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Todd Barnette, Jordan Nelson, Candace Hanson, and Jane Lansing of the League of Woman Voters Public Safety Committee speak during the League of Woman Voters Forum on April 1, 2025. (Photo by Gabe Gordon)
Violence interrupters come to Southwest
Artists and community members join together to celebrate E. Lake St. during a weekend Skate and Sauna event in March, part of the Lake Street Lift project. At the events, neighbors were asked what they want to see at 2800 E. Lake St. where the US Bank building formerly was. (Photo by Bruce Silcox)
Lifting up Lake Street
Almost 1000 University of Minnesota resident and fellow physicians certify union
Following certification by the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) on Friday, May 9, 2025, about 980 resident and fellow physicians at the University of Minnesota are now officially …
Historic and cultural studies underway at Hiawatha Golf course, design concepts coming by late summer
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) continues to work on "Hiawatha Links," a new phase of design and engineering work building on the 2022 Hiawatha Golf Course Area Plan. There are …
Beginning in April, 2025, the City of Minneapolis started making repairs and improvements to Bridge 9, Abutment 1 and the approach spans on both ends of the bridge.
Bridge 9 improvement project begins
Bridge No. 9 was constructed in 1922 by the Northern Pacific Railroad to carry freight over the Mississippi. The City of Minneapolis acquired this bridge in 1986 and converted the bridge to a …

Apr 2025 Connector

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Mindful Creativity
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Ang Lee of ‘Brokeback Mountain’ honored at MSPIFF 44
Award-winning director Ang Lee spoke to a full house of film enthusiasts April 6, 2025 as he received the Al Milgrom Tribute award at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF.) In …
The opening film of the festival is “Free Leonard Peltier,” a documentary about the struggle to free Peltier, who was charged with murder in a shootout with FBI agents.
Ang Lee kicks off MSPIFF
Highlighting the 44th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) this year is a conversation with Ang Lee, the award-winning director of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” …
“I like to use the phrase ‘give the gift of warmth,’” said Barb Melom. “When people ask, is it OK if I knit a scarf instead of a hat, I tell them ‘give the gift of warmth.’ You just do a better job knitting things that you like.”
She gives the gift of warmth
When temperatures fell below zero one Sunday morning this past winter, Barb Melom had a thought. Her husband, a former social worker, had told her that many patients at Hennepin County Medical Center …
Patrick Scully
‘The Dance is Not Over: The Patrick Scully Story’
The most challenging part of making a movie about Patrick Scully was editing it down to 93 minutes, according to director Mark Wojahn. Scully is an internationally known dancer, choreographer, …
John Noltner
A 'Peace of my Mind' lands in St. Paul
Photographer and storyteller John Noltner has settled into his new work space at 550 Vandalia Street, suite #170, in Hamline-Midway’s Creative Enterprise Zone. He shares the multi-use …

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COLUMNISTS
Twin Cities community leaders Carmen Robles, left, and Diana Hawkins at a community event in the Hawthorne neighborhood of north Minneapolis. (Photo by Eric Ortiz)
Calling all community connectors
Challenges bring opportunity. So do connections. The other day, I met a Minneapolis fire inspections field operations manager who told me the city's fire department is understaffed . "I …
Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice steering committee.
Minding my body by celebrating my feet
With warmer weather coming, I have been able to get outside and walk more. Walking more is causing me to be aware that it is so easy for me to take my feet for granted. So, in this column, I am …
Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation’s Youth Community Journalism Institute team with friends, family, and collaborators at St. Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) on March 10 after producing “Youth Community Journalism — Episode 9: Rebuilding Community in America.” (Photo by Eric Ortiz)
We Have the Power
Our world is out of balance. It has been for a while. In 1980, on Thanksgiving Day, John Trudell , one of the most respected and influential Indigenous rights defenders, delivered an empowering …
Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice steering committee.
Moving past presidential results
Moving past the 2024 Presidential election results for me means that I have reached the following conclusion: There was dis-information and voter suppression. Especially voter suppression. My trusted …
Valerie Fitzgerald
The reckoning
We are coming up on five years since Mr. George Floyd was murdered at Cup Foods by a police officer. Memories of that time carry a strong emotional charge: the daily COVID-19 briefings from Governor …

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Rebuild Repair Recycle
MN Lakes and Rivers is proud to announce the launch of a new pilot initiative, the City of Lake Stewards program, debuting on Lake Harriet in the summer of 2025. Drawing from the success of the …
As of May 2, 2025, the Twin Cities has received approximately 6 inches of precipitation , which is near normal for this time of year, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Nearly half of …
Lake Harriet Bandshell Repair Update Repairs begin this spring at smaller Lake Harriet Bandshell structures after repairs to the Bandshell and its concessions building were completed last year. This …

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Home & Garden
 Clever ideas for tiny yard spaces
Faux hedges If your outdoor patio or side yard is hemmed in by something like a chain-link or cinder block wall or planter box, consider installing a faux green hedge. This is the perfect …
Sid Triantafilou of Greco Linden Hills Painting paints houses in residential neighborhoods, including East Isles, near Lake of the Isles. (Photo by Lulu Jaeckel)
Homeowners experiment with paint colors, say local painters
Whale gray, dry sage and french press are some of the popular names of interior paint colors right now at Benjamin Moore, a paint company.  Sid Triantafilou, a local painter and owner of …
Welcome to the land of 10,000 gardens
Focus on what's strong. Not what's wrong.  This is the essence of asset-based community development .​​ It's also what sustainable community building looks like and how we can create …
They wanted to save the boulevard trees along six blocks of 29th Ave. and they came together to do just that. Then they celebrated together at Arbeiter Brewing. (Photo by submitted)
Motivated by a common goal
Residents along six blocks of 29th Ave. S have banded together to save 40 ash trees. “These are public trees that the whole community benefits from,” observed Loey Colebeck. “Many …
Woodworker Bill Dossett (left) and Joe Hayes look over a set of windows being restored. According to Dossett, the dust collection system in the new building is an upgrade that has made a big difference for staff. Plus there's a room just for planing.
Hayes Window expands into new location, offers storm windows
Lost your storm windows over the years? Have windows you can’t open anymore because they were painted shut? Does the glass rattle in the wind? These problems don’t mean that you need to …

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Living 50+
A rally was held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 outside the VA at E 54th St and Minnehaha Ave. Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey spoke to about 400 protesters about Trump's threats to VA staff and medical care.
The Twin Cities chapter of Elders Climate Action honored three local activists with its annual Good Ancestor award, recognizing their legacies of community-centered climate action. Elders Climate …
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is partnering with MN Senior LinkAge to host a free class to help people learn about Medicare. “Medicare Annual Update” on Wednesday, Oct. …

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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 …
Voices Against Violence
Dr. Catherine Barrett
‘Oppressive’ experience:’ 57 hearings, 80 court orders, 12 parenting time schedules
What do you do when 11 judges and referees, 20 therapists, 12 mediators, two parenting consultants (with 37 directives), one custody evaluator, and one guardian ad litem haven’t been able to …
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 …

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Neighborhood organizations
Neighborhood news - Apr 2025
Community Collage Exhibit Visit the Community Collage installation at the Washburn Library, on display March 15 through April 30. For more information on the project, visit www.communitycollage.org . …
Neighborhood news - Feb 2024
PLANS FOR FORMER KMART SITE The final open house for the New Nicollet Redevelopment is on Feb. 25, 5-7 p.m., Whittier International Elementary School, 315 W. 26th St.. New Nicollet is a 10-acre …
Neighborhood news - Jan 2025
WINTER FEST AT CFPA The Center for Performing Arts (CFPA) invites you to warm up winter weekends with the vibrant energy of the Winter Festival. Held over four Sundays from Jan. 19 through Feb. …
Vasiliki Papanikolopoulos
New board members
LHiNC is thrilled to welcome eight new board members: Ben Cooper, Mikaela Casey, RoAnn Cramer (not pictured), Suzanna Mallard, Jennifer Larson-Kelso, Andy Rhode, Amy Watters and Mike Williamson. …
Neighborhood News - Dec 2024
CARITAS VOCAL ENSEMBLE SHOWS Caritas Vocal Ensemble, a Twin Cities a cappella chamber choir, kicks off its season of Musical Stories with a winter program ‘Twas the Night... The concert …

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Opinion
Amy Mrozek, The Odd Couple Team
We're proud to advertise in a trusted source, with values that align with ours
“Real estate is more than just buying and selling homes – it’s about being part of a community. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the Monitor and Messenger, a …
Dean Ridings
What Google's monopoly ruling means for local newspapers
Not that many years ago, the best way you could find out about businesses in town would be through your local newspaper. Your local newspaper is still a great source of advertising information, but …
Dean Ridings
The start of something big for local news. Congress must follow New York's lead.
The state of New York, led by a powerful coalition of local publishers, has just approved game-changing legislation in the fight to preserve local news outlets and community journalism. By including …
Samantha Sencer-Mura
Moving past presidential election results
Moving past the 2024 Presidential  election results for me means that I have reached the following conclusion: There was dis-information and voter suppression. Especially voter suppression. My …
Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice steering committee.
Looking for, finding hope locally
As I start to write, I am aware that the Trump inauguration is coming. When he leaves office, I will be 84 years old.    LOST AND SEARCHING I HAVE ADOPTED GUIDES The holidays …

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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
Community Visioning Council cco-chair Mileesha Smith said the process of healing should not be rushed and that the community needs more time during a press conference on Feb. 26, 2025. “We, as people, need time and space with the patience of everyone to come together, to be able to say what this space needs to be able to function for everybody,” said Smith. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Veto override clears path to explore pedestrian mall at GF Square

In February, the Minneapolis City Council overrode Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto of the council’s directive for reconstructing 38th and Chicago. Their action, according to Ward 9 Council Member …

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Web Extras - Contact us to sponsor this content
Medicaid provides health insurance coverage for more than 82 million Americans.
Why do cuts to Medicaid matter for Americans over 65? 2 experts on aging explain why lives are at stake
When people over 65 lose Medicaid coverage, they stop seeing their doctors for preventive care due to high costs. This in turn leads to worse health outcomes and higher health care costs.
Rescuers need to know ASAP where they're needed in disasters.
AI can scan vast numbers of social media posts during disasters to guide first responders
Natural disasters prompt a flood of social media posts. AI can help sift the wheat of helpful information from the chaff of chitchat and misinformation.
Green sea turtles, like this hatchling in Florida, are endangered due in part to habitat destruction and fishing nets.
How redefining just one word could strip the Endangered Species Act’s ability to protect vital habitat
The public has until May 19 to weigh in on a Trump administration plan that would leave many endangered species at much greater risk.
Lady Gaga performs at Copacabana Beach on May 3, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Lady Gaga bomb plot: Thwarted plan lifts veil on the gamification of hate and gendered nature of online radicalization
Instead of promoting diversity, many social networks and other popular digital platforms function as machines for the production and circulation of hate.
More Americans are learning remotely.
Taking intermittent quizzes reduces achievement gaps and enhances online learning, even in highly distracting environments
Racial achievement gaps virtually vanished when students answered quizzes during remote learning.
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