PUZZLES Thursday, April 1, 2021 Where’s the Beef? by Fred Piscop Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 15-minute pursuit? 5 Plucked instrument 9 Skater Rippon 13 Drinks similar to Slurpees 15 Uzbekistan’s continent 16 One-named soccer great 17 *Bronco’s activity (hint: delete letters 8 to 10 in this answer) 19 Walk like a hippo 20 Catchall abbr. 21 ___ de vie 22 Puts on, as makeup 24 Like some auto mirrors 27 Schreiber of “Ray Donovan” 28 “Bambi” collectible 29 Rescuers of 69-Across 33 Sporty Italian auto, briefly 36 Heavy-duty lifter 37 Word before “roaring” or “current” 38 Southeast Asian ethnic group 39 *Airport rental (... 2 to 5) 41 Smog watchdog org. 42 Blow it 43 Glowing reviews 44 Pivotal WWII date 45 Some marbles 47 Get benefit from 49 Salt Lake City collegians 50 Camp shelter’s “door” 55 Had for supper 58 A-lister, for short 59 Eggs, to biologists 60 Neighbor of Yemen 61 Person who eschews the starred answers’ deleted portions 64 Furry visitor to Oz 65 Sportscaster Andrews 66 Far from long- winded 67 ___ out (barely manages) 68 Perot of the Reform Party 69 Microchipped animals, perhaps DOWN 1 Carpet material 2 Less than 90 degrees 3 Hajji’s destination 4 Cartoon shriek 5 Dutch court site, with “The” 6 Tree that rhymes with a synonym for “money” 7 Antipiracy org. 8 Running of the bulls site 9 Bit of Java programming 10 *Monopoly card (... 3 to 7) 11 Moisturizer in tissues 12 What docs prescribe 14 Holey utensil 18 Shingle securer 23 “Pied” musician of legend 25 Portable DVD player brand 26 Most toasty 30 Bits of gel 31 Kelly on TV 32 Fix at the vet’s office 33 Baldwin of “30 Rock” 34 Dr. Zhivago’s beloved 35 *Strong suit (... 4 to 7) 36 Yield to pressure 39 2015 boxing film 40 Takes a break from flying 44 Dict. entry 46 Transcription takers, briefly 47 Watt or tesla 48 Mar. 17 honoree 51 Makes equal 52 Longest river in France 53 Sailor’s “Stop!” 54 Windex surfaces 55 Shower love (on) 56 Post-accident assurance 57 “Fiddling” emperor 62 U.S. soldiers 63 One curl or press See You Around! by Nate Cardin Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Many are mown 6 Loud kiss sound 11 Arthur of “The Golden Girls” 14 Sneeze sound 15 Body of authentic works 16 Not even 17 Car named after a beachfront city 19 Outdoor goods retailer 20 Bigfoot’s cousin 21 “___ we having fun yet?” 22 Large wading bird 24 Japanese dish with panko crumbs 28 Tart citrus cooler 31 Pinball violation 32 “What ___!” (“This place needs cleaning!”) 33 Sweet way to raise money 37 “The Chi” network, for short 38 Word before “accent” or “angle” 40 Identifier that isn’t the same as gender 41 “What did you think of that test?” 44 Practical application 46 Still having a chance 47 “___ of nothing ...” 49 One may include a sidecar 53 Heart parts 54 Egyptian snake 55 Attention-getting sound 59 Revolutionary Guevara 60 “Crazy Rich Asians” star 64 Dress edge 65 Admission of defeat 66 “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” chef Nosrat 67 Important time 68 Beelzebub 69 Japanese cartoon genre DOWN 1 Like some delicate lingerie 2 Massage target 3 Stimulate, as an appetite 4 Beginners 5 Kind of sauce in sukiyaki 6 Few and far between 7 Rami with a Best Actor Oscar 8 “32 Flavors” singer DiFranco 9 Corn on the ___ 10 Finger joint 11 Sacha Baron Cohen persona 12 Perfect places 13 French farewell 18 ___ of honor speech 23 “Darn it!” 25 Chooses to order 26 French for “state” 27 Athletic shoe brand 28 Mascara target 29 Texter’s “If you ask me ...” 30 Kitten’s comment 33 However 34 “On the double!” 35 Toy company with “Star Wars” sets 36 Former partners 38 Where Kobe and Kolkata are 39 ___ Field (Mets’ ballpark) 42 User-edited site 43 Tums product 44 Coffee server 45 Andy Warhol exhibit holder? 47 Dutch beer brand 48 Salt-N-___ 49 Private stockpile 50 Treat as different from oneself, in modern lingo 51 Espresso foam 52 Classic Indian drink hidden in this clue 56 18-wheeler 57 Do laps in the pool 58 Melody 61 “Bravo!” in Barcelona 62 Thanksgiving mo. 63 Org. whose middle letter stands for “Security” East Oregonian A13 HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 Mercurial Compatibility Provokes Plutonian Thoughts Mercury brings out the profundity of Pluto today, recalling how ideas give birth to their opposite. To love brings forth the idea of unlove. Loneliness spawns a dream of company. In beauty the knowledge of ugliness; in ugliness a vision of beauty. Every state of mind holds its own redemption. Does this make it easier to accept the state you’re in? ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your work is complex, but there is no need to concern yourself with making a lot of logistical or aesthetic choices. Focus on catering to the needs of others, and your style evolves organically. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). This day’s agenda seems simple on its face, but what had to come together to make it just the way it is? Small parts made up of smaller parts, each turn relying on a hundred before. Ponder this and you’ll gain profound insight. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). This problem is like a maze. There is a higher vantage available, but it comes at a cost. To see your way out, you must give up what you want from the situation. Do this and your mind floats up and sees all. The route becomes clear. CANCER (June 22-July 22). What advice would you give to your former self? There are plenty of people in the same position you were in back there who could use the leg up. It will be heartening to realize what you’ve gained along the way. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Turn up the volume on your inner guidance system because you’re going to make the best decisions from your heart’s intuition. There is no button or knob for this. It’s like Siri. You just call out and ask. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Curiosity about others will begin with curiosity about yourself, your history and the history of your people. Your discoveries give you a strong sense of wonder about how things have unfolded for others. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ve a strong need to create a memorable moment, but you’re not sure what kind of scene you’re shooting for. Start with what you don’t want. That will bring you closer to a vision of what you do want. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When you share your stories with people outside of your usual circle, new themes and ideas will be raised. They will appreciate a different side of you, and you’ll be inspired to change the focus of your work, too. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Most people are far more likely to notice if they don’t receive respect than if they don’t give it. This poses a problem for the ungenerous, but it’s no big deal for you. You’ll overlook much in the name of compassion. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It is an honor to be let into even the smallest sliver of someone’s world. Learning a new person can be like seeing a color for the first time; it brings on a strange and exciting brightening of the mind. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The relationship seems fine from the “right-side-up angle.” But like an artist going for greatness, you like to turn the canvas and look again. This exposes the balance from all angles and shows you what could be improved. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The path to your purpose often emerges through a better understanding of your personal experience. Tell your story to yourself without the expectation of telling it to others. The clarity will come first. You’ll know when to share. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 2). You haven’t always had this much support and encouragement. What a daily difference this help makes. With sails filled, you’ll go far! You won’t have to wonder why you’re liked because you’ll hear the reasons and be often honored and treated with sweetness. A win for your team is coming, too. Celebrate big. Aquarius and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 8, 15, 33 & 49. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2021 Mercury Issues a Warning A warning from Mercury, entering a willful zone: Desire limits the scope of what can be found. Once seized by desire, all we can see is that which we burn for. Though much more is present, our gaze sticks to surfaces illuminated by the stuff of our wanting. In other words, we see with the greatest clarity those scenes we need nothing from. ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re bold, blunt and get away with it because you’re also benevolent. (Never mind being totally in the right – which is something to keep to yourself, as it never goes down easy.) TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It is possible to go through days without feeling completely awake. Today, when your brain enlivens and the ideas drop in, it’s a gentle high – like the plants must feel when the rains begin – perked up, more than alive. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The solution comes from seeing the problem in different ways. One new idea is a start – proof of the magic difference perspective can make. Don’t stop there. At 25 alternatives, you’ve only begun to scratch the surface. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll be drawn to people who do something outside of what you would usually encounter. They inspire (encourage or flat force you!) out of your comfort zone. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Worse than doing a boring thing repeatedly is thinking a boring thing repeatedly – if only because it happens faster and the number of repetitions expands exponentially. Quick! Introduce exciting thoughts before the zombies win! VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Consider that a person’s choice of company has everything to do with what feels familiar and comfortable. Of course, “familiar” and “comfortable” doesn’t always equal “healthy,” it might equal “irritating” or “diminishing.” LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Adults see the structures and rules of orderly society; toddlers see playgrounds of possibility; e.g., perfectly painted walls are blank canvases waiting for a crayon mural. You’ll benefit from moments of toddler mentality. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). One change, of even the smallest detail, affects everything else. You’d be surprised at how a day of eating everything with a butter knife or making only right turns can wholly alter your destiny. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Smugness will be a huge turnoff. Those who act like they’ve got everything “on lock” are likely missing the sort of complexities and nuances that interest you the most. You’ll take curiosity over confidence every time. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Maybe every muscle in your body has gotten some degree of usage in this lifetime. But has every cell of your brain been activated? Not even Leonardo da Vinci could claim that! New areas of your mind will tingle today. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Whatever it is today, take your sweet time. Go at the pace that allows you to absorb and experience. Let the others speed ahead or lag behind. It doesn’t matter. Your life = your clock. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). True confidence isn’t an empowered and puffed-up state. It’s actually more of a nonstate. It’s a surrender to the task at hand. The reactions of others become irrelevant because all focus is entwined in the movement of the dance. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 3). Permission to dream outrageously! The answer to a pressurized situation is to apply more pressure. Set unrealistic goals. Impossible aims free you to think of the most creative means of getting there. That success is entirely unlikely will not stop your endeavor from yielding results nothing short of magical and astounding. Virgo and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 18, 14, 3 and 7. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS