.  I guess this refers to garden beds in a plot of land, rather than a moment in a story that affects the character or the direction of the story in some way.   Am I missing anything?

5. Reply-all email storm deterrents: BCCS.  Blind copies, where the list of recipients is not revealed.

9. Horse breed native to the Middle East and North Africa: ARAB.   A breed of horse with historic roots on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest modern breeds.

13. In a frenzy: AMOK.   With uncontrolled and disruptive behavior.

14. Desert succulents: ALOES.   An evergreen perennial, it also originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but also grows wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world.

16. Common piercing spot: LOBE.   For ear rings.

19. Chaucer chapter: TALE.  The Canterbury Tales is a collection of twenty-four stories that runs to over 17,000 lines written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer between 1387 and 1400. It is widely regarded as Chaucer's magnum opus. 

20. Up and about: AWAKE.    Out of bed and in motion.

21. Meditation retreat: ASHRAM.   As defined.

23. "Karma is a __ / Purring in my lap 'cause it loves me": Taylor Swift lyric: CAT.  Ode to a contented pet.

28. Almost overflow: BRIM.   Filled to the very edge of a container.

30. Yokohama drama: NOH.   traditional Japanese masked drama with dance and song, evolved from Shinto rites.

31. Consumer advocate Ralph: NADER.   Ralph Nader [b. 1934] is an American political activist, author, lecturer, and attorney noted for his involvement in consumer protection, environmentalism, and government reform causes, and a perennial presidential candidate.

32. Spanish title: SEÑORA.  A title or form of address used of or to a Spanish-speaking woman, corresponding to Mrs. or madam.

35. Hardware store purchase: TOOL.   A device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function.

41. Yemeni port: ADEN.   Aden is a port city located in Yemen in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula, positioned near the eastern approach to the Red Sea. It is situated approximately 170 km east of the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and north of the Gulf of Aden.

From Google Maps

42. Buys time: STALLS.   Delays an event temporarily so as to have longer to improve one's own position.

45. Packs in, as coffee: TAMPS.   Rams or packs (a substance) down or into something firmly.  I've never tamped coffee.

49. Performer's routine: ACT.   Perform a fictional role in a play, movie, or television production.

51. Nursery rhyme vessel: PAIL.   A usually cylindrical container with a handle.   Don't fall down when carrying one, you could break something.

56. Snoop: SPY.   Investigate or look around furtively in an attempt to find out something, especially information about someone's private affairs.

57. "Never would have thought": THAT SO?  Expression of surprise or disbelief

58. Vegas lights: NEONS.   Fluorescent lamps filled with neon, and inert gas

60. Monopoly payment: RENT.   A fee charged to a player who lands on somebody else's property

66. Midrange voice type: ALTO.   In 4-part voice leading alto is the second-highest part, sung in choruses by either low women's or high men's voices. It is pitched lower than soprano, and higher than baritone.

67. "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse" writer: AESOP.  Aesop [c. 620–564 BCE] was a Greek fabulist and storyteller credited with a number of fables now collectively known as Aesop's Fables. Although his existence remains unclear and no writings by him survive, numerous tales credited to him were gathered across the centuries and in many languages in a storytelling tradition that continues to this day. 

68. Spicy __ roll: TUNA.   A saltwater fish that belongs to the tribe Thunnini, a subgrouping of the Scombridae family. The Thunnini comprise 15 species across five genera, the sizes of which vary greatly, ranging from the bullet tuna up to the Atlantic bluefin tuna, which averages 2 m and is believed to live up to 50 years.

69. Devious plan: PLOY.   A tactic intended to embarrass or frustrate an opponent, or to trick someone to achieve an often concealed objective.

70. Parking lot mishap: DENT.  Making a bad impression.

71. Healthy piece: SLAB.  A large, thick, flat piece of stone, concrete, or wood.  Though, in this case, it's probably a piece of meat.

Down:
1. "A Christmas Carol" cry: BAH.  Frequent utterance of Ebenezer Scrooge.  His redemption by three spirits has become a defining tale of the Christmas holiday in the English-speaking world

2. Intense music genre: EMO.   Emo is a rock music genre characterized by emotional, often confessional lyrics. It emerged as a style of hardcore punk and post-hardcore from the mid–1980s Washington, D.C. hardcore scene.

3. Making a gift of: DONATING.   Giving money or goods for a good cause, for example to a charity.
 
4. Misrepresent, as data: SKEW.   To distort from a true value or symmetrical form

5. Braided bread often filled with chocolate or cinnamon: BABKA.   A sweet braided bread which originated in the Jewish communities of Poland and Ukraine. It is popular in Israel and in the Jewish diaspora.

6. Make aware: CLUE IN.  Provide information about a particular item or event.

7. Swindle: CON.  Use deception to deprive someone of money or possessions.

8. "Just wait a __": SEC.  Request for someone to briefly pause an action.

9. Tennis and golf legend Gibson: ALTHEA.   Althea Neale Gibson [1927 - 2003] was an American tennis player and professional golfer, and one of the first Black athletes to cross the color line of international tennis. In 1956, she became the first African American to win a Grand Slam event.

10. Showed displeasure like a dragon: ROARED.   A roar is a a full, deep, prolonged cry uttered by a lion or other large wild animal.  Why a fictional creature was chosen is a bit of a mystery.

11. Burning: ABLAZE.   On fire.  Keep your distance.  AFLAME has 4 of the same letters.

12. Pricey German wheels, informally: BEEMER.  A BMW automobile, a product of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, commonly abbreviated to BMW, a German multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.  

15. "Inside the NBA" analyst, familiarly: SHAQ.   Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, known commonly as Shaq, is an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA.

18. Thanksgiving vegetable: YAM.   Only maybe.  Are Yams and Sweet Potatoes the Same? No, yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. Yams have rough, dark brown skin that is often compared to tree bark, and their flesh is dry and starchy like a regular potato. Sweet potatoes have smooth reddish skin, softer flesh (when cooked), and a sweet flavor.

22. Naturally bright: SUNLIT.  Like an atrium,  a large open-air or skylight-covered space surrounded by a building.

23. "Survivor" network: CBS.   Columbia Broadcasting System

24. "__ we having fun yet?": ARE.  The second person singular present and first, second, third person plural present of be.   Well - are we?

26. Never ever: NOT ONCE.   Ain't gonna happen.

27. "Get out!": SHOO.  A word said to frighten or drive away a person or animal.   And never, ever come back!

29. Dairy farm sound: MOO.   Bovine utterance.   Not to be confused with an udderance, though moo utterers do have udders. 

33. Events with a lot of insult comedy: ROASTS.   A banquet at which the guest of honor is subjected to good-natured ridicule.

34. Put in: ADD.   To put something with something else to increase the number or amount or to make it more important.  Or, to voice an opinion in an on-going discussion.

36. Allows: OKs.   Grants assent or permission.

38. Two-time Emmy winner Remini: LEAH.   Leah Marie Remini [b. 1970] is an American actress. She starred as Carrie Heffernan on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens and as Vanessa Celluci in the CBS sitcom Kevin Can Wait, both alongside Kevin James. 

39. Snooze: NAP.   A short period of sleep, typically taken during daytime hours as an adjunct to the usual nocturnal sleep period. Naps are most often taken as a response to drowsiness during waking hours.

40. Generous pour: GLASSFUL.   An amount contained by or sufficient to fill a glass or tumbler, possibly to the brim.

43. Gloss target: LIP.   Gloss is a cosmetic used primarily to give lips a glossy luster, and sometimes to add a subtle color. It is distributed as a fluid or a soft solid.   A lip is either of the two fleshy parts which form the upper and lower edges of the opening of the mouth.  Their primary purpose is to make sounds on the trombone.

44. Wily: SLY.   Having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature.

45. Sandal style: T-STRAP.   Having a single or multiple strap attached to a shoe to hold it on the foot or having a purely ornamental function and passing either above the instep near the arch or around the ankle.

46. "Gosh darn it!": AW HELL.  Slangy expressions of disappointment. 

47. Treating unkindly: MEAN TO.   Purposefully being rude or saying or doing something to hurt someone.

48. Object in a game of fetch: PET TOY.  Toys specifically marketed for dogs to play with come in many varieties, including dog bones, puppy toys, balls, tug toys, training aids, squeaky toys, etc.  As far as I know, attempting to play fetch with cats is doomed to failure.

50. Connective tissue: TENDON.   A flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone.

53. Spanish "thing": COSA.  Literal translation.

54. Well-groomed: KEMPT.    Maintained in a neat and clean condition; well cared for.

55. Trifling sum: SOU.   A former French coin of low value.

59. Crypto artworks, for short: NFTs.  Non-Fungible Tokens -- blockchain-based tokens that each represent a unique asset like a piece of art, digital content, or media. An NFT can be thought of as an irrevocable digital certificate of ownership and authenticity for a given asset, whether digital or physical.

62. Nickname for Edward or Theodore: TED.  It's unclear to me how TED is derived from either of them.  But I knew I guy named Roland who went by Ron.  This whole thing is about as confusing as NFTs

63. Not let go to waste: USE.  Consume or put in to action - not let something sit idle.

64. "Go-To Dinners" cookbook writer Garten: INA.  Ina Rosenberg Garten [b. 1948] is an American television cook and author. She is host of the Food Network program Barefoot Contessa, and was a former staff member of the Office of Management and Budget.

65. Capture: NAB.   In this context, apprehend a wrong-doer.

Hope you found something sweet to enjoy in this basket of Valentine treats.  

Cool regards!

JzB

Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Zachary David Levy

Happy Mardi Gras, All Y'All!

Mind your budget to stretch your Cash.  Times are tough, you need to Stretch your Cash or find someone who will Spread the Wealth.

17-Across. Garment made from goat's wool: CASHMERE SWEATER.

27-Across. Picture that may feature students in height order: CLASS PHOTOGRAPH.

47-Across. Completely spotless: CLEAN AS AWHISTLE.

59-Across. Be generous with one's good fortune, as depicted by the movement of this puzzle's circled letters: SPREAD THE WEALTH.

I'll start with the grid so you can see how clever the Wealth is spread out.  We start with the Cash all together.  Then there is one letter in between Cash, and finally 2 letters are spread between the Cash.

Across:

1. South African language: ZULU.

5. "Uh ... feels wrong": UM ... NO.

9. Inky smudges: BLOTS.

The caption reads:
It's just a simple Rorschach ink-blot test, Mr. Bromwell, so just calm down and tell me what each one suggest to you.

14. Iowa State's town: AMES.

15. Folk artist Joan: BAEZ.  Joan Chandos Baez (b. Jan. 9, 1941) began her recording career over 60 years ago.  [Name # 1.]

16. Gracefully limber: LITHE.

20. Roebuck partner: SEARS.  The department store of Sears and Roebuck was founded in 1892 by Richard Warren Sears (Dec. 7, 1863 ~ Sept. 28, 1914) and Alvah Curtis Roebuck (Jan. 9, 1864 ~ June 18, 1948).  [Names # 2 and 3.]

21. __ borealis: colorful sky display: AURORA.  I would love to see the Aurora Borealis someday, but not sure I want to go so far north to see the display.

22. Put back in the pan: REFRY.

24. Big name in SUVs: GMC.

26. GPS display: MAP.

32. Astern: AFT.

33. "Klutzy me": OOPS!

34. Some Blu-ray players: SONYs.

35. Urgent request: PLEA.

37. Point value of "eight" in Scrabble: NINE.  //  And 52-Across. Point value of "five" or "six" in Scrabble: TEN.

39. Be in harmony: AGREE.

42. Kia hatchbacks: RIOs.

44. Destiny's Child's "__ My Name": SAY.

51. Apple CEO Cook: TIM.  Timothy Donald Cook (b. Nov. 1, 1960) became the chief executive officer of Apple Inc. in 2011, following the death of Apple founder Steve Jobs (1955 ~ 2011).  Prior to becoming the CEO, he was the company's chief operating officer.  [Name # 4.]

53. Arranges logically: SORTS.

54. End of an era?: SMALL A.  I am not keen on clues and answers like this.

57. Large member of the violin family: CELLO.

64. Lopsided: ASKEW.

65. Elton John musical based on a Verdi opera: AIDA.  [Name # 5.]

66. Raptor's weapon: CLAW.  Because Talon was too many letters.

67. Workspaces: DESKS.

68. "Dark Phoenix" mutants: X-MEN.  I've never seen any of these movies, so can't comment of their names or superpower mutations.  [Name # 6, fictional.]

69. Catch sight of: ESPY.  //  And 40-Down. Quick look: GLIMPSE.

Down:

1. Actor Efron: ZAC.  Zac Efron (né Zachary David Alexander Efron; b. Oct. 18, 1987) got is start in the mid-2000s starred in the High School Musical movies.  [Name # 7.]

2. Thurman of "Red, White & Royal Blue": UMA.  When her name comes up, I usually think of her dancing with John Travolta in Pulp Fiction.  That was 30 years ago!  [Name # 8.]

3. Heart-healthy phrase: LESS FAT.

4. Helpful theater employees: USHERS.

5. Car service app: UBER.

6. "24K Magic" singer Bruno: MARS.  Bruno Mars isn't his real name.  His given name is Peter Gene Hernandez (b. Oct. 8, 1985).  [Name # 9.]

7. Previously named: NÉE.  Today's French lesson.  The word comes from the French and means Born.  Né is masculine and Née is feminine.

8. Fluid meas. units: OZs.  As in Ounces.

9. Couleur of the sky: BLEU.  More of today's French lesson.

10. Pants-on-fire person: LIAR.  Cute clue.

11. Padded footstool: OTTOMAN.

12. Curative treatment: THERAPY.

13. High-ranking angels: SERAPHS.

18. Baseball Hall of Famer Willie: MAYS.  Willie Mays (né Willie Howard Mays, jr.; b. May 6, 1931) is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all times.  He played center field.  [Name # 10.]

19. City halfway between Dallas and Austin: WACO.  How the city got its name.

22. Early TV brand: RCA.  RCA and its Dogs.

23. Tiny toymaker: ELF.

24. RNC group: GOP.  As in the Republican National Committee and the Grand Old Party.  No politics, please.

25. VT ski resort with an apt name: MT SNOW.  Everything you wanted to know about Mt Snow but didn't know to ask.  And a shout out to JFromVT.

28. Poet Edgar Allan __: POE.  Edgar Allan Poe (Jan. 19, 1809 ~ Oct. 7, 1849) is considered the father of the modern detective mystery.  [Name # 11.]

29. All shouted out, maybe: HOARSE.

30. "Tug of Words" channel: GSN.  As in the Game Show Network.

31. Caviar: ROE.  Yummers!

35. Podded plant: PEA.

36. Former "Inside the NFL" host Dawson: LEN.  Len Dawson (né Leonard Ray Dawson; June 20, 1935 ~ Aug. 24. 2022) played for the Kansas City Chiefs for over 10 years in the 1960s and 1970s.  [Name # 12.]

38. "Or so": -ISH.

39. Puts on a frown: ACTS SAD.  I initially tried Acts Mad.

41. Casual observations: REMARKS.

43. Actor McKellen: IAN.  That's Sir Ian McKellen (né Ian Murray McKellen; b. May 25, 1939) to you.  He is a very versatile actor.  [Name # 13.]

44. Ambles: STROLLS.

45. Key sometimes used with Ctrl: ALT.

46. "You rang?": YES.

48. Slightly: A TAD.

49. Hebrides landmass: ISLE.  The Hebrides is an archipelago comprising hundreds of islands off the northwest coast of Scotland.

50. Comfort during trying times: SOLACE.

55. Long onion kin: LEEK.  Wha't the difference?

56. Rules for society: LAWS.  The oldest known written legal code was found in what is now Iraq.

57. Relinquish: CEDE.

58. Obi-Wan player: EWAN.  Obi-Wan Kenobi was the Jedi master in the Star Wars movies.  In some of the later films in the series Ewan McGregor (né Ewan Gordon McGregor; b. Mar. 31, 1971).  [Names # 14 and 15, one fictional, one real.]

60. Line on a receipt: TAX.

61. "That's the guy!": HIM.

62. Noisy dance style: TAP.

63. Major rd.: HWY.  That major road could be the highway.

That's all for today.

חתולה

Mardi Gras is celebrated outside of New Orleans, too.