Retail Roundup

If you missed Fashion Island’s Christmas tree-lighting ceremony

Friday, you’ll have another chance when South Coast Plaza illuminates its

90-foot tree at 6 p.m. Monday at Town Center Park, behind the Westin

South Coast Plaza. It’ll boast more than 15,000 twinkling lights.

Also at South Coast Plaza will be the reindeer carousel that all the

youngsters will want to hop, skip and jump onto for a buck. Hmm . . .

seems like just today that Thanksgiving arrived. Well, Happy other

Holidays.

Beginning Friday, children can take to Santa’s lap to rattle off their

wish list at the mall. Just imagine it now: “Blah blah blah . . . Harry

Potter . . . Nintendo GameCube . . . Toys R Us . . . candy.” Yep, those

were the days.

Whatever happened to children wanting a Red Rider carbine action 200

shot range model air rifle?

Sealing gifts and envelopes with hope

And just as much as the holidays are about receiving grand toys and

clothes, they’re also about giving. At the American Lung Assn., Christmas

Seals are one way to go. Though the idea originated in Denmark, the seals

date back to Dec. 9, 1907, in the U.S. That year, the seals raised $3,000

to fight tuberculosis. Envelopes of 25 seals could be bought for a penny

then.

Locally, the campaign now garners funding for the American Lung Assn.

of Orange County for the promotion of lung health through education,

research, community outreach and advocacy.

To get some Christmas Seals and do your part, call (800) LUNG-USA.

It’s not all about receiving during the holidays. Give what you can.