April 12, 2016
Update From the Executive Director

Earlier this week, I was invited to speak to a group of Stonebridge residents who were interested in learning more about Mill City Commons. It was a great opportunity for me to get to know them, and I look forward to welcoming some of them as future MCC members! As I mentioned that evening, if you see something in MCC's upcoming programming that you'd like to attend, just give me a call. I would love for you to be our guest! 612-455-3329

Mill City Commons, in response to members' interest, will sponsor Introduction to Mah Jongg, designed for those who want to learn more about this age-old game. There was high interest when we surveyed our members earlier this year, so click here to secure your spot and read about what will be covered in the class.

The word ethnomusicology is quite a mouthful! Nonetheless, I encourage members to attend the musical recital-lecture with Dr. Paul Kuivinen on April 19th. Dr. Kuivinen will lead us through the history of Central Asia featuring its seldom-heard ancient instruments. Several MCC members are familiar with this presentation and they have raved about its content as well as Dr. Kuivinen's captivating lecture. You can register here.

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

~ Joan Wright
Social Bridge
Wednesday, April 13, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Washburn Lofts, 700 2nd St S
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, April 14, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Washburn Lofts, 700 2nd St S, #91
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, Anita Kunin will lead the discussion as we reflect on our lives as we compare and contrast them to the way our mothers lived. What were our mothers' values and aspirations? What have we lost and where have we made improvements? if there's time, we'll also make the same comparison with the next generation and our daughters' and sons' lives.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
MSP International Film Festival Screening: "Minnesota 13: From Grain to Glass"
Monday, April 18, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main St SE
 A special free screening for MCC members of "Minnesota 13: From Grain to Glass," with director Norah Shapiro attending, is being hosted by the Cynthia Froid Group. Minnesota craft brewing is not just a 21st century story of taprooms and food trucks. During Prohibition, one of the best and most popular moonshines in the country, known as Minnesota 13, came from Stearns County in Minnesota. Local directors Shapiro and Kelly Nathe pull the curtain back on this little-known story in Minnesota history. Widely regarded as the only branded moonshine of its day, Minnesota 13 was created by church-going farmers with the support of everyone in their community. Double-distilled and aged in oak barrels, Minnesota 13 was far from the bathtub booze the era was famous for. A reception will follow the film in the River Room at the Aster Cafe.

RSVP to the Cynthia Froid Group with your name & date of screening: admin@cynthiafroid.com.
An Ethnic Musical Tour through Central Asia
Tuesday, April 19, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE
Join us for a fascinating musical recital-lecture through the history of Central Asia, featuring its seldom-heard ancient instruments. Dr. Paul Kuivinen, a leading western specialist in Central Asian ethnomusicology and son of MCC member Charlie Kuivinen, will present. Dr. Kuivinen holds a Bachelor of Music in violin from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Master of Divinity from Trinity International University, master's degree in ethnic instrument performance from Kazan State Conservatory located in Kazan, Russia, and a doctorate in ethnomusicology from Kazan State Conservatory. He and his family lived in Tatarstan, Russia, from 1997 to 2010, and he speaks fluent Tatar and Russian.

MCC members sign up here.
Bowling at Elsie's
Wednesday, April 20, 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.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, April 21, 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. MCC member Bill Casey hosts this week.

Men MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
An Introduction to Mah Jongg
Thursday, April 21, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
American Academy of Neurology, Training Room A, 201 Chicago Ave
If you're curious about the game of mah jongg, this meeting is for you! American mah jongg is the modernized version of the ancient Chinese game. Learn about the history of the game, how the current version of the game came to be, and the tools needed to play this fun, challenging and addictive game. If you own a mah jongg tile set, you are invited to bring it to the meeting. This will be a great opportunity to learn and have your questions answered. Instructor Jody Brennan has a master's degree in education and teaches American Mah Jongg for the St. Louis Park Senior Program.

MCC members sign up here.
Sunday Soiree
Sunday, April 24, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
The Towers Party Room, 15 S 1st St
Join your friends and neighbors for the combined MCC Sunday Soiree/Baby Celebration for MCC staffer Mary Texidor, hosted by Bill and Kathy Fox. Please contribute to the potluck by bringing an appetizer, salad or bread. We'll have a large cake, so the need for additional desserts is minimal! As you register, let us know what you'll bring by answering the "Question" that will appear on the screen. You are welcome to bring your own wine or beer to share.
 
If you'd like to contribute to a gift for Mary and her family, you may send a check made out to Patty Connelly to Mill City Commons, 219 Main St SE, Suite 401, Minneapolis, MN 55414, or you may drop off cash at the MCC office. (Half of the contributions will go to babiesneedboxes.org, at Mary's request, and half will go towards a gift card for Mary.)

MCC members sign up here.
Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, April 26, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Stone Arch Bar at The Depot, 225 3rd Ave S
Join us for the Last Tuesday Happy Hour at the Stone Arch Bar at The Depot, hosted by Pat Hoven and Penny Hunt. Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat--no reservations required! If you wish to stay for dinner, reservations may be made by calling (612) 758-7826.
 
MCC members and guests welcome; no reservations required!
News from Members

MCC member Diane Hofstede invites members to participate in the Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk/Cleanup Saturday, April 23, at Boom Island Park. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., with the Fun Run/Walk beginning at 9:00 a.m. and the River Cleanup starting at 9:30 a.m. (gloves and bags provided). The event is in support of the "Pollinator's Pathway." For more information about the event, as well as sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, click here.
Around Town

Instameet: ElseWarehouse
Friday, April 15, 5:30 p.m., 730 Washington Ave N
Preserve Minneapolis, in collaboration with MNCommunity, is hosting an Instameet at ElseWarehouse in the North Loop. Constructed in 1923 and originally housing the Scriver-Andrews Warehouse Company, the building was recently rehabilitated and converted into apartments. Join the free event to learn about its history and the rehabilitation and restoration process. There will be a welcome from 5:30-6:00 pm and a tour from 6:00-7:00 pm. Find more information here.

Creative Paperfolding from the Bauhaus School
Wednesday, April 20, 6:00-9:00 pm, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, 1101 Washington Ave S, #100
Experiment with paperfolding designs, straight from the 1920s Bauhaus School. One of the core activities of this famous design collective was "learning by doing," including many types of paperfolding. Re-create three of the most well-known designs and take home beautiful sculptural paper art. Cost is $55 ($50 members) plus a $12 supply fee. Register here.

National Park Service "Ranger on Call" Virtual Tour of Mississippi River
Explore the river with a National Park Service ranger any time you like just by using your cell phone. Ranger on Call is an audio tour that explores the Mississippi River's exceptional places. Three tours are geared for bicyclists, with tour stops at Nice Ride stations by the Stone Arch Bridge/St. Anthony Falls area, downtown St. Paul riverfront and Fort Snelling/Minnehaha Falls. Find more information here.

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 April calendar here

April 12: Technology Help Desk. MCC members click here.
April 13: Rendezvous on 5. No reservations required.
April 13: Caregiver Support Group.
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.
April 20: Rendezvous on 5. No reservations required.
April 20: Bowling at Elsie's. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
April 21: Men's Coffee and Conversation. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
April 21: An Introduction to Mah Jongg. MCC members click here.
April 24: Sunday Soiree. MCC members click here.
April 25: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
April 26: Last Tuesday Happy Hour. No reservations required!
April 27: Rendezvous on 5. No reservations required.
April 27: Caregiver Support Group. 
April 27: Social Bridge. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
April 28: Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
April 28: Men's Dutch Lunch. No reservations required.
May 2: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
May 3: 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
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.
Between the World and Me
by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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
 April 14 & 28
 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