Masthead
February 3, 2015
Executive Director Update
   

I'm excited to share that the Mill City Commons Board of Directors has approved a reduced fee membership to increase Village inclusiveness!

We recognize that the income older people need to maintain independence and meet daily expenses varies based on life circumstances. Reduced fee membership applicants' incomes will be at or below $45,000 annually for a single household, and $51,000 for a dual household. (These income limits were determined by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report.) The cost of a reduced fee membership is one half of Mill City Commons' annual dues; $325 annually for a single household membership and $525 for a dual household membership. Because reduced fee memberships are supported by donations, we must limit them to two per month. Please consider sharing this information with your neighbors - they or one of their neighbors may qualify. Click here for a copy of the application. Thank you!   -- Linnea 
Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, February 4, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express, 818 S 2nd St 
Join us to discuss The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.  Read this powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of unexpected friendship, and of the secrets we carry that keep us from finding out who we are.  The story follows Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer as she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, discovering that they aren't as different as they seem to be.  Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life - answers that will ultimately free them both.  

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required. 
Social Bridge
Wednesday, February 4, 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 the 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.
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women 
Thursday, February 5, 9:30 - 11:00 am 
The Landings, 510 River St
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.  Sylvia Kaplan hosts on the topic of "Reading: Now and Then."  What role did reading play in your life over the years?  Who were some of your fictional role models (Jo March, Madame Bovary, etc)?  Have your reading choices changed over the years? How has your role as a reader informed your life? 

MCC women sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Great Decisions
Monday, February 9, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE 
MCC Great Decisions 2015 Discussion Group members are invited to hear Tom Hanson speak on the topic of Russia and the Near Abroad.  "As calls for closer ties with the EU failed to be met, Ukrainians took to the streets in November 2013. The movement pulled western Ukraine closer to its European neighbors, while Russia threatened to tear away the country's eastern half.  Putin's pushback against European expansionism has the West wondering: If Putin's Russia isn't afraid to take an aggressive stance against Europeanization in Ukraine, what does that mean for the rest of Russia's neighbors?"  Tom Hanson is a foreign policy consultant and a former career U.S. Foreign Service Officer.  During his career with the U.S. Foreign Service, his postings included East Germany, France, Norway, the Soviet Union, Sweden and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia.  Ellie Hands hosts at the Winslow House Party Room. Sorry, not open to guests; to join the MCC Great Decisions Discussion Group, contact the MCC office.  
 
MCC Great Decisions members sign up here.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, February 12, 7:30 - 8:30 am
Elsie's Restaurant, 729 Marshall St   
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.  This week Bob Callahan hosts on the subject of "Things your pals would like to know about you."  Here's a chance for each member to share a little bit about themselves and learn something you may not know about others!  Click here for a list of possible subjects you could choose from.

Men MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Sunday Soiree
Sunday, February 15, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
The Carlyle Community Room, 100 3rd Ave S 
MCC members, join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree hosted by Charlotte and Bill Davnie at the Carlyle.  Please contribute to the potluck by bringing a hearty hors d'oeurve or dessert.  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.
Webster School Coffee Talk
Tuesday, February 17, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Davis Center, 1250 W Broadway, Room S1-433
Principal Ginger Kranz will share the latest about Webster School - opening Fall 2015, answer our questions and talk about opportunities for volunteering. Webster will be a community school - joining NE and downtown neighborhoods. The school will initially serve students from PreK-2nd grade. One grade will be added every year after 2015 until Webster is a PreK-5th grade school. Light snacks and beverages will be available. Room S1-433 is on the south end of the building on the first floor; Visitor Parking is on the north side of the building. Someone will be available to direct guests when they sign in at the front desk.

MCC members sign up here.
Technology Helpdesk
Tuesday, February 17, 4:30 - 6:00 pm
MCC Office, 219 Main St SE, Ste 401
Schedule time with a Tech Support Guru from Backpack Tactics and have your nagging technology questions answered during our complimentary Helpdesk. Backpack Tactics can provide support for both Apple products and PCs.  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.

MCC members sign up here.
News from Members

MCC member Carol Jordan invites members to "Global Conversations:  Russia and the Near Abroad" featuring former Foreign Service Officer Margo Squire at the Minneapolis Central Library on February 11 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.  The event is free but pre-registration is required.  For more information or to register, click here.  
Around Town

From Mother Corn to GMO: Indigenous Peoples and Plant Genetics
February 12, 5:30 pm, River Room Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main St
What are the implications of the increasing amount of technology involved in food production for American Indians?  How might a concept like "food sovereignty" work to heal American Indian communities and decrease colonial dependency?   Join Sip of Science as Dr. Clint Carroll looks at indigenous perspectives on intellectual and cultural property, and the recent indigenous traditional food movement.  Free but registration is requested and can be completed here.

Baking Memories:  Mill City Bake-Off Challenge
February 14, 12:30-2:30 pm, Mill City Museum, 704 2nd St S
In true "test kitchen" style, Mill City Museum staff will create an original recipe on-the-spot using ingredients that guests choose.  Visitors can see and taste the new recipe to judge if it has the qualities needed to be a winner.  The program is included in museum admission; free for MNHS members.

Zoot Suit Riots
March 5-15, The Lab Theater, 700 1st St N
It's 1943, and the Zoot Suit racial riots are triggered in Los Angeles.  When the trouble spreads to Harlem's Savoy Ballroom, the first integrated dance club in the heyday of jazz, the fate of two childhood best friends is put into jeopardy.  The production will feature a live swing bang, two vocalists and 10 professional dancers. To purchase tickets, click here.

Telling: Minnesota 2015
March 6-15, Guthrie Theater, 818 2nd St S, Dowling Studio
This new play performed by a cast of Minnesota veterans and military family members and written from their own experiences, Telling: Minnesota 2015 will create an opportunity for area military veterans and family to speak, and their fellow citizens to listen.  For more information, 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 February Calendar here

 

February 3:  Program Committee Meeting.

February 4:  Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat.  No reservations required.

February 4:  Social Bridge.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

February 5:  Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

February 9:  Great Decisions.  2015 Great Decisions Members click here.

February 11:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

February 12:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

February 15:  Sunday Soiree.  Members click here.

February 17:  Webster School Coffee Talk.  Members click here.

February 17:  Technology Helpdesk.  Members click here.

February 18:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

February 18:  Social Bridge.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

February 19:  Our Turn: A Conversation for Women.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

February 24:  Last Tuesday Happy Hour.  No reservations required!
 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
   No reservations required.
The Orphan Train by
Christina Baker Kline

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.

 

 
Volunteer Opportunities 
 
 Click here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC Website!  
 

  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.

 
Ongoing Member-Led Activities

 

Men's B&BS Lunch
Elsie's Restaurant,
729 Marshall St NE
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
 February 5 & 19
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact  Allan Burdick
 
Mill City Commons | 219 Main Street SE, Suite 401, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
612-455-3329