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Science News
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Nuclear Power Worldwide: Status And Outlook

October 24, 2007
International Atomic Energy Agency
Nuclear power's prominence as a major energy source will continue over the next several decades, according to new projections made by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Present nuclear power plant expansion is centered in Asia.

Nuclear power´s prominence as a major energy source will continue over the next several decades, according to new projections made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has just published a new report, Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power for the period up to 2030.

The IAEA makes two annual projections concerning the growth of nuclear power, a low and a high. The low projection assumes that all nuclear capacity that is currently under construction or firmly in the development pipeline gets completed and attached to the grid, but no other capacity is added. In this low projection, there would be growth in capacity from 370 GW(e) at the end of 2006 to 447 GW(e) in 2030. (A gigawatt = 1000 megawatts = 1 billion watts).

In the IAEA´s high projection - which adds in additional reasonable and promising projects and plans - global nuclear capacity is estimated to rise to 679 GW(e) in 2030. That would be an average growth rate of about 2.5%/yr.

"Our job is not so much to predict the future but to prepare for it," explains the IAEA´s Alan McDonald, Nuclear Energy Analyst. "To that end we update each year a high and low projection to establish the range of uncertainty we ought to be prepared for."

Nuclear power´s share of worldwide electricity production rose from less than 1 percent in 1960 to 16 percent in 1986, and that percentage has held essentially constant in the 21 years since 1986. Nuclear electricity generation has grown steadily at the same pace as overall global electricity generation. At the close of 2006, nuclear provided about 15 percent of total electricity worldwide.

The IAEA´s other key findings as of the end of 2006 are listed below.

There were 435 operating nuclear reactors around the world, and 29 more were under construction. The US had the most with 103 operating units. France was next with 59. Japan followed with 55, plus one more under construction, and Russia had 31 operating, and seven more under construction.

Of the 30 countries with nuclear power, the percentage of electricity supplied by nuclear ranged widely: from a high of 78 percent in France; to 54 percent in Belgium; 39 percent in Republic of Korea; 37 percent in Switzerland; 30 percent in Japan; 19 percent in the USA; 16 percent in Russia; 4 percent in South Africa; and 2 percent in China.

Present nuclear power plant expansion is centred in Asia: 15 of the 29 units under construction at the end of 2006 were in Asia. And 26 of the last 36 reactors to have been connected to the grid were in Asia. India currently gets less than 3% of its electricity from nuclear, but at the end of 2006 it had one-quarter of the nuclear construction - 7 of the world´s 29 reactors that were under construction. India´s plans are even more impressive: an 8-fold increase by 2022 to 10 percent of the electricity supply and a 75-fold increase by 2052 to reach 26 percent of the electricity supply. A 75-fold increase works out to an average of 9.4 percent/yr, about the same as average global nuclear growth from 1970 through 2004. So it´s hardly unprecedented.

China is experiencing huge energy growth and is trying to expand every source it can, including nuclear power. It has four reactors under construction and plans a nearly five-fold expansion by just 2020. Because China is growing so fast this would still amount to only 4 percent of total electricity.

Russia had 31 operating reactors, five under construction and significant expansion plans. There´s a lot of discussion in Russia of becoming a full fuel-service provider, including services like leasing fuel, reprocessing spent fuel for countries that are interested, and even leasing reactors.

Japan had 55 reactors in operation, one under construction, and plans to increase nuclear power´s share of electricity from 30 percent in 2006 to more than 40 percent within the next decade.

South Korea connected its 20th reactor just last year, has another under construction and has broken ground to start building two more. Nuclear power already supplies 39 percent of its electricity.

Europe is a good example of "one size does not fit all." Altogether it had 166 reactors in operation and six under construction. But there are several nuclear prohibition countries like Austria, Italy, Denmark and Ireland. And there are nuclear phase-out countries like Germany and Belgium.

There are also nuclear expansion programmes in Finland, France, Bulgaria and Ukraine. Finland started construction in 2005 on Olkiluoto-3, which is the first new Western European construction since 1991. France plans to start its next plant in 2007.

Several countries with nuclear power are still pondering future plans. The UK, with 19 operating plants, many of which are relatively old, had been the most uncertain until recently. Although a final policy decision on nuclear power will await the results of a public consultation now underway, a White Paper on energy published in May 20071/ concluded that "...having reviewed the evidence and information available we believe that the advantages [of new nuclear power] outweigh the disadvantages and that the disadvantages can be effectively managed. On this basis, the Government´s preliminary view is that it is in the public´s interest to give the private sector the option of investing in new nuclear power stations."

The US had 103 reactors providing 19 percent of the country´s electricity. For the last few decades the main developments have been improved capacity factors, power increases at existing plants and license renewals. Currently 48 reactors have already received 20-year renewals, so their licensed lifetimes are 60 years. Altogether three-quarters of the US reactors either already have license renewals, have applied for them, or have stated their intention to apply. There have been a lot of announced intentions (about 30 new reactors´ worth) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is now reviewing four Early Site Permit applications.

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The above post is reprinted from materials provided by International Atomic Energy Agency. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

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International Atomic Energy Agency. "Nuclear Power Worldwide: Status And Outlook." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 October 2007. <>.
International Atomic Energy Agency. (2007, October 24). Nuclear Power Worldwide: Status And Outlook. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 1, 2015 from
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Bees Living in Cities Are Building Their Homes with Plastic

It’s the first documentation of insects incorporating plastic trash into nests

Megachile campanulae

More on this Topic

Bowerbirds love discarded plastic. The males use colorful pieces to woo mates in an elaborate courtyard outside their nests. New research shows that another animal is putting our plastic waste to good use: two species of city-living bee have started building bits of plastic into their nests.

The bees that J. Scott MacIvor, an ecologist at York University, studies aren't social and don't build hives. They construct small nests in plant stems, tree holes and fence posts. To examine their nest-building habits in detail, MacIvor enlisted Toronto citizen scientists in the spring of 2012 to help place artificial nest boxes throughout the city.

When he checked them that fall, he found something unexpected: Megachile rotundata—one of the most commonly managed bees in the world—had incorporated pieces of plastic shopping bags into its nests in addition to the usual leaves. And Megachile campanulae, which typically seals the cells of its nest with plant and tree resins, had used plastic-based sealants, including caulk.

The findings, published in the journal Ecosphere, constitute the first scientific documentation of insects building nests with plastic. Bees routinely live inside plastic objects, such as straws, “but to actively gather plastic is novel,” says John Ascher, a researcher at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

The study offers another example of how animals adapt to human-dominated environments. “There will always be those that have adaptive traits or enough flexibility in their behavior to persist in a disturbed landscape,” MacIvor says. At least we hope so.

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Start Course
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Covers many of the same study basics as Learning How to Learn but is written and illustrated for young teenagers. Success in life relies on one’s competence; this book provides fundamentals for those approaching adulthood to acquire skill in a subject studied. All students, even those who have fallen prey to bad study habits, can benefit from this book.

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L. Ron Hubbard isolated grammar as a major factor in anyone’s ability to study and communicate to others. He not only got rid of the complexities in the subject of grammar and developed a new grammar that is simple and easy to understand, but also made it possible for a child to learn it. This illustrated book contains the basics of the new grammar, a must for any child.

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Describes each of the fundamentals of Study Technology for any age or academic level from teenagers to adult. With this basic data, an individual can grasp a subject and apply what he has learned to improve conditions in his life. Fully illustrated to increase understanding of concepts and procedures.

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Using a dictionary is something people often take for granted. But few have ever been shown exactly how to gain all the benefits a dictionary can provide or how to use it efficiently. This illustrated and easy-to-understand text explains proper dictionary usage to both young students and adults, giving them this vitally needed skill. The book is part of the Hubbard Key to Life Course described below.

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It is the small, common words that are most often misunderstood and form a major barrier to understanding. In this book, more than 3,000 illustrations clearly show each definition of the most common words in English. A unique method of providing a firm understanding of the basic building blocks of the language. Part of the Hubbard Key to Life Course.

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Mr. Hubbard researched the subject of grammar and isolated the exact basics to enable anyone to learn and effectively use this subject. Gone are the complexities and false data that have plagued grammar for many years. With The New Grammar, it is possible to greatly improve one’s ability to communicate to others and understand others’ communications to him. Part of the Hubbard Key to Life Course.

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My Office Yogi: Q&A and Office Yoga Session with Erin Wert

Posted in Business and Careers, Explore and Discover, For You on January 27, 2015 at 6:00 am

Feature_yoga By Aileen Luppert While we first met over 30 years ago, it wasn’t until our daughters became friends that Erin Wert became a dear friend of mine. Now our girls are nearly the age as we were when we met. Over these last five years I have watched Erin’s sincere passion for yoga grow and […]

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The No-Excuses Guide to Entertaining

Posted in Explore and Discover, For You on August 21, 2014 at 6:00 am

Feature_NoExcusesGuideToEntertaining By Cara Strickland I’ve always loved to have people over. While I enjoy meeting at a restaurant, coffee shop or wide open space, I like the personal nature of inviting someone into my home even better. At least, I like the idea of having people over. Sometimes, when it gets right down to it, I […]

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Library Hack: eBooks and Audiobooks

Posted in Explore and Discover, For You, Parents and Teachers, Prime Time, Teens on July 8, 2014 at 6:00 am

Cara gives insider tips on how to get the most from our donwloadable eBooks and audiobooks. by Cara Strickland My to-read list is frighteningly long. Most of my friends are readers, and we love to give out book suggestions to each other. One good book leads to another and before I know it, my Goodreads account is bursting at the seams. My life doesn’t leave as much margin as I would […]

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Style meter

PUBLISHED : Sunday, 31 May, 2009, 12:00am
UPDATED : Sunday, 31 May, 2009, 12:00am

Slogan T-shirts

It looks as though Vivienne Westwood was onto something all those years ago.

Raw stones

This season's best jewellery pieces feature stones in their natural form, creating a cool, organic look for summer.

Kate Moss' memoirs

Bound to be better than a Jackie Collins novel.

Unbuttoned shirts on ladies

Obviously a trend started by men.

Bunny ears

Not exactly the best accessory for your party dress, Madonna.

Studded denim vests

Another 1980s relic we are trying to forget.

Fringed cuffs

Annoying and they get in the way of everything.

Waxed jeans

Unless you want to look like a try-hard rocker.

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Diaoyu Islands

The Diaoyu Islands are a group of uninhabited islands located roughly due east of mainland China, northeast of Taiwan, west of Okinawa Island, and north of the southwestern end of the Ryukyu Islands. They are currently controlled by Japan, which calls them Senkaku Islands. Both China and Taiwan claim sovereignty over the islands.

Japan Coast Guard resources wearing thin due to Diaoyus dispute

The need to constantly monitor waters means other essential tasks are being neglected

PUBLISHED : Sunday, 07 October, 2012, 12:00am
UPDATED : Sunday, 07 October, 2012, 3:49am

The Japan Coast Guard is devoting so many resources to protecting the disputed Senkaku Islands that it could affect its other duties, including search and rescue operations for ships in distress.

Coastguard units in southern Japan have been at an elevated state of alert for the three weeks since the Japanese government announced last month that it was nationalising the disputed islands, called the Diaoyus by Chinese, by buying three of them from the family that claims to own them.

Beijing's ships arrived three days later and, at one point, there were as many as 13 mainland Chinese vessels in waters close to the disputed islands.

Coastguard vessels from Taiwan have also entered Japanese waters, along with dozens of fishing boats flying banners proclaiming that the islands are sovereign Taiwanese territory.

The need to constantly monitor the waters around the islands is taking its toll on the Japanese coastguard.

Although a spokesman for the service was unable to comment on its operations, senior officials were having to shuffle their resources.

It is noticeable, for example, that the regional headquarters of the JCG in Yokohama has very few vessels in port.

Normally, the unit has many as 10 of its 15-strong fleet alongside the harbour; but within the last few days only a single vessel remained.

"The coastguard is having to work with much more limited amounts of equipment," Masafumi Iida, an analyst with the National Institute of Defence Studies, told the Post.

"The service is charged not only with protecting the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands, but also with search and rescue operations and a wide range of other tasks in waters all around the country," he said. "Of course, protecting Japanese sovereignty is the service's top priority, but that means that other responsibilities are being affected by Chinese activities around the islands."

Potentially, this could lead to search and rescue operations being delayed, he agreed. In some cases, delays could prove fatal, particularly as winter approaches.

The coastguard fleet numbers 121 vessels, with nine stationed in Naha, the main port of Okinawa prefecture and the closest base to the Senkaku Islands.

Reports says this force has been reinforced by 20 ships from other regions, all of which need constant refuelling and maintenance, and rest for the crews.

The Japan Coast Guard has a mere 12,600 personnel across the country and the crisis has stretched resources.

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Free buses make Christmas shopping a breeze

Monday, 26 November 2012

Free buses make Christmas shopping a breeze

Horizons Regional Council is encouraging shoppers to save their parking pennies by hopping on a free bus in the lead up to Christmas.

To help reduce the stress of finding a park this silly season, all Palmerston North buses supported by Horizons will be free on the weekends of 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 December.

Free buses will also operate in Feilding on the Saturdays of these weekends and additional home-only services will run after the Palmerston North Christmas Parade on Saturday 1 December.

Horizons transport manager Anne Redgrave is encouraging people to make use of the free weekend services and says this year late night services will be added to the regular bus timetable on Thursday 13 and Thursday 20 December to coincide with late night shopping. These will run at 7, 8 and 9pm and regular fares apply.

“The free weekend services offer an opportunity for those yet to try our public transport services to hop aboard and see how easy it is to travel by bus.

“We know this time of year is a busy one on our region’s roads and by providing free and extra services we hope to take a bit of the hassle out of Christmas shopping.”

Ms Redgrave says demand for late night services was evident in submissions to Horizons’ Long-term Plan and while the Council could not gain funding from NZTA to implement these permanently it could be something to revisit in future.

“While we can’t make them a permanent fixture at this stage, running these late night buses on the two Thursdays will be a good way to gauge their popularity,” she says.

The number of people using public transport in both Manawatu and Wanganui is steadily increasing and while it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact reason for this growth Ms Redgrave believes service improvements, higher fuel prices, car maintenance, parking and environmental factors all play a role.

“We’ve been making continual improvements to our public transport networks over the last few years and this is reflected in higher passenger numbers. Patronage has increased by 39 per cent in Palmerston North, 37 per cent in Feilding and 5 per cent in Wanganui over the past four years”.

For more information about bus timetables and routes visit the passenger transport section of Horizons website www.horizons.govt.nz or call free phone number 0508 800 800.

© Scoop Media

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Labour: New Figures Show Speculators Rampant

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Midwives On Pay Equity: Historic Bill Of Rights Case For High Court

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FBT rate for low-interest loans to rise

FBT rate for low-interest loans to rise

Revenue Minister Todd McClay has announced the new prescribed interest rate used to calculate fringe benefit tax on low-interest loans provided by employers will be 6.13% from 1 July 2014.

The previous rate was 5.90%.

The rate is reviewed regularly to align it with the results of the Reserve Bank’s survey of variable first mortgage housing rates to ensure it is in line with market interest rates.

The new rate was set by Order in Council on Monday and gazetted today.

© Scoop Media

Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

Labour: New Figures Show Speculators Rampant

New figures released by the Reserve Bank show there’s been an explosion in mortgage lending with most of the growth going to property investors, Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford says. More>>

False Official Information Response: English's Apology Accepted

Finance Minister Bill English is being thanked for his apology to New Zealand First Leader and Member of Parliament for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters... Mr English says his staff and the Treasury have searched again, and they found the document that they denied having. More>>

Midwives On Pay Equity: Historic Bill Of Rights Case For High Court

“We have been left with no choice.” That from Karen Guilliland, the Chief Executive of the New Zealand College of Midwives, as the organisation prepares to file a pay parity discrimination case on the basis of gender under the NZ Bill of Rights Act in the High Court. More>>

Gordon Campbell: On The Children’s Commission Report On CYF

Accusing the overworked and underfunded staff at Child, Youth and Family of a “dump and run culture of neglect” is the kind of luxury that a Children’s Commissioner can afford to indulge in from his own comfy perch in the bureaucracy. More>>

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Governor-General regarding the death of Hon Parekura Horomia

A statement from the Governor-General regarding the death of Hon Parekura Horomia:
It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Hon Parekura Horomia, MP for Ikaroa-Rawhiti and a former Minister of the Crown.
Parekura was a warm-hearted and generous man.  He was respected across the political spectrum and across Māoridom.  He was a noted orator in Te Reo, and marae throughout our country opened their doors to him.
Throughout his life, Parekura was a tireless worker for the people of the East Coast and for Māoridom and was passionate about promoting community and employment development.  The creation of Māori Television remains enduring legacy of Parekura’s public service.
At this sad time, on behalf of my wife Janine and my family, I extend my deepest sympathies to Parekura’s whānau and iwi, and to his many friends and colleagues spread throughout New Zealand.  Ka hinga te tōtara o te wao nui a Tāne.  Moe mai, moe mai, moe mai.
Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae
Governor-General of New Zealand

© Scoop Media

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New figures released by the Reserve Bank show there’s been an explosion in mortgage lending with most of the growth going to property investors, Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford says. More>>

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Finance Minister Bill English is being thanked for his apology to New Zealand First Leader and Member of Parliament for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters... Mr English says his staff and the Treasury have searched again, and they found the document that they denied having. More>>

Midwives On Pay Equity: Historic Bill Of Rights Case For High Court

“We have been left with no choice.” That from Karen Guilliland, the Chief Executive of the New Zealand College of Midwives, as the organisation prepares to file a pay parity discrimination case on the basis of gender under the NZ Bill of Rights Act in the High Court. More>>

Gordon Campbell: On The Children’s Commission Report On CYF

Accusing the overworked and underfunded staff at Child, Youth and Family of a “dump and run culture of neglect” is the kind of luxury that a Children’s Commissioner can afford to indulge in from his own comfy perch in the bureaucracy. More>>

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Transport Summit addresses road funding issues

Transport Summit addresses road funding issues

Today in Wellington, more than 160 local government leaders are meeting to discuss and debate key issues about road funding at Local Government New Zealand’s Transport Summit.

Roading is of strategic importance to New Zealand’s economy because our rural roading network makes a huge contribution to national profitability and is crucial for the farmgate to factory process.

New Zealand Transport Agency is currently reviewing its Funding Assistance Rates (FAR) on how roading costs can be shared between the National Land Transport Fund and local government.

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) president Lawrence Yule says transport is a key area where local government plays a significant role, and one where future funding will be an issue for many councils.

“Local and regional roads make up around 88% of our country’s road length and carry up to 8 times as much tonnage of primary produce as the processed and manufactured products carried to port on the state highway network,” Mr Yule says.

“Funding changes being proposed will certainly impact our councils. As the proposals are currently drafted there will be winners and losers. This may lead to affordability issues for many rural and provincial councils and result in a high impost on local ratepayers to maintain existing service levels. Alternatively service levels may fall in areas that disproportionately contribute to the generation of New Zealand’s economic wellbeing.”

Mr Yule says vigorous debate is expected today at the Transport Summit on the impacts of the FAR proposals.

“Following on from the Summit there is also likely to be a close look at the new Government Policy Statement for transport which decides the size of investment in the roading network across New Zealand.”

Local councils spend $800 million annually building, fixing, renewing and maintaining roads. Funding for this investment is drawn both from a council’s rating base and the contribution councils receive from national revenue streams primarily delivered through the FAR.

NZTA, which administers the FAR, is seeking local government's views. The different factors and approaches they should use, the trade-offs that will need to be made and how it should all fit together will be discussed at LGNZ’s Transport Summit.

The One Network Road Classification (ONRC) system will also be discussed at LGNZ’s Transport Summit. The ONRC is a new approach led by a group that includes NZTA staff, council managers and LGNZ representatives; that would operate roads in a consistent, strategic way across all of New Zealand and aims to help local government and NZTA to plan, invest in, maintain and operate the road network.

© Scoop Media

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New figures released by the Reserve Bank show there’s been an explosion in mortgage lending with most of the growth going to property investors, Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford says. More>>

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Finance Minister Bill English is being thanked for his apology to New Zealand First Leader and Member of Parliament for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters... Mr English says his staff and the Treasury have searched again, and they found the document that they denied having. More>>

Midwives On Pay Equity: Historic Bill Of Rights Case For High Court

“We have been left with no choice.” That from Karen Guilliland, the Chief Executive of the New Zealand College of Midwives, as the organisation prepares to file a pay parity discrimination case on the basis of gender under the NZ Bill of Rights Act in the High Court. More>>

Gordon Campbell: On The Children’s Commission Report On CYF

Accusing the overworked and underfunded staff at Child, Youth and Family of a “dump and run culture of neglect” is the kind of luxury that a Children’s Commissioner can afford to indulge in from his own comfy perch in the bureaucracy. More>>

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cases and armbands

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Church fury over historic mistakes on 'English kirk'

THE leader of Scotland's 43,000 Episcopalians has claimed that his church has been "written out" of Scottish history and hit out at the caricature of his church as the "English Kirk".

The Most Rev Dr Idris Jones, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said that the popular version of history which has pitted Presbyterians such as John Knox against Roman Catholics, sidelines the place of the Episcopal Church in the nation's history.

He said: "It is true that the Episcopal part of Scottish history has been played down. That's down to the way history has been taught. That's what happens in history, minorities tend to be wiped out from history, that's not just true about us, but also the part that Roman Catholicism has played in Scotland's history."

He added: "For example, if you look at the list of bishops in St Mungo's, in Glasgow Cathedral, you see a great list of Protestant bishops. They were Episcopal bishops, and for many people that comes as a surprise.

"We carried out a study in one of my churches, in Montrose, to see where people came from. We discovered that the majority of people were native-born Scots. So to characterise the Episcopal church as English-led and supported is not true."

The Episcopal Church in Scotland fell into a steep decline from the end of the 17th century when the defeat of the Stuart kings of Britain led to Presbyterianism being made the established faith in Scotland. Episcopalians were relegated to the status of an underground church.

Michael Russell, the former Nationalist MSP and Episcopal lay-preacher, said: "There is a strong argument for saying that John Knox was more an Episcopalian than a Presbyterian, he did believe in bishops. Presbyterianism as we think of it was more due to Andrew Melville, who came on the scene later."

Historian Michael Fry said: "People think of Culloden and the Jacobite Rising being Catholic-Protestant when in reality the Highland clans were mainly Episcopal. But I think the Episcopal Church has allowed itself to be seen as the English church by down-playing its own heritage as an underground church."

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Comment: Regulators appear to have learned from 2008

Martin Flanagan

Martin Flanagan

Have your say

THE cross-border British/US plan for rescuing any collapsing “globally significant banks” looks on the money, as the Americans say.

Shareholders must be prepared to lose all, bondholders a lot, and taxpayers will probably stay off the hook. Result.

At the heart of the changes is that one national regulator would be responsible for overseeing the insolvency of a big international bank instead of regulators from different countries dealing with foreign subsidiaries.

This would be a major improvement on 2008, when a patchwork of regulators dealt with overseas subsidiaries. It undoubtedly complicated regulatory matters. The dual strategy paper by the Bank of England and the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation wants to beef up capital at the top of international banks, de-layer the regulatory “resolution” template for banks winding down, and unashamedly transfer the risk to equity investors and unsecured bank lenders and away from taxpayers.

They have clearly learned from failures like Northern Rock and Wachovia, and bail-out-prevented collapses such as Royal Bank of Scotland, Citigroup and UBS.

Can bunga-bunga really be on the way back?

THE country is debt-ravaged, its working practices ossified. The political system is a patchwork of brittle alliances, and there is barely-disguised disdain from the “rich” north of the country for the rustic south. It has a black economy that is not positively Greek, but certainly knows how to fiddle while Rome burns.

So what a time for Italians, the eurozone’s third-biggest economy and therefore a key to restoring Europe’s flaky financial stability, to even consider bringing back the prime ministerial joke that was Silvio Berlusconi.

Battle-hardened financial markets are nervy that Italy – just possibly – might re-elect “bunga-bunga” Berlusconi for a fourth time in a general election early next year triggered by premier Mario Monti announcing he is to step down.

That decision followed Berlusconi’s People of Freedom Party withdrawing its support from the unelected technocrat Monti administration. No wonder financial markets are worried. Monti was dealt a weak political hand that he has played with some dexterity in trying to return Italy to financial health and political and industrial realism.

It has not been an unmitigated success, with Germany’s Angela Merkel seeming determined to tie one hand behind her Italian counterpart’s back.

But his administration has twice the credibility of his risible predecessor’s. If Italy votes Berlusconi back in it will be seen by the international community as unmitigated back-sliding, bad not just for the country but the tottering eurozone itself.

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Costa’s coffee shop plans give Morningside traders grounds for concern

Anne Williamson, left, with David Lincoln, Ciara Etherson, Donald Nairn, and Sammy McCallum

Anne Williamson, left, with David Lincoln, Ciara Etherson, Donald Nairn, and Sammy McCallum

Have your say

CAFE chain Costa has sparked anger by announcing plans to open a new shop in Morningside – because it would become the 58th coffee outlet in the space of a mile.

The Morningside Traders Association is fighting the plan as one cafe too far and has even suggested renaming Holy Corner as Caffeine Corner.

Costa Coffee, which already has a shop in nearby Bruntsfield Place, has applied to the city council for a change of use to what is currently a bathroom store at 14 Morningside Road but looks set to face stiff resistance.

It comes as another multi-national, Sainsbury’s, finds itself fighting off protests in Bruntsfield over its move into the former Peckham’s deli store.

However, Anne Williamson – who runs Houseproud of Morningside and is chair of the traders’ group – said it was the type of business rather than Costa itself they were objecting to.

She walked the mile from the bottom of Comiston Road to the Bruntsfield Hotel and discovered 57 different places where she could buy a coffee.

“We’ve nothing against them as a business,” she said. “The issue is the sheer number of places you can now buy coffee in Bruntsfield and Morningside.

“We should maybe rename Holy Corner ‘Caffeine Corner’ or ‘Coffee Corner’ – that’s what it’s getting to.

“I personally have nothing against coffee shops – they offer a relaxing opportunity to catch up with friends and family – but it’s all about balance. Imagine if we had 57 banks or building societies within a one-mile range on our high street.”

She added that quirky, independent stores – which Morningside and Bruntsfield are traditionally associated with – risked being squeezed out by big businesses.

She said: “We need to ensure that we support the independently owned businesses who give our community its individuality, uniqueness, and the interesting experience a local shopping village can offer.”

Several other businesses, including places which already serve coffee, have added their voices to the objections.

Yolanda Luca, who owns Luca’s ice-cream shop, said: “I know they say never to worry about what opens next door to you, but Morningside really is becoming the Seafield car strip – except with cafes.”

Morningside councillor Mark McInnes said the council would have to decide whether another cafe would make Morningside a more desirable place to shop.

He said: “I understand the traders’ concern and I do think there has to be a balance in terms of shops available in Bruntsfield and Morningside. It’s important we maintain a good variety.”

Fellow local councillor Alison Johnstone added: “It’s time to step back and ask for a review before any more permissions are granted, otherwise we’ll lose the unique shopping area. People travel from across Edinburgh to shop in Bruntsfield and Morningside and it would be a tragedy for the independent shops that draw those people in to be lost.”

Costa Coffee did not respond to requests for comment.

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Mrs Mac is back

It is a design classic that has never been bettered and it was born in Scotland. The Mackintosh, to give the raincoat its Sunday name, was pioneered by Charles Macintosh, a Scottish chemist who experimented with ammonia during the course of his endeavours to find a way to make rubber pliable in 1822.

Fortunately for the modern guardians of his technique, the eminent scientist decided that naphthalene, a by-product of coal tar, was a better and less smelly option to soften rubber, so he went with that. And, while the technology might be 180 years old, it is still used to make the classic mac product beloved of designers the world over.

Alistair Porteous of the Cumbernauld-based company, Traditional Weatherwear, reels off a client list containing what seems like every designer you have ever heard of. "We deal with Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as making pieces for our own label which is simply called Mackintosh."

It is clear that the appeal of the mac has not been damaged by the passage of time.

Famous mac-wearers include style gurus such as Audrey Hepburn, who was the epitome of elegance in Breakfast At Tiffany’s. OK, Columbo wore one as well, but let’s not dwell on that. Traditional Weatherwear has only been going since 1974, but company’s workers follow Macintosh’s historic formula to the letter.

It takes four years to learn how to create a Mackintosh from beginning to end. Garments are hand-stitched before seams are taped over with thin strips of fabric to ensure they are completely waterproof.

There are many imitations. Modern macs are made from everything from polyurethane laminates, to patent PVC, industrial-strength nylon and tactile microfibre.

For those who have managed to get through life without a mac, so far, or confirmed mac-wearers whose current raincoat is on its last legs, this weekend Traditional Weatherwear is holding its first factory sale in five years. Porteous says: "The bottom line is that we are expanding and we need to create some factory space. We have a joint venture with a company in Tokyo and we are opening in London, too, so we really need the space."

The Cumbernauld factory produces 18,500 garments a week and has diversified into luggage and accessories such as hats. The workers in Scotland specialise in hand-made products and the managing director of the company sees it as more Hermes than Burberry - that’s to say, dedicated to a niche product with high retail prices and high margins, rather than aiming for fashion mainstream.

And if the majority of fashion-conscious Scots don’t realise that such luxury garments are being produced in Cumbernauld then that’s all right, too.

The traditional style remains a classic buy, chosen mostly by the kind of man who replaces items in his wardrobe rather than innovates. Throughout his entire life he will always own a wax cotton jacket, a blue blazer and a mac.

However, the actual growth in the mac market in recent years has been led by women.

Porteous says: "We now have many different shapes and colours and these are to satisfy women who want to have choice. The traditional mac has a raglan sleeve, but the new designs have a much narrower silhouette. Some women find the original look too bulky and roomy for their tastes."

So, what of the bargains? According to Porteous this is the weekend to buy one.

The traditional Mackintosh coats, which normally sell for 350 in department stores such as Selfridges and Jenners, will be on offer for around half price at 175. Quilted jackets, so beloved of Italians in sunglasses at football matches, will be sold for 15, a considerable reduction from the normal 100 price tag. Mackintosh bags to match the coats will be priced at 30, down from 95, and there will be a selection of wool coats, which normally retail for 295, marked down to 80.

Is the mac back? Actually, it’s never been away.

The designer rainwear factory sale will be held in Cumbernauld tomorrow at 10a Blairlinn Industrial Estate, between 10am and 3pm, and also in the George Suite of The Roxburghe Hotel in Edinburgh on Sunday, between 11am and 4pm.

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Chuy's Moving Into Area; First Restaurant in Kissimmee

on .

Chuy's, an Austin based Tex-Mexery is moving into the Central Florida market and will open its first location at 7913 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee's tourist corridor. An unspecified number of other Chuy's are planned for the area.

Chuy's, founded in 1982, features made-from-scratch Tex-Mex items such as Stuffed Chile Rellenos, Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom Enchiladas and Big As Yo’ Face Burritos. The restaurant chains' margaritas are made with freshly squeezed lime juice. The company has 39 of the full-service restaurants in eight states, but strives to have each location have a unique look. The restaurant's motto is "If you've seen one Chuy's, you've seen one Chuy's!".

What do you think? Have you eaten at a Chuy's before? Are you happy about it coming to town? Here's a link to the Kissimmee Chuy's Facebook page.

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Muhammad Sadiq Jaffrey (18095)#18095De Pakistan

About Muhammad Sadiq Jaffrey (18095)

President Rover Scout(PRS)
I'am District Scout Secretary KMC District Scouts affiliated With Sindh Boy Scouts Association, of Pkaistan Boy Scouts Association, I have the Responsibility to run the Association. We have about 4560 Boys and Girls Scouts, Rover Scouts, Cub and Scout Leaders in our Association. I am doing Scouting since 1991. Scouting is my life and it will end with my life.


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Mettre à jour

  • 18. déc 2013

Today the 17th of December the peace Light of Bethlehem was carried by to the alter by scouts from Centrumkyrkans scoutkår in Farsta/Stockholm during a service at the Royal Castel curch in Stockholm attended by the Royal Family. For pictures, please notice the link:


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What is the number one thing that Scouting has given you ?

20. oct 2013

I'm interested to know what other people have gained from Scouting. For me, I love the practical skills that you can learn, plus being outdoors and camping and enjoying the freedom.

Answers (6)

I Love scouting beacause is more camping and lear how to respic

i love scouting beacause they are camping

Whats the weather in he Phillipines today? Wet and 10c here today:-(

Scoutism taught me so much. I learned camping, joy, perseverance. This has completely changed the way I see things, to live more and I'm part of a big family. I lived also great experiences thanks scoutism and now I can 't do without.

A love of the natural world.

  • Celine KD
  • De Trinidad and Tobago
  • 21. oct 2013

Countless friends & family whom I love dearly. There is nothing better than having people you love to share wonderful experiences with.


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Library Item

  • 1. Jan 2013

The APR Plan 2007-2009 is the sixth of a series of action plans since regional strategic planning started in 1991. The Plan will serve as a benchmark for what the region needs to do in the next couple of years and the regional vision for the future.


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In 'I Remember Me,' Carl Reiner looks back at life full of laughs

by Patt Morrison | Off-Ramp

61887 full
Patt Morrison visits Carl Reiner in his breakfast nook. Dave Coelho

Television was in its infancy and Carl Reiner was just a kid himself when he began working both sides of the camera on the groundbreaking "Your Show of Shows" in 1954. Later, he created "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and played straight man to the 2,000-year-old Mel Brooks in a comedy classic.

At 91, Reiner is the master of comedy. He says he can't help himself — everything just seems to come out funny.

His new book "I Remember Me" offers up several hundred pages of his wit, and, in the ebook version, his home movies with his family, his beloved wife Estelle and his friend of more than 60 years, Mel Brooks.

Patt Morrison shared coffee, laughs and some memories with Carl Reiner in his breakfast room.

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These heart punch dies from Lifestyle Crafts will cut and emboss with most die cutting tools. A quick and easy way to cut multiple hearts at once! Cuts eleven 1” hearts and eight 1.5” hearts. Each package includes two dies that measure approximately 1" x 10.5" and 1.5" x 11.25".
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Blue Summer Borders

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Challenge Owner's Choice 140 points (current score) Uploaded: Nov 29, 2011
Viewed 403 times.
About this scrapbook page:
Challenge organized by Claudia
My Fairy Tale (by Randy Hogan)

Unicorns, Capricorn a fairy tale story
of my dreams of fairy dancing in trees

Colours of purple, pink and white as fairy
dust falls and twinkles in the twilight

Majestic magic under the cool moonlight
they frolic to frog songs of musical madness

Their wings, flicker flutter under the light
and land on Lilly pads and they laugh
Design credits:
They enchanted and delighted me,
But my fairy tale has only begun
until i wrap my arms around my
Cinderella, my fairy tale story,
To be continued Peace
Comments for the scrapbook:
Lavender Passion says:
Georgeus magical page and wonderful imagination! Congrats on your WIN!
Dec 13, 2011

Comments for this page: (view all 14 comments)
az_ip says:
So beautiful!!! Congrats on your win!
Dec 13, 2011
Judikim says:
Beautiful page!
Dec 6, 2011
inkyD says:
An enchanting page for Claudia's granddaughters Rose-Marie, exquisitely scrapped my friend x
Dec 3, 2011
amelia123 says:
Well here i am yet again way behind, i really hate to just leave C&P but i need to catch up once again on my comments, but just want to let you know that your page is beautiful hugs meels xxxxxxxxx
Nov 30, 2011
sugarpops says:
Beautiful fantasy page for the girls xx
Nov 30, 2011
Nanny-G says:
Beautiful page,
Nov 30, 2011
Micheline 1 says:
Fantastic page!
Nov 29, 2011
Sk8tingmom says:
Gorgeous creative fairy page for Claudia's grandchildren! Love the poem!
Nov 29, 2011
Lindalou b says:
gorgeous page and poem, love it x
Nov 29, 2011
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scrapbook embellishments and backgrounds. Beautiful scrapbook prints and photobooks.


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Saturday, November 23, 2013

Nanowrimo: The Third Quarter Drop-Dead

Home stretch!

Well, theoretically, anyway. But I find that right about now is when people tend to start dropping during Nano. First of all there's, well, Thanksgiving. Which even though it's a holiday, involves family, and family is never conducive to marathon writing. (They don't like to lose us to a book, it's just the truth. It brings up all kinds of feelings of abandonment and inadequacy. So - pretend you're going shopping and go to a cafe to write, that's what they're for.)

But also, let's face it, it's EASY to write a first act. It's new, it's fresh, it's exciting, it's like the first flush of being in love. You're so high you don't stop to think, and that means you don't get in your own way.

It can even be not so hard to get through Act II, part 1 to the Midpoint. But it's that third quarter where things get murky. You feel like you're not getting anywhere. In fact, you have no freaking clue where you are, or why in the hell you're wherever the hell you are to begin with, and you just want to give up and sleep for a week, or eat turkey and chocolate for a week, or all of the above.

I had a friend in movie development who called it "the third-quarter drop dead."

Well, here's an interesting thing. Structurally, this is EXACTLY the point in your story that your hero/ine is feeling those exact same things. In other words, it's the BLACK MOMENT, or ALL IS LOST MOMENT, or the VISIT TO DEATH, which almost always ends up as the climax or just before the climax of Act II.

It's as if we as authors have to work ourselves into the exact same hopeless despair as our characters, as if nothing good will ever come out of this situation and we might as well give up right now - in order to convey that emotion on the page and feel that exhilaration when the character SOLVES the problem and gets that final revelation and makes that final plan.

So if you find yourself in this situation, you might want to review the elements of Act II: Part 2, and take a look at some of these questions to see if they might help you find your way.

In a 2-hour movie this section starts at about 60 minutes, and ends at about 90 minutes.

In a 400-page book, this section starts at about p. 300 and ends toward the end of the book.

Now, remember, at the end of Act II, part 1, there is a MIDPOINT CLIMAX, which I'll review briefly because it's so important.

In movies the midpoint is usually a big SETPIECE scene, where the filmmakers really show off their expertise with a special effects sequence (as in HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON and HARRY POTTER, 1), or a big action scene (JAWS), or in breathtaking psychological cat-and-mouse dialogue (in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS). It might be a sex scene or a comedy scene, or both in a romantic comedy. Whatever the Midpoint is, it is most likely going to be specific to the promise of the genre.

And I strongly encourage you as authors to pay as much attention to your midpoint as filmmakers do with theirs.

- Completely changes the game
- Locks the hero/ine into a situation or action
- Is a point of no return
- Can be a huge revelation
- Can be a huge defeat
- Can be a huge win
- Can be a “now it’s personal” loss
- Can be sex at 60 – the lovers finally get together, only to open up a whole new world of problems

(More on MIDPOINT).

Act II, part 2 will almost always have these elements:

* RECALIBRATING– after the shock or defeat of the game-changer in the midpoint, the hero/ine must REVAMP THE PLAN and try a NEW MODE OF ATTACK.

What’s the new plan?

A good story will always be clear about the stakes. Characters often speak the stakes aloud.

How have the stakes changed? Do we have new hopes or fears about what the protagonist will do and what will happen to him or her?

Little actions by the hero/ine to get what s/he wants have not cut it, so the actions become bigger and usually more desperate.

Do we see a new level of commitment in the hero/ine?

How are the hero/ine’s actions becoming more desperate?

* It’s also worth noting that while the hero/ine is generally (but not always!) winning in Act II:1, s/he generally begins to lose in Act II:2. Often this is where everything starts to unravel and spiral out of control.

Just as the hero/ine is becoming more desperate to get what s/he wants, the antagonist also has failed to get what s/he wants and becomes more desperate and takes riskier actions.

* HARD CHOICES AND CROSSING THE LINE (IMMORAL ACTIONS by the main character to get what s/he wants)

Do we see the hero/ine crossing the line and doing immoral things to get what s/he wants?

* LOSS OF KEY ALLIES (possibly because of the hero/ine’s obsessive actions, possibly through death or injury by the antagonist).

Do any allies walk out on the hero/ine or get killed or injured?

* A TICKING CLOCK (can happen anywhere in the story, or there may not be one.)

There is always a moment in a story where the hero/ine seems to have lost everything, and it is almost always right before the Second Act Climax, or it IS the Second Act Climax.

What is the All Is Lost scene?

* In a romance or romantic comedy, the All Is Lost moment is often a THE LOVER MAKES A STAND scene, where s/he tells the loved one – “Enough of this bullshit waffling, either commit to me or don’t, but if you don’t, I’m out of here.” This can be the hero/ine or the love interest making this stand.

* Often will be a final revelation before the end game: often the knowledge of who the opponent really is, that will propel the hero/ine into the FINAL BATTLE.

* Often will be another devastating loss, the ALL IS LOST scene. In a mythic structure or Chosen One story or mentor story this is almost ALWAYS where the mentor dies or is otherwise taken out of the action, so the hero/ine must go into the final battle alone.

* Answers the Central Question – and often the answer is “no” – so that the hero/ine again must come up with a whole new plan.

* Often is a SETPIECE.

More discussion on Elements Of Act II:2

And here are the elements  for Act Three:

The third act is basically the Final Battle and Resolution. It can often be one continuous sequence – the chase and confrontation, or confrontation and chase. There may be a final preparation for battle, or it might be done on the fly. Either here or in the last part of the second act the hero will make a new, FINAL PLAN, based on the new information and revelations of the second act.

The essence of a third act is the final showdown between protagonist and antagonist. It is often divided into two sequences:

1. Getting there (Storming the Castle) (Sequence 7).

2. The final battle itself (Sequence 8)

* In addition to the FINAL PLAN, there may be another GATHERING OF THE TEAM, and a brief TRANING SEQUENCE.

• There may well be DEFEATS OF SECONDARY OPPONENTS (each one of which should be given a satisfying end or comeuppance. (This may also happen earlier, in Act II:2).

* Thematic Location - often a visual and literal representation of the Hero/ine’s Greatest Nightmare
* The protagonist’s character change
* The antagonist’s character change (if any)

* Possibly ally/allies’ character change (s) and/or gaining of desire (s)

* Possibly a huge final reversal or reveal (twist), or even a whole series of payoffs that you’ve been saving (as in Back to the Future and It’s A Wonderful Life)

* RESOLUTION: A glimpse into the New Way of Life that the hero/ine will be living after this whole ordeal and all s/he’s learned from it.

• Possibly a sense of coming FULL CIRCLE – returning to the opening image or scene and showing how much things have changed, or how the hero/ine has changed inside, causing her or him to deal with the same place and situation in a whole different way.

* Closing Image

More on Act Three:

Elements of Act Three

What Makes a Great Climax?

Elevate Your Ending

Now, I'd also like to remind everyone that this is a basic, GENERAL list. There are story elements specific to whatever kind of story you're writing, and the best way to get familiar with what those are is to do (or take a look at story breakdowns on three (at least) movies or books that are similar to the KIND of story you're writing.

What KIND Of Story Is It?

I hope that there's something there to get you through that third quarter, but I'll post a few more brainstorming tricks this week.

In the meantime, good luck with the family! I mean, Happy Thanksgiving!

Screenwriting Tricks for Authors and Writing Love, Screenwriting Tricks for Authors, II, are now available in all e formats and as pdf files. Either book, any format, just $2.99.

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Lea Page said...

I am writing a memoir, my second book after a parenting book IWalk With Me, forthcoming from Floris Books in 2015), and your whole blog has been helpful beyond words, but this last post about being mired in the third quarter-- because our characters are stuck and we must experience what they are experiencing in order to write it-- that was a revelation. LIke I often say in my parenting book: of course you feel that way, it makes perfect sense, now carry on. Thank you. Thank you.

Alexandra Sokoloff said...

You're very welcome, Lea! I had that revelation years ago and it massively reduced my trauma about that section, too. It's never easy, but knowing WHY it's so freaking hard really does help.


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Ximax Parallel Rail Vertical Designer Radiator White 1762 x 650mm 2368BTU

Product Code: 62690

Striking and distinctive vertical radiators with an attractively staggered parallel rail design. These eye-catching, tall radiators are suitable for use with hot water central heating systems, whilst the high quality, white powder-coated finish will complement any contemporary interior.

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Brackets included. Depth: 89mm. Wall to centre: 56mm. Pressure tested to 15bar. Max. working pressure 10bar. Heat outputs calculated at Delta_T50k. Max. working temperature 100°. EN 442.

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Ximax Parallel Rail Vertical Designer Radiator White 1762 x 650mm 2368BTU 3.5 5 2 2
radiator When I opened the radiator to fix to the wall by a plumber who I had got in to do the work I noticed the bottom rail was bent . The plumber asked if I wanted it fitting or should he come back another time. I phoned customer service who said they could send out a replacement 4 days later. I decided I would fit the radiator and try not to notice the bent rail. I was paying the plumber to fit the radiator and if I did put it of I would of had to pay again when the new one came out. 5 May 2013
good buy good price the delivery actually came earlier than expected which was good,the rad seems well made and as described.would have liked some instructions no matter how basic. 3 Dec 2009
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Brand Ximax
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BTU Band 2001 to 3000
Colour White
Construction Material (Plumbing) Steel
Height x Width 1762 x 650
Manufacturer Guarantee 10 years
Manufacturing Standards EN 442-119
Model Name Parallel Rail
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Orientation Vertical
Pack Size 1
Parent Colour White
Power Output (Watts/Kw) 694 W
Product Depth 89 mm
Product Height 1762 mm
Product Type Designer Radiator
Product Width 650 mm
Radiator Height Band 1400mm - 1799mm
Radiator Width Band 501mm - 700mm
Suitable System Hot Water Central Heating Systems
Total Product Weight 11.8 kg


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Hidalgo Medical Services staff and visiting dignitaries open the newly finished Silver City Health Services Center at its ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday. The Health Center, on Pope Street, will begin seeing patients Feb. 4.

SILVER CITY — The Silver City Community Health Center, long under construction on Pope Street, held its ribbon-cutting and grand opening on Friday.

The event began with remarks from the Hidalgo Medical Services staff, politicians, and designers who made the Health Center possible.

"After a false start, all of us surviving the Mayan Apocalypse and hopefully getting through this fiscal cliff," said Hidalgo Medical Services Board Chairman Bill Rogers, "I'd like to welcome you to the Silver City Community Health Center."

Doomsday predictions and government concerns aside, it took a lot of work to get the Center off the ground.

One of the steps that finally got it moving was the town of Silver City partnering with HMS to secure land and get funding for the project. State Sen. Howie Morales, in attendance, also thanked Grant County, Santa Clara, Bayard and Hurley leadership for sacrificing projects and setting aside barriers to bring this to fruition.

"It really was a miracle of financing," said Charlie Alfero, founder and former CEO of Hidalgo Medical Services, and current executive director of the Center for Health Innovation.

The building has a signature look, with multicolored glass panes making up most of the exterior of the building's center. This isn't just for looks. The abundance of glass and natural light is designed to make the center more energy efficient. Other design features speak to the Center's goal to be focused on the patients' needs.

None of this is cheap, but the organization is confident that the investment will more than pay off for everyone involved.

"We crunched the numbers," Olson said, "This building has the potential to serve as many patients as our whole organization did last year — that's 60,000 visits from around 16,000 patients."

The Silver City Medical Health Center will begin seeing patients on Feb. 4.

In addition to the healthcare goals, the Center's position closer to the heart of Silver City is an exciting prospect to those involved.

"People need to feel proud of their community," said Alfero. "When you're doing healthcare it should be the health of the community. So, if you put your healthcare downtown, it supports the health of the town and not just the individual."

Like many health clinics, the 30,000-square-foot Community Health Center features medical exam rooms. There are 22 of them, with two larger medical procedure rooms. They have standard amenities like X-Ray and bone density machines. These are important to their operation, but standard.

What is not standard is the inclusion of service wings, upstairs, for dental and mental health.

This integrated design echoes the "patient-centric" theme.

"Integrating health services makes it easier to get them," said Alfero. "If you put the mental health and general health in the same building where a patient can figure out their coverage, it only helps the patient more. Don't make them go to seven different places to meet their needs."

Also upstairs are three loft apartments.

These apartments were included for students and residents that rotate regularly through the area. This way, they won't have to look for short term housing and will be near their work.

Downstairs with the general medical area are a nutrition education kitchen and a 1,315 square foot conference room which will be available for local organizations to use.

The apartments and conference rooms won't be available for a few months so the Center can get used to normal operating procedures.

Benjamin Fisher can be reached at (575) 538-5893 ext. 5803.


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The Mad Video CEO Q&A: Tags Open Video to e-Commerce

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“We are seeing that video is becoming a standard of communication on the online channel, where YouTube is becoming a second search engine. The next step is to have access to that in-video content: find people, things, and places in those videos.”

— Koldo Garcia, CEO, The Mad Video

The Internet video advertising space is at a critical changing point, so I sat down for an exclusive interview with The Mad Video CEO, Koldo Garcia, who is also my client, to better understand the online video space. The following is our discussion on how video boosts SEO, the emerging field of video commerce, and what we can expect to see in the online video space in 2014.

1. Could you introduce The Mad Video?

First, The Mad Video is a video tagging engine. Users can use our tags to enrich their video content with relevant information and links. What is most important about The Mad Video, from the point of view of search, is that we open the in-video content to search engines. This is a big change, because until now, video content was locked, where you could not share specific moments or elements within video. Now, with our solution, producers can tag individual elements in their videos, opening content to search and to e-commerce.

Koldo brick pic

– Koldo Garcia, CEO & Founder, The Mad Video. Image © The Mad Video. Used with permission.

2. Video is becoming the medium of choice for social media, content curation, and brand discovery. Why should bloggers do more videos?

One reason is to create a deeper relationship with your followers, because video is more engaging than other content formats. Also, video attracts and retains more visitors to your site, and it can improve your SEO.  MarketingSherpa found that video attracts two to three times as many monthly visitors, doubles time on site, and has a 157 percent increase in organic traffic from search engines.

Videos also help you to monetize. It depends on the strategy you are following – whether through brand relationships or affiliate network relationships, but sites with video generate more transactions than sites without them.

3. Can marketing via digital video improve product SEO? How?

Including video improves the SEO of that product page. In addition to that, there are many other videos that might feature your product that are not on your product page. This is where The Mad Video comes in. If you tag products in your videos, our solution automatically creates a separate, product landing page within our platform, which can increase traffic to your product page.

We saw the value of boosting SEO for e-commerce, and designed our video tags with improving SEO in mind. We wanted to make specific elements or moments in video content indexable, searchable, and therefore monetizable.Our tags are also the only ones that allow friends to click to the specific moment in the video where a product appears, rather forcing them to fish around for the exact moment they want. This has great implications for social commerce and opens an entirely new door of video-based advertising.

4. How are consumers reacting to video and video commerce?

Video is becoming one of the most important tools for e-commerce, specifically for generating sales. ComScore, eMarketer and other analysts tell us that sites with video convert better than sites that don’t. Many reports show that. Invodo found that shoppers who viewed video were 174 percent more likely to purchase than viewers who didn’t, and Internet Retailer found that shoppers who viewed video on product pages were 144 percent more likely to add to cart than other shoppers. So we can say with confidence: consumers like video as the medium to discover, evaluate, and purchase products.

5. What predictions would you make for the year ahead for online video?

We’re going to see a high increase in video advertising overall. The ROI of video is higher than for other online formats –  it just works better for advertising. We’re currently seeing Facebook, Yahoo!, and others push a lot of video advertising on their channels, and this will only increase. We’ll see marketers experimenting more with Vine and other short-video formats.

We’ve also seen some changes with how video creators use YouTube following the outspokenness of industry watcher, Jason Calacanis, who publicized the platform’s practice of controlling so much of video ad revenue. On the one hand, content creators get great marketing, exposure and distribution, but then on the other hand, YouTube takes about 45 percent of the revenue those videos generate.

Increasingly, video creators are putting their premium content on their own websites or on other platforms, and use YouTube mainly as a storefront. They depend on people finding their content on YouTube, which right now, doesn’t guide viewers directly back to the creator’s website. Will that change? In terms of search results, will Google show the video on YouTube rather than the video on the content creator’s site? I think we’ll see this and its implications for social search evolve in 2014.

Online video is one of, if not the, most successful Internet-based advertising formats. Opening up individual elements or moments within video content would create new online video-based advertising and e-commerce opportunities. As for the fate of YouTube, marketer investment continues to grow, and it will be interesting to see if and how the attitudes of content creators correspond to significant changes in how they use the platform.

Video © Caliber Truck Co. Used with permission.

Adrienne Bliss

Adrienne Bliss

Freelance Content Marketer & PR Strategist at Adrienne Bliss Consulting
Adrienne Bliss is a content marketer, specializing in advertising technology and e-commerce. Specializing in creating compelling storylines and thought leadership platforms, she helps clients be seen, heard and noted by the right audiences. For a near-daily dose of content marketing tips, tricks and tidbits, follow Adrienne on Twitter @amblisss and look her up on LinkedIn.
Adrienne Bliss
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Comments are closed.

6 thoughts on “The Mad Video CEO Q&A: Tags Open Video to e-Commerce

  1. Adrienne liked the interview some very good points there. We have a lot of video both on our sites and at you tube. Wondering if you have a moment to talk?
    Don Matheson

  2. Hi Adrienne Bliss,

    Is it possible to upload video in YouTube after tagging in Mad Video Platform in free subscription?

    I am really interesting to try it out but couldn’t succeed. please can you guide me.

    1. Hi Sawaram,
      Many thanks for the question and I’m happy to answer (I’m part of the team at The Mad Video). Unfortunately, it is not possible for the tags to appear in Youtube after you have tagged the video as it would require our player on the Youtube site. We are hopeful this option will open up, please send me an email if you’d like more info.

      For this same reason, we have provided an embed code to allow you to publish to anywhere you would normally publish your video, as well as options to publish for playback on social networks (like Facebook and Twitter).

      You can access these options from the video page of the video you tagged, and the great news is that these options will help drive more traffic to your website, or wherever you would embed your video.

      Best regards,


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5 different plays areas match baby's physical development over the months and years. With motion-activated songs and music and a range of play modes, there's always something for baby to learn and do.

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  • Traditional play gym, seated activity centre, stand-up centre, play table and easel, includes adjustability and a locking feature, features parent-selected play modes: “motion activated,” “songs” or “piano.”, includes a sleep mode to save on battery life
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Sunny day at Lincoln Park

Sunny day at Lincoln Park

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City of Seattle
Ed Murray, Mayor
SUBJECT: Foster Cat Orientation at Seattle Animal Shelter June 2
5/28/2013  10:10:00 AM
Kara Main-Hester (206) 386-4293
Julie Moore (206) 684-0909
Cyndi Wilder  (206) 684-0909

Foster Cat Orientation at Seattle Animal Shelter June 2
Learn how to be a foster parent for adoptable cats and kittens

If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent for cats and kittens from the Seattle Animal Shelter, plan to attend a free orientation session, offered the first Sunday of each month - this month on June 2 - from 2-3:30 p.m. The session will be held in the upper level conference room of the shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W.

Please sign up for the orientation by emailing no later than 5 p.m., Saturday, June 1. Once you have signed up, you will receive an orientation packet to bring with you. Orientation will be cancelled if there are no sign-ups.

The Seattle Animal Shelter relies on volunteers to provide temporary foster care in their homes to rehabilitate and nurture sick, injured and immature cats and kittens or to just give adoptable cats a break from the shelter environment.

“Volunteers have told us this is a perfect project for the whole family and provides an opportunity for children to learn about the joys and responsibilities of having an animal without making a long-term commitment,” says Shelter Director Don Jordan. “The ultimate beneficiaries are the pets who are nurtured by their foster families, and the families who adopt them.”

Jordan says the foster care program is quite simple. You provide food and a temporary home; the Seattle Animal Shelter will provide any necessary veterinary care. The shelter’s “Help the Animals Fund” subsidizes the costs associated with the foster care program including all pre-approved vet care.

If you attend an orientation session you are under no obligation to foster an animal. The orientations are just the first step in the process. Each prospective foster parent is provided with a foster-care manual and a “case manager” who provides advice and answers questions.

For more information or additional directions call (206) 386-7387 (PETS) or go to

Seattle Animal Shelter

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Sunny day at Lincoln Park

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City of Seattle
Ed Murray, Mayor
SUBJECT: Forum to address art, race and cultural representation
7/30/2014  10:00:00 AM
Calandra Childers  (206) 684-7306

Office of Arts & Culture and Seattle Repertory Theatre announce forum on Artistic Freedom & Artistic Responsibility
Monday, August 18, 6:30 pm, Seattle Repertory Theatre

SEATTLE (July 30, 2014) — Seattle Repertory Theatre and the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, with the support of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights and 4Culture, have come together to produce a forum on Artistic Freedom & Artistic Responsibility. The free event will take the form of a collaborative conversation, in which the audience is asked to raise questions, provide examples and offer strategies, while engaging in respectful dialogue. It will take place in the PONCHO Forum at the Seattle Repertory Theatre on Monday, August 18 at 6:30 pm. Reservations are requested through; attendees may also submit questions or ideas they would like to see addressed via the online form.

Art plays a vital role in our society and can be a catalyst for dialogue and change. As the demographics of our country become more diverse, how do artists and arts groups approach new and historical work in a way that is meaningful, relevant and equitable for our audiences? In response to the spirited conversation happening in Seattle and the wider arts community, this moderated forum will address issues of art, race and cultural representation. Join us in the conversation.

Living outside of Seattle or can't make this date? A video of the event will be posted online in the days following, and everybody can follow #seattleAFAR on Facebook or Twitter to take part in the conversation.

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The true artist is never content with repeating oneself, always looking to push him/herself, and to develop. Buika is a true artist. After winning a Latin Grammy for Best Traditional Tropical Album for her collaboration with Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdez in their tribute to Mexican singer Chavela Vargas, El Ultimo Trago, she is out with a new release, La Noche Más Larga ["The Longest Night"]. It is another groundbreaking album in which the Spanish-born Buika (she of one name) has moved to stretch out from her flamenco roots.

15b87994f896253e7051e0419079510eFlamenco is in her blood, and while it may infuse her music, it needn't suffocate it. The new album gives this truly exciting vocalist an opportunity to travel over new roads, and we are lucky enough to be able to go along for her journey.

Of the album's dozen songs, five are original compositions; the remainder includes a selection of Latin songs and a surprise or two. On the one hand she resurrects "Siboney," an old chestnut recorded in the past by the likes of Bing Crosby and Percy Faith, and gives it a lively new spark. She does a renovation of Argentine composer Dino Ramos's "La Nave del Olvido," a song she says hurts and heals her. Then there are a couple of pop pieces which she has chosen for their personal significance-"Yo Vengo a Ofrecer Mi Corazón" and "Santa Lucía." In all cases she has taken these pieces and made them her own.

Buika's creative touch may be even more evident to American audiences in two songs she sings in English, and even more so in her version of the Jacques Brel favorite, "Ne me quitte pas." Her take on Abbey Lincoln's "Throw It Away" and the Billie Holiday-Arthur Herzog piece, "Don't Explain" serve as a showcase for her to feature her jazz chops, and she takes full advantage. The Brel cover is a revelation of the song's possibilities, showing what a fine singer can do with a great song.

Of the original material, perhaps the most interesting track is "No Lo Sé," a lyrical melody in which she is joined by guest guitarist, jazz great Pat Metheny. But it is no more tuneful than a piece like "Los Solos" or "Sueño Con Ella" which opens the album. She writes beautiful melodies.

Although Buika works with a variety of musicians on the disk, her main collaborators seem to have been pianist, arranger and musical director Iván "Melón" Lewis and percussionist/arranger Ramón Porrina. Both, along with the singer herself, are credited with producing this exciting album.

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WHEN "THE NEWS HOUR" needed a Republican to explain the "Gingrich Revolution" to PBS viewers, it turned to a newly elected Spokane congressman who tempered unyielding conservatism with a friendly, aw shucks, demeanor.

George Nethercutt was a GOP giant killer whose 1994 victory over Democratic Rep. Tom Foley marked the first time in 134 years that a House Speaker had been unseated while seeking re-election.

Nethercutt is out to make history again as the first U.S. senator from Eastern Washington since the "father of Grand Coulee Dam," populist Democratic Sen. C.C. Dill, retired in 1934.

He's turned to the Republican playbook with a rally-the-troops kickoff breakfast at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue this morning. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., is guest celebrity. The campaign says 1,500 people will turn out. A higher turnout is privately predicted.

By challenging Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Nethercutt is taking on a tenacious politician underestimated -- "misunderestimated" in Bushspeak -- since she was a preschool teacher lobbying in Olympia.

She stood up alone to challenge Sen. Brock Adams, D-Wash., before he was felled by sexual misconduct allegations. In 1998, a majority of pundits on TV's "The McLaughlin Group" predicted that brassy, religious right Rep. Linda Smith would be Washington's new senator. Murray won a smashing re-election victory with 58 percent of the vote.

Taking bets for 2004, one conservative publication has tipped its hat to Murray's tenacity.

"Rep. George Nethercutt soon may come to wish that he had kept on breaking his old term-limits pledge as Sen. Patty Murray shows no signs of weakening," John Miller, political reporter for National Review, wrote in March.

Murray has lately used her seat as ranking Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to score a major victory on Nethercutt's home turf.

She staged a Senate field hearing in Walla Walla last month at which hundreds turned out to oppose a pending shutdown of the Jonathan M. Wainwright Veterans Medical Center. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced last week that the highly regarded hospital will stay open.

"If you sit and gripe, nothing gets done: The people over there made a difference," said Murray, choosing not to strut in victory.

At this point, a reverse argument should apply: George Nethercutt should never, ever be "misunderestimated."

He is a skilled politician who learned his craft as an aide to veteran Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens.

Nethercutt has eschewed Stevens' fiery temper. He was tapped to take on Foley by GOP leaders who were seeking a more electable candidate than two previous nominees who hoped for another shot at Big Tom. A knuckle-dragger wouldn't do.

Nethercutt came on easy, using his civic work on juvenile diabetes -- a disease from which his daughter Meredith suffers -- to make himself known to Inland Empire voters. The nasty work against Foley was done by outside groups such as the National Rifle Association.

In Congress he has been co-chairman of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus. Meredith Nethercutt has touted her father's work in the first TV ad buy of his Senate campaign.

Nethercutt can be very conservative. As a freshman congressman, he voted to pull the United States out of the United Nations, and against a landmark compromise raising the minimum wage. He voted for an amendment that would have withdrawn enforcement authority from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

He is, however, an outspoken free trader who has helped lead a House effort to end the embargo on food and drug exports to Cuba.

Nethercutt has toughed out one major controversy. In his 2000 re-election race, Nethercutt broke a centerpiece pledge of his race against Foley that he would serve no more than three terms in the House.

He has also become a bring-home-the-bacon congressman as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. In this stand, he is a polar opposite from GOP Senate primary foe Reed Davis. Davis, a former King County Republican chairman, is running as an enemy of federal pork.

Murray voted against final passage of Congress' 2002 resolution authorizing war with Iraq. Nethercutt remains a down-the-line supporter of President Bush and staying the course in Iraq.

"I don't believe we can lose this fight," he said yesterday. "Ultimately we are going to prevail in this effort and bring freedom to the Iraqi people."

Nethercutt has taken an apartment in Bellevue for the campaign, and is learning a Western Washington issue -- conservation.

Former Gov. Dan Evans recently took him for a walk in the proposed Wild Sky Wilderness in the Cascades east of Everett.

"This has to be preserved," Nethercutt said yesterday. Talking his walk, Nethercutt has conferred twice with House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo. Pombo is a property rights champion from California who, in a letter released yesterday, has set rigid restrictions on consideration of areas for wilderness designation.

"He (Pombo) understands my feelings. I want a Wild Sky bill and I am going to get a bill," Nethercutt said yesterday.

It'll be a test. After all, Murray and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., have twice persuaded the Senate to unanimously pass Wild Sky Wilderness legislation.

Conservation groups are sure to growl if Nethercutt cuts low elevation forests out of the Senate-passed bill. Nor have they warmed up to the challenger.

"If George Nethercutt becomes a threat to Patty Murray, we will shift a huge amount of attention here," said Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club.

Hold onto your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy political year.


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The losses keep piling up for Colorado football program. A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday that...

BOULDER, Colo. — The losses keep piling up for Colorado football program.

A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday that Butch Jones has rejected an offer to become the Buffaloes’ next coach. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because Jones hadn’t publicly revealed his decision to stay at Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Enquirer first reported Jones had withdrawn his name from consideration for the Buffaloes’ job, just as he had the Purdue opening earlier in the week that subsequently went to Darrell Hazell.

Jones met with Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn and others in Boulder for nine hours Monday, when he was offered a five-year deal worth at least $13.5 million. He then spent two days avoiding questions about his coaching future while promoting the Bearcats’ appearance against Duke in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 27.

Jones was Colorado’s top choice to replace Jon Embree, who was fired after going 4-21 in two seasons at his alma mater. Jones is believed to be the only candidate that Bohn has met with during his third coaching search since firing Gary Barnett in 2005.

Jones, 44, is a hot candidate with a 50-27 record as a coach, and might soon be in line for much better opportunities than the one at Colorado.

Notre Dame’s Te’o

wins Maxwell

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — From Notre Dame’s unbeaten regular season to college football’s biggest awards, Manti Te’o just keeps winning.

Now the linebacker needs two more victories to cap an unforgettable senior season.

Te’o was honored three times at the 22nd Home Depot College Football Awards show at Disney World, including the Maxwell Award for the nation’s most outstanding player.

Te’o has now won six major awards since the end of Notre Dame’s regular season, also taking home the Bednarik Award for top defensive player and Walter Camp Foundation player of the year award. He became the first defensive player to win the Maxwell Award since 1980, ending a string of nine straight quarterbacks.

Next up is the Heisman Trophy ceremony Saturday night, with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel considered the favorite. Then Te’o will try to help the Fighting Irish dethrone defending champion Alabama in the BCS national championship game.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly was presented with the Coach of the Year award after leading the Irish to their first 12-0 regular season since 1988.

While Te’o and Notre Dame certainly had a big night, so too did Texas A&M. Manziel won the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, and junior offensive lineman Luke Joeckel took home the Outland Trophy for the nation’s best interior lineman.

Other players honored were USC’s Marqise Lee (Biletnikoff Award for top receiver), Tulane’s Cairo Santos (Lou Groza Award for top kicker), Louisiana Tech’s Ryan Allen (Ray Guy Award for top punter), Mississippi State’s Johnthan Banks (Jim Thorpe Award for top defensive back) and Wisconsin’s Montee Ball (Doak Walker Award for top running back).

• After reports linking Louisville coach Charlie Strong to several openings in the Southeastern Conference, he said he was staying put. Strong turned down an offer from Tennessee on Tuesday night.

• Cross Pitt coach and former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst off the list of candidates for the Badgers job. Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said Chryst is “going to stay at Pitt.” Alvarez said he helped Chryst get the job at Pitt last year and doesn’t think it would be appropriate to hire him away after such a short time.

• Texas coach Mack Brown would not commit to starting Case McCoy or David Ash at quarterback in the Alamo Bowl against Oregon State. In another matter, Texas president Bill Powers issued a statement of “full support” for Brown after the Longhorns failed to qualify for a BCS bowl for the third consecutive year.

Mike Gundy intends to remain at Oklahoma State and is downplaying reports of a strained relationship with AD Mike Holder.