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!

(612) 455-3329, 1201 W River Pkwy, Suite 217C, Minneapolis, MN 55454

Last Chance: Trial Membership Deadline is September 15!

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 now until November 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. This offer ends September 15.

Our Upcoming Programs and Events

Join Us on the Green! Lunch at North Loop Green

Tuesday, September 10, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

North Loop Green, 350 N 5th St

Bring your furry friend and join us for a Dutch-treat lunch at the new North Loop Green in the North Loop. There are plenty of food trucks and tables for the perfect lunch for you and your pet! This fun Green is also home to Basset Hound, a new pet-friendly watering hole. Grab your lunch at one of the food trucks and join us outside on the Green!

MCC members sign up here.

Let's Play Mah Jongg!

Friday, September 13, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

MCC Office, 1201 W River Pkwy, 2nd fl

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. You will need to have, or have on order, a 2024 NMJL card (available for about $15 online here). Sign up early, and bring a guest. Have fun and learn as we go, playing at tables of 4, 3, or 2 Please make sure that you bring your NMJL card with you. If you have a set of Mah Jongg tiles and racks, please bring them with you as well.

This event is limited to 15 participants. Registration closes at Noon on September 12.

Beginners should prepare by learning to recognize the tiles by name: Winds (North, South, East, West), Dragons (Green, Red and Soap), Flowers, Suits (Bams, Craks, Dots), Jokers. In addition, beginners might prepare by viewing a Mah Jongg primer on YouTube, or reading a book such as A Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg to begin to understand the goal: completed combinations listed on the 2024 Mah Jongg Card.

Please reach out to Keith Nelson for further information or questions: k.d.nelson@outlook.com, or (612) 750-4605.

MCC members sign up here.

Morning Mixer

Saturdays, September 14 & 21, 9:00 - 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: 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.

MCC members sign up here for September 14 and here for September 21; guests email MCC.

Great Decisions: U.S./China Trade Rivalry

Monday, September 16, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Dr, Rm D104

China's economic rise and its current policies of increasing the role of the state in the economy have led some U.S. policymakers to seek to deny China access to U.S. technology and investment. This is seen as a necessary corrective to decades of predatory Chinese economic policies. Is this a wise strategy, and how effective can it be?

Professor Duncan McCampbell is an American lawyer and professor of international business and law at Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis. He spent 14 years—much of it living abroad—with the Westlaw division of Thomson Reuters, starting new online businesses in the UK, Germany, China, Australia, Hong Kong and the Netherlands. His professional interests include globalization, international business, non-US legal systems, and corruption prevention. Every year he teaches law and business courses in Chinese universities. He has served as Co-Chair of the Minnesota China Business Council, Minnesota’s oldest China business organization. He publishes frequently on global commercial, legal, political and security issues. In addition to his writing and teaching, Prof. McCampbell leads a business consultancy that helps companies enter new overseas markets. Professor McCampbell’s new book on U.S./China relations, Sunset Over China, is due to release by the end of the year.

Registration on the MCC website is required for Great Decisions members. Sorry, not open to guests. To join the MCC Great Decisions Discussion Group, email Jane Stacy at janestacy@millcitycommons.org.

MCC Great Decisions members sign up here.

MCC Bike Ride: Pedaling the Beautiful Trail to Stillwater

Tuesday, September 17, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm

Gateway State Trail Parking Pine Springs, Pine Springs, MN

Back by popular demand! This is a 25 - 40 mile ride that will start at the Gateway Trailhead in Oakdale (near the Highway 36/694 interchange; the Google Maps address is: "Gateway State Trail Parking, Parking lot, Pine Springs, MN"). Riders will be responsible for getting themselves and their bikes to the trailhead where we'll start riding at 9:30 a.m. We will ride the beautiful trail into Stillwater, planning for an early lunch break (and ice cream?) at one of the restaurants in town.

Remember: Helmets required!

Mileage options are as follows:

• 25 miles: Round-trip Trailhead/Stillwater/Trailhead via the Gateway and Brown's Creek trails.

• 30 miles: Add the 5-mile loop into Wisconsin, crossing the new(ish) Highway 36 bridge over the St. Croix on the wonderful protected and wide bike lane, and then down a long steep hill, returning to Minnesota via the old lift bridge.

• 40 miles: On the return trip, outside of Stillwater at Duluth Junction riders can opt to take the wooded GatewayTrail to Pine Creek Regional Park and back. They would arrive back at the Oakdale Trailhead about an hour later than riders who don't choose this option.

MCC members sign up here.

ArtAndes: Designing Textiles and Cultural Journeys Since 1987

Tuesday, September 17, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Home of the Racciatti's, 750 S 2nd St, #901

Stillwater resident Melanie Ebertz founded ArtAndes in Peru, in the mid-eighties. She has been designing both textiles and culture journeys in the Andes ever since.

Melanie began studying the Lima museums vast textile collection of Ancient Peruvian cultures, mostly dating between 200AD-1100AD. She then started bringing her small team of master weavers with her to the museums, a first for the Indigenous weavers. Together they learned what made these ancient textiles so fine, durable and heirloom. They committed to creating as close as possible to the quality of the Pre-Inca maestros.

In 2006, Melanie worked with MCC members Jim Conaway & Peggy Lucas to design a culture art history tour of Peru for their friends & neighbors. The impact made on that trip with the locals in rural communities has made for lasting friendships. It was a trip with a purpose.

You are invited to learn more of how this unique business with strong local ties with many MCC members has made a difference in Peru. Maruja & Alina from Chinchero, will be in MN for two weeks, demonstrating back-strap weaving, they will be eager to meet you! You'll also have the opportunity to enjoy Latin American Papusas, delicious savory bean filled corn cakes prepared by the Medina family.

Parking: There is very limited guest parking; On-street metered parking is available. There is also a covered municipal lot across from the building. The entrance to Humboldt Lofts is the door between Farmers Kitchen + Bar and the offices of the Mill City Museum. It's a secure building; someone will be there to greet you. Take the elevator to 9th floor.

MCC members sign up here.

Virtual via Zoom: Current Events: A Conversation with Bill

Wednesday, September 18, 10:30 - 11:30 am

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 identify a topic in advance, although news can always lead us in a fresh direction. There will be both presentation and discussion.

This month's topic: Does the Monroe Doctrine Include Africa? And, Local Politics Rule.

MCC members sign up here.

Men's Breakfast

Thursday, September 19, 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.

I-35W South cuts through the neighborhoods of south Minneapolis. Its construction required the acquisition of land and existing houses and businesses and split existing neighborhoods. What was the impact of this drastic reshaping of Minneapolis on racial minorities and other groups? Will Craig will discuss his work on this topic and his surprising findings. Especially at a time when the impact of urban expressways on neighborhoods is receiving attention, federal funds are available to rebuild highways and restore neighborhoods destroyed by the interstate highway program, and many are pushing for changes to I-94 east to partially recreate the old Rondo neighborhood, this is an important and timely topic.

Will Craig graduated from Washburn High School in 1960 -- even as homes were being taken for the new freeway in south Minneapolis. He went on to the University of Minnesota to study geography and computer science and ended up becoming a pioneer in the new field of Geographic Information Systems. His focus was on the application of GIS to understand public issues. Recently he looked at the 1960 racial distribution of the Black population in Minneapolis -- focusing on which parts were taken by the new freeway. His results, published in Hennepin History Magazine last year, were surprising as was the response to them.

MCC members sign up here.

Virtual via Zoom: Technology Help Desk

Thursday, September 19, 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.

If the program is full, please notify Jane Stacy at janestacy@millcitycommons.org if you would like to be added to the wait list should there be a cancellation.

MCC members sign up here.

2025 MCC/Road Scholar Trip - Informational Meeting

Thursday, September 19, 3:00 - 4:30 pm

MCC Office, 1201 W River Pkwy, 2nd fl

We are excited to announce that our Mill City Commons/Road Scholar 2025 trip will be to the magnificent colonial city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico from March 31 to April 7, 2025. Founded in the 16th century by a Spanish friar, the UNESCO World Heritage Site city is an uncommonly beautiful throwback to the Mexico of a more romantic era. In addition to viewing the magnificent and varied architecture, the group will meet local people, understand their art and music, its importance to their way of life, and experience the richness of their traditions, culture, and cuisine.

This will be a private group tour for MCC members and guests. Friends and family are welcome to join the group. Participants limited to 18-24.

Please join us for an information meeting about this trip on Thursday, September 19. Friends and family are welcome to attend the presentation. Nancy Gardner who has spent several winters in San Miguel will be on hand to share her extensive knowledge of the area, share photos, answer questions and address any concerns.

Sign up for trip by October 15 with Patty Connelly at connellypatty@gmail.com. Registration will be through Road Scholar after October 15. For more details, click here.

MCC members sign up here.

Sunday Soiree

Sunday, September 22, 5:00 - 7:00 pm

The Legacy Social Room, 1240 S 2nd St

Join your friends and neighbors for the Sunday Soiree, hosted by Kathleen and Paul Campbell, Cheryl Grasmoen and Bill Van Essendelft, and Lisa Weisman in the Social Room at the Legacy. Please contribute to the potluck by bringing a salad, hot dish, bread, dessert or beverage to serve at least 8. 

As you register, let us know what you’ll bring by answering the “Question” that will appear on the screen. You are welcome to bring your own beer and wine to share.

Metered on-street parking is available. Carpooling is recommended. 

MCC members sign up here.

Political Polls and News Coverage of the Presidential Election

Monday, September 23, 4:00 - 5:30 pm

MCC Office, 1201 W River Pkwy, 2nd fl

Political polls receive extra attention in a presidential election year. They shape the narrative of the election, generating competing stories of the likely outcome, and identifying the obstacles the candidates face in their path to victory. Polling played an important role in the downfall of President Biden, as they supported the story that his age, and the perception that his cognitive abilities were failing, made his defeat almost inevitable. Now the polls suggest that Vice President Harris has reinvigorated the Democrat’s chances for victory in November up and down the ballot. Polls influence where donors are going to put their money and where political campaigns spend their limited funds.

In this program, we will discuss how to understand polls and how journalists use them to create an exciting story line. What are the weaknesses of polling now? Why might polls get things wrong? And what is the impact on voters of a particular interpretation of the polls?

The speakers will be Ben Toff and Daniel Myers, both newly promoted and tenured faculty members of the University of Minnesota. Toff is in the Hubbard School of Journalism. Myers is in the Department of Political Science. Both are faculty associates with the Center for the Study of Political Psychology.

MCC members sign up here.

Last Tuesday Happy Hour

Tuesday, September 24, 5:00 - 6:00 pm

All Saints, 222 E Hennepin Ave

Join us for Last Tuesday Happy Hour at All Saints. Hosted by Bill and Kathy Fox, 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) 259-7507, or visit their website here.

Metered on-street parking is available.

MCC members sign up here.

MCC member Ric Rosow invites members to attend his upcoming artist reception: "Wildlife Photography: From Roar To Whistle" by Price Krishnan Gallery and Ric Rosow Photography. This event will take place on September 21, 5:00-9:00 pm at the Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson St NE, Suites 171 & 173. Ric will share the extraordinary adventure of photographing animals in their natural habitat. Ric notes, "The photographs in this art were chosen from a collection of over 12,000 images that I took in Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. Each day we went on two Game Drives during the prime times when the wild animals and birds of the area would be roaming and visible. The photos I have selected for this show document well the variety of animals I saw and photographed. I hope you enjoy the show." For a peek at the photos you'll see, click here.

Upcoming MCC meetings:

• Board Meeting, September 18
• Program Committee, September 24
• Marketing Committee, September 30

Around Town

Water Elements Artist's Reception

September 12, 6:00-8:00 pm, Bridgewater, 215 10th Ave S

Join a reception for the show 'Water Elements' featuring works by local artists inspired by a water theme, including photography and landscapes of the North Shore. Hear the artists talk about their art with a presentation starting at 6:00 pm in Community Room on 7th floor with food and beverages. Click here for more information.

Northrop Organist Greg Zelek in Concert

September 12, 7:00 pm, Carlson Family Stage at Northrop, 84 Church St SE

Join an entertaining evening of organ virtuosity as newly appointed Northrop Organist Greg Zelek performs his first concert in his new role. Zelek will serve as a performer, educator, advisor, and resident artist, as well as oversee ongoing care of Northrop’s spectacular and historic Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ. This concert will be Zelek’s first opportunity to thrill the audience with expert selections from a wide-range of repertoire, and experience firsthand the enthusiastic and supportive Northrop audience. Click here for tickets.

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.

Mary Texidor, Executive Director, marytexidor@millcitycommons.org

Jane Stacy, Program and Events Manager, janestacy@millcitycommons.org

(612) 455-3329