  The static and dynamic properties of the alkaline-earth atoms in their
metastable state are computed in a configuration interaction approach with a
semi-empirical model potential for the core. Among the properties determined
are the scalar and tensor polarizabilities, the quadrupole moment, some of the
oscillator strengths and the dispersion coefficients of the van der Waals
interaction. A simple method for including the effect of the core on the
dispersion parameters is described.
