20140127comicspuzzles

The Anniston Star

Monday, January 27, 2014

Blondie

HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol

Hagar the Horrible

Beetle Bailey

Snuffy Smith

You’ll be able to draw others into your world, and this will add to your popularity. You will feel audacious and ready to vocalize your thoughts; however, some of those around you may take advantage of your honesty and hospitality. Don’t spread yourself too thin, or you may miss the mark with your personal goals. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Discuss all the possibilities with someone trustworthy before you sign any binding contracts or agreements. You must consider the motives of others carefully. Read between the lines. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Plan to deal with bureaucracy today. Settle issues efficiently and be cognizant of the need to maintain your reputation. Spending time with children will prove to be enjoyable. ARIES (March 21-April 19) — You need to reboot by going on an adventure. Traveling to an inspiring destination may give you mental clarity. Attend to your budget, and you will find a way to make your plans work. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — You can make worthwhile financial advancements, but be sure not to use your personal funds. A spontaneous trip is likely to happen. Try to include your partner so that you may mix business with pleasure. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Your mate may be inclined to hassle you today. Extreme sensitivity will lead to a wounded ego. Don’t allow things to spin out of control. Finish housework and then take time

to enjoy each other. CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Combine work with pleasure. Socialize with colleagues and clients. Changes in a relationship will be welcome. Take a leap when it comes to commitment. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Take time for self-improvement. Make the physical and mental adjustments necessary to raise your self-esteem. If you feel confident, success will follow. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Don’t overreact with loved ones. Family members may be needy and take advantage. This will leave you feeling depressed and used. Don’t offer help or ask for any. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You can forge meaningful friendships today. Attend social functions, and romantic opportunities will arise. Travel and social gatherings will increase your popularity. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — You will be duped if you invest in joint financial ventures. Be discerning as to the people you do business with. Difficulties with female colleagues are evident. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Avoiding emotional conflict will not improve matters. Tell the truth and learn just where you stand. Don’t take financial risks that may lead to losses. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You may have a secret nemesis. Be careful what you reveal to others. Be precise in your communication, or you will be misunderstood. Issues with superiors or authority figures are likely.

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 Apply, as with a cotton swab 4 Dinner bills 8 Defeat decisively 14 Dean’s email suffix 15 Overlook 16 “Respect” singer Franklin 17 Hitchhike 19 Rented 20 Write back 21 Amazement 23 Pod fillers 24 Out of the wind 25 Far from being in agreement 28 More in need of moisturizer 30 __ noire: dreaded thing 31 Before today 33 Contact lens care brand 35 Indian prince 39 What a pep talk is meant to do 43 Pixieish 44 Strong veiny cheese 45 Chanced upon 46 Chess corner piece 49 Pizazz 51 Graduation garb 55 Quantity of 53-Down 58 Grifter’s game 59 Diminish 60 Prima __: opera star 61 Schoolchildren 63 Time relaxing in a chalet, and where the first words of 17-, 25-, 39-, and 51-Across may appear 66 Some nuclear trials 67 Earth’s natural satellite 68 Archaic 69 Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo 70 Graph’s x or y 71 Nintendo’s Super __ console

2 “I challenge you to __!” 3 Took out, gangland-style 4 Conservative Brit 5 Bordeaux boyfriend 6 Offer at Sotheby’s 7 Great bargain 8 “Honor Thy Father” writer Gay 9 1,000-year Eur. realm 10 Come back into view 11 In a total fog 12 Use wool clippers on 13 Owned, in the Old Testament 18 K.C. Royal, e.g.

DOWN 1 Actress Messing of Monday, January 27, 2014 “Will & Grace”

22 E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s __” 25 Ball-__ hammer 26 Normandy river 27 Naturally lit courtyard 29 Clothing patch type 31 Pale or malt brew 32 Baseball’s Hodges 34 PC-to-printer port 36 “Sesame Street” puppeteer 37 Had a meal 38 FDR successor 40 Italian dessert sometimes made with espresso 41 Like much post-Christmas business

42 Drudge 47 Black Sea port 48 Old USSR spy gp. 50 Golf instructors 51 TV from D.C. 52 Sharp, as an eagle’s eyesight 53 Photocopier supply 54 Only U.S. president born in Hawaii 56 Foot-to-leg joint 57 Hotel cleaning crew 60 Cozy rooms 62 U.K. business abbr. 64 Chicken __ 65 French king

GOREN BRIDGE

EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s Crossword,Sudoku Puzzle and Jumble solutions are included below.

BRIDGE

SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S PUZZLES

WEEKLY BRIDGE QUIZ ANSWERS Q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

Q 4 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠9♥ KQ543♦ AQJ ♣KQ52

♠ 9 ♥ Q J 8 5 3 ♦ 2 ♣ A 10 9 6 5 2

Right-hand opponent opens twospades, weak. What call would you make?

With the opponents silent, partner opens 1NT. What is your plan?

The bidding: NORTH 4♥

EAST Pass

SOUTH ?

WEST

What call would you make? A - The players of yesteryear will remember a gadget called a “Culbertson Asking Bid,” where a five-diamond bid here would ask about a diamond control for slam. That convention is a relic, and this hand isn’t quite worth it anyway. Pass. Q 3 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ Q 10 8 6 ♥ Void ♦ K Q 8 2 ♣ A K J 10 8

The bidding:

NORTH 1♥ 2♦ 2NT

EAST Pass Pass Pass

SOUTH 2♣ 2♠ ?

WEST Pass Pass

What call would you make? A - Three no trump would be a reasonable bid, but that would give up on a possible slam. A fivediamond contract is another option and, if we jump there right now, it will pinpoint our extreme heart shortness. Should partner hold a suitable hand without much wastage in hearts, he might raise to six. We would bid five diamonds.

♠Q93♥ AJ82♦ J3 ♣AK72

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 2♦* Pass ? *6-11 points, six-card diamond suit

What call would you make? A - A maximum from partner and we might have a game. The way to find out is to bid two no trump. Partner will re-bid his suit with a minimum and we’ll let him play there. Any other bid shows a maximum and we’ll try three no trump as our most likely game. Q 6 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A 5 ♥ K Q 8 6 4 ♦ Q 10 ♣ J 9 4 2

The bidding:

NORTH Pass 2♦

EAST Pass Pass

SOUTH 1♥ ?

WEST Pass

What call would you make? A - Partner is a passed hand and any game our way is unlikely. He surely has at least a five-card suit and no further bid is safe for us. This contract should be playable. Pass.

Answer:

♠ K Q J 10 ♥ A 2 ♦ 10 6 5 4 ♣ A 10 5

Q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

VERGE THANK BELLOW SLEIGH

Q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

A - This hand is worth a game-force. Should you employ transfers, bid two diamonds, transferring to hearts and continue with a bid of three clubs. Without transfers, jump to three clubs now and bid hearts at your next turn, at the four-level, if necessary.

Their view of the Caribbean was — AT “SEE” LEVEL

A - Should you overcall three hearts or make a take-out double? Bidding three hearts after doubling requires a very good hand, 18 points minimum. We think this hand is good enough to double first and bid three hearts later, but it is a close decision. We would not fault a player who simply bid three hearts directly.

(Tannah Hirsch and Bob Jones welcome readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001. E-mail responses may be 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.

HANTK LOBWEL SHELIG A: Saturday’s

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.

“

”

(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: SPELL TOXIN ENCORE GLANCE Answer: The judge’s closing remark was a — LONG SENTENCE

For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com

THE CLASSIFIED CHALLENGE ACROSS 1 Apply, as with a cotton swab 4 Dinner bills 8 Defeat decisively 14 Dean’s email suffix 15 Overlook 16 “Respect” singer Franklin 17 Hitchhike 19 Rented 20 Write back 21 Amazement 23 Pod fillers 24 Out of the wind 25 Far from being in agreement 28 More in need of moisturizer 30 __ noire: dreaded thing 31 Before today 33 Contact lens care brand 35 Indian prince 39 What a pep talk is meant to do 43 Pixieish 44 Strong veiny cheese 45 Chanced upon 46 Chess corner piece 49 Pizazz 51 Graduation garb 55 Quantity of 53-Down 58 Grifter’s game 59 Diminish 60 Prima __: opera star 61 Schoolchildren 63 Time relaxing in a chalet, and where the first words of 17-, 25-, 39-, and 51-Across may appear 66 Some nuclear trials 67 Earth’s natural satellite 68 Archaic 69 Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo 70 Graph’s x or y 71 Nintendo’s Super __ console

2 “I challenge you to __!” 3 Took out, gangland-style 4 Conservative Brit 5 Bordeaux boyfriend 6 Offer at Sotheby’s 7 Great bargain 8 “Honor Thy Father” writer Gay 9 1,000-year Eur. realm 10 Come back into view 11 In a total fog 12 Use wool clippers on 13 Owned, in the Old Testament 18 K.C. Royal, e.g.

DOWN 1 Actress Messing of Monday, January 27, 2014 “Will & Grace”

22 E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s __” 25 Ball-__ hammer 26 Normandy river 27 Naturally lit courtyard 29 Clothing patch type 31 Pale or malt brew 32 Baseball’s Hodges 34 PC-to-printer port 36 “Sesame Street” puppeteer 37 Had a meal 38 FDR successor 40 Italian dessert sometimes made with espresso 41 Like much post-Christmas business

42 Drudge 47 Black Sea port 48 Old USSR spy gp. 50 Golf instructors 51 TV from D.C. 52 Sharp, as an eagle’s eyesight 53 Photocopier supply 54 Only U.S. president born in Hawaii 56 Foot-to-leg joint 57 Hotel cleaning crew 60 Cozy rooms 62 U.K. business abbr. 64 Chicken __ 65 French king

GOREN BRIDGE

EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s Crossword,Sudoku Puzzle and Jumble solutions are included below.

BRIDGE

SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S PUZZLES

WEEKLY BRIDGE QUIZ ANSWERS Q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

Q 4 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠9♥ KQ543♦ AQJ ♣KQ52

♠ 9 ♥ Q J 8 5 3 ♦ 2 ♣ A 10 9 6 5 2

Right-hand opponent opens twospades, weak. What call would you make?

With the opponents silent, partner opens 1NT. What is your plan?

The bidding: NORTH 4♥

EAST Pass

SOUTH ?

WEST

What call would you make? A - The players of yesteryear will remember a gadget called a “Culbertson Asking Bid,” where a five-diamond bid here would ask about a diamond control for slam. That convention is a relic, and this hand isn’t quite worth it anyway. Pass. Q 3 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ Q 10 8 6 ♥ Void ♦ K Q 8 2 ♣ A K J 10 8

The bidding:

NORTH 1♥ 2♦ 2NT

EAST Pass Pass Pass

SOUTH 2♣ 2♠ ?

WEST Pass Pass

What call would you make? A - Three no trump would be a reasonable bid, but that would give up on a possible slam. A fivediamond contract is another option and, if we jump there right now, it will pinpoint our extreme heart shortness. Should partner hold a suitable hand without much wastage in hearts, he might raise to six. We would bid five diamonds.

♠Q93♥ AJ82♦ J3 ♣AK72

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 2♦* Pass ? *6-11 points, six-card diamond suit

What call would you make? A - A maximum from partner and we might have a game. The way to find out is to bid two no trump. Partner will re-bid his suit with a minimum and we’ll let him play there. Any other bid shows a maximum and we’ll try three no trump as our most likely game. Q 6 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A 5 ♥ K Q 8 6 4 ♦ Q 10 ♣ J 9 4 2

The bidding:

NORTH Pass 2♦

EAST Pass Pass

SOUTH 1♥ ?

WEST Pass

What call would you make? A - Partner is a passed hand and any game our way is unlikely. He surely has at least a five-card suit and no further bid is safe for us. This contract should be playable. Pass.

Answer:

♠ K Q J 10 ♥ A 2 ♦ 10 6 5 4 ♣ A 10 5

Q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

VERGE THANK BELLOW SLEIGH

Q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

A - This hand is worth a game-force. Should you employ transfers, bid two diamonds, transferring to hearts and continue with a bid of three clubs. Without transfers, jump to three clubs now and bid hearts at your next turn, at the four-level, if necessary.

Their view of the Caribbean was — AT “SEE” LEVEL

A - Should you overcall three hearts or make a take-out double? Bidding three hearts after doubling requires a very good hand, 18 points minimum. We think this hand is good enough to double first and bid three hearts later, but it is a close decision. We would not fault a player who simply bid three hearts directly.

(Tannah Hirsch and Bob Jones welcome readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001. E-mail responses may be 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.

HANTK LOBWEL SHELIG A: Saturday’s

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.

“

”

(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: SPELL TOXIN ENCORE GLANCE Answer: The judge’s closing remark was a — LONG SENTENCE

For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com

THE CLASSIFIED CHALLENGE ACROSS 1 Apply, as with a cotton swab 4 Dinner bills 8 Defeat decisively 14 Dean’s email suffix 15 Overlook 16 “Respect” singer Franklin 17 Hitchhike 19 Rented 20 Write back 21 Amazement 23 Pod fillers 24 Out of the wind 25 Far from being in agreement 28 More in need of moisturizer 30 __ noire: dreaded thing 31 Before today 33 Contact lens care brand 35 Indian prince 39 What a pep talk is meant to do 43 Pixieish 44 Strong veiny cheese 45 Chanced upon 46 Chess corner piece 49 Pizazz 51 Graduation garb 55 Quantity of 53-Down 58 Grifter’s game 59 Diminish 60 Prima __: opera star 61 Schoolchildren 63 Time relaxing in a chalet, and where the first words of 17-, 25-, 39-, and 51-Across may appear 66 Some nuclear trials 67 Earth’s natural satellite 68 Archaic 69 Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo 70 Graph’s x or y 71 Nintendo’s Super __ console

2 “I challenge you to __!” 3 Took out, gangland-style 4 Conservative Brit 5 Bordeaux boyfriend 6 Offer at Sotheby’s 7 Great bargain 8 “Honor Thy Father” writer Gay 9 1,000-year Eur. realm 10 Come back into view 11 In a total fog 12 Use wool clippers on 13 Owned, in the Old Testament 18 K.C. Royal, e.g.

DOWN 1 Actress Messing of Monday, January 27, 2014 “Will & Grace”

22 E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s __” 25 Ball-__ hammer 26 Normandy river 27 Naturally lit courtyard 29 Clothing patch type 31 Pale or malt brew 32 Baseball’s Hodges 34 PC-to-printer port 36 “Sesame Street” puppeteer 37 Had a meal 38 FDR successor 40 Italian dessert sometimes made with espresso 41 Like much post-Christmas business

42 Drudge 47 Black Sea port 48 Old USSR spy gp. 50 Golf instructors 51 TV from D.C. 52 Sharp, as an eagle’s eyesight 53 Photocopier supply 54 Only U.S. president born in Hawaii 56 Foot-to-leg joint 57 Hotel cleaning crew 60 Cozy rooms 62 U.K. business abbr. 64 Chicken __ 65 French king

GOREN BRIDGE

EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s Crossword,Sudoku Puzzle and Jumble solutions are included below.

BRIDGE

SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S PUZZLES

WEEKLY BRIDGE QUIZ ANSWERS Q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

Q 4 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠9♥ KQ543♦ AQJ ♣KQ52

♠ 9 ♥ Q J 8 5 3 ♦ 2 ♣ A 10 9 6 5 2

Right-hand opponent opens twospades, weak. What call would you make?

With the opponents silent, partner opens 1NT. What is your plan?

The bidding: NORTH 4♥

EAST Pass

SOUTH ?

WEST

What call would you make? A - The players of yesteryear will remember a gadget called a “Culbertson Asking Bid,” where a five-diamond bid here would ask about a diamond control for slam. That convention is a relic, and this hand isn’t quite worth it anyway. Pass. Q 3 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ Q 10 8 6 ♥ Void ♦ K Q 8 2 ♣ A K J 10 8

The bidding:

NORTH 1♥ 2♦ 2NT

EAST Pass Pass Pass

SOUTH 2♣ 2♠ ?

WEST Pass Pass

What call would you make? A - Three no trump would be a reasonable bid, but that would give up on a possible slam. A fivediamond contract is another option and, if we jump there right now, it will pinpoint our extreme heart shortness. Should partner hold a suitable hand without much wastage in hearts, he might raise to six. We would bid five diamonds.

♠Q93♥ AJ82♦ J3 ♣AK72

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 2♦* Pass ? *6-11 points, six-card diamond suit

What call would you make? A - A maximum from partner and we might have a game. The way to find out is to bid two no trump. Partner will re-bid his suit with a minimum and we’ll let him play there. Any other bid shows a maximum and we’ll try three no trump as our most likely game. Q 6 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A 5 ♥ K Q 8 6 4 ♦ Q 10 ♣ J 9 4 2

The bidding:

NORTH Pass 2♦

EAST Pass Pass

SOUTH 1♥ ?

WEST Pass

What call would you make? A - Partner is a passed hand and any game our way is unlikely. He surely has at least a five-card suit and no further bid is safe for us. This contract should be playable. Pass.

Answer:

♠ K Q J 10 ♥ A 2 ♦ 10 6 5 4 ♣ A 10 5

Q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

VERGE THANK BELLOW SLEIGH

Q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

A - This hand is worth a game-force. Should you employ transfers, bid two diamonds, transferring to hearts and continue with a bid of three clubs. Without transfers, jump to three clubs now and bid hearts at your next turn, at the four-level, if necessary.

Their view of the Caribbean was — AT “SEE” LEVEL

A - Should you overcall three hearts or make a take-out double? Bidding three hearts after doubling requires a very good hand, 18 points minimum. We think this hand is good enough to double first and bid three hearts later, but it is a close decision. We would not fault a player who simply bid three hearts directly.

(Tannah Hirsch and Bob Jones welcome readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001. E-mail responses may be 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.

HANTK LOBWEL SHELIG A: Saturday’s

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.

“

”

(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: SPELL TOXIN ENCORE GLANCE Answer: The judge’s closing remark was a — LONG SENTENCE

For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com

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