PUZZLES
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Funny Ending by Carly Schuna
Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg
ACROSS
1 Type of package
sent by an empty
nester, maybe
5 Crimson and
others
9 Role that might
involve flipping
burgers
14 Blown away
15 “___ stage left”
16 Venue for a huge
concert
17 Bear with cold
porridge
18 City northwest of
Rome
19 Constant critic
20 Sound made
when you
CAN’T TAKE IT
ANYMORE
23 So far
24 Capable
25 Llama’s cousin
29 Biological pouch
30 This answer and
others
32 Heater fuel option
36 “Waterfalls” band
37 Drink akin to a
Slurpee
38 Tree that a 33-
Down grows into
39
40
41
44
47
48
49
50
53
57
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
Singer Guthrie
Janitorial tool
Cares
Queensland’s
capital
Time of
importance
Totally committed
Cause of a
princess’s
insomnia
Part of a min.
Ultimate victory,
or a hint to the
ends of 20-, 32-
and 41-Across
Saguaro and
peyote
Only U.S. state
with a three-word
capital
___ Millions
Extraterrestrial
Africa’s longest
river
Word following
“teen” or
“American”
Goatee, for one
$$$ sources
Work place
DOWN
1 Like an
exaggerated
movie
2 In the know
3 Send payment
4 Dutch cheese
5 Precise copy
6 Be
7 Part of CD
8 Headliner
9 Thanks, in Hawaii
10 Menstrual pains
11 Speedy plane
12 Number of horns
for the Indian
rhinoceros
13 Snack ___
(concession
stand)
21 In the distance
22 Fennec fox’s
famous features
26 Classic cartoon
dog dog with a
space-related
name
27 Instrument played
sitting down
28 Garment that
anagrams to
“coats”
29 Certain boy’s
name?
30 Tequila source
31 Dessert that may
have layers
32 Rain clouds
33 See 38-Across
34 Neither hot nor
cold
35 Tender cut of
meat
39 “That’s it!”
41 Stare with an
open mouth
42 Boils with anger
43 Asian sea that’s
actually a lake
45 Hunting dog
46 To the rear of
49 Song with a silent
start?
50 Soft leather
51 Certain waffles
52 Grip enhancer at
the gym
54 Popular dog
name that’s Latin
for “moon”
55 Working hard
56 In a group of
57 Vehicle with a
meter
58 Brewery choice
59 Secretive org.
High Cs by Paul Coulter
Universal Crossword edited by Amanda Rafkin
ACROSS
1 Kid’s motorized
wheels, informally
6 Design deet
10 They’re often
found in jewel
cases
13 Hertz alternative
14 “Hello,” in
Spanish
15 Pate de ___ gras
16 Meetups from
Bumble
17 Streaming
service with the
show “Love,
Victor”
18 “I’ll pay for this
one”
19 Like a pilot with a
fear of heights
21 People who are
always off?
23 Klutzy person
24 Dumps pet food
into the water
bowl, say
26 Color, like a
cartoon
27 Blender setting
29 Sweetie
30 “Psych!”
32 Hoax
34 Brown with a
skillet?
36 Molten rock
37 Water-resistant
cover
38 Calves’ milk
sources
39 “Yeah, right!”
40 Doesn’t feel too
hot
41 “The gram”
42 “Dream a Little
Dream of Me”
singer Fitzgerald
43 Angular head?
44 Parking area
45 Words on a
candy heart
47 Dwelling in the
woods
49 Gorillas, e.g.
50 “When are you
getting here?”:
Abbr.
53 “Never mind!”
55 Send for
57 Tavern brews
58 Think tank result
60 Corp. shake-up
61 “When all is said
and ___ ...”
62 Ferret relative
63 Writing without
metrical structure
64 “___ is not what
you see, but what
you make others
see” (Degas)
65 Jazz singer
James
66 Mister, in Spanish
11Piece of pulp
fiction
12 Goes out with
15 Censored version
of a certain curse
word in “The
Good Place”
20 Genesis, in the
Old Testament?
22 Traveler’s lodging
25 Yield
DOWN
28 Diamond
1 AM/FM device
experts?
2 “The Nutcracker”
29 Bit of inside info
girl
31 “Ciao!”
3 Cool dude in
32 “Now!”
the House of
33 Blond or black,
Commons?
e.g.
4 “You got that
35
Aides
for profs
right!”
36
“Ray
Donovan”
5 More optimistic
star Schreiber
6 “Be quiet!”
44 Extremely fun
7 Fills a cup
46 Takes by force
8 Hearns who
48 Safe place?
founded the
49 “All Boys ___
Marsha P.
Blue” (George M.
Johnson Institute
Johnson memoir)
9 Warn a corporate 51 Midsection
department
52 Boiling emotion
that works with
53 Zilch
Marketing?
54 Polish, like writing
10 Pine part
flavoring a certain 56 ___ mortal
59 Alias letters
wheat ale?
East Oregonian
A15
HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2022 Mars and Neptune Suggest...
How would we fare if we reached the pearly gates and were
graded by our leisure-time activities? Now is a great time
to delve deeper into our most frivolous interests. In fact,
it’s more important than it seems. The seemingly fanciful
endeavors reconcile our existence in the workaday world
and are necessary to our mental health.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). A desire for
improvement may seem like a rejection of the status quo.
With an accepting heart, you will somehow be able to
simultaneously love the way things are while also rooting
for the change.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Unfinished business has
its own beauty. It’s still ripe with potential. Don’t be too
quick to finish things. Let yourself linger in the lively land
of limbo.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It is possible that you
lack the technical expertise to complete a task. Do not let
that stop you. Let your enthusiasm and excitement shine
through. There will be somebody to assist you with the
logistics.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). The saying goes, “It
takes money to make money.” The money in question
doesn’t always have to be your own, though. Although
you can mitigate the risk, remember that those who pay
the most will also gain the most.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re skeptical of what’s
happening in elite circles. Though you may be invited
to join, you’ll resist. The outsiders are more attractive to
you. Somehow, it’s safer outside.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Although you work well
with strong-willed individuals, sometimes you need a
break from the intensity. Today you’ll thrive in easygoing
company, or the serenity of solitude.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You know your limits and
you also know that certain people will push you past
them. It is best to avoid these types today. You’re the boss
of you. Don’t give up the position.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’re patient and will
wait for your loved ones who move at a different pace.
When you’re on your own, you can have as much speed
and freedom as you want.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The deal goes
down; the exchange favors you. You won’t immediately
feel the force of your good fortune. But the future will
reveal the many advantages to your position.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It’s one puzzle after
another today. Whether you’re learning new software or
locating a left shoe, trial and error will eventually get you
to the win.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). What would it take to
let go of winning, of being right, of proving a point, and
instead focus on understanding and listening? For many
it would be too heroic a task. But you’re angelic, gracious
and egoless, so it’s easy, right?
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Being available to the
world today will benefit you. Don’t let your calls go to
voicemail. Personalization will make a difference. Your
human touch is appreciated.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 23). The various roles
of your life get a brilliant shake-up. A sibling acts as a
good friend; children transform into teachers; and your
inner critic becomes an insightful coach. You will gain
a greater sense of control over your physical energy and
achieve a health-related goal. Love will help you discover
your potential. Gemini and Libra adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 4, 44, 10, 27 and 16.
Universal SUDOKU
SOLUTIONS
HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 Mercury’s Unique Call
Mercury and Uranus call on our stores of compassion.
Unlike good eyesight or plenty of hair, compassion isn’t
usually the sort of gift a person is born with. More often it
is earned through suffering, enduring injustice or crushing
disappointment. These are the experiences that equip hearts
to see one another through the dark tunnels of hardship.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Understanding the
experience of others is more important than who is right or
wrong. If you want to lower the levels of confrontation, use
“I” statements instead of “you.”
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When the lightbulb goes
out, you change the lightbulb; you don’t get a new house.
Narrow your focus to the problem area, then zero in on the
problem spot and finally the problem source, which will be
quite small and fixable.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). No relationship is perfect.
Conflict is a fact of life. What matters is the desire to live
in harmony. Some things won’t be solved, but the intent to
solve them counts for a lot.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Those who do wrong will
self-punish, while those who do right will self-reward. In
light of this, there is no need to condemn or elevate anyone,
so avoid the pressures (or pleasures, as the case may be)
of judgment.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Ever the entertainer, you don’t
have to worry about being perceived as boring -- it’s just
not an option. Behaving in such a way that others will find
humorous or fascinating is part of your subconscious plan.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Things have changed.
You’re no longer sure what you want. The big picture seems
overwhelming, but you can put your finger on the following
question: In the coming six weeks, how do you think you can
best serve your people?
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Maybe you’ll call out the
untruth when you hear it; you always hear it. Then again,
people need their defenses. A lie can seem very small next to
your big, gracious heart. And so, you let it slide.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). A long time ago you
made a commitment. Do you remember why you made that
choice? That answer will be the light that guides you. If it’s
hard to answer this question, maybe it’s time to reevaluate.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The goal seems
achievable, yet you haven’t. It’s not for lack of desire, and
you’ve certainly put in work, but something is just off. Either
change the goal or change the plan. An outsider’s perspective
will help.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It is logical to believe
that if you do the right thing, then the next right thing and the
next, you will eventually achieve success. This only works
if your “right things” are aligned in a row toward the target.
Organize your efforts.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Bad habits die hard but
die they will for those who keep trying things until something
works. Ideally, you’ll believe in yourself, but if you don’t, that’s
OK too. Just act “as if” for a while and one day it will be true.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When a friend needs
a listening ear, you’ll resist the urge to tell your own story
(especially an exciting, glamorous version that few can relate
to) and give your full attention.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 24). That great universal
force called attraction is working for you. Somewhere
between tiny electrons flying around the nucleus of atoms
and the grand galactic swirl is you, following the attractions
you find meaningful. Your love will be well-placed and
reciprocated. What you accomplish in a supportive group
will amaze. Libra and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 8, 30, 9, 6 and 41.
Universal SUDOKU
SOLUTIONS