Opinion | Southwest Connector

Anna Bonavita is a former physicist with a passion for culture, cuisine and environment. Born in a small village in Bulgaria but swept up in the waves of globalization, she claims several countries as the source of her cultural identity. Her travel nonprofit, Esperienza, provides small-scale, immersive experiences. She is also the founder of the Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis/St. Paul, the Italian Film Festival, and The Communal Table.

This time of the year many of us begin to dream of traveling to distant places. As Baby Boomers, we often possess both time and money to allow us to make yet another memorable trip to (where … more

By Anna Bonavita | 7/18/24 | 1 comment

Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice steering committee.

Reconnecting, streaming, thinking in pictures

RECONNECTING WITH STORIES AND JOURNEYS From time to time I need to remind myself what I am tasked to do when it comes to writing Stories and Journeys. I am tasked to write what I’m … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 7/18/24

Authors at the 2023 Twin Cities Book Festival in St. Paul.

You’re invited to (support) the Twin Cities Book Festival

The Twin Cities Book Festival is Minnesota's largest gathering of readers and one of the region's premier art events. It also might be the best-kept secret in the country . Presented annually by … more

By Eric Ortiz | 7/18/24

Green party candidate should be part of forum

The decision by the League of Women Voters to exclude Green Party candidate Toya Lopez from the upcoming Minnesota House of Representatives District 61A forums is a disappointing one. It is … more

7/18/24

Suzie Marty is an artist and curator at Everett & Charlie art gallery in Linden Hills. She is also an avid supporter of buying local, and a marketing specialist for the Southwest Connector. Contact her at ads@swconnector.com.

The sound of healing love

I had the pleasure of experiencing a sound bath by Royce Vagnier. It transcended me into a beautiful, relaxing, and healing place. For many years I have dipped my toe in different realms … more

By Suzie Marty | 7/18/24

Mercado Central, el mercado latino en la esquina de Lake Street y Bloomington Avenue en Minneapolis.

Mercado Central sigue enseñando a la comunidad 'Cómo comprar el estanque'

Ciudad de México está a 2,106 millas de Minneapolis. Pero no tienes que viajar tan lejos para experimentar la auténtica cultura latina. El Mercado Central está a unos … more

Por Eric Ortiz | 7/8/24

Striking labor disputes in the City of Parks

Consistently rated in the top 3 park systems in the country, our beloved Minneapolis parks have a labor problem. The largest bargaining unit of unionized workers at Minneapolis Park and Recreation … more

by Michael Wilson | 7/8/24

A mural in Minneapolis at the corner of Portland Ave. and East Lake St. (Photo by Eric Ortiz)

Something needs to change. We have a plan.

Research shows that negativity is four to seven times more powerful than positivity. We are hardwired for negativity . This negative bias is why we focus more on "bad things" to make sense of … more

By Eric Ortiz | 6/20/24

Michelle Krueger and family enjoy hosting exchange students through International Cultural Exchange Services. They’re looking for host families for next year. (Photo submitted)

Hosting exchange students is an enriching experience

This fall, our family will host Marilys, an exchange student from France, as our youngest daughter will be a sophomore at Southwest High School. We are so excited as a few years back, we hosted Lola, … more

6/20/24

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.

Robert Everest: on being a local artist

I met Robert Everest on a beautiful Thursday evening in Linden Hills last month. He’d just finished singing an exquisite bolero for the diners and dog walkers, and then he piqued my … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 6/20/24

Finding Moses Dickson: The untold story of Minnesota and the Underground Railroad

I am sharing exciting news about Karen Sieber, historian, educator, and leader in public humanities this month. She has discovered a missing chapter in Minnesota’s history about our … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 6/12/24

Don’t fall for 'The Fall of Minneapolis'

In November 2023, Alpha News released a program by former local news anchor Liz Collin called “The Fall of Minneapolis.” In the hour and 42-minute documentary, interviews with (mostly) … more

By Jill Boogren | 5/30/24 | 1 comment

Metro Transit bus driving on 1st Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. (weston m/Unsplash)

The power of cooperation

Our brain grows every time we make a mistake. Really, it's science . In that case, the world should be filled with geniuses at every turn. So why does it feel like we're surrounded by a … more

By Eric Ortiz | 5/15/24

Potential rift and retirement

IS THERE A RIFT BETWEEN THE MINNEAPOLIS REGIONAL RETIREES COUNCIL (AFL-CIO) AND ALL ELDERS UNITED FOR JUSTICE? “Building power through unity: All Elders United for Justice aims to bring … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 5/15/24

Dean Ridings is the CEO of America’s Newspapers. On behalf of its approximately 1,700 newspaper and Solutions Partner companies, America’s Newspapers is committed to explaining, defending and advancing the vital role of newspapers in democracy and civil life. They put an emphasis on educating the public on all the ways newspapers contribute to building a community identity and the success of local businesses. Learn more: newspapers.org.

Congress must follow New York’s lead

The state of New York, led by a powerful coalition of local publishers, has just approved game-changing legislation in the fight to preserve local news outlets and community journalism. By including … more

By Dean Ridings | 5/15/24

MINNESOTA BILL THREATENS SMALL NEWSPAPERS LIKE US

A proposal to create a statewide recycling program financed by paper and packaging producers is included in the House & Senate Environment Omnibus bills (HF 3911/ SF 3887). However, unless there … more

By Dean Ridings | 5/15/24

The problem of rising homelessness

Is homelessness a bad thing? In our community, yes, it is. As a student in Minneapolis, I see homeless people every day on my way to school. I see encampments and officers forcibly … more

5/15/24

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.

What values support community health?

When was the last time you reflected on your personal and our community values? Values are principles we care about that guide our behavior. Aligning our personal and community values with our … more

By Michele Rae | 5/15/24

TMC Publications CO is a small, family-run business. Here is owner Tesha M. Christensen with her two kiddos.

Bill will hurt small newspapers like us

A proposal to create a statewide recycling program financed by paper and packaging producers is included in the House & Senate Environment Omnibus bills (HF 3911/ SF 3887). However, unless there … more

5/6/24

Minneapolis students at a community solutions event organized by the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation

We need to make kids America's top priority

It's hard to get a consensus on anything in the United States these days. But one issue unites the whole country. According to " The State of Kids and Families in America 2024 ," a report from … more

By Eric Ortiz | 4/17/24