February 14, 2017
Update from the Executive Director

Don't mess with Mother Nature!  Yesterday's live-stream event featuring best- selling author Atul Gawande was cancelled due to the winter storm on the East Coast. Watch this weekly newsletter for updates on a rescheduled date. All registrants will receive an email informing them of the new date.

The World's Fair in Minneapolis? Minnesota wants to bring the world together to showcase the globe's most innovative look at total health for all. Minneapolis is ranked first as the HEALTHIEST city and is America's most BIKEABLE city.  

WELLNESS AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL: HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY PLANET is the theme for Expo 2023. To learn more, please consider attending the conversation with Secretary of State Mark Ritchie at Abiitan on February 22. Details below in News from Members.

Happy Valentine's Day!

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

~ Joan Wright
Technology Helpdesk
Tuesday, February 14, 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.

Registration is now full. To serve as a back-up if there is a cancellation, contact Betsy Wray at (612) 455-3329 or email her here.
Social Bridge
Wednesday, February 15, 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.
"Migration, Identity, Belonging" at the American Swedish Institute
Friday, February 17, 10:30 - 11:30 am
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave
Join us for a special tour focusing on issues of migration, identity and belonging at the American Swedish Institute. The tour will include "Where the Children Sleep," a moving series of photos by award-winning photojournalist Magnus Wennman about refugee children who left Syria, as well as portions of two other exhibits: "Swede Hollow" and "The Stories They Told." You're welcome to invite guests! Admission for this special tour is $10, including for ASI members. (Please bring $10 cash, if possible, to speed up the check-in process.) Optional: Join your tourmates for lunch at Fika afterwards.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Great Decisions: The Future of Europe
Monday, February 20, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr, Rm D014 
The outcome of the United Kingdom referendum on EU membership sent shockwaves across the globe. It even caught British voters by surprise. The European Union has helped secure peace in Europe for the past 70 years. Now it faces an uncertain future. Amid a refugee crisis, lingering financial recession and the constant specter of terrorism, unity seems more imperative than ever. But the Brexit vote underscores the complexities of integrating an extremely diverse continent. What will post-Brexit Europe look like, and how can U.S. foreign policy adapt? Speaker Mary Curtin is Diplomat in Residence at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, coordinating the Global Policy Area and working with the Human Rights Program on the creation of a new graduate degree in human rights, as well as teaching foreign policy courses.

Registration on the MCC website is required for Great Decisions members. Sorry, not open to guests; to join the MCC Great Decisions Discussion Group, email the MCC office at info@millcitycommons.org.

MCC GD members sign up here
Helping Our Low-Income Neighbors Stay in Their Homes
Wednesday, February 22, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Village Lofts Community Room, 100 2nd St NE
The Twin Cities housing stock as well as its homeowners are rapidly aging. Yet many folks want to remain living in their homes for as long as possible. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, which is best known for its home buyer program, is also working with low-income homeowners to rehab, repair and retain their current homes so they can live there as long as they'd like. Join Pat Lund, Program Developer at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, as he shares how the organization is impacting our community and beyond through programs and services like neighborhood revitalization, advocacy, age in place, home thrift stores, global village trips and owner-occupied rehabs. and how you can be involved in helping preserve homes and homeownership in partnership with low-income families.

MCC members sign up here
Men's Coffee and Conversation 
Thursday, February 23, 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 e 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.  MCC community partner Scott Parkin will lead a discussion this week on the status of the downtown real estate market and the existing and planned new construction in our neighborhoods. Scott is a realtor/broker and owner of Verve Realty. He has more that 16 years' experience in residential sales, leasing and management. His passion for architecture and design keeps him well versed in current trends in residential housing. Prior to joining the firm in 2003, Scott was a condominium association manager overseeing many of the premier communities along the riverfront.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Our Turn
Thursday, February 23, 10:00 - 11:30 am 
Stone Arch Lofts, 600 S 2nd St, #105
MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. This week, Marcia Townley hosts the discussion around the questions of "How do you let off steam?" or "What is the role of anger in your life?". Guests can speak to one or both of the questions.

This group meets every other Thursday, alternating between morning and afternoon times. Locations and topics will change each time.

MCC members sign up here ; guests email MCC .
On Stage: "Anna in the Tropics"
Monday, February 27, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Village Lofts Community Room, 100 2nd St NE
Join us for a stimulating theater presentation and discussion led by local actress and teaching artist Thomasina Petrus and Harry Waters Jr., Chair of the Theater Department at Macalester College. Actors will read from two scenes in "Anna in the Tropics," which opens February 11 at the Jungle Theater. The readings will be followed by a discussion of the themes, tying in current events, personal values and narratives, and stimulating critical thinking. "Anna in the Tropics," winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is set in a Cuban cigar factory in Florida in the 1920s. The cigars are hand-rolled, and the lectors read workers stories while they work. A lector starts reading them Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, and the play starts to take on the form of Tolstoy's play.

On Stage has arranged for discount tickets to the Jungle production, if you'd like see the show. Click here for additional details.

MCC members sign up here.
MCC Program Calendar

View the MCC February calendar here.
News from Members

MCC member Sabina Sten invites members to attend We Are Proud to Present at the Guthrie Theater's Dowling Studio. It is part of the Level Nine Series, devoted to community dialogue about today's most significant topics and questions. Performances run February 21 through March 12. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. If you are interested in attending with other MCC members, email Sabina Sten

MCC ED Joan Wright wants members to know that they are invited to a conversation on Expo 2023 Minnesota with former Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. Since his retirement from elected public office in 2015, Mark has led the effort to bring the 2023 World's Fair to Minnesota with a focus on health, healthy living, wellness and wellbeing. The presentation will be February 22 at 10:30 am, followed by a buffet lunch at 11:30 am, at Abiitan, 428 S 2nd St. RSVP by calling (612) 249-5550 or emailing tommasocammarano@abiitan.org. Details here.

Ever wondered what it would be like to be a medical student? Here's your chance! MCC member Peg Kavaney shares that the University of Minnesota has a "Mini Medical School" program scheduled on Mondays from March 6 to April 3 from 6:00-8:30 pm. The program is designed to give students--ranging in age from high school students to retirees--a glimpse into ways that today's health sciences students are learning, while providing opportunities to explore the latest medical devices, new therapies and an up-close look at specimens. Click here for more information.
Around Town

The Secrets of Slave Songs
February 24 & 25, 7:30 pm, The O'Shaughnessy, 2004 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul
The Secrets of Slave Songs examines slavery's abolition and its consequences in the United States. Expressive choreography, combined with moving renditions of Negro Spirituals composed by William Banfield and others, illuminate the complicated period in our nation's history. To learn more and purchase tickets, click here.

Aging with Gusto
March 23, 10:00 am-2:30 pm, East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St NE
We can change how we view aging and how we treat one another and ourselves as we age. Negative perceptions of aging often operate below awareness, yet have a dramatic impact on quality of life, health and even longevity. Join the Vital Aging Network for an engaging day of introspection, discussion and connection. Lunch will be provided.  For more information, click here . Registration required by March 16.

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
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, February 21,
6:30-9:30 pm

North Star Group
Tuesday, February 28,
6:00-9:00 pm

Groups will read
"King Lear"  this month.

Rendezvous
Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month, 9:30-10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
    No reservations required.
Medicine Walk
by Richard Wagamese

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.
 
 
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
Abiitan's Porter Cafe (Note the new location)
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
 February 16 &
March 2
 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 | 219 Main St SE, Suite 401, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
(612) 455-3329