Holiday Homes on Tour will feature the recently constructed home of Larry and Marcia Howen at 122 Crestwood Drive; as well as the homes of Tom and Susan Boyd, 335 Northgate; Stephen Elkins, 5 Grand Oaks Drive; Mike and Debbie Kilgallin, 1441 1025^th Ave.; and Mark and Linda Searby, 1457 State Route 121. The dollhouse collection of Anita King, 160 Campus View Drive, will also be included in the tour. Anita will be sharing her collection of dollhouses, room boxes and mini-homes dating from the 1920s to 2000, a collection and work in progress for over 45 years.

The Elkins, Kilgallin and Searby homes are all located on the outskirts of the city of Lincoln. Both the Howens and Kilgallins were involved in the design and building of their homes. Family and friends joined the Searbys on July 4, 1999, for a house-blessing service, as they named their property Peacewood Farm. The Howen home is the newest on tour, while the Searby farm has the greatest heritage. The tour of homes will offer a variety of architectures and styles. Family heirlooms and treasures are an integral part of each of the homes.

Part of the tour of the Howen home will be a visit to Mrs. Claus’ Workshop. Here home tour participants will have the opportunity to purchase jellies, candies, nut breads, rolls and snacks. Other holiday offerings will include dolls, stuffed animals, gift baskets, gift bags, potpourri jars and small gifts, as well as Harvest of Talents poetry books and cookbooks.

Tickets are available for a donation and may be purchased from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the office of Lincoln Christian Church, 204 McLean St., or from Harvest of Talents ministry team members. Tickets may also be purchased on the tour at each home site.

The 17^th annual Harvest of Talents for World Hunger has to date raised $69,000. The Lincoln harvest proceeds combined with the harvest monies from Milford (Ill.), Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Noblesville, Ind., have totaled over $102,000, all of which is earmarked to meet hunger needs worldwide. Funds from the 2000 harvests have been designated by International Disaster Emergency Service to assist hunger programs in Brazil, Egypt, Haiti, India, Israel, Kenya, Mexico and the Philippines.

International Disaster Emergency Service, a Christian organization based on Kempton, Ind., assists in disaster needs worldwide, including those in this country. Buck Snyder, a member of Lincoln Christian Church, serves on the IDES board of directors.

Pat Snyder, Harvest of Talents founder, expressed thanksgiving and appreciation to the community for their support of the record-breaking 17^th harvest. She pointed out that the proceeds included the sale of 750 bags of South Dakota potatoes, many of which were donated to the Logan County Food Pantry and other area charities.

Proceeds from an ongoing recycling program will be included in the annual total. Aluminum cans may be delivered to 155 Churchill. Those unable to deliver them may call 732-6097 for pickup. Funds received through Dec. 31 will become a part of the millennium harvest total.

To help customers prepare for higher heating bills, CILCO is launching Operation Energy Smart, an extensive information campaign designed to alert customers to the higher prices and to give them information on how to take steps now that can reduce the impact of higher prices later.

Natural gas prices are higher throughout the nation as the result of decreasing production and increasing demand. For CILCO customers, prices are expected to be at least 50 percent higher. For example, a heating bill of $100 last winter is expected to be at least $150 this winter for the same amount of usage. Colder weather will cause bills to be even higher because of increased usage.

Higher natural gas prices do not mean higher profits for CILCO. Profits are only earned on the transportation and distribution of gas. There is no price change for the gas commodity; the price of gas purchased by CILCO is passed on to the customer at the same rate it is purchased.

Linda Nelson, CILCO legislative and public affairs representative, said, "Operation Energy Smart has three objectives. First, we want to alert customers to higher prices. Second, we want to provide information on what customers can do to reduce the impact of those prices. And finally, we want to let customers know about payment plans available from CILCO that might be helpful to them."

Operation Energy Smart will be communicated to customers in a variety of ways, including:

• A bill insert in the September bills provided Energy Smart tips and payment plan information.
• Expanded Energy Smart tips will be available at CILCO’s website, www.cilco.com.
• Advertising will explain the price increases and offer Energy Smart tips.
• An Operation Energy Smart speakers bureau will be available to clubs, organizations and associations.
• Information will be available through home improvement and hardware stores.
• Briefings will be provided for elected officials and community leaders.

• The company’s Customer Advisory Council will be regularly briefed to monitor concerns and recommendations for additional information.

"We don’t want anyone to be surprised when cold weather arrives," Nelson said.

The expected price of gas this winter is about the same as the early 1980s. The price generally declined in the late ’80s and through the first half of the ’90s, although there were significant price spikes in 1990 and 1996.

"For the last three years natural gas prices have been stable," Nelson said. "But natural gas is a commodity, and as such it is subject to the fluctuations of the market’s supply and demand."

Jessen said that his firm intended for the city to accept the easement back in December of 1996, when former city engineer Dennis Hartman was in office, but that due to an oversight the paperwork was never completed. He said if paperwork had been properly submitted and recorded, "I wouldn’t be here tonight. I didn’t follow up. I assumed it did get done."

The culvert is located between North Heitmann Drive and Madigan Street, on the north side of Route 10-121, between and north of the Cracker Barrel Restaurant and Maverick Steak House, near Allison Lake. Most of it is not on city property but on property in Logan County owned by Bob Orr, according Mark Mathon, present city engineer.

Grant Eaton, city sewage treatment plant superintendent, strongly advised the committee not to accept the culvert, which is eroding and could cause flooding in the area if it backs up.

"I see no reason why the city would want to take it over. There are holes in the tile, no footings and it could erode underneath. It looks like you would have to take it out and do it over.

"I understand the city wants to encourage business, but I don’t think it’s a very smart move," Eaton continued. He also noted that he had not heard anything about the developer being willing to share the cost of needed repairs.

Jessen suggested the council address the problem now, "before there is a lawsuit." However, Jonathan Wright, city attorney, said he did not believe the city had any legal responsibility to take over the culvert. "There is nothing here technically that binds the city," he said.

Alderman William Melton, chairman of the Sewer and Drainage Committee, called for a vote of committee members and got a unanimous "no." Member Patrick Madigan commented that he saw no reason "to inherit something now that it’s broken."

In other business, the council heard Eaton report on possible increased costs of the mandatory recycling program. He said rather than raise rates at this time, the city and the Logan County Solid Waste Management Agency should look for "inventive ways" to keep costs down until prices for recyclables go back up.

Fire Chief Ken Ebelherr said the Fire Department is nearly done with specifications for two new vehicles, a rescue pumper and a rescue squad (the vehicle used on medical calls). He said he would bring the specifications to the council early in December and let bids, and he hoped to have the bids back by the first of February 2001. The new vehicles will replace an existing pumper and squad car, which will be traded in on the new ones.

The council also discussed policy changes for city employees not covered by collective bargaining and changes in the language of the policy. Changes in wording are needed because the present policy refers to work days, while Fire Department employees work 24-hour shifts, not days, Ebelherr said. As an example of the changes needed, while other employees must work 130 days in a calendar year to be eligible for vacation time the next year, language should be changed to 43 shifts in the calendar year for Fire Department employees.

Two changes in membership on city commissions were announced by Mayor Joan Ritter. Denise Coogan has moved out of the city, and her place on the Police and Fire Commission will be taken by Nancy Amberg. Mike Tackett will leave the Civil Service Commission and be replaced by Jane Ryan.

On Thursday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. the Ordinance and Zoning Committee will meet with local liquor license holders to review the revised liquor ordinance and receive comments before passing the new ordinance. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. has been set for the public hearing on the 2000-2001 tax levy.

Greeters welcomed you in and guided you to begin your touring of beautifully to whimsically adorned trees and swags, and wreaths. Crowds began filling the rotunda around 6:15. Families, a Brownies troop, couples and singles, groups; all meandered the halls with bright eyes and charmed smiles, viewing the displays. The first floor rotunda and halls are filled with numerous displays of the holiday decor.

On the second floor of the rotunda, a bluegrass band played and sang festive songs. Across the way, a small crowd gathered at 7 p.m. for the dedication/ribbon-cutting of the newly moved Lloyd Ostendorf mural. Paul Gleason provided fascinating history about the life and times in Lincoln at the time of Abraham Lincoln.

All the trees, wreaths and swags will be auctioned off Friday, Dec. 1, at the Festival of Trees Gala at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Proceeds benefit Main Street Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation.

Center stage is the community tree that stretches up 18 feet. The tree is truly a community tree. Standing in the center of the rotunda, it is the center of attraction, stunningly adorned with ornaments provided from the community by individuals, businesses and civic organizations.

Many people dedicated a tremendous amount of energy and time to make this holiday event possible. They are to be highly commended for their efforts. Our community benefits greatly from their passion!

If you haven't gotten there yet, you can still enjoy this display. It is open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.