PUZZLES Thursday, February 3, 2022 Boarding Group by Rafael Musa Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Big vases 5 Vast blue expanse 8 Boxer Ali 13 Buche de ___ (yule log) 14 Wine barrel material 15 Call off an engagement 16 “How can this favor ever be repaid?!” 19 Typical prom attendee 20 Bonobo, e.g. 21 Denial in Deutschland 23 Bring into the family 25 Main entrance to a compound 27 Outdoor time- telling device 29 Prez before JFK 30 “Future Nostalgia” singer Lipa 31 Tube for watering plants 32 Track unit 34 Highly proficient 36 Apple or BlackBerry 40 Moisten, as poultry 43 Author Rand 44 Palindromic flour in roti 48 Letters symbolizing easiness 49 Rest for a bit 52 Vibrating body part 54 Executive’s aspiration, maybe 57 Out in a court? 58 Car 59 “Monsters, ___” 60 “That’s my cue!” 61 “Right on!” ... or what you may say when considering the ends of 16-, 25-, 36- and 54-Across as a unit? 66 Intelligence group? 67 Night before 68 Low-carb diet 69 David Sedaris piece 70 Hoover ___ 71 “Don’t go!” DOWN 1 College, to an Aussie 2 Aussie bouncer 3 Fig ___ (Nabisco cookies) 4 What you can build up by working long nights? 5 In a bit 6 5-Across contents, in French 7 “Allahu ___!” (“God is greater!”) 8 Superstar 9 Insect in a colony 10 Bouncer’s job 11 Refreshing citrus drink 12 Accepted something without questioning 17 Mysterious Himalayan being 18 Music player released in 2001 22 “Cool!” 23 Eruption fallout 24 Chloe x Halle, e.g. 25 Custardy dessert 26 Squad 28 Arroz ___ valenciana 33 “Get a room!” elicitor, for short 35 Impasses 37 Tear up 38 No, in Novosibirsk 39 Santa ___, California 40 Lead-in to “ghanoush” 41 Section in a personal blog 42 Harms 45 Tchotchke 46 Spot for a soak 47 “What ___ missing?” 50 “My view has always been ...” 51 ___-up energy 53 Actor Malek 55 Speckled horses 56 Felt sore 60 Two stars? 62 Airport org. 63 Actress Longoria of “Desperate Housewives” 64 Airport pickup stat 65 Beyblade or Super Ball My Food Tastes Funny by Susan Gelfand Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Microwaves 5 Astonished reaction 9 Old fishing tool 14 Light beige 15 Plot line in a math book 16 String instrument that’s lower than a 32-Down 17 Special barbecued beef entree for comedian Martin? 19 Speaks hoarsely 20 President pro ___ 21 Freudian focus 22 Name that anagrams to “ash tree” 24 Settles down 26 Slippery swimmer 27 Plaza 30 Gridiron gaffe 35 Adjusts the pitch of 36 Benevolent 37 Prime-time hour 38 “Darn!” 39 40 41 42 43 44 46 47 48 50 54 55 58 59 62 63 64 65 66 Pub pastime Teeny amount Largest continent The scoop Sank, as a golf ball In any place Number system with only zeros and ones Federal retirement org. Knitter’s supplies Designer Paloma Foyer covering Quick punch Writer ___ Rogers St. Johns Special starchy staple for comedian Betty? NBC morning show Word before “face” or “heart” Green Gables girl Snow coasters Gets the picture 67 Past partners DOWN 1 Gusto 2 Tummy trouble 3 Senior dance 4 Big ___, California 5 Use mouthwash 6 Truism 7 Bro or sis 8 (Hey, listen up!) 9 It’s associated with windows and Windows 10 Special pickled garnishes for comedian Minnie? 11 Otherwise 12 Swiss range 13 Civil rights activist Parks 18 Rips 23 Bison bunches 24 Special leafy side dish for comedian Sid? 25 Cook in a wok 27 Material for some sun hats 28 Suppress 29 Loosen, as shoelaces 31 “For ___ us a child is born ...” 32 See 16-Across 33 Cross the threshold 34 All set 36 “Citizen ___” (1941 movie) 39 Temperamental types 43 Feature of an open-and-shut case? 45 College application parts 46 Beastly sorts 49 Come up 50 Touches lightly 51 Fan favorite 52 Give up 53 “Wise” birds 55 Bringer of bad luck 56 Teen’s breakout 57 Spelling competitions 60 Garden implement 61 Issa of “Insecure” East Oregonian A13 HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 Conjunctive Generosity As the sun and Saturn align in philanthropic Aquarius, those who have more to give will be asked to give more. It’s fair. A poor person’s twenty-dollar contribution can be an act of greater generosity than a billionaire’s million- dollar contribution because generosity isn’t measured in bottom line amounts, it’s measured in percentages. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Too many projects going at one time will diffuse your energy, halt your progress and diminish your effectiveness. Cut your to-do list down dramatically. Narrow your focus. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll do as you intend to do. The success or failure of your actions is irrelevant. What’s important is that you follow through, honoring your strong convictions. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The uniqueness of individuals is apparent. You’re different from your friends. Honor that. For now, stick with what works best for you and don’t invite inquiry or advice. CANCER (June 22-July 22). When you’re around people who completely accept you for who you are, you have more energy. It’s because you don’t have to waste any in the self-monitoring and editing, which get exhausting. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll create wonders using scraps, leftovers and the raw materials no one else can figure out what to do with. You’re incredibly entertaining too, so you’ll have an audience. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your attraction secret: a one-track agenda. The multi-tasking person is not only less effective, but also less appealing. Charisma is intentional and focused, not diffused and distracted. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your trepidation causes you to be aware of possibilities and choose your course carefully. But don’t agonize over heavy stuff. You’re supposed to climb the mountain, not carry it. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). A focus of the early hours will have a disproportionately favorable impact on the rest. Whatever you can do to make your morning routine smooth will set you up for success all day. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). New endeavors come with fresh frustrations but keep working through them and before you know it, those small daily efforts will add up to the results you desire. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). While “chase” is a fun game for the elementary school playground, those who chase make others run. Catch your intended through sheer attraction. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You stay on track by thinking in black-and-white terms. Each decision you make either brings you closer to or further away from your goals. With every move ask, “which is it?” PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You shouldn’t have to sacrifice one relationship to make another one work. If torn between two people, the disharmony may be within you. Fix it by reconciling two aspects of yourself. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 4). Health and vitality will spring from a peaceful mind and a full heart. These are quiet but powerful assets from which anything is possible. There are many who will work and live better when you get what you want. You’ll work with people whose talents complement yours beautifully. A partner will be with you all the way. Leo and Aries adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 50, 2, 24 and 35. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2022 Sky Sparkles With Aquarian Ideas Attachment is a form of greed, rooted in the belief that there is not enough so it’s necessary to hold on to everything there is. An experience of abundance will be available to those whose hands aren’t occupied with grasping and clutching. The Aquarian ideals are rolling like big waves and with the recent Mercury shift, it’s easier to go with the flow. ARIES (March 21-April 19). What people are forgetting is that ultimately, we are all on the same team. You’ll look for commonalities, de-escalate conflict and nip petty matters in the bud. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Extremely capable people attract those who are less so. There is nothing wrong with this, especially if the aim is to teach and uplift. Even so, be wary of the red flag of a leader surrounded exclusively by inexperienced yes-people. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You deserve ease and a sense of spaciousness in your life. Delegate when necessary -- also when unnecessary. Assign the tasks now before tiny responsibilities build into an avalanche. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Getting it right the first time is a rarity, so set your expectations accordingly. You might even say that such beginner’s luck is something of a robbery. What is there to learn from? LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When faced with a puzzling or displeasing result, distance is the response that buys you time. No need to explain, complain, argue or raise your voice -- just walk. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Nonsensically, you will feel younger as the year progresses. Worry disappears, playfulness returns, and the fun people just keep coming. Your living space will reflect your lighter, brighter frame of mind. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Finances improve as you pick up a new skill, but which one should you learn? Investigate options, poke around and tune in to your curiosity. Bottom line, you’ll stick with what interests you. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There are forces at work that you don’t know about and won’t know about until the plot thickens. But if you sense there are angels on your side, that’s something you’re right about. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll sacrifice to make a relationship work. You care more about getting along and lifting the other person than you do about pushing your own agenda. There’s a balance to strike here. Only do what you can do gladly. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). A job may be easy for you in theory, but unpredictable elements could take it in any number of directions. Be careful not to claim too much or over-promise. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You have the option of demonstrating your might. Is it wise? Secret strengths can be more powerful, as they are coiled in the element of surprise. Be strategic. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Accept help judiciously. The help of one person will make life easier, whereas the “help” of another person will overcomplicate things and make life harder than it was to begin with. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 5). Your hospitality runs the range of friendly to spectacular and ultimately earns you money and esteem. Responsibilities get easier because you’ll have a team. Love and risk will go together; so will intense study and a high honor. A different eating style is also featured. You’ll experiment until you find the vitality you seek. Aries and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 44, 3, 28 and 14. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS