News | Southwest Connector

There are more than 150 Little Free Libraries and counting in the southwest Minneapolis area. Stewards of the libraries help provide access to books for everyone. The one above is located in Kingfield.

A Little Free Library in every community

Little Free Library (LFL) is working on programs to address access to books. This includes the Read in Color Initiative, partnering with Banned Books Week Coalition, and the Indigenous Library … more

By Chloe Peter | 12/1/22

Citizens ask city to support community needs

Despite an increase in the budget proposed by the mayor and with property taxes likely to increase for many property owners, only two of the nearly 100 comments received by the city so far have … more

By Cam Gordon | 12/1/22

Marcie Rendon's latest book is dedicated to murdered and missing Indigenous women. In addition to the Cash books, Rendon is working on a writing and healing project at Little Earth called Unconquered Nations. (Photo by Jaida Grey Eagle)

Standish author’s latest thriller chills

In a blog post for Barnes & Noble, local author Marcie Rendon writes of the stories that lurk at the edge of our consciousness, waiting to be told. Stories that are “too disturbing, too … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 11/30/22

Brass Solidarity leads friends, family and community members in music and song at the Peoples' Way, George Floyd Square, to celebrate Tekle Sundberg on what would have been his 21st birthday Nov. 16, 2022. Sundberg was killed by Minneapolis police on July 14, 2022. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

City’s plan to buy Peoples’ Way met with apprehension

At a neighborhood meeting at Sabathani Community Center on October 24, Minneapolis’ Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) agency announced plans to purchase the former Speedway … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 11/30/22

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

"This is too much"

When five people in the throes of a mental health crisis were killed in incidents with police, Michelle Gross said she knew Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB) had to act. CUAPB … more

Jan Willms | 11/17/22

Tammy Ortegon, owner of ColorWheel Gallery at 46th and Grand, shows pictures of mushrooms and other fungi during a community pop-up event along Nicollet Ave. to inspire art-makers in the community

Art for everyone

Tammy Ortegon considers herself a folk artist, and she believes folk art is created by and for the people. A part of making this a reality is by creating a space where community members can gather to … more

Chloe Peter | 11/17/22

Dawanna Witt hosts election night party.

Election brings many firsts

The 2022 midterm election provided many firsts for Hennepin County and Minnesota as a whole. Black women will serve in the Minnesota Senate for the first time with the election of Zaynab Mohamed, … more

Chloe Peter | 11/17/22

Brian O'Hara is sworn in as 54th Chief of Police

Eyes on new police chief

With words of praise and hope, the city council unanimously approved Mayor Jacob Frey’s nomination of Brian O’Hara to be the next Minneapolis Police Chief on Nov. 2, 2022. He was … more

Cam Gordon | 11/17/22

Peg Thomas fills out where she travels throughout Minneapolis on a typical Tuesday. Residents filled out these forms at the open house to discuss the former Kmart site on Oct. 25 in order to help city planners see what would be helpful to add in the area.

A new Nicollet

The Nicollet Redevelopment will take down barriers that have impacted residents and local businesses. Lake Street and Nicollet Ave. was once an intersection of two commercial corridors. … more

Chloe Peter | 11/3/22

Divided on restructure

The city council and mayor approved the “executive mayor - legislative council government structure” ordinance amendments on Oct. 20, 2022. The approval repeals and replaces … more

Cam Gordon | 11/3/22 | 1 comment

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

‘THIS IS TOO MUCH’

When five people in the throes of a mental health crisis were killed in incidents with police, Michelle Gross said she knew Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB) had to act.CUAPB was … more

By JAN WILLMS | 11/2/22

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

Ebony Patterson’s "From the corner of my eye" is part of “A Picture Gallery of the Soul” exhibit at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery.

The soul behind the images

When cooler temps and shorter days signal the Fall Arts Season in the metro area, there are many cultural activities competing for attention. As always, this column strives to undercover the … more

by Susan Schaefer | 10/21/22

A local developer plans to raze this single family house and construct a four-story, four unit luxury condo at 4352 Zenith. The plan includes a 47-foot dividing wall behind the house, which neighbors say will cut off light from their properties, harming their gardens and green space. Multi-unit buildings are allowed under the city’s 2040 plan.

Neighbors concerned about 2040 plan

A goal of the 2040 plan is to encourage equitable and affordable housing, but it also creates gaps for condominiums worth over $1.3 million. A Linden Hills proposal by Sustainable 9 for … more

Chloe Peter | 10/11/22

The Calvary Lutheran Church congregation spills into the street to the upbeat music of Brass Solidarity on Sept.11, the last service Calvary will have there until renovation is complete to add deeply affordable housing units to 39th and Chicago. In the interim, Calvary will worship at Iglesia Luterana San Pablo/St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (2742 15th Ave.). (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Calvary church makes room for deeply affordable housing at 39th and Chicago

Sept. 11, 2022, marked the last day of service for a while at Calvary Lutheran Church (3901 Chicago Ave.). It looked a little different on this day, mostly celebratory, a little bittersweet, with … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 9/29/22

A SAFER APPROACH FOR CUSTODY CASES

Who’s right? Who’s wrong? And how does it affect the kids?Figuring out family dynamics in custody cases can be tricky, but the Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP) in St. Paul … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 9/29/22

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