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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
Pictured at left outside the Minneapolis VA Hospital, Rose said, “I know I can get another job, and that a lot of people have it worse than I do. But I am finding it hard to wrap my head around what’s happening right now.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)
Federal job cuts hit home
“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
Evoto
Koski drops out of mayoral race
On April 14, Emily Koski made the following statement and officially dropped out of the 2025 Minneapolis mayoral race: After a lot of deep reflection, I’ve …
Josh Bassais
DFL Ward 8 City Council candidates to debate April 22
Minneapolis City Council Ward 8 candidates Josh Bassais and Soren Stevenson have agreed to participate in a debate to take place at Martin Luther King Jr. Park Community Center on April 22, 2025 at …
2025 MFCP Awards to TMC Publications CO
The Midwest Free Community Papers (MFCP) announced on April 3, 2025 that TMC Publications CO had earned 5 awards: • General Excellence: Southwest Connector, 1st Place • Best …
Jessie Higgins (right) of the Neighborhood Development Center congratulates Tesha M. Christensen on being named the 2025 Chamber Volunteer of the Year.
Midway Chamber Volunteer of the Year: Tesha M. Christensen
The owner and editor of the Monitor, Messenger, and Connector, Tesha M. Christensen , was named the 2025 Midway Chamber Volunteer of the Year . "Tesha does a lot for the Midway Chamber, including …
Como residents Ingrid Johansen and her daughter, Klara Anderson joined over 25,000 people at the Minnesota Capitol on Saturday, April 5, part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protests. It was the biggest day of demonstrations against President Trump since his second term began. In Minnesota, protests were also held in Rochester, Duluth, and Bemidji. The demonstrations were organized by 50501: Minnesota, Indivisible and Women’s March Minnesota. (Photo by Terry Faust)
'Hands Off!'
Over 25,000 people rallied at the Minnesota Capitol on Saturday, April 5, 2025, part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protests. It was the biggest day of demonstrations against President …
Who's on the ballot in 2025?
We don't know yet! The candidate filing period is July 29-Aug. 12. Candidates may withdraw up to Thursday, Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. We are tracking who has announced their candidacy, and are doing …

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Mar 2025 Connector

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Mindful Creativity
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,” …
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 …
Former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Ryback buying signs during the Minneapolis Craft Fair at Sunnyside Gardens in 2016. Credit: Photo by Jaime Chismar
As Trump’s second act begins, a Minnesota symbol of inclusivity takes a break
*This story was originally published by MinnPost. Shortly after the 2016 presidential election, rainbow lawn signs inscribed with a heart and the message “All Are Welcome Here” began …
Eileen Anderson (former Southwest resident), along with daughter Claire Anderson and friend Savanna Lockovitch, are welcomed to “Where Do Pigeons Go in the Winter?” by pigeon performers (left to right) Josh Conroy, Patty Gille, and Kayla Nussbaum. The puppet performance aimed to challenge the notion that pigeons are pests by showing their importance throughout history and what truly amazing birds they are.
Where Do Pigeons Go in the Winter?

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COLUMNISTS
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 …
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 …

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Rebuild Repair Recycle
Have you ever been frustrated seeing recyclable or compostable items in the trash bin? Or maybe you yourself have hesitated over whether an item can be recycled or not. Those feelings are what led …
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is working on "Hiawatha Links," a new phase of design and engineering work that will build on the long-term plan for Hiawatha Golf Course completed in 2022. …
Frustration is growing over the Rethinking I-94 project proposal to drop two at-grade options. The Rethinking I-94 Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) Jan. 17 discussed recommendations to eliminate …

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Home & Garden
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 …
Ericsson resident Jessica Wyn Miller (right), an entomologist, leads a Bug Club adventure into the world of bugs near her Minnehaha Creek-side home. She has found that her work as an artist intersects with insects.“I got excited for aquatic insects when I found out they reflect the health of a water," she recalled.
She hated bugs – so she decided to become an entomologist
Jessica Miller still shrieks sometimes when a spider jumps on her, but the south Minneapolis environmental entomologist has found that makes her more approachable when she’s teaching classes on …

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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 - 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 …
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 …

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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 …
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 …
Chuck Peters
A NEWS ERA
Shortly after initiating the acquisition of Twitter in 2022, Elon Musk posted, “For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far …

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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 George Floyd 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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5 things to know about treasury management systems (TMS)
Ramp provides answers to questions about treasury management systems, software applications that allow businesses to manage their financial operations by tracking and automating processes like cash flow, investments, and payments.
Medicare Part B Now Covers Virtual Care — Here's Why That Matters for You
(BPT) - For millions of Americans with Medicare Part B coverage, virtual healthcare offers a convenient alternative to traditional in-person visits.While Medicare provides essential coverage for …
2025 state government trifecta vulnerability ratings show New Jersey somewhat vulnerable, Virginia trifecta possible
Ballotpedia reports that New Jersey's Democratic state government trifecta is somewhat vulnerable in 2025, and a new Democratic trifecta in Virginia is a moderate possibility.
Spruce up your space: Remodel with the right mini-split
(BPT) - The COVID-19 pandemic spurred a surge in home renovations as people spent more time at home. Many tackled DIY projects, like converting garages or building tiny homes, to meet new needs and …
How to effortlessly elevate outdoor entertaining
(BPT) - Whether it's a backyard gathering, a park picnic or a casual evening on the patio, spring and summer offer countless opportunities to entertain in the fresh air.Bezel, the newest addition to …
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