Pulling all-nighter for Chick-fil-A

Jim Klaus of Cypress dropped in to a Chick-fil-A in Moreno Valley a while back and, as is his custom, spent about 14 hours there. He was waiting for the restaurant’s grand opening. And, since he was among the first 100 to arrive, he received 52 coupons, worth about $300 in eats.

Klaus is part of a loose-knit traveling army of fowl fans who flock to each new Chick-fil-A the day before it opens, arriving in the afternoon. They park their vehicles, then move into a roped off part of the lot where they set up tents or cots, play cards, shoot baskets (if someone brings a portable hoop) or listen to music. They turn in at about midnight and are awakened at 5:30 a.m. or so for their prizes.

“It’s a good deal and it’s fun,” said Klaus, who has attended four in the last couple of years. “I met a woman there who knits quilts -- she made two for me and she’s going to do five more.”

A couple from Phoenix are also regulars. “I don’t know why they come this far,” Klaus said. “The husband never gets out of the tent. He reads. The wife sits outside. She’s a gabber.”

Besides the first 100 who arrive, about 15 standbys are allowed to stay. Usually, a few early birds grow bored and leave. Some are disqualified. Attendees are not allowed to leave the roped off area (restroom facilities are open inside the restaurant). Workers take roll call.

“In Moreno Valley,” Klaus said, “one couple snuck out to a McDonald’s next door and the guy who was No. 101 squealed on them. They were disqualified and he became No. 99.”

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More food for thought

In the category of unusual menu items (see accompanying), today’s specials are:

* A serving for men who’ve forgotten their pants (from Patrick Mauer of Los Angeles).

* And, no disrespect to Presidents Day, a dish honoring a Colonial Army traitor. Howard Siegel, the restaurant’s owner (and a former classmate of mine at Hamilton High in West L.A.), points out that Benedict Arnold is not such a villain in Canada. Siegel’s Pagliacci’s restaurant is in Victoria, British Columbia.

Eggs Benedict Arnold would be the enemy of any dieter, however.

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From cod pieces to the Strip

Sure it’s been a bit chilly lately, but I didn’t realize how chilly until I saw the sign snapped by Tom Greene of L.A. (see photo). Turns out this Sunset Strip is actually in Williams, Ariz. I’m surprised Williams hasn’t sued L.A. for stealing the name.

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How serious is China about hosting the Olympics?

While he was in Beijing, Mike Isco of Orange observed that the country’s inspectors are rating everything (see photo).

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Unclear on the Concept

Barbara Martin of Pasadena noticed a mailing from a print shop that wouldn’t rate very high for accuracy (see accompanying). Noted Martin: “I’m afraid this ‘source’ may require more than one stop.”

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Unclear on the Concept II

Steve Garfield of Camarillo couldn’t help but notice all the stumps of cut-down trees in front of the offices of the Ventura County Resource Conservation District and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Somis.

“Looks like a heck of a plan to conserve resources and promote things that grow,” Garfield said.

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miscelLAny

Is there nothing we can depend on anymore? My colleague Scott Wilson saw a sign in an L.A. post office that said: “We are all out of the forever stamps.”

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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