Dear Annie: My 64-year-old brother has refused to talk to my 86-year-old father for nearly 10 years. When our mother died, Dad married a nice Christian widow. He then sold the family home. He and his new wife built a new one in another town. My brother still thinks Dad should have split the sale profit with his children since half the house belonged to our mother. As far as I am concerned, Dad was not obligated to do this. By law, my mother’s assets passed to her surviving spouse. He lives solely on his Social Security benefits and needed the money. My brother has had multiple sclerosis for 30 years. He and his family struggled financially, and my parents gave them a lot of money over the years to keep them afloat. For my brother to want more is shocking. My other siblings and I
Annie’s Mailbox
Marcy Sugar and Kathy Mitchell anniesmailbox@comcast.net
don’t feel entitled to any of Dad’s money. My brother’s children are grown. When his daughter married four years ago, he didn’t invite Dad to the wedding. She is expecting a child, and Dad learned about it through other family members. He is deeply hurt by this. Dad’s health is starting to deteriorate. He has tried to make contact with my brother several times, to no avail. My siblings are ready to give up. Our brother spends no holidays with us and doesn’t get in
Heston epic endures on Easter eve As it has for decades, the night before Easter belongs to “The Ten Commandments” (6 p.m., ABC). Narrated and directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Charlton Heston, the 1956 Technicolor film is as much about old Hollywood as the Old Testament. Like Betty White, it has endured. It’s still a constant long after contemporary films and former prime-time stalwarts, including “The Robe” and “BenHur,” have been consigned to the classic movie channels. It’s hard to imagine Easter weekend, or television, without it. O Viewers in search of something completely different could watch “Holy Flying Circus” (9 p.m., Ovation), a 2011 British film offering a comedic re-creation of the controversy surrounding the Monty Python religious satire “Life of Brian” (1979). More than a parody of the excesses of biblical epics like “The Ten Commandments,” ‘‘Brian” sparked controversy by ridiculing religion in general and Christianity in particular. It’s always a tad painful to watch actors playing iconic performers. Bad re-enactments of the lives of deceased “Saturday Night Live” stars or the Beatles come to mind. One British reviewer took this film to task because actor Darren Boyd was not playing John Cleese so much as his character, Basil, from “Fawlty Towers.”
Tonight’s highlights O Adventures in New York on “Escape Routes” (7 p.m., NBC). O Annie travels to purgatory on “Being Human” (8 p.m., BBC America). O Scheduled on “48 Hours Mystery” (9 p.m., CBS): A hit-andrun investigation spans the globe. Cult choice A feral child observes a reluctant hero (Mel Gibson) in a gasoline-starved wasteland in the 1981 adventure “The Road Warrior” (9:15 p.m., BBC America). Today’s series Glancing back on “How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m., CBS) ... On two episodes of “COPS” (Fox): gunfire (7 p.m.), drugs (7:30 p.m.) ... Buddy cops no longer on “Mike & Molly” (7:30 p.m., CBS). Pranks on “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers” (8 p.m., NBC) ... Storm chasing is dangerous on “Bones” (8 p.m., Fox) ... A single makes a couple a triangle on “Best Friends Forever” (8:30 p.m., NBC) ... An NFL legend solicits an underage girl on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., NBC).
BIRTHDAYS
Sitar player Ravi Shankar is 92. Actor James Garner is 84. Actor Wayne Rogers is 79. California Gov. Jerry Brown is 74. Movie director Francis Ford Coppola is 73. TV personality David Frost is 73. Singer John Oates is 63. Singer Janis Ian is 61. Actor Jackie Chan is 58. College and Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Tony Dorsett is 58. Actor Russell Crowe is 48. Actor Bill Bellamy is 47. Former football player-turned-analyst Tiki Barber is 37.
touch for any reason. I suggested Dad leave him alone. There is nothing he can do at this point. Do you agree? If not, what do you suggest? — Puzzled in Indiana Dear Indiana: How sad that your brother is willing to abandon his family over money. After 10 years, it’s doubtful he will rethink his sense of entitlement. We suggest you keep in touch on a Christmas-card level, sending birthday wishes once a year, keeping him updated about Dad’s health. He may not respond, but it requires only minimal effort and leaves the door open should he ever change his mind. Dear Annie: Is it OK to tell a woman that her husband had a threeyear affair? I have ample proof because the Other Woman happens to be a dear friend of mine. The husband is the most selfish person I
JACQUELINE BIGAR’S STARS
For Saturday, April 7: This year, you often are very serious. Many thoughts come up from out of nowhere. You might want to reconsider many of them. Be careful if you are single — someone could lure you in with a certain act. If you are attached, you will become a more cohesive unit if you both are willing to be more vulnerable with each other. The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult Aries (March 21-April 19) ++++ Focus on a significant other. He or she will flourish with your attention. Tonight: Dinner at a favorite place. Taurus (April 20-May 20) ++++ Defer to a friend or family member. You might be amazed at all the possible plans they come up with. You might find yourself at a zoo, rodeo or circus. Tonight: Grab a pizza or burger. Gemini (May 21-June 20) +++ An even approach seems natural right now, but underneath it might lie a bit of depression. Choose to discuss what might be holding you back or creating this mood. Tonight: Catch up on a friend’s news. Cancer (June 21-July 22) ++++ Note that others will gravitate toward you when mischief is in your soul and a twinkle sparkles in your eye. Reach out for a loved one or friend at a distance. Tonight: Share your good energy. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) +++ A conversation could leave you in deep thought. Though you are naturally optimistic, you seem to be more quiet or concerned now. Tonight: Let go of your concerns. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ++++ Great ideas do not
have ever met. If it were me, I would absolutely want to know. However, I understand that not all women are like me. The wife once had suspicions, but her manipulative husband managed to convince her otherwise. So, should I tell her or not? — Unsure in Miami Dear Unsure: Some women can live with the illusion that their husbands are faithful even if they suspect otherwise, but having the truth shoved in their faces makes them angry — not with the husband, but with the messenger. If there is a chance she has contracted an STD from her philandering husband, she should be told. Otherwise, please stay out of it. — Send questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or Annie’s Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190 Chicago, IL 60611.
jacquelinebigar.com
necessarily need the equivalent in funds. Honor your budget when making plans with a favorite person. Tonight: Listen to music. You could dance the night away. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) +++ Be aware of what you offer, what you can afford and the cost of another person’s scheme. Your realism might rain on someone’s parade, but it is necessary. Tonight: Your treat. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) ++++ Despite a feeling that trouble could lie ahead, you’ll put your best foot forward. Others will respond in an open manner. Tonight: You call the shots. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) +++ Pull back if you do not want to deal with someone’s problems. By now, you have realized that you have no control over others. Tonight: Not to be found. Let others wonder. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) +++++ Do not cancel your plans because a last-minute responsibility calls. Can you merge them together? Tonight: You are the party. Nearly everyone seeks you out. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) +++ Make it your pleasure to fill in for a key friend. Use care with funds, as money could fall right out of your hands. Tonight: A force to be dealt with. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) +++++ Keep reaching out for information that could present a different perspective. Let your imagination flow. You might be surprised by what comes out. Tonight: Follow the music. — The astrological forecast should be read for entertainment only.
4/6
preceder 11 Nation made
© 2012 Universal Uclick
SATURDAY , APRIL 7, 2012 5C www.upuzzles.com
UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD
4/7
WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA? By Henry Quarters
Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker April 7, 2012 ACROSS 1 Cause for stitches 5 Arena equipment 9 Walking with a sprained ankle, e.g. 14 Kind of sax 15 A drawbridge may span one 16 Egglike 17 “Children playing” sign word 18 Plant with swordshaped leaves 19 Caffeine-rich nuts 20 Place for memos and such 23 “All bets ___ off” 24 “I see,” at sea 25 Using a skillet 28 “Homo,” for humans 30 Heaviest U.S. president 32 By means of 33 Able to bear 36 Took a tumble 37 They may get you off the grid 39 That alternative? 41 Ill-starred lady of Celtic legend 42 “… a man Bojangles and ___ dance for you” 43 “Runaround Sue” singer
44 Speeder catcher 48 Curved high-back bench 50 Sentimental drivel 52 New Haven college student 53 Iowa city 57 Accumulate for later use 59 African plant 60 Cause of getting stuck 61 Dismantle, as a sailing vessel 62 “About the author” pieces 63 Samuel Adams product 64 Hermann who wrote “Steppenwolf” 65 “If it’s all the ___ to you …” 66 Ends’ counterparts DOWN 1 Long-winded one 2 Glamour competitor 3 “Hot,” as loot 4 Banshee’s cry 5 “Jaws” resort 6 Plucky courage 7 Unpleasant sensation 8 Attempt 9 Amusement park racing vehicle 10 “Coast” or “tower” preceder 11 Nation made
12 13 21 22 26 27 29
30 31
34 35
36
up of more than 1,000 islands “Every child. One voice.” org. “Agreed!” Art student’s prop Affront Zero, in soccer Hoedown lady “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” sightings Easy basket Apple chemical banned in the 1980s Angle measurement Palm smartphone introduced in 2002 Bloodsucking annoyance
37 Motorcycle attachments 38 “Captain Blood” star Flynn 39 Common article 40 Baneful spell 43 Menial worker 45 Openly resisted 46 “Batman” butler 47 Platforms for choirs 49 “Everybody Loves Raymond” actress Roberts 50 “… nor ___ of night …” 51 Beyond chubby 54 Cars for hire 55 Hipbone parts 56 Boss on a shield 57 “’Scuse me?” 58 ___-track mind
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
4/6
© 2012 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com
THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME
by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek
Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.
BAULM ©2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
SUTEQ YWYAAN NRUIJO
Find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jumble
Sense of entitlement is unlikely to change
43 “Runaround Sue” singer
Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.
Answer: Yesterday’s
(Answers Monday) Jumbles: ALIAS RURAL REBUKE UPROOT Answer: A bad way for a lawyer to learn the criminal justice system — TRIAL AND ERROR
BECKER ON BRIDGE