|
Update from the Executive Director
I ran into a good friend while out on a walk earlier this week.
We hadn't seen or talked with one another for several months. In fact, the last time I saw her was at Target, just before school was to begin. She was frantically trying to complete her children's school supply list, was running late for an appointment and recuperating from a whirlwind family vacation. She was exhausted, frazzled, a bit crabby and, frankly, not very accessible.
Fast forward to our meeting earlier this week. My friend's entire countenance was different: relaxed, friendly, good-humored...present. We laughed about the contrast in her demeanor. She admitted that something had to give, so she chose to eliminate as many "shoulds" in her life in order to focus on the "coulds" in her life. She shared her relief in having given up many of the season's "shoulds" -- parties, baking, cards, travel...gifts. Instead, she offers family and friends the gift of
presence and confirmed its remarkable mutual value.
Our relationships are gold. They sustain us in times of trial, enhance our delight in times of joy and give genuine meaning and purpose to each and every day. A beautiful gift to give and to receive!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
|
|
|
Exhibit: Fest! Merry Mansion - Nordic Holidays
Wednesday, December 13, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave
 Join us for a tour of the American Swedish Institute's 2017 exhibition of Nordic Holiday Rooms. Explore the unique and interactive displays of customs and traditions from the five Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland, plus this year's special guest, Romania. Cost is $13 for this guided tour. (Please bring cash, if possible, to speed up the check-in process.) Optional: Join your tourmates for a beverage at Fika afterwards.
|
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, December 14, 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 John Crosby will host guest speaker Tom Evers, executive director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. Tom will talk about the River First Initiative for the Upper Mississippi, which spans from the Stone Arch Bridge to the northern border of Minneapolis at I-694. He'll give a status report on the the plans to upgrade the shorelines along this stretch and provide long overdue connections and access to residents of North and Northeast Minneapolis.
|
|
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, December 14, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Mill City Quarter, 322 2nd St S
 MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. This week, Susan Higgins hosts on the topic of Favorite Holiday Memories. Bring a story or two about any holidays throughout the year.
Our Turn meets every other Thursday, alternating between morning and afternoon times. Hosts, topics and occasionally locations change each time. Please bring your own refreshments. Our Turn participants who wish to continue socializing after our morning session are invited to join others for a "dutch lunch" at Abiitan's Porter Cafe next door.
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
|
Sunday Soiree
Sunday, December 17, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Washburn Lofts Common Room, 700 2nd St S 
Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree, hosted by Margee & Will Bracken and Anita Kunin at Washburn Lofts. Please contribute to the potluck by bringing a hearty hors d'oeuvre, main dish salad or dessert to serve at least 8. 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.
MCC members sign up here. |
|
Exhibit: "A Campus Divided"
Monday, December 18, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
University of Minnesota Andersen Library Atrium Gallery, 222 21st Ave S
 Join us for an archivist-led tour of the compelling exhibit, "A Campus Divided: Progressives, Anti-Communists, Racism and Anti-Semitism at the University of Minnesota, 1930-1942." With archival materials, the exhibit illustrates how U of M presidents, deans and other administrators routinely subjected students and faculty to surveillance and attacked progressive student activism in order to create a campus in the narrow and distorted image of an "America First" nation. If you'd like to carpool, meet in the Stone Arch parking lot at 1:30 p.m. Otherwise, meet on the third floor of Andersen Library, where the exhibit starts. The exhibit closes on December 20.
MCC members sign up here.
|
Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, December 19, 5:00 - 6:00 pm 
Wilde Cafe, 65 Main St SE
Join us for Tuesday Happy Hour at Wilde Cafe. Hosted by Ginger & Walt Bailey, this gathering is a time to 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) 331-4544.
MCC members and guests. No registration required.
|
|
Turkey & Extra Helpings Volunteer Opportunity
Wednesday, December 20, 12:15 - 1:45 pm
Cub Foods, 701 W Broadway Ave
 Join MCC members and friends for the 10th annual Turkey & Extra Helpings Holiday Drive! Our goal is to provide groceries for holiday meals for 50 families in North Minneapolis. Volunteers are needed to help load and unload food for families from Ascension School. Meet in the Cub Foods parking lot, 701 W. Broadway Ave. (I-94 and Broadway), at 12:15 p.m. to pick up groceries. We'll then proceed to Ascension School, 1726 Dupont Ave. N., to drop them off. Please register and answer the "Question" on whether you have a large vehicle to help transfer food. For more information, click here.
Registration is now closed; we have enough volunteers and drivers to deliver food on December 20. However, donations are still being accepted through December 15. |
|
Social Bridge
Wednesday, December 20, 3:00 - 5:00 pm 
Washburn Lofts, 700 2nd St S
Join bridge players for a round of social bridge; levels of expertise and experience vary. Bring a partner if you can, and remember to register both yourself and your partner. Questions? Contact Carol Jordan at [email protected].
|
|
A Movie & Dinner
Thursday, December 28, 4:00 - 7:30 pm
St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main St SE
 Join MCC members for a dutch-treat mid-week movie and dinner! The movie and exact movie time will be announced the week before and communicated on the website and in Musings. We'll follow with dinner at a nearby restaurant, also to be announced. Members and guests are welcome to join us for the movie, dinner or both.
|
|
New Year's Eve Dinner
Sunday, December 31, 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE 
Join other MCC members for a festive catered dinner in a condo party room along the riverfront! The menu includes Chicken Kebabs with Tzatziki Dipping Sauce; Salmon Kebabs with Ginger Soy Dipping Sauce; Israeli Couscous with Tomato, Onions, Mushrooms, Spinach and Garlic; Grilled Asparagus and Baby Carrots; Harvest Salad with Apple Cider Dressing and dessert bars. Cost will be approximately $35 per person. Members are asked to bring beverages to share.
MCC members sign up here. Registration required by December 27. |
|
MCC Program Calendar
View the full MCC December calendar
here.
|
|
News from Members
MCC Executive Director Joan Wright invites members to attend the opening night party and performance of "Light the World" on Thursday, December 14 at the Lab Theater (700 N 1st St). The reception starts at 6:30 pm; showtime, 7:15 pm. The performance includes song, dance, aerial arts, live music and a DJ. A portion of every ticket sold for the entire run will go to the Page Foundation, supporting Minnesota's students of color pursuing post-secondary education. Learn more
here. Purchase tickets
here.
MCC member Peggy Lucas recommends the Gingerbread Wonderland Twin Cities exhibit at the Norway House (913 E Franklin Ave), where you'll find familiar Twin Cities buildings and landmarks, all created out of gingerbread. Bring the grandkids! Admission is $5 for adults and children over 12, and free for Norway House members and children 12 and under. Find more information
here.
MCC member Patty Connelly recommends a current exhibit at the Russian Museum of Art -- "Matryoshka, The Nesting Doll" -- especially for grandparents and grandkids. The exhibit showcases more than 100 sets of dolls dating from the 20th century. Find more information
here.
|
Around Town
Holidazzle
Thursday-Sunday, December 14-17 and 21-23, Loring Park, 1382 Willow St
Eat, shop, watch the Holidazzle fireworks displays, enjoy live music and more! Click
here to find a full schedule of events. There will also be a Winter Open Streets event on December 16 along Nicollet Ave, from 5th St S to Grant St and Grant St from Nicollet to Loring Park.
Artist Talk and Book Launch with Jess Hirsch
December 21, 7:00-9:00 pm, A-Mill Artist Lofts, 301 Main St SE, Level 1 Main Gallery Space
During the month of October, Rethinking Public Spaces artist, Jess Hirsch brought her project Emotional Platings to rural Minnesota. Emotional Platings is a series of picnic kits from trees that heal specific emotions, identified in the Bach Flower Essence philosophy. Learn what happened when the public was invited to choose a kit and pair up with a stranger to explore emotion together. Learn more
here
.
Ronia, the Robber's Daughter
December 23-25 & December 30-January 1, 4:00 pm, St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main St SE
Just in time for the Holidays comes the return of this classic Swedish film that has been a mainstay for years. It's a rollicking adventure about the eponymous Ronia, daughter of the robber-chief Mattis, whose exploits will entertain your entire family. Learn more
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Volunteer Opportunities
MCC's 10th Annual Turkey & Extra Helpings Drive is kicking off! Click
here to learn more.
Click
here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC website!
|
|
MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities
Dutch Treat
Social Hour
Mondays, 4:00-5:00 pm
Jefe Urban Hacienda
219 Main St SE
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
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
No reservations required.
The Women in the Castle
by Jessica Shattuck
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!
Social Bridge
Every other Wednesday, 3:00-5:00 pm
Washburn Lofts,
700 2nd St S
Enjoy a round of social bridge. Be sure to register on the website!
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 Thursday and alternates between morning and afternoon times. Look for details in the body of this newsletter.
|
| Mill City Commons Ongoing Fitness Opportunities
G-Werx Fitness,
An exclusive opportunity for members, this weekly class focuses on strength, balance
and stretching to keep you fit and strong.
First time participants, please contact G-Werx Fitness 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.
|
|
Ongoing Member-Led Activities
MCC Caregivers' Support Group
2nd and 4th Wednesdays,
September-December
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
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
December 21 & January 4
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
|
|
