Bringing you News that Counts
Bringing you News that Counts
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January 4, 2010
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A For the fifteenth year, Circuit Sound, the Clerk & Comptroller’s volunteer employee choir, performed holiday songs to raise funds for a local charity. The Lord’s Place received the “good will” that showered singers in the Governmental Center atrium on Dec. 14.
As the carolers performed holiday songs in the lobby of the first floor, county employees dropped cash from the six floors above. Donations came floating down as the carolers sang some holiday favorites.
The annual tradition is a favorite for employees in the downtown building which houses offices of the Clerk, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser and Board of County Commissioners. Circuit Sound performances have raised more than $5,000 for local charities since forming in 1997. Overall, the Clerk & Comptroller’s office has donated more than half a million dollars to charities through its various fundraising activities.
National Arbor Day – the Tree Planter’s Holiday
In Florida, Arbor Day is celebrated on Jan. 15. On the first Arbor Day in 1872, more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska where it is a state holiday. The early pioneers who settled on the open plains needed trees to act as windbreaks, to stabilize the soil and to provide shade, fuel, fruit and building materials.
Now in the 21st century, climate change challenges everyone to modify energy use patterns and to reduce atmospheric carbon emissions. The University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service in Hendry County reports that a single tree can absorb 26 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases implicated in climate change. While absorbing carbon dioxide, trees release oxygen into the air.
In one year, a single tree can produce approximately 13 pounds of oxygen. This is enough to sustain a family of four. Trees also remove pollutants from the environment. Trees act as living dust mops; a well developed tree canopy can intercept up to 50 pounds of particulates per year.
Trees can help reduce cooling and heating bills. Properly placed trees help conserve energy by shading and cooling a building in the summer and by blocking cold winds in the winter. A tree of average size produces a cooling effect equal to that of about five room-size air conditioners. The cooling effect attributed to trees result in an annual savings of $2 billion or nearly five percent of the nation’s energy consumption.
Tree roots hold soil in place and prevent erosion. Trees assist in storm water control. Leaves and branches slow the falling rain, allowing the rain to soak slowly into the ground, reducing run-off and recharging the aquifer.
Celebrate Arbor Day and plant a tree for yourself. Choose a native South Florida tree such as Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) which grows slowly to 25 feet and grows well in irrigated areas with the St. Augustine turfgrass. The Pigeon plum tree (Coccoloba diversifolia) grows moderately to 35 feet and provides good cover for birds. Gumbo Limbo (Busera simaruba) grows fast to 50 feet and does not require supplemental irrigation once it is established.
If you need a recommendation for the right shade tree, ask a master gardener volunteer at the Cooperative Extension Service at 233-1750.
Consumer Trap & Tip: Gift Cards
Trap
Racks of colorful gift cards seemed to greet Matthew everywhere he shopped. He liked the convenience of purchasing gift cards as last minute gifts for those on his list who were hard to buy for, but he was overwhelmed by the choices. Which is better, a general purpose gift card redeemable at most retail establishments or a store gift card redeemable at a specific retailer or restaurant?
Tips
Before purchasing or using a gift card, consider the following:
• General purpose gift cards, also known as bank cards are sold through companies like Visa, MasterCard and American Express. They are accepted by most stores and restaurants. General purpose gift cards may have an expiration date and activation or transaction fees.
• Store/restaurant gift cards also known as retail cards are sold by retailers and restaurants and can only be used with the named merchant. In 2007, Florida enacted a law making it illegal for retail cards to have an expiration date or any fees that would reduce the card’s value.
• It is important to consider the financial health of a store selling the card. If the store closes or files for bankruptcy, the gift card may be worthless. A good practice is to use a gift card as soon as possible.
• Split payments: Check with the cashier before using a gift card when the purchase price is greater than the face value of the card. Most large chain stores accept split payments with their gift cards. A general purpose gift card sometimes does not allow split payments.
• Avoid buying gift cards from online auction sites, because the cards may be counterfeit or may have been obtained fraudulently.
Sources: Consumer Federation of America, www.consumerfed.org; Federal Trade Commission, www.ftc.gov.
Consumer Trap & Tip: Holiday Returns/Refunds
Trap
Cha-ching! Black Friday deals! This year Bill and Ella finished holiday shopping early – they even got an iPod, Xbox and a big flat screen TV on Thanksgiving weekend! But, two weeks later they realized all that spending was just too much and decided to return many of the items. Expecting refunds, they learned about re-stocking fees and “store credits only,” even though they had receipts. At one store they discovered that “all sales were final.” Sadly, Bill and Ella learned that gone are the days when you can walk in a store, return the items and get all your money back.
Tips
• It’s the law: Retailers that DO NOT offer refunds or exchanges MUST post a sign saying so. If no such sign is posted, then the store must provide its policy in writing when asked. The law also requires stores with no refund or exchange policy to provide refunds within seven days of the date of purchase when the original receipt is presented, and the items were not used and in the original packing.
• On pricey electronics, check the store refund or exchange policy before purchasing. Retailers may have their policies on the receipt. Keep it as proof of purchase. Get a gift receipt to be included with the gift, just in case.
• Always look for the refund/return/exchange policies which are usually posted in the customer service area or at cash registers. Do not assume the regular return policy applies to sales or clearance items. Some merchants consider sale items to be final, so ask.
• Remember, during the holidays stores may hire seasonal workers who may not be familiar with all the store policies. Be patient and ask to speak with a manager. Be prepared with your original receipts.
• If a store’s policy is “All Sales Final,” but the information is not posted at the point-of-sale, call Consumer Affairs at 712-6600 (Boca/ Delray 888-852-7362 toll free) or visit www.pbcgov.com/consumer, to file a complaint.