AN AFTERNOON AT BILL'S * ABOUT A SIGN

BACK BEHIND
THE COUNTER

GEE that was fun. For a few hours this past week, I was again behind
the counter at the original Wild Bill's Coffeeshop. I've visited
before, but this was my first "shift" working in the coffeeshop in two
years.

As most readers know, I am now teaching at Presentation College in
Aberdeen, South Dakota. I left in August of 2005.

But I continue to write the Coffeeshop Newsletter, combining my own
experiences with contributions from the current manager and others.
Over the last two years, the Newsletter has evolved into a "virtual"
coffeeshop for former (as well as current) customers, UI social work
alumni, and friends of Bill Sackter.

When this Newsletter began, the readers were primarily customers of
the coffeeshop. Now, a majority of readers live too far away to visit
the coffeeshop on a regular basis.

I arrived at the coffeeshop this last week to find a big "Welcome Tom"
sign on the cooler. It was a great start to a wonderful afternoon
visiting with friends in the coffeeshop.

Also this past week, I was able to spend an afternoon at Uptown Bill's
-- the crosstown cousin of original Bill's. That's worth a visit, too,
especially to see the old Pearson's soda fountain counter which has
recently been installed in the coffeeshop at Uptown Bill's. Also, the
space devoted to used book has been doubled.

   -- Tom Gilsenan

HOW ABOUT
A SIGN?

Bill's Coffeeshop is well-known all over Iowa. But it isn't easy to
find the actual coffeeshop on the University of Iowa campus.

"You really need a bigger sign," someone said to me last week. That's
been the observation of a number of customers through the years.

It's also been the suggestion of at least one student volunteer every
year. I remember one student who developed an entire marketing plan
for signs. It included a neon sign in the window, a banner in the hall
and an A frame sign at the entrance to North Hall.

Great ideas, but not allowed under university regulations. Instead of
signs, we rely on our customers to tell others about that "little gem"
in North Hall. So next time you're heading to Bill's, look for someone
to take along who's never been to the coffeeshop.

HERE ARE THE
SUMMER HOURS

Bill's Coffeeshop is open Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 2 pm this
summer. As always, additional hours at whim.

SILVERWARE
ANYONE?

Time for the annual appeal to bring spoons and forks back to the
coffeeshop. Thank you.

WE THOUGHT YOU'D BE
INTERESTED IN...

...Medea by Euripides is the next free summer play from Genesius
Guild. The theater company has been offering free summer shows for
more than 50 years. Saturday and Sunday, July 14 and 15 at 8 pm.
Lincoln Park, Rock Island. (Just up the hill from Augustana College).
For more information, check this website: www.genesius.org.

...Folksingers Curtis and Loretta are traveling through the Midwest
again this summer. Many coffeeshop customers know them from their
appearance two years ago at Uptown Bill's. You can see them on Friday,
July 13, noon to 1 pm at the Old Courthouse Museum, 200 W. 6th St. in
Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For more information on this and their
other summer concerts, visit this website: www.curtisandloretta.com

...Irish music group Beggarmen plans to release a new CD later this
summer. Members of the group hosted "Irish sessions" on Sundays for
several years at Uptown Bill's. Watch for details.

2007 WRITING SEMINAR
FOR SOCIAL WORKERS
July 27-30 are the dates for this year's Creative Writing Seminar for
Social Workers. The seminar explores the use of poetry, fiction and
creative non-fiction as professional tools. Held in Iowa City, the
seminar is sponsored by the UI School of Social Work. Ellen Szabo will
be back again this year as the instructor for the seminar. For more
information, contact Kate Kemp at kate-kemp@uiowa.edu or (319) 335-1254.
_______________________

Wild Bill's Coffeeshop is a project of the School of Social Work at the
University of Iowa. It has been a part of campus life in Iowa City for more
than 30 years. You'll find the coffeeshop in North Hall. Tony Grego, a
graduate student in social work, is the coffeeshop manager. For more
information, call (319) 335-1281.

Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter is a weekly publication distributed via
e-mail. It is written by Tom Gilsenan, former manager of Bill's
Coffeeshop. Opinions expressed in the Newsletter are those of the
writers and should not be construed as representing the School of
Social Work or the University of Iowa. For a file of back issues,
visit the coffeeshop website at: www.uiowa.edu/~socialwk/bills.