HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Saturday, February 4, 2023

ARIES — Some upsetting dreams might haunt you today, Aries. They might evoke some uncomfortable emotional issues. You might be a bit edgy emotionally and more likely to overreact when other people quarrel or machines break down. It might be a good idea to analyze your dreams first thing in the morning so you can learn from and release them.

TAURUS — Machines are likely to pose a few problems today, Taurus, particularly where work and money are concerned. An unforeseen problem might interfere with your social life, perhaps forcing you to cancel a gettogether you’ve been anticipating.

If the person you were supposed to meet protests, avoid taking out your frustrations on him or her.

GEMINI — Obstacles may arise in the course of your chores when machines break down and interfere with your efficiency. Your frustrations may cause you to want to yell and throw things. If you must blow your top, Gemini, do it in such a way as to avoid causing upset to others. Go for a workout or jog.

CANCER — Payment for work you’ve performed may not come when expected, Cancer, particularly if direct deposit is involved. The planetary energies today don’t favor the smooth functioning of computers or other machines. This is a temporary setback and not worth stressing over. Don’t give in to the temptation to lose your temper.

LEO — Family members might not be in the best of moods today, Leo. Frustration with machines or friends could have tempers on edge, so try to avoid the temptation to get into arguments. The problems will be resolved and the bad moods will pass. You don’t want any residual bad feelings between you and them.

VIRGO — Problems in your community may result from malfunctioning machines. Be prepared, Virgo. Have flashlights handy in case of a power outage, and walk instead of drive in case signals cause major traffic jams. Neighbors may be going crazy, but try to stay calm. This is a temporary situation, and not worth getting all stressed over.

LIBRA — Temporary upsets regarding money might result from a computer failure of some

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Saturday, February 4, 2023

“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking. Bridge is not an easy game; even top experts make plenty of mistakes. Mistakes are acceptable if you learn from them, but some people don’t study hard enough for the test.

At today’s four spades, South ruffed the third heart; he was unlucky to find West with a natural heart lead and East with the ace. South led a diamond to dummy’s king and returned a trump. When East played low, South pondered and played the jack. He lost to West’s queen and East’s ace and went down.

Clean Guess

One aspect of dummy play is studying how to handle individual suit combinations correctly. If trumps are breaking 2-2, South has a guess whether to play the king or the jack.

If East has Q-9-5, South can’t gain even if he finesses with the jack. He can’t get back to dummy, and East will still get the queen.

But if East has A-9-5 and West has the bare queen, South gains by putting up his king. So that is his percentage play.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold:

Your partner opens one heart, you raise to two sort. Take care not to lose your temper over it, Libra. Instead, remain calm, focused, and polite until everything is worked out. Your financial condition itself still looks very promising. It’s just that the planetary energies don’t favor machines today, so they may all go out of whack.

SCORPIO — Computers and other equipment could go haywire today, limiting your abilities to work at maximum efficiency. Even though you’re usually calm and laid back, Scorpio, today the ogre in you may be tempted to emerge. Don’t let it. It will only cause tension between you and those around you. Stay calm and focused, call in a technician, and enjoy the break from your routine.

SAGITTARIUS — Don’t try to sign up for a class over the phone or online today, Sagittarius, as it probably won’t work. This also isn’t a good day to travel - delays are likely whether you fly or drive. If you’ve been planning a trip, don’t finalize the arrangements now. Wait a few days, as computers and other equipment used in such arrangements are likely to malfunction, and you could end up frustrated.

CAPRICORN — No matter what friends tell you, Capricorn, this isn’t the day to make an investment of any kind, from buying a house to starting a savings account. And this isn’t a good day to invest online. The planetary energies don’t favor computers or other forms of modern technology used in such transactions, so wait a day or two.

AQUARIUS — More than one problem with modern equipment could rear its head today, Aquarius. Computers could malfunction, crash, or be maddeningly slow. You might also have a hard time reaching people you need to talk to. Don’t be tempted to blow your top. That won’t accomplish anything. Just call the technicians and get it handled.

PISCES — A trip of some kind might have to be postponed, as computers and other technology involved in your arrangements might be temporarily out of operation. This can prove frustrating, Pisces, but it’s beyond your control. The best thing to do is make new arrangements and move on. For the most part, everything is going very well for you, so don’t give in to panic. Hang in there.

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3-by-3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

Crossword Puzzle

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

Codeword is a fun game with simple rules, and a great way to test your knowledge of the English language. Every number in the codeword grid is ‘code’ for a letter of the alphabet. Thus, the number 2 may correspond to the letter L, for instance. All puzzles come with a few letters to start. Your first move should be to enter these letters in the puzzle grid. If the letter S is in the box at the bottom of the page underneath the number 2, your first move should be to find all cells numbered 2 in the grid and enter the letter S. Cross the letter S off the list at the bottom of the grid. Remember that at the end you should have a different letter of the alphabet in each of the numbered boxes 1- 26, and a word in English in each of the horizontal and vertical runs on the codeword grid.

Puzzle

hearts and he next bids two spades. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner’s two spades is a try for game. He wants you to bid game with any sound single raise or even with a fair raise with help for spades. If you have a fit in two suits, you may make game with fewer than the usual 26 points. Your hand is well worth a jump to four hearts.

South dealer N-S vulnerable

Continued from Page B1 students and seniors. To purchase, go to centerstagetheater.org. There is no late seating.

2 p.m. Ensemble Theatre Company will perform “Selling Kabul” at the New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara, Tickets cost $40 to $84. To purchase, go to etcsb.org or call 805-965-5400.

FEB. 8

8 p.m. Transform Through Arts will present 10 dance companies in “Colors of Love” at the Center Stage Theater, upstairs at Paseo Nuevo in Santa Barbara. General admission costs $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets are $25 for students. To purchase, go to www.centerstagetheater. org.

FEB. 10

8 p.m. Ensemble Theatre Company will perform “Selling Kabul” at the New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara, The play is about an Afghan man hiding from the Taliban in his sister’s home in Kabul. Tickets cost $40 to $84. To purchase, go to etcsb.org or call 805-965-5400.

FEB. 11

4 p.m. The curtain will rise at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 19. There are additional shows at 7 p.m. Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 and 4 p.m. Feb. 11.

FEB. 12

Noon. Participants in Ted Nash’s workshop will go on stage at the Mary Craig Auditorium, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. The free program is called “Transformation: Personal Stories of Change, Acceptance and Evolution” and will feature student composers, performers and writers from Mr. Nash’s workshop.

FEB. 14 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nicole Lvoff and Joe Woodard will perform on Valentine’s Day at the Crush Bar & Tap, 1129 A State St., Santa Barbara. Their music varies from Beatles songs to jazz standards. For more information, go to crushbarsb.com.

FEB. 16

7 p.m. “The River Bride,” the story of folklore, love, regret and two sisters who struggle to be true to each other and their hearts will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) from Feb. 16 through March 5 in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Curtain rises at 7 p.m. Feb. 16-18, 1:30 p.m. Feb. 19 and 22, 10 a.m. Feb. 23, 7 p.m.

Feb. 24, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Feb. 25, and 1:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa.org or call the box office at 805-922-8313.

FEB. 18

7 to 9 p.m. The Nicole Lvoff Jazz Trio will perform at Crush Bar & Tap, 1129 A State St., Santa Barbara. There’s no cover. For more information, go to crushbarsb. com.