Related souls

Heavy metal

2012-03-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

DSM extols the virtues of plastic.

The use of plastics in a typical North American automobile is roughly 260 pounds. And while plastics have gained acceptance in many automotive components and systems, according to Fred Boss, Stanyl product manager at DSM Engineering Plastics, "there is still a lot real estate left."

DSM Engineering Plastics' goal is to reeducate manufacturers and make them aware of the changes in technology that have made plastic engineered parts an alternative for companies currently using metal but would like to reduce weight and lower costs.

"The strength of plastic is there," says Boss. "We can put forth a very good case where cost and …

German chancellor says arrest of Karadzic is 'historic moment'

2012-03-15T04:16:00.000-07:00

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the arrest of Bosnia's most wanted war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic is a "historic moment."

Merkel said in a statement Tuesday that "the victims need to know: Massive human rights violations do not go unpunished."

Merkel …

Silent film 'Wings' provided: ; lift to Gary Cooper's career

2012-03-15T01:55:00.000-07:00

HOLLYWOOD - Born Frank James Cooper in Helena, Mont., on May 7,1901, Gary Cooper was a gifted visual artist who was educated inEngland and at Grinnell College in Iowa. He began his acting careerin 1924 as an extra in Hollywood westerns. Two years later, helanded the second lead male role in the Henry King western "TheWinning of Barbara Worth," with Ronald Colman. But it was hisendearing appearance as a young World War I flier in 1927's silentfilm classic "Wings" that made him a star. Film producer A.C. Lylesrecalls that Adolph Zukor, then president of Paramount Pictures,knew even before "Wings" was released that Cooper was somethingspecial.

"He realized that he had a new …

Gunmen Abduct Dozens at Baghdad Office

2012-03-14T23:32:00.000-07:00

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Suspected Shiite militiamen dressed as Interior Ministry commandos stormed a Higher Education Ministry office Tuesday and kidnapped dozens of people after clearing the area under the guise of providing security for what they claimed would be a visit by the U.S. ambassador.

Witnesses and authorities said the gunmen raced through all four stories of the building, forced men and women into separate rooms, handcuffed the men and loaded them aboard about 20 pickup trucks.

Shortly afterward, authorities arrested six senior police officers in connection with the abductions - the police chief and five top subordinates in the Karradah district, the central Baghdad …

10-year yield rises on European bailout news

2012-03-14T21:11:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (AP) — Prices for U.S. Treasury securities are falling, lifting the yield on the 10-year note from a historic low, after a German court backed that nation's role in bailing out its indebted neighbors.

Germany is expected to bear most of the cost of bailing out Greece, Ireland and Portugal because it has Europe's largest economy. Without German help, Greece might default on its debt, roiling …

Brooks Conrad's bunt lifts Braves past Twins 3-2

2012-03-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

Brooks Conrad filled in neatly for Chipper Jones, making two nice plays at third base and then driving in the go-ahead run with a squeeze bunt in the ninth inning Saturday night that lifted the Atlanta Braves over Minnesota 3-2.

Conrad also hit an RBI double. He was put into the Braves' lineup about a half-hour before the game _ no reason was given for Jones' absence, though the slumping star missed five games last week with inflammation in his right ring finger.

Matt Guerrier (1-2) walked Gregor Blanco with one out in the Atlanta ninth and gave up a single to Martin Prado. Jose Mijares entered the game, and Conrad dropped down a perfect bunt that the Twins …

Security chief knows the ropes: Greenbrier's safety director spent 30 years guarding U.S. Capitol.

2012-03-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

DAILY MAIL BUSINESS EDITOR

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS - James Rohan knows how to provide securityat a place like The Greenbrier.

Before he became the resort's director of security in December,Rohan spent 30 years protecting the U.S. Capitol.

"The similarities shared by The Greenbrier and the United StatesCapitol are striking," he said. "Start with an old, historic buildingthat was constructed before there were building codes or OSHA rules.A building that has tremendous historic value and is still a robustworkplace. A place with significant grounds and outbuildings. A placewith outstanding activities that attracts very important people.

"That description fits …

Dollar, Gold Rise in Europe

2012-03-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

The U.S. dollar was mostly higher in European trading late Friday after rebounding from yet another new low against the euro. Gold rose.

The euro traded at $1.4803, down from $1.4843 late Thursday. Earlier in the day the euro hit an all-time high of $1.4966. Later, in midday trading in New York, the euro fetched $1.4824.

Other dollar rates in Europe, compared with late Thursday, included 107.89 Japanese yen, down from 108.61; 1.1030 Swiss …

Our Lady of Angels firefighter

2012-03-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

RICHARD SCHEIDT - 1928-2009

Richard Scheidt, the Chicago firefighter who cradled a lifeless boy in an iconic photograph from the 1958 fire that swept through Our Lady of the Angels School, has died.

"Here was a true hero," said Bill Kugelman, former president of the Chicago firefighters union, who worked on a downtown squad with Mr. Scheidt. "Here was a true servant to the city of Chicago, a guy with heart and a guy who really did his job and lived for the Fire Department."

Surrounded by family and friends, Mr. Scheidt died Monday at his home in Oak Lawn, a day after he was released from a monthlong stay at Advocate Christ Medical Center, relatives …

Tempest in a cracked paint pot

2012-03-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Back in the "good old days" of Great Depression #1, following Stock Market Crash '29 - years and years - well, at least a galloping few - before my time, the arts took a real financial broadsiding.

Money for spending on painting, sculpture, plays, Broadway musicals wasn't available as it had been during The Roaring Twenties, when my sainted mother was just a kid, and I not a twinkling (or a twihk) in anybody's eye.

"Brother Can You Spare a Dime?" became a second national anthem, and many a poor soul eked out an existence selling carefully polished apples on street corners. The only 'art' that thrived were movies. (Two hours of once-a-month escapism with cartoon. Twelve …

Israeli PM denies taking illicit donations from American

2012-03-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert denied fresh accusations that he illegally accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from a U.S. citizen, but said Thursday night that he will step down if he is indicted.

The latest investigation into corruption allegations involving Olmert has distracted Israel for nearly a week and has the potential to derail delicate peace talks with the Palestinians.

Olmert made his statement in a nationally televised speech from his official residence after a court lifted a gag order in the case. According to police suspicions, Olmert took hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit contributions from Jewish businessman Morris …

Soybean prices fall on better weather forecasts

2012-03-14T04:49:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (AP) — Soybean prices are falling as investors anticipate that weather conditions may improve in Argentina, which has had hot, dry weather. Wheat prices also fell.

The March soybean contract lost 12.5 cents or 1 percent, settling at $11.965 Friday.

Recent forecasts have called for rain in the coming days in Argentina, a major producer of soybeans and …

Tallest building gets zoning OK

2012-03-14T02:06:00.000-07:00

Construction of the world's tallest building at Madison andWells is likely to start next year as the plans passed a zoninghurdle Thursday and are expected to win City Council approval soon.

The Council's Zoning Committee unanimously endorsed the proposed125-story, $500 million Miglin-Beitler Tower, to be completed by1993.

Jack Guthman, attorney for developers J. Paul Beitler and LeeMiglin, said the tower will lock up Chicago's status as home of theworld's tallest building for decades to come.

"This affirms that Chicago is the home of the skyscrapers. Itsends a message loud and clear to the whole world," Guthman said ofthe proposal to build 15 stories higher than Sears Tower, the currentrecord holder.

Guthman said he expects an ordinance authorizing construction tobe introduced in the Council Wednesday and passed early in January.He said construction could start in spring.

Texas UPS driver surpasses 1 million miles in van

2012-03-13T23:15:00.000-07:00

A routine package delivery turned into a milestone for a UPS driver in East Texas. Brent Boyd, 51, on Thursday surpassed one million miles on his UPS delivery van, the same vehicle he's driven for 22 years with the company.

The odometer on Boyd's 1987 GMC truck rolled over to all zeros as he began his delivery route near Palestine. He said he's never had an accident with his company vehicle.

Boyd told The Associated Press that his truck's gone through at least three engines and been repainted several times.

But he's resisted offers for a new van. Boyd says the truck is "like home" and feels like "sitting in the recliner in your house."

Palestine is 105 miles southwest of Dallas.

Bush Unclear on What Putin Seeks at Meet

2012-03-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine - Relations are rocky between President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but their meeting began Sunday with handshakes and smiles, flowers and kisses from Putin for the first lady and Bush's mother.

Bush waited at his family's seacoast estate as his father, former President George H.W. Bush, met Putin at a nearby airport and rode with the Russian leader in a helicopter to the compound. Emerging from a limousine, Putin handed large bouquets of flowers to first lady Laura Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush, then kissed them on both cheeks.

"It's pretty casual up here - unstructured," Bush said about the setting for his talks with Putin.

Bush knows what he wants from the visit.

Convince Putin that a U.S. missile defense system in Eastern Europe would not threaten Russia. Bring the Kremlin behind tough new penalties aimed at Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program. Generally defrost relations.

What the Russian president seeks is less clear.

Putin requested an audience with Bush before going to Guatemala, where Olympic officials are picking a host city for the 2014 winter games. But, awaiting Putin's arrival Sunday at the century-old stone-and-shingle Bush family compound, Bush aides braced for the possibility of a surprise on the scale of the one the Russian leader dropped last month in Germany, on the missile defense dispute.

"Does Putin have something he plans to throw at Bush's feet?" wondered Sarah Mendelson, Russia policy expert and senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Both sides insisted there was no set agenda and scant potential for announcements. With expectations lowered and an itinerary that amounts to little more than three meals, a meeting and maybe some fishing, Mendelson only somewhat jokingly termed it "the no-summit summit."

Before leaving for the U.S., Putin said his "very good, I would say friendly" relations should create a positive atmosphere. "If it wasn't that way, I wouldn't go, and I wouldn't have been invited," he said. "In politics, as in sports, there is always competition."

U.S.-Russian relations have slid to their worst point since the Cold War.

An anti-terrorism bond forged after the Sept. 11 attacks has been chipped at repeatedly. Disputes developed over the Iraq war, missile defense plans, the fate of democracy in Russia, NATO expansion to Russia's doorstep and sniping over what each side views as meddling in former Soviet republics.

There has been increasing cooperation on Iran and weapons proliferation.

But Putin, appealing to nationalist sentiments in Russia and eager to re-establish his energy-rich country on the world stage, already was becoming more assertive. Things then took a bad turn after the U.S. said in January it planned to build a missile defense system based in the Czech Republic and Poland, ex-Soviet satellites that now are NATO members.

Moscow is not persuaded by the argument that the system targets a possible future threat from Iranian nuclear missiles. The Kremlin threatened to aim missiles at Europe and denounced the U.S. as an irresponsible source of force.

At a summit last month of world economic powers, Putin surprised Bush by proposing that the system instead use an old Soviet-era radar facility in Azerbaijan instead of the Czech and Polish sites. It is an idea that U.S. officials do not want to reject outright. But they have concluded it would not work as a substitute, only perhaps as an early warning supplemental component.

The two sides also are fighting over Kosovo. The U.S. backs the Serbian province's desire for independence; Russia sides with Serbia and opposes it.

On Iran, Bush is seeking Putin's backing for a third round of penalties against Tehran for defying U.N. orders to halt uranium enrichment. Iran says the enrichment is intended for a nuclear energy program. The West suspects Iran wants to develop nuclear bombs.

The U.S. has begun discussing with Security Council members a proposal to require all nations to inspect cargo for illicit nuclear-related shipments or arms coming from or going to Iran and to freeze assets of a number of Iranian banks, a senior administration official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are in their initial stages.

Russia and China previously have balked at such measures, supporting more modest penalties that have had little effect. But there are signs the Kremlin may now be in a more cooperative mood.

Stephen Sestanovich, an ambassador to former Soviet republics under President Clinton, said the issues are too technical and the sides too entrenched for heads of state to produce breakthroughs. What Bush can accomplish, he said, is soothing Russia's sense it has been ignored while making the case that tough talk is hurting Moscow.

"This wouldn't be the worst moment to call Putin on the kind of rhetoric you've heard out of Moscow of late," said Sestanovich, now at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The meeting is the only one Bush has held with a foreign leader in Kennebunkport. Zbigniew Brzezinski, President Carter's national security adviser, criticized it as a "ridiculous" reward for Putin's harsh stance and an inappropriate setting for serious talks. Hundreds of demonstrators, too, protested the meeting with a march toward Walker's Point.

Still it could be the last chance for, as Mendleson called it, "rebooting the relationship."

Russia holds elections in March to choose Putin's successor. Bush is out of office in 19 months. So the only other time for the leaders to get together is briefly on the sidelines of a fall summit in Australia of Asia-Pacific leaders.

Dinner on Sunday was to include former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, as well as first lady Laura Bush. Putin's wife did not make the trip.

George W. Bush and Putin planned to have breakfast alone Monday, followed by an informal meeting and a brief appearance before reporters. The less-than-24-hour visit was ending with lunch.

---

Associated Press writer David Sharp contributed to this story.

Aiken wins Spanish Open, dedicates title to Seve

2012-03-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

TERRASSA, Spain (AP) — Thomas Aiken earned his first European Tour title with a two-shot victory at the Spanish Open on Sunday, and promptly dedicated the victory to golf great Seve Ballesteros.

The South African player shot a 2-under 70 on the El Prat course for a 10-under total of 278 to edge Anders Hansen (70) of Denmark.

Ballesteros died on Saturday from complications of a cancerous brain tumor. Aiken says the 54-year-old Spaniard, who won the Spanish Open three times, was "everything to the game of golf and I am happy to have won for him."

Scott Jamieson (71) of Scotland and Spanish player Pablo Larrazabal (71) were another shot back in third.

Ballesteros, the Spanish five-time major winner, died on Saturday at age 54 from complications from a cancerous brain tumor.

"It's been a sad week with Seve passing away. I definitely want to dedicate this win to him with it being his home open and what he gave to his home fans and to golf," the 27-year-old Aiken said. "He was everything to the game of golf and I am happy to have won for him — any of us would have won for him."

Ballesteros revolutionized European golf with his Ryder Cup performances and record 50 European Tour triumphs — which included three Spanish Open titles.

"I remember Seve, how he enjoyed life and how he enjoyed the game," Aiken said. "He has been an inspiration for me and has kept me working hard."

Aiken went into the final round enjoying a two-shot advantage and carded birdies at holes 2, 6 and 11 to extend his lead.

He wobbled a bit with two bogeys and one birdie from there, but closed out the round with three straight pars to take home more than $450,000.

Hansen started with eight straight pars to fall four shots behind, and his three birdies were offset by a lone bogey on the 13th.

"He made the crucial putts and I didn't," Hansen said. "I gave it a run, but he played great and got the putts at the right time, that makes a huge difference."

Aiken is the fifth South African to win an event this season, including Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.

Scott Jamieson (71) of Scotland and Spanish player Pablo Larrazabal (71) were another shot back in third while another six players finished four behind the first-time winner.

Jose Maria Olazabal's emotional weekend ended with a 77 to finish 18 shots back in 56th. Olazabal and Ballesteros were the Ryder Cup's most successful pairing, and the Spanish player wept openly on Saturday after his friend's death.

Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, 15 others injured in helicopter crash

2012-03-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

The Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, and 15 others were injured Saturday when their helicopter crashed into a mountain in South Korea, officials said.

Moon, 88, was slightly injured, a hospital official said. Members of Moon's family, including his wife, were also hurt, and one person suffered a serious back injury, fire official Kim Wu-jong said.

The S-92 helicopter was carrying 16 people including 13 church members when it crashed and burst into flames, the transportation ministry said.

Moon and all 15 others were treated at the nearby church-affiliated Cheongshim Hospital in Gapyeong, about 37 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Seoul, the ministry said in a statement. Nine received only minor bruises, it said.

Moon received an X-ray exam and his condition was not serious, hospital official Park Sung-kwon said.

No details of his injury were given, but the church said in a brief statement on its Web site that Moon and the others were "safe."

The transportation ministry said the accident took place as the helicopter made an emergency landing due to bad visibility during heavy rain. The exact cause of the crash was still under investigation, police said.

Church official Kim Dae-yeol said the helicopter was flying to Cheongshim Hospital from southern Seoul. The Gapyeong area has several church-affiliated facilities including a museum and schools.

Moon founded the Seoul-based Unification Church in the 1950s and the conservative Washington Times newspaper in 1982. His church owns hundreds of companies around the world, including the United Press International news agency.

The church's doctrine is a mixture of Christian, Confucian and traditional Korean values, and Moon's followers believe he came into the world to complete the work of Jesus Christ.

In 2004, Moon was the center of a coronation ceremony in Washington, D.C., at which he declared himself the Messiah. He also became widely known for performing mass weddings of followers.

Senate Democrats face painful votes on debt limit

2012-03-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

Senate Democrats are counting on their soon-to-expire 60-vote majority to raise the federal debt ceiling by $1.9 trillion so they don't have to take more politically painful votes on government borrowing until after the fall midterm elections.

They have no room for error. In the face of monolithic Republican opposition, they'll need all 60 votes Thursday to let the government continue borrowing almost 40 percent of what it spends.

The legislation would put the government on track for a national debt of $14.3 trillion _ equal to about $45,000 for every American _ and provide a vivid reminder of the United States' dire fiscal straits. New estimates released by the Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday show that the U.S. this year could run a deficit matching last year's record $1.4 trillion shortfall.

To make raising the debt ceiling easier for moderates and politically endangered Democrats to swallow amid a populist uprising against government borrowing and spending, President Barack Obama promised in his State of the Union address Wednesday night to appoint a bipartisan task force to come up with a plan for dealing with the spiraling debt.

"I will issue an executive order that will allow us to go forward, because I refuse to pass this problem on to another generation of Americans," he said.

The 60 votes Democrats need from their own caucus include those of incumbents facing difficult re-election battles this year as well as longtime opponents of raising the debt limit, such as Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind.

The task was made more difficult last week when Republican Scott Brown won the late Edward M. Kennedy's Senate seat from Massachusetts. On Feb. 11, when Brown plans to take office, the Democrats' majority shrinks to 59 and the GOP will have a 41-vote ability to block what it doesn't like in Obama's and Democratic leaders' agendas.

If the $1.9 trillion debt ceiling increase fails, the Senate would immediately vote on a fallback $635 billion increase already approved by the House. But that would require still another vote before Election Day to raise the ceiling again.

"It took 200 years to build the federal debt to a total of $1.9 trillion," Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., said. "Now the majority wants to increase the current limit ... by $1.9 trillion so that we can finance the government's borrowing binge long enough to get us past the November 2010 elections."

Congress has until mid-February before the current $12.4 trillion debt ceiling is reached, so there wouldn't be an immediate crisis if the measure were to be defeated. But a losing vote _ the tally was scheduled for around noon, when financial markets are open _ could unnerve the stock market. Lawmakers in both parties have promised they won't permit a market-rattling, first-ever default on U.S. obligations.

Democrats and Republicans alike share responsibility for running up the debt, but it falls upon Democrats to pass the measure since they control the government. It makes no difference that Republicans routinely backed increases in the debt when former President George W. Bush was in office.

Republicans blame recent generous spending bills enacted by the Democratic-controlled Congress for driving up the debt. Those measures, however, are just one relatively small part of the problem. The far bigger element is a sharp drop-off in tax revenues because of the recession and the economy's slow recovery, as well as higher costs, since more people are taking unemployment benefits and food stamps in tough times.

As part of the debt ceiling bill, the Senate will also vote on new budget rules that would make Congress cover any increases in government benefits with either a corresponding tax increase, spending cuts elsewhere or a combination of the two. The same would apply for new tax cuts, such as the tax credit Obama proposed Wednesday night for small businesses that hire more workers. The tax cuts would have to be "paid" for with corresponding spending cuts or increases in other taxes.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., whose own re-election is in danger this fall, reversed course and came out in support of the new rules after moderate "Blue Dog" Democrats in the House insisted on them as condition for passing a new $14.3 trillion debt ceiling.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects that potential fallback debt increase would be $635 billion. Pre-noon lead expected.)

The US Grand Prix in Austin has been included on the 2012 Formula One calendar

2012-03-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

PARIS (AP) — The U.S. Grand Prix in Austin has been included on the 2012 Formula One calendar.

Perry open to sending US troops to Mexico

2012-03-13T04:37:00.000-07:00

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry says he is open to sending American troops to Mexico to help battle drug cartels.

Perry, the Texas governor, likens the situation to Colombia, where the government accepted American military support in battling the war on drugs.

Perry says the current violence may require similar military action.

He often calls for more National Guard troops to help protect the Mexican border and stem the flow of illegal immigration. But Saturday's comments go further. They indicate he's open to deepening America's military involvement across the border.

Perry's comments came at a Saturday afternoon reception at the home of New Hampshire Republican gubernatorial candidate Ovide Lamontagne.

A spokesman later clarified that Perry is open to all options to cooperate with Mexico.

Romney Unveils Stimulus Package

2012-03-13T01:23:00.000-07:00

Mitt Romney, who has pledged to bring his business sense to the White House, outlined an economic stimulus package Saturday far bigger than anything President Bush, congressional leaders or top presidential rivals have suggested.

The Republican presidential contender also ignored a loss in South Carolina to celebrate an easy win in Nevada's caucuses, which followed up his victory Tuesday in Michigan's primary.

"In the last week, that means that two of the battleground states have come out strongly for our campaign," Romney said during a news conference after flying to Florida from Nevada.

The former Massachusetts governor said that if he could hold on to those two states in a general-election campaign, "that would be a pretty clear indication we were going to win the White House. We'd only have one other state that would be key: The state we happen to be in right now." Florida hold its primary Jan. 29.

Later, during a speech before more than 600 supporters, he never mentioned his loss to rivals John McCain and Mike Huckabee in South Carolina _ where Romney had outspent the field.

"It's a big presidential sweepstakes event, as you know, and we won that one handily," Romney said _ of Nevada.

In outlining his stimulus package, Romney said he wasn't trying to upstage the president or others, merely outlining the plan he felt would best stave off recession.

"The cost of a recession to the government is a lot larger than the cost of what I'm talking about," he told reporters as he outlined the plan aboard his campaign plane.

The big-ticket item is a proposal to allow any business to write off 100 percent of new equipment purchases for the next two years, retroactive to Jan. 1. It carries an estimated price tag of $81 billion in 2008.

In addition, the tax rate on businesses would be cut from 35 percent to 20 percent over two years, with the first 10-percent cut this year costing $51 billion.

Individuals, meanwhile, would benefit from a proposal to reduce the lowest income tax rate from 10 percent to 7.5 percent, which would cost an estimated $28 billion.

The plan also calls for instituting that rate for 2007 earnings, meaning those earning less than $97,500 _ the cutoff point for contributing to the Social Security tax fund _ would receive a rebate of about $400 when they file tax returns this winter.

That change would cost $22 billion in 2008, and be coupled with an elimination of Social Security payroll taxes for workers over 65 that would cost $20 billion and equally benefit businesses and individuals.

Coupled with a $32 billion program Romney has already proposed to eliminate taxes on all savings for those making under $200,000 annually, the package costs $233 billion _ or about 1.7 percent of the gross domestic product.

On Friday, Bush said his plan would cost about 1 percent of the value of all goods and services produced in the country, while rival John McCain offered a more modest proposal with no price tag attached.

The former governor rebuffed any suggestion that his plan favored business interests rather than those of individuals.

"The idea for lowering a corporate tax rate and expensing capital goods is to get more people employed in this country. I am not looking to pay larger bonuses to corporate executives," he said. "It's all about jobs."

Romney said his Nevada victory proved that he's "not concentrating just on one region or a few states."

"I'm not looking just to get a couple high-profile victories," he said. "I want to get delegates and I want to win this nomination."

Romney also fended off suggestions that he could win only in scarcely contested states _ Wyoming and Nevada _ and his native state of Michigan but not hard-fought states in which he went up against several candidates.

"I reject the premise," he said, adding that he competed aggressively in all three states he won.

Romney plans to campaign heavily in Florida during the coming week, before assessing his progress and deciding how much time to devote to early work in the more than 20 states voting Feb. 5.

"If you want the nomination and you want to win the presidency, you gotta get Florida," he told a cheering audience at the University of North Florida.

Looking ahead: 1991 NFL draft // Nebraska's Croel tops in a decent linebacker crop

2012-03-12T22:25:00.000-07:00

Three hundred-pound offensive linemen don't seem like bigobstacles to the best outside linebacker in the NFL draft, Nebraska'sMike Croel.

It's not because Croel has superhuman ability so much as he haswithstood other types of difficult treatment.

The plight of the 6-2, 228-pound linebacker began when Croel,who is black, was brought to a white foster family, with whom he wasto stay for a few weeks before another familiy adopted him. He was 5days old.

But the adoption never happened, and Croel's foster familydecided to adopt him.

In Detroit during the 1960s, the Croel family was confrontedwith various forms of racism. Once, Croel's adoptive mother wasphysically abused.

The Croels thought they would escape the ugliness by moving tothe Chicago area, but they found some of the same attitudes here.The Croel family even had to have FBI protection for a short time.

"Chicago was a terribly bigoted city," Croel said. "It was adifficult period."

The period didn't last long, however, as Croel's family packedfor California before Mike entered first grade. The Croelseventually landed in Massachusetts.

"I guess my situation strikes people as unusual, but it's not tome," Croel said. "They're my parents. They love me, and I lovethem. I admit that when I see another family in the same situation,it seems weird to me. But I never really thought much about it. I'mhappy where I am."

Croel probably need not worry about having to return to live inChicago. He is expected to be selected in the draft long before theBears would have a chance to pick him.

At Nebraska, he impressed scouts with his speed and ability tocover. He is not a typical dominating linebacker prospect becauserushing the passer is not a proven strength. Nebraska rarely askedhim to blitz, but he might have that ability.

At the NFL scouting combine, Croel improved his stock by runninglike a receiver (4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash). Most draftanalysts agree he clearly is the finest linebacker of a decent crop.

During the fall, Colorado's Alfred Williams appeared to beclosing in on that distinction, but inconsistency and a lacklustercombine showing cost him. Williams probably is the best pass-rushinglinebacker in the draft. He had 35 college sacks.

Fellow Colorado linebacker Kanavis McGhee could be selectedahead of Williams. But McGhee could project to defensive end in theNFL as a result of his 6-4, 255-pound frame.

Other first-round linebacker possibilities include Florida'sHuey Richardson, whose agent already has negotiated with the Cowboys,and Central State's Keith Traylor.

Traylor is considered the best of the inside linebackers, but heis questionable because he played at a small school. Traylor startedout at a junior college and enrolled at Oklahoma for a while, but hefelt more comfortable at Central State.

The Bears don't figure to show interest in linebackers early inthe draft unless a great one slips to them.

"If one we really like is still there, we'd take a linebacker.But it's not a priority," personnel director Bill Tobin said.

It's not a priority even if middle linebacker Mike Singletaryis considering retirement - and Singletary, 32, is backing off talkabout quitting after this season. The Bears believe they have amiddle linebacker for the future in Dante Jones.

"Dante Jones, I think, is one heck of a football player," Bearscoach Mike Ditka said. "I can't sell you guys on that because wehaven't had him on the field enough. But when we had him on thefield in a backup role, he's played outstanding football."

Good year for tire recovery

2012-03-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

Diversion of tires from landfills increased substantially in 1995, reflecting the diversity of end uses being developed.

EACH person in the United States generates about one scrap tire per year, totaling 250 million scrap tires annually, according to the Scrap Tire Management Council (STMC). The good news is that tire recovery continues to rise at a rapid pace. The Council notes that 174.5 million (69 percent) of the 253 million tires that became scrap in 1995 were recovered, an increase of 26 percent from 1994. "This new level of demand is truly amazing when you consider that as recently as 1990, market demand for scrap tires was a mere 11 percent of the total number generated annually," says Michael Blumenthal, STMC's executive director.

Most recovered scrap tires are shredded to generate tire-derived fuel (TDF) for electric utilities, pulp and paper mills, power plants and cement kilns. From 1994 to 1995, the number of scrap tires used for TDF increased from 101 million to 130 million, and is expected to rise to 185 million by 1997. The remaining 44.5 million scrap tires recovered in 1995 were handled as follows: 15 million exported; 12 million used for road fill, landfill cover, erosion control and other civil engineering applications; eight million in punched and stamped products; six million in ground rubber; 2.5 million in agricultural applications; and one million in miscellaneous uses. From 1994 to 1995, civil engineering applications and ground rubber uses increased by 33 percent. The only use which declined in 1995 was pyrolysis, a process to thermally decompose scrap tires into steel, gas, oil, char and other products. The lack of markets for pyrolysis by-products led to the closure of plants and demonstration facilities.

TDF MARKETER

Tire Tech Environmental Systems of Muscatine, Iowa, is one of many companies producing tire chips for TDF. In June,1995, the company began a seven year contract with a private processing plant that burns 800 tons of coal each day. TDF is becoming increasingly popular as a replacement for coal, because it has a higher heating value (more BTUs per pound) and is generally lower in sulphur and ash. To meet its end user's requirements, Tire Tech grinds 25,000 tires weekly into chips. The company collects tires from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Mississippi, South Dakota and Minnesota in leased trucks and 24-foot vans. Tire Tech charges customers by the ton, and gives their larger suppliers a bulk discount. A million dollar shredder grinds 2,000 automobile tires or 750 truck tires per hour. The firm currently has 22 employees, and expects to double that number this year.

GROUND RUBBER PRODUCTS

American Tire Recyclers (ATR) is Florida's largest ground rubber producer. ATR's vice president, Tiffany Hughes, says the company processed more than 1.2 million tires in 1994 and 1.5 million in 1995. Tires are collected in trailers and fed by conveyors into ATR's processing plant. They are debeaded (steel beads removed from the sidewalls) and shredded into four by six inch strips. A second shredding step results in two inch minus chips. Ninety-nine percent of the steel is removed by putting the pieces through two grinders and four drum magnets; the steel is sold to a Tampa recycler. The chips are ground to sizes ranging from a three-eighth inch crumb to a fiber-free, minus 40 mesh (rubber that passes through a screen with 40 holes per linear inch "about the size of a Sweet and Low granule," notes Hughes).

ATR's line of ground rubber products includes surfaces for horse arenas, playgrounds and parking lots, as well as mulches, highway additives and a soil amendment for sports fields. Equestri-Foot, a surface topping made of irregularly shaped, wire-free tire rubber is used in both indoor and outdoor horse arenas. Fiber reinforced ground coverings are used for landscaping, parking lots and driveways. Sports Turf, a ground covering of one-quarter inch rubber chips for playground areas has two layers, an undercoat of granulated and foam rubber covered with a layer of granulated virgin rubber. To prevent clothes and skin from being stained, the carbon in the rubber is sealed through vulcanization.

ATR also produces Rebound, a soil amendment composed of equal parts of crumb rubber and composted yard trimmings which is being used on approximately 20 sports fields and parks in Florida and Georgia. The rubber has a memory, so it's great as a shock absorber," says Hughes. "It's also porous so water and air can get into the soil, and the ground doesn't become compacted."

COMPOST BULKING AGENT

Eastern Iowa Tire Recyclers, Inc. in Muscatine, Iowa, supplies rubber tire chips to the municipally owned compost site in Davenport, Iowa, where they are used as a bulking agent. One part rubber chips and two parts hardwood chips are mixed with one part biosolids and a small amount of yard trimmings, says Scott Plett, site manager. Rubber chips were introduced into the mix (and the quantity of wood chips was reduced accordingly) in August, 1995. Materials are composted using aerated static piles in an enclosed structure for approximately 21 days. The compost is screened to remove the wood and rubber chips, which are reused as bulking agents. "The rubber chips are initially more expensive, but they don't break down as quickly as wood chips," says Plett. "The wood chips will only last in three or four piles, but we expect the rubber chips to last for a year before they become brittle and pieces start to break off."

Davenport initially purchased 1,500 tons of rubber chips at $35/ton delivered. Wood chip utilization has been reduced from 90 tons/week, at $25/ton delivered, to 60 tons/week by substituting rubber chips.

REGIONAL MARKETS

Two companies have capitalized on their geographical locations to produce specialized products for local markets. F&B Enterprises, located in New Bedford, Massachusetts, was founded in the early 1970s to buy, repair and sell used truck tires. Coowner Thomas Ferreira learned that local operators of commercial fishing boats were having problems with boat parts such as rollers and chafing gear wearing out, and FB began manufacturing the parts out of recycled rubber. The company then expanded into making marine fenders from recycled rubber for ships, docks, tugs, barges, wharves, pilings, and oil rigs, as well as cutting rubber strips from passenger car tires to repair lobster traps.

F&B also manufactures rubberized wear pads for snowplows used to clear airport runways and equipment in transfer stations. Rubber pads, made by laminating die cut pieces of scrap earth mover tires together, are designed to protect concrete floors and surfaces from the wear and tear caused by commonly used steel blades.

Palmer Shredding, Inc. is taking advantage of its location in rural Ferrisburg, Vermont, to make cow mattresses and cow bedding for dairy farms. "We're in the middle of agricultural country here," notes owner Nate Palmer, "and we need local markets to make our business fly, so cow bedding is a logical product." The company is shredding tires into quarter-inch rubber chips, which are stuffed into bags made of a geotextile fabric. The bags can be sized to cover an entire barn floor, or an individual stall.

Two years ago, Palmer acquired an out of commission rubber processing plant located in Andover, Massachusetts, at a fraction of its original $2 million cost. Palmer has been dismantling the mill and transporting it up to Vermont in pieces since July, 1995. He says that he expects the mill to be up and running in March, 1996. The mill is designed to process 700 to 800 tires/hour to produce a two-inch chip, 250 tires/hour to produce a quarter-inch chip, and 200/hour to make a minus 10 to minus 40 mesh chip. Several local haulers collect tires for Palmer, both within and outside of Vermont. Palmer charges 50 cents for an individual tire, and $40 to $50/ton for a large trailer load.

Whole and shredded scrap tires are used in a variety of civil engineering applications. Dodger Enterprises of Fort Dodge, Iowa collects scrap tires from four states to make different products. The company creates tire pipe by banding groups of truck tires together with strips of half-inch steel. The pipe is used for crossings, culverts, drainage, and grain ventilation. According to company representative Ernie Kersten, tire pipe structures are less expensive than concrete and steel structures, and are strong enough to be driven over by heavy vehicles. "We drove an excavator weighing 22 tons over an 1,100 foot section of truck tire pipe, and the pipe did not fail," says Kersten.

Dodger Enterprises also shreds scrap truck tires into chunks ranging from six to 24 inches, used for fill in embankments, around basement walls and over tire pipes. "Rings" and "planter boxes" from tire sidewalls are placed on slopes, covered with soil and seeded at Iowa's Fort Dodge Airport where heavy surface runoff has washed away the ground cover.

RESEARCHING NEW USES

Scrap tire companies are working with university researchers to develop civil engineering applications. Iowa State professors Bruce Kjartanson and Bob Lohnes have received a grant to develop design specifications for the tire pipe and shredded materials produced by Dodger Enterprises. Dana N. Humphrey, a civil engineer at University of Maine, has been testing the suitability of using layers of tire chips in place of gravel as a fill material for road construction. "Tire chips are half the weight of gravel so they don't sink into weak soil, and are eight times better as an insulator than gravel, which can help to prevent frost heaves from forming on roads."

The scrap tire industry expects markets for products to continue to grow in 1996, although not at the rapid pace that occurred in 1995. "It is not unreasonable that we will have demand for 75 percent of all the scrap tires generated by the end of 1996," says John Serumgard, chair of the STMC. -M.F.

Jim Guth

2012-03-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

Jim Guth, 33, one of Chicago's leading caterers, died Saturday athis Northwest Side home of illnesses resulting from AIDS.

He opened Chicago Caterers, Ltd., in a house on Wolfram Streetat age 23. The restaurant now occupies 14,000 square feet at 1419 W.Diversey.

"He brought a unique style to his catering. Working with him wasa pleasure. It was like working with your family," said BeverlyBlettner, who worked with Mr. Guth on fund-raisers for Brookfield Zooand the Chicago Historical Society.

Mr. Guth owned the Society Cafe in the Chicago HistoricalSociety building.

"He was a longtime Chicago history buff. As a youth he spentmany hours researching Chicago history,' said a friend, JoyceHeitler.

He also opened the Sawyer Country Inn in Sawyer, Mich., with hispartner and friend, Dale Lasco.

There were no immediate survivors.

There will be a memorial service from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday atthe Chicago Historical Society, 1601 N. Clark.

FOOD NEWS

2012-03-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

OOMPA LOOMPA DOOM-PA-DEE-DO

Have a hankering for those elusive chocolate pieces in a roll of Necco's? Want to send the oh-so-wrong Valentine's Day message with a jar full of only green M&M's? Maybe you just can't get enough of the puke-, dirt- and booger-flavored Jelly Belly jelly beans? Chocolate covered ants? Two feet of pixie stix dust? Truffles? Old school, new school, gross school and too-cool-for-school school, Powell's has every kind of candy, chocolate and sugar-based no-no you thought they didn't even make anymore-including candy cigarettes.

Sure it's a kid's candy-coated heaven, but for we nostalgic, sweet-tooth-having adults, Powell's Sweet Shoppe falls just short of being Boise's own private Willy Wonka world. It's as good as it gets without going to the factory itself. And Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory plays day in and day out on a television screen in the back. (The Gene Wilder version, in case you were wondering.)

But enough of my shameless editorial endorsement, and onto the news. This weekend, Powell's celebrates its one-year anniversary with a proper Wonka party. The first 100 people in the door get a free Wonka bar, and there will be a free raffle for Wonka prizes. What's newsworthy, however, is the appearance of Paris Themmen, the original Mike Teevee. Local Powell's franchisees Joe and Debbie Giordano host the afternoon with free photographs for autograph signings, a store full of candy and a world of pure imagination (cue music ...).

Sat, Jan. 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Powell's Sweet Shoppe, 3064 S. Bown Way, 208-4246099.

BOISE SO-BO SCENE GETS A DOSE OF AUTHENTICITY

This one comes to you direct from a helpful reader with discerning taste in south-of-the-border food, and as far as I'm concerned, It came In just the nick of time. Mexican food is for me what boxed mac and cheese is to most Americans-quick and easy default sustenance that was once a childhood favorite. In recent months, however, I've instituted a dietary boycott on all restaurant-created Tex-Mex because, quite frankly, it's not that great. (Taco trucks and Jalapeno's Grill 2 excepted.)

Enter helpful reader with news about Aromas.

In August, Uriel and Sonia Montelongo opened Aromas Mexican Bakery on the corner of Glenwood and Chinden in an often forgotten shopping center. It soon closed for a remodel and expansion and only six weeks ago, reopened as what Sonia Montelongo describes as a "really traditional Mexican food and bakery." In her second year as a student in Boise State's two-year culinary arts program, Montelongo not only brings a proper education to her restaurant's kitchen, but asserts that Aromas is the authentic cuisine she grew up eating in Bruno, where her parents immigrated to many years ago.

Montelongo says that rather than dish up and reheat pre-made food (as is sadly the case in most So-Bo food), Aromas serves only the fresh stuff, sauteing everything to order. That means rather than the five minutes it takes food to hit your table in other joints (four minutes in the nuker and at least a minute getting old under a heat lamp), your food may take an extra few minutes while it's actually cooked. And don't go in expecting the usual menu fare. Montelongo says there's only one burrito on the menu-and that's only because it's what people expect-however, not a single chimichanga will be served out of her kitchen. And, she says, the enchilada list is short. Very short. What to try? The mole. Montelongo says she's been getting lots of compliments on it. and in fact, it's the mole that my much appreciated, and appreciative, caller was raving about.

Aromas, 6748 Glenwood St., 208853-5499. Mon.-Sat, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., closed on Sunday.

OPENINGS, ETC.

* ONO Hawaiian Cafe celebrates its grand opening January 11-13. 2170 Broadway Ave., 2084296800.

* Raw, the awaited sushi bar adjacent to Willowcreek Grill, has opened. More news and dates on a grand opening in next week's column. 2237 Vista Ave., 208-3430270.

* New management and a new menu await at a newly reopened Chela's Mexican Grill. 5616 W. State St., 208853-1770.

* The quirky moniker is apparently working well for Pizzalchick. Owners Brad and Judy Breakell recently acquired the space next door and expanded to increase the restaurant's seating capacity by almost fivefold. 7330 W. State St., 208853-7757.

Got Food News? Pass it on. E-mail rachael@boiseweekly.com.