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Update From the Executive Director
Senescence:
the state of being old or the process of becoming old.
Research says this process begins at approximately age 28 in humans and continues until we die. Think about that. The process of becoming old begins just as many launch their "adult lives."
So began Dr. Bill Thomas' presentation at the Annual National Village Gathering a few weeks ago in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Thomas led us through a remarkable hour, highlighting, among various topics, his theory on humans' evolution to live well beyond their reproductive time frame: to assume the highly valuable role of grandparent. "Mammals," he said, "created parenting, humans created grandparenting."
Needless to say, there was plenty of agreement among those in attendance. You can read more about Dr. Thomas' theory, his Green House Project that is revolutionizing senior housing and his commitment to fostering "interdependence" here. I hope you'll attend the panel discussion on the Village Gathering, Friday, November 18, led by five of the eight MCC members who attended the conference. More info and registration here.
Interested in joining your MCC friends to
attend the Jungle Theater's production of
"The Oldest Boy" on December 1? Then you'll need to contact
Betsy Wray no later than this Friday, November 11, to secure your ticket.
Today is
ELECTION DAY! Remember to
VOTE!!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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MCC Annual Meeting
Wednesday, November 9, 11:00 - 11:30 am
La Rive Community Room, 110 Bank St SE
 Learn about the direction of your Mill City Commons as our current board chair passes the gavel to next year's chair and welcomes new officers and board members. The regular monthly meeting of the board will follow at 12:00 pm. Members are welcome to stay for the board meeting.
MCC members sign up here. |
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Social Bridge
Wednesday, November 9, 3:00 - 5:00 pm 
Washburn Lofts, 700 2nd St S
Join advanced or intermediate bridge players for a round of social bridge. You are expected to come with a partner at your level. (Advanced players play all the major conventions comfortably.) If you need help finding a partner, contact Carol Jordan at
[email protected]
or at (612) 817-0466 a
nd she will assist you.
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Minnesota's Contributions to International Human Rights
Wednesday, November 9, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
The Phoenix River Room, 6th fl, 222 2nd St SE
 It's quite astonishing that a state in the heartland of America is so active on the global stage advocating for human rights and putting an end to torture. Join us to to learn the stories of two remarkable organizations--The Center for Victims of Torture and Global Rights for Women. The conversation will be led by Cheryl Thomas, Founder and Executive Director of Global Rights for Women, and Pete Dross, Director of External Affairs for The Center for Victims of Torture.
Thomas has been working since 1993 to promote women's human rights. In 2008, she was selected by the United Nations to be one of 15 experts from around the world to create the United Nations Model Legislation on Violence Against Women. Dross has been working with CVT since 1993. On the state level, he has led three successful appropriations initiatives that have brought specialized training to more than 30,000 health, human services, education and legal professionals and others likely to encounter torture survivors in their works. MCC members Karla Ekdahl and Patty Connelly host.
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
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Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, November 10, 10:00 - 11:30 am 
212 Lofts, 212 N 1st St, #609
MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. This group meets every other Thursday, alternating between morning and afternoon times. Locations and topics will change each time. This week, Ginny Craig and Tamra Nelson lead a discussion on Rituals. What are the rituals that give you comfort, that help you organize your life, that are key to your spirituality? What rituals do you do alone? Share with others? How did they originate in your life?
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Sunday Soiree
Sunday, November 13, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
The Landings, 429 River St
 Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree, hosted by Gerry and Susan Timm at The Landings. Please contribute to the potluck by bringing a hearty hors d'oeuvre or dessert. 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: Middle East Alliances
Monday, November 14, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE 
From a proxy war in Yemen to the civil war in Syria, a number of ongoing conflicts have shaken the traditional alliances in the Middle East to their core. As alliances between state and non-state actors in the region are constantly shifting, the U.S. has found itself between a rock and a hard place. In a series of conflicts that are far from being black-and-white, what can the U.S. do to secure its interests in the region without causing further damage and disruption? Speaker Mary Curtin is Diplomat in Residence at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, coordinating the Global Policy Area and working with the Human Rights Program on the creation of a new graduate degree in human rights, as well as teaching foreign policy courses.
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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Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, November 17, 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 Ron Vantine hosts the annual Men's Book Review. Each person will be asked to recommend two books he's read in 2016--fiction or nonfiction--and also to share his favorite reading genre.
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The Story of the House of Talents
Thursday, November 17, 5:30 - 7:30 pm 
Humboldt Lofts, 750 2nd St S, #901
Join us to hear the story of the House of Talents, a Minneapolis-based company whose mission is to alleviate poverty by connecting artisans from developing countries with consumers worldwide. Founder Kate Herzog, a native of Ghana, will share her journey from growing up in Ghana to-many years later-earning an MBA at the University of St. Thomas and starting a company in Minnesota. Baskets by House of Talents artisans will be available for sale, with half of the proceeds going to the Angel Foundation, supporting adults with cancer. MCC members Mary Racciatti and Peggy Lucas co-host. Ghanaian appetizers will be served!
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
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5 Surprises from the Village to Village Conference
Friday, November 18, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Washburn Lofts Common Room, 700 2nd St S
 Join several Mill City Commons board members and Executive Director Joan Wright for a panel discussion about what they experienced, learned and took away from this year's Village to Village Annual Gathering in Columbus, Ohio.
MCC members sign up here. |
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"The Oldest Boy" at the Jungle Theater
Thursday, December 1, 7:30 pm
Jungle Theater,  2951 Lyndale Ave S
Join MCC friends for an evening at the theater! "The Oldest Boy" tells the story of an American mother whose young son is believed to be the reincarnation of a Buddhist Lama. When Tibetan monks arrive unexpectedly asking to bring her child to India for a life of spiritual training, she and her Tibetan husband must make a life-altering choice that will test their faith and their hearts. Deadline to order tickets is November 11. Contact Betsy Wray (
[email protected]) if you would like to attend. Tickets are approximately $25.
MCC members and guests sign up by November 11 by contacting Betsy Wray. |
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MCC Program Calendar
View the MCC November calendar
here.
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News from Members
Are you a friend of Mill City Commons but not yet a member? Or a recipient of this weekly neighborhood newsletter who wants to support our mission? You're in luck! MN Give to the Max Day is underway. Now through November 16th, Executive Director Joan Wright invites you to support "Your Neighborhood for a Lifetime - Mill City Commons!" Donate here.
MCC member Bob Callahan wants to share an interesting event for baseball fans: "
Play by Play: Recalling Minnesotans and the Negro Baseball League."
Frank White, author of They Played for the Love of the Game, and panelists with ties to the great players in the American Negro Baseball Leagues will bring to life the stars and the scenes as the sport was played in our community and around the country by Minnesota athletes. Hear inside stories from players' families and friends. Vintage photographs and baseball memorabilia will be on display.
The event is
scheduled for November 17, 7:00-9:00 pm,
at Minneapolis Central Library's Pohlad Hall. Register here.
MCC member Linnea Tweed will be leading a Tai Ji Quan class at East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 Second St NE, from 1:30-2:30pm every Monday and Wednesday for 12 weeks starting November 14th. This evidence-based class is designed to improve balance, muscle strength, flexibility and mobility through coordinated movements in a slow, mindful, flowing motion. Improve your health and have fun with Tai Chi! Cost is based on ability to pay. Contact Linnea for more information [email protected] or 612-787-4045.
MCC ED Joan Wright invites you to join Peter Hendee Brown, Jim Vos and the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership for a discussion of the potential and the challenges of redeveloping Minneapolis' Upper River. Peter authored America's Waterfront Revival: Port Authorities and Urban Redevelopment, an in-depth look at the urban renewal of four very different waterfronts. Jim, with over 30 years in the commercial real estate industry, is often called upon by the media to provide perspective on economic trends and their impact on corporate real estate markets. RSVP here for this November 15 program.
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Around Town
Mill City Farmers Thanksgiving Harvest Markets
November 12 and 19, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, Mill City Museum, 704 2nd St S
The Mill City Farmers Market moves inside the Mill City Museum for the rest of the season. Winter markets offer over 40 local farmers, food vendors and artists, featuring winter crops and so much more. Winter markets are a great opportunity to stock up on storage crops and nonperishable goods like wild rice, maple syrup, pickles and preserves to help you eat locally all winter long.
"Love Local" Holiday Sale
November 19, 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, 1011 Washington Ave S
The MCBA's annual holiday sale celebrates the rich craft traditions of the Twin Cities and surrounding areas and includes artists working across the wide spectrum of mediums and artforms. Dozens of local and regional artists will be featured, selling handmade paper, artist's books, blank journals, prints, posters, calendars, woodcraft, pottery, needlecrafts and all manner of gift items. The festivities also include free hands-on artmaking activities for all ages. For information, click
here.
2017 U.S. Foreign Policy Update with Tom Hanson
January 24, 6:00 pm, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall
Tom Hanson, diplomat in Residence and former career Foreign Service Officer, will explore and explain the latest foreign policy developments, trends and challenges facing the U.S. and next president in the upcoming year, including nuclear security, international trade and U.S. relations with China and Latin America. This program sells out so consider purchasing your ticket now by clicking
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
**New Location: El Jefe
Drop in for an afternoon coffee or drink and a casual chat. No reservations
required.
Guthrie Play Reading
Stone Arch Group
Tuesday, November 15, 6:30-9:30 pm
North Star Group
Tuesday, November 29,
6:00-9:00 pm
Groups will read
"The Lion in Winter" this month.
Rendezvous
Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month, 9:30-10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
No reservations required.
Delicious!
by Ruth Reichl
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!
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
MCC Caregiver Support Group
2nd and 4th Wednesdays, September through 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
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
November 10 & December 8
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
501F1T,
501 Washington Ave
Created exclusively for MCC, this class at 501F1T focuses on strength, balance, and stretching.
First time participants, please contact 501F1T 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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