July 23, 2019
Update from the Executive Director

Yesterday my son agreed to let me shave his head. We finished before his dad got home from work. Of course, his three-year-old little sister wanted to do the same thing she saw her big brother do. I tried stalling -- let's wait for Dad... she wouldn't have it. She cried and insisted that she wanted to shave her head too. Mind you, her hair was the longest most beautiful hair I've ever seen on a three-year-old (yes, I'm biased!) and it's never been cut except for a trim or two. I was torn about what to do. We texted her father and he said to go for it! I convinced her we needed to at least wait until he got home. 

While we waited, I pondered the complexities of gender differences in child development and risk-taking behavior. (See this and this.) I'd love to hear your thoughts as it seems the jury is still out on nature vs. nurture. Where do you land on the risk-taking spectrum? Were you born that way or were you socialized to become more so? I didn't want to say 'no' just because she is a girl. 

We started with a small area at the nape of her neck, perhaps that would suffice? No! She still wanted her whole head shaved. We forged ahead and continued shaving. The smile on her face when her dad was shaving the top of her head was priceless. So excited and proud and happy. Our family members had a mix of responses to the photos... amazement, disbelief, staunch approval, and complete dismay. I am simultaneously grieving her long hair and celebrating her courage and confidence. Although I haven't taken her advice to shave mine next (!), I am going to remember this moment and channel her enthusiasm and energy when I need a boost. And who knows, a few more sweltering days and I might follow her lead.

I challenge MCC members this week to share the good news about our community! We've opened two upcoming programs to friends and neighbors who'd like to check out Mill City Commons. Take a risk and invite someone. If you're not a member, take the leap and check out a program. Or play it safe and come with a friend! We'd love to see you AND your guests at Lessons from a Chaplain and Social Worker on 7/29 or Driven to Discover: Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Politics on 7/31. Or perhaps men's coffee & conversation... or happy hour... keep reading! 

MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.

~ Sara J.B. Foster
M en's Coffee & Conversation
Thursday, July 25, 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 Keith Bednarowski hosts. Keith will briefly summarize his 50 years in real estate and construction with Opus before introducing his guest, Lorin Ludwig. As Director of Engineering of Founders Properties, Lorin evaluates all the buildings Opus buys and fixes problems the buildings experience. He'll present common building problems and solutions.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Lunch for 5
Thursday, July 25, 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 ( betsywray@millcitycommons.org) if you'd like to be placed on the wait list.

MCC members sign up here.
Lessons
Lessons from a Chaplain & Social Worker: How to Pick--and Be--a Great Health Care Agent
Monday, July 29, 2:00 - 3:30 pm
American Academy of Neurology, Training Room A, 201 Chicago Ave
Most people prefer to speak for themselves. But if your health is ever such that you can't speak for yourself, who will be your voice for health care decisions? Is it enough to designate someone, or are there key steps to take after that? (Spoiler alert: There are!) Whether you already have your forms filled out or not, you'll leave this workshop equipped not just to "train" your own health care agent, but to be a stellar one for someone else. 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. You do not need to have attended the previous sessions in this series to participate.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
Meditation Circle
Tuesday, July 30, 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.
Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, July 30, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Poet's Corner at Kiernan's Irish Pub, 85 N 6th St
Join us for Last Tuesday Happy Hour in the Poet's Corner at Kieran's Irish Pub! Hosted by Karen Grabow & Keith Halperin, Bill Casey & Betty Grant and David & Sheryl Evelo, this gathering is a time to catch up with friends and neighbors over drinks and small bites. Dutch treat--no reservations required. When you arrive, ask the host to direct you to the Poet's Corner private room, as its location is not obvious.  

MCC members and guests. No registration required.
Driven
Driven to Discover: Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Politics
Wednesday, July 31, 6:30 - 8:00 pm (Note the time change)
Minnesota Technology Center, 1100 Washington Ave S
Professor Kathryn Pearson will discuss the results of the 2018 elections and how they relate to challenges and opportunities for women running for, and serving in, elected office. She also will briefly discuss the current presidential nominating contest. Pearson is an associate professor specializing in American politics in the U of M's College of Liberal Arts.
 
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.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.
MCC-Best Buy Focus Group
Monday, August 4, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Open Book Meeting Room, 2nd Fl, 1011 Washington Ave S
Best Buy, in conjunction with Mill City Commons, is holding monthly discussions to gather input on product and service ideas to assist older adults in living independently in their homes. A different topic will be presented each month to a limited group of 10 focus group members. Be part of shaping future smart technology and health and wellness products designed to assist older adults to remain living independently. Refreshments will be offered!
 
MCC members sign up here.
Affordable Housing: What Works? What Doesn't?
Monday, August 4, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE
The unavailability of enough affordable housing downtown and throughout our urban neighborhoods has been a key issue for Twin Cities leaders and many of the area's citizens. John Cairns, member of MCC and Civic Caucus, will facilitate a lively discussion with two key leaders about the seemingly intransigent problem of providing enough affordable housing in our communities--Mark Wright, Senior Vice President, Research, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and Craig Freeman, Ambassador at Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative. This program will lay a foundation for our further exploration of what works, why some good ideas don't gain traction, and how we as individuals can support strong solutions. Civic Caucus is a volunteer panel of some of Minnesota's top policy thinkers who hold provocative interviews with civic and business leaders, innovators, public officials and others on critical issues. Committed to substantive public debate, they seek to discover root cause and help community leadership make well-grounded recommendations and solutions.

MCC members sign up here
Bell Museum Planetarium: "One Giant Leap"
Wednesday, August 7, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Bell Museum, 2088 Larpenteur Ave W
Join us for a field trip to Bell Museum Planetarium to see the Bell's latest original production, "One Giant Leap." Using archival recordings of the Moon landing's first moments transformed into a 360 experience, the show allows audiences to stand on the surface of the Moon with Neil Armstrong. The show explores what this event meant to the generation that experienced it as well as those that came afterward and discusses what might be the world's next "giant leap." Cost for the planetarium show only is $7. (There's an additional charge to visit the museum.) Payment is due to Mill City Commons, which will be purchasing tickets ahead of time.
 
MCC members sign up here.
MCC Program Calendar

View the full calendar of MCC's July events here

Plan ahead! View the full calendar of August events here!

 
News from Members

MCC member Patty Connelly  encourages members to participate in a 5 or 10K run/walk that will benefit programs to educate about depression and suicide. The event is sponsored by SAVE and is scheduled for Saturday, August 3, starting at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. For more information, or to register, click here .

MCC member Laura Crosby shares that Open Eye Figure Theatre will present The Adventures of Juan Bobo in Gold Medal Park on August 6 at 7:00 pm. Inspired by Puerto Rican folk stories, the show combines puppetry, music, Spanish and English in a delightful tale of riddles, silly devils, a missing pig and a village in need of a hero. The show runs 30 minutes long and features live music.
Ar ound Town
2019 Aquatennial
July 24-27, various locations
The 2019 Aquatennial celebration offers numerous activities, within easy reach of the riverfront. Some events include the Loring Park Art Festival, free Wilderness Inquiry canoe rides, the Twin Cities River Rats water ski show, craft market and fireworks. For the full list of events, click here.

Voices of the River Performance
July 29, 6:00-7:00 pm, Mill City Museum, 704 S 2nd St
Join Relay of Voices for an evening of storytelling and movement exploring voices of the Mississippi River region. Victoria Bradford Styrbicki, organizer of Relay of Voices, will connect Minneapolis voices with those of 18 other towns and cities she has visited traveling through Minnesota from the river's source at Lake Itasca. Listen to stories that answer the question, "Why do you make this place home?" and participate by sharing your own answer to the question. Learn more here.

A Night at the Opera
August 3, 7:30 pm, Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 4th St S
The concert features popular movements from 12 beloved operas including songs from Carmen, Pirates of Penzance, Tosca, Rigoletto and more. The program will be performed by the Oratorio Society's Summer Chorus--a festival chorus of 150 singers--with soloists and a full orchestra conducted by Artistic Director Matthew Mehaffey. Tickets can be purchased 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.  
Volunteer Opportunities 
 
Click here  for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC website!  
 
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
Educated
by Tara Westover
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
If you're interested in playing a round of social bridge, contact the MCC office.

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.
 
  Mill City Commons
Ongoing Fitness Opportunities

SBS Class
                        Thursdays
                 9:15-10:00 am
G-Werx Fitness,
428 2nd St S, #100
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
                         Tuesdays             9:30-10:30  am
          Mill City Quarter,
322 2nd St S
 Join us for a weekly
self-guided meditation hour. Note: Meditation Circle will take a break for August and resume in September.
 
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.
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 1 & 15
 This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact  Allan Burdick.
 
 
Mill City Commons | 125 Main St SE, Suite 339, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
(612) 455-3329