|
Update from the Executive Director
As a former educator of 25+ years, a mother and a grandmother, quality public education remains a top priority for me. That's why I'm looking forward to attending tomorrow's program, Education for a Changing World.
Global competence, an awareness of and an ability to understand and interact with our increasingly diverse and interconnected world, is a critical component to educating today's youth. World Savvy is an organization that has a long and deep commitment to developing educational environments designed to help all students thrive.
I hope you can join me in attending this program. More information and registration opportunity is available below.
If you've not yet experienced the Swedish Institute's "Handmade Holiday" exhibit, you'll want to join your MCC friends on Friday, December 14, for this delightful tour and consider staying for lunch, afterwards. More details and registration available below.
My most sincere thanks to all who extended their care and support during my recent medical leave. Your gifts of food, cards, emails, phone calls, visits and positive, caring thoughts buoyed my spirits. Colleagues Mary Texidor and Betsy Wray proved, once again, to be more than up to the task of taking on additional responsibilities in addition to their own. We are lucky, in deed, to have two such dedicated and professional women supporting MCC!
Thank you to all!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
|
|
|
A Minnesotan's Story About Saving Rhinos
Tuesday, December 4, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Park Avenue Lofts, 200 Park Ave S, #105
 Join us to hear the story of rhino poaching and what's being done to stop it. Minnesota native Matt Bracken will share what's happening to rhinos and why, who's involved, why they do it, why rhinos are worth saving and what he's doing about it. Matt is the founder and president of Wild and Free Foundation. In 2011, he became the first American to graduate from Protrack Anti-Poaching Ranger Training in South Africa, whose mission is to protect rhinos from poachers.
Just a few spots remain! MCC members sign up here.
|
|
Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, December 5, 9:30 - 10:30 am 
Abiitan's Porter Cafe, 428 S 2nd St
Join us to discuss
The Last Painting of Sarah de Vos
by Dominic Smith. In 1631, Sara de Vos becomes the first woman to be admitted as a master painter to the Guild of St. Luke in Holland. Three hundred years later, "At the Edge of a Wood," her haunting winter scene of a girl watching skaters at dusk, is her only surviving work. It hangs in the bedroom of a Park Avenue coop of a wealthy Manhattanite, a descendant of the original owner. Meanwhile, in the grungier reaches of Brooklyn, an Australian art history grad student struggling to stay afloat in New York agrees to paint a forgery of the landscape for a dubious art dealer. Half a century later, she's a prominent curator back home in Sydney, mounting an exhibition of female Dutch painters of the Golden Age. Both versions of "At the Edge of the Wood" by Sara de Vos are en route to her museum, threatening to unravel her life and reputation.
If you'd like to read ahead, January's book is Glass Houses by Louise Penny. Have a book suggestion for the Book Chat? Email [email protected].
MCC members and guests. No registration required. |
|
Education for a Changing World
Wednesday, December 5, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S
 Our world is changing at an exponentially greater pace than generations before us, which means our education system needs to evolve alongside it. Dana Mortenson, founder and CEO of World Savvy, will discuss how developing students' global competence can prepare them for future careers and civic engagement in an increasingly diverse, interconnected world. She'll explore how our current K-12 education system, designed to "standardize learning," is misaligned with the realities and demands of the 21st century and beyond. And she'll share how World Savvy has been working for nearly two decades to re-imagine K-12 education to build more inclusive, adaptive and globally competent learning environments to help all young people thrive.
MCC members sign up here.
|
|
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, December 6, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S 
MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. This week, Marilyn Broussard will lead a discussion on "Race Matters Today." Taking a knee; Black Lives Matter; immigration issues; crime and mass incarceration of blacks; racial gaps in education, income and wealth; and the racial component of our current political divide are just some of the topics dominating the news. Come and share your views. Do we overestimate or underestimate the prevalence of systemic racism? What is the influence of media coverage? How do you explain the "why" of racist beliefs to yourself? Does implicit racial bias get in the way of solving some of our societal problems, even those without an explicit racial component? Solutions? Hopeful signs of progress?
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
|
A Perspective on Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Thursday, December 6, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Washburn Lofts, 700 2nd St S, #91
 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has served on the U.S. Supreme Court for nearly 25 years, but it's only in the last five years that she has been dubbed "notorious" and become a popular culture icon. Each year, she has four law clerks who assist her with preparing for cases, drafting opinions and writing speeches. Amy Bergquist clerked for her in 2010-2011, and while Amy can't divulge confidential information about deliberations or discussions of cases that happened in Justice Ginsburg's chambers, she will speak about what it's like to work for the Justice and share some insights about her work. Bring your questions! Amy Bergquist is a staff attorney at the Minneapolis-based non-profit The Advocates for Human Rights.
MCC members sign up here.
|
Sunday Brunch Soiree
Sunday, December 9, 12:00 - 2:00 pm 
Lourdes Square, 174 Bank St SE
Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree, hosted by Beverly FitzGerald at Lourdes Square. Please contribute to the potluck by bringing an egg dish or another main dish -- to serve at least 8. As you register, let us know what you'll bring by answering the "Question" that will appear on the screen. You are welcome to bring your own wine or beer to share.
MCC members sign up here.
|
|
Meditation Circle
Tuesday, December 11 & 18, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Mill City Quarter, 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 for the December 11 session here; MCC members sign up for the December 18 session here. |
|
What is a POLST and Why Do You Need One?
Tuesday, December 11, 4:00 - 5:30 pm 
Village Lofts River Room, 100 2nd St NE
MCC member Dr. David Plimpton will give a brief review on the concept of patient autonomy and end-of-life options, followed by a detailed review of Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). A POLST is different from an advanced directive. Find out if it's something you should consider.
MCC members sign up here. |
|
Social Bridge
Wednesday, December 12, 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 Annual Meeting
Wednesday, December 12, 4:00 - 4:30 pm 
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE, 2nd fl
Learn about the direction of your Mill City Commons as the gavel passes to next year's chair and new officers and board members are welcomed. The regular monthly meeting of the board will follow at 4:30 pm. Members are welcome to stay for the board meeting also.
MCC members sign up here.
|
|
M
en's Coffee & Conversation
Thursday, December 13, 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 Tom Carrier will speak on "Miscellany: A Potpourri of Stories Untold." Stressing our role as historians and storytellers, Tom will share some personal experiences from the practice of medicine to the game of golf to, if time permits, his role in a decades-long, one-man raccoon relocation program. The common theme, "Never give up."
|
A Personal Story About Doctors Without Borders
Thursday, December 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm 
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE
How does one volunteer with Doctors Without Borders--or MSF (Medecins Sans Frontiers), as it is known internationally--and what can one expect? Dr. Roby C. Thompson Jr., Professor Emeritus of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota, will share his personal experience from Haiti, post-earthquake. He'll talk about the route to an assignment, the experience, the volunteers and the plight of the residents.
MCC members sign up here.
|
|
Swedish Institute "Handmade Holidays" Tour
Friday, December 14, 10:15 - 11:30 am
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave S
 Join us for a tour of the American Swedish Institute's 2018 exhibition "Handmade Holidays." We'll tour the richly decorated Nordic Holiday rooms, this year centered around ASI's year of "The Handmade." Cost is $13 for this guided tour. Optional: Join your tourmates for lunch at Fika afterwards. Members Diane & Tony Hofstede will buy your beverage of choice; lunch or snacks are dutch-treat!
* Please bring cash and arrive by 10:15 am to speed up the check-in process.
* Reservations due December 12.
MCC members sign up here. |
Dinner for 5
Sunday, December 16, 6:00 - 7:30 pm 
Smith & Porter Restaurant, 428 2nd St S
If connecting with and getting to know other MCC members in a smaller, more intimate social setting interests you, this new 10th Anniversary program idea just might be for you! Join other MCC members for a casual evening of dining in Abiitan's Smith & Porter Restaurant. The meal is dutch treat. Space is limited, so register early!
MCC members sign up here.
|
|
Turkey & Extra Helpings Volunteer Opportunity
Tuesday, December 18, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Cub Foods, 701 W Broadway Ave
 Join MCC members and friends for the 11th annual Turkey & Extra Helpings Holiday Drive! Our goal is to provide groceries for holiday meals for 50 families in North Minneapolis. Volunteers are needed to help load and unload food for families from Ascension School. Meet in the Cub Foods parking lot, 701 W Broadway Ave (I-94 and Broadway), at 10:30 am to pick up groceries. We'll then proceed to Ascension School, 1726 Dupont Ave N, to drop them off. Please register and answer the "Question" on whether you have a large vehicle to help transfer food.
MCC members sign up here. |
Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, December 18, 5:00 - 6:00 pm 
Milwaukee Road Bar at the Depot, 225 3rd Ave S
Join us for Tuesday Happy Hour at the Depot's Milwaukee Road Bar! Hosted by Sue Bennett, Camille Burke, Ellie Hands and Marcia Townley, this gathering is a time to catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. The event is dutch treat--no reservations required. If you'd like to stay for dinner, reservations can be made by calling (612) 375-1700.
MCC members and guests. No registration required. |
|
MCC Program Calendar
View the full calendar of MCC's December events
here.
|
|
News from Members
MCC member Barbara Forster invites you to a 10:00 am brunch on December 14 at the Guthrie to hear Lois A. Herman speak on the realities of widows and older women worldwide. Lois, founder and Coordinator of the Women's UN Report Network (WUNRN), will describe this 15-year-old highly respected program, WUNRN's recent Widows Discrimination Panel and the serious issue of violence against older women. WUNRN, based on a UN study, addresses the human rights, oppression and empowerment of women and girls all over the world. These realities, largely ignored across the planet are in dire need of attention by all governments and the United Nations. To RSVP for this event, please email Barbara at
[email protected].
|
Around Town
Holiday Market at A-Mill
December 8, 10:00 am-5:00 pm and December 9, 12:00-5:00 pm,
A-Mill Artist Lofts, 315 Main St SE
Featuring art and hand-crafted works from the A-Mill and Schmidt Artist Communities and local guest artists. Kick off your holiday shopping and support local artists! Free admission.
Morning Forum: Your Favorite Building
December 12, 8:00-9:00 am, Mill City Museum, 704 S 2nd St
This month Preserve Minneapolis is hosting its annual invitational where you get to lead. The question: What's your favorite historic spot in Minneapolis? When you're showing off the city, what do you show? A particular building? A favorite street? It doesn't have to be officially historic, just something that embodies this fine city's culture/history/spirit/general excellence. Learn more
here.
Good Morning Ward 3: 2018 Year in Review
December 19, 7:30-9:00 am, Kramarczuk's, 215 E Hennepin Ave
Join Council Member Steve Fletcher for a Year in Review for the last Good Morning Ward 3 of 2018.
Magnet Film Club
Various dates and times, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall
The Magnet Film Club will next watch the 1958 classic film
The Defiant Ones
, starring Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis in mid-December, followed by
Raiders of the Lost Ark
in late December. To find upcoming films, go to www.hclib.org, click "Events" and type "Magnet Film Club" in the search box.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
2018 Turkey & Extra Helpings Drive
Join us in raising $3,500 to provide holiday groceries for 50 families at Ascension School. We're also collecting small gifts for two transitional housing programs. Click
here
for details on how you can get involved.
|
|
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
219 Main St SE
Drop in for an afternoon coffee or drink and a casual chat. No reservations
required.
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.
September's book is
The Last Painting of Sarah de Vos
by Dominic Smith
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.
|
|
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
Mill City Quarter,
Join us for a weekly
self-guided meditation hour.
|
|
Ongoing Member-Led Activities
MCC Caregivers' Support Group
2nd and 4th Wednesdays,
September-December,
10:30 am-12:00 pm & 1:00-2:30 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
December 6 & 20
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
|
|
