PUZZLES Thursday, July 29, 2021 Breaking the Code by Catherine Cett Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Let up 6 Adele’s voice range 10 “High Voltage” band 14 “Take it easy!” 15 Telly network, with “the” 16 Sound from a fan 17 “Go get it, Fido!” (note this answer’s final 2 letters + ...) 18 Totally trounces (... this answer’s first 3) 20 007 creator Fleming 22 Figurehead’s place on a ship 23 Small criticism 24 End of a relay race (final 3 letters + ...) 28 End of an apple pie order (... first 2) 30 Anger 31 Slender swimmers 33 Get the lead out? 34 Flat-topped formations 36 Brings together 38 Most visited Hawaiian island 39 Do penance 40 Surprisingly, they can be even 44 Poet Frost 46 “B-o-r-i-n-g” 47 Nannies or billies 49 Moderate pace 51 Pirate’s beverage 52 Have a thing for (final 3 letters + ...) 54 Paper-folding art (... first 2) 56 Beret, e.g. 57 Billionaire Musk 59 Zig instead of zag, say 60 Bit of gossip (final 3 letters + ...) 63 Note from a teacher (... first 2) 67 “Take a ___ breath!” 68 Adhesive on a roll 69 Put into words 70 “Como ___ usted?” 71 Paradise 72 Fusilli or rigatoni DOWN 1 Pound sound 2 Spelling competition 3 Bottom-row PC key 4 Unspoken but understood 5 Breathes out 6 Civil War prez 7 Long jump 8 Fish with a neon variety 9 Like the telegraph, nowadays 10 Leatherworking tool 11 Khaki pants 12 Separate 13 Island where Hercules captured a bull 19 In the know 21 Formerly named 24 Short name for a long vehicle 25 Length x width, for a rectangle 26 Group gathering, slangily 27 Butt muscle, briefly 29 George ___ University 32 Sty sound 35 Ethereal glows 37 Basic course 39 Word before “zero” or “minimum” 41 Nickelodeon explorer 42 Keep the beat 43 Big rig 45 “A rose by any ___ name ...” 46 Roils 47 AA, A and B, for eggs 48 Place for a plug 50 Miner’s quest 52 Scold 53 Wanderer 55 Climate activist Thunberg 58 “Uh-uh” 61 Org. that regulates emissions 62 Villainous Kylo 64 UFO pilots 65 NYC opera venue, with “The” 66 1923 National Women’s Party proposal, briefly Bodybuilding by Simon Marotte Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Vamooses 7 What a tire swing may swing from 11 Poker pile 14 Evoke 15 Falco of “Nurse Jackie” 16 “That’s relaxing!” 17 It’s represented by bars 19 Brazilian bossa nova hub, informally 20 Sock’s end 21 Relative of ice cream, for short 22 Chopper part 24 Pie containers 25 Wed 27 Like some diet desserts 30 Kleenex purchase 34 Currency for 19 countries 35 ___ Talk 36 Take out a policy for 37 Scarfed down 38 People who made proclamations 40 ___ Antonio 41 Wobble 43 Forest green, for one 44 Shannon of Thirty Seconds to Mars 45 Pulled part of a church instrument 47 Like dough after baking, one hopes 48 Common sleep disorder 49 Taken in pill form, say 51 Taste or touch 53 Spanish mister 55 Initials on a deli menu 58 Prefix with “athlete” 59 Certain computer problem 62 Web exchange 63 Fortune-teller 64 “Can I?” 65 Headbutt, or an animal that headbutts 66 Harvard’s rival 67 Site of a famous opera house DOWN 1 Religious faction 2 Ancient Egyptian queen, familiarly 3 Annoy 4 Knee injury site: Abbr. 5 Island of ___ Toys (place visited by Rudolph) 6 Like a disciplinarian 7 Impose, as a fine 8 “Like herding cats” and “sick as a dog” 9 One might say “Is this thing on?” into it 10 Trips to the liquor store, say 11 Vehicles with many lights 12 Toni Morrison’s birth state 13 Hammer-wielding Avenger 18 List of players 23 Mine carts’ contents 24 Chinese “way” 26 Remark to the audience 27 “Swell!” 28 “___ Banks” (Netflix show set in North Carolina) 29 Anti-consumerist ideology 31 State with a potato museum 32 Deliver a speech 33 Noble gas in arc lamps 35 Curt 38 Cognac brand 39 Actress Patti 42 Touches on the shoulder 44 Rap’s ___ Nas X 46 Graduation cap feature 47 Not often 50 Easy wins 51 Directive in a sauce recipe 52 Humorist Bombeck 54 To be, in French 55 Stuff in a certain muffin 56 Misplace 57 Card that beats a deuce 60 Congressional approval 61 Teacher’s pen color, often East Oregonian A11 HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 Mars Addresses Emotional Labor Mars leaving the sign of the heart to explore Virgo, the sign of work, speaks to the burden of emotional labor. There’s a gap between our inner feelings and what we must outwardly project to fulfill the protocol of the moment. Emotional labor is the effort it takes to bridge the gap. The endeavor can be every bit as energy- intensive as physical work. ARIES (March 21-April 19). As the warrior of the zodiac, you observe the rules of battle, aware of the advance and the retreat. What matters is honor in both scenarios -- to be brave and never to desert the others. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Falling in love with a person is different from falling in love with the way you feel when you’re around that person. The distinction will be worth noting. Healthy relationships are thoroughly considered. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll disagree, but you won’t disrespect. For this reason, you’re just the person who can help everyone work together for a common aim. Good leaders unify the group. CANCER (June 22-July 22). When the apple cart of expectation overturns, it’s a surprise, but it doesn’t have to be an upset or an obstacle. This is a chance to question and update your premise to match reality. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Even though you love to learn, you’d rather figure things out yourself than listen to someone serve up what they think you ought to know. Others share your preference. Instead of preaching, you’ll offer an opportunity for discovery. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It’s like you’re on a hike, striving to get up to the elevation that will allow you a better view of the situation. The miles you travel today will help you get the past into proper perspective and glimpse the future, too.hh LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). If you wouldn’t say something in front of the smartest person you know, don’t say it. Also, consider whether you’re hanging out in the right places. Your company should elevate you, not cause you to dip your standards. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Which has a higher value, appropriateness or humor? Honesty or creativity? Which is more useful to cultivate, abundance or safety? There are no absolute right answers. You’ll notice your value system is changing. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ve told your story many times and in different ways, smartly catering to the themes on the table. What you add to today’s themes will really help the others, especially if you keep your contribution brief. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). People from other backgrounds may have vastly different notions of what’s appropriate. Most will be able to adjust to the expectations of the moment, as long as those are clearly communicated in a way they can understand. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The successful timing of the day can be summed up in one word: early. It will pay to get a jump on everything from traffic to investments to the day itself, arriving on the scene before the others. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There’s no question you’ve been gifted with talent. But what is more valuable is your other gift -- the difficulty you were handed. Overcoming this has made you capable and ready to turn today’s opportunity into gold. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 30). A gorgeous harmonizing of disparate elements takes place as you answer the solar return invitation to less thinking, more feeling. You’ll fall into a more natural rhythm in regard to work and health. You’ll be an essential part of a small group and accomplish big things there. Upgrades will add ease and style to your daily life. Cancer and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 19, 1, 4, 44 and 15. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2021 Change and a Taurus Conjunction The moon’s conjunction with Uranus in stubborn Taurus reminds us how impossible it is to change people who don’t want to change. The same goes for changing others who (SET ITAL)do(END ITAL) want to change! We are each enabled with powers of transformation that work on only one person in the entire world... the person we happen to be! ARIES (March 21-April 19). Social problems require creative and thoughtful approaches. Brainstorm about it. The more conscientious you are, the more opportunities you find to connect, help and raise the group. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Consider that interest you pursue when you’re supposed to be working. For happiness over the long haul, your go-to procrastination is a winning contender. Is there a way to make it your main deal? GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The places you go with people will be very important to the flavor of your connection. Regional influences will color a love connection the way the soil in different places changes the taste of grape varietals. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Like your brain, your heart gets too comfortable in your everyday surroundings. Make it uncomfortable by spending time in another land. Travel makes you love anew. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The best gifts are those that don’t obligate you to the giver. Even a gift card comes with a responsibility to shop for yourself. You’ll receive loveliness today, and it comes without strings or requirements of any sort. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Though you believe your struggles happen in silence and privacy, there are some who can sense what you’re feeling. They may not know the particulars, but they resonate with them anyway and want to be part of your solution. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Since you’re on a mission to make the world a little better, going about your business doesn’t feel like a grind at all. In fact, the lines between work and play are blurred. You’re in your zone. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). In chess and in relationships, the opening move is of utmost importance. The endgame has everything to do with it. Knowing that a story will play out like bookends, you’ll be careful with your open. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A lifelong learner, you’re never quite satisfied with your current knowledge. The benefits to developing your mind will be made more obvious when you spend time with those who have developed theirs. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). After a week of feeling as though your schedule owned you, it will be a liberation of sorts to own your time today. Next up, owning all the events that happen inside of it. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Everyone is inclined to do what comes naturally; nature is a most persuasive force. But the organic unfolding will clash with a higher calling, and you are better off doing the difficult, uncomfortable thing. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Shortcuts may get you to a point within a certain timeframe, but life’s lessons have a way of demanding to be learned. They can be skipped in one moment, but sooner or later, they will have their day. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 31). You’ll put great care into organizing an orderly living situation and positively winning routines. This will give you a platform on which to construct your next success story. Those who’ve tasted the honey of success will inspire and teach you as you work toward your own sweet dreams. Scorpio and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 25, 22, 15 and 7. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS