November 17, 2015
Update From the Executive Director
 
It seems volunteering in the metro area is a way of life for many: helping, connecting and sharing with others. Regardless of how (or where) you extend your time and talents, volunteering offers rich benefits to receivers and givers, alike. Mill City Commons' eighth annual Turkey, Dressing and Extra Helpings Holiday Drive kicks off on November 30th. This year, MCC members will benefit through their efforts in support of Ascension School, Exodus Residence and Mary's Place.  We'd love to have you join us! For more information, simply click on the link embedded in the announcement directly to the right; additional volunteer opportunities in and around the neighborhood also are listed. Check them out!
 
If you're interested in learning more about MCC, please feel free to contact me, directly: 612-455-3329. I'd welcome the opportunity to tell you more about who we are and what we do; or, attend tonight's Happy Hour at the Marvel Bar. It's open to the public and a great way to meet and greet some of your neighbors. I hope to see you there!
 
~ Joan Wright
Happy Hour
Tuesday, November 17, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Marvel Bar, 50 N 2nd Ave
Join us for Happy Hour.  Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites.  Dutch treat - no reservations required!  Carole and Doug Baker host at the Marvel Bar.  Try one of their custom cocktails, their weekly punch, a glass of wine or beer.  If you'd like to stay for dinner, make reservations upstairs at the Bachelor Farmer by calling 612-206-3920. At 5:30 pm, MCC members will make an announcement about the upcoming Turkey, Dressings, and Extra Helpings drive!

MCC members and guests welcome. No reservations required!
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, November 19, 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. MCC member Peter Heegaard hosts on the topic of "Grandparents, Great-Grandparents and more."

Men MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Glass Fusing Class
Monday, November 23, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Goddess of Glass Studio, 4400 Osseo Rd
Gather with friends to unlock your inner artist! A fun, hands-on opportunity to create something for yourself, a family member or friend with no prior experience required. All materials and supplies will be provided, allowing you to create unique fusible glass items: pendants, coasters, and trinkets of all sorts. A three hour investment of time, with friends (wine is allowed!) at an affordable cost, and your beautifully fired, fused glass pieces can be picked up in three weeks - just in time for holiday gift giving! Cost is $40/person, payable to MCC. Registration closes November 18 - but a minimum of 8 participants is required. For more information or to see examples of products, contact Susan Hartman at susanhartman7@mac.com.

Registration due by November 18.  MCC members sign up here.
Social Bridge
Wednesday, November 25, 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.
Living Well/MN Public Policy: MN Compassionate Care Act
Monday, November 30, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
The Groveland Community Room, 317 Groveland 
Join us for the second of three programs in our Living Well series. Our May Living Well program, Advanced Directives, provided a logical segue to learning about a much talked about piece of proposed legislation for 2016, the MN Compassionate Care Act. MCC member, Dr. David B. Plimpton, will share his perspective on physician-assisted dying. To read a recent article by Dr. Plimpton on this subject, click here.  Co-sponsored by the MN Public Policy Committee.

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Technology Workshop
Tuesday, December 1, 4:00 - 5:30 pm
American Academy of Neurology, Training Room A, 201 Chicago Ave 
From phones to point-and-shoots to DSLRs, we're taking more photos than ever. But what are you doing with those photos? This workshop will give an overview of tools for organizing, sharing and being creative with your digital photos. We'll have an open format to allow for questions throughout the session. You are welcome to bring your own laptop or mobile device. Technology consultant Kealani Cameron will lead the workshop.

MCC members sign up here.
News from Members

MCC member Jeanne Ravich encourages members to try the MOVE class at Studio U on Thursdays at 10 am. MOVE is a fitness class taught by a physical therapist and uses a variety of pilates equipment to teach your body how to use the correct mechanics to improve, strengthen, and keep on the move. For more information, contact Loryn Follrath at 612-968-9261 or by emailing loryn@follrath.com. Studio U is located at 1516 West Lake St #201; classes are $40/class (first class is free) and are limited to three.

MCC member John Crosby invites members to Open Book at 1011 Washington Ave S on December 1 at 7:00 pm for a book reading of the newly released Eleanor's Wars by Ames Sheldon. Set against the historical backdrop of World War II, Eleanor's Wars chronicles the personal battles of one heroic woman in a rapidly changing world. It explores a timeless, universal subject: the insidious power of family secrets to mold and destroy lives and to alter individual destinies. For more information, click here.

MCC members might want to know that the Residence Inn Depot is offering special rates for MCC members and their holiday guests. They are offering 40% off their regular rate during the holiday season. The rates are good from 11/22 - 11/28 and 12/20 - 12/31. The booking code 'A3P' can be entered on their website to access the holiday rates. 
Around Town

NT Live: Coriolanus
Various dates, St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main St SE
National Theatre Live's broadcast of Coriolanus returns to cinemas. When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But there are enemies at home, too. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Turkey Day 5K Walk/Run
November 26, 8:00 am, Begins and ends at Target Center
Warm up your Thanksgiving appetite with the Turkey Day Run Minneapolis! Join runners, joggers, and walkers for a morning of fun and fitness. Come early or stay late to enjoy hot drinks, a kid's carnival, turkey bowling, and a free photo booth. To register or learn more, click here.

Mill City Times
Mill City Times is a local 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.  
MCC Upcoming Events  
View the November calendar here
View the December calendar here

 

November 17:  Happy Hour at Marvel Bar. No reservations required.
November 18:  Rendezvous on 5. No reservations required.
November 18:  Caregiver Support Group. 
November 19:  Men's Coffee and Conversation. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
November 23:  Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
November 23:  Glass Fusing Class. MCC members click here.
November 25:  Social Bridge. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
November 26:  Happy Thanksgiving!  Office closed November 26-27.
November 30:  Living Well/MN Public Policy: MN Compassionate Care Act. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
November 30:  Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
December 1:  Program Committee Meeting.
December 1:  Technology Workshop: Managing Photos Online. MCC members click here.
December 2:  Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat. No reservations required.
December 2:  Caregiver Support Group.
December 3:  Men's Coffee and Conversation. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
December 3:  Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
December 4:  Nutcracker (Not So) Suite. MCC members click here.
December 7:  Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. New time: 4:00-5:00 pm! No reservations required.
December 8:  Tuesday Happy Hour. No reservations required.
 
Volunteer Opportunities 
 
MCC's 8th Annual Turkey, Dressings, and Extra Helpings Holiday Drive is kicking off November 30!  Click here for more details.
 
Click here for other 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, 3:30-5:00 pm

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, 9:30-10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
   No reservations required.
Family Tree
by Barbara Delinsky

Rendezvous on 5

Wednesdays, 9-10 am

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 at 7:30 am 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

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

Men's Dutch Lunch
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
 December 10
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact  Allan Burdick
 
Mill City Commons | 219 Main Street SE, Suite 401, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
612-455-3329