Friday, August 16, 2013 Jean O'Conor

Theme: Bee all that you can Bee, one clue will do.

Well it is Friday and we are presented with our second consecutive Friday single clue, five theme answer puzzle. This is our 4th puzzle from Ms. O'Conor (Don't you want to get her a second N?) since her first published LAT in January. It is impressive watching new constructors get going once they the first one is in print. Structurally, this is a classic Friday, low blocks and word count, and longer words, as well many new or infrequently used clues. Some of the nice fill that jumped out for me included ONE CARAT,  RED SAUCE, GETS USED TO,  TURKEY TROT; these multiple word answers made the solving a challenge in places, but let us compare our answers.

17A Buzz: BEEHIVE HUM.(10). When I first saw this answer, I thought maybe it was going to have "HO" removed from every clue. Our onomatopoetic fill.

24A Buzz: LATEST RUMOR.(11). Many local news channels call their gossip segment the BUZZ.

33A Buzz: ASTRONAUT ALDRIN.(15). The second man to walk on the moon and the feistiest of all out astronauts. LINK. He is now promoting the colonization of Mars.

46A Buzz: ARMY HAIRCUT. (11). This is my meh  theme clue, as really aren't they really called buzz cuts?

54A Buzz: COFFEE RUSH. (10). I imagine more of us will think of alcohol as the cause of a BUZZ.

Across:

1 Preppy clothing brand: IZOD. Alligators and ex-partner of Lacoste.

5 1996 A.L. Rookie of the Year: JETER. He is trying to come back,  but 17 years have passed very quickly.

10 __ club: GLEE. Who would ever believe this would become a hit TV show. Also, a reminder of the price of fame, with the suicide of this young man and the contestant from the Bachelor.

14 It’s frowned upon: NO NO.

15 Slangy event suffix: ORAMA. Saleorama, cyclorama; not one I use or hear anymore, not to be confused with OBAMA.

16 Forever and a day: EONS.

19 Just as it should be: TO A T. One which can be hard to parse, what is a toat, does it rhyme with goat?

20 Patterned cotton cloth: CALICO. With this audience a Tabby would have been more popular.

21 Words said with an eagerly raised hand: ASK ME. I recall more, Me, Me, Me.

22 Three-time Boston Marathon winner Pippig: UTA. A change from  Ms. Hagen. I wonder how many of our New England contingent recall her, and her giving new meaning to the winner trotting HOME.

27 Monopoly player?: CARTEL. This was a struggle because, as intended, all I thought about was the game.

29 __ Palace: CAESARS. My favorite casino. 35 black.

30 Kona cookout: LUAU.

31 Dome cover: TOUPEE. You see so many terrible toppers, are there no mirrors?

39 Some discount stores: K-MARTS. They are closing their stores slowly in Florida.

40 Squeal: TELL. My father was very strict in punishing any one of us who squealed on our brothers.

41 Fixes the weatherproofing on, say: RESEALS.

44 Vicky in the Nixon White House: POODLE. I only recall Checkers, the Cocker Spaniel.

49 Pre-1991 atlas initials: SSR

50 She played Ninotchka: GRETA. Garbo. The movie was pitched because the haughty, aloof actress laughed often in the movie.

51 Moon of Jupiter: EUROPA. One of four big moons, but the astronomers now have counted 67 MOONS

53 Coal-rich valley: SAAR. This is information I learned doing the LAT.

58 Quito questionnaire catchall: OTRO. Other in Spanish. Capital of Ecuador.

59 Treads the boards?: SURFS. This was really tricky, as the phrase is so attached to actors in the theater in my mind.

60 Bounce back: ECHO. How appropriate for an all CLECHO themed puzzle.

61 Thomas who drew Santa: NAST. An extremely influential political cartoonist who did redesign Santa. LESSON.

62 Hush-hush hookup: TRYST. I just love this word, as it makes clandestine romance sound so fun.

63 They hold the answers: KEYS.

Down:

1 Schubert’s unfinished “Symphony No. 8 __ Minor”: IN B.

2 Saldana of recent “Star Trek” films: ZOE. They are making an Avatar 2. She was Uhura in the ST remake.

3 Like some diamonds: ONE CARAT. How big were your engagement rings ladies?

4 Qatar’s capital: DOHA. How cool, a shout out to our Doc.

5 Good-humored: JOVIAL. More Santa?

6 Put up: ERECT. Nope, not going there.

7 Chevy K5 Blazer, since 1995: TAHOE. Do you ever wonder who picks the car names?

8 Swift-running bird: EMU. For all the golfers out there, Tom Morris and his CADDIE.

9 Push firmly: RAM.

10 Learns to cope with: GET'S USED TO. Such an odd string of letters until you break them up.

11 “No hands!” lead-in: LOOK MA. The bicycle ritual.

12 Enthrall: ENAMOR. I am not in love with using an "EN" clue and an "EN" fill.

13 Beer-flavoring compounds: ESTERS. I need one of my brewing boys to write this, but I will let you read this LINK if you are interested.

18 __-et-Vilaine: French department: ILLE. and 37D Misfortunes: ILLS.

21 Tottering: AREEL: An A word!

22 Pac-12 school: UCLA.

23 Cross-shaped letters: TAUS. The Greek T.

25 Rabbits’ tails: SCUTS. A Gareth Bain type of clue; all stubby tails like rabbits and deer are called SCUTS. Also the Santa Clara college Rugby team are known as the SCUTS.

26 Taberna snack: TAPA. Spanish, we have our Taberna here in Hialeah, the word is like our Tavern and if you do not know, TAPAS are like snacks or appetizers.

28 Ragtime round dance: TURKEY TROT. I hope you are up on your dances from the 20's.(2:56).

31 Tibia neighbors: TARSI. The seven bones in the ankle which connect the leg (Tibia) to the foot.

32 Dead to the world: OUT.

34 Home of ConAgra Foods: OMAHA. Another Corner shout out, this time to the golfing legend HG.

35 Simba’s love: NALA. Can you feel the Love TONIGHT? (3:32).

36 Marinara, e.g.: RED SAUCE.

38 Nat or Phil: NLER.

41 Teases relentlessly: RAGS ON. Another tricky multiple word fill.

42 List of slips: ERRATA. Coincidental Steve?

43 Window washer’s concern: SMEARS. I would worry only about the scaffolding and falling.

44 Least spoiled: PUREST. Who among us?

45 Chiwere speaker: OTOE. A new clue for a staple, all perps.

47 Toss back into the hot oil: REFRY. Beans!

48 Perp’s bracelets: CUFFS. The other perp and his handcuffs, if he gets caught.

52 Nursery sch.: PRE-K.

54. Manitoba hrs. CST. Manitoba is just west of Ontario and is in the Central time zone.

55 “__ House”: CSNY hit: OUR. Took me a while to translate Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

56 Reserved: SHY. Yup, me too.

57 5-Down laughs: HOS. Second week in a row for this fill in a Friday puzzle, but I was feeling psychic after my BEEHIVE (HO) HUM thought.

Well we managed another one, and really diverse cluing, not too many proper names, not too many obscurities, but lots of different areas, which should give you all something to talk about and CED plenty of topics for linking. This has been a fun mostly easy week, and I hope you enjoyed this one. Thank you Jean and all of you old and new posters.

Lemonade out.

Note from C.C.:

Happy Birthday to Doha Doc, originally Vegas Doc who is now in Doha (no easy beer)  for a business assignment. 

Thursday, August 15, 2013 Neville Fogarty

Theme: Going in circles

18A. Poof : UP IN SMOKE.

23A. "Danger, Will Robinson!" sci-fi series : LOST IN SPACE.

37A. "Lincoln" director : STEVEN SPIELBERG.

53A. Gilbert and Sullivan work subtitled "The Lass That Loved a Sailor" : HMS PINAFORE.

And the unifier:

59A. Washing machine phase graphically shown in this puzzle's circles :  SPIN CYCLE.

I really like the progression, where the "S" moves from the end position, one at a time, pulling the rest of the word along with it. But I have the feeling I have seen this theme recently...no?

The fill seemed like a Monday romp to me.  I made one pass across and down, and was done. How was your experience?

Across:

1. Nine-time Grammy winner Mary J. ___ : BLIGE. Introduced to her from crosswords. But I do like her Mary Jane (All Night Long).

6. Honeyed quaff : MEAD.

10. High point : ACME. Or, a Road Runner supplier.

14. Pine product : ROSIN. Used often on my violin bow, in my ute...

15. Nobel Peace Prize city : OSLO.

16. Mount color : ROAN.

17. Kind of elephant : ASIAN.

20. Wide-headed fasteners : T-NUTS.

22. Peppy and then some : HYPER.

28. Big jerk? : TUG.

29. Actress Thurman : UMA. I loved her "Kill Bill" series.

30. ___ cotta : TERRA.

31. Frequent award for Tiger Woods : ESPY. Nice change from "Catch sight of" clue. Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly award.

32. Christmas buys : GIFTS. Santa Argyle, who are you gifting with coal this year?

35. River mammal : OTTER.

43. Godly : PIOUS.

44. Group scuffle : MELEE.

45. Layered haircut : SHAG. Like Mike Myers'?

48. Get a giggle from : AMUSE. Does he amuse you?

51. "Inferno" author Brown : DAN. He is a big crossword aficionado.

52. Prosciutto, e.g. : HAM.

56. Difficult high school sci. course : AP BIO. Advanced Placement Biology. One of my courses in H.S.

58. Solitary soul : LONER.

63. Private account : DIARY.

66. One still maturing : TEEN.

67. "___ go bragh!" : ERIN.

68. Common Sundance entry : INDIE. I always wondered why India was such a big presence at the Sundance film festival. But I finally learned that the name stands for "Independent" films.

69. Author Radcliffe and a cape : ANNS. Huh? An author and a Massachusetts cape?

70. Russian refusal : NYET.

71. Preppy collars : ETONS.

Down:

1. Strapped support : BRA. I bet Alessandra Ambrosio gets a lot of support from her fans.

2. UCLA article : LOS. Los Angeles ("The" Angels.)

3. "Can I come out now?" : IS IT SAFE?

4. Really big : GIANT.

5. Bordeaux boredom : ENNUI. Not sure why "Bordeaux" is in the clue. It's the same word in English.

6. Chocolate treat : MOUSSE.

7. Purported ability : ESP. "Purported" because it is not scientifically proven.

8. 2001 boxing biopic : ALI. Starring Will Smith.

9. Step into, as a pair of slacks : DON. Wha?  Why not clue it as "Half of the Crossword Corner Dynamic Duo"???

10. West Point team : ARMY. My nephew is the athletic trainer for them.

11. Appropriates : CO-OPTS.

12. Facial cosmetics : MAKEUP.

13. Cabinet department created under Carter : ENERGY.

19. Lady's pronoun : SHE.

21. "Falling Skies" network: TNT. Never saw it. Any good?

23. Schleps : LUGS.

24. Replace with an ellipsis : OMIT...

25. Supports : PROPS UP.

26. Drawing intro : ART I.

27. Oscar winner Blanchett : CATE. "The Aviator" was one of my favorite films that year. She did a great job portraying Katharine Hepburn.

31. Kathryn of "Law & Order: C.I." : ERBE. No clue. Lots of ladies in this puzzle.

33. Freq. sitcom rating : TV PG.

34. Sicilian six : SEI. Had to sharpen up my Italian counting skills when I went to Italy in June. Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei...

36. Stately shader : ELM.

38. Author Chomsky : NOAM. From M.I.T. He's waaaay over my head!

39. Column enders : SUMS.

40. Mythical city of gold : EL DORADO.

41. Duff : REAR.  Was thinking "golf" here! So, kick me in the butt!

42. DNA component : GENE.

45. Soda born at the base of a California mountain : SHASTA.

46. Go down, so to speak : HAPPEN. It's what's happening!!

47. Insomniac's prescription : AMBIEN.

49. Like one "k" in "knuckle" : SILENT.

50. Byrne's "Strange Overtones" collaborator : ENO. Brian, of elevator music fame.

53. Ad ___ committee : HOC.

54. Bill's "Groundhog Day" co-star : ANDIE. MacDowell. And Bill Murray. He is a regular visitor to my town. I have even had drinks with him at the local watering hole.

55. False move : FEINT.

57. Places to stay : INNS.

60. Craving : YEN.

61. Howl or bark : CRY.

62. Tell a tale : LIE.

64. "A Dog of the Regiment" dog ___ Tin Tin : RIN.

65. "Without a doubt!" : YES. I believe we are done here!

And that's it for this week. Till next time!

Marti

Wednesday, August 14, 2013 Tim Poor and Jeff Chen

Theme:  Useful Data!

17A It used to store information: CLAY TABLET. I recall from my history lessons that the Sumerians wrote in cuneiform on a wet clay tablet, one of the first examples of written language. That's got us off to a nice educational start, things can only go downhill from here.

22A It used to send information: SMOKE SIGNAL

30A It used to duplicate information CARBON PAPER. I wonder what age you have to be to know that "cc" on an email refers to sending a "carbon copy" of a memo?

39A It’s used to duplicate information: COPY MACHINE

50A It’s used to send information: TEXT MESSAGE. Albeit often useless information such as "OMG! R U SURE? LMAO! CU L8R!

57A It’s used to store information: FLASH DRIVE

Good Morning everyone - Steve here with a really nice Wednesday puzzle from Tim Poor and Jeff Chen. There was so much to like about this theme - six sharp entries and great cluing: the used/used homynym (notice those are symmetrically placed) the "information" repetition and the old-to-new progression. A really impressive job. We believe this is Tim Poor's LA Times debut, congratulations!

Lots of fun with the rest of it, so let's check it out.

Across:

1 Scratcher at a post: CAT

4 Spun some LPs: DJ'ED

8 Kid’s proud retort: I AM SO

13 Fancy ride: LIMO. I saw a stretch limo trying to navigate around central London the last time I was there. Not the best idea, the streets are still pretty much the same width that they were in 1680.

14 Wee bit: IOTA

15 Saves, as a coupon: CLIPS. I get eCoupons on my iPhone. When will I get eGroceries that I can iCook?

16 “I think somebody needs __!”: A NAP. In my infancy, it wasn't "a nap" but "a smart clip upside the head".

19 Make sparkle, in a way: BEJEWEL

21 Satisfy, as thirst: SLAKE

25 Acad., e.g.: SCH. Academy/School? If some schools are academies are all academies schools?

27 Kaffiyeh wearer: ARAB

28 Meadow mama: EWE

29 Twinkie relative: HO HO

34 Open, as classified records: UNSEAL

38 Actress Milano: ALYSSA

43 Eye problem: STYE

44 Brass band bass note?: OOM. Note the question mark in the clue - with "maybe" those conventions always seem to flag the "well, it could be" type of answer like this one.

45 Surrounding glow: AURA

49 Paper or plastic offer: BAG

54 Gridiron gripper: CLEAT

56 73, on many golf courses: ONE OVER. (par). The traditional layout for an 18-hole golf course is four par 3's, 10 par 4's and four par 5's which gives a par for the course of 72.

60 __ colada: PINA. Is it Happy Hour yet? Key ingredients are rum, Malibu liqueur and pineapple juice.

61 Hearty enjoyment: GUSTO

62 A bullet often precedes one: ITEM As in a bulleted list, much overused on Powerpoint presentations.

63 Brings to a close: ENDS

64 Dual pronoun: HE/SHE

65 Shampoo ad buzzword: BODY

66 Teachers’ org.: N.E.A. The National Education Association. This is the country's largest professional employee organization. I know because ..... I just looked it up.

Down:

1 Movie house: CINEMA

2 Key with three sharps: A MAJOR. Because F Sharp Minor didn't fit. One of our resident musical experts can explain that one! Here's the Allegretto from Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A Major

3 Capital north of Tulsa: TOPEKA

4 Cuts into cubes: DICES

5 More cheerful: JOLLIER

6 Greek letter between zeta and theta: ETA. One day I'll learn the Greek alphabet. Until then I'll happily wait for the crosses and say "Eta! See, I knew that".

7 __-night doubleheader: DAY. One of C.C.'s favorite things, I'm sure.

8 Hold ’em declaration: I CALL. Not me. Apparently, a poker player who is expert in knowing when to call a bet is said to have "a leather ass". I fold; I'm not sure what I'm sitting on.

9 Actress Jessica: ALBA

10 Wimps: MILKSOPS. I had "POPS" which made PCH look more like a scenic route than a place of learning. Coincidentally, I was on the lovely Pacific Coast Highway on Monday:

11 Graduation Day lineup: SPEECHES

12 Sunrise direction, to a German: OST. The sunrise direction is pretty much the same for everyone, hopefully. This tells us to translate, or wait for the crosses.

13 Short dogs?: LABS.

18 Fed. inspection agency: T.S.A. My friends the Transportation Safety Administration who have me on their Fast Track list, thank you thank you! I'll be seeing them on Sunday when, oddly, I'm going to the airport in 51D.

20 Internet video tool: WEBCAM

23 President before BHO: GWB

24 Prefix with classic: NEO-

26 Circle dance: HORA. Traditionally Jewish.

29 Filly’s dinner: HAY

31 In the style of: A LA. Before "A La Mode" became ice cream, it was understood to mean "according to the fashion".

32 Bert Bobbsey’s twin: NAN

33 Tickle pink: PLEASE. This was nice.

34 25-Across WNW of L.A. U.C.S.B. University of California at Santa Barbara. All kinds of abbreviations and cross references here. Nice!

35 “I’m stumped”: NOT A CLUE. Not today, thankfully.

36 Pirate’s telescope: SPYGLASS

37 Part of a storm: EYE

40 Watergate prosecutor Archibald: COX. The "Saturday Night Massacre" makes for interesting reading.

41 Sexy: HOT

42 “That really touched me”: I'M MOVED

46 England’s Justin Rose won it in 2013: U.S. OPEN. Justin played a little better than 56A over four rounds to win this major championship, and was the first English winner since Tony Jacklin in 1972.

(Trivia Alert: It is the responsibility of the winning player to get their name engraved on the trophy before returning it the next year).

47 Steep-sided landform: RAVINE. C.C. will know Chavez Ravine here in LA - site of Dodger Stadium.

48 Chair’s list: AGENDA

50 Lake near Stateline, Nevada: TAHOE

51 Sea-Tac approx. E.T.D. When I leave Seattle next Wednesday, I'll be hoping my Estimated Time of Departure from this airport isn't later than scheduled.

52 Ibsen’s “An __ of the People”: ENEMY

53 Stats that are better when they’re low: E.R.A.'S. A pitcher's Earned Run Average - the lower the better. Basically, how many runs were scored by batters who got on base when facing his pitches (whether or not he's still pitching when they cross home plate).

55 O.T. queen: ESTH. Absolutely knew this like a shot. Not. Thank you crosses.

57 E followers: FGH

58 Barbecue serving: RIB

59 Simpson judge: ITO. First thought were the animated Simpsons, but then - ah, O.J.

That's about it - hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. See you next time!

Steve

Tuesday, August 13, 2013 Greg Johnson

Theme: What Uncle Sam said - Uncle Sam wanted you and got 'em threefold today.

57A. *Whom "I'm in love with" in an Ames Brothers song, and a hint to what the answers to starred clues contain : YOU, YOU, YOU. CLIP(2:51)

16A. *Montevideo native : URUGUAYAN. MAP

22A. *Form a line : QUEUE UP

48A. *Far from common : UNUSUAL

11D. *Component in early TV sets : VACUUM TUBE

26D. *Guided by strict principles : SCRUPULOUS

Argyle here. Prescient comments on Sunday? Harder to construct than Monday's (Letter U's are very tricky to place and this grid has 21.) but not much harder to solve. I'm not sure but this could be Greg's debut puzzle in a major paper. If it is, I bet he would like to fit his home town in a puzzle, Zelienople, PA.

Across:

1. Charge to a sponsor : AD FEE

6. Hospital unit : BED

9. High-profile autos : SUVs...because they sit higher off the ground than a sedan.

13. Bundled, as hay : BALED. Good year for hay around here.

14. Enjoyed goulash, say : ATE

15. Gondolier's milieu : CANAL

18. '70s music genre : DISCO

19. U.S. state with its own elec. power grid : TEX.. Why? An article in Slate magazine answers that very question. LINK

20. Gear tooth : COG

21. Parodied : SENT UP. Past tense of send up, which is more often as a noun.

25. Factual : TRUE

26. Kiddie lit Dr. : SEUSS

28. Genetic messenger : RNA. That makes DNA the message.

29. Sch. period : SEM. (semester)

30. Christine of Fleetwood Mac : McVIE

31. Show to a table : SEAT

32. Barnyard enclosure : STY

34. Like arrangements before a vacation : PRE-TRIP

36. Publish again, as a novel : RE-ISSUE

39. California's Big __ : SUR

40. Teacherly suffix with school : MARM. (schoolmarm)

42. Workout regimen : TAE BO. TAE BO® FITNESS is a total body fitness system that incorporates Martial Arts techniques such as kicks and punches, which became quite popular in the 1990s.

43. Org. with a Champions Tour : PGA. Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA of America)

45. Noche's opposite : DIA. As different as night and day in 31D. Portugal neighbor : SPAIN

46. Back of a hit record : B SIDE. The most straightforward clue for it in a while.

47. Slow time : LULL

50. Pass, as time : ELAPSE

52. Dove's cry : COO

53. Big rig fixtures, for short : CBs. Citizens' Band radio (also known as CB radio)

56. "It's __ for!": "So-o-o good!" : TO DIE

60. Good, in Guadalajara : BUENA. "She said oh no, Guadalajara won't do" Steely Dan lyric.

61. Lux. locale : EUR. (Luxembourg / Europe)

62. Latest thing : CRAZE

63. Latin being : ESSE

64. Burden-bearing beast : ASS

65. Rub the wrong way : ANNOY

Down:

1. Lie next to : ABUT

2. Truth alternative : DARE. Truth or Dare?

3. Continuous change : FLUX

4. Sleep analysis test, briefly : EEG. (electroencephalogram)

5. School URL ending : .EDU

6. Crocodile habitat : BAYOU

7. Curio display case : ÉTAGÈRE

 8. Hibernation site : DEN

9. NFL Superdome team : SAINTS

10. Not emphasized, as a syllable : UNSTRESSED

12. Slanted land : SLOPE

15. B followers : C D E

17. Court winners : ACES

21. Sudden rush : SPATE

22. Preempt a firing? : QUIT

23. Computer operator : USER

24. Take the gun from : UNARM

27. Florida's largest national park : EVERGLADES

30. AWOL enforcers : MPs. Now they don't force you to go AWOL, do they?

33. USN clerk : YEO

35. "My luck is bound to change!" : "I'M DUE!". Why people come back broke from the casinos.

37. "__ miracle!" : IT'S A

38. Navigate a windjammer : SAIL

41. Loud and wild, like a party : RAUCOUS. Honest, not me! Never gone to one of those.

44. Skiing category : ALPINE

46. Channel tinkler : BUOY

47. Decide not to interfere with : LET BE

49. Turns in a bad way : SOURS

51. Red or Yellow : SEA

53. Greenish-blue : CYAN. because teal and aqua didn't work.

54. Rude, annoying one, in slang : BOZO

55. Chop __ : SUEY

57. Vote of approval : YEA

58. South American tuber : OCA

59. Hot coffee server : URN

Argyle

Note from C.C.: Happy Birthday to dear Chickie! I still want to see your backyard with all the wonderful fruit trees.

L to R: JD, Garlic Gal, Chickie & Jill

Monday, August 12, 2013 Gareth Bain

Theme: It's a Scream - Titles of horror movies begin our entries today.

17A. *Auto wreck extraction tool : JAWS OF LIFE

23A. *Princess Leia portrayer : CARRIE FISHER

35A. *Was on the same page as : SAW EYE TO EYE WITH

47A. *Inappropriately used therapeutic jargon : PSYCHOBABBLE

57A. Scary showing, and the first word of each answer to a starred clue : HORROR FILM

Argyle here. I'll leave it to you to supply your favorite clips. Some Tuesday words but a good start to the week. Thank you, Gareth. (interview)

Across:

1. "Amazing" magician : RANDI

6. Attire : GARB

10. Blacken on the grill : CHAR

14. Locales : AREAs

15. On the calm side, at sea : ALEE

16. Hawaiian dance : HULA

19. Children's book author Blyton : ENID

            Learn more LINK.

20. NYC dance troupe : ABT. (American Ballet Theatre)

21. Palindromic fool : BOOB. Don't even go there.

22. Hajji's destination : MECCA

26. Dueler's cry : "EN GARDE!"

29. Totally unlike a muscleman : PUNY

30. Author Uris : LEON. He wrote "Exodus".

31. Soldier of fortune, briefly : MERC. (mercenary)

32. Swanky parties : DOs. "DO" has a lot of meanings.

40. Directional ending : ERN

41. Makes a boo-boo : ERRs

42. Converse of "divided by" : INTO. Six divided by two is three. Two goes into six three times.

43. Nativity scene trio : MAGI. (The Wise Men)

44. Shore restaurant specialty : SEAFOOD

51. German autos : OPELs

52. Trim, as expenses : PARE

53. Monopolize : HOG

56. Trigonometry ratio : SINE

60. Words with date or precedent : SET A

61. __ and done with : OVER

62. Pacific kingdom called the Friendly Islands : TONGA

 63. Flair : ELAN

64. Texas's El __ : PASO

65. Family car : SEDAN

Down:

1. Indian monarch : RAJA

2. Spirited horse : ARAB

3. "Eye of __ ...": "Macbeth" : NEWT. Act IV, Scene I (There are some horrible videos of this. I couldn't find one I would link.)

4. Court prosecutors, briefly : DAs. (district attorneys)

5. Line on a weather map : ISOBAR

6. In large amounts : GALORE

7. Suspect's "I was home asleep," e.g. : ALIBI

8. Whistle-blower in a striped shirt : REF

9. Spelling event : BEE

10. Like some pizza : CHEESY. Wood fired in the woods.

11. Cop's conjecture : HUNCH

12. Rocker Cooper : ALICE. Video(3:09)

13. "M*A*S*H" character who hears choppers before anyone else : RADAR

18. Shallow crossing : FORD

22. Cut into tiny pieces : MINCE

23. Walking stick : CANE

24. Blunt-tipped weapon : EPEE

25. Violent rage : FURY

26. If-then-__: programmer's sequence : ELSE. If-then-help?

27. At hand : NEAR

28. Dress at a ball : GOWN

31. Jan. and Feb. : MOs

32. Fred and Wilma's pet : DINO

33. Germany's __ von Bismarck : OTTO

34. Did a farrier's job : SHOD. A farrier shoes horses, ergo, past tense, shod.

36. Casual assents : YEAHs

37. Therefore : ERGO

38. Chicago paper, briefly : TRIB

39. Wilma, to Fred : WIFE

43. "Vincent" singer/songwriter Don : McLEAN. A counter to Alice Cooper? Video(4:13)

44. Pizza chain : SBARRO

45. Spanish river : EBRO. Wikipedia.

46. Gives a heads-up : ALERTS

47. Deputized group on horseback : POSSE. "Cut 'em off at the pass!"

48. Sales pitch : SPIEL

49. Gossip spreader : YENTA

50. __-ski : APRÈS

53. __ legs: rear pair : HIND

54. Gymnast Korbut : OLGA

55. Fed : G-MAN

57. '50s high school dance : HOP

58. Fertility clinic cells : OVA

59. Enemy : FOE

Argyle

Sunday August 11, 2013 Robert W. Harris

Theme: "Mock Time" - "Ar" sound is changed into "Ah" (Short O) sound.

22A. Drill presses, lathes and the like? : SHOP OBJECTS. Sharp objects.

24A. Ways a fish avoids capture? : COD TRICKS. Card tricks.

41A. Cop's dog-days domain? : HOT BEAT. Heartbeat.

43A. Queue at a rest room, to a tot? : POTTY LINE. Party line.

67A. Time for promoting awareness about electrical hazards? : SHOCK WEEK. Discovery Channel's Shark Week.

93A. Promo for a prominent baby doctor's book? : SPOCK PLUG. Spark plug. Dr. Spock.

95A. Deity's online forum comment? : GOD POST. Guard post.

115A. Aid in moving an army bed? : COT WHEELS. Cartwheel. Two of the base phrases are one-word entries. Consistent.

117A. Late-afternoon marina observations? : DOCK SHADOWS. Dark shadows.

When did you grok the theme? I did not understand what's going on until SHOCK WEEK appeared.

This type of theme is often tricky for me to grasp, probably for other non-native English speakers as well.

Across:

1. GPS determination : LAT (Latitude)

4. Hint : SHADE

9. BlackBerry downloads : APPS

13. '70s tennis star Nastase : ILIE. Look at his personal life.  Reminds me of Wilt Chamberlain.

17. Altar agreement : I DO

18. One working on a bench? : PIANIST. Piano bench.

20. Mmes., in Monterrey : SRAs

21. Cloister group : NUNS

26. Small, in Saint-Lô : PETIT

27. 12-Down, e.g. : JET. 12. Retired flier : SST.

28. Hostile calls : HOOTS

30. Serving a purpose : UTILE

31. Summary : RECAP

33. Verbally assault : LAY INTO

35. Nasty : SNIDE

36. Rubs out : ERASES

38. External hard drive capacity prefix : TERA. We don't have a external hard drive.

39. Part of a fancy setting : CHINA

47. "__ Was a Rollin' Stone": Temptations hit : PAPA

51. Basketball tactic : PRESS

52. Some religious sects : CULTS

53. Hard-to-approach type, perhaps : SNOB

54. One going on and on : PRATTLER

56. Waterproof cover : TARP. So is mascara.

58. Pea house : POD. Ha ha, "Pea house". Our sugar peas are not doing well this year. The beefsteak tomatoes are still green. Too cold a spring. The weeds are doing great!

60. __-pitch : SLO

61. Most inane : SILLIEST. Not insane. Super funny. Thanks, Dave.

62. Clothing line : SEAM

64. Many an ex-lib : NEO-CON. Ex-liberal.

66. Short read? : MAG

71. Passé TV hookup : VCR

72. Fixed beforehand : PRE-SET

75. Funny Johnson : ARTE

76. Rebel's crime : SEDITION

80. Collecting Soc. Sec. : RET (Retired)

81. Tear : RIP

83. Other considerations : ANDs. Often this kind of little fill stumps me.

85. Ready for the sea : SAILABLE. Spell checker does not like this word.

86. Feed bag feed : OATS

88. Makes : EARNS

90. __ cuisine : HAUTE

92. Property title : DEED

97. Absinthe flavoring : ANISE

98. Topog. map stat : ELEV

99. Just down the road from : NEAR TO

103. Bold poker bet : ALL IN

105. Electromagnetic physicist Michael : FARADAY. I forgot. Lemonade linked this last this guy appeared. 

108. Enjoy, as a hammock : LIE ON. I'm not a camper. When I look at this picture, I think of mosquito spray, not how enjoyable Dave's hammock is.

109. Fields of study : AREAS

110. Lazy __ : SUSAN

111. Actress Peeples : NIA

113. Check endorser : PAYEE

120. Sri Lanka setting : ASIA

121. Courtroom fiction name : ERLE. Erle Stanley Gardner.

122. Add value to, as a deal : SWEETEN

123. Unwanted phone connection : TAP

124. Mao's successor : DENG. Here he is again. I didn't like him. He caused confusion in our ideology of China. 

125. Lock openers : KEYS. So straightforward.

126. Op-ed piece : ESSAY

127. "The Fountainhead" writer Rand : AYN

Down:

1. Speech imperfection : LISP

2. Stick : ADHERE

3. Horn blower : TOOTER

4. Bro or sis : SIB

5. Muslim's pilgrimage : HAJJ. HADJ is a variant.

6. Slippery as __ : AN EEL

7. Urgings, as of one's conscience : DICTATES. Never thought it can be a noun.

8. New England hrs. : EST

9. Fop's tie : ASCOT

10. Diplomatic formality : PROTOCOL

11. Inflates, as a résumé : PADS

13. Signs off on, in a way : INITIALS

14. Clear : LUCID

15. Woven linen tape : INKLE. Stranger to me. Which part is the INKLE?

16. Latin 101 word : ESSE

18. Fertilizer ingredient : POTASH

19. Warm-weather top : T-SHIRT

23. Typesetting measure : PICA

25. Like undercooked eggs : RUNNY. How do you like your eggs cooked?

29. __ shoestring: with little to spend : ON A

32. Streisand classic : PEOPLE

34. Baker's supply : YEAST

35. Doesn't divulge, as bad news : SITS ON

37. Emphasize : STRESS

40. URL initials : HTTP

42. Big __: WWI cannon : BERTHA. Callaway brand as well.

43. Cocoon occupants : PUPAE

44. Dedicate, as a book at a signing : INSCRIBE. David Sedaris inscribes funny stuff. The title of his Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls is actually from an inscription.

45. Court plea, briefly : NOLO. Nolo contendere.

46. Jet-black, in verse : EBON

47. Correspondent's "Oh, and another thing ..." : PPs

48. NPR journalist Shapiro : ARI

49. South Carolina state tree : PALMETTO. Been a long time since we drove to Myrtle Beach & played tons of golf.

50. Map collection : ATLAS

52. Work for a captain : CREW. Ship.

55. Detroit athlete : TIGER. For Jazzbumpa & LaLaLinda's husband.

57. Set as a price : ASKED

59. Crafty sort : DEVIL

63. Bungle : MESS UP

65. Slices in a pizza, often : OCTAD. Don't miss this Pizza Crust recipe. My first pizza is a  thick-crusted shrimp & pineapple at Pizza Hut Guangzhou. That's my ideal pizza as well.

68. Typically reddish-brown ape : ORANG

69. Smokers' buys: Abbr. : CTNS (Cartons)

70. "Annie Hall" actress : KEATON (Diane).

72. Paid players : PROs. Tiger. Tigers.

73. Get as a return : REAP

74. It might match cuff links : TIE PIN

77. Big rig fuel : DIESEL

78. Bullfight cry : OLE

79. Actor Beatty : NED. Wish I had never seen Deliverance.

82. Mates : PALS

84. Did a smith's work : SHOED

87. Reprobate : SCALAWAG. Great entry.

89. With regret : RUEFULLY

91. Progress : ADVANCES

94. Kosher deli buy : KNISH. Never had KNISH before. The sweet corn here is $3 for a dozen at the Farm Stand yesterday, Irish Miss.

95. Thyroid and pituitary : GLANDS

96. Clavell novel set in Hong Kong : TAI-PAN. Literally "Big Boss". Cantonese. Tai = Big. Pan = Boss. Both Cantonese and English are spoken in Hong Kong.

98. Historic chapter : ERA

100. Enjoy a story, say : READ. Have you read My Lunches with Orson yet? Sounds very juicy.

101. Prius automaker : TOYOTA

102. Like some airline tickets : ONE WAY

103. Got up : AROSE

104. Allow to enter : LET IN

106. Beasts of burden : ASSES

107. "Heavens!" : YIKES

109. Many a prep sch. : ACAD

110. Sun-cracked : SERE. A regular in our old Tribune days.

112. Film terrier : ASTA. The Thin Man.

114. "Baseball Tonight" channel : ESPN

116. Frightened reaction : EEK

118. Have yet to pay : OWE

119. "Ahem" cousin : HEY

Marti sent me this picture yesterday. She said: "This is one of my favorite flower arrangements, I make at least one every year, when the milkweed pods are ripe. Doesn't it look like a bunch of parakeets sitting around a garden?"

It fooled Boomer, me too if I had not read Marti's note.

C.C.