Thursday, December 6, 2012 C.C. Burnikel

Theme: "Love knows no season" 3:31

17A. Typically pink-flowered bloomer : CABBAGE ROSE.

23A. Gateway Arch architect : EERO SAARINEN.

37A. Key Egyptian artifact unearthed in 1799 : THE ROSETTA STONE.

49A. Postwar reception : HERO'S WELCOME.

And the unifier:

60. Tools of the mischievous god hidden in 17-, 23-, 37- and 49-Across : BOW AND ARROW. I highlighted him in red for all the world to see.

Mischievous, indeed.  Had it not been for EROS, I would still be part of the 11-D. Single and looking group: DATING POOL.

This is a very open grid, with only 34 blocks. Nice long down fills, too. In addition to 11-D, which I mentioned above, we have 28-D. Defroster alternative: ICE SCRAPER. A not so nice reminder about what's in store for us Northerners over the next few months, but lovely fill for a puzzle!  Let's see what other mischief C.C. will get us into.

Across:

1. Sundsvall rollers : SAABS.  Ahhh, same as last Thursday when we had "Maine-et-Loire" hinting at the French for ami.  This time, the car has been clued with more late-week difficulty by using "Sundsvall" to hint at the Swedish imports.  But unless you knew that Sundsvall is a city some 250 miles north of Stockholm, you didn't have much of a chance.

6. Trickeries : SHAMS.

11. Pops : DAD. Pa, papa, daddy, daddio...

14. Portion out : ALLOT.

15. Knighted conductor : SOLTI. Sir Georg, that is.  Here he is conducting the London Symphony in a beautiful version of Elgar: Enigma Variations. 3:45

16. Took in : ATE. Did you get taken in by this clue?

19. Paris pronoun : TOI. French for "you," with the easy hint using "Paris" as the adjective. My other guess would be "moi." (It's all about me...)

20. Title words preceding "beneath the milky twilight," in a 1999 hit : KISS ME. By the group Sixpence. 3:11.  It was a 29A: Hit, maybe: SONG.

21. "So relaxing!" : AHH.  We had our book club meeting at a day spa last week. I heard lots of "ahhs."

22. Worrisome engine sound : PING. My most worrisome sound is when I hear the mechanic say "Uh-oh" from under the hood.

26. Set straight : ALIGNED.

30. Breeders' Cup event : RACE.

31. Loses on purpose : DIETS.  Love this clue! I was thinking about someone who "throws" a game or a fight.

34. Light touch : PAT. And the nickname of my BFF.

41. Coll. applicants : SRS. Seniors applying to college.

42. Big name in beer : STROH. The company broke up in 2000, and STROH's is now brewed by Pabst.  Or so I'm told...I don't drink beer.

43. Mindless process : ROTE.

44. Manitoba tribe : CREE.

46. Blood sugar regulator : INSULIN.

53. Neutrogena rival : OLAY.

54. Like "ifs" and "buts": Abbr. : PLU.ral.

55. Throw a feast for : REGALE. I always thought this meant to make someone laugh, but it also has a broader sense of entertaining (as with a feast.)

59. Back talk : LIP.

62. Cezanne's summer : ETE. Paul Cezanne was a French post-impressionist artist. So you know you are looking for the French word for "summer."

63. Pad user : STENO.grapher.  I doubt that there is a big future for STENOs nowadays.

64. Light wash : RINSE. Very light.

65. Le counterpart, in Leipzig : DER.  Leipzig is, a German town, SW of Berlin. Map. C.C. is sending us all over Europe on this puzzle! "Le" and "DER" are the French and German words for "the."

66. Like-minded gps. : ASSNS. Associations.

67. Guide : STEER.

Down:

1. Grain holder : SACK.

2. Jai ___ : ALAI.

3. Mass robes : ALBS. Plain white robes that are worn by priests.

4. Raspy-voiced "Like a Rock" singer : BOB SEGER. Great song. 5:55

5. Where the anther is : STAMEN. I thought it wath going to be "under your nothe."

6. Dallas-to-Houston dir. : SSE.

7. Wedding dances : HORAS.

8. HI hi : ALOHA. Cute clue! HI is the abbr. for Hawaii.

9. Highest peak in the Calif. Cascades : MT. SHASTA. Calif. is abbr. because of "MT." in the ans.

10. "Sprechen ___ Deutsch?" : SIE. (Back to Leipzig!) "Do you speak German?"

12. Do a makeup job? : ATONE. Another great clue.

13. Stoop : DEIGN.

18. "Unfaithful" co-star : GERE. Richard Gere and Diane Lane co-starred.  I have not seen it, but I understand it received mixed reviews.

22. One that stands to prevent a strike : PIN. HaHa - great shout-out from C.C. to her DH "Boomer." Of course we are talking about bowling pins here. (From C.C.: This is Rich's clue. He always makes me look smarter.)

24. More strange : ODDER.

25. Soft-spoken painter Bob : ROSS. Remember "The Joy of Painting" on TV?  He was soft-spoken because he hated his previous career in the military, where he had to yell constantly.

26. Liberal subject? : ARTS.

27. 1939 Garland co-star : LAHR. Bert Lahr and Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz."

32. "Who am ___ say?" : I TO.

33. Moral principle : ETHIC.

35. Con : ANTI.

36. Summer intern, often : TEEN.

38. Plural medical suffix : OSES. Dermatoses, neuroses, psychoses, thromboses...

39. Stock holders? : STEW POTS.  Another fun clue!

40. John Wayne classic : TRUE GRIT. The remake in 2010 starring Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn was surprisingly well-done.

45. Campanella of Cooperstown : ROY. No clue, but I know C.C. will help me out here! (From C.C.: Roy Campanella was one of the first Black players in Major League. First Black catcher. He joined the Brooklyn Dodgers a year after Jackie Robinson did.)

Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe, Roy Campanella

47. North of Paris : NORD. Back to Paris for more French.

48. Mascara mishaps : SMEARS.

49. Sank, in a way : HOLED. HG, have you HOLED any putts lately?

50. High class : ELITE.

51. Cary of "The Princess Bride" : ELWES. Still haven't seen this one - it's on my Netflix list, though!

52. Blond comic strip teenager : LUANN. This comic strip.

56. Secretary of Education Duncan : ARNE. Arne Duncan took over from Margaret Spellings in 2009.

57. Get whipped : LOSE.

58. Fancy pitcher : EWER.

60. Org. with Eagles : BSA. Boy Scouts of America.  Eagle scouts, that is.

61. Hardly shows of support : NOS. Like this? 0:17.

That's all I have to say, so I'll sit back now and let everyone else have the floor!

Hugs,
Marti

Notes from C.C.:

1) MT SHASTA is for Melissa, who longs to move in there eventually. I plunked it down early on (as it's an answer that crosses three theme entries) and was so pleased it worked.

2) Happy Birthday to the always cheerful and happy Lucina! Hope you're feeling better.

L-R back row: Chickie, Clear Ayes, Garlic Gal
   Front: JD, Lucina, Dodo
June 23, 2011

Wednesday, Dec 5 2012, Robin Stears

theme: I'M DOWN

this seemed more like a thursday level to me, a bit of a workout. an unusual looking grid, too, fitting the COLUMNS theme. i like puzzles that have down theme answers, i guess just because it's unusual.

5d. *"Break Like the Wind" band : SPINAL (COLUMN) TAP. 

10d. *TV drama narrated by a teen blogger : GOSSIP (COLUMN) GIRL. does anyone watch gossip girl?

26d. *Double-date extra : FIFTH (COLUMN) WHEEL. "third wheel" is the more common phrase. fifth column definition.

34d. *Chemical connection that involves a transfer of electrons : IONIC (COLUMN) BOND. an ionic column is a greek architectural feature.

22. The answers to starred clues start with kinds of them, and are arranged in them : COLUMNS

across

1. Unapproachable : OFFISH. a stretch-ish.

7. Heavy shoe : BROGAN. wikipedia: "a term generally applied to any heavy, ankle-high shoe or boot …". 

13. Like Steven Wright's delivery : DEADPAN. "I went for a walk last night and she asked me how long I was going to be gone. I said, "The whole time."

15. Fragrant hybrid bloom : TEA ROSE. created by cross-breeding two types of roses. so pretty.

16. Unusually large : OUTSIZE

17. They enjoy being cruel : SADISTS

18. GPS display : RDS. global positioning system / roads.

19. Scottish refusal : NAE

20. Melodic passages : ARIOSOS. new to me.

21. Cabbage head? : HARD C. can't fool me with that any more.

23. E. __ bacteria : COLI

24. Hug : ENFOLD. enfolds and kisses.

27. Buckeyes' sch. : OSU. ohio state university.

29. Blunt blade : EPEE

32. Main idea : POINT

33. Defensive story : ALIBI

35. "I hate when you do that!" : GRR

36. Balkan Peninsula capital : SOFIA

37. Profit share : CUT

38. Heavenly hunter : ORION. constellation.

40. Prov. on Lake Superior : ONT. ontario, canada.

41. Tottenham tot toters : PRAMS. tottenham is an area in london, and pram is a british word for a baby carriage.

43. Squares : NERDS

44. Grape soda brand : NEHI

46. A in German class : EIN

47. Light spectrum extreme : VIOLET

48. L.A. Sparks' org. : WNBA

50. Contractor's details : SPECS

52. Ones with a common heritage : ETHNICS

55. Eyeball : ORB

56. "Grimm" network : NBC. no idea. looks interesting.

59. Put away, as a hunting knife : SHEATHE

60. More apt to pout : MOODIER

62. Many a Nickelodeon watcher : PRETEEN

63. Exalt : ENNOBLE

64. Astonishingly enough : NO LESS

65. Carol opener : ADESTE. christmas carol, adeste fideles, aka o come all ye faithful. it's that time again already. here's BNL's version of a different classic carol:

down

1. Air Wick target : ODOR

2. It can go on for years : FEUD

3. Dieter's count : FATS

4. Picks from a lineup : ID'S. identifies - no indication of abbreviation, i suppose ID is common enough.

6. Thin ice, say : HAZARD

7. Berenstain youngster, e.g. : BEAR CUB. children's book series, the berenstain bears.

8. Active beginning? : RADIO. radioactive.

9. Maryland state bird, for one : ORIOLE. why 'for one'?

11. Apropos of : AS TO

12. Storied loch : NESS

14. Can't be without : NEED

15. Bag-checking agcy. : TSA. the butt of so many jokes.

21. Hägar's daughter : HONI. never remember this.

24. Canon rival : EPSON. printer makers.

25. Worst possible turnout : NO ONE. aw.

28. Tries to please a master, perhaps : SITS. "if you can sit quietly after difficult news, if in financial downturns you remain perfectly calm, if you can see your neighbors travel to fantastic places without a twinge of jealousy, if you can happily eat whatever is on your plate, if you can love those around you unconditionally and fall asleep after a day of running around without a drink or a pill, if you can always find contentment just where you are … you're probably a dog."

30. Diminish by degrees : ERODE

31. Arp contemporary : ERNST. jean arp (1886-1966) and max ernst (1891-1976) - both german painters, sculptors and poets.

33. Trendy healthful berry : ACAI

39. Classic autos : REO'S

42. Is guilty of a dinner table no-no : REACHES

45. Congenital : INNATE

47. Shakespearean setting : VERONA. romeo and juliet, and the two gentleman of verona.

49. Falls for a joke : BITES

51. Fleshy fruit : POME

52. "Mike and Mike in the Morning" broadcaster : ESPN

53. Via, briefly : THRO

54. China's Sun Yat-__ : SEN. did not know this.

56. Calligrapher's points : NIBS

57. Seat restraint : BELT

58. Hudson Bay native : CREE

61. Forest female : DOE

melissa

 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Marti DuGuay-Carpenter

 

Theme: Unfettered - Three synonyms that while they may not be synonyms of each other or how they are used in their phrase, are synonyms of the unifier.

17A. Quits worrying : RESTS EASY. Easy in the phrase is an adverb but as a synonym of loose, that something or someone is permissive, is an adjective.

27A. Like 56 minutes of each hour of The Masters telecast : COMMERCIAL-FREE. The phrase use is as unobstructed but as a synonym of loose, free is unrestrained.

47A. "Get off my back!" : "CUT ME SOME SLACK!". Here slack is part of an idiom, to give someone a break. As a synonym of loose, slack is the antonym of taut.

62A. Unfinished business, or, in a way, what 17-, 27- and 47-Across have in common : LOOSE ENDS

Argyle here. This softball turned into a hardball when I tried to write it up. Thanks a lot, Marti. I hope I got it right. Good solid corners, the way Rich likes them.

Across:

1. Ho-hum time : DRAG. No drag here.

5. Ship's command post : HELM

9. Zip preceder : STATE

14. Really-really : OH SO. Superlatively qualitative. and 25D. Chop-chop : PRONTO

15. Verdi's "Celeste Aida," e.g. : ARIA

16. Hypothesize : POSIT

19. Oohed and __ : AAHed

20. "Luncheon on the Grass" painter : MANET. You know, the two guys and the naked chick.

21. Law firm bigwigs : PARTNERS

23. Group with many golden agers : AARP. If you don't know AARP, well, bless you son.

26. Failed firecracker : DUD

34. Federal web address ending : .GOV

35. Office betting groups : POOLS

36. Curaçao neighbor : ARUBA. Map and Bottle.

37. TV's talking horse : MR. ED

39. Drum kit drum : SNARE

41. "Want the light __ off?" : ON OR

42. "Stick Up for Yourself" nasal spray : AFRIN

44. Glittery topper : TIARA

46. Molecule with a + charge, e.g. : ION

50. Mischief-maker : IMP

51. Hose fillers? : LEGS. I'm leaving this for Splynter.

52. Wide-awake : OPEN-EYED

57. Wanted poster word : ALIAS

61. Longish skirts : MIDIs

65. Temporarily unavailable : [IN USE]

66. Sask. neighbor : ALTA. (Saskatchewan/Alberta, Canada)

67. Macro or micro subj. : ECON.. Could be ECOL?

68. Help desk staffers, usually : TECHs

69. Hornet's home : NEST

70. Tebow throw, say : PASS. Still chuckle at New York Jest(from a past puzzle).

Down:

1. Quarter of a quad, perhaps : DORM. Quadrangle/Dormitory

2. Perlman of "Cheers" : RHEA Here is a classic clip.(I can't stop laughing) And seasonal, too.

3. Part of YMCA: Abbr. : ASSN.

4. Pep rally cry : "GO TEAM!"

5. Possess, in the Hebrides : HAE

6. Christian __ : ERA

7. Speech impediment : LISP

8. Honduras native : MAYA

9. Patty turner : SPATULA

10. How a pendulum swings : TO AND FRO

11. Tennis great Arthur : ASHE

12. Row at Wrigley : TIER. More alliteration.

13. LAX guesstimates : ETD's. Or any airport.

18. Email doesn't require one : STAMP

22. Nutritional abbr. : RDA. (recommended daily allowance)

24. 1920s-'30s Flying Clouds, e.g. : REOs. Early luxury cars from Oldsmobile.

27. Greek vacation isle : CORFU. A Greek island in the Ionian Sea.

28. For all to see : OVERT

29. Insurance case : CLAIM

30. Knesset country : ISRAEL. Knesset - The unicameral parliament of Israel [Hebrew, literally: gathering] Unicameral - consisting of a single chamber, as a legislative assembly.

31. Written in mystical letters : RUNIC

32. Kindle download : E-BOOK

33. Deservedly get : EARN

34. Former car-financing org. : GMAC. (General Motors Acceptance Corporation)

38. Dwindle : DIMINISH

40. Hebrides tongue : ERSE. Map. Home to Talisker Scotch.

43. Archrivals : NEMESES. Super heros seem to attract them.

45. Aquarium accumulation : ALGAE. Shouldn't there be little critters in there eating that stuff.

48. One seeking intelligence : SPY

49. In dreamland : ASLEEP. Where I should be.

52. Leave out : OMIT

53. "Ponderosa" tree : PINE

54. PTA's focus : EDUC.. Locally, it is PTSA, Parent-Teacher-Student Association. Is that what your school has?

55. Lust for life : ELAN

56. Charitable distribution : DOLE. What to do with the contributions.

58. Machu Picchu resident : INCA

59. Fusses : ADOs

60. Federal IDs : SSN's

63. Extra NHL periods : OT's

64. Did nothing : SAT

Argyle

Monday, December 3, 2012 Gareth Bain

Theme: Oh Tannenbaum - Got your tree yet? The theme entries are items that may be placed on said tree.

17A. Hollywood : TINSELTOWN

24A. Outdoor seating option : C A N E CHAIR. Candy canes.

34A. Festive centerpiece adorned with the starts 17-, 24-, 49- and 57-Across : CHRISTMAS TREE

49A. All the details, casually : BALL OF WAX. Glass ornaments.

57A. Venezuelan natural wonder : ANGEL FALLS. To top it all off.

Argyle here. A nice seasonal offering today. An occasional nut to crunch on but on the whole, a sweet start to the week. Some longish verticals to give it some added sparkle.

Across:

1. Mascara recipient : LASH

5. Lie in store for : AWAIT

10. Naval jail : BRIG

14. __ rug : AREA

15. Swiss capital, to the Swiss : BERNE. The French spelling. Official languages are German (63.7 %)(Bern), French (20.4 %), Italian (6.5 %)(Berna), and Romansh (0.5 %)(Berna). Also, Bernese German: Bärn. I hope I've covered all the nits.

16. One and only : LONE

19. "My great hope __ laugh as much as I cry": Angelou : IS TO. "to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return."

20. Impressive property : ESTATE

21. Dugout leader : MANAGER

23. Mattress make : SERTA

26. Airport screening org. : TSA. (Transportation Security Administration)

27. WC : LOO. British (water closet (toilet))

29. Italian three : TRE

30. "Stop-__": UGK hit : N-GO UGK = UnderGround Kings. Clip, if you care to listen.

31. Classic theater name : BIJOU. A recent entry.

33. Ignore socially : SNUB

39. Big cat's cry : ROAR

40. Ballet bends : PLIÉs

41. Flightless Aussie bird : EMU

42. Pickle's place : JAR. Cool alliteration.

45. Computer application file extension : .EXE

46. CBS-owned cable movie sta. : SHO. (SHOWTIME)

52. Group of eight : OCTAD. I have to wait on the ending.

54. Not taking sides : NEUTRAL

55. Pointed abode : A-FRAME

56. Gets hitched : WEDS

59. __ above the rest : A CUT

60. Just right : IDEAL

61. Flower-loving buzzers : BEEs

62. Peeps from pups : YIPS

63. Pub game : DARTS

64. Miss in Mex. : SRTA. (señorita)

Down:

1. Most current news, with "the" : LATEST

2. Crops up : ARISES

3. Nissan compact : SENTRA. Production - Subcompact (1982–2000) Compact (2000–present).

4. Assails : HAS AT

5. Blessed with skills : ABLE

6. __ behind the ears : WET. A reference to new borns, hence those that are inexperienced.

7. Yummy smell : AROMA

8. Needing, with "of" : IN WANT

9. Sawbuck, to a Brit : TENNER. A doable guess.

10. HMS Bounty's ill-fated captain : BLIGH

11. '80s-'90s wisecracking TV mom : ROSEANNE

12. Cloak-and-dagger doings : INTRIGUE

13. Former Prizm maker : GEO. Production was 1988–2002: Geo Prizm (1990–1997), Chevrolet Prizm (1998–2002)

18. And others, in bibliographies : ET ALII

22. Unhittable serve : ACE

24. Crotchety oldster : COOT

25. Stick up : ROB

28. Drinks in the a.m. : OJ's

31. "I need a sweater!" : [BRR!]

32. Baseball arbiter : UMP

33. Yearbook gp. : SR's (seniors)

34. Five-time Olympic gold winner Nadia : COMANECI

35. Called to account : HAULED UP

36. "Jeopardy!" host Trebek : ALEX

37. Common dinner hour : SIX. You agree?

38. Make really mad : TEE OFF

39. Civil War soldier : REB

42. Write quickly : JOT

43. Frightened : AFRAID

44. Central African country about the size of Massachusetts : RWANDA

46. Less fresh : STALER

47. "To be, or not to be" speaker : HAMLET

48. Ukrainian port : ODESSA. On the Black Sea.

50. Thirsts (for) : LUSTS

51. Alleged Soviet spy Hiss : ALGER. Accused of being a Soviet spy in 1948 and convicted of perjury in connection with this charge in 1950.

53. "Deadliest Catch" boatful : CRABS. Crab fishing on Alaska's Bering Sea on the Discovery Channel.

55. "__ fair in love ..." : ALL'S

56. Technique : WAY

58. "Dig in!" : "EAT!"

Argyle

Sunday Dec 2, 2012 Kathleen Fay O'Brien

Theme: "Heard Down Under" -Long A sound is replaced by Long I sound, the Aussie way.

 23A. Arranged pickling solutions on the shelf? : RACKED ONE'S BRINES. Racked one's brains. I use singular "brain".

 40A. Funhouse admission fee? : FRIGHT CHARGE. Freight charge.

 73A. "Your shingle work stinks!" e.g.? : ROOFING SLIGHT. Roofing slate. I can picture PK shouted at those roof workers: "Your shingle work stinks!"

 105A. "Don't take candy from strangers," say? : GUILE WARNING. Gale warning.

 123A. Empty church basket? : COLLECTION PLIGHT. Collection plate.

 16D. Landing with just a toothbrush? : LIGHT ARRIVAL. Late arrival.

 67D. Indian chef's series of adventures? : SPICE ODYSSEY. Space Odyssey. I think Indians even use spices in their breakfast.

Three sound changes occur in the back, the rest front. You don't want an odd man out.

Hope Kazie finds time solve this puzzle today, right up her alley. Dave moved back to the States when he was 6 years old (?), he might not have an Aussie accent.

Another grid with only 68 black squares and no cheater squares. Lovely.

 Across:

1. Not as risky : SAFER

6. Influential collegian, briefly : BMOC (Big Man On Campus)

10. Mus. direction in a dramatic passage : CRESC

15. Dalmatian, e.g. : SLAV. People of Dalmatia, rather than the dog.

19. Where surfers shop : E-MALL. Nice clue.

20. Sphere opening : IONO. Ionosphere.

21. Romney foe : OBAMA. Waiting for gift, Mr. President.

22. __ colada : PINA

26. Breakfast fare : EGGS

27. Name on sweet pieces : REESE

28. Deceptive handle : ALIAS. Deceptive clue.

29. Memorable Shakespearean trio : WITCHES

31. Solstice mo. : DEC

32. "Ghostbusters" goo : SLIME

34. Like blue cheese : RICH

37. Cosa __ : NOSTRA

38. Virginie, e.g. : ETAT

43. Syst. with gestures : ASL. This is in sign language. The title is "Start All Over Again". My go-to song when I'm feeling blue.

44. Furrowed : STRIATE. Gimme, Spitzboov? I'm more familiar with STRIA.

46. Patriotic chant : USA USA

47. Island S. of 10-Down : SAR (Sardinia) 10. Napoleon I's birthplace : CORSICA

49. Program writer : CODER

50. Pre-coll. exams : SATs

53. Place setting items : MATS

55. __ flakes : BRAN

58. ACLU concerns : RTs

60. Like leaves : LOBED

63. Drug in Shatner novels : TEK

64. Roller coaster, e.g. : RIDE

65. Tough call : TOSS UP

68. Firenze's land : ITALIA. Florence.

70. Verb in the classic "Mission: Impossible" opening scene : DISAVOW. No idea. Did you all get this easily?

72. One in a military march? : HUP.  "___, two, three, four..."

76. Litigator's org. : ABA

77. Outfit for an outfit : UNIFORM

79. Official commands : EDICTS

80. Biceps band : ARMLET

82. 13th-century date : MCCI. 1201.

83. President pro __ : TEM

85. Uppity sort : SNOOT

86. Beach shirt : TEE

87. "Fawlty Towers" producer, with "the" : BEEB. BBC.

88. Old dagger : SNEE

90. Cognac grade, initially : VSOP (Very Special Old Pale). I dated a guy who drank Cognac & tonic water every night. 

92. Reuben need : SWISS

96. Spanish she-bear : OSA

98. Not really, with "only" : IN NAME

101. Quiet : EASEFUL. This is a word? OK, then.

103. Goal for a H.S. dropout : GED

109. Urgent : DIRE

110. Beefeater product : DRY GIN. Beefeater is a gin brand. New to me.

112. Algerian port : ORAN

113. Oct. 24, 1947 declaration : UN DAY

115. __ school : MED

116. Abby and Martha's poison of choice, in a 1939 play : ARSENIC. "Arsenic and Old Lace".

118. Types : KINDs

120. Asian wraps : SARIS

122. Democratic donkey designer : NAST (Thomas)

128. Wineglass feature : STEM

129. Water from France : EVIAN

130. City west of Caen : ST LO

131. Reverberations in une grotte : ÉCHOS. French plural.

132. Mitty portrayer : KAYE (Danny). Walter Mitty.

133. Data update mechanisms : FEEDS

134. Partings : BYES

135. Venezia casino winner : SETTE (Seven). Venezia, Venice.

Down:

1. Sun. speech : SER (Sermon)

2. Disaronno Originale product : AMARETTO. Italian for "a little bitter". Argyle might know the brand.

3. King or queen : FACE CARD

4. Sommer of film : ELKE

5. Like May through August, in a way : R-LESS

6. Book flap feature : BIO

7. My friend abroad : MON AMI. Literally "My friend".

8. Long John Silver feature : ONE LEG

9. "__ fan tutte": Mozart opera : COSI

11. Sac fly result : RBI

12. Suffix with Jacob : EAN. Jacobean.

13. Diving duck : SMEW

14. Sausage skin : CASING. I like Cantonese sausage. They are sweet. 

15. Short details? : SPECS

17. Infuriates : ANGERS

18. Feudal servant : VASSAL

24. Dutch pottery city : DELFT. Vermeer's hometown.

25. St. __: Caribbean island : BARTS. Never heard of it.

30. Little piggies : TOES

31. Invoice column hdg. : DESC. Description, I suppose.

33. Infuriates : IRES

35. Pal : CHUM

36. Goes after : HAS AT

39. Theater sections : TIERS

41. Conserves : HUSBANDS. Boomer does not know the "Conserve" meaning of HUSBAND. I learned from doing Xword.

42. Like "Mary Poppins" : RATED G

45. Maestro Toscanini : ARTURO

48. Magician's opening : ABRA

51. Arabic alphabet opener : ALIF

52. Funny Fields : TOTIE. No memory of this lady.

54. Topper seen on a mogul : SKI HAT. Marti style clue. Alas, I was picturing Donald Trump's "real hair" toupee.

56. Hacienda brick : ADOBE

57. A beginner in : NEW AT

59. Man cave topic : SPORTS

61. Onetime Rolex rival : ELGIN. I wanted OMEGA.

62. Find : DISCOVER

65. Opposable digit : THUMB

66. Prevention measure? : OUNCE.  "An ounce of prevention..."

69. Choir section : ALTOS

71. Put in bold type, say : STRESS

74. Subtitle of the sequel "Damien" : OMEN II. Looks disturbing.

75. Analogy words : IS TO

78. Trivial lies : FIBS

81. Spoke Siamese? : MEWED

84. __ Park: Edison lab site : MENLO

89. Nuke-testing dept. : ENER

91. Remain undecided : PEND

93. "Allow me ..." : IF I MIGHT. I say "If I may".

94. Deadeye : SURE SHOT

95. Arctic carrier : SLED

97. Rube's "anti" : AGIN'

99. Opens one's eyes : AWAKENS

100. Crazed : MANIC

102. Audibly awed : AGASP

103. Southern Baltic Sea port : GDANSK. Wiki said it's the birth place of Lech Walesa's Solidarity movement.

104. List of typos and such : ERRATA

106. Worldwide relief org. : UNICEF

107. It's common in some camps : NUDITY. Never been to one. You?

108. Boot part : INSOLE

111. "Capisce?" : GET ME?

114. Many pin tumbler locks : YALES

117. Shelter from a storm, perhaps : COVE

119. Airline investigative org. : NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board)

121. Fried __ : RICE. Have some!

124. Golfer's concern : LIE. Downhill lie is hard to work with.

125. Chap : LAD

126. Stats, e.g. : NO.s

127. "Cats" poet's monogram : T.S.E.

C.C.