|
Update from the Executive Director
Ten years is a significant amount of time. Time enough to glean valuable information, be it about a job or career, person or friendship, business or organization.
Mill City Commons commemorates its 10th Anniversary in 2018. Plans are underway to gather input and feedback from its members and
to mark this important milestone.
This week's Our Turn will offer MCC women the opportunity to share their thoughts and comments on how membership in MCC has changed the way they live in community. As one of several founding members, Penny Hunt will guide the discussion, eager to learn what members value about our organization and gather ideas around
how we can best celebrate this important anniversary.
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
|
|
|
Social Bridge
Wednesday, February 14, 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].
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
|
|
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, February 15, 10:00 - 11:30 am 
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S
MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. This week, Penny Hunt hosts a discussion around MCC's 10th Anniversary this year. In the past, we've talked about our childhood experiences, life events, teachers who've impacted us--to name a few of the many topics. Join MCC friends for this session to share how MCC has changed the way you live in community and may continue to in the future, and how we can best celebrate this important anniversary. Your input will help shape our celebration.
Our Turn meets every other Thursday, alternating between morning and afternoon times. Hosts and topics change each time.
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
|
Sunday Soiree
Sunday, February 18, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Carlyle Great Room, 100 3rd Ave S
 Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree, hosted by Bill & Charlotte Davnie at the Carlyle. 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. |
|
The King of Skid Row
Monday, February 19, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE 
Join us as author James Eli Shiffer takes us into a time when the heart of downtown Minneapolis was a densely packed neighborhood of bars, flophouses, liquor stores, rescue missions and second-hand shops catering to the last generation of seasonal laborers that had been part of the city's history from the beginning. It was all cleared away in a massive urban renewal project in the Gateway District that started in 1959 and ended in 1963. Shiffer has been a professional journalist for 25 years and is currently a columnist and editor at the Star Tribune. His book, The King of Skid Row, was published by the University of Minnesota Press in 2016.
MCC members sign up here. |
|
"Eat Street at 20" at the Hennepin History Museum
Tuesday, February 20, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Hennepin History Museum, 2303 3rd Ave S
 How did Eat Street, the length of Nicollet Avenue famous for its range of delicious destinations, develop? Who were the men and women who built these businesses, and how did they shape the street? How has the neighborhood changed over the years? And why is it called Eat Street? Find out in a tour of Hennepin History Museum's "Eat Street at 20: In their Own Words." The exhibit turns the spotlight on the evolution of one of Hennepin County's favorite streets, as told through the stories of restaurant owners and business proprietors who were instrumental in the development of Eat Street as a culinary destination, a model of community revitalization and cross-cultural collaboration, and a home to vibrant immigrant communities. Admission is $3 for seniors, $5 for adults.
OPTIONAL: Join your tourmates for lunch afterwards at an Eat Street restaurant.
|
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, February 22, 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 Charlie Kuivinen hosts guest speaker Don Samuels, who'll talk about MicroGrants, a program that spurs economic self-sufficiency by giving strategic grants to low-income people of potential. Samuels is CEO of MicroGrants and also a member of the Minneapolis School Board.
|
|
Balance Training - Part 1
Friday, February 23, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Fifth Avenue Lofts Community Room, 5th Floor, 401 N 2nd St
 Learn strength and balance exercises to improve your health and wellness! Siobhan McMahon, RN, is head researcher in a University of Minnesota study, "Ready Steady: A Wellness Program," which is exploring the effectiveness of a variety of activities elders can use to improve their balance. In the first session, McMahon will present an overview of why we fall and demonstrate and guide us through several balance movements. In the second session on March 2, she'll review those movements, add a couple more and talk about her research project. Wear comfortable clothes! You don't need to attend both sessions to participate.
MCC members sign up here. |
|
Great Decisions: Russia's Foreign Policy
Monday, February 26, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr, Room D104 
Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia is projecting an autocratic model of governance abroad and working to undermine the influence of liberal democracies, namely along Russia's historical borderlands. Russia caused an international uproar in 2016 when it interfered in the U.S. presidential contest. But Putin's foreign policy toolkit includes other instruments, from alliances with autocrats to proxy wars with the U.S. in Georgia, Ukraine and Syria. How does Putin conceive of national interests, and why do Russian citizens support him? How should the United States respond to Putin's foreign policy ambitions? Speaker Nick Hayes is professor of history, who holds the University Chair in Critical Thinking at St. John's University in Collegeville, and is an expert on Russia.
Registration on the MCC website is required for Great Decisions members.
Sorry, not open to guests; to join the MCC Great Decisions Discussion Group, email Betsy Wray at [email protected].
MCC GD members sign up here.
|
|
Exploring Meditation
Tuesday, February 27, 9:30 - 10:30 am 
Mill City Quarter, 322 2nd St S
Meditation--ever wonder if it's right for you? Are you a long-term meditator thinking of joining a regular weekly practice? Or are you frustrated at figuring out a way to keep meditation going on your own? Join other MCC members for a five-week session beginning February 27. You'll enjoy a restful, refreshing meditation each week and receive resource materials via email for follow-on use, if desired. We'll discuss how to keep a personal practice going, as well as perhaps the weather, personal stresses and joys, or other important topics that keep us centered in our lives. We meet on Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30 am at Mill City Quarter, across the parking lot from Abiitan. You'll be seated on upholstered chairs in a quiet, peaceful room with windows--much like your living room. At the end of the five weeks, you'll pay only for the sessions you attended, at $10/session. If this sparks your interest, register here or call Betsy Wray at 612-255-2063
MCC members sign up here.
|
|
Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, February 27, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Nolo's Kitchen & Bar, 515 Washington Ave N
 Join us for Last Tuesday Happy Hour at Nolo's Kitchen & Bar, one of the North Loop's newest restaurants. Hosted by Carole and Doug Baker, this gathering is a time to catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat--no reservations required! We'll be meeting in The Basement Bar, accessed on the left side of the building. Metered parking is available on the street. If you wish to stay for dinner, reservations may be made by calling (612) 800-6033.
MCC members and guests. No registration required!
|
|
MCC Program Calendar
View the full calendar of MCC's February events
here.
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of MCC's March events
here.
|
|
News from Members
MCC member Bob Callahan invites members to attend
Global Conversations: Turkey at the Minneapolis Central Library (300 Nicollet Mall). This will be a thought-provoking conversation with former Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson as he discusses the current situation in Turkey and its impact on foreign policy. The event is February 21 from 6:00-7:30 pm. Free, but registration is required
here.
MCC Executive Director Joan Wright shares that there are two upcoming conferences members may be interested in attending. First is the Alzheimer's Association of MN/ND and Mayo Clinic's Meeting of the Minds Dementia Conference on March 3 from 7:45 am-4:10 pm in St. Paul. The conference unites people impacted by dementia for a day of education, information and support. For more information, click
here. The second is the Minnesota Gerontological Society's Annual Conference titled "Wellness Agenda: Healthy Communities. Healthy You." This conference is in Brooklyn Center on April 27 from 8:30-4:30 pm. For more details and to register, click
here.
|
Around Town
Shadows to Rest - Minnesota Bach Ensemble
February 18, 3:00 pm, and February 19, 7:30 pm, MacPhail Center for Music, 501 S 2nd St
Join the Minnesota Bach Ensemble and hear concertos from G.F. Handel, J.S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi and Jan Dismass Zelenka Hipocondrie. Learn more and purchase tickets
here.
Thoughts on Ice
February 23, 1:00-5:00 pm, Weisman Art Museum, 333 E River Rd
Thoughts on Ice
is a Friday afternoon seminar with American explorer Aaron Doering and Kale Walch and Lara vanZandt from the Herbivorous Butcher. The afternoon will include a guided tour of the exhibition Vanishing Ice, a series of short films that follow Aaron Doering's expeditions investigating climate change from the Arctic to the Amazon, and a food tasting and panel conversation between Doering and the Herbivorous team on the connection between climate change, food production systems and space travel. For information and to register, click
here
.
Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota: The Wall
March 1-3, Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave
Inspired by Pink Floyd's famous rock opera, Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota presents its all-new, full-length ballet, The Wall. This groundbreaking performance interprets the music and lyrics of Pink Floyd's The Wall through the prism of contemporary events thanks to the talented company of dancers and an incredible collaboration of local artists. Tickets can be purchased 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
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.
Guthrie Play Reading
RiverWest Group
Tuesday, 2/20,
6:30-9:30 pm
The group will be reading "Familiar" this month.
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.
Epitaph
by Mary Doria Russell
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,
January - 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.
Exploring Meditation
Mill City Quarter,
322 2nd St S
Every Tuesday,
9:30-10:30 am
Clear the clutter in your mind, reduce stress and increase the feeling of calm in your life.
Men's Dutch Lunch
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
February 15 &
March 1
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
|
|
