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Update from the Executive Director
A warm and Happy New Year greeting to all on this cold and wintry Minnesota day. I encourage everyone to read carefully through the program offerings below and contact me if you see something you'd like to attend. We'd enjoy having you as our guest!
I want to thank Mary Texidor and Betsy Wray, my two office colleagues, for their outstanding work last month. Their extra efforts to keep the office, programming and member services running smoothly during my medical leave are greatly appreciated. I am blessed to be part of such a well-oiled machine! I'm happy to report my elective surgery was successful and my rehabilitation is well in hand due in no small part to the terrific and much-appreciated support of family, neighbors and MCC friends!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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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.
MCC members and guests. No registration required.
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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.
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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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Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, January 12, 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 ev
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ry 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. Open this new year by preparing to laugh and smile as we learn how to ACT HAPPY and learn how that will benefit us. One of our newest MCC members, Dr. Dale Anderson, is a surgeon, an emergency room and holistic
physician, an author, an inductee to the Minnesota Speakers Hall of Fame,
and much more.
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Our Turn
Thursday, January 12, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Stone Arch Lofts, 600 2nd St S, #602
 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, Penny Winton hosts. We'll talk about a time when we were in the right (or wrong) place at the right (or wrong) time, or took the right (or wrong) fork in the road. What considerations do you apply to it? Luck? Fate? A lesson? A changed world view?
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
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Women and Motherhood on the Stage
Monday, January 16, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Village Lofts Community Room, 100 2nd St NE 
Jungle Theater Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen has spent time recently thinking about how few plays speak to the experience of motherhood. Perhaps there's a bias that motherhood isn't interesting to write about or show on stage. Rasmussen's most recent show, "The Oldest Boy," begs to differ--rituals of motherhood become a powerful focus. Join Rasmussen and Twin Cities actor Christina Baldwin, featured as Mother in "The Oldest Boy," as they discuss the role of women and motherhood on stage, and how such a widespread experience is so rarely seen in theater. Rasmussen opened her first 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." Baldwin is a Twin Cities actor and singer, next appearing in "Liberty Falls, 54321," at the Lab Theater.
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
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Crossing the Finish Line: Improving the Graduation Rates of Low-Income Students
Tuesday, January 17, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE
 Seventy-seven percent of students from families in the top income quartile nationally earn a college degree, as compared with only 9% of students from families in the lowest quartile. Students who begin college but don't graduate are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed and to default on their student loans. Learn more about how Wallin Education Partners is addressing these issues. Since 1992, more than 4,000 students have received support that includes four years of financial aid and ongoing services. With a graduation rate of 92%, Wallin is one of the most successful programs of its type in the country and is an effective alternative to traditional scholarships. Panelists include Brad Wallin, Wallin Education Partners Vice Chairman; Susan Basil King, Executive Director; and Tom Holman, former Board Chair, current trustee and long-time donor partner.
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MCC Program Calendar
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."
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
Winterskate
Friday, January 6, Loring Park, 1382 Willow St
Winterskate is a great way to spend some time enjoying a Minnesota winter tradition by skating outdoors. This Friday is a "Music & Light Night" featuring "Throwback Tunes." Warming house open from 3:00-9:00 pm; complimentary skates available.
Showing of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Wednesday, January 11, 7:00 pm, St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main St SE
Celebrating it's 50th anniversary, Sergio Leone's spaghetti western masterpiece returns to theaters! Featuring some of the most riveting and inspirational scenes in film history, it's impact on cinema and popular cultural is as relevant as ever. 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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Please Welcome MCC's Newest Member!
Rod Dolan
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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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Volunteer Opportunities
Click
here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC website!
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