The Minnesota Toy Library is for parents, grandparents, educators, occupational therapists, and mostly, for kids, to come and choose toys that are fun and that help them learn. MTL Executive Director Rebecca Nutter said, “We can’t just keep consuming things. We need to do better.” (Photo submitted)
Minnesota Toy Library opens third metro location
The Minnesota Toy Library (MTL) is a toy lending program for families with children ages birth to five years. Members can check-out up to five toys at a time, and take them home for 2-4 weeks. And …
Left to right: Southwest High School Assistant Principal Amy Engler, Southwest parent Colette MacIver, Patti Arntz (Class of 74), Steven Mosborg (Class of 74), and Southwest High School Princiapl Dr. Ed Bennett. (Photo submitted)
Southwest class of ’74 donates to Laker Locker
The Southwest Class of ’74 celebratedits 50th high school reunion in late Au-gust, and thanks to the generosity of 17 Southwest ’74 classmates and two corporate sponsors, a donation of …
Lucinda Holshue plays Fiona – a part that was written for her. Holshue worked for 20 years as the resident vocal coach at the Guthrie and is still a professor at the U of M.  (Photo submitted by Brad Hildebrandt)
Fulton house set for resident’s first film
Neighbors of Brad Hildebrandt must have wondered what was going on this summer at his house in the Fulton area. Bright lights, cameras, people coming and going, and the smell of lasagna wafting …
A safe space in Uptown for everyone
You might call the opening of Minnesota’s first-ever center for the LGBTQ+ community, a “divine alignment.” That’s how Seth Anderson-Matz, Queermunity’s Outreach & …
Odigo Wellness opens
Odigo Wellness, a collectively-owned wellness center, held the grand opening of its new lo-cation at 3115 Hennepin Ave S in the heart of Uptown Minneapolis on Oct. 19. Odigo Wellness – owned by …
Vasiliki Papanikolopoulos
Reindeer Days Dec. 7
Join local businesses for a day of family-friendly holiday fun, with crafts, food, storytime, and more at the 43rd and Upton intersection. Reindeer Day will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 …
Mindful Creativity
GreenRoom fellows practice dancing and performing together at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts on Friday, July 19, 2024.
Maia Maiden leads Ordway theater fellowship for budding artists
Tears streamed down 62-year-old Myra Curry’s face as she sat in a circle receiving praise from her cohort fellows. One after the other, people took turns telling Curry how proud, and inspired …
Hennepin History Museum’s staff welcome all visitors:  (Left to right) executive director John Crippen, archivist Michele Pollard, and curator Alyssa Thiede. (Photo submitted)
Masks, puppets and plenty of free parking
Propped up alongside Sky, Prairie, Moon and Woods and with arms extended, River’s giant, blue face stares down at passersby, perhaps hoping one stops and hears stories about the Mississippi …
Howard Quednau Shepards and Charlatans, 2023 
Wood, styrene, plaster, paper, acrylic
MCAD faculty biennial exhibit
The Gallery at Minneapolis College of Art and Design will spotlight the art and research undertaken by faculty in the 2024 MCAD Faculty Biennial. Some fifty faculty members are participating in an …
Ezra Young, 17, of Roseville works in the SPRAYFINGER area next to the Uptown VFW during the LynLake Street Art Series on Saturday, July 13, 2024. “This is not just a grubby alleyway anymore. It’s art,” Young said.  (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
From dirty alley to street art gallery
LynLake is becoming a destination for street art. Thirty-one new locations for artwork were added to building walls by 64 local and regional artists representing an array of cultural communities …
Jackie Lannin planned to give buttons to friends and wear one to work.
Craftivism
On July 30, artistic members of Twin Cities Indivisible met at Sue Scott’s home in Edina for a Craftivism Happy Hour. Craftivism is the practice of using craft projects to support social causes …
COLUMNISTS
Cam Gordon is the co-chair of the Green Party of Minnesota. He regular writes for the Southwest Connector and Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, covering government.
Why people vote third party
This year, like most, the campaigning and voting in partisan offices like president, congress, and state legislature, was dominated by the two largest parties – the Democratic Farmer Labor and …
Why local newspapers hold trust while national media slips
The recent decision by The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times to skip endorsing a presidential candidate has put the issue of media trust in the spotlight – and it underscores just how …
Second- and third-grade students at Centro Guadalupano’s 2024 summer camp. (Rebecca Welty/Centro Guadalupano)
Where immigrant and refugee families find peace
I received a nice, unexpected email a few weeks ago. The subject was “Quick anecdote.” I just wanted to share that one of our new after school students, who came to us after …
Journalists under fire here in America
Photojournalist Linda Tirado, 42, is dying. When she arrived in Minneapolis to cover the civil conflict after the murder of George Floyd, she had impact-resistant goggles, a respirator, and a large …
Cindy Hollister has worked in the billing department at TMC Publications since 2021.
A different way to vote
Since the age of 18, I have voted in every single general election. Since my mid-30s, I have voted in every single mid-term election. And once Minnesota switched from caucus to primary elections, I …
Rebuild Repair Recycle
It’s one thing to cull outgrown or unused clothes from your closet, but what do you do with a piano that’s outlived its usefulness in your home? Pianocycle is a Public Benefit Corporation …
Marigolds, hollyhocks, cosmos, and black eyed Susans. These are just a few of the late-summer flowers bursting into bloom right now. While many are cutting them for bouquets, farmer Maddy Bartsch is …
The Kenilworth Tunnel is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2025. On July 31, 2024, Met Transit reached a major milestone when the lowest element of the tunnel was done. In September, …
Home & Garden
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 …
Jon Trappe
Talking lawn care with U of M
People are getting back into our yards and gardens, with pent-up demand following a long winter. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Jon Trappe has tips for yards that accomplish multiple …
A rain barrel collects roof runoff so you can save the rainwater for later use. Reroute downspouts away from pavement and onto grass, a rain barrel or a rain garden. (Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota Extension)
A watershed moment
What is a watershed? What is our local watershed called? Where does it begin and end?  What is the largest watershed in the U.S.? According to board chair of the League of …
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.
How real estate agent commissions will now affect us
You’ve heard, I’m sure, about the court ruling and the decision by the National Association of Realtors: Buyer’s agents will no longer receive a “standardized” 2.7% …
Jill Carmody is a senior manager at the Habitat for Humanity’s Minneapolis ReStore. They are both a drop-off site for leftover paint products, and a retailer for the Amazon brand of recycled paint. Carmody said, “PaintCare has made it easy for people to recycle their left-over paint, which is the right thing to do for the environment.”
Recycle your left-over paint with PaintCare
Did you know there’s an option for recycling leftover paint in Minnesota? That’s right, recycling, not just disposing of leftover paint. Since 2014, the non-profit PaintCare has been …
Living 50+
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. …
I recently attended my first Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging meeting. I am convinced that in the city of Minneapolis elders/seniors don’t exist. There is such a thing as the …
Nancy Eustis was named Volunteer of the Year at the Kenwood Senior Living, 825 Summit Ave. She has lived at The Kenwood since 1997. Eustis has volunteered throughout the community in many ways. …
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 …
Neighborhood organizations
23 new Police Officers
Neighborhood News - Oct 2024
More meadow, less lawn The redesigned Bryn Mawr Meadows Park seeks to strike a sustainable balance between nature and recreation. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with refreshments and a park tour will be …
Neighborhood news - Sep 2024
20th ANNUAL AUTUMN BREW REVIEW Minnesota’s longest-running craft beer festival, Autumn Brew Review, will take place this year on Oct.12, 2024, from 1:30 to 5 p.m. This premier craft brew …
Neighborhood News - Aug 2024
LAKE CLEAN-UP East Bde Maka Skat thanks the neighbors who helped out at the July Bde Maka Ska Cleanup. The next one will be Saturday, Aug. 24 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet on the lake footpath off …
Elise Moore (left) and Valerie Blomberg met at Disco Death Records recently to talk about vision and planning for the upcoming year. (Photo submitted)
Lowry Hills East
NEW BOARD MEMBERS The Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA) is excited to announce the election of its new Board of Directors and Executive Committee. The updated list of board members and …
Neighborhood News - July 2024
BIKE TRAILS OPEN The reconstructed South Cedar Lake and Minnesota River Bluffs trails are now open for public use from the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis to Shady Oak Road in Minnetonka. The …
Opinion
Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice steering committee.
On being a reader of stories and journeys
There comes a time when I am writing Stories and Journeys that I start to sense that I am done writing the column. It's time to click send to the publisher. At that point, I cease to be a writer and …
Tesha M. Christensen lives in south Minneapolis and owns the Southwest Connector, as well as the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger and Midway Como Frogtown Monitor. Drop her a line at tesha@swConnector.com.
We’ve got audio - check our website
We’re a newspaper, yes, but we know that we need to be more than just the printed paper that lands on your doorsteps each month. We’ve got a website where we put additional content and …
Letters Oct 2024
I’m voting for Bergman The voters who live in Minneapolis Public Schools District 6 have a clear choice on Election Day: We can choose a candidate mired in the controversies of the past or we …
Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice steering committee.
Anxious, curious, angry with no internet service
I’m experiencing anxiety. As I begin to write this Stories and Journeys column, I am aware that I am without Internet service. That has just been confirmed with the over the phone help from my …
East Phillips urban farm vision growing stronger
Good things take time. Look at the East Phillips community's struggle to win control of the Roof Depot site . For a decade, a broad coalition of East Phillips neighbors and supporters have …
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

Tensions rise at city workshop amid calls for police reform

More than 100 people packed The Square event center (3737 Chicago Ave.) on Sept. 24, 2024, for the city of Minneapolis’ fifth and final visioning workshop for George Perry Floyd Square (GFS). …

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Healthy Holiday Tips for Pregnant People
(Family Features) Respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19 and RSV are common this time of year. Illness from these viruses can be dangerous for pregnant people and newborns.
Helpful Hints for the Holidays
(Family Features) Gift-giving during the holiday season shouldn't be stressful. In fact, finding gifts for your loved ones should be as much fun as giving (and receiving) them.
Navigating Changes as a Family
(Family Features) Every family experiences changes. Some are planned, others are unexpected. Some are joyful, others are marked by pain or uncertainty.
How to Get Free Vaccines for Flu, COVID-19 and RSV
(Family Features) Respiratory viruses are common in the fall and winter months. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge during the cooler weather and keep people from gathering with family and friends.
5 Tips to Upgrade Your Sleep
(Family Features) Good sleep isn't just about waking up feeling rested and ready for the day. Quality sleep, and plenty of it, is important for your overall health.