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Update from the Executive Director
"We cannot accomplish all that we need to do without working together."
~ Bill Richardson
And there is much to do! Whether your volunteer efforts are hands-on, directly relational, financially supportive, developmental in nature or a combination of these, our community needs them all!
Several of the listings below offer information on ways in which you can get involved.
The Great River Landing program tomorrow night will offer information about an exciting shared affordable housing initiative designed to house, train, and encourage formerly incarcerated men who want to transform their lives. In addition, if you are looking for a way to make a lasting impact on an entire generation through teaching literacy, you don't want to miss the
Reading Partners program next Monday. Working alongside and helping a young person obtain a positive life-changing skill, is among the most rewarding endeavors you'll ever undertake. This program comes highly recommended by several MCC members!
Please contact me if you would like to attend either of these upcoming events as my guest. You're welcome to join us!
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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Great River Landing: Turning Lives Around
Wednesday, May 30, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE 
Join a conversation with Dr. Thomas Adams, the CEO of Better Futures Minnesota, which is the service provider for Great River Landing (GRL), Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative's project that just broke ground in North Loop near the Twins Stadium. GRL will provide affordable housing, workforce development, health and wellness programs, and life coaching to men formerly incarcerated who want to transform their lives and contribute to the community and their families. Dr. Adams will talk about the need for this holistic approach, how the men are identified, and the nature of the work supervision and support the men receive. MCC member Sonia Cairns, who co-chairs the Great River Landing Launch Team, will introduce Dr. Adams.
MCC members sign up here.
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Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, May 31, 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 Roger Hale hosts. Following a short bio and an update on his chess career, Roger will be sharing some special memories from "Letters to My Parents," written when he was a young naval officer.
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Reading Partners: A Local Success Story
Monday, June 4, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
RiverWest Social Room, 401 1st St S 
Learn how Reading Partners empowers students to succeed in reading and in life by engaging community volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring. The local chapter of the national nonprofit provides individualized literacy tutoring to some 600 students in low-income communities across the Twin Cities. The highly effective, evidence-based program has helped children master the fundamental reading skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. Executive Director Brooke Rivers, Board Chair Catherine Shreves and Reading Partner tutor Ginny Craig will share how Reading Partners is making a difference for students in the Twin Cities through its unique curriculum and model.
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Exploring Meditation
Tuesday, June 5, 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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The Health Challenge: When the Unforeseen Hits
Tuesday, June 5, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Phoenix River Room, 222 2nd St SE
 Do you know how you'd react if you, your spouse or partner suddenly had a medical emergency? A panel of MCC members will offer you the benefit of their hard-earned wisdom through stories about how they've responded to accidents, medical emergencies in faraway places, and the changing health of a spouse. They'll share with you what they've learned about realities, resources and resilience. Panelists include Delia and Tyrone Bujold, Linnea Olesen, Sabina Sten, and Dodd and Ginger Wilson.
MCC members sign up here. |
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Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, June 6, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Abiitan's Porter Cafe, 428 2nd St S
 Join us to discuss
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell. Chic and independent, Iris Lockhart is tending to her vintage-clothing shop in Edinburgh (and evading her married boyfriend) when she receives a stunning phone call: her great-aunt Esme - whom she never knew existed - is being released from Cauldstone Hospital, where she has been locked away for more than 60 years. Iris's grandmother Kitty always claimed to be an only child. But Esme's papers prove she is Kitty's sister, and Iris can see the shadow of her father in Esme's face. Esme has been labeled harmless - sane enough to coexist with the rest of the world - but she's still basically a stranger, a family member hidden away who will surely bring secrets with her when she leaves the ward. Moving expertly among the voices of Iris, Kitty, and Esme herself, Maggie O'Farrell reveals the story of Esme's tragic and haunting absence.
Book Chat is taking vacation in July! If you'd like to read ahead, August's book is
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. Have a book suggestion for the Book Chat? Email Barbara Goldner at
[email protected].
MCC members and guests. No registration required.
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Social Bridge
Wednesday, June 6, 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 7, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Mill City Quarter, 322 2nd St S
 MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women, hosted by Carol Hovey. You can't miss it AGAIN! "What's App," the topic discussed at the last morning session of Our Turn provided some interesting and new applications for your iPhone or Android device, plus tips on manipulating apps and generally learning more about uses and misuses. But only four people were there. Despite that, we traded information, learned how to download and use apps for medical information, hearing aids, the library and many more. Now imagine if 10 people were there to share ideas? Or 15? We hope you will attend this "reboot" of what was an informative and timely topic! We promise to take notes to share.
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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MCC Sing-Along
Thursday, June 7, 4:30 - 6:00 pm 
Stone Arch Lofts, 600 S 2nd St, #303
Come together with other MCC members for an informal sing-along at Anne and Tom Carrier's Stone Arch loft. With Margee Bracken on the piano, we'll be refreshing our memories with Broadway show tunes that are all very familiar. Song sheets will be provided, and refreshments will be served. Come, sing and join the fun!
MCC members sign up here.
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Nosy Neighbor Tour: St. Anthony Falls Lab
Monday, June 11, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
St. Anthony Falls Lab, 2 3rd Ave SE
 The St. Anthony Falls Laboratory is an interdisciplinary fluid mechanics research center and education facility under the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota. Built in 1938, the Lab takes advantage of its unique position near St. Anthony Falls to divert and direct river water through the building for use in experiments and research. A tour through the facility will not only give attendees an appreciation for the Lab's history and unique setting but also showcase its ongoing research and experiments that look to address many of society's major environmental challenges. The Lab is just off Main St. SE; find a map here.
MCC members sign up here. Limit of 15 participants! |
Exploring Meditation
Tuesday, June 12, 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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Coming to Know Minneapolis: A Look at the Trends & the Minneapolis 2040 Draft Plan
Wednesday, June 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Stonebridge Lofts Community Room, 2nd fl, 1120 S 2nd St
 Learn about demographic, economic and housing trends in Minneapolis and how this information has shaped the draft policies in Minneapolis 2040. Minneapolis 2040 is an update to the City's Comprehensive Plan, a document that shapes how Minneapolis will grow and change. The draft plan covers topics such as housing, job creation, the design of new buildings and how we use our streets. Brian Shaffer and Paul Mogush, principal project coordinators in the city's Long Range Planning Division, will take us through the trends and plan.
MCC members sign up here.
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MCC Program Calendar
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of MCC's June events
here.
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News from Members
MCC member David Grong will be participating in the Great Cycle Challenge this June. The Great Cycle Challenge is a fund raiser for the Children's Cancer Research Fund (CCRF). David and Linda's daughter, Jennifer, suffered from a childhood cancer and died at the age of 8. Since then, they have been active supporters of CCRF. You can make donations, follow David's progress, and track his rides at
https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/DavidGrong.
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Around Town
Mill City Farmer's Market Night Market
Tuedays, June 5-September 25, 4:00-8:00 pm, The Commons, 425 Portland Ave S
Pick up farm fresh, organic produce and local artisan foods for an easy weeknight meal. Prepared food vendors will be cooking up seasonal recipes all evening, so consider a picnic supper in The Commons! There will also be wellness activities and live entertainment.
Father Hennepin Bluffs Park Concert and Movie
June 5, 7:00 pm, Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, 420 Main St SE
Listen to Kaleidoscope Effect (piano pop rock), followed by the film
West Side Story at 9:00 pm.
Iron and Water: My Life Protecting Minnesota's Environment Book Launch
June 7, 6:00 pm, Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave S
Author Grant J. Merritt will discuss and sign copies of his new memoir
Iron and Water: My Life Protecting Minnesota's Environment. Q&A with Grant J. Merritt led by Byron Starns. Merritt was an attorney in the areas of environmental law, transportation, and governmental relations for more than fifty years. Starns is a litigation attorney who represented Merritt, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the State of Minnesota in the Reserve Mining Case. Learn more
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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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.
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
by Maggie O'Farrell
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 7 & 21
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
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