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

This time last year, I asked for a few good souls that were blessed with the means to consider showing their support for the LampLighter in a tangible way. By making a one time donation of $60 or more or a monthly donation of $5 or more, they could become a LampLighter Benefactor and be listed as such in every issue. I am pleased to say that 23 families and individuals responded to that request, and helped supplement our decreasing advertising sales, helping us continue to produce the LampLighter at the same quality and frequency another year.

As much as I would have loved for the local economy to recover and for businesses to be in a better position to show their support by purchasing more ads, I’m sorry to say that the outlook for 2012 remains the same. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’m asking again for your support. We have already gotten commitments from some of the existing LampLighter Benefactors to continue their support, and I hope that others decide to continue also. There’s always room for more!

If you would like to become a LampLighter Benefactor or are choosing to continue to be one, you can go to cooperyoung.org and click on the LampLighter Benefactor link under Membership and Gifts.

By Barb Elder

While our cover story this month features the Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market and their recent decision to operate year-round, we also want to acknowledge a group that has been working in CY providing fresh winter farm products for some time.

Four years ago, Ben Smith of Tsunami restaurant invited a group of Memphis Farmers Market vendors to extend their season by selling their wares in his parking lot. As a result, the Tsunami Winter Market was born. This November the Tsunami Winter Market is gearing up once again to offer farm fresh meats, fish, cheeses, eggs, veggies, preserves, breads, and even natural soaps in the Tsunami parking lot located at 928 S. Cooper. The market will be open for business every Saturday from 9am-1pm beginning on November 5 and continuing into April until the Memphis Farmers Market resumes.

Since its inception, the Tsunami Winter Market has remained a loosely organized group headed by Van Cheeseman of Flora Gardens. Van is happy to be involved with the Winter Market as it helps promote Tsunami restaurant and all that Ben Smith has done to shape the Memphis food world.

Most of the farmers represented at the market grow their produce using cold frames, which allows them to harvest produce year round. Many vendors come to the market on a weekly basis, but some rotate through every other week. If you have questions about the Tsunami Winter Market or if you would like to sign up for their newsletter, which includes a complete list of vendors from week to week, email Van Cheeseman at vanlee2001@yahoo.com. And while you’re at it, take a minute this Thanksgiving to realize how truly blessed we are to have two great markets in our very own neighborhood.

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.

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 Debbie Sowell

Well, leave it to Cooper-Young to show out for Halloween. As the judges were driving around to choose the Great Pumpkin Award winners, it was great to see the creativity of our neighborhood. There were moving body parts, noise makers, fog machines, and lights. There was everything from creepy, homemade tombstones to a store bought, 6-foot Casper the friendly ghost. We were impressed with homemade jack-o’-lanterns made out of milk jugs (way to recycle in CY!) as well as spooky ghouls and friendly goblins. Someone even decorated their car out front. Not sure if that car runs, but since it was decorated like the house for Halloween it can’t be a code awareness issue, right?

Ok, enough of the niceties! Although there were lots of houses to judge, a few definitely stood out of the pack. The third place award went to 1859 Oliver with its fog, moving ghosts, and homemade tombstones. Second place went to 2172 Nelson with its creative use of the house, yard, and porch. It was downright scary! And the first place winner was (drum roll, please!) 1956 Nelson. These people gave me the creeps. There were live bodies in the body bags! There was a bit of everything on this house – noises, fog, real people jumping up to scare you, and moving decapitated heads.

Along with bragging rights these three winners received yummy prizes donated by Suzanne Striker, a CY resident with a passion for baking. Great job everyone!

By Kerri Guyton

Literacy Mid-South will host its inaugural Super Gala Fundraiser Friday, October 21 from 7 to 11pm at its office located at 902 S. Cooper St. in Cooper-Young. A festive party with a unique message, Super Gala serves a dual purpose, allowing supporters to revisit fond childhood memories of superheroes while helping further Literacy Mid-South’s mission to produce a fully literate Mid-South.

Guests are encouraged to create their best rendition of childhood superheroes from their favorite comic books and come dressed for action as the event will feature a costume contest. The all-inclusive night out will feature music by DJ Lil’ Eggroll, an extensive silent auction, open bar serving beer and wine, as well as food catered by Celtic Crossing. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

“What better way to reiterate the integral role literacy plays than by creatively addressing the issue through a form of pop culture that requires basic reading and comprehension skills to appreciate?” said Kevin Dean, executive director of Literacy Mid-South. “Reading is a foundational tool that hinders a high quality of life if the skill is lacked. And, with Super Gala speaking to a generation that understands the value of a great comic book, we expect supporters to connect with the overall purpose, and we anticipate a great event.”

Admission to the event is $50 per couple and $35 per individual and can be purchased online at literacymidsouth.org or by calling 901-327-6000. The event sponsors include Obsidian Public Relations; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC; Celtic Crossing; and brg3s Architects. For more information about Literacy Mid-South, call 901-327-6000 or visit literacymidsouth.org.

By Renée Massey

In Cooper-Young and around Memphis, we’re finally getting some relief from the intense heat of the recent summer months. As the weather cools and autumn festivities get underway, many of us start thinking about and planning for the holidays. When you visit family in far-away places, will your pets be going with you? If Fido pants, paces, and whines or Fluffy howls and hisses in the car, you may have second thoughts about taking your beloved furry family member on a long trip. Many of our pets are happy travelers, but others need the comfort and security of their own environment. If your furry friend is happier at home, but you plan on traveling this fall or during the holidays, your Cooper-Young Community Association membership can save you some cash, and I’ll tell you how.

Mr. Scruff’s Pet Care offers CYCA members a 15% discount on the purchase of a package of 24 TLC visits. But what if you don’t need 24 visits? When I recently asked Eileen Castine of Mr. Scruff’s Pet Care about her CYCA sponsorship, she said she can even deduct a smaller percentage for those of us who only need a few visits per year or per month. So whether you need pet care while you’re out of town, when you’re working long hours and can’t get home for a pet potty break, or if you need someone to look in on an elderly pet during the normal work day, your CYCA membership can help save money on this service.

When asked why Mr. Scruff’s Pet Care is a CYCA membership sponsor, Eileen told me that she wants to contribute to making Cooper-Young a good place to live. That goes right along with the CYCA mission! Eileen keeps a busy schedule, and the sponsorship allows her to contribute to Cooper-Young even when she doesn’t have enough time to volunteer. She said, “I love living here because Cooper-Young is a vibrant, creative, caring, and diverse neighborhood, filled with people who are always looking for ways to celebrate and better our community and beyond. I feel at home here.” Eileen told me that being a membership sponsor has positively impacted her business because it gives Mr. Scruff’s Pet Care visibility. Community members know who to call when they need home care, even if that is some time in the future. She expressed how rewarding it has been serving our area and meeting caring pet guardians and their furry family members. Because Eileen’s business offers the kind of love and care that comes with knowing pets are family, Mr. Scruff’s Pet Care is very busy during the holidays. If you will need Mr. Scruff’s Pet Care this holiday season, be sure to contact them soon to ensure they will have availability for your pet. Mr. Scruff’s can be reached at 901-725-9216, on the web at mrscruff.net, or on Facebook.

Speaking of pets, puppies to be exact, another of our CYCA membership sponsors has the goods to hush your puppies. Along with increasingly famous fried catfish, po’ boys, and fresh vegetables, Soul Fish Café at 862 South Cooper has some of the best hushpuppies in the South. (And where else are you going to get hushpuppies?) Soul Fish Café generously offers CYCA members one complimentary lunch or dinner entrée (up to $7) when a second lunch or dinner entrée of equal or greater value is purchased. Sweet! Oh, and speaking of sweet, did I mention that Soul Fish also has great desserts? The word “popular” does not begin to touch the demand for Soul Fish’s food, and the wait that can be seen outside the restaurant on almost any night will attest to this fact. So if your dogs are barking, take your CYCA membership card to Soul Fish Café and ask them for some hushpuppies with your entrées.

If you’re not yet a member of the CYCA, there is no better time than now to support the special things happening in this neighborhood. Join the CYCA online at cooperyoung.org, in person at 2298 Young Avenue, or by telephone at 901-272-2922. Your dues are your ticket to the membership card that wins you discounts at local businesses like Mr. Scruff’s Pet Care and Soul Fish Café. Check them out today, and be sure to thank them for sponsoring the organization whose entire mission is to make Cooper-Young a safer and more desirable place to live, worship, work (while your pets are being looked after), and play (like eating at great local restaurants)!

By Libby Flynt

Cooper-Young came out in full force to support the runners of the CY Festival Friday 4 Miler this year! There were togas, margaritas, tiki torches, twinkle lights, sprinklers, and glow necklaces! Along practically every step of the race route, there were cheers and lights and parties. Young Ave lined the street, Cooper Street had a luau, Nelson Avenue was glowing in the dark, and that’s not even a fraction of the cheering party-goers. Each one of you who came outside with lawn chairs and a beer single handedly pumped adrenaline into every runner.

Jennifer and Avery Word rode in the pace car and judged each registered party on enthusiasm, creativity, décor, and loudness. Congratulations to 1893 Oliver who wins the prize for Best Light the Way Party 2011 with their Roman/Toga themed party! And a special thanks to the Memphis police officers who kept us all safe along the way.