Californians Huddle Together Amid Chill

Times staff writer David Smollar, born and bred in San Diego and accustomed to America’s Finest Climate, is in Washington for business and trying to survive one of the most oppressive cold waves to grip the capital.

Smollar came in out of the cold for Sen. Pete Wilson’s Super Bowl party Sunday night at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, an affair intended to welcome visiting Californians who were in town for the inauguration.

Wilson’s staff got out the popcorn and hot dogs; it was a tailgate party beneath chandeliers. There were six TVs and an organist who tried to evoke warmer thoughts by playing, “California, Here I Come.”

Six hundred people were invited to the bash--and a thousand showed up. “Apparently it was one of the few places in town where you didn’t need to wear an overcoat inside to stay warm,” Smollar said. “Nobody minded the size of the crowd because the body heat felt so good.”

Indeed, the weather dominated the party talk, football and inauguration notwithstanding.

Mary Chapman, a Vista planning commissioner who was at the party, said she had second thoughts about the California wardrobe she had packed for the inauguration festivities. “The serape,” she moaned, “just ain’t going to make it.”

Francisco Herrera, Wilson’s director of intergovernmental affairs and a transplant from Wilson’s days at San Diego City Hall, said the bitter cold reminded him of standing guard duty in Korea.

Even Wilson couldn’t avoid the topic. “The weather here,” he said, “should let you know what a selfless act of patriotism it is to serve you in Washington.”

Among those in attendance was Coronado hotelier Larry Lawrence, a Democratic Party mogul who seemed a bit out of place at the largely Republican party.

It was a bittersweet occasion, Lawrence said.

Noting that he has spent more than a few bucks trying to block Reagan’s four successful election bids--twice for governor, twice for president, Lawrence said wryly, “I’d go anywhere to see Reagan inaugurated. He’s cost me a fortune. So, I wanted to see him inaugurated for the last time.”

On Monday, a homesick Smollar went to visit the Washington office of the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Alas, nobody was there. It was closed because of the cold weather.

A Warmer Alternative

Then again, if you couldn’t make it to Washington for the inauguration hoopla, there was the party held Monday night by San Diego County’s Conservative Order of Good Guys.

It was held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn to honor the President. The prime rib dinner ($50 per person) was preceded by such hors d’oeuvres as teriyaki strips, crabmeat-stuffed mushroom caps and melon wrapped in ham.

And nobody complained about the weather.

Super Fantail Fun During the Super Bowl, the San Diego Fire Department had to contend with only three fires which, all told, caused $8,125 in damage.

Minutes after the game was over, though, there was a call about a fire aboard a small boat near the Embarcadero. The dispatcher had a feeling it was a hoax; it was a young person’s voice, it came from a phone booth, and there were no other reports of fire.

Several fire trucks were dispatched to the harbor area nonetheless, and sure enough there were no flames in sight --until the whoosh of flames atop the stern of one of the boats.

You’ve heard of the tailgate parties at the stadium parking lot? Well, in the harbor, it turns out they have post-game fantail parties.

More Seating at Stadium

In our Equal Rights Department, we bring you this news from San Diego Councilwoman Gloria McColl, who last got her name in this space because of her campaign to increase the number of women’s restrooms at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

Well, she’s done it!

Back in October, 1983, when she first complained, there were 38 men’s rooms and 28 women’s rooms--a ratio which may have made sense years ago when more men than women turned out for the Chargers and Padres. In more recent times, though, a growing number of women have come to the stadium, and they have had to wait patiently in line before making their way back to their seats. Someone at the stadium suggested it had to do with their “turn-around time.”

Since then, some of the men’s rooms have been converted and the stadium has been expanded, allowing the construction of still more women’s rooms.

In fact, there are now 38 women’s rooms --two more than for the guys.

Take Rest for Stress

Finally, we bring you news of a free lecture Wednesday evening, sponsored by the Kalmia Center.

The topic: Stress Reduction.

The speaker: Dr. Stanley Rest.