$sql = 'SELECT t.*, u.username,
                       DATE_FORMAT(t.posted, "%m/%d/%Y") AS date,
                       DATE_FORMAT(t.posted, "%1:%i%p") AS time,
                       COUNT(r.responseID) AS replies
                  FROM sp_content_forums_topics t
                       JOIN !.sp_users u ON (t.userID = u.userID)
                       JOIN !.sp_content c ON (t.forumID = c.contentID)
                       LEFT JOIN sp_content_forums_responses r
                                 ON (t.topicID = r.topicID)
                       LEFT JOIN sp_content_groups cg
                                 ON (t.forumID = cg.contentID)
                       LEFT JOIN sp_content_featured cf
                                 ON (t.forumID = c.contentID)
                 WHERE c.status = "active"
                   AND cg.contentID IS NULL
                 GROUP BY t.topicID
                 ORDER BY t.posted DESC
                 LIMIT 4';