PUZZLES Saturday, April 23, 2022 Universal Freestyle 17 by Ezra Brauner Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 They end with “x, y, z” 5 ___.D. (therapist’s deg., often) 8 Pepper dispenser 12 Parts to play 14 Penne ___ vodka 15 Continent with the highest and lowest points on land 16 She falls down a rabbit hole 17 Pretentious people at bars 19 Hit playfully 20 Outings where one is shown around 22 Live beyond one’s means, and then some 24 Socially conscious TV ad 25 Confucian “way” 26 Early leader of the Shakers 27 Little 29 Stage before birth 30 Arcane reading material? 34 “You wish!” 35 Something a teenager may go through 36 Tortilla dough 37 Ocean predator that lives near coral 39 Dog’s squeals 40 Photos 41 Stadiums and concert halls, e.g. 42 Put money on the line 45 Nation borders? 46 Wobble 47 “No need for perfection” 50 Plan (out) 52 One dreams up schemes 53 Gladiator fight site 55 Really cool 56 Civil rights org. 57 Wishes for 58 52 cards, collectively 59 Prefix with “caching” 60 Pairs DOWN 1 ___ League (group formed in Cairo) 2 Italian meat sauce 3 Easy-to-wear neckwear 4 “Hang on a ___” 5 Got down on one’s knees, maybe 6 What stops someone from seeing the light 7 Event with bargains on belongings 8 Hand, in Honduras 9 Cannot currently be reached 10 Sign between Virgo and Scorpio 11 Rancher’s rope 13 “Anyway ...” and others 14 “Kinda” 18 Like hard bread 21 “It’s no ___!” (“Forget it!”) 23 Acts sneakily in poker 26 27 28 30 31 32 33 35 38 39 41 42 43 44 46 48 49 51 54 From way out Scorches Regret strongly “How sweet of you” List of cheap meals Artificial language in Google Translate Playful rudeness, perhaps Numbers game? Complete and utter Cowgirl’s whoop Chill (out) Included covertly in an email Run off and get hitched Mixer with vodka Ballerina’s skirt Bed, informally Norwegian home of “The Scream” “I’m not interested” Really cool Timeless Sunday by Rafael Musa Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 ___ dish (lab item) 6 Play charades 10 “Possibly” 14 “Coming now!” 16 Mental fog 17 “Feeling Good” singer 18 The “a” in a.m. 19 Enjoyed some feijoada, say 20 Small songbirds 21 Filthy rooms 22 “___ that make sense?” 23 Share a course? 25 Animals that rhyme with “waters,” aptly 28 Hawaiian island or porch 29 Play with, as a cat would 30 Apple’s Bay Area home 34 “La Vie En Rose” singer Piaf 35 Common trick- winning card in bridge 36 Discombobulated, informally 37 It might be achieved by crying or hitting a punching bag 39 In need of a relaxing massage 40 Amazonas or Arizona 41 Said a bad word 42 Horn of Africa country where Tigrinya is spoken 45 Vein of ore 46 Rotting process 47 ___ prompt (spoken part of a Hinge profile) 49 Char siu ___ (pork-filled bun) 52 Common first word in a letter 53 Dish with broth and dumplings 55 Place to be marooned 56 “The way things are going ...” 57 Slender swimmers 58 Actress Campbell 59 Wait to publish DOWN 1 ___ colada 2 Give off 3 “Leave your message after the ___” 4 “Messenger” molecule 5 “Can’t hurt” 6 Gorgeous Gorgeous Girls and Grumpy Cat 7 “Victory was mine!” 8 Trims chest hair, say 9 Size up 10 Mopey exclamation about a place 11 Tulip ___ (1630s Dutch market bubble) 12 Nahuatl speaker of old Mexico 13 “For heaven’s sake!” 15 Brings into a company 21 Honor roll members 22 They’re not good looks 24 Back to square ___ 25 Grp. of oil- producing nations 26 Magician’s cry after an act 27 Ding-dong 28 Name that rhymes with “you see” 30 Participate in a democracy 31 Charged particles 32 Septum piercing’s spot 33 Gave the go- ahead to 38 Name hidden in “Israeli” 41 Hot drink with a silent last letter 42 Actor Redmayne or Murphy 43 Witherspoon who runs a book club 44 Matching declaration in poker 45 Flexible and graceful 48 Airing 49 Kayak, e.g. 50 Car 51 Sign on a shop window 53 Pale 54 Apt anagram of “sir” East Oregonian B7 HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2022 Planets Rant, ‘Get Off My Lawn’ The square of Mercury in Taurus to Saturn in Aquarius represents a stubborn refusal to accept the lessons of the future. It’s the cosmic equivalent to “Get off my lawn,” representing generational arguments and threats to territory that are more symbolic than anything else. The future comes whether or not we resist it. ARIES (March 21-April 19). People will require your help. You’ll be generous, forthcoming with your methods and resources. Your specialty is meeting people at the level they’re at and giving them what they need to advance from there. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You feel like you’re approachable, but some won’t want to risk possible rejection. It will be worth it to make efforts to disarm and charm as the more social connections you make today, the better. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You are even more resilient than usual and will shake off the troubles of yesterday and come bounding into brand new troubles that are far more interesting, exciting and glamorous. CANCER (June 22-July 22). There’s freedom in a pen. You can go anywhere in writing, so don’t hold back. At the very least, express what’s been bothering, exciting or draining you. Getting it out and onto the paper will make you lighter. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). If you find yourself thinking about your position in a group, count yourself among the major players. That you are even conscious of such things gives you an advantage. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Are you ready to seize the moment? When you enter the scene, everyone will wonder who you are and what you do -- an opportunity to fill them in with what you think they should know about you. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You don’t have to keep the outer world at bay to concentrate on nurturing your inner world. Things will develop beautifully in tandem. You will learn and grow through interaction. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Daydreaming about the future helps you start to realize what needs to happen for the mental picture to become reality. There are some sacrifices to be made, and you’re ready to make them. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There’s something about your big heart that is bringing people together. You’ll be surprised by who responds -- and how many do -- to the signals it sends out. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your work will go down like a dance. Move in close to support the other. You’ll build trust together. And when it’s time for the risky, show-off moves, your mission is to catch each other. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Being ready to take on the world starts with looking the part. Give yourself the time and attention you need to present yourself the way you want to. The details will make a difference. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A disappointing experience of the past has given you fresh intentions. This is something like revenge, but without the ill intent. You’ve a fiery resolve to become powerful so you can make things right. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 24). Seemingly disparate ideas will add up to a realization about who you are and what you want to do next. You’ll think strategically, form brilliant plans and advance key relationships. Your work gets more interesting and changes on your team allow you to stretch to fill new roles. The money will be sweet, too. Cancer and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 22, 19, 30 and 17. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 Taurus Solar Check-In These early days of the Taurus solar journey ask, “What would you go to great effort to obtain?” Taurus is the sign associated with money, luxury and material belongings. While the mantra of Aries is “I am,” the mantra of Taurus is “I have.” The Taurus sun reveals our values through what we acquire and how well we maintain those possessions. ARIES (March 21-April 19). If you do not know which way is north, the map’s usefulness is limited. Start out by orienting yourself and it will become much easier to find what you’re looking for. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Do you mind if someone orbits you? An admirer exists in your realm and is looking for even the slightest indication that you are open to accepting some flattering attention. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It is only natural for newcomers to feel uncomfortable in a group, but you have a way of putting everyone at ease. Your inclusive warmth will help people relax and be themselves. CANCER (June 22-July 22). The silence doesn’t have to be awkward; the pause doesn’t have to be weird. Think of it as an absence of distraction and use stillness as an opportunity for understanding. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Casual situations will suit you best today. Avoid formality whenever you can. If you have to participate in an official arrangement, learn the rules first and follow them well. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The qualities you are looking for in a partner have changed over time and they will continue to do so. The ideal partnership is not an unchanging one, rather it’s a partnership built around changing together. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The Greek word philosophia describes a “love of knowledge, pursuit of wisdom; systematic investigation.” It coincides perfectly with your current focus on developing, honing and living your personal philosophy. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your modesty can make it difficult for you to receive praise. However you feel initially, deep inside you know that you are worthy of this, so smile and take it all in. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). This is a time to do full disclosure, be totally transparent and to show your work. You will create bonds as you fascinate others. You’ll improve quickly when they point out your strengths and help you see mistakes. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You are coming to the point in a venture when there’s nothing more you can do, or are willing to do, to influence the outcome. So, with a mix of relief and apprehension, you leave it to the fates. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). When was the last time you made a decision solely based on your personal needs and preferences? Making a seemingly selfish choice now is overdue, and it isn’t just you who is going to benefit from this. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The thing you want isn’t on a shelf waiting for you to grab it; it’s a moving target. The way to reach the goal is not by aiming at it but by aiming (SET ITAL) beyond (END ITAL) it. This will take more than you thought but it will be worth it. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 25). The fates fall in love with your moxie. You’ve learned from the things that didn’t quite work in the past, so new ventures have a much higher probability of success. Nothing you’ve done has been a loss. Developments in your personal life will inspire a move or travel. New purchases have you getting around in style. Pisces and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 7, 18, 3 and 40. Universal SUDOKU SOLUTIONS