Masthead
December 2, 2014
Executive Director Update

Our 7th Annual Turkey, Dressings and Extra Helpings drive is off to a great start! We've already had winter coats and costume jewelry dropped off at both the MCC office and North Star Lofts entry. And generous members and friends are sending checks to purchase groceries for 50 holiday food baskets. Cash donations will be accepted through December 15th and clothes and gifts through December 14th so that deliveries can be made before school is out and children are home for the holidays. (More details can be found via the link under Volunteer Opportunities.) We're looking for members to help with grocery pick up and delivery on Friday, December 19th. To volunteer, click here and register. Thank you!!    -- Linnea
Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, December 3, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Guthrie Theater, Level 5 Express, 818 S 2nd St 
Join us to discuss The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Meet Christopher John Francis Boone, who knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions.  He lives on patterns, rules, and a diagram kept in his pocket.  Then one day, a neighbor's dog, Wellington, is killed and his carefully constructive universe is threatened.  Christopher sets out to solve the murder in the style of his favorite detective, Sherlock Holmes.  What follows makes for a novel that is deeply funny, poignant, and fascinating in its portrayal of a person whose curse and blessing are a mind that perceives the world entirely literally.

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.
Men's Coffee and Conversation 
Thursday, December 4, 7:30 - 8:30 am
Elsie's Restaurant, 729 Marshall St NE 
Caffeine and camaraderie for the male members of MCC!  This groups meets every other Thursday and is hosted by various members who get the conversation going. Please register by the Monday prior to  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  This week's conversation leader is Walt Bailey on the topic of Infant Brain Development.

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.

Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, December 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.  Lou Burdick hosts on the topic of "Joy." It's a word we encounter often in the holiday season. In what season of your life did you experience your most joyful life experience?  What brings you the most joy in the here and now?

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Holiday No Coast Craft-o-Rama
Friday, December 5, 3:00 - 8:00 pm
Midtown Global Exchange Building, 920 E Lake St 
The No Coast Craft-o-Rama is a craft event that features a variety of local designers, artists, crafters, and other talented creators of unique handmade goods at the Midtown Global Exchange building.  There will be entertainment, plenty of good eats, and a great community and holiday feel!   The event will also be open on Saturday, December 6, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, and is open to the public.  

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.
Cooks of Crocus Hill Cooking Class: Italian Comfort Food
Sunday, December 7, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
324 S Main St, Stillwater
There is a special warmth that comes with comfort food, and Italy offers some of the most mouthwatering comfort food out there. Join Chef Suzanne in the kitchen to make a piece of a multicourse Italian feast including Creamy Potato and Asparagus Soup, Ustica Sauce; Cocoa-Crusted Beef Tenderloin Braised in Italian Dry Red Wine; Baked Polenta Layered with Lombardy Wild Mushroom Sauce and Fontina Cheese. This class is now full.  Please call Cooks of Crocus Hill directly at 651-351-1144 to be added to the wait list.  Tickets are $75.

This class is full; to be added to the waiting list, click here.
Social Bridge
Wednesday, December 10, 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 begins immediately at 3:00 pm.

 

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.

At the Movies: Driving Miss Daisy
Thursday, December 11, 1:30 - 4:00 pm
RiverWest, 401 S 1st St, #1202
Driving Miss Daisy tells the story of a strong-willed Atlanta matron and her patient but equally determined chauffeur.  For two different people, they have a lot in common.  The bumpy road they travel leads to the friendship of a lifetime.  Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman star in this award-winning film.  If you'd like to watch the movie on your own, join us for the discussion at 3:15.

MCC members sign up here.
Author Celebration: Linda Mack
Thursday, December 11, 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Cobalt Condos, 45 University Ave SE, #606
Join us as we hear from author Linda Mack on her motivation to write the book Madeline Island Summer Houses: An Intimate Journey.  She'll be discussing some of the challenges and surprises she experienced along the way.  The book visits 27 summer places and shares the stories of the families that cherish them.  Linda served as the architecture columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for more than 20 years and was the former editor of Architecture Minnesota magazine.  She writes about architecture, historic preservation and urban design.

MCC members sign up here.
Burnet Gallery Opening Reception
Friday, December 12, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Burnet Gallery, Le Meridien Chambers, 901 Hennepin Ave
Join us for artist Drew Peterson's show, Waterworks, at the Burnet Gallery, a commercial gallery located in Le Meridien Chambers.  Drew is a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  View his collection of watercolor monoprint/screen prints, while enjoying complimentary wine.


MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.
Holiday Happy Hour
Tuesday, December 16, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Rachel's, 222 E Hennepin Ave
Join us for our Holiday Happy Hour hosted by Mill City Commons. 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 Linnea Olesen wants members to know that Love's Labour's Lost is a great opportunity to enjoy the Moving Company's brilliant work.  The show is a spectacle to behold and plays every Thursday-Sunday through December 21 at the Lab Theater.  For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

MCC member Patty Connelly invites members to attend The Alley Cats In a Doo-Wop Christmas at the Plymouth Playhouse.  The show runs from November 28-January 4.  Tickets can be purchased here.

MCC member Karla Ekdahl invites members to the Giving Voice choral concert. Performances are December 6 at 4:00 and 6:00 pm at Antonello Hall, MacPhail Center for Music, 501 S 2nd St.  Donations will be accepted at the door. For more information, click here. 
Around Town

Downtown Service Area Master Plan and Downtown Public Realm Framework Steering Committee Meeting
December 2, 6:30-8:30 pm, MPRB HQ 2117 West River Rd, Board Rm
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapoils are developing planning processes to form a vision for parks, open space and the public realm in downtown Minneapolis.  The public is invited to the an initial meeting of a Steering Committee.  To learn more about the project, click here.

An Eventually Christmas:  Holidays at the Mill
December 18 & 19, 6:00, 7:00 & 8:00 pm, December 20 5:00, 6:00 & 7:00 pm, Mill City Museum, 704 2nd St S
This unique play is performed in the Flour Tower elevator ride and features "the Ghost of Mill City Past" who guides a look at the 1920 Washburn Crosby holiday party. The script is based on real stories taken from the pages of the company's employee newspaper.  Tickets can be purchased here and include a voucher for museum admission and post-performance refreshments.  

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 December Calendar here

 

December 2:  Program Committee Meeting.

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

December 4:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

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

December 5:  Holiday No Coast Craft-o-Rama.  Members click here.

December 7:  Cooks of Crocus Hill Cooking Class: Italian Comfort Food. This program is full.

December 10:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

December 10:  Social Bridge.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

December 11:  At the Movies: Driving Miss Dairy.  Members click here.

December 11:  Author Celebration: Linda Mack.  Members click here.

December 12:  Burnet Gallery Opening Reception.  Members click here.

December 16:  Holiday Happy Hour.  No reservations required.

December 17:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

December 17:  ASI Holiday Open House.  Members click here.

December 18:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

December 18:  Our Turn: A Conversation for Women.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

December 19:  TDEH Volunteer Opportunity.  Members click here.

December 21:  ASI Winter Solstice Celebration.  Members click here.
Volunteer Opportunities 

Mill City Commons' 7th Annual
Turkey, Dressings, and Extra Helpings Drive has begun!  Click here to learn more about donating to this great cause and for more information on a volunteer opportunity to deliver the food baskets to a local school. 
 
 Click here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC Website!  
 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
   No reservations required.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon

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
 Dec. 11 & Jan. 8
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact  Allan Burdick
 

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 of 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