Music magnate Ward Archer now laying tracks in Cooper

Transcription

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VOLU M E XIX, N U M B E R IV
w w w.cooper young.org
C o o p e r -Yo u n g — M a n y Vo i c e s , O n e C o m m u n i t y
UNREEL MOVE
Music magnate
Ward Archer
now laying
tracks in
Cooper-Young
K E R R Y H AY E S
“Ward has done this before,” says Jon
Hornyak, Senior Executive Director of the
Memphis chapter of the National
Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
“I think it will all work out well.”
Hornyak is commenting on the
recent acquisition of Sounds Unreel,
the highly-regarded Cooper-Young
recording facility, by local music
magnate Ward Archer, owner of Archer
Records. Archer is currently in process
of renovating the studio’s interior and
transitioning the business operations of
Archer Records there.
“It’s a great asset for the community to
have some good recording studios,” adds
Hornyak. “With some digital set-ups, you
can record in your bedroom or a
garage—but there are still times when you
need a real studio. It’s good that
Memphis will have some of those.”
Sounds Unreel has long been an
unassuming staple of the Midtown studio
scene, alongside Ardent Studios, House of
Blues, Young Avenue Sound, and, more
recently, 5 and Dime Recording. The
limestone storefront at 1904 Nelson
Avenue was constructed shortly after the
turn of the last century, and housed a
series of businesses, including a drugstore, a beauty parlor, and a photography
shop until 1981, when Smith and
Hornyak, both musicians, transformed it
into a boutique studio. Over the course of
the next quarter century, Sounds Unreel
and its imprint label, SUR, would grant
key early development opportunities to
Memphis artists such the Good Question,
the Crime, Jimmy Davis, and Rob Junkglas.
Continued on page 8
December 2007 LampLighter 1
Ward Archer, a veteran of the local
advertising and marketing industry,
recently purchased the Sounds Unreel
studio at the corner of Nelson and
Barksdale. He has been working
diligently since then to renovate
the space to prepare it to house his
company, Archer Records, which he
founded in 2001. Learn more about his
plans for the studio on page 8.
Cooper-Young Organizations
CYCA
Maggie Cardwell
901-272-2922
info@cooperyoung.org
CYBA and CY Festival
Tamara Walker
901-276-7222 cyba@bellsouth.net
CYDC
Sutton Mora Hayes
901-272-1459
sutton_cydc@bellsouth.net
Cooper-Young Community Association
CYCA Board Officers
President
inside
Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! I mean this in several aspects. Yeah! It is the Christmas season
and everything is a buzz getting ready for this meaningful and fun
holiday. Let’s be sure to remember to be extra careful. The stress
can make us a bit crazy so we don’t pay attention to the basics.
Watch out for your neighbors. Call the Police if you will be gone
for the holidays. They can do a drive by during each shift. The bad
guys like Christmas too! One fun way to get involved in CYCA is the
.
Christmas bags that we put together for the Police on the days
The gift of words
Jason Word
& Christmas Day. Block Club
Robert Grisham
Communications
Emily Bishop
Safety and
Education
Edmund Mackey
Festival 4-miler
Richard Coletta,
Michael Ham
Alan Ray
Membership
Debbie Sowell
Volunteer Council
Carmen Weaver
CYCA At-Large Board Members
See’Trail Mackey
Meetings
when most of us are cozy warm inside with families, Christmas Eve
19
Andy Ashby
Treasurer
Code Enforcement Andy Ashby
The holiday season has arrived, which
means old favorites, new favorites and just
plain enjoyable shows are playing at
Playhouse on the Square. In addition,
Playhouse also announced its previously
top-secret summer musical show—it’s “The
Producers.”
This CY house
Secretary
Beautification &
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
10
Books are a gift that children love and that
inspires them intellectually. Books
encourage children to expand their reading
and literacy skills, and help to better
prepare them to succeed in life. This
holiday season give a gift that is both fun
and tweaks the imagination—think reading.
Debbie Sowell
CYCA Committee Heads
The play’ the thing
14
Vice-President
CYCA General Meeting
Another bit of praise goes out to the board members. I appreciate all that you have done this
year. You have spent your own time to help make this neighborhood a much better
place. Though it is fun, it can be hard work. You have stepped up to the challenge. There will not be a January Lamplighter so be sure to visit our website at www.cooperyoung.
org to get detail about what it going on in Cooper Young and information about the January
December 11 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at
the Community Office on 2298 Young
Avenue. We’ll be celebrating the holidays with
a Cookie Party! Bring your yummiest holiday
treats to share with neighbors and friends.
General meeting. We will sing halleluiah to the volunteers in January at the Volunteer Thank You
Our neighborhood is full of aging
beauties—small shotguns, beautiful
bungalows, and darling duplexes. These
beauties, many of which are nearly 100
years old, occasionally need fixing. Go
inside one family’s recent renovation.
Party. Details TBA via email and the website. Have a wonderful holiday and God Bless!
CYCA Board Meeting
December 18 at 7 p.m. at the community
Debbie Sowell
offices at 2298 Young Ave.
City Council Meetings
December 3 at 3:30 p.m.
December 17 at 3:30 p.m.
Meetings are held in Council Chambers,
email@cooperyoung.org
The LampLighter has changed its email contact
Street.
information. We have adopted new email addresses
Staff and Volunteers
Contributors
Founder
Janet Stewart
Editor
Courtney Miller Santo
Layout
Bradley Payne
Business Manager Chris McHaney
at our domain. To contact editorial or content, please
Kristy Dallas Alley, Katie Bruneau, Deborah Camp, email lamplighter@cooperyoung.org. To contact
Jon Devin, Sandy Furrh, Karen Golightly, Kerry
billing: billing@cooperyoung.org. To contact adverHayes, Kongsously Jones, Maggie Louie, Amy
tising: ads@cooperyoung.org and for questions about
Lueck, Edmund Mackey, Ryan S. Nall, Courtney
distribution contact distribution@cooperyoung.org.
Distribution
Rich Bullington
Photographers
Ashle Bailey
Miriam Dolin
Ad Managers
Chris McHaney
Debbie Sowell
Content
901-827-4797
Ad Sales
901-359-1696 ads@cooperyoung.org
Distribution beginning: February 1
Distribution
901-726-4635
Please send all articles and submissions to:
Oliver, J.S. Smith, Debbie Sowell
Cover: Courtney Santo
Deadlines for February
LampLighter
Articles, submissions: January 15
lamplighter@cooperyoung.org
distribution@cooperyoung.org
The LampLighter is published by the CYCA. The opinions and information presented here are
those of the staff and volunteers of the LampLighter and do not necessarily reflect the entire
Cooper-Young community. The LampLighter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.
However, we commit ourselves to providing current and accurate information.
2 LampLighter First Floor, City Hall at 125 North Main
December 2007
Advertising copy: January 20
lamplighter@cooperyoung.org. For advertising rate
sheet, or to submit ads electronically, please email:
ads@cooperyoung.org
19 CY properties will be
auctioned on December 4.
See page 5.
CYCA N ews
Canned goodness
The Cooper-Young Community Association
Doris Porter
Mike Parnell
held a Thanksgiving Food Drive on Saturday,
Steve Pulliam
November 10. LampLighter distributors along
Bobby Roseberry
with a several other volunteers delivered
DonnaSue Shannon
grocery bags to all houses in Cooper-Young
Betty Slack
the week preceding the event. Neighbors were
John Sohm
asked to fill these bags with food and place
Debbie Sowell
them in their drive. Volunteers, all Cooper-
Suzzane Striker
Young residents, scoured the neighborhood
Carmen and Joey Weaver
Saturday morning picking up filled bags. Many
Get pretty
The CYCA Beautification Committee is
looking for volunteers who are interested in
helping with the following:
• maintaining gazebo area
• developing neighborhood signage
• creating public art bike racks
• cleaning up graffiti
Call Andy Ashby at 691-2396 or email
ashby129@hotmail.com if you would like to
help or to share your ideas.
Christmas Eve goodies
households participated and close to
3000 items were collected. The food
Each year, the CYCA prepares Christmas Eve
was then taken to Peabody Elementary
gift boxes for the Midtown police and fire
School where the school’s Beta Club,
departments. Help us show the men and
along with neighborhood volunteers,
women of the Memphis Police and Fire
sorted and counted the items. The food
Departments that CY cares for those that help
was delivered to the Loaves and Fishes
protect our community. The CYCA packs boxes
Closet in First Congo. All food collected
of portable treats and drinks easily consumed
will be distributed locally.
while the officers patrol our sleeping commu-
C-Y residents, See’Trail Mackey and
nity on Christmas Eve. On this night, few
Carmen Weaver, organized the drive
Carmen Weaver and See’Trail Mackey
headed up the Thanksgiving food
drive. Close to 3000 items were
collected and the food was then taken
to Peabody Elementary School where
the school’s Beta Club, along with
neighborhood volunteers, sorted and
counted the items.
restaurants will be open and the rest of the
and hope it will become an annual event in
Pick-up Volunteers:
precinct will have a full holiday dinner earlier
Cooper-Young. On behalf of the CYCA, they
Maggie and Steve Cardwell
in the evening. We help fill the gap for those
would like to thank all neighbors who gave
Nancy Clayton
on duty overnight. Bring your donations (to
so generously to the project.
Sarah Frierson
help fill at least forty boxes) to the community
Edward and Beverly Greene
offices by 8 p.m. on Dec. 24. We also need
Terry Guthrie
helpers to pack the boxes, which will be
Kristin Kramer and Family
delivered by the 10 p.m. roll call at the
Lauren Luke
West Precinct and to the firehouses on Lamar
Edmund Mackey
and Union.
Megan Malone
Mike Parnell
Kathryn and Ted Schurch
Suzzane Striker
Membership Drive ‘08
Come to the January Cooper Young
General Meeting and become
a member of CYCA during our
membership drive for 2008! All
memberships are now on a yearly
basis. All members that join at the
meeting will be put in a drawing
for prizes! Your memberships
go to support all the CYCA does.
Your membership also comes with
some added benefits. Look to your
mailboxes and www.cooperyoung.org
for details in January.
A special thanks to the following volunteers:
Joey Weaver
Mission Our purpose is to form an association of residents and interested
The Peabody Elementary School Beta Club
Jason and Jennifer Word
parties to work together to make our diverse and historic community a
and parents, Peabody Principal Kongsouly
If you would like to become a member of
more desirable and safer place to live, worship, work, and play.
Jones, Beta Club Sponsors Mavis Stitt and
Cooper-Young’s Community Association or
Sonya Butler, and teacher Jennifer Word, and
would like more information about getting
Emily Bishop and Rich Bullington, who helped
involved in the neighborhood, please visit
Help plant the seeds of community and join the
organize bag distribution.
www.cooperyoung.org, email info@coopery-
CYC A today!
Join Us
oung.org, or call the CYCA office at 272-2922.
Bag Distribution Volunteers:
Enclosed is a check for my membership in the Cooper Young Community Association
Andy Ashby
New
Antone and Betty Baltz
Senior 55 and older – $5
Renewing
Individual – $15
Household – $20
Trestle Tender – $50
Amanda Blodgett
Rich Bullington
Sandra Stragins and Allen Byassee
Nancy Clayton
Steve Crossnoe
Laura Defries
Name_ _______________________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________ Zip___________________________
Phone________________________________________________ Email___________________________
I want to hear about volunteer opportunities
Jason Elder
Jason and Misty Goike
Amy and Terry Gower
Beverly and Edward Greene
Enclosed is my gift of $_ _________________________________________________________________
in honor or/in memory of_ ______________________________________________________________
Robert Grisham
Enclosed is my gift of $___________________ for the General Operating Fund
Sharron Johnson
Mail this form with your payments to:
Alan Krayer
CYCA Membership, 2298 Young Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
Shannon Maris
Deanna Ming
Jenni Pappas
You can also join online at www.cooperyoung.org.
The CYCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
M I DTOW N MA MA
Focus on the good part of holiday
keeps cheer in season
KR I STY DALLAS ALLEY
This time of year inevitably makes me feel a little old. As the holiday season rushes in with
seemingly impossible speed, I can’t help but remember the agony of waiting for Christmas as a
child. I would listen with bewilderment to the adults as they marveled that it could be Christmas
again already, or complained about how the stores seemed to usher in the season earlier each
year. In my mind, it had been about ten years since the last December, and what could be bad
about spreading the holiday cheer a little early?
Now, as a parent, it’s sometimes difficult to suppress a moan as I face another round of holiday
shopping hell. I loathe shopping in even the best of circumstances, but buying a bunch of toys
that I don’t have room for, for the four kids I’ve had to escape from in order to buy them, just
about tops the list of “Things I Never Want to Do Again.” If I had any sense, I’d shop on-line, but
that involves planning and some idea of what I want to get, neither of which I’m good at. I’m a
last-minute shopper and I usually decide what to buy when I see it. I try to get the kids to tell me
one main thing they want, but everything else involves me seeing something and thinking “Oh,
Somerset would love that.”
And then, look at what I just said. My kids are not even really asking for anything. I have to
draw it out of them, and show them “wish books” to find out what they might want. I’m the one
who thinks they need a lot of presents. I still remember waking up on Christmas morning to see a
big pile of gifts under the tree. It was exciting and surprising and, well, like Christmas. My
memories of the wonder and joy of the holidays are all tied up with the idea of getting shiny new
stuff. And even though now, as an adult, I don’t care about receiving gifts at all, and I still really
do enjoy the togetherness with friends and family that the holidays inevitably bring, it’s
hard for me to balance my mature understanding with my desire to give my kids the
kind of Christmas I had as a child.
And of course, the die is already cast. My oldest child, Calvin, will turn ten years old
just a few days after Christmas. He is a last holdout in believing in Santa, and I know
that can’t last for another year. I get all teary-eyed just realizing that my baby will soon
pass that milestone on the way from innocence to experience. How can Santa let him
down on his last Christmas of belief? But then I think, how can I make sure that the
holidays continue to be special for him even after the illusion has been realized? I
know that Calvin already enjoys all the extra time to be with each other and see
our extended family during the holidays. He loves to help me bake cookies
and wrap presents for everyone else. And of course, he’ll still get presents
even once he knows they really came from his parents.
I guess the best thing I can do is try to set a good example. Instead of
grumbling about the shopping and the hassle and the mess, I need to let
him see me doing the parts that I enjoy. I really do love putting up
the tree and decorations, and making special foods, and wrapping
presents to stack under the tree. I love the days spent cozied up
with the kids during our shared Christmas break from school. This
year we’ll be spending the week after Christmas in Florida with
my husband’s parents and siblings, and we’re all excited about
the prospect of seeing Aunt Katherine’s new baby and catching
up with loved ones we haven’t seen all year. It’s so nice just to
get away from the daily routine and take a breath, all of us,
together.
I know that the holidays are different for everyone,
and that we each have our challenges to face and small
pleasures to savor. Whatever holidays you celebrate,
and however you and the ones you love spend your
days as the year comes to a close, I hope that you’ll
find a way to focus on the good parts as I will be
trying to do. Sure, the holidays will be around again in
the blink of an eye, and sure, they seem to start a little
earlier each year. But this year, these holidays, will
never come again. Next year we’ll all be a little older,
the babies less babyish, the children less child-like.
Don’t be bullied or harassed into wishing away this
time. It goes so fast. Happy holidays to you and yours!
4 LampLighter December 2007
AUCTION ACTION
Bevy of rental properties to be sold
December 4
COU RTN EY M I LLE R SANTO
Change is coming for the residents of the 1000 block of Bruce Street in Cooper-Young. On
December 4 nearly one-third of the properties on the street will change owners. The properties
will be sold by Roebuck Auctions, a Memphis based real estate company.
The six properties on Bruce are owned by Bret James, who is selling his entire inventory of
forty-one Midtown properties through the Roebuck Auction. More than one-third of the properties
will be sold as “absolute,” which means there is no reserve price. Theoretically a buyer could
purchase one of the fifteen absolute properties for as little as $1.
The only CY property being auctioned without reserve is 1052 Bruce, which James purchased
in 2006 for $30,000, according to the Shelby County Assessor. In October 2007, he advertised
the property for rent as a two bedroom duplex—renovated inside and out—for $650 a month.
In total, nineteen CY properties will be sold. The commercial properties include a former gas
!
Sold
station that now houses a daycare, a commercial building on Cooper that is currently home to
Lux, and an apartment complex on the edge of the neighborhood.
This is the largest single sell-off of Cooper-Young properties. In February 2006, Roebuck
$349,900
$309,900
$237,500
auctioned thirteen CY properties as part of a larger Midtown auction. As in this auction, many of
those properties were unimproved rentals. Steve Lockwood attended the auction and reported on
it for the LampLighter:
Nearly one-third of the properties being sold at auction on December 4 are
located in Cooper-Young. The southeast corner of the neighborhood will be most
affected by the sale, being held by Roebuck Auctions.
“The bidding started off with the three properties on Cooper—811/813—first. It took me about
20 seconds to realize I was only going to be an observer. They started out bidding at about what I
might have paid. Within a minute the old building that was the reserve police substation had gone
for $112,200 (including the 10 percent tip tacked on for Roebuck). 821 Cooper went next for
$93,500; 817 went for $81,400.”
Today, the Assessor lists Bernard Cowles as owner of these properties. Cowles, who owns the
Cowles Company and built Cooper-Young Place, lists the properties as rentals on his website.
Currently, 821 Cooper is described as a 1600 square foot, three bedroom, two bathroom unit with
new appliances. It rents for $1395 a month.
If this auction follows the others, then many of these properties will remain rentals. New owners
will have a choice—within zoning guidelines—of what to do with their properties. As Steve
Lockwood laments in his earlier article, the auction process does not easily accommodate
first-time buyers who are looking for a home and not a rental investment. What this means
for current residents of the 1000 block of Bruce is that although ownership will change,
nothing else will.
According to Roebuck, the total value of the real estate is estimated at more than $5 million
with a total income potential of $600,000 annually. Interested bidders should check the
Roebuck Auctions website at www.roebuckauctions.com or call 901-ROEBUCK to learn more
about what is required
December 2007 LampLighter
5
A D U LT L A N G U A G E
Safety campaign’s choice of words
raises eyebrows
JON DEVIN
Lorena Bobbitt didn’t realize it at the time, but with one swift flick of her wrist, she changed the
world of journalism forever. How? We remember her for emasculating her husband and tossing
his penis out of her car window, to be found later by cops wearing doubled-up latex gloves. And
what a moment that must have been.
Hey, Charlie! I found it! Got a baggie? John Bobbitt later found work starring in adult videos.
But Lorena forced the media to come to terms with the word penis, previously held as taboo.
Thanks to her I don’t have to write euphemisms like “private parts” or “nether regions” or “unmentionables.” Nor do I have to stick to strictly technical and frankly colorless scientific terminology
like “genitals” or, Heaven forbid, “phallus.”
No, I can write penis, penis, penis until my fingers get tired of typing.
Perhaps in the same spirit, Edmund Mackey is helping Cooper-Young go just a sly step further
by introducing us all to the double entendre-laden word “Dick.”
By now you’ve seen the controversial “Don’t Be a Dick” signs around the neighborhood,
reminding us, quite accurately, that our own apathy plays a role in the overall safety of the
neighborhood. Dick doesn’t report suspicious activity and thus his home gets burglarized. Dick
leaves things in plain view inside his car, which gets broken into. Dick just doesn’t get it.
The Dick campaign is a preemptive strategy towards crime prevention. CY always has done a
lot to report crime after it occurs, but there has long been a need for stepped-up crime prevention
awareness. Mackey’s hope was to get people talking about ways to keep themselves from
becoming victims.
Not surprisingly, though, others saw Dick as tacky and offensive. You have to admit that his
penis-shaped body is way over the top. I can’t believe somebody at the CYCA didn’t look at the
renderings and say, “You know Jon Devin’s going to have a field day with this.”
What’s more, is it insulting to call someone who has just been victimized a dick? Blaming
people for getting robbed isn’t exactly positive.
On the other hand, Mackey makes one really good point. CYCA has been preaching safety for
decades and still I walk down the street and see purses, backpacks, briefcases, sunglasses, cell
phones, and even laptop computers in the back seats of unattended cars just begging to be
stolen. Whatever our message is, clearly it is going to have to gets people’s attention in a large
way. (Mission accomplished, Edmund!)
I also see billboards up around town with a cartoonish, walking brain on it saying things like
“Volcanoes are perfect for picnics. Dumb, but not as dumb as racing a train.” Try “Dumb, but not
as dumb as this ad campaign.”
When I saw the live version of the brain man strolling through the crowd at the CY Festival, my
first guess was that he was a giant scrotum with googly eyes. (See, I can write that word too!)
Seems like the brain man would appeal mostly to children, who do not drive, much less race
trains. And having once had a picnic on top of a volcano myself, I found the comparison feeble.
Dick may be edgy, but at least he’s not lame.
CYCA meister and real estate dynamo Debbie Sowell told me that the campaign will be
reworked to deemphasize Dick and focus on what happens to Jane and Spot when they too fail to
follow good safety precautions. And that, I think, is the ticket.
Dick is not necessarily a bad thing. Dick certainly got our attention, and made us think more
about who we are as a community. I for one am willing to give Dick a second chance. I’d rather
have Dick than nothing at all.
Editor’s Note: Following the safety survey, the CYCA has decided to focus the campaign on Dick’s
other family members, including his wife, Jane. Harvest (see page 14) is working on creating an
advertising campaign utilizing the slogan, “Don’t be a Jane.” It turns out Dick’s family is a clueless
as himself about how to make it harder for criminals. For more information about other initiatives
the CYCA’s Safety Committee is undertaking, please see page 7.
SAFETY IN NUMBERS
To Our Readers
The LampLighter is working with the CYCA to bring you meaningful crime information. In addition
to the crime map, which detail crimes within a one-mile radius of the Cooper-Young intersection,
we also include a list of crimes that happened within our neighborhood. This list includes the case
number, which you can use to contact the police. This month’s information is from October 28 to
Forum creates consensus,
sparks new ideas to combat crime
EDMUND MACKEY
In November, a dozen Cooper-Young residents along with Lieutenant Kirkwood of the
November 27.
Cooper-Young Memphis Police Co-Act unit gathered to discuss safety and crime issues in
Street and Block
CENTRAL (2000)
CENTRAL (2100)
CENTRAL (2200)
CENTRAL (2200)
CENTRAL AND PHILADELPHIA
CENTRAL (2100)
COOPER (800)
COOPER (800)
COOPER (900)
COOPER (900)
COOPER AND NELSON
Date
Reported
11/23/07
11/06/07
11/06/07
11/14/07
11/18/07
10/31/07
11/01/07
11/07/07
11/07/07
11/17/07
11/24/07
COOPER AND YOUNG
10/29/07
COOPER AND YOUNG
10/29/07
EVELYN (2100)
EVELYN (2200)
EVELYN (2100)
FELIX (2100)
FELIX (2000)
METCALF PL (800)
NELSON (1900)
NEW YORK (1000)
NEW YORK (900)
11/19/07
11/22/07
10/28/07
11/01/07
11/14/07
11/14/07
11/21/07
11/02/07
11/02/07
OLIVER (2300)
11/04/07
PHILADELPHIA (1000)
PHILADELPHIA (1000)
PHILADELPHIA (900)
REMBERT (1100)
REMBERT (1100)
SOUTHERN (1900)
YOUNG (1800)
YOUNG (2100)
YOUNG (2100)
YOUNG (2200)
10/29/07
11/03/07
11/03/07
11/25/07
11/26/07
11/08/07
11/15/07
11/14/07
11/19/07
11/05/07
Crime
Case Number
Shoplifting/Misdemeanor
Other Theft/Non-Specific
Other Theft/Scrap Metal
Drugs/Narcotics Violation/
Felony
Shoplifting/Misdemeanor
Robbery/Business
Burglary/DV (Domestic Violence)
Burglary/DV
Theft from Motor Vehicle
Drugs/Narcotics Violation/
Felony
Drugs/Narcotics Violation
Felony
Simple Assault/DV
Theft of Vehicle Parts/Acc.
Burglary/Residential
Burglary/Residential
Theft of Vehicle Parts/
Accessories
MVT/Passenger Vehicle
MVT/Passenger Vehicle
Simple Assault/DV
Aggravated Assault
Burglary/Business
Theft of Vehicle Parts/Acc.
Theft from Building
Other Theft/Scrap Metal
0711011755ME
our neighborhood.
The Cooper-Young Community Association’s safety committee hosted the forum and the group
plans to coordinate quarterly meetings, which will include concerned neighbors, block club
leaders and the Memphis Police Department. The goal of the forum is to develop a platform for
Y
and dialogue and encourage community residents to share ideas and take action against crime.
Y
Y
Y
Young and Memphis. The most committed crime in our neighborhood is theft from a motor
This group is about action. The meeting began by sharing some facts about crime in Coopervehicle, followed by other property crimes. The group felt strongly about the current things we
are doing to create awareness in the neighborhood about these crimes. The consensus was that
Y
Y
Y
the community association does a great job of creating awareness, but an opportunity exists to do
more. Ideas shared at the meeting included: developing a porch light campaign, promoting
545-COPS and strengthening block club recruitment and involvement.
The safety forum is off to a great start with real community stakeholders that want to make a
difference. Times like these leave me proud to be a “Cooper-Youngan.” The safety forum is open
to all neighbors who want to be involved and increase the quality of life for Cooper-Young
0711011151ME
residents. Safety forum participants commit to attending quarterly meetings and to starting or
joining a block club on their street. The next meeting will be in February, we will list the agenda
and send out a reminder in the upcoming months.
Crime notes
There were several high-profile crimes in Cooper-Young during November and late October that
received media coverage. On October 26, Casa Blanca, the Mediterranean restaurant on Young
0711013316ME
Avenue, was vandalized. Several windows were smashed. A few local blogs (Rachel in the City and
Paul Ryburn) reported the event and there were some rumors the attack was racially motivated.
The Memphis Police Department believes the vandalism was committed by a disgruntled
employee and was not a hate crime. They are not ruling out a hate crime, but it did not fit the
parameters of such crimes.
Hornyak left Sounds Unreel amicably after
several years to direct Crossroads, a regional
music showcase and industry conference,
of town—that’s where I live, at Front and
now—and every city she goes in, it’s a whole
Monroe—but just could not make it work.
new marketing effort.
So this thing came up, and I thought, great,
Really the writers at most of the daily
before becoming the leader of Memphis’
it’s already a working, it’s been a studio for
papers are still one of the main forces of the
local NARAS branch. Sound Unreel con-
over twenty-five years. I came over, and I
industry in terms of turning people onto
tinued to record and develop numerous
immediately liked it. I knew the people who
music, and to a somewhat lesser degree, I
local and regional artists, including Jerry Lee
were working here pretty well from days gone
think the “blogosphere” is too. There are just
Lewis, Mojo Nixon, Joe Walsh, Flat Duo Jets,
by. So I purchased it.
people out there that have their own radio
and James Cotton.
Archer purchased the property earlier this
year and has been working diligently for
weeks to renovate the studio and prepare the
Were there any specific elements you
stations, you know, they just go out and listen
were looking for that your other studio
to music and write about it on their websites
wasn’t providing for you?
and their own blogs.
The other one is tiny. My style of recording
We’d like to do more recording. I’ve been
building to house his company. Archer, a
is that I really like live stuff, where you’re
frustrated with the cycle time it takes to get a
veteran of the local advertising and marketing
cutting live and all the band members are
record out. Back in the early Stax days they
industry, founded Archer Records in 2001. Its
playing at the same time. [It’s nice] to be able
would cut a record, mix it, and master it, and
roster includes Middle-Eastern guitarist Lily
to have a space where you can really spread
take the acetate to WLOK or WDIA and get
Ashfar, local favorites the Gamble Brothers
out and do that properly, and have the proper
immediate feedback on it. Certainly the
Band, instrumental soul combo The Grip,
Memphis icon and host of the Beale Street
Caravan, Steve Selvidge, and roots-rock
sensation Amy LaVere.
“It’s different from downtown. I like it,” says
Archer, comparing his company’s new home
to their previous location in a Union Avenue
office tower. “We see people walking their
dogs all the time, and they’ll stop in just to
talk. It’s good. I like the trees. You spend too
much time downtown, and you forget what
trees are.”
The LampLighter recently spoke with Archer
at his new studio.
Tell me a little about the history of
Archer Records.
I was in the record business after college. I
isolation, not have to worry about the air
conditioning and so on. I was really ready to
get into a bigger place.
When do you plan to be open for
business here?
That’s the big question! We’re mainly a
record label, so in terms of the office, we’re
pretty much up and running. The studio part,
the [new recording] console is coming in two
weeks. They tell me in takes eight to ten days
to connect this thing, so a couple of weeks
technology is at hand for that [to happen
now]. That’s exciting.
We have a deal with Sony to distribute our
records at retail, but we sell a fair number on
the road and on our own website. I think that
25% of Amy’s record is downloaded, which is
great.
Some of the music bloggers are pretty
powerful tastemakers.
Yeah, some of them are! There’s so many of
them. We get messages every day from them,
and we try to take note of them. It’s hard to
after that. We don’t really have any sessions
gauge how influential they are—but every one
booked or anything. Some people have
of these people has a following.
expressed an interest in it, but nothing’s really
firmed up.
What’s next for Archer Records?
Do you have any apprehension that
the market for recording studios in
Memphis may be getting saturated?
We’ll probably do some recording on the
Well, we’re mainly a record label. We’re not
interested in recording. I used to write a lot of
Grip and Amy LaVere. It probably won’t get
trying to be in the recording-for-hire business.
my own material. I had a studio in a garage
released, but we’ll be working on some stuff.
That’s not to say we won’t make the studio
apartment over on Rozelle and Central. The
We’re still in the middle of Amy’s record
available for people that want to do a project,
house was sold and the new owner didn’t
[Anchors & Anvils, released May 2007]. We
but that’s not our main thing. As far as the
want me there, so I had to move locations.
take the view that a record has a life, in terms
number of studios in town, I think the more,
I had a studio on Madison called Cotton
of marketing, of a couple of years, a year and
the merrier.
played guitar and bass, and I was really
Row Recording. Niko Lyras and I had it
a half, something like that. People are still
together. Concurrently with that, I was in the
reviewing, still asking for promotional copies.
advertising business as a writer, and that
She’s touring—she’s in California right
career kind of exploded. I became really,
really disenchanted with the day-to-day
“recording-for-hire.” Someone would call up
and want to make a recording and you’d have
to do it whether you liked it or not. This time
around is a little different. I started [Archer
Records] in 2001, and we only deal with
things we’re interested in.
How did you find out about this
building?
We still have a studio downtown which
we’re going to be vacating at the end of this
month. I had been looking around downtown
for a place for a couple years. I thought surely
I could find the back of one of those big, long
buildings, where nobody seems to be able to
do anything with the back of it, and every one
I looked at was going to cost a fortune to get
Ward Archer, photo by Kerry Hayes
it ready. Everybody’s waiting for them to
become condos or something. It’s a great area
Control room at 1904, which previously housed Unreel Studios and will be the
new home to Archer Records. Photo by Kerry Hayes.
LETTE R TO E DITOR
Peabody a school
in good standing
K O N G S O U LY J O N E S
As you know, Peabody Elementary School
and Memphis City Schools are dedicated to
ensuring that our students succeed. While we
have always held high expectations for our
students, the federal No Child Left Behind Act
of 2001 (NCLB) has set new standards for
students to meet.
This summer, our state released a report on
the progress Memphis City Schools is making
toward achieving proficiency for 100 percent
of our students under NCLB. The report
identifies whether schools have made
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)–a simple yes
or no grade based on a complex set of
measurements. To make AYP, each district
school must achieve targets: areas of test
participation and performance measured
across subgroups of students (grouped by such
categories as race, language proficiency, and
disability). In addition, schools must meet
graduation rates and attendance targets. If just
one subgroup misses just one target, an entire
school does not make AYP. We are pleased to
inform you that Peabody Elementary School
met the target in Spring, 2007, and is listed as
“IN GOOD STANDING.”
Please know that many good schools have
not made AYP. That doesn’t mean they’re not
successful. AYP is an all-or-nothing proposition,
but student achievement is not. Academic
success is measured in many ways, including
classroom tests, teacher observations, report
cards, homework, and standardized tests. But
AYP focuses only on state tests. Entire schools
can miss the target if too many students were
absent on a test day or if students who aren’t
yet fluent in English miss the reading and
writing goals.
I am firmly committed to achieving our goal
of success for every child, and I recognize that
we must continually improve. We have several
programs in place which will help students
achieve at higher levels. I am proud of our
outstanding staff; they continually update
their skills and participate in training to help
them meet the needs of all students.
I encourage you to join me in addressing
our challenges and applauding the great work
our students and staff are doing at Peabody
Elementary School. As always, I welcome your
comments, suggestions, and involvement in
our schools and in the challenges our students
face.
Kongsouly Jones is the Principal at Peabody
Elementary.
www.midtownmortgage.com
P L AY D AY S
Playhouse on the Square features entertaining holiday line up
COU RTN EY OLIVE R
right! “The Producers”, the critically acclaimed musical
planning for the bottom three floors and offer your suggestions
new favorites and just plain enjoyable shows are playing at
comedy adapted by from Mel Brooks’ 1968 film of the same
for the top two. It will be fun, informative, and will include
Playhouse on the Square. In addition, Playhouse also an-
name, finally comes marching onto the Playhouse stage. holiday refreshments.
The holiday season has arrived, which means old favorites,
It’s New York in 1959 and two theatrical producers scheme
nounced its previously top-secret summer musical show–it’s
For more information, please contact Jackie Nichols at
to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop—a
725-0776 or email jackie@playhouseonthesquare.org.
This year’s holiday shows include:
musical titled “Springtime For Hitler: A Gay Romp with Adolf
Upcoming auditions
“A Year With Frog and Toad” runs through December 23 at
and Eva at Berchtesgaden.” But complications arise when the
the Circuit Playhouse. Based on the beloved series of books by
show unexpectedly turns out to be a roaring success. Drawing
upcoming shows “Scapin” and “Trailer Park.” Callbacks will be
Arnold Lobel of an aquatic odd couple: overly confident Frog
on ridiculous accents, over-the-top caricatures, and show
on Tuesday December 4 at 6 p.m. Adults auditioning for “Trailer
and his best friend. Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
business in-jokes, the musical was a hit in New York, winning a
Park” will be asked to sing sixteen bars of a musical theatre
record-breaking twelve Tony Awards. song, preferably of the country/rock genre. Adults auditioning
“The Producers.”
“Plaid Tidings” runs through December 23 at the Circuit
“The Producers” runs at Playhouse on the Square June 20 to
Playhouse. This endearing and charming plaid-clad quartet
from “Forever Plaid” are transported back for a nostalgic holiday
July 20, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at
extravaganza.
On December 3 Playhouse will hold auditions for its
for “Scapin” will be asked to read from the script. For “Trailer Park” Playhouse is hiring one to three adult
2 p.m. The Preview performance is Thursday, June 19 at 8
female singer/actors, Ages mid-twenties to mid-forties, and
“Seussical” runs through January 6 at Playhouse on the
p.m. The Pay What You Can performance is Thursday, June 26
adult male singer/actors, ages mid-twenties to mid-forties. For
Square. Capture the imagination and revolutionary whimsy of
at 8 p.m. First Sunday Event is Sunday, June 22, following the
“Scapin,” the theatre is hiring one to two adult male actors, mid
Dr. Seuss in this fantastical musical celebration.
2 p.m. performance. Audiences will enjoy the chance to meet
twenties to mid-forties and three adult female actors, ages
the cast and crew and tour the backstage areas of Playhouse on
mid-twenties to mid-forties. “A Tuna Christmas” runs through January 6 at Playhouse on
the Square. Tacky tree trimmings, gaudy garlands and redneck
the Square. Food and beverages will be provided. ribbons festoon the town of Tuna, Texas as this much-loved
Holiday open house
Playhouse on the Square is having a holiday open house at
audience favorite returns.
Big Broadway show comes to Playhouse
its current five-story office building that will become part of the
Theatre and Arts Center Complex at 2158 Union—or as folks
“Step 1: We find the worst play ever written. Step 2: We hire
the worst director in town. Step 3: We raise two million dollars...
Step 4: We hire the worst actors in New York and open on
have been referring to it: “the new Playhouse on the Square.” On Tuesday December 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., we are
Broadway and before you can say Step 5, we close on
inviting members, boards, staff, and friends of Heart of the Arts
Broadway, take our two million and go to Rio.” That’s
and Midtown Development Corporation. Come see what we are
3#(7!24:
%,%#42)##/).#
3#OX3TREET
-EMPHIS4.
!LAN3CHWARTZ
For more information, please contact Courtney Oliver at
courtney@playhouseonthesquare.org, or call 725-0776
WINE AND DINE
Nestled within the walls of the
Brooks Museum sits a secret pearl,
one of only two four star restaurants
in Memphis, the Brushmark. Chef
Wally Joe created an outstanding and
original menu of delicious French
specials for a memorable night at the
Brushmark. Photo courtesy of
Kevin Barre
Beaujolais at the Brushmark: Inside the wine
tasting dinner at Brooks
MAG G I E LO U I E
Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrive’! Literally translates to “The New Beaujolais has arrived!”
Nestled within the walls of the Brooks Museum sits a secret pearl, one of only two four star
restaurants in Memphis, the Brushmark. Being an avid “foodie & boozie,” I was overjoyed at the
invitation to attend the Beaujolais festivity there. This annual celebration takes place the third
Thursday of November, and celebrates Beaujolais Day and Memphis’ first tapped barrel of 2007.
Chef Wally Joe created an outstanding and original menu of delicious French specials for a
memorable night at the Brushmark
Accompanied by my partner in crime and fellow Singleton, Jane Schneider, I set out for a night
of fun, food, and libations.
First course notes:
(Amuse Bouche of Salmon Confit on Pickled Mixed Radishes which was paired with Georges
Duboeuf Macon-Villages 2005)
The salmon confit was very light and tasty. The radishes balanced the fatty salmon nicely, and
it was a pleasant pairing with the Macon. I was about to be disappointed with the appetizer-size
portion of wine, when a server came by and refilled my glass. Because of our total Diva Media
status, we had the honor of sitting at the table with the wine distributor, for Beaujolais, who was
speaking at the event. He gave us a crash course in wine tasting techniques, which I unwittingly
drank about four glasses of wine perfecting. Here are some cool tips.
Your glass should have a rim that bends inward to help funnel aromas to the nose and allow
for swirling without spillage.
Start with whites and light wines progressing into the heavier dark reds and dessert wines. This will
help keep your taste buds sensitive. Sip water between each wine to help preserve your palate as well.
Hold the glass up to the light and look at the color. White wines tend to gain color as they age
where as red wines lose it. A young red wine will appear more red or burgundy whereas an older
red will show hints of tawny brow around the rim.
Holding the glass by the stem, swirl the wine. This will aerate the wine allowing vapors to
be released.
Put your nose right over the rim and smell. You may sense hints of vanilla, berries, peaches,
and even grassy or smoky aromas.
Now take about a half a mouths worth of a sip and let it slide across your tongue—front to back
and side to side, and then swallow (unless at a vineyard, then it is acceptable to spit it out). Try to
see how many characters you can notice about it. How sweet is it? How acidic? If it’s a red, do
you notice the tannins? Is it a light, medium or full-bodied? How strong? Does it feel balanced?
Second course notes:
(Bacon Poached Maine Skate Wing with Tiny Haricot Vert, Warm Fingerling Potato Salad and
Applewood Smoked Bacon Vinaigrette, which was paired with: the Georges Duboeuf MaconVillages 2005 wine.)
We were halfway through the second course, when Jane turned to me, chef’s menu in hand,
reading glassed resting on the flare of her nose, and asked: “Is the skate wing a fish?” I examine
the soft yummy white fillet with my fork, and then with my mouth. Not wanting to seem too
self-sure, I paused thoughtfully and replied, “Yep, I think it’s the fish.” We both laughed and a few
“very-important-and-serious” people glared at us from their table.
Third course notes:
(Pomegranate Glazed Carolina Quail Stuffed with Brioche, Foie Gras, and Mushrooms on
Butternut Squash Coulis and Foie Gras Sauce, which was paired with the Georges Duboeuf
Beaujolais-Villages 2007 wine.)
This was insanely good. I had something similar at the Brooks Avant Garde Party only this was
much more elaborate. The Foie Gras completely
transformed the sometimes gamey taste of
quail into something exotic and mysterious. I
love surprises, and taking a sip of the wonderfully cheesy Beaujolais, after the quail, was
wonderfully unexpected. The juxtaposition of
the light quail tasting richer than it should, and
the red wine tasting lighter than expected, was
really interesting. I loved it.
At this point, Jane is into her full-on sixty
minutes Q&A, Barbra Walters-interview with any
and everyone. I’m trying to look composed and
professional, but am lit up like a Roman candle.
We have learned enough about wine and have
guessed just the right amount of taste and
smells to somehow have decided we are
practically wine experts. So now, we are
holding court with the wine reps like drunken
magpies, bombarding them
with a mix of random
obscure smells and tastes,
trying to best one another’s
palate. I even launch into
some pontification about
hearing that magnesium
causes water to taste wetter
and shouldn’t that be true
for wine. Jane chimed in
about thinking she tasted
granite or something like
that. I’m sure we were
Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrive’! Literally translates
hysterically annoying.
to “The New Beaujolais has arrived!” And the Brooks
Fourth course notes:
celebrated with an annual celebration of Beaujolais
Day and Memphis’ first tapped barrel of 2007. Photo by
(Fromage Blanc Tart with
Maggie Louie.
Tarragon Syrup and Cherry
Compote, which was paired
with the Georges Duboeuf Domaine de Combillaty Brouilly 2006 wine.)
Why was Brouilly the dessert wine other than its fruity taste? I don’t know! Sure I’ll be cast out
of every highbrow event round town, but honestly, I couldn’t tell you how it was paired with the
cheese cake cuz my tongue was numb! At some point my wine turned into Novocain. Is that bad?
I think no! Aside from a great meal and more wine than we needed, we also received a healthy
helping of “edu-tainmet.” I think there should be more alcohol-friendly education activates around
town, like maybe U of M could offer some sort of night class plus mixer!
I loved the Brushmark and the cuisine of Chef Wally Joe was truly a tasty innovation. One last
wine tasting tip: If you are a light drinker and planning on swallowing all the wine you taste, I
might advise affixing a disclaimer to some prominent point on your blouse.
B O O K LO O K
Holiday gifts that keep on giving
D. JAC K S O N MA XW E LL
Throughout the winter months, many religions celebrate holidays that entail gift giving. We live
Librarians and bookstore employees can provide more extensive lists of award winning and
in a very disposable world where most gifts, especially those for children, have an incredibly short
recommended books that will prove to be holiday gifts that keep on giving. Book have a long life
interest life. Kids quickly move on to the next eye-catching diversion or perceived big thing. In
with the most beloved stories being read over and over, eventually passing on to siblings and
short, toys come and go. However, unlike other gifts books have proven their long lasting interest.
friends. Remember, a book a day helps keep illiteracy at bay!
Series such as the “Lord of the Rings,” “Berenstain Bears,” “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” “Arthur,”
Dr. D. Jackson Maxwell is a National Board Certified Teacher and an Educational Consultant. If
“Junie B. Jones,” “Harry Potter” as well as many others encourage children to love reading and to
you have any questions or comments, please contact Dr. Maxwell via email at: maxwellj01@
use their imagination. Books that have recently been turned into movies are always popular, must
k12tn.net
reads. Alternative literature such as comic books and graphic novels like the “Watchmen” or “Dark
Knight Returns” series readily attract children’s interest. Although children have many entertainment choices, books are as popular today as they were generations ago.
So whether you are celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali or Festivus, a gift that
children love and that also inspires them intellectually are books. Books encourage children to
MARKET REAPING
Harvest adds advertising flair to CY
expand their reading and literacy skills, and help to better prepare them to succeed in life. This
holiday season give a gift that is both fun and tweaks the imagination—think reading!
To help in choosing some intriguing books for the children on your gift list, the following is a
very brief selection of books by grade level that have proven kid appeal.
Elementary
“The Chronicles of Narnia” by C. S. Lewis
K AT I E B R U N E A U
If you’ve driven around Cooper-Young lately, you’ve probably noticed the yard signs with the
slogan “Don’t be a Dick.” Under the slogan is a picture of Dick, and, unfortunately, Dick is always
the victim of a crime. At the bottom of the sign, there are tips on safety awareness for CooperYoung residents, or how not to be like Dick.
This eye-catching campaign is a collaboration between the CYCA and the marketing firm
“Amazing Grace”
“Hoot” by Carl Hiaasen
by Mary Hoffman
“Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key”
Harvest, located in Cooper-Young. Edmund Mackey, Safety Chair of the CYCA, approached Harvest
“Heckedy Peg”
by Jack Gantos
with the idea of launching a safety awareness campaign. Harvest agreed, and the new campaign
by Audrey Wood
“The Giver” by Lois Lowry
is the result. In addition to yard signs and posters, the campaign also includes a website, www.
“The Snowy Day”
“The People Could Fly: American
by Ezra Jack Keats
Black Folktales” by Virginia Hamilton
“Piggie Pie”
“The Westing Game” by Ellen Raskin
by Margie Palantini
High School
“Owl Babies”
“The Foundation Trilogy”
by Martin Waddell
by Isaac Asimov
safedick.com, and Dick also has a myspace page at www.myspace.com/safedick.
After looking around Memphis and deciding that Cooper-Young was the best fit for them,
Harvest moved to the neighborhood in 2006. Opening its doors in 2003, Harvest is the brainchild
of Daniel Brown and Andrew Holliday. Harvest is a full-service advertising and design agency
offering design, advertising, and public relations for a complete creative marketing solution.
Harvest’s clients range from one-man start-ups to very large companies, and their client list
includes NCDS (a subsidiary of SunTrust Banks Inc.), Downtown Condo Connection, DAC, Make-A-
“Stellaluna”
“The Incredible Journey”
by Janelle Cannon
by Sheila Burnford
“Uptown”
“A Series of Unfortunate
they worked well together. Andrew says, “We saw a space that we could fill in the market and
by Bryan Collier
Events”by Lemony Snicket
thought that we had complimentary talents.” The idea behind Harvest is harvesting for the clients
“The Giving Tree”
“The Lord of the Rings”
and also providing fresh ideas.
by Shel Silverstein
by J. R. R. Tolkien
“Uncle Jed’s Barbershop”
“The Earthsea Cycle”
by Margaret King Mitchell
by Ursula K. LeGuin
“Tuesday” by David Wiesner
Middle School
“The Golden Compass”
by Philip Pullman
“Runaway Ralph” by Beverly Cleary
“The Dark Is Rising Sequence”
“Jacob Have I Loved” by Katherine Paterson
by Susan Cooper
“The House of Dies Drear”
“The House of the Scorpion”
by Virginia Hamilton
by Nancy Farmer
“Freaky Friday” by Mary Rodgers
Wish, the University of Tennessee, among others.
Daniel and Andrew met while they were both working for other companies and decided that
For their first year of business, Daniel and Andrew worked long hours to build Harvest’s
business. Their primary focus is quality, but they also recognize the importance of quick turnaround for clients. “We not only produce quality products, but we also produce them quickly,”
comments Daniel.
In the past year, Harvest has grown from two full-time employees to five. This growth has
allowed them to have more employees who specialize in a specific area, such as web design or
public relations. For more information on Harvest, please visit www.harvestmemphis.com.
PEABODY N EWS
A Peaceful Future” and it was open, as always, to all first through twelfth grade students from
Excelling at literacy, field trips, art,
charity at an elementary level
across the district.
AMY LU EC K
received honorable mention in that division.
National Literacy Month … why not Literacy Year?!
Ms. Magbee’s first grade classroom wrapped up National Literacy Month in style with an
The Cooper-Young Business Association, with Cadence Bank, gave out savings bonds to each of
the student winners. Peabody brought in not one but two of those awards: second grader Karianna
Hines won Second Place in the grades one to four division, and fourth grader Mardo Lopez
Not a week later, the cafeteria was soon filled again as families and teachers gathered for the
PTA’s Family Math and Science Night on November 13. Teachers created fascinating demonstra-
enthusiastic 100 percent participation in Peabody’s Book Character Costume Day. Students were
tions to spur student interest in these crucial subjects, and gave handouts to parents describing
allowed to dress up as their favorite book character and bring the book in to share with the class
ways they could incorporate the study of Math and Science into games and activities at home.
on October 31. Ms. Magbee, who dressed as Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus, had everyone
Students left with a new excitement, and parents left with a whole new arsenal of methods to keep
from Thomas the Train to native Kenyans in her class that day, showing their excitement about
that excitement and learning going.
literature and reading.
Giving back
But the focus on literacy continues beyond October at Peabody. Mr. Malone, librarian, has
Cooper-Young’s businesses and companies have been more than generous in reaching out to
hosted a wonderful book fair at the school, where students were able to purchase exciting new
offer amazing support for their neighborhood school, from field trips to school visits to sponsor-
books and literacy games.
ships and more. Ms. Cox and Ms. Egwuekwe of Peabody’s Pre-K program decided to thank one
special sponsor by giving back. The teachers gathered students and staff from across the school to
meet at Central BBQ on November 6 in thanks and support of that restaurant and all that owner
Craig Blondis has done for Peabody. Families and staff took a night off of cooking and showed
their appreciation by ordering some delicious barbeque instead—which didn’t take too much
convincing!
Upcoming events
December 3: Peabody Choir performs at the Pink Palace
December 11: Winter Program, featuring Mr. Sanders’s renowned Dance Ensemble at 6:30 p.m.
in Peabody’s cafeteria. Friends and neighbors all welcome.
December 14: Select fourth and fifth graders enjoy a special performance of The Messiah at
the Cannon Center
And along with new programs and curriculum that will get students reading and achieving every
day, Peabody is also boasting the first year of the Peabody Press, a student-created newspaper.
Fourth and fifth grade staff members meet almost weekly to research and compose articles and to
go through student submissions from across the school. The staff of students selects the pieces to
be included and decides on the layout of the issue.
The first issue of the Peabody Press was printed in November and distributed to students,
parents, staff, district employees and the neighborhood. The December issue is out now, so look
for it around the neighborhood or go to Peabody to request a copy of Cooper-Young’s hottest new
publication!
Fall field trips abound
The wonderful fall weather that November brought in lent itself to fieldtrips galore across all
grade levels. The fourth grade explored Tennessee history standards while cruising in a riverboat
down the Mississippi River. Greg Tuten, proud parent of Peabody fourth grader Alexia, taught
students about Memphis’s waterfront area while giving a fascinating and fun history of the city and
its people. The students were also fortunate enough to see the Nina replica that stopped in
Memphis on its national waterway tour, and they learned some history behind the original Nina of
Columbus’s fleet.
The next week, Peabody’s first through fourth graders were invited by Ms. Smith of the New
Ballet Theater to attend a private performance of Peter and the Wolf. Being just down the street,
students were able to get a little fall sunshine and walk to the theater, where they watched popular
hip-hop and juking combined with classic ballet moves and style, each type of movement
matching and expressing the characters as well as Prokofiev’s instruments did.
The fourth graders, who focus on the study of Russia as part of the International Studies
curriculum at Peabody, were given a special performance that included some history of ballet in
Russia and a more in-depth look at the dances and dancers they had seen, engaging with the art
of ballet and Russian culture and arts on a whole new level.
Hardly a week after Peter and the Wolf, the first grade was off to the theater again, this time
headed to the Cannon Center to see Junie B. Jones, the famous first grader, on stage. If you haven’t
heard of Junie then you surely don’t have a first grader at home; and if these kids had not read the
books before then, they certainly will be now!
If these walls could talk, they’d say WOW
Back at the school building, much has been happening as well. Families came from across the
city on November 6 to view and celebrate the winners of the Young Artist Contest, the submissions
for which were displayed in Peabody’s cafeteria. The theme of the contest this year was “Memphis:
C H AT T E R B OX
Rumored and reported
COU RTN EY M I LLE R SANTO
We’re not the only ones who think there are people and places in
Cooper-Young worth talking about. This is our monthly round-up of CY
neighbors, businesses and community folk that have got other media
talking or the community talking. If you’ve got something you think we
should know about, go ahead and email us at lampligher@cooperyoung.
org, or call us at 827-4797
Go fish, support CYDC
On Wednesday, December 5, the Cooper-Young Development Corporation Board of Directors will kick off its 2007-2008 Fundraising Season with a special evening at the Blue Fish for our
staff and friends of the organization. Tickets for the dinner are $75 per person, with a portion
of the proceeds benefiting the CYDC. A custom menu has been created for the event, with price
of ticket including appetizers, choice of soup or salad, choice of four entrees, dessert and two
glasses of wine. A cash bar cocktail hour will begin at 6:30 p.m. with dinner beginning at 7:30
p.m. For tickets or information about the event, please call the CYDC at 272-1459.
In with the old
The Cooper-Young Business Association has hired Tamara Walker to head the organization.
Many in the CY community will remember Tamara from when she previously headed the CYBA.
Look for more about Tamara in the February LampLighter, when we also bring you the CooperYoung Business Directory.
New night out
The 2008 National Night Out will be held on Tuesday August 5.
However, starting in 2009, the organization is moving the date back
to avoid the oppressive heat. So in 2009 NNO will be held Tuesday
September 15. For Cooper-Young residents it will mean an opportunity to combine NNO celebrations with CY Festival fetes. Embrace calm at influential salon
Calming Influence Massage and Bodywork Salon announces its
holiday open house, which will also serve as its grand opening, on
Friday, December 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come and enjoy wine, appetizers and check out
Midtown’s newest hub for relaxation at 74 North Cooper between Madison and Poplar. Holiday
gift certificates will be on sale with chances to win exciting door prizes. Owner Gene Elliott has
almost fifteen years of experience as a massage therapist. He is a former manager of The
Massage Professionals. “For years I’ve been searching for a location for a bodywork salon,” he
said. “Being a loyal Midtowner, I’ve watched the wonderful changes that have occurred around
Overton Square and Cooper-Young. I’m delighted to have found the perfect spot right in the heart
of the best part of the best city in the country.” Calming Influence offers a full range of services: Swedish, therapeutic, deep tissue, sports massage plus salt glows, steam, detox face masks, foot
baths and more. A large staff of highly qualified massage therapists will customize your session
to fit your particular needs. For more information, visit www.calminfluence.com or contact Gene
Elliott at 276-9423.
Go organic
Every first and third Saturday of each month, West Wind Farms, the only certified organic farm
in Tennessee, will sell its wares as part of the Cooper-Young Farmers Market. The new market is
held at Galloway Church from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.grassorganic.
com.
A place to skate
Efforts are underway to get a skate park on Mud Island. Its supporters are looking to spread the
word. While it might seem a dream fit for California city, the skate culture is nearly universal. A
tight knit community quickly forms for those that catch the skate bug. This includes families
meeting other families who regularly take their youth skating as well as the local kids meeting
other local kids. What most people don’t know is that skaters and families of little skaters will
travel great distances to skate a well-made skatepark. A 30-minute drive is nothing of a commute
for a skater. In fact, the Oxford Skatepark down in Mississippi, a park about one and half hours
away, is largely utilized by Memphis skaters. This means that with the creation of a skatepark in
Memphis, many local low-income kids, who can’t drive great distances, will be exposed to kids
coming in from other areas to skate their park. This is a phenomena that occurs on a regular basis
at the downtown skatepark in Denver, Colorado. The Denver park has an amazingly integrated
mix of kids coming from wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. Essentially, the Denver
C H AT T E R B OX
Kroc update
bunch, Smith brought on David King and
mozzarella, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, red
Thanks to the Commercial Appeal’s intrepid
former LampLighter columnist Marissa Baggett
onions, Kalamata olives and pesto. “Here’s
business reporter, we are staying on top of the
(who also was the head sushi chef at Do). The
offers an effective tool for bringing kids
what happens when a layer of pesto rich with
Kroc Center. In the November 10 issue, he
Flyer reports, “Lunch at Tsunami isn’t just a
together. Given the choice between the
olive oil is spread on raw dough: It soaks
reports that, “Salvation Army officials hope to
mini version of the dinner menu. It’s a
community found in a gang and or a commu-
through and gives the dough both a hint of
complete fund-raising in 2008—perhaps as
different menu with a few favorites and
nity formed from a shared passion of a sport-
flavor and an even crisper snap to the finished
early as the summer—and break ground soon
several new dishes, such as seafood saimin, a
the choice is clear. If you’re interested in
crust. Wow.”
skatepark achieved a mixing of a diverse
Moon Pie, which features fresh garlic,
group of kids coming together due to their
common love of skating. Therefore skating
learning more, visit www.skatelifememphis.org.
thereafter on a 100,000-square foot, open-to-
Hawaiian-style noodle bowl with fresh seafood
Midtown goes corporate
the-public community center occupying about
in a miso-dashi broth, and a traditional Thai
The Memphis Daily News published an in
15 acres on East Parkway, adjacent to Fairview
beef salad with flank steak, tomatoes,
depth look at the Midtown Development
school.” The article continues to note that if
cucumbers, and spicy lemongrass dressing.”
location for toys, benefiting Metropolitan
Corp., which is loosely modeling itself on the
the Salvation Army starts construction that
Mix it up
Inter-Faith Association, or MIFA. Donations of
Center City Commission–the entity that has
early the Mid-South Fair may relocate sooner
New Ballet Ensemble will perform its
new, unwrapped toys can be made through
guided the redevelopment of downtown.
than planned.
December 17 at both the Midtown Memphis
Reporter Rebekah Hearn does an excellent job
and Collierville locations. Additionally, for
of contrasting the two and delving into the
every frame purchase made through De-
issues. In part, she writes, “A group of people
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays
Nut Re-Mix takes a detour from tradition,
cember 17, The Eclectic Eye will donate $5
has come together with the goal of mapping a
from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 2151 Central through
abandoning the old setting and inviting the
toward the purchase of a new toy.
growth strategy and revitalizing Midtown
December 24 Made in Memphis Arts Collective
audience to Beale Street. The music of Tchaik-
Eye spy toys
The Eclectic Eye is serving as a drop-off
celebrated take on the Nutcracker on
Made in Memphis
December 7, 8 and 9. Get into the Christmas
Through December 24 Monday through
spirit early with this fun mix of style and story.
Lou’s is hot
Memphis. The Midtown Development Corp.
Flyer lands for lunch at Tsunami
ovsky sets the undertone for a soundtrack that
Jennifer Biggs, one of the
(MDC), originally called the Midtown Redevel-
The Memphis Flyer in its November 22
hails true to Memphis style with inserts of
Commercial Appeal’s
opment Corp., is a gathering of Midtown
issue discusses Ben
artists such as Otis Redding and Ray Charles, a
restaurant reviewers at some
stakeholders such as business owners,
Smith’s recent decision
fresh interpretation of the story and innovative
pie and talked about it in the
neighborhood associations, architects and resi-
to open Tsunami for
choreography that ranges from classical to hip
November 23 issue. She
dents who want to address issues ranging
lunch. The celebrated
hop. Call 726-9225 for more information or
talked with Lou Savin, who
from safety to beautification.” For a better
restaurant quietly
visit www.newballet.org to purchase tickets.
opened Lou’s in July. Lou
understanding about this important group,
opened its doors for the
previously owned Pie in the
read the article published on November 8.
suit and tie crowd in
Sky (located where Square Foods currently
October and have
resides). Here’s what she had to say about the
received a positive response. For the lunch
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CAL
THIS CY HOUSE
Long-awaited bathroom renovation unearths surprises
KAREN GOLIGHTLY
I bought my house on New York Street in
1991. There were a few problems with the
house from the get-go. There was an ancient
garage in the back yard that leaned precariously to one side. FHA wouldn’t approve our
loan until it was torn down. There was a pile
of concrete in the middle of the yard, and piles
of garbage, old signs, and so many asphalt
shingles it wasn’t even funny. Mostly the first
few years, we just carted junk to the curb.
Inside the house, the owners had painstakingly decorated the house in 1970s hippie
style, complete with numerous terrariums
(which they left behind), a wood burning
stove, and grass cloth on several walls. The
downstairs bathroom had orange Mexican tile
covering the walls (the exact same tile on the
bar at Café Olé), brown and orange printed tile
on the floor, and hideous matching brown and
orange paisley wallpaper. But they kept
original claw foot tubs in both the upstairs and
the downstairs bathrooms, which were lovely.
Over the years, we added on a room for
our two children, built a loggia in the back
yard, added in central heat and air, re-painted
the exterior, re-roofed, re-did the upstairs bathroom and bedroom, replaced the rotting front
porch, and painted every room in the house
(some of them several times). When the ice
storm of 1996 hit us, we had to make repairs
both to the inside and outside of our house,
which resulted in replacing electrical wires,
plaster walls and ceilings, and some
plumbing. Then, the pecan tree in the yard
split in half and fell all the way across the yard
barely missing the house. The impact of it
rattled the dishes and shook the windows. I
thought we were having an earthquake.
Finally, Hurricane Elvis hit and required more
roofing repairs, which led to more electrical
repairs, and more front and back porch repairs.
Then I moved out of town to get my PhD. I
didn’t want to sell the place, so over the next
four years, I rented the house to a myriad of
people, a single mom, her children, and her
sister, a group of graduate students from the
University of Memphis, a family, and finally a
couple. Some were better than others with
keeping up the
house and yard, but
they as a whole they
treated it just the
way I expected them
to: as a rental house.
By the end, it was
pretty worn out, so
my husband and I
decided we should
renovate at least two
rooms: the downstairs bathroom and
the kitchen.
We needed a
shower, my husband
Benji noted, really
bad. He wasn’t sure
how we could get
along with three
children and only
bath tubs. “But
they’re great bath
tubs,” I pointed out
to him. “Still,” he
said. “I really need a
shower.” We had a
grand scheme to call
up our friend Karen
Capps, who is not
only an amazing
artist, but also does
fine tile work. I
figured that if she
didn’t know how to
do some part of the
job, she’d know
someone who did.
We started the
project two weeks
before we moved
back into the house,
hoping that within
Before the renovation, the downstairs bathroom featured rustic orange Mexican
tile and a clawfoot tub. After the renovation, which included some unexpected
work on rotted floor joists, the bathroom boasts a spa-like shower.
four weeks we’d have the luxury bathroom
that we had sketched onto a napkin and given
Karen. The demolition went so quickly, it was
surprising. In only a week, she had taken out
the fixtures, the floor, the tile on both the
walls and the ceilings, and knocked down one
of the walls to make room for the shower. And
we hadn’t even moved back in yet! But the
more she dug, the worse things got. The floors
were rotted, not just down to the joists, but
through them. We had to bring in some
carpenters to replace those and build the new
shower stall. They also had to re-do the ceiling
(also rotted) and patch a door that led to the
outside of our house. There was a flea
infestation under the house, which took two
exterminations to get rid of. Then there was
the lead pipe that we’d been using for sixteen
years without knowing it. We hired the
grouchiest plumber in America, who did
amazing work, but complained so much that
we eventually replaced him with the nicest
plumber in the world (from Lithuania). We
ended up having to buy all new fixtures, but
at that point, we were just thrilled to have a
toilet downstairs. Our Lithuanian plumber not
only cheerfully put the downstairs bathroom
back together, but replaced both the sink and
the toilet in the upstairs bathroom mid-renovation.
Here’s a helpful hint for your next bathroom
renovation. Do one bathroom at a time. No
matter how much the sink or the toilet in your
one useable bathroom is running, dripping,
discolored, or just bugging you, do not replace
it when it’s your only bathroom. At one point,
we were brushing our teeth at the kitchen
sink.
Finally, after Karen had torn down all of the
walls, floors and ceiling (and we had literally a
giant hole for a bathroom), the electrician
came and replaced the old knob and tube
wiring. I had budgeted for this work, but my
husband kept directing him to the other fifteen
outlets and switches in our house that needed
grounding, replacing, improving. I also hadn’t
expected that the electrician would be going
through a divorce, would be devastated every
time he showed up, and would have to bring
his son with him most of the time. But he was
nice, so I just served him up some iced chai
tea (which freaked him out completely) and
thanked him profusely when we finally had
lights in our bathroom.
After all of these people traipsed through
my house for weeks, we were finally ready to
tile. I knew what I wanted exactly, so I
thought. Then I entered Whitt Tile. There were
endless choices, and it took about three hours
of trying out different options before we
figured out a combination that would look
fabulous and still meet my budget. We had to
wait another week while they ordered most of
the tile. Karen set to work, and we had most
of a bathroom before we knew it.
The first time I took a shower in that
bathroom, I almost cried. The shower is
gigantic and the shower head comes down
from the ceiling, so it’s like you’re getting
rained on every time you bathe. The water is
warm, the tile is beautiful, and, yes, I manage
to get clean towels in there most of the time.
There were a few odds and ends left to finish
even after that first shower, mudding and
painting the ceiling and walls, trimming the
doorway (where nothing was square), hanging
towel racks, the medicine cabinet, and some
shelves, drywalling, mudding, and painting,
the wall we moved when we expanded the
room, We’re still not done. Almost, I keep
promising myself. I’ll finish caulking this
weekend. I’ll paint that trim on Saturday
afternoon. And finally, finally, bring this
four-month project to a close.
And then, well, then there’s the kitchen.
MIXED MEDIA
the three grade division. The winner’s were chosen on how well they presented this year’s theme.
Stand alone artists invitational proves
successful
Karianna Hines and Maro Sopez of Peabody Elementary both received awards for their amazing
Grades one to four:
1. Emma Brick-Hezeau. Grahamwood Elementary
R YA N S N A L L
2. Karianna Hines. Peabody Elementary
Traditionally held in conjunction with the Cooper-Young Festival, the annual Cooper-Young
Business Association Artists Invitational was held in November this year. The curated show
featured sculptures, paintings, photography, craft art, and several installment pieces all created by
artists who live and/or work in the Cooper-Young area.
“The really great thing about this show is its all for the artists” said Robin Salant, one of the
artists who displayed work at the event. “There is no exhibition fee and all the proceeds of a sale
go to the artist. Its a really cool and rare opportunity to participate in a show which thinks of the
artist first!”
Cadence Bank and the Cooper-Young Business Association sponsored the event and twenty
artists displayed works of all sorts including art quilts, digital imagery, plaster moldings, marble
and metal sculpture, craft art, and, of course, acrylic on canvas. This year’s show was the biggest
yet: the artists were in greater number and we had an amazing turn-out.
A longstanding member of the Memphis art-community, Niles Wallace, curated the event and
the evening featured music Cooper-Young Artist/Musician, Daniel Heacock, a member of the local
band Energy D.
This annual event is necessary for the neighborhood because it showcases the wealth of artistic
talent that lives or works right here in Cooper-Young. The CYBA looks forward to having another
show next year and if you are or know of an artist in the area that would be interested in
participating, have him or her email the association at cyba@bellsouth.net.
Memphis - a peaceful future
The winners of the Cooper-Young Business Association’s annual Young Artists Invitational were
feted on November 8 at Peabody Elementary. The invitational, which is open to students Memphis
City Schools, celebrated the theme “Memphis – a peaceful future.”
The contest was sponsored by Cadence Bank and the CYBA and aims to recognized talented
young artists. This year more than $2000 in savings bonds was awarded to the winners of
20 LampLighter work. We can’t wait to see the entries for next year! The winners were:
December 2007
3. Charlotte Corr. Snowden School
Honorable Mention: Maro Sopez. Peabody Elementary.
Grades five to eight:
1. Jake Epperson. Grace St. Lukes
2. Quintalion Jones. Shannon School
3. Darion Beasley. Colonial Middles School
Honorable Mention: Courtney Bratcher. Oakhaven Middle
Grades nine to twelve:
1. Cole Wheeler. White Station High School
2. David Brown. Overton High School
3. Lena Kirk. White Station High School
Honorable Mention: Emily Greenberg. White Station High School
ART C U R E S
Find balance at Artists on Central
J. S. SMITH
Many artists create out of a need to express themselves and often to make a statement through
their artwork. Artist, Kathy Abernathy takes it one step further and creates art as an actual cure for
a physical ailment.
Plagued for years with near-constant migraine headache pain and after multiple medications
and neurological appointments, Kathy began to find that the more she worked at her abstract
paintings, the less migraine pain she suffered. Making the change from full-time work in computer programming to becoming a full-time artist
was never something she would have considered doing before this discovery. Her degree in
mathematics and computer science never prepared her for the experimentation and wonderment
created through her paintings. But as she felt the positive changes that art was having on her life
coupled with the personal fulfillment that it brought things began to fall in place almost out of
nowhere. As she worked full time on her paintings, doors began to open that led to honors and
awards through the Memphis Germantown Art League shows, opportunities came to be juried into
national shows, and sales were being made through galleries in Nashville, Memphis, and Palm
Springs, Florida.
Kathy began to, as she says, “follow her bliss” into the art world. “It’s the hardest, most
demanding, and most amazing career I know of,” continues Kathy. Today, she is thankful for all
those years of pain and disability for without them she says she would not have found the
overwhelming affinity for living a creative life.
Spring Showers by Kathy Abernathy
Kathy will have a show during the month of December at Artists on Central Art Gallery and she
hopes those who see her work will enjoy the same sense of wonderment and bliss that she felt as
she created each piece. “Perhaps you would even feel a release from the pains of everyday life,”
says Kathy. “Art can truly steal your heart . . . and renew your soul”
Kathy’s show, Finding Balance, will be at the Artists on Central Gallery 2256 Central Avenue
from December 7 through December 31. There will be an opening reception for the artist on the
evening of December 7 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. The show will continue throughout the month of
December during regular gallery hours of 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
In January, Kathy and each artist who has been selected for a one man show at Artists on
Central during 2007 will be together, as a group show, each artist displaying some of their newest
pieces with statements as to the direction his or her art will be taking in the future. It’s a sneak
preview of the styles, talents, and directions that each artist will be taking for 2008 and beyond.
Featured artists in this show will be M. J. Reeves, Mary Winger-Bowman, G. Allen B., Nigel Merrick,
John Sosh, Kenny Hayes, John Sadowski, Jane Croy, Jeff Corbett, and Kathy Abernathy.
For more information about the gallery and the shows or if you are an artist who would like to
display your work at Artists on Central come by the gallery at 2256 Central Avenue to pick up a
show application or call 276-1251. You can also visit the gallery online at www.thepalladiogroup.
com. Just scroll down to Artists on Central as one of the shops of The Palladio Group, which also
includes Market Central, Palladio, Waterworks and a new area of artist’s studios all located in the
2200 block of Central Avenue
FEAR THIS
Learning to surf versus drowning
SAN DY FU R R H
Do you remember bedtime when you were a kid and the lights
would get turned out and all the shadows turned into scary monsters? Fear is like that. It thrives in the dark. It grows and morphs into
something real and powerful when allowed to remain in the shadows
but when you turn on the light, the monsters disappear and fear
loses its power.
Everyone lives with some fear. Some have more than others.
Worry, anxiety, stress, all basically derive from fear. The worry list is
endless. Time, money, children, partner, crime, work, weather, cars,
house, yard, health, parents, theft, bills, terrorism, global warming,
children’s safety, cancer, AIDS, relationships, friends, school, grades,
careers, college-the cumulative effect can be paralyzing. Some
people are so paralyzed with fear that they literally try to hide from it. They refuse to leave their
house or drive or go into public spaces. Others have fears that are much more subtle but can be in
the long run just as disabling. Shel Silverstein described it in this verse:
The hens they all cackle, the roosters all beg,
But I will not hatch, I will not hatch.
For I hear all the talk of pollution and war
As the people all shout and the airplanes roar,
So I’m staying in here where it’s safe and it’s warm,
And I WILL NOT HATCH!
Not all of life can be lived where it is safe and warm, whether in an eggshell or under the
covers. But just like when we turned on the light in our childhood dark room and discovered the
monster was a shadow, we must shine light on our grown up fears and face our grown up
monsters in order to live our lives fully.
I love the ocean metaphor for life: the waves surge and subside sometimes bringing to shore
wonderful living things, sometimes taking away and destroying life on shore. But the waves never
stop. They will continue to
bring pain, suffering, sadness,
and catastrophe along with so
much that is beautiful and
magnificent and joyful.
If we try to stay safe in our
shell, (Pretend you are a sea
turtle if you don’t like my
mixed metaphor.) we miss
what comes to shore. So, if we
accept that the wave is
coming why not learn to surf?
We will probably swallow a lot of sea water, maybe get a sun burn, but have a great ride.
Sandy Furrh, LCSW, is a therapist affiliated with The Pilgrim Counseling Center at First Congregational Church. If you have any questions for Sandy, you may contact her at 844-4357, Option 4.
PET G I FTS
More products and services available
for furried family members
DEBORAH CAMP
Christmastime is a season for giving—and
One of my all time favorite pet catalogs and
we sure don’t want to leave out the little guys.
websites is Drs. Foster and Smith at www.
Fortunately retailers are coming to the rescue
drsfostersmith.com. They never fail to please
to make sure that doesn’t happen. There are
with their amazing collection of pet items. This
more products and services available today for
year’s Christmas store features a 3-in-1 pet
our pets than anyone ever has ever imagined.
stroller, car seat, and soft carrier. Although
Whether they chirp, mew, bark or hiss, pets
listed as a cat item, any pet up to fifteen
are a part of the family and Americans are
pounds could comfortably travel in this
spending an estimated $41 billion dollars on
lightweight stroller with an ergonomic handle,
them each year. This range of products and
push-button fold down, six inch wheels, safety
services include pet daycare and boarding,
brakes, drink holders and storage basket
grooming, food, toys, and veterinary services.
underneath. It retails for around a hundred
The American Pet Products Manufacturers
Association’s most recent survey revealed that
dollars.
There’s a lot of pet stairs out there for
approximately 71.1 million American have
handicapped and arthritic pets but I believe
pets in their household and almost half have
that the good doctors Foster and Smith
more than one pet.
probably carry some of the best around. One
Not surprising, this means major holidays
can purchase a three, four, or six step unit in
like Christmas spike sales of a wide array of
several attractive shades that can blend with
pet related items. Additionally, it means the
your home décor. They are light to carry
cash register rings up sales of items for their
around from room to room and lift up for
human companions too. Both categories are
dusting. And unlike a lot of pet stairs, they are
expanding exponentially as interest in
covered with heavyweight fabric that is
pets—just like the Energizer Bunny—just keeps
machine washable. The steps can support up
going and going.
to 200 pounds. They range in price from
So, what’s new and exciting in the world of
pet gifts? How about sending your favorite pet
$59.00 to $129.00.
For the dog who has everything, why not
pals a Holiday Crunch Card? These are the
consider a Grunting Hedgehog? For only $10
only patented line of edible greeting cards for
at www.entirelypets.com you can buy this
pets on the market. The flat rawhide cards
plush toy that is sure to entertain your dog
feature holiday greetings on non-toxic
throughout the holidays. For holiday clean up,
water-based ink, and can be ordered on
you may as well pick up the FURminator at
www.healthpets.com.
Entirely Pets while you are at it. This deshed-
For only $14.99 you can buy Music My
ding tool is designed for cats and dogs and
Pet—Classic Cuts CD, with musical selections
claims to “remove loose hair like no other.” If
with a calming effect for dogs, cats and other
it does what it claims the $29.95 price tag is a
household pets. It’s a perfect gift for those
bargain indeed.
with hyperactive critters or those suffering
The choices of pet holiday gifts is seem-
from anxiety separation. Listening to a cut
ingly endless this year with prices ranging
online I became pretty relaxed myself. Flash,
from just a few bucks up into the stratosphere.
our plump calico cat who keeps me company
Your pet will appreciate anything you give
by the computer, leaned into the speaker, and
them with purrs and face licks, and won’t
then curled up blissfully for a nap. To listen
complain that you didn’t spend enough or ask
for yourself, or to order, visit
you to return it for a different color. But
www.musicmypet.com.
remember the most valuable gift you can give
Did you know there are Murphy Beds for
pets? For around a hundred dollars you can
your pet anytime of year is attention, kind-
#EJ@PDABN=IAO
PD=P@ABEJAUKQ
ness, play, and lots of love.
purchase a stylish hideaway bed for Rover or
Contact Deborah Camp at 525-0552, or
Fluffy. When closed and placed against a wall, it
dcamp@memphisbusiness.com for comments
looks like a wooden cabinet but when the front
or suggestions.
panel is folded down it provides sleeping space.
It comes equipped with a thick foam mattress
& 9 " . 4 ] & : & 8 & " 3 ]$ 0 / 5" $ 5 4
and pillow. Now this sounds very clever and it
Midtown Memphis
901.276.EYES (3937)
looks nice, but in our household Michael and I
Houston Levee Galleria
901.853.3213
would be doing nothing but opening and
closing the bed all day long as someone is
always napping. But for giggles you might
www. eclectic-eye.com
©2007 The Eclectic Eye. All rights reserved.
want to check it out at www.gifts.com.
EYE-149.LAMP.indd 3
7/23/07 1:35:31 PM
D WA R F M U S I C
They might be, but they’re not
MAG G I E LO U I E
Don’t, don’t, don’t get me started—I certainly left “frustrated and sad,” but it wasn’t beautiful. In
my misguided youth—filled with sleepless nights, heisted liquor, and obscure physics—They Might
Be Giants were the band I called home. To this geek, they weren’t giants, they were prodigious. I
even used to call the stupid hotline every week to hear the latest jingle on their answering
machine. They weren’t the best band, but they were my band. That was ‘til last month’s concert at
Newby’s.
My first expletive-rich seizure was brought on by the fact that they didn’t play their big hit
“Don’t Let’s Start,” which, in my book, for a two-and-a half hit wonder band, is grounds for a
divorce. How are you gonna roll up in here and don’t play “Don’t Let’s Start?” Sure it may be old
hat, but what do you think the fans are coming for … the new record? That’s like Rush deciding
they’re sick of playing “Tom Sawyer,” or Zappa not playing “Stick It Out.” No, it’s not even that
cool—it’s more like the Go-Go’s refusing to play “We Got the Beat.”
If they didn’t want to be touring on the old hits, they should have thought to bring some new
ones, but to burden the audience with cynicism was just bad form. If you’re gonna ask ‘em to
sand the stage you better frickin’ soft-shoe.
As if the “Mid-Life, Whiny Vaginy Man Show” wasn’t enough of a shank in the ear, the new
guitar player was completely out-of-sync with their sound, peppering the show with blues rock,
and flamenco solos. It could have been pulled off, but the lack of humor just made it a dry
awkward fit. And I’m sure, as he looked out onto the mob of nerdy geek-a-philes (self included),
trying to pick out a piece of backstage tail for later, he was kicking himself for not taking the
David Sanborn gig.
the tour manager (an English guy with a bone earring) about an interview.
Me: “Can I get an interview?”
Bone-ear: “No.”
Me: “Well, can I just get an interview then?”
Bone ear: “NO!”
Me: “Hey what about an in-ter-View?”
Bone ear: “What? I already told you no, and you better stop asking!”
Me: “Why? If “no” is “no,” then what have I got to lose by bugging you?”
Bone ear: “Well, you’re making me mad!”
Me: “So? – hey I know…What about an interview?”
Bone-ear: “Absolutely not at this hour of the night”
“This hour of the night?!”
Last time I checked, rock & roll didn’t get out of bed until 10 p.m. But I guess if you’re used
to doing PR spots at Barnes & Nobles in support of your kiddy records … then 10 p.m.
becomes bedtime.
My heart bounded like a call to war, blood froze, and in the bubbling daiquiri slush of my veins,
I could hear Robert Plant screaming the intro to Zep’s “Immigrant song.” I cut my scotch-shot eyes
in contempt, shook my head, and slouched away.
Bone-ear smiled smugly—victoriously. He hadn’t defeated me though; I just didn’t even want an
interview from a band that would be too tired at 10:30 p.m. to give one.
I walked across Highland Avenue, kicking at the street with my old 1980s black Converses.
The six states of They Might Be Giants: Bored, bored, bored, greedy, big yawn and confused. Photos by Maggie Louie.
I don’t blame the lead singer John Linnell for the uninspired show— clearly no one even told
him he was playing a gig. Decked out in a GYM “T” and jeans, he obviously thought it was movie
night on the bus. He even had the stones to grimace a few times at the crowd, as if his lack of a
vital career was a problem he held us personally responsible for.
They did play “Little Bird House in Your Soul,” which I missed on account they hit the stage
nearly an hour earlier than scheduled, as if to say “I can’t wait to get out of this town.” They were,
in fact, back on their tour bus by 10:30 p.m. I stood at the half-extended bus door, arguing with
They used to mean hardcore, or punk, or something I’m too old to even name. They were “cool.”
Thinking about how much I had wanted them to play “Don’t Lets Start” made me feel pathetic as
hell. I took off the All-Stars and heaved them into the road, flipped off the tour bus and ran to my
car. The only redeeming part of the night was that they did play “Istanbul” and “Particle Man,” but
alas, it will take more than science and geography to mend this broken heart.
Happy Holidays
from Steve, Elizabeth, andLaura
at the Steve Womack
Agency

Music magnate Ward Archer now laying tracks in Cooper

Transcription

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