Ukulele Tonya

I know, I know, I’m a bit late writing about the Southern California Ukulele Festival (SCUF), held two weeks ago (Oct. 6-7, Cerritos, California) but life’s been really busy with the election and all the political/campaign work we do at Cedar Creek. I haven’t written much on the ukulele boards or updated this site with the event info and pix ’cause I’ve created 24 mailpieces in the past 16 days–plus the usual writing and design work. Our trip to Hawaii in two-plus weeks will be a much-needed vacation–and I’m sure we’ll spend the first day or two just sleeping!

(Warning: This post is lengthy — but I’m trying to share with folks who weren’t able to attend so just skim it or skip it! If you just want to jump to the album of photos, go to my photos and scroll down to the bottom to 2006 SCUF.

Our youngest son, Alden, 20, attended the festival with me all day and my Dad and I “did” the concert together that evening (Alden had to drive three hours back to his dorm at Thomas Aquinas College). I’d missed SCUF last year (I had to choose between three festivals in a four-week period in 2005, a tough decision) but I’m glad I was able to head south for this one again this year. There were lots and lots of folks selling everything ukulele-related as well as island-themed. (Read on …)

The next meeting of Ukuleles of Paradise will be on Thursday, Oct. 12. I will have returned from the Southern California Ukulele Festival by then so look for a first-hand report of this sure-to-be-fun event.

Matthew and Danielle packed up their gear (including one Martin tenor ukulele, a LoPrinzi custom guitar, a Taylor guitar and assorted other guitars, amps and a bass) and moved to Ojai this last week where they’ll make their first home as newlyweds.

The rental truck was packed full (and it wasn’t *all* musical instruments!) and both were smiling as they headed toward I-5 for the 10-hour drive (they had to drive 55 mph because of the rental truck). They arrived safely (the fire’s not threatening Ojai any longer) and are setting up their new lives in Southern California.

What does that have to do with ukuleles? Well, the tie-in is that Matt moved all his “stuff” from his room and that leaves some extra space in the house–and what do you think that space can be used for? Yep, ukuleles and ukulele books and slack key books and Hawaiian DVDs and, well, you get the idea. Alden and Matt always shared a bedroom so now, when he comes home from college, Alden is sharing a bedroom with ukuleles instead. I think he’d rather have his brother…