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Update from the Executive Director
Mill City Commons is fortunate to have an ongoing series of programs featuring University faculty and students sharing current research at the University. The next Driven to Discover presentation is coming up!
"What makes us age? What happens when women, in particular, grow older? Nobody yet knows which combination of health factors contributes to the rate, variation, and quality of aging, but acquiring that elusive information could allow us to foresee the path we'll follow, as we age and perhaps change that path for the better." ~ Brain Science Center News. To read the entire article click
here.
Join us on Tuesday, February 6, to hear Dr. Lisa James, director of the Minnesota Women's Healthy Brain Aging Project, discuss research on healthy brain aging and describe the Minnesota Women's Healthy Brain Aging Project. More about the program is listed below. All members are encouraged to attend and may register
here.
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, January 23, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Ginger Hop, 201 E Hennepin Ave
 Join us for Tuesday Happy Hour at Ginger Hop. Hosted by Bob Whitlock & Peggy Weber, 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) 746-0304.
MCC members and guests. No registration required. |
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, January 25, 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 Bob Callahan hosts on the topic of "Looking Back: Transitions in Our Lives." We've all lived long enough to have experienced a number of life-changing transitions. Some have been exciting and positive, others may not have been so positive and required work, perseverance and the help of others to get through them. Bob will discuss some transitions he's experienced and invite each table group to have a conversation about the transitions that have significantly affected their lives. What were the outcomes of the transitions and what was learned?
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Ethics in the Trump Administration, Revisited
Monday, January 29, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr, Room D104
 Last April, Richard Painter, University of Minnesota law professor and a top ethics scholar who worked as George W. Bush's chief ethics lawyer, talked with Mill City Commons members about conflicts of interest of the president of the United States and other government officials. As the Trump presidency begins year two, Professor Painter will take a look back with a review of ethics in the administration's first year. His talk will include discussion of the U.S. Constitution, conflict of interest laws and the practices used by government officials to comply.
Registration is now closed. To be added to the waiting list, please email Betsy Wray at [email protected].
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Social Bridge
Wednesday, January 31, 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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Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, February 1, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S
 MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. This week, Linda Willette hosts a discussion on happy moments that made happy memories. Recall a special moment in your life. Did this happy moment surprise you? Or did it come after much anticipation? Come and share a moment (or two) that made you happy--expected or not.
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. |
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Exploring Meditation
Tuesday, February 6, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Mill City Quarter, 322 2nd St S 
Mill City Commons members are invited to join in a five-week winter meditation series that offers the opportunity to explore a regular meditation practice. The meditation will focus on inner peace and self-awareness. Facilitators Carole Baker, Linda Dolan and Lois Libby Juster will explore the importance of breath, visualization and the role of music in relieving stress and enhancing meditation. The group will meet on Tuesdays, January 9, 16, 23 and February 6 and 13 from 9:30-10:30 am at Mill City Quarter. Cost to participate is $10 per session. You do not need to attend all sessions to participate, and you'll pay for only the sessions you attend. Fees will be collected at the end of the series.
MCC members sign up here.
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Driven to Discover: Minnesota Women's Healthy Brain Aging Project
Tuesday, February 6, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Phoenix River Room, 6th Fl, 222 2nd St SE
 What's the secret to healthy brain aging? Are there modifiable lifestyle factors that might help preserve cognitive function and overall brain health well into late adulthood? Dr. Lisa James, director of the Minnesota Women's Healthy Brain Aging Project, will discuss research on healthy brain aging, describe the Minnesota Women's Healthy Brain Aging Project, and demonstrate how Mill City Commons gets it right in terms of supporting healthy brain aging. Dr. James is an associate professor of Neuroscience and the Anita Kunin Professor of Healthy Brain Aging at the University of Minnesota.
This is one in an ongoing MCC program series under the banner "Driven to Discover." The series features University of Minnesota faculty and students sharing current research and programming at the University.
MCC members sign up here. |
"Russian Sacred Art" at the Museum of Russian Art
Friday, February 9, 10:15 - 11:30 am 
Museum of Russian Art, 5500 Stevens Ave S
Join us for a tour of "Russian Sacred Art," an exhibit of more than 50 19th century icons and other religious objects. The exhibition is the first presentation in North America of the artworks, coming from a remarkable private collection of 19th century icons. A distinctly realistic style of icon painting emerged during the reign of Peter the Great, whose westernizing reforms brought new art styles to Russia. Docent Ruth Ann Benson will be our guide. You're welcome to invite guests! Admission is free for TMORA members, $8 for seniors (65+) and $10 for adults.
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True Farm to Table: A Local Perspective
Monday, February 12, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Village Lofts River Room, 100 2nd St NE
 Learn the journey of food to your plate and how the way it's grown affects your body, your health and your planet. This will be an energetic, upbeat look into modern food production from Dean Engelmann, co-owner of Tangletown Gardens and its accompanying farm, where sustainable agriculture is an everyday practice.
MCC members sign up here.
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MCC Program Calendar
View the full calendar of MCC's January events
here.
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of MCC's February events
here.
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News from Members
MCC member Claudia Kittock wants members to know that the Mill City Youth Players will be presenting
The MASK Project: Meet Us, Ask Us, See Us, Know Us at 7:30 pm performances on January 25 and 26. Actors from YouthLink and the Cedar Riverside neighborhood have been rehearsing since November 15. MCC members and other community partners have contributed meals as a way to support these youth actors during their rehearsals. All are welcome to attend! Tickets are free, but reservations are required. Click
here to reserve up to four tickets.
MCC member Merle Minda
invites members to attend
Bold Hope in the North, an interfaith gathering to end homelessness,
at Westminster Presbyterian Church (1200 Marquette Ave) on January 28 from 2:00-4:00 pm. The performance will include the Mill City Singers (which includes several MCCers). For more details, click
here
. You can also click here to watch a promotional video highlighting some of the clergy participating in the event.
MCC member Bob Callahan invites members to attend events at the Minneapolis Central Library that are offered in conjunction with the TESTIFY exhibit that is currently presented at the Library's Cargill Hall. Events include film screenings of Alan Page's life story, a talk with Alan Page titled "TESTIFY: It's Not About the Flag or the Anthem, It's About Justice" and an opportunity to take a private tour of the Library's Special Collection. For details on these events, click here.
MCC member Peggy Lucas wants members to know that the University of Minnesota is offering two unique classes. The first is LearningLife's annual Sampler which features three instructors, three course introductions and one lively learning community. It will take place on February 10 from 9:30-11:00 am. You can learn more here. The second opportunity is a three week course on the Aging Brain. Key to the course will be learning how to critically assess neuroscience data, which will allow participants to make informed decisions, both personally and socially. More details here.
MCC member Carol Jordan suggests that members save the date for an event coming to the Minneapolis Central Library. On Saturday, March 17, author Iric Nathanson will discuss his new book and biography,
Don Fraser - Quiet Crusader. The book will shed light on the life and times of one of this state's most influential political figures.
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Around Town
Mpls Photo Center Exhibits
Opening January 26 & 27, Mpls Photo Center, 2400 N 2nd St
Two exhibits opening this week!
American Girl: Midwestern Daughter (opens January 26) explores that diverse world of American girls and focuses on the Midwestern region. The series is one part documentary photography, one part autobiography and one part symbolism that reflects the ritual, metaphor and ineffable existential question of the human condition.
Game Day U.S.A. (opens January 27) is a sports photography exhibit that will consider images from both professional and amateur sports activities equally. The exhibit conveys special moments both on and off the field that convey the essence of sporting endeavors.
One Day University with the Star Tribune
February 24, 9:30 am-4:00 pm, Guthrie Theater, 818 2nd St S
One Day University creates fascinating days of learning designed to invigorate your mind. It's learning for the sake of learning. The upcoming session will include four classes: "Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Evolution of an American Ideal"; "Race in America: Where Are We Now?"; "Music as a Mirror of History: 300 Years in 60 Minutes" and "The Supreme Court: What's Next? (An Up-to-the-Minute Presentation)." Cost is $195. For information and to register, click
here.
Tour of the Minneapolis Drinking Water Plant
March 6, 8:30-10:00 am, NE Minneapolis
Ever wonder how the water you drink every day gets to your tap? This unique tour of the Minneapolis drinking water plant will help you learn about the process of treating Mississippi River water and turning it into the water you can drink! Free. Tour capacity is limited, so early registration is recommended
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.
Guthrie Play Reading
RiverWest Group
Tuesday, 1/30,
6:30-9:30 pm
Group will be reading "Indecent" 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.
Fahrenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury
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,
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.
(**Note: No class on January 30)
Men's Dutch Lunch
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
February 1 & 15
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
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