Daily Press from Newport News, Virginia • Page 40

Dailu )rres D6 Tuesday, May 23, 2000 COMICS ADVICE DILBERT FAMILY CIRCUS Till fIS THAT BECAUSE lil futt. fREtAEfABER iM'N I I'fA YOUR NEW CEO VES, TO ASK jQk I AND THE IAOST THAT'S ABOUT TAN Jc POWERFUL WOtAAN I I WHY. LINES. iAg' KY CONSULTANT THINKS YOU SHOULD BE FEATURED IN OUR AD CAMPAIGN IN OUR INDUSTRY? I A Yfo i a i if i i rsv i uvi it MOTHER GOOSE GRIMM aff feffi, 7 TOMT WANT WITH TOORS AMP I licukntnA JnyMr V0UR MriMPOWAROOF, ZygO SH0ULP4 Seven-yeaIIyals Daddy -wrtftulrT CV. ewS E5ii.V JjJ preparing a speech to his r-v M'WwrT ClxiVM fellow cartoonists, TH DINETTE SET I T0L HER RHYMES WITH ORANGE tSS A RELATIONSHIP WHERE YOW A BOATIONSHlPWHtREYOU AR6 A RELATIONSHIP WHERE YOU ARE urno) MODERN ARE EACH OTHER'S ONtt foRTNEB- COMMITTED TO ECH OTHER BUT N0N-MON0GAMOU? BUT YOUR Tyr awiHJfcWj hwNOGAMfi 9V WIWTISCAIUCN rV? WHAT IS CALLED i '-L for jgg, I jf L0LA CLOSE TO HOME V- V- Auo-TRftTOoesNTseerA I unommmKM rzz vfsuspcoos -to jt m- Dear Ann Landers: My 6-year-old granddaughter was being unruly, and announced to her parents that she was going to call 911 if anyone laid a hand on her.

We figured she learned it from her teacher. She had misbehaved that morning, and her mother had spanked her. She went to school looking sad, and was questioned by the teacher about the red marks on her hands and legs. My granddaughter informed the teacher that she had been bad and that her mommy had spanked her. The teacher reported the incident to the principal.

Two days later, someone from the Office of Children's Services knocked on my daughter's door to investigate. Her family is well-known in this community, and we are a devoted family. My daughter and her husband are devastated. What is to become of us if we cannot discipline our children in our own homes? Grandmother in New Orleans Dear Grandma: I'm all for disciplining children, but when the "discipline" leaves red marks on a child's hands and legs, it appears that the child has been beaten. Spanking used to be commonplace, but no more.

And this is a good thing. Too often, spanking can lead to beating. Children should be disciplined through rewards and punishments. There is no reason to hit a child, especially a 6-year-old. If this young girl is giving her parents as much difficulty as you say, I recommend family counseling.

Dear Ann Landers: I am a homeowner who takes a great deal of pride in how my property looks. Recently, new neighbors moved in. They have two cats that roam freely. Normally, this would not bother me, but the cats like to use my flower bed as a litter box, and the smell is horrendous. These neighbors are nice people, and I don't have any other problems with them, but the flower bed is near my front door, and anyone who comes to visit is confronted by the awful odor.

I am planning to put my house up for sale in a few months, and am concerned that potential buyers will smell the cat odor and walk away. Is there something I can put in the flower bed to stop the cats from using it? Cat astrophe in Tennessee Dear Tennessee: Call your local pet store, and ask if they have any products to discourage cats from fouling your flower beds. A veterinarian may also have some valuable suggestions. Help is only a couple of phone calls away. Good luck.

Dear Ann Landers: I've just seen it happen again a young couple for whom I'd negotiated a contract to purchase their first home has lost the opportunity to take possession. Why? Because during the processing time for their loan application, they became excited, ordered new furniture, and bought a new car. The day after closing, when their debt ratios were checked one last time, the numbers were above the limit for final approval of the loan. Result? No sale, no new home. It was heartbreaking for them, Ann.

I had advised this couple not to buy so much as a curtain rod until the sale was completed. They didn't listen to me. Please pass the word to "make like Scrooge" until the keys are in hand. C.F., King, N.C. Dear King: The word has been passed.

Couples just starting out need all the help they can get. Thanks on behalf of all the people you have helped educate today Problems? Write to Ann Landers at the Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Chicago, IL 6061 1. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a personal reply. HAGAR )tW INFLATION TO CPU 5 to i evpfYOrF INIH WILL NCTT f3Br UNTIL "1 PfZOP IN COIN WW.dlBttoh6flK.CBIP 523 Ml SPEED BUMP r.uBit Am wpLweoToowuctt 1 JM- WELL II MEG C20M United Feature Syndicate.

Inc y- 7 www.com lc8.comcomlc8mefl DOONESBURY mm i THAWS. I ZEOS- IV Ira you, rZ-2kr-- SmON0 1 1 CANTHEIP I CRABBY ROAD OKAY. I'M OF-0UTCFk fbrjno me I HOW PUPZSMIUION I MANY emeu options nTcrmrn 70 RUN OUR I sk II IT. IN MY VISION, MINRIVS 700T iN07oeer 2000 ShoeboK QreetingsDist. by Urriveraal Press Syrdtcale when 60 fvPf I I WK Dear Abby: I agree with your answer to "Caught in the Middle," whose new girlfriend resents his ex-wife's being present for their 6-year-old son's special days.

Throughout the many years that I have been married to my second husband, we have welcomed his two ex-wives, my three stepchildren and all their spouses to join us for special occasions as an extended family. There have been a few instances when none of the children were able to join us, but we were pleased that the ex-wives still attended. Our extended family has enriched our lives. Divorce needn't mean one of them must also separate from the children the parental relationship still remains. Rather than disrupting an apparently cordial relationship that is being maintained for the benefit of a young boy, the new girlfriend should realize that the mother's interest in sharing time with her child for holiday events that include other family members isn't "weird." To deny the ex-wife access to her son's special activities would be detrimental to all concerned.

Mary Jane Schoneberger, Phoenix Dear Mary Jane: Were it within my power to do so, I would nominate you for a Medal of Common Sense and Magnanimity. Dear Abby: I hope you will print this for the poor teen-age girl who was ridiculed for not wearing a bra. I suggest that she's simply more sophisticated than her ignorant classmates, and also the average 16-year-old. I have been a fashion model for more than 20 years. Understanding the proper undergarments or an appropriate lack thereof is an elementary concept to anyone in the fashion industry or even a well-groomed person in general.

Although it would be inappropriate for a buxom woman to go braless, I occasionally teach modeling to teens, and it's like pulling teeth to get them to understand that while modesty should, of course, be preserved, sometimes ALL undergarments have to come off. Any lines under clothing or display of underwear that is not part of a "look" and clearly intended to show, is a no-no. How sad that people persist in being unnecessarily unkind over insignificant matters when that energy could so easily be channeled to do good in the world. It's time for her "friends" to grow up. Debbi in San Diego Dear Debbi: You're absolutely right.

Her classmates' obsession with her underwear or lack of it shows a lack of. more important things to think about. Read on: Dear Abby: I have a suggestion for the poor "braless" girl who is facing cruelty at school. This may be a perfect opportunity to expose her ignorant classmates to the history of women's lib in America. Many of her classmates can look forward to career opportunities that may have remained inaccessible without the activism of braless, unshaven women in the late '60s.

You go, girl! Lisa Melyan, Portland, Ore PUBLIC SQttbrouQh a 2-hour graduation speech last weekend. Is ft possible for the future to be both Qbrig and borfnQ MALLARD FILLMORE by King Features Syndicate. Inc Wond igm reawvad WCft-lM Sydney Omarr Problems? Write to Abby. For a personal, unpublished reply, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Abby, P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

All correspondence is them in attractive format You get credit long overdue. Romance should be taken seriously Don't play games with emotions. Virgo involved. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You are asked to help straighten out domestic affairs of relative.

Recommend exchange of gifts, emphasize diplomacy, suggest others make themselves more attractive. IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: You are a natural psychologist, writer. You have knack for inspiring others. You are better at helping other people than promoting your own cause. You are attractive, creative, have plenty of sex appeal.

Gemini, Category 4207: ELECTRONIC URBAN REPORT Carl Thomas, the cure for Bad Boy's blues? Category 4029: TUBE TALK go of situation that finds you taken for granted. In amazing news you find you are given recognition. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct 22): Do not drive with bibulous individual. Some people say you are too particular.

Shake this off; let others be careless. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pace slows; financial transaction is finished. You come out on top.

Focus on cooperative efforts, partnership, marriage. Be near water if possible. Practice breathing. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.

21): Stress information, satisfaction of curiosity. Financial pressure relieved. It will be as if a new day. You'll be told, "You are especially attractive today." CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.

19): At first it appears something has been taken away Later you realize that what was taken away was burden you should not have carried in first place. Cancer native involved. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Stick to facts.

Present ARIES (March 21-April 19): Some of your major hopes, wishes will be fulfilled. Be gracious in saying goodbye to superior. Scorpio plays role. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): No matter how far you go, you will be called back. Get thoughts, impressions on paper.

Start a diary. Excellent for experimentation, creative endeavors. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You are drawn to familiar ground, to home. There might be an emergency you can be of tremendous help. Focus also on marital status, income potential.

Libra involved. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Marriage questions will be settled. Maintain aura of intrigue, mystery You will be much sought-after. Give in to unique request, reluctantly. LEO (July 23-Aug.

22): Power play Romance featured along with creative ideas. You'll be commended for past efforts, encouraged concerning future. You'll say "What a day." VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Finish what you start, let ID Jay Bobbin interviews Barry Bostwick about Michael J.

Fox's departure from the ABC series "Spin City." Category 4208: Line atljl (Iress Virgo, Sagittarius persons play major roles in your life these letters, initials in names: W. Abundance of social activities indicated this year; you meet people URBAN COOL REPORT Updated three times a week with news of the Internet, music, business, entertainment, sports and fashion. If you missed it: Recaps of "Ally McBeaf (4018) who become fast friends. September will be.