Support System

It is the perfect weather for Tax Day in NYC--windy and rainy. I hope those who have to file at the last minute don't have to wait too long.

Today's crossword by Gail Grabowski is called "Means of Support." There is a support system for everyone, whether they need financial advice or are entering rehab for substance abuse. The theme answers are below:

18A: Daily newspaper feature (ADVICE COLUMN). I miss the original Ann Landers and Dear Abby. Sure, they made some snafus along the way (remember the Halloween candy panic?) but I enjoyed reading their words of wisdom. Unfortunately, the conflicting columns put a strain between the real-life sisters. I understand their daughters have taken over the columns, but I don't see them in any of our local papers.

39A: Military scout's position (OBSERVATION DECK). There are also observation decks in many of our tourist landmarks. How about the Empire State Building or the Space Needle? The ESB has the nerve to charge $46 for one to go to both the 102nd floor and the 86th floor! That's a tourist trap if I ever saw one! At least the Space Needle has a revolving restaurant, and the food was very good when I ate there several years ago.

54A: What a compass needle points to (MAGNETIC POLE). There is a great site called "How Magnets Work" that will provide all the technical sources one needs for their physics class or research papers. I happen to collect fridge magnets and I pick up one (along with postcards) wherever we go. Between my office and home, I have over 100 magnets.

Ronald Reagan

The cryptoquote is very appropriate for today. The author is former president Ronald Reagan (1911-2004).

The taxpayer that's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.

I would say that at least 30% of my paycheck goes for taxes, FICA, Social Security, etc. That's disgusting if you really think of it.

Many people joke that President Reagan's years in the White House were his greatest performance. Before Reagan became a politician he was a radio announcer, an actor, and a Democrat! He appeared in some pretty bad films ("Bedtime for Bonzo, anyone?) an turned down the part of Rick in "Casablanca." He was eventually hired as host of "General Electric Theater," a popular drama series. Reagan then became governor of California and a Republican. Yes, he became ultra-conservative, but at least the economy improved during the '80s. I tolerated him, but I couldn't stand his wife, Nancy.

The JUMBLE shows a picture of a man getting ready for his wedding. His best man is asking him he's all ready to take the plunge. The caption reads "Before the wedding ceremony, the husband-to-be was ______.

Word list:

ROLOF = FLOOR
TALOG = GLOAT
CANGLE = GLANCE
SOIPEM = IMPOSE

Scrambled solution: RGOGNIMO
Solution: GROOMING

Now to relax and stay dry for the rest of the day. Till tomorrow. . . .

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick