Issuu

Dear Annie: My cousin and her husband have four young kids. My family is invited to every birthday and Christmas party. Of course, they expect a gift each time. Their kids are already spoiled with bedrooms overcrowded with stuff. They also post pictures on Facebook of trips to local museums and restaurants, so money doesn’t appear to be a problem. The problem is, my cousin’s family is otherwise so busy that these parties are the only days my kids can be in their lives. They rarely call or visit. They’ll come over if we invite them to a barbecue or something, but they don’t reciprocate. I don’t want to end the relationship, but it feels one-sided. My cousin’s father was like a father to me. After he died, I wanted to stay involved in her children’s lives. I have tried to keep this relationship going, but every

Annie’s Mailbox

Marcy Sugar and Kathy Mitchell anniesmailbox@comcast.net

year it gets harder. Any advice? — Tennessee Dear Tennessee: It’s sweet that you want to stay close to your cousin and her family, but please don’t expect them to respond as if you are best friends. Socializing with relatives can be a bit more limited without creating ill will. Continue to attend the kids’ birthday parties, but don’t feel obligated to spend a fortune on a gift. Instead, offer to take the birthday child for a special outing so you can get to know each of them individually. In-

‘Zombies’ cast includes big names Scientists and other Bay Area survivors of a sudden plague seek refuge on Alcatraz Island in the 2012 shocker “Rise of the Zombies” (8 p.m. Saturday, Syfy). While this grade Z imitation doesn’t pretend to the production values of “The Walking Dead,” it does borrow the notion of a prison as a place of safety. On the bad side, these zombies seem smart, or motivated, enough to swim and float to the island hideaway. On a positive note, there seems to be a mad scientist working on a zombie “cure.” ‘‘Rise” sports a better and bigger cast than the usual Saturday Syfy fare, including Mariel Hemingway (“Manhattan”), LeVar Burton (“Roots,” ‘‘Star Trek: The Next Generation”), French Stewart (“3rd Rock From the Sun”) and Ethan Suplee (“My Name Is Earl”). For all of the gore, the most monstrous thing about the movie is its dialogue.

A high school student flees the father of her unplanned infant when she discovers that he is violent and manipulative in the 2012 made-for-TV movie “Stalked at 17” (7 p.m. Saturday, Lifetime).

Saturday’s other highlights

The San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers meet in game 3 of the World Series (6:30 p.m., Fox).

Notre Dame and Oklahoma square off in college football (7 p.m., ABC).

Catherine Bell returns for “The Good Witch’s Charm” (8 p.m., Hallmark), the fifth helping of the gently magical series of TV movies.

“Doomsday Preppers Bugged Out” (9 p.m., National Geographic) profiles the obsessed.

Ben Affleck, Usher, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Corbett and Miranda Hart appear as “The Graham Norton Show” (10 p.m., BBC America) returns for a new season.

Actor/comedian D.L. Hughley sets out to save the black man with his comedy special “DL Hughley: The Endangered List” (10 p.m., Comedy Central).

Seth MacFarlane hosts “Saturday Night Live” (10:30 p.m., NBC), featuring musical guest Frank Ocean. Cult choice A cad’s embittered mistress (Simone Signoret) and naive wife (Vera Clouzot) conspire to murder him and hide the evidence in the 1955 French shocker “Diabolique” (7 p.m. Saturday, TCM), directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot.

BIRTHDAYS

Actress Nanette Fabray is 92. Actress Ruby Dee is 88. Actorcomedian John Cleese is 73. Country singer Lee Greenwood is 70. Author Fran Lebowitz is 62. Actor-director Roberto Benigni is 60. Singer Simon Le Bon is 54. Internet news editor Matt Drudge is 46. Rock singer Scott Weiland is 45. Actress-singer Kelly Osbourne is 28.

vite them over for family functions if you wish. Put less of an obligation on this relationship, and you may find it is easier to handle. Dear Annie: I am the youngest of five and am a lonely, 39-year-old single woman. I admit that I have made some poor choices. We live in a small town, and everyone knows about my mistakes. But instead of standing up for me, my family members, including my own mother, delight in slandering my name. My brothers’ wives can be particularly cruel. To me, when someone attacks a family member, the proper response is to say that you won’t speak gossip or evil, and demonstrate loyalty by refusing to discuss such things. Most people would respect that. I have never hurt anyone or done anything unforgivable. I am rais-

JACQUELINE BIGAR’S STARS

For Saturday, Oct. 27: This year you open up to more excitement in your daily life. You could try to avoid all these unexpected events, but it will not work. If you are single, you could meet someone just in the process of being yourself. If you are attached, the two of you develop a hobby together. 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) Your choices could be limited by a recent event or action. A major adjustment or change in tactic might be necessary. Tonight: Dive into the moment. Taurus (April 20-May 20) You have a strong sense about when you need to say less and follow someone else’s lead or others’ suggestions. Simultaneously, insights come forward about key people and/ or your interactions. Tonight: Allow someone to treat you well. Gemini (May 21-June 20) You know what you want, but apparently so does someone else. You both can have what you want, if you decide to give up black-and-white rigidity. Tonight: Wherever the happening is, you are right in the middle. Cancer (June 21-July 22) By leaning back and enjoying yourself, you’ll see new vistas and possibilities. Let someone you respect call the shots. Tonight: In the limelight. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Read between the lines. A child or new flame could be unusually forthright, which forces you to step back and take this person seriously. Tonight: Off on an adventure.

ing three kids alone while studying to be a nurse, and I’m also a talented photographer. I never get credit for any success in my life. None of these things matters to my family. I have been tormented and disrespected for years. I am horrified at the dawning realization of how much of a lie my family life has been. So I am planning to move to another state and cut all ties. I am in therapy and learning that I don’t deserve this terrible treatment. Please tell your readers not to judge their family members or hold their past against them. — Moving On Now Dear Moving On: Family members have been known to treat one another terribly because they expect to be repeatedly forgiven and tolerated. We are glad you are receiving therapy, and we hope it will help you get a fresh start. jacquelinebigar.com

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You will have a tendency to say more in the next few weeks. Currently, a close friend or loved one dominates your space, if not your thoughts. Tonight: Run with someone’s fun idea. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Others seem determined to have it their way. If you become resistant, ask yourself why you feel that way before acting out or saying “no.” Tonight: Go with someone else’s plans. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Your words and actions carry much more power than in the past. You have a way and style that let others know you are not kidding. Tonight: If you can, be a couch potato. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You have a fiery side that demands attention. You might feel pressured financially or need to update your budget. Tonight: Be spontaneous ... throw a party. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Know what you want and expect from a situation. You have made decisions up to now that you felt were unchangeable, but as you grow, you see many more options. Tonight: Happiest close to home. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) While someone might be vested in surprising you, your response might do more than just jolt him or her. A friend who sometimes is pushy demands your time now. Tonight: Speak your mind. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Be sensitive to your options. You have many more available to you than you know. Tonight: Hang out close to home. — The astrological forecast should be read for entertainment only.

10/26

cables 7 Blow it

SATURDAY , OCTOBER 27, 2012 5C www.upuzzles.com

UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD 10/27

ALL HANDS ON DECK By Stanley Banks

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker October 27, 2012 ACROSS 1 Vehicles with medallions 5 Harbinger 9 Show flexibility 14 Capital of Norway 15 “... borrower ___ lender be” 16 Kitchen gadget 17 Preparatory research 19 Small part for a big name 20 Bedtime, for some 21 Mixologist’s workplace 22 It may be found on a table 24 Network news stars 26 It’s groovy to a carpenter 27 Put a stop to 28 Econ. measure for a country 29 Rex Stout sleuth Wolfe 33 “In your dreams!” 36 Aids for counting to 20 37 Operation Overlord’s time 38 Copycat 39 Regular writing 40 Teensy arachnid 41 Bygone period 42 Units of radiation absorbed

8 Exposed state 9 Moved like a pitched softball 10 Site of a valuable extraction 11 Pinnacle 12 Part of a hammerhead 13 Race pace 18 Black hardwood 23 Subscription termination 25 Very generous nature 28 “Johnny B. ___” (Berry classic) 30 Make a change for the verse? 31 Pro ___ (proportionately) 32 ___ and terminer (hearing or trial) 33 California

43 Floor-sitter’s instrument 44 Choir voice below soprano 45 Top-ofthe-charts number 46 Beachcomber’s shade 47 Marshy areas 49 Bishop’s hat 53 Something carried on road trips 56 Org. with an influential journal 57 Kind of sheet or music 58 Mixtures or medleys 59 Where golfers meet 62 Stately 63 Wedding cake layer 64 Greek cheese 65 Base negotiating amounts 66 Withering 67 Hardly a walk in the park DOWN 1 ___ Mesa, California 2 Upscale ski resort 3 Fudd’s voice 4 Cover some ground? 5 “Let’s keep moving ahead!” 6 Secures with cables 7 Blow it

34 35 36 39 43 46 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 60 61

winegrowing county Translucent gem Toward the sunset Cuts across Outlet insert Jazz great Vaughan Tone quality Lessens the discomfort of Eddie ___ (sportswear chain) More based in reality One of the senses Vertically, to a sailor Former European capital Facial tissue additive Taunting remark Prevaricate Frequently, to Shelley

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

10/26

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.

SALCH PENTUU RXTEPE Print your answer here: Yesterday’s

Find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jumble

Cousins not staying involved with family

radiation absorbed

Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.

(Answers Monday) Jumbles: GRIME TWINE BESTOW WHIMSY Answer: Looking for the perfect new outfit can be — A TRYING TIME

BECKER ON BRIDGE