By Jennifer Petcher

If you’re like me, you’re worried about what Christmas gift to give to the person in your life who has everything. We debate over how to make them happy, how much we can afford to spend, and whether we will have the time to find the perfect gift. When, we wonder, did a holiday meant to produce joy and peace start producing anxiety and empty bank accounts?

While we worry and stress over the perfect sweater, electronics, and gadgets this Christmas, the majority of people around the world will be anxious over something we hardly think about – water. Lack of access to clean water causes nearly 90 percent of all diseases in the world. Contaminated water results in more than 2.2 million deaths each year; the equivalent of 20 jumbo jets crashing every day.

Drilling fresh water wells is relatively inexpensive, yet it is a permanent solution to this epidemic. Solving this water problem worldwide once and for all will cost about $10 billion. Not bad considering Americans spent $450 billion on Christmas last year during a time of economic recession.

You may remember that for the past few years, Neighborhood Church in CY has joined a movement called Advent Conspiracy to restore meaning and significance to the celebration of Christmas while contributing to help solve the water crisis. Last year, the church partnered with the community for a project called Cooper-Young for Clean Water, with the goal of building a well in Peru, which cost $5,000.

Prior to 2010, the members of Neighborhood Church donated about $500 to clean water during Advent Conspiracy. Last year, it was amazing to see what a difference partnering with our friends and family made as the total funds raised amounted to more than $6,200!

Once again this year, Neighborhood Church will host a variety of events and accept donations toward a goal of raising at least $5,000 to build a well in a village without access to clean water. See the sidebar for information about the events, and then join us in our efforts to spend less, give more, love all, and worship fully this Christmas season.

Advent Conspiracy Events for 2011

Saturday, Dec. 3 – Babysitting for Bucks - Leave the kiddos with us from 4-8pm at a home in Evergreen and do some Christmas shopping or just grab a quiet dinner by yourselves before the holiday madness begins (address provided when you RSVP).

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Behold the Lamb of God performance – The talented among us will present this favorite arrangement by Andrew Peterson of “the true tall tale of the coming of Christ.” 6pm at a location to be announced.

Thursday, Dec. 15 - Wrappers Delight - The Purple Door (2172 Young Avenue) is graciously opening their Cooper-Young space for a gift wrapping fundraiser. We provide the supplies, you provide the gifts! 3-8pm.

Sunday, Dec. 18 – Christmas Worship Service – Join Neighborhood Church as we focus on the last precept of Advent Conspiracy: Worship Fully. At 5:30pm in the chapel at Union Avenue Baptist Church (2181 Union).

For more details or to RSVP for any of the events, please visit facebook.com/ncmidtown. All events will be accepting donations toward Neighborhood Churches’ goal of raising at least $5,000 to build a well in a village without access to clean water. Make checks payable to Neighborhood Church and write “Clean Water” in the subject line.

By Andy Ashby

This January, the Cooper-Young Community Association is organizing an event to raise money for a planned mural on McLean Boulevard. Stone Soup Café and four Cooper-Young homeowners are hosting a “Moveable Feast” on Friday, January 27, 2012 starting at 6pm. This will consist of two groups of 20 people each enjoying a three-course meal at three different stops. For each group, the first house will serve salads and appetizers, and the second house will serve an entrée. Then, both groups will meet at Stone Soup Café (993 S. Cooper) for dessert.

Tickets are $20 and will be available for sale at the CYCA offices (2298 Young Ave.). All proceeds will go toward the McLean Mural Project, which will brighten up a popular gateway to the neighborhood.

Local artist Carl E. Moore has designed a mural to be painted underneath the railroad overpass on McLean Boulevard near Central Avenue. He plans on starting this summer. The entire project will cost $5,000, which includes cleaning and treating the surfaces, as well as designing and painting the murals. The CYCA has raised $1,500 so far. The Moveable Feast money, paired with funds raised from the Santa picture event in November, should put us at $2,500, which would be enough to paint one side.

The CYCA is approaching other organizations to raise the remainder of the funds. We may also organize more fundraisers to generate the rest of the money. If you’d like to buy tickets or donate to the McLean Mural Project, stop by the CYCA offices or call Andy Ashby at 901-691-2396.

By June Hurt

It’s that time of year again! Time for you to take a few hours off from the holiday hustle and bustle and help us get our CYCA 2012 Membership Renewal Letters out to the residents! As most of you are aware, CYCA Memberships expire at the end of the year, so renewals need to go out in December while everyone is in the giving spirit!

Come on down to the CYCA Office on Saturday, December 17 from 9am to noon to help us stuff, stamp, seal, and sort about 1,600 envelopes. As always, we will temp you with goodies and drinks. This will be a fun time to hang out with your neighbors, so come on down. Anything is better than fighting the holiday crowds!

By Suzzane Striker

Soon you will find a flyer on your door asking for donations for the annual Cooper-Young Thanksgiving Food Drive. 1^st Congregational Church’s Loaves and Fishes food pantry (located at Cooper and Walker) needs our help. Like all such pantries in these difficult times, the Loaves and Fishes food pantry is experiencing an increase in those who need their services and a decrease in donations.

What makes the Loaves and Fishes food pantry distinct from other pantries is that it provides assistance to residents who live right here in Cooper-Young, Idlewild, and surrounding areas. What would be a simple trip to MIFA for most of us can be a complicated ordeal for those who lack transportation. These individuals have to ride the bus and then carry food bags back home on a bus. For those who are struggling with health issues or who have small children in tow, the trip is even more daunting. Once a month, members of 1^st Congo Church help local residents get to the Loaves and Fishes pantry to pick up food and then take them home.

The church serves hot meals on Sunday, and on Tuesday and Thursday they serve hot lunch and snacks. Many kids stop by on their way home from school. For some a late lunch is also their dinner. People can also pick up emergency staples to carry them over until they can come to the monthly grocery shopping Sunday. These services are why having a local community food pantry is so important and why our CY food drive is so essential for the pantry, especially with the upcoming holidays.

Remember, recipients of food from Loaves and Fishes are our neighbors. Some have become victims of layoffs, some are single parents who work hard but can’t make ends meet, some live on fixed incomes, and some are dealing with unexpected, serious medical issues. Anyone in our neighborhood can use the services at the pantry in a time of need.

All donations, monetary or non-perishable foods, are welcome, but the pantry is in particular need of Vienna sausages, fruit juices, and individually wrapped snacks. The Thanksgiving Food Drive will be held Saturday, November 19, from 9 to 10am. If you would like to make a donation and/or help deliver flyers or pick up donations the day of the food drive, please contact Suzzane Striker at suzzanes@comcast.net or phone 901-276-6450.

By Holly Smith

Kittens Cooper and Young are gearing up for the House of Mews’ 8^th annual Meowathon with personalized runner numbers, matching sweat bands, and plenty of “cat-itude.” The two eight-week-old male kittens are among the newest additions at the House of Mews and are currently available for adoption. Found during September’s Cooper-Young Festival, the duo have become the unofficial mascots for the Meowathon coming up on Saturday, November 19.

The Meowathon is a 5K run/walk and silent auction hosted by the House of Mews with all proceeds benefiting the organization. The House of Mews is a 16-year-old non-profit staffed by volunteers and located at 933 S. Cooper. A no-kill feline sanctuary, cat adoption agency, and cat lovers’ gift shop, the organization exists solely on support through donations and volunteer efforts.

Cooper and Young arrived just in time to cheer on the 2011 racers and bidders. Last year’s race proceeds totaled nearly $32,000. Cooper and Young, as well as Elain Harvey, Founder and Managing Director, and the volunteer staff say, “Let’s beat that!”

For registration information and a continuously updated list of auction items, visit houseofmews.com/meowathon. Register online, in person during store hours, or over the phone at 901-272-3777. Those who aren’t able to participate in the 5K can sponsor a cat for the day for $15. All race and sponsor fees are tax-deductible charitable donations.

Race day registration begins at 7:30am, and the race begins at 9am at Overton Park (enter off East Parkway, between Poplar Avenue and Sam Cooper Boulevard). Come out and “Run for the Claws!”

By Kate Lareau

Another great Peabody Elementary event is coming up, and the whole community is invited to come enjoy Central BBQ, shop for Christmas (or for yourself!), and support your neighborhood school! The Peabody Elementary Silent Auction will take place Thursday, November 17, from 5:30-7:30pm in the Peabody Cafeteria. Last year’s auction raised over $2500 that went toward software for the Accelerated Reader program, new playground and exercise equipment, and new items for the library.

Items in this year’s auction will include gift certificates to local businesses, items from local shops/artists, themed gift baskets, and much more. All proceeds will go to support learning at Peabody. Because of Central’s generous donation of barbecue, all proceeds from the sale of the dinner (only $5 per plate) will also go directly to the Peabody PTA to purchase needed supplies and materials for the teachers and students of Peabody.
So let’s summarize: dinner for $5 and great shopping – a pretty fabulous deal considering it all benefits the kids of Peabody and strengthens our neighborhood school!

Peabody Elementary Silent Auction
Thursday, November 17
5:30-7:30pm
$5 for Central BBQ dinner, no charge to shop the Silent Auction

CYCA Safety Meeting
Monday, November 7, 7pm
2298 Young Ave.
Interested in making CY a safer place? Join the Safety Committee and have an impact!

November CYCA General Meeting
Tuesday, November 8
2298 Young Ave.
Doors open at 6pm, meeting from 6:30-7:30pm
Please come learn more about the 2011 Alley Research grant received by the CYCA from Strengthening Communities. Resident input is vital to the success of this project, and your opinion matters!

CYCA Membership Meeting
Tuesday, November 8, 7:30pm
2298 Young Ave.

Photos with Santa at the gazebo
Tuesday, November 15, 5:30-6:45pm
Gazebo at Cooper and Young
Pay a small fee to have your photo taken with Santa as a fundraiser for mural projects in the neighborhood.

CYCA Board Meeting
Tuesday, November 15, 7pm
2298 Young Ave.

CYCA Beautification Meeting
Monday, November 28, 6pm
2298 Young Ave.
Anyone wishing to make the neighborhood a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing place is welcome to attend.

By Demetrius Boyland

Neighbors, it’s that time of year again – time for photographs with Santa! Come one, come all to the gazebo at the corner of Cooper Street and Young Avenue between 5:30 and 6:45pm on November 15. You can have your very own photo session with Santa for $10 dollars. If you bring your own camera and take your own pictures the fee is reduced to $7. And best of all, Santa is donating all the proceeds to the McLean Mural Project in Cooper-Young. We can’t wait to see your smiling faces!

Opportunity to give to the Memphis Food Bank
By Pat Mitchell Worley

Little Helpers, a children’s volunteer organization, will be in Cooper-Young on Saturday, October 29, from 11am-12:30pm. The kids (ages 2 to tween) will travel our streets in their Halloween costumes collecting food for the Memphis Food Bank for their monthly service activity. Please prepare and give as generously as you are able.

Making strides against breast cancer
By Stephanie Wilson Nichols

The American Cancer Society’s 11th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K of Memphis will be held on October 15 at Laurelwood Shopping Center at the corner of Poplar and Perkins Extended. This inspiring, noncompetitive 5K walk unites the entire community to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate women about the importance of early detection and prevention, and raise money to fund life-saving research and support programs to further our progress against this disease.

Community members are invited to be part of Memphis’ Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. There is no pre-registration or registration fee. Donations are strongly encouraged. Registration begins at 7am and the walk begins at 8am. To form a team or learn about how you can participate in this family friendly walk, contact the American Cancer Society at 901-278-2091 or visit MakingStridesMemphis.org. Through events like Making Strides Against Breast Cancer the American Cancer Society is saving lives and creating a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays.

CY Community Farmers Market updates
By Barb Elder

In case you are like me and never carry cash, don’t let that stop you from getting fresh foods at the CY Community Farmers Market! According to their weekly newsletter (and my personal experience) “every Saturday, friendly staff members are standing by at our market information booth to assist you with credit, debit, and SNAP card transactions. Swipe your card, get a receipt, and get market tokens to spend with our vendors.” In addition, neighbors with SNAP benefits can get more for their money thanks to a new matching funds program called Double Green$. If you would like to learn more, drop by the market information booth.

And the good news just keeps on coming. The Memphis Flyer recently reported that the Board of the CY Community Farmers Market has decided that the market will remain open year round in their effort to provide fresh produce to the people in this area of the city. So keep those Saturday morning plans loose so that you can drop by and do a little shopping this winter.

News affecting upcoming Memphis elections
By Dee Nollner

Beginning January 1, 2012 registered voters will need a photo ID in order to vote. The first election after that date will be the Presidential Preference and County Primary on March 6, 2012. A TN driver’s license with photo is sufficient; even an expired photo license from another state will meet the requirement for registered voters. Any state or Federal government photo ID will be accepted, but student or local government ID will not be accepted. Registered voters over 60 who do not have a photo driver’s license can take the license to a Driver’s License location and have a photo applied. The 3200 East Shelby Drive location, south of the airport between Airways and Getwell, might be the most comfortable. Call 901-543-7920 for additional information.

Dee Nollner is the Shelby County Election Commissioner.

New food options coming to Cooper Street
By Barb Elder

More change is on its way to 940 South Cooper. This location, formerly filled by Grace and Au Fond Farm Table, is being transformed into a new restaurant called Alchemy. Perhaps some of you saw their sign out during the CY Festival with a sample menu scrolled across the window (Irish car bomb bread pudding and Parmigiano Reggiano French toast just to name a few of their tempting items). The opening date is unclear, but you can follow them on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.

Artisans on a mission
By Steve Garcia

In 2006, some members of St. John’s United Methodist Church (1207 Peabody Ave.) were having lunch, and one of them remarked that their congregation seemed to have an unusually large number of talented artists/crafters. One Sunday a few weeks later, their senior pastor at the time offered the following words from Frederick Buechner: “Vocation is where our greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.” In other words, there are many ways to minister and effect change in the world, even through something like painting or knitting.

Soon after, a group of artists (painters, knitters, quilters, jewelry-makers, etc.) came together and called themselves Artisans on a Mission (stjohnsmidtown.org/artisansonamission). Their goal is to channel their artistic passions toward serving our community. As an organized group, they set up a booth annually at the Cooper-Young Festival to sell their artwork and handcrafted items. The money they make is applied toward various service projects. Artisans on a Mission is open to all members of the community. For more information or to join in, please call 901-726-4104 or visit the church’s website at stjohnsmidtown.org.

Newest addition to the Palladio Group
By Tamara Cook

The Palladio Group has just opened its newest shop, The WaterWorks Annex. The Annex, located at the corner of Central and Cox, showcases smaller items for the garden. The store has a large assortment of both glazed and clay pots, antique and new urns, garden statuary, bird feeders, as well as wild bird feed. A fenced courtyard which faces Central displays a large inventory of fountains. The Annex is open Monday through Saturday, 10am until 5pm at 2231 Central Avenue.

The Annex is a welcome addition to The Palladio Group’s ever growing collection of shops, gallery, and studio, which includes: Palladio - 2169 Central; Market Central - 2215 Central; Gallery Fifty Six - 2256 Central; WaterWorks – 741 South Cox; The WaterWorks Annex – 2231 Central; Architectural Arts – 749 South Cox; Café Palladio - 2169 Central; Memphis Art Factory - 777 South Cox; and Crafted Classic – 2215 Central. For more information, call 901-276-3808 or visit them online at thepalladiogroup.com.

David Perry Smith Gallery October show
By Barb Elder

In a recent press release, David Perry Smith Gallery announced the opening of their new show called summariness’ end that features new work from artists Alex Walter, Brad Robertson, Martica Griffin, Mary Long-Postal, and John Sadowski. The opening reception is to be held Friday, September 30, from 5-8pm, and the show will be available for viewing September 26 thru October 29. David Perry Smith Gallery is located at 703 New York, and gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 10am-5pm. For more information go to davidperrysmithgallery.com or call 901-606-9690

By Barb Elder

The Great Pumpkin contest recognizes the yard with the best Halloween decor, with this year’s judging taking place on Sunday, October 23. The winner’s name and pictures of their decked out yard will be printed in the November Lamplighter. As a prize, the winner will also receive The Great Pumpkin Cake created and donated by Suzzane Striker. Suzzane is a CY resident with a passion for baking. The Great Pumpkin Cake is a yummy pumpkin spice cake with cream cheese icing, about 6 inches high and 10 inches in diameter, and serves about 16.

This year Suzzane will also be offering prizes for the second and third place winners. The second place winner will receive 4 witch hats and a candy-filled cookie cauldron, and the third place winner will receive 2 witch hats and a candy-filled cookie cauldron. Thank you Suzzane for your enthusiasm and generosity!

To enter the contest you must be a CY resident, and you must contact the CYCA office (901- 272-2922 or info@cooperyoung.org) by Friday, October 14, with your name, address, and contact information. Good luck!