Since December 2022, Student Life has hosted a monthly Happy Hour at the Perch, a coffee shop in the Yates-Gill College Union. This event is a nice opportunity for students, staff and faculty members to interact with each other in an informal setting. As non-alcoholic beverages are also served, the event is open to everyone, not just people over 21. 

The last two Happy Hour events – hosted in February and January, respectively – had a greater variety of drinks than the first one. The first Happy Hour just had different kinds of beer. I’m not a huge fan of beer, so I was a little disappointed. However, the latest Happy Hours also had red and white wine. I am not a good judge of the quality of alcohol, so I will just say that I enjoyed my allotted two glasses of white wine. 

The Happy Hours have also consistently had an assortment of snacks like chips, pretzels, popcorn and salsa. As one can get a little peckish while drinking and playing card games or mancala (both of which are available at Happy Hour), the snacks are a nice addition to the event. Plus, chips and pretzels are good replacement poker chips. 

The Happy Hour event is a fun event. The last time I attended, I had a good time playing poker with several faculty and students. It is just a shame that the event does not occur more often. 

Let’s set the scene: You are a first-year student at William Jewell College, only just beginning to spend your days studying in the PLC and meeting up with friends in the Union. You see the Beak and the Perch – Jewell’s resident coffee shops that serve as a selling point for prospective students. You decide it’s time to finally start spending the Cardinal Dollars you’ve been trying to conserve.

When you get to the counter, you’re overwhelmed. The menu shows a variety of teas, cold beverages, smoothies, hot drinks and coffee. Do you want a hot or cold drink? Tea or coffee? An always-reliable lemonade? Like a deer in the headlights, you’re unsure which move to make.

Little do you know, there only is one move to make: an iced Cardinal Grind, the best drink at the Beak and the Perch.

Clearly, the superior drink served to Jewell students, the Cardinal Grind features a classic mix of mint, chocolate and espresso. It’s just the right amount of sweet with a hint of mint. Ordered as an iced drink – because, as I’ve previously argued, iced coffee is the only acceptable choice – the Cardinal Grind is practically unbeatable.

I’m not denying that there are some drinks with the ability to give the Cardinal Grind a run for its money. Strawberry lemonade can be tempting on hot summer days as a good way to refresh before another afternoon class. And sometimes, even I have been swayed by the classic iced vanilla latte.

As a first-year myself, I experienced the overwhelmed feeling when first ordering at the Beak and I’ve tried several of the options on the hunt for the best. The Cardinal Grind is it. Add an extra shot of espresso on the days your 7:45 a.m. class is just a little too early in the morning and the Cardinal Grind will be able to fulfill all of your college student beverage needs.

In lieu of an on-campus bar, where do William Jewell College students go to grab a cold brew and vent their frustrations? Easy, the campus coffee shops. There any student can pull up a stool and talk about any topic to the willingly – and contractually obliged to be – listening baristas.

As well as being beloved by the Jewell community, the Fresh Ideas contracted coffee shops were recently recognized by the Clay County Public Health Center with a Food Safety Excellence Award.

For the year of 2018, these awards were given to the top 8 percent of establishments overseen by the Clay County Public Health Center and reward a commitment to the Clay County Food Code, outstanding food safety and sanitation practices, and the achievement of exceptional inspection results during the calendar year.

“I’m so proud of this team of baristas for diligently serving the Jewell community,” said Kristina Clevenger (‘18) supervisor of the Jewell coffee shops.  

For @TheBeak and The Perch, receiving this award means placing in the 92 percentile – or better than the other 92 percent – of establishments inspected by the Environmental Health Protection Section of Clay County Public Health Center during the 2018 calendar year.

“I love working the bar at The Beak,” said barista Cindy Eggleston (‘91), shocked that the Jewell coffee shops received the award.

The Clay County Public Health Center’s Environmental Health Protection Section is responsible for permitting and inspecting all food establishments within its jurisdiction, including: restaurants, taverns, grocery stores, convenience stores, schools, hospitals, bakeries, childcare centers, mobile units, push carts, vending machines and temporary event concessions.

During 2018, 1,486 routine food establishment inspections and 231 temporary food event inspections were conducted by the Environmental Health Protection Section of the Clay County Public Health Center. Additionally, 130 food-related complaints were investigated.

Of those evaluations, “FRESH IDEAS COFFEESHOP @ WJC” ranked among the highest in quality of food safety and adherence to The Clay County Food Code. The establishments were required to make only minor adjustments following the Dec. 7, 2018 evaluation.

In the press release for the awards, section chief of environmental health protection at the Clay County Public Health Center, Becky Steiner commented that most food establishments in Clay County meet the required food safety standards but that those receiving a Food Safety Excellence Award are exceptional.

“While most Clay County food establishments regularly meet high food safety standards, we like to recognize the ones that consistently prove they value clean and healthy food service,” said Steiner. “Through the efforts of these trained food employees and managers, we can ensure safe and enjoyable dining experiences for Clay County residents and visitors.”

Other Liberty businesses recognized with an award include Alexander Doniphan Elementary School, Eileen’s Colossal Cookies, Hy-Vee (Salad Bar, Produce, Test Kit) and Liberty North Senior High. A full list of the award recipients can be viewed here.

Wanting a white chocolate mocha?

To save money, order a Grande Americano with pumps of white chocolate syrup instead. It is $3.35 instead of $4.75, and you get an extra shot of espresso. All you have to do is add the milk yourself.

Wanting apples and caramel?

Instead of buying the prepackaged apple dippers at $2.25, you can buy an apple and a dish of caramel sauce for $1.15. You have to cut the apple yourself, but it is about half the cost.

Wanting a strawberry banana smoothie?

Instead of paying $4.55 for your smoothie, you can pay $4.00 by bringing your own banana, so next time you leave the Dining Hall, grab a banana.

Have a late night of studying? Buy your drinks before 10:30.

The baristas have to start cleaning around 10 p.m., so containers with tea and coffee not used up for the day will be dumped and cleaned. Blenders and espresso machines are also cleaned at this time. To ensure you can get the cheapest drink and the drink you want, get there early.

Procrastinating may not help you with your classes, but it can get you free coffee.

Didn’t get to the coffee shop before 10:30? Leftover coffee at the end of the day is poured out, so if you go to the coffee shop close to closing time you can ask for a free cup of coffee.

Up late on a Sunday night and craving a cookie?

Pastries that don’t sell by Sunday night have to be thrown away, but they are still good to eat. If there is anything left it can be yours free.

Buy a reusable cup.

By purchasing the reusable Jewell travel mug, you can pay for coffee refills instead buying a new paper cup every time. It’s a win for your Cardinal Dollar balance and the environment.

Wanting a cup of hot tea?

Hot water is free! Bring your own cup and/or tea bag and the cost of this drink is dramatically reduced. If you bring both, this drink just became free and you don’t have to heat your own water. A single tea bag is $1.00 versus buying the tea bag and cup for $2.15. Again, another win for your Cardinal Dollars and the environment.

Never order Venti lattes or mochas.

These Venti drinks have the same amount of espresso in them as a Grande, so you end up paying way more for the same amount of caffeine.

Or just don’t buy coffee.