The Anniston Star
Monday, February 24, 2014
Blondie
HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol
Hagar the Horrible
Beetle Bailey
Snuffy Smith
Your charitable and compassionate nature is attracting attention. People with similar beliefs are drawn to you. You will make many new friends who will have a positive influence on your career this year. The prospects are favorable for a new romance. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — To attain your goals, you will require the support and care of your colleagues and family. Your peers are eager for you to succeed and will offer beneficial advice. ARIES (Mar. 21- Apr.19) — It’s not the day to share details with others. Focus your energy on your own projects, and you will come out ahead. Don’t feel you have to respond to every request. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Not everyone will honor a promise. The information you are given is likely to be false. Save yourself embarrassment by forming conclusions based on facts that you’ve verified yourself. Trust your own judgment. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — You have a great deal of creativity, and you should use it to your advantage. Your insight and intuition could lead to a new moneymaking opportunity. A change in locale will inspire you and offer a new perspective. CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Your personal life is in need of a makeover. The time is right to re-evaluate your goals and form a strategy to succeed. Your determination will provide the changes you desire. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — There is a certain cause that you care deeply about. Make an obligation to put yourself in the forefront
and participate with vigor. Others will be very impressed by your passion. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Romance is in the air. Remind your loved one of your devotion by being especially attentive today. An intimate outing will serve to stimulate your senses and strengthen your relationship. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Your ego may be feeling bruised by some recent tension at home. Don’t dwell on the negative influences around you. Reaffirm your self-confidence by channeling your abilities into a new hobby. SCORPIO (Oct. 24- Nov. 22) — Keep yourself occupied today. Get together with some close friends or trusted relatives for some stimulating conversations. You will get moody and restless if you spend too much time alone. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You will unintentionally hurt some feelings if you act in haste today. Spend your time studying up on one of your many interests, and stay away from conflicts and arguments. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Shake your lethargic attitude by doing something physical. Walking, swimming, cycling or hiking will not only engage your muscles; they will also help to release your imagination. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You are a dynamic and talented individual. Devote your time to building up your self-confidence and creativity. Those around you will be pleasantly surprised by your versatility and ingenuity.
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 To-do list item 5 Short-lived crazes 9 Destroy beyond repair 14 Yodeler’s feedback 15 Landed 16 “Laughing” critter 17 Teensy bit 18 A hop, skip and jump away 19 Savanna antelope 20 *Powerful stratum of society 23 In high spirits 24 Spread out, as one’s fingers 25 __ New Guinea 27 Large seaweed 30 Mixed in a glass 33 Travel book inserts 36 Bard’s nightfall 38 Take care of 39 Game with Wild Draw Four cards 40 Continue with the fun, and a hint to each part of the answers to starred clues 42 Keebler cookie character 43 Stone-faced 45 Side with green eggs 46 Part of MIT: Abbr. 47 Unit of explosive force 49 Anjou, e.g. 51 Memorable labor leader Jimmy 52 Rinsed the soap from, as a car 56 GI R&R provider 58 *When brandy may be served 62 __ and crossbones 64 Innovator’s spark 65 Additional 66 Studio stand 67 Line in blue cheese 68 Diva’s solo 69 Rose parts 70 Comes to a close February 24, 2014 71Monday, Require
DOWN 1 Glum drops 2 Behave poorly 3 “I __ return”: MacArthur 4 Large Alaskan bears 5 Vampire tooth 6 Baldwin in Capital One ads 7 Call on a retro phone 8 Bra parts 9 Many an Actors Studio member 10 Popeye’s Olive 11 *Picturesque spot for a warm drink 12 Actress Paquin of
“True Blood” 13 British noblewoman 21 TV educator Bill in a lab coat 22 Didn’t go out 26 Vessel on a mantel 28 Bat first 29 Each 31 Angled pipes 32 Adept 33 Cologne scent 34 Not pro 35 *Place for changing out of a wet suit 37 To the __ degree 40 Traps for the unwary 41 Big mouth, informally
44 John of London? 46 Armored superhero 48 One who was born there 50 Yellowfin tuna 53 Noise from a sleeper 54 Otherworldly 55 Deep anxiety 56 Capitalizes on 57 Three-handed card game 59 Blissful place 60 Senator Harry of Nevada 61 Aykroyd and Quayle 63 Moon lander, for short
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 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 4 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ 10 4 ♥ A J 9 8 5 2 ♦ J 8 3 ♣ A J
♠ Q 6 2 ♥ A K 7 5 ♦ A 10 8 5 3 ♣ 9
Three passes to you. What call would you make?
As dealer, what is your opening bid?
A - You can pass the hand out and redeal, so it makes no sense to open unless you feel you can make a plus score. This hand has prospects. Fourth-seat pre-empts don’t exist — bad hands just pass. This hand would be about minimum for a fourth-seat two-bid, but we like it. Open two hearts.
A - There has been much discussion among experts as to the correct opening with four goodish hearts and five diamonds. Some always open one heart, some one diamond, and others decide based on their re-bid choices if partner responds one spade. This hand can happily raise a one spade response. Open one diamond.
Q 2 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 5 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ J 10 7 4 ♥ A 10 9 ♦ 8 5 2 ♣ J 9 3
♠ K 8 ♥ 5 4 ♦ K 10 5 4 ♣ K Q 9 5 2
WEST NORTH EAST 1♣ 1♠ Pass 3♣ Pass Pass
NORTH 1NT
Q 3 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ J 10 7 ♥ K 10 6 ♦ A 5 ♣ A Q J 9 6
Right-hand opponent opens one club. What call would you make? A - It is usually right to pass when right-hand opponent bids our best suit, but this hand is an exception. A one no trump overcall shows the same strength as a one no trump opening, but it also guarantees a stopper in the opponent’s bid suit. This hand qualifies. Bid one no trump.
WEST
What call would you make? A - Nine tricks is so much easier than eleven. Don’t even think about a minor-suit contract. Bid three no trump. Q 6 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ J 10 8 4 ♥ K 4 2 ♦ 9 7 ♣ A K J 10 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 3♥* Pass ? *Invitational
What call would you make? A - You couldn’t be faulted much for passing. Partner’s bid is only invitational and you have a minimum – but this is an excellent minimum – good trump support on the auction and a ruffing value that should be useful. Bid four hearts!
Answer:
A - The popular “Law of Total Tricks” tells us that we are safe competing to the three-level if we have nine trumps between us. Bidding again on this junk will stretch that “Law” to its’ limits, but at least we’ll have something to blame if it doesn’t work. Bid three spades.
SOUTH ?
RIGID HOIST COMMON GAZEBO
What call would you make?
EAST Pass
For the rookie poker player, winning the game wasn’t — IN THE CARDS
SOUTH 2♠ ?
(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.
DIRIG ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
SIHTO MCONOM
ZAGBOE Ans. here: 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: DRESS GRIND HANGAR THROWN Answer: The fancy new airline had — HIGH STANDARDS
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com
THE CLASSIFIED CHALLENGE ACROSS 1 To-do list item 5 Short-lived crazes 9 Destroy beyond repair 14 Yodeler’s feedback 15 Landed 16 “Laughing” critter 17 Teensy bit 18 A hop, skip and jump away 19 Savanna antelope 20 *Powerful stratum of society 23 In high spirits 24 Spread out, as one’s fingers 25 __ New Guinea 27 Large seaweed 30 Mixed in a glass 33 Travel book inserts 36 Bard’s nightfall 38 Take care of 39 Game with Wild Draw Four cards 40 Continue with the fun, and a hint to each part of the answers to starred clues 42 Keebler cookie character 43 Stone-faced 45 Side with green eggs 46 Part of MIT: Abbr. 47 Unit of explosive force 49 Anjou, e.g. 51 Memorable labor leader Jimmy 52 Rinsed the soap from, as a car 56 GI R&R provider 58 *When brandy may be served 62 __ and crossbones 64 Innovator’s spark 65 Additional 66 Studio stand 67 Line in blue cheese 68 Diva’s solo 69 Rose parts 70 Comes to a close February 24, 2014 71Monday, Require
DOWN 1 Glum drops 2 Behave poorly 3 “I __ return”: MacArthur 4 Large Alaskan bears 5 Vampire tooth 6 Baldwin in Capital One ads 7 Call on a retro phone 8 Bra parts 9 Many an Actors Studio member 10 Popeye’s Olive 11 *Picturesque spot for a warm drink 12 Actress Paquin of
“True Blood” 13 British noblewoman 21 TV educator Bill in a lab coat 22 Didn’t go out 26 Vessel on a mantel 28 Bat first 29 Each 31 Angled pipes 32 Adept 33 Cologne scent 34 Not pro 35 *Place for changing out of a wet suit 37 To the __ degree 40 Traps for the unwary 41 Big mouth, informally
44 John of London? 46 Armored superhero 48 One who was born there 50 Yellowfin tuna 53 Noise from a sleeper 54 Otherworldly 55 Deep anxiety 56 Capitalizes on 57 Three-handed card game 59 Blissful place 60 Senator Harry of Nevada 61 Aykroyd and Quayle 63 Moon lander, for short
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 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 4 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ 10 4 ♥ A J 9 8 5 2 ♦ J 8 3 ♣ A J
♠ Q 6 2 ♥ A K 7 5 ♦ A 10 8 5 3 ♣ 9
Three passes to you. What call would you make?
As dealer, what is your opening bid?
A - You can pass the hand out and redeal, so it makes no sense to open unless you feel you can make a plus score. This hand has prospects. Fourth-seat pre-empts don’t exist — bad hands just pass. This hand would be about minimum for a fourth-seat two-bid, but we like it. Open two hearts.
A - There has been much discussion among experts as to the correct opening with four goodish hearts and five diamonds. Some always open one heart, some one diamond, and others decide based on their re-bid choices if partner responds one spade. This hand can happily raise a one spade response. Open one diamond.
Q 2 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 5 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ J 10 7 4 ♥ A 10 9 ♦ 8 5 2 ♣ J 9 3
♠ K 8 ♥ 5 4 ♦ K 10 5 4 ♣ K Q 9 5 2
WEST NORTH EAST 1♣ 1♠ Pass 3♣ Pass Pass
NORTH 1NT
Q 3 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ J 10 7 ♥ K 10 6 ♦ A 5 ♣ A Q J 9 6
Right-hand opponent opens one club. What call would you make? A - It is usually right to pass when right-hand opponent bids our best suit, but this hand is an exception. A one no trump overcall shows the same strength as a one no trump opening, but it also guarantees a stopper in the opponent’s bid suit. This hand qualifies. Bid one no trump.
WEST
What call would you make? A - Nine tricks is so much easier than eleven. Don’t even think about a minor-suit contract. Bid three no trump. Q 6 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ J 10 8 4 ♥ K 4 2 ♦ 9 7 ♣ A K J 10 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 3♥* Pass ? *Invitational
What call would you make? A - You couldn’t be faulted much for passing. Partner’s bid is only invitational and you have a minimum – but this is an excellent minimum – good trump support on the auction and a ruffing value that should be useful. Bid four hearts!
Answer:
A - The popular “Law of Total Tricks” tells us that we are safe competing to the three-level if we have nine trumps between us. Bidding again on this junk will stretch that “Law” to its’ limits, but at least we’ll have something to blame if it doesn’t work. Bid three spades.
SOUTH ?
RIGID HOIST COMMON GAZEBO
What call would you make?
EAST Pass
For the rookie poker player, winning the game wasn’t — IN THE CARDS
SOUTH 2♠ ?
(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.
DIRIG ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
SIHTO MCONOM
ZAGBOE Ans. here: 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: DRESS GRIND HANGAR THROWN Answer: The fancy new airline had — HIGH STANDARDS
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com
THE CLASSIFIED CHALLENGE ACROSS 1 To-do list item 5 Short-lived crazes 9 Destroy beyond repair 14 Yodeler’s feedback 15 Landed 16 “Laughing” critter 17 Teensy bit 18 A hop, skip and jump away 19 Savanna antelope 20 *Powerful stratum of society 23 In high spirits 24 Spread out, as one’s fingers 25 __ New Guinea 27 Large seaweed 30 Mixed in a glass 33 Travel book inserts 36 Bard’s nightfall 38 Take care of 39 Game with Wild Draw Four cards 40 Continue with the fun, and a hint to each part of the answers to starred clues 42 Keebler cookie character 43 Stone-faced 45 Side with green eggs 46 Part of MIT: Abbr. 47 Unit of explosive force 49 Anjou, e.g. 51 Memorable labor leader Jimmy 52 Rinsed the soap from, as a car 56 GI R&R provider 58 *When brandy may be served 62 __ and crossbones 64 Innovator’s spark 65 Additional 66 Studio stand 67 Line in blue cheese 68 Diva’s solo 69 Rose parts 70 Comes to a close February 24, 2014 71Monday, Require
DOWN 1 Glum drops 2 Behave poorly 3 “I __ return”: MacArthur 4 Large Alaskan bears 5 Vampire tooth 6 Baldwin in Capital One ads 7 Call on a retro phone 8 Bra parts 9 Many an Actors Studio member 10 Popeye’s Olive 11 *Picturesque spot for a warm drink 12 Actress Paquin of
“True Blood” 13 British noblewoman 21 TV educator Bill in a lab coat 22 Didn’t go out 26 Vessel on a mantel 28 Bat first 29 Each 31 Angled pipes 32 Adept 33 Cologne scent 34 Not pro 35 *Place for changing out of a wet suit 37 To the __ degree 40 Traps for the unwary 41 Big mouth, informally
44 John of London? 46 Armored superhero 48 One who was born there 50 Yellowfin tuna 53 Noise from a sleeper 54 Otherworldly 55 Deep anxiety 56 Capitalizes on 57 Three-handed card game 59 Blissful place 60 Senator Harry of Nevada 61 Aykroyd and Quayle 63 Moon lander, for short
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 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 4 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ 10 4 ♥ A J 9 8 5 2 ♦ J 8 3 ♣ A J
♠ Q 6 2 ♥ A K 7 5 ♦ A 10 8 5 3 ♣ 9
Three passes to you. What call would you make?
As dealer, what is your opening bid?
A - You can pass the hand out and redeal, so it makes no sense to open unless you feel you can make a plus score. This hand has prospects. Fourth-seat pre-empts don’t exist — bad hands just pass. This hand would be about minimum for a fourth-seat two-bid, but we like it. Open two hearts.
A - There has been much discussion among experts as to the correct opening with four goodish hearts and five diamonds. Some always open one heart, some one diamond, and others decide based on their re-bid choices if partner responds one spade. This hand can happily raise a one spade response. Open one diamond.
Q 2 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:
Q 5 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:
♠ J 10 7 4 ♥ A 10 9 ♦ 8 5 2 ♣ J 9 3
♠ K 8 ♥ 5 4 ♦ K 10 5 4 ♣ K Q 9 5 2
WEST NORTH EAST 1♣ 1♠ Pass 3♣ Pass Pass
NORTH 1NT
Q 3 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ J 10 7 ♥ K 10 6 ♦ A 5 ♣ A Q J 9 6
Right-hand opponent opens one club. What call would you make? A - It is usually right to pass when right-hand opponent bids our best suit, but this hand is an exception. A one no trump overcall shows the same strength as a one no trump opening, but it also guarantees a stopper in the opponent’s bid suit. This hand qualifies. Bid one no trump.
WEST
What call would you make? A - Nine tricks is so much easier than eleven. Don’t even think about a minor-suit contract. Bid three no trump. Q 6 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ J 10 8 4 ♥ K 4 2 ♦ 9 7 ♣ A K J 10 SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 3♥* Pass ? *Invitational
What call would you make? A - You couldn’t be faulted much for passing. Partner’s bid is only invitational and you have a minimum – but this is an excellent minimum – good trump support on the auction and a ruffing value that should be useful. Bid four hearts!
Answer:
A - The popular “Law of Total Tricks” tells us that we are safe competing to the three-level if we have nine trumps between us. Bidding again on this junk will stretch that “Law” to its’ limits, but at least we’ll have something to blame if it doesn’t work. Bid three spades.
SOUTH ?
RIGID HOIST COMMON GAZEBO
What call would you make?
EAST Pass
For the rookie poker player, winning the game wasn’t — IN THE CARDS
SOUTH 2♠ ?
(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.
DIRIG ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
SIHTO MCONOM
ZAGBOE Ans. here: 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: DRESS GRIND HANGAR THROWN Answer: The fancy new airline had — HIGH STANDARDS
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com