Columns | Southwest Connector

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

Reconnecting, streaming, thinking in pictures

RECONNECTING WITH STORIES AND JOURNEYS From time to time I need to remind myself what I am tasked to do when it comes to writing Stories and Journeys. I am tasked to write what I’m … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 7/18/24

Authors at the 2023 Twin Cities Book Festival in St. Paul.

You’re invited to (support) the Twin Cities Book Festival

The Twin Cities Book Festival is Minnesota's largest gathering of readers and one of the region's premier art events. It also might be the best-kept secret in the country . Presented annually by … more

By Eric Ortiz | 7/18/24

Suzie Marty is an artist and curator at Everett & Charlie art gallery in Linden Hills. She is also an avid supporter of buying local, and a marketing specialist for the Southwest Connector. Contact her at ads@swconnector.com.

The sound of healing love

I had the pleasure of experiencing a sound bath by Royce Vagnier. It transcended me into a beautiful, relaxing, and healing place. For many years I have dipped my toe in different realms … more

By Suzie Marty | 7/18/24

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 … more

By Valerie Blomberg | 7/18/24

Mercado Central, el mercado latino en la esquina de Lake Street y Bloomington Avenue en Minneapolis.

Mercado Central sigue enseñando a la comunidad 'Cómo comprar el estanque'

Ciudad de México está a 2,106 millas de Minneapolis. Pero no tienes que viajar tan lejos para experimentar la auténtica cultura latina. El Mercado Central está a unos … more

Por Eric Ortiz | 7/8/24

A mural in Minneapolis at the corner of Portland Ave. and East Lake St. (Photo by Eric Ortiz)

Something needs to change. We have a plan.

Research shows that negativity is four to seven times more powerful than positivity. We are hardwired for negativity . This negative bias is why we focus more on "bad things" to make sense of … more

By Eric Ortiz | 6/20/24

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.

Robert Everest: on being a local artist

I met Robert Everest on a beautiful Thursday evening in Linden Hills last month. He’d just finished singing an exquisite bolero for the diners and dog walkers, and then he piqued my … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 6/20/24

Finding Moses Dickson: The untold story of Minnesota and the Underground Railroad

I am sharing exciting news about Karen Sieber, historian, educator, and leader in public humanities this month. She has discovered a missing chapter in Minnesota’s history about our … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 6/12/24

Don’t fall for 'The Fall of Minneapolis'

In November 2023, Alpha News released a program by former local news anchor Liz Collin called “The Fall of Minneapolis.” In the hour and 42-minute documentary, interviews with (mostly) … more

By Jill Boogren | 5/30/24 | 1 comment

Metro Transit bus driving on 1st Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. (weston m/Unsplash)

The power of cooperation

Our brain grows every time we make a mistake. Really, it's science . In that case, the world should be filled with geniuses at every turn. So why does it feel like we're surrounded by a … more

By Eric Ortiz | 5/15/24

Potential rift and retirement

IS THERE A RIFT BETWEEN THE MINNEAPOLIS REGIONAL RETIREES COUNCIL (AFL-CIO) AND ALL ELDERS UNITED FOR JUSTICE? “Building power through unity: All Elders United for Justice aims to bring … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 5/15/24

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.

What values support community health?

When was the last time you reflected on your personal and our community values? Values are principles we care about that guide our behavior. Aligning our personal and community values with our … more

By Michele Rae | 5/15/24

New Lowry Hills East neighborhood coordinator

Valerie Blomberg is the new Wedge Neighborhood Coordinator. She moved to Lowry Hill East (the Wedge) in 2019. She started volunteering with LHENA soon after, supporting the neighborhood potlucks that … more

By Valerie Blomberg | 5/15/24

Kate Beane to speak, free event

For the West Maka Ska Neighborhood’s third Neighborhood Talk, we are thrilled to host Kate Beane, PH.D! Join us on May 23 from 5-7 p.m. at the Bakken Museum (3537 Zenith Ave. S) as … more

By Dylan Ohm | 5/15/24

TMC Publications CO is a small, family-run business. Here is owner Tesha M. Christensen with her two kiddos.

Bill will hurt small newspapers like us

A proposal to create a statewide recycling program financed by paper and packaging producers is included in the House & Senate Environment Omnibus bills (HF 3911/ SF 3887). However, unless there … more

5/6/24

Minneapolis students at a community solutions event organized by the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation

We need to make kids America's top priority

It's hard to get a consensus on anything in the United States these days. But one issue unites the whole country. According to " The State of Kids and Families in America 2024 ," a report from … more

By Eric Ortiz | 4/17/24

Encounters and conversations

So far in 2024, I have been showing up for more meetings and events in-person or via Zoom. In person showing up has been enabled by three factors. 1) The mild winter weather enabling me to be out and … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 4/17/24

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% … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 4/17/24

Mercado Central, the Latino marketplace at the corner of Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue in Minneapolis.

Mercado Central keeps teaching community ‘How to buy the pond’

Mexico City is 2,106 miles from Minneapolis. But you don't have to travel that far to experience authentic Latino culture. The Mercado Central , or Central Market, is a few minutes from any … more

By Eric Ortiz | 3/26/24

Weighing in on legislation

Dear Reader, you have continued to tell me your Medicare stories via tesha@tmcpub.com . A Southwest Connector reader, Judy M., has written to tell me her Medicare Advantage story and her … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 3/20/24