Masthead
December 16, 2014
Executive Director Update

Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, begins at sunset tonight and runs through December 24th. Happy Chanukah and Happy Holidays! 


 Celebrate the season with Mill City Commons' Holiday Happy Hour at Rachel's tonight at 5:00 and invite a neighbor to join us. Please find details below. Hope to see you there!  -- Linnea 
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!  If you'd like to stay for dinner after Happy Hour, make a reservation directly with Rachel's by calling (612) 379-3345.

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required!

ASI Neighborhood Holiday Open House
Wednesday, December 17, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave
Come explore the American Swedish Institute's winter wonderland.  Travel through the holiday traditions of the five Nordic countries, view the holiday exhibits, make a holiday handcraft or relax around the bonfires in the ASI Holiday square.  Free museum admission and complimentary refreshments by ASI's café, FIKA.

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.
Men's Coffee and Conversation 
Thursday, December 18, 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 Dick Kavaney, who asks "Are the holidays a time of joy or melancholy or some of each?  Let us share some of the stories that come to us this time of year."

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.

Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, December 18, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
La Rive Community Room, 110 Bank St SE
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. The topic this week is "What do the holidays do for you?  Are they stressful, fun, or what?  Looking toward 2015, what are your hopes, wishes or worries for it..."  Arvonne Fraser hosts. The first half hour will be spent with a glass of wine and any little holiday treat anybody wants to bring...feel free to bring guests and, if you are willing, make a small contribution to pay for the party room we use.  See the website for more information on parking.
 
MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Turkey, Dressings, and Extra Helpings
Friday, December 19, 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Meet at North Star Lofts, 117 Portland Ave 
Turkey, Dressings and Extra Helpings (TDEH) volunteers are needed to help load and unload food for families from Ascension School.  We'll meet in the North Star Lofts parking lot, 117 Portland Avenue at 10:30 am, drive to Cub Foods at I94 and Broadway, 701 Broadway, to pick up groceries and then drive to Ascension School, 1726 N Dupont Avenue, to drop them off. Please register and answer the question on whether you have a large vehicle to help transfer food. Thank you!

MCC members sign up here.
ASI Winter Solstice Celebration
Sunday, December 21, 3:00 - 7:00 pm
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave
Celebrate the shortest day of the year by warming yourself in front of a bonfire at the American Swedish Institute.  Make Scandinavian S'mores in the Holiday Square, take a self-guided tour of the Turnblad Mansion's holiday exhibit, or enjoy a festive dinner and glögg (Swedish mulled wine) at ASI's cafe.  The festivities are included with Museum Admission (free for ASI members).

 

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.

New Year's Eve Dinner
Wednesday, December 31, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Spoonriver, 750 S 2nd St 
Brenda Langton and her team at Spoonriver invite you to celebrate building community this New Year's Eve. She has developed an a la carte menu for the occasion and will include a complimentary smoked salmon appetizer for Mill City Commons members. Brenda is committed to cooking with health and longevity top of mind. Join your neighbors and celebrate a year well lived!  Please register on the MCC website by December 23.
 
MCC members sign up here.  Guests email MCC.
News from Members

Don't forget to check the MCC Forum page for information on what's happening in the neighborhood!  -- Linnea

MCC member John Cairns shares the following article:  Why Elders Smile.

Need some help with the housework this winter?  MCC member Toni Rosen would like members to know about her trustworthy and excellent cleaning people.  For their contact information, log in to the website and go to the First Stop Guide/Service Providers/Housekeeping Services and look for Sherri and Kari.  Toni would also like to recommend the Rosen's personal trainer, Rob Hanson.  His contact information can be found at First Stop Guide/Health & Wellness/Fitness. Feel free to email Toni with any questions.
Around Town

The Hothouse
December 10-January 4, Artspace Grain Belt Bottling House, 79 13th Ave NE
The Hothouse is a brilliant dark comedy that uses lacerating wit, masterful wordplay, broad humor, and a touch of the absurd to provide a comic indictment of institutional bureaucracy.  This clever and cutting satire exposes the underbelly of the hierarchical power structure on one fateful Christmas Day. Tickets can be purchased here.

HABIT Information Session
January 22, 10:00-11:30 am, Plymouth Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave
Mayo Clinic staff are hosting an information session on their HABIT program, which is aimed to prevent or delay dementia.  The requirements for participation are a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, a study partner, ability to participate from April 20-May 1 for four hours each day at Plymouth Church, and ability to travel to Rochester for a pre-program evaluation and a one day booster 6 months later. There is no cost to participants.  Learn more details at the session on January 22.

 

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
View the January Calendar 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.

December 24:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

December 31:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

December 31:  New Year's Eve Dinner.  Members click here.

January 6:  Taking Risks:  Theological Imaginings.  Members click here.
Volunteer Opportunities 
 
 Click here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC Website!  
 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month
Charley's Grill at the Depot
   No reservations required.
Changing Habits
by Debbie Macomber

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
 January 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