News | Southwest Connector

Bee lawns protect pollinators and your precious time

There are better ways to spend your spring and summer than mowing the lawn. The noise, smell of exhaust fumes, heat, and humidity add up to a less than pleasant chore. How many perfect Saturday … more

By Russ Henry, Bee Safe Minneapolis, Minnehaha Landscaping | 3/24/21

Over 500 people marched along the Mississippi River on March 11 to protest Enbridge drilling their tar sands Line 3 pipeline under the headwaters of the Mississippi. It was part of the largest ever grassroots multi-faith day of action to lift up bold climate demands in over 40 countries. (Photos by Margie O’Loughlin)

Line 3 threatens Mississippi River

Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light held a rally on March 11 to protest the Enbridge Energy Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Program. A spokesperson for the group said, “Construction of the tar … more

3/24/21

Ward 11 council member Jeremy Schroeder said, “The science is clear: we need serious, dedicated action at all levels to combat climate change and create environmental justice.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

STATE OF CLIMATE EMERGENCY

The city of Minneapolis declared a State of Climate Emergency in December 2019. The resolution (which passed the Minneapolis City Council unanimously) demanded a “massive-scale mobilization to … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 3/24/21

Seeking justice, caring for people: preparing for the days ahead

As the criminal trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin begins, the Twin Cities will once again be front and center in confronting the trauma of racism, police brutality, and White supremacy.To … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 3/24/21

START YOUR ENGINES!

Nelson’s Automotive (5415 34th Ave.) shut down in March 2020 just like everyone else did as they waited to see what the impact of COVID-19 would be. They opened back up a few weeks later when … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 3/24/21

Themes identified by stakeholders as priority solutions for transforming community safety

Nine months in: where’s the city on police reform?

In June 2020, two weeks after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police sparking a global uprising, nine city council members stood on a stage above huge, bold letters that spelled “DEFUND … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 2/24/21

"Going to Dunwoody at age 38 was like doing a polar plunge - super shocking, hard to explain, an extremely hard experience, and also exhilarating and eye opening," said Longfellow resident Cathy Heying, who is executive director at The Lift garage, a low-cost option for those at 150% of federal poverty guidelines. (Photo by Carina Lofgren, Portraits from 6 ft)

From social worker to auto tech

How does a social worker and pastor end up running an auto garage? The path between the two isn’t as far apart as one might think, according to Cathy Heying. “When I was working at St, … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 2/24/21

Founder and executive director Keno Evol said, “We recognize at Black Table Arts that art is fun, art is joyful, and it keeps our imaginations alive in the work of community organizing.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Doors open at Black Table Arts

Black Table Arts (BTA) is a new cooperative for Black artists in the heart of south Minneapolis. The shared, creative work-space, performance space, community gathering area, and book store is, in … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 2/24/21

Rod Johnson and Kathy Hollander love their Chevy Bolt. The charging unit plugs into a standard 110 volt wall outlet, and then the charging plug fits into a port on the outside of the car. Using the ChargePoint app, users can monitor the Bolt's charging progress while away from the car. The Bolt can go about 240 miles on a full charge. (Photos by Terry Faust)

Driving all electric in South Minneapolis

During the two years that Rod Johnson and his wife, Kathy Hollander, have owned their all-electric Chevy Bolt they have been able to cross routine auto maintenance off their “to do” list. … more

By IRIC NATHANSON | 2/24/21

BUY NOTHING PROJECT

When South Minneapolis resident Kathryn Spotts first heard about the Buy Nothing Project in 2017, she learned there were only two groups operating in the Twin Cities: one in St. Paul’s Highland … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 2/24/21

It’s all hands on deck as artists and volunteers hoist the new metal fist onto its base in George Floyd Square. Artist Jordan Powell Karis is in green (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Raising a fist for BLACK POWER

On Jan. 18, community members at George Floyd Square honored the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by raising a fist. Literally. A little after noon, Jordan Powell Karis, with a team of artists … more

By Jill Boogren | 1/27/21

Executive director Tom Coleman with Winston, a service dog-in-training. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Local non-profit trains service dogs for vets and kids

Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows that training one is hard work. Most of us are satisfied with the basics – but Tom and Julie Coleman, co-founders of Pawsitivity Service Dogs in St. Paul, … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/27/21

Library services are limited at Hennepin County Libraries, but they are open to visits. East Lake Library Supervisor Sarah Connolly answers questions and helps folks find materials. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

East Lake Library reopens

The East Lake Library has reopened. The library had been closed since fires and unrest tore through the neighborhood during the last week of May 2020. Prior to that, the library had only been open … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/27/21

STABLE HOMES, STABLE SCHOOLS

When a child does not know where he or she is going to sleep at night, studying for that math test loses its importance. Having a roof over one’s head becomes more of a priority than acing the … more

By JAN WILLMS | 1/27/21

Nokomis Tattoo owner Mike Welch (left) is joined by Ward 11 Council member Jeremy Schroeder, Nokomis Surplus owner Raul Morales, and Grande Sunrise Restaurant owners Javier (front) and Roberto Grande to launch the bilingual Little Free Library on Jan. 20, 2021. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Free bilingual books

Get a book in Spanish or English at the Little Free Library in front of Nokomis Tattoo (4933 S. 34th Ave.). It is now bilingual.Through an informal partnership with other local business owners, … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 1/27/21

South Minneapolis homeowner Kelly Muellman installed solar panels on her garage in 2018, as a member of an earlier group of Twin Cities Solar United Neighbors. She said, "Being part of a co-op was great. Our neighbor group reviewed several bids from installers together, and chose the one we thought had the best reputation, warranty, and price." (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Neighbors go solar together

For home and business owners in the Twin Cities metro area who have been considering installing solar panels, there are two affordable reasons to go solar now. Solar United Neighbors is a national … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/27/21

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN ACTION

As more people see the need to not just talk about environmental justice and racism but to do something about it, support is growing for the East Phillips Urban Indoor Farm.During a virtual press … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 1/27/21

The Minnehaha Post Office building was demolished on Dec. 10, 2020 after it was destroyed by fire six months earlier in the civil uprising after George Floyd's death.

Post office update

Minnehaha station may be moved By TESHA M. CHRISTENSENThe Minnehaha Post Office may not be returning to 3033 27th Ave. S.The building was destroyed by fire along with the majority of the block … more

1/27/21

Local pharmacist and Longfellow resident Joel Albers is working on a five-part Virtual Community Tour of the George Floyd Uprising. The films can be viewed by Googling his name on Youtube, followed by “George Floyd Uprising.”

Documenting past to inform future

Longfellow resident Joel Albers is compiling a Virtual Community Tour of the George Floyd Uprising that rocked the world last May. The first two installments can be watched on YouTube, along with a … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/27/21

Northeast Minneapolis artwork on display at airport

Travelers spending time at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport will enjoy viewing art by hundreds of Northeast Minneapolis Arts District-based artists. Part of the Airport … more

1/27/21