PUZZLES Thursday, February 17, 2022 Poof! by Adrian Johnson Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Shoot an air ball, perhaps 5 Airport vehicles 9 Black jack, half the time 13 Wild way to run 14 Tons 15 Come about 16 Garment worn in Bengaluru 17 Regan’s regal father 18 West pointers, sometimes? 19 Dry run of a precollege exam 22 Strive (for) 23 Took a risk 24 Radiologists’ imaging devices 28 Just ___ water 31 Drag queens’ neckwear 32 Down Under hopper 33 Undesirable low interest? 35 In a position to help 36 Dog collar attachment 39 Skin concern for a teen 40 Head lock? 42 Brew that may be hazy 43 Let off steam 44 Largest ethnic group in China 45 Moment of liftoff, usually 49 Tire or escalator part 51 Styling product 52 Magician’s feat, and a hint to the starts of 19-, 24- and 45-Across 59 Behind the times 60 271 square miles, for Micronesia 61 Rights advocacy grp. 62 Curling item 63 Lender’s holding 64 Utah national park 65 Pulls, as a vehicle 66 Seasoning in savory lassi 67 Upper hand DOWN 1 Dough for tamales 2 Big Apple purchase? 3 Put into groups 4 Tickets to access the slopes 5 Fried squid dish 6 Name that anagrams to “Clea” 7 Word after “life” or “dream” 8 Big step 9 Fruit-shipping box 10 One may do the Macarena 11 Slicing and dicing, e.g., for a knife 12 Inferior to none 15 Opposed (to) 20 “___ Flair Drip” (2018 rap hit) 21 Toy that may be remote-controlled 24 Snake with a hood 25 Grade school variety performance 26 Nonverbally agree 27 Out of office 29 “I haven’t the faintest idea” 30 Food regimen 31 Relaxing soak 34 Practice self- absorbed introspection 37 Kwik-E-Mart operator 38 Saturn, for one 41 Unforested Eurasian plain 46 Dora’s navigational companion 47 Exemplary standards 48 Meditative sect of Buddhism 50 Falls in drops 52 Bite the ___ (lose) 53 Really digging 54 Piece that a diva practices 55 Film spool 56 The “A” of DNA 57 Plumber’s woe 58 Make less sharp, say? Turn! Turn! Turn! by Ross Trudeau Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Covered the tab 5 One way to become a parent 10 Loops in, briefly 13 Prefix with “directional” 14 Got the standard score in golf 15 With it 16 Turns off 18 “___ got a bad feeling about this” 19 Letter before upsilon 20 Basis for the Apple Watch’s platform 21 Running shoe brand 22 Turns on 26 Less populated 27 Crystal balls, e.g. 28 ___ Stix (sour candy) 29 Turns up 33 Black History Month in the U.S. 34 Org. for athletes who hit a puck 35 Friendly beginning? 37 42 43 44 46 50 51 52 53 54 59 60 61 62 63 64 Turns down “Zounds!” Close to Sullied reputation Turns out Break in relations Madre’s sister Tire gauge letters “Ramy” actor Mahershala Turns in Butterfly catcher “Just watch me!” Cuisine with pad see ew OB-GYNs, e.g. He goes “Ho ho ho!” Pepper’s partner DOWN 1 Group quarantining together 2 Coy reply to “You must be joking” 3 Helpful connections 4 Relating to food plans 5 “That feels heavenly!” 6 Sink outlet 7 “But you seem to think otherwise ...” 8 Where to buy mice ... or squeaky mice 9 QB’s successes 10 Official whisky of Manchester United 11 ___ duty (voting, etc.) 12 Say something 14 Windows fan, often 17 Catches 21 “Dancing Queen” band 22 Worked as a secret agent 23 Monetary deductions and credits 24 Name that anagrams to “Arnie” 25 Before, before 26 Abbr. on a beachgoer’s bottle 30 Sounds of understanding 31 First-year West Pointer 32 Cons are pros at running them 36 41-Down’s “___ to Aphrodite” 38 “___ la vie!” 39 Rodent in some Banksy art 40 Sexy writing 41 Famed poet of Lesbos 42 Starts private work? 45 One tablet, maybe 46 Word before “opening” or “entrance” 47 Fuel ship 48 Towering figure 49 Lacks 54 He/him/___ 55 Org. with a 3.4 oz limit for liquids 56 “So THAT’S the answer!” 57 ___ Poly Pomona 58 Baby fox East Oregonian A11 HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022 Pisces Season Opens Welcome to Pisces season, a soulful solar sojourn to summarize the lessons of the past 11 months. Pisces is the final sign of the zodiac and an amalgamation of all the rest. Pisces sun message one: We cannot wake up and know who we are, as we are always building it. Much remains unreconciled, an indication of being alive. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Whether the sun comes after the storm or the storm comes after the sunny stretch just depends on when you got to the place. Just make sure you’re prepared for the full range of weather, and all is well. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your busy mind whirs with projects to finish, places to see, people to meet. You are not working in a linear fashion, so don’t expect linear results. Your flaws are beautiful too, if you’ll only believe it. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You will feel a sense of empathy for mankind. You’ll greet people like they’re long-lost friends. The special treatment is greatly appreciated. An opportunity will arise from your ability to connect. CANCER (June 22-July 22). In the same way a good comic doesn’t have to tell the right audience when to laugh or explain why things are funny, you shouldn’t have to lay out instructions for how to love you. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The animals don’t own mirrors, nor do they care to. Knowing what you look like in the thrust of the action is largely irrelevant to the experience of living it. Self-awareness has no place in an experience of unity. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ve been working steadily to repay a debt. You’re not there yet but congratulate yourself on the progress you made. A small reward is in order, for the sake of morale. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Adults often parent themselves in the same way they were parented as children. This isn’t the only way to go. You can also adjust your inner parenting style to suit the life you have now and the person you want to be. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). An artful brag is like shorthand. It helps people understand where you’re at right now in your life and in your head. They’ll get it. You’ll have a blast when they meet you there. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). As an adaptable idealist, you can find the highest, most fitting form of any situation. You’ll work with unexpected elements. It’s funny how a pinch of something terrible can enhance the entire scene. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Intimacy depends on maintaining the right amount of tension in a connection; being comfortable enough to let the guard down, but still unfamiliar enough that discovery is a thrilling risk. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Life heals. You can know everything about the healing process, or you can know nothing about it. The healing will be the same whether you watch it or instead watch television while it’s happening. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). While you do not want to be too serious, if you are to meet a goal by next week, you must take measures. Don’t let up. You can still have fun while guarding your time well. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 18). The dreamer in you will fall in love many times this year, with people, and places, projects and pets... oh heavenly reciprocation! As you follow plans with diligence, potentials will be realized, fantasies fleshed out, money made. What makes your senses come alive will also cure your soul. Better eating lifts energy. Cancer and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 20, 1, 11, 50 and 13. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022 A Libra Lunar Promise In the early stages of Pisces season, we’re drawn to investigate the soul’s health, soothe its aches, broaden its reach and strengthen its potential. These aims are accomplished by serving others, which is the route of fulfillment. The Libra moon promises to harmonize relationships for those willing to clear the air of past grievances. ARIES (March 21-April 19). The reasons are not immediately obvious, but upon reflection you’ll realize you have much to be merry about. Indeed, celebration is in order. Let friends in on your good fortune. Joy multiplies when you divide it among them. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your home is more than just a place to live; it is also an investment in your future. You’ll continue to add value to this investment in the weeks to come. Decisions hang in the balance. Those close to you will advise you well. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There’s no shame in your game. You don’t take anything personally. It’s about learning, not about looking good in front of others. A lack of self-consciousness will allow you to gain useful skills quickly. CANCER (June 22-July 22). It’s just simple math, nothing complicated. Double your chances of winning by playing twice. You’re bound to hit a jackpot sooner or later if you keep playing. In today’s case, the game is love. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). A gloriously built ship can be rugged enough to sail rough seas for decades but let enough water in and it will sink. Human minds are similar vessels. Keep negativity out, lest it drag you to the ocean’s bottom. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). What’s more annoying than a person who knows more about your subject of expertise than you do? Answer: Someone who revels in it. Keep this in mind the next time you’re in the opposite position. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). As with water, these elements cannot be casually inhaled. You must understand the danger to experience the beauty. Protect yourself. Take a deep breath before your immersion. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). People either make improvements or they make excuses. Whenever you find yourself making an excuse, stop and seize the opportunity for rapid growth. Humility is the key. You’ll put your ego aside and learn. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Friendship is about more than discovering the other person. It’s also about discovering yourself. Through your social efforts you’ll get to know a lovely person -- you. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Egoism is at the root of intolerance. To condemn egoism is to share it. In today’s situation you can rise above the pettiness by quietly minding your own business. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your tolerance for a person’s behavior is exactly what keeps the dynamic going. Put your foot down and you’ll be amazed at how fast things change. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Despite our best efforts, we cannot in one lifetime visit all that we hope to see or learn all that we desire to know. That won’t keep you from going full-tilt into today’s ambitions. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 19). Exciting discoveries are in store. You’ll have reason to consult experts, then become one. Among a diverse group of influences you’ll thrive, establish a niche and create income streams. You’ll contribute significantly to a dear one’s success. You’ll also find a way to cross off one of your more expensive bucket list items. Taurus and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 40, 20, 2 and 17. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS