Is the freeway halfempty or half full?Paul...

Is the freeway halfempty or half full?

Paul Ecker of Diamond Bar says the survey that found L.A. to have the nation’s most congested roadways was unduly negative. “We have the emptiest carpool lanes,” Ecker bragged.

METRO HOOF: Marino Pascal of L.A., meanwhile, snapped a photo in Pasadena that points up one of the primary causes of the gridlock. It’s all those darn horse carriages.

FOR THAT SPECIAL MOVIE MOGUL: Just to make sure you’re in the holiday spirit, we’re presenting you with a greeting card showing the Little Rascals gathered around a piano, belting out a Christmas carol (Petey must have been left outside).

But we also want to admit an error. This is one of the nostalgia cards being sold by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation charity, (213) 549-6708. However, a set of 10 cards costs $100, not $10 as we said last week.

A colleague uncovered the error when she phoned to place an order. She replied that the $100 price seemed a bit high.

A foundation staffer agreed. “It’s the kind of card you’d give a director for using you on a gig,” the staffer said.

HAMBURGER HANGAR? In Orange County, the home of John Wayne Airport, tentative approval has been given to building a second commercial airport at El Toro. The question, of course, is which celebrity should this facility be named for?

We suspect several Duke Wayne fans will insist on some sort of linkage to their hero. In that case, his oft-time leading lady could be honored with a Maureen O’Hara International Airport.

Or, if Wayne fans wanted a sidekick, how about Andy Devine International Airport? After all, Devine appeared in “Stagecoach,” one of the great transportation movies.

On the other hand, Orange Countyites might want to salute one of their own, in which case they could christen the airport in honor of Diane Keaton (Santa Ana High), Steve Martin (Garden Grove High) or Michelle Pfeiffer (Fountain Valley High).

Or, the county might decide to pay tribute to a hamburger star, Carl Karcher, especially if the size of the airport is limited due to environmental considerations.

What could be more appropriate than Carl’s Jr. Airport?

THE PRECINCTS ARE OPEN: Naturally, Only in L.A. is ready to accept nominations from civic-minded readers for the new name for the El Toro airport. And, as usual, we’re ready to offer several gifts from our Cave of Wonders, including “Monopoly, the Los Angeles Edition,” kitty-catnip toys shaped like Newt Gingrich (remember him?) and Bill Clinton, as well as two Bill Clinton Waffles (“the first ever Clinton waffle with nutritional value”). Our address is listed at the end of the column.

miscelLAny:

We felt for the guy when we read Thursday’s announcement that Michael Ovitz was leaving as the Walt Disney Co.’s No. 2 executive (and No. 2 Michael) under Michael Eisner. It’s always tough to have to search for a job during the holidays. You know what? Ovitz might really appreciate one of those Screen Actors Guild holiday cards.

Steve Harvey can be reached at: L.A. Times, Metro Section, Times Mirror Square, L.A. CA 90053, or by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com