Events - Future Events View

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: Elsie’s has a secluded indoor space available in the main dining room. This event is limited to 35 to accommodate Elsie‘s staff.

Discover the food, diverse programming and art at the newly renovated Minneapolis American Indian Center. Founded in 1975, the Minneapolis American Indian Center (MAIC) has a rich history as one of the first urban American Indian Centers in the country. It now has built on its roots after a historic renovation to serve over 35,000 tribally diverse urban population. The center provides critical services based on cultural values through youth, elder and intergenerational programs. These services are provided at no cost to participants.

The Gatherings Café, located within MAIC, provides accessible, healthy, Indigenous food and knowledge. It serves fresh, locally grown foods that are prepared using innovation mixed with ancestral knowledge.

Breakfast (optional but highly recommended) at 9:30. Discussion and tour with MAIC’s program director tour: 10:30-11:30.

Join us as we hear from poet and author, Jim Lenfestey. Jim will reprise his Archibald MacLeish lecture, "Freeway to the Inner Life," an exploration of the path to the interior life through art, with examples from artists, musicians and poets from the Romantic to the modern age.

A former journalist, Jim is the author of numerous books of poetry and prose, and the recipient of the 2020 Kay Sexton Award for his significant contributions to Minnesota’s literary community.

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.

Get some exercise and explore Minneapolis’ skyway system. Member David Evelo will lead the walk, with the goals of having fun, exercising and showing participants how they can reach different destinations using the skyway system. Meet in the lobby of the Churchill Apartments, 111 Marquette Ave. S., where we can access the skyway system. Those who are interested can stop for an optional lunch at the end of the walk. Limit: 12 participants.

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 Jefe Urban Cocina. 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.

Sign up for the Great Decisions 2025 Series. We are using the MCC program calendar as our online sign up mechanism and you can pay your fees online if you wish. All members received an email with registration information. Please contact the MCC office with any questions.

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

The next Executive Committee meeting is on December 11, 1:30-3:00 pm.

The Center for the Victims of Torture (CVT) was founded on the University of Minnesota campus in 1985 and since then has extended rehabilitative care to tens of thousands of torture survivors from around the world, nearly all of whom were refugees or asylum seekers. The number of displaced persons has grown to 120 million people and across the world there are human rights violations. CVT works around the globe with our partners to heal the wounds of torture on individuals, their families and their communities and to end torture worldwide.

We will hear from Dr. Simon Adams, the president & CEO of the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) as he discusses the amazing work that CVT has done over its 40 year history. Simon will be joined by Emily Hutchinson, CVT’s Vice President of Global Programs and former Mill City Commons Executive Director.

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

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.

Star Tribune columnist Evan Ramstad discusses the challenges that the slowdown in Minnesota’s population and economic growth pose as the state’s racial mix changes. Several years ago, U of M economist Samuel Myers described what he called the Minnesota Paradox, the disconnect between the state’s overall prosperity and the gaps in economic outcomes by race. In a series of four columns in August and September, Ramstad looked at the places where that disconnect is still playing out. The problems he found in schools, housing and with social connections don’t fit neatly along political or ideological lines.

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: 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 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.

Join MCC members and friends for the annual Turkey & Extra Helpings Holiday Drive! Our goal is to provide groceries for holiday meals for 60 families in North Minneapolis. Volunteers are needed to help load and unload food for families from Ascension School. Volunteers will meet in the Cub Foods parking lot, 701 W Broadway Ave (I-94 and Broadway), at 12:15 pm to pick up groceries. We’ll then proceed to Ascension School, 1726 Dupont Ave N, to drop them off. Please register and answer the “Question” on whether you have a large vehicle to help transfer food.

If you‘d like to contribute to the holiday drive, you can write your tax-deductible financial donation to Mill City Commons and write “T&EH” in the memo line. We hope to raise $4,500 so that we can purchase food for 60 families at Ascension School. Donations are due December 13.

We live in a time of historic levels of polarization, and it’s seeping into our personal world. How do you want to manage your emotions and relate to others in victory or defeat in light of the last election? Friendships are being ended and family members are cutting off one another. But we have a choice about how to show up after the election. We can be bridge builders or bridge burners in our personal lives. Bill Doherty, Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota and co-founder of Braver Angels, will facilitate this presentation about polarization, managing emotions, and ways to preserve relationships in the face of strong political differences.

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.

The Program Committee meets each month to discuss and develop new program ideas for our members. 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.

Join us for special Mid-Month Tuesday Happy Hour at Sawatdee Thai Restaurant. Hosted by Delia and Tyrone Bujold, Barbara Goldner, and Katie Searl, this gathering is a time to catch up with friends and neighbors over small bites and Dutch treat drinks. If you would like to make dinner reservations, please call the restaurant directly at (612) 338-6451, or visit their website at https://www.sawatdee.com/minneapolis.

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.

Witness the direction of your own village, Mill City Commons, as the gavel passes to next year’s chair, and new officers and board members are welcomed. The regular monthly meeting of the board directly follows beginning at 4:30 pm. Members are welcome and encouraged to stay for the board meeting.

Join the MCC Board of Directors for an Open Forum from 4:00-4:30 pm at the MCC Offices, Room 216.

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.

We last heard from Steve Grove, CEO of the Star Tribune, back in January on how Minnesota’s newspaper of record is re-imagining itself for the future. What‘s next for the StarTribune? Steve and Executive Vice President Paul Kashbohn will give us a look at what‘s ahead for the paper.

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: Elsie’s has a secluded indoor space available in the main dining room. This event is limited to 35 to accommodate Elsie‘s staff.

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.

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

As the weather outside turns "frightful," snuggle up in the cozy theater and immerse yourself in the soft glow of the silver screen! Afterward, you and fellow MCC members enjoy good food and lively conversation at a Dutch-treat dinner!

Members are welcome to join us for the movie, dinner, or both.

The movie we will be seeing will be announced soon.

We will meet at MSP Film @ the Main for the movie, followed by a Dutch treat dinner at Jefe Urban Cocina to discuss the movie. If you‘ve already seen the movie, but would like to meet us at the restaurant at 6:00 pm, please let us know by answering the question that will pop up.

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: Elsie’s has a secluded indoor space available in the main dining room. This event is limited to 35 to accommodate Elsie‘s staff.

Join your fellow MCC members by ringing in the New Year with a celebratory Dutch treat dinner at Chloe by Vincent. Order off the menu; there may be specials for New Year‘s Eve. Please register for this event by December 26. This event is limited to 12 people.