FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE® by Lynn Johnston

THE BORN LOSER by Art Sampson

GRIZZWELLS by Bill Schorr

PEANUTS by Charles M. Schulz

BEETLE BAILEY® by Mort Walker

CLOSE TO HOME by John McPherson

THE LOCKHORNS by Bill Hoest

BLONDIE® by Dean Young

ALLEY OOP® by Dave Graue and Jack Bender Astrograph Your effort will be impressive Forget about your worries and and will draw the help you do something with someone need to exceed your expecta- who makes you smile. Remind- tions. ing yourself of all that you have GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- will help you rethink how you TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 Easy does it. Be careful what want to move forward. Life is yours to discover. Slow you say and whom you trust. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) down, take in everything that Look at your options and make -- Put your creative ideas and you see, smell, touch, hear a change that encourages pro- talents to the test. Discuss an and taste, and observe what fessional, personal and finan- innovative partnership in detail. life has to offer. Your priorities cial success. Draw up an agreement that will will change, along with your CANCER (June 21-July 22) seamlessly blend what you long-term plans. Clarity will -- You’ll have more choices and your partner have to offer. lead to decisions that provide than anticipated. Refuse to let SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. the happiness you desire. the number of options confuse 21) -- Pick up skills that will FRANK AND ERNEST® by Bob Thaves Love, laugh and live. you. Take a systematic help you follow a path that PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) approach to help you fine-tune excites you. Don’t limit yourself -- Take advantage of a finan- an important decision. Seek just because someone is not in cial opportunity that offers out what will bring you the favor of the changes you want greater security. Someone greatest happiness. to pursue. from your past will be a step- LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Be CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. ping stone to a brighter future. honest with yourself and oth- 19) -- Don’t be so hard on Personal improvements will ers to avoid walking down the yourself. If you stand up for boost your ego. wrong path. Just because your beliefs and do what you ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- something works for someone feel most comfortable doing, Look at the facts. Don’t get else doesn’t mean that it’s right you will excel. An idea you upset over something you can- for you. have is worth fleshing out. not change. Either prepare to VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) stand up and fight for what you If you network, you will make a -- Discretion will be required to want or get out of the line of connection with someone who avoid interference. An authority fire. interests you personally or pro- figure may pose a problem for TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- HAGAR THE HORRIBLE® by Dik Browne fessionally. A trip or education- you if you don’t abide by the Think big and follow through al pursuit will give you a more rules. Don’t take a risk. with your plans. Get whatever extensive range of options. concerns you out of the way. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) --

Bridge IRELAND’S FAVORITE DAY poor compensation for a OF THE YEAR laydown slam in clubs or Today is St. Patrick’s Day, diamonds. named, as you all know, for the However, reaching either patron saint of Ireland. Despite slam was easier said than done. Ireland’s being the butt of Would you and your partner countless jokes in Britain, many have managed it? great things come from that Monty was in five hearts: at country. Waterford glass and first glance, a hopeless-looking Guinness stout spring to mind. contract. But Monty loved ® There have been many challenges. After winning the GARFIELD by Jim Davis talented Irish bridge players. first trick with dummy’s spade Surely the most colorful was ace, Monty judged it was likely Monty Rosenberg, who died in that East had a singleton heart 2002. He was a little guy who honor. So, he led the heart sat very quietly at the table, seven from the dummy, East’s picking his opponents clean. ace collecting only low cards. Away from the table, he had a East continued with the devious sense of humor. spade queen. Monty ruffed, The Irish finished third in the played a heart to the queen and 1979 European Championship. cashed his six minor-suit This deal was Monty’s best winners. West was left with 3 from that event. trumps. The lead of another At the other table, the Dutch club forced West to ruff & lead North cautiously passed out away from his J-9 of hearts into East’s four-spade opening. That declarer’s K-10 tenace. Five contract drifted down two: hearts bid & made.