Columns | Southwest Connector

Anna Bonavita is a former physicist with a passion for culture, cuisine and environment. Born in a small village in Bulgaria but swept up in the waves of globalization, she claims several countries as the source of her cultural identity. Her travel nonprofit, Esperienza, provides small-scale, immersive experiences. She is also the founder of the Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis/St. Paul, the Italian Film Festival, and The Communal Table.

Recently I spent two nights at Gigi’s, the café at the corner of 36th street and Bryant. In a way, nothing much happened. Yet these were some of the best moments I have had in … more

By Anna Bonavita | 12/11/24

A common sense approach to ending gun violence

Guns kill more children in the United States than anything else. It's a shocking statistic. But it's true. In 2023, firearms killed 4,456 children and teens ages 1 to 19 (out of 46,728 gun … more

Eric Ortiz | 12/11/24

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

Scared and hurting but hopeful locally

As I start writing, it is as if my words are having to push through feelings of fear and a sense of something being lost. It feels like I am wanting to cry. I'm grieving as I write. It's Nov. 14. I'm … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 11/29/24

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 … more

By Cam Gordon | 11/20/24

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 … more

By Dean Ridings | 11/20/24

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 … more

By Eric Ortiz | 11/20/24

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 … more

By Vasiliki Papanikolopoulos, coordinator | 11/20/24

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 … more

By Tesha M. Christensen, Owner & editor, tesha@longfellownokomismessenger.com | 10/30/24

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 … more

By Cindy Hollister | 10/30/24

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 … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 10/30/24

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 … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 10/16/24

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 … more

By Eric Ortiz | 10/16/24

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.

Have you noticed home sales are down but prices are up?

Check it out: This graph at right indicates the number of closed sales in our Southwest Minneapolis area over the past 10 years. You will note the “COVID spike.” Then note: The average … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 10/16/24

We can do more for the opioid crisis

We have a growing problem that not a lot people understand. Behaviors are happening on the streets and in schools that are unprecedented. Principals, teachers, and behavioral specialists can't … more

By Eric Ortiz | 9/18/24

The CCCA would harm marginalized communities

The Black community has faced many hurdles, yet we have shown remarkable resilience and unity in rebuilding and strengthening our neighborhoods. When I came to America from Jamaica as a young … more

By Tommie Beevas | 9/18/24

Minneapolis for a lifetime? Debatable

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 … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 9/18/24

Youth community journalist students from the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation’s Youth Community Journalism Institute at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul with Minnesota House Rep. Maria Isa Peréz-Vega (District 65B).

The power of community journalism

Healing begins with opportunities, and opportunities promote growth. That's why we developed the Youth Community Journalism Institute at the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation . We want to … more

By Eric Ortiz | 8/21/24

Here’s what’s happening locally

The two biggest questions in local real estate are: 1) How is the Aug. 17 new rule about real estate commissions going to affect us? 2) What is going on in real estate? Regarding the second question: … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 8/21/24

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.

Wellness and spirituality

Recently I have been invited to become a course director for the Integrative and Functional Medicine fellowship at the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. The topic for my course for the … more

By Michele Rae | 8/21/24

On becoming an octogenarian

UPDATE REGARDING DEWAYNE TOWNSEND AND MARCEA MARIANNI'S NEW REALITY Text message from Marcea July 3. DeWayne passed away around 10 p.m. July 2. An important voice and significant presence is no more … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 7/24/24