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Dock in Harbor Towers condo

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 18 Januari 2014 | 16.31

The 640-unit Harbor Towers­ complex has undergone an extensive rehabilitation, including all new windows, a $74 million heating, air and electrical upgrade and, most recently, renovated lobbies and common hallways.

Unit 10F is on the 10th floor at 85 East India Wharf, one of the complex's two 40-story towers built in 1971. It features a renovated kitchen, a large open living/­dining area with great harbor views and two bedrooms with great Financial District views. The unit, which has a new half bath, French doors and carpeting, is on the market for $1,100,000.

The lobby, with contemporary lighting and a 24/7 concierge, leads to reconditioned elevators and up to newly carpeted common hallways with sconce lighting.

Unit 10F opens into a long ceramic-tiled foyer and hallway lined with closets.

To the left is a track-lit renovated kitchen with 25 cabinets, including six large pantry cabinets in an added built-in. Counters have gray Corian tops as does an island with a gas stovetop and seating for three. Updated stainless steel appliances include a Bosch dishwasher and double wall ovens, and there's a side-by-side GE refrigerator.

Off the kitchen, a half bath with a patterned porcelain sink and white tile floors was added six years ago.

The kitchen opens into a large, open dining/­living area that was recently re-carpeted and features a wall of windows overlooking Rowes Wharf, Fan Pier and Boston Harbor. There's track lighting over the dining­ room area as well as a granite-topped built-in with shelving and cabinets under the windows. A sliding glass door at the far end of the living­ area opens out to a private concrete-sided balcony.

A new set of French doors from the living room lead into the second bedroom, currently used as a home office/study. This room has carpeting over parquet floors and has two windows with great Financial District views.

The adjacent master bedroom suite also has carpet over parquet floors and windows with great city views. There's a recently added walk-in closet with built-in wardrobes, but the white ceramic tiled en-suite master bathroom could use some updating.

Across the hall, a second full bath has been reno­vated, with ceramic tile floors and walls around a glass-doored tub and shower.

The unit does not have an in-unit washer and dryer, although their use has recently been approved by the condo board. There is a common laundry room, which is about to be renovated.

Parking is at the Harbor Garage across the street and costs an additional $388 a month per space for residents.

The $1,185 monthly condo fee includes heat, hot water and central air-conditioning, and also services such as a 24/7 concierge and an outdoor heated pool.

Broker: Susan gram and Karen Peters of Otis & Ahearn Real Estate at 617-227-6070


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BMW X-Drive will make you believe

It would be easy to think the BMW 428i is just a rebadged 3 Series, since they've discontinued the 3 Series coupe, but this is a new build from the ground up. Lower, wider and with more fuel-efficient powerplants, this refreshing and elegant sportster begs to be driven and boy, it's just a blast to drive.

Our four-cylinder 2.0 -liter turbo cranked out 241 horsepower and is mated to a smooth-shifting, powerful and quick accelerating eight-speed automatic. Don't expect a guttural growl out of this motor — it purrs like a kitten while delivering plenty of pop. The X-Drive full-time all-wheel-drive feature worked very well in rain and light snow, but heavy snow calls for performance winter tires.

One drawback to the 
X-Drive is the lack of a manual transmission option with a stick only available on the rear-wheel models. BMW does offer selectable driving modes for the automatic though, and without question the Sport mode is the preferred one for the 428i. The LCD shows how the mode affects the way the car changes gears, power distribution to the wheels, suspension settings and engine performance. I ran it in Comfort on the highway and the gas mileage increased proportionally. I thought the car's performance really suffered in ECO, but once again the mileage improved. Mileage is rated at 22 city and 33 highway. One note: Disable the annoying auto-on auto-stop feature; it's very rough.

The classic BMW split grill sets apart the cat-like wraparound directional headlamps that blend into the refined sweeping lines that tuck into the rear lamps. The shark-like fender gills actually are functional, working in conjunction with the brakes to help direct airflow over the discs to help cool them.

A comfortable but very understated leather and brushed metal interior is well crafted, moderately quiet and surprisingly roomy. Two gauges adorn the dash with electronic readouts for radio and car info. Rear-seat passengers will manage for short jaunts, but I would not recommend a long journey for them. However, for you and your favorite someone, the car is a neat highway cruiser and touring about will be fun. The trunk provided enough space for bags or groceries and easily will haul your gear for a holiday.

But sporty driving is the hallmark of the BMW. And I love the way the 428i delivers with light and responsive steering. This is just a fun, easy car to drive. Drop into the racing-
inspired driver's seat, grab the leather-wrapped steering wheel and you'll feel as if all the controls were 
custom-designed. For a low-slung two-door, the sight lines were good except for backing up. The beautiful lines, with its flared fenders and swept-up rear, do sacrifice some rear vision; however, the backup camera and warnings proved very useful and made parking easier.

European carmakers are known for the quick escalation in price as you build out your ride but at a $42,500 starting price, Bimmer comes well-equipped out of the factory. Our $50,225 M Sport was a tricked out tester that included the Cold Weather, Driver Assistance and Dynamic Handing Packages in addition to the upgraded M-sport Brakes. Only missing was the Technology Package that adds navigation, a larger LCD, a HUD and Bluetooth connectivity.

Make sure to swap out to performance snow tires or all-seasons in the winter. I ran into a pretty good nor'easter and the performance tires struggled even with the full-time all-wheel drive. Some ice and snow buildup on the alloys caused a brief rough ride until they heated up and spun off the debris. You've invested in this car so instead of garaging it for the winter, spend a few extra dollars to maximize your BMW as a year-round driver.

BMW has struck a nice balance in the luxury coupe field with its handsome styling and spacious interior and cements itself against some tough competition such as the Audi A5, Infiniti Q60 and the Mercedes-Benz C-class.


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Xway parking site gets new lighting

State and city officials flipped the switch yesterday to turn on the lights over a former MassDOT storage area beneath the Southeast Expressway in the South End that is being developed into new parking lots.

The three lots are on an eight-acre swath under I-93 — from Herald Street to Randolph Street — and the first two are expected to be active this spring. The parking lots will be staffed 24-hours a day. MassDOT will recover the 
$2.5 million upfront cost through revenue generated by the new parking lots.

The redevelopment is the result of a partnership between MassDOT, which formed a community advisory group, NSTAR and the developer of a nearby parcel on Albany Street.


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B.R.A. OKs $500M Landmark center

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 17 Januari 2014 | 16.30

Mayor Martin J. Walsh told hundreds of retailers the city will soon usher in a "new era of transparency" at the Boston Redevelopment Authority, just hours before the agency met for the first time since he took office, approving a massive Landmark Center development project in the Fenway — with full property taxes.

"From big business to small business, from neighborhood businesses and downtown businesses, we will make reforms, including better organization of our staff under a new economic development chief," Walsh told real estate professionals and investors at the Colliers International Annual Seminar at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center yesterday. "That will keep our economy growing. We will make Boston a leader in streamline transparent and effective job and business growth from Seaport Square to Dudley Square."

The Herald first reported Sunday that Walsh would seek a brand-new cabinet-level economic development czar to oversee the BRA and submit Beacon Hill legislation to reform the agency. Brian P. Golden, a former state representative and BRA executive director, has been named the agency's interim director. Walsh will also call for an independent audit of the BRA, though he's been short on specifics about what the probe will focus on.

Meanwhile, the BRA approved a major redevelopment of Landmark Center last night.

The Landmark developers will have to pay property taxes on the new construction. The same property had been previously granted tax breaks as a blighted area in 1996. The BRA came under fire following Herald reports during the final months of the Menino administration for granting breaks to high-end projects. Yesterday's approval with taxes took place without fanfare.

The project will create 550 apartments, 110,000 square feet of new retail space, 75,000 square feet for a new Wegman's grocery store, and 15,000 square feet of office space and parking. The $500 million development will feature three residential towers, a new food court and the Wegmans and have clear access to the T, developers said. They plan to demolish much of the existing building, but maintain the historic 200-foot Landmark tower, originally built in the 1920s for Sears, Roebuck and Co.

"It's been years in the Fenway working on various buildings and master planning and revitalizing of the neighborhood," said Steven Samuels of Samuels & Associates, the developer. "When acquisition of Landmark became available a couple of years ago, we envisioned it as a key piece in the final turnaround of the Fenway."


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High-end rentals offer way of life

It may be off-season for rentals, but a thousand high-end apartments have hit the Boston market.

The Victor near North Station has come on with 286 units, there's 381 apartments at the Kensington in Chinatown, the 99-unit Gatehouse 75 in Charlestown is also open. The 50 units at 11 West Broadway in Southie and the 202 units at 315 on A in Fort Point are both ready for move in.

The race is on to sign up tenants, and the developers believe that there's a pent-up demand out there. Normally it takes about a year to fully lease larger rental buildings.

Rents are high. At The Victor, they start at $2,795 for a studio up to $5,000 for one or two-bedroom units. The Kensington rents are even higher, ranging from $2,920 for a one-bedroom up to a staggering $10,645 for an upper-floor two bedroom. Rents at 315 on A straddle the two, starting at $2,279 for a studio, up to $5,289 for an upper-floor two bedroom.

They say in real estate it's all about location, location, location. But for these big new luxury apartment buildings, that's only part of the draw. Just as important are the amenities and creating a great urban living experience for their tenants.

These buildings offer condo building finishes, with quartz and granite counters and custom cabinets, on-site fitness centers — so you don't have to join a health club — and elaborate outdoor terraces that provide a sense of 
nature in the hard-edge city. They have common kitchen areas, lounges and club rooms where residents can serve meals or host a party and where guests can come over to watch a game. And they offer conference rooms and work spaces that allow residents who work at home to present a more professional face to their clients.

"The rents are high, but people are seeing the value in all the amenities, and that you can have it all right here in the building," said Drew Boujoulian, The Kensington's resident services manager. And that even includes dog-walking and pet-sitting services.

It appears to be drawing tenants. The Kensington is already 48 percent leased.

These buildings create their own neighborhoods even as they exist in larger neighborhoods. Residents can go out and get to know their surroundings, or if they don't have the time or inclination, create a community in the building they live in.

And these buildings aren't just drawing young professionals, but a lot of empty-nesters, testing the water for city living in 
environments that help them ease into urban life.

Each building has its own personality. The Victor has a wood-floored sports court — a homage to the nearby TD Garden — and a unique gift-wrapping station. At 315 on A, there's a common kitchen/lounge and fitness center on the 20th floor offering spectacular views. The Kensington has an outdoor pool and a shared car service.

The Victor seems more for corporate people, The Kensington has an air of urban exclusivity, while 315 on A targets its appeal to creative types.

Kelly Saito, president of 315 on A developer Gerding Edlen, added: "One big difference between what we offer and other big apartment dwellers is our focus on sustainability."

From the reclaimed wood on the lobby floor to its photovoltaic array on the roof, to the building's cogeneration heating and cooling system, 315 on A 
offers every imaginable green amenity.

The pitch seems to be working. Jessica Ryan, property manager of 
315 on A, said 26 percent of the building is leased.

Even though The Victor has only leased 10 percent of its units, the building's community manager 
Gabrielle Strahl says things are picking up, with eight leases already signed this month. And she doesn't even mind that lease-up is proceeding slowly.

"It's given me time to work out the hiccups and get to know personally everyone who's moved in here," Strahl said. "You don't get to do that when it gets really busy."


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Partners: State board wrong on South Shore Hospital acquisition

Medical giant Partners HealthCare is hitting back after a state commission last month said its proposed acquisition of South Shore Hospital would raise costs and do nothing for the quality of care.

In a document it will give the Health Policy Commission today, the nonprofit health care provider accuses the board of ignoring facts and misreading others.

Partners calls the commission's estimate that the deal will add $23 million to $26 million in annual health care costs "merely speculation."

Already the biggest hospital system in Massachusetts, Partners argues that acquiring South Shore Hospital in Weymouth will bring "value and efficiencies" to the region.

This is the first time the Health Policy Commission, a new body formed by a 2012 health care cost-containment law, has challenged a hospital acquisition.


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Endorsement choices reflect QBs’ images

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 14 Januari 2014 | 16.30

One's endorsements capitalize on his chiseled good looks, the other's on his Everyman appeal.

While the merchandise Tom Brady touts is fastidiously selected and tends to involve fashion — from Under Armour and Movado watches to those now ubiquitous Ugg boots — Peyton Manning seems to have endorsed everything but the kitchen sink, often with affable, self-deprecating humor.

"Each of them has long ago chosen their marketing strategies very shrewdly," said Steve Connelly of the Boston ad agency Connelly Partners. "Manning uses marketing to enhance his likeability, whereas Brady does not. The Tom Brady brand is more aspirational and very influenced, I think, by his wife," model Gisele Bundchen.

The plethora of products Manning has endorsed, by contrast, run the gamut of MasterCard, Reebok, DirecTV, Gatorade, Oreos, Wheaties and Papa John's Pizza.

"Manning is a bit closer to Everyman; Brady is a little bit outside Everyman because of his looks and because of his relationship with his wife," agreed Chris Colbert, chairman of Holland-Mark, a Boston advertising and marketing firm, though he added, "Both are perceived as good guys."

Last year alone, Manning had the most endorsements of any football player — worth $12 million to Brady's $7 million — according to Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, on which both were featured in the Top 20.


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Adviser: Globe no hobby for John Henry

Former Hill Holliday CEO Mike Sheehan said yesterday his new gig as an advertising adviser to Boston Globe owner John Henry is focused on maximizing revenue, and didn't rule out a rebranding of the broadsheet, while emphasizing Henry is treating his own role as a "full-time job."

"The Globe has a very attractive audience," Sheehan told the Herald. "Like any media operation, they have to be vigilant about making sure their advertisers know that and that they have great opportunities to reach them."

Sheehan said there's no set timetable for how long he'll be advising the broadsheet. "To be perfectly frank, I just want to help where I can help for as long as it takes to really make this place start humming," said Sheehan, who is chairman of the Hub ad agency.

Sheehan also didn't rule out the possibility of re-branding the broadsheet, saying, "We're figuring it out, and we will figure it out."

Asked if Hill Holliday founder Jack Connors — who was once part of a team that put in its own bid to buy the Globe from the New York Times Co. — might also advise Henry, Sheehan noted the two do have a relationship.

"I don't know," said Sheehan. "He knows John well. I know he knows the newspaper business well."

Connors didn't return a message yesterday.

Henry last week appealed to business bigwigs for their support during a speech at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. He plans to hire a chief operating officer who he expects to be local, and announced plans for a Globe television network.

"This is certainly not going to be a hobby — it's a full-time job," Sheehan said of Henry, who also owns the Red Sox. "He's focused on making this as vibrant a business as it possibly can be. Not what it was, but what it can be."


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Dunkin Donuts brews plan to double U.S. locations

Dunkin Donuts is marching west, hoping to add 5,000 stores west of the Mississippi and double its overall presence, a major expansion beyond its core territory as the iconic New England coffee shop company pushes to become a national brand.

"We think there is significant opportunity," John Costello, president of global marketing and innovation, told the Herald. "While coffee is very competitive around the world, we think we've got a very differentiated positioning that will enable us to succeed."

Costello cited the company's innovative menu, with items such as the glazed donut breakfast sandwich. Speaking at an ad conference in Boston yesterday, Costello told advertisers that companies must "differentiate or die."

Dunkin Brands told investors yesterday it plans to double the number of Dunkin Donuts stores around the country, adding roughly 7,000 stores nationwide.

"We are delighted with Dunkin Donuts' accelerated growth across the U.S., which demonstrates ongoing strong demand for our brand," Nigel Travis, chairman and CEO of Dunkin Brands, said in a statement.

The company said it added 371 stores last year, and is expecting as many as 410 this year.

Tapping into what the company sees as a "tremendous westward expansion opportunity," the Canton-based company said it will focus on the western half of the country, where it has only 214 stores, compared to nearly 4,000 in the northeast.

Dunkin also told investors it will add a "DDPERKS" program Jan. 27, awarding points for every dollar spent and offering free drinks once a certain number of points is reached.


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Smart Body Analyzer takes fitness monitoring to an impressive scale

Written By Unknown on Senin, 13 Januari 2014 | 16.30

Withings Smart Body Analyzer ($149.95, various retailers)

Just in time to keep your New Year's Resolution on track, the newly upgraded Smart Body Analyzer is like a scale on steroids. In addition to measuring your weight, the analyzer also records your resting heart rate, a key measure of fitness, as well as your body-fat percentage and even the quality of your indoor air.

The good: The Smart Body Analyzer reimagines household scales. It syncs seamlessly to an accompanying app each time you weigh via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's easy to use and sleeker than your old scale.

The bad: Don't use this product if you have a pacemaker, as it emits a small electrical charge to collect its data.

The bottom line: If you're serious about improving your overall fitness and want to track more than just your weight, this is a worthwhile investment.


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Helping businesses get social

The city's Office of Business Development is updating its services, offering businesses social media training and taking greater advantage of technology, responding to changing needs from business owners.

At a "Social Media 
Accelerator" on Monday at Harvard's iLab in Allston, small business owners got a crash course in Twitter, Facebook and other 
social media, one of the new breed of skills small businesses need, attendees and officials said.

"It's just the next evolution," said James DiSabatino, founder of Roxy's Grilled Cheese. "It's about finding that voice and showing other people who you really are."

Alec Stern, a vice president at Constant Contact, said businesses that aren't on Twitter or Facebook are behind.

"Everyone in the game — your competition — is on it," Stern told attendees.

The OBD, whose core purpose is to help small businesses navigate the permitting and licensing process, is seeing a shift in the help businesses need, OBD Deputy Director Rafael Carbonell said, and are going to evolve the services they offer to 
businesses.

"It's going to continue to evolve based on the needs we're hearing from the businesses," Carbonell said. "You're going to continue to see us do a lot more in the innovation and technology space that specifically enhances the needs of small businesses."

In the coming weeks, the city's Main Street program will install a screen in an empty storefront in Roslindale Village that will display real-time answers to the question, "What do you want to see here?"

The responses will ultimately be used to fill the vacancy.

In a statement, Neighborhood Development Director Sheila Dillion said, "By helping small businesses harness the power of social media, we're helping our Main Streets grow. It's collaboration and innovation like this that helps takes economic development to the next level throughout our entire city."


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Southwest flight lands at wrong Mo. airport

BRANSON, Mo. — A Southwest Airlines flight that was scheduled to arrive Sunday night at Branson Airport in southwest Missouri instead landed at an airport about 7 miles northeast — with a runway about half the size of the intended destination.

Southwest Airlines Flight 4013, carrying 124 passengers and five crew members, was scheduled to go from Chicago's Midway International Airport to Branson Airport, airline spokesman Brad Hawkins said Sunday in a statement. But the Boeing 737-700 landed at Taney County Airport, which is also known as M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport.

Hawkins did not have information on why the plane went to the wrong airport. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro says the agency is investigating the incident.

"The landing was uneventful, and all customers and crew are safe," Hawkins said.

It's the second time in less than two months that a large jet has landed at the wrong airport. In November, a Boeing 747 that was supposed to deliver parts to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan., landed 9 miles north at Col. James Jabara Airport. That plane was flown by a two-person crew and had no passengers.

The website for M. Graham Clark Airport says its longest runway is 3,738 feet. Branson Airport's website says its runway is 7,140 feet long.

"The landing was really abrupt and the pilot applied the brakes really strongly," Dallas attorney Scott Schieffer, who was on the flight, told WFAA-TV. "You could hear it and you could certainly feel it."

Flight tracking website Flightaware.com said the Southwest flight landed at 6:11 p.m. Sunday. It was partly cloudy and in the high 50s in Branson at that time.

"Our ground crew from the Branson airport arrived at the airport to take care of our customers and their baggage," Hawkins said.

Flight 4013 had been scheduled to go from Branson to Dallas' Love Field. Hawkins said a plane was flown in specifically to Branson Airport around 10 p.m. to take the passengers and crew to Dallas, which flightaware.com showed landed at 11:42 p.m.

Hawkins told The Associated Press that the aircraft at M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport will be able to take off on the smaller runway, and Southwest expects to fly it out "as early as tomorrow morning."

The Taney County Sheriff's Office referred all calls to M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport. Messages left for comment from M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport were not immediately returned.


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Boston apps find common home

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 12 Januari 2014 | 16.30

One of the most popular fitness apps in the country was created in Boston, and many locals, including some who use RunKeeper, have no idea.

That's the problem Tom O'Keefe is trying to solve with DownloadBoston, an effort to increase awareness of Boston-made apps.

"We should know and be supporting our local startups," O'Keefe said. "The vast majority of the population here can't name one or two startups that are based here in Boston."

Boston has gained a reputation as a hotbed for biotech, robotics and enterprise, but consumer companies have had trouble in the past, a stigma that is slowly fading with the help of the upcoming IPO of Care.com, a Waltham company.

"It is not only possible, but advantageous to do consumer Internet companies here in Boston," said Andy Palmer, an investor and entrepreneur. "The more strong, independent but modern companies we have, the easier it is for young people to lean into startups."

In addition to eating and shopping local, people should download local, O'Keefe said.

"There's something for everything," O'Keefe said. "It's just trying to build awareness."

Big name apps like RunKeeper and Springpad, which are routinely included in "best of" lists for fitness, are both from Boston, along with more than a dozen other apps whose Boston roots have flown under the radar.

Some apps, like alcohol delivery app Drizly and parking ticket payment app TicketZen are focused on Boston, but others appeal to a more general audience.

Nick Rellas, co-founder of Drizly, said Boston doesn't get the credit it deserves for the great apps created here.

"Boston has been an awesome city to launch in," Rellas said. "I think it's great, and we're excited to be a part of it."

Still, it can be hard to get the attention a budding app needs, he said.

"One of the hardest things is to get your foot in the door," Rellas said.

O'Keefe and DownloadBoston also plan on some behind-the-scenes advocacy and lobbying, to the media and legal, PR and other firms that can be helpful to startups. He is also looking at lobbying bigger companies to take on partnerships with small startups that would be helpful to both parties.

Sarah Hodges, co-founder of startup educator Intelligent.ly and former director of marketing at RunKeeper, said DownloadBoston is something that has been missing.

"We just have so many really fantastic services in Boston," Hodges said. "There's never been a really good way to aggregate them and put them in one place."

DownloadBoston could also help build the start-up community, particularly around consumer mobile start-ups, Hodges said.

"These companies have a lot that they can learn from each other," Hodges said.

"It does bring them together and put them in touch and maybe form those ties and learn from each other."


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VW Golf diesel teaches lessons about glowplugs

I have a 2001 VW Golf TDI. It starts right up but after I drive a few feet, the "Check engine" light pops on. I get a code P0380. I replaced the glow plugs, as they had 120,000 miles on them. Any help would really be appreciated.

According to my ALLDATA database, the P0380 DTC fault code relates to a problem with the glow plugs, the glow plug relay or the RPM sensor. But first, a question: Did you have the P0380 code cleared from the engine control module (ECM) after replacing the glow plugs? A scan tool is required to clear DTCs; they cannot be cleared manually.

If the P0380 code has returned after having been cleared, there is a continuing issue. The glow plugs on this diesel engine are controlled by the ECM, which engages the glow plug relay to turn them on to "preglow" to warm the air in the combustion chamber adequately to start the engine. When the glow plug light goes off, "preglow" is finished and the engine is ready to start. After the engine starts, the glow plugs operate in "afterglow" mode to shorten warmup time, reduce combustion noise and emissions. The "afterglow" mode lasts until engine RPM reaches 2,500, coolant temperature reaches 140 degrees F. or three minutes elapse.

Since the "Check engine" light comes on after the vehicle is in motion, meaning that engine RPM is likely above 2,500, the problem may well be associated with the RPM sensor.

My vehicle is kept outside all year. I did not get a good coat of wax on it before the cold and snow arrived. How do I get the snow and road grime off during the cold weather without having the doors freeze shut?

Whether or not the vehicle has been waxed, the only way to remove road debris, dirt, grime and — worst of all — salt is to wash the vehicle regularly and thoroughly. It's best not to wash a vehicle when temperatures are seriously below freezing, but if temperatures are or will be in the 20s or higher, wash the vehicle. In addition to the exterior painted surfaces, it is critically important to flush the underside, wheel wells, bumpers, valances and any areas that can trap winter debris. Also, wash the inside edges of the doors, hood and trunk along with their jambs and sills.

How can you keep the doors, hood and trunk from freezing closed after washing? Dry the inside edges, seals/gaskets, jambs and sills, then apply aerosol silicone spray to the door seals and gaskets and their contact surfaces.

To finish up, insert the extension tube of a spray lubricant/moisture dispersant like Deep Creep into the outside key slots and spray liberally. Do the same to the locking mechanism on the door jamb. Then operate each lock/latch a few times to make sure the lubricant is well distributed.

We bought a 2002 Lexus RX300 with 134,000 miles on it. The "Check engine" light indicated an issue with the camshaft sensor. The owner of the dealership said that if the vehicle was his, he wouldn't spend the money to replace it. What do you think?

A scan tool can identify the specific fault code associated with the "Check engine" light. P0340 indicates a cam sensor issue. P0345 indicates an issue with the variable valve timing actuator position sensor. Both are easily accessible under the engine cover. The cam sensor costs roughly $85 and takes about 20 minutes to install. Since both of these are part of the variable valve timing system, if either is faulty I wouldn't hesitate to replace it.

The dealer may be thinking of a more expensive failure of the variable valve timing system, but until you know the specific DTC that triggered the check engine light, you won't know.

Paul Brand, author of "How to Repair Your Car," is an automotive troubleshooter, driving instructor and former race-car driver. Readers may write to him at: Star Tribune, 425 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55488 or via email at paulbrand@startribune.com.


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Just one Mass. compounder registers with FDA

A Massachusetts hospital is one of 14 compounding pharmacies nationwide that has voluntarily registered with the Food and Drug Administration as the federal agency pushes states to inform businesses of new regulations passed in the wake of a deadly fungal meningitis outbreak.

Marlboro Hospital, a member of UMass Memorial Health Care alliance, is the only Bay State facility on the FDA's list of 14 compounding pharmacies registered by the federal agency.

Candra Szymanski, the hospital's chief operating officer who oversees its pharmacy, said the small community hospital sought FDA licensing of its pharmacy more than two years ago to increase supervision and boost quality when they began looking to provide compounded drugs to other hospitals in their affiliated group.

"We decided to up the ante a little bit and to be sure of the quality of the drugs we produce at our hospital and for the system if we do so," Szymanski said.

The new registration was a natural continuation of the FDA licensing Marlboro Hospital took on voluntarily, Szymanski said, which led to the hospital's pharmacy mixing drugs, not only for its own patients, but also for those at UMass Memorial Medical Center campuses.

In November, Congress enacted new regulations under which compounding pharmacies can voluntarily register with the FDA and submit to federal inspections in response to last year's fungal meningitis outbreak that was traced to the New England Compounding Center in Framingham that killed 64 people and sickened 751.

U.S. FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg last week sent letters to state officials who regulate compounding pharmacies on the local level to push the companies to seek federal registration, thereby voluntarily submitting to FDA oversight.

"States have a critical role to play in the oversight of pharmacy compounding," Hamburg wrote in her Jan. 8 letter to state health officials. "One new opportunity afforded states by (the new law) is the ability to encourage compounding pharmacies located outside of the state that ship compounded drugs into the state to register with FDA as outsourcing facilities. Once facilities are registered, states could be assured that FDA will inspect the facilities on a risk-based schedule."

She said there are more than 15,000 compounding pharmacies across the U.S. and federal food and drug officials continue to find problems at some of them.

Massachusetts lawmakers continue to work to come up with state regulations on compounding pharmacies. A conference committee met for the first time last week to sort out differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

"When Governor Patrick launched his series of aggressive pharmacy reforms last fall, our mission was to ensure every patient can feel confident in knowing that their medicine is safe," state Department of Public Health spokeswoman Anne Roach said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing our work with leaders at the state and federal level to advance additional reforms that continue this mission."


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