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Update from MCC's Board Chair
As was announced a couple of weeks ago, Sara Foster has accepted our offer to become the next Mill City Commons Executive Director. A native of northwestern Minnesota, she now calls the Twin Cities home. Her experience includes more than twenty years of building relationships in long-term health care and at the University of Minnesota, most recently as a development officer. Sara lives in south Minneapolis with her husband Jason, their three kids, and two dogs. A proud alumna of the U of M, Sara earned her bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in linguistics. In her free time, she enjoys reading, making music, and cooking with her husband. She is hoping to retire in the central Riverfront neighborhood someday.
Sara will start her duties on Monday, May 13, spending the first few days in transition with Joan. You'll have a chance to officially meet and welcome her at the Last Tuesday Happy Hour on May 28 at Sea Change. This is a change from the previously communicated June 9 Soiree date.
We hope you'll be able to meet her at Sea Change, and if you can't make it, you'll certainly have a chance at one of the MCC program events in the near future.
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Bob Callahan
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MCC Evening Book Club
Tuesday, May 7, 7:00 - 8:30 pm 
RiverWest Social Room, 401 1st St S
Join us to discuss
A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family's Story by Qais Akbar Omar. Twenty-three years ago--after the Soviets left and before the Taliban came to power--Kabul was a garden where seven-year-old Qais Akbar Omar flew kites from the roof of his grandfather's house. Then came the hollow sounds of rocket fire as the Mujahedin, self-proclaimed holy warriors, took over Afghanistan, and the country erupted in civil war. Omar's family fled, leaving everything behind to take shelter in an old fort. But after a narrow escape from death, his father decided that the family must leave the country. Yet the journey proved more difficult than anticipated, and in this stunning coming-of-age memoir, Omar offers a moving recollection of these events--a story of daily hardships, relieved by moments of joy and immense beauty.
The MCC Evening Book Club meets on the first Tuesday of every other month. Upcoming gatherings are on July 2, September 3 and November 5.
MCC members sign up here. |
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Birding Walk
Friday, May 10, 9:00 - 10:30 am
Nicollet Island, Corner of Wilder St & Island Ave
 Celebrate spring with a series of five bird-watching walks along the river or Minneapolis lakes! We hope to see migrating warblers and other songbirds. Gregg Severson, naturalist with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, will lead the walks. Bring binoculars and field guides, if you have them (we'll also have some to borrow). Locations for the walks to be announced each week. This week's walk is on Nicollet Island. Meet at the corner of Wilder St and Island Ave, by the pay parking lot on Nicollet Island.
NOTE: You don't have to be a serious birder to participate-this is a chance to learn! And these are not strenuous hikes but rather easy walks with lots of stopping.
MCC members sign up here. |
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Meditation Circle
Tuesday, May 14 & 21, 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 am. 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 May 14 session; MCC members sign up here for the May 21 session. |
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Youth Frontiers: Teaching Character, Civility & Community
Tuesday, May 14, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S
 Young people today face many new and unknown challenges. What can parents, grandparents and caring adults do to help? In this interactive and entertaining program, Youth Frontiers' Founder and CEO Joe Cavanaugh will distill some essential character lessons that will help the young people in your life thrive and help you determine with more clarity what's really important in teaching character. By working with educators, parents and community members, Youth Frontiers strives to make the world a kinder, more civil and respectful place to live. Joe will share stories and strategies--based on his 35 years of experience working with young people--that will not only help you in your relationship with young people but will help you challenge them to live lives of character.
MCC members sign up here. |
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Sunrise Flour Mill Tour
Wednesday, May 15, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Sunrise Flour Mill, 39724 Grand Ave, North Branch 
Join us for a field trip to Sunrise Flour Mill, located just north of the metro in North Branch. You may be familiar with the mill's heritage wheats from the Mill City Farmers Market or from the bread-baking class Sunrise offered MCC members earlier this year. Now is your chance to tour this unique mill, owned by Darrold and Marty Glanville. After a tour of the facility--with its brand-new mill--we'll travel 5 minutes away to the Glanville's home for sourdough pizza from their wood-fired oven. We'll carpool from downtown, leaving at 10:00 a.m. to arrive at the mill by 11:00 a.m. We should be back downtown around 2:30 p.m. Cost per person is $25.
MCC members sign up here.
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M
en's Coffee & Conversation
Thursday, May 16, 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 Lynn Bollman will talk about his life as an instructor of studio art and a practicing artist. Lynn has an MFA from the University of Minnesota in the area of fine art printmaking and has been making art for most of his adult life. His more recent work results in something that is less than traditional. He'll clarify what that looks like and also talk about how his art practice links directly with his state of well-being.
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MCC Women Connect
Thursday, May 16, 10:00 - 11:30 am 
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S
At this month's MCC Women Connect, Ginny Craig will lead a discussion on the topic of "When Women Are Angry." Is anger a useful emotion for women? Does it make us more powerful? Can it be used against us? Do we demonstrate anger differently from men? Have women expressed anger differently in the past? When has anger empowered you? Made you weaker? To get your conversational juices flowing, consider viewing this
Ted Talk.
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Lessons from a Chaplain & Social Worker: 7 Reasons People Don't Want to Talk about Death
Thursday, May 16, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S
 Given that our death rate is exactly 100%, why is it so hard to get a real conversation going on how we want to live at the end of our lives, and what we want done when we're no longer here? Our three-part series "Lessons from a Chaplain & Social Worker on Death & Dying" begins with "The 7 Reasons People Don't Want to Talk About Death & Dying." Expect education as well as interaction, and just the right blend of reverence and irreverence. We'll unpack the big (and small but powerful) reasons this is so hard and offer concrete ways to invite people past them so you and your loved ones can get real, get planning, and get some peace of mind. Our guides will be Zac Willette MDiv BCC and Anne Archbold MSW LSW of Allay Care Services, a national nonprofit headquartered in the Twin Cities.
MCC members sign up here.
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Birding Walk
Friday, May 17, 9:00 - 10:30 am 
Location to be announced
Celebrate spring with a series of five bird-watching walks along the river or Minneapolis lakes! We hope to see migrating warblers and other songbirds. Gregg Severson, naturalist with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, will lead the walks. Bring binoculars and field guides, if you have them (we'll also have some to borrow).
NOTE: You don't have to be a serious birder to participate--this is a chance to learn! And these are not strenuous hikes but rather easy walks with lots of stopping.
MCC members sign up here. |
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Sunday Soiree
Sunday, May 19, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
The Landings, 510 River St
 Join your friends and neighbors for the Sunday Soiree, hosted by Sam & Sylvia Kaplan at The Landings. Please contribute to the potluck by bringing a hearty hors d'oeuvre or main dish salad 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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Great Decisions: The Middle East: Regional Disorder
Monday, May 20, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr, Room D104 
As the presidency of Donald J. Trump passes the halfway point, the Middle East remains a region in turmoil. The Trump administration has aligned itself with strongmen in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, which along with Israel have a common goal of frustrating Iranian expansion. What will be the fallout from policy reversals such as withdrawing from the Iranian nuclear accord and moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem? Does the United States see a path forward in troubled states such as Syria, Yemen, Libya and Iraq? Is the United States headed toward war with Iran? Speaker Molly Hayes is a former foreign policy adviser at the U.S. Department of State and current deputy chief of staff and speechwriter to the President of the U of M, where her portfolio includes international policies and programs.
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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Lunch for 5
Tuesday, May 21, 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Monte Carlo, 219 N 3rd Ave
 If connecting with and getting to know other MCC members in a smaller, more intimate social setting interests you, this weekday lunch just might be for you! This month, join other MCC members for casual dining at the Monte Carlo. The meal is dutch treat. Space is limited, so register early!
If this event is filled when you try to register, contact Betsy Wray ( [email protected]) if you'd like to be placed on the wait list.
MCC members sign up here.
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MCC Program Calendar
View the full calendar of MCC's May
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News From Members
MCC member Merle Minda recommends that you consider attending "
The State of Hate: The rise of Antisemitism and Islamophobia" on May 9 at 7:00 pm at Temple Israel (2323 Fremont Ave S). Excellent speakers, free and open to all. A Ramadan iftar meal will be served after the program. It is both timely and important. Free parking. This program is sponsored in part by the Rabbi Albert and Frances Minda Leadership Development Fund.
Consider stopping by the studios of
MCC members Patty Canney (painter) and
Lynn Bollman (printmaker) during this year's Art-A-Whirl. Patty's studio in the California Building will be open May 17 from 5-10 pm, May 18 from 12-8 pm and May 19 from 12-5 pm at 2205 California St NE, #406. Patty will also be there for Open Studios on Second Saturday (May 11) from 11:00 am-4:00 pm. Lynn's studio in the Northrup King Building will be open May 17 from 5-10 pm, May 18 from 12-5 pm and May 19 from 12-5 pm at 1500 Jackson St NE, #334. For more information on Art-A-Whirl, click
here.
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Ar
ound Town
Playing With Words
May 11, 12:00-3:00 pm, MN Center for Book Arts, 1011 Washington Ave S
MCBA has commissioned 14 letterpress printers from around the country to create an edition of broadsides featuring selections of text by various writers. Broadsides
were the social media of their day, offering vivid insights into the daily activities and attitudes of individuals and communities. Today, broadside printing is often a fine art variant of poems, illustrations and designs. Join a public reception and free community broadside printing event in collaboration with Minneapolis-based Proof Public. Learn more
here.
Out of the Box Opera: The Amazing Adventures of Acis and Galatea
May 11, 5:00, 7:00 & 9:00 pm, A-Mill Artist Lofts, 315 SE Main St
As an audience member, you won't just be watching the show; you'll be in it. Immersed in the action of the passionate, tragic story of Acis and Galatea, an intimate audience of only 60 people per show will be guided through four locations inside the historic 1881 Pillsbury A-Mill--from the crypt-like hydro power tunnels that predate the Civil War to the Mill's dramatic rooftop overlooking the Mississippi River and downtown skyline--ending with a roof-top party. Tickets can be purchased
here.
Minnesota Bach Ensemble: Bach's Italian Inspiration
May 13, 7:00 pm, MacPhail Center for Music, 501 2nd St S
Cantatas and concertos by Marcello, Vivaldi, Geminiani and Bach. Complimentary wine and cheese reception after the concert. Tickets can be purchased in advance
here or at the door.
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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Please Welcome MCC's Newest Members!
Nancy Gardner
Cynthia Gross
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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
Aster Cafe
125 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 Danielle Steele
Click
here to see what books we're reading at future Book Chats.
Guthrie Play Reading
RiverWest Group
Tuesday, May 7,
6:30-9:30 pm
Groups will be reading
Metamorphoses
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
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
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,
May-August,
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
May 9 & 23
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
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