News | Southwest Connector

The front of the Third Precinct as residents still see it two years later through a fence, barricades and barb wire. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

What do citizens want at the Third Precinct site? * updated

After two and a half years, Longfellow residents have the opportunity to tell the city what they want at the Third Precinct site (Minnehaha and E. Lake St.). However, the city is only giving the … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 3/21/23

J.D. Fratzke likes hiking in blizzards, and appreciates the reminder that the Natural World exemplifies perseverance. (Photo submitted)

Get rhythm

The Norwegians have a word, friluftsliv, for the practice of embracing a life outdoors as a bulwark against the inevitable soul-crushing doldrums of a long, dark winter in a Northern climate. I … more

By J.D. Fratzke | 3/16/23

Award-winning independent journalist and photographer KingDemetrius Pendleton poses inside Wing Young Huie’s The Third Place Gallery at 3730 Chicago Ave., where his exhibition “The Movement Never Stops” is on display. The exhibition includes photographs Pendleton has taken from the front lines of the social justice movement in the Twin Cities over the past seven years.

‘Listennn’ –The Movement Never Stops

Anyone attending a protest or march for justice in the Twin Cities over these past few years has undoubtedly heard a call carry over the crowd: “Listennn!” It’s a sure bet … more

By Jill Boogren | 3/16/23

City briefs March 16

CEDAR ISLE PARK PLAN The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has released a new plan for the Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles and surrounding parkland; Dean Parkway; Kenilworth Channel; and a portion … more

Briefs compiled by Cam Gordon | 3/16/23

Anthony Jones of Jones Coffee partners with Brad McLemore of House of Music on music shows.

Two entrepreneurs connect, launch space for music

Two neighborhood musical entrepreneurs are hosting a showcase for teens on Friday, March 24, 5-7p.m. at Jones Coffee (5008 Xerxes Ave. S. location).What is a “neighborhood entrepreneur?” … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 3/16/23

Plan aims for zero-waste future

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners wants to cut waste. And according to a recent county report there is roughly 2.8 trillion pounds of waste produced in the county every year. That is over … more

By Cam Gordon | 3/16/23

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.

Healthy beliefs, healthy life

Limiting beliefs, whether you are aware of them or not, can self-sabotage your health. What are limiting beliefs? They are a state of mind or belief about yourself, how the world works, ideas, or how … more

By Michele Rae | 3/16/23

Lighting up a winter night

How do you put together a luminary event attended by over 10,000 people?With lots of volunteers.Loppet Luminary Committee Chair Jim Young helps coordinate the team of people who shape ice from lake … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 3/1/23

Has snowfall made dent in drought?

Last summer was one of the driest on record in the Twin Cities, and the latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows that most of Hennepin County, including Minneapolis, remains in a moderate drought halfway … more

By Allie Johnson | 3/1/23

Brit Anbacht (right) chats with Jan Lyson and Ward 11 Policy Associate Corinne Horowitz (center) about the 2040 Plan and zoning. (Photo submitted)

Give feedback on new zoning rules

The city is poised to take a big step this spring when it enshrines zoning regulations that will guide the city’s growth for decades to come. Ward 7 City Council Member Lisa Goodman, who chairs … more

By Cam Gordon | 3/1/23

While the mighty gush of Minnehaha Falls usually fills the park with a constant roar, the drought of 2022 saw a complete standstill to the water flow through the creek. Similar but less severe droughts stopped the creek flow in 2000, 2009, 2012 and 2021. What does this year hold for the waterfall and winding creek?

Can Minnehaha Creek be restored?

Leaves rustle in a dry creek bed, tiny fish drift ever so slightly in stagnant pools of murky water. Drips slip past and quietly fall over the limestone cliff. While the mighty gush of Minnehaha … more

By Russ Henry and Sean Connaughty | 3/1/23

These two houses got a facelift courtesy of Chileen Painting, a family-owned business around the lakes.

Q&A with CHILEEN PAINTING

Chileen Painting is a third-generation, family-owned business started in 1952. Their home restoration techniques range from painting to woodwork to enameling. Greg Chileen brought Chileen Painting to … more

3/1/23

Police Chief Brian O’Hara said, “With the issues we’re facing, we don’t have time for nonsense. We need to get to the point.” He attended the Feb. 1, 2023 Lunch with Lisa held at the University of St. Thomas.

New police chief described as change agent

"In order to have a change, we need a change agent,” stated Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman during a Lunch with Lisa event on Feb. 1, 2023. She admitted to … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 3/1/23

Occupation at the roof depot site broken up

Over a hundred Minneapolis Police Officers and 50 squads shut down an eight-block radius around the Roof Depot site at Longfellow and 27th on Tuesday evening, Feb. 21, 2023, at about 6:15 p.m., and … more

3/1/23

Larry LaVercombe is a writer, filmmaker, and activist, born in Detroit and arrived in Minneapolis in 1975. He lived in a treehouse in San Diego before getting an MFA from the USC Film School. He writes most days, and as Team Larry he has been selling residential real estate in Minneapolis for 26 years.

2023 predictions for the local real estate market

Last year, I posed a few questions about how the current events of that time might affect the real estate market.How would sanctions and the war in Ukraine affect our economy? Would supply chain … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 3/1/23

City council races: who is running in wards 7 and 13?

In Ward 13, Kate Mortenson has joined the race and will be challenging incumbent Linea Palmisano for the city council seat she currently holds. Mortenson lives in Lynnhurst and is the founder of … more

3/1/23

City briefs Mar. 2

Legalizing saunas After receiving a citation requiring them to close down by March 3, a Linden Hills business, Embrace North, is trying to find a way to stay open and change the laws regulating … more

Briefs compiled by Cam Gordon | 3/1/23

Neighborhood news March 2, 2023

SWHS 80s ALL-CLASS REUNION June 17To celebrate the 40th anniversary of graduating from Minneapolis Southwest High School, the Class of 1983 is hosting an 80s All-Class Reunion on Saturday, June 17, 7 … more

3/1/23

Not much news, but an impediment

The quarterly Metro Transit service change March 18, 2023 is going to be a sleeper. Even though we were promised that a hiring blitz would alleviate the driver shortage and enable a return to the … more

By John Wilson | 3/1/23

HELP WANTED

It’s been called the Great Resignation, the Big Quit and the Great Reshuffle. Resignation rates across the United States have remained high since COVID-19 hit in the spring of … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 3/1/23