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Car Review
2013 Ford Mustang: New Car Review
Pros: Numerous models and options; impressive power and fuel economy from the V6; quality interior and electronics.
Cons: V8 models can be pricey; convertible has noisy interior; rudimentary live rear axle.
What's New: The 2013 Ford Mustang line gets a new look, with revised front and rear styling, new LED taillights, HID headlights and new wheel designs. The GT trim gains more horsepower and the addition of SelectShift to the available automatic transmission, and optional Recaro sport seats in cloth or leather. An optional 4.2-inch LCD screen displays track apps that record g-force, quarter-mile acceleration time and braking times, among other metrics. The Shelby GT500 debuts for 2013 with 650 horsepower, making it the most powerful V8 production car in the world.
If you thought the 2012 Mustang was good, wait until you see the improvements Ford has made to its 2013 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT. With a clear eye on the Chevy Camaro, Ford heats up the muscle car wars with more power, more features and more fun per dollar.
While no one will argue that the Mustang is as refined as the Porsche 911 or BMW M3, it delivers a type of raw driving experience unique to American motoring--one that is more youthful, more edgy and bit more defiant. Of course, the fact that you can climb behind the wheel of a 300 hp muscle car starting under $25,000 is impressive enough, but that you can get into a 650 hp GT500 and still not break the $60,000 mark is downright astonishing.
In all fairness, the Mustang is not for everyone, especially if you require a real back seat. Its handling is good by muscle car standards, but its solid rear axle won't have the Mustang overtaking lighter cars with independent rear suspension, not in the curves at least.
Comfort & Utility
When it comes to passenger comfort, the Mustang fawns over its driver and passenger and has little regard for those in the back seat. That's because the Mustang's short wheelbase and sharply angled roof make for a rear seat that is little more than a leather-covered grocery bag bin. The story changes completely when we move to the front seats, which have just enough side bolstering to give lateral support but are not so confining as to pinch those with American-size frames. For those who like the feeling of being held in place, Recaro sport seats are available. The footwells are a bit cramped, a situation that is exacerbated by the wide console, but the same goes for the Camaro and, to a lesser degree, such cars as the Nissan 370Z and the Dodge Challenger.
Soft-touch materials, detailed door panels and lots of chrome accents on the instruments give the Mustang a clear leg over the Camaro and Challenger interiors. Toss in such features as the MyColor dash, which allows 125 instrument lighting color choices and seven ambient lighting colors, and the Mustang's interior becomes one of a kind.
Beyond the optional leather seating and the colorful light show, the Mustang can be equipped with a fixed glass-panel roof and such exterior enhancements as upgraded wheels, paint and graphics and option packages.
The highlights of the Mustang's technology roster are Ford's SYNC voice-activated control for cell phones and iPods, and the Shaker Pro audio system, which pumps music through nine speakers, including three subwoofers. Ford's voice-activated navigation is also an option. Teamed with SYNC and Sirius Travel Link, it can help you avoid traffic jams, predict the weather, get sports scores, avoid being late for a movie and find the lowest gas prices in your area. The SYNC system also can be used for voice control of driver's-side temperature, to read incoming text messages and to stream mobile apps, such as Pandora and Stitcher.
On the performance side, the Mustang's selectable Electronic Assist Power Steering (EAPS) allows the driver to select the degree of assist, with settings for Standard, Sport and Comfort. To make parking easier, the Mustang can be equipped with ultrasonic rear parking sensors or a backup camera that projects its image onto the rearview mirror or onto the optional navigation screen.
Performance & Fuel Economy
That a V6 engine can produce 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque is impressive by anyone's standard, but to have it deliver fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city and 31 mpg highway is something the original Mustang designers could never have imagined. These figures are for the 6-speed automatic transmission, but the figures for the 6-speed manual are nearly as good, at 19/29 mpg.
Equip the Mustang with the 5.0-liter V8 and horsepower and torque jump to 420 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque (requires premium fuel). But for all its power the V8 returns fuel ratings of 17/26 mpg with the 6-speed manual and 18/25 mpg with the 6-speed automatic. The Mustang's automatic doesn't feature a manual shift mode, but it does incorporate Hill Mode function that extends the time a gear is held on uphill climbs and provides engine braking on steep descents. With the Boss 302 package, the 5.0-liter ups the ante to 444 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque.
In a class of its own, the GT500 is equipped with a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that generates 650 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission offered is a 6-speed manual that returns fuel economy figures of 15 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
The Mustang has standard 4-wheel ABS, electronic traction and stability control and integrated blind spot mirrors. The passenger cabin is protected by four airbags, including front and front side airbags.
Driving Impressions
We spent equal amounts of time in the base Mustang V6 and the V8-powered GT, and came away impressed by both. If you're not all about the muscle and the horsepower bragging rights, the V6 Mustang with the manual transmission is a great driver's car. There's plenty of power and the ride seems more livable, while the interior seems quieter without the rumbling V8. As a daily driver, the V6 Mustang would be our choice, but as a weekend brawler there's no getting around the neck-snapping acceleration of the 5.0-liter V8. The GT has a beefier suspension and bigger wheels and tires, and you'll feel the difference in the improved cornering but also in the rougher ride.
The Mustang corners well, but if you push it hard, that back end, with its live rear axle, will cause the traction control to come online in a hurry. With the traction control shut off, the rear simply breaks free and fishtails like Mustang models of old. But this is half the fun of driving a rear-wheel-drive V8 muscle car.
Convertible models perform pretty much the same, with the exception of added body flex due to the absent hard top. We also found the convertible models rather loud inside, owing to the top's lack of insulation.
Other Cars to Consider
Chevrolet Camaro - The Camaro's exterior design is cleaner than the Mustang's, but its interior can't compare. The Camaro also has a bit more horsepower than the Mustang V6 and V8 GT, and it features an independent rear suspension.
Dodge Challenger - The Challenger R/T can't match the Mustang GT's horsepower ratings, nor can it match its handling. But the Challenger offers a more family friendly back seat, and the SRT8 has more power than the Boss 302. The Mustang, however, costs about $3,000 less than that Dodge.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe - The Genesis Coupe might not have the V8-powered muscle to compete with the GT and the Boss 302, but its turbocharged 4-cylinder and 3.6-liter V6 engines are more than a match for the V6 Mustang, and its more sophisticated suspension delivers better handling. Additionally, the Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty trumps the Mustang's warranty by a wide margin.
AutoTrader Recommends
With 11 Mustang models to choose from, it's hard to say which is the best, so we'll divide it into two camps. The V6 Premium with the Performance package is a perfectly good car, with great looks, performance and ride, and it won't run you more than $30,000. But if you live for the thrill you knew as a youngster (or you just love the sound of a V8), the GT Premium with all the fixings is the route we'd go, although it will likely cost you $10,000 to $15,000 more than the V6.


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Value Line is regarded as the best independent research available. More than just recommendations, Value Line provides the rationale behind its picks for greater understanding.
Issues defined as "growth stocks" have a number of common traits, but the most important is that their earnings are expected to grow at a faster pace than the broader market over a period of time. With that in mind, Value Line runs a screen in its Summary & Index that searches for stocks that meet this key criterion. It focuses on issues that have recorded good per-share earnings gains in recent years and that ought to continue to do so in the future.
To make our list, a company's annual growth of sales, cash flow, earnings, dividends and book value must together have averaged 10% or more over the past 10 years and be expected to average at least 10% in the coming 3-5 years, which is no easy feat considering that this time span included varying rates of economic growth. Below we highlight two of the stocks from our screen with sound investment merit: NIKE, Inc. (NKE - Free Nike Stock Report) and McKesson Corp. (MCK).
NIKE, Inc. is the largest global designer, marketer, and distributer of athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. The company is comprised of its NIKE Brand and Brand Jordan product offerings (accounted for over 90% of February-period revenues) as well as Converse Inc. and Hurley International, both of which operate as wholly-owned subsidiaries. To wit, NIKE divested Cole Haan and Umbro in fiscal 2013. The company sells its products to retailers as well as through NIKE-owned retail stores and Websites, known as its Direct-To-Consumer business. There were 303 U.S. retail stores and 450 international locations (as of May 31, 2013). In addition, the company has license agreements permitting unaffiliated parties to manufacture and sell certain apparel, digital devices, applications, and other equipment designed for sports activities.
During the fiscal third quarter, NIKE posted a 13% top-line advance, which included sales gains of 12% and 16% in the NIKE Brand and Converse segments. Growth has largely stemmed from higher demand in the Basketball, Running, Sportswear, and Football (Soccer) categories, as well as from increased demand for new products and brand promotions, especially surrounding various sporting events, such as the World Cup. Despite foreign exchange headwinds, which will likely persist in fiscal 2015, management anticipates full-year revenues will increase at a high single-digit rate. In addition, NIKE has an $8 billion share-repurchase authorization, and so far, the company has bought back 39.6 million shares, for a total of $2.5 billion, since the program's start in September of 2012. Indeed, stock repurchases should continue to support share-net growth.
Overall, the company's short- and long-term prospects are promising, thanks to NIKE's brand strength, diverse portfolio, extensive geographic footprint, and its ability to navigate through volatile macroeconomic conditions. Most importantly, the company's emphasis on innovation is, in our view, the fundamental growth catalyst for NIKE and should ultimately drive demand. All told, average annual sales growth over the 2017-2019 period is in the 10%-15% range, with share earnings advancing at a mid-teens percentage rate.
McKesson Corp.
McKesson Corp. delivers pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and technologies that are designed to reduce costs and improve quality across the healthcare industry. The company operates in two segments: Distribution Solutions (98% of revenues, as of March 31, 2014) and Technology Solutions (2%).
The Distribution Solutions segment, which primarily distributes ethical and proprietary drugs and equipment and health and beauty care products, among other things, throughout North America and internationally, is separated into three businesses. Specifically, North America pharmaceutical distribution and services, International pharmaceutical distribution and services, which includes the acquisition of Celesio AG (discussed below), and Medical Surgical distribution and services. The Technology Solutions segment provides a comprehensive portfolio of software and services to help healthcare organizations improve quality and patient safety, reduce the cost and variability of care, and better manage their resources and revenue streams. This also includes the InterQual clinical criteria solution, claims payment processing solutions, and network performance tools.
Overall, the Distribution Solutions segment, which posted a 13% year-over-year top-line advance in fiscal 2013, should continue to be the leading growth driver over the short and long terms. In fact, McKesson recently acquired Celesio AG, a German generic drug producer, and owns approximately 76% of Celesio shares on a fully-diluted basis. The valuable add-on should bolster its share of the global generic drug market, particularly in Europe, and significantly increase both the top and bottom lines, specifically in the Distribution Solutions business. Moreover, management anticipates solid growth across its portfolio of businesses, as the company further expands its global sourcing capabilities and direct relationships with manufacturing partners, among other things. In addition, the company plans to continue to deploy capital through a mixture of internal capital investments, acquisitions, share repurchases, and dividends.
All told, revenues are expected to increase at a double-digit clip in fiscal 2014, with adjusted share earnings in the $10.40-$10.80 range, compared to $8.35 in fiscal 2013. All told, we expect this level of growth to be maintained, for the most part, over the 3- to 5-year horizon.
At the time of this article's writing, the author did not have positions in any of the companies mentioned.

subset: commoncrawl


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
40 Years Ago, Aug. 9, 1972
Jenny's back in town
After almost 900 man-hours of rebuilding, the Buffalo Historical Museum's World War I vintage "Jenny" airplane was rolled out of the main hanger at the Niagara Falls Air Base. The rebuilding was done as a volunteer project, in off-duty hours of three members of the 914th Tactical Airlift Group's aircraft maintenance section. The plane is set to be displayed at this year's Erie County Fair in Hamburg. Hengerer's Department Store, Buffalo, provided the money for rebuilding. The cost was $1,200 for supplies, which included 80 yards of man-made cloth for covering, wood for framing, wire for control and bracing cables, metal piping for the landing gear, 40 gallons of fire retardant compound and a few hundred TV dinners. However, the Jenny is not flyable, as it would need an new frame.
30 Years Ago, Aug. 6, 1982
Town Hall may install computers, acquire River Oaks plant
The Grand Island Town Board is taking a long, hard look at installing a computerization program in most town departments. A consulting firm is to be brought in to survey the situation and give the town options as far as the products available. Also under discussion is the possibility of acquiring the package sewer plant built in 1973 to serve what was then considered to be the first phase of the 1100 River Oaks complex. The River Oaks development, which now includes a golf course, golf club, a group of condominiums, as well as the Holiday Inn owned by Commonwealth Holiday Inns of Canada Inc., is now a part of a recently developed Sewer District 4 and could be served by its facilities.
20 Years Ago, Aug. 7, 1992
Outstanding Isle recreation plan unveiled
There will be no lack of recreation facilities on Grand Island within the next few years. In fact, the start of improvements in Veterans Park, in some aspects are already under way and five Little League baseball diamonds are in use. Recreational needs to be developed throughout the Island include community and neighborhood parks and bike trails circling the town as well as an estimated $5 million worth in leisure and athletic time equipment and athletic facilities in the 100-plus acre Veterans Park. A gymnasium and pool are in the plans for Veterans Park. So are soccer, football and softball fields as well as additional Little League facilities. Priority is recommended for a road through the park with water, sewer and lighting built at the same time. Landscaping and a bike trail also will be included.
10 Years Ago, Aug. 9, 2002
New welcome sign sure to catch eyes
The Town of Grand Island has been in need of a new welcome sign for a while now. The wait is over.
A group of local politicians, town employees and Grand Island Chamber of Commerce President Jim Sharpe unveiled a new sign to the media. The sign, which will be located a couple hundred feet past the Grand Island Boulevard exit along the Thruway, was initiated and funded by the Chamber of Commerce. The chamber also received additional funding from Erie County Legislator Charles Swanick.


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After an unexpected death shatters her family, Victoria retreats into the darkest recesses of her psyche in search of a way forward. To find meaning in an impossible loss, she brings a terrible creation to life – one whose existence threatens all hopes for the future. Haunted and hunted at every turn, Victoria must endure a nightmare journey of the soul in a quest for survival. Grapple with the demons of grief and denial in this world premiere adaptation of the 1818 thriller by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.
Frankenstein runs September 7 – October 28 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. (free parking and shuttle; see below). Press opening is Sunday, Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. Opening night is Monday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. (Previews are Fridays, Sept. 7 and 14 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, Sept. 8 and 15 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m.)
Regular performance times (September 20 – October 28) are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m. Ticket prices are $40 for regular single tickets, $30 for active and retired military personnel (with ID), $30 for seniors, $20 for students (with ID), $20 for rush tickets (available half hour before show time, subject to availability), and $20 for previews. Group rate for 12 or more is available upon request. Tickets may be purchased at the Lifeline Theatre Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visitingwww.lifelinetheatre.com.


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In 1990, WWF established an office in Oaxaca, and in 1993 formally established a presence with a mandate for developing conservation projects across the country. That same year, WWF championed the establishment of the Mexican Fund for Conservation of Nature (FMCN). With more than US$30 million as an endowment, the FMCN is currently the largest private nature conservation in Latin America.
In 1998, WWF opened an office in the Chihuahuan Desert, and the following year, local offices for the Gulf of California and the Mesoamerican Reef. At the beginning of 2004 a new office in the monarch butterfly state of Michoacán was also opened.
Founded: 1993


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I wish someone had warned me that Swedes take off their shoes to go inside a house. I see my bare big toe sticking out of the foot of my tights. So I'm warning you: always wear darned/new socks, long stockings or tights to Sweden.
Tonight's supper club host is Linn Soderstrom. She came to The Underground Restaurant in April and now I am returning the favour.
Long after supper clubs and pop ups will stop being trendy, their long term future lies in tourism. After all, it was a trip to Cuba and visiting a 'paladare' that inspired me to start The Underground Restaurant in the first place. My ambition is to visit every supper club in the world, a goal which would combine all my various interests.
north of the 55th parallel, along with the blueberries, wild strawberries, elderberries and blackberries that we have too. In the bathroom there is a giant pink flamingo in the shower, balancing on one leg.
This is a picture of Linn (left) and her sister. They are beautiful as you can see. Their parents are from Finland. Finns used to be badly treated in Sweden.
Passing the Swedish countryside, pine forests and industrial plants covered in graffitti streak past the window. I start reading Stieg Larsson's best seller 'The Girl with the dragon tattoo'.
First hotel G. I check in and meet Eva Lehmann from the Gothenburg tourist office. She will give me a foodie tour of the city.
Part 3: More Gothenburg, Lucia Day and the Middagsklubben supper club due later.


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Knicks aim to keep rolling, welcome Grizzlies to MSG
The New York Knicks have won five consecutive games and will put that streak on the line Wednesday night when they host the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Knicks collected their fifth straight victory on Tuesday when they handled the Boston Celtics, 100-85. J.R. Smith scored 32 off the bench and Carmelo Anthony added 29 in a great effort for New York.
Those two shouldered the load on Tuesday in a big way. Anthony hoisted 30 shots and Smith had 24. The next closest Knicks player in terms of shot attempts was Kenyon Martin, who attempted seven field goals.
The team only committed eight turnovers on a night when they only shot 43 percent from the field and 28 percent from the 3-point line.
The Knicks are in a virtual tie with the Indiana Pacers for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. They lead the Atlantic Division by 2 1/2 games over the Brooklyn Nets.
"We're starting to play a little bit how we played early in the year, in terms of letting our defense dictate how we play and then, offensively, we've been flowing and sharing the basketball," said head coach Mike Woodson.
The Knicks might have some revenge on their minds Wednesday night. After opening the season 6-0, the Grizzlies beat the Knicks by 10 in Memphis in a chippy game that saw three different Knicks and Coach Woodson pick up technical fouls.
The Grizzlies have lost two of their last three, including a 107-94 setback on Monday to the Wizards in Washington.
With Marc Gasol sidelined for his second straight game with an abdominal tear, Mike Conley led the way with 23 points, seven assists and three steals. That's a rock-solid game, but it was far and away the second-best performance of the night.
John Wall of the Wizards had a career-high 47 points on 13-for-22 field-goal shooting and 19-for-24 free-throw shooting.
"We couldn't make any shots and we couldn't stop the kid," said Memphis coach Lionel Hollins, referring to Wall.
The Grizzlies shot 44 percent from the field, but Washington shot 50 percent. It was a down defensive performance for the league's second-best team in opponents' scoring.
Memphis has locked up a playoff spot, but has fallen to fifth in the Western Conference, one-half game behind the Los Angeles Clippers and a full game out of the Denver Nuggets.
Gasol is expected to be out for some time. Hollins started Ed Davis on Saturday in a win over the Boston Celtics, but Darrell Arthur was with the first unit on Monday.
The Grizzlies have won two in a row against the Knicks and are 2-2 in their last four in Madison Square Garden.


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The Gift that Rocks: Fender Mustang Mini!
Fender's New Amp Series
Digital modeling amps are on the rise, in a world where we want everything at our fingertips. Yeah sure nothing can compare to a half stack blasting an authentic tube amp tone, but as far as practice amps go, modeling may be the way forward for many.
The beauty of these digital amps is that they're portable, they sound great and like an efficient assistant, they will give you whatever you ask for.
The Gift That Rocks!
Introducing the all-new Fender Mustang Series of solid state amplifiers, featuring the gift that rocks, rocks as hard as a Mustang sporting a Hemi and chrome rims.
The new Fender Mustang Mini sets a new benchmark for modern amp versatility and power. Driven by incredibly authentic amp models and an impressive bank of built-in effects, the Mustang Mini comes equipped with USB connectivity and Fender® FUSE™ software. With on-screen parameter control, deep editing, additional effects, unlimited preset storage, online preset swapping with the Fender Fuse community, and free Fender artist presets, you can let your musical creativity and imagination to run wild.
Highly compact and lightweight, the Mustang Mini is loaded with features including 24 onboard presets built from eight digital amp models and a dozen digital effects (with more available online, including artist presets) and easy computer connectivity. Plug in, and you're up and running!
The on-board effects will allow you to dial in your own signature sounds from the legendary amp models. Shape your tone with the chorus, flanger, tremolo, vibratone and step filter… and those are just a few of the features effects, and the Mini Mustang packs it all into a striking visual design. Sleek and modern Fender styling provides a look that's just as desirable as the sound.
So there it is… The gift that ROCKS, available to order now!


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Marian Finucane Saturday 22 February 2014
Live stimulating mix of news, interviews, reports and discussion.
Breda O'Brien joins Marian in studio.
Philip Nolan talks about bringing business back to Dún Laoghaire.
Deputy editor of the Daily Express Michael Booker joins Marian on the line to talkabout Chris Moyles' tax bill.
Charlie Bird joins Marian on the line from the Arctic.
Brent Pope and Hannah Tobin join Marian ahead of the Six Nations encounter between Ireland and England.
Simon Murray joins Marian on the line to talk about the work involved in reconstruction on Inishbofin after the storms.
Dr. Sabina Brennan and Professor Brian Lawlor talk about taking care of your brain health.
The videos can be accessed via freedemliving.com or purchased on DVD in the shop in Trinity College.
To order a copy of the DVD you can call the Trinity Library Shop - 01 896 23 08. The DVD costs €5
In-depth interviews, human interest stories, consumer and lifestyle news as well as a lively panel discussion on issues of the week and newspaper reviews.
Saturday and Sunday from 11am-1pm
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Bob Dylan
Presenter: Marian Finucane


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Saturday, 8:45 a.m. CL&P is making headway as 651 more homes have had their power restored since last night. As of this morning, 60% of the the town, 2,286 CL&P customers in Weston are still without power.
The comfort station at Weston High School is up and running for hot showers, cell phone/computer charging, hot showers and meals.
Friday, 4:30 p.m. The number of power outages in Weston as of this time is 2,937, 77% of the town, the highest percentage in the state according to CL&P.
Power crews were spotted all over town working on power restoration, including crews from Hydro-Quebec in Canada. A main problem for the town is the considerable number of trees that have been uprooted and need to be cleared in order to restore power lines.
Friday, noon As CL&P continues power line restoration work, the number of outages in Weston is fluctuating. 72% of the town is currently without power, up from 62% this morning. According to the town's Code Red alert, CL&P will have 25 crews in town today. National Guardsmen are also in town helping with road clearing. CL&P still has not given any town wide restoration estimates.
An emergency shelter will be open at Weston High School. Cots will be provided. Bring blankets, pillows and toiletries.
The Comfort Station will be open at Weston High School this weekend from 8 to 4. Food will be available in the cafeteria for a nominal fee of $2 for breakfast and $5 for lunch and dinner.
A decision regarding school opening next week is expected at 3 p.m. today.
Friday, 8 a.m. Power was substantially restored overnight to many residences statewide, but there is still a long way to go for full restoration. This morning, CL&P reports 62% of Weston — 2,398 customers are still without power. Statewide, 164,931 — 13% are still out.
Clean up efforts continue today. Thursday started with 220 blockages on town roads, at the end of the day, due to a concerted effort by the public works department, CL&P crews, the National Guard, and volunteers, 64 roads were cleared.
Thursday, 7 p.m. As of this evening, Weston has the highest percentage of CL&P customers without power in the state. 84% or 3,235 of the town's 3,808 CL&P customers are in the dark. Nearby Westport is 64% out, Wilton is 73% out and Redding is 77% out.
Weston Police Chief John Troxell said members of the National Guard were in town today, as they were yesterday, to help the town clear downed trees from roadways.
Thursday 7:30 a.m. While power was restored significantly across the state in many communities last night, in Weston 80% of the town — 3,084 CL&P customers are still out. CL&P reports that statewide 240,619, or 19% of its customers have no electricity at this time. Weston has the second highest percentage in the state of CL&P customers without power, only East Windsor has a higher percentage with 88% reported out.
Wednesday, 8:45 p.m. 93% of the town is without power at this time. Members of the National Guard and the Department of Transportation helped the public works department and CL&P crews clear roads. Earlier today 122 roadways were still blocked with downed trees and wires. CL&P has not given an estimated time for power restoration.
Tuesday, 6:45 p.m. CL&P reports that 3,687 of its customers in Weston, 96% of the town, are without power. That number is down slightly from earlier today when 100% of the town was out.
Road and line crews are in town and earlier members of the National Guard came in to help clear roads. Trees and wires are down throughout town.
CL&P reports that statewide 417,328 of its customers are still without power.
Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. All 3,800 CL&P customers are without power in Weston at this time. Officials say crews are in town working on the power lines. Many roads are blocked and impassable because of downed trees, and residents are being advised to stay home and off the roads. The town is opening a comfort station from 4 to 9 tonight at Weston Middle School.
Tuesday, 8:55 a.m. With the worst of Hurricane Sandy over, 99% of Weston is without power. CL&P reports that 3,800 out of 3,808 customers in Weston are in the dark this morning. 100% of Ridgefield is without power, along with 98% in Redding, and 80% in Wilton.
Monday, 8:45 p.m. Outages are up to 3,775, or 99% of the town. About 477,000 CL&P customers are without power statewide. In neighboring towns, 97% of Ridgefield has no power, 98% of Redding, and 80% of Wilton is in the dark.
Monday, 8 p.m. Approximately 98% of the town — more than 3,800 customers — are without power in Weston. Statewide, more than 400,000 CL&P customers and 33,000 UI customers are powerless.
Monday, 12:45 p.m. CL&P reports that 1,110 of their customers in Weston, 29% of the town, are without power at this time. Statewide, CL&P reports 18,527 customers are without power.
Monday, 12:05 p.m. CL&P is reporting that 8% of its customers in Weston, 310 households, are without power at this time. Statewide there are 13,885 reported outages. Joe Miceli, Weston's Deputy Emergency Management Director, said all roads in town are passable at this time and the CL&P has several line crews staged in town for the storm.
Monday, 9:05 a.m. CL&P reports 6,338 customers in Connecticut are without power as of 9 a.m. The majority of outages are in Waterbury (4,251). In this area there are 360 outages in Greenwich, 16 in Wilton, and four in Darien.
Monday, 7:45 a.m. Hurricane Sandy has barely breezed in this morning and already Connecticut Light and Power Company is reporting 2,280 power outages in the state, none so far in Weston.
The majority of outages are in Griswold (877), Pomfret (360), and Greenwich (340).
TheWestonForum.com will provide continuous updates until power is fully restored.


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Loren Hedrick's multi-faceted education includes multiple college degrees in Marketing, Graphic Arts and Photography, where he earned the title of Master Photographer. His first career was in the Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations Industry, where he was Art Director for the world's largest advertising agency. He went on to start a successful full service advertising agency, while winning numerous top awards. Loren Hedrick was licensed in Real Estate in 1982 in Anchorage, Alaska, where he started what soon would become the state's top real estate company. While owning and managing the company, he produced over 55 million dollars in personal sales in one year. Later he relocated to the lower 48 states, where Hedrick worked as a Sales and Marketing Manager for the number two home builder in the country with annual sales of over 1 Billion dollars.
Loren Hedrick comes to Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty as a Member in the International Sterling Society which is awarded to the top 8 percent of the more than 107,000 sales associates worldwide. Loren's creative talent has sold 3 of the 5 most expensive homes to sell in Sedona during the last 4 years.
Sedona, AZ, United States
Sedona, AZ, United States


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Got Craft?, originally uploaded by cutesypoo.
this sunday we are selling our wares at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall on Commercial drive in Vancouver BC.
be there at 11 am and claim your free swag! (only the first 30 people)
get your christmas shopping done and support local business and artists.


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Stylish Sleepers: 15 Simple Chic Bassinets, Cradles, and Baskets
When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I thought a bassinet was an unnecessary item that would just waste my space and money. While this may be true for many parents, after having my baby, I quickly changed my tune. I found that I wanted her close to my bed, and we didn't have enough space for the crib in our bedroom. Even after we transitioned our daughter to her crib we used the bassinet downstairs for a comfortable place for her to relax and nap during the day.
A lot of parents opt for a simple pack n play with a bassinet top, and I even have a friend who used a laundry basket, but if you're looking for a more stylish option there are a lot of great products on the market. Here are fifteen bassinets, cradles, and baskets in a range of prices:
1. Cradle by Baby Bjorn ($294.95)
2. Organic Baby Hammock by Natures Sway ($265.95)
3. Baby Hammock by Kanoe ($290)
4. Folding Bassinet by Cariboo ($285)
5. Cradle by Re-Babe ($396.34)
6. Moses Basket Baby Hammock by Airdeje Design
7. Bassinet by King Parrot (£50)
8. Hanging Cradle: Fair Trade (€265)
9. Be Mini Cradle by BE (€ 461.45)
10. Cradle by Leander ($339.95)
11. Moses Basket by Sausalito ($195)
12. Designer Hanging Basket by Dreambur ($329)
13. Organic Hammock by Hushmok ($195)
14. Moses Basket: Giggle ($90)
15. Nesta's Nest (Contact for Pricing)
Find even more modern, stylish bassinet options: Bassinets on for Any Budget.
(Images: As Linked)


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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Noted hedge fund manager Leon Cooperman of Omega Advisors has some juicy details in his latest 13F filing. He's initiated a new 3 million share stake in Facebook ( FB), while completely selling out of Apple ( AAPL). Cooperman, who got his start at Goldman Sachs ( GS), announced that as of Dec. 31, 2012, he and Omega Advisors owned 3.1 million shares of the popular social network. He did not have a position in Facebook prior to this filing. Perhaps even more interesting than Cooperman's new stake in Facebook, though, is his lack of a stake in Apple. Cooperman, a long time Apple bull, has completely sold out of his Apple stock, as the shares fell during the fourth-quarter, amid concerns over slowing innovation and revenue growth. He owned more than 260,000 shares of Apple as of the end of the third-quarter, but held none as of Dec. 31, 2012. The famed investor also disclosed new stakes in Las Vegas Sands ( LVS) and SandRidge Energy ( SD), while upping his stake in names such as Sirius XM Satellite Radio ( SIRI) and NYSE Euronext ( NYX). Facebook shares jumped 3.% to $28.19 on the news, while Apple shares were down marginally, off 0.34% to $466.33. Interested in more on Apple? See TheStreet Ratings' report card for this stock. --Written by Chris Ciaccia in New York >Contact by Email. Follow @Commodity_Bull
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Fifty-seven Savannah Technical College students have been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in a ceremony at Eckburg Auditorium. To qualify, students must have completed a minimum of 12 degree-level semester credit hours and have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
During the ceremony, Savannah Tech president Kathy Love challenged the students to continue their hard work at Savannah Tech and at future colleges, universities or occupations.
Savannah Tech's vice president of academic affairs, Ken Boyd, encouraged the new members to always keep working no matter the adversity encountered.
The inductees include:
Patricia E. Akbar; Mary K. Apple; Darnell M. Arnsdorff; Lisa Baez; Regan Myran Bento; Melinda Michele Bolton; Lisa A. Bradley; Christina Marie Brower; Laurie Joan Brown; Shelonda Charrie Buggs; Kaci A. Carter; Hannah Ruth Chapman; Bin Chen; Katelyn Diana Cole; Zachariah A. Coles.
Demeeka Lashay Corbin Cobb; Jill Ansley D'Arts; Brian Davis; Taylor Jordan Dickerson; Alma Frances Dixon; Charles Lance Dixon; Andrea Marie Drescher; Michael Anthony Fulcher; Emily Ruth Giddens; April Ylonda Harris.
Taylor Elizabeth Hodges; Sakari Tia Jones; Heather Marie Joyner; Carling Raine Kicklighter; Beth S. Klingensmith; Ida Marie Lee; Patricia E. Lowery; Michelle G Lubinski; Stephanie L. Madden; Shannon A. Marsh; Joseph Ernest Martin; Imogene Messam.
Sandra M. Napolitano; Leisa Beth Nelson; Erin McKenzie O'Rourke; Lloyd Henry Oliver; Leandra E. Ortiz; Urvik Patel; Stephanie R. Patrick; Richard L. Redding; Emily Rose Rinehart; Mark Eugene Ross; Casey Scheidt; Claudia Soto.
Janill Tatis; Jasmine A. Taylor; Carrie Dell Tevis; Nicholas Cameron Todd; Alain Paul Tougas; Veronica Joy Turner; Courtney Elizabeth Vinke; Kristopher Willi.
The American Association of Community Colleges recognizes Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges.


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How Do You Know if the Environment is Impacting Your Health?
- 36 Posts
The Nigerian Niger Delta region is known to be the most productive Delta in the world with abundant natural resources and biodiversity. This region plays host to the major oil companies in the world such as Shell, Chevron, Texaco, Exomobil, among others. Since the discovery of oil in the region in 1956 in Oloribiri Ogbia L.G.A of Bayelsa State, there have been series of environmental degradation and pollutions due to oil spills and gas flaring from mining and extractive activities. This region, though rich in natural resources and biodiversity, is known to be the most underdeveloped and impoverished region in Nigeria.
The inhabitants of this region lack the basic amenities of life such as good roads, pipe borne water, adequate food supplies and good health facilities. This has led to the deaths of many as a result of disease ravaging the land by pollution from extractive industries such as oil spills and gas flares among other environmental degradation posed by oil drilling activities. It is a well known fact in the world that the Climate Change challenge currently going on is caused by the release of carbon into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels/gas flaring and fumes from multinational companies and industries.
Harmful Gas Flaring
Gas flaring entails burning off the natural gas associated with crude oil during the refining process of petroleum products where there is no infrastructure to trap and make use of the gas. It is a process in which gas is released by a pressure valve and burned-thereby releasing tones of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in a report by" Friends of the Earth," Nigeria (FOEN) in 2005. About 2.5 billion cubic feet of gas is flared every day. These flares have contributed large volumes of green house gases. This is more than all of sub-Africa combined as well as the release of several dangerous toxins into the atmosphere. It has polluted the soil and thereby affected the health and well being of the Niger Delta communities, exposing inhabitants to an increased risk of premature deaths, respiratory illness such as asthma, cancer and miscarriages in pregnant women. The associated gas flared during oil production gives rise to the release of harmful particulate matter which comprises smoke, sulfur, CFCs and some unburned full compounds such as toluene, Benzene, and xylene, which are toxic to human health. The combination from these chemical substances led to chronic Bronchitis and possibly premature death which have been which reported among children and adults in the Niger Delta. It has also been clearly established that exposure to benzene and its metabolites cause acute leukemia and other blood related diseases in humans who have been exposed to these toxins released from gas flares.
Air Pollution From Gas Flares And Asthma
A lot of Nigerians most especially those in the Niger Delta, are
carriers of this deadly ailment and yet they don't have a clue to
what it is and what causes it. Unlike the US, about 20 million
people are acquainted with the symptoms of an asthma attack but
in Nigeria's Niger Delta, nothing of such.
Asthma is a chronic health condition that has no known cure for now, but can be controlled /managed. It is a condition in which the air ways narrows and swell and produce extra mucus which makes breathing difficult and triggers coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. This is a very common ailment in the Niger Delta region today, yet little or no attention is given to it.
Asthma Symptoms And Signs
For possible diagnosis and identification of this ailment (asthma) some symptoms and signs have been observed by physicians over the years which have helped in the management of the ailment worldwide.
Asthma signs and symptoms include:Shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, a whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling (wheezing is a common sign of asthma in children). Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu.
For some people, asthma symptoms flare up in certain situations:Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when the air is cold and dry Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases or dust Allergy-induced asthma, triggered by particular allergens, such as pet dander, cockroaches or pollen
It isn't clear why some people get asthma and others don't, but it's probably due to a combination of environmental and genetic (inherited) factors with its major causes linked to allergies and air pollutions from industrial and mining activities such as gas flaring, fumes from oil spills among others.
Asthma triggers
Exposure to various substances that trigger allergies (allergens) and irritants can trigger signs and symptoms of asthma. Asthma triggers differ from person to person but the major causes of asthma in the Niger Delta region is air pollution from gas flares and oil spills others including:
· Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke, dust particles and choking smells from oil spills and gas flares.
· Sulfites and preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages
· Airborne allergens, such as pollen, animal dander, mold, cockroaches and dust mites
· Allergic reactions to some foods, such as peanuts or shellfish
· Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
· Strong emotions and stress
· Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
· Cold air
· Menstrual cycle in some women
From all indications for us to have a cleaner air and an asthma free environment it is therefore recommended that
· Gas flaring should be stopped permanently in the Niger delta region
· Proper medical attention should be given to asthmatic patients all around Niger Delta region
· Crude oil should be left in the soil and tar sand in their hole.
· Asthma cases should be treated as emergency cases nationwide.
· Free medical attention and check ups should be given to asthmatic patients.
· Asthma care centers should be opened in all general hospitals in the Niger Delta area.
· Individuals living in polluted areas should be relocated to safer and clean environments free of air pollution.
For the records Asthma is not a communicable disease and so we should always lend a helping hand to someone around us experiencing an asthmatic attack because that might save someone's life.


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Working for a jerk of a boss can be a miserable experience. From blaming subordinates for a failed project to constantly talking about themselves, the traits of a bad manager are usually revealed early in the relationship — sometimes, even in your job interview.
Once on the job, however, it's usually too late to do anything about it. That's why job seekers must use the interview process not just to learn more about what their job would entail, but also to gauge what their would-be boss might be like as a supervisor. Here are 10 things job seekers can do during an interview to determine whether their new boss is going to be a jerk.
They interrupt
Taking calls and allowing interruptions during an interview could be a red flag, said business consultant Dianne Sikel.
"That's a sign that they don't value you or your time very much," Sikel told BusinessNewsDaily. "This says a lot about how the communication level is going to be later, especially when facing workplace issues and challenges that need his or her assistance."
They aren't nice to other employees
Watching how a would-be boss interacts with other employees before and after an interview is an excellent way to gauge how they might treat a new hire, said Paul Freiberger, president of Shimmering Resumes and author of "When Can You Start: How to Ace the Interview and Win the Job" (Career Upshift Productions, 2013).
"It's a firsthand look at the state of office relationships and, while every company is different, this is one time to trust your gut," Freiberger said. "If those interactions make you wonder, take that doubt seriously."
They don't give direct answers
Roy Cohen, career coach and author of "The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide" (FT Press, 2010), said a bad boss is one that talks around an awkward or uncomfortable question during the interview instead of answering it directly.
"If you have done your homework and know of issues and challenges facing the department or company, then you have reason to believe that your future boss is either hiding them or unaware that they are indeed a problem," Cohen said. "Sneaky or dumb are both undesirable character flaws in a boss."
They do all the talking
Bosses that spend the majority of the interview time running their own mouth might be the type of supervisor that job seekers want to avoid, said Katie Karlovitz, business communications coach and founder of On Speaking Terms.
"For whose benefit are they talking, yours or their own?" Karlovitz asked. "If they are dominating the conversation, that tells you something."
They take all the credit
Mary Greenwood, human resources expert and author of "How to Interview Like a Pro: 43 Rules For Getting Your Next Job" (iUniverse, 2012), said prospective employees should take note of whether the interviewer says things such as "I did this and I did that" or puts more of an emphasis on the collective effort, with phrases like "We did this or we did that."
"This helps determine whether he or she considers himself or herself a member of a team, or takes credit for everything the team does," Greenwood said.
They aren't flexible
Phases such as "my way or the highway," "if you follow my rules you will do OK" or "I have my own way of doing things" can mean the employer is more interested in his own system and not other people's ideas, said career adviser Chris Delaney.
"If you like to contribute, give ideas or if you're the creative type, then this boss may not be for you," said Delaney, author of "The 73 Rules for Influencing the Interview using Psychology, NLP and Hypnotic Persuasion Techniques" (MX Publishing, 2012).
They don't answer questions
Leigh Steere, co-founder of Managing People Better, said when interviewing directly with a would-be boss, ask how he or she handles various scenarios, such as whether employees' work is reviewed on a daily basis or if the boss is personally involved in helping employees plan their career path.
"The answers can tell you a lot about whether the manager is task-oriented or people-oriented, involved or hands-off, caring or somewhat aloof," Steere said.
They are too nice
While everyone wants to work for a great boss, coming off too charming or flattering during an interview might be cause for concern, said Janet Scarborough Civitelli, a workplace psychologist and career coach.
"If you feel like you are walking on air after an interview because a prospective boss made you feel like the most special person on the planet, that's a bad sign," Civitelli said. "Authentic people are more likely to connect with you without the hardcore wooing."
They bash co-workers
Vijay Ingam, founder and CEO of Interview SOS, said job seekers might want to steer clear of bosses who bash or talk negatively about a co-worker during an interview.
"I'm not sure if I would call these hiring managers 'jerks,' but I personally would not want to work for one of them," Ingam said.
They micromanage
If you don't want to work for a micromanager, job seekers should tailor a question around the type of communication the would-be boss expects when handing out tasks, said Vincent O'Connell, the Asia regional director for the consulting firm Globecon Institute and the co-author of "9 Powerful Practices Of Really Great Bosses" (Career Press, March 2013).
"If the boss states that he or she expects frequent updates and is always wanting to know the exact details of what you are doing, then he or she is demonstrating a penchant for micromanagement," O'Connell said.
Follow Chad Brooks on Twitter @cbrooks76 or BusinessNewsDaily @BNDarticles. We're also on Facebook & Google+. This story was originally published on
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California Commission on Health and Safety
and Workers' Compensation
CHSWC and AB 749
Prepared for the Commission by
Charles Lawrence Swezey, CHSWC Consultant
CHSWC Members
Tom Rankin, Chair
Allen L. Davenport
Jill A. Dulich
Leonard C. McLeod
Kristen Schwenkmeyer
Robert B. Steinberg
Darrel "Shorty" Thacker
John C. Wilson
Christine Baker
Executive Officer
February 2002
Commission on Health and Safety and Workers Compensation
Assembly Bill 749, which was signed by the governor on February 15, 2002, and becomes effective on January 1, 2003, is the first major workers' compensation legislation since the 1989 and 1993 reform acts. It affects the Commercial and Insurance Codes and amends over 50, repeals five, and adds 17 sections of the Labor Code. Although the bill's major focus is on increasing benefits for injured workers, it also rectifies many reform act provisions that have not effectively served their intended purpose.
One provision of the 1993 act that has been effective was the creation of the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation. CHSWC was directed to conduct a continuing examination of the workers' compensation system by conducting or contracting for necessary studies. Pursuant to this mandate, CHSWC studied and made recommendations on many facets of the system including the treating physician presumption, "baseball arbitration," pharmaceutical costs, adequacy of medical reports for permanent disability rating, lien claims, penalties, information for injured workers, audit procedures, and uninsured employers. The CHSWC recommendations on all of these subjects were adopted, in whole or in part, in the new legislation, and CHSWC was ordered to conduct studies or advise the administration on several other subjects.
Benefit Increases
The minimum weekly payment for temporary disability has been restored and will be $126 as will be the new minimum for permanent total disability. The maximum for both will be $602 for injuries in 2003, $728 in 2004, and $840 in 2005. Beginning in 2006 both the maximum and the minimum will be increased annually by the percentage of increase in the statewide average weekly wage. If a minor's probable earnings at age 18 cannot reasonably be determined, the average weekly earnings will be maximum.
For permanent partial disabilities less than 70 percent, the minimum increases to $100 and the maximum to $185 for injuries in 2003, $105 and $200 for 2004 injuries, $105 and $220 for 2005 injuries, and $130 and $230 for 2006 and later injuries. For 70 percent or greater ratings the minimums and maximums will be $100 and $230 for 2003 injuries, $105 and $250 for 2004, $105 and $270 for 2005, and $130 and $270 for injuries on or after January 1, 2006.
For injuries after 2003, the number of weeks of permanent disability payments has been increased for permanent disabilities less that 20 percent. Four weeks will be allowed for permanent disabilities under 10 percent and five weeks for 10 to 19-3/4 percent ratings. [CHSWC studies of the wage loss of permanently disabled workers by RAND showed that workers with low ratings suffered greater uncompensated wage losses.]
Weekly life pension payments for injuries after 2005 will be double the current amount.
Death benefits for injuries after 2005 will be:
$290,000 for two total dependents regardless of the number of partial dependents and for one total dependent and one or more partial dependents;
$250,000 for one total dependent and no partial dependents; and
$320,000 for three or more total dependents regardless of the number of partial dependents.
The death benefit for partial dependents if there are no total dependents will be eight times the amount annually devoted to the support of the partial dependents but not more than $250,000. If there are no dependents, $250,000 will be paid to the estate of the deceased employee. Surviving parents will be conclusively presumed wholly dependent if there are no other dependents. Death benefits to dependent incapacitated children will continue for their lives.
Procedural Changes
Procedural changes that were recommended by CHSWC were a restriction or repeal of the §4062.9 presumption of correctness of the treating physician's determinations and elimination of "baseball arbitration."
For injuries after 2002 the §4062.9 presumption will only apply to the findings of personal physicians or personal chiropractors predesignated before the injury. Section 4065, which required WCJs and the Board to choose between permanent disability ratings proposed by the parties and to adjust medical-legal costs according to which was chosen, has been repealed.
Other procedural changes permit an unrepresented employee that obtains an attorney after an evaluation under §4061(d) or §4062(b) to obtain the same reports at employer expense as an employee "that has been represented from the time the dispute arose." The additional reports are admissible, and the employer will have a corresponding right to secure an additional QME.
Provision will also be made for priority conference calendars and expedited hearings for cases in which the applicant is represented and the disputed issues are employment or injury. The disputes that must be arbitrated have been reduced to insurance coverage and contribution.
Organizational Changes
A major organizational change that did not result from a CHSWC study is the creation of the new position of a court administrator that will manage "the workers' compensation adjudicatory process at the trial level." The court administrator will be appointed by the Governor but hold office at the pleasure of the administrative director. Some of the functions of the court administrator will be approving or disapproving honoraria for WCJs, furthering uniformity and expeditiousness of trial proceedings, assuring that all WCJs are qualified and adhere to deadlines, adopting uniform rules for district office procedure, establishing uniform district office procedures, uniform forms, and uniform time of settings for all WCAB district offices, and taking reasonable steps to enforce those rules. Although WCJs will continue to be appointed by the AD, they will be supervised by the court administrator.
Provision for settlement conference referees has been repealed, but WCJs appointed after 2002 must be attorneys licensed to practice law in California for five or more years prior to appointment and have experience in workers' compensation law. All WCJs are made subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission on Judicial Performance.
A study of the WCAB judicial function by RAND for which CHSWC contracted is nearing completion, and among the organizational changes in the new law is express authority for the AD to employ necessary personnel "to implement new, efficient court management systems."
CHSWC will now be funded from the Workers' Compensation Administration Revolving Fund rather than exclusively from "ghost writing" (Labor Code §4628) and audit penalties. The Workplace Health and Safety Fund has been abolished, and audit and §4628 penalties will now be deposited in the administration revolving fund.
Medical Care
CHSWC studies of the quality of medical reports confirmed that many, particularly those of treating physicians, did not provide an adequate description of disability for rating purposes. AB 749 requires the administrative director, in consultation with the IMC, to develop educational materials to give treating physicians information and training in basic concepts of workers' compensation, the role of the treating physician, the conduct of permanent disability evaluations, and report writing.
The procedures by which employers and insurers contract with health care organizations to provide medical treatment to injured workers have been simplified. Among other things, it is no longer necessary to offer more than one HCO nor one that is compensated on a fee for service basis. The provision that an employee receiving employer provided health care from the same HCO that provides treatment for industrial injuries may be treated by a physician of his or her own choice only after 365 days has been eliminated.
The administrative director must adopt rules requiring medical bills to be on standardized forms, requiring employers to accept "electronic claims for payment of medical services," but protecting the confidentiality of medical information on the electronic claims.
Lien Claims
CHSWC did an extensive study of the lien claim backlog in some WCAB district offices and had several lien resolution roundtable sessions attended by interested members of the workers compensation community. In its 1999-2000 Annual Report, the commission recommended that statutory limitations be placed on the filing of lien claims.
New §4903.5 provides that no liens for medical or medical-legal expenses may be filed more than six months after a final decision on the merits of the injured worker's claim, five years after the injury, or one year from the date the services were provided, whichever is later. An exception is made in the case of health care providers, health care service plans, group disability insurers, employee benefit plans, and other entities that provided medical benefits on a nonindustrial basis. They may file a lien claim within six months after their first knowledge that an industrial injury is being claimed.
Pharmaceutical Costs
Essentially following the recommendations of a CHSWC study, new §§4600.1 and 4600.2 control the cost of pharmaceuticals. Pharmacies providing medicines and medical supplies for injured workers will dispense a generic drug equivalent unless the prescribing doctor states otherwise in writing. Employers and insurers are authorized to contract with pharmacies or pharmacy benefit networks to provide medicines and supplies to injured employees pursuant to standards adopted by the AD. The contracts may not affect the ability of employee-selected physicians to prescribe medicines and supplies that the physicians deem reasonably necessary and must require access to a pharmacy within a reasonable distance from an injured worker's home.
The AD will also adopt an official pharmaceutical fee schedule establishing maximum fees for medicines and medical supplies provided to injured workers. The schedule must include a single dispensing fee and provide for access to a pharmacy within a reasonable distance from the worker's home.
Outpatient Surgery Facilities
CHSWC is currently conducting a study of facility charges for outpatient surgeries. It is expected that the results will be useful for the administrative director in complying with the mandate of new §5307.21 to develop an outpatient surgery facility fee schedule that will include all facility charges for outpatient surgeries performed but not the fees of the doctors providing services in connection with the surgery. The fees allowed must be sufficient to cover the costs of each surgical procedure, minimize administrative costs, and ensure access to outpatient surgery services by injured workers.
CHSWC staff and contracted researchers did a study of §5814 penalties and their application. The commission approved the report but made no recommendations for legislative action. Nevertheless, §5814 was amended to state that multiple increases may not be awarded for repeated delays in making a series of payments due for the same type of benefit unless there has been a legally significant event between the initial delay and the subsequent delay.
Labor Code §5814.5 has been amended to provide for an award of reasonable attorneys' fees for enforcing the payment of compensation found to have been unreasonably delayed or refused subsequent to an award against all employers, not merely against only self-insured public entities as at present.
A delay in the negotiation of a written instrument caused by application of banking laws or regulations is not subject to penalty, but the administrative director, with the assistance of CHSWC, must propose how to provide better access to funds in light of the requirements of laws and regulations governing the negotiability of disability indemnity payments.
Return to Work Programs
In February 2001, CHSWC and DWC hosted a Forum for Workplace Safety at which the latest research on return to work was presented and discussed. Literature reviews on facilitating, and barriers to, return to work were completed and continue. In its 2000-2001 Annual Report CHSWC recommended that return to work as soon as feasible be promoted and suggested ways of accomplishing it.
New Labor Code §139.47 requires the establishment of a program to encourage employers to provide early and sustained return to work after industrial injuries. The program will develop educational materials, guides, and training for employers, health care providers, employees, and unions.
During the years 2004 through 2008, but only if funds are appropriated by the Legislature, the AD will maintain a return to work program that will reimburse employers for wages, workplace modification, and insurance premiums. The money for program will come from the Workers' Compensation Return-to-Work Fund. It is the intent of the Legislature that the reimbursement expense be funded from the premium tax funds collected under Revenue and Taxation Code §12201 "attributable to the compensation benefit rates and amounts set forth in the Revenue and Taxation Code." If the program goes into effect, the AD must contract with an independent research organization to study it.
Information for Injured Workers
Adopting most of the recommendations in the CHSWC report Information for Injured Workers (2000), the legislature added additional information to that required to be on the notice that §3550 requires employers to keep posted in a conspicuous location and to the notice that §3551 requires employers to give to all new employees. The exact content of the latter notice will be prescribed by the AD after consultation with CHSWC. The content of the notice will be made available to employers and insurers, and insurers will be required to provide it to policyholders, with advice concerning the penalties for a failure to provide it. The notice must include a form for notifying the employer of the name of the employee's personal physician designated to treat any industrial injury. §3552 which only required an employer to provide the form on request is repealed.
Labor Code §138.4 which provides for benefit notices has been extensively revised and defines claims administrator. Whenever an injury results in lost time beyond the work shift or need for medical treatment beyond first aid, the claims administrator will provide the injured worker with a claim form and a notice of potential eligibility for benefits in three working days unless it knows that the employer has provided it. If it cannot determine whether the employer has provided a claim form and notice, the claims administrator must provide the form and notice to the employee within 30 days of the administrator's knowledge of the claim.
In addition to the existing requirement for regulations on notices dealing with payment, nonpayment, or delay in payment of temporary disability, permanent disability, death benefits, and the provision of vocational rehabilitation services, the AD must now require notices of any change in the amount or type of benefits being provided, termination of benefits, the rejection of any liability, and an accounting of benefits paid. The legislature has assigned CHSWC the duty of making recommendations to improvement and simplify benefit notices, and a study of this is already under way.
Labor Code §5401 which requires employers to provide a claim form and a notice of potential eligibility for benefits to injured employees whose injury results in lost time or requires medical treatment beyond first aid has been amended to clarify the definition of first aid and to provide that, insofar as practicable, the notice and the claim form shall be a single document. The form and content of the notice and claim form will be prescribed by the AD after consultation with the CHSWC. Among the things that the notice must include are the procedure to be used to commence proceedings to collect compensation, what happens to the claim form after it is filed, the role and function of the primary treating physician, the right to change physicians, and the protections against discrimination.
Claims administrators will now be required to include the IMC form for requesting a panel of qualified medical evaluators with the permanent disability notices to unrepresented injured workers mandated by that §4061.
Audit Procedures
Adopting essentially all of the recommendations of CHSWC Report on the Division of Workers Compensation Audit Function (1998), AB 749 amends §§129 and 129.5 to assure that each audit unit will be audited at least once every five years and that good performers will be rewarded. A profile audit review of every audit subject will be done at least every five years. Any audit subject that fails to meet a profile audit standard established by the AD will be given a full compliance audit. Any audit subject that fails to meet or exceed the full compliance audit performance standard will be audited again within two years. Targeted profile audit reviews or full compliance audits may also be conducted at any time based on information indicating that an insurer, self-insured employer, or third-party administrator is failing to meet its obligations.
To reward good performers, profile audit subjects that meet or exceed the profile audit review performance standard will not be liable for any penalties but will be required to pay any unpaid compensation. Full compliance audit subjects that meet or exceed standards will only be required to pay penalties for unpaid or late paid compensation and any unpaid compensation.
To mitigate inequality between total penalties assessed against small and large audit subjects, the size of the audit unit will be considered by the AD in developing the penalty schedule. Audit subjects that fail to meet the full compliance audit performance standards will be assessed penalties as provided in a schedule adopted by the AD.
Labor Code §129.5(e) is amended to provide for civil penalties up to $100,000 if an employer, insurer, or third-party administrator has knowingly committed or (rather than and) has performed with sufficient frequency to indicate a general business practice acts discharging or administering its obligations in specified improper manners. Failure to meet the full compliance audit performance standards in two consecutive full compliance audits will be rebuttably presumed to be engaging in a general business practice of discharging and administering compensation obligations in an improper manner.
Review of the civil penalties assessed will be obtained by written request for a hearing before the WCAB rather than by application for a writ of mandate in the Superior Court. Judicial review of the Board's findings and order will be as provided §§5950 et seq.
Penalties collected under §129.5 and unclaimed assessments for unpaid compensation under §129 will be credited to the Workers' Compensation Administration Revolving Fund.
Uninsured Employers
Following recommendations in the CHSWC report Employers Illegally Uninsured for Workers Compensation CHSWC Recommendations to Identify Them and Bring them Into Compliance (1998) and several solutions developed in the course of meetings of the Uninsured Employers Task Force and Round Table, but not included in the report, new §90.3 declares that it is the policy of the state to vigorously enforce the laws requiring employers to secure the payment of compensation and to protect employers that comply with the law from those that attempt to gain a competitive advantage at the expense of their workers by failing to secure the payment of compensation.
Pursuant to this policy, the investigations undertaken by the Labor Commissioner's field enforcement unit will concentrate on industries, occupations, and areas with high rates of non-insurance as well as those in which employees are relatively low paid and unskilled and in which there has been a history of other labor law violations.
The Labor Commissioner will also be required to "target" employers in industries with the highest incidence of uninsured employers from data from the Uninsured Employers' Fund, the Employment Development Department, the California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, and other sources. Employers with payroll but no record of workers' compensation coverage will be contacted, and if they have no valid reason for the lack of record of coverage, they will be inspected on a priority basis.
Whenever an employer has been uninsured for over a week, a penalty assessment will be made requiring the uninsured employer to pay the greater of (1) twice the amount the employer would have paid in premiums during the period the employer was uninsured, or (2) $1,000 for each employee employed during that period.
Willful failure to secure payment of workers' compensation is added to the crimes for which the Department of Insurance and district attorneys can receive moneys from the Workers' Compensation Fraud Account to investigate and prosecute.
Making or causing a false statement to obtain or deny any of the benefits or reimbursement provided in the Return-to-Work Program (Labor Code §139.48) or to discourage an employer from claiming any of the benefits or reimbursement provided in that program is added to the definition of workers' compensation fraud.
The membership of the Fraud Assessment Commission is increased to seven (two representatives of organized labor, two of self-insured employers, one of insured employers, one of insurers, and the president of the State Fund or a designee). The specific manner in which the Director of Industrial Relations will levy and collect from employers the amount determined necessary by the Fraud Assessment Commission for the fraud account is described.
The Bureau of State Audits is directed to evaluate and report to the legislature on the effectiveness of the Fraud Assessment Commission, the Bureau of Fraudulent Claims, the Department of Insurance, the Department of Industrial Relations, local law enforcement agencies, and district attorneys in identifying, investigating, and prosecuting workers' compensation fraud and willful failure to secure payment of workers' compensation.
The civil penalties for fraud and solicitation provided in §3820 are increased. New §3822 requires the AD annually to warn every employer, claims adjuster, third party administrator, physician, and attorney that participates in the workers' compensation system against committing workers' compensation fraud and to specify the penalties.
Vocational Rehabilitation
An employer and a represented employee will be able to settle the employee's right to prospective vocational rehabilitation for not over $10,000 for "use in self-directed vocational rehabilitation" if the settlement is approved by the vocational rehabilitation unit after finding that the employee "knowingly and voluntarily agreed to relinquish his or her rehabilitation rights." A settlement may only be disapproved if the RU finds that rehabilitation services are necessary to return the employee to suitable gainful employment.
Loss Control Services
It will no longer be necessary for insurers to have their occupational safety and health loss control consultation services certified by the Director of Industrial Relations, but they must continue to offer services that are adequate to identify the hazards exposing the insured to significant workers' compensation losses, and to advise the insured of steps needed to mitigate the losses.
In place of the certification program, there will be a loss control services coordinator who will inform employers of the availability of loss control consultation services and respond to their questions and complaints about the services provided by their insurer. If an employer and an insurer are unable to agree on a solution to a complaint, the coordinator will investigate and recommend action necessary to bring the loss control program into compliance. The cost of providing the coordinator services will come from the Workers' Occupational Safety and Health Education Fund, but no more than 20 percent of that fund may be expended annually for that purpose.
The remainder of the fund, which will be financed by assessments on insurers, will be expended by CHSWC for a worker occupational safety and health training and education program to promote awareness of the need for prevention education, to develop and provide injury and illness prevention education programs for employees, and to deliver these programs through a statewide network of providers. The programs may be conducted directly by CHSWC or by contracts or interagency agreements. An employer and worker advisory board will guide development of curricula, teaching methods, and specific occupational safety and health course material. This board will also assist in providing links to the target audience and broadening partnerships with worker, labor, and other organizations able to reach the target audience.
The curricula will include the elements of prevention programs and hazard communication. Additional training will be provided for industries on the high hazard list, hazards causing significant worker injuries or compensation costs, industries or trades with numerous or significant injuries, groups with special needs (such as language barriers or limited literacy), young workers, and other traditionally underserved groups of workers. Priority will be given to training workers able to train others and workers with health and safety responsibilities. The program will operate libraries and distribution systems for occupational safety and health training material.
The Speaker of the Assembly and the President pro Tempore of the Senate, or their designees, are added to the board of directors of the State Compensation Insurance Fund as ex officio, nonvoting members. The voting members must have been policyholders (or employees or members of a policyholder) for a year immediately preceding appointment, and must continue in this status during the entire term as director.
All advertisements of the Fund must state "The State Compensation Insurance Fund is not a branch of the State of California." The Fund may commission an independent study, with the assistance of an investment banking firm, to determine the feasibility of the Fund's issuing bonds or securities. Fund reserves will be invested "in a way as to realize the maximum return consistent with safe and prudent management practices" rather than the current 3-1/2 percent.
Several obsolete provisions relating to the Fund are amended to reflect current realities, e.g., premium rates will be set by the board of directors rather than by the Industrial Accident Commission. The Fund need no longer file its rates with DIR and all county and city clerks.
Insurance companies are authorized to increase rates on policies issued before January 1, 2003, up to the pure premium rate increase approved by the Insurance Commissioner reflecting the cost of the change in benefit levels authorized by AB 749.
Miscellaneous Provisions
The portions of Labor Code §3762 restricting the medical information that an insurer or third-party administrator may give to the employer have been amended to make permissible the diagnosis of the mental or physical condition for which compensation is claimed and the treatment provided for the condition in addition to medical information necessary for the employer to have in order to modify the employee's work duties.
New Labor Code §3201.7 permits carve outs in the aerospace or timber industries. The provisions are essentially the same as those in §3201.5 (construction industry carve outs), but there is an added requirement that an employer include with its original application an agreed framework for implementation of their alternative system.
Commercial Code §9109 is amended to exempt from the definition of security interest in personal property a claim or right of an employee or employee's dependents to receive workers' compensation benefits.
New CHSWC Functions
In drafting AB 749, the Legislature not only relied heavily on CHSWC studies and recommendations, but also directed CHSWC to provide on going advice to others. For example, the administrative director, in consultation with CHSWC and others, must conduct a study of medical treatment provided to injured workers covering the rising costs and utilization of medical treatment, case management, ways to attain early and sustained return to work, physician utilization, quality of care, outcome measurement, and patient satisfaction. Similarly, the AD, with the assistance of CHSWC and the Employment Development Department, must make recommendations regarding payments to migratory and seasonal farm workers.


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Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Cranberry Cream Cheese Coffeecake with Streusel Topping . . .
Well, the tree's finally up and twinkling away, as are the Christmas lights outside. I baked what felt like twelve thousand cookies last week, and still have tons of dough leftover in case more(!) are needed. So, yes, progress is evident around here. But I haven't yet wrapped a single gift, nor have I sent out a single card; they're on the agenda over the next couple of days. In the midst of all this bustle, I somehow decided to experiment on Saturday afternoon with a coffeecake recipe, and the results were pretty yummy (or, if you prefer, "scrummy"--sort of short for scrumptious--as my Ireland-based baking-friend, June, would say). I was particularly pleased at this cake's staying power; even this morning, it was still very moist and good.
When you're trying to figure out what to serve on Christmas morning for breakfast or brunch, a homemade coffeecake that can be produced ahead of time, and that can be counted on not to dry out before it's served, is like money in the bank. I tried a little slice this morning to see how it was holding up, and I actually think it's improved with age. Don't you love it when something you've made does that?
About this recipe . . .
My version of this recipe has three key parts: the cakey base, the cranberry filling, and a cheese-cake-like creamy filling that you drizzle beneath and atop the cranberry layer. I took many liberties in adapting it from this lovely raspberry ripple tea cake that I found in A Bloggable Life.
I offer one caveat with this recipe. Were I to make this cake again (and I definitely would) I'd absolutely use a 9" or 10" springform pan with 2" sides, versus a 10" tart pan with 1" sides. Despite the pretty scalloped edge, it wasn't big enough. I had to trim off the outer edge of my cake when it came out of the oven because it rose over the sides (I neglected to take pictures of that little episode).
Cranberry Cream Cheese Coffeecake with Streusel Topping
(For a printable version of this recipe, click here!)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour, or coat with baking spray, a 9" or 10" springform pan (not a 10" tart pan; see my note in the blog post above regarding the need for a springform pan of this size).
Ingredients for the cranberry filling:
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
Scant 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 Tbsp. corn starch
1 and 1/2 Tbsp. orange juice
Ingredients for the cream cheese filling:
6 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Ingredients for the cake base and streusel:
2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I used unbleached.)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cold unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt (I used coarse kosher.)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup buttermilk, or 3/4 cup plain yogurt that's been thinned with a tablespoon or two of milk
To make the cranberry filling:
In a medium-size heavy saucepan, heat the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and spices on medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture starts to bubble. Turn the heat down and let it simmer until it starts to thicken. In a very small bowl, mix the corn starch with the 1 and 1/2 Tbsp. of cold orange juice; stir until it looks completely smooth. Pour it slowly into the hot cranberries, stirring constantly. Raise the heat a little and keep stirring slowly until the mixture noticeably thickens up. Cook another minute or two. Take the pot off the heat and set it aside to cool.
To make the cream cheese filling:
Beat the softened cream cheese for a couple of minutes, on low speed, until smooth. Add in the lightly beaten egg. Gradually pour in the sugar, still on low speed; beat for a couple more minutes until completely smooth. Set aside.
To make the cake batter and streusel, and to assemble the cake:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and sugar. Using a hand held pastry blender, cut in the cold butter until the biggest lumps are no larger than peas. Scoop out 1/2 cup of this mixture and set aside; this will be used for your streusel topping.
Into the large bowl add the baking powder, baking soda, and salt, stirring to distribute evenly. Hollow out a well in the middle of the bowl. In another small bowl, whisk together lightly the egg, and the buttermilk or thinned yogurt, whichever you're using. Pour this into the dry ingredients, stirring only to moisten and combine. The batter will seem pretty thick.
Spread 2/3 of the batter into the prepared pan, nudging the batter up the sides just a bit to create a rimmed effect (easiest if you use a small offset spatula, or the back of a spoon). Drizzle half of the cream cheese filling over this.
Spread all of the cranberry filling carefully over that, being careful to keep it away from the sides of the pan. Drizzle the remaining cream cheese filling over the cranberries, again avoiding the sides of the pan.
Now, gently spread the remaining batter over the top, all the way to the sides, then sprinkle on all of the streusel.
With the pan placed on a cookie sheet, bake the cake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or more, until the top looks lightly golden.
Let the cake cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes before attempting to remove the sides of the pan. Let it finish cooling while still on the springform pan's base, placed on a rack.
Stays nice and moist for two days or more if well-covered.
(If you'd like to comment on this post, or to read existing comments, please click on the purple COMMENTS below!)
|Reader reactions:
13 comments:
- Mal said...
This has so many of my favorite things (cranberries, cream cheese and streusel topping) I'm pinning this to make soon, it looks amazing!
- December 20, 2011 at 10:39 AM
- Maria said...
Wow, nice one. Total overkill! :) It should be named Cranberry Bomb or something like that. It will be a blessing from the sky with a glass of fresh orange juice. Thanks for fantastic how-to
- December 20, 2011 at 5:44 PM
Wow! This is not only scrummy, but yummy and dee-lish...and that's only just looking at the photos!
I think I've probably made what also seemed and felt like twelve thousand cookies (especially sugar cookies - super scrummy!) and dozens upon dozens of mini mince pies (emmm...that's sweet mincemeat, not mince as in beef...the things you learn after moving to and living in Ireland!).
I'm definitely going to have to make this coffeecake (I love and adore as well as miss 'real' coffee cake (like the kind I used to buy and sometimes bake back in New York).
Thanks for sharing this beauty of a cheesecake, Jane. Especially the gorgeous streusel topping and the cranberry filling. Oh...and of course...the cream cheese. How I am so missing New York cheesecake right now, Jane.
If you and I don't get the chance (or the time) to chat properly before then, I wish you and your fellas (and all your many blog readers) a lovely and very happy Christmas...or, as we say here, Nollaig Shona dhuitt.'
- December 20, 2011 at 6:02 PM
- Jane said...
Hi Mal,
Thanks very much! My favorite things too.
:) Jane
Hi Maria,
Cranberry Bomb! I love that name. Let's call it that!
Jane :)
Hey there June,
Sounds like you've been incredibly busy there in Ireland. Thanks so much for your nice comments, and I hope you and Thomas have a fantastic Christmas!
Your baking pal,
Jane :)
- December 20, 2011 at 9:58 PM
- Elena said...
I like cranberries and cheese, such a great combination for Christmas!
- December 21, 2011 at 7:09 AM
The only one that likes cranberries in this house is me - I adore them, but don't bake anything with them because I'd have to eat it all and my hips can't take that anymore. So, what would you suggest as a substitution?
- December 22, 2011 at 12:43 AM
- Paula said...
Beautiful and very festive looking.
- December 22, 2011 at 1:16 AM
- Tummy Delites said...
wow...it is too tempting.....the red colour add to the festive spirit of christmas......
- December 28, 2011 at 9:11 AM
- The Experimental Cook said...
I was in London and suddenly wondered what Jane would be baking this Christmas. This, I can't do in a rented apartment with no kitchen scale, so I settled for a similar pie in Borough Market. I think yours would taste better, because the smell of baked cake is something the market could not provide.
Happy New Year!
- December 30, 2011 at 4:34 AM
- Hanaâ said...
What a beautiful and colorful tart, Jane. I love the tartness of cranberries :o)
I hope you're doing well. I'd like to wish you and your family a wonderful and sweet New Year filled love, happiness and good health! :o)
- December 30, 2011 at 6:28 PM
- kitchen flavours said...
That is a beautiful cake and looks really good!
Happy New Year and wish you a wonderful 2012!
- December 31, 2011 at 9:41 PM
- Bunny said...
This absolutely the best looking cranberry coffee cake I've ever seen! I love this and so versatile, just think of the summer fruits you could put in this!
- January 5, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Yummy and beautiful!
- January 24, 2012 at 6:57 PM


text:
Hi PP
I would really appreciate your support with this one because it's really upsetting me.
As some of you know, I come from a very dysfunctional childhood including sexual abuse by my father and profound abandonment. My brother (six years older), whilst not molested, was also treated very badly, beaten up by our father and put down on a frequent basis.
Over the years, we have stuck together and been each other's support. He is the only family I really have. When people ask me how I coped so well, my first answer is always 'my brother'.
But lately things haven't been going so well and today it all erupted, something which I realise now, has been brewing for some time.
I feel that he has sometimes been quite toxic towards me. I used to look up to him so much, and believe everything he said to be totally the case. I've spent, I'm gonna go with 100's of hours listening to him rant about how unfair the world is, how people are only out for themselves, how women are shallow and don't like him etc... and I think it's affected my worldview. As children, he got somewhat violent with me on at least one occasion, which I don't blame him for because he was a child too. But since being an adult he has also spat on me once when I opened my bedroom door too forcefully and stubbed his toe by accident, he has blamed me when our mum said she would commit suicide as a response to finding out I'd had sex with a boy for the first time when I was 15 (see? Dysfunctional.), and there was that time he screamed at me whilst his was driving and recklessly turned the steering wheel in opposite directions which made me think we were gonna crash.
I feel so sad as I recount these incidents, because I've always put him on a pedestal and sort of pushed away those memories... I guess I needed to believe he was the best older brother, 'cause I had no one else.
Lately, nothing like that has happened. But he is depressed. He runs a business but it isn't going well. I've tried talking to him, offering practical advice, consoling him, relating to him, listening, empathising, reassuring... nothing works. When he's in a good mood, he's the most wonderful, funny, endearing person... but so often these days he's just kinda indifferent about things. I've tried to motivate him but he does insist on being a victim. He's living in the past, and if I press the point even slightly, he can snap and get nasty. Next thing I know he's writing long, hurtful FB messages about my character and it's really hurting me.
I feel he's not really interested in my life. well, it's worse than that. I think he's envious.
Things are going fantastically well for me at the moment, by contrast, and I think it's causing tension. There's no way I can tell him about my day, my gym session, my course, my latest booking, the wonderful thing my BF just did for me, our next holiday plan... without him making a stark comparison. That's what I think is going on here.
So today he drops it on me - over FB, of course - that he feels distant towards me because I judge him all the time. Something in me snapped. I've tried SO hard, over the years, to be there for him, to be good. The last time we spoke on the phone, I'd just booked flights for him to come on holiday with us as a present. So, this time, I really did set a boundary down and, where I would normally go straight into reassurance mode (despite the cost to myself of doing so), this time I essentially told him, I won't be an emotional punch bag any more, this isn't about me, and he needs to watch his words.
He refuses to speak on the phone, only FB, and when I asked him to be specific about exactly what it is I've done wrong, he can't really say much except 'you're doing it right now' - that kind of self-defeating argument where there's simply no way out for me. Then he says there's no point to talk because 'you don't want to understand, you just want to win.'
Which drives me mad because that is the OPPOSITE of how I've tried to approach these onslaughts when they've occurred in the past. But this time, I really AM being more like what he's saying I am. I really am feeling like enough's enough. He knows very well how much these things upset me, how badly I need things to be resolved asap, but he's dragging it out and it feels deliberate. I even think he's perhaps trying to bring me down a peg or two. I think I've been too happy for his liking.
I am leaving the UK in a matter of weeks, to go and live abroad. I do feel that this has something to do with it. My brother repeated that he felt 'distant' towards me because of how I've apparently been towards him (whilst still taking the time to demonise me quite hurtfully), and when I try to stick up for myself (which, again, is new behaviour for me, I usually just endure it..), hits me with a 'is that supposed to make me less distant?'
He is literally dangling the prospect of abandonment over my head and it's very hurtful. Then he accused me of not giving a you-know-what. My mind has been reeling from these accusations all day.
At the same time, all the above incidents I mentioned at the start have been coming back into my awareness. And, actually, a part of me is also quite furious. The worst thing I have ever done to him is maliciously put water on his keyboard when I was 9. I haven't spat at him or screamed at him or made him feel guilty for having sex. I have also been quick to resolve things ASAP in the past, not only for myself, but for his sake as well, because I know how fragile he is.
I have always tried my darn best to be compassionate and aware. And I feel he's kind of used that. So last words from me were that I will not communicate any further over FB, he must speak to me on the phone as an adult ('so judgemental!'), and until then, he can stay distant.
I'm very hurt and this really isn't what I need just when I was getting excited for my move. Honestly PP, the longer he leaves it to resolve, the longer I'm gonna have to ask myself if I even want to be close to him anymore, after all these repeat incidents and everything that came before. As I get happier in my personal life, I am finding that people are acting weird/moving away, and others are moving in.
I had hoped so badly that my brother would be able to stay on my team, but now I hope I'm gonna become distant too. Genuinely distant, not just saying that to provoke a response from him, which is what I feel he's doing to me and it's cruel.