Glenn, I love the stem, believe it or not I had a shape similar to this in my head, it just didn't happen though. Your's looks better anyways. Nice piece.
Very unique and well executed design Glenn. You've shown that just because the parameters say a 3/8" stem it doesn't mean that you can't still have volume. Nice work. I really like the form on the center section of the stem, just another example of where transition lines can work.
James, Its some kind of soft maple. Probably Norway Maple, which is planted all over the city I live in. This piece of wood was salvaged from a tree that had to be cut down before it came down in storm.