MANILA, Philippines — A bilateral supply agreement that would allow economic zone locators direct connection to cheaper power sources without going through WESM is being considered by the government to continue providing exporters with economical power rate.
Cristino L. Panlilio, Trade and Industry undersecretary for trade and investments promotion, told reporters that in order to continue the granting of competitive power rate to ecozone locators their power source should not come from WESM.
The DTI has been tasked by the Cabinet economic cluster to come up with a solution to continue the granting of economical power rate to ecozone locators, which subsidized power rate granted by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo under an executive order is going to expire this coming Christmas day.
“The solution is don’t use WESM,” said Panlilio.
“We will give them a bilateral agreement that will not use the WESM medium,” he added.
So, the DTI strategy to make export zone locators competitive is to allocate the energy source from the cheaper fuel sources such as hydro and geothermal.
Already, the DTI has identified some hydro power sources including Angat, Ambuklao, Binga and Bacon.
According to Panlilio, Angat, which is owned by state firm PSALM has already agreed to the DTI proposal,.
DTI has also approached Ambuklao but has reached no agreement. They are also in talks with two others. San Miguel Corp., which owns Sual coal-fired plant that used to grant the subsidized power to ecozones, has already turned down its request because its plant is using expensive fuel.
“Hopefully, we can fix it before Christmas as our Christmas gift to these exporters who bring in millions of dollars and employ thousands of workers,” said Panlilio.
He, however, clarified that the solution they are working on is not just a simple extension of the expiring EO, which is a form of government subsidy. He said the new strategy would be contained under an Executive Order and there are just final to iron out before it is presented for President Aquino’s approval.
Panlilio said the economical power rate would be discussed by ecozone operators, Clark Special Economic Zone, Subic Special Economic Zone and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority with the power suppliers that agreed to the scheme.
He explained that the current subsidized rate would be increased but it would remain competitive still because ecozones would be directly connected to the cheaper power source but the beneficiaries would still be paying for transmission cost.
“PSALM will not be subsidized,” he pointed out.
Panlilio has explained that that what makes WESM power expensive is borne out of the fact that it is part and parcel of the EPIRA Law, which provides a mechanism that would make more power firms attracted to it. This mechanism is seen to favor suppliers more than consumers.
The power supply that can be sourced from WESM come from various fuel sources. As such, the price set by WESM is already a blended rate even if the suppliers have different power pricing depending on their source of fuel where some are cheaper and the others are more expensive.
Thus, the DTI solution is to tap power suppliers that are using cheaper source of fuel – hydro and geothermal.
Panlilio also said that they have been cautious with this proposal so as not to be accused of being biased.
“But we have to make export industries competitive in the world market by supporting them with more economical source of power,” he added.
The Philippines has the highest power rate in the region and the 5th highest globally. The exorbitant cost of power has been a major turn off among foreign investors.
To remedy the situation and as a come on to investors, then president Gloria Arroyo issued an EO subsidizing the power rate of ecozone locators.
The subsidy, however, cost the government huge sum that the Aquino administration frowns upon.
o Bosch is the world’s leading supplier of common-rail systems
o Diesel offers further potential for reducing emissions and consumption
o Up to 2,500 bar injection pressure in the future
o Add to my press materials
o Save text
This year, Bosch celebrates its second diesel anniversary: following on from 75 years of diesel in passenger cars, in December the company is celebrating the production of its 75 millionth common-rail system. This technology, which was first used in cars 14 years ago, marked the start of a new image for diesel. In 1997, the share of diesel passenger cars sold in western Europe was 22 percent, whereas today every second newly registered passenger car is a diesel. “In the past, diesel engines were seen as economical and robust. The modern common-rail diesel is just as efficient and durable, but it is also extremely dynamic, comfortable, and eco-friendly. Common-rail high-pressure injection, in conjunction with turbocharging, has revolutionized the diesel engine,” says Dr. Markus Heyn, executive vice president passenger cars in the Bosch Diesel Systems division. Continuous improvements by Bosch will make diesel engines even more efficient in the future. For instance, by 2015 diesel-powered compact cars are set to consume just 3.6 liters per 100 kilometers. Compared to standard diesel-powered cars in 2009, that represents a fuel-saving of some 30 percent. And if hybrid technology is used, fuel consumption in diesel engines can be brought down by around 40 percent.
Rapid growth in unit sales
The first customers for common-rail systems in 1997 were Alfa Romeo, for its 156 JTD model, and Mercedes, for the C220 CDI. Unit sales of common-rail systems grew rapidly in the following years. By 2001, three million Bosch common-rail systems were in use, by 2002 the figure had already grown to ten million, and by the start of 2009 it was 50 million. The necessary components are produced in an international manufacturing network comprising 17 locations. In 2011 alone, Bosch produced some nine million common-rail systems, which were fitted in passenger cars, commercial vehicles, in the off-highway segment, and also in large diesel engines such as those found in ships.
As an employee closes out another sale of a Christmas tree, Sidney Albury sits behind a wooden counter anticipating that he wont have to make any sales for the remainder of the week.
We normally close around 8 or 9 oclock. So by closing time, I think we will be sold out, Albury told Guardian Business.
The manager of the Thompson Boulevard location is focused on wrapping up another successful year of Christmas tree sales, where hundreds of homes in New Providence will be furnished with one of his trees while avoiding shrinkage in profit margins. Albury admitted that the economic climate posed a challenge to striking a balance between customer satisfaction and carving a lucrative business model, but being conscious of the consumer struggles has worked out in his favor.
Every year that the price of fuel increases, there is a moderate increase on the overall operation, Albury said. When fuel goes up, everything else tends to go up including shipping…but last year was exceedingly well and the same thing speaks for this year.
We try to bring in a lot of cheaper priced trees, so we could try to please everyone across the board.
The same strategy has been adopted by Conrad Smith, a vendor located on Carmichael Road who expects to see increased traffic to his site in the final days leading up to Christmas. Smith said the trend over the past several years has prepared him for the late rush from consumers and is optimistic that his lot will be empty by the weekend.
Sales have been pretty steady since we opened up on the 8th [of December], Smith toldGuardian Business.But this area, in particular in Carmichael, people tend to come later on when they get their Christmas money and bonuses, so we tend to see the increase from the 20th to the 24th.
Smith added that more customers have preferred purchasing smaller trees over the larger ones, primarily because of the price tag that hung from the branch. The trend repeated itself from last year, with the larger trees becoming a second choice.
This year compared to last year, we saw that the smaller trees went quicker this year,he said.We ran out of small trees on Monday… Right now we are restocking but we only have some of the larger trees now.
To date, the Carmichael Road location that Smith manages sold over 300 trees. Shipping and transportation costs have increased operation expenses, with the trees being imported from North Carolina. However, customers having a greater sense of urgency have kept sales consistent.
I think that people discovered last year that there was a tree shortage that coming earlier would be the better thing to do, Smith said. Some people tend to wait so they can find better deals but they tend to find bigger trees later on and [eventually] ending up spending more money.
Both Albury and Smith admitted that the challenging economy made the forecast for sales harder to predict, but customer loyalty and ensuring customer satisfaction were key factors that have consumers willing to spend money on a tree that could be used elsewhere.
Albury said as an entrepreneur it isnt fair to take advantage of a consumer and increase the price for personal greed reasons and it contradicts what the holiday spirit is symbolic of.
We know that people are hurting like we are too, so at the end of the day we try to cater to our customers so they can return and [we] give them a nice tree for a fair price, he said. Its the holiday season, and if we are able to brighten up somebodys Christmas by giving them a quality tree at a quality price, then thats what should be done.
Looking back at the history, the idea really got a kick-start in 1984-1995, when the first maglev train came in to existence in UK, from Birmingham International Airport to Birmingham Railway Station. However, apart from being a success in Japan, Shanghai and a few other countries, magnetic levitation trains have gone nowhere but just levitating in between Government policies.
Dr. James Powell and Dr. Gordon Danby who invented I generation Maglev in 1966 (now operative in Japan) are also working on II generation. This time they have come up with superconducting magnets for accelerators and MRIs which are required to propel the vehicle forward. The duo wants to implement this technology on 29,000 miles of US National Maglev network. The exercise is expected to generate 2 million jobs during the tenure of this project.
While the facts, figures and information about the magnetic levitation trains are easily available, we recently had an opportunity to have correspondence with James Jordan- Washington, DC consultant in energy and environmental policy. He is closely associated with a project for development of II generation of Maglev transportation. With 30 years of experience in policy making, he claims that the idea has a lot of potential and bright future waits for the II generation in America and rest of the world.
It also appears that what he is saying is true. For the very reason that these trains do not operate on engines but on electricity. The environmental degradation from fuel, which is more evident in diesel and gasoline powered vehicles will not exist. Moreover, the day to day operating cost of air planes and other public transport system being high, the Maglev appears economical. Mr. Jordan said, We are confident that we can fund the development of Maglev networks with private equity in the US Its low maintenance and operating cost is only about 5 cents per passenger mile compared to 15 cents per passenger mile for air travel. The cost for shipping freight is only 10 cents per ton mile compared to interstate carrier trucks at 32 cents a ton mile and $1 plus for air cargo.
When we are talking this in the American context, we also mean that it is worth taking interest by other countries also. When many small projects are yet to get a nod from Government of various countries, it wont harm much to have this on an experimental basis. What do you think about the whole aspect?
It is endowed with diverse and multifarious commercial and industrial applications, which make its production highly economical.
One product that is fast becoming a cash cow for commodity traders is gum Arabic, which is extracted from Acacia Senegal, and Acacia seyal tree, shrubs which grow wild and almost perennial.
However, when cultivated, especially, the Acacia Senegal variant, it takes 5/6 years to mature after planting and does command premium market prices. Maturity of the tree is detected by the discharge or eruption of little bubbles when hacked with a knife. These bubbles solidify into pellets or gums that are harvested twice a year in April and December.
The production and exportation of gum Arabic is exclusively an African affair, whose key players are Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Cameroon, Niger, Central African Republic, Chad, Sudan and Ethiopia. Here in Nigeria, it is predominantly cultivated in Yobe and Borno states – with towns like Damaturu, Gwandu, Jakana, Bayamari Anuo, Gubio, Kukawa, Monguno, Kaduna, Kano, and swing producers.
Three distinct grades of gum Arabic are usually available viz; grades 1, 2 and grade 3. For the export market, it is only grade 1 and 2 that are acceptable. Better still, grade 1 which is pure, whitish, sparking and contains less or no impurities. Grade 2 is brownish and not as pure and is more available in the market. Buyers must beware.
Gum Arabic is endowed with diverse and multifarious commercial and industrial applications, which make its production highly economical, because of its unique qualities of being odourless and tasteless coupled with its adhesive properties, the usage of gum arabic finds expression, in various industries like beverages, food, dairy, confectionery, cosmetics, printing etc.
Gum prints
Since the 19th Century, gum Arabic has been combined with a sensitiser and a soluble pigment, applied to paper, and exposed through a negative under a powerful light source. This can produce beautiful prints only surpassed by adding further layers of gum pigment in registration. It is also possible to print colour separated black-white negatives to produce gorgeous true colour prints, but precise registration is required.
Textiles
Gum Arabic can be added to make the yarn stronger and increase its tensile strength. These days, many textiles manufactures use a modified starch mixed with gum Arabic.
Fabric printing
Gum Arabic can be added to the painting formula to fix the pigment in the fabric, thus saving printing costs.
Water colours
The essential ingredients in water colours are pigments, a binding agent (usually gum Arabic), and water. When combined these three components create transparent water colour. Gum Arabic acts as the binder for both water colour and paints.
Pigments are ground up and a liquid gum Arabic solution is added to produce paint that is more opaque and which imparts a dusty quality to the surface. Gum Arabic is resoluble once it has dried; therefore, it can be stored in cakes.
Occasionally oxgall (a wetting agent) is added to water colour to aid the even dispersion of pigment.
Printing houses
In the past, gum Arabic was used in the aluminium plate process. Normally, after printing was finished, the plate would have to be cleaned with chemicals and covered by a gum Arabic solution before re-using the plate.
Planographic printing (lithography)
The planographic method of offset lithography is the most common form of printing nowadays. The process works by sensitizing a part of the printing plate so that it will accept grease, oil, printing ink. An image is drawn or transferred on to an aluminium or zinc plate and ‘etched’ with a solution of gum Arabic, water and nitric acid.
This area is known as the oleophylic area, and the nonsensitised area is called hydrophilic. Offset lithography continues to be the most economical and reasonable printing process because of its low up-front costs for film preparation and press operation.
Molding
Molding have to be covered with paraffin wax before the injection process to make it easy to remove the mold, but paraffin wax is difficult to clean out. Manufacturers must mix gum Arabic with the paraffin and then when they put the mold into hot water overnight the gum Arabic dissolves the wax out easily.
Mural painting
Gum Arabic should be mixed into paint before use, especially water-based paint; gum Arabic makes the colours brighter and lighter.
Ink making using gum Arabic
Basic ink
Prepare gum Arabic solution, scrape lampblack (carbon collected on a spoon held over flame) from spoon enough times to get a goodly quantity of it. (It takes about an hour). Add water, one drop at a time until water is inky black. Add small amount of gum Arabic to thicken for writing, and store in airtight jar.
Invisible ink: one part linseed oil, 20 parts ammonia water, 100 parts water, Scented ink: add a few drops of essential oil to ink. Shake well before use.
Basic permanent black ink
Mix one egg yolk, one teaspoon gum Arabic and a cup of honey in a small bowl. Add teaspoon lampblack (buy in a tube or make by holding a plate over a lit candle) to make a thick paste, and store in a jar. To use, mix a little paste w/a little water to make a fluid.
Viscosity
Gum Arabic imparts the lowest viscosity to water of then normal, unhydrolysed industrial gums, a comparison of its solution viscosity with tragacaccanth karaya, ghatti, and corn fibre gums… Gum Arabic mixes well with other industrial gums and at high concentrations has suspending, stabilising, and emulsifying properties. Gum Arabic solutions exhibit Newtonian viscosity at concentrations up to 40 percent, but at higher concentrations, they acquire pseudoplastic character.
Normally, gum Arabic solutions are of pH about 4.5-5. 5, which is near pH 6, where maximum viscosity is displayed. Solution viscosity decreases with age.
Overseas buyers of gum Arabic
SIMAR S.A Jumbo Trading Co.Ltd
Paises baixos 3 46/3 soi ruenrudee (sukhumvit Klongtoe
Pol. Indl., de lgualada ynua Wattan, Bangkok 1011 Thailand
Igualada 08700 Phone: (662) 665 5232, (662)655 50724)
Cataluna Spain Fax: (662) 251 9627, (662) 252 1086
Phone: +34938036100
Fax: +34938045208
Neelkanth Polymers Red Carnation Gums Ltd
Spl 2B R11 Co. Unit 11 Westmayne
Industrial area Industrial Park,
Sitapura Tonk Road Brasidon, Essex 551156TP
Rajasthan, India. United Kingdom
Phone: 813 661 7048 Phone: +441268412020
Fax: 813 354 4647 Fax: +441268410040
Brenntag Nordic Oy Operational Resources Ltd
Teollisuustie 9 b walsall WS9 8UG W
02700 kaunianen finland Mildlands
Phone: +35895496400 United Kingdom
Fax: +358954956411
T.M Duche amp; Sons Ltd Ottensten A/S
Wilmslow SK9 8UG W 8260 Viby J
Mildlands Denmark
United Kingdom
Avebe UK Ltd Euro Food Brands ltd
Ulceby DN39 6XD Nothampton NN2 8XB
Humberside Northants
United Kingdom United Kingdom
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In spite of the holiday season starting up sooner than ever this year, somehow Christmas managed to slip up on me. Maybe it was the warmer than usual weather we had recently. Whatever the reason, no presents have been purchased yet around my house.
Actually this year, we have been talking about just doing stockings. That requires that everything has to be able to fit into an oversize stocking, which theoretically means that we keep the costs down to just a few dollars per gift. It sounds so practical and economical. We always say were going to do that, but then at the last minute I usually run out to get just a couple of small things and lose my resolve to keep it simple for yet another year.
But this year, I think were going to stick with our plan. College is the Christmas Grinch this year. With two of my kids flying back and forth to California it has pretty much decimated our discretionary income column. But just because we do the stocking thing it doesnt mean that it cant be fun or meaningful. I can think of a few things I wouldnt mind seeing in my stocking this year. First off, I could really use some cold water wax. The last couple of weeks Ive been using some left over summer base wax I found in the back of my car and its almost as bad as using nothing at all. Just make sure it says cold water on it, it doesnt smell like bubble gum, and preferably Sex Wax or Sticky Bumps. At a buck fifty per bar, you can stuff three or four in there and still have room and the budget for a lot more stuff.
If your favorite surfer is like me and carrying a few extra pounds from a few too many stops at Dunkin Donuts on the way to check the waves, then maybe another idea for a stocking stuffer would be a gift card from one of the local gyms. For instance, Sea Colony offers a great deal on their drop in cards during the off-season, which allows you to take part in a variety of exercise classes, use the fitness equipment or swim in the pool. Most of us surfers could benefit from a few laps in the pool, and would appreciate the subtle hint to get back into shape again. You can buy the cards according to anticipated visits. I think the smallest denomination is for five visits, so it goes easy on the gift budget.
Surf magazines are another thing that will fit into the budget and the stocking as well. Magazines are getting thinner and thinner in a losing battle with the Internet. But most of us still like to look at all those glossy photos of perfect waves. And the smaller size is perfect for those bathroom breaks. Still have some room in the stocking? Well, how about a beanie hat. Its the required uniform for surfers these days. They are even wearing them year-round. Get one of those extra long ones that look like they belong on one of the Seven Dwarfs. Theyre cool … if youre under 30.
A surf leash will fit in there as well and it says you care. Not that it will really save your life perhaps, but it keeps you from having to swim in icy cold water. And if you care about skin cancer, then a SPF sunblock face stick is a good thing to pick up as well. A visit to your local surf shop will provide a bunch of other spiffy ideas for the surfer in your life.
Roy Harrell is available for private or group surf lessons. Call 302-537-6287 or email roywow@aol.com.
21 December 2011 | JDavis
Mercedes-Benz launches hybrid offensive with the worlds most economical luxury vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz is opening a new chapter in its core segment while at the same time setting new standards for luxury sedans. The E300 BlueTEC HYBRID (European model) impresses with new record values when it comes to efficiency. It boasts exemplary consumption levels (4.2 l/100 km1) as well as impressive performance: the E300 BlueTEC HYBRID combines a 4-cylinder diesel engine developing 201 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque with an electric motor producing 27 hp and 184 lb-ft. The E300 BlueTEC HYBRID is the most economical luxury vehicle in the world.
Available in the US during the 2nd half of 2012, the 2013 E400 HYBRID features a direct-injection V6 gasoline engine producing 302 hp and 273 lb-ft supplemented by an additional 27 hp and 184 lb-ft from the electric motor. The estimated consumption figures are: 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.
With these two E-Class models we are now continuing our comprehensive hybrid offensive. The modular technology opens up a quick way for us to complement other model series with hybrid models, explains Professor Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler Board Member for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. With a clear focus on the different requirements of global markets, we are able to offer precisely the models which our customers want. The E-Class hybrids provide a clear reduction in consumption as well as a very impressive driving experience: they represent hybrid motoring at the premium level.
The new models do not require their passengers to compromise when it comes to space, however, whether in terms of the interior or the luggage compartment. There are also additional benefits to the intelligent modular hybrid concept, which builds upon the Mercedes-Benz S400 HYBRID that debuted in 2009: no changes to the vehicle body are required, the hybrid module is both flexible and modular, thus allowing its use in other model series, and in addition to diesel and gasoline powertrains there will also be right-hand drive variants. Meanwhile, the extra cost involved is only moderate. The new hybrid models will celebrate their world premiere at the Detroit Auto Show (January 14-22, 2012) and will appear on the market over the course of the year. The 2013 E400 HYBRID goes on-sale in the US during the 2nd half of 2012 followed by other countries such as Japan and China, while the E300 BlueTEC HYBRID is initially planned to be launched in Europe.
Highlights of the E400 HYBRID at a glance:
Highlights of the E300 BlueTEC HYBRID (European model) at a glance:
Show me 60 years of operation for the same sports happening and Ill show you Dead Event Walking.
Well, maybe its been around for a long, long time, but Dead Event Walking simply isnt true for the City of Moncton womens Economical Insurance curling championship.
Sixty-years-old and its re-energizing, mapping out numerous new plans for a special diamond jubilee anniversary in January.
The call has gone out for all female players in Moncton to get involved in the Jan. 6-8 event.
Curling in Moncton has changed in the past couple of years. Its joining together and we thought why not open this up, make a few changes and allow more players to get involved? asked chairwoman Joanne Thurrott this week.
The changes are numerous and so positive.
Women wishing to curl will enter individually and the organizing committee will form the teams, thus ensuring that members of different curling clubs are placed on teams together.
This unique format encourages the members of different clubs to mix and mingle and it also creates a level playing field regardless of the players skill level.
Also, to allow greater access to players like business ladies and commercial curlers, the January event will be held on weekend for the very first time.
The ultimate goal is see this event return to the form of its glory days, when the registration was so large, the participants so numerous, that it had to be curled over a two week period, said Thurrott.
As for what will remain the same is the strong support of Economical Insurance.
They have been there all the way. What a terrific sponsor, said Thurrott. There are great prizes and special competitor pins. Honestly, this sponsor is certainly so special in so many different ways.
Players can register on sign-up sheets at all three Moncton clubs.
ACTON RINK BEST: David Acton of the host Sackville Curling Club captured top honours in the Percy Carter Memorial Trophy, the third stop on the Maritime Masters Curling Tour.
The Acton rink of Alex Whitla in mate position, second Davis Richardson and lead Gerry Bartlett copped the title with 52 points, just one point ahead of John Marshall from New Glasgow.
Ken Nicol of Sackville, whose team included Doug Oulton, Mike Gillespie and Bud Trenholm finished third while Bill Lutes of Curl Moncton Beaver, whose roster featured Tolson Penney, Jack Jones and Ken Donaher, was fourth.
Weather played havoc on the second day of curling. Due to high winds, a fallen tree caused a power outage at the club, therefore each team played only three games.
Scoring for the two-day event was done on a point system.
The Sackville event was the third stop on the Masters Tour. The next event is scheduled for January, hosted by Curl Moncton Beaver. The Masters Tour is open to mens, womens and mixed teams.
Team participants are required to be 60 years and older with one allowable team member of 55 years and up.
In closing remarks from the champion and tournament chair, David Acton, thanked all teams for supporting the Sackville event. Also, he passed on thanks to the many volunteers who make the rocks curl at such an event – a few key people who kept things flowing smoothly were: Hugh Fensom as event co-ordinator; Don MacIntyre acting as our draw master; Myles Trenholm and Gerry Goddard and their elves for the great ice surface. Special thanks to Doug Key and Lloyd Varner for their tireless kitchen duties.
NARROW WIN: A Curl Moncton Beaver team of Norma Lutes, Bill Lutes, Bert Cole and Steve Pawley won the Moncton Curlers Associations fourth annual Walter McNeish Memorial Bonspiel.
The Lutes foursome posted three wins and a tie, good for 31 of a possible 40 points to win the championship trophy.
An MCA team of Ray Brown, Monique Melanson, Dave McGrath and Ken McWilliam was runner-up with an identical record, but finished one point short at 30. Twelve teams took part.
FIELDS WILL BE DECIDED: The final fields for the OLeary Buick/GMC New Brunswick junior boys and girls championship will be filled out this weekend with the second qualifying preliminary set for the St. Stephen Curling Club.
The OLeary provincial championship, set Jan. 5-8 at the Gage Curling Club, will feature eight teams in both divisions with the champions moving to the MM Meats national championship at Napanee, Ont., Feb. 4-12.
Seven boys rinks and eight girls teams are looking for the final four preliminary spots.
In the boys field are: Andrew Trites of Sackville, Chris Wagner and Darcy Gallant of Riverside, Damian Brisley of St. Stephen and Spencer Watts, Carter Small, and Jack Smeltzer-McAusland, all of the Fredericton Capital Winter Club.
The girls rinks are: Jade Frost of the Heather Curling Club in St. Andrews, Samantha Crook and Kaleigh Barry of Gage, Samantha Ward, Cynthia Pearson and Justine Comeau, all from CWC, Maura Boyle, Robin Brown and Stephanie Paulin, all from the Saint John Thistle/St. Andrews Club.
Already qualified from the first preliminary at Miramichi were boys rinks skipped by Jordon Craft and Kyle Hughes of the TSA, plus Josh Barry and Evan MacKnight, both of CWC.
The first four junior girls qualifiers were Jennifer Armstrong of the Riverside Curling Club at Rothesay, Jessica Daigle of TSA, Jamie Ward of CWC and Julie Ayotte of the Grand Falls Curling Club.
CHAMP QUALIFIES: Six teams, including reigning champion Heather Smith-Dacey, formerly of Sackville, earned spots in the Nova Scotia womens Scotties championship next month after qualifying in Wolfville last weekend.
Smith-Dacey, curling out of CFB Halifax this season, will go back to defend the championship her team earned last season.
On Smith-Daceys rink are Danielle Parsons, Blisse Comstock and Teri Lake. They won national bronze last year in Charlottetown.
Meanwhile, the road to the New Brunswick Scotties title begins with the preliminary qualifier, slated Jan. 13-15 at Curl Moncton Beaver and Beausejour.
The New Brunswick Scotties Final 8 will be contested at The Gage Curling Club, Jan 25-29.
SUCCESSFUL CLINIC: Rexton Curling Club members were very appreciative of a recent clinic conducted by Monctons master coach, Brian Rice, that offered everyone pointers on correct curling techniques.
A total of 14 players attended and another clinic, where strategy and weight control of rocks will be the major focal points, is slated Jan. 6. Camilla Vautour is the clinic organizer at the Rexton club.
* Gerard McLaughlin is a former Times Transcript sports reporter whose column appears every Thursday.
Jan. 1, 1912
WF Sechrest returned from Los Angeles last evening with another of those Reo trucks which have caused so much comment recently among those who want an economical delivery wagon. This one goes to the Brookings Lumber company. One bought up Saturday is sold to Stannard, the express man. Another has been sold to a Highland party and a fourth is already in use by the Faultless Bakery.
Mr. Sechrest says that Saturday when fording the San Gabriel river he came across a number of stranded cars, the sand proving too deep for them to negotiate. He hitched on with the little Reo truck and soon had them out on firm ground. One of them was a big seven-passenger touring car and the way the Reo got busy was a wonder.
Jan. 2, 1912
JC Kubias reports having recently paid $3,600 for the crop of olives from an eleven-acre orchard at East Highlands. This is the largest price so far reported. of the orchard having fertilized and given intelligent care to his property.
Jan. 3, 1912
On reading in a morning paper that someone who was kicked was enabled to speak only German, Miss Lombard, head of the modern language department of the high school, immediately put in a requisition for several kicking horses to be used in her classes to obtain results which she is unable to secure by ordinary means.
Jan. 4, 1912
Redlands Odd Fellows last week attained the