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Update from the Executive Director
Mill City Commons
has wonderful neighbors! It's no wonder people are eager to live along or nearby the Riverfront District.
A hallmark of
Mill City Commons is its outstanding programming. Take a look at our
April and
May program calendars to learn about several collaborative program efforts that have been planned in conjunction with many of these neighbors, fostering our shared goal: to build a strong sense of community!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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Overland Gallery Tour
Wednesday, April 19, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Overland Gallery of Fine Art, 5916 Pleasant Ave S
 Join us for a tour of the Overland Gallery of Fine Art, a full-service gallery housing both the largest collection of Russian art outside of Russia and an extensive art restoration workshop. The tour will offer a chance to view some of the collection and to observe the skill of the conservators and restorers as they work on parts of the collection. MCC members may have seen some of the Gallery's paintings on exhibition at the Museum of Russian Art, as Overland has generously loaned several of its works to the museum.
MCC members sign up here. |
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, April 20, 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. This week, MCC member Bob Whitlock will be talking about, in his own words, "the unremarkable life of Bob Whitlock thus far."
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Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, April 20, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Stone Arch Lofts, 600 2nd St S, #303
 MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. This week, Anne Carrier hosts at Stone Arch Lofts on the topic of "Do we have elephants in the room?" We'll discuss what we're experiencing in our leadership and what we might contribute as private citizens.
This group meets every other Thursday, alternating between morning and afternoon times. Locations and topics will change each time.
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Sunday Brunch Soiree
Sunday, April 23, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
The Landings, 510 River St 
Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Brunch Soiree hosted by Sam and Sylvia Kaplan. Please contribute to the potluck by bringing brunch fare to share. As you register, let us know what you'll bring by answering the "Question" that will appear on the screen. (Please note: We do NOT need any additional breads, coffee cakes or fruit! We DO need egg dishes or other main dish casseroles.) You're also welcome to bring your own wine or beer to share.
MCC members sign up here.
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Waterfowl Walk
Monday, April 24, 8:00 - 9:30 am
Meet up location to be announced
 Each year, hundreds of thousands of birds stream through Minnesota on their annual migrations. The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes is a great place to observe them. In this walk led by Jamie McBride, lead naturalist with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, we'll be watching for geese, ducks, swans, pelicans and more. Bring binoculars and field guides, if you have them (we'll also have some to borrow).
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MSP International Film Festival Screening: "Ministry of Love"
Monday, April 24, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main St SE 
The Cynthia Froid Group hosts a special free screening for MCC members and guests of "Ministry of Love," with the film's director attending. Desperately searching for ways to trim their bloated budget, Croatia's government officials hatch a unique plan: send spies to follow the country's many war widows and try to uncover clandestine lovers, nullifying the meager pensions that the state owes them. Thus is created The Ministry of Love, and one of its most hapless bureaucrats is poor Kreso, a 40-year-old man desperate for money and respect, a biologist whose true vocation seems utterly worthless in his country, a lonely soul stuck in a dead-end marriage. When the opportunity arrives to become a spy for the Ministry, our hero takes a chance at this potential for redemption, and finds a lot more than he bargained for. "The Ministry of Love" is a witty romantic comedy that celebrates good people seeking elusive dreams. A reception will follow the film in the River Room at the Aster Cafe.
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"A Day in the Life" Tour
Tuesday, April 25, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
St. Stephen's Shelter, 2211 Clinton Ave S
 Homelessness is a significant problem in our community, but not well understood by most of us. St. Stephen's Human Services works to meet the needs of homeless people by providing food, shelter and services to help them return to a more stable life. "A Day in the Life" will help us better understand the causes of homelessness and programs working to address it. We'll visit a mix of shelters, drop-in centers and other services to learn about homelessness. This is a walking tour covering several miles, but accommodation is possible. At the end, our group visits a place that serves free lunch, where we'll have the opportunity to talk with people and better understand their experience.
More information is available
here
.
Registration is now closed. |
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Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, April 25, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Radisson's Red Oui Bar + Ktchn, 609 3rd St S 
Join us for Last Tuesday Happy Hour at the new Radisson Red's Oui Bar + Ktchn. Hosted by Jan and Linda Willette, this gathering is a time to catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat-no reservations required! The Oui Bar + Ktchn is graciously preparing an array of complimentary appetizers for our group as a way to introduce MCC members to this new dining venue. The bar has Happy Hour pricing until 7:00 p.m. If you'd like to stay for dinner, reservations can be made by calling (612) 252-5400. Limited free parking is available in the back of the hotel; metered parking is available on the street. You may enter the bar through the patio entrance on Portland Avenue.
MCC members and guests. No registration required.
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Social Bridge
Wednesday, April 26, 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.
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Reducing Hazardous Chemicals in Our Homes
Thursday, April 27, 7:00 - 8:30 pm 
Lourdes Square, 186 Bank St SE
Did you know that the building products found in your home can affect your health? From lead poisoning to cancer to asthma, building materials can impact our health as much as the food we eat, the water we drink or the air we breathe. Most people think that chemicals used in building products are strictly regulated or tested for human health impacts, but that's not the case. In fact, it's difficult to get clear and reliable information about product ingredients. Healthy Building Network has developed a national initiative, called HomeFree, to help the public learn about healthier and cost-competitive options to reduce hazardous chemicals in building products. Please join Gina Ciganik, CEO of Healthy Building Network, to learn more about this issue and how you can find healthier product options for your home. Liz and Van Hawn host at Lourdes Square.
MCC members sign up here.
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Learn About the Crossfit Craze!
Tuesday, May 2, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Bridgewater Community Room, 215 10th Ave S
 Join us to talk about the latest trends in fitness, health and nutrition. Wear something comfortable and come ready to try (if you want!) a low-impact, breathing-focused, flexibility and mobility-designed program that builds strength and a heart rate conditioning base. Logan Uu coaches CrossFit, CrossFit Chill, and yoga at the Power House and played football at the University of Minnesota. Julie Causey is one of the Power House athletes and is globally ranked in CrossFit in Women 50-54.
MCC members sign up here.
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MCC Program Calendar
View the MCC April calendar
here.
Plan ahead! View the MCC May calendar
here.
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News from Members
MCC member Patty Connelly wants members to know that there is an Open House on Wednesday, April 26, from 4:00-7:00 pm at the new North Loop Clinic and Pharmacy located at 800 Washington Ave N, Ste 190. There will be clinic tours, health demonstrations, a chance to meet health providers and refreshments.
Like to bike? MCC member Penny Hunt invites members to join her on April 26 from 5:30-7:00 pm to learn about a wonderful, fun cycling event this summer that will combine great biking with fundraising to support cancer research at the University of Minnesota. The event will be in her home with guest Tom Lennox, cancer survivor and former Executive Director of Pelotonia, speaking about the opportunity to participate in Chainbreaker, a 25, 50, 100 or 180 mile ride on August 12. Click here for more information. RSVP to pennhunt@gmail.com.
MCC member Suzanne Joyce invites you to attend Beyond Standing Rock at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. Suzanne's daughter, Alisa Barba, is the Executive Producer of this documentary. The film shines a spotlight on the conflict surrounding the Dakota Access pipeline and the struggle for Native American sovereignty. Click here to watch the trailer. The screening will be on April 29 at 2:20 pm. Tickets can be purchased here. Director Brian Malone will be present to discuss the film.
MCC member Patty Connelly shares that East Side Neighborhood Services has their annual wine tasting on May 14 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Nicollet Island Pavillion. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at the door. Tickets and proceeds benefit the many programs of Eastside Neighborhood Services. For more details, click here.
MCC member Barbara Goldner wants members to know that Debbie Cohen will be leading a yoga retreat at The Turning Point Retreat Center, Block Island, off the coast of Rhode Island in June. The retreat will be Monday June 5 through Thursday June 8. If you are interested contact Debbie at (617) 470-4313 or email drc@coreyoga.com.
You still can join MCC'ers (and "Friends") at a Mid-Week/Mid-Day Twins baseball game. Remaining Dates are: 5/4; 5/20; 5/31; 6/15; 6/22; 7/4; 7/19; 8/17; 8/31. E-mail MCC member Allan Burdick at alburd4057@gmail.com with your requests.
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Around Town
"Fake News:" What is It? How Do I Identify It?
April 25, 6:30-8:00 pm, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall
So-called "fake news" is big news these days, and it is a problem as old as journalism itself. University of Minnesota Journalism Ethics Professor Chris Ison will help you understand what it is, provide some historical context for this most current proliferation and share practical strategies you can use to help identify quality journalism. Pre-registration requested
here.
What Art Can Tell Us About the Brain
April 27, 7:00-8:00 pm, Regis Center for Art, 405 21st Ave S
Harvard neurobiologist Margaret Livingstone will discuss how what we see when we look at a work of art depends ultimately on the cells in our eyes and our brains. Co-sponsored with the Department of Neuroscience and the Department of Art.
Taking Care
Opens April 28, Mpls Photo Center, 2400 N 2nd St
How we express our love and caring really does matter. These private moments are not easy to photograph. This exhibit seeks to show how we take stock of how you or others "take care." This unique exhibition of photographs juried by Terry Gydesen and Tom Baker will be on display in conjunction with a very personal exhibit by artist Terry Gydesen; representing four years of caring for and documenting her father's slow decline from Alzheimer's.
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.
North Star Group
Tuesday, April 18,
6:00-9:00 pm
The group will read
"The Bluest Eye"
this month.
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 Rosie Project
by Graeme Simsion
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
Abiitan's Porter Cafe (Note the new location)
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
April 27 & May 11
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 G-Werx Fitness,
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.
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