We've had our share of really big ships here in Malibu, what with Larry Ellison's sailboat, that Russian billionaire's yacht and other assorted extravaganzas. But this weekend, we're hosting the U.S.S. John Paul Jones, the 505-foot-long Navy destroyer.

There are welcome signs,

Welcome parties,

And welcome boats, with a sailor keeping watch over the goodie bags.

One of the parties, a barbeque for sailors and family members, is being hosted by the Adamson family in Serra Retreat. For Malibu history buffs, there's some nice resonance there as, during World War II, the Adamson family hosted a number of soldiers in Malibu, as the U.S. military camped out for several months on famed Surfrider Beach.

Check out Bob Pool's story (Hi Bob!) in the LA Times right here.