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Update from the Executive Director
"Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced."
Leo Tolstoy
Participatory arts as a topic,
has garnered a good deal of ink, lately, particularly as it relates to wellness and therapeutic studies. It is said to promote cognitive, emotional, physical and psychological health, particularly among older adults.
Mill City Commons
is in the process of discerning how best to incorporate participatory arts into its regular program offerings. Several members participate in Mill City Emanuel Singers, others pursue personal artistic endeavors, and notably, our recent Aging Well Survey indicated a high interest in participatory arts programming related to photography, visual arts and writing.
EngAGE.MN transforms aging and the way people think about aging by turning affordable senior apartment communities into vibrant centers of learning, wellness and creativity.
MCC members and guests
are invited to attend Artful Aging Radio Show, the culminating event between EngAGE.MN's "The Power of Storytelling" class at CommonBond's Riverview Senior Housing Community, offered two separate evenings later this month. Complete details, including registration options for both evenings, can be found here and here. Information and registration is also available below. Please join us. I hope to see you there!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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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. Joining him on the panel will be a victim of an Islamophobia incident that's been covered in the news recently. 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. This week, MCC member Dr. Dale Anderson will help us welcome the new year by preparing to laugh and smile as we learn how to "Act Happy" and how that will benefit us. One of our newest members, Dr. Dale is a surgeon, an emergency room and holistic physician, an author, an inductee into the Minnesota Speaker's 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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Social Bridge
Wednesday, January 18, 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 (612) 817-0466 or
[email protected] and she will assist you.
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Artful Aging Radio Show
Monday, January 23, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Tuesday, January 24, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Pillsbury House Theatre, 3501 Chicago Ave S
 CommonBond Communities and EngAGE.MN invite Mill City Commons members to a live show that will be performed and recorded for radio and podcast on two consecutive evenings. Featuring T. Mychael Rambo, award-winning actor, vocalist, arts educator and community organizer, the show is the culminating event of EngAGE.MN's "The Power of Storytelling" class at CommonBond's Riverview Senior Housing Community. Rambo taught the class and worked with the older artists, who also will be performing. The event is free but tickets must be reserved through the MCC website. A reception will follow the show.
MCC members sign up here for Monday's event and here for Tuesday's event; guests email MCC.
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Nosy Neighbor Tour: Abiitan
Tuesday, January 24, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm 
Abiitan, 428 2nd St S
Here's your chance to get an exclusive look of one of the newest buildings in the neighborhood! Executive Director Erwan Moison will lead a tour that includes stops in the restaurant, café, activity room, memory care floor, sky room and terrace, and several of the apartments. The visit will conclude with samplings of Abiitan's dining offerings.
The tour is currently full. If you'd like to be placed on the waiting list or are interested in a future tour, email Betsy Wray.
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MCC Program Calendar
View the MCC January calendar
here.
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News from Members
MCC member Diane Hofstede encourages you to visit the American Swedish Institute's new exhibit: Where the Children Sleep, which opens January 21. This internationally acclaimed exhibition is a moving series of photographs by Sweden's award-winning photojournalist Magnus Wennman about refugee children who fled Syria, leaving everything behind. Diane also invites you to the "First Look" Preview Party on January 20 at 7:00 pm to launch the five new ASI exhibitions reflecting the theme of Migration, Identity and Belonging. To learn more and register, click here.
MCC member Laura Crosby invites you to an exhibition of "SURVIVAL," photographs by Laura Crosby and David Parker, at the Plymouth Church Gallery. Laura's photographs are of homeless, beauty myth, "trafficking" and women's battles. David's photographs are of child labor, brick workers, garbage pickers and street vendors. The opening will be held on Sunday, January 22, after the church service (around 11:30-11:45 am) at 1900 Nicollet Ave.
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Around Town
John Kohring | Photographs
Public Reception: January 21, 5;00-8:00 pm, Regis Center for Art, 405 21st Ave S
Ten years ago Kohring began taking photographs using a small, digital camera that he could carry easily in his hand on long walks. The images in this exhibition show things that he encounters by chance in neighborhoods, natural environments and public places. Today, camera phones are ubiquitous. This exhibition provides an opportunity for viewers to engage in a spirited conversation about the difference between fine art photography and snapshots. On exhibit through February 11.
Blackbird
January 26-29, Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave S
Blackbird will feature the work of one of the most influential jazz and musical theater choreographers in dance history, Bob Fosse. Original choreography, remounted and performed by The Phipps Dance Theater, will showcase famous pieces in a three act production. Audiences will be amazed by the intricate work, attention to detail, original choreography and all the amazing show-stopping aspects of this production. Tickets can be purchased
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.
Guthrie Play Reading
Stone Arch Group
Tuesday, January 24,
7:00 - 10:00 pm
North Star Group
Tuesday, January 31,
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Groups will read
"The Royal Family"
this month.
Rendezvous
Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month, 9:30-10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
No reservations required.
A Man Called Ove
by Frederick Backman
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 19 & February 2
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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