Masthead
January 14, 2014
Executive Director Update
 
We learned late last year that our current website host is making changes that will impact both our website and our email. MCC Member Carol Vantine agreed to help Mary Texidor and I research our options. We quickly learned that in addition to changes from our website host, our current platform is about to be unsupported and would require a major investment. Our research convinced us that it would be less expensive to develop a new website with the help of a company that has been used by more than 60 Villages from across the country. Mary is taking the lead, working with ClubExpress with help from Carol, to transition us to a new website by the end of this month. Our goal is to keep the functionality we currently have while making it more efficient for staff to manage updates and changes. Please be patient with us during the roll out! It will be a work in progress -- we will keep you updated via the "In the Know!" column in future newsletters and the End of Week Update that is sent to MCC members. As always, your feedback is welcome! 
 -- Linnea
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.
Technology Helpdesk
Monday, January 20, 5:30 - 7:00 pm (rescheduled from January 6)
MCC Office, 219 Main St SE, Ste 401 
Schedule time with a Tech Support Guru from Network Guidance 2.0 and have your nagging technology questions answered during our complimentary Helpdesk.  When you register, MCC will confirm the time of your 20-30 minute one-to-one session. Reminder:  Installing or upgrading software and creating accounts cannot be included in the Helpdesk session, as they exceed the allotted appointment time.

Registration is now closed. 
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.

Social Bridge 

Wednesday, January 22, 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 MCC. 

Our Turn: A Conversation for Women 

Thursday, January 23, 9:30 - 11:00 am
The Landings, 510 River Street

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! Sylvia Kaplan hosts on the topic of "Cooking and housework: how have they defined your life, or not, and what about now."

 

Women MCC Members sign up here.  Guests email MCC. 

Finishing Well: Part One, Demystifying Hospice and Palliative Care

Tuesday, January 28, 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Washburn Lofts' Community Room, 700 S 2nd St

Hear from local expert Pam Schaid, Executive Director of Hospice of the Twin Cities. Pam has worked in hospice for over 20 years, both as a registered nurse and executive director.  For 12 years she was the director of Seasons Hospice in Rochester, opening the first Medicare-Certified Residential Hospice in the state of Minnesota.  Pam's passion for hospice care stems from personal loss experiences and her 30+ years as a registered nurse working in intensive care settings, oncology, and palliative care.

 

MCC Members sign up here.

Last Tuesday Happy Hour 
Tuesday, January 28, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Spoonriver,  750 S 2nd St
Join us for the Last Tuesday Happy Hour hosted by Barbara and Mike Goldner.  Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites.  Dutch treat - no reservations required!

MCC Members and Guests.  No reservations required.
News From Members 
 
MCC member Sabina Sten invites members interested in baking to "Baking Memories:  White vs. Whole Wheat:  A Tale of Two Flours." This event will be held at Mill City Museum, 704 S 2nd St, on January 26 at 2 pm.  Learn about the pros and cons of each flour, sample baked goods, and take home new recipes. General admission is $11, $9 for seniors, free for MNHS Members.  For more information, click here.
 
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. 


Birding on Snowshoes

January 18, 10 am-12 pm, Theodore Wirth Park

Ready for some winter fun?  Come out to Theodore Wirth Park for a morning snowshoe hike to find some over-wintering birds.  Snowshoes provided.  Binoculars provided upon request.  Cost:  $5.  Click here to sign up.

 

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.

 

Night Owl Snowshoe

January 30, 5-7 pm, Theodore Wirth Park

Travel through Theodore Wirth Park on snowshoes while tracking nature's nocturnal hunters.  It's owl season and we'll look for signs of local owl species such as the Great-horned, Barred, and Screech.  Snowshoes provided.  Cost:  $10. Click here to sign up.


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 15:  Rendezvous at Ceresota.  No reservations required.

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

January 20:  Technology Helpdesk.  Reservations are now closed.

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

January 22:  Rendezvous at Ceresota.  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!

February 3:  Technology Helpdesk.  Members sign up here.
Mill City Commons   
In the Know!
 
 One reason to be thankful for the cold and snow this year is that it has brought snowy owls to the metropolitan area!  Jamie McBride, our Spring Birding Guide and the Environmental Education Coordinator with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, notes that a number of snowy owls have been spotted between Hastings, Cannon Falls, and Northfield.  A hot spot is on Hogan Avenue, between 150th Street and Northfield Boulevard.  The owls are often perched on the irrigation machines in the fields or on utility poles.  Jamie reports that you'll often see slow moving cars in the area and they are likely looking at a snowy owl in the farm fields.  Now is a great time to call another MCC member and take a trip to look for these large, white raptors.
 
 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, February 5, 9:30-10:30 am
Ceresota Atrium
    No reservations required.
Being Esther by
Miriam Karmel 
 

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!

 

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 23

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