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Update from the Executive Director
Hello Mill City Commons members and friends!
Thanks to Bob Callahan, board chair, for sharing the news of my hire and providing an introduction in last week's note.
I'm very excited to be here, in the central riverfront district, in an office overlooking the mighty Mississippi River, in historic downtown Minneapolis. I'm thrilled and honored to be joining the active community you have thoughtfully built, and have an opportunity to participate in some engaging and fun programs! It has been a real pleasure meeting the search and executive committee members, who clearly demonstrate their passion and commitment to Mill City Commons. A huge thank you to Bob Callahan, Joan Wright, Mary Texidor, and Betsy Wray for their warm welcome, and for helping me hit the ground running.
I look forward to meeting many of you at my official welcome on May 28 at Sea Change and many more of you over the summer and into the fall!
Betsy, Mary, and I love to hear from you; feel free to contact us with your questions, ideas, suggestions, and complaints! We are here for you.
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Sara Foster
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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 & Dying
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 
Mississippi Gorge Regional Park, 36th St & W River Pkwy
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). This week's walk is at Mississippi Gorge Regional Park. Meet at the southernmost parking lot at 36th Street at West River Parkway. Find a map
here.
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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Meditation Circle
Tuesday, May 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 21 session. |
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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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Birding Walk
Friday, May 24, 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). Locations for the walks to be announced each week.
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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Last Tuesday Happy Hour & Welcome for MCC's New Executive Director
Tuesday, May 28, 5:00 - 6:00 pm 
Sea Change, 806 2nd St S
Join us for Last Tuesday Happy Hour, hosted by Chris Bray, Dianne Iverson, Nancy Reed and Christine Umhoefer at Sea Change! This gathering is a time to catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. It's also an opportunity to meet and welcome Mill City Commons' new executive director, Sara Foster. The event is dutch treat--no reservations required. If you'd like to stay for dinner, reservations may be made by calling (612) 225-6499.
MCC members and guests. No registration required. |
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MCC Program Calendar
View the full calendar of MCC's May
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of MCC's June events
here.
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News From Members
MCC member Peter Gillette is interested in hiring a typist to type a handwritten manuscript, 8 legal pad pages long. Willing to pay going hourly rate. If interested, please call Peter! (612) 331-8233.
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. 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.
Growth and Justice, a nonprofit founded by
MCC member Joel Kramer 16 years ago, is holding a free breakfast on May 22, 7:30 to 9:00 am, at Elsie's (729 Marshall Ave NE), and Joel hopes you'll come to hear from him and from the people currently running the organization.
Learn why Growth & Justice was formed, what it has accomplished and is now doing, and the importance of having an organization that focuses on more inclusive economic growth and finding common ground in Minnesota between business leaders and social justice advocates. You can
RSVP here, email [email protected] or call (651) 917-6037 to register.
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Ar
ound Town
Mill Ruins Park Prairie Maintenance
Starting May 18 (2 Saturdays a month), 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Meet at St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center, 1 Portland Ave
Looking for something fun and rewarding to do on a Saturday morning? Consider joining a group of volunteers to maintain a demonstration prairie at Mill Ruins Park
. This native prairie attracts many bees, butterflies and birds while improving the Mississippi River shoreline habitat. All tools are provided. To sign up for crew projects and for more information, contact
[email protected]. Come every time or just when you can.
Mamaskatch Book Launch
May 31, 7:00-9:00 pm, Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church, 2020 W Lake of the Isles Parkway
Called "powerful and overdue" by
Heart Berries author Terese Marie Mailhot, Darrel J. McLeod's memoir
Mamaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age is a lyrical and intimate story about the impact of colonization on McLeod and his family. McLeod writes about abuse, gender fluidity, queerness, and grief with candor, grace and strength.
The event is free and all are welcome. Food and refreshments will be served and RSVPs are requested
here.
Mill City Summer Opera
Various dates in July, 7:30 pm, Mill City Museum, 704 2nd St S
Experience the opera like never before. Mill City Summer Opera is one of the world's premier opera companies and brings in an audience from all different walks of life. This year's performance is Così fan Tutte, considered to be one of Mozart's most "controversial" operas. It will be sung in Italian with English supertitles. Tickets can be purchased
here (note: shows typically sell out so advance purchase is recommended).
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
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.
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 23 & June 6
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
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