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Update From the Executive Director
My Thanksgiving holiday weekend was memorable. I had time to unwind, relax, make new memories with extended family and marvel at my 7 month-old granddaughter's burgeoning repertoire of milestone feats. Three generations cheered her as she climbed her first set of stairs and later fed herself squash and mashed potatoes with a spoon! Well on her way to new-found independence, we snapped dozens of photos to mark her accomplishments.
Independence: Such a hot commodity in our Western culture; at times, it seems to be our singular focus. Don't get me wrong, being able to take care of oneself has high value. However, I was struck by the circle of love and support that surrounded our wee one, encouraging, cajoling, smiling, reaching out and lending a hand to keep her "on course." The interdependence on display was unmistakable.
We need one another. Plain and simple. Independence gives us wings, and interdependence gives us lift and thrust - those forces that hold us up and move us forward.
Community. It's what it's all about!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, November 29, 5:00 - 6:00 pm 
The Butcher Block, 308 Hennepin Ave E
Join us for Last Tuesday Happy Hour at The Butcher Block, hosted by Cobalt members Allan and Lou Burdick, Jack and Mary Lou Meyer, Merle and Roland Minda, George and Tamra Nelson, and Carol and Ron Vantine. Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat--no reservations required! If you'd like to stay for dinner, reservations can be made by calling (612) 455-1080. Click
here to see parking options in the area.
MCC members and guests. No reservations required.
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Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, December 1, 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, former MCC member Kin-Shing Lun hosts on the topic of "Elections: The U.S. and China." He'll explore the historical, cultural and political differences and parallels that may help up understand the current state of affairs.
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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. Tickets have been purchased for those who reserved them, but others are welcome to purchase their own tickets and meet up with MCC members at the theater.
MCC members and guests. |
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Sunday Soiree
Sunday, December 4, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Lourdes Square, 184 Bank St SE
 Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree, hosted by Anne and Peter Heegaard at Lourdes Square. 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. |
The Future of Journalism
Monday, December 5, 7:00 - 8:30 pm 
Village Lofts Community Room, 100 2nd St NE
Information has never flowed more freely. Yet serious journalism is under threat, both as a viable business and as a constitutionally protected pillar of effective democracy. Is there a way forward? Joel Kramer, MinnPost co-founder and CEO and editor until 2016, and former editor, publisher and president at the StarTribune, will lead the discussion.
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
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Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, December 7, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express, 818 2nd St S
 Join us to discuss Delicious! by Ruth Reichl. Billie Breslin has traveled far from her home in California to take a job at Delicious!, New York's most iconic food magazine. Away from her family, particularly her older sister, Genie, Billie feels like a fish out of water--until she is welcomed by the magazine's colorful staff. She is also seduced by the vibrant downtown food scene, especially by Fontanari's, the famous Italian food shop where she works on weekends. Then Delicious! is abruptly shut down, but Billie agrees to stay on in the empty office, maintaining the hotline for reader complaints in order to pay her bills. To Billie's surprise, the lonely job becomes the portal to a miraculous discovery that eventually inspires Billie to come to terms with her fears, her big sister and her ability to open her heart to love.
If you'd like to read ahead, January's book is Euphoria by Lily King. Have a book suggestion for the Book Chat? Email Barbara Goldner
MCC members and guests. No reservations required.
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Social Bridge
Wednesday, December 7, 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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Women and Motherhood on the Stage
Wednesday, December 7, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE
 Jungle Theater Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen has spent much of her time this fall thinking about how few plays speak to the experience of motherhood. Perhaps there's a bias that motherhood, or parenthood, aren't interesting to write about or show on stage. Rasmussen's current show, "The Oldest Boy," begs to differ--rituals of motherhood become a powerful focus in the work by Sarah Ruhl. Join Rasmussen as she discusses the role of women and motherhood on stage, and how such a widespread experience is so rarely seen in theater. Rasmussen opened her inaugural season at the Jungle with an acclaimed all-female version of "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," directed "Sense and Sensibility" at the Guthrie, and the final show of the Jungle's 2016 season, "The Oldest Boy."
MCC members sign up here. |
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Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, December 8, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE 
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, Arvonne Fraser hosts the group on the theme of "Planning for the New Year." What are your hopes for 2017, and what do you plan to do to make your hopes a reality?
This meeting also marks the third anniversary of Our Turn, and we'll celebrate with wine and snacks in the La Rive party room. Please bring a small cash donation to help for cost of the room rental, and email Peg Kavaney if you can bring wine or a snack at [email protected].
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
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Minneapolis Police Strategic Information Center Tour
Friday, December 9, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Minneapolis Police Strategic Information Center, 25 37th Ave NE
 Learn about the inner workings of the Minneapolis Police Strategic Information Center in this exclusive MCC tour. This real-time crime center and criminal intelligence facility is where many of the technologies used by the Minneapolis Police Department are brought together. Police officers and trained intelligence analysts work together to assist investigators and patrol officers by combining real-time information with database searches, complex link analysis, and information from public and private video systems.
MCC members sign up here. |
Happy Hour
Tuesday, December 13, 5:00 - 6:00 pm 
Vic's Restaurant, 201 Main St SE
Kick off the holiday season at our Tuesday Happy Hour-this month on the second Tuesday instead of the last--at Vic's, hosted by Patty Canney, Joan Koosman and Nancy Reed. Catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat--no reservations required! If you'd like to stay for dinner, reservations can be made by calling (612) 312-2000.
MCC members and guests. No reservations required.
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MCC Program Calendar
View the MCC November calendar
here.
Plan ahead! View the MCC December calendar
here.
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News from Members
Executive Director Joan Wright invites you and your family to attend the Candlelight Service of Remembrance in the Chapel of Westminster Presbyterian Church - Tuesday, December 6, 6:00 pm, 1200 Marquette Avenue. This service will offer an opportunity to light a candle in memory of those you love. A light dinner will follow in the Meisel Room at no charge. Orchestra Hall parking ramp tickets will be reimbursed.
MCC member Karla Ekdahl invites you to a special benefit event on December 14 featuring a sneak preview of Bill Pohlad's newest film,
A Monster Calls. The event supports the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul and the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, and their many efforts to bring you the best in international independent cinema. For more details and to purchase tickets, click
here. Karla adds that in addition to the benefits listed for the Auteur's Circle package, "the benefits include 2017 Festival Gold Passes (value $435pp), and eligibility to join a small group traveling to an international film festival of note."
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Around Town
Big Ideas: Words for Change
December 6, 7:00-9:00 pm, The Loft at Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave S
Can words really change the world? In the Loft's first Big Ideas conversation they're going to get to the heart of hearts and minds. They'll explore how and when words provoke someone to act, change their mind or find common understanding. Join them for a conversation with writers and community leaders who use language and storytelling to build bridges of understanding and effect change in the world. For information and to register, click
here.
The State of the River
December 9, 8:00-9:30 am, McKnight Foundation, 710 Second St S, Suite 400
How is the health of the Mississippi River? Can I safely swim in it? Can I eat the fish I catch? How are the bald eagles faring? What "new" pollutants are impacting the river's health? Come learn about the important trends and emerging issues impacting the health of the river, as well as potential solutions. RSVP to
[email protected].
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:
Jefe Urban Hacienda
Drop in for an afternoon coffee or drink and a casual chat. No reservations
required.
North Star Group
Tuesday, November 29,
6:00-9:00 pm
Stone Arch Group
Tuesday, December 6, 7:00-10:00 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
December 8 & 22
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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