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Update from the Business and Member Services Administrator
I was struck this week at how innate our need for independence is. I've been watching my nearly three year old assert himself and become more independent. Multiple times a day, I hear "
No, I do that myself." He so desperately wants to do everything on his own, even if it's hard or takes a long time. I'm sure many of you remember those days!
It got me thinking about how hard it is to ask for help, whether we're 3, 30, 60 or 90. Most days I'd rather drag out a ladder and use it to reach a canister in the back of the cupboard than ask my husband to get it down for me. Can you relate? Could you ever use a little help? Would you be willing to ask for it? It is by no means easy to ask for or accept help; it seems to undermine our independence.
In the coming year, I challenge you to find a way to balance your value of independence with the value of accepting help from other members. MCC's tagline includes the words "We share." In part, that means "we give back through helping each other." We can only fulfill that part of our mission when we ask for and accept help! As for my son, I keep telling him (and myself, too), "There's nothing wrong with asking for a little help!"
Please note that in observance of the New Year holiday, the MCC office will be closed Friday, December 30, and Monday, January 2.
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Mary Texidor
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A Movie and Dinner
Tuesday, December 27, 4:00 - 8:00 pm 
Edina Cinema, 3911 W 50th St (50th and France)
Join MCC members for a dutch-treat mid-week movie and dinner! We'll be seeing "Lion," which is opening at the Edina Theater on Christmas Day. Starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara, the movie is about a 5-year-old Indian boy who gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometers from home. He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple in Australia. Twenty-five years later, he sets out to find his lost family. The movie begins at 4:00 p.m., and will be followed by dinner around 6:30 p.m. at Arezzo Ristorante, 5057 France Ave. S. Members and guests are welcome to join us for the movie, dinner or both.
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Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, December 29, 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. Along with guest John Derus, MCC member Bill Fox will lead a conversation about early Minneapolis development.
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New Year's Eve Dinner
Saturday, December 31, 5:00 - 7:00 pm 
Spoonriver, 750 2nd St S
Join your MCC friends and celebrate a year well-lived with an early New Year's Eve meal at Spoonriver. As a special treat, owner Brenda Langton will treat MCC diners to a complimentary amuse bouche. Please note: Our group needs to depart the restaurant by 7 p.m. to make way for other diners!
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Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, January 4, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express, 818 2nd St S
 Join us to discuss Euphoria by Lily King. Set between World War I and II and inspired by events in the life of revolutionary anthropologist Margaret Mead, Euphoria is the story of three young, gifted anthropologists in 1933 caught in a passionate love triangle that threatens theirs bonds, their careers and ultimately their lives. English Anthropologist Andrew Bankson has been alone in the field for several years, studying a tribe on the Sepik River in the Territory of New Guinea with little success. Increasingly frustrated and isolated by his research, Bankson is on the verge of suicide when he encounters the famous and controversial Nell Stone and her wry, mercurial husband Fen. Bankson is enthralled by the magnetic couple whose eager attentions pull him back from the brink of despair.
If you'd like to read ahead, February's book is A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman. Have a book suggestion for the Book Chat? Email Barbara Goldner.
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Social Bridge
Wednesday, January 4, 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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MN Public Policy: Water vs. Mining in Northern Minnesota
Thursday, January 5, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House, 100 2nd St SE
 Join us as Rep. Paul Thissen talks about the competing views of environmentalists and labor on the proposed PolyMet mining NorthMet project in northeastern Minnesota. Thissen led the DFL Caucus for six years and navigated the competing interests during that period. Thissen has represented Minneapolis district 61B since 2002. He was speaker of the House starting in 2013 and more recently Minority Leader for the House DFL Caucus.
MCC members sign up here.
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Sunday Soiree
Sunday, January 8, 5:00 - 7:00 pm 
Mill & Main Party Room, 401 Main St SE
Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree, hosted by Bob and Pam Berkwitz and Ginny and Will Craig. 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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The Cultural Revitalization of Downtown Minneapolis
Monday, January 9, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House, 100 2nd St SE
 Join Tom Hoch, Hennepin Theatre Trust CEO and President, to discuss how the Trust orchestrated the creation of WeDo, the West Downtown Cultural District. Led by a Cultural District Alliance that includes the Trust, Walker Art Center, Artspace and the City of Minneapolis, WeDo is a place to celebrate arts, culture and everything that makes our city unique. With Hennepin Avenue at its center, the district spans 1.7 miles end-to-end. Learn how WeDo is promoting this urban setting steeped in contrasts--gilded theaters, modern architecture, ballet, rock concerts at the Basilica and one of the largest public art gardens in the country. Discuss how we as a community can work to make downtown a safe and energetic city for all of us to enjoy.
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Technology Help Desk
Tuesday, January 10, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
MCC office, 219 Main St SE, Ste 401 
Schedule time with a Tech Support Guru and have your nagging technology questions answered during our complimentary Help Desk. Support for both Apple products and PCs is available. After you register, MCC will confirm the time of your 20- to 30-minute one-on-one session. Reminder: Installing or upgrading software and creating accounts cannot be included in the Help Desk session, as they exceed the allotted appointment time.
MCC members sign up here.
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Combatting Islamophobia
Wednesday, January 11, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Washburn Lofts Common Room, 700 2nd St S
 Abdimalik Mohamed, Community Outreach Specialist in the U.S. Attorney's Office, will speak about efforts the U.S. Attorney's Office is taking to combat Islamophobia in the greater Twin Cities area. He'll also provide suggestions on how we--as individuals and Mill City Commons--can be part of this important effort. Abdi was born in Somalia but has lived most of his life in the United States and particularly in Minnesota.
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MCC Program Calendar
View the MCC December calendar
here.
Plan ahead! View the MCC January calendar
here.
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News from Members
Looking for something to do this week?
MCC member Doug Verdier highly recommends a visit to The Museum of Russian Art, especially during the holidays. Doug states, "In addition to the Faberge exhibit in the main gallery, the lower level features 'Winter Holidays in Russia,' an outstanding collection of Christmas decoration you'll not find anywhere else. On the upper level, you'll see more than 40 paintings by 20th Century Russian artist Valerian Formozov. Plan to stay at least 2 hours, and don't miss the gift shop."
MCC member Bud Hayden wants to know if you'd like to attend the 2017 Diamond Awards at Target Field on January 26. Attendees will have a chance to bid on rare baseball memorabilia, join current and former Twins players and celebrate the Diamond Award winners. More details can be found
here. If you're interested in attending, contact Bud at
[email protected].
The "Artful Aging Radio Hour" project is coming! This collaboration between CommonBond Communities and EngAGE.MN, in association with Pillsbury House Theatre, Hippocrates Café, and Aroha Philanthropies, is the culminating event of EngAGE.MN's "The Power of Storytelling" class at CommonBond's Riverview Senior Housing Community. The class, which explores the power of personal storytelling, is taught by T. Mychael Rambo, a regional Emmy award-winning actor, vocalist arts educator, and community organizer. Two live radio shows will be performed and recorded for broadcast and podcast at 7:00 pm on January 23 and 24, at Pillsbury House Theatre in Minneapolis. Watch this newsletter for additional broadcast details!
MCC's Executive Director Joan Wright encourages you to mark your calendars for this unique and interesting event.
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Around Town
Screening
of the Documentary Composed
January 6, 1:30 pm, MacPhail Center for Music, Antonello Hall, 501 2nd St S
Through the lens of professional classical musicians, the documentary film
Composed explores the many ways we experience and can address performance anxiety. For anyone wanting to feel strength over fear and compassion over judgment, or simply seeking a closer look at anxiety and what makes us tick,
Composed opens the door to a world of high stakes, high pressure and peak performing. Free and open to the public.
NT Live: No Man's Land
January 9, 7:00 pm, St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main St SE
Following their hit run on Broadway, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to the West End stage in Harold Pinter's
No Man's Land, broadcast live to cinemas from Wyndham's Theatre, London. The broadcast will be followed by an exclusive Q&A with the cast and director Sean Mathias. To purchase 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
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
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
No reservations required.
Euphoria
by Lily King
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, January through 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.
Men's Dutch Lunch
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
January 5 & 19
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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