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Update from the Executive Director
Another fine line up of program opportunities appears in this edition of Musings, designed to pique your relational, educational, mindful and civic interests. Register now, as some programs have limited space.
The past weeks of wretched snow and ice are now, hopefully, behind us. A gorgeous week of sunshine and warmer temps are on tap just in time to usher in tomorrow's Vernal Equinox. Enjoy!
Please note that details regarding MCC's Trial Membership opportunity are located to the right of this letter.
Trial Memberships offer a 3-mo window of opportunity to experience full membership benefits for a modest fee of $100. Won't you join us? Please feel free to contact me
if you have any questions. Don't delay!
Registration closes March 31.
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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M
en's Coffee & Conversation
Thursday, March 21, 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, community partner and 3rd ward City Council Member Steve Fletcher hosts. Ward 3 includes many neighborhoods that MCC members call home--Downtown East, Downtown West, North Loop, Marcy Holmes and Nicollet Island-East Bank. Steve's council committees impact issues like affordable housing, transportation, public safety, small business support and much more. He'll tell us about his priorities in 2019 and his personal story as an entrepreneur, technology professional, researcher and community organizer.
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Star Tribune Printing Plant Tour
Thursday, March 21, 1:00 - 2:30 pm 
Star Tribune Heritage Center, 800 N 1st St
If you like BIG, this is the place to see! Join us for a tour of the Star Tribune Heritage Center printing facility, where presses are 100 feet high, rolls of newsprint paper weigh 2,500 pounds and the building is the size of nine football fields. Register early, as we have just 10 spots on the tour. PLEASE NOTE: Closed-toe shoes are required.
MCC members sign up here. |
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Meditation Circle
Tuesday, March 26 & April 2, 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 March 26 session; members sign up here for the April 2 session. |
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Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, March 26, 5:00 - 6:00 pm 
Nicollet Island Inn, 95 Merriam St
Join us for Last Tuesday Happy Hour at Nicollet Island Inn! Hosted by Ginger & Walt Bailey, 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) 331-1800.
MCC members and guests. No registration required.
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Social Bridge
Wednesday, March 27, 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].
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MCC Women Connect
Thursday, March 28, 10:00 - 11:30 am 
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE
At this month's MCC Women Connect, the discussion topic is "White Privilege: How Does It Apply to Us?". Suzanne Joyce, Pat Hoven and Sonia Cairns will talk about how their own white privilege has led to negative, unintended consequences for people of color. Marilyn Broussard will offer her perceptions. Join the conversation as we together ponder myths that white people have about racism, such as "Racism only has to do with intentional acts," or "Only self-proclaimed white supremacists perpetuate racism." We're eager to explore how we can make changes in our attitudes and behaviors to benefit all people--people of color and the larger society. If you have time, please read
this article beforehand, "Ten Myths White People Believe About Racism."
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
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"When Republicans Were Progressive" with Dave Durenberger and Lori Sturdevant
Thursday, March 28, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr
 The Republican Party has dominated Minnesota's politics for much of the state's history. Today's party, though, is very different from the progressive Republican Party that came to power with Harold Stassen in 1938, had its heyday in the middle of the 20th century, and faded into near-obscurity by the 1990s. Issues that are anathema to today's GOP--environmental protection, assistance for vulnerable citizens, and economic opportunity for low-wage workers and the middle class--were at the heart of the party's agenda. Senator Dave Durenberger grew up in and helped build that party. In his latest book, with coauthor Lori Sturdevant of the
Star Tribune, he explains how Minnesota's progressive Republicans earned voters' trust and delivered on their promises and how progressive ideas fell out of favor when an increasingly anti-government, anti-tax national party shifted Minnesota Republican thinking to the right. Durenberger argues that the principles and practices of progressive Republicanism are a fitting remedy for what ails American democracy today.
MCC members sign up here. |
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MCC-Best Buy Focus Group
Monday, April 1, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Open Book Meeting Room, 1011 Washington Ave S, 2nd fl 
Best Buy, in conjunction with Mill City Commons, is holding monthly discussions to gather input on product and service ideas to assist older adults in living independently in their homes. A different topic will be presented each month to a limited group of 10 to 15 focus group members. Be part of shaping future smart technology and health and wellness products designed to assist older adults to remain living independently. Refreshments will be offered!
MCC members sign up here. |
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How the Riverfront Was Won--and How Preservation Played a Role
Tuesday, April 2, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Mill City Museum, 710 2nd St S, 6th floor
 Join us as Linda Mack, former StarTribune architecture reporter and critic, presents a visual survey of the Minneapolis riverfront's rebirth from the days of Fuji-Ya and Pracna on Main to the arrival of the Guthrie Theater. In her 21 years at the StarTribune, Linda covered the redevelopment of the Minneapolis (and St. Paul) riverfront. She also conducted 26 oral history interviews for the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board-funded Rebirth of the Minneapolis Riverfront Oral History Project. Active in historic preservation since the 1980s, she currently serves on the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission.
MCC members sign up here.
PLEASE NOTE: The program is not in the museum itself but the building next door to the east. Enter through the 710 doors off 2nd St. S. From the 710 lobby, take the elevator up to the 6th floor to the ADM room. |
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Provide a Meal at First Covenant Shelter
Thursday, April 4, 5:30 - 8:00 pm 
First Covenant Church, 810 7th St S
Join MCC friends to prepare and serve a meal at First Covenant Shelter by St. Stephen's. First Covenant feeds its homeless guests every night and relies on groups of volunteers to prepare and serve the guests. While serving the meal, volunteers are encouraged to take shifts and eat and visit with the guests. Member Ellen Breyer is organizing our team of volunteers this month. Volunteers are also asked to donate $15 to cover the cost of feeding 55 to 60 people. If you're unable to participate but would like to donate money for groceries, that would be appreciated, too. Additional details will be provided to those who sign up. If you have questions, you may contact Ellen Breyer: [email protected].
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
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Sunday Soiree
Sunday, April 7, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Lourdes Square, 184 Bank St SE
 Join your friends and neighbors for the Sunday Soiree, hosted by Anne & Peter Heegaard at Lourdes Square. Please contribute to the potluck by bringing a hearty hors d'oeuvre, main dish salad or dessert 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.
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MCC Program Calendar
View the full calendar of MCC's March events
here.
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of MCC's April events
here.
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News From Members
MCC member Susan Plimpton invites members to Minnesota Bach Ensemble's "Brilliant Vivaldi & Bach" concert. The concert features star mezzo-soprano Meg Bragle and is Saturday, April 6, at 3:00 pm and Monday, April 8, at 7:00 pm at Antonello Hall at MacPhail Center for Music (501 S 2nd St). For more information and to purchase tickets, click
here.
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Ar
ound Town
Spring Equinox Show
March 23, 8:00-11:30 pm, A-Mill Artist Lofts, 315 Main St SE
This show will include live performances from theyself (indie-pop/soulful blues), Say Darlin' (Appalachian old time music), and Mama Caught Fire (three part vocal harmony). $10 suggested donation. Bringing food and drinks to share is encouraged. Beverages will not be available for sale. Learn more
here.
Chronicled in Clay: Ceramics and the Art of the Story
March 28, 6:00-9:00 pm, MN Center for Book Arts, 1011 Washington Ave S
Join a public reception of a new exhibit, bringing together ceramics and contemporary book arts. Chronicled in Clay is presented in conjunction with Claytopia, the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts' (NCECA) 53rd Annual Conference, which explores "the human imagination as a vehicle of restless yearning for a more livable, just, and meaningful world." Free and open to the public. Learn more here.
Starch Madness: Baking a Cookie Champion, the Fresh Four
March 30 & 31, afternoon, Mill City Museum, 704 2nd St S
In March, vote on Facebook to nominate your classic favorites and rookie cookie recipes that will make up the field of 16 Sweets. In the following weeks, cast your votes online to decide which cookies move on to the round of eight and the top four. A taste-off of those Fresh Four will take place in the museum's Baking Lab on March 30 and 31. Then visit on Sunday, April 7, for the live, high stakes bake-off between the top two cookies. Come see the bakers in action, taste-test the cookies, and decide the champion. Included with $6-12 museum admission/MNHS members free. For information and to register, click
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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MCC Trial Membership Opportunity
Try on a Mill City Commons membership for the months of April - June. Registration is open now through March 31. Details can be found
here; to join online or to download a membership form visit
our website.
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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.
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 Anne Tyler
Click
here to see what books we're reading at future Book Chats.
Guthrie Play Reading
North Star Group
Wednesday, March 27,
6:30-9:30 pm
Reading Cyrano de Bergerac
this month.
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.
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 fourth 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
Mill City Quarter,
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,
January-April,
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
March 28 & April 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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