May 17, 2016
Update From the Executive Director

Art-a-Whirl is this weekend! It is the largest annual open artist studio tour in the U.S., and it's right in our own backyard. Mill City Commons member, Patty Canney, invites you to drop by her studio in the California Building (see info under News from Members below). I stopped by a few weeks ago to tour Patty's space and thoroughly enjoyed my visit, her fabulous art and the labyrinth-like building in which it's housed. Check it out!

Want to explore the Mississippi River with your neighbors? Consider signing up for the Southeast Seniors Wilderness Inquiry Canoe trip on June 11. It's open to all and a great way to meet new neighbors, explore the river and connect with mother nature. Bring the grandkids! Details here.

Whether you're interested in exploring ways to share your legacy, searching for rare bird species, bowling a few games with friends or exploring Minneapolis's water works, you can find registration and more specific information on each program below. 

Care to learn more about MCC or chat about a possible program idea? Join me at Monday's Dutch Treat Coffee Chat at the Aster Cafe, 4:00-5:00 pm. Weather permitting, I'll be sitting river-side soaking up some sun and enjoying the view. I'd enjoy your company!

~ Joan Wright
Creating Your Legacy
Tuesday, May 17, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Fifth Avenue Lofts Community Room, 401 N 2nd St (Note new location)
In addition to developing legal and living wills, many people find it important to leave to their heirs and friends a document that shares their values and beliefs. This "legacy" might include statements of faith, comments about important day-to-day practices, and a record of their ethical beliefs and values. Ted Bowman, a family educator and writer, will provide examples of such written or oral legacies and will guide us in beginning to form our own. Susan Hartman hosts.

MCC members sign up here.
Bowling at Elsie's
Wednesday, May 18, 4:00 - 6:00 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. Cost per person is $14.08, payable at Elsie's.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, May 19, 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 McGrann has arranged a special experience. Arrive early because at 7:25 am, there will be a drawing and numbers 1-18 will board a charter bus in Elsie's parking lot and motor to a private tour of US Bank Stadium. The bus will return to Elsie's by 9:30 am. For those who do not win the lottery, Peter Brown will speak from the Downtown Council to bring us up-to-date on the Nicollet Mall renovation. 

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Nosy Neighbor Tour: Minneapolis Water Works
Thursday, May 19, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Minneapolis Water Works, Guard House, 42/44th Ave & East River Rd
Here's your chance to learn about the process river water goes through on its way to your tap! We'll begin our tour at pump station 5, which is where water is pulled from the Mississippi River and also pumped out into the distribution system. Next is a tour of the softening plant, including a view of a pilot filtration plant where the city is testing new technologies to be used when the current filtration plant is upgraded. Please be prepared for walking, including outdoors. 
You'll also need to complete and bring with you a waiver form (click here), and you must bring a photo I.D. Meet at the guard house at the intersection of 42/44th Avenue and East River Road.

MCC members sign up here no later than noon on Wednesday, May 18.
Birding Walk II
Tuesday, May 24, 7:30 - 9:00 am
B.F. Nelson Park, 434 Main St NE
Celebrate spring with the second in a series of two bird-watching walks along the river! We hope to see migrating warblers and other songbirds. Jamie McBride, lead naturalist with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, will lead the walk. Meet for the walk at B.F. Nelson Park, 434 Main St NE. Find a map of the park location here. 

MCC members sign up here.
Social Bridge
Wednesday, May 25, 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, May 26, 10:00 - 11:30 am 
Cobalt Condos, 45 University Ave SE, #405
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. Host Lou Burdick will lead a discussion that continues our recent Aging Well theme with the topic of "Deepening our Informal MCC Social Connections -- Converting Connections to Friendships". The core mission of MCC is to build community that we can count on for mutual support, especially with the inevitability that most of us, if we not already are, will live alone at some point in the future. Look forward to a candid discussion that ideally will provide valuable information and ideas as the Board develops the upcoming Aging Initiative.

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

Save the date for this year's Art-A-Whirl -- May 20-22. Consider stopping by the studio of MCC member Patty Canney. Her studio doors will be open May 20 from 5-10 pm, May 21 from 12-8 pm, and May 22 from 12-5 pm at 2205 California St NE, #406. For more information on Art-A-Whirl, click here. 
Around Town

River Ecology after the Lock Closure: Return to a More Natural River?
May 26, 6:00-7:30 pm, Mill City Museum, 704 2nd St S
Nearly a year ago, the lock at Upper St. Anthony Falls was closed to boat and barge traffic. The Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and the St. Anthony Falls Lab and River Life Program at the University of Minnesota have partnered to investigate the ecological impacts of the lock closure and the end of dredging the area. Register here to learn about data collection efforts and consider the kinds of impacts we may see on the river.

Called: The Making and Unmaking of a Nun Book Launch
May 31, 7:00 pm, Loft Literary Center, 1011 Washington Ave S
The Loft presents an evening with author Marge Barrett celebrating the release of her new memoir. The event will include a conversation with Loft Executive Director Britt Udesen and Barrett about the process of writing this story over a large swath of time, the experience of becoming a nun, a teacher, a wife and mother, a sister caring for family members. The discussion will include excerpts from the book and a Q &A with the audience.

Southeast Seniors Wilderness Inquiry Canoe Trip
June 11, 10:00-3:00 pm, Depart from Harriet Island
Explore the wilderness right in the heart of the city in Wilderness Inquiry's 24-foot Voyageur canoes. Paddle through the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and learn about the history of this legendary waterway. No experience necessary and all ages are welcome. Tickets are $35 and include lunch at Crosby Farm. Click here for the registration form.

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 May calendar here
View the June calendar here

May 17: Birding Walk I. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
May 17: Creating Your Legacy. MCC members click here.
May 18: Rendezvous on 5. No reservations required.
May 18: Bowling at Elsie's. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
May 19: Men's Coffee and Conversation. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
May 19: Nosy Neighbor Tour: Minneapolis Water Works. MCC members click here.
May 23: Learn to Play Mah Jongg.
May 23: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
May 24: Birding Walk II. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
May 25: Rendezvous on 5. No reservations required.
May 25: Caregiver Support Group. 
May 25: Social Bridge. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
May 26: Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
May 26: Men's Dutch Lunch. No reservations required.
May 30: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
May 31: Program Committee meeting. 
June 1: Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat.
June 1: Golf with MCC. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
June 1: Bowling at Elsie's. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
June 2: Men's Coffee and Conversation. MCC members click here; guests email MCC.
June 5: Sunday Soiree. MCC members click here.
June 6: Learn to Play Mah Jongg.
June 6: Dutch Treat Coffee Chat. No reservations required.
 
 
Volunteer Opportunities 
 
Click here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC website!  
 

 Mill City Commons

Ongoing Fitness Opportunities


SBS Class

                      Thursdays

2:00-3:00 pm
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,

7:30-8:30 am

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,

8:00-9:15 am

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.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North
by Richard Flanagan

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, May through August,
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
 May 26 & June 9
 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