SAVE THIS MUSIC CALENDAR * CESAR CHAVEZ DAY * LOOKING BACK * Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter * Vol. 12 * March 12, 2011
REMEMBERING
CESAR CHAVEZ
CESAR CHAVEZ died eighteen years ago. But his spirit and vision live on in the
United Farm Workers union he founded and in the Cesar Chavez holiday
celebrated on Thursday, March 31 (www.cesarchavezholiday.org).
I was thinking about Chavez last week while watching the movie Food Inc.
United Farm Workers union he founded and in the Cesar Chavez holiday
celebrated on Thursday, March 31 (www.cesarchavezholiday.org).
I was thinking about Chavez last week while watching the movie Food Inc.
The message from the filmmakers is a simple one: The way food is being grown
and manufactured in the US is not healthy. But we can change that.
Chavez would have loved the film. He lived its message for most of his
life, and he encouraged the rest of us to do the same.
Chavez was the visionary leader behind the United Farm Workers (UFW) union.
He's also a good candidate for a social work hero.
I first heard about Cesar Chavez in 1968, when members of the UFW
and manufactured in the US is not healthy. But we can change that.
Chavez would have loved the film. He lived its message for most of his
life, and he encouraged the rest of us to do the same.
Chavez was the visionary leader behind the United Farm Workers (UFW) union.
He's also a good candidate for a social work hero.
I first heard about Cesar Chavez in 1968, when members of the UFW
came to Minneapolis seeking support for a boycott of head lettuce. Later,
there was a boycott of table grapes.
The UFW didn't send just the farmworkers – two entire families came to
spread the labor union's message. My first assignment was to find winter
clothing for the families. I went on to picketing, asking churches and
schools not to serve grapes, and urging grocers to carry only lettuce with
the UFW Black Eagle on the box.
Despite all this, I still was not prepared for the man I found when I first
met Cesar Chavez. I met him several times while I was editor of the
East San Jose Sun, a weekly newspaper serving the city where Chavez had
ADDING A TENTH TO A LIST OF
'TEN IDEAS FOR SOCIAL WORK'
From time to time, the Coffeeshop Newsletter has offered a list of 'Ten ideas for social work '
There are nine ideas on the list; readers are invited to suggest a tenth. It's been awhile, so we'd
like to try this again.
Here is the original list of nine:
1. Be tolerant
2. Widen your circle
3. Have high expectations
4. Stay young
5. Find people you can trust
6. Take time to be alone
7. Read a daily paper
8. Support a public library
9. Have hope
Here's a sampling of the reader suggestions for this list. Take a look at
these;
***Be non-judgemental ***Open yourself up to new ideas ***Understand and
celebrate differences ***Write a letter instead of an e-mail
***Be a good listener ***Be passionated about your work ***Invest in the
future (youth, community, share, recycling) ***Have a sense of humor
***Let things affect you, move you ***Listen ***Play with children
***Be open to challenges ***Love the people you work for ***Trust yourself
***Talk to people ***Always stand up for what you believe in ***Never stop
learning ***Dissolve your judgments ***Let out your creativity
***Connect yourself and the environment
Now, it's time to add your own. We'll print your suggestions in a coming issue of
there was a boycott of table grapes.
The UFW didn't send just the farmworkers – two entire families came to
spread the labor union's message. My first assignment was to find winter
clothing for the families. I went on to picketing, asking churches and
schools not to serve grapes, and urging grocers to carry only lettuce with
the UFW Black Eagle on the box.
Despite all this, I still was not prepared for the man I found when I first
met Cesar Chavez. I met him several times while I was editor of the
East San Jose Sun, a weekly newspaper serving the city where Chavez had
grown up and gotten his start as an activist.
For an activist, he was quite reserved, almost shy. And for a union leader,
For an activist, he was quite reserved, almost shy. And for a union leader,
he seemed uncomfortable in the spotlight. Yet he was very inspiring. I remember
thinking one time when I was listening to him: If there are saints in our
time, Chavez surely must be one.
Over the years, he and others told me about his life and his organizer.
Chavez moved to San Jose, California in 1952 to organize a local chapter of
the Community Service Organization (CSO). The group was born in Los Angeles,
growing out of a city council campaign there. Fred Ross, an organizer from
Saul Alinsky's organization in Chicago, played a key role in getting the
group started. (Saul Alinsky got his start with the Back of the Yards, a
thinking one time when I was listening to him: If there are saints in our
time, Chavez surely must be one.
Over the years, he and others told me about his life and his organizer.
Chavez moved to San Jose, California in 1952 to organize a local chapter of
the Community Service Organization (CSO). The group was born in Los Angeles,
growing out of a city council campaign there. Fred Ross, an organizer from
Saul Alinsky's organization in Chicago, played a key role in getting the
group started. (Saul Alinsky got his start with the Back of the Yards, a
community organization near Hull House.)
From Los Angeles, Ross went to work organizing other CSO chapters around the
state. He hired Cesar Chavez to help. Chavez moved to San Jose and organized
a CSO chapter there. At one time, the San Jose chapter was the biggest of a
string of CSOs around California. The chapter offered immigration
assistance, citizenship class and related projects.
Chavez left San Jose in 1962, intent on starting a labor union for
farmworkers. He had been concerned about the plight of farmworkers, many
from Mexico or of Mexican descent, for a number of years. But he had been
unable to persuade CSO to become an advocate on behalf of "campesinos."
So he quit his CSO job and headed to the Salinas Valley to start
organizing. He organized nationwide boycotts of grapes, Gallo wine and head
lettuce to draw attention to the poor wages and working conditions of
farmworkers – and to pressure growers to sign contracts with the union. The
boycotts were successful and the UFW signed contracts covering thousands of
workers.
By the mid-1970s, it appeared that the struggle for better wages and working
conditions for farmworkers had been won. But a series of setbacks during the
1980s slowed the UFW momentum and even erased some of its earlier gains. By
1990, it was clear that some new strategy was needed. So Chavez and other
union leaders decided to return to San Jose where he had begun 30 years
before.
The last time I saw Chavez was in 1992, only a few months before he died. The
scene was a familiar one – in front of a grocery store in San Jose. It was a
sort of homecoming for Chavez; his appearance brought out many activist
friends. In his talk, he linked the dreams of rural farmworkers to the sense
of justice in urban consumers. He urged us to act on our shared hopes for a
better community. Once again I had that feeling: I am in the presence of an
extraordinary person.
Chavez died in 1993. But his legacy continues, both in the UFW and in the
day set aside each March to remember his life and work.
(You can find out more by visiting these websites: www.ufw.org and
www.cesarchavezfoundation.org.)
From Los Angeles, Ross went to work organizing other CSO chapters around the
state. He hired Cesar Chavez to help. Chavez moved to San Jose and organized
a CSO chapter there. At one time, the San Jose chapter was the biggest of a
string of CSOs around California. The chapter offered immigration
assistance, citizenship class and related projects.
Chavez left San Jose in 1962, intent on starting a labor union for
farmworkers. He had been concerned about the plight of farmworkers, many
from Mexico or of Mexican descent, for a number of years. But he had been
unable to persuade CSO to become an advocate on behalf of "campesinos."
So he quit his CSO job and headed to the Salinas Valley to start
organizing. He organized nationwide boycotts of grapes, Gallo wine and head
lettuce to draw attention to the poor wages and working conditions of
farmworkers – and to pressure growers to sign contracts with the union. The
boycotts were successful and the UFW signed contracts covering thousands of
workers.
By the mid-1970s, it appeared that the struggle for better wages and working
conditions for farmworkers had been won. But a series of setbacks during the
1980s slowed the UFW momentum and even erased some of its earlier gains. By
1990, it was clear that some new strategy was needed. So Chavez and other
union leaders decided to return to San Jose where he had begun 30 years
before.
The last time I saw Chavez was in 1992, only a few months before he died. The
scene was a familiar one – in front of a grocery store in San Jose. It was a
sort of homecoming for Chavez; his appearance brought out many activist
friends. In his talk, he linked the dreams of rural farmworkers to the sense
of justice in urban consumers. He urged us to act on our shared hopes for a
better community. Once again I had that feeling: I am in the presence of an
extraordinary person.
Chavez died in 1993. But his legacy continues, both in the UFW and in the
day set aside each March to remember his life and work.
(You can find out more by visiting these websites: www.ufw.org and
www.cesarchavezfoundation.org.)
His legacy lies in each of us, too. We can follow his example, using justice,
fairness and concern for the environment as measures for where we shop
for our food and what we buy. For more ideas on how to do this,
visit: www.takepart.com.
ADDING A TENTH TO A LIST OF
'TEN IDEAS FOR SOCIAL WORK'
From time to time, the Coffeeshop Newsletter has offered a list of 'Ten ideas for social work '
There are nine ideas on the list; readers are invited to suggest a tenth. It's been awhile, so we'd
like to try this again.
Here is the original list of nine:
1. Be tolerant
2. Widen your circle
3. Have high expectations
4. Stay young
5. Find people you can trust
6. Take time to be alone
7. Read a daily paper
8. Support a public library
9. Have hope
Here's a sampling of the reader suggestions for this list. Take a look at
these;
***Be non-judgemental ***Open yourself up to new ideas ***Understand and
celebrate differences ***Write a letter instead of an e-mail
***Be a good listener ***Be passionated about your work ***Invest in the
future (youth, community, share, recycling) ***Have a sense of humor
***Let things affect you, move you ***Listen ***Play with children
***Be open to challenges ***Love the people you work for ***Trust yourself
***Talk to people ***Always stand up for what you believe in ***Never stop
learning ***Dissolve your judgments ***Let out your creativity
***Connect yourself and the environment
Now, it's time to add your own. We'll print your suggestions in a coming issue of
the Newsletter.
FOR YOUR COFFEEBREAK:
QUOTES ABOUT COFFEE
***Coffee makes us severe, and grave, and philosophical -- Jonathan Swift,
author of Gulliver's Travels
***Behind every successful woman...is a substantial amount of coffee --
Stephanie Piro, cartoonist and author of "Caffeinated Cartoons: Cartoons
about coffee and tea."
***A morning without coffee is like...sleep -- Author unknown.
***Go ahead...make my coffee -- Author unknown
Have a favorite quote about coffee? Or a caffeinated joke? Send it to us.
Just click reply and start writing.
LOOKING BACK IN THE
BILL'S NEWSLETTER
Eight year ago (2003): Bill Sackter, Jane Addams, Ida B. Wells and other
figures from social work history will come to life in "Good Evening from
Bill's Coffeeshop," a radio drama opening soon.
Nine years ago (2002): Thursday evening potlucks have become a regular
feature at the coffeeshop.
Ten years ago (2001): Stop by Wild Bill's Coffeeshop and make a poster to honor
the important women in your life. It's a project for Women's History Month
FOR YOUR COFFEEBREAK:
QUOTES ABOUT COFFEE
***Coffee makes us severe, and grave, and philosophical -- Jonathan Swift,
author of Gulliver's Travels
***Behind every successful woman...is a substantial amount of coffee --
Stephanie Piro, cartoonist and author of "Caffeinated Cartoons: Cartoons
about coffee and tea."
***A morning without coffee is like...sleep -- Author unknown.
***Go ahead...make my coffee -- Author unknown
Have a favorite quote about coffee? Or a caffeinated joke? Send it to us.
Just click reply and start writing.
LOOKING BACK IN THE
BILL'S NEWSLETTER
Eight year ago (2003): Bill Sackter, Jane Addams, Ida B. Wells and other
figures from social work history will come to life in "Good Evening from
Bill's Coffeeshop," a radio drama opening soon.
Nine years ago (2002): Thursday evening potlucks have become a regular
feature at the coffeeshop.
Ten years ago (2001): Stop by Wild Bill's Coffeeshop and make a poster to honor
the important women in your life. It's a project for Women's History Month
CLIP & SAVE THIS
MUSIC CALENDAR
Plenty of great music coming to the coffee house in the next few weeks. Few places in town offer the variety you'll find at Uptown Bill's. Take a look at the list and put a few of these concerts on your calendar:
Thursday, March 17, 6-8 pm: Art & Music Night.
Friday, March 18, 7-9 pm: Open Mic.
Saturday, March 19, 7-9 pm: Tim Roberson (Beat Prairie) & Phil Gabe.
Sunday, March 20, 7-9 pm: Chris Bell, Singer/songwriter from New York. Bevineau & the Heartmakers open.
Wednesday, March 23, 7-9 pm: Stoop Singers, www.myspace.com/stoopsingers
Thursday, March 24, 6-8 pm: Art & Music Night
Friday, March 25, 7 pm Open Mic. 9 pm: Josh Harty, country blues, www.joshharty.com
Saturday, March 26, 7-9 pm: Truckstop Souvenir
Tuesday, March 29, 6-7 pm: Live broadcast of Tom's Guitar Show
Thursday, March 31, 6-8 pm: Art & Music Night
Friday, April 1, 7-9 pm: Open Mic
Saturday, April 2: Dunlavin Green
Tuesday, April 5, 6:30 pm: Amy Schmidt and Orion Walsh. Almost Circle opens.
Thursday, April 7: Benefit concert for Uptown Bill's. Hosted by I-Envision, UI business student group.
Friday, April 8, 7 pm: Open Mic. 9 pm: Andina and Rich, www.andinaandrich.com
Saturday, April 9, 7-9 pm: Pigs and Clover
Sunday, April 10, 2-7 pm: Bill Sackter Birthday Party. Music, food, "Bill" movie, and more. Hosted by UI students from MSW class.
MORE THOUGHTS ON REVIVING
STREET CARS IN IOWA CITY
Great idea. When I was a kid (late 1940s) in Iowa City there were still [street car] tracks on Park Road between what is now Hancher and City Park from a line that had crossed the bridge to Dubuque St. They were soon paved over. My mom used to ride the CRANDIC to Cedar Rapids to shop sometimes. And, of course, we regularly rode the Rock Island to Chicago, Des Moines, or Denver. there were 4-5 trains per day. I took the train to college in Ohio in the early 60s.
If this Governor doesn't give back the Federal grant money by refusing to put up some state money we may see passenger trains in Iowa City again soon.
A light rail like you propose could also stop at the CR airport!
~ Craig Mosher
Thank you for this neat article. I enjoy reading about Iowa City history. As I'm sure you know, the Irving Weber books have a lot of info on the old streetcar system. I live near Rundell Street which is double-wide because it used to be a streetcar route – I enjoy walking over there and thinking about what it was like "back in the day." Thanks again for the great newsletter.
~ Andy Hosmanek
NEW MISSION STATEMENT
FOR EDF/UPTOWN BILL'S
Uptown Bill's is a project of the Extend the Dream Foundation. Here's the mission statement which the board of the foundation approved at its last meeting:
In the spirit of Bill Sackter, we strive to nurture and encourage individuals with disabilities by providing:
1) a gathering place where people of all abilities are welcome
2), employment and micro-enterprise opportunities for individuals with disabilities
3) a community forum on abilities awareness
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter is a virtual extension of Wild Bill's Coffeeshop and Uptown Bill's Coffee House. 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 write to him at tomgilsenan@gmail.com
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 35 years. Located in North Hall, the coffeeshop is open weekdays from 8 am. For more information, check the Friends of Bill's Coffeeshop page on Facebook. You can also call the coffeeshop at (319) 335-1281. Donations to support the work of the coffeeshop may be sent to: Bill's Coffeeshop Fund, University of Iowa Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244. Contributions are tax deductible.
Uptown Bill's is the crosstown cousin of Wild Bill's. Now in it 10th year, it includes a bookstore, performance venue and other businesses in addition to a coffeeshop. Located at 730 S. Dubuque, Uptown Bill's is open every day from 8 am. For more information, check the Uptown Bill's page on Facebook. You can also call Uptown Bill's at (319) 339-0401. Donations to support the work of Uptown Bill's may be sent to: Extend the Dream Foundation, Uptown Bill's, 730 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240. Contributions are tax deductible.
posted by Tom Gilsenan @ 1:52 PM
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