B2 PUZZLES East Oregonian Adding Roman Numerals by Paul Coulter Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Having the means 5 DEF lead-in 8 Bathtub part 13 Some “Downton Abbey” attendants 15 Karen Lynch of CVS, for one 16 Salary increase 17 Sauce brand whose name translates to “you’re welcome” 18 Entered the race 19 Fund 20 *Beneath a bit of muesli? 23 Stay ___ (don’t move) 24 Barbecue coating 25 Slot machine lever 26 On vacation 29 *One who walks around spraying people with a garden hose? 33 Top-tier 34 At a reduced price 35 Unattributed, for short 38 Cul-de-___ 40 Chandler of “Friday Night Lights” 41 Like some car windows 44 Fish with a brook variety 47 *Place to shed layers at a Zoom nightclub? 51 Venmo funds to 52 ___ Spiegel (German news magazine) 53 “___ never too late ...” 54 “Terrif!” 56 *Egg dish that makes people fall in love? 59 Type of headache 62 ___ Lankan 63 Boxer Ali with a 24-0 record 64 Think the world of 65 Bit of wordplay 66 Shaped like a parenthesis 67 Its chemical formula hints at the letter change behind each starred clue’s answer 68 Texting format, for 32 Invite as a plus- short one for 69 Citi Field team 35 Resting on 36 Activist Simone DOWN 37 Exclusively 1 Really energize 39 Dried fruits that 2 Bailey’s circus might sweeten a partner salad 3 Verbally deceived 42 Software buyer, 4 Living on the ___ often 5 Cirque du Soleil 43 Profound stars, e.g. 6 Boyfriend 45 Name that 7 Lauren of sounds like a car “Laguna Beach” 46 Disney villain 8 “You could never!” inspired by the 9 Rave’s partner drag queen 10 Assistance Divine 11 One-on-one situation in b-ball 48 Potato chips, to a Londoner 12 Never seen 49 Workplace before 50 Whac-A-Mole 14 Horse color rhyming with whacker “moral” 55 Moccasin 21 “___!!! on Ice” decorations (anime series) 56 Relative of a 22 “... ish” remedy 26 Just fine 57 Snare or bongo 27 Tumbled 58 Barn’s location 28 Like a giveaway 30 Large Starbucks 59 Understood 60 Journalist Wells size 61 Last but ___ least 31 “Cool beans!” It’s Happening! by Drew Schmenner Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Book drive organizer, for short 4 Explosion sound 8 ___ Food (Ben & Jerry’s flavor named for a band) 13 Longtime email provider 14 BMW competitor 15 Wasn’t honest with 16 Cold Southern drink 18 More creepy 19 State that’s not to be messed with 20 Russian Revolution target 22 Name hidden in “tenant” 23 Historic periods 24 What orderlies could aptly be? 27 Short-armed dino 29 Votes in favor 30 Catch in the act 33 Font modeled after Helvetica 35 Duo 39 Blow a gasket 43 In ___ of 44 1970s teen idol Cassidy 45 Sneaky 46 Spiced Indian drink 49 Website for film geeks 51 Low-rise jeans 55 Wedding dress fabric 59 “SNL” alum Gasteyer 60 The Brat Pack’s demographic, familiarly 61 Wedding dress fabric 62 Empty of vegetation 64 What a calm person keeps ... or the first word of 16-, 24-, 39- or 51-Across? 67 Hurtful remark 68 Franc’s replacement 69 “___ you serious?” 70 Itsy-bitsy 71 Three wishes, perhaps? 72 Furious DOWN 1 Insert, as copied text 2 High building 3 Apple : Siri :: Amazon : ___ 4 Flying mammals that use sonar 5 Not home 6 Tribute in verse 7 Mazda convertible 8 South Dakota’s capital 9 ___ Highness 10 Broadway star Menzel 11 Rare treat, for some 12 They’re honked 15 Full of foliage 17 Where the sun appears 21 Sign of poor ventilation 24 Maker of foam toys 25 It indicates a way off the interstate 26 “The Last Dance” channel 28 Pilot officers’ U.K. group 30 Org. that currently has Lions and Bears but no Tigers 31 Boxing legend Muhammad 32 34 36 37 38 40 41 42 47 48 50 51 52 53 54 56 57 58 61 63 65 66 “Later!” “So refreshing!” Annoying pop-ups Unwell “The Last Jedi” protagonist “That hurt!” Purrs like an engine Fun ___ games To a great degree Hollywood negotiator Bo-o-ring You may break a bad one Silly Dissect, as a sentence Perform fantastically Elite group of soldiers “Goodies” singer Came to a close Jukebox opening Compete in a dash Yes, to a monsieur Sites for surgeons: Abbr. Thursday, December 23, 2021 HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2021 Fresh Season, New Thoughts The word “intelligence” is an umbrella over so many areas that even its dictionary entry, spreading from math to biology to angels, feels incomplete. Our understanding of intelligence is as intricate, mysterious and ever-changing as our expanding knowledge of the world itself. The first Sunday of a fresh season brings new ways of being smart. ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re not looking for a fight, but you’re aware; the fight is always going on somewhere. Ever the warrior, it’s as though you are marching to some distant battle hymn only you can hear. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). As you seek the next right action, you must also consider the wisdom of inaction. In the stillness, you will feel your different options, which include the option to watch and wait. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). People have fought and died for the freedom to believe as they wish. You do not take this freedom for granted and will exercise its limits, trying on different beliefs to see how they fit. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re strong enough to do it on your own, but it’s much better when you include others. You need input. A partner will show you what you’re not seeing, keep you on track and be good company along the journey. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You get to decide who you want to work and socialize with. Keep in mind that tenderness can be a powerful form of strength. Gentle, warm, positive people will bring out the best in you. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ve invested in different projects and people, so some of your energy is still out there circulating in the universe. Take stock of what you have. It may be time to call it back to you. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You offered advice that wasn’t taken. This is your chance to say, “I told you so,” but you’ll refrain because you’re above such infantile jabs. What you care about more than being right is being helpful. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Someone erroneously told you, “To get the fruit, you have to climb the tree,” or a message akin to that. The truth is that sometimes, the fruit hangs low, and all you have to do is reach up and pluck it off. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re unique, and the world you’ve made for yourself is a thing of wonder. You give people the opportunity to participate in situations they normally wouldn’t be able to access. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Knowing why you want to do something is much more important than knowing how to do it. You’ll find many different “hows” when you have a good “why.” AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). When people wrong you, you think of the times when you’ve wronged others and you’ll give what you would have wanted in those moments: compassion and a second chance. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your memory is strong and undiscerning. You’ll recall important facts and less useful ones alike. All this data makes it easier to be creative and harder to be focused. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 26). You’ll bring order to your world through list-making. These documents hold magic for you. You’ll clear your mind, serve your heart and prioritize in such a way to make your life sing with the elements that bring you joy. In the professional realm, your enterprising ways will create opportunities for advancement. Taurus and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 1, 4, 44, 16 and 41. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2021 Jupiter’s Final Moments The final moments of Jupiter in Aquarius is like the hour before the end of a garage sale: Deals are struck simply to reduce the workload of putting everything away. Shedding what’s left is a relief to the seller, and the buyer gets a bargain. Themes will include social currency, notions about friendship and useful connections. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Roller coasters and love affairs cannot compete with the thrill of accomplishment. Your excitement builds as you make remarkable progress toward your goals, but you also inspire your team to produce rapid results. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Someone has a feeling that they want to promote you, hire you or put you in a role. For now, they are just watching to know you better. Keep in mind, they see only what you do, not what you intend to do. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You will be faced with contradictions between what you believe and what is occurring in front of your eyes. You can’t change reality, so it’s the beliefs that have to move. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Relationships grow closer in funny ways. Consider making a confession -- a harmless admission that is perfect to tell a friend. Honesty is a bonding agent. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your cat qualities will come out. You’ll be smart, chic and mysterious. You’ll quietly observe, in no hurry to get involved unless you see the perfect opportunity. Then you’ll pounce. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Go on, try to ignore the restlessness in your soul. It isn’t going away. You may as well listen and see where it’s urging you on ... most likely toward a touchstone of goodness. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ve traveled, but it’s been a while since you’ve visited someplace completely new. Look into it. Put it into a plan. A trip in the distant future will invigorate your life at present. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Don’t make people guess how to treat you, what you want or how to move in the world with you in it. Tell people what to do with you and they’ll do it. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You are a retinal magnet, pulling eyes toward you wherever you go. You walk with confidence, smile with intrigue, relate with warmth. Strangers will say hello -- even the shy ones. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your preferences fortify you. So, settle into the comfort of familiar things: Sitting in your favorite chair; sipping your favorite drink; watching your favorite TV show. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your influence grows as you learn how to better accommodate others. They are attracted to you because of the way they feel around you. You make their lives easier and more comfortable. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It’s not pessimistic to reduce your expectations. Rather, it’s a strategy that will allow you to be pleasantly surprised by life. You’ll love what happens when you let go of needing it to be one way. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 27). You don’t have to add a single thing; your power comes in the form of subtraction. You home in on the important things to get right and you cut out the unnecessary, strengthening your overall position while making your life much easier to manage. Glorious shared experiences bond friendships for life. Sagittarius and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 40, 33, 1, 14 and 26. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS