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Update from the Executive Director
Over the last 15 years, the
Village Movement
has taken off all across the country. There now are over 200 open villages with 150 more in development. "The movement not only impacts the lives of its members, but also the lives of countless families, caregivers and members of the broader community that they serve." The
Village to Village Network
"helps communities establish and manage their own aging in place initiatives." Mill City Commons is part of this exciting movement!
Articles about the Village Movement have appeared in countless periodicals since the first village was formed in 2002 in Boston, MA. Recently, an article appeared in the
Washington Post featuring the women of Dupont Circle, a Village in Washington D.C. The women gathered to discuss the current
#MeToo Movement and to share their stories, many of which are now over a half-century old. It's a fascinating article that MCC member Peg Kavaney has shared and encourages members to read. It's featured below in News from Members, or you can read it
here.
MCC women will have the opportunity to attend a discussion on the #MeToo Movement, Thursday March 15, 10:00 - 11:30 am in the Mill City Quarter Club Room. We want to hear your experiences. What was it like to be a child, a young woman in college, a professional woman and/or a woman in your broader world? How have your views changed-or not-over the past several years? How might our perspective support those who are still reeling from sexual aggression toward women? It will be good to be together. Won't you join us? Members may
register here.
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, February 22, 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. This week, MCC member Tony Hofstede hosts guest speaker Don Samuels, who'll talk about MicroGrants, a program that spurs economic self-sufficiency by giving strategic grants to low-income people of potential. Samuels is CEO of MicroGrants and also a member of the Minneapolis School Board.
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Balance Training - Part 1
Friday, February 23, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Fifth Avenue Lofts Community Room, 5th Floor, 401 N 2nd St
 Learn strength and balance exercises to improve your health and wellness! Siobhan McMahon, RN, is head researcher in a University of Minnesota study, "Ready Steady: A Wellness Program," which is exploring the effectiveness of a variety of activities elders can use to improve their balance. In the first session, McMahon will present an overview of why we fall and demonstrate and guide us through several balance movements. In the second session on March 2, she'll review those movements, add a couple more and talk about her research project. Wear comfortable clothes! You don't need to attend both sessions to participate.
MCC members sign up here. |
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Great Decisions: Russia's Foreign Policy
Monday, February 26, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr, Room D104 
Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia is projecting an autocratic model of governance abroad and working to undermine the influence of liberal democracies, namely along Russia's historical borderlands. Russia caused an international uproar in 2016 when it interfered in the U.S. presidential contest. But Putin's foreign policy toolkit includes other instruments, from alliances with autocrats to proxy wars with the U.S. in Georgia, Ukraine and Syria. How does Putin conceive of national interests, and why do Russian citizens support him? How should the United States respond to Putin's foreign policy ambitions? Speaker Nick Hayes is professor of history, who holds the University Chair in Critical Thinking at St. John's University in Collegeville, and is an expert on Russia.
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 Betsy Wray at [email protected].
MCC GD members sign up here.
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Exploring Meditation
Tuesday, February 27, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Mill City Quarter, 322 2nd St S
 Meditation--ever wonder if it's right for you? Are you a long-term meditator thinking of joining a regular weekly practice? Or are you frustrated at figuring out a way to keep meditation going on your own? Join other MCC members for a five-week session beginning February 27. You'll enjoy a restful, refreshing meditation each week and receive resource materials via email for follow-on use, if desired. We'll discuss how to keep a personal practice going, as well as perhaps the weather, personal stresses and joys, or other important topics that keep us centered in our lives. We meet on Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30 am at Mill City Quarter, across the parking lot from Abiitan. You'll be seated on upholstered chairs in a quiet, peaceful room with windows--much like your living room. At the end of the five weeks, you'll pay only for the sessions you attended, at $10/session. If this sparks your interest, register here or call Betsy Wray at 612-255-2063
MCC members sign up here.
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Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, February 27, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Nolo's Kitchen & Bar, 515 Washington Ave N
 Join us for Last Tuesday Happy Hour at Nolo's Kitchen & Bar, one of the North Loop's newest restaurants. Hosted by Carole and Doug Baker, this gathering is a time to catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat--no reservations required! We'll be meeting in The Basement Bar, accessed on the left side of the building. Metered parking is available on the street. If you wish to stay for dinner, reservations may be made by calling (612) 800-6033.
MCC members and guests. No registration required!
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Social Bridge
Wednesday, February 28, 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
[email protected].
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
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Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, March 1, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S 
MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. This week, Sue Halverson hosts on the topic of "Purpose." Life takes us through numerous stages and changes. How has your sense of purpose or meaning changed over time? In this phase of your life? Do your feelings of value and significance come principally through personal, family or faith connections--or do you need/want a sense of significance in a broader community? How do you try to fulfill your self-defined purpose?
Our Turn meets every other Thursday, alternating between morning and afternoon times. Hosts and topics change each time.
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
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Balance Training - Part 2
Friday, March 2, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Fifth Avenue Lofts Community Room, 5th Floor, 401 N 2nd St
 Learn strength and balance exercises to improve your health and wellness! Siobhan McMahon, RN, is head researcher in a University of Minnesota study, "Ready Steady: A Wellness Program," which is exploring the effectiveness of a variety of activities elders can use to improve their balance. In the first session on February 23, McMahon presented an overview of why we fall and demonstrated and guided us through several balance movements. In the second session on March 2, she'll review those movements, add a couple more and talk about her research project. Wear comfortable clothes! You don't need to attend both sessions to participate.
MCC members sign up here. |
Technology Help Desk
Tuesday, March 6, 1:00 - 2:30 pm 
MCC office, 125 Main St SE, Ste 339
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-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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MCC Program Calendar
View the full calendar of MCC's February events
here.
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of MCC's March events
here.
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News from Members
MCC member Kathy Lenzmeier invites members to get to know Theater Latte Da located in our neighborhood at the Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave NE. Click
here to see a review of the current production, "Assassins." Click
here to purchase tickets and to learn more.
MCC member Bob Callahan invites members to attend
Global Conversations: Turkey at the Minneapolis Central Library (300 Nicollet Mall). This will be a thought-provoking conversation with former Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson as he discusses the current situation in Turkey and its impact on foreign policy. The event is February 21 from 6:00-7:30 pm. Free, but registration is required
here.
Interested in traveling to Europe this spring? MCC member Sabina Sten wants to share this article about 10 affordable European getaways you might want to consider.
MCC Executive Director Joan Wright wants members to know about the Minnesota Gerontological Society's Annual Conference titled "Wellness Agenda: Healthy Communities. Healthy You." This conference is in Brooklyn Center on April 27 from 8:30-4:30 pm. For more details and to register, click
here.
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Around Town
Restaurant Week
Now-February 23, various restaurants in the neighborhood
Celebrate the best of Twin Cities dining with a week's worth of great deals in some of the Twin Cities trendiest and best restaurants during Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants will serve two to three course, prix fixe menus for just $10 to $35 per person. (beverage, tax and gratuity not included). Details
here.
Farmer, Miller, Baker, Maker: Why Modern Grain Matters
February 25, 12:00-1:30 pm, Food Building, 1401 Marshall St NE
Hosted by author Amy Halloran, this discussion brings together farmers, millers, bakers and makers to explore the topic of local grain systems. $15. Purchase tickets and learn more
here.
National Theater Live: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
February 26-March 3, St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main St SE
Enjoy the stage on screen! Tennessee Williams' twentieth century masterpiece
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof played a strictly limited season in London's West End in 2017. For information and tickets, click
here.
Minnesota Nice: Organic and Locally Sourced Tales from the Archives
March 2, 12:00-1:00 pm, Elmer L. Anderson Library, 222 21st Ave S, Room 120
The Archives and Special Collections at the University of Minnesota contains more stories of nice and not-so-nice Minnesotans than you can shake a Pronto Pup at. This event will cover: "Do Unto Others?" presented by Amanda Wick, Interim Archivist, Charles Babbage Institute and "To Include or Exclude?" presented by Ellen Engseth, Curator, Immigration History Research Center. Learn more 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
219 Main St SE
Drop in for an afternoon coffee or drink and a casual chat. No reservations
required.
Guthrie Play Reading
RiverWest Group
Tuesday, 3/6,
6:30-9:30 pm
The group will be reading "Familiar" this month.
North Star Group
Wednesday, 3/7,
6:30-9:30 pm
The group will be reading "Indecent" 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.
Epitaph
by Mary Doria Russell
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!
Social Bridge
Every other Wednesday, 3:00-5:00 pm
Washburn Lofts,
700 2nd St S
Enjoy a round of social bridge. Be sure to register on the website!
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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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.
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Ongoing Member-Led Activities
MCC Caregivers' Support Group
2nd and 4th Wednesdays,
January - 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.
Exploring Meditation
Mill City Quarter,
322 2nd St S
Every Tuesday,
9:30-10:30 am
Clear the clutter in your mind, reduce stress and increase the feeling of calm in your life.
Men's Dutch Lunch
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
March 1 & 15
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
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