I received news from Tiki Oasis this week that there will be no outdoor vending this year, but it's a tremendous event with a ton of vendors that I like and enjoy talking to so I'm going anyways. It starts July 28 3-8 for Oasis ticket holders, general public Saturday and Sunday 10-4.

I went back and forth deciding if I wanted to vend at the San Diego Tiki Oasis this year, but when they gave me one of the coveted outdoor spaces I had to say yes. It is the last weekend of July early August and I will have plenty of stock since my last event was Oasis 2019.

A Happy New year all! This will be a large time for me as I am heading into retirement and my 42 year old business is now officially up for sale. I have printed t shirts in four different locations but the physical nature of it has got my joints hurting. My brother has been with me for most of the time and he too is feeling the effects. It is poor timing as large gatherings of people are required to make it in this biz, 70% of our work is schools related. I thought I would always be good with this percentage and never imagined that they would ever close. I'm lucky to have a great customer base though and have been able to pay my rents, hoping 2021 shows signs of improvement!!

Thanks to TikiTrail for inviting me to show off on their Zoom meeting on Tuesday. My daughter helped me learn how to use the ap and it was easy once I practiced a bit. I set up outside so that people could view where I work and I answered good questions for 15 minutes or so. Also my Florida friend Tom Fowner was on and was great to briefly chat with him.

I don't usually join groups on Facebook but when I started seeing carvers that I have never seen before on the TikiLand page I decided to try. I can't believe the response and exposure the site has given me, I had no idea there were so many tiki people out there that I did not know!

I am REALLY looking forward to the Munktiki 20th anniversary party in Astoria Oregon this April! This event has been cancelled because of recent and unforeseen circumstances.

Thanks to Debba-Debba, Paul, and Miles for inviting me to bring tikis to your gallery in downtown Astoria Oregon. The 1920s building is exceptional, best of luck in the coming year to Munktiki!!

Rest in peace John Ed!

Third time was the charm, I got accepted to this year's Art in the Pearl here in Portland. It is not a tiki event, but I hope to expose more people to the art form and to make a few contacts in the local art scene. It is held Labor Day in September, hope to see some of you there!

I have been trying the last two years to get into the local Portland Art in the Pearl (it is not a tiki event) and have gotten rejection notices, so I told myself I would give it one more chance this year. Just received a notice that I made the "wait list", which I am considering a small victory even if I don't make it. It is a very prestigious event with only a hundred vendors accepted from more than a thousand entries so to have a chance is exciting. I find out the middle of May if there is a space for me, will let you know.

All set for this years Tiki Caliente/Palm Springs in May, will be in the same beautiful cabana again, thanks to Wildsville Man Rory Snyder for always hooking me up with a great spot! Also heard today from the local Tiki Kon, this year in a new location downtown Portland. Again, thanks to Greg and Justin for the fantastic "Spotlight Vending" area, I will be there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this time instead of just one day like in the past. It happens in July.

I went to the Doug Fir last night and what a show the Sadies played! I've seen them several times over many years and they can still bring it. From Canada, they play a fast, country, gospel, surfy kind of sound that makes them listenable to a wide range of musical tastes. Great song writing and musical skills from this foursome. Opening was Minus Five, they were good also, but the strained voice of the lead singer was a bit hard to warm up to.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Messer Chups that played this week at Dantes in Portland. I would not have thought that a band from Russia would kick big ass but I was sadly mistaken, they are fantastic. Opening was Brainiax, a local rockabilly threesome that I also immensely enjoyed. I skipped the headliner Nekromantix, which I have seen a few times but I do not yet get.

Every time I make the drive from Portland to San Diego I think to myself "I'm never doing this again", but an hour after I arrive I remember why I do it. Something is happening ALL the time, I get to meet and speak to many artists that I respect and admire, hear terrific live music, and drink rum all day. Sales at this years Tiki Oasis were lean for me, and it ended up costing me money but I had so many people tell me how much they like the fact that I am doing something unique and different and the encouragement is worth more than money. Thanks Baby-Doe and Otto, Christie and Nicole and all the others that make this event such a blast! There is talk of another Oasis early next year in AZ, so I think that the San Diego event has gotten too big to continue on, but I look forward to next August, where the theme will be New Wave-should be some killer bands for that one. Favorite band of the weekend was swinging big band Kahulanui. My carving New Year starts tonight, see you in 2019.

I heard from the Big Daddy of tiki events, Tiki Oasis today, they are holding my same spot for me, which I consider the best outside location, with the famous Gecko as one neighbor, and the even more popular bar on my other side. It happens in August in San Diego.

DAMN, I just got a rejection email for this years Art in the Pearl, which is not tiki related but I really wanted to get in. This is the second time I've applied and been denied, I'll get over it, a lesson in humility, but will be stewing big time for the next few days or weeks.

I heard from the Tiki Kon people today and I am in. It's the middle of July here in Portland, and is always one of my best shows. Every year keeps getting better and I look forward to seeing what Justin and Greg come up with!

I sent my application in for Tiki Kon Portland come July, here is hoping I pass the audition.

I'm all signed up for this years Tiki Caliente in Palm Springs. This event takes place in May, and it is one of my best selling venues, and always one of my favorites. Vending goes from Thursday through Sunday which is good as it gives people time to check everything out, and I love the scenic cabana that the organizer Rory Snyder saves for me to set up in.

Well I sent in my application for next years Art in the Pearl event, which is a Portland show that happens in September. It is very competitive, only 130 spots for over 1000 applicants, but I'm confident that they will realise the grave error they made last year in rejecting me and invite me this year. Time will tell, won't know until March.