      */
     public var dateItemList:IFactory;
     
-    [SkinPart(required="true")] // TODO: ask Glenn if can use required=true 
+    [SkinPart] 
     /**
      *  The container for the date part lists
      * 

                        break;
                    }	
                }
                tempList.addEventListener(IndexChangeEvent.CHANGE, dateItemList_changeHandler);
                listContainer.addElement(tempList);
            }
        }
    }

    // clean out the container: remove all elements, detach event listeners, null out references
    private function cleanContainer():void
    {
        if (listContainer)
            listContainer.removeAllElements();
        
        if (yearList)
        {
