California Dolphin

Alfred Sheinwold, who originated this column 60 years ago, was an exceptional columnist, in part because each of his columns focused on just a single point of play. Cover today’s East-West cards. You’re declarer at 6NT and start with three diamond tricks, three hearts and two clubs. All you must do is handle the spades effectively. The actual declarer won the first diamond in his hand and led a spade to dummy’s ten. East took his singleton jack and led a heart, and South won and tried a second spade to the queen. That finesse worked, but when East discarded, West had to get a spade trick. FOUR TRICKS South’s play would have been fine if he needed five spade tricks, but to make 6NT he needed only four. South could cash the ace and later lead a spade toward dummy, but then he might have an awkward guess. South should start with a spade to the queen. If East had the king, South would finesse with the ten later. The correct play gains when East has the singleton jack. DAILY QUESTION You hold: S

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Simon Helberg, 42; Donny Osmond, 65; Beau Bridges, 81; Dame Judi Dench, 88. Happy Birthday: Refrain from letting sensitivity be your downfall. Take a cautious approach to whatever you encounter and consider what’s true before you pass the information along. Be smart, safe and secure in handling money, health and contracts. Make your vision clear to others and do what you can to turn your dream into a reality. Say no to decadent behavior. Your numbers are 3, 10, 17, 26, 39, 42, 49. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Trips, seminars, meetings or anything that gives you the wisdom and knowledge required to follow through with your plans is encouraged. A personal pick-me-up will boost your ego and give you the confidence to share your thoughts and feelings. 2 stars TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Inconsistency will stand between you and your objective. Keep your emotions in check, and don’t make changes or purchases you can’t afford. Be a reasonable observer, and you’ll learn something valuable. Slow down; time is on your side. 4 stars GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Use your wisdom

TODAY’S WORD — ALLERGY (ALLERGY: AL-er-jee: An abnormally high sensitivity to a certain substance.) Average mark 30 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 37 or more words in ALLERGY? The list will be published tomorrow. YESTERDAY’S WORD — IMPASSIVE impasse ivies mass massive mesa mess miss missive pass passe passive pave pima amiss apse apsis same save seam semi sepia spam spasm spies vamp vase visa vise To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last! RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.

Dear Amy: This is a little bit strange, perhaps. But every year my (Protestant) church hosts a “Blue Christmas” service. This service has always had a big impact on me, allowing me to basically unleash the sadness that seems to overtake me every Christmas. Our pastor just announced that he will not conduct a Blue Christmas service this year. The reason? He has endured several personal losses of his own this year, and he quite honestly told the congregation that he doesn’t feel able to lead this service. Ironic, right? Anyway, I’m not sure how to react to this, and I’m wondering if you have any ideas? Am I Blue Dear Blue: This situation is a reminder that clergy members are people, too. Sometimes, even they cannot rise above their own vulnerable humanity in order to serve others. Related Articles Advice | Ask Amy: I want my wedding guests to wear yellow and not speak. My fiance won’t back me up. Advice | Ask Amy: His mom didn’t even smile at our engagement. What do we do about the wedding? Advice | Ask Amy: I

All these years later, after 351 field goals and 410 extra points over 11 regular seasons in Baltimore, after another 14 field goals and 27 extra points over five postseasons, Justin Tucker still remembers his first. “Yeah, that was a 46-yarder,” the Ravens kicker recalled Thursday, reciting the facts of his first kick as if the team’s 2012 season opener had happened only days ago. The spot between the hash marks? “Left middle.” The game itself? “‘Monday Night Football.’ First drive of the game against the Bengals.” The most accurate kicker in NFL history hasn’t missed many since. Heading into Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tucker is two points away from breaking kicker Matt Stover’s franchise scoring record (1,464 points). He might not remember all of his kicks as a Raven, but some of the biggest ones are hard to forget. Just days away from a potentially historic afternoon inside Acrisure Stadium, Tucker broke them down with The Baltimore Sun. 2012, Week 1: 46-yard FG vs. Bengals The first kick of Tucker’s NFL career wasn’t easy. But then, winning the starting job hadn’t been