1+ hour, 2+ min ago (536+ words) CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kaley Cuoco, 40; Elisha Cuthbert, 43; Ben Stiller, 60; Billy Idol, 70. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Indulge in activities that are conducive to meeting new people or developing a closer connection to someone you love. Positive change begins with you and how you conduct yourself physically, intellectually and emotionally. Refuse to let insecurities cost you due to an inability to tell it like it is. A change of heart requires action. 4 stars CANCER (June 21-July 22): Participation and interaction will lead to opportunities for positive lifestyle changes. Think outside the box, use your imagination and be the one to make things happen. Utilize your skills to fit demands, and financial gains will follow. A networking event or reunion with past associates will result in unexpected offers that are worth checking out. 2 stars LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Mix business with pleasure; attend professional…...

20+ hour, 2+ min ago (596+ words) CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Anna Faris, 49; Don Cheadle, 61; Andrew McCarthy, 63; Howie Mandel, 70. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Pay attention to the fine print, and you can save money, time and energy. Multitasking may be your thing, but taking on too much will limit you. Take a moment to breathe and to establish what's most valuable and what you can discard. Positive change begins with taking care of yourself and your needs first. 3 stars GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Temper your tone, and don't share personal information with others. Less talk and more listening will help you move forward with less interference and judgment. Refuse to let anyone sucker you into taking on responsibilities that don't belong to you. Offer suggestions, but not your time or your cash. Direct your energy toward personal gain. 2 stars CANCER (June 21-July 22): Keep the momentum flowing. Initiate conversations,…...

2+ day, 1+ hour ago (730+ words) CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ryan Kwanten, 49; Jon Stewart, 63; Ed Harris, 75; Paul Shaffer, 76. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don't stop when momentum is building. A change is heading your way that you won't want to miss. Invest time and money in yourself, your skills and updates that will help you advance. Participate in interest groups and events that encourage you to expand your social circle and improve your financial and health habits. 3 stars GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take the time to digest information and to be sure you've got your facts straight before you commit to anything. Mixed emotions will quickly turn into an argument if you aren't willing to compromise. Change is likely, but with a healthy attitude and a little charm, you can bypass negativity and gain support. 2 stars CANCER (June 21-July 22): It's up to you to initiate change. The stars…...

2+ day, 21+ hour ago (535+ words) DEAR MISS MANNERS: At several gatherings with friends and family, the food is blessed by holding hands during a prayer " after I have already washed mine in preparation for eating. Holding hands defeats the purpose of washing them, but I don't know how to avoid it during the prayer. Refraining from holding hands, or immediately rewashing right after, might offend the other guests. Any ideas on how to handle this situation? GENTLE READER: Wash your hands at the time appointed, hold hands during the prayer, and then, when everyone else starts to eat, you may excuse yourself, having waited to go to the bathroom. You will then be able to wash your hands a second time with no one the wiser. Do not let the subterfuge concern you. Miss Manners knows that it is for a good cause " just as…...

3+ day, 49+ min ago (258+ words) Two stories anchor our oldest holiday. Both took place in times of division and deprivation. And both offer a hopeful note about who we can be when we try. One can practically hear today's political media racing each other to call such a message "out of touch." But what Lincoln understood was that the practice of giving thanks could bridge chasms that politics and war had torn open. He offered hope that acknowledging our common blessings might preserve the union when little else could. The peaks and valleys of American history are commonly defined by our wealth and our power. But as these stories remind us, the true character of America is found in our capacity as a pilgrim people to find reasons for hope and gratitude and share those blessings with others. So, what might those moments suggest for…...

3+ day, 1+ hour ago (739+ words) CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Alison Pill, 40; Jaleel White, 49; Fisher Stevens, 62; Kathryn Bigelow, 74. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Control your emotions and gather the facts. Taking the time to research, formulate your thoughts and put a plan in place is essential if you want to move forward with confidence. Don't fear being different or doing things differently. Living life your way is what's best for you. Follow your heart and ease your stress, and you'll gather momentum. 4 stars GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep life simple. Don't overload your plate, promise more than you can deliver or let your emotions get you into trouble. Focus inward, and choose healthy activities that help you look and feel your best. Personal gain is in your best interest, and your relationships and who you associate with today will determine the outcome. 2 stars CANCER (June 21-July 22): Learn from…...

3+ day, 20+ hour ago (536+ words) CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Peter Facinelli, 52; Garcelle Beauvais, 59; John McVie, 80; Rich Little, 87. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Check the job market, set up interviews and revise your resume. Attend reunions or events that bring you in contact with informative individuals who can enlighten you about subjects and prospects you have little knowledge of. It's a great day to learn and to strive for something new and exciting. Love and self-improvement are on the rise. 3 stars LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let caution lead the way. If you act in haste or let spontaneity win over common sense, you'll pay the price. Focus your energy on personal challenges, physical activities and cultivating meaningful relationships. Choose growth, learning and striving to be your best over emotional drama. Let go of what's no longer working for you. 3 stars VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Communication will spare you grief....

4+ day, 22+ hour ago (471+ words) Berkeley had many Thanksgiving Day activities a year ago. One of them was an outdoor service "in the natural amphitheatre of the Berkeley hills, near the eucalyptus grove back of the summit of the Big C hill. Dean William Frederic Bade conducted the Out-Door Thanksgiving service this morning for the members of the Sierra Club and their friends." Bade, from the Pacific School of Religion, delivered what the Gazette called a "glittering address on Nature and God" and read extensively from a first-century B.C. manuscript written in Alexandria, Egypt. Elsewhere in Berkeley there were "fireside gatherings of families" and at least 12 Thanksgiving church services. In one of them, at St. John's Presbyterian Church on College Avenue, the Rev. Stanley Armstrong Hunter declared "that God, not nature nor man, is the source of all blessings." "To Berkeleyans as to the whole world,…...

5+ day, 1+ hour ago (668+ words) CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Katie Cassidy, 39; Jerry Ferrara, 46; Christina Applegate, 54; Bruno Tonioli, 70. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take initiative, and turn your complaints into a thing of the past. It's up to you to adjust whatever isn't meeting your expectations. Invest your time, money and effort into what motivates you to make your wishes a reality. Travel or educational pursuits will help you find answers and discover the best way to reach your goal. 4 stars GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Learn from your experiences, and make better choices. You are overdue for a change that offers the freedom to discover what's possible. Consider what you love to do most, and turn it into something tangible. Market your skills and attributes, and you'll find the happiness you desire. You have two choices: follow or lead the way. 5 stars LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take charge and…...

5+ day, 1+ hour ago (471+ words) Berkeley had many Thanksgiving Day activities a year ago. One of them was an outdoor service "in the natural amphitheatre of the Berkeley hills, near the eucalyptus grove back of the summit of the Big C hill. Dean William Frederic Bade conducted the Out-Door Thanksgiving service this morning for the members of the Sierra Club and their friends." Bade, from the Pacific School of Religion, delivered what the Gazette called a "glittering address on Nature and God" and read extensively from a first-century B.C. manuscript written in Alexandria, Egypt. Elsewhere in Berkeley there were "fireside gatherings of families" and at least 12 Thanksgiving church services. In one of them, at St. John's Presbyterian Church on College Avenue, the Rev. Stanley Armstrong Hunter declared "that God, not nature nor man, is the source of all blessings." "To Berkeleyans as to the whole world,…...