September 22, 2015
Update From the Executive Director

Downtown Minneapolis is booming, and we Mill City Commons members are lucky enough to be a part of watching it happen. From the new US Bank stadium, to the many new housing structures, on down the line to Nicollet Mall's major facelift project; construction is seemingly everywhere. It is exciting, energizing, and thoroughly amazing - snarled traffic, closed lanes and new potholes, not with-standing!

When I moved to Minneapolis in the fall of 1980, the IDS was the lone skyscraper on the skyline and the Metrodome's finishing touches were being made. We've come a long way, baby!  MCC members will soon have even more social and eating venues from which to choose, housing options to consider and potential new members to welcome.  Please keep this in mind as new neighbors move into your neighborhood.  Consider inviting them to an event as your guest.  Everyone is welcome!

MCC members, just a reminder to register for this Wednesday's tour of the Overland Gallery, the largest collection of Russian art in the U.S. The Gallery also houses a conservation unit that is absolutely fascinating. You need not be an art connoisseur to appreciate this amazing collection. Click here to register.

Looking forward to seeing you in the neighborhood!
                                                                                                          
~ Joan Wright                                                                      
Overland Gallery Tour
Wednesday, September 23, 1:00-2:30 pm
Overland Gallery, 5916 Pleasant Ave S
The Overland Gallery houses the largest private collection of Russian paintings in the United States, consisting of thousands of Russian realist and impressionist paintings of the very highest quality.  On this tour, we will explore the physical and cultural landscapes of Russia through the great art of its master painters, and the stories of this collection.  We will also observe Overland's world-class conservation unit where they make sure that every painting is clean and stable.  Ray Johnson, the owner of the gallery, is the founder of the Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis.  The gallery is open by appointment only.
 
MCC members sign up here.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, September 24, 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 David Plimpton who will lead a discussion on the Minnesota Compassionate Care Act, which will be reintroduced to the Minnesota State Legislature during the 2016 session. It deals with the issue of Physician-Assisted Dying.

Men MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, September 29, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Vic's, 201 2nd St SE
Join us for the Last Tuesday Happy Hour at Vic's hosted by Dick and Peg Kavaney.  Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites.  Dutch treat - no reservations required!  Consider staying for dinner to enjoy one of Vic's featured menu items.  Vic's does not take reservations so you can just grab a table and enjoy the view of the downtown skyline while you dine.

No reservations required!
Social Bridge
Wednesday, September 30, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
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.
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, October 1, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Fifth Avenue Lofts (enter on 2nd St), 401 N 2nd St, #302 
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. Susan Hartman hosts on the topic of "STUFF"  A recent book suggests that we purge our belongings and keep only what brings us joy.  Do you go through periods of "purging" your stuff?  Do you have a philosophy or guiding principle that helps you determine what to keep?  Clothes?  Family heirlooms?  Knick-knacks? Where do you give/donate those items you part with?  And do you have organizational tricks for the "stuff" you keep?

Women MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Technology Workshop: Facebook
Monday, October 5, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
American Academy of Neurology, 201 Chicago Ave, Training Room A
Facebook is a great tool for keeping in contact with friends and family, but there are also a lot of layers built into the system that can be overwhelming and cause confusion. In this session we'll cover an overview of Facebook - from account creation to maintaining your existing account.  We'll also discuss privacy and security on Facebook, including how to protect your information and limit who can see certain items.  The session will include a live Facebook demonstration, so feel comfortable to bring your portable devices to make changes at the session.  We will have an open format to allow for questions throughout the conversation.  Joel Barker from Backpack Tactics will lead this informative workshop.  
 
MCC members sign up here.
Peruvian Textiles Demonstration
Tuesday, October 6, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Humboldt, 750 S 2nd St, #901
Join us for a reception to welcome Pascuala and Engracia, two Peruvian Back-Strap Weavers from Chinchero, Peru.  The weavers are a part of Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco, which has been successful in preserving indigenous culture through the production and marketing of their fine weavings.  Peruvian textile craft represents their identity and national heritage, dating back to pre-Incan times.  The weavers will demonstrate their rich Quechua culture and will have a selection of textiles for sale.  Melanie Ebertz, founder of ArtAndes and designer of Andean Textiles and Travel, has been working with their founder since 2001 and is sponsoring their visit.  Check out ArtAndes for other fall events planned around their stay.  MCC members Mary Racciatti and Peggy Lucas co-host.

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
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 and their neighbors/friends 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, October 7, meeting the first and third Wednesday each month from 1:30-3:00 pm for three months.
  • Participants will be asked to pay $60 for the six sessions, regardless of how many sessions they are able to attend. Confidential scholarships are available - contact Membership Coordinator Mary Texidor at marytexidor@millcitycommons.org.
  • The Caregiver Support Group is open to MCC members and guests.
Please contact MCC member Tamra Nelson at tamranel@msn.com to join the group and/or with your questions. Thank you!  
--MCC Caregiver Support Group

MCC member Carol Jordan shares that there is an interesting speaker coming to the Minneapolis Central Library on September 29 from 7:00-8:00 pm in the Doty Board Room.  William D. Green, author of Degrees of Freedom, The Origins of Civil Rights in Minnesota, 1865-1912, will discuss what questions he sought to answer in his book and will reveal little-known historical characters and leaders among the black men and women who moved to MN following the Fifteenth Amendment.

MCC member Peter Heegaard's new book "Turnabout" is being launched on September 29 from 5:30-7:30 pm.  Come join the dialogue and reception celebrating the local community members whose stories of moving from dependency to self-sufficiency are in his book.  For more details on the event and to register, click here.
Around Town

Big Bridges Film Festival
September 30, 7:00 pm, Weisman Art Gallery, 333 East River Rd
Motionpoems and Target Studio at Weisman Art Museum will screen original short films for the Big Bridges Film Festival. Following a contest to produce films based on one of three poems, the panel-selected winning filmmakers will receive awards.
For more information, click here. 

River to Lake Gallery Crawl
October 1, 5:00-8:00 pm, Multiple Galleries
A newly-formed Minneapolis gallery group will debut the first of four art crawls that will allow art lovers to view numerous exhibitions in one evening.  See the link on their Facebook page for details on the event and gallery guides.  

Studio ME Fitness One Year Celebration
October 2, 2:00-7:00 pm, Studio ME Fitness, 219 Main St SE, Suite 115
Studio ME Fitness is celebrating its first year anniversary.  Drop by for snacks, enter for prizes, and check out their new member specials.  

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
View the October calendar 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.

September 29:  Last Tuesday Happy Hour.  No reservations required.

September 30:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

September 30:  Social Bridge.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

October 1:  Our Turn: A Conversation for Women.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

October 5:  Dutch Treat Coffee Chat.  No reservations required.

October 5:  Technology Workshop: Facebook.  MCC members click here.

October 6:  Peruvian Textiles Demonstration.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

October 7:  Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat.  No reservations required.

October 7:  Caregiver Support Group Launch.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

October 8:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

October 12:  Dutch Treat Coffee Chat.  No reservations required.

October 12:  Great Decisions.  GD members click here.

October 13:  Program Committee Meeting. 

October 13:  Mia's Collection of American Modernism.  MCC members click here.
 
MCC is Hiring! 

 Click here to see the Program Coordinator job posting!  Applications are due by September 30.
 

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.

 

 

 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!  
 
Ongoing Member-Led Activities

 

Men's B&BS Lunch
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
 October 1 & 15
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