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Betty Cannady, 84; Fifty-Year Resident

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  Betty Davis Cannady, a 50-year resident of Rustic Canyon, passed away January 30 at the age of 84.   Betty was born December 17, 1926, in West Virginia. After World War II, she met her future husband, Samuel Jackson ‘Jack’ Cannady, at a drugstore in Richlands, Virginia, where she had moved.   Shortly afterwards, Jack moved to California to work as a design engineer for missile hardware at Douglas Aircraft. The couple carried on a long-distance romance via letter and telephone, and eventually married in Las Vegas in 1952. They settled in Rustic Canyon in 1961.   A homemaker for the majority of her married life, Betty also occasionally worked as a secretary for the UCLA Neuropsychiatry Department on the Westwood campus.   Betty and Jack (a jazz lover who had an extensive collection of rare recordings that he converted into tapes for gifts for friends) shared a love of music and the marvels of nature. Jack, who died in 1998, was the unofficial photographer of upper Rustic Canyon, always showing up at parties with a Nikon around his neck and wearing a photographer’s vest.   Betty with her endless supply of critter food and Jack with his ever-ready camera were a special couple to their neighbors, friends and family.   In addition to her husband, Betty was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Cruise. She is survived by her nephew, Gary Cruise of Frazier Park, and her niece, Susan Clement of Stockton.   Private services were held February 15.

Martha Dresher, 96; Gentle but Persuasive Peace Activist

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  Martha Whitaker Dresher, a loving and gracious resident of Pacific Palisades for 52 years, died on December 26 at the age of 96. She resided at AgeSong senior living community in Emeryville, California, the last six months of her life.   Born on September 2, 1914, in Tampa, Florida, Martha attended Florida State University and graduated from Yale University with a degree in political science. She met her husband, mathematician Melvin Dresher, while at Yale and they were married in 1936.   After graduation, the Dreshers moved to Washington, D.C., where Martha worked for the Raw Materials Board, a group of representatives from the U.S., Canada and England who distributed materials to the Allies during World War II.   In 1947, after the birth of their daughter Olivia, the Dreshers moved to Los Angeles, where their son Paul was born. They ultimately settled in Pacific Palisades on Las Pulgas Road in 1958.   Throughout her adult life, Martha was an activist for progressive causes involving peace, justice and human and animal rights.   During the Vietnam War, she participated in many anti-war marches and rallies. In the 1980s she joined with the organizing group of the California Nuclear Weapons Freeze Initiative. In 2002, shortly before the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the group changed its name and became Palisadians for Peace, dedicated to preventing and then opposing the Iraq war.   Martha opened her home to Palisadians for Peace for its monthly meetings and committee work. She could be seen each week at the Palisadians for Peace table at the Sunday farmers’ market on Swarthmore, passing out literature, gathering signatures for various petitions and engaging in conversation with passersby interested in the peace movement. She also participated in the peace vigil held on Thursday nights at the corner of Swarthmore and Sunset, sitting in her camp chair surrounded by fellow activists.   For many years Martha worked as a poll worker during elections at the voting station in Marquez Elementary School.   In recent years, she worked behind the scenes for the counter-military recruitment work that Palisadians for Peace supports at L.A.-area high schools targeted by military recruiters. The purpose is to help protect students from aggressive recruiters by informing them about the realities of military enlistment and providing them with informational pamphlets and ”opt-out’ forms. Martha was not able to go to the schools, but she spent countless hours sorting, folding and inserting the opt-out forms in the pamphlets to be passed out to students and parents. She was always eager to hear about the encounters the group had with the students.   Martha was very successful in persuading people to consider her devotion to the causes she supported. Her infinite kindness and loving acceptance, even of those who disagreed with her, helped win others over. Her smile and pleasant way of speaking melted all hearts.   She had a great love and appreciation for animals. She took pleasure in feeding and watching the birds and squirrels in her yard each day and was a vegan for more than 30 years,   A beautiful woman, Martha had a keen appreciation of the arts and theater. She maintained a large library on progressive and humane interests.   Both an incurable optimist and realistic in her goals, Martha never allowed pragmatism to compromise her beliefs. She was fond of the quotation from Gandhi, ‘We must be the change we wish to see in the world,’ to which she added, ‘If there is ever going to be a change, it has to come from us.’   Martha was predeceased by her husband, Melvin, in 1992. She is survived by her daughter, Olivia Dresher, of Seattle; her son, Paul Dresher (wife Philippa Kelly and son Cole) of Berkeley; and her sister Sue Whitaker McNevin and her brother Charles Clarence Whitaker Jr., both of Tampa, Florida.   A memorial celebration of her life will be held in Pacific Palisades later in the spring.

PaliHi Sports: Playoff Preview

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Boys’ Basketball

The Dolphins (16-12) split their final two games of the season, barely losing at home 58-55 to Westchester last Wednesday. Two days later, they avenged a home loss to league rivals University, returning the favor with a 75-65 road win over the Wildcats to finish the season 9-3 in league.   Against the Comets, senior guard Dominick Brown barely missed a potential game-tying three in the final seconds, after the Dolphins rallied back from a 57-49 deficit with 1:26 remaining. Junior guard and leading scorer Donovan Johnson tallied 21 points and seven steals and senior point guard Malcolm Creer handed out eight assists in the losing effort.   Last Friday, senior forward Everett Osbourne dominated Uni to the tune of 22 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and three blocks, with Johnson chipping in 18 points en route to the 10-point win. That duo helped weather a 31-point, 16-rebound performance from 6-foot-4 Wildcats’ star David Nwaba.   Pali’s focus now shifts to the City Section Division I playoffs, where they are the No. 5 seed, earning them a home game with No. 12 South Gate (15-11) today at 7 p.m. A win over the Rams and the Dolphins will play in the quarterfinals next Tuesday at 7 p.m. against No. 4 Crenshaw (18-8) or No. 13 Long Beach Jordan (7-12) with the higher seed receiving the home game.   The semifinals and finals will both take place at the Galen Center on Friday, February 25 and March 5, respectively.

Girls’ Basketball

  With a 48-34 win at Westchester last Wednesday and 78-16 home victory over University two days later, the Lady Dolphins (20-9, 10-2) closed out the regular season on a five-game winning streak.   Junior guard Ashlie Bruner scored 14 points to go with seven steals and seven assists, Asia Smith scored 11 and pulled down 17 rebounds to help down the Comets. On Friday, junior Donae Moguel tallied 25 points and nine rebounds in the win over the Wildcats.   The Pali girls are now the No. 1 seed in the City Section Division II playoffs, earning home-court through the semifinals. First up, they play 16th-seed Maywood Academy tomorrow night at 7 p.m.   A quarterfinals home match-up with either No. 8 Jefferson (14-2) or No. 9 North Hollywood (11-8) awaits Pali next Wednesday at 7 p.m., while the semifinals are on Friday, February 25 with the finals following on Sunday, March 4 at Roybal Learning Center at 6 p.m.

Boys’ Soccer

  The Dolphins (12-1-5) finished the regular season in triumphant fashion, winning 2-0 at Fairfax and 5-1 at Hamilton to run its final Western League record to 9-1-2. Seniors Steve Diaz and Shane Centkowski scored against the Lions, while five different players’Kevin Strangeway, David Joy, Lucas Wetherby-Johnson, Alex Anastasi and Johnny Lambour’all found the back of the net against the Yankees.   As a result, Pali received the No. 5 seed and hosted No. 28 Granada Hills Kennedy in the opening round of the Large Schools, single-elimination tournament on Wednesday at 3 p.m. (after the Post went to press).   A win over Kennedy would put the Dolphins in the final 16, where a Friday home game looms with either No. 12 Jefferson (15-3-7) or No. 21 Woodland Hills Taft (12-8-4).   The quarterfinals will be played on Wednesday, February 23, the semifinals on Monday, February 28 and the final on Saturday, March 5.

Girls’ Soccer

Palisades (19-1) shut out Fairfax 4-0 and Hamilton 1-0 to win its final two home games and end the regular season with a perfect 12-0 league record. Junior forward Katie van Daalen Wetters netted a goal in both games, finishing as the Lady Dolphins’ leading scorer with 18 goals. The Lady Dolphins were awarded the No. 2 seed in the City Section Divisional Playoffs and kick off at 3 p.m. today at home against Woodland Hills Taft (6-12-6). Ironically, Pali’s only defeat of the season came against the Lady Toreadors, who the Lady Dolphins lost to 1-0 on December 13. Taft has been less than stellar of late, with only one win in its last 10 games. A first-round win over the Lady Toreadors and Pali will play next Thursday, February 24 against either No. 7 Huntington Park (16-3-2) or No. 10 Birmingham (9-7-5) in the quarterfinals. The semifinals take place on Tuesday, March 1 and the final is on Saturday, March 5.

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17, 2011

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HOMES FOR SALE 1

FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY to own a large 3 bed, 2 bath home in sought-after Tahitian Terrace Mobile Home Park. Private lushly landscaped backyard w/ multi-level deck w/ spectacular ocean views. Rent control, pets ok. $395,000. Agent, Franklin (310) 592-6696

UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a

GUEST HOUSE. 3 rooms, garden setting, French doors, hardwood floors, laundry, very quiet. Available now. $2,100/mo. Utilities included, cat okay. (310) 454-8150

FULLY RENOVATED!!! 4 BD, 5.5 BA. * Built in 1927 by J. Paul Getty for his mistress. Original California tiles, great yard, patio, decks w/ all whitewater views. Whitewater ocean view from every room. Fully renovated to 4 bdrm, 1 billiard/recreation room, wine cellar, living & dining room, 3 door/car garage w/ loft. 3 story home w/ elevator. Big beams, romantic outdoor whitewater view spa, steam sauna, 3 indoor jacuzzi spa tubs, great storage & plenty of amenities. New lighting & closets. Live in a place of history & charm. $9,000/mo. 17809 Porto Marina Way, Pacific Palisades. (213) 494-0059

SPLIT LEVEL 3 bd, 3 ba, large studio. Nice canyon view, very clean, fireplace, new flooring, rugs, patio, garage, laundry room. Shown by appt. $4,800/mo. (661) 270-9231

DUPLEX FOR RENT. 2 bedroom + fireplace, 1 bath, quiet residential area near Village. $2,450/mo. (310) 738-4400

536 ARBRAMAR. 3 bdr, 2 ba. Solar powered (low electric bills), high-end gas range, dishwasher and washer/dryer; fireplace, hardwood floors, lots of attic storage, 2 car garage, fenced in yard. $4,500/mo. (310) 801-5020

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED 1 BDRM APARTMENT. Best ocean views in town. Stainless steel appliances, wood floors, fireplace, pool, laundry onsite & parking. Small pets ok. Please call (310) 227-9612. Equal housing opportunity.

NEUTRA BUILDING! ARCHITECTURAL WONDER. 2 bed + 2 bath on Sunset Blvd. Huge wood deck w/ jacuzzi white water ocean view, private yard, and garden facing the ocean water and dolphins @ 17050 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 for $2,800/mo. Spacious living room, wood floors, beautiful fireplace, high vaulted wood ceilings w/ gigantic window, building courtyard, outdoor fireplace. Kitchen: gas stove, dishwasher, and white tile countertops. Bedrms: wood floors, lots of closet/storage space. Bathrm: tile floors, granite countertop. 1 car garage parking w/ washer and dryer hookups. Vintage architect property built on Pacific Palisades Hills simulating a sinking ship into the ocean has 4 units on our newly remodeled 4 leveled building. For more information contact (213) 494-0059 or fidel@benleedsproperties.com or go to http://leeds.postlets.com

PET FRIENDLY! 1 BD IN PAC PAL! ‘ 1/2 block from Gelson’s & the Village. Parquet floors, ocean view, laundry room, quiet building, on site manager, swimming pool & parking space. Ready to move in! $1,695/mo. * Move-In Special with 3rd month free! * Call Jeff at (310) 573-0150

LOVELY 2 BEDROOM 1st floor apartment in 5 unit building. Hardwood floors, new carpet & paint. Laundry on site. Carport parking. Large shared backyard patio. Short walk from Palisades Village & El Medio Bluffs overlooking ocean. $1,975/mo. 1st month free! (310) 435-5582 or kderby77@gmail.com

PETITE CHARMER: Cozy bachelor (500 sq ft) in triplex. Full bath & kitchen in garden ambiance. Plantation shutters, carport, close to beach & village. NS, NP, 1 year lease. $1,500/mo. (310) 804-3142

CONDOS, TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d

GEM IN THE PALISADES, Sunset & Almar. 2 bdrm, 2 1/2 ba townhouse. Hardwood, tile, carpet, w/d, dishwasher, roof deck, parking. $3,250/mo. (310) 395-1073

AMAZING OCEAN VIEWS! 1932 Palisades Dr. Beautiful 3 bd, 2.5 ba Medit Villa. Open flr plan (3,031 sq ft), cathedral ceil, office/study, gym/bonus, ample closets & storage. In/outdr living w/ 4 spacious balconies, vast cyn & ocn vus! Many amenities. $5,700/mo. Robbie Sikora, agent, (310) 710-5214

PALISADES HIGHLANDS, roommate wanted to share 2 bd, 2 ba twnhse. Attached priv garage, hdwd, priv patio, pool, jacuzzi, tennis, steps to cyn hiking. Pets considered. (310) 962-8482, resort3@earthlink.net

ROOMS FOR RENT 3

1 BEDROOM W/ PRIVATE BATHROOM. Full house privileges, washer & dryer. Must be willing to run light errands. 1 person, no pets. $500/mo. Call Peter at (310) 459-3650

RENTALS TO SHARE 3a

2 ROOMS FOR RENT. 1 master suite. Huge yard, full hse priv, all utils incld, shared W/D. Trained dogs welcomed. 1,000 yards from beach. $1,500/mo.-master, $1,000/mo.-other. (310) 454-1956

WANTED TO RENT 3b

FURNISHED HOME NEEDED. German family of 5 needs furnished home July-Aug. 2011. Local references available. Preferably under $8,000/mo. Mitch, (310) 454-1844

OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c

OFFICE SUITE in the Atrium Building on Via de la Paz. 2 offices, reception area and restroom. Attractive space approx. 900 sq. ft. One year plus sub-lease. Rent negotiable. Great space. (310) 459-5353

OFFICE FOR LEASE. Professional building in Pacific Palisades Village for lease. Lovely and spacious suite available. Reasonable rent price. Excellent tenant improvements. 850 square feet. Please call Tracy Rasmussen at (310) 459-8700 for more details.

WRITER’S RETREAT * Quiet office suite with private access and bathroom. This 350 sq. ft. space is bright and airy. Available February 1st. (310) 702-1107

VACATION RENTALS 3e

VACATION RENTAL on Via de la Paz in secured quiet area. Weekly $475. Furnished private bedroom & bathroom. Shared kitchen & dining. Pool, parking, utilities included. Satellite & internet. (310) 459-4520

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 5

INVESTOR/PARTNER WANTED. Secured collateral loans, low risk w/ high return 40% LTV of loan amt. Please call for details, (714) 520-1119

BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b

ACCOUNTANT/CONTROLLER. Quickbooks/Quicken setup. Outsource the hassle’all bookkeeping needs including tax prep for home or office. Get organized now! (310) 562-0635

NEED HELP WITH FINANCIAL MATTERS? Financial mgmt, bookkeeping, reconciling, bill paying, etc. Caring & confidential. (310) 459-2066 or (310) 218-6653

COMPUTER SERVICES 7c

MARIE’S MAC & PC OUTCALL. I CAN HELP YOU IN YOUR HOME OR OFFICE WITH: ‘ Consultation on best hard/software for your needs ‘ Setting up & configuring your system & applications ‘ Teaching you how to use your Mac or PC ‘ Upgrades: Mac OS & Windows ‘ Internet: DSL, Wireless, E-mail, Remote Access ‘ Key Applications: MS Office, Filemaker, Quicken ‘ Contact Managers, Networking, File Sharing, Data backup ‘ Palm, Visor, Digital Camera, Scanner, CD Burning. FRIENDLY & PROFESSIONAL ‘ BEST RATES. (310) 262-5652

YOUR OWN TECH GURU * EXPERT SET-UP, OPTIMIZATION, REPAIR. Problem-Free Computing Since 1992. Work Smarter, Faster, More Reliably. If I Can’t Help, NO CHARGE! ALAN PERLA, (310) 455-2000

THE DETECHTIVES’. PROFESSIONAL ON-SITE MAC SPECIALISTS. PATIENT, FRIENDLY AND AFFORDABLE. WE COVER ALL THINGS MAC ‘ Consulting ‘ Installation ‘ Training and Repair for Beginners to Advanced Users ‘ Data recovery ‘ Networks ‘ Wireless Internet & more. (310) 838-2254, William Moorefield. www.thedetechtives.com

USER FRIENDLY’MAC CONSULTANT. User friendly. Certified Apple help desk technician and proud member of the Apple consultant network. An easy approach to understanding all of your computer needs. Offering computer support in wide variety of repairs, set-ups, installs, troubleshooting, upgrades, networking, and tutoring in the application of choice. Computer consulting at fair rates. Ryan Ross: (310) 721-2827. email: ryanaross@mac.com ‘ For a full list of services visit: http://userfriendlyrr.com/

EXPERT COMPUTER HELP ‘ On-site service’no travel charge ‘ Help design, buy and install your system ‘ One-on-one training, hard & software ‘ Troubleshooting, Mac & Windows, organizing ‘ Installations & upgrades ‘ Wireless networking ‘ Digital phones, photo, music ‘ Internet ‘ Serving the Palisades, Santa Monica & Brentwood. DEVIN FRANK, (310) 499-7000

DECORATING 7d

INTERIOR DESIGN AND STYLING. From ordinary to unique. Space planning. Paint specs. Furniture. Accessorizing. Hourly design consultations welcome. Carol Fox, ASID. (310) 454-0601, www.carolfoxdesign.com

FINE ART INSTALLATION. Confused about where or how to hang your art collectibles? Rick Strauss has been installing fine art for years in homes and offices throughout the Westside. Reasonable rates. (310) 459-8212

GARAGE, ESTATE SALE SERVICES 7f

PLANNING A GARAGE SALE? an estate sale? a moving sale? a yard sale? Call it what you like. But call us to do it for you. We do the work. Start to finish. ‘ BARBARA DAWSON ‘ Estate/Garage Sale Specialist ‘ (310) 454-0359 ‘ barbdawson@roadrunner.com ‘ www.bmdawson.com ‘ Furniture ‘ Antiques ‘ Collectibles ‘ Junque ‘ Reliable professionals ‘ Local References

NANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a

CHILDCARE. Available for school pick up, activities & errands. Own car & local references. Parent-Toddler teacher, Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-9149

BABYSITTER & HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE. Monday, Tuesday & Friday. Own transportation, local references, good English, experienced, loves children and pets. Marlene, (323) 423-2558

HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER AVAILABLE Monday through Friday. I’m bilingual, hardworking, and honest with highest recommendations and 6 years experience. Call Jeimi Hernandez at (310) 779-9487

EXPERIENCED NANNY looking for a job on Mondays & occasionally weekends. Experienced with newborns to teenage. Excellent references & good DMV record. Call Nadia at (323) 599-7677

OUR STELLAR NANNY/personal assistant seeks F/T job. Available now. Own car, citizen, native English speaker. Great with all ages & pets. Loving, smart, loyal. Cindy, (310) 908-5925

HOUSEKEEPERS 9a

PROFESSIONAL MAID SERVICES. In Malibu! We make your home our business. Star sparkling cleaning services. In the community over 15 years. The best in housekeeping for the best price. Good references. Licensed. Call Bertha, (323) 754-6873 & cell (213) 393-1419. professionalmaidinmalibu@google.com

SISTERS HOUSECLEANING. Would you like your home and business so clean they shine? Call us, we have good references. Serving the community for over 20 years. We offer final cleaning. For free estimate, call Flora at (310) 720-7751. Bonded. www.sistershousecleaning.com, cleaning411@gmail.com

EUROPEAN CLEANING SERVICE. Reliable, local references. Experienced. Own supplies. Call today. (818) 324-9154

HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER/DRIVER ‘ Available Monday through Friday. Has own car, CADL & insurance. Local references. 10 years experience. Daisy, (323) 732-8192 or (323) 793-8287

HOUSECLEANING/NANNY. For 1 day or 5 days of the week. Excellent references, own transportation including CADL & insurance. Ask for Katherine or Karina, (310) 999-9463

LOOKING FOR A HOUSECLEANING JOB. Available weekends only. 12 years experience, own transportation, legal, local references. Call Delmy, (323) 363-9492, delmycleaning.com

HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTING. 25 years experience. Excellent references. Reliable. Pet friendly. Willing to work weekends. Available now. Call Elizabeth, (323) 463-7889

EXCELLENT HOUSEKEEPER. Available Mon.-Sat. Good refs. Own transportation. CDL. Over 19 yrs exper in Malibu & Palisades. Speaks English. Call Yolanda, (h) (323) 731-6114, (c) (323) 580-2859

LOOKING FOR A HOUSECLEANING JOB. Available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Good references and experience. Call Minerva Raymundo at (323) 535-2739

HOUSEKEEPER LOOKING FOR WORK: Available Monday through Thursday, 5 years experience and references. Please call Sonia at (213) 381-6732

ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a

HOME HEALTH AIDE seeking work in Pac. Pal. CNA certified, 15 yrs. experience, great local refs. Pac. Pal. resident, live-out, schedule flexible. Please call Maria at (310) 454-6370 (h) or (818) 804-7151 (c)

DO YOU NEED P/T OR F/T HELP? Scandinavian lady w/ exp, good driving rec & refs. Avail for active senior/s as companion, cook, driver I.E. dr’s appts, errands etc. (has own car) Live out. Anna, (310) 312-6099

GARDENING/LANDSCAPING 11

PALISADES GARDENING ‘ Full Gardening Service ‘ Sprinkler Install ‘ Tree Trim ‘ Sodding ‘ Sprays, non-toxic ‘ FREE AZALEA PLANT ‘ Cell,(310) 701-1613, (310) 568-0989

GARDENING SERVICES * Landscape, planting, maintenance, sprinkler systems, cleanup, low voltage lights. Everything your garden needs! Many years exp. Free estimates. Call Efren, (310) 733-7414

POOL & SPA SERVICES 13e

PALISADES POOL SUPPLY. SWIMMING POOL SERVICE & REPAIR. 15415 Sunset Blvd., P.P. 90272 (310) 459-4357. www.PalisadesPool.com

STEREO, TV, VCR SERVICES 13g

1 REMOTE CONTROL THAT WORKS! Is your entertainment system not entertaining you? We can tune up your system, bring it up to date, hide wires, mount TVs, install speakers, etc. We can even reprogram or replace your remote control so it is easy to use. Call us, we can help! Lic. #515929. Stanford Connect, (310) 829-0872

AUDIO & VIDEO SPECIALIST ‘ TV installs, DIRECTV packages, telecom systems, CCTV, low voltage wiring, repairs & upgrades. Call for a free consultation. (888) 313-3995

WINDOW WASHING 13h

THE WINDOWS OF OZ. Detailed interior/exterior glass & screen cleaning. High ladder work. Solar panels/power washing also avail. Owner operated. Lic., bonded & insured. Free estimates. (310) 926-7626

MR. CRYSTAL WINDOW CLEANING. Please call Gary: (310) 828-1218 Free estimate, friendly service, discounts. Licensed & Insured.

HOUSESITTING 14b

HOUSESITTING/PETSITTING ‘ Available for short or long term. Sharp, reliable, recently retired professional. References. Susi, (310) 454-1457, susi824@aol.com

PERSONAL SERVICES 14f

NEED A TOAST FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION? Let me write a customized poem for you. Call Lawrie at (310) 749-3032

PET SERVICES/PET SITTING 14g

PRIVATE DOG WALKER/housesitter, Palisades & Santa Monica. S.M. Canyon resident. Please call or email Sherry, (310) 383-7852, www.palisadesdogwalker.com

GIFT IDEAS 14k

CUSTOMIZED POEMS * Let me write a heartfelt, customized poem for you to give a loved one for their birthday, anniversary, or Valentines day! Call Lawrie at (310) 749-3032

PERSONAL TRAINER 15c

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONERS! ‘ Get in shape anywhere, anytime with Mobile-Gym Fitness! Free session when you mention this ad. www.mobile-gym-fitness.com, 1 (800) 667-6079

SCHOOLS, INSTRUCTION 15d

PIANO INSTRUCTION. Give the life-long gift of music! Very patient, creative teacher. Music degree, USC. Qualified, experienced, local. Lisa Donovan Lukas, (310) 454-0859. www.palisadesmusicstudio.com

EXPER. NATIVE FRENCH TUTOR. Tutors JHS, HS, AP & SAT. Excellent refs. MA in Education. Malibu res. Enthusiastic! Cate, (310) 456-5398

TUTORS 15e

INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION. Children & adults. 20+ years teaching/tutoring exper. MATH, GRAMMAR, ESSAY WRITING & STUDY SKILLS. Formerly Sp. Ed. teacher. Call Gail, (310) 313-2530

MS. SCIENCE TUTOR. Ph.D., Experienced, Palisades resident. Tutor All Ages In Your Home. Marie, (310) 888-7145

PROFESSIONAL TUTOR. Stanford graduate (BA and MA, Class of 2000). Available for all subjects and test prep (SAT & ISEE). In-home tutoring at great rates. Call Jonathan, (310) 560-9134

SPECIALIZING IN MATH! All math subjects thru calculus, incl. standardized test prep. Students w/ ADD and other learning challenges welcome. Fun, caring, creative, individualized tutoring. Local office in Palisades Village. Jamie, (888) 459-6430

EXPERIENCED SPANISH TUTOR ‘ All grade levels ‘ Grammar ‘ Conversational ‘ SAT/AP ‘ Children, adults ‘ Great references. Noelle, (310) 273-3593, (310) 980-6071

SCIENCE & MATH TUTOR. All levels (elementary to college). Ph.D., MIT graduate, 30 years experience. Ed Kanegsberg, (310) 459-3614

GROZA LEARNING CENTER. Tutoring K-12, all subjects & reading. SAT, ISEE, HSPT, ACT, ERB, STAR. Caring, meticulous service. GrozaLearningCenter.com ‘ (310) 454-3731

EDUCATIONAL THERAPY. All ages and abilities. Academic, Cognitive and Behavioral Support. Palisades Tutoring & ET Services’Local 10+ years. Arlana J. Morley, MS. (310) 459-4125, (310) 738-5099

READING & WRITING TUTOR. Credentials in general ed. & special ed. 30 years of teaching / tutoring experience. Offering individual / small group sessions. Elaine, (310) 454-6070

MATH, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS TUTOR * All math through AP calculus, AP chemistry and AP physics. Ask about homework club!!! www.clc90272.com or (310) 459-3239

SPANISH: Palisades resident from South America, patient & friendly, offers Spanish tutoring to all student levels. Learn, improve & gain self-confidence at school, traveling, work, etc. (310) 741-8422

FRENCH TUTOR, 10 years experience, excellent references. Helps students to improve their grades & be ready for finals. All levels. Please contact Suzie at (323) 356-1517 or email: learnfr@yahoo.com

MATURE BRITISH TUTOR teaches MATH, LATIN, MUSIC, SAT prep. 50 yrs experience; local references. (310) 399-1975

MUSIC LESSONS & INSTRUCTION 15h

SAXOPHONE/FLUTE/JAZZ IMPROVISATION. Individual Lessons. All Ages/Levels Welcome. Call: (310) 283-9975

CONCRETE, MASONRY, POOLS 16c

MASONRY, CONCRETE & POOL CONTRACTOR. 40 YEARS IN PACIFIC PALISADES. New Construction & Remodels. Hardscapes, landscapes, custom stone, stamped concrete, brick, driveways, retaining walls, BBQs, outdr kitchens, fireplaces, foundations, drainage, pool & spas, water features. Exlnt local refs. Lic #309844. Bonded, ins, work comp. MIKE HORUSICKY CONSTRUCTION, INC. (310) 454-4385 ‘ WWW.HORUSICKY.COM

CONSTRUCTION 16d

ALAN PINE, GENERAL CONTRACTOR ‘ New homes ‘ Remodeling ‘ Additions ‘ Kitchen & bath ‘ Planning/architectural services ‘ Insured ‘ Local refs. Lic. #469435. (800) 800-0744 or (818) 203-8881

PALISADES CONST. SERVICES. All phase construction and remodeling. All interior and exterior construction. Additions, concrete, tile, wood work (all), brick, patios, bathrooms, fences, bedrooms, permits. We have built (2) new 2,500 sq. ft. Palisades homes in the last 3 yrs. Please contact us to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION and FREE ESTIMATE. ALL JOBS WELCOME! Please call Kevin, Brian Nunneley, (310) 488-1153. Lic. #375858 (All Palisades referrals available)

CASALE CONSTRUCTION CO. LLC. ‘ General Contractor Lic. #512443 ‘ Custom Homes ‘ Kitchens ‘ Bathrooms ‘ Remodeling ‘ Additions. (310) 491-0550 www.reemodeling.com

ELECTRICAL 16h

PALISADES ELECTRIC. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. All phases of electrical, new construction to service work. (310) 454-6994. Lic. #468437 Insured Professional Service

LICHWA ELECTRIC. Remodeling, rewiring, troubleshooting. Lighting: low voltage, energy safe, indoor, outdoor, landscape. Low voltage: telephone, Internet, CCTV, home theatre, audio/video. Non-lic. Refs. LichwaElectric@gmail.com, (310) 270-8596

FENCES, DECKS 16j

THE FENCE MAN. 22 years quality work. FENCES: Wood, chainlink & iron. DECKS, PATIO OVERHANGS, GATES. Lic. #663238, bonded. (818) 706-1996

FLOOR CARE 16m

GREG GARBER’S HARDWOOD FLOORS SINCE 1979. Install, refinish. Fully insured. Local references (310) 230-4597 Lic. #455608

CENTURY HARDWOOD FLOOR. Refinishing, Installation, Repairs. Lic. #813778. www.centurycustomhardwoodfloorinc.com. centuryfloor@sbcglobal.net. (800) 608-6007 ‘ (310) 276-6407

JEFF HRONEK, 40 YRS. RESIDENT. HARDWOOD FLOORS INC. ‘ Sanding & Refinishing ‘ Installations ‘ Pre-finished ‘ Unfinished ‘ Lic. #608606. Bonded, Insured, Workers Comp. www.hronekhardwoodfloors.com (310) 475-1414

K&Z HARDWOOD FLOOR EXPERTS. Refinishing, installation, recoat, water & fire restoration. Free est. Lic. #804641. (800) 500-1146, (818) 905-0428

HANDYMAN 16o

HANDYMAN ‘ HOOSHMAN. Most known name in the Palisades. Since 1975. Member Chamber of Commerce. Non-Lic., but experience will do it. Call for your free est. Local refs available. Hooshman, (310) 459-8009, cell (310) 433-4720, 24 hr.

LABOR OF LOVE carpentry, plumbing, tile, plaster, doors, windows, fencing & those special challenges. Work guaranteed. License #B767950. Ken at (310) 487-6464

LOCAL RESIDENT, LOCAL CLIENTELE. Make a list, call me. I specialize in repairing, replacing all those little nuisances. Not licensed; fully insured; always on time. 1 Call, 1 Guy: Marty, (310) 459-2692

DJ PRO SERVICES ‘ Carpentry, Handyman, Repairs. ALL PROJECTS CONSIDERED. See my work at: www.djproservices.com. Non-lic. (c) (310) 907-6169, (h) (310) 454-4121

PALI HANDYMAN & CONST. SERVICES. LOW COST HOME IMPROVEMENT. All jobs welcome such as all painting exterior-interior-walls-moldings etc., un-sticking of doors & windows, concrete, tile, brick/block, carpentry, woodwork, patios, decks, all fencing, gates, doors, cabinetry, drywall repair, roofing, additions, flooring, bathrooms, kitchens, water damage, electrical, plumbing, pressure washing, picture hanging, lighting, stucco, repair, sanding, clean up and trash removal and all other projects or fix it problems needed. Call now for a FREE ESTIMATE! Kevin, Brian Nunneley, (310) 488-1153 (always working in Palisades). Lic. #375858, bonded and insured. 24 hr/7 days service available also!

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 16p

SANTA MONICA HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING. INSTALLATION: New and old service and repairs. Lic. #324942 (310) 393-5686

PAINTING, PAPERHANGING 16r

PAUL HORST ‘ Interior & Exterior ‘ PAINTING ‘ 56 YEARS OF SERVICE. Our reputation is your safeguard. License No. 186825 ‘ (310) 454-4630 ‘ Bonded & Insured

TILO MARTIN PAINTING. For A Professional Job Call (310) 230-0202. Refs. Lic. #715099

J W C PAINTING. Residential & commercial. Years of experience. Affordable & reliable. Local references. Lic. #914882. Free estimates. jwcpnc@yahoo.com. Call Jason Childs (Charlie), (310) 428-4432

REMODELING 16v

KANAN CONSTRUCTION ‘ References. BONDED ‘ INSURED ‘ St. Lic. #554451. DANIEL J. KANAN, CONTRACTOR, (310) 451-3540 / (800) 585-4-DAN

COMPLETE CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION ‘ Kitchen+bath ‘ Additions ‘ Tile, carpentry, plumbing ‘ Quality work at reasonable rates guaranteed. Large & small projects welcomed. Lic. #751137. Call Michael Hoff Construction, (310) 774-9159

ROOFING 16w

HOME IMPROVEMENTS, roofing, water damage, skylights, windows, chimneys, masonry, drywall, skim coat, stucco repair, carpentry, painting, tile, retaining walls, repairs, remodels. Non-lic. (310) 457-4652

HELP WANTED 17

SATURDAY NANNY. Family w/ 2 boys needs fun, energetic nanny to drive, play & household help/lt meals. Mid afternoon thru evening most Sats. Exlt ref, cln. rec. (310) 454-5450

2 CAREGIVERS NEEDED for 86 year old woman. Live in. Monday through Friday & weekends. Must speak good English. Good references, no driving. (c) (310) 409-9433 or (h) (323) 933-6423

AUTOS 18b

MGB-GT ’73. Maroon, 87K miles, operational. Call 10 a.m.-12 p.m. only. (310) 393-6976

FULLY LOADED CHEVY TAHOE LT! 2004 Tahoe LT with every option! Perfect first car, or family car in amazing condition. Driven and solely owned by a Palisades mom. Non smoker, no accidents. Blk/tan leather interior, roof racks, dvd package/towing/side panels and more. Seats 7. 78,000 miles. $17,000 OBO.Please call (310) 650-3540 if interested.

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

RUSTIC CYN. ESTATE SALE! ’60s furn/furnishgs/knick-knacks/clothes/jewelry/hsehold gds. Fri.-Sat. Feb. 18-19; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 782 Ranch Rd. (Sunset/ Brooktree) Photos/details: www.bmdawson.com

PETS, LIVESTOCK 18e

PEDIGREE PUG PUPPIES * Fawn colored, 9 weeks old, male and female, very cute, shots, w/ papers. (310) 459-0405

Fire Races through House on Kingman Rd.

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An early morning fire damaged a single residence house in Santa Monica Canyon. Photo: Ted Wolfberg
An early morning fire damaged a single residence house in Santa Monica Canyon. Photo: Ted Wolfberg

Firefighters took 77 minutes to knock down a fire in a single-family residence in the 700 block of Kingman Road in Santa Monica Canyon on February 10. The fire, termed ‘stubborn’ by Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Brian Humphrey, was reported at 6:43 a.m. The fire started in the basement/crawl space of the three-story hillside home and rapidly spread into the walls and then the roof, where accumulated leaves and debris fueled the flames. President of the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association George Wolfberg described the scene ‘The only house in S.M. Canyon which really is in Santa Monica burned up with exploding paint cans and more.’ ‘ Two L.A. Fire Department helicopters maintained aerial reconnaissance and served as a command post, while 71 L.A.F.D. personnel, as well as units from the Santa Monica Fire Department responded. ‘I saw companies from the Palisades, Brentwood, Westwood, Venice and Engine 10, which is housed downtown,’ Wolfberg said. ‘There was concern that it could spread, but luckily there was no wind,’ Humphrey said. There were no injuries. Marijuana was found on the scene and one individual was handcuffed, but then released. According to Santa Monica Police public information officer Jay Trisler, with a medical prescription and marijuana card, personal use and growing the substance is not illegal. When asked if brush around the home had been cleared, Humphrey said that the home on this specific parcel was not located in a high fire-hazard severity zone. ‘Common sense would dictate clearing debris,’ Humphrey said, noting that the structure had been heavily damaged. After the fire had been put out, a site survey revealed that the house was located in Santa Monica, rather than Los Angeles. ‘Several people told the L.A.F.D. that the fire was not in L.A.,’ Wolfberg said. ‘But L.A. firefighters can go in because of statewide mutual aid agreements.’ Santa Monica Fire Department officials were contacted about the cause of the fire, but had not responded by press time.

Los Liones Traffic Signal Installation Starts February 21

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Westside Waldorf School received final approval on February 9 from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and the Department of Building and Safety for a traffic signal installation at Los Liones Drive and Sunset Boulevard. Construction is expected to take place during the week of February 21 to 24. The traffic signal, as well as street lighting, sidewalks, curbing signage and street striping involved with the project, should also be completed by the end of May. FlatIron Construction Corporation is the contractor and, according to school trustees, projected costs are in excess of $600,000. They acknowledge the Getty Trust for its $150,000 pledge towards the project, and note that L.A. City fees are expected to account for about $125,000, or slightly more than 20 percent of project costs. ‘ The Waldorf School was required to install a stoplight as part of its conditional use permit to open in January 2007. City officials conceded that traffic at that intersection wasn’t sufficient to necessitate a light, but bowed to pressure from Castellammare residents who wanted a stoplight to create a safer left turn from Los Liones onto eastbound Sunset Boulevard. The school has funded the traffic signal through budget cuts, staff reductions and external fundraising. Trustees invite Palisades residents to lend their support by making a tax-deductible contribution to the to the Westside Waldorf School earmarked specifically for use toward the Los Liones/Sunset traffic signal.’ ‘ ‘The long-desired traffic signal is designed to make a dangerous stretch of Sunset safer for everyone in the local community, and all who drive through the Pacific Palisades,’ Waldorf trustees wrote in a February 10 press release. ‘We wish to thank everyone in the Pacific Palisades community for their patience, forbearance and support during the time it has taken to complete this enormous undertaking.’ ‘SUE PASCOE

Margery Card: Wife, Mother and Artist

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Margery Card with her husband of 68 years, Frank.
Margery Card with her husband of 68 years, Frank.

Margery Duhig Card, artist, nature lover and Francophile, passed away from heart failure on February 10 in her home in Pacific Palisades. She was 86. Margery’s birth on March 3, 1924 in Taft, California coincided with the bloom of California wildflowers that she grew to adore. She and her sister Barbara (Deedee) were third-generation natives of this state. Their father, Walter Duhig grew up in Napa and found a good business supplying stainless steel to the growing oil industry near Bakersfield. Margery’s mother, Frances Hall, had acted on stage in New York and in silent films in Hollywood. By the mid-1930s the Duhig family moved to Beverly Hills. It was at Beverly High that a French teacher inspired Margie and she developed a love for the French sense of beauty. In the summer of 1941, Margery moved north to Stanford University, where she made good friends at Kappa Alpha Theta and met the love of her life, Frank Card. ‘Do you know the way to the English department?’ she asked that cute fellow in the Block S letterman sweater. He said he didn’t know but later kicked himself for not asking her to the Howdy Dance. He raced back down the hall to her, which led to a long relationship, cemented by Coke dates in the Eucalyptus Grove. They were married on February 12, 1943 at All Saint’s Episcopal Church of Beverly Hills. Living in Santa Monica, Margery devoted herself to her baby boys Dave and Tom while Frank worked as president of Walter’s supply business, Duhig and Co. She contributed time to St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church and Children’s Hospital charity. Shortly after their third child, Cathy, was born in the mid1950s, the family moved to Pacific Palisades. Along with time at St. Matthew’s and PTA work, Margery enjoyed the Garden Rakes club (Pacific Palisades and Brentwood garden club), learning to appreciate California’s natural beauty. As her children grew, Margery began to explore a deep passion: Art. She started with classes at Rustic Canyon Recreation Center followed by advanced courses at UCLA Extension. Margery and fellow artists coupled teacher-led studio sessions with plein-aire landscape painting of the local mountains and beaches. Her own children and grandchildren became some of her favorite subjects. And she encouraged them to find their own artistic expression, no matter the medium. Each felt her unconditional support and heard her generous praise. For 50 years Margery painted and studied painters. She contributed to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and joined their trips in search of fine art. But the best art Margery found was in her beloved Paris. The color, the flavor, the precision and the passion of the French continued to affect her. Margery and Frank were married for 68 wonderful years. She is survived by Frank, their children David (wife Cris) of Pacific Palisades, Thomas (wife Barbara) of Encino and Catherine (husband Scott) Marquard of Menlo Park; her sister Barbara in Berkeley, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service for Margery will be held on Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew’s, 1031 Bienveneda. Remember Margery D. Card with a donation to the Theodore Payne Foundation (supporting California native wildflowers and seeds,10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley, CA 91352-2116), or a gift to the Outreach Fund at The Parish of St. Matthew, 1031 Bienveneda, Pacific Palisades, 90272 (310-454-1358) or by planting California Poppy seeds.

Sandra B. Green, 68, Social Worker

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Sandra Green, a resident of Pacific Palisades since 1984, passed away on February 8 at the age of 68.   Sandra, known professionally as Sandra Silverstein, Sandra Silverstein Green and Sandra Silverstein-Green (she gave the hyphen to her husband as an anniversary gift), was born ‘Sondra’ Berkowitz in 1942 in Borough Park, Brooklyn.’   Daughter of Max and Frieda, and sister to Val, Cynthia, Barbara and Elaina, Sondra lived with her family in a small flat, with the five sisters sharing a bedroom. She was part of the generation who had the calling to do good works in this world.’   Graduating Phi Beta Kappa from New York University, Sandra was the first person in her family to attend college; she was president of the NYU Social Work graduating class in the turbulent 1960s.   In the early 1970s, Sandy was the white, Jewish blonde with attitude working in the Venice ‘ghetto’ with at-risk girls. She guided social-work students at USC and worked as a consultant to nursing homes and as a school counselor.’In her private therapy practice she worked with troubled kids, dying AIDS patients, broken families, warring couples, and psychotics getting medications from their doctors while benefiting from talk therapy. Sandy had the skills and heart to have helped many people over the years.   With her joy in living, Sandy was not afraid of death, and faced her myriad health problems with an attitude that was much admired.’Her search for a spiritual anchor gave her comfort in difficult times.’In the last months, even though ill, she painted and made drawings.’She enjoyed laughing with her friends, making them and her husband feel good although it was apparent to all she was dying.   She leaves her sisters, nieces and nephews, friends, pets, and her husband of 26 years, Doug, all of whom were fortunate to have known her.   In lieu of flowers, spend money on yourself, as Sandra would have prescribed.’Go to a play you wouldn’t ordinarily see, attend a concert at Disney Hall, catch an unusual museum exhibition. May you live as well as Sandra Green.

Claudia Dianne Tatum, 66

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Claudia Dianne Tatum, a former resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away on January 28. She was 66.   She was born in Monroe, Louisiana, to Claude and Johnnie Crenshaw. The family moved to Germany in 1955 and then in 1958 to Victorville, California, where Major Crenshaw was stationed at George Air Force Base.   Claudia married Thomas Tatum in 1963, and they eventually made their home in Pacific Palisades, where they raised their children Cindy, Cheryl and Michael. Claudia was very involved in Girl Scouts, PTA and the YMCA for many years.   In 1995, Claudia moved to Truckee, California, and opened several businesses. A few years ago she moved back to Southern California, making her home in Malibu.   Claudia enjoyed many things: cooking, entertaining, her horses, gardening and reading. Most of all, she loved being surrounded by her family. Her home was a gathering place for friends and family and there was nothing she enjoyed more. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her.   She is survived by her children, Cheryl Tatum of Fairfax in Northern California, Cindy Tatum of Pacific Palisades and Michael Tatum (wife Jenny) of Pacific Palisades; ex-husband Tom Tatum; grandchildren Jordan, Finnegan, Piper, Dylan, Will and Violet; and siblings Sandra Crain, Steve Crenshaw (wife Pam) and Joni Payne (husband Jerry).   A memorial was held at the Bel-Air Bay Club on February 13. Donations may be made to the Scleroderma Research Foundation on the day of the memorial.

Gambling Beyond the Waves

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Large posters were displayed in drinking establishments throughout Santa Monica. Courtesy Bruce Henstell
Large posters were displayed in drinking establishments throughout Santa Monica. Courtesy Bruce Henstell

When gambling kingpin Tony Cornero Stralla, captain of the infamous Santa Monica Bay floating casino S.S. Rex, walked into Santa Monica Bank in the late 1930s to make a sizable deposit, the bank president accepted the request, with one stipulation. Cornero had to supply a truck to transport the cash because they didn’t own anything sturdy enough to carry that much weight–bags and bags of silver dollars! This was a trifle to a man who was millionaire by the age of 25.   Cornero was born of tough and hardy Piedmont stock, ‘not,’ he bragged, ‘in the part of Italy that breeds guitar players, opera singers or the lower brackets of racketeers.’   He was tough and hardy, indeed, but the Piedmont in him had also bred a racketeer of the highest order, says Ernest Marquez in his new book, ‘Noir Afloat: Tony Cornero and the Notorious Gambling Ships of Southern California’ (Angel City Press).   In Cornero, Marquez found the ideal protagonist to tell the history of those wild and untamed years when vice was rife, corruption was unparalleled and there was an endless supply of gambling fools.   The book reads like a ‘true crime’ novel, following the relentless battle between crooked opportunists and eager law enforcement officials bent on cleaning up corruption.   Marquez, whose previous book on Santa Monica Beach fueled his interest in the gambling ships, describes a Los Angeles in the 1920s and ’30s, when jobs were scarce but where the dream of making it big never died.   Casino-type gambling was outlawed within California borders, but not on the open sea beyond the three-mile limit. Numerous gambling ship operators seized on this loophole and managed to lure customers to visit these floating casinos. They offered free water-taxi service from shore, as well as free dinner and drinks, and saw the risk pay off.   A dozen gambling ships operated from 1927 to 1939, each with its own operator, who for the most part strived to remain anonymous to avoid the law. Not so with Tony Cornero. ‘He never denied what he was doing,’ Marquez says. ‘He was an intelligent, charming person’kind and ruthless at the same time.’   Cornero immigrated with his family to the U.S. in 1904 and settled in Los Gatos. By 15, he was already a mischief; he was convicted of robbery and sent to reform school. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve, but was discharged after six months for violating orders and remaining AWOL for various periods.   At 20 (during Prohibition), Cornero was smuggling liquor from Canada into the United States and became the acknowledged king of Southern California rumrunners.   Adventures appealed to this risk-prone entrepreneur, who was well known by law-enforcement authorities. By 25, he was riding high. He was living in a Beverly Hills mansion he bought for his mother, close to Bugsy Siegel’s house.   ’The mayor of Beverly Hills tried desperately to drive these gangsters out because it wasn’t good for the city to have so many being killed,’ Marquez says. But, soon enough, the feds caught up with Cornero, convicting him of violating the national Tariff Act and the National Prohibition Act, and he spent two years at the McNeil Island penitentiary in Washington.   Cornero, never at a loss for a new opportunity, plotted his next move and turned his attention to Nevada, ‘where gambling was a way of life.’   All of this was just a prelude to the extravagant venture aboard the Rex, Cornero’s most ambitious project yet’a floating palace.   The ship was once a beautiful, four-masted windjammer that after decades of service Cornero purchased in 1937. He stripped her masts and dismantled her superstructure, replacing it with a 300-ft. long deckhouse, the future casino area. He set up his water-taxi service at the Santa Monica Pier and opened for business in May 1938.   Cornero, always eager to promote his latest venture, wrote his own advertising, declaring publicly his honest business practices and pledging that he would pay ‘$100,000 to anyone who found aboard the S.S. Rex a falsely run game.’   The ship’s layout was straightforward: the lower deck accommodated a 500-seat bingo parlor and horse-race betting in the stern. The grand casino on the upper deck featured 11 roulette tables, eight dice tables, blackjack and faro games. The bar took up one entire wall, while the opposite wall was lined with 150 slot machines. Two dining rooms and a dance floor made for an exciting and romantic evening. Marion Davis reportedly enjoyed ”slumming’ by spending the evening on the gambling ship,’ Marquez says.   No doubt Cornero was in it for the money, but he was also capable of the magnanimous gesture, Marquez says. ‘It was not unusual for him to reimburse a distraught wife when he saw that her husband had lost an entire week’s salary at the tables.’   For 10 years, Cornero battled efforts to rid the Southern California coast of floating casinos, insisting that his operation was outside the state’s jurisdiction. The L.A. District Attorney’s office and the Santa Monica police claimed that the three-mile limit extended from an imaginary line drawn from Point Dume on the north to Point Vicente on the south. Cornero argued that he was beyond the three-mile limit. The court would decide.   Cornero might have rested while appeals were drafted and the jurisdictional question was passed all the way up to Congress, but he hadn’t reckoned on the eagerness of California’s Attorney General Earl Warren, who viewed gambling ships as ‘evil incarnate, and their elimination as a moral imperative.’ He did not regard the jurisdictional boundary as relevant. His tack was to charge the operators as a public nuisance that ‘led people to an idle and dissolute life, caused citizens to lose their regular employment and attracted pickpockets, bunco men, thieves, racketeers, gangsters and gunmen.’ Warren pursued a vigorous crackdown, particularly against Cornero, charging Warren Olney III, chief of the criminal division, with the task of eliminating all four gambling ships operating off Southern California.   Marquez’s chronicle of the events of the summer of 1939 read like an adventure novel, albeit factually supported by newspaper accounts from the Los Angeles Examiner. Cornero managed to stave off Warren’s attempts to take over the ship using wits and patience. Warren and his deputies were relentless in their pursuit.   ’Noir Afloat’ represents 20 years of research and study. Marquez relied on the history collection at USC and the National Archives maritime documents, as well as a valuable collection of gambling ship paraphernalia: photos, poker chips, advertisements, dice and menus.   ’Putting it together was the challenge,’ Marquez says. ‘I was thinking of writing the book as a straight chronology, but even though there were never more than three to four ships out there at one time, I thought it would be too difficult to go from one to another. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t write; I failed English and barely got out of high school.’ But he kept going and eventually ended up with 750 pages of manuscript, which he cut down to 250. There are also two appendices’the first, the history of every gambling ship from its construction to mothball, and the second, about the men involved in the gambling ships.   At 86, Marquez is busier than ever. He plans write the history of his family’the original owners of the Rancho Boca de Santa Monica, comprising what is now Santa Monica Canyon, Pacific Palisades, and parts of Topanga Canyon.   Marquez will talk about ‘Noir Afloat’ on Monday, April 18, at the Annenberg Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. Meanwhile, the book is available at Village Books on Swarthmore.

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