21.   The latest award is in the Borough of Sunderland and starts in February.

22.   How important are these awards?

23.   Along with these prime-time awards were commercial pitches for backers, including Mastercard, Perrier water and Perrier-Jouet Champagne.

24.   Also receiving awards were Oliver Stone, Jim Carrey, Cynthia and Hal Gershman and Werner Heuschele.

25.   Although New York has budgeted more money than any other state to retention grants, its awards are the lowest.

26.   Among his many awards were the French Legion of Honor and decorations from Belgium, Finland and the Netherlands.

27.   Among the more entertaining suggestions is an award for the best use of saliva in a heavy-metal video.

28.   An award is an award.

29.   And now, there are awards for people who wage war against cigarette smoking.

30.   And there are awards, the latest of which fell into his hands Wednesday, something called the Laureus Award World Sportsman of the Year.