MKportal and SSI

[3fifty]

I posted this over at MKportals forums and didnt have much luck, I was hoping someone here could help me out.

SSI Includes
A.- I searched around and found two threads on there about using SSI. I did not get a clear anwser from either post. What I want to do is use the recent topics in place of the recent posts in the recent posts block. I would like to display the 10 most recent posts not individual replies.

B.- I use the news function as a banner rotator. How do I use the <?php ssi_news(); ?> in a block?

C.- I would also like to display any upcoming events that are on the calendar. Not only birthdays, but posts linked to the calendar under "Upcoming Events" just above "Todays Birthdays" in the same block.

That should get me started, Im sure I will have some more questions the more I play with it.
Thank you.