June 7, 2016
Update From the Executive Director

MCC's weekly Dutch Treat Coffee Chat at The Aster Cafe provides a great opportunity to relax and enjoy a leisurely hour of  social and neighborhood chit chat with friends over drinks and small bites. Yesterday's outing closed out just as the raindrops began to fall. View the happy bunch on our Facebook page, and while you're there, "like us," to ensure other lively and interesting updates!

Aging gets a bum rap, so says renowned author and activist Ashton Applewhite. In her fierce and funny presentation, myth after myth about late life is debunked and the ageism that underlies all the hand-wringing is exposed. Please join us for her presentation. It will change the way you envision the rest of your life! There are a few spots available for guests, so please respond to this email if you'd like to join us, and I'll be there to greet you!

Got photos?? If your digital files are a mess, consider attending the tech workshop on June 21st. Don't let another vacation's worth of memories slip into the black hole of your iPhone or camera!!

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!

~ Joan Wright
Social Bridge
Wednesday, June 8, 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.
Is Change Possible in Iran?
Wednesday, June 8, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Stone Arch Lofts, 600 2nd St S, #701
For four decades, Gail Shore has traveled to some of the most fascinating places on the planet. Her self-funded, solo treks take her to countries-often remote-whose cultures are influenced by their unique traditions. Through her photography, Gail wants to tell stories about places that most people will never visit. Her efforts have resulted in the formation of Cultural Jambalaya, a nonprofit that uses cultural photography in the classroom to broaden world views of students. Gail believes the more we know about each other's history, culture and religion, the more understanding we can become of our similarities, as well as our differences, which is the first step to breaking down cultural barriers.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, June 9, 3:30 - 5:00 pm 
Lourdes Square, 192 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, Scotty Gillette will lead a discussion on "What is happiness, and how can we achieve it?" The discussion will be based on the book The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
This Chair Rocks: How Ageism Warps Our View of Long Life
Wednesday, June 15, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Washburn Lofts Common Room, 700 2nd St S
Author and activist Ashton Applewhite will tell us why the more you know about old age, the better it looks. Applewhite debunks myth after myth about late life and exposes the ageism that underlies all the hand-wringing. The talk is as funny as it is fierce, and it will change the way you envision the rest of your life. Applewhite has been recognized by the New York Times, National Public Radio and the American Society on Aging as an expert on ageism.

MCC member sign up here; guests email MCC. 
Bowling at Elsie's
Wednesday, June 15, 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, June 16, 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 Peter Lefferts hosts this week on the theme of "Breaking Ice with Baseball Bats." Peter, a sports fan and amateur participant, has found sports enthusiasm, especially in baseball and soccer, to offer welcome bridges across many "moats" of nationality, language, culture, affluence, gender and politics. For Peter, baseball has been a particularly positive ambassador for U.S. culture and a welcome common ground for collegial conversation with skeptical new acquaintances. Peter will recap a few such ice-breaking experiences from his own life and then invite others to share their own stories.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Technology Workshop: Dropbox and Online Photo Storage
Tuesday, June 21, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
American Academy of Neurology, Training Room B, 201 Chicago Ave 
Fact: We're all shooting more photographs these days. Why not? Cameras on our phones are becoming more professional-grade quality with each new model. New iPhones tout cameras shooting 12 megapixel photos, a feature of many digital cameras selling for $3,000 for more. However, keep in mind that the file sizes of these high-resolution photos is escalating, and adequate file storage has become an essential feature of modern computing. Join us as we discuss cloud solutions to this growing storage issue. We'll take a look at Dropbox and others for successful back-up and storage of those photos of your precious grandchildren and memorable travels.
 
MCC members sign up here.
MCC Program Calendar

Look ahead! View the June calendar here.
News from Members

MCC members Diane and Tony Hofstede invite members to come hear leaders discuss recent developments in the campaign to save the Boundary Waters. They will also discuss what needs to be accomplished and how we can work together to achieve success. The event is taking place June 9, 5:00-7:00 pm, at the home of Marcia Townley, 600 S 2nd St, #105. To RSVP, please contact Samantha Chadwick at sam@savetheboundarywaters.org or (612) 548-4476. For more information on the campaign, click here.

MCC member Jim Conaway invites members to the Groveland Gallery on June 11 from 2:00-5:00 pm as two new exhibits open to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the National Park system, with a focus on the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The gallery is also coordinating Plein Air painting workshops on the river on June 18 and 19. To learn more about these opportunities, click here. 
 
Want to join us for a ballgame this summer? MCC is going to watch the Twins take on the Houston Astros on August 11 at 12:10 pm. We will have a chance to hear the Mill City Emmanuel Singers (which claims several MCCers as members) sing during the 7th inning. If you want to purchase a ticket ($25), email Betsy Wray. 
Around Town

Northern Spark
June 11-12, 9:00 pm-5:26 am, various locations
Northern Spark is an all-night festival where tens of thousands of people gather throughout Minneapolis. For the 2016 and 2017 festivals, the theme Climate Chaos l Climate Rising will explore the interconnected, evolving, long-term consequences of climate change, giving local and national artists a platform to help turn a sense of overwhelmingness into concrete actions. For more information, click here.

Father Hennepin Bluffs Park Concert and Movie
June 14, concert at 7 pm; movie starts 15 minutes after sunset, 420 Main St SE
Enjoy a summer concert by singer-songwriter Matt Hannah, followed by the movie Casablanca. To see the full schedule of concerts and movies, click here.

Stone Arch Bridge Festival
June 17-18, 12:00-8:00 pm, Stone Arch Bridge and surrounding parks
The Stone Arch Bridge Festival is a destination for those looking to take in and shop for unique artwork, listen to great music and view the beautiful scenery of the Mississippi River. The festival will feature 250 artists, more than 50 live performances on four stages, family activities, the Pop Art car show and a motorcycle/off-road vehicle gallery. More information available 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.  
 
Please Welcome MCC's Newest Member!
 
Lynn Hunter
 
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 Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully
by Joan Chittister

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
 June 9 & 23
 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