GOING, GOING, GONE: A FRITTER IS SOLD ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

It was a Mystery for the Ages this morning at 7th and Montana as a hooded figure arrived on the scene and ordered an Apple Fritter. "Did I just hear what I thought I heard?," I asked Barista Veronica. She laughed, knowing my opinion of the Fritters, but I was dead serious. "Who," I wondered, "would actually order one of these things ... and for what nefarious purpose?" I followed the hooded figure -- a woman in her early thirties -- around the store, trying to catch a glimpse of her ... and overheard her telling someone that the Fritter was for her mother. I don't know about you, but I feel a case of Double Indemnity coming on ...!

RUFF AROUND THE EDGES ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

Ladies and Gentlemen, meet "Bowser," an Alpha Female who got into a bit of a tussle with Neighbor Richard yesterday over dog protocol at Our Favorite Starbucks. The fun began when Bowser sat down with her dog at the table next to Richard and his Irascible Sheepdog, Charlie. "Excuse me," said Richard politely, "but my dog isn't trustworthy ... he sometimes attacks other dogs." Charlie began looking at Bowser's dog as if it were an h'ors d'oeuvre, but Bowser seemed oblivious. She looked Richard right in the eye and barked, "Just like his Master, I'll bet!" Was she joking? I don't think so ... but something tells me her bark is worse than her bite ...!

STAR POWER ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

The stars were out at 7th and Montana this morning and I was right there with my Spycam to capture them. First came Actor Christian Bale, still looking somewhat emaciated from his dramatic weight loss for The Fighter, a film due out next year chronicling the early years of Boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward. I'd have recommended a few Apple Fritters, but something tells me that would do more harm than good.

Next-up was our very own Hanna -- formerly known as Pajama Girl for her tendency to occasionally wear her pajamas to Starbucks. Hanna has been working on the ABC-TV series Castle -- about a famous mystery novelist named Rick Castle who helps the NYPD solve crimes -- and, since Barista John is a big fan, she brought him a copy of the book Heat Wave which is based on the series. Actor Nathan Fillion, who plays Castle on the show, autographed the book as follows: "Hanna can't do without coffee. We can't do without Hanna. In essence, we can't do without you!"

And, last but not least, a Famous International Newswoman made the scene. I'm sworn to secrecy regarding her identity, but trust me when I say millions of Americans have tuned-in regularly to get her view on the news. I'd say more, but a promise is a promise ...!

WIGGING-OUT ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

Eyes were popping at 7th and Montana this morning as a man made the scene balancing a Red Fright Wig on the tip of his scalp. The look was part Ringling, part Ding-a-Ling. "Good Lord," I said as he adjusted the wig, "Where did he get that head of hair, Rugs R' Us?!?" Moments later, he and his girlfriend began passing the wig back and forth, and taking turns modeling it. I couldn't resist asking him about it. "It's just a little something I found in my closet," he said, "I decided to wear it today instead of a hat." Now all he needs is a whoopee cushion and a boutonniere that squirts seltzer water ...!

McCHEESY RIDER ...!

Be on the look-out, folks, the roads of Los Angeles just got a little more bizarre. There I was, driving near my office in Beverly Hills yesterday, when a quick glimpse in the rear view mirror confirmed my worst suspicions. I was being followed by a full-service McDonald's on wheels. "Just what I need," I said, as the Golden Arches drew closer, "I'm being tailgated by Ronald McDonald." I pulled over on Hillcrest to let the restaurant pass, but -- to my surprise -- it pulled over, too. Curiosity got the better of me and I got out of my car. "I'll have a Big Mac and and order of Fries to Go," I said to the woman who seemed to be in charge. "You're back!," she said, "You're Mr. Annenberg, right?" Her brain was obviously more scrambled than an Egg McMuffin. I'd never seen her before in my life ... and how strange that she seemed to be confusing me with Neighbor Charlie. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said. She went on. "Are you trying to tell me that I didn't just see you two hours ago at the Post Office?" I looked around, half-expecting Rod Serling to appear. "Cancel my order," I said, "I'll just grab something from the Drive Thru, instead." I later learned that the McDonald's-on-Wheels was in town for a video shoot.

MYSTERY SOLVED ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

It was a Mystery Solved at 7th and Montana yesterday as I finally cracked the case of the Dueling Blogs. Three weeks ago, Barista David gave me a taste of my own medicine. He pointed his cell phone at me, took my photo and said "This is for my blog." But he refused to give me the URL ... leaving me to wonder what he was writing about. Now, at last, the truth can be told: His blog is a buyer's guide to medicinal marijuana. He calls it The Stoner Avenue Review and take it from me, he leaves no stone unturned in his candid assessments of the various marijuana dispensaries around town. In a post-Thanksgiving review of a location called The Dutch Masters Collective (DMC), for example, he writes, "DMC is the spot for a chill smoke overlooking Westwood and Santa Monica with superb weed at a capped price." Of the Westwood Caregivers (WCG), he writes, "For late night needs, this place is unbeatable." I'd warn David not to get too carried away with the whole blog thing, but that might be a bit like the pot calling the kettle black ...!

TWISTED SISTER ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

Head for the Hills, folks ... there's a Twisted Sister in town and she's set-up shop at 7th and Montana. The woman in question -- a slim young lady in her mid twenties -- made the scene at Our Favorite Starbucks yesterday sporting a mass of twisted hair piled nearly two-feet high on her head and held in place by a bright purple ribbon. She wore a black fur coat, dark sunglasses, and skin-tight spandex pants with holes running up and down each leg. A collection of safety pins dangled from her left ear. Now that's something you don't see every day ...!