Here in So Cal (which would be a desert if not for the battle over water rights many years ago and the subsequent diversion of water from the Owens Valley) water is starting to get tight. The emergency reservoirs are down by half, yet mandatory water rationing has not been put into effect. At least not by the DWP. Okay, this really seems nuts to me. My neighbors waste so much water on their lawns, and my neighbor across the street not only waters his lawn twice a day, he washes down his driveway. Every day! And he has a big driveway, too.

My husband has made comments to him like, "How's the concrete growing, Tony?" And, "You know, we live in a desert." To which he responds with a laugh. Now, he's 82 years old, so we can't be too militant with him, but I swear, it makes me crazy.

Just had to vent.

That would upset me. My SIL lives in Atlanta, and last summer with the draught, she said that people around her didn't change their water usage habits at all. It's amazing to me that when huge problems are coming our way that people think that doing something to help out doesn't include them. It's really tough to say things to people though. My neighbor seems to ride his lawnmower around every day...but I wouldn't even know what to say to him. It's his choice. I just wish he would make a different one. Good for you guys for saying anything at all...that takes courage.

Actually, I haven't said anything to our neighbor, it's been my husband's jokey comments (although he really means it). Maybe it's just human nature. Like living in Southern California, we all kind of live in denial about the Big One that could hit at any time. My "emergency kit" probably still has diapers in it (and my son's 10).

Ooh, I have a brainstorm coming: Have Leo DiCaprio (or other highly popular eco-activist celebrity) host a neighborhood contest to see which neighborhoods reduce their use of water the most over a period of time. I'm sure the water depts can provide the useage numbers. But not only that, each 'hood would have to do some kind of testimonial film of individuals explaining/showing how they've done it, and the more creative/enthusiastic, the more points they'd get. Does anyone remember how when The Simpsons movie came out, they held a nationwide contests inviting all the Springfield towns to submit a video application explaining why their town should be chosen as the movie's premiere site? The winning 'hood could, uh, I dunno, get some great (green!) party or concert or something with celebs. If people can rally together to rebuild someone's house in a week with total cooperation and enthusiasm like they do on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition", this could be done, too! - Paula.

You know, you might just have something there. If you turn it into a competition, you might get people to join in. The winning neighborhood could have their yards redone with xeriscape plants.