News | Southwest Connector

I’ve been traveling a lot lately. Over the last nine months, I’ve been on an airplane more times than I have in the previous 15 years. The trips I’m taking typically involve … more

By J.D. Fratzke | 4/17/24

Karen Binkowski of the Southwest Business Association (left) and Gina Rautenberg of the Linden Hills Neighborhood Council are excited about plans to reinvigorate local businesses and get people out more to boost the local economy.

PARTNERING & SHARING

With many organizational budgets being slashed, businesses and residents need to band together to thrive. Gina Rautenberg and Karen Binkowski are leading by example. Rautenberg is the executive … more

By Eric Ortiz | 4/17/24

‘Oppressive’ experience:’ 57 hearings, 80 court orders, 12 parenting time schedules

What do you do when 11 judges and referees, 20 therapists, 12 mediators, two parenting consultants (with 37 directives), one custody evaluator, and one guardian ad litem haven’t been able to … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 4/17/24

Mobility clinic participants demonstrate agility and strength during the "So Every BODY Can Move MN" event.

Those with limb loss push back against ‘not medically necessary’ during day at capitol

There are over 35,000 Minnesotans living with limb loss, and thousands more living with limb difference and mobility impairments. Many are unable to access prescribed orthotic and prosthetic care due … more

By Margie O’loughlin | 3/27/24

Viewpoints on Lyndale Ave. reconstruction

Move Minnesota hosted a rally for a bike/pedestrian-friendly Lyndale Ave. reconstruction on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 27th St. and Lyndale Ave S. It was part of the Livable Lyndale project and … more

By Cam Gordon | 3/20/24

Curl Power stylist Paige Graling trims and styles a young client’s curly hair. Graling was bullied in school growing up because of her natural hair. Now, teaching others about how to care for their natural hair is one of Graling’s passions.

Learning to love their curls

By TALIA MCWRIGHT Rosie Jablonsky brushed out the curly hair of a young girl, as stylists in the Mall of America salon gathered around. “She looks like a lion,” one … more

By Talia McWright | 2/21/24

A COMMUNITY VISION

There is a new, detailed plan that would transform 3000 Minnehaha Ave into a “Black Cultural Center.” The plan for the city-owned site was presented Jan. 29 at the Hook and … more

By Cam Gordon | 2/21/24

Lady Bear with her human pal, Meg Juedes, were a popular team on the ice during the Ice Shanty Projects at Lake Harriet on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. The bear got into roaring contests with fest-goers. Juedes’ dress showed the decline of the polar ice cap by year.

ART ON ICE

After opening one week late to wait for ice to build on Lake Harriet, the 20th annual Ice Shanty Projects closed after only one weekend. “It’s sad for artists like us, who were … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 2/14/24

Lana Gendlin Brooks (at left) and Karina Muller (at right) of Heart Centric talk with Eric Ortiz at the Let’s Connect event in January at Everett & Charlie.

‘We all have the answers within us’

Following your dreams is not always easy. Sometimes, those dreams don’t align with society’s conventions. But doing something unconventional can lead you to your ideal life. … more

By Eric Ortiz | 2/14/24

Task force considers how to reform met Council

On Feb. 1, the Metropolitan Governance Task Force issued its final report on how to reform the Metropolitan Council. It offered not one or two recommendations, as some members had hoped … more

By Cam Gordon | 2/14/24

Dr. Joan Madden and Richard Baldinelli founded the 53rd Street Brass Quintet.

Bound by Brass

Musicians Richard Baldinelli and Dr. Joan Madden exude joy whether playing their trumpets in the 53rd Street Brass Quintet, looking forward or reminiscing. The two musicians capture the delight of a … more

By Jane St. Anthony | 1/24/24

Edmund Boulevard: residents debate value of changing name

The debate about Edmund Blvd. continued on Dec. 14, 2023 when over 40 people met to discuss how to respond to the racist history associated with the street name. The lots on this … more

By Cam Gordon | 1/24/24

One of Heid E. Erdrich’s favorite spots in the neighborhood is the Kenwood School Stone Poem Rain Garden.

A people’s poet

This month, Southwest resident Heid E. Erdrich became the ﬁrst poet laureate for the city of Minneapolis. “We need poetry, even if we don’t know we do. There’s a human … more

By Cam Gordon | 1/18/24

(Left to right) Seventh grader Kaia Bursell, Yinghua Academy Director Dr. Luyi Lien, and sixth grader Sage Houdek hold their certificates and awards from Chinese Bridge.

‘We were celebrities’

In the fall of 2023, two students from Yinghua Academy Chinese immersion school in northeast Minneapolis went on the trip of a lifetime. Keewaydin resident and sixth grader Sage Houdek and seventh … more

By Jill Boogren | 1/18/24

Milkweed owner Brenda Ingersoll serves Ronnie Hartman coffee and a donut as part of the Too Good To Go program that pairs customers with surplus unsold food at restaurants for lower prices.

Get cheaper food to go

Had a tough day at work and don’t feel like cooking, but don’t want to pay the price for the family to eat out? Too Good to Go (TGTG) may solve your problem, and enlist your help in … more

By Jan Willms | 12/21/23

Christmas Eve luminary supports Domestic Abuse Project

For 25 years, the warm glow of hundreds of luminaries have lit Dupont/King’s Highway on Christmas Eve. The annual event not only brings neighbors together, but it has raised over $50,000 for … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 12/14/23

The two final candidates were Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams (shown here) and Dr. Sonia Stewart.

MPS names new superintendent

Minneapolis will be welcoming a new superintendent on Feb. 5, 2024. On Dec. 1, 2023, with opposition from two southwest board members, the Minneapolis Public School (MPS) Board of Education … more

By Cam Gordon | 12/14/23

Collaborating together on the "Inside Senior Living" docu-series are (left to right): Steve Ash, Upper-Midwest Emmy Award winning videographer and editor; Melissa Fritz, creator and host; Nina Fredrickson, PBS North production manager; and Bill Cooper, executive producer and director. (Photo submitted)

‘Inside Senior Living’ docu-series explores aging

In an exciting development for the local television landscape, “Inside Senior Living,” a groundbreaking docu-series, has announced its partnership with PBS North. The series, set to … more

12/14/23

Ashes to Action

One of the things people found themselves asking during the uprising in May 2020 was, “What can I do?” Many brought food to distribute from makeshift food shelves. Others brought masks … more

By Jill Boogren | 11/30/23

Council members divided on police incentive plan

Mayor Jacob Frey called a special meeting of the city council on Nov. 17, 2023, but did not get the approval he was seeking for a letter of agreement with the Police Officers Federation of … more

By Cam Gordon | 11/30/23