Going Green Memphis 12-11-2011

8/3/2019 Going Green Memphis 12-11-2011

1/33


2/33

2 GOING GREEN | S u n d ay , December 11, 2011 co mm er ci a l a pp ea l.com

E D I TO R I A L

A squeeze on the

American dreamIn these tough economic times, the last thingAmericans need to hear is that gasoline pricescould rise to record levels next year.

A combination of global demand and risingU.S. fuel exports could ignite the price surge,according to analysts.

According to the Department of Energy,average gasoline prices are higher by nearly 56cents per gallon than at this time last year.

The possible hike is a scary proposition asAmerica struggles with persistent highunemployment, and more and more Americansstruggle to pay their mortgages and put food onthe table. Higher prices could squeeze morecitizens out of the American dream.

A practical short-term solution is forAmericans to drive less and, for those who canafford it, buy more fuel-efficient vehicles.

What is needed is development of alternativeenergy sources, such as biofuels - energy

products generated from agriculture - that candrive the shift from oil consumption.Those sources must be sustainable,

renewable and affordable.By the way, Tennessee, through the

University of Tennessee Biofuels Initiative, hasinvested heavily in biofuels research.

Significant progress in those efforts on amass scale appears to be years away.

In the immediate future, consumers can helpsave on fuel costs by considering hybrids or

electric vehicles.Right now, though, the cost and size ofelectric vehicles, along with the relatively shortdriving ranges, make them impractical forfamilies that can only afford one vehicle.

As the supply of the vehicles increases,however, it's reasonable to expect prices to drop.

Right now, the specter of $4-plus-a-gallongasoline will be a perpetual economic nightmarefor families looking for ways to cut costs.

S u bs c r i b eSign up to receive the latest

issues of Going Green theenvironmental digital magazine ofThe Commercial Appeal - as they arereleased. The e-magazine ispublished on the last Sunday of eachmonth. Subscriptions are free tosubscribers of The CommercialAppeal, simply follow the one-timeGoing Green registration process toobtain access.

Upon registration, home deliverysubscribers to The CommercialAppeal receive access to the digitalproduct at no additional cost.

Raise your profileElevate your companys profile

within the Green Community. Sendus a short article or a project outlinefor consideration in Going Green,explaining what you are doing togreen up your lifestyle? Includeyour preferred contact phonenumber.

Send in your e-maila d d r es s

We ll share information andresources to help readers of GoingGreen swap money-saving tips andinformation related to green i s s u esand events. Send toke p l i n ge r @ com me r c i al a pp ea l .com .

You can also follow Going Greenon Facebook and at

twitter.com/GoGreenMemphis .

Ed i t o r : Kim Coleman, 529-5243,go i ng g re en @ com m er c i al a p pea l.co m

Community Editor: Emily AdamsKe p l i n ge r ,ke p l i n ger @ com m er c i al ap pea l.co m


3/33

The Commercial Appeal S u nd ay , December 11, 2011 | GOING GREEN 3

Farm fresh on localtables near you

Woodson Ridge Farmssupplies many Memphisrestaurants with produce

Deanna Caswell:How to eat localand in season allwinter long

Whats in this issue ...

14

10

On the cover: Photo by istockphoto.com

30

12

Buying local andreusin among ways topromote a sustainableholidays. PAGE 20

Hoot + Louise sellsunique combination ofnew and vintageclothing. PAGE 27

Habitat forHumanity ReStoregives give new life toold items. PAGE 28

Melissa Petersen:Rosemary is

abundant, readyfor your recipes

LOCAL NEWS

Lisa Enderles GreenThings I Love: Godseye craft project

C H R I ST M AS BUS I N ESS R EUS E


4/33

4 GOING GREEN | S u nd ay , December 11, 2011 co mm er cia l a pp ea l.co m

They didn't physically protest on the rooftops of local buildings, but solar

energy advocates across America and all over the world gathered onNovember 20 to bring solar projects to their neighborhoods. Originallycalled Community Solar Day, the planners from a California-based groupSolar Mosaic were inspired by the political Occupy Wall Street protests.Participants with Occupy Rooftops were asked to show their support forinstalling solar panels, by taking a picture in front of a local building thatwould benefit from solar power.

Micro Greens...

Occupy Rooftops advocate for solar power

Theg re e n Eiffel

Towe r

A French consulting group wants to put 600,000 plants on the Eiffel Tower.The plan has not been endorsed by Paris City Hall or the company thatoperates the Eiffel Tower, but that hasn't stopped the group, simply namedGinger, from laying out a step-by-step guide. According to the Ginger group, ifthe Eiffel Tower were covered in 600,000 plants it would remove more than 80tons of carbon dioxide from the air and show the world France is dedicated tobeing environmentally friendly. However, the plan would cost over $90 million.


5/33


6/33

6 GOING GREEN | Su n d ay , December 11, 2011 co mm er c ia l a pp ea l.co m

Ev e n t s

Mountain Top Removal Roadshow

Dec. 9 at Memphis College of Art, CallicottAuditorium, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Meet Mountain Justice representative EricBlevins to hear his presentation on stoppingmountaintop removal coal mining and how itsdestroying the rural communities and ecosystems

in Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky.This event is free and open to the public.

Victory Bicycle Studio Grand Opening

Dec. 15 at 2549 Broad, 5 to 8 p.m.

Join the bicycle dealers and their supportersat the grand opening party of their new studiolocation on Broad.

The Big One Memphis FleaMarket

Dec. 17-18 at The Agricenter, 8a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday; 8a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday

Save some green at one ofthe citys biggest flea markets,where everything fromgardening tools to antiques willbe available; many on sale fromlocal collectors. Admission foradults is $3 and children under

12 are free.

The Magic of Science:Amazing AntarcticAd a p t a ti o n s

Dec. 22 at Discovery Theater inthe Pink Palace Museum &Planetarium, 3050 Central,No o n

Learn how seals, penguins

and even humans can survive inMother Natures most extremewinter conditions in this newprogram for the holiday season.Reservations are required.Admission is $4.75 for adults,$4.25 for children and seniors.Call (901) 636-2362 forr es e r v a t i o ns .

Wa l k i n and Woofin Night at

First Tennessee Starry NightsDec. 26 at Shelby Farms, 6 to 9p.m .

Take a healthy walk with yourpet through the environmentallyfriendly LED light show. Event is$5 per person, $20 per familyand free for all pets.

The Green Page...

Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal

Vendors Beth Schuster and RobertGrafsguard use a pair of laser pointersto play with a customer's dog duringthe Big One Flea Market. The Big Onewill return on the third weekend ofDecember for a repeat performance.


7/33

The Commercial Appeal S u n d ay , December 11, 2011 | GOING GREEN 7

What a thrill it is to ride my bicycle upand down Madison Avenue in the middleof the street and feel completely safe inthe confines of our new bike lanes. This

amenity is one of the coolest thingsMemphis has ever done.The bike lanes on Madison are proof

that the city recognizes bicycling as alegitimate, alternative form oftransportation that needs to beincorporated on city streets as much aspossible. In the future there should bebike lanes all over the city.

Slowly but surely Memphis is emergingfrom the doldrums of negativity and nay-

saying and embracing a wonderful ca ndo attitude that has given us these newbike lanes, the resurrection of Broad

Avenue, new activity at the old Sears

Crosstown building, the Greenline, etc. Itis a new day in Memphis.

Randy Norwood, Memphis

Can do spirit is a welcome change

FROM THE GOING GREEN BLOG

Going socialFor daily updatesrelated to greenissues, followGoing Green onTwitter att w i t t e r .co m /go g r e e nmemphis andcheck us out on

Facebook bysearching GoingGreen Memphis.

Lisa Enderle: DIY Granola vs Pre-Packaged Granola

Everyone will love to eat this sweet and crunchy snack

just as it is, as cereal with a bit of milk or heaped over abowl of yogurt and fruit. But is it cheaper?

I priced a 12-ounce bag of similar granola with vanilla,raisins and nuts at $3.54. The total cost of the recipeabove is $4.11 and yields about 23 ounces (including thedried fruit). At $0.24/oz, the homemade granola is abetter bargain than the store-bought version at $0.30/oz.By purchasing the ingredients at a warehouse store likeCostco, you might even save a bit more. DIY wins again!

Making granola at home is worth more than the moneyyou are saving. Have fun with the kids in your kitchen asthey help measure and mix. Notice how your home smellsas the cinnamon and vanilla become warm and fragrant inthe oven. Talk about how the things that we eat dont justmagically come out of a bag from the grocery store. Theyare combinations of healthy, natural ingredients like oats,nuts and honey, and when they are prepared withoutartificial preservatives they help our bodies grow strong.

Read weekly posts at commercialappeal.com/going green

Nikki Boertman/ The Commercial Appeal


8/33

8 GOING GREEN | S u n day, December 11, 2011 co mm er c ia l a pp ea l.co m

Following the trail...

Grant supports g r e e n w ay s Using a $2.6 million federal grant that

was announced on Nov. 23, about two

dozen groups in Shelby County willbegin laying out a network of bicycleand pedestrian trails and greenwayslinking distressed neighborhoods andother areas, officials said.

Shelby was the only county orcommunity in Tennessee to receiveplanning funds awarded by theDepartment of Housing and UrbanDev el op m e n t .

With the money, a consortium of

greenway organizations, businesses andlocal governments will begin the three-year planning effort in July 2012.

Officials said the plans will givepriority to developing greenways andbikeways that connect neighborhoodsand help reduce blight.

Tom Charlier, The Commercial Appeal

Trail will tie Southavens biggest parks

Southaven residents should be ableby summer to bike, jog and walk on anearly 3-mile bike path and walking trail

that will link the citys two largest parks.Southaven Planning Director Whitney

Choat announced last week that the cityhas been awarded an $850,000 grantfrom the Mississippi Department ofTransportation to construct thebike/trail system.

One of the biggest complaints I haveheard from residents is that this is not awalkable city, Choat said. This is our

first step in making the communityw a l ka b l e.

Choat, an avid runner, was thecatalyst for the project. She applied inAugust for the grant through MDOTsTransportation Enhancement Program.

She said this is the fourth-largestgrant the city has received. It is an80/20 match grant, which requires a 20percent local match $260,000 from

the city.The funds will pay for construction of

a 2.91-mile asphalt bicycle path/walkingtrail from Central Park, south ofTchulahoma Road, to the future NailRoad and extend east to Snowden GrovePark on Getwell Road.

The path/trail will be 10 feet wide, sothat bikers, runners and walkers haveplenty of room to share the green space.

Other cities in DeSoto County alsohave plans for multi-use trails. Hernandoreceived a $610,000 federal grantrecently for a bicycle-pedestrian l in ea rpark, and an $800,000 grant willenhance portions of the DeSotoGreenways system.

Yolanda Jones, DeSoto Appeal

Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal files

A pedestrian and cycling bridgespans the Wolf River connectingtrail systems in Shelby Farms tothe Wolf River Greenway.


9/33


In case you missed it...

Bicycle lanes, trolley draw attention

The headline on a piece that ran Nov. 11 onDC.StreetsBlog (Who Knew? Memphis onTrack to Add 55 Miles of Bike Lanes in JustTwo Years) showed that some observers arealready impressed with Memphis progress inimplementing more sustainable transportationpolicies: The article itself continues the theme,and gives a lot of the credit to the cityscurrent administration:

It seems nowadays you arent truly a bike-friendly city until youve had your first civicdust-up over bike lanes. And by that standard,Memphis, Tennessee has arrived.

Last month, this mid-sized Southern cityfought back challenges by business owners toinstall a bike lane on one of its main majorcommercial thoroughfares, Madison Avenue.That street was just the latest in Mayor ACWhartons ambitious plan to add 55 miles ofbike lanes in just two years.

A transportation amenity introduced duringthe tenure of Mayor Willie Herenton gets a tipof the hat on Twin Cities Daily Planet, in apiece advocating a closer look at streetcars

for public transit in North Minneapolis.Lest we dismiss Torontos system as abyproduct of the desire to get away from theinsane cold and/or Celine Dion music, we canhead south to Memphis, Tennessee. In 1993they started with a 2.5-mile line downtown.

Since then, another 4.5 miles were added andridership has gone from 500,000 in 1993 to1.5 million in 2004. In Memphis ridership wasa mix of workers and recreational users, butcontrary to common perceptions about masstransit, ridership was heaviest on Saturdays.Surveys showed that almost half of the riderscould have made the trip by car, but chosestreetcars for the experience.

Mark Richens, The Commercial Appeal

Rebates still available

The Tennessee Department of Economic

and Community Development's EnergyDivision announced Monday that more than $1million is still available for energy-efficient-appliance rebates for consumers who haveupgraded to a qualifying Energy Starappliance since April 22, 2010.

To date, 17,491 rebates totaling more than$4 million has been paid to Tennesseansthrough the program. Those who installeligible Energy Star Appliances to replace less-

efficient models will receive a rebate debitcard on a first-come, first-served basis as long

as funds remain."Energy Star heating and cooling units willdecrease energy usage, which can result inlower bills for our residents, all while supportingthe state's conservation efforts, " said MollyCripps, director of the ECD's Energy Division.

Applications must be postmarked by Jan.14, 2012. For more information, call (877) 741-4304. To track funds still remaining, go toteearp.efi.org .

Mike Maple/The Commercial Appeal files

Pedestrians and the trolley currentlyshare space on the Main Street Mall indowntown Memphis.


10/33


11/33

The Commercial Appeal S u nd ay , December 11, 2011 | GOING GREEN 11

season in our waters, so fresh fish is

coming from far away. Better to stickwith the canned and frozen versions thistime of year.

Fresh foods

There are two types of fresh winterfoods: Those that are still growing in thecold ground (or slightly warmergreenhouse) and those that are go o dke e p e rs .

Apples are an example of a goodkeeper. Apples picked in the fall can staywith you all winter long in a root cellaror cool attic. For most of the coldseason, we can enjoy apples, cranberries,pears, figs, pecans, carrots, pumpkins,onions, garlic, potatoes, lettuce, turnips,mushrooms, cabbage, leeks, shallots anddark leafy greens.

If we knew a deer hunter, this wouldbe the time of year for fresh venison andany other local game. Duck, goose andlamb are fresh as well. Theres a reasonthat big birds have been on holidaytables forever. Theyre in season!

So, for seasonal winter fare:Stock up on what stores well. We

already have a pantry full of winter

squash and sweet potatoes. Ill be

stocking up on some other good keepersto get us through the cold months.Preserve whats left. Theres half a pig

( topoftheworldfarm.com ) and a quarterof a grass-fed cow in the freezer ( md4-ranch.com ). I may need a few morefrozen birds ( shilohfarmtn.com ) tomake it through, but were set for meat.

My garden has been empty formonths, but I might try to buy a bunch

of greens from a friend to get someorganic veggies in the freezer. If thatdoesnt work out, Ill stock up onPictsweet vegetables in the freezersection at the store. If its a Southernvegetable, its likely Pictsweet grew ithere in Tennessee ( pictsweet.com ).

Plan dinner around what is available.Eating seasonally in the winter is

quite the lifestyle change, so its wise totake it easy and make a few smallchanges at a time. Over the years, thosechanges really start to add up.

Deanna Caswell is a local writer who blogsat littlehouseinthesuburbs.com . Caswell andher husband, Jeff, live in Collierville. Shepractices eco-friendly living while raisingtheir four children, along with pygmy goatsand chickens.

For most ofwinter, freshproduce likefigs, turnipsand leeks are

available tokeep the menuhealthy as wellas local.

Photos fromThe CommercialAppeal files


12/33

12 GOING GREEN | Sun d ay , December 11, 2011 co mm er c ia l app ea l.co m

Look no further

than neighborsfor rosemary

Melissa Petersen/Special to Going Green

Fragrant, versatile rosemary is a common yardplant in the Mid-South. Your neighbors mighteven let you clip some.

A LADY HAD JUST moved toMemphis and was thrilled withthe variety at our local farmersmarkets. She e-mailed me topose somequestions

about itemsshe was usedto seeing onthe West Coastbut was unableto find here.One requeststruck me asvery funny.

Why cant Ifind rosemaryat a farmersm a rke t ?

My answer: Because itgrows to monstrousproportions in most frontya rd s . My advice: If you needsome rosemary, do a perusal ofyour neighborhood, and make

nice with the neighbor whosgrowing a rosemary t re e .

While rosemary wont growmuch in the wintertime, itdoesnt die back, either. Its anevergreen, perennial shrub thatcan reach 7 feet in height,tolerates drought, and is pest-resistant. With little white orblue flowers in spring andsummer, its a pretty additionto any yard.

Fresh, local herbs can be fewduring the winter, butrosemary sticks it out,complementing roast beef,pork, chicken and game, alongwith robust winter vegetables.

M E L I SSA

P E T E RS E N

Eating Local,Eating Green


13/33


14/33

14 GOING GREEN | S und ay , December 11, 2011 co mm er c ia l a pp ea l.co m

By Suzanne Thompson

Special to Going Green

Luke Heiskell doesnt sell his produceat a weekly farmers market or ship it togrocery stores around the region.

Instead he loads up the vegetablesharvested each morning and sends themto Memphis.

We dont have an 18-wheeler; wehave two vans, he said.

P ro d u c e from Heiskells WoodsonRidge Farms in Oxford, Miss., iswashed before it is loaded into reusablevegetable crates to be viewed by someof the finest chefs in town.

Woodson Ridge Farms customer list

Betsy Lynch

Finley Hewes (left) and Luke Heiskell help shape the menus for some ofMemphis finest eateries with their weekly, hand-delivered farm produce.

Pe r s o n a l

TOUCHWoodson Ridge Farms

brings fresh, local produce

to the finest kitchens in town


15/33


reads like a Whos Who of fine diningrestaurants in Memphis.

Felicia Suzannes, Folks Folly, A c re ,Sweet Grass, Chez Philippe, FlightRestaurant and Wine Bar, and ErlingJe n s e n s are a few of the restaurants

that he visits regularly.Most of Heiskells clients are high-endrestaurants because their chefs m a kethe most use of fresh vegetables, oftenglancing at the high-quality o f f e r i n gsand thinking of how to incorporatethem into upcoming menus.

One day Meyer lemons were on a vanwhen it pulled up at Acre in East Mem-phis. Executive chef Andrew Adams just

happened to be looking for somethingto go with a raw fish plate he wass e r v i n g.

So, we made a quick olive oil Meyerlemon sorbet for it, Adams said.

Heiskell said he sends out regular e-mails to let chefs know what is availableand give them an option to order if theywish.

Theyve been really good about con-tacting us beforehand, asking us exactlywhat we wanted and having enough ofit , said Adams. He continues to beimpressed by the consistent quality andvariety of produce Woodson RidgeFarms offers.

One week he noticed purple carrotson the van and liked them so much hestarted ordering them regularly.

Now were buying 40 pounds at atime, Adams said. There are a lot ofthings on my menu, and there are a lotof things on there that wouldnt be ifthey hadnt shown up.

Adams revises the menu at Acreabout twice each week.

They came by and they had somefingerling sweet potatoes, which I didnt

have a use for at that moment, but willuse in the next menu. Last week theyhad bok choy that is on the menu now,Adams said.

Woodson Ridge Farms produce has alonger shelf life, Heiskell said, becauseit doesnt sit for days in a warehousebefore being shipped across the country.

Our goal is to get it to the customersas fast as possible, he said.

Produce almost never goes out thathas been picked more than two daysearlier, with the exception of tomatoes,which are sometimes stored for a shorttime in a curing room at the farm.

The 20-acre farm cultivates more than

30 varieties of tomatoes, so occasionallythey must be picked before they arefully ripe to prevent them from splittingon the vine.

Its the wide selection of tomatoesand other vegetables that Charles Zer-an, executive chef at Flight Restaurantand Wine Bar, finds especially appeal-i n g.

Courtesy of Woodson Ridge Farms

The farm cultivates more than 30varieties of tomatoes, and its thewide selection of tomatoes that localchefs find especially appealing.


16/33

16 GOING GREEN | Su n day , December 11, 2011 co mm er c ia l a pp ea l.co m

They get a lot of heirloom tomatoesand unique tomatoes that we use allthrough the summer, he said. Theyhave a lot of different squashes, boththe regular size and the little baby

ones.Producing the baby varieties of veg-

etables is just a matter of picking themwhile they are young, somethingHeiskell said he learned about from hisc u s t o m e rs .

The great thing about dealing di-rectly with the chefs is that they give usunique ideas about how they will usethe vegetables. Chefs like ultra-babysquash because it can be sautedwhole, he said. They teach us a lot.

Finley Hewes, who joined Heiskell asa partner in September, sometimes de-livers the produce himself.

I enjoy delivering to the chefs be-cause they genuinely get excited whenwe pull up. They step out of theirkitchens in their white coats and survey

what we have that day, Hewes said.With more than 6,000 plants grownsince February 2010, when Heiskellstarted Woodson Farms, customers haveplenty of choices and offerings changefrom week to week.

The farm will grow a vegetable uponrequest from a chef, Heiskell said. Herecently started growing kohlrabi when

one of his customers asked him for it.A lot of impromptu purchases are

required to meet Heiskells goal of hav-ing the Woodson Farms vans return tothe farm empty every day. Thats whythey often stop at restaurants where the

chefs havent tried their produce.They get to touch and smell ourproduce, something theyre not affordedby the big chain suppliers, Hewes said.

Heiskell said he wants his customersto have just the right amount to meettheir needs.

Our big deal is selling just the quan-tity they need for that week, he said.

There are a lot of things

on my menu... that

wouldnt be if they hadnt

shown up.

ANDREW ADAMS, EXECUTIVE CHEF AT ACRE

Kyle Kurlck/The Commercial Appeal files

Executive Chef Andrew Adamsprepares signatire dishes in thekitchen at Acre Restaurant. Adamsrevises the menu at Acre about twice

each week so its easy to find a usefor the Woodson Farms products.


17/33


Close to homeBy Suzanne Thompson

Special to Going Green

For Jonathan Steenerson, using locally grown produceand supporting local vendors is an integral part of runninghis restaurant.

About 65 percent of the produce he uses as the executivechef and general manager of Ciao Bella Italian Grill isgrown within a 100-mile radius of Memphis, but most of itcomes from much closer to home.

Even some of the beer served on tap at the restaurantcomes from nearby breweries such as Memphis Gh o s t

Supporting

local farms,

vendors

business as

usual for

Ciao Bella

Courtesy of Ciao Bella

About 65 percent of the produce used at Ciao Bella Italian Grill is grown withina 100-mile radius of Memphis and even some of the beer served on tap comesfrom nearby breweries such as Memphis Ghost River.


18/33

18 GOING GREEN | S und ay , December 11, 2011 co mm er c ia l a pp ea l.co m

River. Regional beers are offered as well,including Yazoo from Nashville, Abitafrom the New Orleans area and RedBrick from Atlanta.

We need to support our neighbors,he said.

Steenerson started working at Ciao

Bella in spring 2010 this time.When owners John and David Tashieopened the restaurant 10 years ago at itsoriginal location on Sanderlin Avenue,he was the chef.

He later worked at other eateries suchas Erling Jensens, but coming back toCiao Bella completes a full circle in hisc a re e r.

During the time he was gone fromCiao Bella, Steenerson saw a steadyincrease in the availability of fresh localvegetables, fruits, meats, dairy and otherp ro d u c t s .

Shortly after he returned to therestaurant, he joined Project Green Fork,

one of many steps he has taken to proveCiao Bellas commitment to farm-to-table practices.

All the meat he serves comes fromproviders within a 300-mile radius, likeNewman Farm in southern Missouri,about 135 miles from Memphis, andHeritage Farms in Forrest City, Ark.,about 45 miles from Memphis.

Kyle Kurlick/Special to The Commercial Appeal

Jonathan Steenerson (right), executive chef and general manager of Ciao BellaItalian Grill, regularly purchases fresh produce from Randy Jefferson of

Woodson Ridge Farms of Oxford, MS.


19/33


20/33

20 GOING GREEN | S u n day, December 11, 2011 co mm er c ia l a pp ea l.co m

The Commercial Appeal

This year, the colorgreen is receiving a littlemore attention in theholiday plans of many

Memphians.Memphian Chris Cosby

is pondering the questionof real versus fake when itcomes to Christmas trees.

We ve had an oldartificial tree for years, butwe re looking at liveoptions for next year, s aidCosby, the Memphis

Botanic Gardensgreenhouse manager andc h i l d re n s garden curator.

The family will be out oftown for the holidays, so alive tree isnt an option thisye a r.

The most sustainablething you can do is buy

local, he said. For a tree,look for a local source. Forone, youre stimulatinglocal business.

Rather than contributeto the 10 million real treesthat end up in landfillsevery year, treecycling canhelp reduce the Mid-S ouths holiday carbon

footprint .The city of Memphis

Gre e n Chr istmas

Buying locally, recycling ways to

promote a sustainable holiday season


21/33


provides a curbside pickup forChristmas trees through its Division ofPublic Works.

During the first few weeks of the newyear, trees are collected and recycledinto mulch for several contractedl a n d s c a p e rs .

The city also provides two dropoffcenters: the Collins Yard StreetMaintenance Facility at 304 Collins, andthe Rodney Baber Park location, at 2215James Road.

Sustainability coach Don Richardsondoesnt even have a Christmas tree.

I gave up Christmas trees well over adozen years ago, said Richardson, an

active participant in many local andnational environmental organizations.

I started decorating other things .He uses a high-backed chair,

sometimes a bookcase, or a little table asa substitute tree.

He always picks something that willhold his gifts, and usually brings out thechili pepper lights he bought many yearsago in Mexico.

He incorporates old familymemorabilia and childhood Christmasgifts and toys into his arrangements.

I have this old ray gun that shootscaps, or mementos of my mom and dad,that remind me of Christmas when I was

Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal files

Customers at the Merry Christmas Tree Farm in Nesbit can select from 7,000trees including Leland cypresses, Virginia pines and Carolina Blue Sapphir es ,planted on 8 acres of this 40 acre local tree farm.


22/33

22 GOING GREEN | Su n day , December 11, 2011 co mm er cia l a pp ea l.co m

a little kid, and what we do when wecelebrate Christmas, he said. If we canremember what Christmas was likewhen we were kids and that originalsentiment and focus that on trying tocreate world peace and prosperity, then

we will have really done something.To herbalist Glinda Watts, exploringthe natural world at this time of year isalmost more important than decorating.

During December, I try to connectwith the spirit of winter and the seasonand the spirit of the land, said Watts,60, of Memphis. Ill go to Shelby Forestand try to connect on a micro level.Everything is asleep, but even in the

dead of winter, you can find green thingsand things are growing. I feel thesolitude and peace and quiet. That to meis so important.

She also maintains a tradition ofcreating a wreath out of discards andfound greenery.

I use a lot of trimmings from the tree Ibuy, and berries from some of myn e i g h b o rs bushes and native hollies andother greenery around, she said. Its atradition for me to make my own wreath.

She lives a green life year-round, so itsnatural her holidays would reflect that.

I always shop green. I buy locally. Ialways have, and I always will. I supportthe private business owners here intown, she said.

By making choices about where we

shop and what we buy, we can make aprofound difference in our community.Dollars spent shopping locally helpsupport local business, create jobs forour neighbors and are much more likelyto get reinvested back into ourc o m m u n i t y.

All over Memphis, there arewonderful ideas for gift-giving that

support locally made goods and locallyowned businesses, as well as the peoplewho work in them.

Memphis Area Boys & Girls ClubsTechnical Training Center Culinary ArtsProgram Holiday Goodies sale is makingto order and selling Sweet Potato-Pecan Cheesecake, Pumpkin-GingerCheesecake, Red Velvet Cookies andPumpkin Cookies.

This program gives valuable trainingto local 16- to 21-year-olds, allows the

young people to earn a stipend for theirwork, uses locally grown RichardsonFa r m s sweet potatoes in itscheesecakes, and also offers free deliverywith a $40 order. Orders, taken throughDec. 21, must be placed 48 hours inadvance of pickup or delivery. To order,call (901) 774-3074, (901) 653-9194,ore-mail [email protected] or

Nikki Boertman/The Commercial Appeal files

The Tennessee Goodie Box atDinstuhl's Fine Candies features theirsignature Cashew Crunch Brittle,Pecan Brittle, Peanut Brittle,

Chocolate Pecan Fudge, Pecan Rolland a Maple Pecan Praline; alsoincluded in the larger size box arePecan Divinity and Vanilla Caramelsall made by hand in Memphis.


23/33


cryst [email protected] has been making candies

in Memphis since 1902. The company iscertified kosher, has selections for everybudget and offers free gift wrapping.Dinstuhls Tennessee Goodie Boxes shipwell and are filled with regional

specialties, including the signaturecashew crunch brittle, and come in a boxfeaturing Memphis scenes. Locations:5280 Pleasant View, (901) 377-2639; 7730Poplar, Suite 3 in Germantown, (901) 752-1110; 436 S. Grove Park, (901) 682-3373.

Sach Clothing and Design, 525 S.Main, (901) 922-5549, s achedesign.com,offers its own clothing line, creates

custom work with silk screening forindividuals, corporate clients or otherdesigners, and also designs and createsone-of-a-kind handmade clothing toorder. The store also has jewelry createdby Memphis artists.

South Main is filled with locally

owned businesses, many featuring localartists and designers, like Hoot + Louise.Named for the owners grandmother,Hoot + Louise reflects the style andcharm of Louise Hoot Wi l l i a m s o n .

Hoot + Louise, 109 G.E. Patterson,(901) 746-8683, features adorable made-in-Memphis baby clothing byHomeGrown Baby, Memphiss Thigh

Nikki Boertman/ The Commercial Appeal files

Eric Evans, co-founder and chief designer of Sach at 525 S. Main, worksmaking a pattern for a custom design dress for a client. The store offers itsown clothing line and also creates one-of-a-kind clothing items to order.


24/33


25/33


26/33

26 GOING GREEN | S u n day, December 11, 2011 co mm erci a l a pp ea l.com

house.As she got older, she often spent the

weekends with her grandmother. WhenAvant dressed to go out with friends,she frequently accented her clothing

with something of her grannys, like anecklace, purse or coat.About three years ago, Avant was

working unhappily as a risk analystwhen she decided the corporate worldwas not for her.

It didnt take long for her to decideon switching careers.

I knew immediately I wanted to gointo new and vintage clothing, Ava n t

s aid.She and her husband designed a

business plan, and Hoot + Louiseopened for business in September 2010.

Avant attributes the success of thestore to the fact that she is a full-outshopping junkie herself.

I love shopping, whether its forjewelry, handbags, shoes, everything.

Avant uses this to her advantagewhen building her inventory. Whenevershe travels, she is always on the lookoutfor vintage clothing.

When Avant was growing up, sheoften went with her mother on jaunts toantique stores, where clothing, jewelryand knickknacks always caught her eye.

When she was in college, her

grandmother began giving old items toAvant as gifts. Granny would give methings because she knew I would takecare of them, she said.

Now, I handpick everything to stockthe store, Avant said. She deals withsome online merchants, and finds otherpieces at junk stores or antique malls.

She markets some of her merchandiseat Etsy.com, a shopping site similar toeBay but where merchants lean towardvintage or handmade items.

Nikki Boertman/The Commercial Appeal

Jewelry by local designer Emmey

Walker, who uses beads from estatesale jewelry for her new designs, issold at Hoot + Louise located in theSouth Main Arts District

I love shopping, whether

its for jewelry, handbags,

shoes, everything.

ANNA AVANT, OWNER OF HOOT + LOUISE


27/33


Avant also takes orders through herFacebook page, and has shipped tocustomers as far away as Canada.

Heather Howle, 24, said she is aloyal customer at Hoot + Louise,visiting the store nearly every week.

The unique juxtaposition of newand old items keeps her coming back.

They have new clothes that looklike vintage, Howle said.

That was an integral part of Avantsdesign of the store.

T h at s the idea to mix vintageand new, she said.

For Howle, this translates toexceptional style.You wont see other people wearing

what you have on, she said. Almosteverything they have is one-of-a-kind.

In fact, one line of new clothing,Snoozer Loser New York, featureshand-printed fabrics made with eco-friendly dye, so no two items are

identical.

Many of the new clothing items aremade from organic materials,including a line of undies. Hoot +

Louise also offers handmade salts andsoaks and soaps produced locally.

Avant, always on the lookout fornew ways to sell, said she would liketo market those products together, byattaching a small packet of homemadelaundry detergent to theundergarment .

Browsing the store is like being in

an upscale thrift shop. Vintage dishesand housewares are displayed alongwith quirky items like an old-fashionedtrain case.

A framed photo of Avantsgrandmother rests on the frontcounter of Hoot + Louise, a constantre m i n d e r of the inspiration passedfrom one generation to the next.

The shopstockslocally-madebath scrubsand soaks byClaw FootTu b.

Nikki BoertmanThe CommercialAp p eal


28/33

28 GOING GREEN | S und ay , December 11, 2011 co mm er c ia l app ea l.co m

By Lauren Hannaford

Special to My Life

Habitat for Humanity of Greater

Memphis opened the Habitat forHumanity ReStore earlier this year, adiscount home improvement store thatsells donated building materials,furniture, appliances, books and otherhome goods. Habitat ReStores acrossthe country sell home goods to thepublic at a fraction of retail prices to helpfund the construction of Habitat homes.

ReStore shoppers give new life to olditems, saving valuable household itemsfrom the landfill while reducing theirown carbon footprints, thus promoting

the green living mantra of Re d u c e ,Reuse, Recycle.And, proceeds from the ReStore help

support Habitats mission to eliminatepoverty housing in the Memphis area.

The Habitat for Humanity ReStoreadvances our vision of quality housing,not only by providing financial resourcesfor Habitat but also by offering

ReStore makes holidays greener

ReStore manager Joe Davidson (on bike) runs the Memphis Habitat ReStore.Donating household items to the ReStore helps reduce waste by divertingusable materials from local landfills.


29/33


affordable home improvement itemsat a fraction of retail cost, s aidDwayne Spencer, executive directorof Memphis Habitat. Both donorsand shoppers are contributing toour mission, and at the same time,

we are able to provide an affordableand environmentally friendly homeredecorating and remodelingresource for the community.

Habitat ReStores reduce waste bydiverting thousands of tons ofusable materials from local landfills.

The Habitat for HumanityReStore in Memphis resells avariety of new and gently used

items from appliances andbuilding materials, like tile,carpeting and windows, to furnitureand decorative elements t h atdonors might otherwise just throwaway, keeping good, reusablematerials out of the waste stream.

Furthermore, ReStore goods havealready been manufactured andshipped, saving the energy that isexpended in the production,packaging and shipping of newfurniture and building materials.Memphis Habitat took the greenroute with the ReStore location,opening the store in an existingbuilding instead of building new.

Donations can be dropped off atthe Habitat for Humanity ReStore

location at 7130 Winchester Roadon Thursday through Saturday,from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donors alsocan contact the ReStore to schedulea pickup for large items. Pickups aredone Monday through Friday andare scheduled in advance throughReStore staff.

One thing many people dont

Donations and more

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore isaccepting donations of Christmasdecorations and holiday items.

This could benefit those who decide

their decorations need some updates,and dont know what to do with theunwanted items.

It could also benefit those shoppingfor dcor on a budget or wanting toshop green.

The ReStore has Christmas trees,dcor, ornaments, lights and treestands for sale at discounted prices.The items are a mix of gently used andn ew .

The store, at 7130 Winchester, isopen from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdaythrough Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Sa t u r d ay .

For more information, go tom e m p h i sr es t o r e.co m .

S taff

Habitat ReStores across the country sellhome goods to the public at a fraction ofretail prices and the proceeds helpHabitat for Humanity with theconstruction cost of their homes.


30/33

30 GOING GREEN | S u n d ay , December 11, 2011 co mm er cia l a pp ea l.co m

know about the ReStore is that wellactually come out to homes, churches orbusinesses and pick up large donations

that donors are unable to transportthemselves, said Joe Davidson, Habitatfor Humanity of Greater MemphisReStore manager. This is an addedconvenience that the ReStore offers forbusy donors. And, of course, alldonations are tax-deductible.

The Habitat for Humanity ReStoreprovides customers with anenvironmentally responsible way toreuse, recycle and repurpose second-hand building materials and homegoods. For example, buying recycledfurniture not only defrays the financialcosts of redecorating, but it can alsoreduce the environmental impact ofvolatile organic compounds. VOCs,which are found in the finishes, paints

and stains of most new furniture, arecarbon-based chemicals that evaporateinto the air. The finishes on vintage

furniture, though not originally non-toxic, are no longer off-gassing and aresafe for the environment. An added plus:extending the lifecycle of vintagefurniture adds history, style and eco-savvy to any home.

Memphis Habitat also is continuouslyseeking volunteers to assist in theReStore. Volunteer opportunities areavailable Tuesday through Saturday, 9a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about theHabitat for Humanity ReStore, includinghow to donate or how to volunteer, visitMemphisReStore.com or call (901)737-8673.

Lauren Hannaford is an account executivefor Obsidian public relations firm.

HabitatRe S t o r e

shoppers inMemphis

have theopportunityto give new

life to olditems,s av i n g

valuablehousehold

items fromthe landfill

whilereducing

their owncarbon

fo o t p r i n t s .


31/33


MY GREEN JOB

Teacher now ReStoringJoe Davidson, ReStore Manager

Why did you choose a green career? Iattended Austin Peay State University, andwhile I was at APSU, I witnessed so muchwaste - in terms of old dorm furniture and thatsort of thing - that I wanted to change theprocesses. The idea of "re-use" stores reallyintrigued me, and I began looking for localstores. After school, I learned about Habitatfor Humanity ReStores, which essentiallycreate an avenue for reusing furniture,appliances and building supplies, and I soughtout Habitat for Humanity in Clarksville.

What education/experience did you need

for your job? Truthfully, none! This wasn'twhat I set out to do while I was at APSU, butmy passion ended up leading me here. Itbegan with my attempt to apply greenprinciples to my own life, and I actually beganthe experience by "dumpster diving" tosalvage materials for personal use! Thatpersonal experience grew into a desire to raisecommunity awareness about the importanceof repurposing usable items. People don'talways think about donating or finding a new

use for items they no longer want, and I reallybecame interested in educating people aboutmore responsible ways to dispose ofunwanted materials. Then, things just greworganically from there.

Career highlights: Teaching for severalyears because during that time I learned whatI truly wanted to do. And, most importantly,finding my way to Habitat for Humanity.

What's the hardest thing about findingwork in your field (in the Greater Memphis

area)? As with any field, it's about networkingand meeting the right people. I was fortunateenough to meet Memphis Habitat staffthrough state Habitat for Humanity functions,so I knew who to contact. When I realized thatMemphis, the largest city in the state, didn'tcurrently have a Habitat ReStore, I knew I hadto get involved.

What one green practice would yourecommend to others? I'd encourage people

to think not only about how they dispose ofusable materials but also consider how tomake more responsible purchases. Beforepurchasing an item for your home, think about

the quality. Is it sustainable? How long do Iplan to use it? Will it last? If people look atpurchases, particularly when it comes tofurniture, appliances and other householditems, as investments, I think people will bemore responsible consumers.

What green trends would you like to seein the future? First and foremost, I'd like tosee the general public be more educated onhow waste impacts the environment. I'd alsolike to see environmentally conscious taxlegislation. More and more companies arerecognizing the importance of engaging inmore sustainable business practices anddisposing of their waste responsibly.Personally, I think corporations who don'tmanage their waste well should be subject toadditional taxes. And, vice-versa, those thatdo it well should receive some tax incentives.

Compiled by Emily Adams Keplinger

ReStore manager Joe Davidson (onbike) runs the Memphis HabitatReStore with the help of volunteerslike Amy Goodman (from left), PamWesche, Kate Schurch, JackieBrotchner, Lynn Brotchner, JohnMcNary, Eddie Johnson, Bob McIvorand Greg Webb, director ofconstruction and retail operations.


32/33

32 GOING GREEN | Sun d ay , December 11, 2011 co mm er c ia l a pp ea l.co m

WHEN THE COOLER WEATHER arrives, I begin to think oftwo things. My mouth waters as I imagine all the warm, heartysoups I will make from scratch, and my wheels turn as I

brainstorm activities to keep my children busy during all thoseextra hours spent indoors.I recently noticed a teacher displayed a gift given to her by a

student, and I was instantly brought back many years to time spentat summer camp making Gods eyes. I set out to make them withmy own children and didnt even wait for it to get cold outside.

Gods eye, or Ojo de Dios, is a ritual tool that has its root withthe Huichol Indians of western Mexico. Brightly woven yarn on aframe of two sticks, Gods eyes are a symbol of the power of

L I SA

ENDERLE

Green ThingsI Love

Gods eye is a spiritual tool with its roots tied to the Huichol Indians of westernMexico. We used felted wool yarn, small branches from my butterfly bush, glassbeads and natural river rock for our God's eye project.

G ods eye craft idea


33/33


seeing and understanding unseen things.The Huichol placed Ojos de Dios upon

altars so that their go d s would protectand watch over all who prayed there.When a baby is born, the center eye iswoven by the childs father and it is given

to the child to heal and protect. One eyeis added every year until the child turns 5.

The Ojo de Dios is also a physicalrepresentation of praying for health,fortune and a long life. To someChristians it means, May the eye ofGod be upon you.

The four points represent the elementalprocesses earth, fire, air and water.

Rather than assembling our Godseyes using synthetic, neon-colored yarnwrapped around popsicle sticks as wedid at camp long ago, I decided tohonor the four points and use as manynatural materials as I could find. And,while your Gods eye can be displayedin many ways, this craft is designed as aplanter pick so the finished product canbe nestled in potted, indoor greenery.

Here is what you will need to makeGods eyes as I did:

Tw i gs /s t i c ksGarden clippersCrochet hookSc i s sorsYarn scraps (natural fibers)Found items such as acorns, glass,

feathers, small stonesBeads (clay, glass, metal, wood or other

natural material))1. Get outdoors with the kids and gather ahandful of long, straight sticks. Collectsticks that have already fallen to the ground orsnip them from a tree in your yard. For eachGods eye you will need one stick about 15-18inches long and another about 4-5 inches long.2. Assemble an assortment of yarns (long,thin strips of fabric can also be used with

up scrap pieces. Dont cut the yarn until youdecide to switch colors on your Gods eye.3. Hold two sticks together with yourthumb and forefinger. While holding thesticks, wrap the yarn around the sticksdiagonally about three times, and then threetimes the opposite direction.

4. Once the sticks are secure, wrap theyarn over and around one stick. Con t i nu ethe same over-around pattern on each stick.Continue the pattern until you decide tochange colors at which time you will clip theyarn and tie the old color to the new one (withthe knot at the back as you continue weaving).5. When you near the end of the sticks,cut the yarn with a few inches to spare.Secure the end in a knot (to the back) andtrim the excess yarn.

6. Using a crochet hook, pull an 8 lengthof yarn through the center of the Godsey e. String some beads on the end and knotit. Use tacky glue to attach a feather bypoking the end up inside the bead. Wrap asmall stone or piece of glass with wire, createa loop and dangle it from the yarn. Thepossibilities for adornment are endless.Stick the long twig into your favorite indoorpotted plant and show off your Ojo de Dios inan earthy setting.By adjusting the length and thickness of yoursticks you can create Gods eye pins, wallhangings, mobiles, jewelry and more.My children, ages 5 and 7, found the art ofweaving the yarn simple and relaxing. Theyboth needed help getting it started, tying onnew colors and finishing with embellishments.It might be too tricky for a younger child.We would love to see your finished crafts.Please send pictures of your natural Gods

eyes to goi n g gr e e n @ com m e r c i ala p pea l .co mto inspire the rest of us.

Lisa Enderle is a mom of two, who istrying to make sense of the modern science asit relates to health, lifestyle and theenvironment. Since making the move Seattlein 2005 where green is not a movement butjust a way of life she spends her timelooking for ways that a family in the suburbs

Documents

Going Green Memphis 12-11-2011