The Sun Bulletin, formerly a publication owned by the SLO Tribune, published this headline on March 2, 1994:  “SAVE THE ELFIN FOREST BY APRIL 1 – NO JOKE.” Members of S.W.A.P. (Small Wilderness Area Preservation) faced losing $1, 350,000 in promised grant funding if they couldn’t raise the balance of $125,000.

Recently at a 20-year celebration gathering, Chairman Ron Rasmussen reported support for the El Moro Elfin Forest is stable and their agreement with SLO County supervisors to maintain the public access area has been renewed. (www.elfin-forest.org) Charter member, Yolanda Waddell, provided a brief history and kudos to those who led the historic community campaign to preserve in perpetuity the parkland adjacent to the Morro Bay Estuary.

Barbara Machado chaired the fund development committee that included Rose Bowker, who was recognized for single-handedly securing a million dollars in grants. “Once grant funding was announced perception of possible success became probable success. Then the community stepped up,” said Elsie Dietz, Events Chairman in 1994. “It was my job to make people aware of the Elfin Forest so they would want to donate. It’s important that all levels from children to adults contributed.”

She explained children donated their allowances. Teachers held classroom penny campaigns. Multi-media support included continuous updates and events’ notices by the Sun Bulletin, Tribune and Bay News. Public events were uniquely designed to create a memorable experience before a donation envelope was passed by S.W.A.P. members. Dietz held a wine tasting party where winemaker Ken Volk sampled his Rain Forest Red, wine labeled specifically to support the effort with a percentage of sales. A Chamber of Commerce mixer included pans of donated fish and side dishes served in baskets hanging from the convoluted limbs of the elfin pigmy oaks.

Former Sun Bulletin columnist and community organizer, Ann Calhoun remarked her favorite event was when 100 attendees hiked the Elfin Forest path to hear a harpsichord in a pigmy oak tree grove. Dietz retold the story. “We used a travoir (a Native American transport device) to carry the harpsichord to Wood-Rat Hall (later renamed Rose’s Grove). I remember someone named Valerie was in full costume – a turquoise gown with a large hooped skirt swinging and bouncing off both sides of the path. There was a mime performing on a Persian rug and not a sound except the music. It was a magical moment.”

Waddell noted it was also the 20^th anniversary for the El Forest mural created and painted by Barbara Rosenthal on Los Osos Rexall’s outside wall. “The hardest part,” said Rosenthal,” was finding all the donors who made it happen.” The committee’s goal was to remember everyone who gave a dollar or a major gift to preserve the Elfin Forest.

Walk the Elfin Forest and enjoy the pathway to the Estuary and bay overlook, the unique vegetation, and the memories of times past.

The 33^rd Morro Bay Harbor Festival will mark several momentous occurrences. “My birthday is October 5th,” said Don Doubledee, the organization’s director and retired architect. “I invite my friends, my community, the world to come celebrate my 65^th Saturday and Sunday.”

An avid music collector and regular singer on Otter Rock’s karaoke nights, Doubledee selected the Fabulous Thunderbirds with Kim Nelson to play Sunday at 2pm on the Dan Reddell Stage. “They’ll tour nationwide with Van Halen after the festival.”

Music permeates the weekend festival. Saturday’s featured group is a Beatles’ tribute band recognizing their 50^th anniversary year appropriately selected by Doubledee to celebrate Morro Bay’s 50^th year of incorporation. Pre-sale adult tickets are discounted until October 1 at $10 a day and then $12 at the gate. (www.mbhf.com)

Doubledee took the reins last year, but has celebrated birthdays working the festival since childhood. “My mother (Vivian Doubledee) was the first Chamber of Commerce director and a member of Quota Club. I’ve been a volunteer since the first one.” Doubledee explained they used to make tickets, posters and banners instead of printing them. He worked Quota’s booth with his mom and eventually sold beer or tickets as Rotarian.”

When Galen Ricard was director, Mark Allen taught Doubledee to plot and develop the site set-up. It became his volunteer job for years. “You’d think I’d know better, but last year I tried some things that didn’t work. It felt too crowded. I’ve gone back to the historic lay-out. The wine and beer pavilion will be completely open-sided.”

A major change is eliminating the food court. Doubledee said. “Restaurants within the site will be open and have barbecues outside their restaurants and Morro Bay’s commercial fishermen will still barbecue albacore kabobs. Giovanni’s will bring lots of oysters to their annual Oyster Contest.”

A family-oriented event Doubledee said they’ve enhanced the Kids Cove with a petting zoo, the Cumberland Alpacas, and magic acts. The train is back to move people from one end of the festival site to the other.

“Tolosa Press/Bay News editor, Neil Farrell started the Hawaiian Shirt Contest. This year he’ll announce the festival will honor Bill Yates,” said Doubledee. The former mayor who passed away this year always wore a Hawaiian shirt.

The board of directors is led by John Solu and Jonni Biaggini. Steve Mathieu doubles as secretary and longtime site coordinator and Kristen Ray is Treasurer. “We couldn’t do this without the volunteer groups,” said Doubledee. “They run operations during the festival. The profits are divided among the groups that work. The Harbor Festival is approaching $525,000 that it has donated back to participating nonprofit groups over the past 30-plus years.”