Calendar of Current Events
Friends of Sierra Leone Annual Meeting - July 2 & 3, 2009
The Friends of Sierra Leone will hold its annual meeting in Bloomington/Minneapolis July 2-3. The program is being developed. Interested parties can contact Patrick O'Leary (Sierra Leone 1967-68) for updates (tel. 651-292-9455 or trudyandpat@netzero.net).
Latin American metro dinner at Cafe Ena - Thursday, July 16, 6 - 8 p.m.
Location: Cafe Ena, 4601 Grand Ave. S., Minneapolis 55419; 612-824-4441
RSVP host Maggie at maggiekozak@yahoo.com by July 13 (but please come by even if you're not able to RSVP in advance). More information on the restaurant is available at: http://www.cafeena. com.
Fundraiser Dinner (African!) - Saturday July 25, 6 - 9 p.m.
Location: Elsa and Bernard's house, 669 Summit Ave., St. Paul 55105
Help support MNRPCV's grant giving, by bringing $10 and an African dish to share! Not sure what to make? Ask a fellow African RPCV or search the internet for recipes! Looking forward to seeing you then! Contact Maggie with any questions (tel. 651-387-7581; email: maggiekozak@ yahoo.com).
MNRPCV Toastmasters - 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month, Ongoing
Time: 6:45 pm - 8:45 pm
Location: Roseville City Hall, Corner of County Rd C and Lexington
The MNRPCVs Toastmasters Group is comprised of RPCVs striving to sharpen their public speaking skills. Contact Susie Drane Susie.Drane@deluxe.com 651 494 9439 President; or Ruth Alliband allib001@umn.edu 651 439 2498 VP of Membership.
Want to host a happy hour, metro dinner, or any other social activity involving your fellow RPCVs? Just contact Maggie Kozak at 651.387.7581 orsocial@mnrpcv.org and she'll put the word out!
Past Events
MNRPCV Member Appreciation Event - June 2009
The MNRPCV Member Appreciation Event celebrated Minnesota RPCVs with live music, appetizers, and a viewing of the MNRPCV photo exhibit.
Sushi Metro Dinner - June 2009
RPCVs had another yummy metro dinner at Tiger Sushi 2 in Minneapolis.
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars @ Cedar Cultural Center - June 2009
To celebrate World Refugee Day, the American Refugee Committee asked RPCVs and friends to groove with Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars at the Cedar Cultural Center.
Grand Old Days Open House at Elsa & Bernard's - June 2009
People were invited to take a break from the Grand Ave action and sit in the shade for a bite to eat and a chat with friends.
RPCV Career Events (Washington, D.C.) – May 2009
Four FREE days of career-development workshops and discussions for recently returned PCVs were held in DC.
Books for Africa Community Service Event - May 2009
Volunteer work sorting and packing books at Books For Africa was coordinated by RPCV Gary Bank.
Mediterranean Cruise Metro Dinner - May 2009
Jack Conrad and Michael Smith coordinated this south of the river dinner.
Walk Around Lake Calhoun! - May 2009
RPCVs gathered to walk around the lake.
Annual Slideshow & Potluck – May 2009
RPCVs gathered to watch and discuss images of PCV efforts across the globe.
World Fair Trade Day – May 2009
A special event was sponsored by Peace Coffee, Partners for Just Trade, and Green America. MNRPCV Angelica Cox Vazquez (Costa Rica 2005-07) invited the MNRPCV community to a special event called Resonating Change: Connecting Communities Through Fair Trade to tell the true fair trade stories of two artisan Peruvian women.
Ethiopian Metro Dinner at Dukem – April 2009
Dan Grundtner hosted a St. Paul metro dinner for RPCVs and friends.
Caribbean Metro Dinner at Harry Singh’s – April 2009
Miriam hosted a metro dinner at Harry Singh’s Original Caribbean Restaurant in Minneapolis.
Community Event: Jeremiah Program Cook for Kids– April 2009
Every three months or so, MNRPCVs make dinner for residents of the Jeremiah Program. To learn about the program, visit www.jeremiahprogram.org.
Indonesian dinner at BALi – April 2009
Thomas O'Toole hosted this Minneapolis Metro Dinner.
Community Event: Rally at the State Capitol for Green Jobs and Hiring Equity! – April 2009
MNRPCVs Nicole Rom and Maggie Kozak hosted a H.I.R.E. Minnesota campaign.
Happy Hour at Hell's Kitchen - March 2009
Maggie Kozak hosted this happy hour in MInneapolis.
True Thai Restaurant - March 2009
Maggie Kozak hosted this Minneapolis metro dinner for area RPCVs.
ICE SKATING AT THE DEPOT - March 2009
Maggie Kozak hosted a day of skating at The Depot in Minneapolis.
RPCV DINNER - February 2009
Angela Gupta hosted a metro dinner for Rochester Area RPCVs at Indian Curry House.
RPCV Metro Dinner - February 2009
Eric Angell hosted this metro dinner at Vina Plus Vietnamese Restaurant in St. Paul.
Itasca State Park Ski Weekend - February 2009
This is an annual ski weekend for MNRPCVs in Itasca.
Happy Hour - January 2009
Maggie Kozak hosted a Happy Hour at the Muddy Pig in St. Paul.
Cook for Kids - Jeremiah Program Dinner - January 2009
This is our regular community service activity for the Jeremiah Program. See current list of events for more information on any upcoming Jeremiah Program activities. To learn about the program, visit www.jeremiahprogram.org.
ANNUAL HOLIDAY DINNER - December 2008
The MNRPCV annual Holiday Party is one of our biggest events of the year and was enjoyed by all who attended.
VOLUNTEER SEND-OFF CELEBRATION - December 2008
The Minneapolis Peace Corps Office provided an enjoyable evening of stories and laughter to send off the newest group of soon-to-be PCVs.
MOVIE NIGHT - November 2008
Maggie Kozak hosted a foreign movie night in November.
HAPPY HOUR - Thursday, November 2008
Happy Hour at Common Roots Cafe
Rochester RPCV Dinner - November 2008
Rochester Area RPCVs gathered for conversation and good food.
Fundraiser Dinner - November 2008
The theme for this dinner was Harvest foods. Everyone was asked to bring a dish to share and to make a suggested donation of $10 to benefit the MNRPCV Grant Program.
Maria's Cafe Brunch - October 2008
RPCVs gathered at one of the best breakfast spots in town.
Potluck Brunch - October 2008
An informal RPCV Potluck Brunch was hosted, inviting musicians to share a song or two during the gathering.
RPCV Metro Dinner - October 2008
RPCVs met at Great India Restaurant in Brooklyn Park for dinner and conversation.
Movie Night - September 2008
The Academy Award-winning film, "The Lives of Others" was viewed.
Beer with your Buddy - September 2008
K9-Connection was the place for you and your pooch to celebrate people, dogs & beer!
Annual Meeting & Picnic - September 2008
The MNRPCV group hosted our annual meeting and potluck picnic near Lake Minnetonka. New board members were chosen and new bylaws were approved!
Career Networking Night - August 2008
The Mpls Regional PC Office hosted a free career networking night with resume building support and career opportunities for RPCVs and PCVs.
Music & Movies in the Park - August 2008
A group met at Loring Park to listen to Califone and watch The Manchurian Candidate.
Ice Cream and a Walk - July 2008
A group met at Ben & Jerry's by Calhoun Village and then walked around the lake.
Walker Museum Visit - June 2008
The Walker is free on Thursdays! A group visited the Sculpture Garden and then ventured in for the exhibits.
Fundraiser Dinner - June 2008
A frequent opportunity to support the MNRPCV Grant Program while enjoying delicious foods from around the globe (this one included foods from Central and South America).
Outdoor Movie Night - June 2008
RPCVs and others viewed the documentary "American Idealist," about Peace Corps founder Sargent Shriver. Check out http://www.americanidealistmovie.org/
Outdoor Game Night - June 2008
As wonderful as our usual game nights, but outside!
GRAND OLD DAY at Elsa & Bernard's - June 2008
A place to rest and relax during the day's festivities!
Rochester Metro Dinner- April 2008
A casual social gathering at Pho Hao was hosted by Rochester Area RPCVs.
Boca Chica Metro Dinner- April 2008
A dinner was hosted at Boca Chica Mexican Restaurant, "Simplemente lo mejor."
MOVIE NIGHT - April 2008
Host Nancy Weis-Sanfo traveled to Burkina Faso and brought back a movie for viewing.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Earth Day Cleanup at Ft. Snelling State Park - April 2008
This was an Earth Day Celebration helping to clean up the river bank.
MNRPCV SLIDE SHOW & POT LUCK - April 2008
This is one of our biggest annual events! Guests view the Peace Corps experience on the big screen - everyone brings stories, slides, and a regional dish to share.
MNRPCV METRO DINNER - April 2008
Metro Dinners are our chance to get together with new and old friends and try out fun and interesting cuisine. This one was held at the Blue Nile in Minneapolis and had two important guests - Rajeev Goyal, RPCV Nepal and Campaign Coordinator, TheMorePeaceCorps.org Campaign which is a national outreach campaign to double the Peace Corps by2011, and Congresswoman Betty McCollum!
GAME NIGHT - March 2008
RPCV Miriam Krause hosted a game night at her home.
EVENING AT THE HISTORY CENTER - March 2008
Host Mary Adams invited others to view an exhibition, The Enemy Within: Terror in America 1776 - today, which is from the International Spy Museum in D.C. exploring the stories of terrorists and radicals in U.S. history.
Cook for Kids - Jeremiah Program Dinner - March 2008
This is our regular community service activity for the Jeremiah Program. See current list of events for more information on any upcoming Jeremiah Program activities.
METRO DINNER - March 2008
This metro dinner was held at T's Place in Minneapolis and hosted by Carri Anderson.
SUNDAY POTLUCK BRUNCH - February 2008
An informal RPCV Potluck Brunch was hosted, inviting musicians to share a song or two during the gathering.
COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT: Books for Africa - February 2008
At Books For Africa's St. Paul warehouse, RPCVs sort, catalog and pack books. As soon as 25,000 books are prepared they are shipped in a 20-foot sea container to Africa. Volunteers give two or more hours of their time. To find out more, visit www.booksforafrica.org.
ANNUAL MNRPCV SKI WEEKEND - February 2008
Location: Itasca State Park - This annual MNRPCV tradition provides a great opportunity to spend quality time with your fellow RPCVs and families (and maybe do some skiing, too). The entire Mississippi Headwaters hostel in Itasca State Park was reserved, and the lodge holds 31 people in 6 bedrooms.
WELCOME (BACK) HAPPY HOUR - January 2008
The Bulldog Restaurant in Uptown gathered many RPCVs for a special happy hour to welcome newly-returned RPCVs and newcomers to Minnesota.
MNRPCV MOVIE NIGHT - January 2008
A viewing and discussion of the award-winning film MARIA FULL OF GRACE was hosted by an RPCV.