August 4, 2015
Update From the Mill City Commons Membership Coordinator

Today's weather is perfect for National Night Out (NNO) and getting out to meet your neighbors and local law enforcement officers.  Although NNO was created to help with crime prevention, it also happens to be a lot of fun!  There are close to 1500 events in the city of Minneapolis registered as part of NNO this year, including several in our neighborhood.  To see a PDF of registered events in the City, click here. 

-Mary
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 4, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Various locations including Chute Square, Chicago Plaza, & Target Field Station 
National Night Out is an annual nationwide event that encourages residents to get out in the community, holding block parties and getting to know their neighbors as a way to encourage crime prevention. It's a great way to promote community-police partnerships and enjoy a Minnesota summer evening surrounded by friends and family.

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.
Rendezvous Reader's Book Chat
Wednesday, August 5, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express, 818 S 2nd St 
Join us to discuss Whisper Hollow by Chris Cander.  Set in a small coal-mining town, this debut novel is full of secrets, love, betrayal, and suspicious accidents, where Catholicism casts a long shadow and two courageous women make choices that will challenge our own moral convictions.  Come for the chat whether or not you've read the book.

 

Want to read ahead?  September's book will be The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht.

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.
Social Bridge
Wednesday, August 5, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Washburn Lofts Community Room, 700 S 2nd St (Note the new location)
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. 

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, August 6, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
River West, 401 S 1st St, #910 
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.  Locations and topics will change each time. This week Carol Hovey will lead a discussion regarding how a memorable book, movie or performance changed how you thought about a topic or issue or may have prompted you to do something unexpected.

Women MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Sunday Salad Soiree
Sunday, August 9, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Park Avenue Lofts Party Room, 200 Park Ave S
MCC members, join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree hosted by Larry Neumann and Mary Margaret MacMillan, Penny Hunt, and Susan Alpert in the Park Avenue Lofts Party Room.  Please contribute to the potluck by bringing a hearty salad, bread, 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.
St. Paul Saints Game
Monday, August 10, 7:00 pm
CHS Field, 360 N Broadway St
Join us at the new St. Paul Saints ballpark to watch the St. Paul Saints play the Winnipeg Goldeyes.  Tickets are $18.30 and can be paid to Mill City Commons.  We have 5 tickets left so sign up now before they're gone!  

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, August 13, 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.  Tony Hofstede leads the conversation.

 

Men MCC members sign up here.

Dutch Treat Coffee Chat
Monday, August 17, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Aster Cafe, 125 Main St SE
Do you find it hard to really get to know members at our large programs ... or those featuring a speaker?  This spontaneous event might be just right for you!  Join us for a casual conversation on the patio of the Aster Café.  In case of inclement weather, we'll hold a table indoors.  Take this opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with some you haven't seen lately.  Dutch treat - no reservations required.

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.
Nosy Neighbor Tour: Hennepin Energy Recovery Center
Tuesday, August 18, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, 435 N 5th St 
Join us as we tour the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC).  HERC is a waste-to-energy facility that burns garbage to generate energy.  About 365,000 tons of garbage is burned at HERC and sold to Xcel Energy each year.  Through a steam line, HERC provides steam for the annual gas needs of buildings in downtown Minneapolis, as well as Target Field.  Be prepared for noise, dust, smells, climbing several flights of stairs and walking outdoors.  Everyone must wear close-toed shoes, and long sleeves and pants in order to enter the Center.   Note that this address is that of a visitor entrance door on the top level on the Target Field Station Parking Ramp (googling the address will send you to the wrong place).  For information on parking and HERC policies, click here.

MCC members sign up here.
News from Members

MCC member Nancy Verdier invites members (and their dogs) to attend the Make it Pawsible fundraiser on August 6 from 6:00-8:00 pm.  This dog-friendly event has been organized by her daughter who lives in the neighborhood and will help provide free dog obedience classes to disabled low-income Minneapolis residents.  For more information, click here.
Around Town

Autoptic

August 8, 10 am-6 pm & August 9, 11 am-6 pm, Aria, 105 First St N

Closing party: August 9, 7 pm - midnight, Grumpy's, 1111 Washington Ave S

Autoptic is a juried showcase of independent culture, including cartoonists, poster artists, printmakers, musicians, designers and more.  The event includes readings and talks, artist showcases and music events, in addition to 120+ exhibitors from around the world.  Free and open to the public.  For details, click here.

 

Parts of a Whole 3: New Work from MCBA's Artist Community

Friday, August 14, 6:00-9:00 pm, MCBA, 1011 Washington Ave S

An exhibition of new work by over 70 members of Minnesota Center for Book Art's artist community.  Through artists' books, broadsides, prints, installation work and other bookish artistic endeavors, this vibrant and eclectic group of artists demonstrates a breadth of innovative approaches, creative skills and diversity of styles.  Exhibit runs through October 25.  For more information, click here. 

 
The Little Pilot
September 11-October 4, various times, Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave S
An all-new, ensemble-created play based on the life and work of Antoine de Saint-Exupery.  The Little Pilot is an exploration of the dualities between regret and triumph, loneliness and connection, and emotional freedom and responsibility, using a visually stunning narrative featuring aerial artistry and original artistic projections.  To purchase 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 August calendar here

 

August 4:  National Night Out.  No reservations required.

August 5:  Rendezvous Reader's Book Chat.  No reservations required.

August 5:  Social Bridge.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

August 6:  Our Turn: A Conversation for Women.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

August 9:  Sunday Salad Soiree.  Members click here.

August 10:  St. Paul Saints Game.  Members click here.

August 12:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

August 12:  MCC Board of Directors Meeting.  Members click here.

August 13:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

August 17:  Dutch Treat Coffee Chat.  No reservations required.

August 18:  Nosy Neighbor Tour: Hennepin Energy Recovery Center.   Members click here.

August 19:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

August 19:  Social Bridge.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

August 20:  Our Turn: A Conversation for Women.  Members click here; Guests email MCC.

August 25:  Last Tuesday Happy Hour.  No reservations required!
 
Ongoing Member-Led Activities

 

Men's B&BS Lunch
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
 August 6 & 20
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact  Allan Burdick

MCC Caregiver Support Group
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
1:30-3:00 pm
A way to support members who are or have been in a caregiving role. For more information,   contact Tamra Nelson
 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
   No reservations required.
Whisper Hollow
by Chris Cander

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.

 

 

 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, Ste 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