Zen philosopher Alan Watts is fondly remembered for the days he spent aboard the beached ferry Vallejo, along with flambouyant artist Jean Varda. But he moved off the waterfront in the mid-50s and eventually found another unconventional home, at Druid Heights on the southeast flank of Mount Tam in the...
Two local authors will be reading from their works this month. Tonight, John Byrne Barry will discuss his novel Pirates of Sausalito at Sausalito Books by the Bay, 100 Bay St., Sausalito. Starting at 6:00 p.m., John will speak about the waterfront skirmishes that inspired his houseboat wars murder mystery,...
Last week Marin IJ correspondent Paul Libertore reviewed Joe Tate’s memoir of his days with the pirate rock band the Redlegs. The Last Voyage of the Redlegs, which the Floating Times announced back in December, recounts the days before and after the houseboat wars of the mid-70s, and Libertore’s review presents...
Nearly 7 years ago, we lost a long-time resident of Commodore Marina, and a seminal figure in Sausalito’s artist community, Bill Kirsch. He and his wife Felicity shared nearly 50 wonderful years of marriage. Felicity was a dedicated volunteer for the Floating Homes Association before moving to land in Sausalito...
Michael Konrad of South Forty has reviewed a new book with relevance to our community: The Politics of Urban Water: Changing Waterscapes in Amsterdam by Kimberley Kinder. The author points out that that in Europe, taxes are high, but you get more benefits. It’s old and small, land is valued,...
Local legend Joe Tate will host a book release party at the Sausalito Cruising Club on Thurdsday, Dec. 19 at 7PM. The Last Voyage Of The Redlegs covers the Sausalito waterfront scene from 1969-present, including the houseboat wars, adventures with his band the Redlegs and sailing the Pacific. Joe will...
Keith Emmons’ new book titled Who Built the Train Wreck? is now available on Amazon ($19.95) as well as at Waterfront Wonders on Caledonia Street. Keith has written an entertaining recounting how this unusual floating home came about during the early days of the Sausalito waterfront. Cyra McFadden, waterfront neighbor...
A recent obituary for architect Sim Van der Ryn, known as the “father of green architecture,” brought to mind his connection to one of the most historic homes in our community. The Ameer was an old ark that had been converted into a houseboat when it was purchased by Phil...
It’s common knowledge that Otis Redding got the inspiration for Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay while staying on a floating home in Sausalito. According to Julian Gould, author of Otis Redding: An Unfinished Life, Otis “was in San Francisco for a six night engagement at Basin Street West…...
Poet, historian and builder Keith Emmons visited the Sausalito waterfront in 1970 with his wife Jane. They spotted an ad for a converted landing craft at Gate 3 and bought it for $1400. Later they moved onto the Fortune Cookie, built on another surplus landing craft. Then Keith got inspired...