Masthead
July 22, 2014
Executive Director Update
 
A recent MCC member survey told us that 98% of membership would "probably or definitely" recommend Mill City Commons to a friend or neighbor. A full 96% of members say that "Meeting new friends and neighbors and building supportive relationships" is a valuable benefit of membership. We would love to grow membership and increase the number of our MCC friends and neighbors. Contact me to learn more! 

There are so many exciting activities in the neighborhood this week in conjunction with the Minneapolis Aquatennial. Tomorrow night enjoy the Torchlight Parade along Hennepin Avenue from 8:30-10:30pm, and Saturday night enjoy the dazzling Target Fireworks on the Riverfront at 10:00pm along with pre-firework festivities starting at 6:00 pm. Hope to see you in the neighborhood!  -- Linnea

Social Bridge

Wednesday, July 23, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Stone Arch Lofts Community Room, 600 S 2nd St

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, July 24, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Fifth Avenue Lofts, 401 N 2nd St, #302
MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women. This group meets every other Thursday alternating between morning and afternoon times. This week's topic will focus on four questions that may help us create a journey and set goals.  Ask yourself: "How do I want to spend my time? What daily activities make me want to leap out of bed?  What do I want to learn?  Who do I want to hang out with?  Talk with?  Collaborate with?"  Susan Hartman hosts.

Women MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Target Fireworks 
Saturday, July 26, 10:00 - 11:00 pm
West River Parkway, along the Mississippi River
One of the largest annual firework shows in the country, the Target Fireworks will light up the Minneapolis sky at 10 pm with a spectacular pyrotechnic display in celebration of the 75th Aquatennial.  
 
MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.
A Day at Canterbury Park  
Sunday, July 27, 12:00 - 3:00 pm
1100 Canterbury Rd, Shakopee
The presidential suite at Canterbury Park has been reserved to provide members with a special day at the racetrack, as well as an opportunity to meet members of the Daybreakers Breakfast Club and the Minneapolis University Rotary Club.  Enjoy the delicious Sunday buffet brunch, 7 TVs, private bar, and a private betting window. The cost is $26.95 per person and includes admission and brunch.  The first race goes off at 12:45 pm but anyone who wants to bet the daily double may want to arrive between 11:30 and 11:45 to do their handicapping. Races run until 5 pm.  Guests can come early and stay as long as they wish. 
 
Registration is now closed.
Nosy Neighbor Tour:  Hennepin Cultural District
Tuesday, July 29, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Cowles Center, Target Room, 528 Hennepin Ave
Engage in conversation with leaders of the Hennepin Cultural District and discuss plans for a re-energized, walkable Hennepin Avenue and unified cultural district stretching from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to the Mississippi Riverfront.  Hear some short presentations about adding more cultural activity to make the Avenue, the heart of the downtown district, and surrounding areas a more inviting place.  Ask questions of Scott Mayer of the Hennepin Theatre Trust, Wendy Holmes of Artspace, Lynn Von Eschen of the Cowles Center, and Ryan French of the Walker Art Center. 

MCC members sign up here.
Last Tuesday Happy Hour 
Tuesday, July 29, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Mason's Restaurant and Barre, 528 Hennepin Ave
Join us for the Last Tuesday Happy Hour. Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat - no reservations required!  John and Sonia Cairns host at Mason's Restaurant and Barre.  Should you want to stay for dinner, make reservations directly with Mason's at 612-206-3600.
 
MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.
Men's Coffee and Conversation 
Thursday, July 31, 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 leader is Peter Gillette on the topic of "Turning 80: the Last Fragment."

 

Men MCC Members sign up here; Guests email MCC.

National Night Out  
Tuesday, August 5, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chicago Plaza, Chute Square, West River Parkway at Hennepin Ave and other neighborhood block party locations
National Night Out is an annual nationwide event that encourages residents to get out in the community, holding block parties and getting to know their neighbors as a way to encourage crime prevention.  It's a great way to promote community-police partnerships and enjoy a Minnesota summer evening surrounded by friends and family.
 
MCC members and guests.  No registration required.  
News from Members

MCC member Patty Connelly wants members to know that the Plymouth Playhouse has a new Broadway show running from July until November.  "Ring of Fire" captures the life and music of Johnny Cash.  For more information, click here.
 
MCC member Carol Jordan invites members to attend upcoming Minneapolis Central Library events:
August 13, 5:30-7:30 pm - Global Conversations:  Food & Climate.  
August 21, 7:00-8:00 pm - All About Bees.
Around Town

 

ARTshare Membership Event

July 22, 2:00-6:00 pm, Town Hall Brewery, 1430 Washington Ave S

Join the Southern Theater as they celebrate the kick off of the public availability of ARTshare memberships.  The gathering will include performances, speeches, and food and beverages.  Memberships are limited and allow you to pay $18 a month to have access to 15 Resident Performing Arts groups over the course of the year.  For more details on ARTshare, click here.  

 

Minnesota Fringe Festival

July 31-August 10, various venues 

The Minnesota Fringe is an 11-day performance festival featuring 169 original theater, dance, and musical theater productions.  Single tickets are $12.  For more information on the festival and shows, click here.

 

O'wamni:  Falling Water Festival

August 2, 2 pm until dark, Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, 420 Main St SE

Come celebrate indigenous Minnesota culture.  There will be music by both local and national indigenous voices, an arts fair area focused on American Indian contemporary and traditional arts, food from Sioux Chef and Native Food Perspective, and a screening of The Jingle Dress at dusk.   

 

In Cahoots! A Collaboration of Craft

August 3, 2:00-8:00 pm, Red Stag Supperclub, 509 1st Ave NE

Eight Minneapolis breweries formed four teams to create four new collaboration beers that will debut at this year's Red Stag block party.  You vote on the best brew and a portion of the event proceeds go to the winning team's local charity.  This is a free event, held rain or shine. 

 

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 July Calendar here
View the August Calendar here

 

July 23:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

July 23:  Social Bridge.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

July 23:  Torchlight Parade.  Members click here.

July 24:  Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

July 26:  Target Fireworks.  Members click here.

July 27:  A Day at Canterbury Park.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

July 29:  Nosy Neighbor Tour:  Hennepin Cultural District.  Members click here.

July 29:  Last Tuesday Happy Hour.  No reservations required.

July 30:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

July 31:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

August 5:  Program Committee meeting. 

August 5:  National Night Out.  Members click here.

August 6:  Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat.  No reservations required.

August 6:  Social Bridge.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

August 7:  Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

August 7:  Gather at the Walker.  Members click here.

August 10:  Saint Paul Saints Game.  Members click here.
Mill City Commons   
Did You Know?

...about the My Health Care Wishes app?

This new app, released by the American Bar Association, enables you to manage and share important health care wishes using your smartphone.  You upload your completed advance directives and have immediate access to it in an emergency.  The "lite" app is free or you can pay $3.99 for the "pro" version.

 For more information, click here.
 
Ongoing Member-Led Activities

 

Men's B&B Lunch
Elsie's Restaurant,
729 Marshall St NE
Alternating Thursdays at 12 pm
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact  Allan Burdick

MCC Bike Riders 

Meet at Washburn/

Stone Arch  

parking lot 

Tuesday and Friday mornings at 7:15am

 Several MCC members meet to bike a couple mornings during the summer. The ride covers about 12 miles in a little more than an hour.

For more details and to join the riders, please contact Ellen Breyer.  

 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
   No reservations required.
Driftless by David Rhodes

Rendezvous on 5

Wednesdays

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  

Elsie's Restaurant,

729 Marshall Street NE

Caffeine and camaraderie for the male members of MCC! This group meets every other Thursday morning and is hosted by various members who get the conversation going.

Our Turn: A Conversation for Women 

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

                            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