Raising the Bar 
Ring leader? REF
Family leader? DON [I thought DAD --- hat a dope!]
Lower land? LEA [cattle low there]
One making big bucks? BRONCO
Seasonal number NOEL
Obeyed a court order ROSE
Ironically, they may be even ODDS
Turkey diner, probably ASIAN [not dinner]
Prepare to be shot SMILE
Trouble spots for teens ACNE
Theme: grid and meaning join in that the three blocks immediately in front of or behind answers stand for the word BAR, and BAR plus the answer can make a rational phrase.
GRANOLA, OXYGEN, SALAD, MITZVAH, HARBOR, GRAPH
“I didn’t need to know that!” TMI [oh, oh! Now texting abbreviations are not only asked but nothing in the clue tells us it’s a texting term. Even though this was one of the three I know, I’m toast!]
Popular rubbers TOTES [We don’t use the term rubbers much anymore to mean boots or even erasers; it is reserved for condoms. So for all the hyper-sensitive among us: OMG!]
This was a gem!RATING:
Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun
