MARCH 5, 2009--More than 100 people enjoyed a reception at the Nautical Shop co-sponsored by Trans-Oceanic and the Maritime Research Center in honor of photograpehr Gil Mares, whose stylistic photographs capture ship hulls in views unseen from ordinary points of view. Gil can be seen in profile at the center of the photograph immediately below.
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FEBRUARY 9, 2009--The Valentine's Tea at Mishi's Strudel Bakery and Cafe featured beautiful decor, wonderful decorations, outstanding food, and attentive service. This was a new venue for our teas--and we couldn't be happier. And it was an especially appropriate place for a Valentine's Tea because Mishi and Aniko Schueller, the owners of the cafe, and their staff gave lots of love to making this a very special event.

JANUARY 27, 2009--We were pleased to welcome noted maritime author William Miller, Jr. to the Maritime Research Center on Tuesday, January 27, where he conducted an exclusive invitation-only book signing. A breakfast followed. Bill had just arrived in Los Angeles on the Queen Victoria, which is on her 2009 World Cruise. Bill was a featured lecturer on board the first segment of that World Cruise.

It was also great to have Bill's business partner, Abe Michaelson, join us for the day and it's always a delight to see him.

We're grateful to Charles Cotton and Pine Hodges for coordinating this event and arranging to transport Bill and Mickey to the airport for their return trip east.

MARCH 30, 2008--It was a bright and beautiful Sunday when the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 made her last port call to Los Angeles on her final world cruise. And we once again chartered Spirit (the same boat from which we viewed the Queen Mary 2) to give Trans-Oceanic's ocean liner friends the opportunity to accompany QE2 out of the harbor for the last time. In the photo above, you can see her being backed down the harbor channel. A container ship that had docked across from her made turning her for a bow-first exit impossible. And below you can see her exiting Angel's Gate, the Los Angeles Harbor entrance, for the last time.

More Images from Some of Our Teas and Other Special Events

How the finer things in life arrive