Section B · Page 2
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, December 1, 1999
Millennium
HOROSCOPES
Aries: Today is a 7.
You and your mate need to put your heads together. You'll be more successful if you collaborate, rather than if you compete. A goal is just beyond reach, but you can get to it with help.
Taurus: Today is a 6.
You're good with money, as everyone knows. You're also good at making decisions. A friend of yours has talents in other areas. When asked, be gracious and share your good sense with someone who needs it.
Cancer: Today is a 6.
You'll find it's easy to get your ideas across. You're also learning quickly. The information's out there; all you have to do is ask for it. The trick is knowing what to pass along and what to keep.
Talk's cheap and plentiful now. Keep your cards close to your chest so others can't tell what you have. You'll figure out what they're up to — maybe more than you wanted to know!
Leo: Today is an 8.
You've got a tail wind, and some good friends help you win this race. An inside tip could be useful, too, but if it's told to you in confidence, keep it that way.
The money should be pretty good, but the work is quite a challenge. It may interfere with your travel plans, too. Keep from dipping into your reserves; you may want that stash of cash later.
Virgo: Today is a 6.
If you want to make your future more secure, get more education. Also, put a few of your ideas into print. That might cost you more than it brings in for a while, but it's a good long-term investment.
Libra: Today is an 8.
Scorpio: Today is a 5.
Go ahead and be assertive. You've worried long enough. You don't like to offend, but this has gone on too long. Be nice, but firm, so you won't have to put up with an irritation any more.
Sagittarius: Today is an 8.
You and your friend have some pretty good ideas, and this is a good day to get them out to the public. Use all the whistles and bells you can find to enhance your presentation. They'll love it!
Capricorn: Today is a 6.
Make sure your boss realizes how valuable you are. Don't assume that he or she knows. It's possible that he or she is too interested in other things and is taking you for granted. Speak up if you want to be taken seriously.
Aquarius: Today is an 8.
Pisces: Today is a 6.
You might get a chance to take a drive, and if you do, you should. Better make a list, however. Don't leave your home town without taking care of something that needs to be done, or you'll regret it.
Your investments should be doing pretty well. Put more money into savings, where it will grow Don't squander it on a game you don't even enjoy playing. That would be foolish.
Major problems not expected Dec. 31
Note: Horoscopes have no basis in scientific fact and should be read for entertainment purposes only.
"Everybody wants to call everybody else, so there's probably going to be some fast buys," Phillips said. "The system is going to get tied up."
Phillips described one problem that was expected to happen on the night of Dec. 31: cellular and regular phone service will be interrupted just before and just after midnight. This problem is not because of any Y2K computer problem, Phillips said, but rather because so many people will be calling friends and family members to wish them a happy new year and a happy new millennium.
Even though people are encouraged to prepare, officials do not expect problems directly related to the Y2K computer problem. Instead, they expect problems related to human nature and mother nature.
Continued from page 1P
Another problem Phillips identified was that people will perceive any difficulties that may occur during the rollover as Y2K computer problems.
"Any events that do happen, regardless of whether they are Y2K or non-Y2K related, the public will perceive them to be Y2K related," Phillips said.
"That's probably the most realistic (scenario) —the phone systems are going to be busy," Phillips said.
One variable that cannot be predicted for that night is the weather and any related problems severe
Sporadic phone service before and after midnight, public perception and the unpredictable wild card of possible winter weather were the only things Phillips identified as realistic problems in store for the night of Dec. 31.
winter weather may bring.
After weather changes, "If we have a major winter storm, there's a good possibility we'll have power outages, because in major winter storms we always have power outages," Phillips said.
"That's really all we expect." Phillips said, "But we plan for everything."
Koons said she anticipated scams taking place before and during the rollover that prey on people's insecurities surrounding the event. Some segments of the population, including the elderly and mentally disabled are seen as likely targets, Koons said.
"This will be one time because of all the of the public awareness of Y2K that some of those citizens may be vulnerable," Koons said.
Koons said some likely scams included aggressive marketing tactics on emergency supplies and raising supply prices to exorbitant levels on the last few days of this year.
Another possible scam Koons described involved people being called a few days before the rollover, being told to remove their money from the bank for safe keeping at home, then being robbed the night of the event. She said that being aware
"Any events that do happen, regardless of whether they are Y2K or non-Y2K related, the public will perceive them to be Y2K related,"
Paula Phillips
director of Douglas County Emergency
Management
of what could and could not really happen was the best way of avoiding being taken in by such scams.
In case there are any problems, local officials will be on call that night, gathering information and sharing it with the local media. If there are problems that affect the public, plans are in place to address them.
Phillips' office will coordinate with other city and county offices from the Emergency Operations Center in the Law Enforcement Center on the night of Dec. 31.
"We will be in what I would probably call 'heightened readiness,' "Phillips said, "The Emergency Operations Center will be open and it will function as an information coordination center."
Part of this information coordination will include notifying the public if anything has or has not happened. The public will be held briefings on a
"There will be media briefings on a
regular basis as events happen." Phillips said, "Or as there is news that there is no news."
And if any problems occur, such as a power outage, Phillips said this information would be made available through the local media. Phillips said that this is where having battery-operated radio comes into play.
"Information will be broadcast on the local media and that would be KLWN (1320 AM) or KLZR (105.7 FM)." Phillips said, "They are our primary media contact point where most of the information will be released and they have the ability to be up and running for awhile, even if the power goes out city-wide."
Koons said the American Red Cross will be ready in case there are problems for the general public with food or water availability or the need for shelter.
"We have the availability to open up shelters that have generators. Those are already pre-existing plans. We have stock surplus of things like water, paper goods, things for feeding (people)."
Although officials have done their homework, are prepared for the event and will be on call that night, some think that the evening will turn out to be anticlimactic.
Lawrence prepares for New Year's Eve celebrations
"Personally, (I think) the clock will strike midnight, and we'll all be sitting around looking at each other until about 3 in the morning, then we'll all go home," Koons said.
Ry Kathleen Olsen
Special to the Kansan
"We are trying to accommodate our staff to be prepared for the night," Rehmer said. "We have higher staff in the emergency room and then also have staff on call for any kind of extra problems."
The party of the millennium is a month away, and the City of Lawrence has begun preparing for the last New Year's Eve bash of the century.
Behna Rehmer, public relations assistant in community relations for Lawrence Memorial Hospital, said the emergency room has started getting ready.
"We have a lot of car accidents, alcohol poisonings and fights." Rehmer said. "We are extra concerned there will be more injuries because of the millennium change. We expect more parties, more people going out."
country. Not only has the Lawrence Police Department decided to beef up security for the festivities, but Lawrence Memorial Hospital has made plans to increase staff as well.
There are always typical injuries and accidents on New Year's Eve, mostly alcohol related, Rehner said. The turn of the new millennium has brought concern that bigger parties and more alcohol could lead to a troublesome evening.
Sgt. Rick Nickell said that the police always made sure their security was extra tight on the last day of the year.
"Unfortunately, New Year's Eve is usually a night when people drink in excess," Nickell said. "The excessive drinking and other activities that occur on those nights often lead to unfortunate accidents. We see a lot of traffic accidents due to alcohol."
"We are going to have most of our officers working during that midnight hour," Wheeler said. "We'll be gearing up even more to prepare for any unexpected events that may occur because of the celebrations."
Sgt. George Wheeler said the police department was prepared for a more eventful New Year's Eve than normal.
"We get a lot of calls about fireworks and gun shots," Wheeler said. "We get tied up trying to answer these calls and to handle other problems out there."
Wheeler said that New Year's Eve typically yielded an increase in noise complaints to the police department because of the parties and celebrations.
Wheeler said that he knew it was inevitable that people would drink at these parties but that there were different options and services that can make the evening safe.
"What happens is that people
drink, and it becomes amateur night," Wheeler said. "No. 1 I suggest that you just don't drink too much. But if you do, get a designated driver or take a Tipsy Taxi."
Lawrence Taxi Service runs a Tipsy Taxi every New Year's Eve that provides free rides to people under the influence of alcohol. The service was designed to keep the roads safe from drunk drivers. Mike Jalali, manager of Lawrence Taxi Service said that Tipsy Taxi had been a popular alternative for people drinking on New Year's Eve.
"Every year we have seen increases in calls for rides," Jalali said. "I think that this year we'll see even more."
"We will not drive people from party to party, we will only take you home," Jalali said.
Tipsy Taxi will begin its service at 6 p.m. New Year's Eve and run until 6 a.m. New Year's Day. Jalali said that callers must mention Tipsy Taxi and would only be picked up from a drinking establishment and then taken to a residence.
Students agreed that the partying would be wilder than ever and that precautions would have to be taken to avoid danger and trouble.
"I think there are definitely going to be a lot of people out drinking and driving which is a concern for me." said Kate Shufelt, Lawrence freshman. "My plan for this New Year's
Eve is to find a place to hang out with friends and stay inside until this whole millennium celebration blows over."
Jeremiah Johnson, Hugoton senior, agreed.
"I think you'd have to be crazy to go out driving that night," Johnson said. "There will probably be a lot of police out, which should help some, but I don't think they can deter the problem too much. They can't stop people from going out."
The last party of the millennium certainly will be a night to remember, but students need to go to extra measures to see that they make it a safe night as well.
"It's really important for people to have a designated driver or to stay in the same place for the entire night while they are partying," said Karlin Kampsshroder, Lawrence junior. "I wouldn't want to see any of my friends get in trouble for acting irresponsible. It is the millennium, but that doesn't mean that we can totally throw caution to the wind."
Sgt. Nickell agreed that the best idea was to stay in one spot for the evening.
"For this New Year's, I would suggest that people stay home to be safe. If people need to go out to celebrate, use caution, drink in moderation and don't drive."
Edited by Matt Gardner
Only three more chances to sell those unwanted items in the Kansan classifieds this millennium
Looking for a job over break? Check the Kansan Classifieds!
ATTENTION COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS Are you looking for a way to pay for school? LOOK NO FURTHER - THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD CAN HELP!!
THE KANSAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Per Semester Estimates: KANSAS UNIVERSITY
Tuition $1,050 Montgomery GI Bill $1,020
Books 300 GI Bill Kicker 1,400
Rent(based on $350 per week) 1,400 State Tuition Assitance 550
Food(based on $200 per month) 800 Drill Pay(one weekend per month) 600
Total $3,550 Total $3,570
There are also additional bonus programs available such as the Kansas Air Naitonal Guard Student Loan Repayment Program which repays up to $10,000 in student loans.
"IT ALL ADDS UP"
FOR MORE DETAILS CALL TODAY!! (800) 435-5149 190th AIR REFUELING WING, FORBES FIELD TOPEKA, KS 66619
Fuel Your Future Air National Guard
O'