VINTAGE SHOPPE, LIVE TV, OPEN MIC, IRISH SESSIONS & MUCH, MUCH MORE. Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter * Vol. 12 * May 27, 2012
HOT ENOUGH
FOR YA?
The calendar doesn't say so yet, but Summer has already arrived here
at the coffee house. A long stretch of hot, dry days began in mid-May
and continues through the Memorial Day weekend. Each day now, we carry
water in buckets out to our thirsty flowers and trees. (Oh yes, and
vegetables, too. We have planted tomatoes and peppers along one the
retaining wall on the south side of the property.) We keep hoping for
a good, soaking rain, but as of today there is still none in the
forecast.
Along the creek behind us, the search is on for fireflies. Our friends
in Des Moines and other places say they have seen them, but so far we
haven't seen any in the trees and bushes along the creek.
Though summer is just beginning, we are already talking about the
Ralston Creek Fair & Flea Market -- our annual end of summer
extravaganza. Circle the date on your calendar now and plan to join us
on -for that event on Monday, Sept. 3 (Labor Day).
MEET GRETCHEN AT
VINTAGE SHOPPE
Gretchen Gentsch's day is full. As manager of the Vintage Shoppe, at
2209 F. Street, she arrives about 9:30 in the morning, Tuesday through
Saturday in time to open the doors for business at 10:00—and will ring
up the last sale of the day around 5:00pm. (The Shoppe is also open
Sunday--thanks to volunteers–allowing Gretchen to have the day off.)
During a typical day Gretchen will greet and assist customers, accept
donated items, arrange merchandise, and also keep tabs on internet
sales. In her spare time, she will carefully wrap a chess board that
sold on Ebay and mail it to the new owner in Portland, or box up a set
of Nancy Drew books and send them to the 11- year old girl in Omaha
who eagerly awaits their arrival. In her downtime, Gretchen will look
out the window across the street to Mick's Workshop, wondering when
the oak table that Mick has recently refinished will be brought over
for sale.
The Shoppe sells antiques and furniture (mostly cabinets and tables)
and collectibles, including vintage ladies' hats and purses, lovely
plates, salt-n-pepper shakers, depression glass, serving platters,
table linens, vases, picture frames, books, candle stick holders,
paper weights, and assorted knick-knacks not found in any one place in
any other place on the planet! In addition to the steady stream of
customers who wander in, there is a core set of regulars who stop by a
couple times a month to see what new treasures have arrived. One of
Gretchen's her top goals for the year is to increase the foot traffic
at the Shoppe. She and Tom Gilsenan are developing a marketing plan.
The Vintage Shoppe is one of the enterprises under the administration
of the Extend the Dream Foundation (EDF). (Uptown Bill's and Bill's
Bookmart are also part of EDF.) It has been in its current location
(about a block west of the First Avenue Hy-Vee, on F. Street) for over
five years. The Vintage Shoppe grew out of another EDF enterprise,
"Leslie's Luxuries," which was housed in the original "small mall" on
Gilbert Street. EDF founder, Tom Walz, secured funding from the
city to assist with buying the F. Street building, which allowed for
the development of the Vintage Shoppe.
Gretchen, originally from Bath, Ohio, has lived in Iowa City since
1984 and has been affiliated with the Extend the Dream Foundation for
the past ten years. In addition to managing the Vintage Shoppe,
Gretchen is an internet instructor at the local senior center. She
teaches people how to buy and sell their own items on the internet.
She, Steve Hall (former EDF board member), and Tom Walz have written a
guide book for people who want to learn how to buy and sell on the
internet (available through amazon.com—or the EDF website).
To learn more, take a virtual tour of the Vintage Shoppe on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSHcGc6H-xU
WE THOUGHT YOU'D BE
INTERESTED IN THESE..
...A new discussion group on "finding a positive body image" starts
Tuesday, June 5 at the Women's Resource and Action Center on the UI
campus. The group will meet at 6 pm. For more information, call (319)
335-1468.
...A creative writing seminar for social workers and other helping
professionals will be held July 13-16 on the University of Iowa
campus. Hosted by the School of Social Work, the course will be led by
Ellen Szabo and Mercedes Bern-Klug. For more information, visit this
page on the School of Social Work website:
http://www.uiowa.edu/~socialwk/creativewriting/index.shtml
...Uptown Bill's and PATV are planning an outdoor summer film series
at the corner of Dubuque and Lafayette streets. The first film is
scheduled for Thursday, June 28 at 9 pm. Look for more details soon.
...Are you following the Bill's Coffeeshop Walk Across Iowa? Check
each day for updates on the Facebook page.for the walk:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bills-Coffeeshop-Walk-Across-Iowa-II-Summer-2012/225923357421610.
...The original Wild Bill's Coffeeshop is closed this summer because
of construction around North Hall. It will reopen in the fall.
...Check out our updated website: www.uptownbills.org
...Like to perform at Uptown Bill's on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 3)?
We're now recruiting musicians to play at the annual Ralston Creek
Fair and Flea Market. if you're interested in a one hour gig on that
day, call Tom Gilsenan at 339-0804.
THANK YOU FROM
YOUNG VISITORS
We received thank you notes recently from young people who stopped by
for a tour of the coffee house. Here are excerpts from what they said:
+ Thank you for the tour of Uptown Bill's. I really liked the nice people there.
+ I really liked the comfy chairs.
+ Liked the bookstore at Uptown Bill's.
+ I really liked the comfortable atmosphere
+ I learned that there are two movies made about Bill.
+ I learned that a Christmas tree is not just for Christmas
COMING UP AT THE
COFFEE HOUSE...
Tuesday, May 29
6 pm. Live TV broadcast of Tom's Guitar show (last Tuesday of each
month in collaboration with PATV).
Wednesday, May 30
1:30 pm. Wednesday Afternoon Film Series: 'Life. Support. Music.'
Presented in collaboration with PBS/POV.
7 pm. Spoken Word. Ten minute slices of poetry and other writings.
Sign up beforehand at the coffee house.
Thursday, May 31
6 pm. Artvaark. (Art activities with Dan Wu.)
7 pm. Open Mic. 10 minute slices of music and other performances. Sign
up beforehand at the coffee house.
8 pm. Music with Jacob Green.
Friday, June 1
1-4 pm. Chess, Scrabble and other games. For all ages and abilities
Saturday, June 2
4:30 pm. Irish Sessions
7 pm. Saturday Night Music with No Coast. $5 cover.
Wednesday, June 6
7 pm. Spoken Word. Ten minute slices of poetry and other writings.
Sign up at the coffee house.
Thursday, June 7
6 pm Artvaark (Art activities)
7 pm Open Mic. Ten minute slices of music and other performances. Sign
up at the coffee house.
Friday, June 8
1-4 pm. Chess, Scrabble and other games.
Saturday, June 9
7 pm. Saturday Night Music: Beat Prairie $5 cover
Tuesday, June 12
5 pm. Music with Michelle Lynn
Wednesday, June 13
7 pm. Spoken Word. Ten minute slices of poetry and other writings.
Sign up at the coffee house.
Thursday, June 14
6 pm. Artvaark (Art activities).
7 pm. Open Mic. Ten minute musical performances. Sign up at coffee house.
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 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 its 11th
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 Monday through Saturday from 10 am. For more information,
check the Uptown Bill's website or Facebook page. You can call Uptown
Bill's at (319) 339-0804. 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. You can also donate online. Visit
our website for details: www.uptownbills.org. Contributions are tax
deductible.
FOR YA?
The calendar doesn't say so yet, but Summer has already arrived here
at the coffee house. A long stretch of hot, dry days began in mid-May
and continues through the Memorial Day weekend. Each day now, we carry
water in buckets out to our thirsty flowers and trees. (Oh yes, and
vegetables, too. We have planted tomatoes and peppers along one the
retaining wall on the south side of the property.) We keep hoping for
a good, soaking rain, but as of today there is still none in the
forecast.
Along the creek behind us, the search is on for fireflies. Our friends
in Des Moines and other places say they have seen them, but so far we
haven't seen any in the trees and bushes along the creek.
Though summer is just beginning, we are already talking about the
Ralston Creek Fair & Flea Market -- our annual end of summer
extravaganza. Circle the date on your calendar now and plan to join us
on -for that event on Monday, Sept. 3 (Labor Day).
MEET GRETCHEN AT
VINTAGE SHOPPE
Gretchen Gentsch's day is full. As manager of the Vintage Shoppe, at
2209 F. Street, she arrives about 9:30 in the morning, Tuesday through
Saturday in time to open the doors for business at 10:00—and will ring
up the last sale of the day around 5:00pm. (The Shoppe is also open
Sunday--thanks to volunteers–allowing Gretchen to have the day off.)
During a typical day Gretchen will greet and assist customers, accept
donated items, arrange merchandise, and also keep tabs on internet
sales. In her spare time, she will carefully wrap a chess board that
sold on Ebay and mail it to the new owner in Portland, or box up a set
of Nancy Drew books and send them to the 11- year old girl in Omaha
who eagerly awaits their arrival. In her downtime, Gretchen will look
out the window across the street to Mick's Workshop, wondering when
the oak table that Mick has recently refinished will be brought over
for sale.
The Shoppe sells antiques and furniture (mostly cabinets and tables)
and collectibles, including vintage ladies' hats and purses, lovely
plates, salt-n-pepper shakers, depression glass, serving platters,
table linens, vases, picture frames, books, candle stick holders,
paper weights, and assorted knick-knacks not found in any one place in
any other place on the planet! In addition to the steady stream of
customers who wander in, there is a core set of regulars who stop by a
couple times a month to see what new treasures have arrived. One of
Gretchen's her top goals for the year is to increase the foot traffic
at the Shoppe. She and Tom Gilsenan are developing a marketing plan.
The Vintage Shoppe is one of the enterprises under the administration
of the Extend the Dream Foundation (EDF). (Uptown Bill's and Bill's
Bookmart are also part of EDF.) It has been in its current location
(about a block west of the First Avenue Hy-Vee, on F. Street) for over
five years. The Vintage Shoppe grew out of another EDF enterprise,
"Leslie's Luxuries," which was housed in the original "small mall" on
Gilbert Street. EDF founder, Tom Walz, secured funding from the
city to assist with buying the F. Street building, which allowed for
the development of the Vintage Shoppe.
Gretchen, originally from Bath, Ohio, has lived in Iowa City since
1984 and has been affiliated with the Extend the Dream Foundation for
the past ten years. In addition to managing the Vintage Shoppe,
Gretchen is an internet instructor at the local senior center. She
teaches people how to buy and sell their own items on the internet.
She, Steve Hall (former EDF board member), and Tom Walz have written a
guide book for people who want to learn how to buy and sell on the
internet (available through amazon.com—or the EDF website).
To learn more, take a virtual tour of the Vintage Shoppe on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSHcGc6H-xU
WE THOUGHT YOU'D BE
INTERESTED IN THESE..
...A new discussion group on "finding a positive body image" starts
Tuesday, June 5 at the Women's Resource and Action Center on the UI
campus. The group will meet at 6 pm. For more information, call (319)
335-1468.
...A creative writing seminar for social workers and other helping
professionals will be held July 13-16 on the University of Iowa
campus. Hosted by the School of Social Work, the course will be led by
Ellen Szabo and Mercedes Bern-Klug. For more information, visit this
page on the School of Social Work website:
http://www.uiowa.edu/~socialwk/creativewriting/index.shtml
...Uptown Bill's and PATV are planning an outdoor summer film series
at the corner of Dubuque and Lafayette streets. The first film is
scheduled for Thursday, June 28 at 9 pm. Look for more details soon.
...Are you following the Bill's Coffeeshop Walk Across Iowa? Check
each day for updates on the Facebook page.for the walk:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bills-Coffeeshop-Walk-Across-Iowa-II-Summer-2012/225923357421610.
...The original Wild Bill's Coffeeshop is closed this summer because
of construction around North Hall. It will reopen in the fall.
...Check out our updated website: www.uptownbills.org
...Like to perform at Uptown Bill's on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 3)?
We're now recruiting musicians to play at the annual Ralston Creek
Fair and Flea Market. if you're interested in a one hour gig on that
day, call Tom Gilsenan at 339-0804.
THANK YOU FROM
YOUNG VISITORS
We received thank you notes recently from young people who stopped by
for a tour of the coffee house. Here are excerpts from what they said:
+ Thank you for the tour of Uptown Bill's. I really liked the nice people there.
+ I really liked the comfy chairs.
+ Liked the bookstore at Uptown Bill's.
+ I really liked the comfortable atmosphere
+ I learned that there are two movies made about Bill.
+ I learned that a Christmas tree is not just for Christmas
COMING UP AT THE
COFFEE HOUSE...
Tuesday, May 29
6 pm. Live TV broadcast of Tom's Guitar show (last Tuesday of each
month in collaboration with PATV).
Wednesday, May 30
1:30 pm. Wednesday Afternoon Film Series: 'Life. Support. Music.'
Presented in collaboration with PBS/POV.
7 pm. Spoken Word. Ten minute slices of poetry and other writings.
Sign up beforehand at the coffee house.
Thursday, May 31
6 pm. Artvaark. (Art activities with Dan Wu.)
7 pm. Open Mic. 10 minute slices of music and other performances. Sign
up beforehand at the coffee house.
8 pm. Music with Jacob Green.
Friday, June 1
1-4 pm. Chess, Scrabble and other games. For all ages and abilities
Saturday, June 2
4:30 pm. Irish Sessions
7 pm. Saturday Night Music with No Coast. $5 cover.
Wednesday, June 6
7 pm. Spoken Word. Ten minute slices of poetry and other writings.
Sign up at the coffee house.
Thursday, June 7
6 pm Artvaark (Art activities)
7 pm Open Mic. Ten minute slices of music and other performances. Sign
up at the coffee house.
Friday, June 8
1-4 pm. Chess, Scrabble and other games.
Saturday, June 9
7 pm. Saturday Night Music: Beat Prairie $5 cover
Tuesday, June 12
5 pm. Music with Michelle Lynn
Wednesday, June 13
7 pm. Spoken Word. Ten minute slices of poetry and other writings.
Sign up at the coffee house.
Thursday, June 14
6 pm. Artvaark (Art activities).
7 pm. Open Mic. Ten minute musical performances. Sign up at coffee house.
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 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 its 11th
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 Monday through Saturday from 10 am. For more information,
check the Uptown Bill's website or Facebook page. You can call Uptown
Bill's at (319) 339-0804. 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. You can also donate online. Visit
our website for details: www.uptownbills.org. Contributions are tax
deductible.
--
In the spirit of Bill Sackter, Uptown Bill's strives to nurture and encourage a gathering place where people of all abilities are welcome. Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Watch us on You Tube: www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PLEE41220297F8D82C
Visit our web page: www.uptownbills.org
posted by Tom Gilsenan @ 12:07 PM
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