Leader: Terry Pearson will provide guided meditation via zoom.

Fee: An additional fee of $10.25 is required for this class to cover instructor costs.

Attendance Policy: A minimum of 3 registrants are required for this program to run. If there are less than 3 registrations 24 hours prior to the start of the program, the following will occur:

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel your registration less than 24 hours before this program is scheduled to take place, you will be charged for attendance. To avoid being charged, please cancel your registration at least 24 hours prior to the program start time.

MCC members sign up here. Registered members will receive the Zoom link in their confirmation email.

It's time to make connections with women members of Mill City Commons during these cold winter months. This meeting will be a virtual, but traditional, end-of-year "tea and coffee party." 2020 has been an eventful, but un-event-filled year that has brought us together as it kept us apart. We hope new members will consider joining us. We'd love to get to know you.

True to the founder of the women's group, the late Arvonne Fraser, this end-of-year gathering will center on a question: What has been the best of a bad year and what are your hopes for 2021? So brew your tea or coffee, or open a bottle of wine as we toast our resilience and our optimism!

MCC members sign up here. The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in.

Across the nation, cities have suffered through the impact of COVID-19 and racial justice unrest. Economic recovery, additional potential shut downs, business relocations, police reform and public safety form an intricate web of issues to navigate. Join us for a discussion with Steve Cramer, CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council on what the Council’s role is in guiding and leading the reanimation of Minneapolis to ensure it emerges as vibrant as ever.

MCC members sign up here. The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, MCC Member and retired physician Michael Brennan is keeping a close watch on all medical and health developments put forth by the CDC, NIH and MN Department of Public Health. Join us for this every-other-week meeting where Michael will share the most recent information available, his perspective of how to keep ourselves safe and healthy, and answer questions.

MCC members sign up here. The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in.

Current international news and U.S. foreign policy provide an endless trove of topics for learning and discussion. Retired foreign service officer and MCC member Bill Davnie will lead us in a presentation and discussion. This month's topic is "Instead of a Year-end Look Back -- It's the Future Consequences Frightening People."

MCC members sign up here. The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in.

Prolong the holiday spirit with a festive chat on the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life”—the 1946 Frank Capra movie starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reid. We’ll discuss what it is about this movie classic that draws people in to watch it every year. This movie is available to watch for free on Amazon Prime.

MCC members sign up here. The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in.

Jump on zoom with fellow members as we wave good-bye to 2020 and ring in 2021 with a New Years Eve Signature Cocktail! Join us for a quick toast, or stay longer to connect with friends in breakouts and discuss your intentions, hopes and goals for the new year. Drink recipes are on the website--or feel free to get creative and make your own!

MCC members sign up here. The Zoom link can be found in the program description after logging in.

The Tell Me A Story program is coming back in 2021—but we need YOU! Since June, members have been sharing high points, low points, and intriguing and uplifting stories from their lives to enthusiastic response from members. Help us continue this great zoom program that helps us get to know one another a little bit better, especially when we can’t be together in person. There’s no limit to what you might tell – or read. What facet of your life would help us know you better if we heard your story? We need ONE MORE storyteller in order to run a February program and would like to find more storytellers for March.

Email Bethany Boom to sign up for the February story slot, or suggest a month that would work for you.

Click here for the Zoom link.

Drop in and join your friends and neighbors for a morning chat over Zoom. Click here for the Zoom link.

Click here for the Zoom link.

MCC staff want to take the next few weeks and update the MCC COVID-19 Response page on the website to reflect your needs going into 2021. Please take a minute to answer a three-question survey here to give us your thoughts and feedback. Thank you in advance for your participation.

MCC member Peter Hutchinson wants you to know that MinnPost is hosting their MinnPost Social tonight (December 15) from 5-6 pm. It is a free event where MinnPost editors will review the last year. All are welcome. You can register yet today for the event here.

As a follow up to a recent Women Who Make a Difference program with Melanie Ebertz, Melanie shared that they have added new textiles on their website at www.artandes.com. You can also view a youtube tour of the pieces here.

The Vitality Society is offering complimentary programming in December. Every Saturday in December at 3:30 pm you can experience an artist gallery tour and lesson. For details of the art programs, click here. At 6 pm on Sundays in December, you can enjoy international travel and dance. The details of these programs won't be known until you meet the "local guides" on Zoom. To attend, simply register here. The Vitality Society is an online platform designed to tap into the vitality, curiosity and creativity of members 60 and better to keep them at their best.

Join AARP for an ugly sweater + pants dance party on December 19 from 10 am-12 pm. The party will start with yoga, followed by a guided dance experience and will culminate with a performance by Dionne Warwick. For more details and to register for this free event, click here.

MCC member John Crosby shared this article from the Star Tribune which includes advice for protecting yourself against crimes like carjackings. Remember to be vigilant about your surroundings, have an alarm button and other noise maker on your keychain or in your pocket, and have a plan. Reports indicate that victims are often older women preoccupied with carrying something to their car.

As a follow up to Doug Baker, Jr.'s recent program with MCC ("Leading through COVID-19" on November 19), MCC member Sonia Cairns shares this article about Doug's plans for the future as he retires from Ecolab.

MCC member Joan Wright recommends that you consider watching a recording of "Impact Leaders," a candid conversation with University of Minnesota's President Joan Gabel and Dr. Michael Osterholm about life amid COVID-19. During this illuminating conversation, guests were able to hear about the U’s challenges, triumphs, and critical ongoing work related to the pandemic. The recording is available here.

Our tip for December is recycled from December ‘19, and bears repeating:

As we enter the holiday season, it is worth remembering that holiday wrapping paper can be recycled provided it does not have glitter, flocking, embossing or reflective areas (foil) on it. Gift bows, too, can be recycled but have the same restrictions as paper. Ribbon and bows are not recyclable. Enjoy the season!

Hot mess of a millennial, Mimi becomes taken with the idea that Edward Snowden is madly in love with her. Join her and her best friend April in this wild, party-fueled romp that confronts us with the question of when someone we love betrays us, can we forgive them or do we have to let them go? In the Jungle’s first-ever virtual performance, two incredible performers (plus some whimsical animation) play twenty-plus roles in this volcanic comedy about pretty lies and ugly truths. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Twin Cities’ holiday tradition continues with The Steeles family and their Christmas celebration. A cornerstone of Minnesota music with world-renowned talent, The Steeles concert echoes the sacred and secular sounds of the season, with the songs you know and love. Tickets can be purchased here.

One of Charles Dickens’ favorite ways to spread holiday cheer was to perform dramatic readings of his beloved ghost story for audiences near and far. With a trusty, self-edited copy of his novella in hand, Dickens took Scrooge’s tale of transformation on the road for years, standing at podiums and entertaining large crowds of devoted fans from London to Boston and beyond. Drawing inspiration from this centuries-old tradition, the Guthrie will present a special virtual event featuring a cast of four beloved A Christmas Carol veterans who will reimagine Dickens’ hand-curated chapters for a global audience to enjoy. This is a newly conceived offering that will be filmed and available to stream in December. For information and tickets, click 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.

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