News | Southwest Connector

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.

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 | 12/1/22

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

Letting staff go

Lyndale Neighborhood Association Board President Doug Herkenhoff made this announcement in the association’s e-newsletter on Nov. 28: “As the LNA Board of Directors, we have … more

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

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

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

Riverview Theater (Photo by Terry Faust)

Riverview Theater one of few one-screen theaters still operating locally

It was Dec. 30, 1948, that the Riverview Theater at 3800 42nd Avenue opened its doors, showing the film “June Bride,” starring Bette Davis. The neighborhood icon caters to its community … more

By JAN WILLMS | 11/30/22

Creativity and community in a time of Isolation

In 2021, retired University of Minnesota filmmaker Paul Eide and a few members of his family pictured a way to fight pandemic isolation – a way that creatively drew them together. Just before … more

~ Edited by Terry Faust | 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

Park updates December 2022

MINNEHAHA PARKWAY Due to the recent cold weather and snow, construction has wrapped up for the year on a project to improve safety for trail users and drivers along Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail … more

11/30/22

Hope Street shelter is run by Catholic Charities.

CITY BRIEFS

42nd St. safety improvements The city and county have agreed to work together to improve several intersections along 42nd St. Using Highway Safety Improvement Program funds, they will install traffic … more

~ Briefs compiled by Cam Gordon | 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

Regional map of SOS Save Our Street petition signatories opposing the city’s proposed plan.

Community divided over better bike lanes on Summit Avenue

The city’s proposal to remove mature trees and parking along Summit Avenue to create a bike trail is creating controversy throughout the Twin Cities. More than 150 people attended an open house … more

Chloe Peter | 11/17/22

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.

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

Metro Transit weakening our connection - cuts coming

The bus driver shortage is doing serious damage to Metro Transit service in southwest Minneapolis as elsewhere. Route 27 (26th/28th Streets between Hiawatha and I-35W) was suspended in October 2022, … more

by John Wilson | 11/17/22