Lake Arrowhead carwash saves water, but it takes doe

Several years ago, during a previous drought, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California elicited tips for saving water. The suggestions from the citizenry included washing the floors with leftover washing machine suds; requiring swimming pool owners to post signs that said, “Do Not Splash”; and, of course, making it a policy to always shower with a friend. One man even disclosed that he showered with his dog.

Well, we’re in another rainless period and I think it’s important to keep water conservation in mind. And I’m happy to report that Richard Marymee of Orange is doing his part. He passes along the news that near Lake Arrowhead, he found a carwash that doesn’t use water (see photo).

It’s there in black and white: Susan Stevens of West L.A. chanced upon a beach parking lot sign asking motorists to be careful when departing (see photo). It was taken in South Africa, incidentally, not Santa Monica.

No offense, but ... : Christine Spalding noticed that San Diego State’s Open University Program reminds applicants that when it comes to your mind, it can’t work miracles (see accompanying).

Grow up! Gaye Holladay of Palos Verdes Estates and Jane Fowler of West L.A. spotted an ad from a family that needs a nanny for some awfully big kids (see accompanying).

What an insult: NBC’s Jay Leno, reacting to a study that ranked Miami first in terms of road rage and L.A. fourth: “We shoot people here and we’re only fourth? What the hell are they doing in Miami?”

I think it’s just another example of the snooty East’s refusal to recognize the accomplishments of the West.

You-Think-You-Have-Problems Department: The police log in Cal State Fullerton’s Daily Titan recently reported: “A female in her 20s.... stubbed her toe and said she felt like she was going to faint.”

Everyone’s into fitness in these parts: Spotted in Costa Mesa: a panhandler, his pleading placard tucked under his arm, whizzing down the street on a skateboard.

Cut! In the excerpt of Ronald Reagan’s diary published in Vanity Fair magazine, the late former president recalled that when he was asked to preside over the opening ceremonies for the 1984 Olympics in L.A., he felt that his two sentences of dialogue “were written in reverse.”

“The applause line -- ‘hereby declare open, etc.’ -- was (at first) followed by a second line about the 23rd Olympiad. I asked permission to change the order & did so.”

He added that the press, which had a copy of the lines as originally written, accused him of committing a flub.

But as an old actor, Reagan knew a few things about protecting himself from a flawed script.

miscelLAny: Did you see where authorities said that erratic motorist Paris Hilton will have to serve only half of her 45-day jail sentence because she can get time off for good behavior? Funny to see those two words -- “good behavior” -- associated with Ms. Hilton.

Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATIMES, Ext. 77083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012, and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.