PUZZLES Saturday, December 18, 2021 Adding Roman Numerals by Paul Coulter Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Mix with a spoon 5 Flower’s deer friend, in a Disney film 10 Support for a crow’s nest 14 Actress Anderson 15 Out of bed 16 Big name in beauty stores 17 All excited 18 Barely defeated 19 Cash advance 20 Course to follow 22 Some siblings 24 Tik___ 25 King of France? 26 Olympian who might weave through gates 31 Channel that shows college games 34 Name for an unknown commenter 35 Medical research agcy. 36 : : : 38 Brat 39 Say hello to 41 Longtime columnist Bombeck 42 Beach headwear 44 Website info section 45 Marvel Comics group 46 Bloodsucker 47 Curtail 49 Nickname that rhymes with “Clay” 50 Relative of -esque 51 Trust in 55 Shoes named for a British university 59 Tel ___ 60 Whiz at setting up office PCs 62 Chain that sells links? 63 Fodder holder 64 Addition symbol? 65 Wrestler/actor John 66 Coin opening 67 “Family Ties” mom 68 3:00, on a compass 2 Ancient Roman’s attire 3 When a tense NBA situation may occur 4 *Exactly atop a golf course clump? (Note each starred clue’s number) 5 *Quitting a bad habit? 6 Bryant of “SNL” 7 Flavor enhancer: Abbr. 8 Some visit violets 9 *Man of La Mancha, when beating around the bush? 10 *Decision about which many- screened theater to patronize? 11 Succulent whose gel is mostly water 12 Asterisk 13 Shades around sunglasses? 21 Misery DOWN 1 Hit, as a handball 23 Meh 26 Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas 27 Invalidate 28 Everybody’s opposite 29 “Dear” one 30 Larceny or piracy 32 Representative Torres 33 Not fulfilled 37 Showing sound judgment 40 Organ with a canal 43 Lot or plot measure 48 Nonmedical research agcy. 51 Low-pitched voice 52 Bad to the bone 53 “___ & Stitch” 54 And others, for short 55 Assayers’ rocks 56 Name hidden in “clearheaded” 57 Gets dressed in 58 Couple’s clash 61 Ask intrusive questions Lost in the Woods by Rachel Fabi and Brooke Husic Universal Crossword edited by Amanda Rafkin ACROSS 1 Web page to check before calling a help line 4 Presentation at an expo 8 Ice cream units 14 “You betcha!” 16 Rhyming meal served family- style 17 Go-betweens 18 Cut down? 19 Some graphic novels 20 /// in bowling 22 Not that 24 DIYer’s site 25 Tight-lipped 28 Overabundance 30 Power bowl berry 32 Give a take 34 ___ Kippur 35 Faux 36 Renee’s “Chicago” role 37 Bohemian dance 39 “No ___!” (“Not a chance!”) 41 Rubbish 42 Knitting purchase that anagrams to “Nikes” 43 45 46 47 48 49 50 52 54 56 59 62 64 65 66 67 68 Siestas State below N.J. Savory quality Improved, like parmesan Questionable “You are here” diagram Hit, like with snowballs Macy Gray’s hairstyle Depends (on) Wood that becomes a St. Louis landmark when you remove its first letter Not outdoors How telecommuters work Word before “justice” or “license” Errs Declare 9-digit IDs Short-sleeved shirt DOWN 1 Reel piece of work? 2 Japan’s continent 3 Major advancement (In this answer, unscramble squares 7-11) 4 Man Booker Prize winner Kiran 5 Prefix for “car” or “chic” 6 “Black Girl, Call Home” author Jasmine 7 Getting along (squares 2-6) 8 Female role model 9 Encrypted terms (squares 2-8) 10 Singer Redding 11 Choose (to) 12 “Star Wars” pilot Dameron 13 The “S” in CST: Abbr. 15 Opposite of left 21 Sushi tuna 23 ___ Paulo 25 Area with both deciduous and coniferous trees ... and a theme hint 26 Org. with Goodwill Ambassador Serena Williams 27 In a sheepish manner 28 Material in plaster of Paris 29 Words before “no hands!” 31 Loops in on an email 33 “___ favor” 35 Hands-and-feet spa treatments (squares 3-6) 38 Rapper Lil’ ___ 40 CFDA Fashion Awards host Issa 44 Canoodling in a booth, e.g. 47 Broadway actress Stroker 48 Steamed 51 Choose (to) 53 Dental string 54 B-mitzvah, e.g. 55 Spots 57 One of 78 in this puzzle 58 What good PR might generate 59 Bitter beer 60 “Sorry ___ sorry!” 61 Word between “ready” and “go” 63 Portal with a Bing search East Oregonian A9 HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 Venus Retrograde Opportunity The “getting to know you” stage of a relationship is enlivening. Curiosities are pursued and questions answered. In the process, you clarify what excites you. But why wait for a new relationship to explore what you’re about? Venus retrograde is an opportunity for pondering and self-reflection regardless of relationship status. ARIES (March 21-April 19). What once made you happy no longer does, yet the memories have you holding on. There’s no reason to rush it. Give yourself permission to follow new joys and all will evolve naturally. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ve a lucky knack for making intelligent, intuitive guesses. There are things you couldn’t possibly know about that you nonetheless get right on the first try. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Go soft on yourself and others. In later days, you will all benefit from tapping into deeper wells of inner strength but for now, it’s unnecessary. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You might spend a good portion of your day doing someone a favor. It’s not wasted time. You’ll enjoy figuring things out and you’ll build up goodwill you can cash in later. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It’s disempowering to start too many projects at once because you never get to feel like you’re winning at any of them. Narrow your task list so you can see and celebrate its completion. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You make it your personal responsibility to uplift everyone you meet. It’s as though you’re dusted with good cheer and a little of it rubs off on each person you touch. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You can stay on track unenthusiastically, but it’s so much easier to perform when the energy is high and emotive. A cheering section will bring out the best in you. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You will correctly assess what you can do. This sounds like it should be a given but it doesn’t happen as much as people think. Correct assessment will be a key component of your success. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Though it’s not your intent, you’ll influence those around you because your style shines through all you do. By just doing what comes naturally to you, you’ll shape the way they think and behave. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). While for many people it would be enough to meet expectations, you aren’t completely happy until you’ve exceeded them. Picking the right person to work with is half the battle. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). If you’re an imposter, then you’re onto something. Acting “as if” will be crucial to your success. Keep pretending until it feels real. Next thing you know, it will actually (SET ITAL)be(END ITAL) real. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You are complex and multifaceted but you won’t show that to just anyone. You wish to make a certain kind of impression, so you’ll simplify things. Organize your mind around a single motto TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 19). You’ll pause, assess your relationships and determine where you most would like to make a difference. You’ll uplift or even save someone. Bolstered by a giving high, you’ll start projects, make deals and advance your own interests. Upgrades in transportation and seeing more of the world will be a theme. Taurus and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 11, 4, 44 and 29. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2021 Nick of Time Money Luck On the day before the winter solstice, Mercury in powerful Capricorn forms a fortuitous agreement with Uranus in the sign of money to sprinkle some much appreciated financial goodwill over the scene. In these last moments of the season, order your priorities then submit to a joyful holiday rush. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Some habits are hangovers from a time when such behavior was necessary. When the necessity left, the habit stayed. Now it’s either a fond memory or a waste of motion; you decide. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Domestic life will be improved by implementing one key change. This behavior might feel strange and forced at first but with repetition it quickly becomes comfortable. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Don’t advise or instruct. People don’t like to be told what to do today. Model everything you want to see in others. They’ll likely follow your lead but even if they don’t, at least you benefit from living your ideal. CANCER (June 22-July 22). What comes around goes around, and rather immediately today. This fact favors you since you’re inclined to make contributions that are helpful, supportive and loving. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Oddly, too much politeness can be impolite. If it sets a tone that makes people uncomfortable, it defeats the purpose of manners. Besides, people get bored with predictability. Your unexpected behavior will delight. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Long after others have given up, you will still be holding on. It shows heart, yet your tenacity doesn’t feel like effort because you’re naturally inclined to follow through. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ve been working in the dark, metaphorically. Someone must know where the light switch is. Your inquisitiveness will save the day. You’ll ask more people better questions. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’re not trying to win someone over, rather you just want to express yourself and you’re in no mood to go small. Your boldness will make a difference. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Everyone in the group is committed to meeting a common goal. You may not technically be the team leader but it will fall to you to keep everyone motivated. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Maybe you’ve been sharing a little too much. The good stuff is meant for you, too. The world is your poem to read; your mystery to solve; your beauty to revel in. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your stellar work ethic disallows you to anything but your best. Today, this will entail taking more than your share of responsibility and continuing on long after the glamour has worn off. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Stick to your plan. You might have to pass on a spur-of-the-moment opportunity but you won’t really be missing out. Right now, it’s more important to keep your word to yourself. In time, you’ll do everything you want to do. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 20). Reality flickers. There’s the sense that this could finally be the real world... Then, in an instant, life streams in as surreal or sublime. You’ll absorb and assimilate all even when you don’t feel in charge of it. Your courage opens opportunity. You’re a graceful surfer of circumstance and a powerful provider. Gemini and Aries adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 33, 2, 19 and 6. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS