The concepts for Nicollet Ave. were reviewed during an open house on March 7 at the Abyssinia Cultural Center.
Nicollet conversations continue
At-large Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioner, Tom Olsen, is a vocal supporter of the car-free option along Nicollet Ave. through the former Kmart site. “If the public works plan …
Knute Nelson, Walker merge
Knute Nelson and Walker Methodist, two esteemed leaders in the aging services field, have successfully merged, marking a transformative step forward in their shared commitment to enhancing the lives …
Karen Binkowski is the Southwest Business Association (SWBA) Manager of Business Development & Marketing. The non-profit supports small businesses. Learn more at swba.wildapricot.org or email info@experiencesouthwest.com.
Southwest Minneapolis Businesses We’ve Got What You Need
There is so much to enjoy and experience through our small businesses here in Southwest Minneapolis. In fact, we’re home to more businesses than the Mall of America! With more than 600 …
City briefs - Mar 2024
Minnehaha Watershed District Partnership An agreement has been signed between the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District …
Route 4 proposed changes
ROUTE 4 PROPOSED CHANGES Metro Transit is proposing changes to the Route 4 bus route as part of their Better Bus Routes programs to improve the customer experience.Proposed changes include: • …
Hall Park bike sculpture
Neighborhood news - Mar 2024
BIKEABLE SCULPTURE A new sculpture is on view - and available for biking - as part of the recent improvements project at Hall Park (1524 Aldrich Ave. N). During the project, a team from the …
Mindful Creativity
Suzie Marty is an artist and curator at Everett & Charlie art gallery in Linden Hills. She is also an avid supporter of buying local, and a marketing specialist for the Southwest Connector. Contact her at ads@swconnector.com.
Meditative act of creating
Spending time in nature helps reduce stress. There are many scientific studies that have found it can help lower blood pressure, anxiety, and evoke a feeling of relaxation and positivity in us. …
Lady Bear with her human pal, Meg Juedes, were a popular team on the ice during the Ice Shanty Projects at Lake Harriet on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. The bear got into roaring contests with fest-goers. Juedes’ dress showed the decline of the polar ice cap by year.
ART ON ICE
After opening one week late to wait for ice to build on Lake Harriet, the 20th annual Ice Shanty Projects closed after only one weekend.  “It’s sad for artists like us, who were …
Mark Rivard of Do Rad Things
Hear from Mark Rivard, creator of Do Rad Things, at 'Let's Connect' event in February
Every artist has an interesting origin story. But nothing compares with how Mark Rivard got started. Rivard began illustrating skateboards with Sharpie markers in the early 2000s. That led to an …
Dr. Joan Madden and Richard Baldinelli founded the 53rd Street Brass Quintet.
Bound by Brass
Musicians Richard Baldinelli and Dr. Joan Madden exude joy whether playing their trumpets in the 53rd Street Brass Quintet, looking forward or reminiscing. The two musicians capture the delight of a …
One of Heid E. Erdrich’s favorite spots in the neighborhood is the Kenwood School Stone Poem Rain Garden.
A people’s poet
This month, Southwest resident Heid E. Erdrich became the first poet laureate for the city of Minneapolis.  “We need poetry, even if we don’t know we do. There’s a human …
COLUMNISTS
Mercado Central, the Latino marketplace at the corner of Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue in Minneapolis.
Mercado Central keeps teaching community ‘How to buy the pond’
Mexico City is 2,106 miles from Minneapolis. But you don't have to travel that far to experience authentic Latino culture. The Mercado Central , or Central Market, is a few minutes from any …
Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice steering committee.
Weighing in on legislation
Dear Reader, you have continued to tell me your Medicare stories via tesha@tmcpub.com .  A Southwest Connector reader, Judy M., has written to tell me her Medicare Advantage story and her …
Michele Rae, RPh, MA, NBC-HWC is the founder of The Center Within, LLC and author of “Living From the Center Within: Co-Creating Who You Are Becoming.” She provides holistic coaching designed to accelerate and support personal, professional, and organizational transformation.
Self-advocacy and your health
When you see your health care provider or have a question about your health, are you a great advocate for yourself and those you support in their well-being? Some of us were taught to believe that we …
Eric Ortiz vive en The Wedge con su familia. Cuando no está construyendo comunidad, es el director de contenido de la Fundación Strong Mind Strong Body y escribe libros infantiles bilingües con sus hijos. Su primer libro,
Es hora de destacar nuestra humanidad con la inmigración
Todos tienen una voz, pero no todas las voces son escuchadas hoy. Este no es un problema nuevo. Mis abuelos paternos, ambos mexicano-americanos de primera generación que crecieron en Los …
Youth and elders brainstorm ideas during a community solutions workshop at Walker Library on Feb. 3.
A solution for school disengagement
T he world has changed. Our education system has not. As a result, school is broken . It's so bad that many kids don't go to school anymore. Chronic absenteeism was an issue before the pandemic. …
Home & Garden
Patricia Neal works with children to tend their neighborhood sponsored garden.
Local model for an urban CSA
“Four years ago, I realized we needed a model for an urban CSA,” says Craig Neal, founder and chief gardener of the Neighborhood Sponsored Garden (NSG) located in a backyard on Beard Ave. …
Christy Johnson of United Goods does minimalistic, graphic prints in small sizes. (Photos submitted)
Inside the head of minimalist State icon artist
Christy Johnson, founder & CEO of United Goods started working as a graphic designer and artist in 2003 in Minneapolis. A life-long creative, she’s loved to draw since she was a kid. Over …
These small lightboxes made by Longfellow artist Chris Miller can brighten tables and shelves. Other larger ones function as furniture. (Photo submitted)
How to add art to your home
Longfellow mosaic artist Chris Miller believes that art is like jewelry for your home. “I made this piece in glass a few years ago and I display it each September during LoLa Art Crawl. It says …
A series of 50 native plant gardens along Nicollet Avenue provide food sources and nesting space for pollinators.
Nicollet Pollinator Pathway for Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
There’s a new pathway in southwest Minneapolis, but it’s not for people.  The Nicollet Avenue Pollinator Pathway is a series of 50 native plant gardens along and around Nicollet …
April showers bring May flowers, and May flowers bring in the bees. This bee is feasting on creeping Charlie. (Photo submitted)
No mow May helps pollinators
Stumbling over bicycles and skateboards in the back of the garage, your fall is broken by the lawn mower handle. Wrestling your new turf terrorizer out of its winter hold, a vague memory forms of the …
Voices Against Violence
Police officer Paul Elmstrand, officer Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth
Violence Free Minnesota issues statement on Burnsville Police and EMT domestic violence homicides
Violence Free Minnesota issued the following statement on Tuesday, Feb. 20 to call attention to the full circumstances around Shannon Cortez Gooden's murder of two police officers and an EMT in …
Christmas Eve luminary supports Domestic Abuse Project
For 25 years, the warm glow of hundreds of luminaries have lit Dupont/King’s Highway on Christmas Eve. The annual event not only brings neighbors together, but it has raised over $50,000 for …
Dani's daughter sent her teddy bear with her mom on Oct. 2, 2023. “I couldn’t stop thinking about how my daughter would take the news that her mom wasn’t coming home for a month,” said Dani.
Domestic abuse victim jailed
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a Minnesota judge ordered a victim to jail for not forcing her daughter to see her father. Dani* was ordered to serve 30 days in jail on Oct. 2, 2023 or …
Thi Synavone works as the executive director at Standpoint.  (Photo submitted)
FROM THEIR STANDPOINT
Thi Synavone came to the U.S. in 1979 as a Laotian refugee. After living in many states, her family settled in Minnesota in 1988. Synavone said that growing up, domestic and sexual violence was never …
CAUGHT BETWEEN
She lived in Minnesota for only five months and her daughter was born in Iowa, but Dani* has been dragged into family court in Minnesota nearly every one of the past 11 years by her ex-boyfriend. …
Rebuild Repair Recycle
The long process of reopening Nicollet Ave. at Lake St. took another step forward this month. City planners released design concepts for the public areas planned for the 10-acre site where a surface …
Hennepin County is working to build a Lyndale Avenue for today and tomorrow. The county is partnering with the city of Minneapolis, Metro Transit and others to continue improving safety for all users …
The reduction of traffic lanes on Lyndale Ave from 31st St. to Franklin Ave. has improved safety and will remain in place.   Called the “4-3 Lane Pilot Project,” Hennepin …
Aging Well
In an exciting development for the local television landscape, “Inside Senior Living,” a groundbreaking docu-series, has announced its partnership with PBS North. The series, set to …
Graham Bennett, 14, is a tech wizard who goes to The Kenwood Retirement Community once a week to help residents with their phones, iPads, laptops, and computers. His path to the Kenwood was a natural …
Faith-based, nonprofit healthcare and housing organizations look to expand options for customers, team members, and communities Knute Nelson, based in Alexandria, Minn., and Walker Methodist, based …
AWARD WINNING NEWSPAPER

20 AWARDS FOR TMC PUBLICATIONS IN 2023

TMC Publication's three newspapers earned a total of 20 awards at this year's Better Newspaper Contest. Congrats to the winners! NEWS1) First Place, Sports Story - Eric Erickson, “Unforgettable …
Neighborhood organizations
Neighborhood news - Feb 15, 2024
SAFETY WORK COMING TO STREETS Transportation planners with Minneapolis Public Works are co-coordinating traffic safety improvements 26th St./Dupont Ave, 26th St./Emerson Ave., 28th St./Dupont …
Robert Skafte
Neighborhood news - Jan 18, 2024
Kingfield Empty Bowls Feb. 11 The 13th Annual Kingfield Empty Bowls event will take place on “Soup-er Bowl” Sunday, Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Judson Memorial Baptist Church. …
Karsten Potts works at at Horn Towers with students in LNA’s Computer Basics class.
Lyndale Neighborhood Association update December
Imagine you are an older adult living in a low-income apartment complex in the heart of Minneapolis. You need help paying your monthly internet bill and learn about a low-cost internet discount …
Youth enjoy the new Spark'd Studio space at Whittier Park
Neighborhood news - Dec 14, 2023
LIGHTS RIDE Bryn Mawr Bikes Lights Ride will go past cheerful holiday lights on Sunday, Dec. 17. The group will leave from the corner of W. Laurel Ave and Cedar Lake Road at 6 p.m. First time …
Neighborhood news - Nov 30, 2023
BLAISDELL Y RENOVATIONS The Blaisdell Y is excited to share that they will undergo renovations to improve member experiences. The renovations will began the week of Monday, Nov. 27 and are …
Opinion
Prior to starting Ambit, Chuck was a Big Four Consulting Manager in the Data & Digital Trust practice advising the Big Tech industry through the dynamic internet regulatory landscape to create safer digital experiences for everyone.
Engaging the next generation of news consumers
Social media and the internet have fundamentally disrupted how news is consumed and how that news is monetized. News consumers are increasingly reading their news on social sites, enabling social …
Katie Cashman
We’ve set our priorities in Ward 7 office
I am thrilled to be writing in after my first two months in office, a period during which my new team has come together and jumped right into the work, learning the ins and outs of the city …
Letters - Mar 2024
We like ucare medicare advantage plan   Read your column in the Southwest Connector on Medicare Advantage plans. Would like to point out the following:   Medicare …
Larry LaVercombe is a writer, filmmaker, and activist, born in Detroit and arrived in Minneapolis in 1975.  He lived in a treehouse in San Diego before getting an MFA from the USC Film School.  He writes most days, and as Team Larry he has been selling residential real estate in Minneapolis for 26 years.
Your property values went up if you live by Bryant bike lanes
So the guy says, “Government’s job is to build the roads. Our city built this ‘bold and transformational’ bike-friendly project, and they managed to forget you might need to a …
Local author loves paper newspapers
Just writing to let you know we did get our paper. Hope your delivery services work out — I myself love a paper newspaper and appreciate reading about what’s happening in the ‘hood. …
HENNEPIN AVENUE
Amazing Thailand has struggled without street parking for customers in front of their building at 3024 Hennepin Ave. S., especially as they’ve shifted business to takeout, says general manager Korawan (Yin) Muangmode, second from left, shown with her brother and family,  owners Dee and Kulsatreet Noree with Yindee and Sandee (age 4), and head chef Khamsouk Pathilath (left).  (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
Hennepin Ave design: Helpful or hurtful?
If the proposed reconstruction plan for Hennepin Ave. passes, Kristin Traynor says The Corner Balloon Shoppe will be moving from 2455 Hennepin Ave. “I have an extremely diverse group of …
Hennepin for People has drawn people together at various events to inform and educate on the project. (Photo submitted)
Hennepin for People supports city’s proposed plan for Hennepin Ave. South
As woman of color, Wedge resident Chandra Lalla says she knows how “our streets don’t serve everyone well.“For generations, city streets were built solely with car travel in mind, …
Corner of Lagoon and Hennepin, looking south, in 1938. (Minnesota Historical Society)
True progress on Hennepin requires a business plan
Small businesses are the lifeblood of any community. They provide distinctive character to a neighborhood and are the engine that drives a local economy. Without local businesses, there is no local …
COMPETITION FOR SPACE ALONG S. HENNEPIN
By Tesha M. Christensen In a one-way presentation on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, city staff acknowledged that there are competing desires for E. Hennepin Ave., and they can’t all be addressed …
BUSINESSES SUBMIT LETTER TO CITY
In all, 115 Uptown businesses collectively asked the city to conduct “a more thorough analysis, update studies and ultimately begin to incorporate the views, suggestions, and proposals of the Hennepin Avenue business community into a new plan for Hennepin Avenue that is truly inclusive for all.”
George Floyd Memorial Square

George Floyd Square’s Brass Solidarity goes to HONK!

“Throughout the country and across the globe, a new type of street band movement is emerging — outrageous and inclusive, brass and brash, percussive and persuasive — reclaiming …

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The latest 2024 state ballot measures — 16 new measures certified in March
Ballotpedia provides an update on the latest certified statewide ballot measures.
Buyer beware: Unregulated 'buy now, pay later' loans can lead to greater debt and higher costs for you
Creditnews reports on the soaring number of "buy now, pay later" loans and how one state is fighting for regulation.
The FDA doesn't test dietary supplements before they hit the shelves. Here's what you need to know.
Northwell Health partnered with Stacker to explain how the FDA regulates drugs and dietary supplements differently, and how to find safe and effective supplements.
Be prepared: How to be ready for the morning after
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Important facts about lupus: 4 ways to protect your kidney health
(BPT) - Living with lupus for over 15 years has meant dealing with some very uncomfortable moments for Grammy award-winning singer Toni Braxton. But according to Toni, the discomfort is worth it to …