August 8, 2017
Update from the Executive Director

Who doesn't appreciate a good meal?

Check out the giving opportunity in today's News from Members below. The challenge grant, being offered through the Richard M. Schultz Family Foundation, is designed to supplement a valuable program offered by a neighborhood nonprofit, East Side Neighborhood Services.  Former MCC executive director Linnea Tweed shared this info with me, and I want to share the opportunity with all of you!

MCC is committed to supporting all of its neighbors in whatever ways possible. To learn more about our Liberian, Somali and Hmong neighbors, mark your calendar for next Tuesday's program, Refugees in Minnesota - 7:00 - 8:30 pm, DeLaSalle High School. Molly Hayes, former director at International Institute of Minnesota, presents. Register here.

Community: A worthy investment!

MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.

~ Joan Wright
Men's Coffee and Conversation 
Thursday, August 10, 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. MCC member Walt Bailey hosts this week on "Billy Collins and Bill Staines: Who Are They?" A poet laureate, a yodeler? Have you read or heard "The Names"? Walt has the answers.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, August 10, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S
MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. This week, Carol Hovey hosts on the topic of mentors. Share with us one of your favorite teachers/professors/mentors. What impact did he or she have on your life, career or environment? What specific things do you remember that you carry with you to this day? Peg Kavaney will be out of town for Our Turn this Thursday. Sue Halverson will be doing attendance and any announcements and Carol Hovey will facilitate the discussion.

Our Turn meets every other Thursday, alternating between morning and afternoon times. Locations, hosts and topics change each time. Please bring your own water or coffee, as refreshments will not be provided.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Refugees in Minnesota
Tuesday, August 15, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr, Room D104
Over the last three decades, Minnesota has welcomed more than 95,000 refugees and is now home to some of the largest Hmong, Somali and Liberian communities in the United States. Join us for a discussion about refugee resettlement in Minnesota, where we'll answer questions such as: Who is a "refugee"? What's the refugee journey to Minnesota like? What's the transformative impact of refugee communities in Minnesota? What's the future of refugee resettlement with President Trump's travel ban? How can I get involved? Speaker Molly Hayes was most recently Program Director at the International Institute of Minnesota, where she oversaw workforce development and education programs for New Americans (refugees and immigrants) across the Twin Cities. Previously, Hayes was a U.S. State Department foreign policy advisor focused on the Middle East and Africa.

MCC members sign up here.
Social Bridge
Wednesday, August 16, 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 caroljordan@millcitycommons.org.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Twin Cities River Rats Waterski Show
Thursday, August 17, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
1758 W River Rd N
Minnesota is the birthplace of waterskiing, and the Mississippi River is the home of the Twin Cities River Rats Water Ski Show Team! Join MCC friends on the banks of the Mississippi for one of the Rats' hour-long shows, where they combine various waterskiing acts with skits and music. We'll meet at 6:00 pm to grab a viewing spot, and then order pizzas from nearby Broadway Pizza or visit the on-site the concession stand (or bring your own picnic!). A development show (with newer or younger River Rats) starts at 6:30 pm, followed by The Big Show at 7:00 pm. Park on West River Road south of Broadway. Bring blankets or chairs. Guests are welcome!

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Cora McCorvey Health and Wellness Center Tour
Tuesday, August 22, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Cora McCorvey Health and Wellness Center, 1015 N 4th Ave
Join us for a tour of the Cora McCorvey Health and Wellness Center in Heritage Park. Part of a health and wellness campus, the Center is a "one-stop shop" of services developed specifically for mature/older adults. Learn how the Center was developed in collaboration with distinguished agencies and service providers to offer a wide range of services to older adults in our community.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC
Annual Member Party
Wednesday, August 23, 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Open Book / Minnesota Center for Book Arts, 1011 Washington Ave S
Join us for one of MCC's most popular events of the year - the Annual Member Party! This year's gala will take place right in the neighborhood at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts in the Open Book building. Happy hour starts at 5:30 pm on the second floor in the Target Performance Hall, followed by a buffet of hearty hors d'oeuvres from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Minnesota Center for Book Arts studio on the main floor. Enjoy a slideshow with a year's worth of MCC photos, and visit the MCBA gift shop, if you wish. Metered parking is available on the street; ramp parking is available in the Riverfront Ramp across from the Guthrie on 2nd Street.
Registrations are due by August 11. This is an MCC members-only event.

MCC members sign up here.
MCC Program Calendar

Plan ahead! View the complete MCC August calendar here.
News from Members

MCC ED Joan Wright shares that the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation has offered a $25,000 challenge grant to support East Side Neighborhood Service's food programs which now serve over 5,000 annually throughout Hennepin County. ESNS has until September 1st to raise $25,000 in new and increased gifts to ESNS. You can learn more here and give through GiveMN or consider mailing a check to Linnea Tweed at ESNS, 1700 2nd Street NE, Mpls, MN 55413 (Food Security in the memo). Any amount would be appreciated.

MCC member Jim Conaway invites members to visit artists participating in the Groveland Gallery's Plein Air SmackDown, taking place on Saturday, August 5, from 10 am to 4 pm. Groveland Gallery and guest artists will be painting "en plein air" in the downtown riverfront near St. Anthony Main, East Isles and Kenwood Park, and Lowry Hill and Loring Park. Jim will be painting on Main Street across from St. Anthony Main Theatre. A map of the artists' locations can be downloaded from the Groveland Gallery website beginning August 3.

On August 15, from 8:30-10:00 am, MCC members Bud and Carol Hayden will be hosting tables at the first of a series on quality Pre-K being presented by Think Small, the St. Paul based nonprofit whose mission is to advance quality care and education of children in their critical early years. Having access to and attending a quality Pre-K program is considered a key element in reducing the achievement gap. Panelists will be discussing the impact of the word gap (upwards of 30 million words between birth and entering kindergarten) at the University of Minnesota's Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center (2001 Plymouth Ave N). The charge for the continental breakfast (8:30-9:00 am), followed by the panel discussion moderated by Barb Yates, President and CEO at Think Small, is $20. You may RSVP at:  events@thinksmall.org or call Bud or Carol at (952) 474-1812. They welcome you to join them.
Around Town

Community Forum on Healthcare
August 9, 5:30-7:00 pm, East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St NE
Join Congressman Keith Ellison for his community forum on healthcare. A health care panel will discuss the health care legislation and how it may impact your life.

Twin Cities Polish Festival
August 11-13, Friday 5-10 pm, Saturday 10 am-10 pm, Sunday 10 am-5 pm, 43 Main St SE, across from St. Anthony Main and RiverPlace
This Festival will immerse Minnesotans and visitors in "all things Polish," presenting a kaleidoscope of unique cultural and educational displays, food and top-notch entertainment. Bring a blanket, take a seat on the lawn along historic Main Street, visit with friends, watch outstanding musical and dance entertainment and enjoy traditional foods and beverages. For information, click here.

Giving Voice Choral Concert
August 16, 2:00 pm, MacPhail Center for Music, 501 2nd St S
Giving Voice Chorus Minneapolis is a unique and joy-filled choral experience for people living with Alzheimer's and their care partners. Enjoy a presentation of their summer session. No tickets required. Free and open to the public.

Mill City Live: Socaholix
August 16, 6:00-8:00 pm, Mill City Museum Ruin Courtyard, 704 2nd St S
Enjoy an evening of soul and Calypso music by Socaholix, set in the museum's dramatic open air Ruin Courtyard. Music takes place from 6-8 pm, with food and drink for purchase. $5/MNHS members free, includes museum admission from 4 to 9 pm. 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.  
 
Volunteer Opportunities 
 
Click here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC website!  
 
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.
The Sympathizer
by Viet Thanh Nguyen

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.
 
 
Ongoing Member-Led Activities

MCC Caregiver Support Group
2nd and 4th Wednesdays,
May-August,
10:30 am-12:00 pm
A way to support members and non-members who are or have been in a  caregiving role. If you are interested in joining a new Caregiver Support Group,  contact Betsy Wray by August 11.

Men's Dutch Lunch
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
August 17 & 31
 This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact  Allan Burdick.
 

 Mill City Commons

Ongoing Fitness Opportunities


SBS Class

                      Thursdays

2:00-3:00 pm

G-Werx Fitness,

428 2nd St S, #100
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.


 
 

 
 
Mill City Commons | 125 Main St SE, Suite 339, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
(612) 455-3329