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Update from the Executive Director
Hello everyone. I have really been enjoying the changing colors of the leaves this fall. Although the leaves are dying and returning to the Earth, we are confident they will return anew in the spring. I hope this autumn is treating you well!
I continue to learn about our community and the many organizations committed to helping all of us age vibrantly and in place. I would like to highlight a few of them over the next several weeks. First up is East Side Neighborhood Services, where Linnea Tweed gave me a tour of their beautiful space and a taste of all that they do for and with the community. Although they serve children, families, and the community, some of their programs are targeted for older adults. I thought you might be interested in their Reimagining Aging Book Club and their varied wellness programs (chair yoga, tai ji quan, and vital fitness). Check out their complete calendar here.
The Mill City Commons November calendar has been posted and is open for registration. We are celebrating a wonderful month of programming in September with our highest attendance so far this year. October is on track to perhaps match or beat September; we'll see! Read on and sign up for Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, The Rise of Populism in Europe, a Best Buy focus group, and of course, a Sunday Soiree and Last Tuesday Happy Hour. We've also got Meditation Circle, River Walkers, and Men's Coffee and Conversation and Women Connect. And more!
Have you bought any Halloween candy yet? It's almost trick-or-treating time...
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Sara J.B. Foster
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Current Events: A Conversation with Bill
Wednesday, October 16, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd 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. In this month's session, Bill will lead a conversation about Afghanistan. Should we stay or go? What aspects of a settlement do you consider critical? Come with your thoughts and views. Bill also will talk a bit about his former colleague, Ambassador Masha Yovanovitch, who was serving in Ukraine until May of this year.
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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M
en's Coffee & Conversation
Thursday, October 17, 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 host Bill Davnie 's topic is "What Do Diplomats Actually Do?". He'll explain how he ended up in the Foreign Service, what the career is like and a little about the current plight of U.S. diplomacy.
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MCC Women Connect
Thursday, October 17, 10:00 - 11:30 am 
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S
At this month's MCC Women Connect, Mary Moos will lead a discussion around the question, "Would you rather be born rich or smart?"
MCC Women Connect's purpose is to gather to connect and grow, sharing our experiences and learning from each other as we adapt to life's changes and transitions. Discussion ideas come from members, volunteer facilitators and a list of suggestions being developed. We meet once a month, from 10:00-11:30 a.m., on the third Thursday.
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Sunday Soiree
Sunday, October 20, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE
 Join your friends and neighbors for the MCC Sunday Soiree, hosted by John & Sonia Cairns, Judy Cohn, Pat Hoven and Mary Moos at La Rive. Please contribute to the potluck by bringing a hearty hors d'oeuvre, main dish salad or dessert 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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MCC-Best Buy Focus Group
Monday, October 21, 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.
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Great Decisions: The Rise of Populism in Europe
Monday, October 21, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr, Room D104
 Mass migration, and the problems associated with it, have directly abetted the rise of populist parties in Europe. Opposition to immigration was the prime driver of support for Brexit, it brought a far-right party to the German Bundestag for the first time since the 1950s and it propelled Marine Le Pen to win a third of the vote in the French presidential election. In addition to calling for stronger borders, however, these parties are invariably illiberal, anti-American, anti-NATO and pro-Kremlin, making their rise a matter of serious concern for the national security interests of the United States. Speaker Tom Hanson is a foreign policy consultant and former career U.S. Foreign Service Officer. Currently, he serves as program secretary of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Committee on Foreign Relations, advisor to Global Minnesota's Great Decisions program and Diplomat in Residence at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
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, October 22 & 29, 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 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 for the October 22 session; members sign up here for the October 29 session.
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Provide a Meal at First Covenant Shelter
Wednesday, October 23, 5:00 - 8:30 pm
First Covenant Church, 810 7th St S
 Join MCC friends to prepare and serve a meal at First Covenant Shelter by St. Stephen's, which is in our Mill City neighborhood. This will be the third time this year MCC members have have come together to help the homeless. In addition to serving the food, volunteers are asked to donate $20 towards the cost of the food. If you are unable to participate but would like to donate money for groceries, that would be appreciated.
Additional details will be provided to those who sign up. If you have questions, you may contact Ellen Breyer:
[email protected].
We are also collecting items for St. Stephen's to help them serve others in our neighborhood. Click
here to learn more.
MCC members sign up here.
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Mill City Travelers: Sri Lanka with the Davnies
Monday, October 28, 7:00-8:30 pm 
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE
Bill and Charlotte Davnie spent six months in Colombo, Sri Lanka, earlier this year. They'll talk about settling into their stay and their experience as residents more than tourists. They'll also offer vacation possibilities in the area.
This is one in an occasional series featuring MCC members and their travel stories.
MCC members sign up here.
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Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, October 29, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St NE
 Join us for Last Tuesday Happy Hour at Sociable Cider Werks in Northeast Minneapolis. Hosted by Margee & Will Bracken, this special Happy Hour features members of the Minnesota Orchestra's Low Brass Section, who will join our group for drinks and rousing conversation about music, harmony, chaos and (almost) everything in between. The crew is brassy and lots of fun, and they'll play their horns briefly, too. Dutch treat--no reservations required!
NOTE: The Sociable Cider Werks building isn't visible from the street; it's tucked behind the Dunbar Armored Truck Co. in a space shared by other businesses. When you get to 1500 Fillmore, follow the driveway past the sign (multiple businesses are listed) and into the large parking lot.
MCC members and guests. No registration required. |
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MCC Program Calendar
View the full calendar of MCC's October events here.
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of MCC's November events here.
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News from Members
MCC member Nancy Gardner shares that Minnesota Opera will continue its successful education initiative, Voices of Opera, a community opera chorus, ideal for older adults. Whether you have sung in the church choir for years or last sang in your high school choir, Voices of Opera encourages you to join with fellow musicians to perform famous operatic excerpts and other choral favorites. Register online
here. There is a culminating performance scheduled for December 15.
MCC member Ember Reichgott Junge notes that it isn't too late to join Mill City Dance! Friends of the Mill District are partnering with the Heart of Dance "Dance for Life" program and Abiitan in the launch of a 10-week series of dance sessions (including general dance following each lesson). The sessions began Thursday, October 10, and will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-2:00 pm at Abiitan Terraces (2nd floor of Abiitan), 428 S 2nd St. No partner is necessary. Come as you are, single or with a partner. All expenses will be paid by Friends of the Mill District. Join us in building body, brain, and balance. Please register with Claudia Kittock at
[email protected].
MCC member Barbara Broker invites members to attend the next art opening at Bridgewater Lofts (215 10th Ave S) on October 18 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Enjoy art, wine and appetizers with your Mill City neighbors (this exhibit includes art from MCC member Patty Canney). Click
here to learn more and
here to read the press release.
Have you hit a dead end researching your family tree, or just not sure where to begin?
MCC member Carol Jordan shares that this year's Family History Fair is on October 26 from 9:00 am-3:15 pm at the Minneapolis Central Library. With compelling workshops, an array of expert genealogists, and access to oodles of information, the Family History Fair could help you unearth more clues to your family's past. Learn more about speakers, available resources and schedule of events
here.
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Ar
ound Town
Thursday Musical
October 17, 10:30-11:45 am, MacPhail Center for Music, 501 S 2nd St
Enjoy "Music for Two," featuring performances from Seokho Park and Jiwon Lee, Paul Schulz and Mary Goetz, and Megan Monahan Wallace and Christopher Wallace. Complimentary coffee and donuts at 10:00 am. For more information, click
here. Tickets are sold at the door.
Film Screening: Tribal Justice
October 24, 7:00-9:30 pm, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall
In "Tribal Justice," two Native American judges apply indigenous concepts of justice in order to reduce incarceration rates, foster greater safety for their communities, and create a more positive future for their youth. By addressing the root causes of crime, they are providing models of restorative justice that are working. Mainstream courts across the country are taking notice. Screening followed by a discussion with filmmaker Anne Makepeace and judges Abby Abinanti and Claudette White. Learn more
here.
The Mill Yard Art at Stonebridge Lofts
October 27, 5:00-7:00 pm, Stonebridge Lofts, 1120 S 2nd St
Celebrate the fall show at the Mill Yard with an opening reception. Exhibiting artists include Susan Wagner, Mary Meuwissen, Peter Wong and Greg Peslicka.
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
**Mill City Commons is collecting items for St. Stephen's Human Services before we serve a meal at First Covenant Shelter. Click here to learn what items are needed and consider participating! Donations accepted through October 22.**
Click
here
for other 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 Daniel James Brown
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!
Guthrie Play Reading
RiverWest Group
Tuesday, October 22,
6:30-9:30 pm
Reading The Winter's Tale this month.
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
Tuesdays 9:30-10:30 am
Mill City Quarter,
322 2nd St S
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,
September-December
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
October 24 & November 7
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact
Allan Burdick.
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