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Moneyball is out. Hardball, if you will, is in.
Compared to when Sandy Alderson was their CEO, the Padres have shifted to new, if old-fashioned, ways of preparing their minor leaguers.
Simply put, the Padres wanted their hitters, starting pitchers and baserunners to be more assertive, leading to a shake-up in player development three offseasons ago.
Franchise veteran Randy Smith, after becoming farm director, set forth the new practices in 2010. In time, he hired coaches at every minor league level.
"I'm not saying anything was done wrong before," said Smith, a former Padres general manager. "We're just doing things differently."
Only now are certain details coming to light, industry chatter having reached this blog.
For example, patience is no longer the first buzzword directed at the system's hitters. Told before to be "patiently aggressive" -- an organizational slogan from 2005-09 -- hitters are now taught to believe the count is 2-0 when it's actually 0-0.
A percentage of fastballs is required of starting pitchers below Double-A, reflecting Smith's belief in developing and maintaining arms. Previously there wasn't a percentage mandate for fastballs, which now must represent 75 percent of a starter's output, 80 percent for those in the Dominican Summer League. Changeups aren't required, after Smith nixed the mandate for a 20-percent diet of them.
Almost ad nauseum, baserunners are drilled to anticipate taking the next 90 feet.
"We don't want passive guys," said Smith. "We don't want passive hitters. We don't want passive pitchers."
Front offices typically put their own stamp on a farm system, and from 2005-09, San Diego's six affiliates bore the Moneyball stamp as applied by Alderson, the club's CEO and the spiritual godfather of Moneyball practices, and Grady Fuson, the V-P of scouting and player development who was Oakland's scouting director under Alderson and later Billy Beane.
Arriving from the Red Sox in late 2009, Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod saw fit to shake up both the scouting and player development staffs.
With the blessing of CEO Jeff Moorad, who supplanted Alderson in early 2009, the Padres more than doubled their number of amateur scouts. I wrote at length about the implications of the scouting shift leading up to last year's draft.
The change in player development began when McLeod offered the farm director's job to Smith, who was in charge of the Padres' international operations, and still is. Smith said he already held similar beliefs on development with McLeod, who began his scouting career with the Padres. The two also share a friendship with Tony Gwynn, who often says that minor leaguers need "to swing the bat" to learn how to hit.
Scouts saw differences in how Padres minor leaguers approached hitting last year. Hitters weren't as likely to take 0-0 pitches, as compared with recent years. Among the hitters who became more aggressive early in the count was James Darnell, who had a breakout season in Double-A.
If hitters act as though the count is 2-0 when it's actually 0-0, they're more likely to clout their favorite type of pitch should it arrive. That's the reasoning.
"Get your pitch, swing the bat, and it doesn't matter if the count is 0-0," Smith said. "We used to be 0-1 all the time because pitchers knew we were taking."
Hitters are to confront the pitcher "with bad intentions," and with the idea of "hurting the ball," as Smith believes a pitcher should be on edge.
"If the pitcher knows we're ready to hit, they start being a little finer," said Smith. "I think if you're a good hitter, you walk. I think you have to swing the bat first, and then you learn what pitches you can handle. If pitchers start thinking you're dangerous, you're more likely to walk."
A 2-0 approach to hitting means looking for only a certain pitch and letting all others pass. Given that two Padres affiliates led their leagues in walks drawn last year, the new philosophy shouldn't be thought as hacker-friendly. Administrations past and present can be proud of the farm system's current standing -- No. 1 rankings from ESPN.com's Keith Law and Baseball Prospectus's Kevin Goldstein, and a No. 3 listing from Baseball America.
"We're big on strike-zone integrity no matter what," Smith said. "We still preach it. We still place a premium on it."
As for the system's pitchers, Smith reported a "huge jump in velocity" in 2011 and associated it with the mandate on fastballs. He described the changeup "as a great pitch" but suggested that if a starter must devote 20 percent of his pitches to it and also throws curveballs or sliders, fastball usage could sag and lead to flagging arm strength. Padres instructors will tell pitchers to throw more changeups if they deem it necessary. It's an old belief that pitchers maintain or gain velocity by throwing fastballs.
"Statistically it's shown that if you don't throw 90 miles per hour or better, you're not going to stay in the big leagues," said Smith, whose acquisition of powers pitchers such as Trevor Hoffman and Andy Ashby contributed to National League West-winning seasons in 1996 and 1998.
If the practices are new to Padres minor leaguers who entered the system from 2005-09, they're as old to modern baseball as pine tar and batting helmets. Smith sees considerable truth in some of the sport's colorful old sayings, including, hitters don't walk their way to the big leagues.
As a secondary motivation, the Padres believe that their ballpark, which plays unusually large, further rewards baserunners who are practiced at aggression, and hitters who are ready to munch 0-0 cookies.
"We're not trying reinvent the wheel; we only want to apply the wheel," Smith said.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Post-Moneyball Padres
Posted by Tom Krasovic at 9:19 PM
2 comments:
Great article Tom.ReplyDelete
Making batters take the first pitch used to drive me crazy. Taking extra pitches just to wear out pitchers was even worse.
Lots of tenants of the 90's - 2000's moneyball are moot in the post-steroid era. Just trying to get on base and waiting for the big swat doesn't work anymore...thank goodness.
- AnonymousMarch 22, 2012 at 8:21 AM
Hallelujah!! One of the things I hated about the previous regime was that they stuck to principles that simply did not work at this ballpark. Ignoring speed and playing for the 3 run homer are strategies that are not conducive to success at Petco. I love that this regime is at least trying to get players that better fit the ballpark (i.e. swapping Rizzo for Alonso).ReplyDelete
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Many of the procedures offered here require you to "label and disconnect... " a group of lines, hoses or wires. Don't be lulled into thinking you can remember where everything goes-you won't. If you hook up vacuum or fuel lines incorrectly, the vehicle may run poorly, if at all. If you hook up electrical wiring incorrectly, you may instantly learn a very expensive lesson.
You don't need to know the official or engineering name for each hose or line. A piece of masking tape on the hose and a piece on its fitting will allow you to assign your own label such as the letter A or a short name. As long as you remember your own code, the lines can be reconnected by matching similar letters or names. Do remember that tape will dissolve in gasoline or other fluids; if a component is to be washed or cleaned, use another method of identification. A permanent felt-tipped marker or a metal scribe can be very handy for marking metal parts. Remove any tape or paper labels after assembly.

subset: commoncrawl


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by Larry Underwood
by Larry Underwood
Her earliest memory was of being lifted, held, and embraced. A sense of acceptance overcame her. This was, of course, after being separated from the cord through which food and sustenance and life itself flowed. Yes, this was her earliest memory, followed by the sensation of being laid in a warm area, surrounded by soft coverings.
Somewhere within her consciousness the idea of individualism first took seed. "Who and what am I," she wondered, "and how will I know when I am complete?"
She felt herself being lifted again, and carried by firm hands. She felt a sense of purpose in this task, as if she were being carried to meet her destiny.
The pain was sharp with the first incision, but soon dulled to a steady throb of contentment. Her destiny was being carved before her. An inner weight was being lifted, scraped, and dragged from her being as she felt herself changing.
The cool air flowed across her innards like a soothing salve. She felt the joy of refinement as each successive incision brought her features a bit closer to the surface. She felt different, new, and fresh - outwardly as well as inwardly. She somehow knew the transformation was complete, and she wished for the world to gaze upon her new self. Her inner light illuminated the darkness as the candle was placed within her shell. She felt herself beaming as she was lifted and carried into the cool night air, and for the first time she felt a sense of purpose. Grinning into the night, she beckoned for the world to look at her.


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December Pajama Storytime and Book Swap
Place:Children's Storytime Room
Thursday, December 19, from 6-7 pm
Kids ages 3-7 and a parent or caregiver are invited to a special Holiday Pajama storytime and children's book swap. Find a gently used book that your child has outgrown or out-loved, wrap it, and write the appropriate age (3-7 years old) on the gift. Leave storytime with a new (used) book that another child has loved. The Book Swap will be followed by Christmas stories, crafts, and snacks made by local Girl Scouts.
*Please be sure the book is in good enough condition that it can "pass" as new
*Christmas books are fine, but please no overly religious themed books


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IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa coach Fran McCaffery says his son's surgery to remove a thyroid tumor went as planned and he was flying back from Iowa City to Dayton to coach the Hawkeyes in the NCAA tournament on Wednesday night.
McCaffery says his son Patrick, who turns 14 on Thursday, was in "good spirits" after the operation. Doctors will continue with tests in the coming days to determine further treatment.
McCaffery flew with the Hawkeyes to Dayton on Monday to prepare for their First Four matchup with fellow No. 11 seed Tennessee. He returned to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics to be with his family for Wednesday's procedure.
McCaffery says the outpouring of support and encouragement from the public has been "overwhelming."


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Surfboard!! A beachy baby blue.
Self priming, no sanding or stripping necessary. Seal w/wax or topcoat finish.
The Paint
The original chalk and clay base paint, American Paint is thick, rich and self-priming. It provides superior coverage. You can thin it to your liking or use it straight. No-odor, non-toxic and with No VOC's – every option offered is a breathable healthy alternative to other products on the market today.
The Wax
American Paint Company waxes create a dirt and dust resistant seal that buffs out to a lustrous finish. The Vintage Antiquing Wax can be applied directly to the dry paint without the need for Clear waxing first. No oily staining or sticky residue. It dries quickly and will buff out beautifully.
The Company
American Paint Company products are made from the finest ingredients sourced from around the world and proudly manufactured in the United States.


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Archive for Friday, January 16, 2009
Baker students also plan trip to inauguration
January 16, 2009
Sixteen Baker University students won't just be earning credit between semesters this winter, they'll also get a chance to witness a little history, too.
They will be traveling with their professor, Lee Green, to Washington, D.C., to witness the inauguration ceremonies for soon-to-be President Barack Obama.
It's an experience that Eris Blaser, a Baker senior from Waterville, has been looking forward to for months.
"I've been a Barack Obama fan from the beginning," Blaser says. "It's history in the making, and to be a part of that is amazing."
Green, a professor of business, has been taking students to presidential inaugurations since George H.W. Bush's term began in 1989.
He says he hopes the class will inspire students to enter into careers where they could help their fellow citizens.
"They all have different majors, but the one goal these students all have is that they all aspire to careers in public service," he says.
Kendra Hanson, a political science major and a junior from Salina, says she has been looking forward to the trip ever since arriving on campus.
"I actually didn't vote for Obama, but I'm very excited to be there at such a historic time," she says.
The students are footing the $1,650 bill to travel to Washington for more than a week, during which they will learn about the history of the city, Green says, visiting museums and monuments, among other sites.
Hanson says she was particularly looking forward to hearing oral arguments in a U.S. Supreme Court case, as she intends to be a lawyer someday.
The group has secured tickets for a specific area of the National Mall from U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, Green says, and airfare and lodging accommodations have been set for months.
Green says that while he's been teaching the course for years, he can't remember any time that it has been more popular than this year.
The class filled up before the winner of the presidential contest was known, but Green says he fielded many more calls and e-mails than in the past about the availability of spots after Obama was declared the winner.
He says the historic nature of the inauguration, with the swearing-in of the nation's first African-American president, and the general feelings that Obama's supporters have toward him likely sparked the additional interest.
"I think it's just the sense of hope that's been engendered by president-elect Obama," he says.
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Top Reasons to Stay at Caribbean Resort Myrtle Beach
- Located in central Myrtle Beach, it won Best of the Beach in family, golf, and overall resort on the Grand Strand in 2012.
- The complex sprawls out alongside the white sands of Myrtle Beach, a popular spot for swimming, surfing, kayaking, and people watching.
- The resort's Sea Captain's House Restaurant was named Southern Living magazine's best seafood restaurant four years in a row.
- At the resort's oceanfront water park, kids can zip down a tunnel-style water slide, splash around in a floating submarine, or float along the 200-foot lazy river.
- Jamaican ocean-view and oceanfront units are housed in a four-story building outfitted with its own oceanfront pool and sun deck.
- For an additional fee, guests can access to many of Myrtle Beach's golf courses, including the acclaimed Dunes Golf & Beach Club.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Sandy Beaches, Seaside Golf Courses, and Classic Amusement-Park Rides
Myrtle Beach is the crown jewel of South Carolina's Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of white, sandy beaches along the Atlantic seaboard that draws surfers, fishers, and kayakers. The city was named one of the best vacation spots in the United States for a family by USA Todayin part because of its wooden boardwalk, which stretches for more than a mile and buzzes with carnival games and amusement-park rides. Hop into the SkyWheel Ferris wheel's glass-floored gondolas, surrounded by more than a million LED lights, for a panoramic view of the city below.
Less than 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach, the tiny fishing village of Murrells Inlet provides a tranquil contrast to the boardwalk's hustle and bustle. At Brookgreen Gardens, more than 1,400 original sculptures stand amid sprawling floral gardens and massive, moss-covered oak trees that have been around for centuries. Murrells Inlet is also home to the Tom Fazio–designed TPC Myrtle Beach golf course, 1 of more than 100 courses in the area that helped Myrtle Beach earn its title as the seaside golf capital of the world.


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Welcome to the wonderful world of mast-mounted preamps! 90% of the people who get involved with satellites (INCLUDING myself) think they don't *need* a preamp. After doing all you can (better antenna, lower loss feedline, etc) to get your receive setup maxed out, you finally decide to "just try one; I can always sell it on eBay", and are usually amazed at the improvement it gives you. The _first_ thing I suggest to newcomers is to buy a good preamp. Sadly, most are like I was, and stumble around for weeks or months worrying about other things before finally buying one. Congrats, and enjoy your preamp! 73, Jim KQ6EA --- Bob Stewart <email@example.com> wrote: > My new 70cm preamp came in today! I got the ARR > mast-mount > version. I wasn't sure I'd hear any improvement, > but it's very > noticeable. I was able to hear QSOs on SO-50 down > to about > 15 degrees tonight, whereas before, 20 was really > stretching. > I am using a turnstile in the attic with reflector > elements at about > 9.25" below the radiators. I can see that I'm > eventually going to > have to build more robust versions of my turnstiles > and put them > on top of the roof. > > My power supply is a bit odd, so maybe someone will > get a kick > out of it. I have an Atlas 210X left over from > years ago, and > the PSU will power either of my bricks. The 210X > slides into the > PSU which an SO-239 on the back of it. In order to > get the power > up to the preamp, I added a fused switchbox and sent > the power > through that SO-239. This allowed me to just screw > on a Radio > Shack 50 ft length of RG-58 without having to cobble > up a > connector on the rig end. > > Bob - AE6RV > _______________________________________________ > Sent via email@example.com. Opinions expressed are > those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the > amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: > http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > _______________________________________________ Sent via email@example.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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1. 091312 Steppin Out Demi Lovato
Grungy: The X Factor judge Demi Lovato channels '90s grunge in a plaid shirt, The Cure t-shirt and studded boots while running errands in Los Angeles on September 12.
2. 091312 Steppin Out Daisy Fuentes
Fashionable Femmes: Julissa Bermudez and Adrienne Bailon support fellow Latina Daisy Fuentes (center) at her Spring 2013 fashion show during Style360 in New York City on September 12, 2012.
3. 091312 Steppin Out Jessica Alba
Doing Good, Looking Good: Jessica Alba hugs her bud, designer Narciso Rodriguez, at the SELF Magazine 5th Annual Women Doing Good Awards on September 12 in New York City.
4. 091212 Steppin Out Jennifer Lopez
New York Night Out: Casper Smart and Jennifer Lopez caught Evita on Broadway and then headed to dinner at Scantella in New York City on September 11.
5. 091212 Steppin Out Ricky Martin
Back From School: Ricky Martin ushers his son Valentino Morales into their apartment building after picking him up from school in New York City on September 11.
6. 091212 Steppin Out Demi Lovato
Getting Her Hands Dirty: Demi Lovato shows off her dirty hands during The X Factor season 2 premiere and handprint ceremony at the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles on September 11.
7. 091112 Steppin Out Shakira
Possible Bump?: The rumored-to-be-pregnant Shakira wears a loose-fitting Nirvana tee while furniture shopping in Milan on September 7.
8. 091112 Steppin Out Lourdes Leon
Father Daughter Day: Carlos Leon hangs out with his daughter Lourdes Leon in Soho in New York City on September 9.
9. 091112 Steppin Out Adrienne Bailon
Front Row Friends: Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and Adrienne Bailon discuss the clothes during the Sammi Sweetheart Spring 2013 fashion show on September 10 in New York City.
10. 091012 Steppin Out Eva Mendes
Not Fair!: Eva Mendes (center) gets sandwiched between two of Hollywood's hottest men, Bradley Cooper and her boyfriend Ryan Gosling, at The Place Beyond the Pines premiere during the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7 in Toronto.
11. 091012 Steppin Out Penelope Cruz
Dinner Date: Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz leave a dinner at The 34 Restaurant with their The Counselor co-star Cameron Diaz (not pictured) on September 7 in London. The three are currently filming the Ridley Scott thriller which is due out in November 2013.
12. 091012 Steppin Out Salma Hayek
Family Affair: Salma Hayek poses with her husband Francois-Henri Pinault and daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault next to the beach closet dedicated to her on the Promenade des Planches for the movie Savages during the 38th Deauville American Film Festival in Deauville, France on September 8.
13. 091012 Steppin Out America Ferrera
Watch Gang: America Ferrera, Michael Pena, director David Ayer, Jake Gyllenhaal and Anna Kendrick attend the Grey Goose Vodka party for the End of Watch premiere during the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8.
14. 091012 Steppin Out Nicole Richie
Cute Couple: Nicole Richie shares a laugh with her husband Joel Madden at Macy's Passport Presents: Glamorama 30th Anniversary in Los Angeles on September 7.


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Dave Schmidlin is in his first season as the head men's and women's volleyball coach at Lees-McRae College.
Schmidlin brings a wealth of coaching experience to Lees-McRae, previously serving as the head coach of the men's volleyball program at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as the women's volleyball coach at Oakland University (Rochester, Michigan) and the University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne, Indiana).
Schmidlin led Cardinal Stritch to a 56-37 record in his three seasons at the helm, including a 26-13 mark during the 2010 campaign while leading the Wolves to the national semifinals. While at Cardinal Stritch, Schmidlin mentored three all-americans, seven all-conference performers, and one conference player of the year.
A native of Birmingham, Michigan, Schmidlin has a history of leading programs to success in the classroom as well, guiding his Cardinal Stritch team to a 3.3 grade point average over two seasons, with nine Wolves earning all-conference academic honors. His squad at Oakland also performed well in the classroom, maintaining a 3.3 GPA over the course of four seasons, as 25 Golden Grizzlies garnered all-conference academic recognition.
Schmidlin began his coaching career as the assistant men's volleyball coach at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne, where he served as the recruiting coordinator, as well as the strength and conditioning coordinator for 10 years, four of which while pursuing his undergraduate degree. The Mastodons posted a 153-100 record during Schmidlin's tenure at the Fort Wayne, Indiana school, earning three conference titles while advancing to the NCAA Tournament in 1994 and 1999.
The Birmingham, Mich. native graduated from IPFW with a Bachelor of Arts in general studies. He is a member of the American Volleyball Coaches' Association, and has worked with the USA Volleyball High Performance Program as a talent evaluator for various national team programs for over 15 years.


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How are you getting along with this hot weather? I know if I was a kid again I'd be hanging out at the pool. I suppose I could still do that, but it's too darn hot to even change my clothes to do that and I don't even like getting into a hot car even though I know the air will soon kick in. It has been a long time since we had to stay cooped up because of the hot weather. This weirdly hot weather has a lot of people, especially newspaper writers freaked out and they have come up with all kinds of theories. They have me thinking, Is this global Warming? After all the weather really hasn't been normal since March.
I checked with the weather channel to see what they had to say about this heat wave. I was looking forward to a scientific answer, but instead all I heard was it's almost surreal, this is really very unusual and it's caused by the jet-stream, air masses turning tropical, but no real explanation, except this hot weather is very different than most summers. This makes me think the weather channel really has no explanation except ideas on how to stay cool.
Years and years ago, way back in cave-man days they lived in caves to keep cool and they actually had sunscreen. Then it was impossible to go down to the local drugstore and buy sunscreen, so they devised their own. Like the elephant, who have very sensitive skins, they dusted themselves with dirt to protect their skin. I'm very thankful for sunscreen; I would hate to dust myself before going out in the sun. There are numerous varieties, however, what is most important is the SPF factor which should be 15 or higher.
One of the most important things to remember is to protect children from the sun. Adults and older children can certainly tell someone when they are feeling bad from too much sun, but not younger children. Infants younger than 6 months should be kept out of the sun to protect their sensitive skin. Babies under 12 months should also have limited sun exposure. After one year there can be more sun exposure, but never forget the sunscreen, or no one should forget sunscreen. This very hot sun shine is especially more dangerous.
If you are like me when it gets too hot outside I like to stay inside. Also I have to admit when it's this hot I stay out of the kitchen as much as possible.
This recipe won't heat up your kitchen and is the recipe Linda Rickert gave to me and my daughter took with her to Germany. However, Linda, called and now I have it and tried it out and I can say it is delicious. If you have never tried pesto, now is the time. There are many pesto recipes and I think the basil leaves are what gives this recipe its flavor. My daughter-in-law has a herb garden so I know where to get the basil. Just remember to wash the leaves throughly in cold water.
2 cups fresh basil leaves,
packed tightly into the
4 large garlic cloves,
peeled and chopped fine
1 cup walnuts
2/3 cups of good olive oil
1 1/4 cups Parmesan
* Combine the basil, garlic and walnuts in a food processor and chop by pulsing the machine.
* Slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream while the food processor is on.
* Shut off the machine and add the cheese, salt and pepper (ground Pepper is best) to taste. Pulse again until well blended.
This makes a good one cup. This is good on crackers, or on any toasted bread. Linda said she toasts Mike's buttered brown bread, puts the pesto, tomato and cheese and warms it up in the frying pan. I tried it on a baguette hard bread and it was a complete supper on a hot day. You can freeze this pesto in baby food jars and take it out when you need it.
"Don't forget to lather on the sun screen."


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It can be especially difficult to navigate custody arrangements. There is no easy way to divide time that was once shared as a family unit. Throw in the personal heartache that is weighing on each individual and custody can bring out the worst in all involved.
As you face different custody hardships, try to keep one thought at the forefront of your mind: What is best for my children? Children function best when they have a strong relationship with both parents. They have the best chance to heal when they have time with both a mother and father who love them. All the other issues (revenge, fear, control) that may tempt you to sabotage the relationship with the other parent should be set aside in the best interests of the children.
First, Here are some tips to make co-parenting easier for you and your Child.
As you and your former spouse figure out custody arrangements, visitation schedules and attempt to co-parent, these important reminders will help you help your children:
Don't bad-mouth your ex. Children don't want to hear bad things about either of their parents, and they especially do not want to take sides. No purpose is served in criticizing the other parent to your children.
Don't use your children as spies. Children should be given the freedom to enjoy each parent without hindrance or fear of being cross-examined. Children become angry when asked to spy and can easily withdraw from both parents. If you are not sure whether you are using your children as spies, then ask them. You may be blind to what you are doing and so preoccupied with your hurt that you cannot see what is happening. They'll tell you!
Don't use your children to carry messages. There is usually a period of time following divorce when one parent is afraid to encounter the other, either for fear of letting out feelings of bitterness or for fear of what the ex-spouse will do or say. Under these conditions, a parent may become cowardly and hide behind the children. "Tell your father he hasn't sent the check yet," or "Ask your mother if you can go fishing with me next week." These messages place your child in an uncomfortable position. In Roman days, messengers who brought bad news lost their heads, just like children do (figuratively) today.
The child will usually come to resent both parents for having to carry messages. To avoid alienating your children, do your own dirty work! Be courageous and assertive. Speak directly to your former wife or husband.
Give your child permission to love the other parent. As parents, we are not always completely honest with ourselves, and we don't always know what messages we are sending our children. It is safer, therefore, to be explicit in this area. Tell your child specifically that it is OK to love his or her father or mother.
Encourage the discussion of feelings. The open expression of feelings tends to create a healthier environment. But freedom of speech does not mean freedom to insult or punish. Children are often so frustrated and angry at the world that they would readily dump their hostility on you and turn you into an emotional punching bag. This should not be tolerated. Anger should be talked about, not acted out.
But sometimes parents do not allow children to talk about their anger, and this eventually leads to a need to act out through explosive outbursts. It is far better to allow children to talk about their feelings as they occur than to have to pick up the pieces! Allowing angry feelings to accumulate, to the point that it takes a volcanic eruption to get rid of them, is never healthy.
Start to talk about feelings when your children are young and you will avoid many painful encounters with them later in life.
Be flexible. Flexibility means that you are willing to compromise some of your demands and, if necessary, negotiate for others. The most important area is that of visiting rights. Conflicts with your ex-spouse in this area will always affect your children. They will create tension and interfere with the quality of the visits.
Perhaps this is the subconscious reason why many parents avoid being flexible - to keep their children from enjoying their visits with the other parent. Be ruthlessly honest with yourself and work to avoid rigidity.
The need for flexibility should not be taken to mean that a parent should surrender all of his or her rights to the other. To do so would invite manipulation. But choose your battles carefully. There are many issues that are not important in themselves, so don't stand on principle just for principle's sake. Remember that you can communicate Christian love far better through being reasonable than by being obstinate.
Encourage the relationship with the ex-spouse. The more time they spend together, the better. It is an unfortunate fact that most absent parents gradually become less involved with their children after a divorce. The initial frequent contact slowly fades away.
Fathers are more apt to maintain contact with sons than with daughters. Since both sons and daughters need to have contact with both parents, it takes a concerned and wise parent to be creative about maintaining contact between fathers and daughters. Personal bitterness has to be set aside and activities with both mother and father encouraged.
When a Child Chooses the Other Parent. What can you do?
There are fewer things as painful as when a child wants or chooses to live with their other parent. If you have been placed in this situation, here are a few things you can do:
Recognize the pain. Give yourself the freedom to grieve the loss. It is heart-wrenching to be rejected by your child and it's OK to feel pain and sadness. Journal, open up to friends, visit a counselor. Take tender care of your heart.
Weigh your options. Depending on the age of your child, your response will differ. Here are some age-appropriate considerations to keep in mind:
Elementary school and younger: Your child may threaten to move in with your ex-spouse as a manipulative tactic. It could be he is testing his limits and this is one way to see if you are going to stand by your rules. If you cave in on a consequence as a result of his threat, he'll learn to use that to his advantage. Gauge his behavior. Is he talking about moving when he's just gotten into trouble? Then stick with your consequences. Or is this something that comes up when the waters are calm? If so, ask him why he would like to move in with the other parent. Talk through his reasons and give him room to express his desires. Try not to communicate your hurt - it is likely he is just yearning for more time with the other parent, not rejecting you. If you are having a tough time discerning his request, don't hesitate to seek professional counsel.
Teenagers: When a teenager wants to move in with the other parent, the situation can get a little more difficult. Older teens may have the ear of the court system; a judge may disregard what you feel is best. Even if the courts are not involved, teens need special consideration. Giving them the freedom to experience the other home may be just the thing to help them appreciate you. Discerning the optimal living situation can be difficult. Your particular case will be unique, so make the decisions based on as much information as possible. An informed third-party counselor could help you work through the details to come up with the best course of action.
Know when to fight. There are times to set boundaries and protect your child. If your ex-spouse is a danger to your child, no matter your child's age - through physical, emotional or sexual abuse - you must guard her from being harmed. Consult a counselor, hire a lawyer, do whatever you need to do to make sure your child is not in danger.
What to do when your ex-spouse doesn't share your values.
In split-parent family homes (homes where each parent shares custody after a separation or divorce), the former spouses may not share the same values. Instead of focusing all your energy on the other home and what your ex-spouse is doing wrong, create a Code of Values to help your children define the guidelines for appropriate behavior.
Define your values. Ask your children to list their top five values while you do the same. Some examples of values would include faith, honesty, generosity, the importance of education, respect, etc. Once complete, each person can share what is on his list.
Discuss differences. If you see a contradiction between a value and an attitude or behavior in your children's lives, be gentle as you communicate your thoughts. Share any difficulties you have had in living out a value you profess. Remind your children that it's not unusual to slip, but that living out their values is worth the effort. From here, compile the lists to create a Code of Values, standards to live by. Expand the list to include practical ways to live out each value. Print the list on nice paper and frame two copies, one for each home.
Encourage your kids to ask their other parent to help them live up to their Code of Values. Most parents are likely to support their kids when aspiring for higher standards, especially when behavior improves.
Live it. Your kids watch your behavior to formulate their own values. Don't speak one way and live another. The true mark of a person's value system, ultimately, is the person's behavior. In the New Testament Jesus says, "Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit" (Matthew 7:17-18).
Focus on your own home. The focus should not be on a former spouse. It's on your children. Avoid the temptation to fall into a self-righteous attitude. This is not about living "above" your former spouse; this is simply about helping your children live a strong set of values in a broken world.
Build solid community. As you guide your kids, remember that spending time with other Christians is crucial. Socializing with Christian families allows your kids to experience the Christian home as the common standard. Christian community reinforces Christian values.
Defining values for our children will help them live out what they believe. Once they have that definition on paper, if they see behavior (in their other home) that is not consistent, they'll be able to understand that it's wrong and hopefully make a different choice for themselves.
Sample Code of Values:
Value: Faith
Attitude: I love the Lord and look for ways to know Him more
Behavior: Attend church, read Bible and pray
Value: Generosity
Attitude: I look to help others who cannot help themselves
Behavior: Give time, money and service to others (share my snacks and play with lonely kids at recess)
Value: Kindness
Attitude: I honor others by showing love and respect
Behavior: Quarrel less and encourage (say nice things about) others more
Focus on Your Home! Don't spend all your time trying to shelter your children from the other parent.
Judy, a single mom, has a tough time sending her kids to their father's for the weekend. She is angry about the divorce and does everything she can to sabotage the visitation arrangements. She makes the kids call her every night they are with him and gets frustrated if they forget. When they return, she interrogates them about their visits. She wants to know what they ate, whom they met and details about every activity.
Her motive? She wants to build a case to stop, or at least limit, the time the kids have with their dad. Judy is driven by emotion. Though she doesn't realize the damage she is inflicting, the kids suffer. They feel uncomfortable with her questioning, don't understand her anxiety and often feel pulled in two directions.
The use of time
While it's normal to worry about what influences the children, don't spend all your time trying to shelter your children from the other parent - a person who has every right to be a part of their lives.
We're not talking about the children's safety. Protection from harm is a different matter. This is about allowing your former spouse to be a parent, even when you have different values and parenting styles.
Making it count
Be intentional in the time you spend with your children. Don't waste time and energy trying to prevent things you cannot control. If you already have a full plate with your job and basic household responsibilities, use the rest of your day wisely. Love and disciple your children. Eat a meal with them. Play games and allow yourself to laugh with abandon. Cheer your kids in their sports activities and close their day with prayer, drawing them to the One who can protect them best.
Giving up control
Letting go of what is happening in the other home is not easy. Ultimately, you have to trust that God is bigger than your former spouse's influence. Remind yourself that God watches over your children 24/7.
Long-Distance Visitation. How to make traveling smoother for you and your child.
When parents live in two different locations, it makes visitation arrangements more complicated. It's never easy to put children on a plane alone. They may be nervous about flying, and you may be uncomfortable with potential dangers. There's also the time apart - both parent and child will miss each other. Here are some tips that will help you and your children through the experience:
Be prepared. Give yourself extra time beyond what you typically need for a flight. If your child is a minor, there is additional paperwork and expense involved. Make sure you investigate the airline's Web site so you know what to expect.
Escort your child. Ask the airline if you can escort your child to the gate. They will not let you board the plane and settle your child into his seat, but walking him to the gate will ease anxiety for him and for you. If you have an older child, ask if he prefers to board unattended. (as long as your child is over 14).
Create traditions. Make a family tradition out of departure week. Take your child on a date, enjoy a special meal together or purchase a book or card game for the plane ride. Consider packing a special mystery bag that he can open once he boards the plane.
Stay. Stick around after your child boards the plane. There may be a delay, and you want to be there if passengers end up being escorted off.
Communicate. Use creative ways to stay in touch with your child. Consider mailing a letter a few days before your child leaves, so it's there when she arrives at the other parent's house. In the note, encourage the relationship with the other parent, wish your child a wonderful visit and let her know you'll be praying for her. Text message or e-mail a love note after a few days, or put a couple of special songs on his iPod. Keep a balance though. You want to let your child know you care, but you also want him to fully engage with the other parent. Don't over-communicate.
Be available. If your child does need to talk, suggest she try the other parent first, but also ensure her that you are available to be a listening ear.
Arrive early. When your child returns, again give yourself extra time to get to the airport. Most airlines will give you a gate pass (even for older children) if you visit the check-in counter. Be at the gate with a welcome sign and a big smile. Your child needs to know that she was missed.
Listen. Give your child permission to share all the highlights of his visit. Make eye contact, smile, nod your head and share his joy. He needs to know that it's OK to have fun with the other parent. As you engage, you'll find your child will open up willingly about his adventures. If you express disinterest or sadness over his joy, he will learn to hide that part of his life from you.
Visitation Violations. Tips on handling visitation problems.
In our years of legal work for divorced and never-married couples, we've found that miscommunication is the main reason custodial parents withhold visitation. Many times the parties disagree over when contact was to occur. You can solve these problems by simply improving the way you exchange information:
Create a calendar. Charting a contact calendar for the entire year will help keep exchanges clear. Although parents should remain flexible when their schedules or their children's needs dictate, firm contact dates will help. Even if you disagree over setting up the calendar, at least you can address issues in advance, rather than waiting for problems to arise.
Comply with the decree. Besides improving communication, noncustodial parents should make every effort to fully comply with their divorce decrees. Though some people believe that bad behavior by one parent warrants retaliation, the courts disagree. Noncompliance pushes you further away from one of your key goals: protecting the fragile co-parenting relationship.
Examine yourself. Look first to your own behavior. If you have done something that requires forgiveness, rejoice. Now you have a great entrée for a conversation with your ex. For example, you might say, "I'm sorry for being late to my last weekend pickup. That must frustrate you and make the kids feel anxious. I've talked to my boss about the problem, and I should be able to show up by 5 o'clock from now on."
Owning your mistakes will allow your ex-spouse to do the same, opening the door to better communication.
Choose not to lash out. What if you're not at fault? Perhaps you were denied contact on Father's Day because your ex took an unplanned out-of-town trip with the kids. You may think, Fine, next year she won't get Mother's Day or There goes her Fourth of July party. But this "eye for an eye" mentality will get you nowhere in negotiations with your ex-spouse or in the courtroom. Though you may feel tempted to lash out, smart single parents gently confront or turn the other cheek.
Offer options. Noncustodial parents can get more cooperation on visitation by offering their exes multiple options. You can say, "I have several ideas that might help with the Friday pickup, but I need your input on what might work best. I could send my mother to get the boys, we could move the pickup time to a later hour, or you can drop the kids off at my office. What do you think?" By giving your ex power in the decision-making process, you improve your chances for smooth transfers.
Help your child. Not all visitation problems involve the custodial parent. Sometimes a child will refuse to see the noncustodial parent, making it difficult for either parent to comply with court orders. If talking with the child doesn't improve matters, take him to a psychologist or counselor. In choosing a professional, ask how much experience she has with divorce and co-parenting cases and whether she appears on your insurance provider list. Both parents should agree on the person selected. .
Three Allies and 13 Ideas
If your visitation problems persist, some outside assistance may help:
Use a mediator. Many divorce decrees now require mediation before allowing court action. And even if yours doesn't, many judges appreciate the use of this less costly and less confrontational option.
A mediator helps parties clarify issues, communicate effectively and find solutions. He does not have the authority to tell the parents what to do. Nonetheless, he can provide a safe forum for the exchange of ideas and help feuding parents deal with their most common problem: miscommunication. A typical mediation lasts only a few hours and often brings about positive results. A court case usually costs many times more than mediation.
To find a mediator, talk with friends who have used mediation or your lawyer or counselor. As with the selection of a counselor, both parents should agree on the choice of the mediator.
Pursue a parenting coordinator. Like a mediator, a parenting coordinator uses mediation skills in an attempt to clarify concerns and seek solutions. Unlike a mediator, if parents can't agree, in some states this person can make a legally binding decision that both parties must honor. Tiebreaker decisions typically deal only with fairly minor matters, such as where or when to pick up a child or what activities a child should attend. The best bet for you and your ex is to ask your attorneys to recommend some parenting coordinators in your area.
Legal recourse. If all else fails, you can ask your attorney to prepare a court action. The court will often appoint a special master or co-parenting arbitrator to make recommendations on your case subject to the court's approval. Parents with ongoing conflicts may choose to submit their differences to this person.
While a lawyer can help you get a final, enforceable decision, many single parents want more time-sensitive and cost-effective remedies. By the time a judge makes a ruling on your case, the visitation event you sued over could be long past. Moreover, the minimum retainer for an attorney can run to several thousand dollars. As a result, only engage in a courtroom battle as a last resort.
A few general rules: Regardless of what tack you take, a few general rules on visitation apply to all situations. We suggest the following ways to improve your chances for a peaceful resolution to your post-marital problems:
Refuse opportunities for revenge.
Let your dealings with everyone be nonjudgmental.
Maintain honesty in your communication.
Show sensitivity to the feelings of others, even if those feelings seem silly.
Set reasonable goals.
Determine the best way to talk with your ex, then start doing it.
Take another look at your positions on issues, even if you have a legal contract on your side. Nothing prevents you from being more generous and flexible than the law requires.
Put yourself in the other person's shoes.
Don't assume the worst in anyone.
Understand you can win the battle and lose the war.
Realize you pay a high price for control.
Approach problems positively.
Focus on the future, not the past.
Though noncustodial parents may never get rid of verbal shoot-outs over visitation, you can make sure the battles don't draw blood. Clear communication, shared decision making, biblical conflict resolution and support from trained professionals can keep you out of expensive - and often counterproductive - legal actions. As attorneys and former single parents who have seen both sides of the issue, take our advice: An hour spent with your ex over coffee is worth 50 in the courtroom.
Explaining Parental Disinterest. What do you do when the other parent doesn't show interest in your child?
What do you tell your child when the other parent shows no interest in him? The answer depends on the age of the child and whether the child was inquiring. If the child is young and wants to know "Why?" look for the least painful truth.
When the child asks
Here are some reasons that fathers (and occasionally mothers) don't make contact with their children. The parent may simply be selfish and irresponsible. In that case, a parent could say, "You are the best child a parent could ask for. It's not your fault! Daddy (or Mommy) isn't thinking too clearly right now. He's lost his way for a while, but later, when he finds it again, he'll want to see you more."
In some cases, parents are mentally ill. They may have broken under the pressure of the divorce. If that's the case, say, "Mommy (or Daddy) is sick in a special way that makes her unable to think right. Let's hope she gets better soon. When she does, she'll want to see you more!"
When the child doesn't ask
If a child didn't ask, but I sensed that a parent's absence was troubling him, I would ask how he's feeling about it. If he says, "I feel bad," I would say, "That's the way I feel too. I'm sorry you're hurting." Then I would hug him. After allowing him to say all he wants, I might share some of the previous statements. Then I ask him why he thinks the other parent isn't coming around more.
It is tricky, but you still want to avoid criticizing the other parent while still conveying that the child is lovable, and that the problem is not his fault. You will need to sharpen your diplomatic skills!
When the child is 12 or older
For an older kid, ask him about his feelings and then simply listen. Give him permission to feel, then suggest he write his feelings in a letter and send them to the neglectful parent. It may solicit a positive response. Or, sad as it is, you may verify that there isn't much feeling there for the child.
If there is little affection evident, then you'll have to deal with the consequential pain. Most of us spend a lifetime trying to verify, one way or the other, that our parents love us. You may have to say things like "Your father just doesn't have it in him. It's not you - it's everybody. He just doesn't know how to love."
Stay away from ugly language. But if the child uses it (except for profanity), permit it for a while. Then encourage him to forgive the neglectful parent. Just don't force the forgiveness issue on him immediately. He will have to get over his anger first, and that may take a while, as you well know. Be patient.
Exploring Possible Abuse. What if you suspect abuse?
It can be terrifying if you suspect abuse at your ex's home. Here are some steps to navigate what is a very delicate situation:
Contact a lawyer. If you have a lawyer, call him and get some legal advice. If you don't have an attorney, find a good one. Local child protection agencies may react differently to abuse accusations from one Parish to another. Your lawyer will know your local situation.
Be certain. Proving child abuse is no simple matter. Consider this possibility: Suppose your children do show evidence of abuse, but will not, for their own reasons, incriminate your ex. You may become suspect! If so, your children will be removed from your home until the culprit can be determined. Many times ex-spouses are accused unjustly during custody battles. Judges are at a loss to do anything unless they have hard evidence.
Be prepared to prove your suspicions. If you try and fail the first time, proof will become more and more difficult to get in the future. You cannot withhold visitation when the court has established it. So whatever you do, don't refuse to let the children visit your ex, or you may be found in contempt. These are the reasons you call your lawyer the instant you suspect abuse.
When you are certain: If you can prove abuse, move as quickly as possible to prevent it from happening again. You might even want to call your local child protection agency yourself. Do not be surprised if your claims are met with some initial skepticism. Agencies get this kind of accusation often from vindictive ex-spouses. Don't give up though - your children's best interests are at heart.
I hope this information and the tips are helpful for you. If you have additional questions or need more specific advice, please know that our office is available to assist you. Please call to set up an appointment at 985-345-0660 or email me at [email protected]


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October 4, 1923 - February 21, 2013
Tuxedo, NY
Madeline M. Napolitano of Tuxedo, NY passed away February 21, 2013 at the age of 89. Born October 4, 1923 in Tuxedo, NY to Joseph and Maria Mottola, Madeline was retired from the Tuxedo School District working in the cafeteria.
She was a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and a member of the Tuxedo Silver Dollars.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ralph (Scooch) in 2005. She is survived by her son, Ralph and his wife, MaryAnn of Kissimmee, FL; her grandchildren: Katherine, Allison, Sarah, and Nicholas; two sisters, Concetta (Tina) Kusion and her husband, Emanuel of Tuxedo, and Susan Mottola of Tuxedo; one brother, Carmine Mottola and his wife, Nancy of Dunnellon FL; she was predeceased by her siblings: Sam, Joseph, and Mary.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Tuxedo, NY. Friends may call on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Scarr Funeral Home Inc., Route 202, Suffern, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Tuxedo.


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EQ353, New April 2003
Hydraulic collection and transport is a preferred method of handling livestock manure for many producers. Hydraulic methods tend to reduce labor and equipment requirements and take advantage of gravity in the movement of manure. However, most manure, as excreted by the animal, is too thick (solids content is too high) to move hydraulically. Therefore, a typical practice is to use recycled effluent from the manure lagoon to dilute manure so that it can be collected and transported hydraulically to the lagoon. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a typical recycle system. Pit recharge systems for swine and flush systems for dairies are typical examples of the use of recycled lagoon water for dilution and hydraulic transport of manure (Figure 2).
A common problem in these manure-handling systems using recycled lagoon water is the buildup of crystals in various components of the system. Pump impellers, piping, flush tanks, flush gutters and drain lines are all susceptible to crystal buildup. Crystal formations can cause leaking seals and degrade performance of pumps. Accumulations in a pipe reduce flow area and can eventually stop flow in the pipe (Figure 3). The severity of the crystal problem depends on many factors, including chemical characteristics of the lagoon effluent, selection and design of system components, and effluent flow rates in the recycle system.
Crystal accumulation can be a major hindrance in the use of recycled lagoon effluent to collect and transport manure hydraulically. To date no feasible means of preventing crystal buildup has been developed. However, by using certain design and maintenance procedures a producer can usually use recycled lagoon effluent in an acceptable manner.
Figure 1A typical recycle system for manure collection and removal.
Figure 2This dairy flush system uses effluent recycled from an anaerobic lagoon.
Figure 3Crystals have reduced the flow area in this 2-inch PVC pipe by about 75 percent.
The troublesome crystals that form in pipes and other components of systems using recycled anaerobic lagoon effluent have been identified as a compound called magnesium ammonium phosphate (commonly referred to as "struvite"). This compound has been known and experienced for many years in the municipal wastewater systems. Crystallization has also become prevalent in the agricultural sector with the development of manure recycle flush and handling systems. Many factors contribute to the formation of the magnesium ammonium phosphate crystal "struvite" (MgNH4PO4 - 6H2O), including the following:
In any given case, there may be other factors contributing to crystal formation. The complex interaction of the many possible factors makes the severity of crystal buildup difficult to predict. When anaerobic lagoon effluent is recycled in a manure management system, the possibility of crystal problems should be expected, and measures should be taken to minimize potential problems.
Although no feasible means of preventing crystal buildup has been identified or developed, experience has shown that certain considerations can minimize the problem to an acceptable level. These considerations can be categorized as
A number of design considerations have been shown to reduce problems of crystal buildup in lagoon recycle systems.
Operation and maintenance considerations include procedures to remove crystals on a regular, periodic basis after they have formed in the system. These procedures should be implemented on a schedule such that crystals are removed before growth becomes so extensive that pump performance or flow rate is impaired. The most widely used procedure in this category is acid washing, or the use of a commercial de-scaling product to dissolve crystals from the system on a periodic schedule. Magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals readily dissolve in a low-pH environment, and this characteristic can be used to remove crystals in a recycle system.
Acid washing systems. Acid washing involves the introduction of a diluted acid into the entire recycle system to dissolve crystals. Simply filling the pipes and other components of the recycle system with an acid solution and letting it "sit" for a period of time to dissolve the crystals is not as effective as circulating an acid solution through the system for a period of time. Hence, an acid washing system should include the necessary piping, valves, pumps and other components so that the acid solution can be circulated in the recycle system as needed to dissolve the crystals. Figure 4 shows how an acid circulation system might be implemented.
Figure 4Schematic of an acid recirculation system.
With reference to Figure 4, the system is operated as follows:
Valve 4 should be located at a "high" point in the system and can be used to release or purge air from the system when preparing to circulate the acid solution. Excess lagoon effluent can be purged from the system by diverting the acid return line to the lagoon until acid starts arriving back to the acid storage reservoir (plastic container in Figure 4).
The acid return line should be at least half the diameter of the main recycle line, and the acid storage reservoir should be, at minimum, large enough to hold the volume of acid solution required to fill the piping in the system. Table 1 shows the volume per foot of length contained in pipes of various sizes.
A system with 400 feet of 4-inch main recycle line, and 400 feet of 2-inch acid return line would require an acid reservoir size of at least 400 x 0.65 + 400 x 0.16 = 324 gallons. Hence, an acid reservoir with a volume of 350 to 400 gallons should be selected.
A separate acid circulation pump may not be necessary if the main recycle pump can be used to circulate the acid solution. However, if the main recycle pump is a submersible pump in the lagoon, or in a wet well, it may be more convenient to provide a separate acid circulation pump, which stays plumbed into the system. The submersible pump is then acid washed separately, usually by placing the pump in a container of acid solution.
Almost any acid of sufficient strength will dissolve the magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals. Glacial acetic acid mixed 1:50 with water has been used successfully. Muriatic acid (generally available at concrete plants) diluted at the rate of 400 gallons of water per 55-gallon drum of acid has also been used effectively. Observe appropriate safety precautions when working with acid. It can cause injury! The acid reservoir should be placed within a secondary containment facility to contain any spills or leaks. All components of the system containing acid should be labeled as a potential hazard.
Acid-wash the system on a regular schedule as needed before excessive crystal buildup occurs. Crystals are much easier to dissolve and remove before flow in the system is reduced significantly. If crystals are allowed to completely block flow, acid washing will not work, and the system will have to be replaced. Acid used to dissolve and remove crystals will eventually become neutralized (pH elevated) until it is no longer effective in dissolving crystals. When this condition occurs, the acid may be drained to the lagoon, and a "fresh" volume of acid is used for the next washing. Acid washing systems can be implemented in most recycle systems and are particularly applicable to complex systems involving multiple flow circuits or branches or long flow paths that cannot be easily cleaned by other means.
Hydraulic crystal removal. Some success has been experienced using water under high pressure to break up or erode crystal formations from the components of recycle systems. With this approach, a high-pressure washer with pressure and flow characteristics in the range of 2,000 to 2,500 psi and 4 to 5 gallons per minute is used with a special "sewer nozzle" to clean crystals from pipes (Figure 5).
Figure 5This sewer nozzle is made of stainless steel for long-term durability.
Figure 6Schematic drawing of a sewer nozzle used to clean crystals from a recycle pipe.
The sewer nozzle has a forward-facing port that discharges water at a high velocity to erode and break up crystal formations. The nozzle also has rear-facing ports that drive the nozzle forward along the length of pipe as it is cleaned. Figure 6 is a conceptual sketch of this type of nozzle.
Since the sewer nozzle is fed by a high-pressure hose (typically 1.4 inch in diameter), this approach is limited to systems, which will allow movement of the nozzle and hose within the pipe. Smooth, continuous pipe and long-radius elbows must be used in the piping system so the sewer nozzle and hose can be inserted and travel along the length of the pipe. With this approach, cleaning should begin at the discharge end of the recycle system, and the recycle pump should be operated during cleaning to flush the eroded crystals from the pipe.
The formation of magnesium ammonium phosphate struvite crystals in recycle systems using anaerobic lagoon effluent is a common and problematic occurrence. To date, no feasible means of preventing the development of these crystals has been identified. However, with proper design and management of the system, including the lagoon, the crystal problem can be controlled in an acceptable manner. Acid washing at regular intervals is the most commonly used method of controlling crystals in recycle systems.
Order publications online at http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/shop/ or call toll-free 800-292-0969.


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Maryland has completed an 800-mile addition to its high-speed statewide network, lighting up the Inter-County Broadband Network (ICBN) on Oct. 7 to link more than 1,000 schools, government offices and public safety operations.
The ICBN, built with the help of a federal Recovery Act grant, is part of the 1,000-mile One Maryland network and consists of 216 fiber optic strands with what Howard County CIO Chris Merdon said is essentially unlimited capacity. "If we see any limits, we can upgrade and add new hardware to it."
The network initially is offering low-cost, high-speed connectivity for state and local government, but unused capacity will be leased to businesses as an economic development tool. In Howard County, the lead jurisdiction for the project, the network is being used for county Internet and telephone service.
"Initially we are using it as a cost-savings tool," Merdon said. "We estimate that we will be able to save about $500,000 to $600,000 a year" by replacing circuits from commercial providers.
He said he did not see the ICBN in competition with commercial carriers. "We use the private sector to provide services we cannot provide ourselves," he said. "If we can do it at a cheaper rate, then the taxpayer benefits. That makes economic sense."
The new network passes 71,000 businesses and 1.8 million households in 42,000 square miles of Central Maryland. The 1,070 anchor institutions connected to the network include 450 K-12 schools, 15 community colleges and six other colleges. Howard County took the lead in applying for the $115 million grant under the federal Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and chairs the nine-jurisdiction committee overseeing ICBN. The other jurisdictions are the City of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Montgomery County and Prince George's County. State and local governments contributed $45 million to the project.
Although its initial use is saving money on existing services, there are projects in the offing that could provide new services and functionality, Merdon said.
"Some of the low-hanging fruit is in public safety," he said. One of the early projects is expected to be establishing a second county 911 call center for the southern half of Howard County that would act as a back-up if operations in the primary center are disrupted. Another early project is expected to be providing 1 gigabyte-per-second Internet connections to two county-owned, low-income housing facilities.
The network could also provide real-time visibility of surveillance cameras in schools. A number of school buildings already have IP cameras that could be linked to the network. Other schools would need to have their existing cameras upgraded or new cameras added to the network. It also could contribute to intelligent transportation by linking weather and traffic sensors on roadways so that resources could be more intelligently deployed.
"The network is 75 percent of what is needed to make all of the other things run," Merdon said. Adding cameras, sensors and other endpoint equipment would be relatively inexpensive.
The network also could enable greater cooperation by state and local jurisdictions through information sharing and by allowing one county to offer services to others, according to Merdon. With a common backbone, one county could provide network operations centers for several other countries, and multiple counties could band together to take advantage of volume discounts on cloud services.
One Maryland: ICBN from One Maryland: ICBN on Vimeo.
About the Author
William Jackson is a Maryland-based freelance writer.
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I live in Charles county MD. I can't even get DSL from the phone co. let alone fiber. I'm stuck with a cellular modem for now. Whatever happened to the rural areas that were supposed to have connectivity...I'm 30 miles from the nations capital!
As anonymous said, this is not free money. It is taxpayer money funded through phone bills, real estate, sales, etc. I love how cavalier they are with our money. Once, private business would have built this.
This is not a "cost-savings tool". The total government funds of $160M is not magic money. The rest of the country's tax payers are absorbing the monetary burden. This is a classic example of voodoo economics.
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Ordering a fried egg on top just isn't enough anymore. When it comes to burgers, chefs and diners alike are pushing the boundaries on what can be contained between a beef patty and two buns.
When chef/owner John McLean opened Burger Bar in Lincoln Park two years ago, he aimed to set his bar apart with his signature "stackers," aka beef patties topped with even more meat, from pulled pork to beef shortribs. This month, he outdid himself with a burger special that stacks a beef patty on top of a full grilled ribeye steak, plus toppings inspired by steakhouse side dishes. It's been so popular that he plans to make it a permanent fixture on the menu.
"Don't get me wrong, I love a plain, classic cheeseburger," McLean said. "But I think people are always looking for something different ... and I think it's here to stay."
Burger bars ranging from Kuma's Corner to The Fifty/50 continue to raise the bar on sounds-weird-tastes-good combos, and recently opened Champaign, Ill. import Fat Sandwich has drawn attention for its sandwiches piled high with bar-food favorites such as chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks.
Slapping wacky toppings on burgers doesn't always work, though, as was the case when McLean tried to make a chorizo burger with fruit salsa. "We had great intentions … but the first [one we made] was awful," he said.
So how much is too much? We taste-tested eight burgers with toppings that range from slightly off-kilter to totally over-the-top to see what works and what doesn't. All burgers feature a classic beef hamburger base, and we've assigned each a rating on a scale of 1 to 5 according to weirdness (from slightly unorthodox to off-the-charts odd) and messiness (from just a little sloppy to a big ol' mess)R
>>Ready for some seriously beefy action? Click here to read our adventures in burger-eating. Hope you're hungry ...


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Recap: Team Canada takes on Finland in Sochi
Canada vs. Finland: Keys to the game:
We said it in Game 1, but it's even more important now: By the end of tonight, coach Mike Babcock and his staff needs to have a strong idea of what type of a lineup he will want to use in the next round.
With the winner getting the opportunity to clinch Group B and a bye past the first elimination round, the game has some meaning. While it's not crucial, as Canada found out four years ago when it was the No. 6 seed entering the playoff rounds in 2010, any break can help in a one-game elimination tourney.
All eyes will be on who Mike Babcock starts in net for Game 3, a potential indicator of where he wants to go the rest of the tournament. Roberto Luongo was the sharper of the two netminders in the opening two games, but only because he had to be. Carey Price was solid in the first game.
While the Canadians scored enough against Norway and Austria in early wins, they weren't exactly lighting it up offensively. In their previous Olympic meeting vs. Finland eight years ago, they managed just 24 shots on net. They will need to generate more offence both today and beyond.
When at its best, Finland employs a tight-checking game that can frustrate even top opponents. In the 2006 Olympics, for example, they beat both Canada and Russia in shootouts. With several of their top scorers injured, look for Finland to try to frustrate the top offensive Canadian players.
Canada's top two lines vs. Tuukka Rask
Assuming the Bruins star gets the call, he will be by far the toughest goaltender the Canadians have faced so far. And with the top forward group not exactly filling the net against lesser teams, let's see how they respond.
Expect coach Mike Babcock to continue his tinkering, especially on the Sidney Crosby line and on the blueline. Speculation is that John Tavares may get some shifts with Crosby. Other hints are that P.K. Subban, who sat Game 1, will also be out as Dan Hamhuis returns.
The last Canadian player to score an Olympic goal against Finland was the current GM, Steve Yzerman, who scored the game-winner in a 2-1 win in their 2002 quarter-final.
– ROB LONGLEY, QMI Agency


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In the press release sent out by The Document Foundation, the team details why the fork was deemed necessary. The main focus seems to be to free OpenOffice from the oversight of any single commercial, and to turn it into a true community project. They don't say it explicitly, but the rather uncomfortable position Oracle takes towards Free/open source software certainly plays a role in this.
"We believe that the Foundation is a key step for the evolution of the free office suite, as it liberates the development of the code and the evolution of the project from the constraints represented by the commercial interests of a single company," states Sophie Gautier, long-time OpenOffice community member and former maintainer of the French language project, "Free software advocates around the world have the extraordinary opportunity of joining the group of founding members today, to write a completely new chapter in the history of FLOSS."
The Document Foundation and LibreOffice can already count on pretty much the entire Free software ecosystem, with all the major players pledging support; the Free Software Foundation, Google, Novell, Red Hat, Canonical, the OSI, the GNOME Foundation, NeoOffice, Credativ, NeoOffice, and others. Oracle has also been invited to support The Document Foundation, for instance by donating the OpenOffice brand.
Much of the early work will focus on polishing the code and lots of clean-up work, but in the future we can expect a more responsive and hopefully a more productive development cycle. One of the most important changes is the removal of Sun's requirement that copyright be assigned to them, which acted as a barrier to participation.
For now, major distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and SUSE will ship LibreOffice instead of OpenOffice, and a beta release has been made available which at this point obviously doesn't differ much from the regular OpenOffice build.


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19 March 2013
Restricted Access to Oklahoma Death Certificates -- Your Help is Needed
We need your help! Access to
death certificates has recently become restricted and efforts are
underway to remedy problems that were created. If you have been denied a death
certificate from the Oklahoma State Department of Health Bureau of Vital
Statistics since 1 November 2011, please send that information to [email protected]. We have been asked by OSDH through the author of the bill to
document how many people have actually been denied a death certificate since
the enactment of a law restricting access went into effect. Please send any
details that you are comfortable sharing. Oklahoma
Thank you,
Billie Fogarty
|Source: http://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/e/ec/Vital_Records.jpg
BACKGROUND: At the request of the Oklahoma Department of Health during the 2011 legislative session, House Bill 1397 was authored by Rep. Doug Cox and Senator Clark Jolley. This bill was presented as a "clean-up" bill to correct terminology and it had "minor" amendments on all but 2 of the 62 pages. It passed by both houses and was signed by the Governor on 25 April 2011 with an effective date of 1 November 2011.
The bill amended Title 63 Section 1-323 by repealing the language which allowed death certificates to be issued upon request and payment of applicable fees. The law now says that it is unlawful for vital statistics records to be issued to anyone "except to the person who is the subject of the record or in such person's interest unless ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction."
Notwithstanding the new law, the Health Department continued to distribute death certificates without restriction for more than 15 months after its effective date. The bill escaped the attention of all interested parties until the Health Department began restricting death certificates by memo to staff dated 11 February 2013. While they are not following the law as it is written, i.e. allowing only the deceased to access their own death certificate, they have now determined that only "authorized applicants" shall receive them.
Authorized Death Certificate Applicants
- A surviving spouse, parent, child, grandparent, sibling, or legal guardian;
- Legal representative of the estate of the deceased as documented by an order from a court of competent jurisdiction;
- An individual who can establish a familial relationship with the deceased;
- Funeral director of record or agent thereto, working in the capacity of their official business;
- Person with a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction;
- A person who was a co-owner or a joint tenant on real or personal property of the decedent;
- A person listed in a will of the decedent, provided the will is in probate; or
- Genealogist (must demonstrate familial relationship)
law, rulemaking is by the governing board of state agencies and must follow the
procedures for enacting rules. We can find no evidence that this has been done
in this case. Oklahoma
The Application for Death Certificate and the Instruction Sheet has not been changed and there is no reference to "authorized applicants" nor any restrictions mentioned. The Instruction Sheet still reads "An individual is eligible to receive a copy of a death certificate, if located, by submitting a proper death application with the required facts, a copy of current legal photo identification, and applicable fees." As before, the Frequently Asked Questions still read "Any individual may obtain a death certificate upon written application, with proper information and identification and applicable fees." [Accessed online 13 March 2013, http://www.ok.gov/health/Birth_and_Death_Certificates/Death_Certificates/
Contact information:
Commissioner Terry Cline, PhD
Oklahoma State Department of Health
1000 NE 10th
Representative Doug Cox, MD
Room 331
Senator Clark Jolley
Room 519
For the names of the members of the governing body of the State Health Department see:
copyright © National Ge
nealogical Society,
3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.
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Posted by Diane L Richard at Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Labels: RPAC, Vital Records Access
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text:
Cluett, Peabody & Co., Inc.
List of Deals
The history of Cluett Peabody & Company dates to 1901 when it was organized to acquire Maullin & Blanchard, a business that had been created in 1851. In February 1913 Cluett Peabody merged with Apex Collar & Shirt Company, which was organized in New York in 1912.
In 1918 Cluett Peabody & Company of Canada, Ltd., was formed.
Prior to 1919, the principal business for Cluett Peabody was manufacturing men's shirt collars. However, beginning in the 1920s the demand for collar-attached shirts grew considerably, while the collar business experienced a decline. In 1929 Cluett Peabody established a national menswear business under the Arrow brand name. The "Arrow" name gradually grew into a product line that included shirts, collars, handkerchiefs, cravats, pajamas, and underwear for men and boys.
In 1933 the company acquired the Wrigley-Melville patents for compressive shrinking of textiles. By 1935 Cluett Peabody operated eleven plants, mostly in the Northeast. In 1945 sales for Cluett Peabody were $31.3 million, and by 1955 sales had nearly tripled, to $87.4 million.
In October 1955 Cluett Peabody acquired J. Schoeneman, Inc., a leading manufacturer of men's clothing. The purchased was partially financed by a $6 million loan.
Cluett Peabody and West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company jointly formed Clupak, Inc., a holder of domestic and foreign patents for the manufacture of stretchable paper, in January 1958. Also in 1958, a subsidiary in the UK was established, Cluett, Peabody & Company, Ltd. In 1959 Cluett Peabody introduced a set of uniform standards for wash & wear fabrics under the trade name "Sanforized-Plus." These standards covered how well clothing recovered after washing in terms of tear strength and smoothness.
Cluett Peabody acquired two retail companies in February 1961: Boyd-Richardson Company, of St. Louis, for 32,000 common shares, and Harry Coffee Stores, of Fresno, California, for $740,000. The company purchased 50.9 percent of Lytton's in May 1961, which was subsequently increased to 99.6 percent by December 1964. In September 1961 Cluett Peabody acquired Besse-Richey.
In March 1962 Cluett Peabody formed the Arrow Company division to manufacture, merchandise, and advertise Arrow products throughout the world.
During 1962 Cluett Peabody made several acquisitions. In March it acquired assets of Young-Quinlan Rothschild, Inc., operators of retail apparel stores in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. In April it bought Jones, Morgan & Company, a clothing store in Waterbury, Connecticut. In May it acquired Lion Clothing Company of San Diego, California. In October the company purchased Meigs & Company, a Bridgeport, Connecticut, clothing store, and in November it added Rogers Peet Company, operators of clothing stores in New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Hartford, Connecticut.
In March 1963 Cluett Peabody acquired Desmond's, Inc., an operator of retail apparel stores in Los Angeles.
In 1964 sales and net earnings for Cluett Peabody were $229.3 million and $8.5 million, respectively. The acquisitions made in recent years helped Cluett grow considerably. In 1958, by comparison, sales and net income were $99.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively.


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USC received only one vote to win the South Division in Wednesday's Pac-12 media preseason poll but the Trojans' expectations are much higher than any predictions.
"I have a lot higher expectations," All-American defensive tackle Leonard Williams said. "With the new coaching staff and how close our players are, we don't have any of the adversity of last year."
Williams is a key reason USC is considered a top 15 team in most preseason polls and said his injured shoulder shoulder should be "close to 100 percent" when practice starts Aug. 4.
New USC coach Steve Sarkisian said he is eager to start practicing and expects several players, including wide receiver George Farmer, offensive guard Aundrey Walker and offensive lineman Jordan Simmons, to be healthy when camp starts.
"It's humbling to be back coaching, I have a lot of memories of the Coliseum," Sarkisian said. "I went to the Coliseum for the 1984 Olympics, I was there as an assistant coach (at USC) and I went to batting practice for a Dodgers-Red Sox game there."
USC is finally off probation, although the Trojans are still going to be 10-15 scholarships short overall of the NCAA-allowed total of 85.
"I feel like it has hurt us," Williams said. "A lot of guys have taken more reps in practice and we've had more injuries because of that."


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Mary Ruddy, right, of Carbondale, Pa., whose daughter Kelly, 21, was killed in 2010 while driving a 2005 Cobalt, and other relatives of people who were killed while driving the Chevrolet car gather on Capitol Hill in Washington this week.
ASSOCIATED PRESS Enlarge
Wondering why General Motors went bankrupt and needed a taxpayer bailout? Consider the Chevrolet Cobalt.
Introduced in 2004 as the vehicle that would finally make GM's small cars competitive with those from Japan, the Cobalt's mediocre performance translated into, at best, so-so sales. Beneath its shiny surface, the product was even worse than the motoring public realized.
For all the money and public-relations puffery GM poured into the Cobalt's launch, the company apparently couldn't be bothered with such details as a properly working ignition switch. Instead, it settled for parts that occasionally caused the car to shut off while in motion, disabling the power steering and air bags.
This failing has been linked to multiple accidents and 13 deaths. Despite ample warnings from inside the company and many consumer complaints, GM swept the problem under the rug, until now. Far too late, it has recalled 2.6 million vehicles that may include the potentially deadly defect.
For GM, still struggling to shake off the "Government Motors" stigma, the fiasco is a reminder that despite much progress, its renaissance is incomplete. The public cannot be sure that taxpayer money bought a truly new GM unless and until new chief executive Mary Barra — herself a GM "lifer" — eradicates all vestiges of the buck-passing management culture that produced the Cobalt.
Ms. Barra used her testimony before Congress this week to assert that she is on top of the automaker's quality problems, in the past and, more important, in the future. In that sense, GM's fresh recall of certain Chevrolet Cruze models is a mixed blessing: The company is taking action, but the Cruze is GM's small-car successor to the Cobalt.
There are lessons here for government as well. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration received indications of a problem with the Cobalt in 2007 and again in 2010, but took no action. Congress needs to know why.
Meanwhile, GM faced consumer lawsuits and settled them out of court. Details of the settlements were kept secret under confidentiality agreements, which plaintiffs and their lawyers commonly, and understandably, accept in return for prompt compensation without a trial.
We can't help but wonder whether the Cobalt's defects might have come to light sooner — or whether GM might have felt more pressure to correct them — if the details of those lawsuits were subject to public disclosure.
Under a 2000 federal law, GM and other automakers must report the existence of safety-related lawsuits and other consumer problems to NHTSA. But the agency gets more detailed information, including court documents, only if it requests those data.
NHTSA regulations often bar public requests for disclosure of such details on the grounds that they amount to "business information" susceptible to unfair exploitation by a company's competitors. Sens. Edward Markey (D., Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) are proposing legislation that would require automakers to send NHTSA the accident report or other documents that first alerted them to a fatal accident.
NHTSA would be required to make those documents public, unless they are exempted from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. The sad story of the Cobalt suggests that the senators' idea is worth considering.
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Candidates for the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education District 1 seat both say that reaching kids when they're young is key to success when they're older. Voters will choose between incumbent James Minyard and challenger Earnestine "Stine" Young at the polls Tuesday.
Candidates for the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education District 1 seat both say that reaching kids when they're young is key to success when they're older.
Voters will choose between incumbent James Minyard and challenger Earnestine "Stine" Young at the polls Tuesday. Both cite their experiences as qualifications for the job.
Minyard, 70, has served 12 years on the board and said his civic, education and social work background makes him the best candidate. Young, 60, says that her involvement in the community and experience as a substitute teacher would benefit the board.
Minyard said that the system should switch to a system in which elementary school teachers specialize in core subjects, rather than teach the same class throughout the school day.
"Elementary school teachers are the only ones expected to be experts in all subjects," he said. Every elementary school should be staffed with reading and math specialists, he said.
Young said that a student's chances for success increase with parental involvement. She said that the system needs programs that match parent's skills with volunteer opportunities in the schools.
"There are parents who either dropped out of school or had bad experiences with teachers or school in the past," she said. "We need to change their attitude about school, and make them feel welcome and like they're a part of the school because their child goes to that school."
Schools should have a resource room where parents can meet and interact with one another and teachers, she said. Teachers could be given incentives to stay after hours and work with parents. Teachers should also communicate to parents when children are doing well, she said.
"This will help increase the children's self-esteem and confidence. Once their self-esteem and confidence are improved, their grades will improve," she said.
Minyard said that the system's student assessment process allows teachers to identify students who may have trouble in school later. Specialized teachers in the schools would allow them to focus more on where the student's problems may lie, he said. That focused instruction could lead to more students in advanced classes, he said.
"Looking at test scores to see where we're going is working," he said. "We've taken a lot of positive steps."
He said that the board has made positive changes in recent years that have led to improvements in student performance, including at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.
Voters in District 1 vote in the auditorium at the Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation office at 1000 28th Ave.
Reach Stephanie Taylor at firstname.lastname@example.com or 205-722-0210.


text:
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text:
During a major address at an international conference in Krakow, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, archbishop of Krakow and former personal secretary of John Paul II, assessed how far the Jewish-Catholic dialogue has progressed in the past half-century and where future dialogue partners in Jewish-Catholic relations might direct their efforts. "I have come here to thank you for your continuing and courageous following of the hard path of dialogue," Dziwisz told the conference participants on March 6. "It is also to assure you how much I personally share your desire that the relations between Christians and Jews become increasingly fruitful as befits the children of One Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
Cardinal Dziwisz emphasized his own determination to build on the progress in Jewish-Christian relations that took place during John Paul II's pontificate: "It was not by pure chance that a Polish pope, the pope from Krakow, has done so much for the cause of rapprochement and reconciliation between Christians and Jews." Cardinal Dziwisz reflected on Krakow's complex history of relations between Catholics and Jews, which included long periods of religious tolerance as well as episodes of persecution and bigotry, and which was marked in the 20th century by "increasingly darker colors." By cherishing its traditions of pluralism and its historical embrace of diversity and dialogue with intermingled cultures, Dziwisz noted, modern Poland can affirm John Paul's vision of Polish identity, and Poles can be "guardians of memory" of the Holocaust and agents of continuing reconciliation.
"The turnabout in Christian-Jewish relations which occurred after the [Second Vatican] Council was partly a response to the shock that humanity was going through in the 20th century, becoming aware of the vast extent of suffering which can be brought about by prejudices and hatred of other people," Dziwisz commented. "Aware of this, the church wants more profound transformation of the minds and hearts of its sons and daughters with regard to their attitude toward Jews—the transformation at the level of theology and religious instruction, at local churches, and in each parish." Efforts toward this transformation, Dziwisz noted, will include frequent meetings between Polish youth and Jewish pilgrims, many of whom come to visit Jewish martyrdom sites in Poland. The church in Poland, Dziwisz promised, "wants to do everything possible" to achieve "a full development of this brotherhood of Christians and Jews recently found anew."
Cardinal Dziwisz called upon all his dialogue partners to renew their efforts and appealed to the international community for assistance. "In all these efforts undertaken in hope for full reconciliation we feel a strong need for support from the Jewish side. Keeping in mind the enormous numerical disproportion between our communities, Polish Christians, and Polish Jews, we place our hopes even more on the commitment to the dialogue by the representatives of Jewish communities from Israel and the United States."
A number of prominent figures in Jewish-Christian relations participated in the conference, which was held at the Jesuit Center for Culture and Dialogue.


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(AP) NEW YORK - The price of oil is headed for its biggest monthly decline since December 2008.
Benchmark U.S. crude has dropped nearly 16 percent so far in May. There are growing expectations that the world won't use as much oil this year as previously expected. On Wednesday, the futures contract fell $2.99, or 3.3 percent, to $87.78 as global stock markets also sank.
Europe's financial crisis is the most immediate concern, but there have been plenty of signs of weaker demand.
Analysts point to weak U.S. jobs numbers and a slowdown in China's manufacturing sector. The U.S. and China are the biggest oil consumers in the world.Exxon Mobil tops the Fortune 500 list
Oil falls below $90 as Europe's economy falters
Exxon shareholders support CEO's $25.2M pay package
Earlier this year, energy economists mostly agreed that world oil demand would hit a new record in 2012, probably around 89 million barrels per day. But with demand not growing in China and declining in the U.S., those expectations are starting to change.
"I wouldn't be surprised if demand was lower this year," said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research.
Experts also are concerned by a banking crisis in Europe that may pull the eurozone into recession. The European Commission added to those concerns Wednesday, reporting that economic confidence has plummeted this month to the lowest level in two and a half years.
Fears about Europe's financial stability sent ripples through world markets. Major stock indexes slipped 1 percent to 2 percent.
The euro fell near a two-year low against the dollar, helping to push oil prices even lower. Oil, which is priced in dollars, tends to fall as the dollar rises and makes crude barrels more expensive for investors holding foreign money.
Brent crude, which is used to price oil varieties that are imported into the U.S., fell by $3 to $103.68 per barrel in London.
Meanwhile, U.S. retail gasoline prices fell by a penny to $3.626 per gallon, according to auto club AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service. A gallon of regular unleaded has dropped by 31 cents since peaking in the first week of April. Gasoline is now 16 cents per gallon cheaper than it was at this time last year.
In other futures trading, heating oil lost 6.4 cents to $2.745 per gallon while wholesale gasoline lost 5.7 cents to $2.85 per gallon. Natural gas fell by 7.7 cents to $2.408 per 1,000 cubic feet.