Saturday, Dec. 8, is the 343d day of 2012. There are 23 days left in the year. The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, begins at sunset.

Today’s birthdays: Actor-director Maximilian Schell is 82. Flutist James Galway is 73. Rock musician Gregg Allman is 65. Reggae singer Toots Hibbert (Toots and the Maytals) is 64. Actress Kim Basinger is 59. Actress Teri Hatcher is 48. Singer Sinead O’Connor is 46.