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Update from the Executive Director
HOSPITALITY:
the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers
I've been thinking a lot about the word hospitality, lately. No surprise, I suppose, as this week's Super Bowl LII events tout myriad experiences, locations and destinations where hospitality can be found: airport concourses, downtown skyways, concerts, parties, zip lines, gospel celebrations, variety shows, a snow slide and Birkie bridge, and wine and food events galore! All designed to deliver hospitality to those who attend.
Sunday's Bold Hope in the North interfaith gathering to benefit the Emergency Rental Assistance Program of Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness (DCEH) provided a unique opportunity to experience hospitality. The program featured area musical groups including The Mill District Singers, a choir made up of Mill District neighbors that is open to all and embraces the true diversity of the Mill District neighborhood. I venture to say that guests and strangers received a friendly reception!
It was a unique and dynamic event with the Bold Hope of raising $250,000 for families at risk of becoming homeless. All free-will donations were designated to the highly effective Emergency Rental Assistance Program; 80% of families who received this assistance have remained housed after six months. To date, $160,000 of the $250,000 goal have been raised.
DCEH will continue to collect donations over the course of the pre-Super Bowl week in hopes of making is $250,000 goal.
To donate, text #DCEH to 612-999-2874 or donate online at
dceh.org/give.
HOSPITALITY:
the friendly reception and treatment of guests and strangers!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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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. |
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Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, February 7, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Abiitan's Porter Cafe, 428 2nd St S 
Join us to discuss Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury's 1953 novel set in a bleak, dystopian future. Guy Montag is a fireman. In his world, where television rules and literature is on the brink of extinction, firemen start fires rather than put them out. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television "family." But then he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn't live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television. When Mildred attempts suicide and Clarisse suddenly disappears, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known. He starts hiding books in his home, and when his pilfering is discovered, the fireman must run for his life.
If you'd like to read ahead, March's book is Epitaph by Mary Doria Russell. Have a book suggestion for the Book Chat? Email [email protected].
MCC members and guests. No registration required. |
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, February 8, 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 guest Jim Davnie will talk about daily life as an elected official. Jim, member Bill Davnie's brother, is in his ninth term in the Minnesota House, representing District 63A in Minneapolis.
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"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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Exploring Meditation
Tuesday, February 13, 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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MCC Program Calendar
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of MCC's February events
here.
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News from Members
MCC member Camille Burke encourages members to consider contributing to "Downtown View." Downtown View, a five-story housing development and partnership between Project for Pride in Living (PPL) and YouthLink, will give equal access to opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness. They are seeking items for gift baskets that youth will receive when they move in, as well as meals while their kitchen is being remodeled. To purchase gifts on their Amazon wish list, click
here. To sign up to prepare or sponsor a meal, click
here.
Do you want to share your love of literacy?
MCC member Claudia Kittock wants members to know that the Cedar Riverside Community School has a fun opportunity for you to be a Guest Reader in a 1st or 2nd grade classroom. You can share one of your grade appropriate favorites or well-liked children's book with the class as a read aloud. For more details on this one-time volunteer opportunity, click
here.
MCC member Merle Minda wants members to know that Out of the Box Opera is performing "
Live at the Weisman" on February 10 at 7:00 pm. Experience a unique fusion of opera, jazz and soul in the beautiful galleries of the Weisman Art Museum (333 E River Pkwy). This performance is open to everyone from seasoned opera lovers to opera first-timers. Tickets can be purchased
here.
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.
Do you like movies?
MCC member Will Craig compiled a list of all the movies nominated for various awards. Click
here to see the 2017 movie award nominees and winners (winners denoted in red). MCC also asked Will for his own recommendations, which are noted in the spreadsheet. If you enjoy watching and discussing movies, consider joining the MCC: Movie Chat forum. Contact
Mary Texidor to learn more.
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Around Town
Spark! Baking Workshop for People with Memory Loss
February 10, 10:00-11:00 am, Mill City Museum, 704 2nd St S
Whip up a delicious treat in this baking experience tailored to all ability levels for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Mill City Museum is a member of Spark!, an alliance of cultural institutions that offer programming specifically tailored to people with memory loss. Free but registration required
here.
MacPhail Spotlight Series: Flirting with Sondheim
February 10, 8:00 pm, MacPhail Center for Music, 501 2nd St S
This program is a tribute to Stephen Sondheim's versatile genius, both as lyricist and composer. MacPhail performers will regale audiences with scenes and arias from his most beloved works, including
West Side Story,
Company,
Into the Woods and
Little Night Music. The repertoire was chosen with an eye to Valentine's Day. So the concert's secondary theme is love, but always with Sondheim's signature realism and witty touch. Pre-concert lecture begins at 7:00 pm. Learn more
here.
Invisible
February 15-17, 7:30 pm, Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave S
Invisible is an evening-length dance/media work that explores the narratives and perspectives of women navigating the aging process. The work integrates a performing company of 10 women ages 25-75, all of them luminary performers from our community. For information and tickets, click
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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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.
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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