Wednesday, Oct. 17, is the 291st day of 2012. There are 75 days left in the year.

Today’s birthdays: Newspaper columnist Jimmy Breslin is 82. Singer Jim Seals (Seals and Crofts) is 70. Singer Gary Puckett is 70. Actor Michael McKean is 65. Actress Margot Kidder is 64. Actor George Wendt is 64. Astronaut Mae Jemison is 56. Country singer Alan Jackson is 54. Movie critic Richard Roeper is 53. Movie director Rob Marshall is 52. Animator Mike Judge is 50. Actor-comedian Norm Macdonald is 49. Reggae singer Ziggy Marley is 44. Golfer Ernie Els is 43. Rapper Eminem is 40. Singer Wyclef Jean is 40.