ON THE HOME FRONT

Crisis counseling:

West Orange County Crisis Hotline: (714) 894-4242 (24 hours a day).

St. Jude’s Hospital Hotline: (800) 882-1882 (24 hours).

Families of El Toro Marine base troops in the Persian Gulf: (714) 726-2771, 726-3610, 726-3174 or 726-3176 (24 hours).

UC Irvine students, faculty and staff: (714) 856-6457.

Troop family and friends support groups

Operation Desert Storm Support Group holds weekly support meetings. The next one is 9 a.m. Sunday at the First Nazarene Church, 1500 E. 17th St., Santa Ana. For information, call (714) 835-8271.

Proud Families of the Military Crescent Baptist Church in Anaheim. (714) 535-1313.

Desert Shield Support Group of La Habra. (800) 443-6287.

Boyfriends and Girlfriends Support Group, First Calvary Chapel Church, San Pedro. (213) 498-8624.

Huntington Beach Support Group, (714) 962-2010.

War and casualty information

Army: (800) 626-1440.

Air Force: (800) 253-9276.

Navy, immediate family: (800) 255-3808.

Navy, other relatives and friends: (800) 732-1206.

Marine Corps: (800) 523-2694.

Coast Guard: (800) 367-8724.

Searches at El Toro Marine base

Vehicles entering the base are being searched for bombs and explosives. At least one entrance has been closed. Since all visitors are subjected to identification checks, expect traffic backups.

John Wayne Airport

Cars not allowed to park close to terminal building due to potential terrorist threats. Motorists can still drop off passengers in front, but may not leave cars unattended. Only ticketed passengers allowed past security gates. Arrive at least two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

Blood donations

Call the Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross for an appointment, (714) 835-5381. Walk-in donors also accepted.

Phoning to the Persian Gulf:

Long-distance phone companies say not to try to contact troops because of heavy telephone traffic. If you need to reach a family member in an emergency, call the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross, (714) 835-5381.

Upcoming events:

Antiwar demonstration from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the Federal Building, 34 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana.

Antiwar candlelight vigil today from 6 p.m. to midnight at the South Coast Plaza entrance, Bristol Street at Anton Avenue.

Vigil “for peace and in support of U.S. troops” daily at 6 p.m., Main Beach, Coast Highway and Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

Demonstration at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue in Anaheim on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“Support Our Troops” rally Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the intersection of Crown Valley Parkway and Puerta Real, Mission Viejo.