Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat

Wednesday, September 5, 9:30 - 10:30 am

Abiitan's Porter Cafe, 428 S 2nd St

Join us to discuss News of the World by Paulette Jiles. It's 1870 and Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels through northern Texas, giving live readings to paying audiences hungry for news of the world. An elderly widower who has lived through three wars and fought in two of them, the captain enjoys his rootless, solitary existence. In Wichita Falls, he's offered a $50 gold piece to deliver a young orphan to her relatives in San Antonio. Four years earlier, a band of Kiowa raiders killed Johanna's parents and sister; sparing the little girl, they raised her as one of their own. Recently rescued by the U.S. army, the 10-year-old has once again been torn away from the only home she knows. Their 400-mile journey south proves difficult and at times dangerous. Johanna has forgotten the English language, tries to escape at every opportunity, throws away her shoes, and refuses to act "civilized." Yet as the miles pass, the two lonely survivors tentatively begin to trust each other. Arriving in San Antonio, the reunion is neither happy nor welcome. The captain must hand Johanna over to an aunt and uncle she does not remember--strangers who regard her as an unwanted burden. Captain Kidd is faced with a terrible choice: abandon the girl to her fate or become--in the eyes of the law--a kidnapper himself.

Technology Help Desk
Wednesday, September 5, 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Mill City Commons 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 closed. To be added to the waiting list, email [email protected].

Social Bridge
Wednesday, September 5, 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].

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.

Many Kinds of Grief: Responding to Loss

Thursday, September 6, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Village Lofts River Room, 100 2nd St NE

What to say? What to do? These are common questions we ask ourselves when news comes of a loss of health, skills, place, resources, mobility or death. In this practical session, perspectives and a wide range of responses will be presented, demonstrated and discussed. All sorts of losses will be addressed. Ted Bowman, a grief and family educator, is an adjunct instructor in the School of Social Work at the University of St. Thomas, teaching about grief counseling. 

 

MCC members sign up here.

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 Doug Baker hosts. A founding member of MCC Men's group, Doug always likes to surprise us. Will he talk about being drafted by the St Louis Cardinals; his days at the University of Texas and Stanford; serving as a SVP at American Express; being the father of a Fortune 500 CEO; serving as president of True North Groups Institute? Come and find out!

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.

After Hours Connect: Behind the Scenes at Almanac

Friday, September 7, 6:00 - 8:30 pm

Twin Cities PBS, 172 E 4th St, St. Paul

THIS EVENT IS FULL.  Join other MCC men and women for a behind-the-scenes evening with Almanac , TPT's award-winning public affairs program. Experience a live broadcast, and go behind the scenes with access to the control room and studio. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served prior to the broadcast, with dessert and a Q&A with the Almanac talent afterwards. Space is limited to 30 guests; registration deadline is August 31.

Meditation Circle

Tuesday, September 11, 9:30 - 10:30 am

Mill City Quarter, 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.

The Health Challenge: When the Unforeseen Hits, Part 2
Tuesday, September 11, 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Phoenix River Room, 222 2nd St SE, 6th floor

Caregivers' Support Group 2

Wednesday, September 12, 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Cobalt Condos, 45 University Ave SE, 2nd floor Conference Room

Members of Mill City Commons have created a second Caregivers' Support Group and invite other caregivers to join them. This guided discussion group with professional facilitation supports MCC members and nonmembers who are in a caregiving role for a spouse, partner or other family member. Caregivers' Support Group members share experiences, issues and concerns about caregiving, as well as give and receive support around this critical role. This four-month series, meeting the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 1:00-2:30 pm, runs through December. Cost is $80 for the four-month (8 session) series, regardless of how many sessions you attend. 

MCC members sign up here; non-members email Betsy Wray at [email protected].

Our Turn: A Conversation for Women

Thursday, September 13, 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. This week, host Katie Searl has invited Susan Hartman to speak on caregiving. Susan is a retired family life educator and clinical psychologist.

Our Turn meets every other Thursday, alternating between morning and afternoon times. Hosts and topics change each time.

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.

Minnesota's Leadership on Clean Energy
Thursday, September 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Winslow House, 100 2nd St SE

MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC.

Dinner for 5
Sunday, September 16, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Smith & Porter Restaurant, 428 2nd St S

If connecting with and getting to know other MCC members in a smaller, more intimate social setting interests you, this new 10th Anniversary program idea just might be for you! Join other MCC members for a casual evening of dining in Abiitan's Smith & Porter Restaurant. The meal is dutch treat. Space is limited to five people, so register early!

MCC members sign up here.

Great Decisions: Turkey - A Partner in Crisis

Monday, September 17, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr

Of all NATO allies, Turkey represents the most daunting challenge for the Trump administration. In the wake of a failed military coup in July 2016, the autocratic trend in Ankara took a turn for the worse. One year on, an overwhelming majority of the population considers the United States to be their country's greatest security threat. In this age of a worsening "clash of civilizations" between Islam and the West, even more important than its place on the map is what Turkey symbolically represents as the most institutionally Westernized Muslim country in the world. Ambassador Ross Wilson is a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council and a visiting lecturer in international affairs at the George Washington University. He served as American ambassador to Turkey from 2005-2008.

Meditation Circle

Tuesday, September 18, 9:30 - 10:30 am

Mill City Quarter, 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.

Nosy Neighbor Tour: Hennepin Healthcare

Friday, September 21, 10:00 - 11:30 am

Hennepin Healthcare, 715 8th St S

Hennepin Healthcare has cared for patients in our neighborhood for more than 100 years, and they're inviting MCC members and guests for a tour of their innovative new Clinic & Specialty Center and nationally recognized Hyperbaric Chamber. We'll learn about the new advanced MRI system in the Clinic & Specialty Center, as well as have a chance to enjoy the amazing collection of original and custom art pieces in this warm, welcoming place to receive medical care. In the Hyperbaric Medicine area, we'll see how specialized treatment provides patients with 100 percent oxygen in a pressurized chamber to aid in healing of infections, tissue injury and poisonings, including carbon monoxide poisoning. Finally, we'll hear about volunteer opportunities within the Hennepin Healthcare system.