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Update from the Executive Director
Mill City Commons has had an outstanding year! We extend our gratitude to our wonderful members and supportive neighborhood friends for their commitment to making this
Your Neighborhood for a Lifetime!
Also, a special thank you to the many neighborhood businesses that have supported our mission. Working together, we have been able to offer members some outstanding venue spaces and program options. We look forward to 2018 and the collaborative opportunities that await!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
~ Abiitan
~ Aster Cafe
~ American Academy of Neurology
~ Catholic Eldercare
~ DeLaSalle High School
~ Elsie's Restaurant
~ Friends of the Mill District
~ Film Society of MSP
~ Jefe: Urban Hacienda
~ Mill City Quarter
~ Minnesota Center for Book Arts
~ Minnesota Tech Center
~ Porter Cafe
~ Smith & Porter Restaurant
~ St. Anthony Main Theater
~ The Guthrie Theatre
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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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.
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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. Thanks to all who contributed to the 10th Annual Turkey & Extra Helpings Drive! |
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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].
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Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, December 28, 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 Will Craig will talk about research he's just completed on the recovery of the consumer economy in outstate Minnesota. Findings show that it's pretty good, except for retail. He'll talk about individual cities across the state, with lots of data, photos and maps, and will welcome your comments on the recovery in those outstate communities you're familiar with.
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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.
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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 Friday, December 22. |
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MCC Sing-Along
Thursday, January 4, 4:30 - 6:00 pm 
Stone Arch Lofts, 600 2nd St S, #303
Come together with other MCC members for an informal sing-along at the Carrier's Stone Arch loft. With Margee Bracken on piano, we'll be refreshing our memories with tunes that are all very familiar. Song sheets will be provided, and refreshments will be served. Come, sing and join the fun!
MCC members sign up here. |
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MCC Program Calendar
View the full MCC December calendar
here.
Plan ahead! View the January calendar
here.
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News from Members
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.
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Around Town
Upstate MN Holiday Pop-Up
Open through December 23, 700 N Washington Ave, street level
Grand Marais shop
Upstate MN has moved to the North Loop for the holiday season. Upstate features goods with a "Northwoods modern" vibe by Minnesota makers, such as Martha McQuade's ScarfShop and Willful Goods, plus cards, candles, bags and other giftable goods. Open daily 11:00 am to 7:00 pm through December 23.
New Year's Eve Candelight Walk
December 31, 4:00-8:00 pm, Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Rd, St. Paul
Grab your family, pack your hat and mittens, and throw on your long-johns for a fun family-friendly New Year's celebration in the park. Hike miles of candle-lit trails, warm up at one of several roaring bonfires, toast marshmallows and more! No registration required, but more details can be found
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.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Click
here
for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC website!
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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.
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| 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.
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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.
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