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Update from the Executive Director
Good morning! It's mind boggling to think about the devastating loss many of our Southern neighbors are experiencing and dealing with when our skies are so blue and the temps so glorious. Hopefully, any family and/or friends affected by this hurricane season are safe, and that little to no damage to their properties has occurred. Our collective hearts, thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors.
Plenty program options to choose from
the next two weeks.
Check them out below and be sure to note which events, particularly the Atul Gawande live-stream on September 25, are open to guests. We'd love to have you join us!
Favorite Neighborhood Tip: I don't have a lot of apps on my iPhone, but my favorite is the Minneapolis Parking App. Now that street meters have gone digital, it's proved to be so incredibly helpful. Whether you're out of change, your event or meeting runs longer than anticipated or it's too sunny/dark to see the digital screen, this app is a must have!
Check it out here!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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Technology Workshop: Technology Tools for Travelers
Tuesday, September 12, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
American Academy of Neurology, 201 Chicago Ave, Training Room A
 If you missed our sold-out spring Technology Tools for Travelers series, here's your second chance! This session is the first in a three-part series focusing on useful apps, accessories and tips for traveling with your iPhone or iPad. The series will cover tools that can help you stay in touch, save money, navigate your way in a new place and discover interesting sites. This first class will cover apps to use for accommodations, transportation and airline travel, such as Airbnb, Lyft, Uber, Roadtrippers, FlySmart, My TSA and more. The workshop is limited to 14 attendees, and it will cover iPhones only, not Android devices. You do not need to participate in all three workshops to attend. Please make sure your device is fully charged, as electrical will not be available in the room.
There are still openings for today's program! MCC members sign up here.
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Driven to Discover: Is the North Loop Losing Its Cool?
Tuesday, September 12, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Rock Island Lofts Party Room, 111 4th Ave N 
The North Loop Neighborhood is a heat island in the middle of Minneapolis. This is the result of early urbanization, the loss of most vegetation and historical preservation rules that limit return of that vegetation. The problem will only increase with global warming. Professor Fernando Burga and his Land Use Planning students at the Humphrey School spent Fall 2016 studying this issue and recommending appropriate responses. Graduate students Alyssa Schmeling, Christopher Brittain and Maureen Hoffman will present their findings.
This is the first in MCC's new, ongoing program series under the banner "Driven to Discover." The series will feature University of Minnesota faculty and students sharing current research and programming at the University.
MCC members sign up here.
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Social Bridge
Wednesday, September 13, 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. |
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Sunday Soiree
Sunday, September 17, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Stonebridge Lofts Community Room, 2nd fl, 1120 2nd St S 
Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree, hosted by Michael Brennan and Rebecca Bahn. 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. |
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Great Decisions: Conflict in the South China Sea
Monday, September 18, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr, Room D104
 The South China Sea is a locus of competing territorial claims, and China its most vocal claimant. Beijing's interest has intensified disputes with other countries in the region in recent years, especially since China has increased its naval presence. Despite rising international pressure, including an unfavorable ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, China staunchly defends its policies in the region. Preventing tensions from boiling over is a matter of careful diplomacy. Speaker Duncan McCampbell is a lawyer and professor of international business and law at Metropolitan State University, where he also serves as MBA Program Director. He teaches law and business in China and travels extensively in Asia. He writes on global commercial, legal, political and security issues, and recently returned from a one-month visit to China and the Philippines to research the evolving situation in the South China Sea.
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 the MCC office at [email protected].
MCC GD members sign up here. |
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Exploring Meditation - UPDATE
Tuesday, September 19, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S 
Mill City Commons members have launched a 10-week fall meditation series that offers the opportunity to explore a regular meditation practice. The meditation will be a peaceful guided experience that is intended to increase a feeling of calm, reduce stress and clear the clutter in your mind. Carole Baker will be joining Linda Dolan as co-facilitator for the fall series; together they bring more than 80 years combined experience in meditation. Carole has a background in Transcendental Meditation and mantras. Linda's background is in Mindfulness Meditation, Qigong and Energy Flow. This group is for all interested MCC members, novice or experienced, and will meet on consecutive Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30 am through November 21. Cost to participate is $100, whether or not you can attend all 10 sessions. Please contact Betsy Wray (
[email protected]) if you'd like to join. Registration will close after the first session on September 19.
MCC members sign up here.
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Sex Trafficking & the Super Bowl
Wednesday, September 20, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Minnesota Tech Center, 1100 Washington Ave S
 In a few short months, Super Bowl week will arrive in our community. As with so many best-laid plans, there are unintended consequences. The research tells us that there's an uptick in sex trafficking of underage youth that accompanies large events like this. A panel of experts who are knowledgeable and experienced in working with communities to mitigate the effects of human trafficking will help us understand this reality and what we can do to promote a healthy community that focuses on child well-being. Panelists include Terry Williams of the Women's Foundation of Minnesota; John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney; and Amanda Koonjbeharry of Hennepin County's No Wrong Door Initiative. The three are co-chairs of the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee Anti Sex Trafficking Planning Committee.
MCC members sign up here. |
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, September 21, 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 Jan Breyer hosts on the topic of "What is Your Avocation?".
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Atul Gawande: The Value of Community and Choice as We Get Older
Monday, September 25, 3:45 - 5:00 pm
St. Anthony Main Theater, 115 Main St SE, Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul's Screen 3
 Celebrate 15 years of the Village Movement at this virtual event featuring renowned surgeon, public health researcher and bestselling author Dr. Atul Gawande. Dr. Gawande wrote the seminal book Being Mortal, which spent months on the New York Times bestseller list. He will be speaking live in Boston in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the first Village, Beacon Hill Village, and the Village Movement, of which Mill City Commons is a part. His talk will be live-streamed across the country and here in the Twin Cities, with the support of the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul and St. Anthony Main Theatre. Join us for this conversation about the importance of community and the many opportunities inherent in aging. A reception will follow in the Aster Café's River Room, just down the hall from the theater (cash bar).
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
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MCC Program Calendar
View the full MCC September calendar
here.
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News from Members
MCC member Karla Ekdahl wants members to know about "an amazing shop" she discovered in the North Loop recently. The shop is
House of Talents (located in The Traffic Zone at 250 3rd Ave N, Ste 615) and is open Wed-Sat 11 am - 6 pm. The store's mission is to "alleviate poverty by connecting artisans from developing countries with consumers worldwide." Owner Kate Herzog and her team are providing income to 1000 Ghanaian women in the basket weaver's community alone. Karla reports "the products are beautiful - baskets, jewelry, cloth, etc. I was just blown away by the colorful and well-made products. Think gifts for family, friends and yourself!"
MCC ED Joan Wright shares that The Mill City Singers (which claims several MCCers) will sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch at the Twins game on September 15. The game starts at 7:10 pm against the Toronto Blue Jays. If you'd like to attend a future home game with other MCC members, you can email Allan Burdick [email protected] regarding tickets
for any of the remaining home games after 9/15.
MCC member Bob Callahan invites members to attend the next Author Talk at the Minneapolis Central Library on Saturday, September 23, 10:00 - 11:30 am.
Retrace the steps of Martin Luther with Andrew Wilson, author of Here I Walk: A Thousand Miles on Foot to Rome With Martin Luther. Mr. Wilson and his wife recreated the pilgrimage by walking from southern Germany to Rome over 70 days.
This autumn marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. The presentation will be part history and part travelogue. Mr. Wilson will be accompanied by a professor of religion from Augsburg College, Dr. Hans Wiersma, who is a Luther expert. Revisit the Reformation and learn what's changed across Europe in the last 500 years. Registration requested here.
MCC ED Joan Wright wants members to know that Thursday Musical is opening with a free concert at 10:30 am on September 28 at MacPhail's Center for Music, 501 S 2nd St. The opening concert will be a celebration of Thursday Musical's 125th anniversary and will feature the premiere of Give Her the River by Minnesota composer David Evan Thomas. Learn more here.
MCC members Bud and Carol Hayden invite you to join Friends of the Mississippi River to celebrate and protect the Mississippi in the midst of its fall splendor on September 28 from 5:30-8:30 pm. From a beautiful, historic venue on the river in Saint Paul, guests will hear from keynote speaker, Dr. Dorceta Taylor, one of the country's preeminent environmental justice scholars about the intersection of environmental history, politics and justice, and what we can all do to make our special, natural places more inclusive. To learn more or to RSVP click here. Or contact John Czyscon at (651) 222-2193 ext 19, email [email protected]. RSVPs requested by September 22.
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Around Town
Minneapolis Bike Tour
September 17, 8:00 am, starts and ends at Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley St NE
Come experience the beautiful parkways that make Minneapolis the best place to bike in the country. Spanning the Grand rounds Scenic Byway System, the Minneapolis Bike Tour is a family-oriented, recreational tour that is great for all ages and abilities. There are two routes to choose from (16-mile and 32-mile), both of which are closed to motorized traffic. All routes include stops with refreshments and bike mechanics. Learn more and register
here.
Westminster Town Hall Forum
September 19, 12:00 pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette Ave
Carl Pope will present on "Can We Save the Planet?" Pope is the former executive director and chairman of the Sierra Club and a veteran leader in the environmental movement. He is now a senior climate advisor to former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and the principal advisor at Inside Straight Strategies, where he focuses on the links between sustainability and economic development.
Creative Journaling Practices
September 21, 6:00-8:30 pm, MN Center for Book Arts, 1011 Washington Ave S
Find inspiration as you explore unique journaling techniques from Nichole Rae from the Art of Daily Practice. Learn Nichole's signature collage process, work with her favorite supplies and gain skills to cultivate your own daily journaling practice at home. Participants will walk away with a personal creative guide made using foundational journaling and affirmation practices. $50 ($45 members) + $12 supply fee. For information and to register, click
here.
Rejected
September 22, 7:00 pm, Mpls Photo Center, 2400 N 2nd St
Come and see 60 great photographs that were
not included in The Minnesota State Fair this year. There will also be an opening reception of the photo exhibition "Mountain Ranch" on the 2nd floor gallery, which will include live music and refreshments. Both exhibits are free and open to the public.
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
Aster Cafe
125 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. A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota
by Sun Yung Shin
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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Ongoing Member-Led Activities
Exploring Meditation
Every Tuesday, September 19 - November 21,
9:30-10:30 am
Clear the clutter in your mind, reduce stress and increase the feeling of calm in your life. For more information on future meditation opportunities, email Betsy Wray.
MCC Caregiver 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
September 14 & 28
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
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| Mill City Commons Ongoing Fitness Opportunities
SBS Class
Thursdays 2:00-3:00 pm 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.
Hatha Yoga Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:00-9:15 am
Yoga Center of Minneapolis,
212 3rd Ave N, Ste 205
This is an alignment-based class. Purchase a 12-class pass for $132 directly from YCM to use as your schedule allows, or drop in on a class for $12.50. Contact Dena at
612-436-4700 for details.
Drop-ins welcome.
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