The helping hand you extend to others in 2010 may earn you a handshake from Mickey Mouse, Minnie or Snow White.

A new program entitled "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" aims to inspire a million people to contribute a day of service to their local community organizations. Their generosity will be rewarded with a one-day, one-theme park ticket to the Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World in Florida.

If the growing list of participating organizations is any indication, area nonprofit groups think it's a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious idea.

"We've been overwhelmed with the response," said Melissa Wareing, supervisor for volunteer services for St. Leonard Franciscan Living Community in Centerville, Ohio, near Dayton. She already has received 800 requests from potential new volunteers and is busy trying to match jobs with applicants.

Across the country, 250 action centers are connecting volunteers to more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies.

To participate, you need to pre-register and sign up through the website www.DisneyParks.com, which includes all details of the program.

You must be at least 18 years old, and children ages 6-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when volunteering.

Up to eight members of a household can sign up.

You must sign up with a participating organization that's listed on the Disney website. Other volunteer activities do not qualify.

The program started Jan. 1 and will continue until all tickets are distributed or until Dec. 15, 2010. Tickets must be redeemed by Dec. 15.

The move by U.S. airlines to charge extra for services that used to be included in ticket prices is just beginning and will grow to include more European and Asian carriers, according to research from the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation, an aviation consultancy based in Australia.

"We are just at the start of the movement to monetize services and products passengers used to receive as part of the ticket price," said center executive chairman Peter Harbison in a new report.

Baggage fees are one of the fastest-growing ways airlines are earning extra cash. Others include charging for seat selection, in-flight services and products, sales of insurance, airport lounges access and sales of concert tickets, mobile phone credits and more.

"Airfares around the world, particularly in the U.S., have fallen sharply since the onset of the recession, making baggage fees [and other ancillary revenue items] an increasing lifeline for the airline sector," Mr. Harbison said.

U.S. airlines will earn $4 billion in baggage fees this year, CAPA estimates, with Delta and American Airlines the biggest collectors as of late last year. The movement to boost what the industry calls ancillary (merchandising) revenue is spreading to Europe, Mr. Harbison said. Airlines in Asia Pacific countries have been more cautious, but that could soon change.

"Full service airlines around the world are looking on with interest, and many are likely to attempt to follow the U.S. lead shortly," the report said.

"Asian carriers are already picking up on some of the 'other revenues' opportunities from charging change fees more often, service charges for frequent flier tickets, seat selection, lounge passes and more."

The full report is available at www.centreforaviation.com.

Restaurants from throughout New Mexico are featured on the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail, part of the new Culinary Trails section of the state tourism department's website.

Burger and green chile lovers can enjoy restaurant recommendations. A map of the locations can be viewed online, and an expanded version can be downloaded. Blake's Lotaburger, a regional restaurant chain credited with being a pioneer of the green chile, cheese and hamburger combination, figures prominently on the trail.

www.newmexico.org/greenchilecheeseburger.

Gretna, La., will continue its Valentine's Day wedding tradition next Sunday, with a judge or justice of the peace officiating at multiple weddings from noon to 4 p.m. at the Gretna Green Blacksmith Shop.

A number of the town's traditions are reminiscent of those in Gretna Green, Scotland, which has been known for fast marriages since 1753. It also is the eponym of the Louisiana town. Gretna is a southern suburb of New Orleans.

Contact: 1-504-363-1580; www.gretnala.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is yanking the Sheraton flag from its 665-room Sheraton Manhattan at Times Square in New York, Travel Weekly reports.

The property, which it owns, does not meet the upgraded standards of the Sheraton brand, according to Starwood, which owns the hotel. The company is looking for a buyer or investor to help redevelop the property.

The hotel covers a full city block bounded by Broadway, Seventh Avenue and 51st and 52nd streets near Times Square.

"This property just really didn't hold up in terms of guest satisfaction [and physical condition]," Starwood CEO Frits van Paasschen told Travel Weekly.

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