LAist has a nice article on The Battle of Santa Monica Bay... Tony Cornero's gambling ships got raided in 1939 (not for gambling, since Cornero had won a court case on that issue, but for contributing "to the delinquency of minors by openly glorifying… gambling and the evasion of the laws of the state, and by inducing them to lead idle and dissolute lives". Most of the action went down peacably, but the Rex was briefly defended by armed men and fire hoses, and an 8 day stand-off ensued.

"After eight days, Cornero did give up and let officers confiscate the Rex. When asked by reporters why he gave up, he claimed he just needed a haircut."

Some of you who've played aaronjv's Call of Cthulhu adventures may already know Mr. Cornero.

Speaking of devotees of Cthulhu, stevenkaye is in town. I finally met him in the flesh, as I helped him navigate some of the sights. I picked him up at the Tar Pits, walked him around downtown (Bradbury Building, the Library, the Biltmore, St. Vibiana (the doors were actually open -- they were setting up for some event), etc. etc. etc.) We lunched at Cole's, and the French Dip there is certainly tasty, no matter who invented it first. I was a little surprised that it came with the jus on the side, as I thought both Phillippe's and Cole's served the dips pre-dipped. After lunch, I dropped him off at Greystone Mansion.