L. A. Times Crossword Wednesday, May 5, 2023 Amie Walker

Theme: It's COOL when you weather the storm.  Meteorological phenomena of the COOL variety.

17 A. *Destructive meteorological events marked by high winds and heavy rain: SUPER STORMS.  These are storms of particularly high intensity causing damage over a wide area. 

28 A. *Phenomena created by sunlight refracting through ice crystals in clouds: FIRE RAINBOWS.  A fire rainbow is as a result of light being refracted as it passes from the moon or the sun over the ice crystals within the atmosphere, especially with cirrostratus or cirrus clouds.  I saw one over Black Lake a few summers ago.  It was very cool, and looked similar to this picture.

Read all about it

45 A. *Low-pressure systems also called "winter hurricanes": BOMB CYCLONES.  This is a powerful, rapidly intensifying storm associated with a sudden and significant drop in atmospheric pressure.  

And the unifier -- 61 A. Feature of early spring and late fall, or an apt description of the answers to the starred clues?: COOL WEATHER.  This is weather with temperatures that are less than warm, but not actually cold.

One sense of the word COOL is as an intensive modifier, and that's how I'm taking the meaning here.  I'm open to other interpretations.  Being in a SUPER STORM or BOMB CYCLONE is probably an intense experience, but not necessarily one that is very good or enjoyable, i.e "COOL."  Contrast the FIRE RAINBOW, which is indeed very COOL!.  But to be SUPER, on FIRE, or the BOMB would be COOL.  So, there's that.

HI Gang it's JazzBumpa, who occasionally plays it cool.  Let's see if we can heat up this puzzle.

Across:

1. __ d'Azur: stretch of the Riviera: COTE.  The azure cost.  Azure is sky blue, so this could refer to enjoyable weather or the hue of the water.

5. Black-and-white mammal: PANDA.  Unlike azure, neither black nor white is a color.  The Panda is a bear species endemic to China. It is characterised by its bold black-and-white coat and rotund body. For many decades, the precise taxonomic classification of the giant panda was under debate because it shares characteristics with both bears and raccoons. However, molecular studies indicate the giant panda is a true bear, part of the family Ursidae.

10. NBC skit show, familiarly: SNL.  Saturday Night Live.

13. Declare bluntly: AVOW.   Assert or openly confess.

14. Relaxed: AT EASE.  Free from worry, awkwardness, or problems; relaxed.

16. Garland that may feature kika blossoms: LEI.  In Hawaii

19. Geologic age: EON.  An immeasurably or indefinitely long period of time. 

20. Director Roth: ELI.   Eli Raphael Roth (b.1972) is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor. As a director and producer, he is most closely associated with the horror genre, namely splatter films, having directed the films Cabin Fever (2003) and Hostel (2005).

21. Sun Devils sch.: ASU.  Arizona State University

22. Aquaman's staff: TRIDENT.   A three-pronged spear.

24. Indulgently lavish: DECADENT.  Characterized by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline, or, more loosely, as defined in the clue.

27. Opening: GAP.   A break or space in an object or between two objects.

33. __ voce: SOTTO.   In a quiet voice, as if not to be overheard.

36. Spots for fast cash: ATMS.  Automatic Teller Machines.

37. Actress Long: NIA.   Nia Talita Long (b.1970) is an American actress. Best known for her work in Black cinema, Long rose to prominence after starring in the film Boyz n the Hood (1991), and for her portrayal of Beullah "Lisa" Wilkes on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1991–1995).

38. Consequently: THUS.  As a result or consequence of this; therefore.

39. Gives in: CAVES.  Capitulates

41. Piquancy: ZING.   Zest - an enjoyably exciting quality.

42. Objective: AIM.   Goal.

43. Achy: SORE.  In pain.

44. Ballet jumps: JETES.  Like this.

49. Favorable vote: YEA.

50. Be just right for: SUIT TO A T.  To be ideal or perfectly appropriate for one; to be completely in line with one's tastes, preferences, interests, style, etc.

54. Altogether: UTTERLY.  Completely and without qualification; absolutely.

58. Blasting material: TNT.  Tri-Nitro Toluene is an odorless, yellow solid is used in explosives. In the United States, TNT is primarily made at military sites. .

59. Michael of 10-Across: CHE.   Michael Che Campbell [b. 1983] is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. Che is best known for his work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, where he has served as co-anchor on Weekend Update alongside Colin Jost, and the two were co-head writers from 2017 until 2022.

60. "Excusez-__": MOI.   Excuse ME, in French

64. Nosher's bite: NOM.  Used for showing that you like a particular kind of food or that you think something looks or sounds very good to eat

65. Cream-filled pastry: ECLAIR.    A pastry made with choux dough filled with a cream and topped with a flavored icing. The dough, which is the same as that used for profiterole, is typically piped into an oblong shape with a pastry bag and baked until it is crisp and hollow inside.   Nom, nom, nom!

66. "The __ Tour": 2023 Taylor Swift concert series: ERAS.  The ongoing sixth headlining concert tour by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Having not toured for her studio albums Lover, Folklore, and Evermore due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Swift is embarking on the Eras Tour in support of all of her albums, including her latest, Midnights. 

67. Flamenco cheer: OLÉ.  A Spanish interjection used to cheer on or praise a performance.

68. Party leaders: HOSTS.  Persons who receive or entertain other people as guests.

69. Intro, in journalism jargon: LEDE.   The opening sentence or paragraph of a news article, summarizing the most important aspects of the story.

Down:

1. Surveyed surreptitiously: CASED.  Inspected or studied, especially with intent to rob

2. Plant structure with reproductive cells: OVULE.    The organ that forms the seeds of flowering plants. It is borne in the ovary of the flower and consists of nucellus protected by integuments, precursors of embryo/endosperm, and seed coat, respectively.

Ka-Bloom!

3. Discussion point: TOPIC.  Subject matter.

4. Pasture grazer: EWE.  Female sheep.

5. Quarterback, often: PASSER.   Somebody is supposed to catch it - wearing the same color shirt.

6. Bring into harmony: ATTUNE.  Either literally, as in music, or figuratively, as in a social context.

7. Prefix for a revived music genre, e.g.: NEO.  A type of music that fuses contemporary style with a popular genre from some time in the past.

8. Move quickly: DART.   Move or run somewhere suddenly or rapidly.

9. Genre of YouTube videos that may bring about brain tingles, for short: ASMR.   Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is a tingling sensation that usually begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. A pleasant form of paresthesia, 

10. Go to bed before putting something to bed, say: SLEEP ON IT.  Delay making a decision on something until the following day.   A tactic to avoid making a rash judgment.

11. Word on really bright Crayolas: NEON.   Neon colors are just bright types of primary and secondary colors, such as green, yellow, red, blue, and purple. Neon colors stand apart from conventional colors since they absorb and reflect more light.

12. Dryer fluff: LINT.   Fuzz made up of fine pieces of yarn and fabric, better known as microfibers. 

15. Endorses digitally: E-SIGNS.   An e-signature (electronic signature) is a digital version of a conventional handwritten signature. In many countries, including the United States, an e-signature can provide the same legal commitment as a handwritten signature if it meets certain criteria.

18. Part of NPR: RADIO.  National Public RADIO is an American nonprofit media organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It serves as a national syndicator to a network of over 1,000 public radio stations in the United States. 

23. Blot: DAB.   Press against something lightly with a piece of absorbent material in order to clean or dry it.

25. Matinee hrs.: AFTS.  Afternoons.

26. Goes a long way: TRAVELS.   Travel is the movement of people between distant geographical locations. 

29. Had a bite: ATE.  Noshed, perhaps.

30. Sends a text, briefly: IMS.  Sends an Instant Message.

31. Viognier, e.g.: WINE.    A white wine grape variety. It is the only permitted grape for the French wine Condrieu in the Rhône Valley. 

32. Droops: SAGS. Bends or hangs downward limply.

33. Try: STAB.   An attempt to do something.

34. Indiana neighbor: OHIO.   Ohio, officially the State of Ohio is a state in the Midwestern United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area. With a population of nearly 11.8 million, Ohio is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated state.  My home state.

35. Muscle-strengthening session for a baby: TUMMY TIME.   Laying babies on their stomachs for brief periods while they're awake. It's an important way to help babies strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles, and improve motor skills.

39. Demurely evasive: COY.   Making a pretense of shyness or modesty that is intended to be alluring.

40. Curved path: ARC.  As defined.

41. Piquancy: ZEST.  Zing - an enjoyably exciting quality.

43. Not at all abundant: SCARCE.  In short supply, or insufficient to meet demand.

44. Volkswagen sedan: JETTA.  A compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen since 1979. Positioned to fill a sedan niche above the firm's Golf hatchback, it has been marketed over seven generations,

46. Comb creator: BEE.  A honeycomb is a mass of hexagonal prismatic wax cells built by honey bees in their nests to contain their larvae and stores of honey and pollen.

47. Get the better of: OUTWIT.   Deceive or defeat by greater ingenuity.

48. Bay Area NFLers: NINERS.  Short for Forty-niners, named for miners or other persons that took part in the 1849 California Gold Rush.  

51. Autumn colour: OCHRE.  A natural clay earth pigment, a mixture of ferric oxide and varying amounts of clay and sand. It ranges in colour from yellow to deep orange or brown. It is also the name of the colours produced by this pigment, especially a light brownish-yellow.

52. Still to come: AHEAD.  In the relatively near future.

53. Brief: TERSE.   Short and to the point.

54. "Uh, guess again": UM - NO.  Said of a woefully incorrect guess or comment.

55. Wrench, e.g.: TOOL.   A wrench is a TOOL consisting of a handle with one end designed to hold, twist, or turn an object (such as a bolt or nut) 

56. Scot's swimming spot: LOCH.   Scots and Irish word for a lake or sea inlet. 

57. "Seize the day" acronym: YOLO.   You Only Live Once.

62. __ Vegas: LAS.   The 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and 2nd-largest in the Southwestern United States. 

63. Business card no.: TEL.  Telephone number. 

That wraps up another COOL Wednesday.  Hope you didn't get over-heated.

COOL regards!

JzB

L. A Times Crossword Wednesday, April 26, 2023 Susan Gelfand

Theme: Let's find a game to play.  Some common games are hidden in the theme fill, with their letters scrambled.  The needed letters are in circled squares.  Hope you got them.

17 A. Primatologist who is the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees: JANE GOODALL.  Dame Jane Morris Goodall DBE; born Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall, is an English primatologist and anthropologist. She is considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, after 60 years studying the social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees. Goodall first went to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in 1960, where she witnessed human-like behaviours amongst chimpanzees.   Interestingly, I have observed chimp-like behavior in humans.

JENGA is the classic block-stacking, stack-crashing game. How will you stack up against the law of gravity? Stack the wooden blocks in a sturdy tower, then take turns pulling out blocks one by one until the whole stack crashes down. Is your hand steady enough to pull out the last block before the tower collapses?

 25. Postimpressionist painter whose work influenced cubism: PAUL CEZANNE.  Paul Cézanne [1839 –1906] was a French artist and Post-Impressionist painter whose work introduced new modes of representation and influenced avant garde artistic movements of the early 20th century. Cézanne is said to have formed the bridge between late 19th-century Impressionism and the early 20th century's new line of artistic enquiry, Cubism.

CLUE is a board game in which players have to find out who's responsible for murdering Mr. Boddy of Tudor Mansion in his own home. Get the scoop on the mansion's rooms, weapons and guests and start detecting! Was it Plum with the wrench in the library? Or Green with the candlestick in the study? Eliminate information throughout the game in this classic whodunit. The player who correctly accuses Who, What, and Where wins!   The Harry Potter version is absolutely brutal.

37. Cartoonist who created Snoopy and Woodstock: CHARLES SCHULZ.  Charles Monroe "Sparky" Schulz (1922 – 2000) was an American cartoonist and the creator of the comic strip Peanuts, featuring what are probably his two best-known characters, Charlie Brown and Snoopy. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential cartoonists in history, and cited by many cartoonists as a major influence, including Jim Davis, Murray Ball, Bill Watterson, Matt Groening, and Dav Pilkey.

CHESS is a board game for two players, called White and Black, each controlling an army of chess pieces in their color, with the objective to checkmate the opponent's king. The recorded history of chess goes back at least to the emergence of a similar game, chaturanga, in seventh-century India. The rules of chess as we know them today emerged in Europe at the end of the 15th century, with standardization and universal acceptance by the end of the 19th century. Today, chess is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide.

51. Radio personality who declared himself "King of All Media": HOWARD STERN.  Howard Allan Stern [b. 1954] is an American radio and television personality, comedian, and author. He is best known for his radio show, The Howard Stern Show, which gained popularity when it was nationally syndicated on terrestrial radio from 1986 to 2005. He has broadcast on Sirius XM Radio since 2006. I guess it's a characteristic of modern American Society that one can achieve great riches and notoriety by being an obscene and obnoxious blow hard.

And the unifier:   60. Cause of a major paradigm shift, and an apt description of 17-, 25-, 37-, and 51-Across as well as their sets of circled letters: GAME CHANGER.  This is an event, idea, or procedure that affects a significant shift in the current manner of doing or thinking about something.  In the clue, "changer" indicates that the letters of the games' names have been mixed up.  Notably, all of the people whose names have been used are recognized for their exceptional level of achievement.  In face, one might think of them as GAME CHANGERS in their own right.  Nice meta to the theme.

Hi gang, JazzBumpa here ready for some fun and games.  Would you like to play along?  OK.  It's your move.  Let's go!

Across:

1. Taj __: MAHAL.  An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.  Also, Henry St. Claire Fredericks Jr. (b. 1942), better known by his stage name Taj Mahal, is an American blues musician. He plays the guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica, and many other instruments.

6. Provide funding for: ENDOW.  Give or bequeath an income or property to a person or institution.

11. Nurse: SIP.  As a noun sip means "small drink," like a sip of Coke or a sip of soup. The origin of sip isn't clear, though we know it's related to the Old English supan, "take into the mouth a little at a time."

14. Desert plant used to make tequila: AGAVE.  Agave is a genus of monocots native to the hot and arid regions of the Americas and the Caribbean,  The genus is primarily known for its succulent and species that typically form large rosettes of strong, fleshy leaves.

15. City near Dayton with a Greek name: XENIA.  Xenia is a city in southwestern Ohio and the county seat of Greene County, Ohio, United States. It is 15 miles (24 km) east of Dayton and is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area, as well as the Miami Valley region. The name comes from the Greek word Xenia (ξενία), which means "hospitality".  On April 3, 1974, a deviating tornado rated F5 on the Fujita scale cut a path directly through the middle of the city

16. Alter __: EGO.   The second, hidden side of one's own self

19. Take off: RUN.  Get moving

20. Natural Thanksgiving decor: GOURD.  A fleshy, typically large fruit with a hard skin, some varieties of which are edible.

21. Tire pattern: TREAD.  The pattern of raised lines on a tire that prevents a vehicle from sliding on the road:

23. Fresh from the garden: RAW.  Literally, uncooked. 

29. Fiendish: EVIL. Wicked, bad and nasty.

31. Starter served with a spoon: SOUP.  A primarily liquid food, generally served warm or hot, that is made by combining ingredients of meat or vegetables with stock, milk, or water. 

32. Gift basket fruit: PEAR.   Pears are fruits produced and consumed around the world, growing on a tree and harvested in the Northern Hemisphere in late summer into October. The pear tree and shrub are a species of genus Pyrus, in the family Rosaceae, bearing the pomaceous fruit of the same name. Several species of pears are valued for their edible fruit and juices, while others are cultivated as trees.

33. Lavish celebrations: FETES.   Traditional public festivals, held outdoors and organised to raise funds for a charity. They typically include entertainment and the sale of goods and refreshments.

35. Rumor, to a rumor mill: GRIST.  Grist is the thing about to be milled; in this sense, it is information about to be spread that someone would rather be kept secret

42. Mover's challenge: PIANO.  A large, heavy keyboard musical instrument with a wooden case enclosing a soundboard and metal strings, which are struck by hammers when the keys are depressed. 

43. Cheering wildly: AROAR.  Abounding with noise or laughter.

45. Pinochle kin: SKAT. Skat historically Scat, is a three-player trick-taking card game of the Ace-Ten family, devised around 1810 in Altenburg in the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. It is the national game of Germany

48. Sullen: DOUR.  Relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance.

50. Alt-rock band Better Than __: EZRA.  They formed in 1988 and refuse to reveal the origin of their name.

55. Have a nosh: EAT.  Literal

56. Ticked off: IRATE.  Angry.

57. Crimson Tide coach Nick: SABAN.  Nicholas Lou Saban Jr. [b. 1951] is an American football coach who has been the head football coach at the University of Alabama since 2007.  He was head coach at my alma mater, the University of Toledo from December 1989 through 1990, leading the Rockets to a 9-2 season and co-championship of the Mid-American Conference in 1990.

59. Apiece: PER.  Related to the price or some characteristic on a single item.

66. Skosh: TAD.  Small amount.

67. Farewell that's bid: ADIEU.   Adios, amigo.

68. January, in Jalisco: ENERO.  Jalisco is a western Mexican state fringing the Pacific Ocean. The state is known for mariachi music and tequila, both of which reportedly originated here. The capital, Guadalajara, is peppered with colonial plazas and landmarks like the neoclassical Teatro Degollado and regal Guadalajara Cathedral, with its twin gold spires. The neighboring Palacio de Gobierno houses murals by Mexican artist José Clemente Orozco.

69. Walk-__: bit parts: ONS.  Denoting or having a small nonspeaking part in a play or film.

70. Submit, as a complaint: LODGE.  Present a complaint, appeal, claim, etc formally to the proper authorities.

71. Stopwatch button: RESET.  To set, adjust, or fix into an original or neutral condition.:

Down:

1. Capt.'s superior: MAJ.  MAJOR outranks Captain.

2. Turkish title: AGA.  In Muslim countries, especially under the Ottoman Empire, a military commander or official.

3. Spend time around: HANG WITH.  Informally socialize with somebody.

4. Small Chevy rebranded as the Sonic: AVEO.  Read about it here.

5. Helpful boost: LEG UP.  An act of helping someone or something to improve their position.

6. Book after Genesis: EXODUS. It narrates the story of the Exodus, in which the Israelites leave slavery in Biblical Egypt through the strength of Yahweh, who has chosen them as his people. The Israelites then journey with the prophet Moses to Mount Sinai, where Yahweh gives the 10 commandments and they enter into a covenant with Yahweh, who promises to make them a "holy nation, and a kingdom of priests" on condition of their faithfulness. 

7. Connecticut governor Lamont: NED.  Edward Miner Lamont Jr. [b. 1954] is an American businessman and politician serving as the 89th governor of Connecticut. He has served in this position since January 9, 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a Greenwich selectman from 1987 to 1989. 

8. Letters from one's folks?: DNA.  Deoxyribonucleic acid is a polymer composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix. The polymer carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. The letters DNA are a short cut.

9. Fryolator need: OIL.  This is a kitchen appliance used for deep frying foods in oil.

10. Ballroom dance in 3/4 time: WALTZ.  A highly popular ballroom dance evolved from the Ländler in the 18th century. Characterized by a step, slide, and step in 3/4 time, the waltz, with its turning, embracing couples, at first shocked polite society.

11. Peaceful: SERENE. Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.

12. Gal·pagos lizard: IGUANA.   A large, arboreal, tropical American lizard with a spiny crest along the back and greenish coloration, occasionally kept as a pet.

13. Consider carefully: PONDER.  Think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.

18. Rita featured on Iggy Azalea's "Black Widow": ORA.   Rita Sahatçiu Ora  born Rita Sahatçiu on 26 November 1990) is a British singer and songwriter. She rose to prominence in February 2012 when she featured on DJ Fresh's single, "Hot Right Now", which reached number one in the UK. Her debut studio album, Ora, released in August 2012, debuted at number one in the United Kingdom. 

22. Pure bliss: RAPTURE.  A feeling of intense pleasure or joy.

23. Slo-mo reviewer: REF.  In sports: a referee.

24. With, on le menu: AVEC.  French

26. Finishes an online session: LOGS OUT.  Go through the procedures to conclude use of a computer, database, or system.

27. Mongrels: CURS.  A dog of no definable type or breed.

28. Bigger than big: EPIC.  Extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope

30. Eagerly accepted: LEAPT AT. 

34. __ Lanka: SRI.   Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian peninsula by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. 

36. __ Na Na: SHA.   Sha Na Na was an American rock and roll doo-wop cover group. Formed in 1969, but performing a song-and-dance repertoire based on 1950s hit songs, it simultaneously revived and parodied the music and the New York street culture of the 1950s. 

38. Actress Diane: LADD.  Diane Ladd [b. 1935] is an American actress. She has appeared in over 120 film and television roles. For the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, she won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

39. Mireille of "Big Love": ENOS.  Mireille Enos [b. 1975] is an American actress. Drawn to acting from a young age, she graduated in performing arts from Brigham Young University, where she was awarded the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.

40. Cough drops: LOZENGES.  Small medicinal tablets, originally in the shape of a rhombus or diamond, taken for sore throats and dissolved in the mouth.

41. Fast fashion clothing chain based in Spain: ZARA.  A Spanish multi-national retail clothing chain. It specialises in fast fashion, and sells clothing, accessories, shoes, beauty products and perfumes. The head office is in Arteixo, in A Coruña in Galicia.  In 2020 it was launching over twenty new product lines per year.

44. Tattletale: RAT.  A person, especially a child, who reveals secrets or informs on others.

45. Mailing label words: SHIP TO.  Indicating the recipient.

46. Kimchi cuisine: KOREAN.   A traditional Korean side dish of salted and fermented vegetables, such as napa cabbage and Korean radish. A wide selection of seasonings are used, including gochugaru, spring onions, garlic, ginger, and jeotgal, etc. 

47. Ribbons and trophies: AWARDS.  Achievement prizes

49. Coast Guard operation: RESCUE.  Save someone from a dangerous or distressing situation.

52. Majestic: REGAL.  Having or showing impressive beauty or dignity.

53. Stadium cheer: RAH.  A cheer of encouragement or approval.

54. Pro hoopster: NBA-ER.  A player in the National Basketball Association.

58. Green Gables girl: ANNE.  Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children's novel since the mid-20th century. 

61. Big commotion: ADO.  A state of agitation or fuss, especially about something unimportant.

62. Century beginning: MID.  Mid-century is a time approximately in the middle of a century.  This meaning defies the surface meaning of the clue.  I am not amused.

63. Brain waves mapper, briefly: EEG.   An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp. Brain cells communicate via electrical impulses and are active all the time, even during asleep. This activity shows up as wavy lines on an EEG recording.

64. Bard's before: ERE.  

65. Nonsense: ROT.   Spoken or written words that have no meaning or make no sense; word salad.

Well - all good things must come to an end, including this game.  We all had a chance to win.  Happy Wednesday, everyone.

Cool regards!

JzB

L.A. Times CrossWord Wednesday March 22, 2023 Alexander Liebeskind

Theme:  I get a CHARGE from this puzzle.  How about you?

Each theme entry includes a CHARGER of a different sort.  Let's see how many we can find.

18 A. Animal that may be on the verge of an attack: RAGING BULL.  Boxing fans and movie mavens might be thinking about Jake La Motta.  But this is more literal - an infuriated bovine, intent on wreaking havoc.  Here, the CHARGE is physical action with intent to do bodily harm.

 24 A. Laptop accessory: POWER CORD.  This is an electrical cable that temporarily connects an appliance to the main electricity supply via a wall socket or extension cord.   It will keep your lap top operating, and provide a CHARGE to its internal battery.

52 A. Body that investigates potential criminal conduct: GRAND JURY.    A group that examines accusations against persons charged with crime and, if the evidence warrants, makes formal CHARGES on which the accused persons are later tried.  This type of CHARGE is a formal accusation that a crime has been committed.

59. Person who likely has a high credit card balance: BIG SPENDER.  This assumes s/he is not using cash, but rather using an account to pay later for a good or service provided today, thus CHARGING that item. 

And, at last, here is the unifier:   36. Los Angeles NFL team, and an apt name for 18-, 24-, 52-, and 59-Across, collectively?: THE CHARGERS.  They were 10-7 last season, finished in 2nd place in the AFC, behind the 14-3 Chiefs.   In the Wild Card round, despite amassing a 27–0 lead during the second quarter, the Chargers collapsed in the second-half of the game, losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars 30–31 on a last-second field goal. Sad.

This sense of CHARGER most closely matches that of the  RAGING BULL, but is a bit more abstract.  Usually I put the unifier first to clarify the concept, but that didn't seem necessary today.  Also, it's rare to have two [or more] word theme entries that use the whole phrase rather than a chosen word.  So this theme stands out in a couple ways.

Hi Gang, JazzBumpa here, all het up to lead the CHARGE through today's puzzle.  Let's get to it.

Across:

1. Wall Street inits.: NYSE.  New York Stock Exchange, one of the world’s largest marketplaces for securities and other exchange-traded investments. .

5. Spring time: MARCH.  A month that is a time in which Spring begins - this year it was on Monday, the 20th.

10. Nadal of tennis, familiarly: RAFA.  Rafael Nadal Parera [b. 1986] is a Spanish professional tennis player. He is currently ranked world No. 9 in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals. He has been ranked world No. 1 for 209 weeks, and has finished as the year-end No. 1 five times.

14. Tries to win over: WOOS.  Seeks the favor, affection, or love of someone.

15. "Welcome to Maui!": ALOHA.   Hawaiian greeting.

16. Rapper born Tracy Marrow: ICE-T.   Tracy Lauren Marrow (b. 1958), better known by his stage name Ice-T, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and producer. He began his career as an underground rapper in the 1980s and was signed to Sire Records in 1987, when he released his debut album Rhyme Pays. The following year, he founded the record label Rhyme $yndicate Records (named after his collective of fellow hip-hop artists called the "Rhyme $yndicate") and released another album, Power, which would go platinum. He also released several other albums that went gold.

17. Rolaids rival: TUMS.  These medications, taken orally, are used to treat symptoms caused by too much stomach acid such as heartburn, upset stomach, or indigestion. They work by lowering the amount of acid in the stomach.

20. German camera brand: LEICA.  a German company that manufactures cameras, optical lenses, photographic lenses, binoculars, rifle scopes and microscopes. The company was founded by Ernst Leitz in 1869, in Wetzlar, Germany.  In 1986, the Leitz company changed its name to Leica, due to the fame of the Leica trade-name. The name Leica is derived from the first three letters of the founder's surname (Leitz) and the first two of the word camera

22. Disney princess voiced by Idina Menzel: ELSA.

She's actually the Queen

23. Coastal inlet: RIA.   A coastal inlet formed by the partial submergence of an unglaciated river valley. It is a drowned river valley that remains open to the sea.

26. Depends (on): LEANS.   Derive support from someone or something, either literally or figuratively.

28. Incinerator residue: ASH.   The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.

29. Tuber in the Nigerian dish asaro: YAM.  The edible starchy tuber of a climbing plant that is widely grown in tropical and subtropical countries.

30. Complete collection, perhaps: BOX SET.   A set of related items, typically books or recordings, packaged together in a box and sold as a unit.

31. Spring: LEAP.   Move or jump suddenly or rapidly upward or forward.   Fortunately, the extra day in. leap year occurs before Spring, or it would be too confusing.

33. 2007 Nobel Peace Prize co-recipient: AL GORE.   Albert Arnold Gore Jr. (b.1948) is an American politician, businessman, and environmentalist who served as the 45th vice president of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. Gore was the Democratic nominee for the 2000 presidential election, losing to George W. Bush in a very close race after a Florida recount.    His work in climate change activism earned him (jointly with the IPCC) the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. 

40. Like someone with a hit single?: ON BASE.  Nice misdirection.  Not a pop music reference, but a successful at bat in a baseball game.

41. StarKist product: TUNA.  

44. Angles: SLANTS.  Leans, in. a different sense of the word.

47. Luggage-screening gp.: TSA.   Transportation Security Administration

50. Ballerina's hairdo: BUN.  Buns are made to keep hair out of your face. In a performance, it would be distracting for an audience member to constantly see a dancer tossing hair out of their face. It's also a problem for the dancer.  

Learn how to do it.

51. National animal of Malaysia: TIGER.   A tiger from a specific population of the Panthera tigris tigris subspecies that is native to Peninsular Malaysia. This population inhabits the southern and central parts of the Malay Peninsula and has been classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2015. As of April 2014, the population was estimated at 80 to 120 mature individuals with a continuous declining trend.

55. Many a craft beer: ALE.    Fermented malt beverage, full-bodied and somewhat bitter, with strong flavor and aroma of hops. 

56. Region: AREA.  The extent of space or surface having some common definable characteristic and flexible boundaries.

58. Baking soda targets: ODORS.   Most unpleasant smells have an acidic nature.  Baking soda is basic, and will react with the odor causing molecules, thus neutralizing them.  Chemistry, peeps!

62. Long-billed wader: IBIS.    A group of long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae, that inhabit wetlands, forests and plains. "Ibis" derives from the Latin and Ancient Greek word for this group of birds. 

64. Roof problem: LEAK.  A hole or crack that allows unintended water to enter a structure.

65. Like a paddling surfer: PRONE.   A body position in which the person lies flat with the chest down and the back up.

66. Muse count: NINE.    In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Muses are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts.   their functions are as follows: Calliope (epic poetry), Clio (history), Euterpe (flutes and music), Thalia (comedy and pastoral poetry), Melpomene (tragedy)

Terpsichore (dance), Erato (love poetry and lyric poetry), Polyhymnia (hymns and sacred poetry), Urania (astronomy)

67. Award for very good plays?: ESPY.   Another clever clue, relating not to theater productions, but to excellence in sporting contests.  The ESPY Awards, the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly, is an event honoring the top athletes and sport performances of the year.

68. Transmits: SENDS.  Causes something to pass on from one place or person to another.

69. Epic story: SAGA.   A long story of heroic achievement, especially a medieval prose narrative in Old Norse or Old Icelandic.

Down:

1. Region above Sask.: NWT.   NorthWest Territory.   The Northwest Territories of Canada include the regions of Dehcho, North Slave, Sahtu, South Slave and Inuvik. Their remote landscape encompasses forest, mountains, Arctic tundra and islands in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. 

2. "Checkmate!": YOU LOSE.   A winning move in chess, and, by extension, any dramatic winning maneuver.

3. A bit: SOMEWHAT.  Diminishing modifier.

4. Nail polish brand: ESSIE.  They offer over 300 colors.

5. Shaken percussion item: MARACA.  

6. Chicken __ king: ALA.    A dish consisting of diced chicken in a cream sauce, often with sherry, mushrooms, and vegetables, generally served over rice, noodles, or bread. 

7. "Copy that": ROGER.   I Heard and Understood the Message.

8. "The French Chef" host Julia: CHILD.   Julia Carolyn Child (née McWilliams (1912 –  2004) was an American cooking teacher, author, and television personality. She is recognized for bringing French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her subsequent television programs, the most notable of which was The French Chef, which premiered in 1963.

9. Film score composer Zimmer with four Grammys: HANS.   Hans Florian Zimmer [b. 1957] is a German film score composer and music producer. He has won two Oscars and four Grammys, and has been nominated for two Emmys and a Tony. Zimmer was also named on the list of Top 100 Living Geniuses, published by The Daily Telegraph.

10. Part of a cage: RIB.   One of the series of curved bones of the chest of most vertebrates that are joined to the spinal column in pairs and help to support the body wall and protect the organs inside.  Sneaky clue.   BAR also fits.

11. High-end Hondas: ACURAS.   Acura  is the luxury and performance division of Japanese automaker Honda, based primarily in North America.  The brand was launched in the United States on March 27, 1986,

12. Catlike: FELINE.   Appearing or behaving like a cat:

13. Finally: AT LAST.   Said of something has happened after you have been hoping for it for a long time. 

19. In abundance: GALORE.  A veritable plethora.

21. Shout: CRY.  Shout or scream, typically to express fear, pain, or grief.

24. Bud: PAL.  A friend.

25. Home of Creighton University: OMAHA.  Omaha is a city in the U.S. state of Nebraska, on the Missouri River close to the Iowa border. A stop on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, it's known for its pioneer history, museums and cultural centers. 

27. Wield, as influence: EXERT.   Apply or bring to bear a force, influence, or quality.

30. Marsh: BOG.  Wet muddy ground too soft to support a heavy body.

32. Conversation piece?: PHONE.  Another mis-directing clue.  A device used for conversation [or posting feline pics], not the expected object whose unusual quality makes it a topic of conversation.

34. Part of UNLV: LAS.  University of Nevada at LAS Vegas.

35. Environmental activist Thunberg: GRETA.   Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg FRSGS is a Swedish environmental activist who is known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation. Thunberg's activism began when she persuaded her parents to adopt lifestyle choices that reduced their own carbon footprint.    FRSGS indicates a Fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

37. Snare: ENTRAP.   Catch (someone or something) in or as in a trap.

38. Network with an eye logo: CBS.   Columbia Broadcasting System

39. "WandaVision" backdrop: SUBURBIA.   an American television miniseries created by Jac Schaeffer for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It is the first television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is set after the events of the film Avengers: Endgame (2019). 

42. Healthcare major: NURSING.   A profession within the healthcare sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. 

43. "__ takers?": ANY.   Questing for someone who would accept or buy some object to condition.

44. Straw-strewn shelter: STABLE.   A building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals and livestock. 

45. Funnel-shaped flowers: LILIES.   A genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large prominent flowers. Lilies are a group of flowering plants which are important in culture and literature in much of the world. Most species are native to the northern hemisphere and their range is temperate climates and extends into the subtropics.

46. One year, for Venus and Serena Williams: AGE GAP.   Th difference in ages between two people.  This term is not generally used pertaining to siblings.  More typically it refers to the age difference between romantic partners.

48. Naps noisily: SNORES.   Produces a hoarse or harsh sound from nose or mouth that occurs when breathing is partially obstructed while sleeping.

49. Solve KenKen, say: ADD.  Determine the total when two numbers are combined.  KenKen ia a trademarked name for a style of arithmetic and logic puzzle invented in 2004 by Japanese math teacher Tetsuya Miyamoto, who intended the puzzles to be an instruction-free method of training the brain. The name derives from the Japanese word for cleverness. 

52. Category: GENRE.  A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.

53. Home health hazard: RADON.   An odorless, invisible, radioactive gas naturally released from rocks, soil, and water. Radon can get into homes and buildings through small cracks or holes and build up in the air. Over time, breathing in high levels of radon can cause lung cancer.

54. Puts together: JOINS.  Combines.

57. Workout count: REPS.   Repetitions of a particular exercise or movement.

60. What's up?: SKY.  The phrase generally means, "what's happening?"  Here it is more literal, indicating the firmament.

61. Finale: END.   The last part of a piece of music, a performance, or a public event, especially when particularly dramatic or exciting.

63. Porthole view: SEA.  A ship's window looks out at the ocean.

That wraps up another Wednesday.  Hope you enjoyed it - as always, free of charge.

Cool regards!

JzB

L.A. Times Crossword Wednesday March 8, 2023 Beth Rubin and Will Nediger

Theme:  Spilled Milk.  Let's see how it works.  Different types of "milks" are spelled out in a diagonal array of letters, slanting down from left to right. They are RICE, from the R of 1A, OAT from the O of 9A,  ALMOND, from the A at the 24A-25D cross,  COCONUT from the C of 27A, and SOY from the S of 55A. Hope I didn't miss any.  If you didn't have the circles in your grid, this theme would be impossibly opaque - or, at least, turbid.  I can't imagine how Beth and Will put this together.

Hi, Gang.  JzB here to be milkman for the day.   Given the unusual nature of the theme, I posted the graphic here instead of at the bottom of the post.

I intend to MILK this puzzle for all it's worth.  Grab your buckets and let's see what we can squeeze out.

Across:

1. Roughly: OR SO.  An approximation, not a coarse surface or action.

5. Skin blemish: WART.   A small, usually painless growth on the skin. Most of the time, they are harmless. They are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus 

9. Poetic contraction: O'ER.  Over.

12. Inheritance recipients: HEIRS.  Person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

14. Slurpee-like drinks: ICEES.   A frozen carbonated beverage available in fruit and soda flavors. 

16. Astronaut Jemison: MAE.  Mae Carol Jemison (born October 17, 1956) is an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut. She became the first black woman to travel into space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. Jemison joined NASA's astronaut corps in 1987 and was selected to serve for the STS-47 mission, during which the Endeavour orbited the Earth for nearly eight days on September 12–20, 1992.

17. Parade with strict precision: MARCH IN STEP.  Left-right-left, etc.

19. Body shop fig.: EST.   Estimate of expected cost for the repair.

20. __ Lanka: SRI.    Formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian peninsula by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Sri Lanka shares a maritime border with the Maldives in the south-west and India in the north-west.

21. Conclusion: END.  Termination.

22. One providing misguided support: ENABLER.  A person who encourages or enables negative or self-destructive behavior in another.

24. Milan opera house: LA SCALA.    Abbreviation in Italian of the official name Teatro alla Scala is a famous opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the Nuovo Regio Ducale Teatro alla Scala (New Royal-Ducal Theatre alla Scala). The premiere performance was Antonio Salieri's Europa riconosciuta.

26. Pull up stakes for one's co.: RE-LO.   Move to another city. Relocate.

27. Hint: CLUE.   Crosswords are full of them.

30. Starbucks size: TALL.   The 4 are Short, TALL, grande and venti.

31. Gains a lap: SITS.   You lose it when you stand up;

32. "Stay right there!": DON'T MOVE.  

34. Fuel economy meas.: MPG.   Miles per gallon.

35. Tropical storm: CYCLONE.   A rapid rotating storm originating over tropical oceans from where it draws the energy to develop. It has a low pressure centre and clouds spiraling towards the eyewall surrounding the "eye", the central part of the system where the weather is normally calm and free of clouds.

36. More inclusive: BROADER.

40. See red?: OWE.   To be in debt.  A bit of a stretch,  but OK. 

41. Sorting factor in some directories: LAST NAME.  Family name, then given name.

42. Blessing: BOON.   A favor.

44. British noble: EARL.   A British nobleman ranking above a viscount and below a marquess.  Know your place.

45. "Saving Private Ryan" event: D-DAY.   On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops.

46. Medical pros: DOCS.  Doctors, Physicians.

47. Opens, as a gift: UNWRAPS.  Tears off the paper.

49. Sound bite, e.g.: EXCERPT.   A short extract from a film, broadcast, or piece of music or writing.

51. Sked info: ETA.   A schedule might include an Estimated Time of Arrival.

52. April 15 payment: TAX.   A compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers' income and business profits, 

55. Original Beatle Sutcliffe: STU.   Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe (23 June 1940 – 10 April 1962) was a Scottish painter and musician best known as the original bass guitarist of the English rock band the Beatles. Sutcliffe left the band to pursue his career as a painter, having previously attended the Liverpool College of Art. Sutcliffe and John Lennon are credited with inventing the name "Beatles" 

56. Metaphor for something that can't be changed, and what's found five times in this puzzle?: SPILLED MILK.  Don't cry over it.

59. Keystone figure: KOP.    Fictional, humorously incompetent policemen featured in silent film slapstick comedies produced by Mack Sennett for his Keystone Film Company between 1912 and 1917.

60. Lofty nest: AERIE.   A large nest of a bird of prey, especially an eagle, typically built high in a tree or on a cliff.

61. Shrub that may be toxic: SUMAC.   A shrub or small tree of the cashew family, with compound leaves, fruits in conical clusters, and bright autumn colors.

62. Informer, maybe: SPY.   A person who secretly collects and reports information on the activities, movements, and plans of an enemy or competitor.

63. Saxophone insert: REED.     A thin piece of flat material that is held to the instrument's mouthpiece by a ligature. The reed vibrates when a musician blows air between it and the mouthpiece, producing a certain tone.

64. Repair: MEND.  Fix

Down:

1. Electrical units: OHMS.   The SI unit of electrical resistance, expressing the resistance in a circuit transmitting a current of one ampere when subjected to a potential difference of one volt.

2. Caboose: REAR.   A railroad car with accommodations for the train crew, typically attached to the end of the train.   By analogy,  a person's back side. 

3. Virtual assistant on Apple devices: SIRI.  Apple's virtual assistant for iOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS devices that uses voice recognition and is powered by artificial intelligence 

4. Goblinlike fantasy creature: ORC.   (In fantasy literature and games) a member of an imaginary race of humanlike creatures, characterized as ugly, warlike, and malevolent.   The concert originated by J.R.R.Tolkein in his Lord of the Rings novels.

5. South Dakota national park known for its air currents: WIND CAVE.    Wind Cave National Park is an American national park located 10 miles (16 km) north of the town of Hot Springs in western South Dakota. Established on January 3, 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, it was the sixth national park in the U.S. and the first cave to be designated a national park anywhere in the world. The cave is notable for its calcite formations known as box work, as well as its frostwork.

6. Rm. coolers: ACS.   Air Conditioners.

7. Share again, as a joke: RETELL.  

8. "Ooo La La La" singer __ Marie: TEENA.  Mary Christine Brockert (March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010), known professionally as Teena Marie, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, composer, arranger, and producer. She was known by her childhood nickname Tina before taking the stage name Teena Marie and later acquired the nickname Lady T, given to her by her collaborator and friend, Rick James.

9. Brunch dish: OMELET.   A dish of beaten eggs cooked in a frying pan until firm, often with a filling added while cooking, and usually served folded over.

10. Stands in a studio: EASELS.   A self-supporting wooden frame for holding an artist's work while it is being painted or drawn.

11. Nostalgia-inducing: RETRO.  Imitative of a style, fashion, or design from the recent past.

13. "__ Butter Baby": Ari Lennox/J. Cole song: SHEA.  

15. Hydrotherapy spot: SPA.   A mineral spring considered to have health-giving properties.

18. Not negotiable: IN STONE.   Used to emphasize that something is fixed and unchangeable.

23. Bandits: BRIGANDS.    A gang that ambushes and robs people in forests and mountains.

24. Live it up: LET LOOSE.   Spend one's time in an extremely enjoyable way, typically by spending a great deal of money or engaging in an exciting social life.

25. Pub choice: ALE.  A type of beer with a bitter flavor and higher alcoholic content.

27. Public health agcy.: CDC.   Center for Disease Control.   A U.S. federal government agency whose mission is to protect public health by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. 

28. Poet Mina or actress Myrna: LOY.  Mina Loy [1882-1966] poet and painter, was a charter member of the generation that—beginning in 1912 with the founding of Poetry magazine—launched the modernist revolution in poetry in the United States. Loy was too radical for Poetry's editor Harriet Monroe, who published her poetry only in a review article, but the generation's more innovative members admired her defiant honesty of subject and applauded the new directions she advanced for poetry.

Myrna Loy (born Myrna Adele Williams; 1905 – 1993) was an American film, television and stage actress. As a performer, she was known for her ability to adapt to her screen partner's acting style.

29. Chapel Hill sch.: UNC.  University of North Carolina.  

31. Ad: SPOT.  The 30-, 40- or 60-second ads that appear in a television or radio commercial schedule,

33. Like freshly cut lawns: MOWN.  

34. Fred Flintstone's boss: MR. SLATE.    Fred's boss at the Bedrock Quarrel and Gravel Company (later known as Slate Rock and Gravel Company) and a fictional character of the original series, The Flintstones and the rest of the franchise, 

36. Raced (along): BARRELED.   Moved very quickly, perhaps in a turbulent or uncontrolled manner. 

37. Family man: DAD.  A father.

38. Horvath of "The Rings of Power": EMA.   Ema Horvath (b.1994) is an American actress. She has appeared in the films Like.Share.Follow. (2017), The Gallows Act II and The Mortuary Collection (both 2019), and What Lies Below (2020). Since 2022, she has played Eärien, the sister of Isildur, in the Amazon Prime fantasy television series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

39. Marina del __, California: REY.    (Spanish for "Marina of the King") is an unincorporated seaside community in Los Angeles County, California, with an eponymous harbor that is a major boating and water recreation destination of the greater Los Angeles area. The port is North America's largest man-made small-craft harbor and is home to approximately 5,000 boats. 

41. Bar code?: LAW.   Clever clue. The bar is the legal profession as an institution. The term is a metonym for the line (or "bar") that separates the parts of a courtroom reserved for spectators and those reserved for participants in a trial such as lawyers.  Code is a body of law.

42. Cereal eater's proof of purchase: BOX TOP.   A boxtop, in the context of being a proof of purchase, is understood to be the upper portion of a product box, detached, and mailed as part of a claim for a radio premium or other advertising offer. During the 1930s through 1960s, cereal boxtops were usually the most common proofs of purchase used to claim such premiums.

43. Keep busy: OCCUPY.   Fill one's time, hopefully with something useful.

44. Unabridged: ENTIRE.   Not cut or shortened.

46. Secretaries, e.g.: DESKS.   A writing desk with a top section for books

47. __ Peninsula: Michigan home of Yoopers: UPPER.  AKA, the U.P. - hence the phonetic designation Yoopers.  Those of us who live in the L.P. - below the Macinac [pronounced Mackinaw - don't ask me why] Bridge are known as trolls.

48. Cushions: PADS.   A pillow or similar item stuffed with a mass of soft material, used as a comfortable support for sitting or leaning on.

50. Pretoria's land: Abbr.: RSA.  Republic of South Africa.  Read abut it here.

52. Umpire's cry: TIME.  Indicating a time out - a halt in the play. This allows the coaches of either team to communicate with the team, e.g., to determine strategy or inspire morale, as well as to stop the game clock.

53. Mathematician Turing: ALAN.   Alan Mathison Turing OBE FRS (1912 – 1954) was an English mathematician, computer scientist, logician, cryptanalyst, philosopher, and theoretical biologist. Turing was highly influential in the development of theoretical computer science, providing a formalisation of the concepts of algorithm and computation with the Turing machine, which can be considered a model of a general-purpose computer. He is widely considered to be the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence.

54. Randall Munroe's webcomic of "romance, sarcasm, math, and language": XKCD.   Well - this is an unlikely letter grouping to appear  in anX-word, so kudos for making it work.  Munroe states on the comic's website that the name of the comic is not an initialism but "just a word with no phonetic pronunciation".The subject matter of the comic varies from statements on life and love to mathematical, programming, and scientific in-jokes. Some strips feature simple humor or pop-culture references. It has a cast of stick figures,[3][4] and the comic occasionally features landscapes, graphs, charts, and intricate mathematical patterns such as fractals.   You can read it here.

57. Two truths and a __: icebreaker game: LIE.   To play, everyone sits or stands in a circle. One by one, each person in the circle says three statements about him/herself. Two of these statements must be facts, or "truths," and one must be a lie. The other members then try to guess which statement is the lie.

58. Autumn flower, for short: MUM.   Chrysanthemums.  They are native to East Asia and northeastern Europe. Most species originate from East Asia and the center of diversity is in China. Countless horticultural varieties and cultivars exist.

A picture I took in October, 2014

That's all we have.  Hope you found this puzzle to be tasty and nutritious, regardless of your lactose tolerance.

Cool regards!

JzB

L.A. Times Crossword Wednesday March 6, 2023 Rebecca Goldstein

Theme:  If you're bored, try skating.  OK.  That's a reach.  Let's check the unifier.

66A. Olympic arena that features the ends of 17-, 25-, 41-, and 52-Across: SKATE PARK.   This is an area designed and equipped for skateboarding.  Let's dig a little deeper.

17A. Commuter option: LIGHT RAIL.  This is a a railroad system or systems constructed to lower engineering standards than a mainline railroad, typically one operating small, frequent trains in an urban area.  A SKATE PARK RAIL is a a bar on upright supports where the skater can do slides and other tricks.  There are two types.  The FLAT RAIL is long horizontal bar that is low to the ground.  A HAND RAIL is a railing down a set of stairs or a bank.

25 A. Hawaiian dish with skipjack tuna: POKE BOWL.  Chunks of raw, marinated fish — usually tuna — which is then tossed over rice and topped with vegetables and umami-packed sauces.  A SKATE PARK BOWL is a structure with a continuous curved side that is usually between 3 and 12 feet deep.  The curved walls of bowls allow skaters to ride around and across the bowl in addition to the back and forth skating.

 41 A. Dumped unceremoniously: KICKED TO THE CURB.  This is being dismissed or rejected in an abrupt and possibly humiliating manner.  A SKATE PARK CURB is the ledge of an elongated block, generally flat and low to the ground where beginners can learn to do tricks.  The edges and top surface can both be used in different ways.

52 A. Cloverleaf segment: EXIT RAMP.  This is a short roadway by which vehicles may leave a major highway. A SKATE PARK RAMP is a sloping surface that connects two places that are at different levels. They are often combined with other elements to make more complex structures.

Hi, Gang, JazzBumpa here to SKATE us through today's puzzle. I won't be doing any fancy tricks.  You can find pictures of most of these features at this link. 

Across:

1. Nile reptile: ASP.   A name used in classical antiquity for a venomous snake, probably the Egyptian cobra, Naja haje. It was the symbol of royalty in Egypt, and its bite was used for the execution of favoured criminals in Greco-Roman times. 

4. Woodworking tool: RASP.   Rasps, or, more correctly, rasp-cut files, have a series of individual teeth produced by a sharp, narrow, punchlike chisel. Their very rough cut is suited to the fast removal of material from soft substances, such as wood, hooves, leather, aluminum, and lead.

8. School year: CLASS.  Free: Freshman, Sophomore, etc.

13. "Knock, knock" response starter: WHO'S [there.]

15. Crooner Paul: ANKA.   Paul Albert Anka OC (b. 1941) is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter and actor. He is best known for his signature hit songs including "Diana", "Lonely Boy", "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", and "(You're) Having My Baby". Anka also wrote the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; one of Tom Jones' biggest hits, "She's a Lady"; and the English lyrics to Claude François and Jacques Revaux's music for Frank Sinatra's signature song "My Way"

16. Put a cap on: LIMIT.   A restriction on the size or amount of something permissible or possible.

19. State one's views: OPINE.  As defined.

20. Union member?: SPOUSE.  A marriage union.  Clever clue. Whether this is also a labor union is left unstated.

21. Total disorder: MESS.  A dirty or untidy state of things or of a place.

23. "__ whiz!": GEE.  A statement of astonishment or wonder.

24. Attempt: STAB.  I'm at first you don't succeed, stab, stab again. [Not attributed to Julius Caesar.]. BTW, the Ides of March is next Wednesday.

27. "Good Will Hunting" univ.: MIT.  Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

29. Ahmed of "The Night Of": RIZ.   Rizwan Ahmed (Urdu pronunciation: [b. 1982) is a British actor and rapper. He has received several awards, including an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award with nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and two British Academy Film Awards. In 2017, he was named in the Time 100 listing of the most influential people in the world.  I've maxed to never hear of him until just now.

31. "If I were __ ... ": YOU.  Used when giving someone advice.

32. "Time's Arrow" novelist Martin: AMIS.   Martin Louis Amis (b.1949) is a British novelist, essayist, memoirist, and screenwriter. He is best known for his novels Money (1984) and London Fields (1989). He received the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his memoir Experience and has been listed for the Booker Prize twice.  Amis served as the Professor of Creative Writing at the Centre for New Writing at the University of Manchester until 2011. In 2008, The Times named him one of the fifty greatest British writers since 1945.

34. Guns, as an engine: REVS.   Presses the accelerator to increase the revolutions per minute and therefore the speed.

37. Mandarin greeting: NIHAO.  You say it as 'nee hao' and you often see it spelt 'nihao'. It means “hello” (literally “you good”) so you know when / where to use it!  I guess you don't say it to a bad person.

44. Pitch perfect: ON KEY.  Accurate in pitch, musically pleasing.  I'm usually satisfied if an anthem singer doesn't make me wince.

45. Potatoes, in South Asian cuisine: ALOO.  Derived from Indian.

46. "Twittering Machine" artist Paul: KLEE.   Paul Klee (1879 – 1940) was a Swiss-born German artist. His highly individual style was influenced by movements in art that included expressionism, cubism, and surrealism. Klee was a natural draftsman who experimented with and eventually deeply explored color theory,

Predates all social media platforms

47. Snakelike fish: EEL.  Eels are ray-finned fish belonging to the order Anguilliformes (/æŋˈɡwɪlɪfɔːrmiːz/), which consists of eight suborders, 19 families, 111 genera, and about 800 species. Eels undergo considerable development from the early larval stage to the eventual adult stage and are usually predators.

49. TD's six: PTS.   In American football, a touchdown scores 6 POINTS.

51. Mary __ cosmetics: KAY.    Mary Kay Ash (born Mary Kathlyn Wagner; 1918 – 2001) was an American businesswoman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc. At her death, she had a fortune of $98 million, and her company had more than $1.2 billion in sales with a sales force of more than 800,000 in at least three dozen countries.

57. Rx writers: DOCS.   Physicians, aka "Docs" write Prescriptions - written directions or orders for the preparation and use of medicines.  I have a few.

59. Movie night room: DEN.  Where the big screen TV is most likely located.

60. Woodwind for Elaine Douvas: OBOE.  Elaine Douvas has been principal oboe of the Metropolitan Opera for more than 40 years and an oboe instructor at Juilliard since 1982.

Wikipedia

61. Enticing scents: AROMAS.  So many words with nuanced meanings for types of smells.

64. Spy collection: INTEL  Intelligence - the collection of information of military or political value.  Not the American semiconductor chip maker headquartered in Santa Clara, California

68. After-bath wrap: TOWEL.   A piece of thick absorbent cloth or paper used for drying oneself or wiping things dry.

69. Not all: SOME.  A portion of some collective.

70. Sparkling wine region: ASTI.  A city in the Piedmont region of Italy, S of Turin that is famous for its carbonated wine.

71. Makes out, in Manchester: SNOGS.   Kisses and caresses amorously.   I learned this word read Harry Potter.

72. Affirmative votes: YEAS.  

73. QVC alternative: HSN.  Cable TV shopping networks.

Down:

1. Puncturing tools: AWLS.   A small pointed tool used for piercing holes, especially in leather.

2. Model in a bottle: SHIP.   

Wayfair Ahoy!

3. Toy with a handlebar and a big spring: POGO STICK.   A device for jumping off the ground in a standing position, through the aid of a spring, or new high performance technologies, often used as a toy, exercise equipment or extreme sports instrument. It led to an extreme sport named extreme pogo or "Xpogo".   It consists of a pole with a handle at the top and footrests near the bottom, and a spring located somewhere along the pole. The spring joins two sections of the pole, which extends below the footpads.

4. Unique person: RARE BIRD.  An exceptional person or thing; a rarity.  Usually not an actual. bird.

5. Political commentator Navarro: ANA.   Ana Violeta Navarro-Cárdenas (née Navarro Flores; [b.1971] is a Nicaraguan-American political strategist and commentator. She appears on various television programs and news outlets, including CNN, CNN en Español, ABC News, and Telemundo. She is also a co-host of the daytime talk show The View, garnering Emmy Award nominations for her work. 

6. Cut corners: SKIMP.  Expend or use less time, money, or material on something than is necessary in an attempt to economize.

7. Hunter-gatherer diet: PALEO.   A diet based on the types of foods presumed to have been eaten by early humans, consisting chiefly of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, and excluding dairy or grain products and processed food.

8. Reason to say "Whew!": CLOSE ONE.  An escape or dangerous activity that was almost not successful.

9. Carmex target: LIP.  A brand of lip balm produced by Carma Laboratories, Inc

10. Buddy in Barcelona: AMIGO.   A friend in Spanish.

11. Muscular power: SINEW.   Literally, sinew is a cord in your body that connects a muscle to a bone./. Figuratively, the source of strength, power, or vigor. 

12. Stainless __: STEEL.    Stainless steel is an alloy of iron that is resistant to rusting and corrosion. It contains at least 11% chromium and may contain elements such as carbon, other nonmetals and metals to obtain other desired properties. Stainless steel's resistance to corrosion results from the chromium, which forms a passive film that can protect the material and self-heal in the presence of oxygen.

14. Closed: SHUT.  

18. Figure in Russian history: TSAR.  The ruler of Russia until the 1917 revolution.   The way crosswords spell CZAR.

22. Chicago WNBA team: SKY.  The Sky compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member club of the league's Eastern Conference. The franchise was founded prior to the 2006 season. The Sky experienced a period of success from 2013 to 2016, making four playoff appearances and playing in the 2014 WNBA Finals. They experienced a second period of success starting in 2019 and won their first championship in the 2021 WNBA Finals.

26. Lincoln competitor: BUICK.    A division of the American automobile manufacturer General Motors (GM). Started by automotive pioneer David Dunbar Buick in 1899, it was among the first American marques of automobiles, and was the company that established General Motors in 1908. Before the establishment of General Motors, GM founder William C. Durant had served as Buick's general manager and major investor.

27. Shark name that comes from Maori: MAKO.   The shortfin mako shark  Isurus oxyrinchus), also known as the blue pointer or bonito shark, is a large mackerel shark. It is commonly referred to as the mako shark, as is the longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus). The shortfin mako can reach a size of 4 m (13 ft) in length and weigh 570 kg (1,260 lb). The species is classified as Endangered by the IUCN.

28. "Let's do it!": IM IN.   An agreement to participate in something.

30. Actress Catherine __-Jones: ZETA.   Catherine Zeta-Jones CBE (b. 1969) is a Welsh actress. Known for her versatility, she is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Tony Award. In 2010, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her film and humanitarian work.

33. Shooting sport: SKEET.  A shooting sport in which a clay target is thrown from a trap to simulate the flight of a bird.

35. Abbreviation on a TV remote: VOume.

36. Intersection sign: STOP.  

38. Angry shout from a green Avenger: HULK SMASH.    'Hulk smash" is the trademark slogan of the Incredible Hulk, a Marvel Comics Universe character. Outside of the comic universe, hulk smash has come to refer to destructive actions taken in a fit of rage.

39. Locale: AREA.  A region or part of a town, a country, or the world.

40. Follow orders: OBEY.  Do what I say!

42. Exasperated expressions: EYE ROLLS.   A gesture in which a person briefly turns their eyes upward, often in an arcing motion from one side to the other. In the Anglosphere, it has been identified as a passive-aggressive response to an undesirable situation or person. The gesture is used to disagree or dismiss or express contempt for the targeted person without physical contact.

43. Much-anticipated nights out: HOT DATES.   Social outings with a current or potential lover which holds the possibility of a sexual encounter.

48. Scientist's workplace: LAB.  I saw a sign once that said what we need in this laboratory is more labor and less oratory.

50. Aching: SORE.   In pain

52. Changes the narrative?: EDITS.   Clever clue, but I disagree.  To edit is to fine tune the text and/or prepare it for publication.  Changing the narrative wold involve extensive rewriting.

53. Noble gas whose name comes from the Greek for "strange": XENON.  The chemical element of atomic number 54, a member of the noble gas series. It is obtained by distillation of liquid air, and is used in some specialized electric lamps.

54. Split evenly: IN TWO.  Bisected.

55. Overgrown, in a way: MOSSY.  Covered in moss.

56. Black tea grade: PEKOE.   A high-quality tea made from the downy tips of the young buds of the tea plant 

58. __ América: international football tournament: COPA.  the top men's football tournament contested among national teams from South America. It is the oldest still-running continental football competition, as well as the third most watched in the world. The competition determines the champions of South America. Since the 1990s, teams from North America and Asia have also been invited to compete.

62. __ and crafts: ARTS.   The skills of making objects, such as decorations, furniture, and pottery by hand

63. Largest organ in the human body: SKIN.   The external limiting tissue layer of an animal body.  The skin is an organ because it is composed of tissues working together. The main three tissues are: the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin; the dermis, under the epidermis; and the subcutaneous or fat layer, under the dermis.  Each layer has its own distinct form and functions and is composed of a unique profile of cells. 

65. Brain scan letters: EEG.   An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp. Brain cells communicate via electrical impulses and are active all the time, even during asleep. This activity shows up as wavy lines on an EEG recording.

67. Reddit Q&A: AMA.  Ask Me Anything,  an event on Reddit where a new kind of crowdsourced interview can happen.   The interviewee begins the process by starting a post, describing who they are and what they do. Then commenters from across the internet leave questions and can vote on other questions according to which they would like to see answered.  

That brings this session to a close.  Hoe you didn't wipe out or skin your knees.

Cool Regards!

JzB