Events - Month View

Schedule time with a Tech Support Guru on Zoom and have your nagging technology questions answered during our complimentary Help Desk. The zoom link will be provided in your confirmation email.

Do you find it hard to really get to know members at our large programs … or those featuring a speaker? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join us for a casual conversation on the patio of the Aster Cafe. Take this opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with some you haven’t seen lately. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office so we can be sure someone is there to meet you.

Join your friends and neighbors at the C.R.E.A.M Cafe for a morning chat. This adventure requires no reservations.

All Chairs of the different committees are invited to join us at this monthly meeting.

Join us to discuss this month‘s book, "Lady Tan‘s Circle of Women," by Lisa See. You are welcome to join us in conversation whether or not you‘ve read the book.

If you‘d like to read ahead, November‘s book is "Where Rivers Part," by Kao Kalia Yang.

Do you like to walk and talk with a small group, vs. meeting in a larger group or for a presentation? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join in with others who might also be walking. We‘ll meet on the river side of Owamni restaurant as there are chairs & tables there to use while we wait for walkers. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office (612) 455-3329 so we can be sure someone is there to walk that day.

Get to know other MCC members at a casual Saturday morning breakfast mixer inside Elsie’s Restaurant‘s dining room. Hot coffee awaits you when you arrive on foot or by bike or by car - order a full breakfast or simply a beverage. Open seating at tables set for 4 or 5 - great for conversation with friends, old and new. To help the restaurant prepare, please register. NOTE: Breakfasts are outside as long as the temperature is at least 50 degrees. If bad weather, Elsie’s has a secluded indoor space available in the main dining room. This event is limited to 35 to accommodate Elsie‘s staff.

The Membership Committee works to facilitate member connections to increase member satisfaction and retention. They oversee the Member Ambassador program, develop active programming ideas, and work to enhance member profiles on the website to help members get to know one another. The committee typically meets one Monday a month. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to Committee Chair Jane Helsing.

Dr. Kate Beane (Flandreau Santee Sioux Dakota) will share an overview of both the historic and contemporary Dakota experience in Minnesota. Dr. Beane will discuss ongoing tribal and community efforts to steward Dakota homelands in the twin cities.

Do you find it hard to really get to know members at our large programs … or those featuring a speaker? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join us for a casual conversation at Milwaukee Road Restaurant and Bar at The Depot. Take this opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with some you haven’t seen lately. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office so we can be sure someone is there to meet you.

What is Elder Abuse? Who is at risk? This presentation highlights 10 common fallacies about elder abuse and offers a reality check for each one.
Additionally, guest speaker Iris Freeman will summarize pertinent legal protections for vulnerable adults in Minnesota as well as what we know about the prevalence of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation nationally and in our state.
She concludes with information about local resources for people experiencing mistreatment or are concerned about someone they suspect is being victimized. Those resources include the Minnesota Elder Justice Center and public authorities.
Iris Freeman, MSW, is a longtime advocacy leader in public policy for older adults. She is the Founding Board Chair of the Minnesota Elder Justice Center.

Do you find it hard to really get to know members at our large programs … or those featuring a speaker? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join us for a casual conversation on the patio of the Aster Cafe. Take this opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with some you haven’t seen lately. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office so we can be sure someone is there to meet you.

Join your friends and neighbors at the C.R.E.A.M Cafe for a morning chat. This adventure requires no reservations.

This guided discussion group with professional facilitation supports MCC members and nonmembers who are in a caregiving role.

The next Executive Committee meeting is on October 9, 1:30-3:00 pm.

Do you like to walk and talk with a small group, vs. meeting in a larger group or for a presentation? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join in with others who might also be walking. We‘ll meet on the river side of Owamni restaurant as there are chairs & tables there to use while we wait for walkers. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office (612) 455-3329 so we can be sure someone is there to walk that day.

Join us for a bike ride from Mendota into St. Paul. It should be a beautiful ride, seeing colors along the Mississippi River heading into St. Paul! We‘ll meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Big Rivers Trailhead (1498 Mendota Heights Rd. in Mendota Heights) where there is lots of free parking. We‘ll ride about 7 miles on a flat trail through the woods to Raspberry Island; we‘ll have a short break there and then head back to the Big Rivers Trailhead.

Pack a lunch and leave it in your car to eat when we get back to the trailhead. There are nice picnic tables there, a beautiful overlook and clean restrooms.

This ride is on the shorter side - - about 15 miles. If you‘d like to explore further, Dianne and Jane can give you directions on how to get to historic Ft. Snelling (about 2.5 miles from the trailhead) or Minnehaha Falls (about 5 miles from the trailhead).

Hope to see you there! Remember: Helmets required!

This casual, Dutch-treat lunch at Klassic‘s Kitchen alternates weeks with our Men’s Breakfast. There’s no program, but good conversation happens here! Please register, so we can let the restaurant know how many to expect. If you would like to be added to the Thursday Dutch Lunch list or suggest a topic for discussion, email alburd4057@gmail.com.

Join us for a fun morning of Mah Jongg. Meet new members, guests and fellow Mah Jongg enthusiasts. All levels welcome from beginners to experienced. This event is limited to 15 participants. Registration closes at Noon on October 10.

Get to know other MCC members at a casual Saturday morning breakfast mixer inside Elsie’s Restaurant‘s dining room. Hot coffee awaits you when you arrive on foot or by bike or by car - order a full breakfast or simply a beverage. Open seating at tables set for 4 or 5 - great for conversation with friends, old and new. To help the restaurant prepare, please register. NOTE: Breakfasts are outside as long as the temperature is at least 50 degrees. If bad weather, Elsie’s has a secluded indoor space available in the main dining room. This event is limited to 35 to accommodate Elsie‘s staff.

Are you looking for some movement combined with music? “Joyfully Dancing 55+” may be the activity for you! It’s back on our calendar following the instructor’s return from her post-retirement extended summer holiday.

The class celebrates many genres of dance and music: American, swing, popular and international, to name a few. Dances are taught/reviewed every session. No partner is needed, and all levels of ability are welcome.

Joyfully Dancing 55+ is taught at Tapestry Folkdance, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue in Minneapolis, and meets Mondays from 9:30-10:30. Cost is $5, payable to the instructor. Participants are asked to bring a pair of inside shoes, in order to keep grit, salt and water off the dance floor. Dancing with just socks is also OK.


If you’d like to carpool, please be at the ARC parking lot ready to leave at 9:10 AM.

Do you find it hard to really get to know members at our large programs … or those featuring a speaker? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join us for a casual conversation at Milwaukee Road Restaurant and Bar at The Depot. Take this opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with some you haven’t seen lately. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office so we can be sure someone is there to meet you.

Do you find it hard to really get to know members at our large programs … or those featuring a speaker? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join us for a casual conversation on the patio of the Aster Cafe. Take this opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with some you haven’t seen lately. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office so we can be sure someone is there to meet you.

Join your friends and neighbors at the C.R.E.A.M Cafe for a morning chat. This adventure requires no reservations.

Join us to hear from the Minneapolis Downtown Council and the Downtown Improvement District CEO and President Adam Duininck. Adam will share the organization‘s current work and vision for downtown Minneapolis but more importantly, he wants to hear from you, our members, about your ideas and vision for a vibrant downtown area.

Enjoy this month‘s reading of "Book of Days." Lanford Wilson is one of the most esteemed contemporary American playwrights of our time. Nowhere is this more evident than in his latest play, "Book of Days," which has won the Best Play Award from the American Theater Critics Association.


Reminiscent of Thorton Wilder’s "Our Town," "Book of Days" is about a small southwestern Missouri town confronted by a violent death and is forced to reconsider the world and values they thought they knew inside and out. The small town is dominated by a cheese plant, a fundamentalist church, and a community theater. When the owner of the cheese plant dies mysteriously in a hunting accident, Ruth, his bookkeeper, suspects murder. Cast as Joan of Arc in a local production of George Bernard Shaw‘s St. Joan, Ruth takes on the attributes of her fictional character and launches into a one-woman campaign to see justice done.

Caffeine and camaraderie for members of MCC! This group meets every other Thursday and is hosted by various members who get the conversation going.

Do you like to walk and talk with a small group, vs. meeting in a larger group or for a presentation? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join in with others who might also be walking. We‘ll meet on the river side of Owamni restaurant as there are chairs & tables there to use while we wait for walkers. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office (612) 455-3329 so we can be sure someone is there to walk that day.

Join us as we take a one-hour tour of Hocokata Ti [ho-cho-kah-tah-tee] Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s (SMSC) cultural center. Through this experience, visitors will be immersed in the story of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Through audio and visual interactive elements, the history of the Mdewakanton Dakota people will be depicted from their existence before European settlers to making treaties with the U.S Government, as well as the journey to self-sufficiency. This highlights tour spends a limited amount of time in each area of the exhibit; groups are welcome to explore on their own after their tour concludes if they wish to spend more time in a dedicated area. In addition, we will be able to experience the We Are Water MN statewide traveling exhibit, organized by the Minnesota Humanities Center in conjunction with other state agencies.

We will have time after the tour to visit other exhibits (included in the admission fee), gift shop and optional Dutch-treat lunch (suggestions provided).

Cost: $7/person payable in cash or major credit cards. No checks.

Drive time from Minneapolis is 30-40 minutes. Tour begins promptly at 10:30 a.m.

Hear the latest election news from Secretary of State Steve Simon, Jeanne Massey, Executive Director of Fair Vote Minnesota, and Mary Hartnett, Executive Director of Clean Elections Minnesota. Learn about what the Secretary of State and his team are doing to make elections honest, fair, accurate and secure. Learn how Fair Vote is protecting and expanding Rank Choice Voting in Minnesota. And how Clean Elections Minnesota is fighting election disinformation and building voter trust. What’s happening on the ground, how to get engaged and forecasts for the future. Due to space limitations, this program is limited to 50 participants.

Get to know other MCC members at a casual Saturday morning breakfast mixer inside Elsie’s Restaurant‘s dining room. Hot coffee awaits you when you arrive on foot or by bike or by car - order a full breakfast or simply a beverage. Open seating at tables set for 4 or 5 - great for conversation with friends, old and new. To help the restaurant prepare, please register. NOTE: Breakfasts are outside as long as the temperature is at least 50 degrees. If bad weather, Elsie’s has a secluded indoor space available in the main dining room. This event is limited to 35 to accommodate Elsie‘s staff.

Met Live in HD is back! Join our MCC Opera Friends at the at Met Live in HD performance of “Grounded." Following the performance, we encourage friends to meet at CRAVE restaurant in Rosedale Mall to visit and to enjoy a beverage or a snack.

Do you find it hard to really get to know members at our large programs … or those featuring a speaker? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join us for a casual conversation at Milwaukee Road Restaurant and Bar at The Depot. Take this opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with some you haven’t seen lately. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office so we can be sure someone is there to meet you.

Looking back at the covid-19 pandemic, there are many lessons to take away in terms of domestic and international policies. Although this pandemic seems to have waned, how can we apply these lessons to future pandemics? Will countries cooperate, and will a consensus emerge on how to manage global health challenges?

The Program Committee meets the fourth Tuesday of each month. If you have a program idea, please feel free to fill out the Program Committee Proposal form and email it to Jane at janestacy@millcitycommons.org.

Do you find it hard to really get to know members at our large programs … or those featuring a speaker? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join us for a casual conversation on the patio of the Aster Cafe. Take this opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with some you haven’t seen lately. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office so we can be sure someone is there to meet you.

Join your friends and neighbors at the C.R.E.A.M Cafe for a morning chat. This adventure requires no reservations.

This guided discussion group with professional facilitation supports MCC members and nonmembers who are in a caregiving role.

Do you like to walk and talk with a small group, vs. meeting in a larger group or for a presentation? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join in with others who might also be walking. We‘ll meet on the river side of Owamni restaurant as there are chairs & tables there to use while we wait for walkers. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office (612) 455-3329 so we can be sure someone is there to walk that day.

The Dunwoody College of Technology was founded by Kate and William Dunwoody in 1914 to provide practical education "for students of all races and religions." The non-profit college offers a wide range of programs including robotics, cybersecurity, design, and engineering. With the resurgence of manufacturing in the United States, Dunwoody is better positioned than ever to promote economic vitality and provide upward mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Join us on a tour of Dunwoody. This 90-minute tour will provide an opportunity to witness the active learning process of students and include a conversation with the new Dunwoody President, Scott Stallman.

This casual, Dutch-treat lunch at Klassic‘s Kitchen alternates weeks with our Men’s Breakfast. There’s no program, but good conversation happens here! Please register, so we can let the restaurant know how many to expect. If you would like to be added to the Thursday Dutch Lunch list or suggest a topic for discussion, email alburd4057@gmail.com.

Join us as we hear from MCC member Bob Berkwitz, who has taught courses on the Supreme Court and the Constitution for the OLLI Program. Bob will discuss the Presidential Immunity Case, Trump v. the United States. He will cover the various levels of immunity the Supreme Court has established for the President (or former President), and he will speculate on what the government must do in three of the cases currently pending against Donald J. Trump. Bob will also briefly discuss the recent Supreme Court decisions involving gun control, abortion and the prosecution of the January 6 defendants.

Join us for a fun morning of Mah Jongg. Meet new members, guests and fellow Mah Jongg enthusiasts. All levels welcome from beginners to experienced. This event is limited to 15 participants. Registration closes at Noon on October 24. This session has been cancelled due to lack of registrants.

Get to know other MCC members at a casual Saturday morning breakfast mixer inside Elsie’s Restaurant‘s dining room. Hot coffee awaits you when you arrive on foot or by bike or by car - order a full breakfast or simply a beverage. Open seating at tables set for 4 or 5 - great for conversation with friends, old and new. To help the restaurant prepare, please register. NOTE: Breakfasts are outside as long as the temperature is at least 50 degrees. If bad weather, Elsie’s has a secluded indoor space available in the main dining room. This event is limited to 35 to accommodate Elsie‘s staff.

Are you looking for some movement combined with music? “Joyfully Dancing 55+” may be the activity for you! It’s back on our calendar following the instructor’s return from her post-retirement extended summer holiday.

The class celebrates many genres of dance and music: American, swing, popular and international, to name a few. Dances are taught/reviewed every session. No partner is needed, and all levels of ability are welcome.

Joyfully Dancing 55+ is taught at Tapestry Folkdance, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue in Minneapolis, and meets Mondays from 9:30-10:30. Cost is $5, payable to the instructor. Participants are asked to bring a pair of inside shoes, in order to keep grit, salt and water off the dance floor. Dancing with just socks is also OK.


If you’d like to carpool, please be at the ARC parking lot ready to leave at 9:10 AM.

The Marketing Committee works to increase awareness of Mill City Commons. We build strategies and materials to acquire new members. We provide consulting and creative support for various projects and other committees. We also have fun! Contact Co-Chair Susan Plimpton if you’re interested in learning more.

Do you find it hard to really get to know members at our large programs … or those featuring a speaker? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join us for a casual conversation at Milwaukee Road Restaurant and Bar at The Depot. Take this opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with some you haven’t seen lately. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office so we can be sure someone is there to meet you.

Do you find it hard to really get to know members at our large programs … or those featuring a speaker? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join us for a casual conversation on the patio of the Aster Cafe. Take this opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with some you haven’t seen lately. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office so we can be sure someone is there to meet you.

Join us as we embark on a once-a-month culinary experience at different restaurants around the city, and around our neighborhood. This month, we will enjoy a Dutch-treat dinner at Klassics Kitchen & Cocktails. This event is limited to 12 people. Please register by Noon on October 28.

Join your friends and neighbors at the C.R.E.A.M Cafe for a morning chat. This adventure requires no reservations.

Got any tricks? Want any treats? Join your hosts, Sonia and John Cairns and Nancy Gardner in the back of the Twin Cities favorite neighborhood bar for small bites (appetizers, that is), Dutch treat drinks and scary fun! Costumes encouraged but optional. This might be the night to express your inner Elvis, glamour star or favorite animal. We will also have an opportunity to welcome MCC‘s newest members at this event! There‘s a parking lot adjacent to the bar and on-street parking, so park your broomstick and join the party! You can stay AND ORDER dinner from their Smack Shack and Burger Dive menu.

Caffeine and camaraderie for members of MCC! This group meets every other Thursday and is hosted by various members who get the conversation going.

Do you like to walk and talk with a small group, vs. meeting in a larger group or for a presentation? This spontaneous event might be just right for you! Join in with others who might also be walking. We‘ll meet on the river side of Owamni restaurant as there are chairs & tables there to use while we wait for walkers. If you are attending for the first time, please contact the MCC office (612) 455-3329 so we can be sure someone is there to walk that day.

New Session Added!!

Join us as we take a one-hour tour of Hocokata Ti [ho-cho-kah-tah-tee] Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s (SMSC) cultural center. Through this experience, visitors will be immersed in the story of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Through audio and visual interactive elements, the history of the Mdewakanton Dakota people will be depicted from their existence before European settlers to making treaties with the U.S Government, as well as the journey to self-sufficiency. This highlights tour spends a limited amount of time in each area of the exhibit; groups are welcome to explore on their own after their tour concludes if they wish to spend more time in a dedicated area. In addition, we will be able to experience the We Are Water MN statewide traveling exhibit, organized by the Minnesota Humanities Center in conjunction with other state agencies.

We will have time after the tour to visit other exhibits (included in the admission fee), gift shop and optional Dutch-treat lunch (suggestions provided).

Cost: $7/person payable in cash or major credit cards. No checks.

Drive time from Minneapolis is 30-40 minutes. Tour begins promptly at 10:30 a.m.