December 22, 2015
Update From the Executive Director

Howard Thurman, an African-American theologian, educator and civil rights leader, wrote the following on community:

"...community cannot feed for long on itself; it can only flourish
where always the boundaries are giving way to the coming of others
from beyond them - unknown and undiscovered brothers."
The Search for Common Ground; An Inquiry into The Basis of Man's Experience of Community
As world events confound our understanding, our relationships become more precious. Nurturing one's community takes time and shared commitment reaping riches beyond measure. 

Thank you for your part in making our community a rich place in which to live.

Mill City Commons:

We Learn. We Share. We Engage. We Give.

Merry Christmas!

~Joan Wright
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, 4:35 - 8:00 pm
Edina Cinema, 3911 W 50th St (50th and France)
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 begins at 4:35 p.m., followed by dinner at Arezzo Ristorante, 5057 France Ave S. Members and guests are welcome to join us for the movie, dinner or both. 

Registration is now open! MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, December 31, 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 Charlie Kuivinen hosts on the topic of "Ethnomusicology." Charlie and his son, a noted Musicologist, will lead a fascinating session on "Tatar" music. 

Men 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 requested by tomorrow, December 23! MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC. 
Around Town

National Theatre Live: Jane Eyre
December 28 at 7:00 pm and January 3 at 1:00 pm, St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main St SE
This bold and dynamic production uncovers one woman's fight for freedom and fulfillment on her own terms. From her beginnings as a destitute orphan, Jane Eyre's spirited heroine faces life's obstacles head-on, surviving poverty, injustice and the discovery of bitter betrayal before taking the ultimate decision to follow her heart. To purchase tickets, click here.

Candlelight Walk
December 31, 4:00-8:00 pm, Ft. Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Rd, St. Paul
Grab your family, pack your hat and mittens, and throw on your long-johns for a fun family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration in the park. Hike miles of candle-lit trails, warm up at one of several roaring bonfires, toast marshmallows and more! For details and to register for this free event, click here.

U.S. Foreign Policy Update  
January 26, 5:30-7:30 pm, Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Ave 
Tom Hanson, former career Foreign Service Officer, will explore and explain the latest foreign policy developments, trends, and challenges facing the U.S. in the upcoming year, including Europe's migration crisis and relations with Cuba. This timely and thought-provoking presentation is recommended for anyone interested in international relations. This program sells out; purchase tickets now if you'd like to attend by clicking 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 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.
January 6: Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat. No reservations required.
January 6: Social Bridge. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
January 7: Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
January 7: MN Public Policy: Closing the Achievement Gap with R.T. Rybek. MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.
January 10: Sunday Brunch Soiree. MCC members click here.
January 11: Great Decisions: Climate Change. MCC 2016 GD members click here.
January 12: Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate? MCC members click here.
 
Volunteer Opportunities 
  
Thank you for supporting MCC's 8th Annual Turkey, Dressings, and Extra Helpings Drive! You raised enough money to purchase food baskets for 50 families and provide additional funds for the school's food bank...and residents at Exodus House and Mary's Place received gifts at their holiday party! Thank you for your generosity!

Click here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC website!  
 
Ongoing Member-Led Activities

MCC Caregiver Support Group
2nd and 4th Wednesdays, January through March
10:30 am-12:00 pm
A way to support members and non-members who are or have been in a  caregiving role. For
more information,   contact Betsy Wray

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
 

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.

 

 

 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.

 
Mill City Commons | 219 Main Street SE, Suite 401, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
612-455-3329