Southwest Connector

Eric Ortiz lives in the Wedge with his family. When he’s not community building, he’s the director of media for Big Edition and writes bilingual children’s books with his kids. Their first book, “How the Zookalex Saved the Village,” is available in English and Spanish.

The happiest place on Earth isn’t Disneyland. It’s Finland. For the sixth year in a row, Finland was named the happiest country in the world, according to the 2023 World Happiness Report. … more

By Eric Ortiz | 5/23/23

2017 photo from “Immigrant Journey Project” at Theater Mu. (Photo submitted)

Theater Mu celebrates AAPI heritage month

In 1992, Theater Mu was founded in St. Paul to tell stories from the heart of the Asian American experience, and now, we are in the middle of celebrating our 30th anniversary season. Four world … more

By Lianna Matt Mclernon | 5/17/23

A teacher with students having fun at Ella Baker School in Minneapolis.

We are all in this together

Tony Robbins must be doing something right. After 45 years of life coaching, the 63-year-old motivational speaker is still motivating. That’s no easy feat in today’s world.But it’s … more

By Eric Ortiz | 5/5/23

What I’ve learned about fasting after 10 years

I’ve been fasting for 19 days per year towards the end of winter every year for over 10 years. As long as the sun is up, I don’t eat or drink anything. This practice is surprising to most … more

By Eddie Glenn | 5/5/23

‘Summertime Acoustic’ returns to Linden Hills

In the spring of 2020, when the social distancing mandate was putting restaurants and shops out of business and driving the rest of us nuts, a team of friends pulled together to create a wonderful … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 5/5/23

Let's think beyond fortress-like police stations

The recent proposal to reopen a police station in our community is bringing back painful memories and opening old wounds for many of us, me included. I served on the City Council, representing the … more

By Cam Gordon | 4/27/23

A sinkhole opened up at 27th Street and Girard Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis on Easter Sunday.

Watch out for that sinkhole

Good news. Minneapolis is back in the top 10. According to Extreme Weather Watch, this winter ranks third for the largest snowfalls ever recorded with 89.9 inches. And it’s only April.The most … more

By Eric Ortiz | 4/19/23

In light of Justin Jones and Justin Pearson’s expulsion, some Minneapolis leaders appear rooted in a conservative ideology

On Thursday, April 6, Tennessee Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were expelled from their House seats by the Republican super majority who determined these young Black Representatives … more

By Daniel Schmidt | 4/19/23

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

Awarded

I have recently been made aware that TMC Publications CO, which includes the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, Southwest Connector, and Midway Como Frogtown Monitor, received 20 awards at the recently … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 4/19/23

Landscape commissions are an important part of Mark Granlund’s work, which he limits to a few annually. Each project must include time spent on location, and in meditative solitude, to achieve the detail and nuance defining a Granlund painting. Above painting is titled “Bluff I.”

Mark Granlund: an artist grounded in nature

Meet Mark Granlund, a Minnesota landscape and still life artist, who frames questions and connections, blending symbolism, whimsy and academic depth in a well-developed fine art style. … more

By Suzie Marty | 4/19/23

RayCurt has played music around the world. He arrived in Minneapolis in September 2020.

Finding friendships across cultures

Two summers ago, I was playing in a little acoustic trio out front of Everett and Charlie’s Art Gallery, and a guy with a violin rode past on a bike. He circled back and walked toward us. When … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 4/19/23

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.

Stretching your comfort zone

When was that last time you were invited (OK maybe thrust!) out of your comfort zone? This theme has come up multiple times in my coaching sessions and with friends this past month. One common … more

By Michele Rae | 4/19/23

J.D. Fratzke likes hiking in blizzards, and appreciates the reminder that the Natural World exemplifies perseverance. (Photo submitted)

Get rhythm

The Norwegians have a word, friluftsliv, for the practice of embracing a life outdoors as a bulwark against the inevitable soul-crushing doldrums of a long, dark winter in a Northern climate. I … more

By J.D. Fratzke | 3/16/23

Cal Ortiz with Harold Green, the storm drain at the southwest corner of 27th Street and Dupont Ave. South. (Eric Ortiz)

The joy of unclogging storm drains

I have some big news to announce. We have a new addition to our family. His name is Harold Green, and he is a storm drain at the southwest corner of 27th Street and Dupont Avenue South in … more

By Eric Ortiz | 3/16/23

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

Awareness

Without awareness, does anything or anyone really exist? I am aware that I enjoy sitting in the front room of my house. In the front room of my house I enjoy sitting in a rocking chair and looking … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 3/16/23

Painting of civil rights and human rights activist Ella Baker in the Ella Baker Global Studies and Humanities Magnet School office in Minneapolis.

Youth can be community problem solvers

I am going back to school. Not as a student. But as a guide.First, I was invited to speak at my kids’ school, Risen Christ, for vocation day. I spoke to third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and … more

By Eric Ortiz | 3/1/23

Protestors attended the Jan. 26 city council meeting to show their support for the community plan for the Roof Depot site, as well as the Feb. 23 meeting. There was no public comment during the meetings, and city council members approved demolishing the Roof Depot building and continuing with the plan to build a new public works facility there. (Photo submitted)

Mayor Frey – what are you hiding?

At the corner of 28th St and Longfellow Ave in East Phillips neighborhood, south Minneapolis, the Roof Depot building quietly awaits its unknown fate.The city wants to demolish the Roof Depot to … more

By Daniel Colten Schmidt | 3/1/23

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.

2023 predictions for the local real estate market

Last year, I posed a few questions about how the current events of that time might affect the real estate market.How would sanctions and the war in Ukraine affect our economy? Would supply chain … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 3/1/23

10 guidelines for a strong, long and happy life

Some time ago, after suffering the shocking and unexpected loss of my still young husband, Martijn, while we were living in Europe, I experienced what is called traumatic grief. In addition to a year … more

By Susan Schaefer | 2/22/23

A car drives on a snowy street during a winter day in Minneapolis. The chaos of streets narrowed by snow and potholes the sizes of swimming pools can create a cycle of trauma. (Eva Ortiz)

Want to be on the community solutions team?

One of my favorite movies is “Groundhog Day.” In the 1993 film, Bill Murray plays a cynical television weatherman from Pittsburgh who goes to Punxsutawney, Penn., to cover the annual … more

By Eric Ortiz | 2/17/23