The Anniston Star
Monday, December 23, 2013
Blondie
HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol
Hagar the Horrible
Beetle Bailey
Snuffy Smith
Aim high in the year ahead. Make big, lavish plans, and prepare to fulfill them. Move forward with conviction and push for what you want. Concentrate on all that you stand to gain personally and professionally. If you have the right attitude, success will touch your every endeavor. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Be strategic and maintain a paper trail. Once you know what direction you’re heading in, you’ll be able to enjoy time with the people you love. Be attentive to your heart and work to make someone else happy. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Your cheerfulness and optimism will be infectious. Have fun and enjoy the festivities in your community. Participation in various activities or projects will result in new opportunities and friendships. Love and romance are highlighted. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Review your personal papers and professional strategies. Make certain that everything is in order and that you haven’t forgotten anything that may cost you financially next year. Avoid overreacting, and be honest with yourself and others. ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Boost your confidence with a personal change. You are likely to meet a like-minded soul. Romance is apparent. Someone you’ve helped in the past will reciprocate with a needed favor. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Meeting up with friends or making last-minute purchases will add cheer to your day. Attending an event and sharing your ideas for next year will prove informative.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Evaluate your life and partnerships. If you cannot come to terms with what’s happening, mistakes will occur. Changes may be helpful, but only at the right time and for the right reason. CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Be social and creative, and organize a surprise for someone you love. Don’t be pressured into making an indulgent purchase or investment. You stand to gain more by saving your money. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — You should quickly attend to your responsibilities so that you’ll have time to get together with your close friends and family. Enjoying festivities or working alongside a close companion to organize something special will enhance your relationships. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Be open and honest about your plans. Networking will help you gain professional advancement. Don’t allow personal concerns to stand in the way of professional progress. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Stubbornness will lead to personal difficulties. A new development is likely to change your location or lifestyle. Concentrate on getting along with others and doing what suits everyone best. This is a time of new beginnings. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Spend time with loved ones. Adapting to surrounding changes will lead to good fortune. A new partnership arrangement will give you something to look forward to in the year to come. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Decorate and open your house to friends and family. Offering honest advice and meaningful opportunities will encourage a deeper bond with important people in your life.
Mutts
Garfield
Zits
Born Loser
Jump Start
Wizard of Id
B.C.
Pickles
Dilbert
Baby Blues
Get Fuzzy
Bound & Gagged
Mother Goose and Grimm
Dennis the Menace
Family Circus
THE CLASSIFIED CHALLENGE ACROSS 1 Given to back talk 6 Not together 11 Org. in many Tom Clancy novels 14 Love lots 15 Serious grime 16 Former Boston Bruin Bobby 17 *Scoop for fruit 19 Photo taker, briefly 20 Place to swim 21 Brand with a “Twist, Lick, Dunk” app 22 Holy images 24 Post-OR place 26 Like some bases and kisses 28 Parade debris 32 Slump in one’s seat 35 Stay away from 36 The “I” in IBM: Abbr. 38 However, for short 39 Bishop’s domain 41 Earlier than desired 44 Finish 45 Paris airport 47 Totally out there 48 Bank employee 51 “M*A*S*H” star 53 Firstborn 55 Battleship letters 56 “My Cousin Vinny” star Joe 58 Pressure from the cops 60 Govt. job-safety gp. 64 Gen. Eisenhower’s WWII command 65 *Single-minded auditor 68 Bearded African beast 69 More pathetic, as excuses go 70 French Revolution figure killed by Corday 71 Tree juice 72 Piano practice piece 73 Walks with difficulty
2 Thought: Pref. 3 Sport played on horseback 4 Very productive, as a writer 5 Currency of Japan 6 Many miles off 7 Enters all at once 8 Distribute in shares 9 U.S. 66, for one 10 Wave of excitement 11 *Certain palm tree extract 12 Tehran’s country 13 “A Farewell to __” Monday, December 23, 2013 18 Prizefight DOWN 23 Corporate VIP 1 Bedside light
GOREN BRIDGE
25 Hand over 27 Norwegian metropolis 28 Army trainee 29 Like ewes and rams 30 *Pasta-based first course 31 Ballpark level 33 Musical triad 34 Civic or Accord 37 Texter’s “until next time” 40 Hopping mad 42 Possesses 43 Like Christmas wrap and tree ornaments 46 Approached bedtime
49 Partners’ legal entity: Abbr. 50 Safe to consume 52 Civic or Accord 54 SeaWorld orca 56 Wooden pins 57 Europe’s highest active volcano 59 Land measure 61 Houston MLBer 62 Noggin, and a hint to the starts of the answers to starred clues 63 Liberal __ 66 Do lunch, say 67 Official behind a catcher
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s Crossword,Sudoku Puzzle and Jumble solutions are included below.
WITH TANNAH HIRSCH & BOB JONES ©2013 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
BRIDGE
SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S PUZZLES
WEEKLY BRIDGE QUIZ ANSWERS Q 1 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 4 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠J97♥ AQ32♦ 7542 ♣K3
♠ J 3 ♥ A 7 5 ♦ A Q J 3 2 ♣ A 10 5
The bidding:
Your right-hand opponent opens one spade. What call would you make?
A - Should you play that a cue-bid of the enemy suit shows 10 or more points and a fit for partner, bid two diamonds. Otherwise, bid two spades.
A - Bid two diamonds. Should the opponents compete to two spades, you can double at your next turn, showing support for the other suits, as well as your five diamonds. You are not strong enough to double first and then bid diamonds later.
Q 2 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 5 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ K 9 8 6 ♥ Void ♦ A 6 5 3 2 ♣ K 8 7 2
♠K87♥ AQ543♦ 72 ♣Q92
With the opponents silent, partner opens one no trump. How would you proceed?
The bidding:
A - Bid two clubs, Stayman. On a good day, you’ll locate a spade fit. Should partner respond two hearts, you can bid three no trump next. Should the response be two diamonds, denying a major and indicating that the opponents have 10 or more hearts, we would not gamble on three no trump. Bid three diamonds and pass three no trump should partner bid it. Q 3 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A 10 ♥ 9 7 5 ♦ J 10 6 2 ♣ A K Q J
The bidding:
WEST NORTH EAST 2♥ Pass Pass
SOUTH ?
What call would you make?
A - Double is out with only two spades. Two no trump is out with no heart stopper. What choices are left? Only pass and three clubs. We like three clubs.
NORTH Pass
EAST Pass
SOUTH WEST ?
What call would you make?
A - Bid one heart. You should open a bit lighter in third seat in case partner passed a hand like this in first seat. You might miss a valuable partial if you pass. Q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 6 3 ♥ Q 8 ♦ 8 7 5 ♣ A K J 10 8 2
As dealer, what call would you make? A - Bid three clubs. You cannot make an opening weak two-bid in clubs, so the opening three-bid in clubs must include some hands with only a sixcard suit. A really good suit like this is perfect.
Answer:
What call would you make?
TALLY RIGOR MEMBER SQUISH
SOUTH ?
They climbed the hill to see the sun come up because they were — EARLY RISERS
WEST NORTH EAST 1♦ 1♠ 1NT
(Tannah Hirsch and Bob Jones welcome readers’ responses sent to tcaeditors@tribune.com.)
The Star’s on TWITTER
THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME
Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.
LATYL ©2013 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
GORRI BEERMM HISSUQ
Jumble puzzle magazines available at pennydellpuzzles.com/jumblemags
by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek
Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.
A: Saturday’s
(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: MIMIC SLASH DEVICE PHOBIA Answer: The astronaut volunteered for the spacewalk because she wanted — SOME SPACE
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com
THE CLASSIFIED CHALLENGE ACROSS 1 Given to back talk 6 Not together 11 Org. in many Tom Clancy novels 14 Love lots 15 Serious grime 16 Former Boston Bruin Bobby 17 *Scoop for fruit 19 Photo taker, briefly 20 Place to swim 21 Brand with a “Twist, Lick, Dunk” app 22 Holy images 24 Post-OR place 26 Like some bases and kisses 28 Parade debris 32 Slump in one’s seat 35 Stay away from 36 The “I” in IBM: Abbr. 38 However, for short 39 Bishop’s domain 41 Earlier than desired 44 Finish 45 Paris airport 47 Totally out there 48 Bank employee 51 “M*A*S*H” star 53 Firstborn 55 Battleship letters 56 “My Cousin Vinny” star Joe 58 Pressure from the cops 60 Govt. job-safety gp. 64 Gen. Eisenhower’s WWII command 65 *Single-minded auditor 68 Bearded African beast 69 More pathetic, as excuses go 70 French Revolution figure killed by Corday 71 Tree juice 72 Piano practice piece 73 Walks with difficulty
2 Thought: Pref. 3 Sport played on horseback 4 Very productive, as a writer 5 Currency of Japan 6 Many miles off 7 Enters all at once 8 Distribute in shares 9 U.S. 66, for one 10 Wave of excitement 11 *Certain palm tree extract 12 Tehran’s country 13 “A Farewell to __” Monday, December 23, 2013 18 Prizefight DOWN 23 Corporate VIP 1 Bedside light
GOREN BRIDGE
25 Hand over 27 Norwegian metropolis 28 Army trainee 29 Like ewes and rams 30 *Pasta-based first course 31 Ballpark level 33 Musical triad 34 Civic or Accord 37 Texter’s “until next time” 40 Hopping mad 42 Possesses 43 Like Christmas wrap and tree ornaments 46 Approached bedtime
49 Partners’ legal entity: Abbr. 50 Safe to consume 52 Civic or Accord 54 SeaWorld orca 56 Wooden pins 57 Europe’s highest active volcano 59 Land measure 61 Houston MLBer 62 Noggin, and a hint to the starts of the answers to starred clues 63 Liberal __ 66 Do lunch, say 67 Official behind a catcher
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s Crossword,Sudoku Puzzle and Jumble solutions are included below.
WITH TANNAH HIRSCH & BOB JONES ©2013 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
BRIDGE
SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S PUZZLES
WEEKLY BRIDGE QUIZ ANSWERS Q 1 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 4 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠J97♥ AQ32♦ 7542 ♣K3
♠ J 3 ♥ A 7 5 ♦ A Q J 3 2 ♣ A 10 5
The bidding:
Your right-hand opponent opens one spade. What call would you make?
A - Should you play that a cue-bid of the enemy suit shows 10 or more points and a fit for partner, bid two diamonds. Otherwise, bid two spades.
A - Bid two diamonds. Should the opponents compete to two spades, you can double at your next turn, showing support for the other suits, as well as your five diamonds. You are not strong enough to double first and then bid diamonds later.
Q 2 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 5 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ K 9 8 6 ♥ Void ♦ A 6 5 3 2 ♣ K 8 7 2
♠K87♥ AQ543♦ 72 ♣Q92
With the opponents silent, partner opens one no trump. How would you proceed?
The bidding:
A - Bid two clubs, Stayman. On a good day, you’ll locate a spade fit. Should partner respond two hearts, you can bid three no trump next. Should the response be two diamonds, denying a major and indicating that the opponents have 10 or more hearts, we would not gamble on three no trump. Bid three diamonds and pass three no trump should partner bid it. Q 3 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A 10 ♥ 9 7 5 ♦ J 10 6 2 ♣ A K Q J
The bidding:
WEST NORTH EAST 2♥ Pass Pass
SOUTH ?
What call would you make?
A - Double is out with only two spades. Two no trump is out with no heart stopper. What choices are left? Only pass and three clubs. We like three clubs.
NORTH Pass
EAST Pass
SOUTH WEST ?
What call would you make?
A - Bid one heart. You should open a bit lighter in third seat in case partner passed a hand like this in first seat. You might miss a valuable partial if you pass. Q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 6 3 ♥ Q 8 ♦ 8 7 5 ♣ A K J 10 8 2
As dealer, what call would you make? A - Bid three clubs. You cannot make an opening weak two-bid in clubs, so the opening three-bid in clubs must include some hands with only a sixcard suit. A really good suit like this is perfect.
Answer:
What call would you make?
TALLY RIGOR MEMBER SQUISH
SOUTH ?
They climbed the hill to see the sun come up because they were — EARLY RISERS
WEST NORTH EAST 1♦ 1♠ 1NT
(Tannah Hirsch and Bob Jones welcome readers’ responses sent to tcaeditors@tribune.com.)
The Star’s on TWITTER
THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME
Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.
LATYL ©2013 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
GORRI BEERMM HISSUQ
Jumble puzzle magazines available at pennydellpuzzles.com/jumblemags
by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek
Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.
A: Saturday’s
(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: MIMIC SLASH DEVICE PHOBIA Answer: The astronaut volunteered for the spacewalk because she wanted — SOME SPACE
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com
THE CLASSIFIED CHALLENGE ACROSS 1 Given to back talk 6 Not together 11 Org. in many Tom Clancy novels 14 Love lots 15 Serious grime 16 Former Boston Bruin Bobby 17 *Scoop for fruit 19 Photo taker, briefly 20 Place to swim 21 Brand with a “Twist, Lick, Dunk” app 22 Holy images 24 Post-OR place 26 Like some bases and kisses 28 Parade debris 32 Slump in one’s seat 35 Stay away from 36 The “I” in IBM: Abbr. 38 However, for short 39 Bishop’s domain 41 Earlier than desired 44 Finish 45 Paris airport 47 Totally out there 48 Bank employee 51 “M*A*S*H” star 53 Firstborn 55 Battleship letters 56 “My Cousin Vinny” star Joe 58 Pressure from the cops 60 Govt. job-safety gp. 64 Gen. Eisenhower’s WWII command 65 *Single-minded auditor 68 Bearded African beast 69 More pathetic, as excuses go 70 French Revolution figure killed by Corday 71 Tree juice 72 Piano practice piece 73 Walks with difficulty
2 Thought: Pref. 3 Sport played on horseback 4 Very productive, as a writer 5 Currency of Japan 6 Many miles off 7 Enters all at once 8 Distribute in shares 9 U.S. 66, for one 10 Wave of excitement 11 *Certain palm tree extract 12 Tehran’s country 13 “A Farewell to __” Monday, December 23, 2013 18 Prizefight DOWN 23 Corporate VIP 1 Bedside light
GOREN BRIDGE
25 Hand over 27 Norwegian metropolis 28 Army trainee 29 Like ewes and rams 30 *Pasta-based first course 31 Ballpark level 33 Musical triad 34 Civic or Accord 37 Texter’s “until next time” 40 Hopping mad 42 Possesses 43 Like Christmas wrap and tree ornaments 46 Approached bedtime
49 Partners’ legal entity: Abbr. 50 Safe to consume 52 Civic or Accord 54 SeaWorld orca 56 Wooden pins 57 Europe’s highest active volcano 59 Land measure 61 Houston MLBer 62 Noggin, and a hint to the starts of the answers to starred clues 63 Liberal __ 66 Do lunch, say 67 Official behind a catcher
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s Crossword,Sudoku Puzzle and Jumble solutions are included below.
WITH TANNAH HIRSCH & BOB JONES ©2013 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
BRIDGE
SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S PUZZLES
WEEKLY BRIDGE QUIZ ANSWERS Q 1 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 4 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠J97♥ AQ32♦ 7542 ♣K3
♠ J 3 ♥ A 7 5 ♦ A Q J 3 2 ♣ A 10 5
The bidding:
Your right-hand opponent opens one spade. What call would you make?
A - Should you play that a cue-bid of the enemy suit shows 10 or more points and a fit for partner, bid two diamonds. Otherwise, bid two spades.
A - Bid two diamonds. Should the opponents compete to two spades, you can double at your next turn, showing support for the other suits, as well as your five diamonds. You are not strong enough to double first and then bid diamonds later.
Q 2 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 5 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ K 9 8 6 ♥ Void ♦ A 6 5 3 2 ♣ K 8 7 2
♠K87♥ AQ543♦ 72 ♣Q92
With the opponents silent, partner opens one no trump. How would you proceed?
The bidding:
A - Bid two clubs, Stayman. On a good day, you’ll locate a spade fit. Should partner respond two hearts, you can bid three no trump next. Should the response be two diamonds, denying a major and indicating that the opponents have 10 or more hearts, we would not gamble on three no trump. Bid three diamonds and pass three no trump should partner bid it. Q 3 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A 10 ♥ 9 7 5 ♦ J 10 6 2 ♣ A K Q J
The bidding:
WEST NORTH EAST 2♥ Pass Pass
SOUTH ?
What call would you make?
A - Double is out with only two spades. Two no trump is out with no heart stopper. What choices are left? Only pass and three clubs. We like three clubs.
NORTH Pass
EAST Pass
SOUTH WEST ?
What call would you make?
A - Bid one heart. You should open a bit lighter in third seat in case partner passed a hand like this in first seat. You might miss a valuable partial if you pass. Q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 6 3 ♥ Q 8 ♦ 8 7 5 ♣ A K J 10 8 2
As dealer, what call would you make? A - Bid three clubs. You cannot make an opening weak two-bid in clubs, so the opening three-bid in clubs must include some hands with only a sixcard suit. A really good suit like this is perfect.
Answer:
What call would you make?
TALLY RIGOR MEMBER SQUISH
SOUTH ?
They climbed the hill to see the sun come up because they were — EARLY RISERS
WEST NORTH EAST 1♦ 1♠ 1NT
(Tannah Hirsch and Bob Jones welcome readers’ responses sent to tcaeditors@tribune.com.)
The Star’s on TWITTER
THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME
Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.
LATYL ©2013 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
GORRI BEERMM HISSUQ
Jumble puzzle magazines available at pennydellpuzzles.com/jumblemags
by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek
Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.
A: Saturday’s
(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: MIMIC SLASH DEVICE PHOBIA Answer: The astronaut volunteered for the spacewalk because she wanted — SOME SPACE
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com