Lucky Numbers

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You are not completely immune to social incentives, but awards, prizes and the like have little to do with your happiness, identity or sense of purpose. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You're building the secretive elements of surprise and mystery. Thinking outside yourself will help. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). For some people, home is a place. For others, it's a feeling. For you, it's people. Make more time for these people. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're feeling even more inclusive than usual and are willing to bring people into your mix who might not match and who will most certainly broaden your horizons on many levels.

The wacky comedy "Lucky Numbers," inspired by the 1980 Pennsylvania lotto scandal, seems designed to help John Travolta bounce back from the disaster of "Battlefield: Earth. " Alas, this new film is wacky without being particularly good. As fair warning to its prospective audience, it should probably be titled "Battlefield: Harrisburg. " Travolta stars as an unctuous weatherman, Russ Richards, toiling at a small station in our state capital, where his notoriety gives him his own table at the city's "trendiest restaurant.

The pleasant after-Chinese-dinner experience of cracking open a cookie and getting lucky is just about gone, friends. Now you're fortunate if you receive a fortune. The bulk of today's cookies contain bad advice, pithy sayings, disingenuous praise, or just plain nonsense. "You have tasted the bitterness as well as the sweetness of coffee" was one "fortune" I got recently. What does that mean? The fortune has diminished in quality from actual predictions of the future (my definition)

It was nearly five years, but must have seemed longer. Rutgers-Camden beat visiting Bloomfield College, 77-72, last night, snapping an NCAA-record 117-game losing streak that stretched almost five seasons. "We're on a one-game winning streak," freshman Dawan Boxley said. "It's just the beginning. We've been through some tough times," said coach Ray Pace, in his first full season coaching the Division III Pioneers. "I knew it was just a matter of time, and I don't want any credit for this.

Are you kiddin'? (Big toothy grin). Thirty five million bucks? (Eyebrows arch). What would I do with that much cash? (Eyes glaze). "The Dream," said an obviously frantic Vincent DeFedelto yesterday, "is Hawaii. Of course I'd take care of my kids first - a college education and a trust fund. "But then back to Hawaii. " The dreamers were out in full force yesterday afternoon as the New Jersey Pick-6 lottery jackpot climbed higher and higher. At 1:30 p.m., more than 17,000 number combinations were being purchased every minute.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). New information sources, relationships and experiences will serve to expand your worldview. Knowing what is going on in other places will give you ideas about what to do in your corner of the globe. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Because of your disciplined command, your vessel will take you and your crew exactly where you intend to go. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your agreement or disagreement will make all the difference in someone's plans. And if you can give your answer quickly, it will be better for all. CANCER (June 22-July 22)