Masthead
January 7, 2014
Executive Director Update
  

The Mill City Commons Board of Directors is meeting tomorrow afternoon for a half day planning session to review our mission and set strategic direction for 2014. Our discussion will cover Member Services/Programming, Membership/Marketing, Funding (Dues, Donations and Sponsorships) and Leadership/Governance. Our current Board: Chair Barbara Goldner, Vice Chair Lou Burdick, Treasurer Ken Searl, Secretary Mary Margaret MacMillan, Ellen Breyer, Patty Connelly, Pat Hoven, Suzanne Joyce, Dick Kavaney, Kin-Shing Lun, Dick Olson, Sabina Sten, Marcia Townley and Ron Vantine are committed to setting a direction for sustainability and welcome members' feedback. Let us know how Mill City Commons can continue to be Your Neighborhood for Lifetime!  -- Linnea
Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat 
Wednesday, January 8, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Ceresota Atrium, 155 5th Ave South
Join us to discuss The Whistling Season.  Novelist Ivan Doig revisits the American west in the early twentieth century, bringing to life the eccentric individuals and idiosyncratic institutions that made it thrive.  Widower Oliver Milliron answers an ad that deposits the ever-whistling Rose Llewellyn and her font-of-knowledge brother, Morris Morgan, in Marias Coulee along with a stampede of homesteaders drawn by the promise of a gargantuan irrigation project intended to make the Montana prairie bloom. 
 
MCC Members and Guests welcome.  No reservations required.
Social Bridge
Wednesday, January 8, 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 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 beings immediately at 3:00 pm.

Members sign up here.  Guests email MCC.

Our Turn: A Conversation for Women 

Thursday, January 9, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Lourdes Square, 192 Bank Street SE

*Please note location change!

MCC women, come and join other women in conversation! This group will meet every other Thursday alternating between morning and afternoon times. Hosts and topics will change each time, too! Scotty Gillette hosts this session on the topic of "Mistakes I have made...and the impact it had on my life."  If you need a ride to Our Turn, please email Peg Kavaney.

 

Women MCC Members sign up here.  Guests email MCC.

Sunday Soup Soiree 
Sunday, January 12, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Lourdes Square, 174 Bank St SE 
Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Soup Soiree hosted by Beverly FitzGerald. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share. Please let us know in the notes when you register what dish you plan to bring. Ideas include soup, salad, side dish, bread, cookies, bars, or wine. We hope to see you there!

 

MCC Members sign up here. 

Great Decisions
Monday, January 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House Community Room, 100 2nd St SE
The Great Decisions Discussion Group is centered on the Great Decisions briefing book developed by the Foreign Policy Association.  This month's topic is Turkey's Challenges.  Turkey's first Prime Minister Kemal Ataturk envisioned a modern, democratic nation-state built on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire with strong ties to Europe, not the Middle East.  But the soul of Turkey is still very much up for grabs. This month's speaker is David Bartlett, a Senior Lecturer at the Carlson School of Management's Department of Strategic Management and Organization and partner at Bartlett Ellis LLC in Minneapolis.  He is an internationally recognized authority on economic development in Eastern Europe and the Soviet successor states.  Bud and Carol Hayden host. 

MCC Great Decisions Members sign up here.
Men's Coffee and Conversation 
Thursday, January 16, 7:30 - 8:30 am
Elsie's Restaurant, 729 Marshall St NE
Coffee 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. Wallace Ritchie, MD, hosts this week's topic on dealing with a common but occasionally troubling retirement dilemma, i.e. "What to do with all that time?"  There will be a brief description of an unusual solution (start over doing something entirely different), used by an equally unlikely small group of his acquaintances (retired general surgeons) illustrated with a few personally observed case studies, his own included. The information/data is entirely anecdotal and has no scientific validity whatsoever. The question for the group is:  do they have any applicability or traction elsewhere under similar circumstances?

Men MCC Members sign up here.  Guests email MCC.
Nosy Neighbor Tour: Old Federal Office Building
Tuesday, January 21, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Old Federal Office Building, 212 3rd Ave South
Join us to tour the Old Federal Office Building, first constructed as a US Post Office in 1911 and transformed into a federal office building in the 1930s. A Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and Department of State Passport Office are currently housed in the building. Members and guests will meet with the Commander of MEPS and speak with the Director of Passport Services who will share his passion for passport history and the historic significance of the building. Attendees will also view the passport printing process. MCC staff will contact registered participants to request their full name and date of birth so that prior approval can be given to walk through the building. Registered participants must bring an ID that includes their date of birth to pass through security on the 21st. Please register no later than January 16 for this event. Registration is limited to 15 participants. 
 
MCC Members sign up here.  Guests email MCC.
News From Members 
 
MCC Member Peggy Lucas invites you to a neighborhood meeting to learn about the demolition and construction of the new Minnesota Multi-Purpose stadium on January 9 at 6 pm at 1010 Metrodome Square Building, located on the corner of 11th Avenue South and 6th Street.  Attendees will learn about construction milestones, meet the construction team, and hear about how to get up-to-date information throughout the construction period. 

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.   
Around Town
   

Joint Neighborhood Meeting on Downtown East Redevelopment Project

January 16, 6:30 pm, Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue South

The Mill District Neighborhood Association, Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc., and the East Downtown Council are co-hosting a joint neighborhood meeting to give downtown residents and businesses an update on their Downtown East Redevelopment Project.  This project was approved by the full City Council on December 13. Download the flyer here. 

  

US Foreign Policy Update for 2014 hosted by the MN International Center

January 28, 5:30 pm, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 301 19th Ave S

Tom Hanson will explore and explain foreign policy development, trends, and challenges faced by the United States in the upcoming year, including repercussions of the 2013 government shutdown and 2014 mid-term election.  This timely and thought-provoking presentation is recommended for anyone interested in international relations.  Advance registration recommended.  Minnesota International Center Members $5, Non-Members $20.  For more information, click here.

 

Mississippi River Forum:  From the River to the Tap:  Making the Mississippi into Drinking Water

January 31, 8-10 am, City of Minneapolis Water Treatment Plant, 4300 Marshall St NE, Fridley

At this event, George Kraynick, Laboratory Supervisor for the City of Minneapolis' Water Treatment Plant, will explain how the Mississippi River is transformed into some of the best drinking water in the country and will discuss the challenges of providing clean water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Discussion followed by a tour of the facility.  Participation is extremely limited and RSVPs are required.  RSVP by email or calling 651-293-8442.

 

Ten Thousand Things presents "The Music Man"

February 14 - March 9, Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave S

In its hallmark barebones musical style, Ten Thousand Things re-examines Meredith Wilson's story of a town and its people, who hardened by life, find themselves taken on a journey that allows them to trust again.  Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows at 8 pm. Sunday shows at 4 pm.  Tickets are $25.  To purchase tickets, click here. 

   

Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District Calendar (DID) 

The DID website has a calendar feature with lots of great information! It covers many downtown venues with current happenings and performances including all of the theaters, Target Field, 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.
Upcoming MCC Events      
   

January 8:  Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat.  No reservations required!

January 8:  Social Bridge.  Members sign up here.  Guests email MCC.

January 9:  Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women.  Members sign up here.  Guests email MCC.

January 12:  Sunday Soup Soiree.  Members sign up here.

January 13:  Great Decisions.  Members sign up here.

January 15:  Rendezvous at Cerasota.  No reservations required.

January 16:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members sign up here.  Guests email MCC.

January 21:  Nosy Neighbor Tour:  Old Federal Building.  Members sign up here. Guests email MCC.

January 22:  Rendezvous at Cerasota.  No reservations required.

January 22:  Social Bridge.  Members sign up here.  Guests email MCC.

January 23:  Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women.  Members sign up here.  Guests email MCC.

January 23:  Aging Well:  An Ongoing Conversation.  Members sign up here.

January 28:  Finishing Well Part I: Demystifying Hospice and Palliative Care. Members sign up here.

January 28:  Last Tuesday Happy Hour at Spoonriver.  No reservations required!
Mill City Commons   
In the Know!
 
  Sunday Soirees are a great way to meet and mingle with other MCC members. Our generous members provide the venue, food and beverages. Last year, Barbara Goldner and Delia Bujold purchased and donated 35 bowls and plates and Carol Jordan (and some of our hosts) donated serving utensils and miscellaneous pieces that could be reused at each soiree. Members have suggested that silverware might also be donated. Do you have a set of silverware you no longer use or want?  We are looking to replace the plastic utensils with a set that is more sustainable. Please contact the MCC office if you have a set you'd like to donate. Thank you!
 
 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, January 8th, 9:30-10:30 am
Ceresota Atrium
    No reservations required.
The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig 
 

Rendezvous at Ceresota

Wednesdays, 9-10 am

Ceresota Atrium

Drop in and join your friends and neighbors for fellowship at this neighborhood haunt.  This weekly adventure requires no reservations!  This group will not meet December 25 or January 1.

 

Men's Coffee and Conversation  

Thursday, January 16
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 week and is hosted by various members who get the conversation going. Sign up here.

Our Turn  

Thursday, January 9

9:30-11:00 am 

Relax and chat with other MCC women. This group meets every other week and alternates between morning and afternoon times. Look for details in the body of this newsletter.

 

 

MCC Ongoing Fitness Opportunities


SBS Class

Mondays

7:30-8:30am

Thursdays
2:00-3:00pm
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,

7:30-8:30am

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,

8:00-9:15am

Yoga Center Minneapolis, 212 3rd Ave N., Suite 205

This is an alignment-based class. 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.

 
Mill City Commons | 219 Main Street SE, Suite 401, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
612-455-3329