Masthead
February 17, 2015
Executive Director Update
     

Are you a caregiver? Several of Mill City Commons members are discussing launching a caregiver support group. If you're interested, please contact me -- I will get you in touch with them. We've also included links to caregiver resources on the Mill City Commons website. Click here to find links to websites and resources for aging in community including for caregivers.  -- Linnea 
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.
Social Bridge
Wednesday, February 18, 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 19, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
The Towers, 19 S 1st St, #B2501
MCC women and guests, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women.  This group meets every other Thursday alternating between morning and afternoon times.  Madeline Betsch hosts and asks "Is there one decision you made that changed the course of your life (aside from selecting a partner)?"

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, February 24, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Marvel Bar, 50 N 2nd 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!  Ginny and Will Craig host at the Marvel Bar, just recently named "Best Cocktail Bar" by Mpls. St. Paul Magazine and a top rated bar in the U.S.  Try one of their custom cocktails, their weekly punch, a glass of wine or beer.  If you'd like to stay for dinner, make reservations upstairs at the Bachelor Farmer by calling 612-206-3920. 

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required. 
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, February 26, 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.  MCC member John Crosby hosts Ted Tucker, who will give an update on the key elements of the Central Riverfront Master Plan. Mr. Tucker was Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee and presented the plan to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board last month.  The plan covers both sides of the River from the I-35 bridge to the Plymouth Ave bridge.  In addition to his remarks, he will show a video and answer questions.  Ted is a leader in the Marcy Holmes neighborhood and a longtime activist for projects along the central riverfront.

Men MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
12,000 Years on the Minneapolis Central Riverfront
Thursday, February 26, 4:30 - 6:00 pm
The Towers Garden Room, 15 S 1st St
Minnesota State Archaeologist Scott Anfinson will share the cultural and environmental history of the riverfront, focusing on what we have learned from archaeological explorations over the last quarter century. It begins with ancient Indian occupations before St. Anthony Falls was even present and ends with recent re-development activities. As State Archaeologist, Scott's duties include authenticating unrecorded burial grounds, protecting archaeological sites, promoting archaeological education, and encouraging archaeological research. He is the author of a number of books including A Handbook of Minnesota Prehistoric Ceramics, Southwestern Minnesota Archaeology, and two volumes of The Minnesota Archaeologist on the archaeology and history of the Minneapolis Central Riverfront.

MCC Members sign up here.
News from Members
 
MCC member Barbara Goldner shares information about a Mayo Clinic program, HABIT, being hosted by Plymouth Church Minneapolis. This study program is aimed at preventing or delaying dementia. The requirements for participation are a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, a study partner, ability to participate from June 1-12 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.  If you or someone you know would like to participate, please respond to Parker Trostel at ptrostel@comcast.net or call Parker at 612-926-7746 with questions. 

MCC member Peg Kavaney
wants members to know about a documentary on PBS.  FRONTLINE's "Being Mortal" follows renowned writer and surgeon Atul Gawande as he explores the relationships doctors have with patients who are nearing the end of life.  The documentary is available to watch online.
 
MCC member Dick Olson invites members to the Caring for a Person with Memory Loss conference.  This free event takes place May 30 from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm at the University of Minnesota (or you can attend the conference via the online, live stream).  To register, click here.  Details will soon be posted on their website.
Around Town

Talk of the Stacks: Boris Fishman
Thursday, February 19, 7:00 pm, Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall
Boris Fishman was born in the Soviet Union and immigrated to the United States in 1980 at the age of nine. An accomplished journalist with a bachelor's in Russian Literature from Princeton and a master's in Fiction from New York University, his writing has appeared in the New Yorker, London Review of Books and elsewhere. His debut novel, A Replacement Life, has garnered praise from the literary world and was selected as one of the New York Times' 100 Notable Books for 2014. Free and open to the public. Book sale/signing.

Weather Forecasting for Adults

Saturday, February 28, 10 am - 12 noon, 

North Mississippi Regional Park, 4900 Mississippi Court

Discover topics such as the jetstream, air pressure, wind chill and storms. Use scientific instruments to collect data, and make a forecast predictingtomorrow's weather. Go on a nature walk along the Mississippi River. Refreshments provided. $5. Reservations required. For information 763-694-7693;

register: http://www.threeriversparks.org/events/W/weather-forecasting-for-adults.aspx.

 

Thurgood
March 6-15, various times, Illusion Theater, Cowles Center 8th fl, 528 Hennepin Ave
A powerful play based on the life of Justice Thurgood Marshall (featuring James Craven).  From a childhood in the back alleys of Baltimore to the Supreme Court of the United States, Justice Marshall overcame many adversities.  Thurgood is an eye-opening, humorous and uplifting portrait of a true American hero. Post-show panels and audience discussions follow each performance.  For tickets, 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
View the March Calendar 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!

February 25:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

February 26:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

February 26:  12,000 Years on the Minneapolis Central Riverfront.  Members click here.

March 3:  Program Committee Meeting.

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

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

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

March 9:  Great Decisions.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.
 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
   No reservations required.
The Last Runaway
by Tracy Chevalier

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 NEW 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
 Feb 19 & March 5
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