Executive Director Update: Open Forum Tomorrow    

Our monthly board meeting takes place the second Wednesday each month. We welcome members to join us for an open forum before we move into the agenda. If you would like an opportunity to present a topic to our board of directors, please join us tomorrow at 4:00 at the Stone Arch Lofts Community Room. Thanks! Linnea 

Complimentary Technology Helpdesk: Twitter Workshop 

March 9, 7:00-8:00 pm. MCC Office, 17 4th St SE. 

Get to know the finer points of social networking and the possibilities of Twitter. From hashtags to retweets, 160 characters can speak volumes. Find out how!  Members, sign up here.

MIA Tour: Titian and the Golden Age of Venetian Painting   

March 10, 2:00-3:00 pm. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Ave S.

This exhibition features thirteen paintings and twelve drawings from the National Galleries of Scotland, including works by three of the master painters of the Renaissance in Venice: Paolo Veronese, Jacopo Tintoretto, and Tiziano Vecellio, better known as Titian. The centerpieces of the exhibition are a pair of sizable paintings by Titian depicting scenes from Ovid's ancient Roman poem, Metamorphoses; these paintings have never before traveled to the United States. Members, sign up here.

Irish Seisiun Music

March 13, 6:00-9:00 pm. Keegan's Irish Pub, 16 University Ave NE.

Join MCC member Mariann Montagne at Keegan's to enjoy Advanced Irish Seisiun Music, a jam session of several accomplished local musicians. Wear some green and celebrate St. Patrick's Day early! Members, sign up here!

Great Decisions Discussion Group   

March 14, 7:00-9:00 pm. Winslow House, 100 2nd St SE.

A Great Decisions Discussion Group is composed of interested individuals who want an opportunity to learn and participate in the foreign policy decision-making process. Groups are centered around the Great Decisions briefing book, an annual publication developed by the Foreign Policy Association that provides eight timely global topics to be read by group participants. This month's topic is Horn of Africa, hosted by Bob Callahan and Carol Jordan. The guest speaker is the Honorable LaJune Thomas Lange. Discussion group members, sign up here!

Legacy Series: Coordinating and Decluttering Paperwork and Passwords 

March 15, 3:30-5:00 pm. Winslow House Community Room, 100 2nd St SE.

MCC tech guru Andy Trawick and Bill Bosch of Trust Point will discuss the steps you need to take and things to keep in mind when putting your affairs in order.  Topics will include taking an inventory of and consolidating assets, creating a list of digital items and accounts, and sharing your plan with family and financial advisors. Members, sign up here.

Guthrie Play Reading: Arms and the Man 

March 15, 6:30-9:30 pm. Guthrie Theater, 818 S 2nd St - 8th floor, Conference Room. 

Play readings are hosted by a member of the Guthrie Staff or an Artist affiliated with the play. Participants will be assigned parts for reading and may rotate parts as necessary. No theater experience necessary, come one and all! In Shaw's lighthearted poke in the eye to idealizing love, war and patriotism, Arms and the Man contrasts the practical military knowledge of a Swiss mercenary with the romantic posturing of a Bulgarian soldier who becomes a hero by leading an improbably successful, and stupid, cavalry charge. The event is free for members and $10 for guests (cash or check payable to Mill City Commons). Members, sign up here. Guests, email us.

Social Bridge 

March 16, 3:00-5:30 pm. Stone Arch Lofts Community Room, 600 S 2nd St.

An accredited American Contract Bridge teacher, Mignon Nearmyer, will begin the session with a 10-15 minute lesson and discussion on a particular aspect of the game. When formal play begins she will give instructions and be available to answer questions throughout the afternoon. Even if you have played social bridge before, we are sure you will learn something new. You are expected to come with a partner. If you need help finding a partner, contact Leah Battin, and she will try to assist you. Plan to arrive early as we will begin play immediately at 3:00 pm. Cost is $6.00. Members, sign up here. Guests, email us. 

Nosy Neighbor Tour: Hennepin Energy Recovery Center 

March 17, 2:00-3:00 pm. Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, 417 N 5th St. 

The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), located in downtown Minneapolis, is a waste-to-energy facility that burns garbage to generate energy. By burning roughly 1,000 tons of garbage each day, HERC provides reliable, renewable electricity and steam that supplies the downtown district energy system and Target Field. Go inside the facility and see waste-to-energy process works! The tour minimum is five people; maximum is 25 people. Participants should dress appropriately for current weather conditions: no shorts, skirts, open-toed shoes, high heels, or sandals. Limited parking is available in the facility's parking lot on the northwest corner of 5th St N & 5th Ave N, so plan to carpool. Members, sign up here!

Upcoming Events

View our detailed March Calendar here!  

March 10: MIA tour: Titian and the Golden Age of Venetian Painting - Members, sign up  here.

March 13: Irish Seisiun Music at Keegan's Pub - Members, sign up here.

March 14: Great Decisions: Horn of Africa - Discussion Group Members, sign up here.

March 15: MCC Legacy Series: Coordinating and Decluttering Paperwork and Passwords - Members, sign up here.

March 15: Guthrie Play Reading: Arms and the Man - Members, sign up here. Guests, email us. 

March 16: Social Bridge - Members, sign up here.

March 17: Men's Coffee and Conversation - MCC Men, sign up here.

March 17: Nosy Neighbor Tour: Hennepin Energy Recovery Center - Members, sign up here.

March 24: Northern Clay Center Tour (NEW DATE!) - Members, sign up here.

March 28: Education: Succeeding in the Knowledge Economy - Members, sign up here.

March 29: Last Tuesday Happy Hour - Members and guests, learn more here.

March 30: Tai Chi Workshop - Members, sign up here.

March 31: Men's Coffee and Conversation - MCC men, sign up here. 

Around Town  

Cuban Film Festival  

Thursdays, March 10, 17, 24, and 31, 7:30 pm. St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main Street SE.

Following the success of last year's festival, the Minnesota Cuba Committee presents another series of exciting Cuban cinema: March 10, Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand up?; March 17, Los Dioses Rotos (Fallen Gods), March 24, Páginas del diario de Mauricio (Pages from Maurice's Diary), March 31, Eso que Anda (Van Van Fever). All films are subtitled; admission is $7.00. A discussion will follow after each showing at Pracna on Main. For more information, click here. 

Learning Life Forum: Dr. John Najarian 

Thursday, March 17. 1890 Buford Ave, St Paul. 

This monthly forum examines firsthand perspectives on the decisive moments and movements that have shaped our history. This month features Dr. John Najarian, world-famous transplant surgeon, who formed one of the world's largest organ transplant programs at the University of Minnesota. Cost: $15.00. Click here for more information and reservations.

Meeting of the Minds Dementia Conference

Saturday, March 19. Saint Paul RiverCentre, 175 Kellogg Blvd W, St Paul. 

The Meeting of the Minds Dementia Conference 2011 is the premier conference for persons with early dementia, families, friends and professionals sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota and Mayo Clinic. Learn more and register here or call 952-857-0534. 

Chefs for Change

Monday, March 21. Tours at 6:30 pm, Bountiful Garden Hors d'œuvres, Wine and Discussion at 7:00 pm. People Serving People, 614 S 3rd St.

Mill City District neighbors are welcome for a lively discussion about urban farming and local and sustainable food production, including the development of a rooftop garden at PSP, hosted by Brenda Langton and Spoonriver Restaurant.  Host chefs provide all of the food with wine pairings. Suggested donation: $75. Proceeds benefit the PSP Rooftop Garden Project. For tickets, email Mary Ites or call 612-277-0246.

Friday and Saturday, March 25 & 26. 8:00 pm. Open Eye Figure Theatre, 506 E 24th St.

This five-week series presents the work of established female artists crossing genres of art, music, dance, and performance art.  In Traces, the first program in the series, MCC members Nor Hall, Laura Crosby, and Harriet Bart create a collaborative project about the unexpected journey of a woman and children caught in the web of war, told through narrative poetry, art installation, and images.  Seating is limited.  Call 612-874-6338 or email the box office to reserve tickets.