Dry Humor Gives Way to Deluge of Wet Jokes

I cover the water front.

As our rain-soaked drought continues, San Diegans are coping.

Also, drying off, playing politics and engaging in class warfare (Death to all landlords, counterrevolutionaries, and big-time water users!).

* Drought humor (unintentional): A morning disc jockey reported that “one inch of drought fell last night at Lindbergh Field.”

* Drought humor (intentional): KSDO sportscaster Ron Reina, emcee of an America’s Cup luncheon Thursday, promised that the door prize would be “a guided tour of Mayor O’Connor’s water meters.”

* Drought insult (overheard in Encinitas): “I wouldn’t waste gray water on you even if you were on fire.”

* Drought sanctimoniousness (drier-than-thou): My favorite is the no-growther from La Jolla who has fought for years to prevent all lot splits and now is furious that owners of big lots use so much water for greenery.

* Drought seer: To the (short) list of people who resisted the urge to poor-mouth should be added Point Loma psychic-astrologer Loretta Tucker.

When most official weather people were insisting that San Diego would stay as dry as your grandmother’s elbow, Tucker had the courage to say piffle.

She told a stringer for Time magazine in early February that the weather was changing: that Saturn was moving out of Capricorn (a dry, barren sign) and into Aquarius (a more hopeful, airy sign):

“Any good astrologer could have told you it was going to rain.”

Tucker, 45, knows her rain; she moved here to get away from the wet winters of Salt Lake City.

She has continued to counsel San Diegans not to fret, fight and poke each other in the eye over water: negative vibes make for dry weather.

“Both my astrological readings and my psychic feelings tell me it’s going to continue to rain in San Diego,” Tucker said this week.

Remember, drought devotees, you read it here first.

Party’s Over for Teens

Friday facts.

* For the second year, youths under age 18 will not be allowed into Mexico for the party-filled Easter weekend, which starts today, without a notarized note from their parents.

Last year, 800 would-be party crashers were turned back at the border.

This year, San Diego cops are getting even tougher: Parents of noteless youth will be sent chiding letters.

* North County bumper sticker: “Get Off The Phone & Drive.”

* Great moments in television.

CBS newsman to Raymond Stone, convicted this week of seducing and murdering an El Cajon woman: “So, you’re a bad guy.”

Stone: “So, you’re a geek.”

* Who says meatless Fridays are no longer observed by San Diego Catholics?

Sales of fish tacos at Rubio’s Mexican restaurants are highest on Fridays: up 60% last Friday in Encinitas, 70% in El Cajon, 130% in Chula Vista.

Decisions and Donations

Money and politics.

On Monday, San Diego Councilman Bob Filner moved to delay a council decision on allowing Father Joe Carroll to open a downtown shelter for homeless teens.

Since he represents downtown, Filner’s stand (he’s undecided so far) will be influential. His delay motion passed, 8 to 0.

The shelter plan is strenuously opposed by Odmark & Thelan, a local development company that is building a 96-unit condominium project just a block from the shelter site.

On Wednesday, Filner held a fund-raising dinner for his reelection campaign: more than 600 people at $125 per.

Among the contributors: Ted Odmark, John Thelan and other employees of their firm. The firm had promised in advance to fill up a table, according to Filner.

Still, Filner insists their contributions won’t sway his vote on the Teen Quest proposal: “I make my decisions on what’s best for the district, not on contributions.”