September 8, 2015
Update From the Executive Director
It isn't often one can say they've found their dream job. As the newly-appointed Executive Director of Mill City Commons, I actually can say I have found mine. Thank you for the warm welcome, two weeks ago, at Happy Hour at the Red Cow. It was such a treat to have the opportunity to meet so many of you before my actual start date. To a person, everyone's warm and inclusive welcome served as an important harbinger of MCC's mission and purpose, one that I am eager to share with others. 

Mill City Commons has a "deep bench" of talented individuals, serving in a variety of positions. I'm sure you'll join me in acknowledging and thanking both the Board for its quick and efficient work in filling the ED position, and Mary Texidor for her professional dexterity in maintaining A+ membership care, covering many of the ED responsibilities and assisting the Board with their search.

One programming note: Consider attending U of M Anthropology Chair Bill Beeman's presentation tonight. He will offer travel insights on Iran, and regardless of your personal position on the Iran nuclear accord, it promises to be an incredible opportunity you don't want to miss!  MCC members can sign up below.
--Joan Wright
Travel Insights: Iran
Tuesday, September 8, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE  
Interested in learning more about Iran?  Bill Beeman is the Chair of the Anthropology Department at the University of Minnesota and is a well-known expert on Iran.  He speaks fluent Farsi and has recently returned from a trip to Iran and has interesting observations on change he sees occurring in the area.  Bill will also comment on the possible implications of the nuclear accord.  To see a recent article on Iran written by Bill, click here.

MCC members sign up here.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, September 10, 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's conversation leader is MCC member Tom Carrier whose topic is "Ten Years Later - A Memoir Revisited" or "The Rest of the Story."

Men MCC members sign up here.
Nosy Neighbor Tour: Eastside Restaurant
Thursday, September 10, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Eastside Restaurant, 301 Washington Ave S
This tour was rescheduled from last week.  Join us as we meet with Remy Pettus, head chef at the new Eastside Restaurant located in the Latitude 45 building.  Get a sneak peek in the kitchen that is scheduled to open in September, which includes a high-temperature wood-burning brick oven.  Eastside restaurant will offer a seafood-forward menu in an American brasserie setting with high quality technique-driven food.  The space was designed by the James-Beard nominated architecture firm Shea. 
 
MCC members sign up here.
Great Decisions: Human Trafficking in the 21st Century
Monday, September 14, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE
Human trafficking represents a multibillion criminal industry that is one of the fastest growing.  The U.S., as one of the world's leading human trafficking importers, bears a special responsibility to combat this practice.  The U.S. and the international community have adopted various treaties and laws to prevent trafficking, but to truly understand and combat the issue, they must find the root causes enabling traffickers to exploit millions of victims.  Michele Garnett McKenzie is the Advocacy Director at The Advocates for Human Rights.  She is responsible for policy advocacy and community and coalition engagement around their priority issues of human trafficking, refugee and immigrant rights and diaspora community engagement.  Michele successfully led the effort to pass groundbreaking legislation protecting sexually exploited youth in the State of Minnesota.  Christine Kaehler hosts at Winslow House.
 
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.  
Social Bridge
Wednesday, September 16, 12:00 - 2:00 pm (note the new time)
Washburn Lofts Community Room, 700 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. 

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Safe Travel Advice
Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Washburn Lofts, 70 S 2nd St, #61
Come hear practical travel advice born from years of experience!  Former FBI and CIA executives will be addressing some of the following questions:  How do you protect yourself when traveling abroad? Do you know how quickly a foreign government can clone your computer? Do you know who to contact and how to reach them during a crisis overseas? Do you need to worry about identity theft?  Join us for an engaging, educational and entertaining program!  Keith and Mary Bednarowski host.

MCC members sign up here.
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, September 17, 10:00 - 11:30 am
610 Ramsey St NE
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. MCC member Diane Hofstede has invited guest Doug Niemela, National Director of Save the Boundary Waters, to speak.  Doug will share about the Campaign to Save The Boundary Waters, which was organized by local residents in and around Ely, Minnesota, to create a national movement to protect the clean water, clean air and forest landscape of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its watershed from toxic pollution caused by sulfide-ore copper mining.  Diane has a special connection to the Boundary Waters; for more information, click here.

Women MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Sunday Soiree
Sunday, September 20, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Stonebridge, 1120 S 2nd St, #1210
MCC members, join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree hosted by Michael Brennan & Rebecca Bahn.  Please contribute to the potluck by bringing a hearty hors d'oeurve or dessert.  You are welcome to bring your own white wine or beer to share.  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.
MN Public Policy: Sean Kershaw
Monday, September 21, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE
Join us as Sean Kershaw of the Citizens League discusses today's most important State and Metropolitan governance issues that remain unsolved.   He will also discuss what he sees as emerging matters that need attention in the next decade and what the barriers may be to solving those issues.  For over 63 years, the Citizens League has created common ground across parties and ideologies to solve some of the biggest challenges facing Minnesota including schools, taxes and transportation by creating solutions to achieve the common good.  In 2003, Sean Kershaw became just the sixth Citizens League Executive Director in its 60-plus-year-history.  This program is open to all MCC members.

MCC members sign up here.
News from Members

MCC member Charlotte Davnie is wondering whether anyone has a fridge they'd like to donate to Webster School's break room.  Remodeling?  Looking to upgrade? Webster School teachers would love to have your old fridge!  Email Charlotte Davnie at bcdavnie@yahoo.com if you can help.
Around Town

Covered in Time and History: The Films of Ana Mendieta
September 19, program at 7 pm, reception 8 - 10 pm,  Katherine E. Nash Gallery, Regis Center for Art, University of Minnesota, 405 21st Ave S
Join a program and reception for the first gallery exhibition and catalogue specifically devoted to the filmworks made by this highly acclaimed and influential artist. The exhibition is comprised of 21 filmworks and 26 related photographs -- the largest collection of Mendieta's filmworks ever presented as a full-scale gallery exhibition in the United States. The opening program will include comments on the life, films and artistic legacy of Ana Mendieta.  On exhibit through December 12.

Ninth Annual Minneapolis Bike Tour
September 20, 7:30 am, Begin and end at Boom Island, 724 Sibley St NE
The ninth annual Minneapolis Bike Tour starts and ends at beautiful Boom Island and features three fully supported routes (16 miles, 25 miles and 32 miles) that take riders through the spectacular park and byway system of Minneapolis at their own pace, traffic free! Proceeds from the Minneapolis BikeTour will benefit bike safety and education events for Minneapolis youth as well as bike trail improvement projects throughout the system. To register, 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 September calendar here

 

September 8:  Travel Insights: Iran.  MCC members click here.

September 9:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

September 9:  MCC Board Meeting.  MCC members click here.

September 10:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

September 10:  Nosy Neighbor Tour:  Eastside Restaurant.  MCC members click here.

September 14:  Dutch Treat Coffee Chat.  No reservations required.

September 14:  Great Decisions:  Human Trafficking in the 21st Century.  MCC Great Decisions members click here.

September 16:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

September 16:  Social Bridge (new time!).  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

September 16:  Safe Travel Advice.  MCC members click here.

September 17:  Our Turn: A Conversation for Women.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

September 20:  Sunday Soiree.  MCC members click here.

September 21:  Dutch Treat Coffee Chat.  No reservations required.

September 21:  MN Public Policy:  Sean Kershaw.  MCC members click here.

September 23:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

September 23:  Overland Gallery Tour.  MCC members click here.

September 24:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

September 28:  Dutch Treat Coffee Chat.  No reservations required.
 
MCC is Hiring! 

 Click here to see the Program Coordinator job posting!
 
Volunteer Opportunities 
 
 Click here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC Website!  
 

 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.

 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Dutch Treat

Coffee Chat

Mondays

Aster Cafe

Drop in for an afternoon coffee or drink and a casual chat.  No reservations
 required.

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
   No reservations required.
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah

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
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
 Sept 17 & Oct 1
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
 
Mill City Commons | 219 Main Street SE, Suite 401, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
612-455-3329