Lawrence Journal-World 12-04-13 by Lawrence Journal-World

45 Mouseketeer toppers

Dear Annie: I have not shared a birthday, holiday or special occasion with my son for the past five years, since he married. He has two children now. We always have been close, but I’m so sad that my daughter-in-law won’t let me be a grandmother. Their first year of marriage, they alternated holidays and combined our families. When they had their first child, however, “Rhonda” said it was too much, and now all holidays are spent with her family. They are wonderful people, but she is not willing to share her toddlers’ time with her husband’s family. I do not get the privilege of babysitting or having the kids over to my house for the day. I am not allowed to pick them up or bring them places. Rhonda is socially immature, and I believe she is naive as well as selfish. She holds all power and control

Annie’s Mailbox

Marcy Sugar and Kathy Mitchell anniesmailbox@comcast.net

and is judgmental and unkind. She gives every excuse to avoid us. I’ve tried several times to discuss this with her, have prayed and have shared words of wisdom and scripture, but nothing breaks through. My son prefers to avoid a confrontation. Should I also give up? — Grandmother Missing Out Dear Grandmother: How sad that Rhonda denies her children the privilege of knowing all of their grandparents. Would your son be willing to bring the kids to

Costumes, sets rule in ‘Mob City’ The ambitious new miniseries “Mob City” (8 p.m., TNT) returns to a doomed City of Angels. Created by Frank Darabont (”The Walking Dead”), it’s set in the glamorous yet corrupt world of post-World War II Los Angeles, a place where cops, chorus girls and gangsters might mingle to hear some adventurous jazz as that art form migrated from swing to bebop and beyond. An impressive cast includes Jon Bernthal as detective Joe Teague, a decorated ex-Marine with a killer reputation that earns him the attention of folks on both sides of the law. Neal McDonough plays a crusading police captain so squeakyclean that even his own men call him “the Boy Scout.” On the other side of the ledger, Ed Burns plays gangster Ben “Bugsy” Siegel, and Jeremy Luke is Mickey Cohen. ‘‘Mob City” has its moments, many of them. But I couldn’t help feeling that most of its creative energy was expended on costumes and set design. Still, the music is impressive, the acting capable, and the story moves forward like a locomotive. The show will air in two-hour installments over three Wednesday nights.

“Kirstie” (9 p.m., TV Land) gets where it’s going in record time. Within 60 seconds, we discover that vain, aging Broadway star Madison Banks (Kirstie Alley) gave up a child for adoption when she was an ambitious and evidently promiscuous starlet. And that grown-up child, Arlo (Eric Petersen), a lumpy nerd from New Jersey, wants his mommy. Rhea Perlman plays her personal assistant and Michael Richards stars as her seedy chauffeur. That puts two “Cheers” regulars and a “Seinfeld” star in the cast. What more do you need? Tonight’s Other Highlights

The “Today” gang hosts

“Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (7 p.m., NBC).

The top seven perform on “The X Factor” (7 p.m., Fox).

“Saturday Night Live” (9 p.m., NBC) recalls Christmas sketches.

Cameron coaches on “Modern Family” (8 p.m., ABC).

The new documentary series “State of Play” (8 p.m., HBO) begins with a look at parents’ role in athletics.

Teddy resents Deacon, again, on “Nashville” (9 p.m., ABC).

Cordelia rallies the coven against Fiona on “American Horror Story: Coven” (9 p.m., FX).

BIRTHDAYS Actor-producer Max Baer Jr. is 76. Actor Jeff Bridges is 64. Jazz singer Cassandra Wilson is 58. Actress Marisa Tomei is 49. Actress Chelsea Noble is 49. Rapper Jay-Z is 44. Actressmodel Tyra Banks is 40. Country singer Lila McCann is 32. Actress Lindsay Felton is 29. Actor Orlando Brown is 26.

your home for a visit without Rhonda? And if you can manage it, consider inviting the entire family, including Rhonda’s folks, to your place now and then. We also recommend you work on ways to warm up the relationship with Rhonda. Surely you can find something to admire about her and keep quiet about the rest. We hope, in time, she will realize that what goes around comes around. Dear Annie: My husband and I frequently go out to dinner with several other couples. One of the wives is a vegetarian. That’s fine, but she sometimes makes a scene with the server. She argues about the way things are prepared and accuses the waitstaff of lying. It’s become quite embarrassing, and some of our other friends refuse to go out with her anymore. It recently happened again. My husband and I

JACQUELINE BIGAR’S STARS

For Wednesday, Dec. 4 This year you will follow your intuition, especially when dealing with family and real-estate matters. If you are single, your life needs to have an element of excitement about it in order for a romantic relationship to be successful. If you are attached, the two of you work together to solidify your financial and emotional security. 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) At times, you just can’t seem to give a higher-up the respect he or she desires. Are you revealing your true feelings? Tonight: Burn the candle at both ends. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Kick back and take in the big picture. How you see a situation could change as a result of this process. Tonight: Listen to what a loved one shares. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Deal with a loved one directly. Your fatigue could mark a discussion with this person. Take a deep breath before you start. Tonight: Togetherness. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Defer to others, and follow through on what you want to do. That extra time you save could make all the difference in what happens. Tonight: Listen to your inner voice first. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Tap into an associate’s imagination, and you will be delighted and challenged simultaneously. You might want to reverse direction or do something differently. Tonight: Push on till the wee hours. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD

KID STUFF By Richard Auer

12/4

were mortified when she sent her meal back and accused the waiter of giving her the wrong dish. It ruined our night. I think we should say something, but my husband thinks it will ruin the friendship. Any suggestions? — Carnivore in Florida Dear Carnivore: It is not unheard of for restaurants to prepare vegetarian meals with chicken broth or beef stock without declaring it. However, it is rude to accuse the waitstaff of lying and cause a scene. We recommend you do a search in your area for vegetarian restaurants when socializing with this couple. Otherwise, let them know you won’t be going out to eat with them because it is obviously too stressful. ACROSS — Send questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or Annie’s Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190 Chicago, IL 60611.

jacquelinebigar.com

Your perceptions come from your intuition. Sometimes a partner might make fun of this quality. Tonight: Fun and games. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Tension builds and creates greater motivation to complete a personal matter. You know that some of your ideas are great, but you get distracted easily. Tonight: Head home. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Resist following your gut, as it could lead to trouble. A situation involving your health and daily life could take an interesting turn. Tonight: Visit with a loved one. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Be sensitive to your financial situation and where it could land you. You might want to jump on a sudden offer, but you seem to be restrained. Tonight: Your treat. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You are in your element. A family member might test your decisions as of late. You’ll adjust your approach as a result of their attitude. Tonight: The world is your oyster. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Saying less and listening more is a safer course for you to take. What you hear could be quite unexpected yet significant. Use caution with your finances right now. Tonight: Not to be found. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Zero in on what you want. A friendship plays a strong role in the next few days. Your intuition also might be somewhat important, as you pick up a lot on a subliminal level. Tonight: Don’t overthink a personal matter.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 7 www.upuzzles.com

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker December 4, 2013

17 Football supporters 20 Tyrannical 21 ___ canto (singing style) 22 Analyze 23 Lower half of the brainstem 24 Elizabethan barmaid 25 Lay bare, in a way 26 Daisies’ kin 27 It’s ﬁshy 29 ___-walsy (friendly) 31 Manhandles 34 Most repulsive 35 “Rocky” opponent Apollo 36 Put away 37 Pencil stump 40 Married woman 42 Weak and feeble

46 Stray from a topic 47 Uncle Sam employee 48 Some 1940s internees 49 ___ lazuli (blue mineral) 52 Game with many imitators 56 Plain as day 57 It separates the men from the boys 58 Describing pitch 59 Presidential run 60 Replies of comprehension 61 Twisting DOWN 1 Residue from Etna 2 Start of a question 3 Exhibit material 4 Bursts open 5 One full of oneself 6 There are ﬁve on China’s ﬂag 7 Bowlers that don’t bowl 8 In days past 9 California raisin city 10 Gamboling spot 11 Toss into the mix 12 Delivery from Santa 15 Young Clinton

1 With it, in a sense 6 Doo-wop singers ___ Na Na 9 Exactly, to a timekeeper 13 Act noncommittal 14 Price revealer 15 Philosophy 16 Something passed without hesitation 18 Thrilling 19 Wedding cake levels 20 “___ making a list ...” 21 Addles 24 Brownie ingredients, sometimes 28 Applies, as inﬂuence 29 “Dramatis” follower (cast) 30 Put onboard 31 Reverend’s residence 32 Forensic material 33 Children’s party game 37 Zero, at the World Cup 38 Compact cars? 39 Hurt and disable 41 Remote 43 Cartography expert 45 Mouseketeer toppers

43 Soy-based Japanese soup 44 Some of them are secret 46 Small change? 48 Close at hand 49 Man with a salty spouse? 50 Abbr. in many a snail mail address 51 In accordance with 52 ___ Paulo 53 Santa ___ winds 54 Shaggy animal in a herd 55 Cagey

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

12/3

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.

RUBBL

— The astrological forecast should be read for entertainment only.

JOANID

NIVTEN

Jumble puzzle magazines available at pennydellpuzzles.com/jumblemags

Daughter-in-law won’t let grandma see kids

12/3

15 Young Clinton

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

Ans. here: Yesterday’s

(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: CURRY PANTS EQUATE PARLOR Answer: The novice mountain climber needed to — LEARN THE ROPES

BECKER ON BRIDGE