LAT Wed. 9/30 Chuck Deodene

[magus]

I learned a new moustache, horseshoe, and enjoyed this puzzle for its cluing, especially:
"We'll always have ___"...    PARIS
Lay down the lawn    SOD
Cafe lightener   LAIT

 
For ANTE I might have used Before starter.
For SPINAL, I'd try "This is ___ Tap": Rob Reiner rockumentary.
For CEL I'd go with Toon pic.

 
Francia neighbor   ESPANA
Thunderstruck   AGHAST [rather far afield synonym]