1 . Greek cheese 5 . Alpine transport ( hyph .) 9 . Neon , e . g . 12 . Bikini , e . g . 14 . One who cuts wood 16 . Back , in a way 17 . Commercial district 19 . Churchill ' s " so few ": Abbr . 20 . Heir ' s concern 21 . Vision test ( 2 wds ) 23 . Marathon 25 . Alone 26 . Of many kinds 30 . One who sets aside money 32 . A pint , maybe 33 . A fake 35 . Gets licked 37 . Highs and ____ 39 . Clinch , with " up " 40 . Bat ' s home 41 . Doofus 43 . Advances 46 . Grassland 47 . Boxer ' s bane 49 . Safety device in a car 51 . Icelandic epic 52 . Highlands hillside 53 . Strong wine of Greece 57 . Wet slapping sounds 61 . Away 62 . Flickering light

64 . Bauxite , e . g . 65 . " Die Lorelei " poet 66 . Like " The X-Files " 67 . In favor of 68 . Halftime lead , e . g . 69 . Certain protest

Down 1 . Notability 2 . Flight data , briefly 3 . Cause for a lawsuit 4 . Sodium , e . g . 5 . Cooking meas . 6 . Bundle 7 . " Shoo !" 8 . Alcove 9 . Selling used items at one ' s home ( 2 wds ) 10 . Biology lab supply

11 . Delicate 13 . Allowing someone to deboard 15 . Relating to the rectum 18 . Andrea Bocelli , for one 22 . Devastation 24 . Lens 26 . Washington locale , with " the " 27 . Cool 28 . Periodical issued report 29 . Dual singing parts 31 . Celebrate 34 . Dork 36 . Accommodate 38 . Top competitors , often 42 . Salad slice 44 . Analyze , in a way 45 . Mainstay

48 . A branch of Dakota Indians 50 . Conviction 53 . Good vantage point 54 . Coin featuring Leonardo da Vinci ' s Vitruvian Man 55 . Bone-dry 56 . Spiritual , e . g . 58 . City on the Yamuna River 59 . " Get ___!" 60 . " Let it stand " 63 . Drone , e . g .

“ Look for something positive in each day , even if some days you have to look a little harder ”

Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a renowned ruler . Using the hints V = E and M = D , decipher the clues to name the ruler .

1

2

3

4

5

X I Z V M E K

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I W U G H E H R V

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Y K M V S V I H V M

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M V G H U K L

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Z B I W U G X I

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This ruler kept adding to their empire , creating one of the largest ever in ancient history :

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Answers : 1 ) Macedon , 2 ) Aristotle , 3 ) Undefeated 4 ) Destiny , 5 ) Charisma , Alexander the Great

Acid Along Beef Bore Boys Bunny Cards Column Cork Crop Cups Deepest Died Digs Drop Drunk Echo Empire Equals Essay Flood Foul Furthermore Game

Gang Gear Golden Goods Hers Idle Keeps Kept Kids King Lack Lies Limb Lion Lips Look Loosen Mile Milk Move Mugs Needed Older Peak Pets

Pieced Rake Ring Rule Safer Scar Side Smacks Smoked Snake Sock Solo

Test Tyres Uses Very Video Vine Vocal Wrap

Find the Crossword and Word Search answers on Page 13 of this week ’ s issue .

December 22 – January 19

Eek , Capricorn . Summer is nearly over , and your to-do list is nowhere near completion . There is a way , but it ’ s going to require you to relinquish some control .

March 21 – April 19

A youngster makes an interesting proposal . Take some time to reflect upon the terms before you respond , Aries . A sweet treat boosts spirits at the office .

June 22 – July 22

Could it be , Cancer ? Could a senior be stepping up to the plate and taking charge of their life ? They could be , and with some encouragement , they will .

September 23 – October 22

You can ’ t put your finger on it , but something is not quite right about a situation . Keep looking , Libra , and have a backup plan . A package arrives .

January 20 – February 18

Stay cool , Aquarius . Things are going to move a little too fast for your taste , but what can you do ? It ’ s not your life . Offer your support and leave it be .

April 20 – May 20

Impromptu outings make for a fun week , Taurus . Enjoy each and every moment with friends and family . More serious matters will soon warrant your attention .

July 23 – August 22

Flowers brighten the mood at home , and progress moves forward on a project . Hooray , Leo . A hobby is revisited , bringing joy to a youngster .

October 23 – November 21

Lost for words , Scorpio ? You are not alone . Take comfort in that fact and know that when the time is right , the words will come . A message is received .

February 19 – March 20

Travel is on the horizon . Cast aside your reservations and go , Pisces . You ’ ll enjoy the change of scenery and return with a fresh perspective on an old problem .

May 21 – June 21

Uh-uh , Gemini . You can ’ t force the issue . You ’ re going to have to leave it be and let your pal come to their own conclusion . A proposal is risky .

August 23 – September 22

Concerns mount , as a loved one proceeds with their decision . You know there ’ s going to be trouble , but there is nothing you can do about it . Forget about it , Virgo .

November 22 – December 21

Too little , too late , Sagittarius . You had your chance , and you lost it . An heirloom gets a facelift just in time for a big to-do . Be grateful .