May 5, 2020 Update from the Executive Director

Greetings Mill City Commons members and friends, A common question found in every conversation is some version of “how are you coping with quarantine?” Some people are relishing the chance to be at home, slow down and enjoy a simpler routine. Others, have furiously used their time to tackle a long list of projects, catch up on reading and develop dormant hobbies. Most of us are somewhere in between. Avoid comparisons with others and take it one day at a time. Spend an hour watching a dialogue with your favorite filmmaker . Plan a road trip to see a national park on your list or join a local chef for a cooking class . In the next two weeks, “assuming others have good intentions…will make the world seem like a friendlier place.” It is an ambiguous time and people may be unpredictable. Practice giving others the benefit of the doubt and it will “improve [your] relationships and [your] well-being.” Note the addition of a Meditation Circle on the May calendar that will also help to keep you centered. MCC members register here . Tonight there is a program focused on good intentions you won’t want to miss. President/CEO Daniel Wordsworth of ALIGHT (formerly known as American Refugee Committee) will address the global pandemic in highly vulnerable locations around the world and share how they have adapted their critical services to help those in need. ALIGHT provides health care and clean water, shelter, protection, and economic opportunity to more than 3.5 million people in 17 countries each year. Feel free to invite your friends who are interested in international humanitarian affairs, MCC members find the Zoom link here . Keep reading to find out more about what's coming up. Hope to see you soon!  MILL CITY COMMONS: We learn. We share. We engage. We give. ~ Elise Linehan (612) 455-3329, 125 Main Street SE, #339, Minneapolis, MN 55414

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Virtual Trial Membership - Available One More Week

Please Welcome MCC's Month of May Virtual Trial Members! David Christensen & Judy Sheridan-Christensen Paula DeCosse Kate Mancer Joanie Larkin If you know someone who would like to attend up to 5 virtual programs in the month of May for $25, they can still sign up on our website. Learn more here.

Upcoming Virtual Programs and Events

Virtual via Zoom: ALIGHT in a Time of Darkness Tuesday, May 5, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Your own home via Zoom Join us as President/CEO, Daniel Wordsworth, discusses ALIGHT’s strategies they’ve taken as well as the challenges and impacts of COVID-19 on these highly-vulnerable populations in various countries. He will also address how they have adapted their critical, ongoing services to help manage the spread of the illness. As the world has shutdown and many cities and businesses gone dark, ALIGHT (formerly known as American Refugee Committee) continues to help those most in need. ALIGHT provides health care and clean water, shelter, protection, and economic opportunity to more than 3.5 million people in 17 countries each year. MCC members sign up here . The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in and in your confirmation email.

Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat Wednesday, May 6, 10:00 - 11:00 am Your own home via Zoom Join us to discuss Know My Name by Chanel Miller. This memoir recounts Ms. Miller’s story of trauma, survival, shame, and isolation that surrounded her as she bravely came forward to share her sexual assault experience. Her story illuminates a culture biased to protect perpetrators, indicts a criminal justice system designed to fail the most vulnerable, and, ultimately, shines with the courage required to move through suffering and live a full and beautiful life. If you’d like to read ahead, June’s book is The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. Have a book suggestion for the Book Chat? Email Marsha Blumenthal. No registration required. Click here to see the Zoom link and join the program.

Virtual via Zoom: Vote 2020: Taking Action on Voter Suppression Monday, May 11, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Your own home via Zoom In April, we heard from the ACLU on voter suppression issues across the nation. Join us now for Part II of our Understanding Voter Suppression series as Wintana Melekin, Executive Director of Minnesota Voice, will help us understand the practical aspects of what WE can do to help mitigate voter suppression here in Minnesota and around the country. Bring your questions and comments and contribute to this important conversation. MCC members sign up here . The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in and in your confirmation email.

Virtual via Zoom: Overview of the Metropolitan Council: Q&A with Charlie Zelle Tuesday, May 12, 4:00 - 5:00 pm Your own home via Zoom Join us as Chairman Charlie Zelle provides an overview of the Metropolitan Council, including a brief history of the founders, mission, essential services, funding and infrastructure. He will also talk about the Council’s coordination with municipalities and the geographic area they cover, how disputes are mitigated/resolved, current challenges, and notable accomplishments. MCC members sign up here . The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in and in your confirmation email.

Virtual via Zoom: Men's Coffee and Conversation Thursday, May 14, 7:30 - 8:30 am Your own home via Zoom 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. MCC members sign up here ; guests email MCC . The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in and in your confirmation email.

Virtual via Zoom: Internment of Japanese Americans During WWII: A Personal Story Thursday, May 14, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Your own home via Zoom Nearly 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were incarcerated in concentration camps in the western interior of the United States during World War II. Sixty-two percent of the internees were U.S. citizens, including the parents of John H. Suzukida. Suzukida will speak about his parents’ experiences during WWII. His presentation will include historical context and quotes from his parents describing their time of internment, postwar resettlement, and assimilation back into society. MCC members sign up here . The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in and in your confirmation email.

Spring Birding Friday, May 15, 7:30 - 9:00 am Location to be announced Celebrate spring with a series of five bird-watching walks along the river or Minneapolis lakes! We hope to see migrating warblers and other songbirds. Gregg Severson, naturalist with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, will lead the walks. Participants must bring their own binoculars and field guides, if you have them. Locations for the walks to be announced each week. NOTE: You don’t have to be a serious birder to participate—this is a chance to learn! And these are not strenuous hikes but rather easy walks with lots of stopping. NOTE: Due to physical distancing guidelines, this event is limited to ten participants. MCC members sign up here .

Virtual via Zoom: Great Decisions: China's Road to Latin America Monday, May 18, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Your own home via Zoom As the Trump administration continues to withdraw from the world stage, China is looking to fill the void. How does Latin America fit into China’s “One Belt, One Road” plan? How will the relationship with China affect the region? Should the U.S. be concerned about China’s growing “sphere of influence”? Presented by Duncan McCampbell. MCC Great Decisions members sign up here . The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in and in your confirmation email.

Virtual via Zoom: Meditation Circle Tuesday, May 19, 9:30 - 10:30 am Your own home via Zoom Terry Pearson, RPh, MBA, will offer guided meditation via Zoom. About Terry Terry has more than 30 years of clinical experience in healthcare, including working as a pharmacist. She has completed the practicum professional internship in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Jon Kabat-Zinn and facilitates MBSR classes at the University of Minnesota. MCC members sign up here . The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in and in your confirmation email.

Virtual via Zoom: Distance Funerals, Complicated Grief - How to Gather/Grieve in COVID-19 Tuesday, May 19, 2:00 - 3:30 pm Your own home via Zoom How do we gather and grieve well when COVID19 prevents us from being together in person? If you live-stream a funeral, can you live-stream a hug or a luncheon? How long-lasting are the individual and collective effects of complicated grief? And what can we do now to minimize that trauma and maximize healthy grief instead — for individuals, families, communities, and the world? Join Zac Willette and members of his team for this interactive Zoom session that will explore these questions. The presentation will include formal presentation and small group discussion via Zoom. MCC members sign up here . The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in and in your confirmation email.

Virtual via Zoom: The Legislature Has Gone Home - What Happened, Why and What's Next? Thursday, May 21, 7:00 - 8:00 pm Your own home via Zoom Due to COVID-19, the current Minnesota legislative session has been unlike any other. Join MinnPost’s State government reporter Peter Callaghan about what happened, why and what we can expect next. MCC member Peter Hutchinson will host this important conversation. MCC members sign up here . The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in and in your confirmation email.

‌ Click here to view the full (printable) May calendar.

Ongoing Social Activities

Dutch Treat Social Hour Mondays, 4:00-5:00 pm Your own home via Zoom Drop in for an afternoon coffee or drink and a casual chat. No registration required. Click here for the Zoom link.

Rendezvous on 5 Wednesdays, 9:00-10:00 am Your own home via Zoom Drop in and join your friends and neighbors for a morning chat over Zoom. No registration required. Click here for the Zoom link.

Men's Dutch Lunch Alternating Thursdays, 11:30 am-12:30 pm Your own home via Zoom This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Click here for the Zoom link.

Community Care Activities

MCC Caregivers' Support Group 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, January-April, 10:30-12:00 pm A way to support members and non-members who are in a caregiving role. For more information, please use the "Contact Mary Texidor" button below. The May 13 session will be held via Zoom. Members will be contacted with a Zoom link to join the meeting. Member-to-Member Volunteering If you want to support other members, you can sign up to become a volunteer driver or member-to-member volunteer. If you are in need of volunteer services, let us know. Mary Texidor can help arrange a ride, meals, grocery shopping, visits and more.

Contact Mary Texidor for Community Care Activities

News From Members

MCC Executive Director Elise Linehan notes that the Minnesota Gerontological Society has recordings available for free on their website, including last week's Age-Friendly Conference and their past webinars. Access the recordings here. MGS will also have a free webinar on May 19 at noon on "End of Life Planning for Body and Spirit." Learn more here. MCC members Karla Ekdahl and Peter Hutchinson hope you might join them for a virtual gathering to hear two really smart people talk about the reforms needed to end the partisanship which is threatening our democracy and so poorly serving our country at this time of crisis. The event will take place on May 6 at 5:30 pm. Learn more and register here. MCC member Sonia Cairns reports that John Gordon, Executive Director of the ACLU, gave an informative and provocative presentation last week setting the stage for us to learn and discuss the context in which voter suppression is occurring. If you would like to get a copy of the powerpoint John shared, please contact MCC. The ACLU protects and promotes civil liberties in Minnesota. They are acting on legislation and in the courts to thwart efforts to deny voting rights to many. In June, the ACLU-MN Liberty Awards and benefit will be held virtually on Wednesday, June 3, 4:30-6:30 pm. Register here if you are interested in attending. MCC member Allan Burdick reports that the April 30 Men's Coffee and Conversation guest speaker, Dan Johnson, shared some resources on mental illness. Click here to view them. MCC member Nancy Gardner shared that the River Clean Up on April 25 was a whopping success. There was a good turnout and they spent almost 2 hours cleaning up the banks and walkways along the Mississippi. There’s even talk about doing it again.

A special thanks to MCC members: JoAnn Boraas, Patty Connelly, Laura Crosby, Nancy Gardner, Liz and Van Hawn and Penny Hunt.

MCC Climate Change Work Group Update  A before (April 2019) and after (April 2020) shot of the air above New Delhi, India vividly demonstrating the value of less carbon being released into the air and a sober reminder to all of us when things open back up to drive less and use alternative transportation whenever possible.

Photos of the Week Photos courtesy of MCC member Will Bracken, taken at the heron rookery at Marshall Terrace Park.

MCC Members' Corner

Did you know... ~That MCC has a Medical Equipment Loan Program for its members? If you have a medical need, we may have the equipment you are looking for. Consider contacting the office before you buy or rent a piece of equipment. We have a shower chair, raised toilet seat, walker, cane and grabber to choose from. ~That the First Stop Guide has member-recommended service providers? If you're looking for a dentist, tech support, a personal trainer or more, you can find it here. You can send your recommendations to Mary Texidor.

COVID-19 Go to MCC's COVID-19 Response page to see resources, Zoom tutorials and recommendations from members on things to do while staying at home. Volunteer Opportunities Click here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC website. Forums Have an extra ticket to an event? Want to talk about the latest movie? Use our member forums to connect with other members.

Have some down time? Help us! ~Send us a short biography (3-5 sentences) for your profile on the MCC website so other members can get to know you (feel free to attach an updated photo, too). ~ Take our survey to help us coordinate connections without infections. ~We would also appreciate it if you took this survey about MCC virtual programming.

COVID-19 Corner

~Hennepin County Library has opened some branches for curbside pickup of books, DVDs, and other library materials. Click here for the list of branches. When you find a book you want to check out, you can simply select the curbside location that works best for you (more details here). Note: there are currently no branches accepting book returns at this time. ~The MCC Men's Dutch Lunch group was interested in hearing more about pulse oximeters and how they can be used to measure blood oxygen saturation. They also referenced an article about the 1918 influenza and its impact on the Mayo Clinic. For more information, click here. ~Last week's presenter on Caring for Someone Dying at Home, Jane Whitlock, shared this resource from the MN Death Collaborative. It is a hotline staffed by end-of-life doulas. ~ MCC members have also shared this poem, written by Catherine (Kitty) O'Meara: "And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently. And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal. And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed."

Zoom In and Join Us Check out our guides featuring Zoom tips  for computers and laptops as well as iPads to get you comfortable with the controls. Click here to see a video tutorial for Mac users created by Kea at Tech Tutor MN. All of our Zoom tutorials can be found on the MCC website under the COVID-19 response page (found here ). If you need any help accessing Zoom, we have a tech consultant who is willing to help at no cost to you. Please contact the MCC office to learn more. Programs with speakers require registration online. Zoom links can be found in the program descriptions after you log in to the MCC website. Closed groups will coordinate sending Zoom links to participants individually via email with Bethany Boom.

Contact Us Elise Linehan, Executive Director, eliselinehan@millcitycommons.org Mary Texidor, Business and Member Services Admin, marytexidor@millcitycommons.org Bethany Boom, Program and Events Manager, bethanyboom@millcitycommons.org (612) 455-3329