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FIREDAMP: REVISITING THE FLOOD 

In a new exhibition at Edinburgh Printmakers, Canadian artist Sean Caulfield addresses problems close to his heart. 

How can the requirement for industrial and urban growth in his native Alberta be reconciled with preserving the area’s fragile natural environment?

Firedamp – named in the exhibition's title – is any explosively inflammable vapour found in mines and boreholes. The Flood recalls the destructive consequences of divine retribution and tsunamis. As Caulfield writes:

What is the secret ingredient of organic hair care? 

Alternatively, what is the secret ingredient of Nordic coffee? 

The answers to these and other big questions are available at 19 Haddington Place. 

Our thanks go to Maria Hart, who spotted Little My earlier today and claims to know the authentic pronunciation of the youngest Mymble’s name. 

Life-saving equipment is being installed on all Edinburgh trams. 

Earlier today, Donald Wilson, the Lord Provost,  joined representatives of local business donors to mark the latest stage of St John Scotland’s (SJS) project to place defibrillators in a variety of strategic locations across the city. 

Defibrillators can be crucial in restoring a normal heartbeat after someone has suffered a cardiac arrest. Speedy application can boost survival rates by as much as 75 per cent.

The Marshmallow Lady’s erotic, Valentine’s Day-themed window display has had us slightly disturbed since its first appearance on Rodney Street at the start of the month.

It’s not the sight of an adorable Cupid grown into the full magnificence of manhood that bothers us.

Nor is it the dangerous positioning of the safety pin.

No, what keeps nagging at the back of Spurtle’s mind is that the face resembles someone in the public eye, but we can’t put our finger on him.

There are days when we think he looks like a melancholy Alexander McCall Smith.

UNCOMFORTABLE READING ALL ROUND

Professor John Cole’s independent report on last year’s temporary closure of 17 Edinburgh schools was published yesterday (see foot of page). 

It contains recommendations for City of Edinburgh Council (CEC), other public and private bodies, and the construction industry on: procurement, construction, training and recruitment, the role of the building standards and independent certifiers, and how information is shared. 

CEC yesterday pointed to six key findings in the 263-page document: 

SPURTLE EXAMINES GIFT HORSE’S MOUTH 

A major international competition has been launched today to design a new Ross Bandstand for West Princes Street Gardens. 

The current 2,400-seat venue, built in 1935, is considered no longer fit for purpose. 

Planning permission has been granted for demolition of a 2-storey garage and offices at 21 McDonald Place, and their replacement by a 4-storey, 11-unit apartment block (16/03471/FUL). 

There were 55 letters of objection and one neutral from neighbours, two objections from Leith Walk Councillors Gardner and Donaldson, and no comment from the New Town and Broughton Community Council. 

Opposition focused on perceptions of: 

MEALS IN THE LANTERN ROOM, BAXTER'S PLACE 

The last time we visited the Courtyard Edinburgh, it took a bit of effort to imagine how the city’s latest hotel would look when finished. 

Back in October, staff and builders were racing to complete the project in time for Christmas, and Spurtle had to rely on artist’s impressions and our customary sunny optimism to convey what the venue on Baxter's Place would eventually be like. 

Remember this from last month? 

The New Town Clean Streets campaign first brought it to our attention via Twitter – a lorry with generator and illuminated sign that sat on yellow lines in Hanover Street, blaring out music all day. 

Apparently, parking attendants were under the impression it had been granted an official dispensation. 

Few passers-by were impressed, and those in neighbouring offices soon tweeted that they’d been driven round the bend by the din for much of 13–19 January.

Spurtle was unable to attend the world premiere of T2 Trainspotting on 22 January, but belatedly boarded the bandwagon last night in search of locations. 

T2 filmcrew had been spotted all across Broughton over the spring/summer last year, and we confidently anticipated seeing a number of familiar faces or facades on the big screen.