News | Southwest Connector

Cassandra Holmes at the Roof Depot site on Tuesday evening, Feb. 21, 2023. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

PROTESTING CITY’S PLANS FOR ROOF DEPOT SITE

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

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 2/22/23

Delaney Russell, a south Minneapolis resident, is interviewed by Unicorn Riot during the occupation by Indigenous people and allies of the Roof Depot that began at dawn on Tuesday, Feb. 21 and lasted through evening when Nenoocaasi Camp was disbanded forcibly on the orders of Mayor Frey by over 100 officers and 50 squad cars. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Minneapolis Police officer pushes Longfellow elder at Roof Depot

Longfellow resident Delaney Russell was shocked when a Minneapolis Police Officer pushed her back on the slippery sidewalk when the occupation at the Roof Depot site was being cleared by over 100 … more

by Tesha M. Christensen | 2/22/23

10 guidelines for a strong, long and happy life

Some time ago, after suffering the shocking and unexpected loss of my still young husband, Martijn, while we were living in Europe, I experienced what is called traumatic grief. In addition to a year … more

By Susan Schaefer | 2/22/23

It may look like praying when J.D. Fratzke gets into the frigid Lake Harriet water, but he is taking deep breaths to get used to the cold while vinterbadning. His six-minute stint on Sunday, Feb. 5 was one of his longest so far this season.

Jumping in

As with most things in my life, I just jumped in the first time. I knew myself well enough to understand that if I thought about it too much or just took it one step at a time that I would only be … more

By J.D. Fratzke | 2/17/23 | 1 comment

Inspired

Nine months before Rosa Parks, Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat on the bus to a White passenger. She was 15. Youth Performance Company (YPC)’s “Inspired by Claudette & … more

By Jill Boogren | 2/17/23

Met Council makeover

This could be the year of big changes for the Metropolitan Council. At least that is what two southwest Minneapolis legislators are hoping for. Later this month, State Senator Scott Dibble and … more

By Cam Gordon | 2/17/23

Jim Saybolt with daughters Faye and Lucinda (swinging banner) trying out some of the activities offered during the annual event. It coincided with the Lake Harriet Kite Festival on Jan. 28, 2023.

Plan B

Tesha M. Christensen | 2/17/23

Meet the second generation owner at Electric Fetus

Meet Linden Hills resident Stephanie Covart Meyerring, who took over running the iconic Electric Fetus from her dad, Keith Covart, with her husband Aaron a few years ago. (She previously worked in … more

2/17/23

Russ Henry is a landscaper, naturalist, gardener, soil health specialist, and educator. The Longfellow business owner is devoted to pollinator protection, urban farming, local food system development, and restorative justice.

Did you know dust in your house has 10 harmful chemicals?

It’s a warm summer afternoon, sun shining through kitchen windows. The front door flies open; kids and dogs come bursting in two by two. Running through the house and right out the back door. … more

By Russ Henry | 2/17/23

How do you make a birdfeeder? Students from Lake Harriet Community School Upper Campus build their own from reclaimed wood on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. Elpis Community Programs Coordinator LaShay DeClerq-Ransom explains the drilling-the-hanger-wire-hole stage of birdfeeder construction as (left to right) Izzy Spallino, Kennedy Kaplan, and Atticus Donald watch. They also learned about the importance of birds in the environment and how to identify birds. (Photo by Terry Faust)

Land of 10,000 outdoor hobbies

Winters can be frigid in Minnesota, but Karl Erickson, the woodworking program manager at Elpis Enterprises (2161 University Ave.) can find ways to make the cold weather both fun and a learning … more

By Jan Willms | 2/17/23

Little Man (shown here) and Cindy Lawson are two local music highlights. (Photo submitted)

Introducing Connector live! – local music playlist series

Connector LIVE! – as part of Teaming Up For Good – will soon feature live venue and music information along with specially curated streaming playlists for your listening pleasure. Read … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 2/17/23

A meet-up during the COVID-19 pandemic changed the trajectory of the lives of Lana Gendlin Brooks (at left) and Karina Muller. They found their purpose by starting HeartCentric. (Photo submitted)

Heartcentric combines art with spiritual practice

Meet Karina Muller and Lana Gendlin Brooks of HeartCentric. The two women are dedicated to helping people connect to their intuition with the help of a pendulum. “We handcraft one-of-a-kind … more

By Suzie Marty | 2/17/23

Out and about in the neighborhood: Minneapolis college of art and design

Minneapolis College of Art and Design’s (MCAD) bustling campus in the Whittier neighborhood is home to student housing, outdoor art displays, indoor galleries, art classes, continuing … more

2/17/23

Damon Chaplin has been nominated as the city’s new health commissioner.

City briefs Feb. 16

City negotiations with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights On Feb. 7, the City Council received a report on the status of settlement negotiations between the City and the Minnesota Department of … more

Briefs compiled by Cam Gordon | 2/17/23

Is it Kingfield, King Field or King’s field?

Well, it’s an ongoing debate, pointed out longtime resident Sarah Linnes-Robinson. She’s the executive director of the Kingfield Neighborhood Association. The city calls the … more

2/17/23

Neighborhood news

WANT COMMUNITY CONTROL OF POLICE? According to Minneapolis for Community Control of Police (Mpls4CCP), work groups, panels, and community review boards have little to no power to stop or prevent … more

2/17/23

Attending the Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest award banquet on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 were freelancer Eric Erickson, owner and editor Tesha M. Christensen, and photographer Terry Faust. The trio holds the 20 awards earned by the three newspapers of TMC Publications CO.

20 AWARDS FOR TMC PUBLICATIONS IN 2023

TMC Publication's three newspapers earned a total of 20 awards at this year's Better Newspaper Contest. Congrats to the winners! NEWS1) First Place, Sports Story - Eric Erickson, “Unforgettable … more

1/28/23

Heather Fisch’s son wears the He-Man Halloween costume that was created with items obtained from her Buy Nothing group. (Photo submitted)

Buy Nothing groups encourage people to buy less, share more

They say one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. That’s one of the leading philosophies behind a movement taking off in southwest Minneapolis. The “Buy Nothing” … more

By Allie Johnson | 1/19/23

Twin Cities chocolatier Mary Leonard of Chocolat Céleste puts together a box of freshly-made truffles. Leonard battled breast cancer in 2020, but didn’t miss a day of work. She had chocolates to create, after all. Each chocolate is hand made with fresh whipping cream, small batch butter and the finest fair trade cocoas. The company that she started at age 46 was named after her beloved Bichon Frise. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

A sweet journey

The Twin Cities’ beloved chocolatier Mary Leonard of Chocolat Céleste didn’t take a day off work when she was being treated for breast cancer. Not even when she was dealing with … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 1/19/23

24 strategies, 64 actions

The city council is set to vote early this year on a groundbreaking racial equity framework that could guide city transportation planning and investment decisions for years to come.The draft Racial … more

By Cam Gordon | 1/19/23