April 7, 2015
Executive Director Update
        
Spring brings a new banner to this weekly newsletter! I took the skyline picture last summer on one of my walks to the office. MCC member Patty Canney used her graphic skills to create the banner and Mary Texidor did her magic to add it to the newsletter. We're also using this picture on our Facebook page. Check it out! Thank you, Patty and Mary!

The deadline for reserving tickets for the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival special screenings for friends of Mill City Commons and the Cynthia Froid Group is this Friday, April 10th. You'll find details below for the April 14th and 21st documentaries. Both screenings will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers at Aster Cafe's River Room. Guests are welcome to attend, but tickets are required. Please use the email link in the descriptors below to reserve your tickets. Thank you!  -- Linnea  
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, April 9, 7:30 - 8:30 am
Elsie's Restaurant, 729 Marshall St NE 
Caffeine and camaraderie for the male members of MCC and guests!  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 MCC member Ken Searl has invited Matt Halley to tell us about the "Cookie Cart," an inspiring non-profit bakery in the heart of North Minneapolis.

 

Men MCC members sign up here.

Nosy Neighbor Tour:  Cuckoo Clock Museum
Thursday, April 9, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
126 N 1st St (corner of N 1st St and 2nd Ave N)
Explore a museum unlike any other, this one hidden in a North Loop warehouse.  Jim Fiorentino has collected hundreds of cuckoo clocks, as well as other treasures including a 17 foot band organ, World War I era swords, original Edison Victrolas, and more.  Jim Fiorentino will provide a tour of his museum, where he'll highlight the lost art of ornate woodcarvings of cuckoo clocks.  You may become as enthralled with the beauty, skill, talent, and real artisanship of the cuckoo clock as Jim is.    
 
MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Great Decisions:  Brazil's Metamorphosis
Monday, April 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE 
After economic troubles in the 1990s, Brazil has risen to new global prominence - it's drawing in more investment, working on global issues ranging from climate change to peacekeeping, and even hosting the 2016 Olympics. But some of Brazil's trickiest problems have held it back.  Guest GD speaker Dick Virden will lead the discussion.  Dick retired from the Senior Foreign Service of the Department of State in 2004 with the rank of Minister-Counselor.  He was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. embassy in Brazil from 2002 to 2004.  Bud and Carol Hayden host at the Winslow House Party Room. 
 
Sorry, not open to guests; to join the MCC Great Decisions Discussion Group, email the MCC office at info@millcitycommons.org. Registration on the MCC website is required for Great Decisions members.

MCC Great Decisions members sign up here.
MSP International Film Festival Screening: Zemene
Tuesday, April 14, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
St. Anthony Main Theatre, Theatre #5, 115 Main St SE 

Cynthia Froid hosts a special screening of the documentary, Zemene.  Ten-year-old Zemene is a spirited but hunchbacked child, afflicted with a severe curvature of the spine.  A chance encounter with an American doctor specializing in disfiguring spinal cases changes her life forever.   Dr. Rick Hodes embarks on a journey to save Zemene's life and aid other afflicted families.  The doctor's resulting humanitarian work in bridging cultural gaps also comes to light.  Zemene is a reminder of our universal humanity, and how one person's faith-based compassion can transform not only individual lives, but communities as well.  Watch the trailer here.  A reception with the filmmaker will follow the film in the River Room at the Aster Cafe. 

 

MCC members and guests are welcome.  To RSVP, email Cynthia Froid.

Social Bridge
Wednesday, April 15, 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, April 16, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Lourdes Square, 192 Bank St SE
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.  Scotty Gillette hosts this week's event.  According to the Myers-Briggs test, each of us has one of 16 different personality types.  After reviewing a handout describing the personality types, we'll discuss the question "In what way does your personality type have an impact on your daily life?"
Women MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Sunday Soiree
Sunday, April 19, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
RiverWest Club Room (1st fl), 401 S 1st St 
MCC members, join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree hosted by members at RiverWest.  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.

MSP International Film Festival Screening: Capturing Grace
Tuesday, April 21, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
St. Anthony Main Theatre, Theatre #5, 115 Main St SE

Cynthia Froid hosts a special screening of the documentary, Capturing Grace.  Capturing Grace is a story of a professional dance company and people with Parkinson's who join forces to discover a lighter step and the sweetness of motion.  It's a story about a remarkable community of dancers coming together to move in space...and in doing so, rediscovering grace.  And it is in that rediscovery that each becomes whole.  Filmmaker and director David Iverson will join us for a discussion following the film during a reception in the River Room at the Aster Cafe.  To watch the trailer, click here. 

 

MCC members and guests welcome.  To RSVP, email Cynthia Froid.

News from Members

MCC member Carol Jordan invites members to Global Conversations: Privacy in the Digital Age at the Minneapolis Central Library on April 8 at 5:30 pm.  For more information and to register for this free event, click here.

MCC member Judy Healey invites members to her home for "Letterpress Bookmaking Meets the Digital Age," sponsored by The College of Saint Benedict Literary Arts Institute (LAI).  The program will be April 30 at 5 pm; space is limited so sign up now!  For more information, click here.  To RSVP, email Sharon or call 320-363-5750.

MCC member Peter Gillette reports that the IRAN trip is a "go" for next Fall, particularly in light of the diplomatic break-through.  There are three openings for those who are on the fence or have a change of mind.  We would like  to keep the maximum to 16 with MCC members having preference.  It will be a truly remarkable trip.  For a tour summary, click here.  Peter can be reached at epgillette@gmail.com or by phone 612-716-1935.
Around Town

 

Heron Homecoming and Shuttle

April 15, 9:30 am or 12:30 pm, North Mississippi Regional Park, 4900 Mississippi Ct

Celebrate the spring return of the great blue herons.  Discover the lives and travels of these birds through a digital photo journal.  Shuttle to the rookery, and watch as they work to rebuild nests and settle in.  Refreshments provided.  Cost is $5 and reservations are required.  Register here.

 

Next Generation Parks Lecture: University of MN Nature 3.x: Where is Nature Now? Symposium

April 17, 7:00 pm, Northrop, 84 Church St SE, Best Buy Theater

Join in the opening event of the lecture series with Kate Orff, founder and principal of SCAPE Landscape Design and 2014 Buckminster Fuller Institute Challenge winner. Seating is limited.  Reception begins at 6:00 pm.  For more information and to register, click here.

 

Tai Chi for Health

April 19-May 24 (Sundays), 2:00-3:00 pm, Kenwood Apts, 825 Summit Ave

Tai Chi is a holistic approach to harmonizing body, mind and spirit frequently described as "meditation in movement."  This class is designed for beginners and newcomers to Tai Chi.  The benefits on your body and mind are numerous!  Cost: $18.  To register, click here.

 

Diet Meets Function, Flow, and Rhythm

May 5, 5:30-7:30 pm, Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall

Attend this session on eating in harmony with the rhythms of nature and through the seasons of your life.  Discover ways of feeding yourself that suit your lifestyle, honor your constitution, and optimize the vitality of your body and mind.  For more information and to register, click here.  Tickets are $25.

 

Mill City Times and River Hub

Mill City Times is 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.  You can also check out River Hub, a comprehensive listing of events related to the Minneapolis Riverfront.

MCC Upcoming Events  
 
View the April Calendar here

 

April 7:  Program Committee Meeting.

April 8:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

April 8:  MCC Board of Directors Meeting.  Members click here.

April 9:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 9:  NNT:  Cuckoo Clock Museum.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 13:  Great Decisions: Brazil's Metamorphosis.  GD Members click here.

April 14:  MSP International Film Festival Screening: Zemene.  Members and guests email Cynthia Froid.

April 15:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

April 15:  Social Bridge.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 16:  Our Turn: A Conversation for Women.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 19:  Sunday Soiree.  Members click here.

April 21:  MSP International Film Festival Screening: Capturing Grace.  Members and guests email Cynthia Froid.

April 23:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 28:  Technology Workshop: New Ways to Watch TV.  Members click here.

April 28:  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.
Middlemarch
by George Eliot

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
 April 16 & 30
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact  Allan Burdick
 

 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.

 
Volunteer Opportunities 
 
 Click here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC Website!  
 
Mill City Commons | 219 Main Street SE, Suite 401, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
612-455-3329