Monday, April 17, 2023

Monday, April 17, 2023

Native Earth, Native Sky

Culturally relevant curriculum

Stephanie Landaverde Staff Reporter

Thursday evening, Oklahoma State University’s Honors College presented the OSU/NASA Native Earth Native Sky Program.

Kat Gardner-Vandy, an OSU professor of aviation and space, introduced Native Earth Native Sky to Honors students. She said NENS collaboratively builds a culturally

relevant earth and space STEM curriculum for middle school grades with the Choctaw, Cherokee and Chickasaw Nations.

Sebastian Shetters, a physics junior, said it was inspiring to see these programs for middle school students.

“It reminds me of the time I was inspired to do science,” Shetters said. “I really love science. I’m really inspired by science.”

Gardner-Vandy said curriculum is sometimes created and then presented to people without any context or critique from the group to ensure

Cowboys avoid sweep from West Virginia, battle late

Rowdy Baribeau Staff Reporter

In the past five games, the No. 18 OSU Cowboys, in three of those games, have allowed more than four runs in the eighth inning.

All five of those games were losses for the Cowboys.

On Sunday against West Virginia, OSU had its own fun in the eighth as the Cowboys scored six runs en route to a 11-6 win against the Mountaineers. The Cowboys lost their home Big 12 series at O’Brate Stadium with a 6-3 loss on Friday and a 9-5 loss on Saturday. Cowboys coach Josh Holliday said he was proud of how the way his team responded.

“The only way we could, which was to fight back and I am sure glad we

did,” Holliday said. “We’ve been in a stretch lately where maybe we’ve played from a behind a little bit more. Maybe things haven’t come as easy. Maybe some things haven’t gone our way. Sometimes kids just run out of emotional gasoline to keep fueling the fight. And they didn’t do that, so, I appreciate that out of them.”

Third baseman Tyler Wulfert started the rally as he drove in the tying run with an RBI single.. Then came a bevy of hits for the Cowboys as they totaled six in the inning. West Virginia pitchers struggled to get out of the inning as three different pitchers entered from the bullpen. The Cowboys also cycled through the lineup and ended with Wulfert, who struck out during that at-bat and went 4-5 at the plate.

its relevance. NENS creates culturally specific curriculum for each nation.

NASA funds NENS through its Science Mission Directorate, which funds all NASA missions. In 2015, NASA started the Science Activation program as a way to share NASA’s data with the public. Gardner-Vandy said because NASA is funded by taxpayers, it has a responsibility to share its information with everyone.

Gardner-Vandy spoke about her background growing up in Oklahoma but going to Arizona and joining a cohort aimed at helping Native

American students seeking master’s and doctorate degrees in STEM fields. This is where she learned about Native American culture.

“I did not grow up with my family thinking it was important to learn about Choctaw culture,” GardnerVandy said. “This is how things have gone, sometimes for decades, within Oklahoma with the context of families that have been here for a long time. My great grandmother did not want to be Choctaw.”

fundraising shows in Stillwater

Cordova Staff Reporter

Garth Brooks was nervous. Not because he returned to a town he admires. He was worried about Friday night. He wasn’t sure if the younger generation would know his songs, he just wanted them to have fun.

Brooks was wrong. This weekend, Garth Brooks performed for the first time in Stillwater since 1991 at the McKnight Center to raise scholarship funds for OSU students, with shows on Friday and Saturday, but Friday’s concert was unlike any he’s done before – stu-

dents only.

“I think one of the reasons why I’m so nervous though is the difference in age,” Brooks said Friday before the show. “It’ll probably be the biggest difference I’ve seen. People bring their children to the stadium tour, but they are there with their parents.

“Saturday night I know what to do because I’ll be among the people I went to school with, but tonight I’m a little nervous and I just hope they have a good time.”

It seemed the students knew the songs he sang and had a good time. Every time Brooks sang a song, most of the crowd sang along.

Brooks said he wanted to approach Friday’s performance with an aspect of conversation rather than just a simple concert. He wanted to engage with his audience rather than arrive, sing and leave. Ten minutes into the

show, Brooks called out a student after he asked for music majors to raise their hand. It happened to be Isaac Jones, the student who sang for Brooks last year during a seminar in Stillwater.

Brooks remembered Jones and asked Jones to sing “Tennessee Whiskey,” and it left Brooks, and the crowd, speechless.

“That was definitely the most nervous I’ve been to sing in my life,” Jones said. “When they put the spotlight on my face, I turned and saw a thousand faces looking at me. That was definitely a core memory for me.”

Jones sang the first verse of the song, leading into the chorus, but the crowd interrupted and cheered for him. Brooks wanted to hear the chorus.

The way Jones sang his version of the song included added-on vocal runs that went up and down the note scale.

Davis Cordova

In his 34th year ofstardom, Garth brooks returns to OSU for fundraising concerts. Garth Brooks performs two

Davis

Sweep...

The Cowboys had three home runs. Shortstop Marcus Brown fired up the “Gap Band” in the second inning with his solo homer. Second baseman Roc Riggio had a solo home run in the third inning, as did catcher Chase Adkison. Holliday said Adkison deserves credit after his performance the last two months.

“I thought Roc was pivotal, as was Marcus,” Holliday said. “Like I said, if we were giving out a mid-season or this point in the season MVP, Chase Adkison gets it.”

Despite getting the Sunday win, Tevin Tucker, Mountaineer shortstop was instrumental in WVU’s success against OSU. On Friday, Tucker scored two runs. On Saturday, he went 3-3 and on Sunday he went 4-5. Holliday has coached against Tucker for four seasons, but Holliday said something was different about him in this series.

“He played tremendous, he had a great series,” Holliday said. “That was the best I’ve ever seen him play. I think he’s a senior now, he’s grown in many ways. He’s a much better player than he’s ever been.”

During the five game skid, Holliday and certain athletes stated that while their opponent had success with timely hitting, the Cowboys did not. OSU flipped the narrative on Sunday. The Cowboys avoided their first six-game losing streak since 2018 and moved to 24-13 overall and 8-7 in the Big 12.

Continued from 1 sports.ed@ocolly.com

Chase Davis

Chase Adkison hits the Cowboys second homer of the inning to right field.

OSU error proves costly, clinches series for Mountaineers

the dirt. Stebens couldn’t come up with it.

The play, scored a single and error on the throw, delivered a go-ahead Mountaineer run. It defined the game, a 9-5 West Virginia Win.

point in the game.”

No players were made available postgame for comment, but Holliday described why he thought the play wasn’t made.

Stebens surrendered four runs, striking out five and walking three.

Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter

A screaming ground ball forced David Mendham away from his perch at first base.

Mendham moved to his right, collecting the ball and delivered a throw to pitcher Isaac Stebens, who raced in to beat the batter to the bag. The throw was on time but spiked in

With two outs, the mistake gifted No. 25 WVU another at bat. Landon Wallace, Mountaineer left fielder, deposited a three-run home run ball into the terraced concrete seating, magnifying Mendham’s mistake.

“The ball got put in play, kind of took us a little out of position, created a little awkward angled throw and they capitalized on that,” Holliday said. “Obviously, the swing behind it was a big swing because it put some distance between us and them at that

“I think the throw was in route to the ground,” Holliday said. “It wasn’t an in-flight catch and tag on the bag. It was a ball that (Stebens) sort of had to block on a bounce so definitely adds another level of difficulty to the play when the ball doesn’t get there in the air.”

Ben Abram started the game for the No. 14 Cowboys. The senior gave up five earned runs in four innings, striking out three. Stebens took over and pitched five innings, his longest outing of the year aside from a six-inning performance against Utah Tech.

“Isaac is such a great competitor,” Holliday said. “It may not always be his sharpest outing, but boy he pitches for the team…I don’t think it was his best outing of the year because he’s been so darn good so many times. It’s going to happen.”

With a cold wind blowing in from left field, OSU, the Big 12 leader in home runs, failed to add to that tally. OSU (23-13 overall, 7-7 Big 12) mustered seven hits, but never got the offensive explosion it needed.

“I thought today there were good signs of where we were at as a team early in the game,” Holliday said. “We just did not finish off the game as a team.”

Chase Davis

Ben Abrams gets the start on the mound for game two vs WVU.

sports

Watts-Brown struggles early, Cowboys fall to West Virginia in series opener

In a normal outing, Juaron Watts-Brown can often be seen skipping around the mound out of excitement after recording a strikeout.

Teammates feel that fiery persona. The sporadic bursts of energy warrants second baseman Roc Riggio to call him “a spark of energy.”

None of that, however, was on display in No. 18 OSU’s 6-3 series-opening loss to West Virginia on Friday evening. A strikeout was often followed by a disgruntled head twitch or an emotionless facial expression – eagerness to escape a jam, inning after inning. In all four innings pitched, Watts-Brown was engrossed in one, three of which came with the bases loaded.

West Virginia second baseman JJ Wetherholt – who entered the series leading college baseball in hits (46) – posted a lead-off solo home run on the first at-bat of the game. What in most instances would be a footnote to a remarkable outing by OSU’s ace pitcher proved to be a foreshadowing of the next four innings. Shortly after, a bloop single and two walks loaded the bases. A hit batter plated another run.

It was already 2-0 West Virginia in the first inning.

Watts-Brown escaped the inning, but his struggles didn’t end there.

The Mountaineers (24-10, 4-3) capitalized on Watts-Brown’s early-inning struggles, plating four runs –three of which were earned – through his four innings pitched on Friday.

“(West Virginia) did a

good job of finding their way on base early” OSU coach Josh Holliday said. “They were just very competitive at the plate and made (Watts-Brown) work really hard on the mound. They’re a competitive ball club and we certainly knew that coming in.”

Watts-Brown allowed a season-high eight free bases –six walks and two hit batters. A usually deceiving wipeout slider appeared ineffective

with much less command. His fastball was flat, allowing five hits from opposing batters through four innings. Still, he managed to record 10 strikeouts. But he wasn’t the same strikeout machine on display just two weeks prior in an eight-inning triumph against Texas.

“He clearly wasn’t in cruise control,” Holliday said. “He’s been wonderful for us

multiple times. Tonight wasn’t his best outing.” A two-run inning from the Cowboys (23-12, 7-6) in the bottom of the fifth trimmed the deficit to one.

However, runs plated by the Mountaineers in the top of the seventh and ninth extended their lead back to three. It provided a sustainable cushion for a series-opening win for West Virginia, giving OSU its fourth consecutive loss and the

fifth in its past six.

“In competition, you get tested,” Holliday said. “You find out what you’re made of. We’ve (been tested).

“It’s tough. But these kids are very competitive and tough. So, we’ll ride with it and hopefully more of those guys who are a big part of our team can make their way back into the fold.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Luke Tolbert

Juaron Watts-Brown had six walks and two hit batters in four innings in the Cowboys’ loss to West Virginia on Friday.

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

Native sky...

Continued from 1

Gardner-Vandy said it wasn’t until her generation expressed pride and curiosity about their culture and heritage that they began to learn more about their language and culture. She said having grown up apart from her Choctaw culture, she only knew science as a Westernized institution. She said Native Americans have an indigenous way of knowing and thinking about science.

Gardner-Vandy said the Science Activation program’s mission states it wants programs that will serve underserved populations. She spoke about how underrepresented indigenous people are within STEM fields and said she asks herself why.

Gardner-Vandy said Native Americans not pursuing STEM fields may be because the way American education focuses on STEM is through inherently Westernized methods. She said Western thought approaches science through statements like “I want to understand this,” whereas the indigenous way of knowing is through questions like “What is my relationship to this?” and “What is this telling me?” She said Western thought has entitlement and power to it, whereas indigenous thought is more nuanced and ecological.

Continued from 1

“When Garth wanted me to finish the chorus, it was really gratifying,” Jones said. “It felt like Garth honestly believed that I was a skilled singer and that was incredible to hear him say those things. I love singing for crowds, so I knew as soon as he looked at me and started talking, I had to jump on the opportunity and try and steer him to how I sang last time.”

Brooks taught students major chords, the ‘Cowboy D’ and the legendary country artists that inspired him.

Major chords are what a song is usually based from, instrumental wise. Songs are played in chords, providing a pleasant sound for the ear.

The ‘Cowboy D’ is a chord that’s popularly used. Brooks sang “Hallelujah,” Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” and Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” to demonstrate how popular it is.

George Strait, Randy Travis, Merle Haggard and Bob Seger were some of the inspiring artists Brooks told stories and praised about. Brooks said all he ever wanted to be was like Strait.

Brooks ended the show with “Friends in Low Places,” and allowed the crowd to film the ending.

Saturday’s concert provided boosters and donors of OSU to at-

tend, but for a price.

When the announcement of these concerts happened, OSU President Kayse Shrum said the goal for scholarship fundraising was $1 million. Shrum announced Friday that Brooks’ concerts raised $2 million. Brooks said doing things like this feels good and that he’s proud to be an OSU alumnus.

“President (Jimmy) Carter says that ‘There’s a light inside your soul that only glows its brightest when you do something for somebody else instead of yourself,’” Brooks said. “I’m the first guy to say I’m from Oklahoma State. I love it here because you guys handle everything with class and always put the kids first, which is pretty cool.”

Gardner-Vandy also addressed historical injustices Native Americans have faced, and how education was one institution that perpetuated anti-Indigenous ideologies, such as the Carlisle boarding school that aimed to strip away Native Americans’ culture. Gardner-Vandy said this generational trauma still has an impact.

“If you went into a school and they said that your culture was not important, that the way your family taught you was not right, then you’re probably not interested in participating,” Gardner-Vandy said.

Jerret Carpenter, a senior in philosophy and natural resource ecology and management, said he has experience with NENS because he is a student leader in OSU’s Center for Sovereign Nations.

“I already knew the guest speaker,” Carpenter said. “I just mainly came to support her.”

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com news.ed@ocolly.com

Davis Cordova

The McKnight Center hosted Garth Brooks Friday and Saturday.

The Almighty S promotes women in architecture News

The Women in Architecture Collection showcase was held on Tuesday to promote females in the field.

Sara Mautino is the current visiting assistant professor and manages the Cunningham architecture library. She helped plan and execute the Women in Architecture Collection Showcase to show the success of female architects and inspire more women to join or continue in it.

“Only 22% of licensed architects in the US are women and 45% of the students in architecture school are women,” Mautino said. “So, there’s a huge drop. And we’re just trying to find ways to make women more visible in the profession.”

Mautino said the profession is a male dominated and needs to improve. She said the AIA, American Institute of Architects, have released a report on the biases in the profession. It talks about people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and women and their experience of discrimination in architecture. It also discusses ways to improve bias.

The Women in Architecture Collection showcase had many books on display written by the female authors like Leslie Kern along with past female architecture students’ designs. The event had snacks and activities to encourage people to come.

One of the activities was writing a trait of female architects down on a paper puzzle piece and sticking it to a board. When all pieces

were placed on the board, it replicated Zaha Hadid’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza in South Korea. Many of the female students, including Ryan Thompson, look up to Hadid as a great inspiration for female representation in architecture.

Thompson is a thirdyear architecture student and part of The Almighty S, who helped put the event together. The Almighty S is a women design club that helps empower women in architecture,

graphic design and interior design. This event is part of a design week that every architecture club is participating in to come together and benefit the design school.

“I think it’s important because I feel like they [women] are not recognized enough,” Thompson said. “And in my opinion, I think women have a lot to bring at the table, especially in design fields.”

Olivia Bailey is a thirdyear architecture student and

member of The Almighty S who helped put the event together. She said that it’s important for female students to see women being successful in architecture. She also said there are barriers, but the event shows that they can overcome them.

“It’s really important to kind of see the female architects that we have here and support for them,” Bailey said.

Rylan Flecker is another third-year student who is a

part of The Almighty S that put the event together. She said it was a good turn out for the event because past graduating class members came along with other female students and families.

“Especially the younger years, it’s important to show the support of the women [in architecture],” Flecker said. “It’s always fun to see representation.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

Taylor Carroll

The Women in Architecture Collection promotes female architects.

Taylor Carroll Staff Reporter

Award-winning ‘Demon Slayer’ anime/manga returns

Baylor Bryant Staff Reporter

The winner of the 2020 anime of the year award is back.

“Demon Slayer,” a fantasy action anime/manga written by Koyoharu Gotouge, is the most decorated anime/manga of the last decade, and one of the most decorated of all time. It’s back with a third season. The “Demon Slayer” manga came out in 2016, and it quickly became one of the top selling manga of all time.

“Demon Slayer” is seventh all-time in manga sales with $150 million, and it is the only series in the top 10 to have its debut after 2000. Every single manga in the top 10 is having or had at least a 10-year run, except for “Slam Dunk,” which ran

for 6 years. This is even more impressive considering the “Demon Slayer” manga only ran for 4 years. And the “Demon Slayer” anime awards are just as impressive.

“Demon Slayer” premiered with its anime adaptation in 2019 animated by studio Ufotable, which is known for its groundbreaking animation, and they lived up to its hype. After “Demon Slayer”’s first season concluded, it was rewarded as the anime of the year at the 2020 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. And just a year later, the first “Demon Slayer” movie was released in theaters, and it broke records.

In 2020 the “Demon Slayer” movie, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train,” released in theaters in Japan, and in 2021 it was released in America. The film grossed over $507 million world-

wide making it the highest grossing Japanese film of all time. With such a decorated resume, you would think that “Demon Slayer” has a groundbreaking story, but “Demon Slayer” has one of the more generic plots of the newer anime on the scene. “Demon Slayer” takes place in the early 1900s where demons wreak havoc on the people of Japan. Demon slayers are swordsmen who are tasked with slaying these demons. Fairly a simple plot, but “Demon Slayer” takes advantage of the plot structure being simple by focusing on the fights and the characters.

A lot of the credit to “Demon Slayer’s” breathtaking visuals and fight scenes goes to Studio Ufotable, which is known for some of the best animation in the industry. However, most of the credit needs to go to

Gotouge since his fights were the blueprint for Ufotable, and Ufotable was not the studio to make “Demon Slayer’’ one of the highest grossing manga of all time.

“Demon Slayer’s” characters are also a draw in for the series. The “Demon Slayer” character pool is fairly small, but Gotouge does a good job of making each character interesting and giving them their time to shine whether that be with an emotional impact or in a stellar fight scene.

“Demon Slayer” is now back with its third season covering the Swordsmith Village arc of the manga, which shines light on a new cast of characters alongside series protagonist Tanjiro Kamado. The third season is currently airing a new episode every Sunday on Crunchyroll.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

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Courtesy of Tribune

People line up in front of posters of the Japanese comics Demon Slayer during the 9th Comics and Animation Festival in Taipei on February 4, 2021.

‘Star Wars’ Celebration 2023 recap Lifestyle

series currently streaming on Disney+.

Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter

The force was strong with fans of the intergalactic universe last week as Star Wars fans were treated to several exciting announcements about their favorite galaxy far, far away.

The annual fan convention, Star Wars Celebration, was held over three days, and fans were treated to new trailers, talks with Star Wars actors, new movies and show announcements.

In case you couldn’t attend the event overseas in London’s ExCel center or missed the announcements debut on social media, I’ve got a quick recap of every new and exciting thing coming to the “Star Wars” universe.

Arguably the biggest news to come out of London is the reveal of three new movies set to take place in three different eras.

Daisy Ridley, who played Rey in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, will be reprising her role in a movie set to take place 15 years after the events of “Episode Ⅸ: Rise of Skywalker” as Rey attempts to rebuild the Jedi order. The film, directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, hopes to reignite the love for the sequel trilogy and add more to the story to tie it all together.

Dave Filoni, a director, screenwriter and producer on multiple “Star Wars” projects, is set to helm the film that will serve as the culmination of the widely popular “Mandaloiran”

The final film announced in the lineup is a film that takes place 25,000 years before the events of “Episode Phantom Menace” and will explore the origins of the Jedi. The director of the box office hits “Logan,” “Ford v Ferrari,” and “The Greatest Showman” is directing the project.

There has yet to be any word on the release dates for the upcoming three movies.

As for other rumored “Star Wars” projects, Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, confirmed that Taika Watiti, Shawn Levy and Rian Johnson’s movies are all still greenlit. However, she confirmed that Rogue Squadron, a story about elite rebel pilots, is tabled for now.

Moving over to streaming, “Star Wars” is set with a massive line-up of new shows and seasons for currently streaming shows.

Fans got a first look at the highly anticipated “Ahsoka” series set to release in August 2023. The series will follow Dave Filoni’s Ahoska (Rosario Dawson) as she tracks down Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) with the help of the “Rebels” crew.

Fans also reportedly got an exclusive look at Lars Mikkelsen as the infamous Thrawn at the convention center.

The Acolyte cast made and appearance at Star Wars Celebration to promote their new show. The series follows the Jedi during the end of the High Republic era. The series director is Leslye Headland, and the cast revealed a new teaser. The official trailer is not up, but there is footage from the first look for fans attending the convention. The

show will air in 2024.

Last year at Star Wars Celebration, Anenhiem Star Wars announced a new series called “Skeleton Crew.” The show follows a Jedi (Jude Law) and a group of kids lost in space. The show is set during the time period of “Ahsoka” and “The Mandalorian.” The younger cast members confirmed a 2023 release date. Many are concerned that the show will turn into a ‘kids’ show, but series creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford have repeatedly stated that the show will not be. Several shows are renewed for a second season. Fan favorite “Andor” has been renewed for a second and final season. The second season will include 12 episodes for release in 2024. The animated anthology

series “Visions” is taking on a second season with even more animators on deck. The show stands out with its line-up of different animation studios from across the globe, granting each individual episode a unique style. The show will premiere on the unofficial Star Wars Day, May 4th, 2023.

Tales of the Jedi, Dave Filoni’s short story series, will get a season two. This is unexpected, but it made the panel celebrating the 15th anniversary of Filoni’s “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” series much sweeter. The series is animated in the style of “Clone Wars” and brings to the screen stories only mentioned in the movies and novels. No release date is confirmed. The series follows Clone Force 99 as they navigate the galaxy following Order 66.

The third season promises to explore Lord Sidous’ cloning efforts. This season will be the final season, arriving at Disney+ in 2024. An announcement full of nostalgia that hits a little closer to home is that Star Wars Celebration revealed that “Return of the Jedi” will be returning to theaters to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its original release on May 25, 1983. The movie will be showing in select theaters from April 28-May 4. The next Star Wars Celebration is in 2025. The annual convention will take a ‘gap year’ before heading to Japan on April 18-20, 2025. Star Wars Celebration 2023 previews a promising next chapter in the “Star Wars.”

Courtesy of IGN Nordic

The annual fan convention, Star Wars Celebration, was held over three days, and fans were treated to new trailers, talks with Star Wars actors, new movies and show announcements.

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Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black

Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (04/17/23). Plot to realize dreams this year. Pull together with friends for greater connection, collaboration and ease. Springtime muses inspire backstage creativity. Sharing support and partnership with summer changes energizes your physical performance this autumn. Upgrade your brand this winter. Go for the gold.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — Wear your powerful and confident suit. Invent your personal vision to realize an inspiring possibility. Consider passions and priorities. Stand for what you love.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Savor peaceful planning in your private sanctuary. Imagine potential scenarios and different options. Consider upcoming events and expenses. What if you could have perfection?

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Collaborate with a group, club or community effort. Align on a common vision and purpose. Contribution for what you love satisfies at a deep level.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Your status and influence are on the rise. Focus on a dreamy assignment or project. Expand in a direction with interesting opportunities and potential.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Explore and expand your own boundaries. Study the background. Practice what you’re learning. Investigate a broader range of perspectives. Discover new flavors, arts and ideas.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Collaborate for shared gain. You’re building for the future. Set financial goals and budget to meet them. Bring home your contribution to the family pot.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Romance and partnership develop naturally. Share support, fun and comfort. You’re creating something of lasting value. Learn from each other. Give and take.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — You’re growing stronger. Keep practicing physical skills for endurance and ease. Get outside and reconnect with nature.

Nurture yourself with good food and rest.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Love grows to new levels. Indulge in something fun and joyful. Connect with beauty and goodness. Imagine and invent possibilities with someone special.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Enjoy domestic comforts. Nurture your family, pets and garden. Cook, clean and prepare. Share delicious flavors and experiences. Savor the fruits of your labors.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Your creative muses harmonize. Capture beautiful ideas onto paper, files or film. Express your message. Share the news. Participate in a larger conversation.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Get into a lucrative groove. Keep producing positive cash flow and stash the surplus. Maintain momentum. You’re building for the future. Share your gratitude.

Catherine Cetta

Sudoku By The Mepham Group

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk.