March 29, 2016
Update From the Executive Director

Today's Musings brims with a good deal of wonderful information. Along with the weekly, on-going events listed to the right, there are some incredible program opportunities to consider these next two weeks. Hopefully, your calendars can support them! I encourage you to read all the way through to the bottom of the newsletter; the multiple opportunities, coupled with News from Members and Around Town, showcase MCC's commitment both to high-level programming and supporting neighborhood establishments.

If you are a non-member who is interested in learning more about Mill City Commons, I hope you'll join us tonight for Last Tuesday Happy Hour, info listed directly below. It would be great fun to meet and greet you. Hope to see you there!

Mill City Commons: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.

~ Joan Wright
Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, March 29, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Rojo Mexican Grill, 730 N Washington Ave
Join us for Last Tuesday Happy Hour, hosted by Delia & Tyrone Bujold and Allan & Lou Burdick at Rojo Mexican Grill. Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat--no reservations required! If you wish to stay for dinner, you may make reservations by calling (952) 232-4111.
 
MCC members and guests welcome. No reservations required!
Social Bridge
Wednesday, March 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, member Carol Jordan can assist you; contact her at (612) 817-0466 or caroljordan@millcitycommons.org. 

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, March 31, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Lourdes Square, 184 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. This week, Anne Heegaard hosts and Sonia Cairns leads a discussion about legacy. Most of us are "of an age" where we have begun to think about legacy. What is the legacy that you want to leave your children, friends, society? In what ways are you currently telling or showing them what you value, what you care about? How might you do so in the future? Join us to think out loud about these issues.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Bowling at Elsie's
Monday, April 4, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Elsie's Restaurant and Bowling Center, 729 Marshall St NE
Join other MCC men and women for an afternoon of bowling! No skill is required for this gathering of fun, camaraderie, social bonding and exercise. Two outings have been scheduled for April. If there's interest, a regular bowling outing will be added to the calendar in the future. Cost per person is $14.08, payable at Elsie's. Mike Rosen hosts.

MCC members sign up here
; guests email MCC.
Family Matters
Tuesday, April 5, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art, 250 3rd Ave N, #308
What do you do with family letters, papers, photos? Archive them in a book? Turn them into art? MCC member Nor Hall will share the approach she took in preserving turn-of-the century letters of her grandfather, Dr. Henry Smith Leiper, a statesman, missionary, architect, writer, musician and teacher who famously taught Mao Tse Tung how to play tennis. The evening will include a reading, photos and a display of ways tangible items are made into art, followed by refreshments. Nor Hall, writer, performance researcher and archetypal psychologist, will be hosted by her friend, artist Harriet Bart.

MCC members sign up here.
Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, April 6, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express, 818 S 2nd St
Join us to discuss Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande. In the book, Gawande tackles the hardest challenge of his profession: how medicine can not only improve life but also the process of its ending. A practicing surgeon, Gawande addresses his profession's ultimate limitation, arguing that quality of life is the desired goal for patients and families. He offers examples of freer, more socially fulfilling models for assisting the infirm and dependent elderly, and he explores the varieties of hospice care to demonstrate that a person's last weeks or months may be rich and dignified.

If you'd like to read ahead, May's book is Between the World and Me by Ta-Henisi Coates. Have a book suggestion for the Book Chat? Email Barbara Goldner.

MCC members and guests. No reservations required.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, April 7, 7:30 - 8:30 am
Elsie's Restaurant, 729 Marshall St NE
It's 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, MCC member Roger Hale will be talking about "My Chess Obsession."

Men MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
MSP International Film Festival Screening: "O Samba"
Monday, April 11, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main St SE
The Cynthia Froid Group hosts a special free screening for MCC members of "O Samba," with director Georges Gachot attending. Samba is more than just the grand chaotic staging of Rio de Janeiro's Carnaval and frenetic rhythms and dancing. Through the work of the popular samba school Unidos de Vila Isabel and musician Martinho da Vila, "O Samba" explores the heart and soul of this Brazilian artistic tradition. Director Georges Gachot asserts the deeply lyrical way of life with samba, with da Vila as our guide. Augmented with vivid live performances and other musical icons--including Leci Brando, Ney Matogrosso, Paula Lima and Martinho's daughter Mart'nalia--this documentary captures the spirit of samba. Watch the trailer here. A reception will follow the film in the River Room at the Aster Cafe.

RSVP to the Cynthia Froid Group with attendee names and date of screening: admin@cynthiafroid.com.
Great Decisions: The Rise of ISIS
Monday, April 11, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Location to be announced
Born out of an umbrella organization of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) burst onto the international stage after it seized Fallujah in December 2013. Since then, the group has seized control of a number of critical strongholds in the country and declared itself a caliphate, known as the Islamic State. Still, the question remains: What is ISIS, and what danger does it pose to U.S. interests? MCC member and speaker Bill Davnie served as a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Department of State from 1981 to 2007, with postings in several countries, including four months in Baghdad in 2007. Prior to the Foreign Service, he researched Islam and taught for one year in Indonesia, and he served as a Presbyterian pastor for five years in rural North Dakota. Suzanne Joyce hosts.

MCC members sign up here.
Technology Help Desk
Tuesday, April 12, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
MCC Office, 219 Main St SE, Suite 401
Schedule time with a Tech Support Guru and have your nagging technology questions answered during our complimentary Help Desk. Support for both Apple products and PCs is available. When you register, MCC will confirm the time of your 20- to 30-minute one-on-one session. Reminder: Installing or upgrading software and creating accounts cannot be included in the Help Desk session, as they exceed the allotted appointment time.

MCC members sign up here.
News from Members

Executive Director Joan Wright offers a hearty congratulations to MCC member Julie Craven on her appointment to the staff of Mill City Times. We look forward to following your stories, Julie!

MCC members Dick Kavaney and Roland Minda invite members to attend the Community Connections Conference, "Big Ideas: Your Minneapolis," being held April 2 from 8:00 am-3:00 pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Dick and Rollie sit on the City Council Advisory Committee on Aging, which will have a table at the event. For more information, click here.

MCC member Lou Burdick invites MCC friends to participate with her and several other members in the Mill City Emmanuel Singers, a community choir led by JD Steele and accompanied by Fred Steele. The choir is open to all, and you don't need to attend all rehearsals or have experience or talent in singing. The next rehearsal is April 2 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the Guthrie rehearsal room. It's a great way to have fun and get to know residents on both sides of the river! For more information, contact Claudia Kittock.

MCC members Joel and Laurie Kramer invite members to join them at MinnRoast 2016 on Friday, April 15, at the Historic State Theatre. The annual MinnPost event has become a highlight of the Minnesota political calendar, bringing policymakers and journalists together to poke fun at each other and the state we all love in songs, skits and monologues. Tickets start at $14, and MCC members can receive a 15% discount by using the offer code MILLCITY when purchasing through Ticketmaster. Click here for more information and tickets. 

Around Town

30 Days of Biking Kick-Off Ride
April 2, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Gold Medal Park
Help celebrate the beginning of 30 Days of Biking. Participants will meet at 11:00 am and roll out on a slow-paced bike stroll through our beautiful Twin Cities. The ride will loop back to Gold Medal Park and end with festivities at Bike MS: Upper Midwest's headquarters, 200 12th Ave S. Click here for more information.

35th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival
April 7-23, St. Anthony Main Theatres, 115 Main St SE
The largest premier film event in the region takes places right in the neighborhood! The spring exhibition showcases more than 250 films from 60+ countries. Find the schedule here and ticket information here.

Opening Reception: Radiance - A NorthStar WaterMedia Society Exhibition 
April 7, 4:00 - 7:00 pm, Gallery One TractorWorks, 800 Washington Ave N
The NorthStar WaterMedia Society spring membership show features paintings created in watercolor, acrylic, casein, gouache, water-soluble ink and/or tempura. The opening reception will include an awards presentation at 5 pm. The show is open to the public April 1-30, Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm. The NSWS is the oldest watermedia society in Minnesota.

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, volunteer opportunities and more.  
MCC Upcoming Events  
View the March calendar here
View the April calendar here

March 29: Last Tuesday Happy Hour. No reservations required!
March 30: Rendezvous on 5. No reservations required.
March 30: Social Bridge. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
March 31: Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
March 31: Men's Dutch Lunch. No reservations required.
April 4: Bowling at Elsie's. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
April 4: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
April 5: Program Committee Meeting.
April 5: Family Matters. MCC members click here.
April 6: Rendezvous Readers Book Chat. No reservations required.
April 7: Men's Coffee and Conversation. MCC members click here; guests April 11: MSP International Film Festival Screening. MCC members and guests email admin@cynthiafroid.com.
April 11: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required!
April 11: Great Decisions. MCC members click here.
April 12: Technology Help Desk. MCC members click here.
April 13: Rendezvous on 5. No reservations required.
April 13: Social Bridge. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
April 13: MCC Board Meeting. MCC members click here.
April 14: Men's Dutch Lunch. No reservations required.
April 14: Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
April 18: MSP International Film Festival Screening. MCC members and guests email admin@cynthiafroid.com.
April 18: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
April 19: An Ethnic Musical Tour through Central Asia. MCC members click here.
 
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
501F1T,
501 Washington Ave
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

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.
Being Mortal
by Atul Gawande

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
2nd and 4th Wednesdays, January through April
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
 March 31 & April 14
 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 St SE, Suite 401, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
(612) 455-3329