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.”

What do you do when the love of your life for 25 years goes on a Harley road trip and doesn’t come home? Since 2008, Claudia Wright moved to Morro Bay, published a book, and reached out to 482 new friends.

“While golfing, Jim told his brothers he was tired,” said Wright. “He was 51. He had a heart attack.” Although a successful graphic artist, his wife and family of three were unprepared financially. “I couldn’t afford the mortgage. At one point we were homeless, but together we made it. The boys had scholarships for college, but losing their dad was tough. We had to pay three years for Toby.”

Formerly in management with Starbucks of Chandler, Arizona, she was a stay-at-home mom working on a book concept. Toasted: The Perfect Toast for Every Occasion had an advance from a publisher. Memories of her grandparents’ toasts, sparked the entrepreneurial idea. Wright planned to publish traditional and custom toasts for all occasions. When her publisher was bought out, her book idea was shelved.

She doesn’t know how they got her resume, but Apple Store called. Their second offer was appealing with Jim gone. She accepted a district manager position that ultimately transferred her to Mission Viejo, CA. She requested San Luis Obispo to be closer to her daughter in Monterey.

“I needed to jumpstart my life,” said Wright. “One night I discovered www.Meetup.com. I thought there might be others around Morro Bay wanting to hike or go to the movies. I created the group ’50 Years Plus Active Singles.’ We are 482 members with no defined structure but to show up.”

Meanwhile, rights to self-publish her book Toasted were returned. She invited STAX Wine Bar of Morro Bay to pour at her book signing at Coalesce Book Store in June, 2014 and launching her marketing method to her Meet Up friends and demonstrating to other Central Coast wineries how her book could be of value t their customers.

Living in the heart of wine country, Wright has collaborated with multiple wine bars and wineries. “It’s a pocket-sized book and I’ve included pages where wine tasters can keep notes where they’ve tasted and which wines they prefer. I’m can customize the book for the wineries or a wedding party to have guest memory books of toasts.”

Besides STAX Wine Bar and Coalesce Book Store, Opolo Winery, Central Coast Wines, and Saucelito Canyon Winery are a short list of supporters. www.toastedtoasts.com.

“My children encouraged me to follow my dream,” said Wright. “My goal is to get the book into the hands of people celebrating life. Let me share my grandmother’s Scottish toast…Cheers to life, love, money and the time to enjoy it all.”

In 1983, when Jean Brown worked at Security Pacific Bank, she believed the Los Osos area needed a networking organization for women in business to support their individual endeavors and share issues specific to working women.

Brown persuaded Cathy Stalter, Judi Tewell, Connie Framberger, Rosa Metzler, Diane McClish and Linda Villanueva to join her on the first governing board of the South Bay Women’s Network.

Last December the group celebrated 30 years of community support for the San Luis Obispo Women’s Shelter, including 2013 when $1,500 was raised at the annual Holiday Auction. Metzler reported the first holiday meeting was a wrapping party with each member donating a gift. Current president, Gila Zak, thanked her team of Metzler, Debra Angell and Peggy Zett for gathering community donations for their latest auction supporting the shelter.

“Helping the Women’s Shelter continues to be our major fund raiser, but we also give three $500 scholarships annually for women at Cuesta College,” said Zak, owner of Quantum Wave Biofeedback. “Mainly our mission is to encourage and support each other.”

Past-president Dawn Rodden, owner of Creative Design in Los Osos, explained the networking group commits to doing business with members, including helping women in transition. “One member’s car broke,” Rodden said, citing an example. “Another member helped this single mom replace her car so she could get to work.”

Rodden, who prefers being the quiet worker bee, said she “never thought I might lead the group as president, but with full support from the group, I had the confidence and a great experience.” She is currently the Interim director of the Los Osos/Baywood Chamber of Commerce.

Sally Brooks, owner of The Great Skin Company said, “I joined in 1996 because of the great causes we support, then so many SBWN members support my business. The friendships are invaluable. For me it has been a win-win.”
The group meets the first Tuesday of each month at noon at La Palapa in Baywood. www.sbwn.org.

The group has maintained their dues at $45 so women can afford to join. This year, the group plans to continue raising money for the women’s shelter and support member Paula Ufferherdt’s efforts as a longtime commissioner with the Status of Women, a commission of women appointed by the San Luis Obispo County Supervisors to advocate for women and girls and inform the supervisors of unmet needs in the county. This year both groups will celebrate women volunteers for their countless hours of volunteerism during a luncheon March 15 at the Madonna Inn. Details at http://www.slowomen.org

Work and play. Indulge and regulate. Exercise and relax. Participate, but pace your involvement. Regardless of age, a healthy lifestyle demands commitment with balance. According to a Morro Bay certified personal trainer and fitness adviser, Suze Crowley, “Balance is a big word with lots of meanings. I emphasize it is never too late and never too little.”

For over 25 years, Crowley has served others. Although she semi-retired two years ago to spend more time with family and on personal projects, she still works three days a week at FitnessWorks of Morro Bay or helps clients through her personal training business, AIM Accentuate Improve Motivate (suze@att.net). “I missed working with people. Seniors seem to be my forte.”

She explained the literal concept of balance. ”As we get older we have physical changes that challenge our balance. Vision, bone density, posture changes, and alertness – these changes contribute to balance issues that may cause falls and other procedures. I don’t mean to be trite, but if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. I work on the core muscles that give us strength and self- confidence.”

When her daughter, Nicole, was one, Crowley discovered aerobics at the Morro Bay Community Center. “I was asked to take over the ‘Off Your Rocker’ class. I loved choreographing the movements to the music and taught classes for Morro Bay Recreation.” Foot surgery slowed her down. “I was also a physical therapist aid for TherapyWorks (of Morro Bay). I wanted to teach ‘Fit for All’ classes at FitnessWorks. It was a natural progression after therapy for many clients.”

She taught choreographed fitness classes five days a week – each with a different routine. “People knew me as the crazy lady walking the streets of Morro Bay with ear buds making strange movements. I was practicing while walking to work.”

Today she focuses on personal training. “Some people need the motivation of a trainer to keep up their exercise program. Others might need to get started.” Crowley explained one client signed up for balance training because he loved to fish the area creeks, but felt tippy on the pebbles in the streams and didn’t want to risk a fall.pt

Crowley said, “Fear of falling, low blood pressure, an inner ear problem, changes in vision are some contributors to a balance problem. One exercise I do to test my balance is standing on one leg while brushing my teeth.”

A fall is the obvious warning sign that balance training would be helpful. But if one stumbles at curbs or on uneven sidewalks or trips over the dog, it is probably time to focus on balance to prevent a future fall that may disrupt life as you planned to live it.

The SLO Blues Society will launch a 35th season Saturday night at the San Luis Obispo Veteran’s Hall.

“In terms of continuous operation, the San Luis society is the third oldest in America. Interesting that Santa Barbara and Ventura are the next oldest,” said the organization’s president, Wayne Benham. “Our season goes from September through May with seven shows. We always invite a nationally touring artist to our first one. This year it is Chris Thomas King.”

King is a blues innovator with Louisiana roots. A multiple Grammy winner, he is an actor and musician with strong stylistic influences from Jimmy Henricks. His complete biography is at www.sloblues.org.

An aficionado of the Blues, Benham spins tunes Monday nights at 7:30pm on “Wayne’s Evening Blues” and Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9am to Noon on Estero Bay’s 97.3 The Rock. “I’ve always enjoyed playing music. One song hits a listener during my show and I’ve done my job.”

Regarding his musical preference, he said, “Blues when done right is so simple coming straight from the heart and soul. It might start out ‘my baby left me and we’re oh so sad, but, hey, we’re getting over it.’ The blues can be very upbeat and I love to dance so the ‘gettin’ over it’ part often is the part when we get up and dance the blues away.”

According to Benham there is a rhythmic pattern that keeps the Blues to its simplest form. Many consider it the only pure American musical form. Chris Thomas King tends to experiment with traditional Blues. “King might be better recognized for his work in the films “O Brother Where Art Thou” (2000) or “Ray” (2004). Many prefer that he’s going back to his traditional roots. We like his dance-ability. Amazing how the band and audience feed off each other.”

“Back in the day of the British invasion — the Beatles, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones — they started with Blues-Rock,” continued Benham. “Our American Blues musicians are almost ignored unless their famous like B.B. King, but they’ll go to Europe and are treated like super heroes.”

Benham is now retired from Dr. Bloodgood’s Photo Emporium where his duties spanned operations, financial services and technology implementation. He moved to Morro Bay in 1999 and got involved in the SLO Blues Society. Since 2005 he’s been active member and ultimately on the board in leadership roles after attending concerts and volunteering to help. “We always need good volunteers. We’re a nonprofit that has produced over 250 shows.”

“Part of the mission of the SLO Blues Society is to give reviews,” he continued. “We always have local musicians involved in our season. It is nice to give them a chance to play and be discovered.”

JUDY SALAMACHA

By the Bay

            In 1983, when Jean Brown worked at Security Pacific Bank, she believed the Los Osos area needed a networking organization for women in business to support their individual endeavors and share issues specific to working women.  

Brown persuaded Cathy Stalter, Judi Tewell, Connie Framberger, Rosa Metzler, Diane McClish and Linda Villanueva to join her on the first governing board of the South Bay Women’s Network.

            Last December the group celebrated 30 years of community support for the San Luis Obispo Women’s Shelter, including 2013 when $1,500 was raised at the annual Holiday Auction. Metzler reported the first holiday meeting was a wrapping party with each member donating a gift. Current president, Gila Zak, thanked her team of Metzler, Debra Angell and Peggy Zett for gathering community donations for their latest auction supporting the shelter.

             “Helping the Women’s Shelter continues to be our major fund raiser, but we also give three $500 scholarships annually for women at Cuesta College,” said Zak, owner of Quantum Wave Biofeedback. “Mainly our mission is to encourage and support each other.”

            Past-president Dawn Rodden, owner of Creative Design in Los Osos, explained the networking group commits to doing business with members, including helping women in transition. “One member’s car broke,” Rodden said, citing an example. “Another member helped this single mom replace her car so she could get to work.”

Rodden, who prefers being the quiet worker bee, said she “never thought I might lead the group as president, but with full support from the group, I had the confidence and a great experience.”

Sally Brooks, owner of The Great Skin Company said, “I joined in 1996 because of the great causes we support, then so many SBWN members support my business. The friendships are invaluable. For me it has been a win-win.”
            The group meets the first Tuesday of each month at noon at La Palapa in Baywood. Recently AJ Fudge, Vice President, announced an August fund raiser on By the Bay with Judy Salamacha on 97.3 The Rock, Estero Bay Community Radio, but said, “Ssshhhhhhhh, it’s a speakeasy so time and location can only be spread word of mouth…it will all be a surprise once you say you want in. I can tell you it is limited space and only $20 per person and lots of surprises once you are there. You have to go to info@sbwn.org and tell us you are interested. We’ll send you the particulars by email and then you have to send in your $20 per person. Only payment will secure your slot at the event. Flapper outfits and spats are encouraged but not required.” 

For more information about the organization go to www.sbwn.org.

The group has maintained their dues at $45 so women can afford to join. This year, the group plans to continue raising money for the women’s shelter and support member Paula Ufferherdt’s efforts as a longtime commissioner with the Status of Women, a commission of women appointed by the San Luis Obispo County Supervisors to advocate for women and girls and inform the supervisors of unmet needs in the county. This year both groups will celebrated women volunteers for their countless hours of volunteerism during a luncheon March 15 at the Madonna Inn.

Community volunteers calling themselves Bloomies have spent each Saturday for nearly two years sprucing up Morro Bay. Project organizer, Walter Heath, indicated the mission of Morro Bay In Bloom (MBIB) is to organize people and like-minded groups to beautify public spaces. “We can be the volunteer labor force for projects that groups determine are needed.”

The Bloomies have high hopes for a fruitful visit from volunteer judges representing America in Bloom (AIB) July 10-11. Notables in their fields of horticulture and gardening will spend two days touring Morro Bay, including MBIB landscape projects. AIB is a national grass-roots urban renewal program focused on “gardening therapy” for the beautification of America’s communities.

Heath says although MBIB anticipates a positive assessment, participating in the AIB awards programs comes with broader benefits. “Before they leave we’ll get an extensive written report telling us how we excelled and what we can still do to beautify Morro Bay.” On the AIB website it states the awards program “intends to help communities harness untapped energy, talent, and resources to champion greening, enhance environmental awareness, promote economic development, and improve quality of life.”

“Early in his first term, Mayor Irons attended an all-county mayor’s meeting,” explained Heath. “Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara challenged the group to get involved with America in Bloom. I had asked Mayor Irons to find me a project that would be community affirming. I’d just been diagnosed with leukemia and was in a tailspin. America In Bloom matched my background. Growing up in San Francisco I came from a gardening family. My grandparents raised orchids and tuberous begonias. I started marigolds for my dad. I’m a retired chemist with some experience organizing people. I needed “gardening therapy” in my life.”

MBIB used Facebook to invite interested participants to come out and help with their first project, Morro Bay’s Library. “The landscaping was aging and overgrown. Next we took on the Chamber of Commerce. It needed major sprucing. Usually we get 10 to15 or as many as 25 people each Saturday from 9-11am. We are working with Joe Woods, (Morro Bay’s Recreation Director), on the Adopt a Park program. Community groups sign on to maintain a Morro Bay park. MBIB has adopted the Centennial Parkway project, which begins at the top of Centennial stairs on Market Street and runs out to the dock and water. We have big plans to stabilize the hillside and make it look nice. We’re adding succulents to the planters near D’Stacios. It’s amazing what ten people can accomplish in two hours.”

Bloomies are also promoting a public art project, Morro Bay Surfboard Art Festival benefitting Project Surf Camp and MBIB for November. www.morrobayinbloom.org

What do you do when the love of your life for 25 years goes on a Harley road trip with his brothers, calls every day to check in, but then doesn’t come home? Since 2008, Claudia Wright moved to Morro Bay, published a book, and reached out to 482 new friends.

“While golfing, Jim told his brothers he was tired,” said Wright. “He was 51. He had a heart attack.” Although a successful graphic artist, his wife and family of three were unprepared financially. “I couldn’t afford the mortgage. At one point we were homeless, but together we made it. The boys had scholarships for college, but losing their dad was tough. We had to pay three years for Toby.”

Formerly in management with Starbucks of Chandler, Arizona, she was a stay-at-home mom working on a book concept. Toasted: The Perfect Toast for Every Occasion had an advance from a publisher. Memories of her grandparents’ toasts, sparked the entrepreneurial idea. Wright planned to publish traditional and custom toasts for all occasions. When her publisher was bought out, her book idea was shelved.

She doesn’t know how they got her resume, but Apple Store called. Their second offer was appealing with Jim gone. She accepted a district manager position that ultimately transferred her to Mission Viegjo, CA. She requested San Luis Obispo to be closer to her daughter in Monterey.

“I needed to jumpstart my life,” said Wright. “One night I discovered www.Meetup.com. I thought there might be others around Morro Bay wanting to hike or go to the movies. I created the group ’50 Years Plus Active Singles.’ We are 482 members with no defined structure but to show up.”

Meanwhile, rights to self-publish her book Toasted were returned. She recently had a book signing and wine tasting at Coalesce Book Store where STAX Wine Bar pour three sparkling wines and Wright demonstrated several toasts for her attending friends and readers.

Living in the heart of wine country, Wright has pitched her book to other wine bars and wineries. “It’s a pocket-sized book and I’ve included pages where wine tasters can keep notes where they’ve tasted and which wines they prefer. I’m can customize the book for the wineries or a wedding party to have guest memory books of toasts.”

Besides STAX Wine Bar and Coalesce Book Store, Opolo Winery, Central Coast Wines, and Saucelito Canyon Winery are a short list of supporters. www.toastedtoasts.com.

“My children encouraged me to follow my dream,” said Wright. “My goal is to get the book into the hands of people celebrating life. Let me share my grandmother’s Scottish toast…Cheers to life, love, money and the time to enjoy it all.” 

Dan Reddell, owner/broker of Bayshore Realty in Morro Bay, will always be remembered for his zest for life, yet on June 3^rd he lost his battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, it is an incurable, progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately, respiratory failure. From it’s onset, Reddell powered through persistent attacks to the part of his brain that directed muscle movement, while fully cognitive and powerless to reverse his decline.

He continued to go to the office daily, Morro Bay Rotary weekly and community activities on occasion, often accompanied by his brother, Dale Reddell. He would conduct business “talking” with his engaging smile and hand signals, or his smart phone and computer technology. He always sought a way to resolve a challenge or make it tolerable.

Reddell graduated from Coast Union High School and Cal Poly. He founded Bayshore Realty in 1997. A vocal community advocate for business development, he was active on numerous boards including president of the Morro Bay’s Harbor Festival, Police Foundation, and Rotary. In 2013 he was honored as Realtor of the Year by Scenic Coast Association of Realtors. Recognitions included Morro Bay Rotarian of the Year for 1988 and Morro Bay Citizen for 1987 and Living Treasure for 2013.

For several years he has helped Si Tennenberg distribute more than 1,200 care boxes for United States soldiers in Afghanistan. Through his office at Bayshore Realty and at Rotary meetings, he would tote packages ready to mail for those willing to take them to the post office and pay the small fee to shine a light from home for the soldiers oversees.

Instead of railing at his plight, he with his family and friends, led the charge to raise over $6,700 during the SLO Walk to Defeat ALS on April 12^th. In an email, Reddell credited “Janne’ and daughter Donna, Jamie Boucher and Don Hudson for their brilliant ways of raising funds…”  

In a post to www.fogcutternews.org on November 5, 2013, Reddell told the story of a 1980 recall effort. He ultimately befriended one of the deposed councilmembers, Tom Cantine. He wrote, “…I had personally served him with his recall notice…The most memorable thing about the Recall Election for me was to become friends with a bitter enemy. It showed me that Morro Bay citizens may disagree, but they all have one thing in common–they love living in Morro Bay…They may disagree on what is best for Morro Bay, but they all believe in doing the best thing for our City…Working together would be working for the good of our community!”

A memorial was held June 20 at 3:30pm at the Morro Bay Community Center for a respectful stand-room-only community group. Let’s hope Reddell’s life lessons will become his community legacy?