Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015 FEATURES Report out-of-control woman Dear Annie: The real estate agent who sold me my home nine years ago periodically phones my house, asking whether I plan on selling, and offering his assis- tance. We have a courteous, pro- fessional relationship. I never had a problem with him or his com- pany. Recently, I was a guest at a large customer appreciation event sponsored by this real estate com- pany. I sat quietly by myself. One of the company’s main employ- ees ridiculed me loudly, making a spectacle of me, pointing me out to others, making fun of my looks and my hair. I am a neat, clean, conservative senior citizen. She even walked past me and laughed loudly in my face. I had never met this woman before. I was so hor- rified that I said nothing and left. I do plan on selling my home. However, after my horrific treat- ment at the “customer appreci- ation” event, I will not be using that real estate company. If my former real estate agent asks me why I have listed my home with another company, what should I tell him? No number of promo- tional events will ever bring back a customer who has been so ter- ribly mistreated by an employee. Annie’s Mailbox Creators Syndicate Inc. Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar — Ridiculed in Rapid City Dear Ridiculed: We cannot imagine any company allowing an employee to behave like this in front of potential clients. Was she drunk? Are you certain she worked there? Did others notice? Please don’t wait until the real estate agent contacts you. Call him or his company and report this incident. Explain exactly what happened and give as many details as possible. They need to know that this woman is out of control and is costing them busi- ness. Dear Annie: A few months ago, my niece announced her wedding date for next summer. She selected the wedding dress and the venue and put down de- posits. The couple recently decided they cannot live apart and had a small civil ceremony with only their parents present. They have announced that they will still have the full wedding next year for the rest of their family and friends. While we have not seen any invitations yet (it’s early), we are not sure how to handle a gift for a wedding that is a year after the actual ceremony. I would prefer to send the couple a gift now to help them start their married life together, but I wouldn’t then send a second gift in a year. I’m also not sure I will attend the second wedding, since it’s so long after the fact. It seems inap- propriate. Tell me, Annie, is this how weddings are done these days? — Confused Family Mem- ber Dear Confused: No. Most weddings are still done in a more traditional fashion, although, we admit, there seem to be many more variations these days. None- theless, if invited, you are obli- gated only for one wedding gift, whether you send it now or later. (Either is fine.) And please don’t judge the couple so harshly by not attending the second wedding. Think of it instead as a big party to celebrate their marital bliss and enjoy yourself. FRANK AND ERNEST BLONDIE THATABABY SALLY FORTH STONE SOUP B.C. LOLA DILBERT SIX CHIX BIZARRO MUTTS NON SEQUITUR BABY BLUES WIZARD OF ID ZITS ROSE IS ROSE 5A Tomorrow’s horoscope By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Just be- cause a thing is healthy, beautiful and helpful doesn’t mean you like it. And the fact that you can like a thing and still find it ugly is further proof that you don’t have control over what you like. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Enlarge your circle. You’re a walking, talking busi- ness card if you want to be, and that’s not a bad thing, because your business is so interesting and/or helpful to others. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You feel quite naturally drawn to planning the day, setting daily goals, scheduling appointments and prioritizing activities. Like it or not, this makes you the leader. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Are you getting the impression that someone just wants your attention, in whatever form that attention may come? Well, you’re right. Give kindly and early to avoid negative consequences. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). At first, babies cry each time they are left alone. Over time, they learn that someone is likely to return -- the natural pattern is for people to leave and come back. Don’t worry. The person you miss will come back. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). If you can make the most of the present without injur- ing the future, you have hit the sweet spot of moderation that many find so difficult to strike. Give yourself credit. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your efforts to rein in your spending may include influenc- ing your loved ones to stay within the limits of an agreed-upon plan. “I’m living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart.”—- ee cummings SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your glee comes from being in a position to make choices from a few juicy options. This feel- ing of being in control may be based on illusion, but it’s a dreamy, lovely illusion, so why not stay in it for a few days? SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There are more psychic people in your life than you know. Today will bring proof in the form of synchronized phone calls, chance meet- ings and uncanny events. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Most people feel like the good guy in the story of their lives. It takes a very strong person to objectively decide the generosity and right- ness of their choices. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). A busy mind and a busy social schedule don’t go together. Clear one or the other. To be so- cially aware, you must be calm and pres- ent to your environment and the people therein. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It would be tidy and convenient for every story to have a moral, and yet much of today’s action will be so rambling and random that it will be hard to extrapolate one. Maybe the moral is just to take it moment by moment. THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 16). Your connection with loved ones is an in- visible cord, transcending time and space as it entwines your souls. A change of loca- tion will be lucky financially and otherwise in August. October will bring a windfall. Your success secret for the start of 2016 is to fo- cus on what’s going right, instead of trying to fix what’s wrong. Taurus and Scorpio people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 20, 32, 25 and 16.