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Update from the Executive Director
A few spots remain for Mill City Commons second Caregivers' Support Group, scheduled to begin in September. This group, open to members and nonmembers alike, will be facilitated by MCC member Susan Hartman, a retired clinical psychologist and family life educator. Anyone interested, please contact Betsy Wray at [email protected].
Congratulations to MCC members Chris Bray, Mary Texidor, Penny Hunt and Susan Plimpton for their participation in Saturday's Chainbreaker bike ride on Saturday, raising money for cancer research. Check out our
Facebook page for photos!
Minnesota's primary is TODAY! Polls are open until 8pm. For more information on registration and where to vote, click
here.
Finally, we send condolences to the family of MCC member Arvonne Fraser who died last week. A feminist, political campaigner, friend, wife and mother, her life positively impacted many. Her physical presence will be greatly missed. To read her obituary that appeared in today's Star Tribune, click
here.
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Joan Wright
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Current Events: A Conversation with Bill
Wednesday, August 15, 10:30 - 11:30 am
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE
 Current international news and U.S. foreign policy provide an endless trove of topics for learning and discussion. Retired 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 the U.S. vs. NATO and the EU.
This ongoing program is held on the third Wednesday of the month. Topic ideas for each monthly gathering are welcome.
MCC members sign up here. |
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Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, August 16, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Mill City Quarter, 322 2nd St S
MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women. It's fitting that we should take time to honor our friend, Arvonne Fraser, a founding member of Our Turn, who left us this month. Host Cathi Griffioen invites you to share your memories of this feisty leader of the women's movement and long-time political activist. What is your favorite Arvonne story? What has she taught you by revealing so much of herself in our meetings and gatherings? Come even if you didn't know Arvonne, and learn more about growing up in rural Minnesota and how it's possible to be a wife, mother and a major influence in the male-dominated political arena.
Our Turn meets every other Thursday, alternating between morning and afternoon times. Hosts and topics change each time.
MCC members sign up here.
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Twin Cities River Rats Waterski Show
Thursday, August 16, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Twin Cities River Rats, 1758 W River Rd N
 Minnesota is the birthplace of waterskiing, and the Mississippi River is the home of the Twin Cities River Rats Water Ski Show Team! Join MCC friends on the banks of the Mississippi for one of the Rats' hour-long shows, where they combine various waterskiing acts with skits and music. We'll meet at 6:00 pm to grab a viewing spot, and then order pizzas from nearby Broadway Pizza or visit one of the concessions on site. A development show (with newer or younger River Rats) starts at 6:30 pm, followed by The Big Show at 7:00 pm. Park on West River Road south of Broadway. Bring blankets or chairs. Guests are welcome!
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
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The U.S. Intelligence Community: An Insider's View
Monday, August 20, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr, Room D104 
The U.S. Intelligence Community seems to be in the news on a regular basis. Is that a good thing? Or is unmasking the operations of the U.S. Intelligence Community counter to American national security interests? Join us for an evening with Jon Olson, a retired commander in the U.S. Navy and career naval intelligence officer. Jon will provide an overview of the U.S. Intelligence Community, including a discussion about the intelligence cycle, collection operations, the role of analysis in supporting development of policy and execution of strategy, oversight, and some specifics about human intelligence collection, counterintelligence operations, and even the role intelligence plays in counterterrorism.
MCC members sign up here. |
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Balance Training: Part 2
Tuesday, August 21, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S
 Learn strength and balance exercises to improve your health and wellness! Siobhan McMahon, RN, is the lead researcher in a University of Minnesota study, "Ready Steady: A Wellness Program." The objective of this study is to determine how best to promote physical activity, particularly things that improve balance and leg strength, among older adults. In the first session on August 14, McMahon presented an overview of why we fall and demonstrated and guided us through several balance movements. In this second session on August 21, she'll review those movements, add a couple more and talk about her research project. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You don't need to attend both sessions to participate.
MCC members sign up here. |
Social Bridge
Wednesday, August 22, 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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M
en's Coffee & Conversation
Thursday, August 23, 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 Tony Hofstede hosts guest speaker, Lt. Bob Kroll, head of the Minneapolis Police Union. The topic: "Keeping Us Safe." Public safety has been and continues to be an important issue and concern. Lt. Kroll will speak about today's challenges among the rank and file--such as morale, training and street crime--and his take on the proposed charter change to give more authority and responsibility to the city council over the police chief. Tony says Lt. Kroll is very candid, informative and entertaining.
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Driven to Discover: The Bell Museum
Thursday, August 23, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Bell Museum, 2088 Larpenteur Ave W 
Explore the Bell Museum just weeks after the highly anticipated grand opening on July 14! Embark on a guided tour of the Bell Museum and enjoy a conversation with Dr. Holly Menninger, director of public engagement and science learning, about the expanded reach of the Bell to include its Outdoor Learning Landscape and planetarium. See next generation scientists as they explore the process and delicate ecosystem of native plants and pollinators in the Hive Mind summer camp.
This is one in an ongoing MCC program series under the banner "Driven to Discover." The series features University of Minnesota faculty and students sharing current research and programming at the University.
Registration is now closed. To be added to the waiting list, contact Betsy Wray at [email protected].
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Nosy Neighbor Tour: Cuningham Group
Monday, August 27, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Cunningham Group, 212 2nd St SE, Ste 325
 Housed in what was once a mattress factory in St. Anthony Main, Cuningham Group Architecture, Inc. is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Join us for a tour of its newly renovated office, guided by the firm's founder, John W. Cuningham, FAIA. Experience a Virtual Reality demonstration, which the firm uses to help design projects of every kind.
MCC members sign up here.
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Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, August 28, 5:00 - 6:00 pm 
Hideaway Burger Bar, 219 Main St SE
Join us for Last Tuesday Happy Hour on the deck at the Hideaway Burger Bar! Hosted by Bob & Pam Berkwitz and Jane Helsing, this gathering is a time to catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. This event is dutch treat--no reservations required!
Special note: MCC will be recognizing new members from the last 12 months (those who've joined since June 1, 2017) at this Happy Hour. New members, see an MCC staffer for your free beverage ticket!
MCC members and guests. No registration required. |
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MCC Program Calendar
View the full calendar of MCC's August events
here.
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of MCC's September events
here.
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News From Members
MCC Program Manager Betsy Wray shares a creative opportunity for members taking place on Wednesday, August 15, 12:00-4:00 pm at Fathom Consulting, 108 N Washington Ave, #400. Fathom is actively seeking people over 65 years old to join them for a fun afternoon of inventing ways to improve your physical, social and cognitive well-being. You'll get the opportunity to work alongside peers and designers to brainstorm solutions to some of life's little (and not so little) challenges. Then you'll get to play with some fun materials to bring your favorite idea to life. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Register
here.
MCC member Claudia Kittock invites members to attend a performance of the Mill City Players on August 21 at 7 pm in MacPhail Center for Music's Antonello Hall, or on August 25 at 1:30 pm in Central Library's Pohlad Hall. The performance will be in 3 sections: Movement, Drumming and Acting. The actors have been writing - you can expect to hear their own words, and they are powerful. Performances are free; no tickets required.
MCC members Patty Connelly and David and Sheryl Evelo invite members to attend a special public reception for a new exhibit at the Minneapolis Club, "Art for All: The Stephanie Evelo Fund for Art Inclusion," on Wednesday, August 29, 5:00-7:00 pm. The reception will be honoring the work of five artists, who will be on hand to greet you and tell you more about their view of the world. The Minneapolis Club is located at 729 2nd Ave S. RSVP
here. Click
here for more information on Art for All. For additional details on the public reception, click
here.
MCC Executive Director Joan Wright shares an article on things you may want to know about living wills and other end of life documents from the Washington Post. Click
here to read it.
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Around Town
Friday Morning Garden Meditation
August 17, 7:00-7:45 am, Loring Park, 1382 Willow St
This free meditation is every Friday through October 26. No experience necessary, instruction available upon request. Coffee, chairs and camaraderie provided.
Common Room: The Bathroom Tour
August 22, 6:30-8:30 pm, Meet at the Soap Factory, 514 2nd St S
Restroom vs. bathroom vs. WC vs. potty vs. toilet? Gendered vs. unisex? Political wedge? ADA compliance? Pristine or horrific? Visiting the bathroom is a universal experience that can also be a fraught social and cultural touchpoint. Join Common Room in an exploration of some local bathrooms while discussing some global bathroom issues. For more details, click here.
Iran Sanctions and the U.S. Business Community
August 27, 8:00-10:00 am, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 50 S 6th St, Ste 1500
Join in a lively and candid panel discussion of the stiff challenges and remaining commercial opportunities facing Minnesota companies who would consider doing business in Iran. Experts will navigate topics such as the future of U.S. sanction relief measures, challenges for the international banking community and more. Panelists include Kate Bauer of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Matt Audette of Zinpro Corporation, and Nelson Dong of Dorsey & Whitney LLP. Read more details and register for this free event by clicking
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.
September's book is
News of the World:A Novel
by Paulette Jiles
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.
Men's Dutch Lunch
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
August 16 & 30
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
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