April 19, 2016
Update From the Executive Director

As you peruse today's Musings, taking note of the various MCC and Around Town programming options, I hope you will take the time to click on the link I've provided in News from Members to learn more about a program that addresses homelessness in our community.

In Minnesota, homelessness means that one lacks a permanent dwelling for one or more nights. In the state of Minnesota, an estimated 14,000 people are without shelter on any given night; a stupefying statistic. "Acting on Faith, 2016: Investing in Potential" is a program being offered on May 12 by Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative. Registration information and details about this important civic opportunity can be found below in News from Members. While this is not an MCC sponsored event, many of its members are involved in volunteer efforts to address this social problem; I invite you to consider attending, as well.

Mill City Commons: We Learn. We Share. We Engage. We Give.

~ Joan Wright
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. During his days at the Washington Post, Bill worked on some of the paper's "projects" (if you saw the movie "Spotlight," you'll understand). Bill also recently attended the 2016 Masters and may share some observations.

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!
Social Bridge
Wednesday, April 27, 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 28, 9:30 - 11:00 am
Flour Sack Flats, 521 2nd St SE, #512
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, Peg Kavaney hosts a meeting on the topic of "Aging Well." We may not feel younger every day (as some advertising suggests), but aging can be a positive experience. Discussion questions will include: What are the unexpected joys and bright spots in our lives? What are the challenges? How are we handling them emotionally and physically? What are our fears? When choosing our physical and social environment for the last chapter, what is most important to us?
NOTE: For this week's meeting only, the time is 9:30 - 11:00 am.

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

MCC Executive Director Joan Wright invites members to attend "Acting on Faith 2016: Investing in Potential," a program hosted by Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative on Thursday, May 12, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, at St. Mary's University Center, 2540 Park Ave. Members of Beacon's collaborating congregations will ask public officials to stand with them to end homelessness by funding supportive housing at the county and state levels. To register for the event, click here.
Around Town

Ford Dam Self-Guided Tour
Daily, 10:00 am-8:00 pm, 5000 W River Pkwy
Lock and Dam 1 (also referred to as the Ford Dam), adjacent to Minnehaha Park, offers free, self-guided tours of the lock and dam. The facility features a public observation deck with scenic views of the Ford Dam, power plant and river gorge. Find more information here.

Thursday Morning Artist Series
Thursday, April 28, 10:30 am, MacPhail Center for Music, 501 2nd St S
Among the seven artists featured at this program is Elizabeth Kleiber on flute. Kleiber is a freshman at Hudson High School and the first-place winner in the 2015 Young Artists Scholarship Competition. Tickets are $10 at the door. Free coffee and donuts will be available at 10:00 am. Find more information here.

Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Tour
Saturday, April 30, 10:00 am-5:00 pm; Sunday, May 1, 1:00-5:00 pm
Three A-Mill Artists Loft units are featured in this year's tour. Also included are 17 "Topic Talks" on a variety of subjects, including tours of the A-Mill complex. Find more information on the talks here. To get a tour guide, visit a Hennepin or Ramsey County library or the tour website: msphometour.com. Free.

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
View the May calendar here

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.
May 4: Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat. No reservations required.
May 5: Men's Coffee and Conversation. MCC members click here; guests 
May 5: Russian Art Tour. MCC members click here; guests  email MCC.
May 7: Traffic Zone Studio Tour. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
May 9: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
May 9: Great Decisions. MCC GD members click here.
May 10: Technology Help Desk. 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.
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 28 & May 12
 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