In his opening remarks Winston Barnes mention the harm of mixing alcohol with medication. He shared a few time-honored suggestions:
a) don’t share prescription drugs
b) store medication in a safe place (away from children and in at the recommended temp.)
c) discard of prescriptions when they expire

Mr Barnes mentions that sometimes people who get anxious before a flight take medication to calm them down and then make the mistake of drinking alcohol while on the flight. He mentioned that people have passed out and vomited on long flights after taking medication before the flight and having a “drink” during the flight.

Some of the highlights from today’s show:
1. Another Florida teen is missing. According to news reports she is 17 year old Jade Beneby from Delray Beach. She left home for the bus stop at 6:30 and texted at 7:05 that she is in trouble. Another text stated that she was in the trunk of a car. The caller wondered if volunteers will be reluctant to help because of what happened when with the missing Miramar teen.

UPDATE: Teen found in hotel in Hialeah

2. Drug use is a part of the entertainment industry. Many singers admit they get nervous before going on stage and some use drugs to help deal with their anxieties.

3. One caller wanted to know if the President can do something for the young men with arrest records who are being denied jobs. Mr Barnes pointed out that the local government at the state and county level are better positioned to help with that issue.

WORTH READING:

Hooked for life – Celebrities choose drugs to stay the course

Mr Barnes opened up with mention of the funeral for Whitney Houston which was televized at midday on Saturday. Mr Barnes found some things that were similar to the church he went to while in the Bronx.

Most of the day’s callers gave their opinions on the life of Whitney Houston and the funeral. Whitney’s drug use was also part of the conversations.

In his opening remarks today Mr Barnes talked about the recent robberies involving postal workers. He also repeated certain points that he made in his commentary earlier in the day, that is, companies taking advantage of people’s ignorance or fears. He mentioned the practice of some companies of giving customers receipts that fade in a few weeks. Today’s technology is capable of producing ink and paper that can last for years.

One caller told of a call she received stating that she won millions and need to send $250 by Western Union to Jamaica before she receives her prize. When the caller was told “My husband works with the CIA…” the caller hung up. Mr Barnes mentioned that there are US agents in Montego Bay right now investigating fraud cases involving Jamaicans and US residents.

Another caller pointed out that there are clever crooks that will send a check to you, have you deposit it and ask you to write a check to the sender against the deposited amount. Days after you have sent back a thousand dollars the bank inform you the check was fraudulent and you are out a thousand dollars. The caller also mentioned a new check cashing law that allows checks to clear much sooner than before.

RESEARCH: NEW LAW AFFECTS HOW SOON YOUR CHECKS CLEAR

The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (Check 21) was signed into law on October 28, 2003, and became effective on October 28, 2004. Instead of physically moving paper checks from one bank to another, Check 21 will allow banks to process more checks electronically. Banks can capture a picture of the front and back of the check along with the associated payment information and transmit this information electronically. DETAILS

In his opening remarks Mr Barnes spoke about Hurricane Rina that is currently south of the Cayman Island heading towards Mexico. He also mentioned that Florida Power and Light (FPL) was given approval to raise $196 million on the backs of consumers for projected work on nuclear power plants. This will add about $2.00 per month to customers’ bills starting January 2012. Mr Barnes also noted that a federal judge temporarily blocked Florida’s new law that requires welfare applicants to pass a drug test before receiving benefits, saying it may violate the Constitution’s ban on unreasonable searches and seizures.

NEWS ITEM: State regulators OK FPL’s nuclear rate hike of $1.87 a month for typical customer

The first caller related his recent experience with rebates. He bought motor oil from an auto parts store and tried to redeem the rebate but he was missing an important “document” that could be found in the bottle cap. Unfortunately he threw the caps away when he changed the oil in his vehicle. Mr Barnes told him that it is part of the marketing strategy to made it difficult to comply with the terms of the rebate redemption unless you read the fine prints; just another way that companies take advantage of consumers.

Another caller shared her experience with loan modification. She lost $2500 to attorneys who promised to modify her loan. She ended up in foreclosure and the attorneys wanted an additional $1000 to get her our of the mess they help create. Mr Barnes recommended that she report the company/law firm to the Better Business Bureau, the consumer affairs division of the state of Florida. He suggested looking for the toll free number in the front of the phone book. Also he suggested reporting the attorney(s) to the Florida bar.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

From the U.S. Department of Treasury here are a few things you should know about loan modification:

• The mortgage to be modified must have been originated on or before January 1, 2009.
• The home must be an owner occupied, single family 1-4 unit property (including condominium, cooperative, and manufactured home affixed to a foundation and treated as real property under state law).
• The home must be a primary residence (verified with tax return, credit report, and other documentation such as a utility bill).
• The home may not be investor-owned.
• The home may not be vacant or condemned.
• The Interest Rate Floor for modified loans is 2%.
• The modified interest rate must remain in place for five years, after which time the interest rate will be gradually increased 1% (100 basis points) per year or such lesser amount as may be needed until it reaches the Interest Rate Cap.
• There are no modification fees or charges borne by the borrower.
• Loan modification programs are subject to the fair lending laws, and servicers and lenders should ensure that they do not treat a borrower less favorably than other borrowers on grounds such as race, religion, national origin, sex, marital or familial status, age, handicap, or receipt of public assistance income in connection with any loan modification.

SOURCE: Home Affordable Modification Program Guidelines (U.S Dept of Treasury)

Winston Barnes kicked off his program today with the matter of advertising in schools. Mr Barnes’ concern is who really is benefiting or where is the money going? He also mentioned the controversial action of Florida Governor Rick Scott who published the salaries of public university professors throughout the state.

The average salary of full-time Florida university professors is $80,879 which is actually lower than the national average of $86,653.

One caller informed Mr Barnes that his cousin Claude Sang Jr of the Jiving Juniors died in Jamaica at age 71. Subsequent callers went back in time to re-live the memories of the group led by Derrick Harriott. Their hits include “Sugar Dandy,” “over the River” and “Lollipop Girl.”

RESEARCH INFORMATION

1. The history of the Jiving Juniors “began in 1957 when Derrick Harriott and Claude Sang Junior entered and won the Vere John’s Talent Hour, performing as Sang And Harriott. After their initial success the duo enrolled Neville “G Bobs’ Esson and Roy Robinson to perform as the Hurricanes although this venture was short-lived. Following the Hurricanes” demise, Harriott and Sang re-emerged as the Jiving Juniors with Valmont Burke and Winston Service. The group immediately found themselves in the limelight when they released “Lollipop Girl”, which was originally recorded as an exclusive for the Thunderbird sound system in 1958. The following year they re-recorded their debut with an official release produced by Duke Reid that was credited to Claude Sang And The Jiving Juniors. The Jamaican hit led to a series of releases including “Dearest Darling”, “I Love You” and “I Wanna Love You”. Inspired by the group’s popularity Reid’s rival Coxsone Dodd at Studio One invited the Juniors to record with him at his Brentford Road studio. The group remained with Dodd from 1960-61 and enjoyed hits with “Hip Rub”, “Beautiful Doll”, “Oh Pretty Girl” and “Over The River”. The group also enjoyed international sales when the UK-based, jazz orientated Starlite label released “To-woo-up-to-woo”, “Lovers Line” and a hit in combination with the Caribs, “Slop’n'mash”. By 1962 Harriott had decided to pursue a solo career which inspired Sang to recruit a new line-up to record a handful of unreleased tracks in New York. Sang was accompanied by his brother Herman alongside Maurice Winter, Eugene Dwyer and Jimmy Muldahaye. The group was unable to maintain a high profile although they remained a popular live act performing their earlier hits.” SOURCE: Music.us

2. “Arguably one of the biggest groups of the pre-ska era was the Jiving Juniors, led by Derrick Harriott. Formed while they were students of Excelsior and Kingston College, the Jiving Juniors is best remembered for chart-topping hits like Lollipop Girl, Over The River and the all-time favourite Sugar Dandy.”

“While Derrick Harriott went on to become one of reggae’s most consistent hit-makers, topping the charts as late as 1985, and business entrepreneur, the rest of the Jiving Junior disbanded and dispersed to lead a more quieter lifestyle. Derrick Harriott is the only member of the Jiving Junior currently residing in Jamaica. Group members, Eugene Dwyer, Herman Sang and Maurice Winter live overseas.

“Migration was responsible for the break up of the group in 1964″, says Harriott, the former lead singer and founder of the group. “Sang, who used to work with the Esso Standard Oil here in Jamaica went to live in Canada, where he continued to work with that company, singing part-time at weddings and other social events. Maurice Winter also resides in Canada, while Eugene, whom I saw up to last Christmas, lives in Miami”, Mr. Harriott told Showbiz.”

“Derrick Harriott, who earlier went to live in New York, founded a New York version of the Jiving Junior consisting of Claude Sang Jr., Valman Burke – son of cricket umpire Perry Burke and Winston Service.” SOURCE: Jamaica-Gleaner

Another caller gave a useful tip for closing your bank account. If you account has say $450.32, go to another bank – preferable a credit union – and open an account, request that the money in the old account be transferred to the new account. Take out $450 and leave the $0.32. The old bank will eventually close that account.

This suggestion was made after a few customer were arrested in NY and CA for closing their account and protesting at the same time.

WORTH READING: Fee-weary customers breaking from big banks

NEED MORE INFO ON: Terminator gene

One of the topics covered today is the closure of post offices. One caller who apparently works for the post office informed the audience that the mail processing facility at 800 W Oakland Park Blvd is scheduled to be closed. She revealed that the facilities in Coral Spring and Pembroke Pines have either closed or are in the process of being closed. She stated that the processing will now be done in Miami and Tampa Bay.

The discussion around the state of the post office made us aware that one of the valuable services provided by the post office is the shipment of small packages under 1 pound such as prescription drugs and vitamins. UPS and FedEx apparently do not deliver these packages to US homes.

Consider also that the elimination of the postal service will end mail service to millions of rural homes that are too remote for UPS and FedEx.

WORTH READING: The Truth About The Post Office’s Financial Mess

NEED MORE INFO ON: Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006

Mr Barnes mentioned the controversial decision of Pinellas County to cease putting fluoride into their water as of January 2012. He mentioned that there is a movement that is ignoring real scientific facts for reasons that don’t made sense.

WORTH READING: “A decision this week by a Florida county commission to stop adding fluoride to its public drinking water has uncorked a decades-old debate on the benefits and potential risks of fluoride despite widespread scientific support of the practice.”

“Pinellas County commissioners voted 4-3 Tuesday to cease putting fluoride into their water, making it the largest urban county in Florida to discontinue the practice. The move will halt fluoride-injected water from reaching about 700,000 residents but does not include the city of St. Petersburg and three other cities, says Commissioner Ken Welch, who voted to keep fluoride.”

“Commissioner Norm Roche voted to end the fluoride treatment, saying it was a “social sort of program” the county should avoid, the St. PetersburgTimes reported.” SOURCE: USAToday.com

Some of the callers today gave their opinions and related their experiences with “Rick Free” offers and ambiguous Warranties. For example Lifetime warranty does not necessarily mean the life of the product.

It could mean the warranty is valid for as long as the manufacturer carries the product. So if the product is discontinued after 5 years and you still have the product after say 8 years, your product is out of the “lifetime warranty.”

Winston stated that there always seems to be an out clause for warranties and these clauses favor the manufacturer and not the customers.

WORTH READING: Sears Can’t Repair My Fridge, Won’t Declare It ‘Unrepairable’

Costco’s Lifetime Return Policy Only Applies To Actual Members

The conversations today focused on politics in Jamaica and the new bank fee of $5.00 per month that Bank of America will impose on its customers next year.

One caller who is a major proponent of Credit Unions said that one credit union signed up 7265 new members shortly after Bank of America announced new fee for debit card usage.

The total assets of credit unions have increased from $755 billion to more $942.5 billion at more than 7,290 credit union organizations.

Money if flowing into credit unions in record numbers. Some branches report the membership have tripled recently as banks gouge customers with more and more fees.

WORTH READING: Bank of America to charge debit card use fee

Why Credit Unions Are a Better Financial Choice For Us Than Big Banks

National Credit Union Administration

The dominant subject of discussion for the day is the news that Prime Minister Bruce Golding will step down as the leader of the Jamaica Labor Party and PM of the country.

The callers’ observations and opinions revealed:

The news was a surprise to many considering that Mr Golding had a lifelong dream to become the ruler of Jamaica.

Bruce Golding broke away from the JLP to form the National Democratic Movement in 1995 but later rejoined his former party in 2002.

There is a demand from the Jamaican populace for a leader who is not associated with a garrison and some would like to see a young leader.

Some Jamaicans says we should be cautious about electing youth since youth is usually associated with inexperience.

Many Jamaicans feel that there are “skeletons in the closet” that come to light in the future.