News | Southwest Connector

A pair of MiMS runners compete in the full 26.2-mile Twin Cities marathon on Oct. 3. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

When Mishka Vertin moved from New York City to Minneapolis in 2014, she hit the ground running. Trained as a social worker, she took a job at Mill City Running while looking for a job in her field. … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 10/28/21

Twin Cities Marathon 2021

10/28/21

Jerrod Brown, a professor at Concordia University in St. Paul, is the program director for a master of arts degree in human services with an emphasis in forensic behavioral health.

Helping professionals need help, too

Coping with the ups and downs of everyday life can be challenging in the best of times. But add COVID-19 to the mix, and those challenges can increase greatly. Jerrod Brown, a professor at Concordia … more

By Jan Willms | 10/28/21

The HiBAR team at their workplace in the St. Paul Midway neighborhood. HiBAR launched in late 2018, and is already on the shelves in more than 10,000 stores across the country. Founder Nora Scharper said, “The world needs one or two brands that can popularize the idea and practice of being plastic-free, and we intend to be one of them.”

HiBAR co-founders drawn together by sense of purpose

By now, everyone has seen images of plastic-strewn beaches around the world. Half a billion shampoo and conditioner bottles get tossed out every year in this country alone. Nora Schaper and her three … more

By Margie O’Loughlin | 10/28/21

Free helping dogs

Can Do Canines announces that there is currently less waiting time than normal for clients who need one of the following types of assistance dogs: Mobility Assist Dog, Hearing Assist Dog, Diabetes … more

10/28/21

City recognizes problems with expansion at Roof Depot site

Supporters of the indoor urban farm at the Roof Depot site unearthed a city report from June that shows city construction would be "problematic" given the lead and arsenic contaimination in the area, … more

by Tesha M. Christensen | 10/1/21

Ward 9 council member Alondro Cono speaks to the crowd of her own neighborhoods and constituents.

Community rallies in support of indoor urban farm at former Roof Depot site

Supporters of the East Phillips Indoor Urban Farm rallied on Thursday night, Sept. 23 in between two votes that will determine the future of the project. On Wednesday, Sept. 22, the city council … more

10/1/21

"You really put yourself out there when you make public art," remarked Lomgfellow resident Taylor Tinkham. "Mostly people are great, but I’ve been hassled by the police. I’ve been yelled at by passersby, I’ve had people comment on my body when I’m drawing. As I approach a space where I’m going to chalk, I’m anxious – but as soon as I start chalking, I feel good.”(Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Longfellow chalk artist creates mindfulness messages on pavement

Taylor Tinkham has been chalking on neighborhood sidewalks for the last two and a half years. She said, “The idea came out of a mindfulness meditation class I was taking as part of my masters … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 10/1/21

Film maker Paul Irmiter in his Longfellow studio, surrounded by photos and news clips of John Wesley Donaldson. Irmiter said, “From the outset, I knew this story had to be told. I was fortunate to be able to partner with some of the Twin Cities’ most experienced Black actors, producers, and crew. I got to be the director, but I couldn’t have done any part of the film without our team. One of the best things that came out of this project was these new, strong relationships.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Local pride surrounds release of documentary

John Wesley Donaldson may be the greatest American baseball player you’ve never heard of. Born in 1892 in the tiny town of Glasgow, Mo., the young African American ball player went on to become … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 10/1/21

Segundo Velasquez, co-founder of Mano a Mano. (Photo by Margie O'Loughlin)

Non-profit sends medical supplies to Bolivia – and shares surplus at home

Joan and Segundo Velasquez founded Mano a Mano in 1994 with the goal of saving surplus medical supplies from the landfill in Minnesota and shipping them to Bolivia, where those supplies were … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 10/1/21

BareBones Extravaganza 2021 Co-Directors (left to right) Xochi de la Luna, Adriana Cerrillo and Mina Leierwood at Powderhorn Park in September. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

BareBones Extravaganza 2021 returns Oct. 31

Shaped from sticks, torn pieces of brown paper bags, newspaper, and paste, bones were in the making at Powderhorn Park in September as artists and community members gathered to prepare for BareBones … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 10/1/21

Dancing together through a pandemic

On Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, Ballare Teatro dance instructor Molly Breen (at left) and her Cardio Funk dancers gave a live performance every 15 minutes through the early evening.They danced against a … more

by Margie O'Loughlin | 10/1/21

Purchase smarter

During the pandemic, we all became well-acquainted with our stuff. Perhaps you purged a lot of things to make more room for … well, living. Or maybe you acquired more things to make staying … more

By JESSIE ROELOFS | 10/1/21

Trash in Lake Hiawatha includes various types of plastic and styrofoam. (Photo submitted by Friends of Lake Hiawatha)

What happens now to trash in Lake Hiawatha?

It’s been seven years since the conversation about the future of the Lake Hiawatha Golf Course started. And neighborhood residents are still waiting for something to be done about the trash.It … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 9/3/21

“For me, this is the most peaceful place on earth," explained Dr. Remi Douah, who is a listening presence at the "Say Their Names Cemetery" near George Floyd Square. "I can easily spend eight hours a day here. It’s not a chore; it’s not an intervention. It’s my way of life now. It’s what I structure my days around.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Learn to listen

Dr. Remi Douah is a listening presence at the “Say Their Names” Cemetery near George Floyd Square, just off East 37th Street between Chicago and Columbus avenues. He spends hours there … more

By Margie O’Loughlin | 9/3/21

Linda Kjerland was a Garden for Wildlife mentee in her first year of developing a backyard habitat for wildlife. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Longfellow Garden for Wildlife Yard Tour 2021

Linda Kjerland moved to her Longfellow home 10 months ago, from a condo in St. Paul. Over the course of the winter, she started thinking about how to expand her garden and turn her lawn into … more

By Margie O’Loughlin | 9/3/21

Classics Lost ‘n’ Found Theater Company announces fall and winter 2021 season

Following their successful summer production of William Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night," Classics Lost ‘n’ Found Theater Company is pleased to announce the remainder of its 2021 … more

9/3/21

Open Streets is back

Open Streets Minneapolis events give communities a chance to experience their streets in an exciting, car-free environment. This year, events are back on three routes:• West Broadway Ave, from … more

9/3/21

Longfellow River Gorge Festival Sept. 11

Come share the river gorge – a community celebration with free ice cream, canoe rides, rowing, walking tours of the oak savanna restoration along the river and more. This event will be held at … more

9/3/21

Artist Anita White (right) with art student Henry Holdsworth, in White’s garden. (Photo courtesy Hillary Oppmann)

LoLa artists weekend

The LoLa Artists Weekend this month will include Katie Cameron at Cry Baby Clay, her newly opened shop and studio on Minnehaha Avenue. “I’m super excited to have my studio up and running … more

by Sharon Parker, LoLa | 9/2/21