The tides ebbed at noon.

Old entrance requirements which had screened out all but the most highly qualified were revised to include all those who could be considered qualifiable with standard on-the-job-training.

Campaigns are underway to persuade households, including even those at 10 Downing Street and the White House (no word on Sussex Drive), to plant vegetable gardens this year as buffers against dismal economic times.

Eurohucksters will find it difficult to wean the sausage lovers of Liége away from their bursting black Belgian boudins and toward Birmingham's humble bangers. Beer hawkers should fare no better.