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Eric Ortiz
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Eric Ortiz lives in the Wedge with his family. When he’s not bonding, he is community building with the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation and writing bilingual children’s books with his kids. Their first book, “How the Zookalex Saved the Village,” is available in English and Spanish.
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
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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
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Eric Ortiz vive en The Wedge con su familia. Cuando no está construyendo comunidad, es el director de contenido de la Fundación Strong Mind Strong Body y escribe libros infantiles bilingües con sus hijos. Su primer libro, "Cómo el Zookalex Salvó al Pueblo", está disponible en inglés y español.
Es hora de destacar nuestra humanidad con la inmigración
Todos tienen una voz, pero no todas las voces son escuchadas hoy. Este no es un problema nuevo. Mis abuelos paternos, ambos mexicano-americanos de primera generación que crecieron en Los … more
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Youth and elders brainstorm ideas during a community solutions workshop at Walker Library on Feb. 3.
A solution for school disengagement
T he world has changed. Our education system has not. As a result, school is broken . It's so bad that many kids don't go to school anymore. Chronic absenteeism was an issue before the pandemic. … more
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One happy family: Cal, Eric, Emilia, Maria, and Eva Ortiz. And their dog, Edison (aka Eddie).
Getting more connected in a human way
Happy New Year. Welcome to 2024. Are you happy to be here? Have you already started writing an inspiring 366-page book this leap year (one page for every day)? Or are you still recovering from … more
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“Human beings are meant to be connected,” stated author Marissa Bader (right) of Linden Hills in response to a question posed by local journalist Eric Ortiz during the first Let’s Connect Coffee Time on Dec. 1, 2023. The next event will be on Jan. 12, 9-10 a.m. at Everett & Charlie art gallery.
Marissa Bader spreads joy to the world
Be a kind human. That has been Marissa Bader's life goal since her dad taught her that how we treat others matters, that no human is less or more important than any other, and to always treat … more
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Thank you for shopping local. (Jarred Ray/Unsplash)
A little local support goes a long way
Giving Tuesday was on Nov. 28 this year, and it was a rough one. Rough, of course, is a relative term. Giving Tuesday 2023 raised an estimated $3.1 billion in donations to nonprofits, according … more
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Community stakeholders and youth brainstorm solutions for gun violence at Walker Library on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Youth have a lot to say about gun violence
Ask 10 people what they think about guns. You might get 10 different answers. Gun ownership is a fundamental right. We need stricter regulation. There are too many guns. There aren't enough. … more
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The Statue of Liberty in New York City is a symbol of freedom recognized around the world. (Kit Suman/Unsplash)
It’s time to flex our humanity with immigration
Everyone has a voice. But not every voice gets heard today. This isn't a new problem.  My grandma and grandpa on my dad's side were both first-generation Mexican-Americans who grew up in … more
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There are alternatives to incarceration
I am reading an excellent book. It is called "Until We Reckon" and was written by Danielle Sered, the executive director of Common Justice , a unique program in New York City that offers alternatives … more
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Imagine a future of nonviolence
'Nonviolence is the most effective method to work for rights.' The only constant is change. Life either gets better or worse. These days, the world is on fire. Metaphorically and literally. And … more
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Young students work with restorative practices leader Manu Lewis during a team building exercise at the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation’s Community Solutions With Youth workshop at Walker Library in Uptown.
How we can help young people be happier
We have a crisis. Mental health issues for young people are skyrocketing, and the need for mental health treatment is not being met. According to the National Library of Medicine, nearly 20 percent … more
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A crowd of book lovers flips through pages at the Twin Cities Book Festival. This year’s event is Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Minnesota Srtate Fairgrounds. (Photo courtesy of Rain Taxi)
Rediscover the power of reading books
Read any good books lately? If you’re like many Americans, the answer is no. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, Americans are reading fewer books than in the past. The average number of books … more
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An Ella Baker student and her mom working together in class.
Calling all lifelong learners back to school
Learn something new every day. This isn't a new concept. Many smart people have espoused the virtues of learning. "Education begins at the level of the learner," said Aristotle, who believed … more
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Minneapolis needs all hands on deck to create a connected city that works for everyone. (Daniel McCullough/Unsplash)
Creating A new community story together
Everything begins with a story. Joseph Campbell believed this, and he knew a few things about stories. Campbell lived from 1904 to 1987 and was considered one of the world’s experts on … more
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Students at Ella Baker Global Studies and Humanities Magnet School. (Photo submitted)
Everyone deserves a good education
Youth need more positive opportunities than ever. The opportunity gap is increasing, especially in public schools and marginalized communities across the United States. While some youth are thriving, … more
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Many communities in the United States need a new model of local news.
How we restore faith in journalism
Every community in the United States needs local news. But today, over 70 million Americans live in a county with no newspapers or only one, according to a report by the Medill Local News Initiative. … more
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A student sits for a video interview in a classroom at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis. (Photo by Alex Simpson/Unsplash)
Minneapolis can shock the world
Everyone loves a redemption story. After a few rough years, Minneapolis has a chance to write one. The city is in recovery mode and charting a new path forward, but not everyone is convinced we are … more
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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
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A student at Ella Baker School in Minneapolis shows his work and progress.
Focus on what’s strong, not what’s wrong
Everyone has a gift. That gift is a talent or passion. But not everyone gets to use their gift, talent or passion. Sometimes, people are not invited to share their gifts. We see this a lot. There … more
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