Regarding the ukulele workshops, I can honestly say that although it’s my face and name attached to it, the credit goes to our ENTIRE JB’s Ukulele Hut team because without them taking care of the store while I’m out, none of this could be possible. So hope you don’t mind me shouting-out our staff for all their hard work: Jennifer Neves, Dennis Nakamoto, Mar Quenga, Bo Martinez, and Dan Topasna.

Also, the ukulele club advisors at the local schools, like Ms. Maka at Astumbo Middle School, should be applauded for making these opportunities available for us to do our thing. Like I mentioned to Don, it’s not the ones with the most “ABILITY” who necessarily make the most positive impact on the community, it’s the ones who have the most “AVAILABILITY”. Are we “available” to spend some TIME with people in need? “Available” to lend a helping hand? “Available” to offer a listening ear? “Available” to bless someone financially in some way? “Available” to pray for someone who’s lost hope?

We all have our struggles in this day-and-age on our island, but one thing I am sure of is that there is always someone who’s worse off than us…and by being “available” to help them out in some way, it inevitably comes back around to uplift our own condition. It’s the universal law of “seed, time, and harvest”. Whatever seeds you plant and cultivate will come back to you ten times over.

Sorry for being so long-winded, but thanks again to Don and Guamology for being “available” to shed a true light on the mission of JB’s Ukulele Hut: “To promote a fun, positive, and DRUG-FREE island culture.”

Keep strummin’!!

JB

This message is also to the staff and faculty of Astumbo Middle School who approved this program. Pass this to the other schools & let these kids lead the way for the future of Guam.

JB, I love what your doing for these kids. Please always keep in contact with them and keep them on the right track. You were guided the same way once by friends, family and even strangers. These kids need you!

GREAT JOB, GUYS! Cameron – before there were no Ukes allowed in school. But now, because of you, not only are they allowed – there’s a club for Ukes?! You’ve taken the initiative to do something great and to change things for the better. Not even some adults are that brave. I hope you don’t stop doing things in the same way. Guam needs you more than you know. Keep it up.

JB – your time, effort and passion have given these kids as well as Johnny something great to hold onto forever. Four stars, brotha! And let’s give credit to the staff and faculty of Astumbo Middle School for actually listening to what their students have to say. Great example to set!

Whaddya know? A real-life positive effect. C’mon, people – Guam needs more of these guys!

p.s. who was the old man behind the camera singing “Funkytown?”

I’m working on a cloning machine, it’s getting harder being 3 places at once like I usually am

This is what the younger generation needs.

GMI is going to do some free clinics/demonstrations at the public high schools and middle schools with Matala and a few other bands!
Matala was supposed to do one of their (it’s becoming kind of annual) clinics they do at GW High School before the X-mas break.. some things got in the way so yeah.

We’re also planning on talking to the Superintendent and the appropriate parties to bring 2 bands to play at each middle and high school either this year or next school year.
I’m also coordinating a week-long show at Skinner’s Plaza for all the numerous private school K-12 kids that hang there in the afternoon.
1 band each day of the week.

Evening shows at Skinner’s is where shows started for me, so it’s nice to go back and do something in the daytime with the kids there!