Annie’s Mailbox
Marcy Sugar and Kathy Mitchell anniesmailbox@comcast.net
sor, it turned out Jane had already lodged a complaint about Sara, and instead of listening to what Sara had to say, they fired her. Sara was a dependable, dedicated worker who was loved by the kids. We think Jane sensed Sara’s growing dissatisfaction and struck first. Sara’s dismissal has made the rest of us afraid to say anything to upper management for fear of getting the same treatment. What should we do? — Worried for the Kids Dear Worried: You need to register a com-
2-dimensional performances that endure It’s funny what endures — and what doesn’t. I’m often struck by the fact that several generations who have never seen Fred Astaire dance or even watched his movies know him from his voice-over in the 1970 holiday special “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (7 p.m., ABC). The same might be said of Boris Karloff (“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”) or Jimmy Durante (”Frosty the Snowman”). Each of these talents, Hollywood icons in their own right, probably spent scant hours in a recording booth at the tail end of their careers. Well past middle age, they contributed to a kids’ holiday cartoon, a genre not known for its extended shelf life. They had no idea that 40 years on, long after their departure, they would still be finding an audience. It makes you wonder about what gets remembered. And what gets forgotten. Other holiday specials include “A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa” (8 p.m., CW), from 2008. It includes cameos from Whoopi Goldberg, as well as “Sopranos” regulars Steve Schirripa and Tony Sirico. I have a feeling that this special will probably not ensure their television immortality.
Tonight’s holiday highlights:
When “The Santa Clause” (6 p.m., ABC Family) was No. 1 at the box office in 1994, star Tim Allen’s TV show “Home Improvement” was a ratings smash and he had a comedy memoir (”Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man”) on the best-seller list.
A little girl’s (Natalie Wood) skepticism is put to rest in the 1947 fantasy “Miracle on 34th Street” (7 p.m., AMC).
A couple of girls scheme to bring snow to Los Angeles in the 2000 fantasy “The Ultimate Christmas Present” (7:30 p.m., Disney). Tonight’s other highlights:
The semi-finalists face the music on “The Voice” (7 p.m., NBC).
Howie Mandel hosts “Take It All” (8 p.m., NBC).
The investigation into a microbrewer’s murder leads the team to a virtual world on “Rizzoli & Isles” (8 p.m., TNT).
Katherine knows more than she lets on about a showgirl’s murder on “Vegas” (9 p.m., CBS).
Medical woes for Kristina and Adam on “Parenthood” (9 p.m., NBC).
Sheldon experiences bliss on “Private Practice” (9 p.m., ABC).
A rare bottle of wine proves difficult to uncork on “Leverage” (9 p.m., TNT)
BIRTHDAYS Actress Rita Moreno is 81. Actress Donna Mills is 70. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is 69. Singer Brenda Lee is 68. Actress Teri Garr is 65. Rock musician Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) is 54. Actor Gary Dourdan is 46. Actress-comedian Mo’Nique (“The Parkers”) is 45. Rapper-actor Mos Def is 39. Actress Hailee Steinfeld (“True Grit”) is 16.
plaint about Jane in a large enough group that no one’s job is threatened. First document instances of mistreatment or inappropriate behavior with the children. Then several of you should speak to Jane’s superior, together, and present your record of evidence. Don’t make it personal. Surely the school would not want to leave itself open to a lawsuit from a parent. Dear Annie: I am a 60-year-old divorced female and have been seeing “Harrison” for three years. Despite the fact that Harrison is a wonderful man — honest, funny, handsome, loyal and hardworking — there is one thing I can’t get past: He is terribly underendowed, if you get my drift. I’m embarrassed to even think of complaining about this, but it affects the whole lovemaking thing. I’ve always had a strong sex drive, and the lack of, um, size is
JACQUELINE BIGAR’S STARS
For Tuesday, Dec. 11: This year your intensity has an impact, especially on those you know. Be sure to show your compassion when making strong statements. If you are single, take the time to get to know a suitor well before making any serious decisions. If you are attached, the two of you will benefit from downtime 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) Confusion surrounds a key person and his or her fiscal dealings. You might not be able to get the answer you seek. Tonight: Feed your mind. Dive into a good book. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Others seem to get in your face. You might not be getting the full scope of what is going on. Tonight: Visit over dinner. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Others come forward with their ideas and/or suggestions. Meanwhile, stay focused on your plans. Tonight: Get together with pals over munchies. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Allow creativity to flourish and open up a situation. You might see the path, but someone else could see a different one. Tonight: Errand time! Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) How you see what is going on opposed to what actually occurs could be quite different. Understand why there is a schism here. Tonight: Fun with friends. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You might be able to better communicate what is on your mind earlier in the day. Whether
unsatisfying. How do I get past this? I truly care about Harrison and hate to think that I’m so shallow that his size would matter so much. It’s as petty as a man saying his girlfriend is great, but she’s flat-chested, so she’s out. But obviously it’s bothering me enough to write. What do you think? — Another Little Thing in the Way Dear Little Thing: We won’t get into the “size doesn’t matter” discussion, because it obviously matters to you. First, try Kegel exercises (talk to your gynecologist for information). It is also possible to find greater satisfaction through different positions and techniques and the use of sex toys. But only you can determine how important this is to your relationship. If you truly love Harrison, this is something manageable. Otherwise, it’s simply a source of frustration.
jacquelinebigar.com
fatigue or other concerns take over, you will pull within more. Tonight: Snuggle in at home. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Remain sure of yourself and your choices. Your creativity keeps popping up in daily life, which adds vibrancy to your wild flights of fancy. Tonight: Stay level in your dealings with others. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Think through a decision involving a relationship or a risk. You might not be reading the situation clearly. Tonight: Time to play the role of Santa’s helper. Go shopping. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Focus on completing a project in the morning. Try to get enough done so that you can switch gears quickly and allow the socialite in you to bust out. Tonight: At home. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Use the daytime hours to push a major interest to the forefront. You might have a piece of work that needs to be completed. Tonight: Where your friends are. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) No one can say anything bad about having you as a friend. You have a great way of interacting with others. Tonight: With friends. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Reach out to someone at a distance. You will gain a new perspective, even if you do not have the intention of discussing or seeing certain issues differently. Tonight: A force to be dealt with.
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SHARP EXCHANGE By Jill Pepper
12/11
Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker December 11, 2012
42 Unit of work 43 Bathtub swirl 44 Coinable line 45 “Your Highness” 46 Eve was the first 47 Economizing 54 Washington who sang the blues 55 Flamboyant flair 56 Agendum 57 Functional 58 Shoe part 59 “___ in America” 60 Scare off 61 Burned rubber 62 Tap the brakes DOWN 1 “Yo! MTV ___” (Old music show) 2 “Over the hill” 3 A festive occasion 4 Needle openings 5 Canary cousins 6 Square things? 7 “Of Thee I ___” 8 Thing seen on every episode of “60 Minutes” 9 Relating to cattle 10 Surprised (with “taken”) 11 Loser to
ACROSS 1 Foam at the mouth 5 Impertinent talk 9 “The Red ___ of Courage” 14 On the road, in sports 15 Give off, as light 16 Double reeds 17 Vaulter’s prop 18 “The Biggest Little City in the World” 19 Gentleman’s gentleman 20 Creating an irresistible sale 23 Ultimate point 24 A policy expert, say 25 Expels, as a tenant 29 Expressed, as a welcome 30 Electric guitar attachment 33 Former Portuguese territory in China 34 Fill beyond full 35 “Tosca” solo 36 Preparing to save at the supermarket 39 Forever, it seems 40 Close by, in poetry 41 Final Four matches
Clinton in ’96 12 Disco legends the Bee ___ 13 Attendance fig., often 21 Hot under the collar, slangily 22 Barrel race locale 25 One who runs the show 26 Reason for a decoration 27 Hockey penalty 28 Dental additions 29 Far from form-fitting 30 Bakery come-on 31 Short skirts 32 Out 34 Snob’s attribute 35 Copier, of a sort
37 Short-tailed lemur 38 Aisle patroller 43 “Both work for me” 44 Used one’s cell 45 No longer novel 46 Post office device 47 Commend, as for bravery 48 Part of Btu 49 Gooey mass 50 Steals, oldstyle 51 List lengthener 52 Change, as the decor 53 Small Eurasian duck 54 Fizzled firecracker
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
12/10
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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.
SILBS ©2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
— The astrological forecast should be read for entertainment only.
12/10
THINN TREEGR
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Dear Annie: I work in the aftercare program of a highly regarded private school. It’s a part-time job at minimum wage, but the kids are great, and I am grateful to be employed. My problem is with the supervisor of the program. “Jane” constantly changes our group assignments, putting us with a different age group almost every day. This makes it difficult for the kids to bond with us. Even worse, Jane sometimes subs if one of the regular caretakers is absent, and she is terrible with the kids. She frequently loses her temper and yells at them, and I overheard her tell one little boy that he was “bad” when he misbehaved. And several of us were present when she used racial slurs about some of the children. One of my co-workers, “Sara,” finally decided she had to speak up, but when she went to Jane’s supervi-
(with “taken”) 11 Loser to
CIEVNO Print your answer here: Yesterday’s
Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.
“
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Co-workers afraid to complain about bad employee
41 Final Four matches
”
(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: WAFER OBESE MONKEY GUTTER Answer: Barry Manilow didn’t want to forget his idea for a new song, so he — WROTE A NOTE
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