Six years ago some small business owners decided they wanted to help create awareness for some very good local yet internationally known artists. Thus, in 2004, Art Around Adams was born in the North Park and Kensington neighborhoods of San Diego.

This year, Bamboo and Tikis participated in this unique San Diego art showcase. A venue was set up to display our eco-friendly bamboo designs and visitors were encouraged to ask questions about green backyard options while enjoying free beverages served from our bamboo tiki bar.

Outdoor Rooms, is a special interest publication for Better Homes and Gardens, and their theme for this summer is "Take a Vacation in Your Own Backyard." In their summer issue they provided a "Passport to Style" for creating themed backyards that are serene, have that Polynesian pop, and of course all things tropical and tiki-fied. 

Here's what the editor Jane Austin McKeon had to say:
"My favorite time of year to entertain is summer.  A barefoot and blue jeans sort of girl, I would much rather wave the neighbors over for a spur-of-the-moment glass of wine on the front porch or serve a picnic-style supper for my family on the deck than put a lot of planning and primping into a fancy dining room affair.  Backyards cater to impromptu entertaining."

There is much truth to the saying that we've all heard since childhood which is "you get what you pay for." Many of us, when purchasing fish and meat don't get to see where it comes from. Prices generally reflect where an item is from and often times the quality of food you're getting. Poke, a raw fish salad, when purchased at $10.99 to $14.99 there's a good chance that it's from the local waters in Hawaii, where as when priced at $4.99-$7.99 it's probably from Asia. There's places like Don Quixote (Holiday Mart) that have signs which tell you where your fish is from. Please view the video below issuing a Toxic Seafood Warning.

Every industry show, we always do drawings for Tiki statues, gift certificates or our signature Tiki bar.  This past Spring Home and Garden show in San Diego, Chuck and Sheri Newton were the lucky winners of our Bamboo Tiki Bar!

Here's what they had to say.

Q: Why did you attend the Home and Garden Show?
A: We had just closed on our new home and we wanted to get some new ideas about what we could do as far as decorating the place.  This was the first Home and Garden show we had ever attended.

We recently had the opportunity to work with a great organization called "Rebuilding Together San diego" who's theme is "neighbors helping neighbors." 

Their Mission: In partnership with volunteers, donors and organizations, Rebuilding Together San Diego revitalizes homes and neighborhoods for low-income homeowners and communities in need, especially the elderly, disabled and families, helping them to live in warmth, safety and independence.

We wanted to thank everyone who made it out to visit us at the CLCA Landscape Industry Show last week and stopped by to talk to us.  The Los Angeles convention center was immaculately transformed by amazing booths containing everything from live landscapes filled with trees, to gardens featuring ponds. 

The show not only featured amazing guest speakers but also informative demos on tree -trimming, wall building, water conservation and more.  It was exciting to meet different exhibitors from different industries and share a wealth of knowlege when it came to home improvement and landscaping. 

As a member of the California Landscape Contractor's Association, Bamboo and Tikis will be attending the CLCA Industry Show.

Located at the Los Angeles Convention Center, our booth number will be 649 where we'll be showcasing our products, services and innovative designs.  We'd love to see you there to answer questions show how we can help provide for your business. 

Please browse our catalog and we look forward to meeting you!

All over the news and media recently is the disaster that has struck Haiti just around the Port-Au-Prince area.  An earthquake measuring 7.0 on the richter scale has left what is feared to be thousands dead and many more homeless and in devastation.  Homes, buildings, roadways and more have been destroyed and the country is in a severe state of emergency. 

Although no one can plan for natural disasters, we can come together and offer aid during times as such.  The Green Revolution is not only about recycling or preserving resources but helping our planet as a whole, including its people. 

Just like how many of you probably feel, this year flew right on by.  2009 has been absolutely incredible, from our new website launch, to our new products, wonderful customer feedback and amazing affiliates that we've had the pleasure of working with. 

It's that time of year to reflect back and count all of our blessings, so with that, we would like to send our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones this holiday season and thank you for being a part of and supporting Bamboo and Tikis!