December 15, 2015
Update From the Executive Director

Mill City Commons takes great care in planning and developing a wide array of programming opportunities, some of which are available to non-members, as well; January's calendar offerings are no exception. For example, you won't want to miss MN Public Policy: Closing the Achievement Gap with R. T. Rybak on January 7th, or Happy Hour at the Red Cow on the 26th. If any of your New Year's resolutions include making connections, learning new things, reaching out to help others or making healthy life choices, you're in luck! An array of opportunities, awaits. Check it out here. We'd love for you to join us!

This year's Turkey, Dressings and Extra Helpings Holiday Drive culminates in Thursday's excursion to pick up, pack and deliver food parcels to Ascension School. Late last week donated gift items were delivered to Exodus House and Mary's Place. They were so appreciative and grateful for your generosity - thank you! 

Life along the river is good. 

~ Joan Wright
Nosy Neighbor Tour: Hennepin Energy Recovery Center
Tuesday, December 15, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
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.
Artist's Open House
Wednesday, December 16, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S 
Join MCC members for an evening of art at this exhibition of painter Teo Nguyen's work, "Alone & Together: The Tender Dissonance of Passing Through." A native of Vietnam, Nguyen moved to the U.S. when he was 16 and studied art and design at De Anza College in San Francisco, Fresno State University in California and Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. A cash bar will be available. If you'd like to make a dinner reservation, call the Club at(612) 332-2292; mention that you're at the Club for the Artist's Open House. Free parking is available in the ramp next to the Club. For more information, click here.

MCC members and guests. No reservations required.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, December 17, 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 Bud Hayden hosts on the topic of "One Fortunate Guy."


Men MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Turkey, Dressings, and Extra Helpings Volunteer Opportunity
Thursday, December 17, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Meet at North Star Lofts Parking Lot, 117 Portland Ave S
Turkey, Dressings and Extra Helpings (TDEH) volunteers are needed to help load and unload food for families from Ascension School. Meet in the North Star Lofts parking lot, 117 Portland Ave., at 10:30 am. From there, we'll drive to Cub Foods at 701 Broadway (I-94 and Broadway) to pick up groceries, and then proceed to Ascension School, 1726 N. Dupont Ave., to drop them off. Please register and answer the "Question" on whether you have a large vehicle to help transfer food. Thank you!

Registration is now full.
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, December 17, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Lourdes Square, 194 Bank St SE
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. How does music fit into our lives? We'll explore this question December 17 by sharing what instrument we play, wish we could play or like to listen to. While we share our insights into and enthusiasm for playing, we'll be enjoying the talents of Reuben Correa, an award-winning harpist and teacher. Correa will share his experiences teaching older adults to play the harp--one of the most difficult instruments to learn--as well as perform a mini holiday concert for us. You won't want to miss this special, last-of-2015 Our Turn, hosted by Cathi Griffioen!

Women MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Social Bridge
Wednesday, December 23, 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.
Dinner and a Movie
Tuesday, December 29, tentative time 4:00 - 7:00 pm
Location TBD 
Join MCC members for a Dutch-treat mid-week movie and dinner! We plan to see "Youth," a movie about a retired orchestra conductor who receives an invitation from Queen Elizabeth to perform at Prince Philip's birthday party while he's on holiday with his daughter and his best friend. Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz and Paul Dano star. The movie would likely begin around 4 p.m., and we plan to make reservations at a nearby restaurant. Members and guests are welcome to join us for the movie, dinner or both. Keep an eye on the website for exact details!

Registration is now open! MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
New Year's Eve Dinner
Thursday, December 31, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Spoonriver, 750 S 2nd St
Brenda Langton and her team at Spoonriver invite you to celebrate building community this New Year's Eve. She has developed an a la carte menu for the occasion, including a free appetizer. Brenda is committed to cooking with health and longevity top-of-mind. Join your neighbors and celebrate a year well lived.
Reservations required by December 23.

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC. 
News from Members

Mill City Commons Members Performing at Holidazzle! Don't miss the performance of the Downtown Community Choir at the Holidazzle Stage in Loring Park on Saturday, December 19 from 5:00-5:30 pm.  Eleven Mill City Commons members have been practicing along with a lively, diverse and fun group of downtown residents for six weeks under the tutelage of JD Steele. The choir is new and this is its first public performance. It's free and all are welcome. Click here for details on where to find the performance. If you do decide to go to the Holidazzle performance, you can print a free Metro Transit pass here.

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, January 13, meeting the second and fourth Wednesday each month from 10:30 am - 12:00 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.
  • The Caregiver Support Group is open to MCC members and guests.
MCC members can sign up here. Non-members, please contact Program Coordinator Betsy Wray to join the group and/or with questions. 
--MCC Caregiver Support Group

MCC ED Joan Wright shares this article from the Alzheimer's Association that has some helpful advice on celebrating holidays with your loved ones who face memory loss. The holidays are a wonderful time to gather as a family. However, holiday events can be triggers for anxiety and increased confusion. For example, there is often added noise, lots of activity and extra people. Planning ahead can make holiday events go smoother, and therefore, more enjoyable for the person with dementia and those around them. 
Around Town

HoliDaydream
December 18-20, 7:00 pm, Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave S
A festive tale of dance and drama told through the eyes of a young girl presented by the Minnesota Dance Collaborative. Follow her as she traverses the highs and lows of the holiday season through a magical dance experience. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Liberty Falls, 54321 Closing Performance
December 20, 7:30 pm, Lab Theater, 700 N 1st St
Join the Moving Company for their last performance of Liberty Falls, 54321, an operatic comedy that is loaded with lots of laughs, singing, and a whole lot of heart. Stay after the show to enjoy food and drinks with the cast. To purchase tickets, 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 December calendar here
View the January calendar here

 

December 15: Nosy Neighbor Tour: Hennepin Energy Recovery Center. MCC members click here.
December 16: Rendezvous on 5. No reservations required.
December 16: Caregiver Support Group.
December 16: Artist's Open House. No reservations required.
December 17: Men's Coffee and Conversation. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
December 17: TDEH Volunteer Opportunity. MCC members click here.
December 17: Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
December 21: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
December 23: Rendezvous on 5. No reservations required.
December 23: Social Bridge. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
December 24 & 25: MCC Office Closed.
December 28: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
December 29: Dinner and a Movie. MCC members click here.
December 30: Rendezvous on 5. No reservations required.
December 31: Men's Coffee and Conversation. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
December 31: New Year's Eve Dinner. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
December 31 & January 1: MCC Office Closed.
January 4: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
January 5: Program Committee Meeting.
 
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 levels of walkers are 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, 4:00-5:00 pm (New Time!)

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.
The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion
by Fannie Flagg

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 through December
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
 January 7 & 21
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