Southwest Connector

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.

February is a month that includes Valentine’s Day and is American Heart Month, a time when all you are encouraged to focus on your cardiovascular health. I have been contemplating the many … more

By Michele Rae | 2/17/23

Exploring purpose for health and wellness

Did you know that living with a clear purpose can improve your resilience, health, and relationships? The beginning of 2023 may be a perfect time to reflect on what gives you direction, why you get … more

By Michele Rae | 1/19/23

Something under the hood is not immediately apparent or obvious. This column will uncover stories that span the neighborhoods covered by TMC Publications. | Susan Schaefer is a widely published independent journalist, creative writer, and poet. Her articles appear in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, PBS’ online magazine, Next Avenue, Next Tribe, and beyond. She was columnist and features writer for Minneapolis’ Southwest Journal and Minnesota Good Age magazine.

Warming up for winter

Ever been accused of having a thin skin? When it comes to maintaining proper body temperature, this old adage is no joke. As we age, our metabolic rate decreases and our skin literally thins. Often, … more

By Susan Schaefer | 12/13/22

Suzy Messerole (left) and Tana Hargest of the Subversive Sirens practice at the Phillips Aquatic Center. “We do a lot more than just spread joy,” Messerole stated. “Community is a very big part of our strategy.” The group practices on Saturdays. (Photo by Terry Faust)

Subversive Sirens imagine a better world

The world of queer synchronized swimming is very small. But the Subversive Sirens, a non-binary synchronized swimming team out of Minnesota, is making a big splash. (Forgive the pun.) Advocating … more

Jan Willms | 11/30/22

Jessica and Steven Willman, with (left to right) Adon, Sophie, Jack and Ollie. Two children were adopted after being fostered. (Photos submitted)

FOSTER THE FAMILY

What do you do when a foster child you have raised for several years is suddenly going home to her birth parents? How do you react the first time the school principal calls you in to discuss a … more

By JAN WILLMS | 11/30/22

Most plants should be pruned in the late dormant season, generally around January or February. The exceptions are those that bloom early in the growing season on last year's growth. (Photo submitted)

Best time to prune most plants is late winter

As fall turns to winter, you may be looking at the bare, brown branches in your yard and wondering when to cut them back. Overall, the answer is not yet! But there’s lots to think about before … more

By LAUREN BETHKE, Master Gardener | 11/30/22

Eric Ortiz, the author, resting at home after total ankle replacement surgery.

We don't need to live in suffering anymore

Pain is a terrible thing. Whether it's physical, emotional, or mental — pain hurts. I was in a lot of pain for many years. It was my right ankle. The pain was chronic and had become so bad in … more

Eric Ortiz | 11/17/22

This could be your best holiday season

With the November and December holidays arriving soon, how do you intend to remain balanced and mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy? As a holistic health coach, this topic comes up often in … more

Michele Rae | 11/17/22

Mary Pat Lee stands in the closet of the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery where children visiting are able to pick their own outfits for their stay. “Every kid who comes through our doors has experienced some kind of trauma and we take that into account with their care,” Lee said. “It’s not ‘What’s wrong with this kid?’ but it’s ‘What happened to this kid and what do they need?’”

Overwhelmed? Call crisis nursery for parenting help

A woman came into the Greater Minneapolis Nursery (GMCN) looking for shelter for her children. Her boyfriend had been prostituting her and had taken all of her money. She was terrified for herself … more

Chloe Peter | 11/3/22

We need to have more conversations about eating disorders

With all the trend diets that are popular in the media right now, it can be difficult to know where I stand when it comes to my own body image. I am bombarded by social media posts about if I just … more

Chloe Peter | 11/3/22

Seward Co-ops’s changing of the guard

Local grocer Seward Co-op’s 50th anniversary is coming to a close this year, but there’s also another significant occasion taking place where many folks shop for sustainable and fair … more

By KIM FORTIN | 11/2/22

Gifts from surgery recovery

As a pharmacist and health and wellness coach, I felt as prepared as possible heading into my total knee replacement Aug. 29. With the looming nursing strike in our community hospitals, I did my pre … more

Michele Rae | 10/21/22

ACES LINKED TO SUICIDE - Adults who had experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are more likely to have attempted suicide in their lifetime than those who had not experienced ACEs. Researchers used data from the 2012 to 2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) to match people who had attempted suicide with those who had not, based on the presence or absence of nine mental and substance use disorders that are associated with suicide risk. This allowed the researchers to estimate the role that ACEs played in the risk of suicide attempts independent of mental and substance use disorders. The ACEs included in the study were (1) psychological abuse; (2) physical abuse; (3) sexual abuse; (4) emotional neglect; (5) physical neglect; (6) witnessing violence against a mother or other adult female; (7) substance misuse by a parent or other household member; (8) mental illness, suicide attempt, or suicide death of a parent or other household member; (9) incarceration of a parent or other household member; and (10) parents’ separation or divorce.

Suicide rates too high; we should learn warning signs

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide rates in Minnesota declined slightly in 2020, but it’s important to remember there were a record number of suicides in 2019, and this is … more

By Sue Abderholden | 9/29/22

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

WE SOLDIER ON

Today, right now! It's the first day of the first year without my brother. He died! Myself, my sister-in-law, and my nieces – we continue to mourn. Labor Day week-end of 2021 was the last time … more

Donald L. Hammen | 9/21/22

Crixell Shell of the Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute talks with community members at the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association's Twin Cities Community Pop-Up Market at Mueller Park on Aug. 20.

HOW TO CREATE HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS FOR EVERYONE

Minneapolis has 83 residential neighborhoods, 70 neighborhood associations, 13 wards, 11 communities and five precincts. If we do a health check based on gun violence, some of these places are not … more

Eric Ortiz | 9/21/22

Beginning in 1992, “Caring for the Caregiver” has helped thousands of caregivers globally with expression, physical and mental health. Through the integration of movement and voice, memories and stories, participants explore ways to express feelings associated with their profession.

CARING FOR CAREGIVERS

In 1988, Stuart Pimsler created “Swimming to Cecile,” a performance work dedicated to his mother who died in a car accident when he was 15. “Cecile,” a lamentation inspired by … more

Chloe Peter | 9/21/22

From left to right: Donna Soriano, Nellie Arsemyeva, and Diphina Sang gathered to strike in front of M Health Fairview Hospital Southdale, 6401 France Ave S, Edina on Sept. 14th, 2022. "We do not have appropriate staffing," Arsemyeva said. "We are expected to work doubles and may have 6 to 8 patients to care for at one time."

NURSES NEGOTIATIONS HIGHLIGHT STAFFING SHORTAGES

Outside of Children’s Minnesota Hospital – Minneapolis (2525 Chicago Ave.) and M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital (6401 France Ave. S.), nurses in bright red T-shirts held signs with … more

Chloe Peter | 9/21/22

MNA nurses choose signs they will hold while walking the picket line at Children's Hospital Minnesota - Minneapolis, 2525 Chicago Ave.

Minnesota Nurses Association strike [Photo gallery]

Chloe Peter | 9/15/22

Wellness in the Workplace

Working can be stressful! Everyone who is employed or volunteering has been pivoting and re-adjusting schedules, expectations, and communication these past few years. Thank you to all the front-line … more

Michele Rae | 9/9/22

Feeling good starts with gratitude

Birthdays are about a lot more than eating cake. Of course, it’s always nice to celebrate another trip around the sun. But it’s equally important to remember that we don’t make the … more

Eric Ortiz | 9/9/22