L.A.Times Crossword Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Chris Gross

Theme Buried Culinary Treasures.  Common in-the-language phrases contain, that is to say, have room for,  tasty postprandial delights

20 A. *Bakery employees who offer free samples?: CUPCAKE HOLDERS. The surface meaning is a person holding cupcakes to be distributed.  A CUP HOLDER is a device for holding a plastic cup or other drinking container, as in the console of a motor vehicle, or an item if furniture.  The hidden desert is a CAKE an item of soft, sweet food made from a mixture of flour, shortening, eggs, sugar, and other ingredients, baked and often decorated. And this fill is a CAKE holder in more ways than one. A bit involuted, but tasty.  Do those bakery folks have frosting on their fingers?

33 A. *Mistakes made while preparing a simple breakfast?: POPTART FOULS.  How wold one foul a Poptart?  By dousing it in pickle juice, perhaps. In baseball, a POP FOUL is a ball hit high in the air for not much distance that lands in foul territory.  Our dessert here is a TART - an open pastry case containing a filling.   Don't mess it up.

43 A. *Comfort food with a high price tag?: POTPIE OF GOLD.   I've heard of gilding the lily. Hmmm. Perhaps made with gold electroplated pastry dough? A POT OF GOLD is a large amount of money, especially one that is unattainable or illusory.  A dessert PIE is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that contains a filling of various sweet or savory ingredients.  As distinguished from a TART, the PIE has a top crust. Probably not made of gold, though

58. Question from a server, or what was needed to create the answer to each starred clue: ROOM FOR DESSERT.   Chris made room in each of these phrases to tuck in a sweet treat.  The server would be asking of you are too full to participate.

Hi gang, JazzBumpa here, in the throes of a dramatic glucose spike.  Let's get going and work off some of those carbs.

Across:

1. Tracks: CUTS.  Album tracks.  Wasn't my first thought.

14. "Pronto" letters: ASAP.  As Soon As Possible.  Take your time, but hurry.

15. Delight: ELATE. Make very happy.

16. Rachel Maddow's field: NEWS.   Information about current events.  What's happening now.

17. Simon or Garfunkel: NAME.  Ditto Smith and Jones.  Again, not what one would expect from the clue

18. Terra __: COTTA.  A clay-based non-vitreous ceramic, fired at relatively low temperatures.  Earthenware.

19. Small valley: DELL.  Often in a wooded area.

23. Purpose: USE.  The reason for which something exists.

24. Shed: LOSE.  Give off, discharge or expel.  During the hurricane my yard shed its shed.

25. Summer hrs. in Portsmouth: EDT.  Eastern Daylight Time

26. Some DEA employees: NARCS.  Slang shorthand for narcotics agent, who specializes in laws dealing with illegal drugs.

28. Smallest state in India: GOA.   Goa is a state in western India with coastlines stretching along the Arabian Sea. Its long history as a Portuguese colony prior to 1961 is evident in its preserved 17th-century churches and the area’s tropical spice plantations.

30. Stable staple: OAT.   A nutritious breakfast for both horses and people.

38. "Frozen" sister: ELSA.  Elsa is the Queen of Arendelle in the Disney cartoon feature, Frozen.  I think this clue should point to her sister Anna, since Elsa is the star of the show.

41. Misstep: ERROR.  Faux pas, Fingerfehler.  Oops.

42. Water waster: DRIP.  From a not-properly-shut-off faucet.

46. Back: AGO. In the past.

47. "The A-Team" actor: MR T.   Laurence Tureaud [b. 1952] is an American actor. He is known for his roles as B. A. Baracus in the 1980s television series The A-Team and as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III.

48. Abbr. before a year: ESTAB.  Established - referring to the year something was founded. 

52. Fundraising org.: PTA.  Parent-Teachers Association, a network of of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools.   

54. Gets faint: DIMS.   Reduces in brightness or image clarity.

57. Laundry brand: ERA.  A P&G product.

62. Soap brand: LAVA.  Lava is a heavy-duty hand cleaner in soap bar form manufactured by the WD-40 Company. Unlike typical soap bars, Lava contains ground pumice, which gave the soap its name. The soap and pumice combination is intended to scour tar, engine grease, paint, dirt, grime, filth, and similar substances from the skin.

63. French 101 infinitive: AVOIR.  Meaning to have.

64. Last remarks?: OBIT.  Not a last utterance, but funereal comments about the recently departed.

65. Improves in a cellar, say: AGES.  As wine or cheese.

66. Barbershop quartet part: TENOR.  Unlike choral harmony in which the parts from top down are soprano, alto, tenor and bass, with the melody usually in the soprano part; in barbershop harmony the tenor sings a harmony part that is consistently above the melody, which is sung by the lead.  Below that are baritone and bass.  So the voices from top down are tenor, lead, baritone and bass.

67. Soap brand: DOVE.  A brand of facial soap made by Unilever that comes in a variety of specialized uses.  Dove chocolate tastes better than any of them.

68. Pigeon fancier on "Sesame Street": BERT.  This was not a great success.

69. Adversary: ENEMY.  One that contends with, opposes, or resists.

70. Took a hatchet to: AXED.  Hewed or chopped.

Down:

1. Tourist destination on the Yucatan: CANCUN.   Cancún, a Mexican city on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea, is known for its beaches, numerous resorts and nightlife. It’s composed of 2 distinct areas: the more traditional downtown area, El Centro, and Zona Hotelera, a long, beachfront strip of high-rise hotels, nightclubs, shops and restaurants. 

2. Chant for the red, white, and blue: USA-USA.  Often heard at the Olympics.

3. Mess (with): TAMPER.  Interfere with something in order to cause damage or make unauthorized alterations.

4. Job detail, for short: SPEC.  Specification - a detailed description of the design and materials used to make something.

5. Geico icon: GECKO.  I don't know which I hate more - the Geico adds with the gecko or without the gecko.

6. Medicinal plants: ALOES.   Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. It is widely distributed, and is considered an invasive species in many world regions. An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but also grows wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world.   The leaves of Aloe vera contain significant amounts of the polysaccharide gel acemannan, which can be used for topical purposes. Aloe skin contains aloin which is toxic. Products made from Aloe vera usually only use the gel.

7. Come clean?: BATHE.   Instead of admitting to some wrong-doing, here we make us of, for example, Dove or Lava soap.

8. "A Man Called __":  OTTO.  Tom Hanks film based on a Fredrik Backman novelm, A Man Called Ove.   When a lively young family moves in next door, grumpy widower Otto Anderson meets his match in a quick-witted, pregnant woman named Marisol, leading to an unlikely friendship that turns his world upside down.

9. Down-to-earth: REAL.   With no illusions or pretensions; practical and realistic.

10. Done: ENDED.  Finished.

11. Excursion where one might see something brewing?: BEER TOUR.   As you visit each brewery, you will learn how they differ from each other, and how their beers make them distinct from the others. You will also get to taste different kinds of beer and know each brewery's bestseller and award-winning beers.

12. Pointed tools: AWLS.    Tools with which holes can be punctured in a variety of materials, or existing holes can be enlarged. They are also used for sewing heavy materials, such as leather or canvas. They have a thin, tapered metal shaft, coming to a sharp point, either straight or slightly bent.

13. Designer monogram: YSL.   The initials of Yves Saint Laurent.  I will wear clothes with his monogram when he wears clothes with the RLT monogram.

21. To boot: ALSO.  The term comes from the Old English to bote, which was once used as part of a legal term in English law, meaning something extra that is added as part of a bargain or compensation.  
You don't hear this expression much here in the States.  But I watch a lot of hockey, and it seems quite common in Canada

22. Like many students at Gallaudet University: DEAF.  Gallaudet University is a private federally chartered university in Washington, D.C., for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. It was founded in 1864 as a grammar school for both deaf and blind children.

27. Sleep apnea apparatus, initially: CPAP.   CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is a machine that uses mild air pressure to keep breathing airways open while you sleep. Your healthcare provider may prescribe CPAP to treat sleep-related breathing disorders including sleep apnea.

28. High seas quaff: GROG.   A strong alcoholic drink, originally rum, mixed with water

29. Other, in Oaxaca: OTRO.   Spanish.

31. Wong of "Birds of Prey": ALI.    Alexandra Dawn Wong [b. 1982] is an American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, producer, and director. She is best known for her Netflix stand-up specials Baby Cobra, Hard Knock Wife, and Don Wong. She has also starred in the romantic comedy film Always Be My Maybe, on which she also served as a writer and producer.

I think I'll pass

32. Recipe amt.: TSP.  Teaspoon.

34. Equal: PEER.   One that is of equal standing with another 

35. Relaxed pace: TROT.  A pace faster than a walk

36. Dog park sound: ARF.  Barking.

37. Likelihood: ODDS.  Probability that something will happen.

38. BEACH Act org.: EPA.  Environmental Protection Agency

39. Record: LOG.  Enter (an incident or fact) in the log of a ship or aircraft or in another systematic record.

40. Brief visit: STOP OVER.   To stay at a place for a short period of time on the way to somewhere else or before returning home.

44. Islamic leader: IMAM.   Any of various rulers that claim descent from Muhammad and exercise spiritual and temporal leadership over a Muslim region

45. "Not that much": LESS.  Comparatively not as much.

49. Place to drive: TEE BOX.   In golf,  the start of each hole where you take your first swing.

50. Show up: ARRIVE.  Reach a place at the end of a journey or a stage in a journey.

51. Part of RBI: BATTED.  RBIs are Runs batted in: a run that is scored as a result of a specific batter's hit, walk, sacrifice, etc. 

53. Canapé base, maybe: TOAST.  A canapé is a small piece of bread or pastry with a savory topping, often served with drinks at a reception or formal party.

54. Worker with a monotonous routine: DRONE.   a person who is obliged to do menial, routine or boring work 

55. Cold feet or hot seat: IDIOM.   A type of phrase or expression that has a meaning that can't be deciphered by defining the individual words. Appropriately, the word “idiom” is derived from the ancient Greek word “idioma,” which means “peculiar phraseology.”

56. Full of cheer: MERRY.  Cheerful and lively.

58. Breathe fire, say: RAGE.  Be extremely angry and vocal.  Another example of an idiom.

59. Inevitable end: FATE.  The development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power.

60. Pizza place: OVEN.  Where it is cooked, not where it is eaten.

61. Bartender's supply: SODA.  Bubbly water.

62. Chocolate __: LAB.  The Hershey product research facility. No, wait -- The Chocolate Lab is a brown colored variety of Labrador Retriever,  a friendly, confident and loving dog with great character and huge appeal as a pet.

And on that friendly note we draw today's treats to a close.  We had some fun snacks and a few opportunities to clean up.  Hope you found it satisfying.

Cool regards!

JzB

L.A. Times Crossword Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Theme: This is a rank puzzle.  or  We're in the Army now.

Hidden in the theme fill are the names of military ranks, indicated by the circled letters.  If you didn't have the circles, this would be a tough one to suss.  Let's check it out.

18 A. "I luv u" message holder: CANDY HEART.   These Valentine treats.

Available at Amazon

A CADET is a young trainee in the military

25 A. Textbook dividers: CHAPTER HEADINGS.   Printed matter (as the chapter number or title, quotations, illustrations, or decorative letters) preceding the text at the beginning of a chapter.

In most armies and in some air forces, a CAPTAIN is the commander of the largest group of soldiers that an officer can be expected to know personally—a company in the infantry, a battery in the artillery, a flight in the air force.

40 A. Hybrid interactive experience: AUGMENTED REALITY.  A technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view.

GENERAL is the title and rank of a senior army officer, usually one who commands units larger than a regiment or its equivalent or units consisting of more than one arm of the service. Frequently, however, a general is a staff officer who does not command troops but who plans their operations in the field.

53 A. "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" actress: MELISSA JOAN HART.   Melissa Joan Hart [b. 1976] is an American actress, producer, and director. She had starring roles as the title characters in the sitcoms Clarissa Explains It All, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Melissa & Joey. She appeared as Liz in No Good Nick.

Sabrina

A MAJOR serves as the primary staff officer for brigade and task force command regarding personnel, logistical and operational missions.

And the unifier --  63 A. Asserted one's authority, and what can be found in this puzzle's circled letters: PULLED RANK.   To use one's high position in a society, organization, group, etc., to order someone to do something or to get special treatment or privileges.  In puzzle context, I guess this means you have to pull out the circled letters to reveal the target words.

Hi Gang.  JazzBumpa here to lead this drill, and I promise not to pull rank.   I'm not a big fan of circled letter themes.  This one might have had a touch of elegance if the military ranks presented were in rank order, but, alas, 'twas not to be.  As much as I appreciate how difficult it must have been to find fitting theme fill entries, I am not delighted with the result.   But that is mere personal preference.  YMMV.

Let's put on our parching boots then, and see if we can have a successful mission.

 

Across

 1. Snack in a hard or soft shell: TACO.  My first thought was crab. Oh, well. Taco is the Spanish word for sandwich.  Once in Mexico I ordered a jamón con queso taco, not knowing what jamón was.  I was surprised to get a ham and cheese sandwich on white bread.

5. Mega-excited, with "up": TURNT.  It never occurred to me that turned could be spelt this way.  This was a stumbling block for me. 

10. Pattern: MOTIF.  A bit of a stretch, but OK, I guess

15. Big star: IDOL.   A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered.

16. Formal "Same here": AS DO I.  Informally -- "Me too."

17. Initiative: DRIVE.  Urge or force (animals or people) to move in a specified direction.  In this usage, the one being urged is yourself, and the direction is metaphoric for some goal or achievement.

20. "The Lion King" lion: SIMBA.    This Disney animated feature follows the adventures of the young lion Simba, the heir of his father, Mufasa.     Images here.

21. Nintendo avatar: MII.  A Mii is a customizable avatar used on several Nintendo video game consoles and mobile apps. The name Mii is a portmanteau of "Wii" and "me", referring to them typically being avatars of the players. 

22. Prefix added to some music genres: ALT.   Short for alternative, a category of rock music that evolved from the independent music underground of the 1970s. Alternative rock acts achieved mainstream success in the 1990s with the likes of the grunge, shoegaze, and Britpop subgenres in the United States and United Kingdom, respectively. 

24. Kid's elder: GOAT.  Of the species Capra hircus.

30. Snippet: CLIP.  A small piece or brief extract from a video or audio recording.

31. Extreme anger: IRE.  Derived from Latin.

32. __ guard: SHIN.  A shin guard is a thick piece of material that you wear inside your socks to protect the lower part of your leg when you are playing a game such as soccer.

33. Glutton: HOG.  One who wants both his share and yours. 

34. "Ooohhh": AHA.  Expressions of surprise or delight.

36. Equal (with): ON A PAR.  Equivalent to.

45. "The plan's been approved": ITS A GO.   Used to say that things are working correctly or that you have permission to do something 

46. "Who, me?": MOI.  Pretentious French usage.

47. Split __ soup: PEA.  Soup made typically from dried peas, such as the split pea. It is, with variations, a part of the cuisine of many cultures. It is most often greyish-green or yellow in color depending on the regional variety of peas used; all are cultivars of Pisum sativum.

48. Hiker's mix: GORP.   An acronym for "good ol' raisins and peanuts", although the mix may contain M&M's and other nuts.   AKA trail mix.

50. Cooling syst. meas.: BTU.  British Thermal Unit.

52. "__ Green": Kermit's song: BEIN'.

Alternatively --

Urbie was also Green

58. CIO or CTO: EXEC.  Executive - a corporate officer.

59. Good Charlotte genre: EMO.  Good Charlotte is an American rock band from Waldorf, Maryland, formed in 1995, that I never heard of.  EMO is a rock music genre characterized by emotional, often confessional lyrics. 

60. Kitchen cover: LID.  For a pot or pan.

61. __ basin: TIDAL.  The Tidal Basin is a man-made reservoir located between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel in Washington, D.C. It is part of West Potomac Park near the National Mall and is a focal point of the National Cherry Blossom Festival held each spring.  Generically, a basin for boats which is accessible or navigable only at high tide.

69. "__ in Borderland": manga series: ALICE.  a Japanese science fiction thriller drama streaming television series [that I never heard of] based on the manga by Haro Aso. The series was directed by Shinsuke Sato. It stars Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya as allies trapped in an abandoned Tokyo forced to compete in dangerous games, the type and difficulty represented by playing cards, to extend "visas" that, if expired, result in the player's execution by lasers being shot from the sky.

70. Inventor Howe: ELIAS.  Elias Howe Jr. [1819 – 1867] was an American inventor best known for his creation of the modern lockstitch sewing machine.

71. Gel often kept in the fridge: ALOE.  A preparation of leaf pulp from the parenchymal tissue of the plant Aloe vera (Liliaceae). Aloe vera gel contains carbohydrate polymers, such as glucomannans or pectic acid, and various vitamins and essential amino acids, as well as other organic and inorganic compounds.  Not sure why it would need to be refrigerated.

72. Slowly, in music: LENTO.  I was thinking LARGO.  Either is correct.

73. Wetland plants: REEDS.   A woody plant with long, slender leaves. Reeds need a lot of moisture, and they usually grow in or near a marsh. The stalk of a reed plant is also called a reed, and it's from this stiff, wood-like material that reeds for certain musical instruments were first made.

74. Big name in golf equipment: PING.  Ping Inc. designs and manufactures golf equipment. The Company's products include golf clubs, club bags, headwear, gloves, travel gear, and accessories. Ping operates worldwide as a subsidiary of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation.

Down:

1. Twitch: TIC.   A repetitive movement that is difficult, if not impossible to voluntarily control. Tics can affect any group of muscles. The most common are facial tics, such as eye- blinking, nose-twitching, or grimacing.

2. Orthodontist's org.: ADA.  American Dental Association.   Orthodontics is a dentistry specialty that addresses the diagnosis, prevention, management, and correction of mal-positioned teeth and jaws, as well as misaligned bite patterns. 

3. Pro opposite: CON.  In favor of vs. against.

4. Wall hanging showing 48 states, perhaps: OLD MAP.  Makes sense - there have been 50 since 1959.

5. Largest island in French Polynesia: TAHITI.  Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, the South Pacific archipelago. Shaped like a figure-8, it's divided into Tahiti Nui (the larger, western section) and Tahiti Iti (the eastern peninsula). With black-sand beaches, lagoons, waterfalls and 2 extinct volcanoes, it's a popular vacation destination.

6. "__ your words": toddler parent's phrase: USE.  Encouraging a toddler to talk - a decision one may come to regret.

7. Nutritionist's no.: RDA.   Recommended Daily Allowance - the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97 to 98 percent) healthy individuals in a group. 

8. "Sunrise" singer Jones: NORAH.   Norah Jones [b. 1979] is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. She has won several awards for her music and, as of 2023, had sold more than 50 million records worldwide. Billboard named her the top jazz artist of the 2000s decade.  She is the daughter of musician Ravi Shankar and concert producer Sue Jones.

9. Lord and Lady: TITLES.  A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify either generation, an official position, or a professional or academic qualification.  And, in the plural, also almost the title of this excellent Discworld novel.

10. Physical pros: MDS.  Medical Doctors.  Rather an odd clue.

11. Never seen before: ORIGINAL.  In this usage, something that is the first of its kind.

12. "The Lion King" meerkat: TIMON.  Featured on a non-shareable video.  You can watch it here.

13. Hosp. attachment: IV BAG.   IV bags contain a solution of fluids that is administered directly into the patient's bloodstream through a needle or catheter, with the composition of the IV solution varying based on the type of fluid used and the patient's medical condition.  They attach to the patient, not the building.

14. Great deeds: FEATS.  Achievements that requires great courage, skill, or strength.

19. Puppy plaint: YIP.  Sound made by a small dog.

23. Chevy SUV: TAHOE.  The Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon are part of General Motors' full-size SUV family and are differentiated from the similar Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL primarily by the length of the passenger and cargo area behind the C-pillar. 

25. Influence: CLOUT.  Influence or power, especially in politics or business.

26. __ boson: elementary particle: HIGGS.   An elementary particle in the Standard Model of particle physics produced by the quantum excitation of the Higgs field, one of the fields in particle physics theory.  The Higgs field is a field of energy that is thought to exist in every region of the universe. The field is accompanied by a fundamental particle known as the Higgs boson, which is used by the field to continuously interact with other particles, such as the electron.  Now you know.

27. Q.E.D. center: ERAT.  Q.E.D. is the Latin abbreviation for quod erat demonstrandum: "Which was to be demonstrated." Q.E.D. may appear at the conclusion of a text to signify that the author's overall argument has just been proven.

28. Shorten, as a skirt: RE-HEM.  A hem is the edge of a piece of cloth or clothing that has been turned under and sewn.  To re-hem a garment is to fold over a greater length of cloth, thus shortening the garment.

29. Meyer of "Line of Duty": DINA.  Dina Meyer [b. 1968] is an American actress. She began her career appearing in a recurring role on the Fox teen drama series Beverly Hills, 90210, before landing a leading role opposite Keanu Reeves in the 1995 film Johnny Mnemonic.

30. Fragrant latte: CHAI.  In America, "chai" has become known as a flavor of tea with predominantly cinnamon or cardamom notes. But in India, chai is not a flavor of tea; it is tea—chai literally translates to "tea" in Hindi.  Latte is a coffee drink of Italian origin made with espresso and steamed milk. I don't how to make this fit.

35. Marinade in Spanish cooking: ADOBO.   This is a condiment or cooking sauce with a base containing chillies, particularly Chipotle and Ancho peppers. An Ancho pepper is a Poblano chili that is dried after it turns red. These sauces are used as a marinade and to add a smoky, spicy flavor.

37. Laurie of "Twin Peaks": PIPER.   Piper Laurie [1932-1923] was an American actress. She is known for her roles in the films The Hustler, Carrie, and Children of a Lesser God, and the miniseries The Thorn Birds.

38. Bit the dust: ATE IT.  Died, or less extremely, experience a severe failure.

39. Director Coogler: RYAN.  Ryan Kyle Coogler [b. 1986] is an American filmmaker. He is a recipient of four NAACP Image Awards and four Black Reel Awards, and has been nominated for two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Grammy Award.

41. Tricks that are also a treat?: MAGIC ACT.  Performances usually compounded of verbal utterance and object manipulation, that constitute “performative” acts by which a property is imperatively transferred to a recipient object or person on an analogical basis.  Happy to clear that up.

42. Self-images: EGOS.  One's self, especially as contrasted with another self or the world.  Similarly, one's sense of self -worth.

43. Like Odin and Thor: NORSE.  Relating to medieval Norway or Scandinavia, or their inhabitants or language.

44. Actress Wilson: RITA.  Rita Wilson [b.1957] is an American actress, singer, and producer. Her film appearances include Volunteers, Sleepless in Seattle, Now and Then, That Thing You Do!, Jingle All the Way, The Story of Us, Runaway Bride, It's Complicated, and Larry Crowne, and she appeared in the television series The Good Wife and Girls.

49. Overindulge: PAMPER.  Indulge with every attention, comfort, and kindness; spoil.

51. "Except maybe ... ": UNLESS.  Used to introduce the case in which a statement being made is not true or valid

52. Undeserved notoriety: BAD RAP.  An unfairly bad reputation

53. Key material?: METAL.  Keys are made of metal.  I suppose the intended misdirection indicates a vital material.  I'm unimpressed.

54. Cast out: EXILE.  The state of being barred from one's native country, typically for political or punitive reasons.

55. Escorted: LED IN. Accompanied by someone who assures you arrive safely or with proper respect
and acknowledgment

56. Unit of energy: JOULE.  A unit of work or energy in the International System of Units (SI); it is equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting through one metre. Named in honour of the English physicist James Prescott Joule, it equals 107 ergs, or approximately 0.7377 foot-pounds.

57. Kept out of sight: HID.  Concealed.

62. August baby, maybe: LEO.  The fifth sign of the zodiac. It corresponds to the constellation Leo and comes after Cancer and before Virgo. The traditional Western zodiac associates Leo with the period between about July 23 and August 22, and the sign spans the 120th to 150th degree of celestial longitude.

64. Fib: LIE.  An untruth, spoken with the intent to deceive.

65. Young man: LAD. 

66. Comedian Wong: ALI.  Alexandra Dawn Wong [b. 1982] is an American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, producer, and director. She is best known for her Netflix stand-up specials Baby Cobra, Hard Knock Wife, and Don Wong. She has also starred in the romantic comedy film Always Be My Maybe, on which she also served as a writer and producer.

67. Persona __ grata: NON.  A Latin phrase meaning “unwelcome person.” As a legal term, it refers to the practice of a state prohibiting a diplomat from entering the country as a diplomat, or censuring a diplomat already resident in the country for conduct unbecoming of the status of a diplomat.

68. Pub delivery: KEG.  A metal container holding 36 U.S. gallons of beer.

That ending sounds like a visit to the officers club.  I had my nits, but this puzzle was OK, so lets raise a cold one.

While were having a toast, today is our 33rd wedding anniversary.  The best years of my life!

Cheers!

JzB