Masthead
April 1, 2014
Executive Director Update
 
John and Sage Cowles' children, Tessa, Jay, Jane and Fuller, invite friends and family to their celebration of Sage, Saturday April 5 at 1:30pm at Cowles Center. Doors will open at 12:30pm. Please arrive early to allow time for seating. A reception will immediately follow in Mason's Restaurant. A beautiful article was posted on the Walker Art Center's website early December. Sage's enthusiasm and energy for the arts and for life lives on in the artists she inspired and those of us who had the opportunity to know her. Truly a life worth celebrating!  -- Linnea 
Creating Dialogue:  Othello 
Tuesday, April 1, 3:30 - 4:45 pm
Washburn Lofts, 700 S 2nd St
Expand your perspectives of live theater and dramatic literature during this program offered by the Guthrie Theater.  Student alumni of the theater will read scenes from Othello and lead a discussion that will touch on the ethical and civic questions in the play. Michelle O'Neil (alumna of 18 Guthrie productions) will facilitate the discussion that will offer participants an opportunity to explore a scene's social/cultural/historical meaning and to reflect on their own personal values.  Joanne Von Blon hosts.                                                         

Members sign up here.

Technology Helpdesk
Tuesday, April 1, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
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.  
Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, April 2, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express, 818 S 2nd St
Join us to discuss Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp-Sendker.  Called a "magical novel" in the Huffington Post, the story describes a young woman's search for her father, a successful lawyer.  The daughter's discovery that he had a life before she was born leads her to Burma.  Though the narrative takes place between the 1950s and the present, it asks an age-old question:  "How well do we know our parents?" 
 
MCC Members and Guests.  No registration required.

Social Bridge

Wednesday, April 2, 3:00 - 5:15 pm

Stone Arch Lofts Community Room, 600 S 2nd 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, April 3, 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Zenith, 901 South 2nd Street #803

MCC women, come and join other women in conversation!  Katie Searl hosts on the topic of "What is wisdom?  Does it come with age?"  Discussion will be based on the article "Why Older Often Means Wiser" and participants will ponder the questions of "Can young people be wise?" and "Does wisdom imply a kind of peace with the world or acceptance of the world?"

 

Women MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC. 

Sunday Soiree 
Sunday, April 6, 5:00 - 7:00 pm 
La Rive Community Room, 110 Bank St SE
Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree hosted by Barbara McBurney, Diane Lawrence, Arvonne and Don Fraser, and Lynn Bowe and Charlie Kuivinen.  The change of season warrants a change in menu.  The hosts suggest a potluck and ask that participants bring anything from appetizers or hotdish to salads, desserts or wine.  Please let us know what you plan to bring by answering the "Question" while registering.  We hope to see you there!  
 
Members sign up here.
Nosy Neighbor Tour:  Downtown YWCA
Monday, April 7, 10:00 - 11:00 am
1130 Nicollet Ave, Room 230 
The Downtown YWCA, at its current site since 1929, provides a variety of programs that its President and CEO, Becky Roloff, will describe for our group.  During a tour of the building, we will learn about the Y's unique curriculum for Early Childhood Education, see the roof top view of Minneapolis, and visit the RAP (Girls and Youth Resolution and Prevention) room. The tour includes a stop at the health and fitness facility, which hosts the Silver Sneakers program.  Coffee will be served.

Members sign up here.
Guthrie Play Reading:  Crimes of the Heart 
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Guthrie Theater Livingston Conference Room, 818 S 2nd St
Enjoy this month's Guthrie Play Reading of Crimes of the Heart, winner of both a Pulitzer Prize and a New York Drama Critics Circle Award.  Touted as both a deeply touching Southern Gothic and a screwball comedy, the play depicts the day that three sisters-each in trouble with the law-- reunite in their hometown to await news of their ailing grandfather.  The New York Post noted, "(the play) has heart, wit and a surprisingly zany passion..." A Guthrie dramaturg will assign parts.

Members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Men's Coffee and Conversation 
Thursday, April 10, 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.  This week's conversation will be with Council Member Jacob Frey.  

 

Men MCC Members sign up here; Guests email MCC.

Great Decisions
Monday, April 14, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
The Towers Community Room, 15 S 1st St 
This month's Great Decisions Discussion Group will respond to the chapter on "China's Foreign Policy" in the Great Decisions briefing book. Few dispute that China is the dominant regional power in Asia. What does the rapid rise of this new superpower mean for other countries in the region? Are there potential points of conflict with the U.S. as it "pivots" to Asia? Susan and David Plimpton will host this month's meeting.

 

MCC Great Decisions Members sign up here.
News From Members 

Several MCC members recommend the MSP International Film Festival which opens this Thursday, April 3, and runs through April 19.  Choose from over 200 films, panels, events and parties.  This is the largest film event in the region and includes feature length and short form narrative and documentary films from 60+ countries.  For information on tickets and films, click here.
 
MCC members who attended the Penumbra Theatre's rehearsal of The Mountaintop invite all MCC members to join them at a matinee on April 12 to see the entire performance.  Members were incredibly moved by the play, which is a bold and dramatic re-imagining of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s last night.  If you are interested in attending, please email Linnea Tweed no later than April 8 so that a block of tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate.  
 

MCC member Penny Hunt invites you to watch the 30 minute documentary "Late Life:  Redefining Care" on Twin Cities Public Television which focuses on the challenges and opportunities around late life care in our community. The documentary is the first installment of a six part series funded by the Robina Foundation, the foundation Penny works with.  The documentary and patient stories are available on LifeCourseMN.

 

MCC member Patty Connelly is wondering if any MCC members would be interested in forming a group to participate in the North Loop Neighborhood Earth Day Cleanup on April 26.  The cleanup includes picking up trash in our neighborhood's streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and green spaces.  Supplies will be provided by the city of Minneapolis. If you are interested in participating, please contact Patty Connelly or contact Scott Woller for more information.  

 

Around Town

 

Library Salon Series:  The Library as Material

April 2, 7-9 pm, American Craft Council Library, 1224 Marshall St NE, Ste 200

Join New York Public Library's Rare Books Division Librarian and Library as Incubator Project's co-founders for a conversation on the potential of the library as a creative catalyst and material resource.  The event is free; reservations are not required but space is limited.  Doors open at 6:30 pm.  For more information, click here.

 

Weekly Water Walks

Tuesdays, April 8-May 6, 12-1 pm, 84 Church St SE, front steps of Northrop Auditorium

In recognition of Northrop's re-opening, River Life will sponsor a series of Water Walks. Join the walk and learn about the campus in a national park, about the community below the bluffs, about ways of engaging the river's stories, and much, much more. For more information, click here.  

 

Baseball in the Combat Zone

April 10, 7-8:30 pm, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Pohlad Hall

Legendary Twins broadcaster Dick Bremer will moderate a discussion with baseball writers John Rosengren (The Fight of Their Lives), Robert Weintraub (The Victory Season), and Tim Wendel (Down to the Last Pitch).  Join this free event and celebrate the upcoming baseball season!

 

Heron Egg Hunt

April 12, 10 am-12 pm, Carl Kroening Interpretive Center, 4900 Mississippi Court

Join a special hunt for the returning great blue herons' blue eggs.  Hunts will be at 10:30 and 11:15 and are divided into age groups.  Find a special golden egg and receive a basket full of goodies.  $5 if you pre-register, $6 on April 12.  20% discount for groups of four or more.  To register, click here.

   

Mill City Times

It's a metro website devoted specifically to our neighborhood and a place to go to find out what's happening, whether it's a new restaurant opening, a local event, proposed construction, etc.  Check it out at MillCityTimes.com.

MCC Upcoming Events 
                    
View the April Calendar here

 

April 1:  Creating Dialogue:  Othello.  Members click here.

April 1:  Technology Helpdesk.  Registration is now closed.

April 2:  Rendezvous Readers Book Chat.  No reservations required.

April 2:  Social Bridge.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 3:  Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 6:  Sunday Soiree.  Members click here.

April 7:  Nosy Neighbor Tour:  Downtown YWCA.  Members click here.

April 8:  Guthrie Play Reading:  Crimes of the Heart.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 9:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations necessary.

April 9:  MCC Board Meeting.

April 10: Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 14:  Great Decisions.  Members click here.

April 16:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations necessary.

April 16:  Social Bridge.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 17:  Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 22:  Aging Well:  An Ongoing Conversation.  Members click here.
Mill City Commons   
Did You Know?
  
There is a difference between the member profile and the member directory?
 
The member directory is where you can see the contact information for other members.  To access the member directory, log in and put your cursor on "Membership" and then click on "Membership Directory."
 
On our new website, the member profile is where you can manage and track your own account including renewal payments, events you've attended or have registered for, and your contact information.  To access your member profile, log in and hover your cursor over your name on the top right-hand side of the screen and click on "Profile."

 

The website is an excellent resource -- if you need help accessing it, please contact the office at 612-455-3329 or info@millcitycommons.org
 
 Thank you!
 
 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, April 2, 9:30-10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
    No reservations required.
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker.
 

Rendezvous on 5

Wednesdays, 9-10 am

Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express

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, April 10
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.

Our Turn  

Thursday, April 3

3:30 - 5:00 pm 

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

(*Monday's classes are currently on hiatus) 

Thursdays
2:00-3:00pm
501FIT,
501 Washington Avenue
Created exclusively for MCC, this class at 501F1T focuses on strength, balance, and stretching. 
First time participants, please contact 501F1T at 612-767-4415 and arrive 20 minutes early to complete paperwork. Cost varies depending on commitment.

  

  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