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Executive Director Update
We have another full calendar of activities coming up in the month of June -- please find the June calendar under "Upcoming MCC Events" -- it's a PDF that you can save for future planning. Many thanks to all of our members who help plan and host events. Don't forget to save the date for Mill City Commons 5th anniversary celebration -- "An Elegant Urban Garden Party," Wednesday, June 19 from 5:00-8:00pm at The Towers! We'll be looking back at five years of building community and looking forward to many more. See you soon! -- Linnea
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Mill City Commons Author Event
Tuesday, May 14, 7:00 - 8:30 pm;
Stone Arch Lofts, 600 South Second Street #701
Meet Tom Berg, author of Minnesota's Miracle: Learning from the Government that Worked, at this special Mill City Commons Author Event. Social upheaval, political gridlock, controversies over taxes, the environment, and an unpopular war: the state of Minnesota in 1971 was a lot like today's political climate. The parallels facing the 2013 Minnesota Legislature are strikingly similar, making this book a must read. Dave and Peggy Lucas host.
MCC Members, sign up here.
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Social Bridge
Wednesday, May 15, 3:00 - 5:15 pm;
Stone Arch Lofts Community Room, 600 South Second Street
Join advanced or intermediate bridge players for a round of social bridge. You are expected to come with a partner at your level. (Advanced players play all the major conventions comfortably). If you need help finding a partner, contact Carol Jordan at 612-817-0466 or caroljordan@millcitycommons.org and she will assist you. Play begins immediately at 3:00 pm.
MCC Members, sign up here, Guests, email Linnea.
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Aging Well: An Ongoing Conversation
Thursday, May 16, 3:30 - 5:00 pm;
Join fellow members as we continue table discussions using questions from the book,
Journeywell: A Guide to Quality Aging. This monthly conversation is part of our Healthy Village Series, programming designed to support quality aging. This month's topic is care taking...giving and receiving. Pat Hoven hosts.
MCC Members, sign up here.
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Spring Bird Walk III
Tuesday, May 21, 7:00 - 8:30 am;
Mississippi River Gorge Park, 36th Street and West River Parkway

Celebrate spring with bird watching along the river! Join us for the third of four weekly birding walks. We hope to see migrating warblers and other song birds. The Spring Bird Walks will be led by Jamie McBride, Lead Naturalist with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Meet at the
Mississippi River Gorge Park on 36th Street and West River Parkway. Parking is available both in the lot and on nearby residential streets. Carpooling is recommended. Click here for a map.
MCC Members, sign up here, Guests, email Linnea.
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Nosy Neighbor Tour: Twin Cities RISE!
Tuesday, May 21, 3:30 - 5:00 pm;
Twin Cities RISE!, 800 Washington Avenue North
Twin Cities RISE! is an innovative anti-poverty organization that offers a comprehensive work skills training program for low-income adults. The holistic combination of work skills classes, Personal Empowerment, one-on-one coaching, and internship opportunities result in placement in full time, living wage jobs. The quality of their program is evidenced by the fact that 81% of their graduates are still employed in their jobs one year after initial employment and 70% after two years. Join us for a tour, learn about their programming and experience their innovative Personal Empowerment program. An MCC member has observed the Empowerment Program and suggests that the principles taught may be useful to all of us including skills for nurturing our grandchildren.
MCC Members, sign up here, Guests, email Linnea.
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Guthrie Play Reading
Tuesday, May 21, 6:30 - 9:30 pm;
Guthrie Livingston Conference Center, 818 South Second Street
The bright humor and eclectic characters of The Primrose Path capture a moving snapshot of Russian life on the cusp of change. After years in Paris, Theodore is relieved to return to his Russian estate. As others pursue love and move their lives forward, Theodore's hope for a happy future clashes with a past that refuses to be entirely left behind. A Guthrie dramaturg will assign parts.
MCC Members, sign up here, Guests, email Linnea.
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Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, May 23, 7:30 - 8:30 am;
Elsie's Restaurant, 729 Marshall Street NE (NOTE NEW LOCATION THIS WEEK)
Caffeine and camaraderie for the male members of MCC! This group meets every other Thursday and is hosted by various members who get the conversation going. This week's host Peter Gillette has chosen the topic: "Intersections and Reflections." Peter wants "to take us back a little bit to our origins and perhaps share some of myself." Please register by Monday, May 20. Thank you!
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Spring Bird Walk IV
Tuesday, May 28, 7:00 - 8:30 am;
Location TBD
Celebrate spring with bird watching along the river! Join us for the last of four weekly birding walks. We hope to see migrating warblers and other song birds. The Spring Bird Walks will be led by Jamie McBride, Lead Naturalist with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Jamie will determine the location for this week's Bird Walk.
MCC Members, sign up here, Guests, email Linnea.
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Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, May 28, 5:00 - 6:00 pm;
Borough, 730 North Washington Avenue
Join host Patty Connelly for this month's happy hour. Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat! No reservations!
MCC Members and Guests.
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News From Members
MCC Member Bud Hayden invites you to join Growth & Justice as they welcome Van Jones, an internationally recognized pioneer in human rights and clean energy innovation, and the president of Rebuild the Dream, a think tank that advocates for economic justice on Sunday, May 19, 5:00 pm, at Unity Church Unitarian, 733 Portland Avenue, St. Paul. Click here to purchase tickets.
MCC Member Linnea Olesen invites you to a conversation with Fairy Tale Scholar Jack Zipes on Sunday, May 19, 6:00 pm, at Town Hall Brewery, 1430 Washington Avenue South. Join Professor of Fairy Tales, Jack Zipes, and have a pint and fill your noggin with an expert's insight into mythology. RSVP to this event at 612-605-1945. Tickets for the Jack Zipes event are $7 and include beer or soda and appetizers. Then see Out of the Pan Into the Fire on May 19th, 7:30 pm, at the Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Avenue South. There will also be a talk back after the show with Zipes and the cast. Click here to purchase tickets to Out of the Pan Into the Fire.
MCC Member Dick Kavaney would like you to know about a video presentation, Assistive Technology: Room by Room, on Thursday, May 23, at 10:00 am or 1:30 pm at various locations. Join Department of Health and Human Services staff members to learn about how assistive technology can help older adults age in place and help people with disabilities be more independent. We will take you "room by room" and show you the different types of assistive technology that can be used to help a person stay safe, go about their daily life, and be more active in their community. Come learn about assisted listening devices, books in a variety of digital formats, devices to help with showering...everything including adaptations to the kitchen sink. Click here to register.
MCC Program Committee requests members save the date for an all members celebration, Wednesday, June 19 from 5:00-8:00. Details to follow!
MCC Members Kim Eslinger and Dave Tinjum have created a metro website devoted specifically to our neighborhood. It's a place to go to find out what's happening ... whether it's a new restaurant opening, a local event, proposed new construction, etc. Check it out at: MillCityTimes.com
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Around Town
18th Annual Art-A-Whirl
Presented by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association, Art-A-Whirl is the largest open studio tour in the country. It's a great opportunity to tour private artist studios and galleries, connect with the artists and purchase original artwork. This event is free and open to the public. Art-A-Whirl will be held Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19 at numerous locations, including several along the riverfront. Click here to learn more.(Anti)Wrecking BallCome to the fourth year of the (Anti)Wrecking Ball at the Soap Factory, 514 Second Street SE on Friday, May 17 at 7:00 pm. Enjoy live music, a food truck, beer, wine and games. Don't miss out as they gather together to have some fun, learn a little about preservation and appreciate some of Minnesota's wonderful roadside landmarks. For more information, click here.
East Hennepin Behind the Scenes **New Tour**
Everyone knows the unforgettable landmarks of East Hennepin: Surdyk's, Nye's,
Kramarczuk's, Historic Main Street, and Lourdes Church. Now one of the trendiest places in Minneapolis, the area still maintains its old-world flavor. Join us to hear the real stories of the everyday people who lived and worked here...through good times and bad. Meet tour guide, Scott Parkin, on Sunday, May 19 at 10:00 am at Riverplace--intersection of Main Street and East Hennepin Avenue. Click here to purchase tickets. Dandelion Day at the Ard Godfrey HouseCelebrate Dandelion Day at the Ard Godfrey House at Chute Park on Sunday, May 19, 1:00-4:00 pm . The celebration features face painting, dandelion necklaces, tours of the historic house with costumed guides, free recipe booklets and Godfrey House buttons for the kids. The Greek Revival-style home was built by millwright Ard Godfrey in 1848. The house was moved several times before arriving in Chute Square Park in 1909. Ard's wife is credited with bringing dandelions to Minnesota, as she did import dandelion seeds from Maine, which would be useful in her recipes for such things as Dandelion Bread and Dandelion Tea. Click here to learn more.
Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District Calendar (DID)
This DID web site has a calendar feature with lots of great information! It covers many downtown venues with current happenings and performers e.g. all of the theaters, Target Field, the convention center, etc. It's really a worthwhile site to keep in mind when you're looking for things to do downtown! To check it out, use this link.
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Upcoming MCC Events
View our detailed May Calendar here!
View our detailed June Calendar here!
May 14: Mill City Commons Author Event: Tom Berg. MCC Members, sign up here.
May 15: Social Bridge. MCC Members, sign up here, Guests, email Carol.
May 16: Aging Well: An Ongoing Conversation. MCC Members, sign up here.
May 21: Spring Bird Walk III. MCC Members, sign up here.
May 21: Nosy Neighbor Tour: Twin Cities RISE! MCC Members, sign up here, Guests, email Linnea. May 21: Guthrie Play Reading:The Primrose Path. MCC Members, sign up here, Guests, email Linnea.
May 23: Men's Coffee and Conversation. MCC Members, sign up here, Guests, email Carol.
May 28: Spring Bird Walk IV. MCC Members, sign up here.
May 28: Last Tuesday Happy Hour: Borough. MCC Members and Guests.
June 4: Guthrie Play Reading: Clybourne Park. MCC Members, sign up here, Guests, email Linnea.
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A note from
Mill City Commons
Program Coordinator
Did You Know?
May is designated as National Stroke Awareness Month.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted due to a clot or a bleed in the brain. The Minnesota Department of Health reports that strokes are the third leading cause of death in Minnesota. If you suspect that someone is having a stroke, act FAST and call 911. Stroke symptoms to be aware of:
Facial Weakness
Arm Weakness
Speech Difficulty
Time Loss is Brain Loss
The National Stroke Association states that up to 80% of strokes can be prevented. Stroke prevention guidelines include quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, exercising 30 minutes a day, limiting salt and fat in your diet and controlling conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart arrhythmia, circulation problems and high cholesterol.
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MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities
Rendezvous on 4
Mondays, 3:30-4:30 pm
MCC Office
219 Main Street SE
Suite 401
Drop in and join your friends and neighbors for a casual chat at the MCC office in St. Anthony Main. Coffee and tea are available, but feel free to bring your own beverage. This adventure requires no reservations!
Rendezvous on 5
Wednesdays, 9-10 am
Guthrie Theater
Level Five Express
818 S 2nd St
Drop in and join your friends and neighbors at this neighborhood haunt. Enjoy a cup of coffee and fellowship with other MCC members. This weekly adventure requires no reservations!
Rendezvous
Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, June 5
9:30-10:30 am
Guthrie Theater
Level Five Express
818 S 2nd St
Join us to discuss
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand. Lou Burdick starts the conversation.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, May 23
7:30 - 8:30 am
Elsie's Restaurant,
729 Marshall Street NE
Caffeine and camaraderie for the male members of MCC! This group meets every other Thursday and is hosted by various members who get the conversation going.
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MCC Ongoing Fitness Opportunities
SBS Class
Mondays, 7:35-8:35 am and
Thursdays, 2:00-3:00 pm
501FIT
501 Washington Avenue
Created exclusively for MCC, this class at 501F1T focuses on strength, balance, and stretching. Please register by contacting 501F1T at (612) 767-4415.
River Walkers
Tuesdays and Thursdays,
7:30-8:30 am
Stone Arch Lofts Riverside Parking Lot
All level of walkers welcome for this early morning walk along the banks of the Mississippi River. An MCC volunteer leads each walk.
Hatha Yoga
Wednesdays and Fridays,
8:00-9:15 am
This alignment-based class is held at the Yoga Center of Minneapolis, 212 3rd Ave N., Suite 205.
Purchase a 12-class pass for $132 directly from YCM to use as your schedule allows, or drop in on a class for $12.50.
Contact Dena at 612.436.4700 for details.
Drop-ins welcome.
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