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Thursday, Dec. 12 |
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'Tis
the season to use reason
[DEC.
12, 2002]
The holiday season has
arrived. For many, the holidays are a busy and expensive time of
year. Ellen Burton, Extension educator in consumer and family
economics, reminds us that it makes sense to try to save money and
time on shopping. Burton points out that not all of us are
successful at doing this, as evidenced by the 40 percent of
Americans surveyed who said they spent too much money during the
holidays last year. If this is your situation, then Burton has a few
changes that can help you gain control of holiday spending.
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--Plan ahead. Set a
realistic budget and stick to it. Also make a list of the gifts you
would like to give. Before you head to the store, make a card for
each person on your gift list. At the top of the card, write down
the total amount you plan to spend on gifts for that person. As you
shop, write down the gifts you bought and cost of each gift. Stop
shopping when you have reached the total amount. This helps you to
avoid buying impulse gifts that may be inappropriate or too
expensive.
--Compare prices and shop
carefully. Holiday "sales" and "markdowns" sometimes are not the
bargains they appear to be.
--Before making a
purchase, ask the merchant about its refund and exchange policy. A
store is not obligated to accept items for refund, exchange or
credit unless the item is defective or was misrepresented.
--Be informed about your
rights when placing orders through catalogs, mail order, TV shopping
networks or online venues. Additional information on mail and
telephone order shopping is available from the Federal Trade
Commission at http://www.ftc.gov.
Ask about delivery times, delivery costs and how returns are
handled.
--If you are considering
shopping on the Internet, exercise the same care and judgment that
you would on Main Street. If you are not familiar with the online
merchant or company, visit the Better Business Bureau at
http://www.bbbonline.org.
Know the website's privacy policy before you place an order. If you
are shopping online and you are not comfortable entering your credit
or charge card account number online, call it in to the company's
800 number or fax it.
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article] |
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--Buy appropriate toys for
children. Keep in mind the child's age and abilities. Use the age
guidelines on toy packages.
--Be on your guard at all
times when shopping. Never leave your wallet, credit card or purse
on a counter. Do not get overloaded with packages. Shop with a
companion or ask for a security escort to your car.
--Give, but give wisely.
If you are approached in person for a donation, do not give if you
are pressured or if the solicitor is vague. Ask for written
information to review. If the appeal is legitimate, your donation
will be just as appreciated after the holidays as before the
holidays. Check with the BBB Wise Giving Alliance,
http://www.give.org, for
additional holiday giving advice and information on charities
meeting ethical guidelines.
Consumers today have many choices on
where to shop for holiday gifts. Shoppers can take advantage of
local stores, television shopping channels, catalogs and the
Internet.
Wherever you
shop, use smart shopping practices. Remember to plan, and use
caution and reason as you shop and give. As Burton states, "As you
get into the holiday shopping spirit, remember that it is the season
to use reason."
[U
of I Extension news
release]
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New county board Animal Control Committee hears concerns and
requests
[DEC. 12, 2002]
The Animal Control Committee
of the Logan County Board held its first meeting with new board
members Wednesday evening at the Animal Control office.
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Committee members include Pat O'Neill,
who is the committee chairman and a new member; Dave Hepler; Terry
Werth; Dale Voyles, board chairman; Chuck Ruben, a new member; and
John Stewart, new member.
A number of interested citizens
attended in order to voice their concerns over the operation of the
shelter.
Stan and Mary Rousey of Lincoln
addressed the board and presented a list of situations they would
like to see the new board correct. Included in the list were
response times when people needed services from Animal Control,
current medical procedures if an injured animal is brought in,
capturing stray animals and wild animals such as raccoons and
squirrels, office procedures, and office hours.
Voyles said that as part of the routine
of a new board taking over, the audit of accounting procedures and
office processes would be done by a committee, to include a local
representative, and would address these issues.
Also discussed was the possibility of
establishing a "no kill" facility. Contact is to be made with such
facilities in other towns in order to determine the feasibility of
doing the same in Lincoln.
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this article] |
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O'Neill said that, as chairman, he had
received 37 calls in a two-day period from individuals voicing
concerns and asking questions about animal control procedures.
It was also discussed how volunteers
could be used in order to assist in the case of manpower shortages.
Voyles pointed out that this could be
done, but the duties have to be restricted to certain areas because
of liability and training that is required to work directly with
animals.
Hepler asked that documentation,
including times, situations and personnel, be forwarded to the
committee or board chairman.
An update will be given at the January
meeting. Individuals who would like to provide input to the
committee can call O'Neill, Voyles or the board office in the
courthouse.
People
interested may also attend the next meeting at 7 p.m. on the second
Wednesday of January at the animal shelter on North Kickapoo.
[Fuzz
Werth] |
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Libraries receive
state grant awards
[DEC. 12, 2002]
SPRINGFIELD -- Secretary of
State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded nearly $200,000 in
grants to a number of Illinois libraries to extend library hours of
operation, increase library services, and plan and implement
programs for children, teens, adults and seniors.
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White said the "Opportunity Knocks"
mini-grant is awarded to libraries that have never written or
applied for a Library Services and Technology Act grant or an
Educate and Automate grant from the Illinois State Library. A total
of 105 competitive grants were awarded in amounts ranging from $500
to $2,000.
"Many librarians have wonderful ideas
for their library, but they may be apprehensive about writing a
grant because they have never done so," White said. "These
'Opportunity Knocks' mini-grants are designed to encourage
librarians who have never written a grant to apply, and alleviate
the apprehension of first-time grant writers by easing them into the
grant process. These new applicants may choose to seek advice and
assistance in preparing their grant application from mentors and
regional library system consultants.
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this article] |
"The various grants awarded by my
office allow our libraries to better serve the public. The grant
applications we receive indicate that our libraries are extremely
creative in developing ideas and programs for their patrons. They
reinforce how committed and dedicated our librarians are to
improving people's lives through the dissemination of important
information. I congratulate these first-time recipients and hope
they will apply for more Illinois State Library grants in the
future."
Local
awards
- Elkhart Public Library District,
Expanding Possibilities, $2,000
- Lincoln Public Library District,
Terry Turtle’s Teaching Totes, $2,000
- Barclay Public Library District
(Warrensburg), Book-A-Movie, $1,750
[Illinois secretary of state
press release] |
Heartland Community College
Your pathway to lifelong learning!
**Lincoln's
classes are finished for this semester.
Check online for classes available in
Normal or online.**
For more
information, call 735-1731,
stop by HCC at 620 Broadway,
or go online at
hcc.cc.il.us/CCE |
Do you have any
suggestions for non-credit Community Education classes in
Lincoln?
Would you be
interested in teaching a Community Education class in Lincoln?
Please email
kristi.powell@heartland.edu
with your suggestions or contact information.
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Articles from the past week |
Wednesday:
- Council debates ways to fund street repairs
Tuesday:
Monday:
- Gov. Ryan announces second Green
Government Award winners
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Saturday:
-
Toys for Tots
collection started
(Good
Neighbors) -
For those
who missed being there
More Christmas parade
pictures -
Illinois
was very dry, cold
for November and fall
Friday:
Thursday:
-
CILCO requesting rate increase for next year -
Reorganized county board performs first orders of business -
Union filing suit to block lease that would give college control of Zeller
site
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