IT'S A HOLIDAY FLEE CIRCUS CHRISTMAS STRESS, HANUKKAH HYSTERIA ALL PART OF SEASON.Byline: Brent Hopkins and Susan Abram Staff Writers Kennels filling with pooches. Beauty salons batting away shaggy clients. Auto repair shops burning the midnight oil. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Christmas is always a busy, stressful time of year. But with Hanukkah's first night falling on Sunday and many workers enjoying a three-day weekend, this year's holiday vibe is extra hectic. More than 4 million motorists will hit the road this weekend to arrive at their holiday destination - and the gridlock Gridlock A government, business or institution's inability to function at a normal level due either to complex or conflicting procedures within the administrative framework or to impending change in the business. will be compounded by all the traffic generated by those last-minute holiday errands. ``We get tons of people who realize they've been shopping all season, they look up and realize their hair looks terrible,'' said Linda Husjord, manager of Frenchy's Beauty Parlor in Burbank. ``It's definitely a huge crunch the weeks before Christmas and New Year's. We still have a handful available before Christmas, but it's almost booked and next week, it's definitely getting there.'' Of the 5.5 million traveling Southern Californians, 2.2 percent more than last year, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the Automobile Club of Southern California The Automobile Club of Southern California was founded December 13, 1900 in Los Angeles as one of the nation's first motor clubs dedicated to improving roads, proposing traffic laws and improvement of overall driving conditions. , 80 percent are predicted to drive to their destinations. San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden , Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. and Palm Springs were the top spots. ``Gas is almost 15 cents higher this year than last year, and that may be on people's mind but, overall, people want to travel,'' said Jeffrey Spring, spokesman for the Automobile Club. Local airports began to see a busy season beginning last weekend. Los Angeles International Airport “LAX” redirects here. For other uses, see LAX (disambiguation). “KLAX” redirects here. For other uses, see KLAX (disambiguation). Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX, ICAO: KLAX, FAA LID: LAX predicts that 2.9 million travelers will pass through until Jan. 2. The 17-day holiday passenger volume is expected to exceed last year's total of 2.8 million, airport officials say. The increase is driven by an increase in international travel. But at Burbank's Bob Hope Airport Bob Hope Airport (IATA: BUR, ICAO: KBUR, FAA LID: BUR) is a regional and national airport located in Burbank, California, United States. It was formerly known as United Airport (1930-1934); Union Air Terminal (1934-1940); , domestic travel ruled as families stood in quick-moving lines to board airplanes to Las Vegas, Arizona and New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . The airport was expected to see a 10 percent increase in passenger volume, compared with last year, said spokeswoman Lucy Burghdorf. ``This year, we're taking our whole family with us on vacation,'' said Lee Miller of Encino, who was traveling with her three sons and husband. ``As often as I can, I fly out of Burbank.'' Before heading out of town, many holiday revelers had to find a temporary home for their four-legged friends. At Canyon View Training Ranch, a free-range dog kennel in Topanga Canyon, savvy owners booked a year ago. While co-owner Randy Neece said it's not always so hard to get space during the most of the year, forget it during holidays. In fact, he's already taking bookings for the holidays in 2009. ``We're sad we have to turn people away, but most facilities of good quality have long been booked up,'' Neece said. ``If you make a call and they say we've got plenty of room, you should check it out before you're heading to the airport. That's not when you want to find out it's a place that's going to stress your dog out.'' And for those millions making road trips, tuneups and oil changes have become a hot commodity. John Stevenson John Stevenson may refer to:
adj. road·wor·thi·er, road·wor·thi·est Fit to be driven on the open road: a roadworthy truck. . He plans to stay open until Saturday, just to accommodate the last-minute rush. ``When you're self-employed, you find a way to handle the work,'' he said. ``I've had some nights where I've had to work to midnight, 1 a.m., to get things done. In the long run, that ends up paying off.'' Brent Hopkins, (818) 713-3738 brent.hopkins(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos, box Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) Above, Randy Neece, co-owner of Canyon View Training Ranch in Topanga Canyon has his hands full as guest dogs settle in for a stay. The free-range facility is booked up for the holidays this year, but is taking bookings for 2009. At left, Lee Miller of Encino and her son, Brian, wait in line to check luggage at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank. David Sprague/Staff Photographer (3) Travelers wait in line to check luggage at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank. Airport officials expect a 10 percent boost in passenger volume compared with last year. Many are going to visit relatives. Michael Owen
Box: Mall madness Mall Madness is a board game released by Milton Bradley in 1988, re-released as Electronic Mall Madness in 1990, and re-released with updated artwork in 2006. Players set up a two-story mall, and receive money to shop for 6 things on their shopping lists. SOURCE: Daily News research Daily News |
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