May 12, 2015
Executive Director Update
 

This is my last ED Update for Musings -- Friday is my last day at Mill City Commons. I'm excited to set out on a new adventure, although it's yet to be determined! I want to say thank you to all Mill City Commons members and friends who support MCC through membership, gifts and your involvement. We have truly created "Your Neighborhood for a Lifetime" and an exceptional community to live. See you in the neighborhood! -- Linnea
U of M Tour: New Architecture Along the Scholars Walk 
Tuesday, May 12, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
University of Minnesota, STSS Building, 222 Pleasant St SE
Join us for a springtime walk and be "in the know" about the enhancements, additions and new construction on the buildings adjacent to the walk. Starting from the Science Teaching & Student Services building, we'll proceed to the Historic Mall, pass the Tate Lab of Physics, through Lind Hall, tour the 1st floor labs of the new Physics and Nanotechnology Building and more adjacent to the Scholars Walk. Click here for the tour map.

You can take the light rail to the East Bank station or if you're driving, park at either the East River road garage or the Weisman Museum garage.  (Cross the Washington Avenue bridge over the river and turn right up the hill.  Bear left into the East River road Garage or turn right down the hill and then another right into the Museum Garage.)

We'll meet in front of the newly-named Robert Bruininks hall directly across the walkway from the Weisman.

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Social Bridge
Wednesday, May 13, 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.
Annual Board Meeting
Wednesday, May 13, 3:30 - 4:00 pm
American Academy of Neurology, Training Room B, 201 Chicago Ave
Join the MCC Board of Directors for our Annual Meeting from 3:30-4:00 pm and for an Open Forum from 4:00 - 4:30 pm.  

MCC members welcome.  No registration required.
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, May 14, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Flour Sack Flats, 521 SE 2nd St, #512 
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.  Peg Kavaney hosts MCC member Peggy Lucas to join us for a discussion on being a Regent for the University of Minnesota. Peggy will share some of her experiences in the academic environment of a public university. Please join us in hearing about the accomplishments and challenges in present day higher education. 

Please note: parking can be difficult to find; consider carpooling or walking.

Women MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Technology Workshop
Thursday, May 14, 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.
Salad Soiree and Send-Off for Linnea Tweed
Sunday, May 17, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Washburn Lofts, 700 S 2nd St, #62
MCC members, join your friends and neighbors for the Salad Soiree to send off MCC's Executive Director Linnea Tweed with your well wishes.  Please contribute to the potluck by bringing a hearty salad, appetizer, bread, or fruit.  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.  Hosted by Ellen and Jan Breyer.

MCC members sign up here.
Birding Walk III
Tuesday, May 19, 7:00 - 8:30 am
BF Nelson Park
Celebrate spring with the third 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's walk we'll meet at BF Nelson Park for birding at Boom Island, Nicollet Island, and BF Nelson Park.

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Nosy Neighbor Tour:  Scottish Rite Temple
Wednesday, May 20, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Scottish Rite Temple, 2011 Dupont Ave S
The Scottish Rite Temple, formerly known as the Fowler Methodist Episcopal Church, is a historic church building in the Lowry Hill neighborhood.  It was designed by architects Warren H. Hayes and Harry Wild Jones and built in 1894.   In 1915, the Minneapolis Valley Scottish Rite Masons bought the building, adding new features while keeping intact the original auditorium to use as their Red Room.

MCC members sign up here.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, May 21, 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 John Cairns hosts guest speaker Thomas Adams.  Thomas will share information about "Better Futures Minnesota," on organization that will provide services to the Great River Landing, a new apartment building planned to house men who have struggled with homelessness, unemployment, and previous incarceration.  

 

Men MCC members sign up here.

Birding Walk IV
Tuesday, May 26, 7:00 - 8:30 am
Location TBD
Celebrate spring with the final bird watching walk 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 walk.  

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, May 26, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Lurcat, 1624 Harmon Place 
Join us for the Last Tuesday Happy Hour hosted by Sonia and John Cairns and Judy Healey.  Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites.  Dutch treat - no reservations required!  

If you'd like to stay for dinner, please make reservations by calling Café Lurcat at (612) 486-5500 or online at www.cafelurcat.com. Valet parking is available.


MCC members and guests welcome.  No reservations required!
News from Members

Mill City Commons members have created a Caregiver Support Group and invite other caregivers to join them. This guided discussion group with professional facilitation was created to support MCC members who are or have been in a caregiving role. Caregiver Support Group members will share experiences, issues and concerns about caregiving as well as give and receive support around this critical role.

  • The Caregiver Support Group launches Wednesday, June 17th with a three month pilot, meeting the first and third Wednesday each month from 1:30-3:00 pm.
  • Meetings will alternate between two locations in the neighborhood. 
  • Participants will be asked to pay $60 for the three month (six sessions) pilot regardless of how many sessions they are able to attend. Confidential scholarships are available - contact Membership Coordinator Mary Texidor at marytexidor@millcitycommons.org.
  • Participants of the pilot will determine the ongoing format of the group.  

Please contact MCC member Tamra Nelson no later than May 29 at tamranel@msn.com to join the group and/or with your questions. Thank you!  -- MCC Caregiver Support Group


MCC member Sonia Cairns recommends that members read the following article: As We Age, Keys to Remembering Where the Keys Are. 

Do you want to serve as an ambassador for our city and Mill City Commons? MCC members Peggy Lucas and Ellie Hands are recruiting Athlete Registration volunteers for the National Senior Games on July 3-16.  For more information, click here.

Art-A-Whirl is this weekend -- May 15-17. Consider stopping by the studios of MCC members Patty Canney and Katie Searl.  Katie Searl will be at her studio during the day at the Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson St NE, #300 and Patty Canney's studio doors will be open May 15 from 5-10 pm, May 16 from 12-8 pm, and May 17 from 12-5 pm at 2205 California St NE, #406.  For more information on Art-A-Whirl, click here. 

MCC member Dick Olson wants members to know about a neighborhood volunteer opportunity.  May 16 and 17 neighbors will meet to help plant hundreds of native plants on the Sixth Avenue Greenway, near the Stone Arch Bridge and University Ave SE.  For more information, click here.
Around Town

 

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

May 18, 7:00 pm, The Loft, 1011 Washington Ave S

Nguyen weaves details about what it was like to be Vietnamese in America after the war and the role of Hollywood in shaping national attitudes about conflict, in this spy novel-esque setup.  The Sympathizer centers on a captain in the South Vietnamese Army who relocates to Los Angeles with several comrades in 1975 and reports their activities to a superior in the Communist-allied Vietcong.  For more details, click here.  Suggested ticket price:  $5.

 

Minneapolis Historical Mobile Tour Smartphone App

The free Minneapolis Historical Mobile Tour app is now available for iPhones and Androids.  There are two tours so far: The Old Highland tour and the Marcy-Holmes tour.  The app offers users an on-the-go look into Minneapolis' past, from the well-known headlines to the forgotten tales and people.  Learn more and download it now at www.minneapolishistorical.org

 

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 May Calendar here

 

May 13:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations needed.

May 13:  Social Bridge.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

May 13:  Annual and Monthly BOD Meeting.  Members click here.

May 14:  Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

May 14:  Technology Helpdesk.  Members click here.

May 17:  Salad Soiree and Send-Off for Linnea Tweed.  Members click here.

May 19:  Birding Walk III.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

May 20:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

May 20:  Nosy Neighbor Tour:  Scottish Rite Temple.  Members click here.

May 21:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

May 26:  Birding Walk IV.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

May 26:  Last Tuesday Happy Hour.  No reservations required!

May 27:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

May 27:  Social Bridge.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

May 28:  Our Turn:  A Conversation for Women.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

May 28:  Advanced Directives 2.0.  Members click here.

June 2:  Program Committee Meeting.
 
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
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
   No reservations required.
The Lowland
by Jhumpa Lahiri

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
 May 14 & 28
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.

 
Mill City Commons | 219 Main Street SE, Suite 401, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
612-455-3329