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Update from the Executive Director
Is it mere coincidence that Halloween takes place just as the season is turning colder and we might need some treats to bulk up our reserves for the winter? I think not! (My son suggested that we collect treats at Thanksgiving and Christmas, too.)
According to
History.com, the Halloween tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. The Celts celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
In the late 1800's, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers than about ghosts, pranks and witchcraft. Maybe next year the Mill City Commons annual party will have a Halloween theme?! Hmm...
In the meantime, keep reading! Learn to relax in
Tai Chi Demystified, check your values in
A Climate Conversation, or consider a behind-the-scenes look at the
Red Cross Headquarters. Don't forget to check out
News from Members and
Around Town for some additional opportunities.
And go ahead, keep eating that leftover Halloween candy!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Sara J.B. Foster
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Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, November 6, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Abiitan's Porter Cafe, 428 2nd St S 
Join us to discuss
The Boys in the Boat
by Daniel James Brown,
the improbable, intimate account of how nine working-class boys from the American West showed the world at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin what true grit really meant.
It was an unlikely quest from the start. With a team composed of the sons of loggers, shipyard workers and farmers, the University of Washington's eight-oar crew team was never expected to defeat the elite teams of the East Coast and Great Britain, yet they did, going on to shock the world by defeating the German team rowing for Adolf Hitler. The emotional heart of the tale lies with Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not only to regain his shattered self-regard but also to find a real place for himself in the world. Drawing on the boys' own journals and vivid memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, Brown has created an unforgettable portrait of an era, a celebration of a remarkable achievement, and a chronicle of one extraordinary young man's personal quest.
If you'd like to read ahead, December's book is
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Have a book suggestion for the Book Chat? Email
theblumenthals@gmail.com.
MCC members and guests. No registration required. |
Tai Chi Demystified
Thursday, November 7, 2:00 - 3:30 pm
The Legacy Community Room, 2nd fl, 1240 2nd St S
 Learn more about T'ai Chi Chih, a beneficial activity that's great for improving balance and flexibility, increasing energy, controlling blood pressure, increasing sleep quality, quieting the mind and more. Accredited T'ai Chi Chih instructor Pete Gregory will give a brief overview of traditional Chinese medicine and the history of T'ai Chi in America. Participants will be invited to experience the slow, gentle movements of T'ai Chi Chih: Joy Thru Movement, a moving meditation with far-reaching benefits. No special clothing is required, just an open mind and a willingness to relax!
MCC members sign up here.
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Dinner for 5
Sunday, November 10, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Smith & Porter Restaurant + Bar, 428 S 2nd St 
Dinner for 5 is back! After a summer hiatus, we're again offering this opportunity to get to know other MCC members in a smaller, more intimate social setting. Join others for a casual evening of dining at the newly remodeled Smith & Porter Restaurant. The meal is dutch treat. Space is limited, so register early!
Registration is now closed. Please
contact Betsy Wray (betsywray@millcitycommons.org) if you'd like to be placed on the wait list. If there is enough interest, another table can be reserved.
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A Climate Conversation
Monday, November 11, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE
 Join us for a Climate Conversation, a workshop in which we'll talk about our values and climate change. Facilitated by Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, an organization working to inspire people to take action on climate change, the session will help participants connect with their values and what they care about most before articulating together the realities of our changing climate and how we can take action as a community.
MCC members sign up here.
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Meditation Circle
Tuesday, November 12 & 19, 9:30 - 10:30 am 
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S
Mill City Commons members are invited to join in a weekly drop-in meditation hour. This is a time for self-guided meditation; if you're new to meditation, we'll provide a brief explanation to help you get started. Our hope is that meditating with each other may help each of our practices and create a shared energy among participants. Drop-in sessions are on Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30 am at Mill City Quarter, across the parking lot from Abiitan. An MCC member will be there to greet you at 9:30 a.m. Please register for sessions you plan to attend so we have an idea of how many to expect. All sessions are free.
MCC members sign up here for the November 12 session; members sign up here for the November 19 session.
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Current Events: A Conversation with Bill
Wednesday, November 13, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE
 Current international news and U.S. foreign policy provide an endless trove of topics for learning and discussion. Retired foreign service officer and MCC member Bill Davnie will identify a topic in advance, although news can always lead us in a fresh direction. There will be both presentation and discussion.
This ongoing program is held on the third Wednesday of the month (this month is an exception). Topic ideas for each monthly gathering are welcome.
MCC members sign up here.
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M
en's Coffee & Conversation
Thursday, November 14, 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 John Crosby will speak on "My Journey with Poetry." He'll describe various points in his life when he has experienced the poetry of both his family members and famous poets. "It's my attempt to push myself to read some poetry alongside the fiction and nonfiction books I read each year."
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Nosy Neighbor Tour: Red Cross Headquarters
Thursday, November 14, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Minnesota Region Red Cross Headquarters, 1201 W River Parkway
Learn how our regional Red Cross, located right on the riverfront, helps our community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. We'll hear from Regional CEO Phil Hansen about Red Cross involvement in the 35W bridge collapse and view the memorial to its victims. We'll also have an inside look at the Red Cross blood and platelet collection center, nurse assistant training facilities, disaster warehouse and operations center, and more. Convenient onsite parking is available.
MCC members sign up here.
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Great Decisions: Cyber Conflict & Geopolitics
Monday, November 18, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr, Rm D104 
Cyber conflict is a new and continually developing threat, which can include foreign interference in elections, industrial sabotage and attacks on infrastructure. Russia has been accused of interfering in the 2016 presidential elections in the United States and China is highly committed to using cyberspace as a tool of national policy. Dealing with cyber conflict will require new ways of looking at 21st century warfare. Is the United States prepared to respond to such threats? Speaker Christi Siver is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the College of St Benedict and St John's University, where she teaches courses on international relations and international security. Her current research interests include international humanitarian law, military technology and comparative law.
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 betsywray@millcitycommons.org.
MCC members sign up here.
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MCC Program Calendar
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of MCC's November events here.
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News from Members
MCC member Karla Ekdahl invites members to a special conversation and reception featuring Larry Diamon
d, one of America's foremost scholars on democracy.
In his new book, Ill Winds, he tracks the threats facing democracy.
Professor Diamond will be interviewed by journalist and former MPR host Tom Weber about America's growing democracy crisis and how Ranked Choice Voting can fix it. The event will be held on Thursday, November 14, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Mill & Main West, 401 Main St SE. To learn more and RSVP for this event, click
here
.
MCC member Patty Canney shares that residents of the 55413 zip code can get $13 tickets for any Theater Latté Da performance. You must present yourself in person, and pay with cash only. Note: they do check your driver's license!
MCC member Sonia Cairns recommends an article from the
New York Times by Lorene Cary:
My Family Cared for My Sick Aunt. Who's Caring for Us? Here's a snippet: "Because we do not prioritize psychological well-being, we don't ask how keeping the elderly and disabled in good spirits could make us a stronger, better, happier country. Instead, we ask home care workers to provide ... care or friendship or even love. With longer life expectancies, the need for caregiving in later life is increasing. How we update care systems will affect not only this often hidden sector of American life but also our national debt, and, if we had one, our Gross National Happiness Index."
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Ar
ound Town
November 6, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St NE
Come learn what's new with Medicare, how to plan ahead with powers of attorney and health care directives or try out a Tai Ji Quan class. There will also be nutrition info, blood pressure checks and flu shots (bring your insurance card). Learn more
here.
Reading: Jennifer Croft
November 7, 7:00 pm, Milkweed Books, Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave, 1st fl
Milkweed Books is excited to host author, 2018 Man Booker Prize Winner, and National Book Award Finalist Jennifer Croft for a reading from her new memoir, Homesick
.
Croft complements her stunning prose with beautiful color photography to tell her coming of age story. This memoir is about learning to love language in its many forms, healing through words and the promises and perils of empathy and sisterhood. For more information, click here.
Minneapolis Craft'za
November 16, 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Grain Belt Bottling House, 79 13th Ave NE
Craft'za is a free art market for handmade goods. Artists are selected by jury to guarantee only the finest quality crafts for your holiday shopping. In addition to the art inside, there will be food trucks as usual, to keep everyone full and happy throughout the event. Admission is free, and there's plenty of free public parking located nearby. For a list of participating artists, click
here.
Annual Fall Roadshow: zAmya Zone
November 21, 7:00 pm, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall
zAmya Zone explores the surreal and strange nature of an abundant world that is somehow not enough. During this 90 minute performance, y
ou will unlock a door with the key of imagination and find another dimension--a dimension with abundant food and shelter for all. Yet there exists the world of homelessness, displacement and poverty. A dimension where your class, your mental and physical health, your race, your ancestry could result in you not having a home, safety or care. 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 registration required.
Rendezvous
Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month, 10:00-11:00 am
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
No reservations required. The next
book is
by Daniel James Brown
Click here to see what books we're reading at future Book Chats.
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!
Guthrie Play Reading
RiverWest Group
Tuesday, November 19,
6:30-9:30 pm
North Star Group
Wednesday, November 20, 6:30-9:30 pm
Groups are reading Noura this month.
Social Bridge
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.
MCC Women Connect
Join MCC women as they connect and grow, sharing experiences and learning from each other as they adapt to life's changes and transitions. This group meets the third Thursday morning of the month.
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Mill City Commons
Ongoing Fitness Opportunities
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.
Meditation Circle
Tuesdays 9:30-10:30 am
Mill City Quarter,
322 2nd St S
Join us for a weekly
self-guided meditation hour.
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Ongoing Member-Led Activities
MCC Caregivers' Support Group
2nd and 4th Wednesdays,
September-December
10:30 am-12:00 pm
A way to support members and non-members who are in a caregiving role.
Men's Dutch Lunch
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
November 7 & 21
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
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