Soup kitchen asks for more toy donations...

Soup kitchen asks for more toy donations

Someone Cares Soup Kitchen is not getting as many toys as it hoped

to receive for the more than 1,000 children it is expecting for its

Christmas toy giveaway.

The giveaway will be Tuesday at Lions Park. The toys need to be

delivered by Monday afternoon. Drop-off hours are from 8 a.m. to noon

Saturday and Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Bring donations

to the soup kitchen, at 720 W. 19th St.

Parent Help still taking toys for needy kids

Parent Help USA is still collecting toys for needy children,

spokeswoman Sally Kanarek said. The group also needs gift

certificates for clothes, shoes and food.

Donations will be collected through Christmas Eve. Items can be

dropped off at the Parent Help USA office at 330 W. Bay St., Costa

Mesa.

JWA urges arriving early for holiday flights

If you’re planning to travel this holiday season, plan ahead, John

Wayne Airport officials said.

JWA officials are expecting passenger levels, which increased more

than 15% in November compared to last year, to stay high. They expect

nearly half a million people to pass through the airport in the next

couple weeks.

Here are some tips to get where you’re going on time:

* Allow yourself adequate time. Be sure to arrive at least 2 1/2

hours before your scheduled flight to navigate increased traffic and

heavy crowds.

* Limit carry-on baggage. During the holiday season, most flights

are filled to capacity. Overhead storage is at a premium. Limit your

carry-on to one bag and one personal item, such as a purse,

briefcase, laptop or diaper bag.

* Don’t pre-wrap holiday gifts. All gifts -- both checked luggage

and carry-ons -- that have been wrapped may be subject to search.

* Be prepared for screening. All carry-on items, including cell

phones, laptops and film, will be X-rayed. Since baggage-screening

equipment may damage film, place it in your carry-on luggage.

* Be prepared to show photo identification. Bring your boarding

pass or ticket and a government-issued photo identification. Children

younger than 18 are excepted.

* Be prepared to have your vehicle inspected. All vehicles

entering the airport parking structures are subject to search.

* Before you leave for the airport, call your airline to

double-check flight times. It will save headaches if a flight is

delayed or canceled.

* Make sure to check your luggage thoroughly. Do not carry on

prohibited items. Go to https://www.tsa.gov/public for a list of

prohibited items and more information.

* Avoid airport roadway traffic. Visitors can help avoid roadway

congestion by parking in the terminal garages when picking up

passengers rather than circling the roadway.

* Visit the airport’s Web site to plan your trip. The site, at

https://www.ocair.com, contains information about parking, passenger

services, airlines and flight schedules, and a map of the terminal.

Terminal parking is available in A1, A2, B1 and B2 at $1 per hour,

maximum of $17 per day. There is also curbside valet parking for $20

for the first 24-hour period and $4 per hour beyond that, with a

daily limit of $20.

The Main Street Parking Lot opens at 4:30 a.m. and has the lowest

daily parking rates at $1 per hour, $12 per day with complimentary

shuttle service to the terminal every 15 minutes.