BEYOND CARS; IDEAS FOR LIVABLE TOWNS * I LIKE MY COFFEE * Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter * Vol 11 * Oct. 9, 2010

ONE TOWN WHICH REDUCED

THE 'AUTO ADVANTAGE'

Streets, especially downtown streets, can be recaptured for people instead of cars, writes Beverley Tisdell of Leesburg, Florida. Her town is close to Orlando and has about 80,000 residents.

"Our Main Street was passed by by a highway and many newer residents were unaware of its existence. Several years ago, it was renovated to attract pedestrians, revive small businesses and slow through traffic. The black top surface was broken up by cobblestone crosswalks which are very attractive and allow flower beds at the corners."

A host of activities fill up downtown streets, she adds. "There is local music and non-profit groups have a free booth to promote their programs. Almost every month there is some sort of festival with four or five blocks of Main Street blocked off."

A favorite event is the Scarecrow Sculpture contest. "A wood shop was set up at the Farmers Market and anyone could come and get a Scarecrow frame to build a frame for the Scarecrow Contest. They get more elaborate each year. The figures are used to decorate Main Street."

You can see this activity live, advises reader Tisdell. Go to the Leesburg, Florida website and you can find a camera. It's perched on top of the bank building across from city hall. You can watch all the activity.

I love the Scarecrow idea. I also love the idea of events of year-round outdoor events. Of course, winter weather is a more severe limitation for Iowa City than for Leesburg, Florda. But maybe we could figure out some ways to heat up the Ped Mall during the coldest months. Or put a tent over part of it.

LET'S THINK OF BICYCLES 

AS TRANSPORTATION

The key to more bicycle and pedestrian traffic is "an encouragement to use these forms of transportation for commuting," writes Larry Fitzpatrick. "Once people find out easy and fun it is to commute to work without a car, they will be hooked on it." 

College Avenue would make a great bicycle boulevard, he says. It has "heavy bicycle traffic every business day, more bicycle and pedestrian traffic than cars." A Sunday closing a year or so ago showed the potential for a bike boulevard. "People who lived on the street loved it. We had bicycles, skateboards, kids playing." Reader Fitzpatrick suggested a link to show how bike boulevards work: www.bicyclinginfo.org/faqs/answer.cfm?id=3976.

As for Burlington, Fitzpatrick says the problems is just too many cars. He suggests raising parking rates and maybe even a toll for those who want to drive into downtown. 

SO WHAT DO

YOU THINK

This is a continuing conversation. Do you agree with the ideas suggested here reducing the "auto advantage?" Do you have other ideas. Love to hear from you. You can hit reply and start writing. Or send your comments to: tomgilsenan@gmail.com. 

PLENTY GOING

ON THIS WEEK

A musical duo from Massachusetts on Wednesday; Art & Music Night on Thursday. Plus Open Mic and Friday and a concert on Saturday. Those are some of the activities this week at Uptown Bills'. Find out more by visiting the Facebook page for Uptown Bill's. Or stop by and visit us at the new location, 730 S. Dubuque. 

TEN TOP WAYS I
LIKE MY COFFEE
10. Hot
9. Hair-free
8. Non-crunchy
7. One barrel at a time
6. Doughnut-enabled
5. So caffeinated it jumps out of the cup and slaps me
4. Sucked straight out of the filter
3. Intravenously
2. Strong enough to sit up and bark Rowf!
1. With a 12-course breakfast.

From www.surfersam.com

LOOKING BACK IN THE
BILL'S NEWSLETTER
One year ago (2009): Inspiration from Haight-Ashbury
Two years ago (2008): Bill was just one of many
Three years ago (2007): New Bill documentary is almost done

____________________________________________________

Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter is a virtual extension of the the spirit and legacy of Bill Sackter, for whom Wild Bill's Coffeeshop and Uptown Bill's are named. Published since 2000, the Newsletter is written by Tom Gilsenan, a former manager of Wild Bill's and now director of Uptown Bill's. You can find a file of selected back issues at: http://coffeeandcommunity.blogspot.com.

Wild Bill's Coffeeshop has been a part of campus life at the University of Iowa in Iowa City for 35 years. Located in North Hall, it is a service learning project of the School of Social Work. The coffeeshop is open weekdays from 8 am. For more information, call (319) 335-1281 or visit the website for the School of Social work: www.uiowa.edu/~socialwk/bills. Look for Friends of Bill's Coffeeshop on Facebook.

Uptown Bill's is the crosstown cousin to the original coffeeshop. Now located at 730 S. Dubuque, Uptown Bill's includes a bookstore, performance venue and other enterprises in addition to a coffeeshop. It is open daily from 8 am. For more information, call (319) 339-0401 or visit the website: www.uptownbills.org. Look for Uptown Bill's on Facebook.