B8 | SATURDAY,COMICS 05.12.2012 SATURDAY, 05.12.2012 | THE LEDGER INDEPENDENT

FAMILY CIRCUS DENNIS THE MENACE CROSSWORD by Thomas Joseph by Bil Keane by Hank Ketcham ACROSS 1 Deep ravine 6 Pass 11 Name tag word 12 Cover words 13 Portion out 14 Spotless 15 Metal workers 17 Canyon carrier 18 Course start 19 As a group 22 UFO pilots 23 Andy Hardy’s portrayer 24 Pic 25 Conrad or Cotten 27 Imitating 30 Party’s choice 31 Marks a ballot 32 Saloon supply 33 Empties out 35 Quasimodo’s concern by Jeff Parker and Steve Kelley 38 “Salome” author 39 Cager Shaquille 40 Wastes time 41 Veronica’s rival 42 Sign of sorrow YESTERDAY’S ANSWER DOWN 1 Pure 21 “I’ll take that as — “ 2 Tackle’s topper 24 Letter before omega 3 Axis foes 25 Dolly Parton hit 4 Mailbox feature 26 Frittata 5 Protective sort 27 Armpit 6 Catchall abbr. 28 Bank, at times by Brian and Greg Walker 7 Goose egg 29 Evaluate 8 Relaxed 30 High muck-a-muck 9 Elegant 34 West Wing worker 10 Keyed up 36 Back muscle, for short 16 Was nosy 37 Cunning 20 Common sense

BRIDGE by Steve Becker HÄGAR THE HORRIBLE by Chris Browne ors, and South duly obliged. The grand slam was an ex- cellent contract, but South had to play carefully or he would have gone down. He realized immediately that making 13 tricks would be no problem whatsoever if the spades were divided normally — that is, 3-3 or 4-2 — so he directed all his clubs, hoping his partner had energies toward coping with a the queen. 5-1 division. Declarer thereupon cashed PICKLES by Brian Crane After winning the diamond the A-K-Q of spades, discard- lead with the ace, he drew five ing two diamonds from his rounds of trumps, producing hand. After the spades failed this position: to divide favorably, he played South now led another the ace of clubs, hoping East trump, discarding a club from had been forced to unguard This hand illustrates the ef- dummy. East could not afford the king. When the monarch fectiveness of the grand slam to part with a spade, since obligingly appeared, South force convention. North’s jump South would then be able to was well-rewarded for the ex- to five not rump asked South make the rest of the tricks by tra care he had taken to guard to bid seven hearts if he held ruffing a spade in his hand. against a bad spade break. two of the three top heart hon- So East discarded the jack of JUMP START by Robb Armstrong HOROSCOPE by Frances Drake

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) around. The next few months will be wonder- SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) ful for those of you who write, teach, act, Relations with partners and close friends are going sell or drive for a living. Everything in to be unusually good this summer. Just accept this your life will flow more smoothly. blessing and start smiling. Lucky you! TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) Many of you will be shopping for art, Whatever happens in your work this summer, you antiques and beautiful things in the next will get praise and possibly a raise. Everyone is im- GET FUZZY by Darby Conley few months. Fortunately, you’re going to pressed with you now. (You worked for this.) have the money to do it. (Yes!) AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) What a wonderful summer ahead for your sign! Love Fair Venus is going to be in your sign affairs, romance, sports events, vacations and playful until June. (Normally, it’s in your sign for activities with children are all on the menu! Yay me! three weeks.) This is an unusual blessing PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) that will not occur again for 105 years. Make plans to redecorate where you live this sum- Enjoy! mer or entertain more at home. Family relationships CANCER (June 21 to July 22) will deepen, and you will feel truly happy and cozy Solitude in beautiful surroundings where you live. will appeal to you this summer. You feel a need to get away from everything and ZITS by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman relax to calm your mind. LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) CRYPTOGRAM Your desire to schmooze with others and be active with groups is very strong by Bob Johnson and Mary Margolies now. Get used to it, because it’s going to stay until September! VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) Many of you will be asked to make an artistic contribution where you work or where you live. Someone wants your input on design, layout, furniture ar- rangement, gardens or the appearance of something. by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) Travel for pleasure will appeal to you now and all summer long. Some of you also might strike up a cozy relationship with someone from a different culture. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) Gifts, goodies and favors from others continue to come your way all summer. Remember to pass along this good for- tune, because what goes around comes

BEETLE BAILEY by Mort Walker su|do|ku by Dave Green

BLONDIE by Dean Young and Stan Drake