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Update from the Executive Director
Hello! I'm excited to share some good news -- Mill City Commons is featured in the August issue of
Minnesota Good Age. Check out
Good neighbors, unite! by Dave Nimmer when you get a chance. And feel free to share it with your friends and family!
Last week's Musings highlighted a few benefits of membership in Mill City Commons. I'd like to follow up this week by telling you about a few more:
- Social, Educational, Cultural, and Wellness Programs: One of the crown jewels of MCC is our amazing programming. I am constantly hearing compliments about the content and breadth of our calendar. Both no-cost and nominally fee-based, our regularly scheduled programs run the gamut from potlucks and happy hours to book clubs and foreign policy discussion groups.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Another reason members love Mill City Commons is that it provides them a vehicle to give back. Help other members and/or the local community, and join fellow members in planning and coordinating the enriching programs that are an MCC hallmark.
- Members-Only Website: Our member-to-member hub features an up-to-date, detailed calendar of events featuring online registration, as well as a membership directory including photos and bios from those who choose to include them.
Learn more about membership
here. You are always welcome to reach out to Betsy, Mary, or me with any questions. Email
info@millcitycommons.org or call us at 612-455-3329.
As we revise our strategic plan this fall and consider future directions, it's also fun to take a look back at where we've been! Here's
an article from ten years ago when MCC was just getting started. Imagine where we could be ten years from now...
MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give.
~ Sara J.B. Foster
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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.
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Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, August 7, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Abiitan's Porter Cafe, 428 2nd St S
 Join us to discuss
Educated by Tara Westover. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara's older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she'd traveled too far, if there was still a way home.
If you'd like to read ahead, September's book is
There There by Tommy Orange. Have a book suggestion for the Book Chat? Email
Marsha Blumenthal.
MCC members and guests. No registration required.
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M
en's Coffee & Conversation
Thursday, August 8, 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 Jim Conaway hosts. Jim will talk briefly about his preparation for a life as an artist and professor of art. Then he'll share images of his paintings and drawings to trace his development as an artist and to explain his choice of subject matter in paintings and what they mean.
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Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam Tour
Thursday, August 8, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam Visitor Center, 1 Portland Ave
 Join us for a tour of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, led by Superintendent John Anfinson of the National Park Service and Katie Nyberg, Executive Director of Mississippi Park Connection. The Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam Visitor Center offers panoramic views of the falls and the surrounding mill district. Exhibits at the visitor center provide information about the falls and its place in Minnesota history. During our tour, we'll walk from the visitor center out onto the lock walls, and John Anfinson will describe how the falls changed the course of history of the area and of the nation. Bring your cameras because the views from the lock walls are spectacular! Meet in the parking lot at the lock (see location
here). If it's raining, gather in the covered area just outside the visitor center.
MCC members sign up here.
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Technology Help Desk
Monday, August 12, 1:00 - 2:30 pm 
MCC 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.
MCC members sign up here.
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Russian Travelogue
Wednesday, August 14, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
La Rive Party Room, 110 Bank St SE
 Take a virtual trip through the heart of Russia in this visual presentation by Carol Rudie, lead docent and coordinator of outreach education at the Russian Museum of Art--and a highly sought out OLLI teacher. Several MCC members who have traveled with Rudie and have taken her OLLI classes rave about her knowledge and presentations. In this program, Moscow and St. Petersburg act as bookends to an exploration of the circle of ancient towns that predate the unification of the country under the tsars. Tiptoe through distinctive churches, follow rivers through forests to rustic villages, appreciate the art and architecture that makes this culture distinctive. Rudie has a PhD that includes a minor in Art History.
MCC members sign up here. |
MCC Women Connect
Thursday, August 15, 10:00 - 11:30 am 
Mill City Quarter Club Room, 322 2nd St S
At this month's MCC Women Connect, Susan Plimpton will lead a discussion about privacy. It's generally acknowledged that public anxiety about privacy is growing. What does privacy mean to you? Has your definition changed over the years? In this technology-driven, digital age, does each of us even know which aspects of our privacy we've lost? What does the future hold? Please join us to share what about privacy is important to you and what you would do to keep it safe. A good introductory article about the subject can be found
here.
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.
MCC members sign up here; guests email MCC. |
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Twin Cities River Rats Waterski Show
Thursday, August 15, 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 (bring the grandkids)!
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Golf with MCC
Friday, August 16, 9:00 - 11:30 am
Gross National Golf Club, 2201 St. Anthony Blvd
Join us for a round of golf at Gross National Golf Course, built in 1924 and considered to be the city's best. Men and women golfers are welcome. We'll play 9 holes of golf, with one group starting at 9:28 am and the second at 9:36 am. Cost to play, including a cart, is $31 (walkers pay less). Meet at the clubhouse; click here for directions to the course.
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Sunday Soiree
Sunday, August 18, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
The Legacy Community Room, 1240 2nd St S
 Join your friends and neighbors for the Sunday Soiree, hosted by Gustavo Gomez & Jim Schmit and Cheryl Grasmoen & Bill Van Essendelft at the Legacy. Please contribute to the potluck by bringing an appetizer, salad or dessert. As you register, let us know what you'll bring by answering the "Question" that will appear on the screen. You're welcome to also bring wine or beer to share, or, as the hosts suggest, sparkling or Rose wine!
MCC members sign up here. |
Nosy Neighbor Tour: Millers Landing
Monday, August 19, 11:00 - 11:45 am
Miller's Landing Senior Living, 155 5th Ave S
Join us for a look inside one of the neighborhood's newly renovated historic buildings--the Ceresota building. Originally a grain elevator, the building is now home to Millers Landing Senior Living. Open to those 55 and older, it includes independent living, assisted living and memory care. We'll tour the atrium, a variety of apartments and finish in the solarium, with its stunning views of the city and a light snack.
MCC members sign up here.
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Nosy Neighbor Tour: Youth Link
Tuesday, August 20, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
YouthLink, 41 N 12th St
 Tour YouthLink's recently renovated facility and Downtown View apartments, serving more than 1,800 young people experiencing homelessness each year. YouthLink's transformed space means more space for its programming--helping young people believe in themselves and find a path to self-reliance. The tour will be followed by a discussion with YouthLink's Executive Director, Dr. Heather Huseby, about YouthLink's role in addressing homelessness in downtown Minneapolis and the organization's plans for the future. Parking is available in YouthLink's lot as well as at meters on the street.
MCC members sign up here.
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MCC Program Calendar
Plan ahead! View the full calendar of August events here!
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News from Members
MCC member Jeanne Ravich has tickets available to attend the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation's annual fun and informative event. Women's heart health has been ignored (women are not small men!) and this event raises funds for valuable research. Click
here to learn more and if you want to attend, please email Jeanne at
Jravich@msn.com and she will take care of your registration.
MCC member Allan Burdick has 10 seats available for a Loon's soccer game on Saturday, August 17, at 7:00 pm--he needs to know by 8/8 if you would like to join the group. Also, he notes that he can possibly secure a few more tickets for a game on Sunday, September 15, at 4:30 pm. If you are interested, please email Allan at
alburd4057@gmail.com.
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Ar
ound Town
Neoteric Chamber Winds 2019 Performance
August 8, 7:00-9:00 pm, MacPhail Center for Music, 501 S 2nd St
Join Neoteric Chamber Winds for a lively evening of modern classical music. Suggested donation of $10. Reception to follow. Learn more
here.
Minneapolis Summer Pop-Up Market
August 11, 11:00 am-5:00 pm, Machine Shop, 300 2nd St SE
Discover locally-made items, and get inspired as you meet and shop from the designers and makers themselves. Admission includes exclusive, limited edition arts and crafts projects; interactive and immersive art installations and photo walls; and freebies from the market's partners and friends. You will find everything from home decor and art, to clothing and jewelry, apothecary products and baby gifts to letterpress stationary and more. Admission is $5. For more information and tickets, click
here.
Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival
August 15-17, various locations along Hennepin and Nicollet Aves
This event brings together artists from the worlds of visual, performing, craft and food arts and unleashes them together for the first time onto the streets of downtown for all to enjoy. Festival-goers will relish in several arts-centered experiences, including chalk art installations, a short film showcase, several live performances and an outdoor craft market. For a schedule of events, click
here.
Theater of Public Policy - History!
August 17, 6:30-8:30 pm, St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center, 1 Portland Ave
The Theater of Public Policy's flagship show advances the understanding of complex ideas and issues by unpacking them through smart conversation and improvisational comedy.
Laughter enhances learning so get ready to enjoy a program with expert guest John Anfinson, superintendent at Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Doors open at 6:30 pm; program begins at 7 pm. Free, but registration is required
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, 10:00-11:00 am
Abiitan's Porter Cafe
428 2nd St S
No reservations required. The next
book is
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
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.
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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 in a caregiving role.
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.
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