666: The number’s up

It only happens once a century, evoking fear in some and skepticism in others. And while there is much debate about the significance of today’s date, the sixth day of the sixth month of the sixth year, most people can agree on what it means: that June 7 will roll around tomorrow.

There’s just something interesting about the occurrence. Like Friday the 13th, the date June 6, 2006, is generating interest from superstitious types and those who simply like numbers.

The number 666, as referenced in the New Testament’s Book of Revelations, is generally associated with the Antichrist, or Satan, and is commonly referred to as “The Number of the Beast.” Hollywood has seized the day to release its remake of the film “The Omen,” while heavy metal fans have made it the “National Day of Slayer,” named after the popular rock group. But for some Newport-Mesa residents, the date is no laughing matter.

“A lot of people are afraid,” Amy Adams, of the Psychic Boutique in Newport Beach, said. “A lot of women don’t want to have their babies on that day and other people are saying they don’t want to travel.”

Adams said many people are afraid of terrorist attacks on today’s date. A quick check of the Homeland Security Department’s threat assessment level remains at “Elevated,” or Code Yellow, which means “significant risk of terrorist attacks.”

Internet websites are buzzing with attack predictions for today’s date, including concerns about the Sears Tower building in Chicago, which has a ZIP Code of 60606. The closest thing Orange County had was the ZIP Code 92666 for a neighborhood in Orange, but that was recently changed to 92866.

As for 666 celebrations, there wasn’t much going on in Orange County, said Dani Dolan who works at counter-culture hangout Wicked Chamber in Costa Mesa. One family however, is a planning a celebration for their son, whose sixth birthday is today.

“He’s very excited that he’s turning 6 on the 6th,” Devon Thomas said of her son Jake, who was born six years ago today. “He hopes it brings him luck in his roller hockey game.”

The family was planning a small birthday party with tri-tip, corn on the cob and a special birthday cake ? there likely wouldn’t be any discussion of Satan at the dinner table, she said.

“He doesn’t know about the diabolical side of 666,” she said.

Other area residents were doing their best to avoid today’s date as a possible birthday. No induced pregnancies or caesarean sections were planned for today at Newport Beach OB/GYN said clerk Adriana Gonzalez.

“They either choose to induce prior to that date or wait to do their C-section on another date,” she said. “When I offered people their scheduling appointments for the 6th, many people said they didn’t want that date.”

Of course for others in Costa Mesa, it’s business as usual. Boy Scout Troop 666 said they’re not worried about today’s date, or anything triple-six.

“We’ve had this name for over 50 years and have never thought of changing it,” said troop mom Anna Dolewski.

In fact they’re planning their weekly scout meeting tonight ? at 6 p.m.