Columns | Southwest Connector

6 key facts you need to know about Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. This momentous occasion is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and grow, while renewing our commitment to the pursuit of liberty and justice for all. Fact … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 6/14/23

Bob Galligan is the director of government and industry relations for the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild (mncraftbrew.org), a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2000 and is made up of more than 180 Minnesota brewery and brewpub members. The Guild showcases the talent of Minnesota’s craft brewers and promotes Minnesota’s brewing industry by sponsoring festivals and special events, including the MN Brewers Conference and MN Brewers Cup, the State Fair’s Brewed in Minnesota exhibit, All Pints North, and Autumn Brew Review. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild’s mission is to promote, protect, and grow a robust Minnesota craft brewing industry by building a healthy beer culture and community that allows for independent brewers, industry stakeholders, and craft beer fans to thrive.

Revolutionary cannabis bill will benefit craft breweries

The Cannabis Legalization Bill, HF100/SF73, was passed in the Minnesota legislature and was signed into law by Governor Walz. This bill, a result of months of hard work, provides a boost to many … more

By Bob Galligan | 6/14/23

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks will play the Lake Harriet Bandshell on Aug. 17.

Outdoor music and ‘Minnesota Kind’

What is more lovely and fun than live vocals and guitars and horns and EVERYTHING on a mildly muggy Minnesota evening at Lake Harriet? Oh, my. If you were there – wasn’t that fun? And if … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 6/14/23

The art of aging beautifully

I love meeting new talented people who care about others and are also woman-owned small businesses. Over the years, I’ve learned to see that “art” comes in many forms. Skin therapy … more

By Suzie Marty | 6/14/23

Restaurant staff showed up to prepare and give away food in the early days of the pandemic when restaurants were closed. (Photo submitted by J.D. Fratzke)

A change of season

Last week, as some of the first truly warm days of the year finally seemed to be ushering in a real change of season, I put in my earbuds and took a stroll out my front door, heading west toward Lake … more

By J.D. Fratzke | 6/2/23

The Bell family is even more interesting than you think.

The best of humanity is all around us

The Bells are not your average social media influencers. They are a family of 10 with seven adopted children. Heather Bell is the matriarch and keeps everything running with her husband, Luke, in the … more

By Eric Ortiz | 6/2/23

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

Goodbye, vic, and thank you

I am aware that there would be no All Elders United for Justice without the vision, leadership and guidance of Vic Rosenthal. This is my goodbye and thank you to Vic Rosenthal. Sadly, Vic passed away … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 6/2/23

Note, the B-Line traffic plan calls for only one lane of eastbound traffic, with cars and the buses sharing one lane. There will be a center lane for turning traffic. Travel westbound will have two lanes with one lane designated as a bus lane. This 4 to 3 conversion was piloted on Lyndale Ave. last year.

B-Line buses and cars shouldn't share one lane on Lake St.

In a case of good intentions backfiring, Hennepin County has planned a B Line express bus route that will crawl along Lake Street at the pace of stalled traffic. This will result from its lane … more

By Dan Kennedy, Longfellow business owner | 5/26/23

Fond farewell

Thirty-five years ago, at Thanksgiving, I moved to Minnesota from my Philadelphia home. I relocated back to my hometown in time for Passover and Easter. In November 1988, the Twin Cities were cold … more

By Susan Schaefer | 5/26/23

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.

Welcome to the happiest place on earth

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

Together Suzie Marty (left) and Kelly Wagner organize the Art on the Edge art and metaphysical festival in down Linden Hill. Summer 2023 will mark the second festival.

Be curious and attend Art on the Edge July 22

Have you ever met someone and wondered, “Why are we suppose to meet?” Does it make you wonder as to why your paths have crossed? Are you curious if you had met at in a different time and … more

By Suzie Marty | 5/17/23

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.

Spring is alive with healthy choices

My mother died of metastatic breast cancer two months after her 62nd birthday. I celebrated my 62nd birthday earlier this month. My reflections and emotions are all over the place. She had a double … more

By Michele Rae | 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

J.D. Fratzke and his dog, Chester, are caught in a “Groundhog Day of Dung” in their backyard.

SHOVEL, BAG, BIN, REPEAT…

I feel like I read or saw an interview with Iggy Pop a few years ago wherein he discussed the fact that now that he lives in Miami, he begins his days just after sunrise with a 30-minute swim in the … more

By J.D. Fratzke | 4/19/23

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