Columns | Southwest Connector

What does it mean to be impartial? Unbiased? Credible?Is a juror unable to be impartial if they have family or personal experience with police brutality?Or, does having experience with something give … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 2/3/22

Peaceful protester at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis. (Josh Hild/Unsplash)

Public safety starts with accountability

Minneapolis has a public safety crisis. Violent crime is up, and young people are at the heart of the problem. We need all hands on deck to find a solution.Tray Pollard is one of those people taking … more

by Eric Ortiz | 2/3/22

Art is never giving up on your dream

Courtney Yasmineh is a singer and songwriter here in the Twin Cities. She’s written and recorded eight albums of original songs that fall into the categories of folk or rock or Americana. … more

By Suzie Marty | 2/3/22

The rockin’-est fundraiser in town

As I noted in my first column, I love it when people join to together to do good things. I also mentioned that I love live music, so today I want to tell you about one of Southwest’s coolest … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 2/3/22

Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice steering committee.

Sometimes I'm an activist because I must be

I feel gratitude for everyone who has taken the plunge as we navigate the uncertain waters of life experience through my new column, Stories and Journeys. This column is an article I wrote two years … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 1/25/22

#1) “Garden of Iron Mirrors” installation by Andrea Stanislav

AN EDUCATED TWIST TO WINTER FITNESS:

By SUSAN SCHAEFER Much has been written about the benefits of exercise and being outdoors to beat the blues. According to a recent report from the American Psychological Association, “There … more

By Susan Schaefer | 1/8/22 | 1 comment

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 … more

by Eric Ortiz | 1/8/22

What’s in a name?

My first assignment, when offered this opportunity to write for the Southwest Connector, was to come up with a Name for the Column. And as I started to write, I realized that without a name for it, … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 1/8/22

A bowl of gratitude to start a new year

Minneapolis artist Lynn Sarnoff–Christensen has been a potter for over 30 years. She is continuously reinventing her focuses with new creative directions. The path of growth, if you will. Her … more

by Suzie Marty | 1/8/22

Living in Gratitude

As we begin 2022 many of us take time to reflect on the ups and downs, disappointments and joys, beginnings and endings of the previous year. We set intentions for the new year. How can you make … more

By Michele Rae | 1/8/22

I'm taking the plunge – will you join me?

Imagine that we are standing on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is in fact a few blocks east of where I live in south Minneapolis. Imagine with the writing of this column, I am leaving the … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 1/1/22 | 1 comment

Artika Tyner poses for a portrait in the skyway between Opus Hall and Terrence Murphy Hall in Minneapolis on August 2, 2014. These portraits were taken as part of a TEDx speaking event and conference at the University of St. Thomas.

Breaking schools’ rules: school-to-prison pipeline explained

Schools and prisons should never be in the same sentence; however, the school-to-prison pipeline is real. For far too many students of color, entering the gateway to incarceration begins with a … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 1/1/22

Linden Hills artist, Edward Bock

Mixed-media artist and photographer Edward Bock uses unexpected textures, colors and mediums to create abstract paintings and fine art photography. After earning a degree in mass communications from … more

By SUZIE MARTY, artist and business owner, ads@swconnector.com | 12/1/21 | 2 comments

MEET TESHA - When a letter that she wrote was published in her hometown newspaper when she was a kid, Tesha M. Christensen was hooked. “I had gotten my first glimpse into the power of the printed word. I wanted more,” recalled Christensen. “I saw how newspapers could be used to generate change in their communities, and how they could inform and engage people.” She started her own paper and later wrote for her college newspaper, The Clarion. Shortly after earning her bachelor’s degree in English from Bethel University, she got a full-time job at her hometown newspaper, The STAR in Cambridge, Minn. – the same newspaper that printed her letter to the editor when she was a child. Christensen worked as the assistant editor and special sections editor of her hometown newspaper for 10 years, serving two counties and a circulation of 21,000 with a twice weekly newspaper. Over the years, Christensen covered a range of topics in Isanti and Chisago counties, from school board levies to new county parks to crime news. “I wrote about what new businesses were coming to town, local musicians, and rodeo shows, and a story about one local resident who saved the life of another,” Christensen recalled. “I love the ever-changing nature of this business, and how I learn something new with each story I write.” In 2012, Tesha started writing for the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger and Midway Como Frogtown Monitor after moving to South Minneapolis. She purchased the newspapers in 2019 when the longtime owners (Cal deRuyter and Tim Nelson) retired, and started her own business, TMC Publications CO. A lifelong learner, Christensen believes in the importance of the local newspaper to collect the stories of the neighborhood it serves. In the past she’s written for Northstar Media, the Isanti County News, ECM Publishers/Adams Publishing Group, Twin Cities Daily Planet, RedCurrent and The Alley newspaper in the Phillips neighborhood of south Minneapolis. She enjoys connecting with journalism students. “I love journalism, and I am passionate about sharing journalism with kids and young adults,” stated Christensen. “They are the future, and it’s so exciting to hear their ideas.” She taught journalism classes at Anoka-Ramsey Community College from 2006 to 2012, and taught for one year at Planet Homeschool, a homeschool co-op in St. Anthony, where she helped launch a school newspaper written by the middle and high school students. At TMC Publications CO, she works to partner with local schools looking for internship opportunities. Christensen appreciates connecting people through neighborhood news and seeks to make it relevant, trustworthy and local. Christensen has served on a variety of committees and boards over the years, and is a co-founder of Team Yarn - Head Huggers (teamyarn.blogspot.com), a small non-profit dedicated to making and donating hats, shawls and lapghans to those battling cancer and other serious illnesses. She lives with her two children and their two cats in a house with a big garden and a Little Free Library. Contact Tesha M. Christensen at 612-345-9998 or tesha@SWconnector.com.

BEGINNING A NEWSPAPER

Welcome, readers of the new Southwest Connector. We’re glad you’ve picked up a copy of our inaugural edition. It’s an exciting time for neighborhood journalism. Thanks for coming … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 12/1/21 | 2 comments

Time to build bridges with the whole community

Not every neighborhood issue makes headline news. But some community members in Minneapolis feel like serious concerns are being ignored by the media and their local leaders too. When individual … more

By Eric Ortiz | 12/1/21

Haven’t you heard? Newspapers are thriving

Newspapers are dying. Thousands of newspapers have closed. No one reads the newspapers anymore. Only old people read newspapers. Newspaper ad effectiveness is uncertain. Newspaper ads underperform … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN, Owner & Editor | 4/27/21

2020: The Year of the Pivot

2020 might become known as the year of the pivot.In the newspaper business, we’ve been zig-zagging for years now, since the Internet changed the business we knew. In some ways, that prepared us … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN, Owner & Editor Tesha@LongfellowNokomisMessenger.com | 11/25/20

#PressIsNotTheEnemy - so why are the police acting like it?

Over 148 journalists were attacked by police in the United States between May 28 and June 4, 2020. Yes. I said 148. Yes, by the police. Yes, in the United States. … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN, Owner & Editor Tesha@LongfellowNokomisMessenger.com | 7/29/20

Thanks for supporting your local newspaper

Tesha Christensen, editor and owner Newspapers have your back. We really do. Now more than ever, local is important. Who is open? Who is sick? Who is helping others? Who can you turn to for … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN, Owner & Editor Tesha@LongfellowNokomisMessenger.com | 5/26/20