Columns | Southwest Connector

FOR HEALTHIER YARD AND WORLD, SKIP FALL CLEAN-UP

Climate change, habitat loss and pesticides are causing dramatic declines in populations of insects and the birds who need them – with likely dire consequences for humans’ quality of life … more

Constance Pepin | 10/11/22

Art collector and south Minneapolis resident Herman Milligan. (Photo by Susan Schaefer)

The soul behind the images:

A showstopper exhibitionWhen cooler temps and shorter days signal the Fall Arts Season in the metro area, there are many cultural activities competing for attention. As always, this column strives to … more

9/29/22

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

I'm scared – what about you?

Is it Halloween? Are there ghosts in my house? I can only focus on what is in front of me. What is this me being scared? It's a mystery. Do you ever get scared? Is it a mystery to you? Tell yourself, … more

9/29/22

ACES LINKED TO SUICIDE - Adults who had experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are more likely to have attempted suicide in their lifetime than those who had not experienced ACEs. Researchers used data from the 2012 to 2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) to match people who had attempted suicide with those who had not, based on the presence or absence of nine mental and substance use disorders that are associated with suicide risk. This allowed the researchers to estimate the role that ACEs played in the risk of suicide attempts independent of mental and substance use disorders. The ACEs included in the study were (1) psychological abuse; (2) physical abuse; (3) sexual abuse; (4) emotional neglect; (5) physical neglect; (6) witnessing violence against a mother or other adult female; (7) substance misuse by a parent or other household member; (8) mental illness, suicide attempt, or suicide death of a parent or other household member; (9) incarceration of a parent or other household member; and (10) parents’ separation or divorce.

Suicide rates too high; we should learn warning signs

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide rates in Minnesota declined slightly in 2020, but it’s important to remember there were a record number of suicides in 2019, and this is … more

By Sue Abderholden | 9/29/22

When you bring houseplants inside, check to make sure there aren't any pests. (Photo submitted)

Bringing houseplants inside for the winter

This summer, you may have brought your houseplants outside to enjoy the warmth and humidity – I certainly did! As the nights get colder and days get shorter, it’s time to bring … more

By LAUREN BETHKE, Master Gardener | 9/29/22

OUT AND ABOUT ON THE PAPER ROUTE

There’s a 10-year-old in our house now, and he took on a few paper routes this summer. That means, of course, that mom did, too. I was excited he was interested in the family business and … more

Tesha Christensen | 9/28/22

MOLTEN BEESWAX, PAINT, AND COLLAGE BLUR LINE BETWEEN PAINTING AND SCULPTURE

Jodi Reeb is a visual, fine artist from Minneapolis specializing in fine art abstract, collage, sculptural, contemporary, landscape, acrylic and encaustic paintings … more

Suzie Marty | 9/21/22

WE SOLDIER ON

Today, right now! It's the first day of the first year without my brother. He died! Myself, my sister-in-law, and my nieces – we continue to mourn. Labor Day week-end of 2021 was the last time … more

Donald L. Hammen | 9/21/22

Crixell Shell of the Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute talks with community members at the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association's Twin Cities Community Pop-Up Market at Mueller Park on Aug. 20.

HOW TO CREATE HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS FOR EVERYONE

Minneapolis has 83 residential neighborhoods, 70 neighborhood associations, 13 wards, 11 communities and five precincts. If we do a health check based on gun violence, some of these places are not … more

Eric Ortiz | 9/21/22

The Team Larry House Band performed at Woofstock on Saturday September 10, 2022 hosted at Sheridan Ave S & W 43rd St.

Teaming up for good [Photo gallery]

It was sunny and 70 degrees for the 17th Annual Linden Hills Woofstock, and the pooches were not to be disappointed. Nor were the fans of The Disappointments, the latest teenage rock group coming … more

Larry LaVercombe | 9/13/22

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.

Wellness in the Workplace

Working can be stressful! Everyone who is employed or volunteering has been pivoting and re-adjusting schedules, expectations, and communication these past few years. Thank you to all the front-line … more

Michele Rae | 9/9/22

Follow up to my last column about ‘Republican Untrustworthiness’

I was not surprised to receive a lot of response to my last column, which among other things, included these sentiments: “Once you have drunk the Republican Kool-Aid, you seem to … more

Larry LaVercombe | 9/9/22

Feeling good starts with gratitude

Birthdays are about a lot more than eating cake. Of course, it’s always nice to celebrate another trip around the sun. But it’s equally important to remember that we don’t make the … more

Eric Ortiz | 9/9/22

Somewhere in the middle

Being 22, I am on the older end of Generation Z, people born from 1997 to 2012. I am a part of the same ‘cringey’ generation who does Fortnite dances and is obsessed with TikTok videos. … more

Chloe Peter | 9/9/22

There are easy woodland walks that don’t require heavy hiking. (Photo by Susan Schaefer)

From the ‘Hood to the Woods

Beach to beechWhen I arrived in Minnesota as an east coast transplant in the late 1980s, my summer visions were of expanses of New Jersey beaches rather than expansive views of blue beeches, the … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 8/31/22

Early blight is common, and causes yellowing leaves. A lack of air flow in dense tomato plants can be an issue.

Should you use eggshells and Epsom salt?

It seems like every time I open up social media, I see posts or videos with gardening advice. Sometimes the advice is good, but sometimes it’s useless or even harmful. But how to know which … more

By LAUREN BETHKE, Master Gardener | 8/31/22

Audrey Young (left) and Annika Lindorfer, both age 10, are two new carriers for the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger. They said it is calming to walk around and see different parts of the neighborhood. (Photo submitted)

Out and about on the paper route

There’s a 10-year-old in our house now, and my son, Axel, took on a few paper routes this summer. That means, of course, that mom did, too. I was excited he was interested in the family … more

By Tesha M. Christensen Owner & editor tesha@longfellownokomismessenger.com | 8/31/22

WE SOLDIER ON!

Today, right now! It's the first day of the first year without my brother. He died! Myself, my sister-in-law, and my nieces – we continue to mourn. Labor Day week-end of 2021 was the last time … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 8/31/22

GRATEFUL FOR ART ON THE EDGE

Reflecting on this past week, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. On Saturday July 23, we celebrated creativity, intuition, and community with the first Annual Art on The Edge Festival in Linden … more

By Suzie Marty | 8/3/22

QUARTERLY TRANSIT SCHEDULE CHANGES COMING

Hi! I’d like to introduce myself to the Southwest Connector readers. My name is John Wilson and I have been a transit enthusiast since the 1970s. You may have seen my Metro Transit column in … more

By John Wilson | 8/3/22