April 21, 2015
Executive Director Update
        
It appears there's a huge interest in "New Ways to Watch TV" -- the April 28th Tech Workshop -- registration is full and we've created a waiting list. We're reviewing dates to add an additional workshop in June. Meanwhile, consider checking out the list of movies at the the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. The Festival continues through this Saturday at our neighborhood cinema, the St. Anthony Main Theater.
See you at the movies!  -- Linnea 
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

Mill City Commons and Cynthia Froid Group host 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. 

 

Registration is now closed.

Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, April 23, 7:30 - 8:30 am
Elsie's Restaurant, 729 Marshall St NE 
Caffeine and camaraderie for the male members of MCC and guests!  This group 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 Keith Nelson has invited Ginger Kranz, Principal of Webster School, and Eric Laska from Downtown Families, to lead a conversation on the newcomer to the neighborhood, Webster School, scheduled to open in the Fall of 2015. 

 

Men MCC members sign up here.

Technology Workshop
Tuesday, April 28, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
American Academy of Neurology, 201 Chicago Ave, Training Room A 
Online video streaming technology has given us a plethora of new ways to watch TV. Unfortunately, the options, while exciting, can be a bit confusing and overwhelming. But it would be even more unfortunate to get "left in the dust" with a clunky cable package that's expensive and not well suited to your watching preferences.  Come learn about Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Slingbox, and more.  Brian Roemen from Backpack Tactics will lead this informative workshop.  

Registration is now closed.  If you want to be added to the waiting list, please email the MCC office.
Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, April 28, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Sapor Cafe and Bar, 428 Washington Ave N

Join us for the Last Tuesday Happy Hour at Sapor Cafe and Bar hosted by Bill and Kathy Fox.  Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites.  Dutch treat - no reservations required!  There is complimentary parking in a lot across 5th Ave N.  If you'd like to stay for dinner, make reservations by calling (612) 375-1971 or online at www.saporcafe.com. 

 

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required!
Social Bridge
Wednesday, April 29, 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 30, 10:00 - 11:30 am (note the new time)
Fifth Avenue Lofts, 401 N 2nd St, #414
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.  Carol Jordan hosts and will facilitate a discussion around the following diverse questions: When you were a child, what job did you most want to have when you grew up?  What fear would you most want to be rid of forever?  What would be the ideal way for you to spend a hot Saturday afternoon in the middle of July?

Women MCC members sign up  here; Guests email MCC.
Birding Walk I
Tuesday, May 5, 7:00 - 8:30 am
Meet at the east end of the Stone Arch bridge 
Celebrate spring with the first walk in a series of four bird watching walks along the river!   We hope to see migrating warblers and other songbirds.  Jamie McBride, Lead Naturalist with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation board, will lead the walks.  This week we will leave from the east end of the Stone Arch Bridge at 7:00 am. Each week the starting location will be based on where birds have been spotted.  

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
News from Members

MCC member Patty Connelly suggests members visit the Museum of Russian Art to see two new exhibits:  Romance in Soviet Art and Russian Imperial Porcelain Easter Eggs.  For more information, click here.

MCC member Patty Canney recommends members save the date for NEMAA's 20th Annual Art-A-Whirl!  The open studio tour in Northeast Minneapolis is May 15-17 and is a great opportunity to connect with local artists.  For more information, click here.
Around Town

 

Remembering the Bohemian Flats

April 30, 6:00-8:00 pm, Mill City Museum, 704 2nd St S

Join State Archaeologist Scott Anfinson as he discusses urban archaeology projects along West River Parkway, including Bohemian Flats, Hennepin Ave Bridge and the Federal Reserve Bank.  U of M students will be on hand to discuss how they turned student research into an exhibit.  The exhibit itself explores the many perspectives on the people and conditions of the early immigrant neighborhood adjacent to the Mississippi River.  Free.  For more information, click here.

 

Global Conversations: The Success of Germany and Japan After WWII

May 13, 5:30-7:30 pm, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Pohlad Hall

Tom Hanson, a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer, will lead a conversation on the impressive rise of Germany and Japan over the last 70 years, and what lies ahead as emergent countries including Russia and China vie for greater regional and global influence. Don't miss this exclusive analysis of the current and future world order.  For more information and to register, click here.

 

How'd They Do that?  Juno and the Paycock

May 30, 9:00-11:00 am, Guthrie Theater, 818 2nd St S, McGuire Proscenium Stage

What was the inspiration for the set?  Was the play rewritten in rehearsals?  Aren't those wigs itchy?  Join an eye-opening workshop to learn how the Guthrie's artists and staff create a production.  $15/person.  For tickets, click here.

 

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
View the May Calendar here

 

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

April 22:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

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!

April 29:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

April 29:  Social Bridge.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

April 30:  Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

May 5:  Birding Walk I.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

May 5:  Program Committee Meeting.

May 6:  Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat.  No reservations required!

May 6:  Nosy Neighbor Tour: New St. Paul Saints Ballpark.  Members click here.

May 7:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

May 11: Great Decisions: US Policy Toward Africa.  GD Members click here.

May 12:  Birding Walk II.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

May 12:  U of M Scholars Walking Tour.  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.
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