Masthead
August 26, 2014
Executive Director Update
 
One of the suggestions from our June Member Survey was to promote opportunities for community involvement / volunteering. In last week's Musings I highlighted a volunteer opportunity at MacPhail. Since then, we've added a link to our website under the "Get Involved" tab that will direct you to that opportunity and a couple more. To get there, go to www.millcitycommons.org, click on "Get Involved," select "Volunteer" and click on the "community volunteer opportunities" link. I encourage you to let us know of additional opportunities in the neighborhood you believe should be shared with members and others (they are on the public site). To keep it top of mind, we've added the link in the "Volunteer Opportunities" column to the right. Thanks in advance for your involvement!

Tonight is Last Tuesday Happy Hour at Jax Cafe. For details, please look below -- MCC members Tom and Anne Carrier host. I hope to see you there!!  -- Linnea
Nosy Neighbor Tour:  MN Opera Center
Tuesday, August 26, 3:30 - 4:45 pm
Minnesota Opera Center, 620 N First St
In 1990, the Minnesota Opera Center renovated three warehouse buildings, totaling 50,000 square feet. Come see the scenic shop, costume shop, rehearsal hall, coaching rooms, administrative offices, and the storage facilities for scenery and costumes.  The expanded space has enabled the Opera to build a majority of its own productions, as well as build productions for other opera companies across the United States.  We hope to catch a rehearsal while we're touring the building!

Members sign up here.
Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, August 26, 5:00-6:00 pm
Jax Cafe, 1928 University Ave NE
Join us for the Last Tuesday Happy Hour. Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat - no reservations required!  Anne and Tom Carrier host at Jax Cafe.  If you'd like to stay for dinner after Happy Hour, make a reservation directly with Jax Cafe by calling (612) 789-7297.

Members and guests welcome.  No reservations required!

Men's Coffee and Conversation 
Thursday, August 28, 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 Scott Parkin, CEO of Verve Realty, and an expert on downtown residential trends.

 

Men MCC Members sign up here; Guests email MCC.

Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, September 2, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Guthrie Theater, Level 5 Express, 818 S 2nd St
Join us to discuss I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.  Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local "powhitetrash."  At eight years old and back at her mother's side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age-and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime.  Years later, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.  

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.

Social Bridge

Wednesday, September 3, 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, September 4, 9:30 - 11:00 am
Cobalt Condos, 45 University Ave SE, #405
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 is "Music - what role has it played in your life? And how has it changed (or not) over the years?"  Inspired by the movie Alive Inside now showing at the Edina Theater on the impact of music therapy in our age group.  Lou Burdick hosts.

 

Women MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Sunday Brunch Soiree
Sunday, September 7, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Stone Arch Lofts, 600 S 2nd St, Rooftop patio
Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Brunch Soiree hosted by Marcia Townley and Peggy and Dave Lucas.  Please contribute to the potluck by bringing an egg dish, fruit, breakfast bread, muffins, or other brunch fare.  Juice, sparkling water, and coffee will be provided.  You are welcome to bring your own wine or beer.  As you register, let us know what you will bring by answering the "Question" that will appear on the screen.

MCC members sign up here.
Monuments and Memorials
Monday, September 8, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Stone Arch Lofts, 600 S 2nd St #701
Americans love the monuments and memorials of our nation's capital but seldom look at them critically.  The monuments created in the last 30 years: Vietnam, WW2, FDR, and Martin Luther King contain coded messages from one generation to the next about our ideals and values as a nation.  What do these and the other major memorials say about our culture today and our hopes for the future?  Peggy Lucas hosts guest speaker and civic educator Charles Tampio for an insightful look at our nation's great landmarks.

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Great Decisions
Monday, September 8, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE
This month's Great Decisions Discussion Group will respond to the chapter on Food and Climate.   Even as a sixth of the world's population suffers from chronic hunger, a changing climate threatens to wreak havoc on already insecure and vulnerable populations. As food and water become scarce and once fertile land becomes barren, the U.S. finds itself faced with new challenges in securing the globe. The U.S. is getting ready, but can it lead the way to climate reform?  Ellie Hands hosts this month's speaker, Dr. Kate Brauman, Lead Scientist at the Global Landscapes Initiative at the UMN Institute on the Environment.  Dr. Brauman is an expert in "crop per drop" - assessing agricultural productivity as climate change affects global water supply.  This event is for members who have signed up for Great Decisions 2014.

MCC 2014 Great Decisions members sign up here.
News from Members

MCC member Peter Gillette is coordinating a trip to Iran for MCC members.  The spots are filling up but MCC members still have precedence.  For more information on this exciting opportunity to see the Changing Faces of Iran, click here.

MCC member Lois Libby Juster, a University of Minnesota Buckman Fellow, is inviting members to attend a reception of the exhibit FINE: Reflections on Resilience on September 5, 6:00-7:30 pm at Augsburg College, Student Art Gallery, 22nd Ave S at 7 1/2 St.  The exhibit is a collaboration of students from Augsburg College and PEASE Academy, the oldest sober high school in the U.S.  Themes such as addiction, recovery, and common challenges that all humans face were expressed through creative writing, collage, and the design of a zine.   
Around Town

 

Fifth Annual Kramarczuk's Kielbasa Festival 2014

September 5 and 6, 215 E Hennepin Ave

Kramarczuk's Sausage Company invites you to "Meat Us In Nordeast."  This tented event will feature live music and family entertainment, Kramarczuk's street food and both local and European beers on tap.  For more information, click here.

 

Riverwalk

September 6, 8:00-9:00 am, 4900 Mississippi Court, North Mississippi Regional Park

Start your morning with a guided hike along the Mississippi!  This month's topic during the walk is "How Do We Use the Water?  What's the Water Quality?"  This event is free and is part of the Kroening Interpretive Center Programs.  To register, click here.

 

The Main Street Project

September 15, 6:00-9:00 pm (unveiling ceremony at the Marriott Courtyard); October 2- 5, Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave S

This project explores how current attitudes, relationships and habits have changed in an information-driven technological world by utilizing integrative forms of media. Local photographers will reveal their perspective on community at the premiere and their images will be projected on surfaces across the city.  Advance tickets are $20 and can be purchased 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 August Calendar here
View the September Calendar here

 

August 26:  Nosy Neighbor Tour:  MN Opera Center.  Members click here.  

August 26:  Last Tuesday Happy Hour.  No reservations required.

August 27:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

August 28:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

September 3:  Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat.  No reservations required.

September 3:  Social Bridge.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

September 4:  Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

September 7:  Sunday Brunch Soiree.  Members click here.

September 8:  Monuments and Memorials.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

September 8:  Great Decisions.  GD 2014 Members click here.

September 9:  Program Committee Meeting.

September 10:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

September 10:  MCC Board Meeting.  Members click here.

September 10:  Bridging East and West: Yi Kai.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

September 11:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

September 11:  Coldwater Spring Historical Nature Tour.  Members click here.

September 15:  In the Know:  Vikings Stadium.  Members click here.  Guests email MCC.

September 16:  Elderquest in Today's Movies:  An Introduction.  Members click here.
 
Volunteer Opportunities 

Based on member feedback, we're listing community volunteer opportunities on the MCC website.  Click here to learn more!  
 

Looking for a healthy fitness program? Enjoy exercising with friends at one of

 

  Mill City Commons

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.

 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
   No reservations required.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

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.

 

 
Ongoing Member-Led Activities

 

Men's B&BS Lunch
Elsie's Restaurant,
729 Marshall St NE
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
 September 4 & 18
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 7:00 am

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