He Was Armed and Berry Dangerous

The Sheriff’s Log of the Alpenhorn newspaper in Running Springs, near Big Bear, contained this incident:

“03:24 p.m. Inspiration Dr.: Ongoing dispute with neighbor who is now at door with blueberry muffins.”

Commented reader Bill Thompson: “This is a tough town.”

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ARREST, WITH A SIDE OF FRIES: I’ve been unable to find out if the individual brandishing blueberry muffins was apprehended. But it got me to thinking of Southland spy Christopher Boyce, whose case was chronicled in the book and movie “The Falcon and the Snowman.”

Boyce, a onetime TRW engineer, sold secrets to the Soviet Union, was sent to prison, then escaped in 1980. He was later spotted in the parking lot of an eatery in the state of Washington. At which time a federal marshal--with gun drawn--uttered the classic line:

“Drop that hamburger.”

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L.A.--IT’S EVERYWHERE! Ellie Goldman was a bit surprised to come across the Hotel California near Pisa, Italy (see photo). It was a safe distance from the Leaning Tower, by the way. I’ve also been sent photos of Hotel Californias in Berlin and Vancouver. But I don’t know of anyone who’s ever stayed at a resort with that name--possibly because, as the Eagles reminded us, “you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. . . .”

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BURGER BITS: The first day receipts of some pioneer eateries of Southern California:

* Bob’s Pantry (now Bob’s Big Boy), Glendale, Aug. 14, 1936: $12.

* Tommy’s, Beverly Boulevard, L.A., May 15, 1946: $8.

* Hof’s Hut, Sept. 16, 1951, Long Beach: “Less than $50,” recalls Craig Hoffman, son of the founders.

* The Blimp (now Carl’s Jr.), Florence and Central avenues, L.A., July 17, 1941: $14.75.

* In-N-Out, Oct. 22, 1948, Baldwin Park: “We do not disclose financial information,” a spokeswoman said. My apologies for asking, In-N-Out. I wouldn’t want to divulge information that would give your rivals an unfair competitive advantage.

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SHOCKING, BUT TRUE: When Carl Karcher (see photo) first went into business, he sold mainly hot dogs. The stand he purchased (for $326) had been called Hugo’s Hot Dogs. Before settling on the name Carl’s Jr., Karcher called his stand The Blimp in honor of a nearby landing strip (no jokes about calories, please).

miscelLAny:

Adele Baquet of Sierra Madre noticed an employment ad that had some meat at a Burger King (see photo).

Harvey can be reached by phone at (800) LATIMES Ext. 77083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, Times Mirror Square, L.A. 90053 and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.