Cooper Young First Thursday Night Out is when area businesses stay open late and dish out a world of discounts on everything from sushi to antiques. People from all over Memphis come to Cooper Young to enjoy our little neighborhood’s quirky charm on this night once a month from 5 – 9 pm.

While some of the area restaurants and bars host live music, we also host live music at our gazebo area located at the corner of Cooper Street and Young Avenue. At this time, we are looking for singer-songwriters and bands to play from 6 – 9 pm starting in April.

If you are interested in playing at this event, please contact Tamara Cook at 276-7222 or cyba@bellsouth.net.

Press Release from the Mississippi River Corridor- Tennessee

For the past several months, the Mississippi River Corridor-Tennessee in partnerships with the University of Memphis and the Memphis Regional Design Center has been involved in a systematic study of the Shelby County segment of the Mississippi River Trail. The primary purpose of this study is to recommend changes and additions to the 50-mile segment of this ten-state trail that currently exists within the County to enhance its value to local residents and business owners.

Our study included a mile-by-mile survey of the existing route, interviews with representatives of local hiking and bicycling organizations, meetings with parks and recreation departments, and three public meetings that more than one hundred Shelby County residents and officials attended. Using data from these research activities, the Mississippi River Corridor-Tennessee, and its project partners, has prepared a preliminary report on enhancing the Shelby County Trail which will be presented at a final community meeting that you are cordially invited to attend.

This community meeting will take place on Thursday, January 19th at 6:00 pm in the Main Hall of Central Station located at the southwest corner of South Main Street and G.E. Patterson, across the street from Earnestine & Hazel’s Bar & Grill. Enter off of G.E. Patterson.

Light refreshments will be served and child care will be available.

The proposed agenda for this meeting is as follows:

• Welcome – Charles “Chooch” Pickard, Executive Director, Memphis Regional Design Center
• Purpose of the Shelby County Trail Plan – Diana Threadgill, President, Mississippi River Corridor TN
• Highlights of the Shelby County Trail Report – Findings and Recommendations – Ken Reardon, Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in City and Regional Planning, University of Memphis
• Community Comment – ALL
• Where We Go From Here – Karen Thornton, Community Coordinator, Graduate Program in City and Regional Planning, University of Memphis

We hope you will be able to join us for this important community planning meeting. Please extend an invitation to other members of your family, organization, and community who you feel may be interested in this event.
Contact Ms. Karen Thornton at: 901-474-5633 for more information on this trail plan. Additional information regarding the Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee can be found at www.msrivertn.org.

Barrett Hathcock will be reading an excerpt from his new book The Portable Son on Thursday January 19th beginning at 5:30 – 6:30. The reading will begin at 6 pm.  For more information, please visit the Burke’s Book Store website.

By Leah Roen

Midtown is being reviewed by the Memphis Fire Department for a potential removal of the ladder truck from the Union Station, according to a letter sent by Director of Fire Services Alvin Benson to City Council members. This is of concern for our area since we rely on the truck for rescue, vehicle extraction, elevator rescue and fire entry into homes and businesses.

Budget cuts reducing fire department personnel and six ladder trucks were approved in May. Trucks already have been removed in the Whitehaven and Hickory Hill areas. Benson told City Council that the planned cuts would not affect fire engine or ambulance response times. The MFD is trying to assure everyone that this is a case of overlapping services.

But should the need arise for the ladder truck, one from another territory would have to be called and arrival time would by design be slower, simply because of the increased distance traveled.

If the adjoining territories’ ladder truck is out of service, meaning they are at school, on another run or in the shop, yet another ladder truck from still further away would be necessary. In the event of a fire at a business, two trucks are always summoned, again slowing response times.

The MFD says there is an overlap of services. There has always been and always will be an overlap of services as this is what is required to manage our needs for fire and rescue calls. Without overlap, ladder trucks would stay in their own territory and therefore not be available when there is need for them.

In 1981, the MFD took a pumper truck out of service on Elvis Presley Blvd. Across the street from the fire house, a young child died after there was a delay in getting another vehicle there.

Additionally, ladder trucks carry necessary equipment such as a portable generator necessary to keep medical equipment up and running; elevator rescue equipment; atmosphere monitors; salvage covers that protect things during a fire; a Stokes basket for rescue; high-rise gear for rescue; rescue saw; PPV fan for use during fires to clear smoke, Holmatro tool to cut victims from cars; rams, spreaders, reels and Ajax tool for rescue; chock block; defibrillator; smoke ejector; portable lights; ladders of several sizes for rescue and to fight fires and much more.

This fire house has always had a ladder truck and so far, there doesn’t seem to be a good reason to compromise the health and safety of Cooper-Young or the rest of Midtown. The ladder truck is necessary here to protect the lives of our citizens and our historic properties as well as the businesses in Cooper-Young.

Councilman Kemp Conrad graciously agreed to a town hall meeting in Cooper-Young on this matter from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 at Peabody School.

L’HISTOIRE DU SOLDAT

Igor Stravinsky’s L’histoire du Soldat combines acting, symphonic music and dance to tell the story of a Soldier, who possesses a violin, and the Devil, with whom he exchanges it in return for a book which will show him how to obtain all that he can desire. Once the contract has been made, the Devil is hard to evade. Life has a habit of returning to beginnings.  You don’t want to miss the one-time performance of this rarely performed work.  The Memphis Chamber Players composed of members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Joseph Montelione, bring Stravinsky’s score to life on the stage with dancers from the New Ballet Ensemble and actors from the Memphis Community.

$10.00 General Admission; $5.00 for Rhodes and CBU faculty and staff, and free to students with ID

To purchase tickets:  call Rhodes Music Office, 843-3775 or email wilsona@rhodes.edu

By Randall Hartzog

The 34rd annual production of A Christmas Carol at Theatre Memphis is coming back to the stage with the veteran stage actor Barry Fuller as Scrooge, the new re-envisioned set from last year, and the vision of four-time A Christmas Carol director Jason Spitzer. After a record breaking debut with the new set more than three decades after the original set was created, the 2011 cast will be scurrying around a London that Christopher McCollum, current resident scenic designer at Theatre Memphis, designed for the traditional holiday classic.
A family favorite tradition in Memphis, A Christmas Carol tells of Ebenezer Scrooge who is approached by the ghostly vision of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and then sets out on a journey of exploration that ultimately results in Scrooge’s enlightenment. With Fuller returning to play Scrooge for his 11th time at Theatre Memphis, he has stated that “… each new production is as fulfilling as the last.” Fuller was the original Scrooge in the first TM production in 1978.

Spitzer, has traveled to other cities and theaters to see their productions of the show. “Having seen some of the other productions,” he says, “I am very confident and feel good about what we are doing and where we are with this concept. And I am pleased to be working with Barry, the original Scrooge. He is the Scrooge to end all Scrooges!”
Theatre Memphis Executive Producer Debbie Litch agrees. “What could be more special than to re-create a show that is so dear to so many Memphis families with the man that started it all for us as Scrooge? Barry is a true gentleman and professional, and we are very proud that we are able to continue to bring back this gift of ours to the community with him.”

Performance dates for A Christmas Carol are December 2 – 23, Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 7pm, and Sundays at 3pm. Added performances are scheduled for December 19, 20, and 21 (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) at 7pm. Tickets are $28 for adults, $15 for students with a valid ID, $10 for children under 12. Call 901-682-8323 to purchase tickets or go online to  HYPERLINK “http://www.theatrememphis.org” \t “_blank” theatrememphis.org.

By Kristan Huntley

Come sun or rain, sleet or snow, Santa is always willing to greet kids and pets in Cooper-Young with a bright smile and rosy cheeks! This year was no exception. Even with soggy conditions, Santa arrived at the Cooper-Young Winter Wonderland (otherwise known as the CYCA offices) with a hearty ho-ho-ho.

The resident elf was also there to greet guests, as were several wonderful volunteers, including Sarah and Brad Gilmer and Leann Thompson, to make the occasion special for all involved.
Around 13 families joined in the fun, snacks, and holiday merriment. Parents, children dressed in their best holiday attire, big and little pups, and even a wee kitten all had their photo taken with Jolly Ol’ St. Nick. It was a wonderful event and raised around $170 to support the McLean Mural Project.

The Beautification Committee wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Santa Claus (and Mrs. Claus) for his special appearance, to Mr. Lincoln’s Costume Rental for the elf costume, to Sarah Gilmer for her wonderful photography skills, and to all the family, friends, and neighbors who came out to support the fundraising efforts.

We hope that you have a very merry holiday. And remember, be good because Santa’s got his eye on Cooper-Young!

By Kristan Huntley

The men and women of the Memphis Police and the Fire Departments work tirelessly day in and day out to help keep us safe in Cooper-Young, including on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, we like to show the wonderful police officers and firemen and women that Cooper-Young cares about them and appreciates their dedication.

Each year the CYCA fills bags with portable treats and drinks for the men and women who protect our sleeping community on Christmas Eve. You can bring your donations (approximately enough to help fill 70 bags) to the Community Office at 2298 Young Avenue between 7 and 8pm on December 24. If you bring homemade finger foods, please feel free to label each bag with your family’s information to add a special personal touch. These folks really appreciate this effort and the love put into each bag.

We will also need help packing the treat bags that night between 7 and 8pm so we can have them delivered and ready by roll call at 10pm. To volunteer, just come by 2298 Young around 7pm. It is lots of fun and a great way to share the Christmas spirit!

By Kandra Kolehmainen

Picture a beautiful, fall day. All around you the world is filled with movement and life. Looking up, you see a sky full of trees, branches bending back and forth, propelled by a strong, invigorating breeze. Leaves are falling to the ground in unique patterns, sometime smooth and beautiful, other times in a zigzag rush. On the ground, leaves are blowing across the yard as bushes flutter and the grass lies gracefully down. Your ears are filled, not only with the sound of the wind dancing through the branches, but also the dead and crumbling leaves rustling across the sidewalk. Your senses are full of the moment. You can smell fall in the air, and if you try hard enough, you can even taste it.

Now imagine a four-year-old on her way to school on that same day, at that same moment. She takes in all of the newness of the moment: the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. But, unlike you, she is compelled to touch it as well. Her eyes are as big as saucers as she holds a yellow and green leaf and looks up at all of the life in the sky. Her mind full of discovery, beauty, and wonder that is growing exponentially. Experiential learning is taking place.

As she goes inside, she is full of questions: why are the leaves falling, how do they hook on to the trees, why are the leaves different colors, why do they make a crunching sound? The teacher has a few options: gathering information about trees from books or the internet, directing the child to look out the window and watch, answering the questions that the child has asked, or realizing that what the child really needs is hands on discovery. She needs to go back outside and investigate.

At this point the Reggio teacher seizes the opportunity to gauge the interest of all of the students and announces that they will be going outside to look at the day. Back outside real life experience continues, as our four-year-old, as well as many other students, are able to make connections between trees and leaves, live leaves vs. dead leaves, the effect of wind on both trees and leaves, and how trees and leaves are joined. They study what leaves look and feel like, as well as the differences and similarities between them. They look at all the different colors. They listen to the different sounds that stomping creates on both dead and live leaves and (one of childhood’s greatest pleasures) what it feels like to roll in a pile of them.

At the end of the day, the Reggio teacher creates a web (a type of flow diagram) laying out not only all of the directions the project might take, but also which skills can be taught along the way. This is not guesswork but rather a thoughtful examination of the subject matter. The project may not go where a teacher thinks it will, but all avenues are prepared for so that learning does not have to wait for materials or the environment to be prepared.

With leaves as an inspiration, learning continues both inside and out over the next two weeks. Children experience leaves on dry days, windy days, wet days, and calm days. They go on walks around the neighborhood and to the local park. They notice other indications of fall: the change in temperature, the fact that it gets dark earlier, and the pumpkins on every porch. They notice the nuts on the ground and the squirrels chasing each other up and down trees while collecting the nuts. They take containers on their walks to fill with fall “treasures.” The teachers are constantly challenging the children with questions and focusing their attention on things they may not have noticed.

Back in the classroom children draw pictures, create clay sculptures, paint leaves to make stamps, and use rollers to make prints. They make leaf garlands, necklaces, and belts (art). They write stories and poems as they are able and read them to teachers and other students. They dictate stories to teachers which can then be acted out (language arts). Some children count, sort, and compare the leaves by color and shape and order them according to their quantity. They learn positional words like over, under, up, down, beside, above, and below. Quantitative words like more, less, fewer, add, take away, heavy, light, full, and empty (math). Others create beautiful displays and use leaves as instruments, props, and costumes in a musical play (dramatic play and music). Through questions and books, the teacher helps students answer their own questions and the questions that teachers pose: why are some leaves dry and cracked while others are smooth and pliable, why do they fall from the trees, why do we only see pumpkins in fall (science). Many students work together with yellow, red, green, and brown blocks, Lego, and with recycled materials glue and paint to construct trees and leaves. Together, Reggio students and their teachers have taken one inspiring moment and turned it into a project that includes math, science, art, music, dance, theater, costuming, construction, and language arts.

Although most adults can see how much fun and how interesting a project like this can be for preschoolers, many doubt that this approach can be used when “real” academics need to be learned. The truth is direct experience combined with high interest equals successful learning at every age. To quote Albert Einstein, “Learning is experience. Everything else is just information.”

To see how this works in an elementary setting, look for our article next month.