The Times Leader from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania • 31

The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Friday, September 3. 1999 7C Bar-hopping fiance leaves engagement behind at home nEARABBY Check international sports channel for down under football DEAR ABBY: You agreed with the letter writer that the hostess should open her entire home to guests. Well, I strongly 1 disagree'. Why tempt guests to look in your personal medicine cabinet or check out (or remove) your jewelry? Some people will just make themselves at home. Don't you remember the letter about the hostess who put marbles in her medicine cabinet? SUSAN SMITH, ELK GROVE, CALIF.

DEAR SUSAN: I remember, I remember! Read on: DEAR ABBY: Two years ago, I gave a party with about 18 people in attendance. I was gracious enough to allow my guests to use my master bath and was "rewarded" by having about $15,000 worth of jewelry stolen from me. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT IN DIAMOND-HEAD, DEAR BEEN THERE: How depressing! However, thank you for enlightening me to one of the realities of entertaining as the year 2000 rolls around. May I suggest you screen your guests more carefully next time? DEAR ABBT: I have been with my fiance for two years. WeVe been engaged for six months.

He refuses to set a wedding date, and his whole attitude toward me and our relationship has changed. Now he wants to go to bars with his friends without me. In fact, he never wants to go anywhere with me. When our relationship first started, we decided we had found each other, and there was no need to go to bars any longer. Especially now that we're engaged! Abby, I feel like he doesn't love me anymore, or he's ashamed of me.

I dont know if it's already over and he doesn't know how to escape or if I should hold on. I love him more than anything and want to marry him and grow old with him. But how do I know if he feels the same? He says he does. What do I do now? HEARTBROKEN IN KNOXVTJLLE DEAR HEARTBROKEN: It seems your fiance still has some wild oats to sow. In a healthy relationship, a person's actions and words are the same, but this young man is saying one thing and doing something else.

Call off the engagement Since he refuses to set a date, it wasn't much of an engagement anyway. You deserve a husband who loves you more than anything and wants to marry you and grow old with you. You haven't found him yet! DEAR ABBT: I would like to comment on the letter that appeared in your column from the woman who attended a house-warming and discovered camellias floating in the toilet of the master bathroom. It was a "subtle" way of discouraging guests from using that toilet You said you thought the idea was "all wet" Well, I think your answer was all wet! I saw nothing wrong with what the hostess did and you can quote me! GERM-PHOBIC IN GEORGIA DEAR GERM-PHOBIC: You are not the only person who disagreed with my answer. And I apologize for attempting to be flip.

Read on: v'- Several years ago I enjoyed watching the playoffs of Australian Roles Football on ESPN. Then it moved to another cable channel, now it seems to have been dropped. Is it scheduled to return any time soon to a sports channel? L.S., via e-mail A A new season of Australian Rules Football is under way on Fox Sports World, an international sports channel in the Fox family. Fox Sports World is available on most digital cable systems and some satellite dishes. If you don't have access to the broadcasts, you can keep up with league play on the Internet at www.afana.com.

mate does not agree. Who is right? Antelope Calif. A Sony, but Tve got to give the nod to your co-worker. San Fernando resident Carlos Alazraqui is the voice you hear saying "Yo quiero Taco Bell." Actorwriter Harry Shearer Tap's" Derek Smalls) is the voice of Homer's boss. Burns, Park Overall was in a series a number of years ago where she played a sassy nurse.

I cannot remember the name of the show. Can you help? G.C., Seattle A The actress with the over-the-top Southern drawl appeared as Nurse LaVerne Todd on "Empty Nest" (1988-95), co-starring with Richard Mulligan, Kristy McNichol and Dinah Manoff. Her summer series "Katie Joplin" comes to an end Monday night on the WB. This fall, look for her to share the laughs with Sharon Lawrence, Betty White and Alfred Molina in the new CBS sitcom "Ladies' Man." OROSCOPE fRYPTOQUOTE Ul 1.1 MMI U. by Joyce Jillsorv rtu DAILY CRYPTOQUOTES Here's how to work it: AXYDLBAAXR is LON GFE LLOW letter stands for another.

In this sample, A is used for the three Us, for the two O's, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of the words are all hints. Each day the code letters are different. 9-3 CRYPTOQUOTE For an expanded personal horoscope from Joyce Jillson, call: 1-900-737-5692 Cost; 99 centsminute To reach a live 1-900-407-3001 Cost: Service available for both rotary and touch-tone phones. Judge Judy said her husband was getting his own courtroom TV show.

Is Judge Mills Lane married to Judge Judy? L.C. Cerro Gardo, m. A New York Supreme Court Judge Jerry Sheindlin, husband of TVs popular Judge Judy, will preside over "The People's Court" this fall, replacing former New York City mayor Ed Koch. I am certain that the voice of the Taco Bell Chihuahua is the same voice as Mr. Burns of "The Simpsons," but with an accent.

My work QLAN QRB PR RBC Send your questions about TV to: TV Week, The Dallas Morning News, Communications Center, P.O. Box 655237, Dallas, Texas 75265. Sorry, no personal replies. E-mail: tvqSiadattasnews.com SAO A GROZ Yesterday's Cryptoquote: MY SO-CALLED FOREIGN MINISTER (MOLOTOV) HE CAN'T EVEN FIND FOREIGN COUNTRIES ON THE MAP, LET ALONE DEAL WITH THEM. STALIN at a high when you devote time to knowing yourself.

Go back over 1 old territory, and you'll find a nugget or two unmined. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Conclusions are incorrect Friends are gossipy, but you have i higher standards.

Start your mas- terpiece, whatever your art may be. Take a child to the movies, or find time to hang out with him or t. her. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.

19). Employ the help of others to help you move forward in a dynamic way the impact on your career is great Your relationship with family improves by talking about old wounds. Aries (March 21 -April activities that promote higher learning and enlightenment Address head-on any issues, relationships of outstanding obligations that hinder your financial progress. Taurus (April 20-May meet someone who seems to truly understand you. Acknowledge your benefactors, and return favors if possible.

Experiment with a more creative approach at work. Gemini (May 21 -June 21). Let your wild side take the reins today. Others want to befriend you, particularly younger people. Shop this afternoon; you find something rare and elusive.

Cancer (June 22-Juty only on relevant information. Reserve judgment until you've given someone a fair chance. Put yourself in someone else's place before criti- cizing. Explore all options in real estate and possible relocation. Leo (July 23-Aug.

22). Be ready to jump at the chance for a promotion or a new job! Your ideas are exciting, and many will be open to hearing them. Your boundaries are changing. A strong friend can be relied upon to pitch in. Virgo (Aug.

23-Sept. appreciate any of your thoughtful little gestures, especially the practical ones. A younger or older person needs to confide'in An error is a clue to unconscious motivations. Be a shrewd observer. Libra (Sept.

23-Oct. best success comes through being careful with details. A quiet chat with your love can put an end to the doubts between you. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov.

21). Follow spur-of-the-moment ideas. Listen to the inner voice; note dreams. Your productivity is with Omar Sharif Tannah Hirsch RRinaF mi Friday, September 3, 1999 THE WINNING NON-FINESSE Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.

18). You are extremely attractive now; use your charms to improve your life. An alliance is strengthened by your recent struggle. Try to keep bias out of dealing with others. Pisces (Feb.

19-March 20). Your restlessness contributes positively to your work. Your clout increases, opening up new doors. Be a spectator rather than a participant in power games. Adjust your mind-set before diving into romantic action.

iy's BIRTHDAY (Septem ber year, amazing part nerships inspire your spirit and improve your life. A flirtation could turn into a wild love affair in the next five weeks. level belongs to the opponents. West led the queen of clubs, covered by the king and won with the ace. East continued with clubs (nothing else is better), declarer ruffed and drew trumps with the ace of spades.

It seemed as if the contract hinged on a successful finesse in one of the red suits and both were heavily favored to succeed on the auction so declarer cashed to the king of hearts, crossed to dummy with a trump and led a heart to the jack. West won and shifted to the jack of diamonds, and East's king of diamonds was the setting trick. Although it is not always the case, the kibitzer was correct. Suppose that, instead of taking the heart finesse, declarer drew the outstanding trumps then played off the ace and king of hearts. If the queen does not drop, declarer continues with the jack.

If West wins, declarer will have to rely on the diamond finesse, as before. But if East holds the queen, the defender is trapped in an endplay and must either concede a ruff-sluff or lead a diamond into dummy's major tenace. Either way, declarer loses only one club trick and one heart, and the contract is home. Given the distributional requirements for an unusual jump to two no trump at least 5-5 in the minors -this is an almost sure-trick line! -North-South vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH QJ 10963 (7 742 0 AQ K5 WEST EAST 109853 0 10 965 0 K2 QJ 1084 A9732 SOUTH AK842 AKJ 0 8743 6 The bidding: SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1 2NT 4 5 Pass Pass 5 Pass Pass Pass Opening lead: Queen of "Curious hand," remarked the kibitzer. "If the finesse were to succeed, declarer does not need to take it!" This is the deal that gave rise to the kibitzer's pronouncement. West's two no trump was unusual, a convention we have long viewed with disfavor. But here it did allow East-West to compete to the five-level before selling out to five spades. It is an old bridge saw that the five- fROSSWORD Vjflr1'1'1 t-u Something different in Nebraska, the government Q.

I understand that Nebraska has a different form of state government. Can you explain this? S.W., Granbury, Texas A. Nebraska is the only state that has a unicameral legislature. Legislators are elected to a State Senate commonly known as "the Unicameral" rather than a house and senate in bicameral governments such as Texas. The state's unicameral system was approved in 1934, cutting the number of elected legislators from 1 33 to 43 and reducing the cost of funding a session of the legislature in half.

Another difference unique to Nebraska is its nonpartisan election. Legislative candidates are listed on the ballot without identifying their party affiliation, and the top two vote-getters in the primary face off in the general election. The Nebraska Unicameral Web site at http:www.unicam.state.ne.us includes a complete history of the system. Q. A recent newspaper article described a Cold War veterans recognition certificate.

Where can I apply? "J.R.B., Arlington, Texas A. Applications can be mailed to Cold War Recognition, 4035 Ridge Top Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-7445, faxed to (800) 723-9262, or submitted over the Internet at http:coldwar.aimy.mil7 Cold War Recognition Certificates were created as part of the National Defense Authorization Act in 1998. They honor military veterans and U.S. government employees who served "faithfully and honorably" during the Cold War Era. For the purposes of this honor, the era is defined as Sept.

2, 1 945, -through Dec. 26, 1 991 National Guard and Reserve members are eligible, but government contractors and volunteers are not. To document your claim, send a copy of a dated document from the era that includes your name, Social Security Number, Military Service Number or Foreign Service Number. Acceptable documentation includes LES or SF50 forms. All requests must include the words, "I certify that my service was honorable and faithful." Q.

Is the author Jean Auel ever going to release another book? W.S.M. A. Auel has reportedly finished a draft of the fifth book in her Earth's Children series, but neither a title nor a publication date has been announced. The series began with "Clan of the Cave Bear" in 1 980 and continued most recently with Book 4, "The Plains of Passage," in 1 990. Fans can write to Auel at Box 430, Sherwood, OR 97140.

Q. What's the story behind Ophiuchus, the 1 3th zodiac sign? D.P., Arlington, Texas A. Ophiuchus appears in a zodiac chart based on the sun's actual position in relation to the constellations. As the Earth rotates, it wobbles like a top in a loop that takes 26,000 years to complete. The original zodiac, mapped out around 2,000 years ago, is about a month off because of this wobble.

The modified zodiac used the actual time the sun spends in each constellation. Ophiuchus, also called the Serpent Bearer, is included because it lies with the other 12 constellations in the sun's path. The revised zodiac: Pisces: March 1 2-April 1 Aries: April 1 9-May 1 3, Taurus: May 1 4-June. 19; Gemini: June 20-July 20; Cancer: July 21 -Aug. 9, Leo: Aug.

10-Sept. 15-Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30; Libra: Oct. 31 -Nov.

22; Scorpius: Nov. 23-Nov. 29; Ophiuchus: Nov. 30-Dec. 17; Sagittarius: Dec.

18-Jan. 18; Capricornus: Jan. 1 9-Feb. 1 and Aquarius: Feb. 1 6-March 1 1 The fact that astrologers use a system 2,000 years out of date to draw up horoscopes, but then tell us, for example, that a particular planet entering a certain sign is full of meaning, shows how it is all nonsense," astronomer Jacqueline Mitton wrote for the BBC.

What year did the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles play together as a single team? A.A.P., Fort Worth, Texas A. The Steelers and Eagles merged for a single season in 1 943, pooling their resources because so many players were either serving in World War II or working in war-related industries. The team played as Phil-Pitt that year, although fans called them the "Steagles." Their schedule of home games was split between the two cities, and Earle "Greasy" Neale of Philadelphia and Walt Kiesling of Pittsburgh shared the coaching duties. They finished 5-4-1 A year later, the Steelers merged with the Chicago Cardinals for a season and were coached by Kiesling and Phil Handler of Chicago. They played as Card-Pitt and were the worst NFL team of all time, according to Washington Times writer Dan Daly.

During the course of a season in which they lost all 10 games they played, the team was derisively nicknamed the "Carpets." After one loss, the ownes fined three players $200 each for "inept playing." Daly wrote, "How, you wonder, did they ever narrow it down to three inept players?" 1 12 3 4 5 I7 I8 I9 10 11 yl 13 I (. 17 18 I 20 It 22 3 24 26 27 26 29 30 1 31 32 33 34 3b 36 Jl 40 41 42 1 SO 51 32 iT i6 4 62 63 64 65 66 69 -0 '1 9399 By Jame E. Buell Fort Washington, MD Thursday' Puzzle Solved UMBLE By Henri Arnold Mike Arginon ACROSS 1 Ballroom dance 6 DEA employee 10 End of din? 14 Honolulu farewell 1 5 Away from the wind 16 Greek letters 17 Robert De Niro film 19 Diving seabirds 20 City on the Illinois 21 Wire measurements 23 Comic Louis 24 Small, wooded valley 26 Had a show of hands 28 Small viper 31 Incline 33 Ginger 34 Pigeon sounds 36 Vichy water 37 Scowls 40 Reliable protector 43 Trample 44 Otto I's realm 45 Finished 46 Grande 47 Passing away 49 June honoree 50 Gandhi's title 53 Scottish Highlander 55 In the past 56 Of sound mind 58 Theatrical works 62 Social organization 64 Overwhelming, advancing force 66 Fuel-line element 7 Woodwind 68 Conference site of 1945 69 Had debts 70 Take a breather 71 Suppress: si. DOWN 1 Distort 2 Botanical wings 3 Company emblem 33 A I I I A I fl 0 AN CRANE JJ.LJL Ji JUL JL Jl Jl orjo I ppjo a 0 1" i oQm a unt eInIoD Unscramble these (our Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words. We'll skip the plumber and pay the doctor EUQER I I I rw C1999 Tribune Media Services, inc.

JAERATE LJ ENOUGH I 0 A I NQ 0 I KLACH I 1 I 4 Baseball's hot corner 5 Clowns 6 Apprehend 7 Grad 8 Experience again 9 Chamber instalment 10 Period of note 11 Thor, e.g. 12 Asian metropolis 13 Ruhr Valley city 18 16th-century warship 22 Old hat 25 Bread buy 27-African antelope 28 Makes a move 29 Lampblack 30 Human dynamo 32 Too forward 35 Brown tint 37 Marine pineapple? 38 Sicilian peak 39 Lean-to To UTOf JW ST I WEA JN LE GAINS A S0U (CI1999 Trtun fcMM SrvKM, m. WUNTAL ri i HCW TT-E COUPLB FfcP TVER WHEN THEY KAN INTO MONEY FRYTAC I I 1 a I 41 Alex Haley book 42 H.S. math course 47 Vienna's river 48 Mulligan and Adams 50 Camacho's nickname 51 Luminous 52 Military officer 54 Hawaiian island 57 Self-images 59 Beer ingredient 60 Mobile starter? 61 Musial or Mikita 63 Garden plot 65 Retrieve Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon. Print answer here: AAA (Answers tomorrow) IGLOO BANNER ZINNIA rival tenors were good at Yesterday's STUMPED? Callers can get instant access to the Daily Crossword Puzzle answers by calling 1-900-454-3014.

Service available for both rotary and touch-tone phones. Cost: 95 centsminute. Jumbles: GOUGE Answer: What the ZINGING.