Mill City Commons is a vibrant group of individuals aged 55 and above who share a passion for connection, learning, having fun, and seeking new experiences. We are engaged in the world around us and believe friendships and a sense of belonging are important. Read on to learn about the variety of opportunities for members to gather and friendships to grow. We encourage you to join us! | |
Three-Month Trial Membership Starts April 1! | |
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Not a member? Try us out!
We understand the importance of strong social connections and belonging. Join Mill City Commons for $150 and attend unlimited programs from April 1-June 30, access trusted online resources and rely on courteous and friendly staff.
Learn more here or sign up by visiting our website. Fill in the online form and you'll hear back from our staff with next steps to become a part of our membership community. Don't miss out on this opportunity to see what we're all about.
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Our Upcoming Programs and Events | |
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Dining Around the World: Gardens of Salonica
Thursday, March 28, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Gardens of Salonica Greek Restaurant, 19 5th St NE
Join us as we embark on a once-a-month culinary experience at different ethnic restaurants around the city. This month, we will be heading to Greece, where we will enjoy a Dutch-treat dinner at Gardens of Salonica. This event is limited to 12 people.
Cash or check only. If you must use a credit card, there is a 3.75% Non-cash adjustment added.
MCC members sign up here.
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Morning Mixer
Saturdays, March 30 and April 6, 9:15 - 10:30 am
Elsie's Restaurant, 729 Marshall St NE
Get to know other MCC members at a casual Saturday morning breakfast mixer at Elsie’s Restaurant. 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.
MCC members sign up here for March 30 and here for April 6; guests email MCC.
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Virtual via Zoom: Technology Help Desk
Tuesday, April 2, 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Schedule time with a tech support guru and have your nagging technology questions answered during our complimentary Help Desk. This is a virtual help desk and will take place on Zoom. 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.
The zoom link will be provided in your confirmation email.
MCC members sign up here.
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Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, April 3, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Klassic's Kitchen, 428 S 2nd St
Join us to discuss this month's book, Good Night, Irene, by Luis Alberto Urrea. You are welcome to join us in conversation whether or not you've read the book.
If you'd like to read ahead, May's book is Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story that Awakened America, by Joy-Ann Reid, and June's book is 100 Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Márquez.
Have a book suggestion for the Book Chat? Email Marsha Blumenthal.
No registration required.
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Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, April 4, 8:00 - 9:00 am
Elsie's Restaurant, 729 Marshall St NE
It's caffeine and camaraderie for 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 Coffee and Conversation.
This week, Van Hawn will introduce his college classmate and friend Rich Gehrman who is the founder of Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota, an advocacy organization for the improvement of the child protection system in MN. He will speak of the egregious failures of our system to protect children from abuse and neglect and of improvements necessary to bring MN into line with more successful states.
MCC members sign up here.
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Joyfully Dancing 55+
Monday, April 8, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave
Are you looking for a new activity to try out? Tapestry Folkdance offers a gentle movement class called “Joyfully Dancing 55+.”
The class is described as “a dance experience that celebrates many genres of dance and music: American, swing, popular, and international, to name a few.” Dances are taught/reviewed every session. As the name suggests, participants feel a lot of joy (and get some exercise too) while dancing together! No partner is needed, and all levels of ability are welcome.
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.
"Joyfully dancing instructor Robin is welcoming and says not to worry about following steps exactly. She introduces the music and dance steps which makes the hour friendly, fun, and folksy!" - Peggy R.
"This was my first dance class ever and the instructor made it easy to follow (even with my two left feet). I enjoyed being physically active in a fun way, without having to be too serious about it." - Carol H.
MCC members sign up here.
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Writing Series: A Guide to Writing Your Stories
Tuesdays, April 9 & 16 and May 7 & 14, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
MCC office, 1201 W River Pkwy, 2nd floor
Loft Teaching Artist Patricia Hoolihan is available to guide MCC members in exploring their stories during four 2-hour writing classes in April and May. This class will provide a chance to explore the world around you and within you in new ways through language – whether you are writing for yourself or to share with family and friends. Writing exercises will encourage you to open doors and cross thresholds to find words and stories that have been waiting to be discovered—by you. Writing prompts will invite you to express your unique voice in a variety of creative ways through journaling, poetry, essay, and memoir. Each class includes time for writing exercises, discovery of similar experiences, and optional sharing of written words. Cost for the 4 classes is $120.
Minimum of 7 enrollees, and limited to 20 members.
MCC members sign up here.
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Milkweed Editions: A Homegrown Publishing Success Story
Tuesday, April 9, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
MCC office, 1201 W River Pkwy, 2nd fl
Daniel Slager is the Publisher & CEO of Milkweed Editions, one of the nation's leading independent publishers of literature. He will explain how this publishing house -- and neighbor, as Milkweed is located in Open Book -- came to be a national force, and how it is evolving successfully in the context of significant change in the publishing industry.
MCC members sign up here.
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Dutch Treat Social Hour
Mondays, The Depot, 4:30-5:30 pm
Drop in for an afternoon coffee or drink and a casual chat. Note: Contact the MCC office if you plan to attend for the first time.
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Wednesday Morning Coffee
Wednesdays,
9:00-10:00 am
Drop in and join your friends and neighbors for a morning chat at C.R.E.A.M Cafe.
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Men's Dutch Lunch
Klassic's Kitchen,
11:30 am-12:30 pm
This casual gathering alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. Register here.
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Play Readers
Specific Tuesdays and Wednesdays
6:30-9:30 pm
Our 2023-24 season of six readings runs September-May. If you'd like to join the Play Readers or be added to the sub list, please email Mary Texidor.
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SBS (Strength, Balance, Stretch)
Wednesdays,
12:00-12:45 pm
An exclusive opportunity for members, this class focuses on keeping you fit and strong. First time participants, please contact G-Werx at (612) 767-4415. Cost varies depending on commitment.
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MCC Community Care Resources | |
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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. Contact the MCC office to learn more about future openings in the group.
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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.
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Medical Equipment Loan Program
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, cane, bed assist rail, wheelchair, grabber and walker available.
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First Stop Guide
MCC's First Stop Guide has invaluable member-recommended service providers. If you're looking for a dentist, tech support, a personal trainer, healthcare provider or more, you can find it here.
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News From and For Members | |
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MCC members, are you interested in attending a Nordic Walking session later this spring or early summer? If your answer is yes, please contact Jane Stacy to express your interest.
MCC member Peggy Reinhardt shares an article: Older Adults Can Save Our Planet by environmentalist Bill McKibben. He founded an organization called Third Act, an activist group for people 60 and older.
Mill City Commons was mentioned in the Village to Village Network's March newsletter due to our partnership with Road Scholar. Check it out here!
Upcoming MCC meetings:
- Program Committee, March 26
- Membership Committee, April 15
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Influencing Safety Through Design
March 28, 12:00-1:30 pm, Elliot Park Recreation Center, 1000 E 14th St
Join MPRB and the East Town Business Partnership for a lunch-and-learn (lunch provided) at the Elliot Park Rec Center. Discuss how real and perceived safety issues impact parks and the surrounding public spaces. Share lived experiences about how businesses are impacted by the neighborhoods they reside in and learn about design strategies that can be implemented to increase vibrancy within the urban realm. Click here to register.
Embracing Our Roots: Rooted and Rising
March 30, 1:00-3:00 pm, Elmer L. Andersen Library, 222 21st Ave S
Join artists, educators, activists and mothers, elder Amoke Kubat and elder-in-the-making, Wisdom Young (Mawusi) as they share, build and heal about their journeys as Black girls, women and mothers in America. They will discuss how time, place, family and historic/current events have shaped their identities and their work. They will reflect on the seeds they were given through generations, the seeds they are currently tending, and most importantly, the seeds they are sowing. Please register to attend. For information and to register, click here.
Minneapolis St Paul International Film Festival
April 11-25, The Main Cinema and other venues across the metro
The Minneapolis St Paul International Film Festival is back! As the largest annual celebration of international cinema in the region, MSPIFF43 promises another exciting lineup of 200+ films from around the world, plus an exciting array of parties, panels, visiting filmmakers, and special guests. Tickets are on sale now and the full line-up can be found 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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