Traction Salt and the Atlanta Traffic Nightmare of January 2014

Atlanta, Georgia, USA under ideal sunny conditions has horrible traffic jams at rush hour.  Now, add ice and snow to the rush hour traffic with or without the roads being salted by the city . . .  that is how the January 2014 traffic nightmare happened.  (i.e. thousands of car accidents and abandoned cars)

So let's take a look at how salting the roads and sidewalks BEFORE the snow storm can make a difference.  In the picture above,  do you see the clear pathway in the middle of the snowy patches?

Well, I coated that clear area in front of my hair salon entrance with "traction salt" BEFORE the snow hit.  So withOUT any plowing and withOUT any other effort besides putting out the "traction salt,"  my salon entrance remained clear throughout the snow storm in Lake Norman, NC.

Georgia may have received more snow than my area in North Carolina, but clearly from this picture, you can see using my salon entrance as an example that salting the roads and sidewalks before the snow and ice hits makes a 100% difference.

So if all the roads and interstates were properly salted before the snow storm, I really think that Atlanta, Georgia would have had less motor vehicle accidents and less gridlock.

The interstates became a parking lot for two days according to the news reports.  I do not want to imagine getting stuck outside in the cold for an extra six hours on an interstate.  Can you say bathroom? Heat? Gasoline?  Wow!

Thank God for those who opened their stores and homes to strangers for warmth, and for those of you interested in purchasing "traction salt,"  home improvement stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot sell the large sacks for $18 or less.  It is toxic, and  protective gloves should be used to distribute the salt out, but it may be worth it to have on hand.

Employment Blacklist Tactics

So you received a job "rejection letter" stating the following :

 "We regret to inform you that we have determined we cannot offer you a position within our organization at this time."  

This may be a sign that you are on a blacklist.

If the company that you are suing (the Defendant) asks for a list of companies that you have applied for employment opportunities, please consider this before sharing your information:

"Their attorneys may actually subpoena each of your job application(s) from each company that you provide on your list.  

This would be a "blacklist tactic" to scare other employers from hiring you.

This article is inspired by my own personal experience as well as personal experiences of others that have shared their Carolinas Healthcare System stories with me.

Buying a Car? Look out for the GAP Insurance!

Should you trust the auto finance people at the dealership?  Definitely not.  If you see "Gap Insurance" listed on your itemized car paperwork, then ask the finance person what it is?  If they tell you "your loan requires this"  versus actually telling you what "gap insurance" is . . .   I would walk away without signing the deal until you speak with an attorney who can review your paperwork. You need someone who has your best interest.  The dealership is just trying to sell the car by all means necessary.

GAP Insurance is attached to a loan when the likelihood is high that you will eventually owe more than what the car is worth.  The car may be the type that will depreciate quickly.  Or your interest rate may be so high that you will not be able to touch the principal owed until years down the road.  Or you just may be paying too much for the car up front.

Regardless, GAP Insurance is designed to safeguard the finance company in case the car is totalled and there's a huge "gap" between what the car is worth and what you owe.

Non-Disparagement Clause: NO Deal!

"Employee agrees not to make any statements, written or oral, to anyone, including the press or other media, or to any partner of CHS regarding Employee's departure from employment except as may be approved by CHS in advance and in writing.  Employee further agrees not to take any action that would or might disrupt, impair or affect adversely CHS and its affiliates or their employees, officers, commissioners, directors or agents, or place CHS or such individuals in any negative light."

Well, good thing that I did not sign the separation agreement with Carolinas Healthcare System.  Otherwise, I would not be able to go on my public speaking tour to tell everyone about my employment experience with the multi-billion dollar non-profit organization.  Can you say "making lemonade out of lemons?"

I am excited about sharing my story and becoming a consultant on workplace fairness.

My first tip to anyone accepting a settlement and/or agreement be careful of the "employment" clause.

"In exchange for the Severance payments and other consideration provided hereunder by CHS, Employee agrees not to re-apply for employment with CHS or any of its affiliates, successors, or managed entities."

I have discovered other  CHS former employees that have signed such agreements have not been able to find employment because Carolinas Healthcare System has been buying up so many smaller practices that it limits job opportunities to apply and stay within the healthcare industry in this region.  I even found a case Miller vs. Carolinas Healthcare System which alleges that Carolinas Healthcare System practices blacklisting former employees that speak out against management.

This brings me to my second tip: Without a mutual non-disparagement clause, you the employee or former employee may not be protected from CHS publicizing negative remarks about you in the form of "blacklisting" and any other  format. CHS attorneys will intentionally omit truth for the purpose of making you look incompetent.  CHS human resources department at times will attempt to collect your side of the story by oral notetaking declaring that they are acting as a neutral party only to later work against you to distort the facts and inject their own CHS biased opinion.

In a nutshell, without a mutual non-disparagement clause, get ready for some dirt to get thrown your way. I suggest constantly collecting and organizing all supporting documentation as soon as the first discriminatory act begins.  CHS is not going to even allow you time to clock out on your last day of work.  They will clock you out after you leave the premises if you are non-exempt ( hourly.)  You should most definitely assume that CHS will try to make your transition to other employment opportunities a "living hell" and then multiply that by ten. Trust me - CHS has had plenty of practice over the years. The stories that I've encountered thus far have been consistently alarming.

Anyone desiring me to speak on my experiences and discoveries, please feel free to contact me at Applebaum Enterprises.

Topics that I can cover:

•  Discrimination based on natural hairstyling
•  Hostile work environment
•  EEOC complaints
•  Disparagement of active CHS Employees by CHS Attorneys addressed to the EEOC 
•  CHS Hiring practices with or without healthcare experience
•  CHS right to randomly post or "not post" job vacancies
•  MedCost and CHS co-ownership regarding employee medical benefits
• MedCost major medical and MedCost COBRA are two different and separate databases.
•  and much, much more.

My Consultation fee and/or speaking fees are negotiable depending on travel arrangements.  I just want to be able to help others by sharing my extraordinary seven year journey with  the Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority d/b/a Carolinas Healthcare System.

Improper Bra Fit Causes Bra Bruising

The bruise pictured is from a wireless alternative bra.  The bra was not comprised of metal wire, but a flexible plastic underwire.  Regardless the width of the bra was too long and was digging into the skin.  It is not until the end of a busy day when you remove the bra only to discover that you are bruised.  The bralettes allow a good rest period for those who are healing from wearing the improper bra.

The bruising should heal completely within a month or two as long as other bras are not re-injuring the bruise.  The bralettes do not give you any lift, but they are really comfortable.

Wedding Cake Topper: For Real or Gag Gift?

I found this wedding cake topper in Walmart stores.  I was absolutely rolling over laughing because everyone can probably think of a man with "cold feet" when it comes to the topic of marriage.

The question is "Would anyone dare to use this wedding cake topper on the actual day of their wedding?"

Even if the bride feels like it's been a long time coming . . .  I don't know.  I think gag gift for the bachelor party, but definitely not a wedding day topper.  Any thoughts anyone?

Swimwear that is not for Swimming

Photo credit:  www.fashionavenuenews.com and BTETV

So who needs to know how to swim to wear swimwear?  Swimwear can now be for profiling only.  The model above looks to be a "D" or "DD" cup.  To run or to swim in this lovely bikini top would probably break it.  It clearly does not look like it is built to support a large chest, but it certainly accentuates it.

I love the "coral" color.  The picture may be digitally enhanced with the basketball, but it is definitely a sensual and sexy picture in a very classy kind of way.  The model seems to be tall and slim without being too skinny.

I really love the look; although, how do you sell swimwear that is not made for swimming?  I don't know, but one fashionavenuenews subscriber says she owns 20 bathing suits, but she can not swim.  Smile.

It's a new generation!

Dessert at Killingtons Restaurant and Pub

Besides their burgers and their baby back ribs, the desserts are always delicious!  On the weekends, they feature a "dessert of the day."  During the weekday, they offer the brownie a la mode as well as a delicious apple pie.

Their menu includes salads as well.  Please check out Killingtons Restaurant and Pub for drinks and desserts! Tuesdays are Bingo night . . . a great opportunity to win Killingtons gift cards toward your meal purchase.  Bingo starts at 7pm, and you can join the fun as late as 8pm. The last bingo game is worth $250.00, but please inquire at Killingtons for the full details!