May 19, 1991

EVEN though Nassau County says its has water reserves for 80 years, it continues to restrict lawn watering. "Why should you waste water?" a deputy public-works commissioner, Steven A. Fangmann, asked. "Water conservation is not just a quick thing, but rather is something that we'll do year after year. This is a long-term program that has a long way to go."

There are many ways to lose a distinguished building. Perhaps the most painful is a bit-by-bit dismantling by vandals. And that, say two preservationists, is happening to the abandoned Temple B'nai Israel on 149th Street, west of Broadway. The limestone synagogue, with its 30-foot-wide arched windows and massive copper dome, was completed in 1923 to designs by Emery Roth, one of New York's most influential architects. In his 1986 book on Roth, "Mansions in the Clouds," Steven Ruttenbaum said B'nai Israel "conveys an overall impression of great solemnity and sumptuous splendor."

BOCA RATON, FLA. At night, Sam Caliendo lies awake thinking of interior waterfalls, indoor lagoons and rooftop pools. He is always thinking of unusual features for the multimillion-dollar homes he designs and builds to sell on speculation here. By day, the 40-year-old builder travels the world selecting art, artifacts and furniture to adorn his showcase residences, which he sells fully furnished. He buys handpainted silks in India and China, marble and leathers in Italy, golf carts in Poland, a 2,000-pound solid teak elephant sculpture in Africa, sharkskin furniture in Thailand and an antique wedding dress in Morocco to use as a wall hanging.

The last time he saw the Detroit Pistons, Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls had the playoffs on his mind. According to Piston forward John Salley, Pippen shook hands after a Detroit-Chicago game, then said: "See you in the Eastern Conference finals. And this time, it'll be different."

IN an unusual attempt at regional land planning, four major landowners in this mushroom-growing area have joined in an informal master plan for 2,000 acres. More famous for the pungent odor of mushroom compost than for its rolling countryside, the land in southern Chester County bordering Delaware has been spared heavy development, largely because it has been controlled by a few families, including two mushroom growers.