Southwest Connector

3 years

“When I heard about this event, I was so excited because I grew up in this area of Minneapolis… and I wanted to contribute in some kind of way,” said J. Darnell Johnson, author of … more

6/2/23

The Bell family is even more interesting than you think.

The best of humanity is all around us

Everyone loves a redemption story. After a rough few years, Minneapolis has a chance to write one. The city is in recovery mode and charting a new path forward, but not everyone is convinced we are … more

By Eric Ortiz | 6/2/23

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

Goodbye, vic, and thank you

I am aware that there would be no All Elders United for Justice without the vision, leadership and guidance of Vic Rosenthal. This is my goodbye and thank you to Vic Rosenthal. Sadly, Vic passed away … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 6/2/23

Note, the B-Line traffic plan calls for only one lane of eastbound traffic, with cars and the buses sharing one lane. There will be a center lane for turning traffic. Travel westbound will have two lanes with one lane designated as a bus lane. This 4 to 3 conversion was piloted on Lyndale Ave. last year.

B-Line buses and cars shouldn't share one lane on Lake St.

In a case of good intentions backfiring, Hennepin County has planned a B Line express bus route that will crawl along Lake Street at the pace of stalled traffic. This will result from its lane … more

By Dan Kennedy, Longfellow business owner | 5/26/23

Eric Ortiz lives in the Wedge with his family. When he’s not community building, he’s the director of media for Big Edition and writes bilingual children’s books with his kids. Their first book, “How the Zookalex Saved the Village,” is available in English and Spanish.

Welcome to the happiest place on earth

The happiest place on Earth isn’t Disneyland. It’s Finland. For the sixth year in a row, Finland was named the happiest country in the world, according to the 2023 World Happiness Report. … more

By Eric Ortiz | 5/23/23

2017 photo from “Immigrant Journey Project” at Theater Mu. (Photo submitted)

Theater Mu celebrates AAPI heritage month

In 1992, Theater Mu was founded in St. Paul to tell stories from the heart of the Asian American experience, and now, we are in the middle of celebrating our 30th anniversary season. Four world … more

By Lianna Matt Mclernon | 5/17/23

A teacher with students having fun at Ella Baker School in Minneapolis.

We are all in this together

Tony Robbins must be doing something right. After 45 years of life coaching, the 63-year-old motivational speaker is still motivating. That’s no easy feat in today’s world.But it’s … more

By Eric Ortiz | 5/5/23

What I’ve learned about fasting after 10 years

I’ve been fasting for 19 days per year towards the end of winter every year for over 10 years. As long as the sun is up, I don’t eat or drink anything. This practice is surprising to most … more

By Eddie Glenn | 5/5/23

Let's think beyond fortress-like police stations

The recent proposal to reopen a police station in our community is bringing back painful memories and opening old wounds for many of us, me included. I served on the City Council, representing the … more

By Cam Gordon | 4/27/23

The fifth police precinct (3101 Nicollet Ave)

In thinking about the future of precinct buildings, would you prefer...

4/26/23

A sinkhole opened up at 27th Street and Girard Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis on Easter Sunday.

Watch out for that sinkhole

Good news. Minneapolis is back in the top 10. According to Extreme Weather Watch, this winter ranks third for the largest snowfalls ever recorded with 89.9 inches. And it’s only April.The most … more

By Eric Ortiz | 4/19/23

In light of Justin Jones and Justin Pearson’s expulsion, some Minneapolis leaders appear rooted in a conservative ideology

On Thursday, April 6, Tennessee Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were expelled from their House seats by the Republican super majority who determined these young Black Representatives … more

By Daniel Schmidt | 4/19/23

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

Awarded

I have recently been made aware that TMC Publications CO, which includes the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, Southwest Connector, and Midway Como Frogtown Monitor, received 20 awards at the recently … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 4/19/23

Hodan Hassan is the 62B Minnesota House Representative. Contact her at rep.hodan.hassan@house.mn.gov.

Working to strengthen renter rights

One of my top priorities this session is strengthening rights and protections for renters in Minnesota. We are in the middle of a housing crisis, with rental prices soaring and affordable, quality … more

By Hodan Hassan | 4/19/23

A student at Ella Baker School in Minneapolis shows his work and progress.

Focus on what’s strong, not what’s wrong

Everyone has a gift. That gift is a talent or passion. But not everyone gets to use their gift, talent or passion. Sometimes, people are not invited to share their gifts. We see this a lot. There … more

By Eric Ortiz | 4/6/23

Lacking rationale for Hiawatha Expansion Project, council members foment fear to rouse base

On Thursday, March 9, Minneapolis City Council passed recommendations to the State Legislature asking for stricter guidelines to remove protesters from council meetings, and to criminalize people who … more

By Daniel Schmidt | 4/6/23

A winning outcome: 'no endorsement' in Ward 13 convention

by Ward 13 parents Steph Smith, Sara Spafford Freeman and Ellen Walthour and Ward 13 candidate Kate Mortenson In Ward 13, the turnaround from Caucus to Convention is less than two weeks from … more

3/27/23

Cal Ortiz with Harold Green, the storm drain at the southwest corner of 27th Street and Dupont Ave. South. (Eric Ortiz)

The joy of unclogging storm drains

I have some big news to announce. We have a new addition to our family. His name is Harold Green, and he is a storm drain at the southwest corner of 27th Street and Dupont Avenue South in … more

By Eric Ortiz | 3/16/23

Awareness

Without awareness, does anything or anyone really exist? I am aware that I enjoy sitting in the front room of my house. In the front room of my house I enjoy sitting in a rocking chair and looking … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 3/16/23

Protestors attended the Feb. 23 city council meeting to show their support for the community plan for the Roof Depot site, many stood in the hallways when the city council limited how many could be in the chambers. There was no public comment during the meetings, and city council members approved demolishing the Roof Depot building and continuing with the plan to build a new public works facility there. (Photo submitted)

An open letter to ward 11 council member

Ward 11 Council Member Emily Koski, As neighbors in the Ward 11 communities you represent, we have great concerns about your actions on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. First, you repeatedly voted against … more

3/16/23