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Update from the Executive Director
A reminder that registration for Mill City Commons 3-month trial membership opportunity runs through June 30 with full membership benefits starting July 1.
To read more about this amazing offer, click
here.
Interested? Please
send me an email
or call the office (612) 455-3329. I'll be happy to get you signed up!
Parkinson's Disease, a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system, has no known cure, but exercise is an important part of the management strategy. Rock Steady Boxing -- a boxing program designed for people with Parkinson's -- is gaining popularity across our country. If you're curious and want to learn more about it, you'll enjoy reading this
Washington Post article.
Also, Friends of the Mill District is sponsoring a free boxing lesson at 9 am on Wednesday, June 27, in Gold Medal Park. Boxer and boxing instructor Joe Amouta may have more information about this new form of boxing. At the very least, it would be a fun morning activity in which to loosen up the 'ole bod, or watch others as they learn. More information is listed below in Around Town. Check it out!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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Technology Help Desk
Tuesday, June 19, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
MCC office, 125 Main St SE, Ste 339 
Schedule time with a tech support guru and have your nagging technology questions answered during our complimentary Help Desk. Support for both Apple products and PCs is available. After you register, MCC will confirm the time of your 20-minute one-on-one session. Reminder: Installing or upgrading software and creating accounts cannot be included in the Help Desk session, as they exceed the allotted appointment time.
Registration is now closed. To be placed on the waiting list, email [email protected].
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Current Events: A Conversation with Bill
Wednesday, June 20, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Abiitan's Porter Cafe, 428 2nd St S
 Current international news and U.S. foreign policy provide an endless trove of topics for learning and discussion. Former foreign service officer and MCC member Bill Davnie will identify a topic in advance, although news can always lead us in a fresh direction. This month, he'll talk about North Korea, with both presentation and discussion.
This ongoing program is held on the third Wednesday of the month. Topic ideas for each monthly gathering are welcome. Space is limited.
Registration is now closed. To be placed on the waiting list, email [email protected].
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Social Bridge
Wednesday, June 20, 3:00 - 5:00 pm 
Washburn Lofts, 700 S 2nd St
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 members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
Our Turn
Thursday, June 21, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Lourdes Square, 174 Bank St SE
 MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. This week, Beverly FitzGerald hosts on the topic of "Rural versus Urban." Lately, there's been a lot of conversation regarding political differences between rural and urban communities, but are we different culturally as well? Are our values different? Many of us grew up in smaller towns. What differences do we see--or not see--now that we live in a large urban area?
Our Turn meets every other Thursday, alternating between morning and afternoon times. Hosts and topics change each time. We appreciate registration ahead of time, but walk-ins are always welcome!
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Sunday Soiree
Sunday, June 24, 5:00 - 7:00 pm 
Stone Arch Lofts Rooftop, 600 2nd St S
Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree, hosted by Anne & Tom Carrier and David & Susan Plimpton on the Stone Arch Lofts rooftop. Please contribute to the potluck by bringing a hearty hors d'oeuvre or main dish salad to serve at least 8 (we have enough desserts!). 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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Exploring Meditation
Tuesday, June 26, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Mill City Quarter, 322 2nd St S
 Mill City Commons members are invited to join in a drop-in meditation hour during the month of June. This is a time for self-guided meditation, with no instructor. The idea is that meditating with each other may help each of our practices. Drop-in sessions are on Tuesdays, June 5 through June 26, from 9:30-10:30 am at Mill City Quarter, across the parking lot from Abiitan. An MCC member will be there to let you in 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.
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Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, June 26, 5:00 - 6:00 pm 
Elsie's Restaurant and Bar, 729 Marshall St NE
Join us for our third annual Last Tuesday Happy Hour on the patio at Elsie's Restaurant and Bar! Hosted by Patty Connelly and Diane & Tony Hofstede, this gathering is a time to catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat--no reservations required! If you wish to stay for dinner, reservations may be made by calling (612) 378-9701.
MCC members and guests. No registration required.
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Mark Ritchie: One Nation Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All
Wednesday, June 27, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE
 Please join us as former Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie highlights historical and personal watershed moments when citizens and representatives were engaged and working together. Ritchie served as Secretary of State from 2007 to 2015. He currently is serving as CEO of the Minnesota World's Fair Bid Committee, seeking to host the 2027 fair.
MCC members sign up here.
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 Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, June 28, 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 David Grong hosts. Following a brief bio, David will present a slide show on how to build a sailboat.
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After Hours Connect: Golf at Les Bolstad Golf Course
Tuesday, July 10, 5
:00 - 7:30 pm
University of Minnesota, 2275 Larpenteur Ave S
 Join other MCC men and women for an After Hours Connect golf outing. The first tee time is at 5:00 p.m. Cost is $20 for 9 holes if you walk; add $11 if you'd like to rent a cart. A beverage/snack cart will be on the course. Those interested can grab a burger nearby after golfing. Registration deadline: June 27.
MCC members sign up here.
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MCC Program Calendar
View the full calendar of MCC's June events
here.
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of MCC's July events
here.
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News from Members
MCC member Claudia Kittock shares that the Friends of the Mill District sponsors a youth-based theater program, the Mill City Players, made up of youth from the Cedar Riverside community and YouthLink. There is a new session starting on June 19. Would you consider supporting the youth by providing lunch to the 25 actors at one of their rehearsals? Rehearsals will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays, with lunch being provided at 12:30 pm. Lunch providers are welcome and encouraged to stay to eat with the actors. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Claudia at [email protected].
MCC member Lou Burdick suggests you don't miss the Mill City Singers (a community group which includes about 10 MCC members) who will be performing at the June 21 Twins game. Thirty-four MCC members and friends will be in the stands watching the game and performance. The game begins at 12:10 pm and tickets are still available
here. The MCC group will be seated in section 310.
MCC Executive Director Joan Wright wants members to know that the Minnesota Center for Book Arts (1011 Washington Ave S) is hosting an opening reception on June 22 from 6:00-8:00 pm for Formation: A Juried Exhibition of the Guild of Book Workers. The jury-selected artists were asked to consider how the act of formation, defined by Merriam-Webster as "an act of giving form or shape to something," informs their artistic process. The exhibit features 51 works from 46 Guild members. To learn more, click here.
MCC Executive Director Joan Wright shares that the Minnesota Stroke Association will present FREE MONTHLY education sessions about caregiving through the Caregiver Advocacy and Resource Education (CARE) Program. The program will also include 30 minutes of social time for caregivers to connect and benefit from the experience, wisdom and skills of other caregivers. To learn more about these free monthly sessions, including one on June 27, click here.
MCC member Merle Minda shares her recent article in Mill City Times about the Guthrie's production of "West Side Story," opening June 22. Merle also highlights items from the West Side Story collection available in the Guthrie store. Find the article here.
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Around Town
AAN Free Bike Helmet Giveaway
June 23, 8:00 am-1:00 pm, Mill City Farmer's Market on Chicago Mall
The American Academy of Neurology is giving away and fitting 1,000 bike helmets to adults and children in an effort to raise awareness of brain safety to help prevent head injuries in Minnesota. Arrive early, as quantities are limited.
Free Boxing Lesson
June 27, 9:00 am, Gold Medal Park, 2nd St & 11th Ave S
Boxer and boxing instructor Joe Amouta will instruct a free boxing class, sponsored by the Friends of the Mill District. Participants should wear comfortable workout clothes and bring water.
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
Carmen, a riveting story of love, lust, betrayal, jealousy and murder, full of some of the most famous music in all of opera. 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, 9:30-10:30 am
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
No reservations required.
**No Book Chat in July
August's book is
Mudbound
by Hillary Jordan
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.
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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.
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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 or have been in a caregiving role. For more information, contact
Betsy Wray.
Exploring Meditation
Mill City Quarter,
322 2nd St S
Every Tuesday in June
9:30-10:30 am
Clear the clutter in your mind, reduce stress and increase the feeling of calm in your life.
Men's Dutch Lunch
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
June 21 & July 5
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
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