The Inaugural Larry Clinton Day Proclamation Party
The night of August 19th marked a milestone in Sausalito history as family, friends, and colleagues gathered at the houseboat home of Larry and Jane Clinton, AKA The Lady Jane.
As nearly everyone in Sausalito knows, Larry Clinton has been the editor and publisher of the Floating Homes Newsletter, a vital community link for 40 years. He has also served as past President for multiple terms of the Floating Homes Association, was renowned as the Floating Homes community’s long-time historian, has been the dedicated leader of the Annual Floating Homes Tour, as well as the past President of the Sausalito Historical Society.
While he was impressively preserving our local history, he spent 40 years making some of his own. That’s why Sausalito Mayor Steven Woodside and Sausalito City Council member Jill Hoffman presented Larry with this official Proclamation on his 86th birthday.
“WHEREAS, Larry Clinton has devoted decades of extraordinary service to the City of Sausalito and the Floating Homes community as a leader, historian, author, and ambassador. He has served multiple terms as President of the Sausalito Floating Homes Association, as President of the Sausalito Historical Society, and continues today as the official historian of the Floating Homes community, preserving and sharing the rich history of one of Sausalito’s most treasured neighborhoods.
“WHEREAS, for decades Larry served as editor of the Floating Times—the voice of the Floating Homes community—capturing its stories, celebrating its residents, and strengthening the bonds that make this unique waterfront neighborhood so special. Through his decades-long leadership of the Annual Floating Homes Tour, he has welcomed thousands of visitors from around the world, sharing the history, architecture, innovation, and spirit of this remarkable community.
WHEREAS, Larry has been one of the community’s foremost advocates for preserving the Floating Homes as an irreplaceable historic, cultural, and maritime treasure. Through his writing, scholarship, volunteerism, vision, and unwavering dedication, he has inspired generations of residents and visitors alike, leaving an enduring legacy that has enriched both the Floating Homes community and the City of Sausalito, while ensuring that their unique stories and heritage will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the City of Sausalito, the Sausalito Historical Society, and the Sausalito Floating Homes community hereby proclaim Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as Larry Clinton Day, in recognition of his lifetime of exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to preserving the history, character, and spirit of the Floating Homes and the City of Sausalito. We encourage all residents and visitors to celebrate his extraordinary legacy and to thank him for his immeasurable contributions to our community.”
While we all enjoyed cake, champagne, and light bites, Larry humbly thanked the attendees for the honors bestowed on his leadership, guidance, historical knowledge, and overall generosity of spirit. The carrot cake’s inscription said it all: “Happy Birthday Larry 86th – So Far, So Good.”
The Newly Relaunched Floating Times
The celebration also marked a new chapter for the Floating Times, with the official relaunch of the publication Larry guided for more than 40 years. The latest stories were presented as a retirement gift to Larry by Julie Durbin, Floating Times Association Board of Director, PR and Marketing Chair—a fitting tribute to the man who devoted decades to documenting the people, stories, history, and character of the Floating Homes community.
While Larry may be retiring as editor, the Floating Times will carry forward the legacy he created. Its relaunch ensures that the community voice he nurtured for so many years will continue—perhaps one of the most meaningful ways we can honor his extraordinary contributions.
Haikus for Larry
As a bonus to top off this celebration, Julie Durbin and resident Karen Tischler asked all the invited dignitaries, neighbors, and friends to write a Haiku in his honor. We’re sharing them all here:
Shores shaped by your heart
Friend, mentor, voice of the docks
Your tide carries on.
– Julie Durbin
Sausalito home
Floats in water, space and time
Larry wrote it down.
– Ed Lopez
Our local treasure
Historian and writer
Larry, you’re the best!
– Sharon Seymour
Glowing light for all
Historian Exemplar
Guiding Path forward.
– Flo Hoylman
Past, present, future
Larry documents it all
Oh, no photos please!
– Anna Shimko
Softball and diving,
You amaze me to this day
Keep laughing, my friend.
– Gil Zeimer
What’s then, now, to come
Larry, our neighborhood scribe
Check the Floating Times!
– Pete Hudson
Enjoying the breeze
Being amongst friends sharing
Another dock party!
– Karen Tischler
There’s a Larry Day
Every August Nineteenth
Yes, Sausalito’s best!
– Roberta Maloy
Sublime life afloat
Waves frolic all around
And rock you in slumber.
– Susan Frank
Each small word written
Can bring life to history
Encompassing us all.
– Susan Frank
A lost card was found
It was by chance she knew him!
Sausalito, small world.
– Roberta Maloy
History afloat
Larry keeps stories anchored
Tides turn; words remain.
– Taylor Ray
Larry Clinton Day
A day to be remembered
For all you have done.
– The FHA Board of Directors
A snip snip here and
Three four or five snip snips there
Larry is a new man!
– Ernest Morgan
As we all left the party, we took a collective breath to admire another fabulous houseboat sunset behind the iconic Mt. Tam.
By Gil Zeimer, Contributor to The Floating Times Newsletter