By Sydney Ashby

Just like the character Two-Face in Batman, Josh Somes’ fate was decided by the toss of a coin. When he returned to Memphis after living in Kansas City, he and his wife, Deidre, had to decide which one of them was going to work on their rental properties and which one was going to get a “9-to-5” job. Josh lost – or many would say won – the toss, and as a result he began improving their rentals and scouting out new properties to purchase. That next purchase was 2053 Oliver, and along with it, they decided to not just restore the property but to pursue third party verification through Energy Star to ensure that the house would be as energy-efficient as possible.

Surprisingly, what led Josh to the CY neighborhood was an article about the Smallest User competition. “I’d read the online version of the Lamplighter while in Kansas City and was impressed by Cooper-Young’s desire to lower their energy consumption,” Josh said. “I knew this was the neighborhood to attempt this project.” So, he and Deidre began sustainSTUDIO and have labeled their first attempt “Project Ginkgo” after the ginkgo tree in the front yard. Josh hopes to have Project Ginkgo completed by 2012, the centennial of 2053 Oliver.

Challenges
Josh and Deidre have faced many challenges in the process to restore 2053 Oliver. But in order to stay focused and make decisions easier, they are always asking themselves, “How sustainable can we make it?” Specifically, they want to ensure that the house is as energy efficient as possible, and as a result, are seeking third party verification to make the house Energy Star qualified.

But Josh and Deidre are also intent on making sure the house retains as much of its original character as possible. For example, deciding whether or not to replace the windows or simply add on storm windows was extensively discussed. While replacement windows would be energy efficient, the trade off of getting rid of the originals was not worth it. Storm windows will still ensure proper insulation and energy conservation without compromising the uniqueness of the house. And although none of the four fireplaces will be functional as that would not allow the house to be Energy Star certified, Josh still decided to keep them for the sake of their aesthetic.

Converting the house from a duplex to a single-family design was another challenge. The question of energy efficiency had to be coupled with a design that reflected a 21^st century lifestyle. They decided on the 2-bedroom plan that mirrored the original plan of the house but made a big change with the design of the kitchen. Josh and Deidre decided to open it up quite a bit to reflect the tendency now for the kitchen to be more of a gathering place than it was when the house was originally built.

Perhaps the biggest challenge and the starting point for most major energy-conservation home projects came with the ‘envelope.’ The envelope includes the walls, crawl space, roof, and attic – anything that separates the interior of the house from the exterior environment. Josh had the plaster removed off the walls and sprayed in a layer of foam, then insulation covered by new drywall. This is a technique known as ‘flash and batt.’ The roof was completely stripped and re-laid, with roof vents and reflective sheathing added (you can learn more about this at their website: sustainstudio.com). According to Josh, “Once the envelope is determined, you have to look at all the different components that you will put back into the house, and you have to make sure you right size according to the improvements to the envelope including the addition of central heating and air.”

Reclaimed/Recycled
In an effort to use as much reclaimed and/or recycled material as possible, Josh has traveled as far as Holly Springs, MS an as close as across the street. Almost 40% of the hardwood floors are reclaimed from wood used in a home in Holly Springs. The guest bathroom sink was reclaimed from another homeowner in Cooper-Young who didn’t want scrappers to get it. The back eave tongue and groove on the newly re-build back wall of the house is repurposed paneling from inside the home. They have also taken several metal cabinets and doors from the home and dispersed them to neighbors in the Midtown area. In addition, all the woodwork, stains, and paint are chemical-free.

Josh has no idea if he’ll recoup the investment he has put into the house, especially considering the state of the current housing market. However, that hasn’t been his main concern. He says, “How can we really improve the house to a point where it is an asset to the neighborhood as opposed to just leaving it as is?” Josh considers this a litmus test to determine if he will continue restoring houses in this manner. He continues, “At what point do you say, I’m not going to tear down the exterior wall or I’m not going to use an Energy Star hot water heater that might come at a premium? So it comes down to what you are going to do to separate yourself to make your house appealing beyond just the aesthetic.”

Utility Mortgage
Utility mortgage is a phrase Josh coined to describe the state of many non-energy-efficient homes. He explains that someone could be paying a $500 utility bill, which could be almost as much as the mortgage. The Energy Star certification should have a positive impact in lowering the utility bill and is typically part of Josh and Deidre’s decision-making process in determining what features to install in the house. This is how they decide which components to install and which ones, while they might be appealing, will truly have an impact. Josh and Deidre have tried to help out future tenants making a conscience effort to bundle the hard decisions into the whole project, so that they’re not just selling one component, but instead an entire system.

Project History and Future
Josh loves to talk to anyone about what he’s doing. He is very open and has gotten to know his neighbors well as many will now come up to the house and ask him questions about what he is doing. While he and his wife are happy to speak informally to anyone with questions, they are planning on holding a showcase for people who are interested in learning more about updating their homes to be more energy efficient. Check their website in the coming weeks for the day and time (sustainstudio.com).

When asked how Josh got started doing this, he said, “I was in my mid-twenties and got tired of going through the motions, so I bought a fixer upper, along with a hammer and a Home Depot ‘How To’ book.” Josh and Deidre, who has a degree in interior design from UM, had just started dating, and Josh told her it would take him three months and $3,000 to restore the house and they could move in. “It didn’t quite work out that way,” he said, laughing. “It took quite a bit longer and quite a bit more money.” Adding to that, their neighbor was pressuring them to buy his house, which had failed inspection. Just to get him to quit asking, Josh offered a very low number. The neighbor cussed him and told him no. But then a week later, the neighbor called and said he’d take it. So, Josh and Deidre started work on a second house. Their third house was also a bit of an accident, but the trend led to Josh pursuing and obtaining a degree in architecture from the University of Kansas. After Josh’s father passed away, he and Deidre moved back to Memphis and as you already know, flipped a coin.

They feel good about what they’re doing now, as the houses they restore become true assets to neighborhoods they are in, and in the process, they are also able to employ people in an industry that has taken a sustained hard hit. They sincerely want to fix up houses to a point where they are truly desirable. They see it as a way to not only improve the neighborhood, but also to improve the city.

By Sydney Ashby
Do not let the fact that Sandy Furrh’s yard is composed mostly of perennials make you think that she doesn’t work hard each week to keep her yard beautiful. Although she is not planting flowers and shrubs each year, you can bank on the fact that she will be up early every Saturday morning weeding, trimming, mowing, edging, and watering. This consistent dedication has produced a colorful, tidy, and unique yard at 1993 Nelson.
With lantana near the walkway, Sandy also has verbena, lavender, iris, salvia, cone flowers, ruellia, and rosemary bordering her entire yard. Hostas and other groundcover are up against the house, while a huge and healthy fern sits in a stone planter on her front porch. A Chinese maple (under which one of her cats, Cali, likes to lounge) and a ginkgo tree add balance and girth to the yard.
Sandy has lived in Cooper-Young for over 20 years with her husband Walter, where they have raised a daughter and two sons. She says that anytime she is working in her garden, “I get a chance to see first hand what a vibrant and active neighborhood CY is. I always have multiple conversations with my neighbors when I’m out working.” So, stop by on a Saturday morning and let Sandy know how much you appreciate her making our neighborhood beautiful.

By Sydney Ashby

You would not notice it by walking or driving by 2072 Oliver, but there is an oasis just up the front porch steps. Lisa Marr and Steve Lancaster, along with her daughters, Brittany and Mallory, have created a lovely, shaded area on their front porch that is easily ten degrees cooler than the outside temperature. As you pass their home you will, however, notice the bright flowers at the end of their walkway, which includes lantana, vinca, petunias, and moss rose. To the right you also cannot help but admire the vibrant sweet potato vine surrounding the birdbath.

Steve keeps up the lawn, colorful vines, and floral accents. Lisa does her part by keeping many potted plants and lush greenery on their front porch Shangri-la. Besides the plants, there are iron works of art and wind chimes that help create a relaxed and inviting mood, while shades help keep out the sun and fans create airflow.

Lisa has lived in Cooper-Young since 1987, and she and her household love it because of the “wonderful neighbors, lovely historic homes, and a community that honors unique expression.” Steve has lived in just about every area of Memphis and has decided that there is absolutely no better place to be than Cooper-Young. So, take time to enjoy the colorful yard and say hello to Steve and Lisa. They are probably sitting on their front porch, enjoying the neighborhood.

By Mary Cashiola

The Peabody Hotel recently completed the installation of their Blink Level 2 charging station for electric vehicles (EVs). The charging station is open to the public and can accommodate the all-electric Nissan LEAF.

While the Peabody Hotel station is the first publicly available charging station installed in the Memphis area through The EV Project, they are working with their partners to determine the best sites for charging station installations, and are taking into account traffic patterns and the locations of employment centers, regional attractions, and retail hubs. The EV Project is the largest deployment of electric vehicles and charge infrastructure in history. Nissan LEAF drivers who qualify to participate in The EV Project will receive a residential charger at no cost.

By Barb Elder

According to cyclememphis.com there will be monthly group bike rides on the first Saturday of each month. If you would like to participate, show up at the CY gazebo at the corner of Cooper and Young at 8pm. The next ride is scheduled for August 6, and everyone is welcome to participate. For more information, check out their Facebook page.

By Sydney Ashby

Since moving to the United States from Vienna, Austria in 1956, Charlotte Dunn has spent all but three months in and around the Cooper-Young area. Those of you who have been in the neighborhood awhile may remember Charlotte’s Place on Cooper at Peabody (where Eclectic Eye is now), or as it was nicknamed in its heyday, “South Cooper Country Club.” Ms. Dunn started working there as a waitress and a few years later, bought it and then operated it for 42 years. Many claimed that she served the coldest beer in town.

Since retiring, Ms. Dunn moved into what she describes as her dream home at 2171 Elzey. And despite being 78-years-old and experiencing a horrible car accident and years later a stroke, she has not let that detract her from working in her yard. “It’s a stress reliever,” she said. Her front yard is an explosion of color, with an array of mums, geraniums, pansies, and marigolds. There are Siberian wallflowers, petunias, and zinnias in pots on her porch and even a small water feature by the walkway to her door. Swing by to admire her handiwork and appreciate one of the many unique people that make up the CY neighborhood.

By Kristan Huntley

Many may have thought Mike Earnest crazy when he decided to come out of semi-retirement and use his personal savings to begin Midtown Nursery. Three years later, Mike is still going strong, talking to customers and enjoying the outdoors, even in the Memphis heat.

Prior to beginning Midtown Nursery, Mike Earnest was in charge of the plant department at the East Gate Ike’s location. He helped grow the lawn and garden section to around $10,000. In the process, he gained a lot of knowledge about plant purchasing, how to work with vendors, and what works well in Memphis.

When the location at Central and Cooper came available, Mike thought that the space, though small, would be an ideal start for a plant business. With his own savings and building on relationships with local providers he met through Ike’s, he opened Midtown Nursery in March 2008. Since that time, business has steadily grown and Midtown Nursery is now the proud sponsor of both the Central Gardens and the Cooper-Young Yard of the Month programs. Mike loves being involved in the Midtown community and actively works to keep his sources as local as possible. If by chance there is something a customer asks for that he doesn’t carry, he tries to send the person to another local, small business so money stays in the area.

Last year Mike also opened up a Midtown Nursery in East Memphis on Poplar Ave. where Stringers Garden Center had been located. Though it has meant splitting time, the temporary expansion has allowed him to direct potential customers to the Midtown location and gain word of mouth exposure. The East Memphis location of Midtown Nursery closed June 27.

Midtown Nursery doesn’t just have plants. From containers to fertilizer to bird baths, there’s a bit of everything. Mike’s team also consists of Faye Garrner and Fran Terhorst who love to help with specialty items such as gifts and houseplants. They all adore Midtown and are passionate about the business. If you get a chance, stop by and say hi. And keep working on your yard, because if you get picked for Yard of the Month, you win a gift certificate at the Nursery!

By Anthony Siracusa

This year, the Memphis Hightailers have agreed to donate all of the proceeds from their largest ride of the year – The Bluff City Blues 100 – to bicycling and walking advocacy in Memphis!

This is a huge step towards making Memphis into a bike and pedestrian friendly city, so let’s show the Hightailers how much we appreciate their support by volunteering at their upcoming “Red, White and Blue” club ride on July 2.

The Hightailers need us to provide at least 6 volunteers for the event to help with the rest area, the finish area, registration, the refresh area along the route, and the post-ride party. Volunteers are need from 7:30am until noon.

Please contact Ms. Alicia Cobbs from Livable Memphis at (901) 725-3124 or info@livablememphis.org if you can help out.

Thanks in advance for helping make Memphis into a wonderful place for biking and walking!

I Love Memphis mural on Cooper Street
By Barb Elder
If you have recently traveled south on Cooper Street and glanced at the parking lot across from Bluff City Sports under the Trestle Art, you’ve probably noticed a bright splash of orange and huge black and white lettering covering the retaining wall that use to be riddled with graffiti. Inspired by ilovememphisblog.com, a series of 10 murals are being painted throughout Memphis this summer to stir up pride in our beloved city. According to the Memphis Business Journal, these murals are being funded by the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Memphis, and the UrbanArt Commission. With artists donating their talents and the use of a simple color scheme, the price of each mural is kept to a minimum. Thanks to local artist Brandon Marshall and everyone involved with the project for gifting CY with this new public art!

Support the homeless at Memphis City Council
By Jacob Flowers
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center invites you to the Memphis City Council Chambers (125 N. Main St) on Tuesday, June 7 from 3:30-6:30pm to join us as we call out to our elected officials to support and fully fund the Mayor’s Plan to End Homelessness, federally and locally. In the coming weeks, both Mayors will go before the City Council and County Commission to present their funding requests for the plan, and the needs of our brothers and sisters are great. We need your help to remind our leaders of just how important funding of this plan truly is.
We will also be calling on the Council for a percentage of jobs to be set aside for the homeless and graduates of the Shelby County Drug Court to do blight demolition, board ups, and yard work that the city needs done. We can provide jobs for those who have little chance of getting them and curb blight at the same time.

Au Fond and El Diablo close their doors
By Barb Elder
Change is one of the only things you can count on, and recently in Cooper-Young we have seen change come once again to the businesses on one of our main thoroughfares. Ben Vaughn, owner of Au Fond Farmtable and El Diablo taqueria on Cooper St., closed both restaurants this May. We wish Ben well, and we will miss his contribution to the CY community.

Free Men’s Health Summit coming June 11
By Jeff Hulett
The Church Health Center’s 4th annual Men’s Health Summit will be held from 8:30am to 2pm on Saturday, June 11 at the UT Student Alumni Center, 800 Madison Ave. This free event will show men how to live a healthier life through prevention and awareness and will focus on hypertension, diabetes, and patient empowerment. You can register by calling 901-830-9886, but limited space is available. For more information, call 901-261-8833.
For a full listing of Church Health Center events, classes, and activities, many of which are free to the public, visit churchhealthcenter.org.

Ways to participate in Japan relief efforts
By Barb Elder
In the May issue of the LampLighter, one of our articles featured the story of a Japanese Cooper-Young resident, Asuka Taga Yow, and all that she is doing to mobilize our community in support of those in need in her home country. Although we may not hear much about Japan on the news these days, nearly three months after the earthquake and tsunami the needs in this part of the world are still overwhelming. For anyone interested in learning more or getting involved, don’t forget that Asuka will be hosting a table at the CY Community Farmers Market (1000 S. Cooper) the first Saturday of every month from 8am-1pm to raise awareness, take donations, and sell origami creations and T-shirts. Thanks to your help, Asuka has already raised $675 through her Farmers Market table and yard sale in May. All money that she raises will go entirely for Japan relief. While we kick back and enjoy the Memphis summer, lets not forget those hurting and in need in Japan.

Wacky Wednesdays at the Brooks provides free summer activities for kids
By Barb Elder
According to a recent newsletter, each week in June and July, the Brooks Museum of Art in Overton Park will be showing a children’s film and hosting an open studio from 10am-noon. Children of all ages and their adult friends can drop by the Open Artworks Studio and create a variety of artwork using many different materials. They can also watch a multitude of films made just for kids. Museum admission and all activities are free.

Otherlands to host benefit for Shelby Farms and the Greenline
By Karen Lebovitz
Otherlands is soliciting 8×10 framed photos of the Greenline and Shelby Farms Park from the community. You can bring these photos to us with all of your contact info on the back so that we can return them to you at the end of the show. We want to plaster the walls of Otherlands in June with great images of this fantastic asset we all love to love.
Then, on Saturday, June 18, starting at 8pm we will be hosting a benefit for Shelby Farms and the Greenline featuring the Dan Montgomery Band and The Magic Kids. Tickets are $10 or $5 for current park members. If you don’t have a membership, you can join at the door and get in at the member’s price. For more info check the events on the Shelby Farms Park Facebook page and respond that you are attending.

Habitat for Humanity opens ReStore
By Lauren Hannaford
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis is holding their grand opening of the ReStore, located at 7130 Winchester Road, on Thursday, June 9. The ReStore offers new and gently used household items and building supplies for sale, and accepts donations of items such as furniture, appliances, books, cabinetry, windows, hardware, lumber, tools, flooring, lighting, and toys. The ReStore does not accept clothing, mattresses, or used carpet. All donations are tax-deductible.
Joe Davidson, manager of the Memphis ReStore, says, “The ReStore is not only a green alternative to disposing of unwanted items, but it’s also a great way to support Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis.” For more information about the ReStore, call Joe Davidson at
901-737-8673 or visit memphisrestore.com.

Local artist Nick Canterucci opens The New Frontier at Odessa
By Barb Elder
In a recent press release, local artist Nick Canterucci announced that there will be a public artist reception to celebrate his show, The New Frontier, at Odessa (2613 Broad Ave) on June 17, from 6-9pm. Canterucci is a self-taught artist who has collaborated with many artists within the Ann Arbor and Memphis art scene. He’s been a fixture at many CY artist invitationals and did a successful show with Karen “Bottle” Capps in early 2006. In late 2010, he released his first solo show in 30 years at Odessa. On June 17, Canterucci will return to Odessa to showcase his new body of American Folk outsider art.