TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Actor-comedian Larry Storch is 95. Broadcast journalist Sander Vanocur is 90. CBS newsman Charles Osgood is 85. Singer Shirley Bassey is 81. Game show host Bob Eubanks is 80. Country-gospel singer Cristy Lane is 78. Rhythmand-blues singer Anthony Gourdine is 77. Actress Yvette Mimieux is 76. Physicist Stephen Hawking is 76. Singer Juanita Cowart Motley is 74. Actress Kathleen Noone is 73. Rock musician Robby Krieger is 72. Movie director John McTiernan is 67. Actress Harriet Sansom Harris is 63. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is 60. Singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith is 54. Actress Maria Pitillo is 53. Actress Michelle Forbes is 53. Singer R. Kelly is 51. Rock musician Jeff Abercrombie is 49. Actress Ami Dolenz is 49. Reggae singer Sean Paul is 45. Country singer Tift Merritt is 43. Actress-rock singer Jenny Lewis is 42. Actress Amber Benson is 41. Actor Scott Whyte is 40. Singer-songwriter Erin McCarley is 39. Actress Sarah Polley is 39. Actress Rachel Nichols is 38. Actress Gaby Hoffman is 36. Actor Freddie Stroma is 31. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): It’s once again time to acquire new skills or to update and refine existing skills. There are many from whom you could learn. Look around and determine who’s doing things in a way you admire.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

No one can live on shameless flattery alone, but add a sandwich or two to the mix and it’ll certainly do for today. Besides, it feels good to finally be recognized for all you’ve been up to. Why not bask in it?

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You choose your friends, but it’s not like you can order them up as you would a sandwich, requesting all your favorite ingredients. They come ready-made. You may prefer they didn’t have certain traits, but it’s all part of the package.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’re no chameleon. You might adapt to your environment, but you won’t change your colors to fit in. Today you’ll be around people whose opinions you disagree with. Luckily you don’t have to agree to get along.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): You can see so much of a person with direct eye contact. It’s why people avoid looking at each other. They are afraid. You’re not. It’s an essential part of effective dealing. It’s respectful. It’s why you make the connection.

Today’s birthday (Jan. 8): Keep track of your wins, your new friends, your efforts, your successes. You’ll have hundreds over the next 12 months. A leap of faith will precede an important gain in March. May will illuminate new aspects of your heart. Relationships get deeper. You’re getting better at a key skill, and you’ll be paid big for it. Cancer and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 49, 31, 27 and 14.