The Anniston Star
Monday, February 17, 2014
Blondie
HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol
Hagar the Horrible
Beetle Bailey
Snuffy Smith
Your goals are within reach. With concentration and dedication, the hopes and dreams you have been harboring for so long can be realized. Voice your opinions with confidence. If you maintain your focus and determination, this will prove to be a great year for you. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Put your abilities in the spotlight. Demonstrate your skills to those in a position to help you advance. Seizing an opportunity will give you a chance to improve your financial situation. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — You have been craving companionship. Enjoy a little romance or devote time to someone you think is special. Memories will help you choose the right path. ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Business meetings and professional functions will play an important role today. By conveying helpful suggestions to your superiors, you will encourage your advancement and gain the chance to explore new challenges. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Show your family how much you care. A trip or time spent word toward the same domestic goal will create strong new bonds and strengthen old ones. Your efforts and concerns will be appreciated. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Social engagements and other group gatherings should be avoided. You will be hypersensitive to the opinions of others. Rather than risk hurt feelings, treat yourself to some peace and quiet.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Don’t be tempted to divulge personal information, even if those around you are curious about your private life. If you let something slip, you’ll jeopardize an important relationship. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — One way to increase your status is to make yourself visible in a charitable organization. Support a worthy cause or improve your networking skills to attract the attention of someone influential. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — If you’re feeling bored and restless, now would be an ideal time to contact some of your old friends. You may decide to change your routine by attending a sports event, concert or reunion. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — People you live or deal with daily will be frustrating. Airing your opinions will only make matters worse. Distance yourself from the situation and spend time doing something that makes you happy. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Your charisma, charm and personality will generate positive attention. Newfound friends will brighten your life, not to mention your personal prospects. Plan to have some fun. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Don’t try to persuade others to your way of thinking. They will not be receptive to your comments, and you could end up causing an argument. Keep your opinions to yourself. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Set aside your worries for today, and get involved in a pleasurable pastime. Participate in some fun and games with family members or friends who enjoy pursuits similar to yours.
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 Tubers rich in beta carotene 5 Wasn’t indecisive 10 Bouillabaisse, e.g. 14 Taken by mouth, as medication 15 Mrs. Gorbachev 16 Dancer-turned-spy Mata 17 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 39th U.S. president? 19 Tablet with a “mini” version 20 Tummy muscles 21 Egyptian cross with a top loop 22 Black belt activity 24 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 7th U.S. president? 27 Opposite of vain 28 “How awful!” 29 Greets with a hand gesture 30 Hook’s sidekick 31 ChapStick target 34 Forewarning 35 Visits the mall 37 Computer support person 38 “__ and Peace” 39 Spring melt 40 Acted without speaking 41 British rule in India 42 “The Bachelorette” contestant, e.g. 44 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 17th and 36th U.S. presidents? 49 Catching some z’s 50 Shed skin 51 Tackle a slope 54 Celebrity 55 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 38th U.S. president? 58 Fill-in worker 17, 2014 59Monday, GreekFebruary i’s
60 Revered one 61 Historic times 62 Midterms and finals 63 Tour de France, e.g. DOWN 1 Discipline using mats 2 Many an Egyptian 3 Red Planet explorer 4 Shifty 5 Borneo primates 6 “Sit!” 7 10 percent church donation 8 Opposite of WNW 9 Period before the Renaissance
10 Avoid, as duty 11 Spanish finger food 12 Verse writer’s muse 13 Add a lane to, as a highway 18 Animal houses 23 Back woe 25 Paradise lost 26 Leap 27 Mother, to baby 29 Bowl over 30 Female pig 31 Bubbly citrus drink 32 Cake decorator 33 Scholar’s deg. 35 Tina Fey attribute
36 Journey to Mecca 37 Longtime Yugoslav president 39 Shade provider 40 Hazy 42 Tried to hit in paintball 43 Except if 44 What haste makes 45 Fall bloomer 46 Andean alpaca kin 47 U. of Maryland team 48 Leaves out 52 Fast food tycoon Ray 53 Vegging out 56 Weed killer 57 39-Down with cones
GOREN BRIDGE
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s Crossword,Sudoku Puzzle and Jumble solutions are included below. WITH TANNAH HIRSCH & BOB JONES ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
BRIDGE
SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S PUZZLES
WEEKLY BRIDGE QUIZ ANSWERS Q 1 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 4 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ K 9 5 ♥ Q 2 ♦ A 10 9 7 3 2 ♣ A 6
♠K872♥ K864♦ A7 ♣A84
NORTH 1♣ 2♣
Right-hand opponent opens one heart. What call would you make?
What call would you make? A - Three no trump seems the most likely contract, but the heart suit is a worry. Many would gamble it out, but a two-spade bid here would never be raised — partner has denied a four-card major with his re-bid. It will focus partner’s attention on the need for a heart stopper. We like two spades. Q 2 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ K J 7 ♥ 6 ♦ A 10 9 8 4 ♣ K 6 4 2
As dealer, what call would you make? A - Prime honors — aces and kings — are a bit under-valued by the 4-32-1 point count. Secondary honors — queens, jacks and 10s — are more valuable when working with higher honors. Those factors are in play with this hand, as well as the existence of an easy re-bid. Open one diamond. Q 3 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 4 ♥ K 10 5 ♦ K Q J 6 4 2 ♣ 10 7 5 SOUTH 2♦* ? *weak
WEST NORTH EAST Pass 2NT 3♣
What call would you make? A - Without the overcall, we would have re-bid three hearts to show a maximum weak two-bid with a feature in hearts. Does the overcall change anything? Not really. Bid three hearts.
A - You have the wrong shape for double, are not strong enough to bid one no trump, and you shouldn’t overcall with a poor four-card suit. What’s left? Pass. Q 5 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠AK52♥ KQ72♦ AK4 ♣53 SOUTH 1♦ ?
WEST NORTH EAST Pass Pass 1♥
What call would you make? A - Partner has denied having as many as six points, so we would pass with a balanced 12-14. We would have opened one no trump with 1517, so what would a one no trump bid mean now? A balanced 18-19! Bid one no trump. Q 6 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A Q 7 5 ♥ A Q 8 5 ♦ A K 10 9 ♣ 7
SOUTH 1♦ ?
WEST NORTH EAST Pass Pass 2♣
What call would you make? A - Similar to question five, 12-14 point hands shouldn’t bid again in this position. All bids show a good hand or extreme distribution. Double is for take-out, asking partner to pick the trump suit, knowing about the suit you chose to open with. Double.
Answer:
WEST Pass
GUEST STYLE GUITAR MOTION
SOUTH 1♦ ?
TBig Bird wasn’t worried about retirement because he had a — NEST EGG
EAST Pass Pass
(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.
SEGUT ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
LETSY TURAGI
TOMINO
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.
Print answer here: Saturday’s
(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: SPURN SKIMP PUBLIC HYPHEN Answer: When she realized how long it would take to remove all the corn husks, she said — SHUCKS
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com
THE CLASSIFIED CHALLENGE ACROSS 1 Tubers rich in beta carotene 5 Wasn’t indecisive 10 Bouillabaisse, e.g. 14 Taken by mouth, as medication 15 Mrs. Gorbachev 16 Dancer-turned-spy Mata 17 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 39th U.S. president? 19 Tablet with a “mini” version 20 Tummy muscles 21 Egyptian cross with a top loop 22 Black belt activity 24 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 7th U.S. president? 27 Opposite of vain 28 “How awful!” 29 Greets with a hand gesture 30 Hook’s sidekick 31 ChapStick target 34 Forewarning 35 Visits the mall 37 Computer support person 38 “__ and Peace” 39 Spring melt 40 Acted without speaking 41 British rule in India 42 “The Bachelorette” contestant, e.g. 44 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 17th and 36th U.S. presidents? 49 Catching some z’s 50 Shed skin 51 Tackle a slope 54 Celebrity 55 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 38th U.S. president? 58 Fill-in worker 17, 2014 59Monday, GreekFebruary i’s
60 Revered one 61 Historic times 62 Midterms and finals 63 Tour de France, e.g. DOWN 1 Discipline using mats 2 Many an Egyptian 3 Red Planet explorer 4 Shifty 5 Borneo primates 6 “Sit!” 7 10 percent church donation 8 Opposite of WNW 9 Period before the Renaissance
10 Avoid, as duty 11 Spanish finger food 12 Verse writer’s muse 13 Add a lane to, as a highway 18 Animal houses 23 Back woe 25 Paradise lost 26 Leap 27 Mother, to baby 29 Bowl over 30 Female pig 31 Bubbly citrus drink 32 Cake decorator 33 Scholar’s deg. 35 Tina Fey attribute
36 Journey to Mecca 37 Longtime Yugoslav president 39 Shade provider 40 Hazy 42 Tried to hit in paintball 43 Except if 44 What haste makes 45 Fall bloomer 46 Andean alpaca kin 47 U. of Maryland team 48 Leaves out 52 Fast food tycoon Ray 53 Vegging out 56 Weed killer 57 39-Down with cones
GOREN BRIDGE
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s Crossword,Sudoku Puzzle and Jumble solutions are included below. WITH TANNAH HIRSCH & BOB JONES ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
BRIDGE
SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S PUZZLES
WEEKLY BRIDGE QUIZ ANSWERS Q 1 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 4 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ K 9 5 ♥ Q 2 ♦ A 10 9 7 3 2 ♣ A 6
♠K872♥ K864♦ A7 ♣A84
NORTH 1♣ 2♣
Right-hand opponent opens one heart. What call would you make?
What call would you make? A - Three no trump seems the most likely contract, but the heart suit is a worry. Many would gamble it out, but a two-spade bid here would never be raised — partner has denied a four-card major with his re-bid. It will focus partner’s attention on the need for a heart stopper. We like two spades. Q 2 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ K J 7 ♥ 6 ♦ A 10 9 8 4 ♣ K 6 4 2
As dealer, what call would you make? A - Prime honors — aces and kings — are a bit under-valued by the 4-32-1 point count. Secondary honors — queens, jacks and 10s — are more valuable when working with higher honors. Those factors are in play with this hand, as well as the existence of an easy re-bid. Open one diamond. Q 3 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 4 ♥ K 10 5 ♦ K Q J 6 4 2 ♣ 10 7 5 SOUTH 2♦* ? *weak
WEST NORTH EAST Pass 2NT 3♣
What call would you make? A - Without the overcall, we would have re-bid three hearts to show a maximum weak two-bid with a feature in hearts. Does the overcall change anything? Not really. Bid three hearts.
A - You have the wrong shape for double, are not strong enough to bid one no trump, and you shouldn’t overcall with a poor four-card suit. What’s left? Pass. Q 5 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠AK52♥ KQ72♦ AK4 ♣53 SOUTH 1♦ ?
WEST NORTH EAST Pass Pass 1♥
What call would you make? A - Partner has denied having as many as six points, so we would pass with a balanced 12-14. We would have opened one no trump with 1517, so what would a one no trump bid mean now? A balanced 18-19! Bid one no trump. Q 6 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A Q 7 5 ♥ A Q 8 5 ♦ A K 10 9 ♣ 7
SOUTH 1♦ ?
WEST NORTH EAST Pass Pass 2♣
What call would you make? A - Similar to question five, 12-14 point hands shouldn’t bid again in this position. All bids show a good hand or extreme distribution. Double is for take-out, asking partner to pick the trump suit, knowing about the suit you chose to open with. Double.
Answer:
WEST Pass
GUEST STYLE GUITAR MOTION
SOUTH 1♦ ?
TBig Bird wasn’t worried about retirement because he had a — NEST EGG
EAST Pass Pass
(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.
SEGUT ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
LETSY TURAGI
TOMINO
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.
Print answer here: Saturday’s
(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: SPURN SKIMP PUBLIC HYPHEN Answer: When she realized how long it would take to remove all the corn husks, she said — SHUCKS
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com
THE CLASSIFIED CHALLENGE ACROSS 1 Tubers rich in beta carotene 5 Wasn’t indecisive 10 Bouillabaisse, e.g. 14 Taken by mouth, as medication 15 Mrs. Gorbachev 16 Dancer-turned-spy Mata 17 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 39th U.S. president? 19 Tablet with a “mini” version 20 Tummy muscles 21 Egyptian cross with a top loop 22 Black belt activity 24 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 7th U.S. president? 27 Opposite of vain 28 “How awful!” 29 Greets with a hand gesture 30 Hook’s sidekick 31 ChapStick target 34 Forewarning 35 Visits the mall 37 Computer support person 38 “__ and Peace” 39 Spring melt 40 Acted without speaking 41 British rule in India 42 “The Bachelorette” contestant, e.g. 44 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 17th and 36th U.S. presidents? 49 Catching some z’s 50 Shed skin 51 Tackle a slope 54 Celebrity 55 Favorite Hall of Famer of the 38th U.S. president? 58 Fill-in worker 17, 2014 59Monday, GreekFebruary i’s
60 Revered one 61 Historic times 62 Midterms and finals 63 Tour de France, e.g. DOWN 1 Discipline using mats 2 Many an Egyptian 3 Red Planet explorer 4 Shifty 5 Borneo primates 6 “Sit!” 7 10 percent church donation 8 Opposite of WNW 9 Period before the Renaissance
10 Avoid, as duty 11 Spanish finger food 12 Verse writer’s muse 13 Add a lane to, as a highway 18 Animal houses 23 Back woe 25 Paradise lost 26 Leap 27 Mother, to baby 29 Bowl over 30 Female pig 31 Bubbly citrus drink 32 Cake decorator 33 Scholar’s deg. 35 Tina Fey attribute
36 Journey to Mecca 37 Longtime Yugoslav president 39 Shade provider 40 Hazy 42 Tried to hit in paintball 43 Except if 44 What haste makes 45 Fall bloomer 46 Andean alpaca kin 47 U. of Maryland team 48 Leaves out 52 Fast food tycoon Ray 53 Vegging out 56 Weed killer 57 39-Down with cones
GOREN BRIDGE
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s Crossword,Sudoku Puzzle and Jumble solutions are included below. WITH TANNAH HIRSCH & BOB JONES ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
BRIDGE
SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S PUZZLES
WEEKLY BRIDGE QUIZ ANSWERS Q 1 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 4 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ K 9 5 ♥ Q 2 ♦ A 10 9 7 3 2 ♣ A 6
♠K872♥ K864♦ A7 ♣A84
NORTH 1♣ 2♣
Right-hand opponent opens one heart. What call would you make?
What call would you make? A - Three no trump seems the most likely contract, but the heart suit is a worry. Many would gamble it out, but a two-spade bid here would never be raised — partner has denied a four-card major with his re-bid. It will focus partner’s attention on the need for a heart stopper. We like two spades. Q 2 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ K J 7 ♥ 6 ♦ A 10 9 8 4 ♣ K 6 4 2
As dealer, what call would you make? A - Prime honors — aces and kings — are a bit under-valued by the 4-32-1 point count. Secondary honors — queens, jacks and 10s — are more valuable when working with higher honors. Those factors are in play with this hand, as well as the existence of an easy re-bid. Open one diamond. Q 3 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 4 ♥ K 10 5 ♦ K Q J 6 4 2 ♣ 10 7 5 SOUTH 2♦* ? *weak
WEST NORTH EAST Pass 2NT 3♣
What call would you make? A - Without the overcall, we would have re-bid three hearts to show a maximum weak two-bid with a feature in hearts. Does the overcall change anything? Not really. Bid three hearts.
A - You have the wrong shape for double, are not strong enough to bid one no trump, and you shouldn’t overcall with a poor four-card suit. What’s left? Pass. Q 5 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠AK52♥ KQ72♦ AK4 ♣53 SOUTH 1♦ ?
WEST NORTH EAST Pass Pass 1♥
What call would you make? A - Partner has denied having as many as six points, so we would pass with a balanced 12-14. We would have opened one no trump with 1517, so what would a one no trump bid mean now? A balanced 18-19! Bid one no trump. Q 6 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A Q 7 5 ♥ A Q 8 5 ♦ A K 10 9 ♣ 7
SOUTH 1♦ ?
WEST NORTH EAST Pass Pass 2♣
What call would you make? A - Similar to question five, 12-14 point hands shouldn’t bid again in this position. All bids show a good hand or extreme distribution. Double is for take-out, asking partner to pick the trump suit, knowing about the suit you chose to open with. Double.
Answer:
WEST Pass
GUEST STYLE GUITAR MOTION
SOUTH 1♦ ?
TBig Bird wasn’t worried about retirement because he had a — NEST EGG
EAST Pass Pass
(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.
SEGUT ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
LETSY TURAGI
TOMINO
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.
Print answer here: Saturday’s
(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: SPURN SKIMP PUBLIC HYPHEN Answer: When she realized how long it would take to remove all the corn husks, she said — SHUCKS
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com