Feed Your Head

It's mid-September and school is back in session. And you know what that means. Well, if you live in a college town like San Luis Obispo, it means a general increase in the incidence of public drunkenness and sharp decrease in your odds of finding a decent parking space. But if you're a member of the student body, it means time to sharpen your pencil and your mind, fine tune your memory, and lubricate your neurotransmitters.

So here are a few tips for students of all ages on how to nourish your mind with some all-natural sustenance to keep you sharp, healthy and alert without burning out halfway through the semester.

· Caffeine and sugar comprise the cornerstones of many a student diet, and they do indeed give the brain a good kick start. But to keep going for the duration without the weary crash, consider something with a lower glycemic index. Don't worry, it's as simple as a piece of fruit. The fructose will provide far more stamina than the blood-sugar-spike-inducing sucrose of table sugar. Might even get you through the post-coffee doldrums.

· Third in the collegiate trifecta diet, of course, is alcohol. Red wine in fact is a good source of anti-oxidants, but don't get carried away. Green tea is also famously rich in antioxidants -- key elements in promoting good mental and physical health and neutralizing free-radicals, which can cause cancer. But you know what has even more antioxidants? Chocolate! Yeah, no kidding. (Exercise moderation.)

· OK, so not every student survives off those staples of sugar, caffeine and alcohol. It's rare, but some -- usually archaeology majors and grad students -- actually think about the long term. For the very long term, consider good sources of choline, a cellular building block which has been shown to improve memory and prevent senility. Nothing has more choline than egg yolks, so try to find a good local source and gobble away. Plenty of people in these parts raise their own chickens, so ask around, because commercial eggs may be tainted with salmonella.

· My own personal favorite, for long-term preservation of the cognitive functions, is a hot bowl of curry. Turmeric, a key ingredient in curry, has been shown to ward off symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. So next time you go out for Indian or pick up some Thai take-out, don't forget to order up some extra curry. Or pick up some turmeric and spices from the Secret Garden and conjure your own curry!

· We've all heard the old wives' tale about fish being good brain food. Well it turns out that rumor is more than just air bubbles. Omega-3 fatty acids -- widely found in fish, especially the oily ones like salmon, herring, and sardines, as well as flax oil and hemp seed oil -- provide an essential component to the outer membrane of brain cells. These oils have been shown to prevent memory impairment, and to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

I had a few more suggestions, but believe it or not, this research has worked up quite an appetite. So I'm off to enjoy something oily with a glass of red wine and a slice of chocolate cake. Now if I can just remember where I put my wine opener. . .

Now Open

Well, it wasn't all that easy and it wasn't always fun, but we did it. Moved on Monday, unpacked Tuesday, and re-opened for business on Wednesday. So we didn't exactly put a man on the moon, but it was a pretty big deal, and an amazing display of team work, community support, and good old-fashioned manpower — not a drop of fossil fuel was burned in the move.

Now that we've had a couple days to settle in to our new digs at 1023 Broad, we can fairly say that we love it here. It is without a doubt bigger and in every way better. Drop in and say "hi" next time you're downtown. We're still open seven days a week (including Labor Day), and our selection of bamboo everything is greater than ever.

See you soon!

Darek Was the Night

Something amazing happened last night at Steynberg Gallery, and if you weren't there, you missed out. As anyone who appreciates good jazz and lives in SLO county will tell you, there's not much of it to be had around here. Venues that want actual entertainment, and not just a fancy background visual are somewhat far and few between, and there are only a handful of jazz musicians to go with them.

But I can honestly say, after last night's concert, with Aaron Wolf (sax) Matt Slocum (drums) Sebastion Meuller (guitar) and the great Darek Oles (bass), that there is hope for little SLO. For those of you that weren't there, I'll do my best to sum up the evening in a way that does it justice.
We walked in and gladly paid our humble admission price of ten dollars, to be greeted by an amiable door man. Getting in line, we weighed our drink options. There's something magical about a coffee shop that serves beer by the way.

Like eager children, we watched the musicians huddle together and talk over some forms and arrangements off in the corner. We had arrived early to ensure getting a good a seat, and were thankful to have done so.

The room filled in slowly and the masters took their places in front of a beautiful makeshift setting, with red and black curtains draped behind them. They quickly tuned, and Aaron gave a brief, modest introduction.

As though they were one, they came out swinging with an Ornette Coleman tune. Darek and Matt fit together instantly, and it was difficult to tell at times where one of them ended and the other one began. It seemed Matt had tuned his tom and adorably small kick just so that it blended perfectly with Darek's bass tone.

Aaron and Sebastion had roomed together at Berkley school of music, and it showed as they played the head in unison, with Sebastion's very Scofield-esque tone complementing Aaron's angular phrasing.

The night went on and it became clear that the first tune was just the tip of the iceberg. They warmed up, and then burned up. At the end of the first song, Aaron had hardly gotten through one sentence explaining to the audience what song they had just played, when Darek assuredly and sturdily came in playing the head to Solar. Without apologies, he placed the melody in to the air. Every note in tune, every line musically shaped, his rich tone emanating from his old German bass, his top of the line gut strings and powerfully wise hands.

For all too short of a time, the first set went on like this, with innovation, fluidity, wisdom and musical prowess coming from every corner. Their solos were the beginnings of songs in and of themselves. They never phoned a note in, there was always intention.

They ended the first set by bringing up Inga Swearingen to do a vocal version of Prayer, by Keith Jarrett. The song was an unstoppable force driven by Darek's double stops, Matt's tasteful rhythmic choices, Sebastion's engaging voicings and Aaron and Inga's interplay filled with rich tones and heavenly cries. Yup, I'll admit it, I cried a little (and it wasn't the only time that night).

During the set break, in line for the bathroom, I noticed Darek behind me with his picture-book son of maybe eight. I asked if they needed to go first, thinking of how hard it must be at that age to sit through a set of that intensity and have to go the bathroom. He politely said no with his charming accent, and made a point of stating, as he grabbed his son's hand, that ladies were indeed first. I was shocked a bit as I went in, perhaps not being used to meeting musicians with manners.

The second set may have been shorter than the first, but it lacked nothing. Matt started off one of the tunes and, in a way reminiscent of Clarke Kent turning in to Superman, gave the audience a glimpse of what his thin stature and large glasses were concealing. Stick to snare, stick to bell, stick to ride, stick to tom, eyes burning, and rhythm searing through the room, he let us have it. It was glorious.

Halfway through the second set, Aaron introduced an original composition dedicated to his sister-in-law, who happened to be struggling with brain cancer at the age of 26. The work had a surprisingly uplifting texture, and the crew gave it life on what I can only assume was a minimal amount of rehearsal. There was the second tear that came out of me. (Sorry, coffee shop that serves beer, what can I say?)

Inga came up again to close the second set and at the end of it, we were all left wanting more. We stood to show our gratitude (and perhaps get an encore out of them, quickly to be discouraged by Aaron pointing out that Matt and Darek had a long way to drive) and just like that, it was over.

Aaron greeted and thanked all of his friends and acquaintances individually for coming, in his Boo Boo Records t-shirt and unique shoes, sax in hand. My boyfriend and I were lucky enough to persuade Aaron and Sebastion to join us at our apartment for some beer and music. Aaron was a bit tuckered and didn't play, unfortunately, but Sebastion showed his true talent, without his effects pedals, on a $200 guitar. It was all too much, and the few of us that were there gave him our full attention.

Now if only this kind of thing happened more often around here....

More about our Green Move

Bambu Batu, The House of Bamboo, currently at 1127 Broad will be moving to 1023 Broad St. on September 1, without the aid of fossil fuels or the emission of greenhouse gasses. We are moving into the building shared by Old World Rugs and the Antique Boutique, across from Creekside Brewing and the SLO Museum of Art. Bambu Batu has been in business for five years, three years in its current location.

We are very excited about moving one block closer to the Mission, into a larger space with plentiful windows, streams of natural light, sweeping creekside vistas, and enhanced Zen access. The move has nothing to do with earthquake retrofitting, it's simply a great opportunity to land a bigger, better location in a space that hasn't come up for rent in over 30 years. We will be holding a storewide moving sale throughout the month of August with everything reduced at least 20%. We'll also hold a grand opening party at the new location, sometime in September. (Details forthcoming.)

In keeping with our philosophy of sustainability and global consciousness, we intend to make this a FOSSIL FUEL FREE move. All of our inventory, fixtures and equipment will be carried, rolled or wheeled up Broad Street by use of organic and socially responsible man- and woman-power. We don't expect to save the planet by moving the entire business without the use of fossil fuels and combustible engines, but we do hope to raise some awareness about the benefits of car-free locomotion.

It happens to millions of Americans every day: they get in their cars just to go 2 or 3 blocks away, and often spend more time parking than it would have taken them to walk the short distance. These short and unnecessary drives typify the conspicuous dependency on oil and automobiles that contributes daily to frivolous fuel consumption, excessive greenhouse emissions, rising rates of obesity, and a general disconnect with the environment.

We expect to carry out this move in just a couple of days with the help of a small team of volunteers, dollies and bamboo wagons. In addition to the warm sense of community and camaraderie, volunteers will also be treated to an assortment of refreshments. For move info about our moving sale, grand opening party, or to volunteer, contact Bambu Batu at 788-0806.

Be Here Now.... Going there soon!

After years of grazing the pastures of SLO County in search of the richest plot of soil in which to run our vigorous roots, Bambu Batu is finally ready to embark on its most promising transplant ever. Just a stone's throw from our current downtown location, across Higuera Street and under the verdant canopy of SLO Creek's thriving grove of willows and sycamores, this bigger and brighter space offers a spectacular opportunity for Bambu Batu to continue flourishing for years to come.

Away from the seemingly endless construction of mandatory retrofits, enterprising pizzerias and up-and-coming mixed-use high-rises, the new, creekside location includes unsurpassed Zen access and plenty of room to develop our own variety of panda-monium.

Still within sight of Big Sky and the beloved Hemp Shak, we now look forward to making good neighbors with the Natural Cafe, the SLO Museum of Art and Creekside Brewing Co. And we can't wait to see you there. In the meantime, we will be conducting a storewide moving sale, with discounts of at least 20% on everything in the store. Come join us in celebration!

Support Your Friendly Farmer

With the blossoming awareness of sustainability, local economies and fair trade practices, we are committed to sourcing the highest quality as well as the most ethically and ecologically produced products we can find. That includes a number of fair trade companies working in India, Thailand and Vietnam; several manufacturers who cut and sew their bamboo and organic cotton clothing here in the US; and a variety of chocolatiers, candle makers, seamstresses and herbalists all based right here in SLO County.

But we still get a lot of concerned customers asking, "When are we going to start growing the bamboo here in the states?" Well, that's a good question, because that's an awfully appealing idea, at least in theory. It could, after all, be an important step in getting off our oil dependency and the reliance on Chinese imports.

As much as we strive to eliminate our carbon footprints and environmental impacts, there are limits. We can reduce and minimize, but there are no consumer products with zero impact. Even if you grow all your own organic produce and make your own clothing with a solar-powered sewing machine, you'll still need to haul methane-rich manure in from somewhere, and get your new sewing needles, threads and fabrics from somewhere.

In this six billion man village, our survival depends on specialization, and specialization means commerce. We can encourage as much local trade as possible, but we cannot eliminate international commerce. The fair trade movement, for example, fosters socially responsible trade with the third world, recognizing that we need to eliminate inhumane business practices without completely severing ties with our trading partners around the globe.

As much as we love to support our local farmers, most varieties of bamboo are native to Asia. Of the 1500+ species, only two or three are native to North America. Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens), the variety most commonly harvested for commercial use — for clothing, flooring and kitchen wares — is native to China and Japan. And while it may grow well in gardens of California and the Pacific Northwest, introducing it to the U.S. on a massive agricultural scale could bring all kinds of unforeseeable ecological problems.

The beauty of bamboo, as a natural resource, resides in its tenacious growth habit without need of irrigation or fertilizers, and its resilience against pests — in sharp contrast to cotton, it requires no pesticides or herbicides. These wonderful benefits are seen in bamboo's natural habitat. But transplanted to someplace like the San Joaquin Valley, intensive irrigation would become necessary, and who know what sort of pest and disease issues might crop up.

Does this mean we should abandon the idea altogether? Not necessarily, but extensive consideration and research will be needed. Just remember the rabbits in Australia. And yes, in the right (or wrong?) conditions, bamboo spreads just as fast as bunnies.

Stay tuned for further stories on the unexpected outcomes of bamboo ecology . . .

Never Forget

Seems like not that long ago we were unpacking the cartons of hemp soap and Two Star Dog jeans that would become the seeds of the HempShak; but it's already been 15 years. It was February of 1995 that the original HempShak opened up on Foothill Blvd. in Claremont, just up the street from Pomona College. A year and half later we came to San Luis Obispo and opened HempShak del norte in the old Creamery, behind Tortilla Flats.

This weekend the era of Hemp retail comes to a sad end, as the HempShak of SLO closes its doors and clicks off the neon 'open' sign for the last time. But rest assured, Bambu Batu is staying open, continuing to provide natural fiber, fair trade and local products for the conscious consumers of the Central Coast, and looking forward to adding more hemp products to our already extensive and eclectic selection of alternative fibers.

Without our pioneering spirit and environmental commitment, these shops would never have opened, and without your steadfast support they could never stay open. So thanks again, and we look forward to meeting your needs and exceeding your expectations for another decade and a half.

There's a Shak that won't soon be forgotten
Cuz Hemp lasts much longer than cotton
            It grows like a weed
            With nary a need
For pesticides, toxic and rotten

Chocolate for Haiti

In cooperation with Sweet Earth Chocolate - our favorite source of fair trade chocolate, made in SLO - we are delighted to announce the new Haiti Bar. Now it's easier than ever to do the right thing, because a portion of proceeds from every single delicious bar of chocolate will go directly to the people of Haiti.

Bambu Batu: good for the planet, good for the community, and good for you. And we're open every day - rain or shine!

Central Coast Gift Guide features Bambu Batu

Central Coast Magazine – vanguard publication for the SLO County lifestyle – is now featuring Bambu Batu and the Bamboo Kitchen Compost Pail in its exclusive guide of first choice holiday gift ideas.

Brighten your countertop and sequester your kitchen scraps with this thoughtfully designed compost pail, with washable inner liner and dual charcoal filters.

And remember, our 100% BAMBOO SHEET SETS are still $30 off through the end of the month. Spoil yourself or delight a loved one with the unsurpassed comfort of organic bamboo bedding.

Give pizza a chance

As buyers of baked goods bemoan the break down of Boston Bagels, and local lovers of low-impact luncheons lament the loss of Pizza Fusion, a new selection has surfaced for SLO snackers in search of salubrious sustenance.

Enter Croce's Pizzeria: just opened at 1127 Broad St., formerly Boston Bagels, right next door to Bambu Batu. Specializing in East Coast pies and Philly cheese steaks, they also offer a mouthwatering array of vegetarian as well as vegan and gluten-free options.

For those (and I've heard quite a few) who are struggling to pronounce Croce, here's a hint: it rhymes with those glutinous little balls of Japanese ice cream, mochi. As in Jim Croce. And if you're not familiar with Jim Croce, I'd like to a) thank you for making me feel old, b) let you know you haven't missed much, and c) share with you this video lest there be any doubt on point b.

So come on down, grab yourself a tasty slice, and stop by the House of Bamboo to say 'hi' and scan the scene for some sustainable stocking stuffers!

Spanish Wine floods Central Coast Market

We don't ordinarily cover topics like this in our Bambu Batu blog, but seeing how it is an issue of some local interest, and as one of our customers from out of the area had requested more details, I decided to go ahead and share my thoughts with the rest of the cyber globe.

Central Coast Wines in downtown SLO announced this week in its newsletter a special offer on the Opera Prima '08 Tempranillo. At just $7 a bottle, this Spanish import not surprisingly raised a few eyebrows. I generally prefer to buy local when possible, but when it comes to culinary endeavors, I'm always eager to stray off the well-worn vineyard, so I picked up a bottle this evening, and these are my thoughts on the subject.

As I probed for a little background or perhaps a short forecast of what to expect from the bargain bottle, the clerk in the wine shop gave the impression that he would never touch a $7 bottle of wine with a ten-foot espada, but that if he were forced at gun point to drink such an unsavory libation, this is the one he would chose. I was sold.

The 2008 Opera Prima Tempranillo, bottled in La Mancha Spain by J. Garcia Carrion, does indeed deliver everything you could ask for and more from a $7 bottle of vino. Light and refreshing, this deeply tinted vintage dances across the palate like a mariposa in heat, at once delicate and provocative, leaving an aria of fruity tenor in its wake. And yet it wields the puissance to knock you down like a proverbial windmill.

The crisp decoction performs superbly on its own, but I can also attest to the fact that it pairs quite nicely with seasonal ratatouille. As a vegetarian, I could never recommend matching this wine with red meat, but I might try ingesting a glass with a plate of fish, because I think that's what Jesus would do. (San Luis Fish & BBQ on Marsh Street actually has some great local swordfish right now, but that's a story for another time.)

SLO Inaugural Ball

Don't let yourself be lied to any longer. Turn off the TV, turn on your mind, and celebrate with us on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

For eight long years we've endured disasters of every race, color and creed - natural, manmade, military and economic. News anchors and political pundits will tell you it has weakened our nation; on the contrary, this arduous struggle has made us stronger than ever.

Together, let us embrace the diversity of our obstacles and challenges, and congratulate one another for having survived an age of indelible ineptitude.
SLO Inaugural Ball: Tuesday at the Grad
Celebrate the dawn of a new era as Barack Obama is sworn into office next Tuesday.

SLO Grassroots Democracy is hosting an Inaugural Ball at the Graduate on Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Tickets for only $10 available here at
Bambu Batu, the House of Bamboo,
1127 Broad, in downtown San Luis Obispo.

Cost of admission includes appetizers and desserts, and music by DJ Malik. Other food and drink will be available for sale. And don't miss your chance to enter the drawing to win a dinner for four at Big Sky Cafe or a brand new Buddy 50cc scooter from Central Coast Mechanics.

King for a day

Winter is coming, and with it the monarch butterflies are flocking back into SLO County. We plant a wide variety of native species in our garden to attract local birds and butterflies, and we have several small milkweed bushes, which are the monarch's primary source of sustenance. But here's one feasting on a bouquet of semi-native, super-aromatic mexican marigold. Must be delicious!

For some reason, the monarchs take no interest in any of the several varieties of bamboo that are potted throughout the yard, but of course, bamboo isn't native to California. And one of bamboo's chief advantages is its total lack of enemies. Unlike cotton, which is extremely susceptible to pests like the bull weevil, bamboo appears nowhere on any insect's menu. Perhaps this is part of why bamboo spreads so aggressively, because no insects have come forward to aid in the process of pollination.

Standing Firm in San Luis

I shudder to guess how many species of megafauna and microflora have gone extinct since my last Bambu Blog entry, but let's just say it's been far too long. On the brighter side of natural selection, it's my great pleasure to report on Bambu Batu's upward evolution from south county to the NEW LOCATION in downtown SLO. In the first week of November '07, we carted a caravan of bamboo treasures on the Silk Road of the Central Coast and relocated our storefront to 1127-A Broad St., SLO. That's right downtown between Big Sky Café and Boston Bagel, not so far afield from the HempShak.

On November 25, our Grand Opening celebration went off like fireworks at Chinese New Year, with deep discounts throughout the store, tray after tray of fresh sushi rolls from next door, and enough rice wine to sedate a Giant Panda.

Bamboo products proved more popular than ever over the Christmas Season, especially the shirts, socks and dresses from spun bamboo, which sold like fortune cookies. And of course, our bamboo towels remain a perennial favorite. The selection of bamboo clothing grows constantly, and every week we see new styles and fashions. Come in today and check out our luxurious new bamboo bathrobes and scrumptious pajama sets.