UPI Almanac for Friday, Aug. 31, 2007.

Today is Thursday, Aug. 31, the 243rd day of 2006 with 122 to follow.

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 31, the 243rd day of 2005 with 122 to follow.

Today is Tuesday, Aug. 31, the 244th day of 2004 with 122 to follow.

Today is Sunday, Aug. 31, the 243rd day of 2003 with 122 to follow.

Today's birthdays include Tommy Chong, of Cheech and Chong fame, who was born in 1938 (age 65); Bob Dylan -- born Robert Zimmerman -- in 1941 (age 62); Derek Quinn, guitarist with Freddie and the Dreamers, in 1942 (age 61); Patti LaBelle in 1944 (age 59);

UPI's weekly Today in Music package for May 24-30.

Ben Affleck says reports Colin Farrell dated Britney Spears gave him and fiancée Jennifer Lopez a much-needed break from the limelight.

Today's birthdays include actor/singer Tommy Steele, who was born in 1936 (age 66); Art Neville, one of the Neville Brothers, in 1937 (age 65); the late Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations was born in 1939; the late Paul Butterfield was born in 1942; Raspb