Lifestyle
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
What can one person do to help birds avoid collisions with windows? Close your curtains at night, especially during the migration season, to reduce light spread. Make sure outdoor light is directed downward and use minimally. And consider using window markings.
Make the Twin Cities more bird-friendly
Cradling the Mississippi River on either side, the Twin Cities are a critical, yet hazardous, resting place for migrating birds. An estimated 40 million birds migrated through the Mississippi River …
3rd Precinct building reuse
The city held an open house on June 10 at the Minneapolis American Indian Center at 1530 E Franklin Ave. to share a city proposal to use the former 3rd precinct police station building at 3000 …
Drew Kerr, a Linden Hills resident who works for Met Transit, stands near the closed main intersection at Upton and 43rd. It will be fully closed for about  10 weeks as the city completes a water and sewer project at the same time as Met Transit does work on the E Line. After the city’s work is finished, the intersection will be partially closed. Local businesses have maps available to show where customers can park.
Fast, frequent, all-day service
Street projects on Hennepin Avenue from Lake to 26th, West Lake, France and Upton mean that getting around southwest Minneapolis is challenging right now, but traveling by bus will get faster when …
A rain barrel collects roof runoff so you can save the rainwater for later use. Reroute downspouts away from pavement and onto grass, a rain barrel or a rain garden. (Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota Extension)
A watershed moment
What is a watershed? What is our local watershed called? Where does it begin and end?  What is the largest watershed in the U.S.? According to board chair of the League of …
As the city prepares to tear down the old Kmart building, it considers how to reconnect Nicollet Ave. Over 500 residents attended an open house on Oct. 10, and 1,200 people responded to a survey by Oct. 12.
What do people think?
The long process of reopening Nicollet Ave. at Lake St. took another step forward this month. City planners released design concepts for the public areas planned for the 10-acre site where a surface …
New research reveals self-care savvy cities (and what we can learn from them)
Hers conducted a nationwide survey to see how Americans rate themselves in youthfulness, body positivity, emotional stability, and more.
Housing and food are health care: How new Medicaid rules in 8 states stand to help the most vulnerable
Foothold Technology analyzed resources from the CMS to see how states are addressing health-related social needs.
Across the country, Amish populations are on the rise
The Daily Yonder reports that as the Amish population in America grows, Amish communities — and their rural neighbors — are finding ways to adapt.
Republicans double down on school vouchers by taking fight to rural members of their own party
The Daily Yonder reports that for years, rural Republican state legislators have bucked the party's support for funneling public funds into private schools through education vouchers, but now Republican leaders are ramping up pressure on these holdouts.
How to stop catastrophizing
Rula shares tips for breaking the cycle of catastrophic thinking.
Lifestyle stories from the web

New study reveals 5 health topics that unite Republicans, Democrats, and Independents

Hims surveyed more than 5,000 individuals to determine the five health topics that connect Americans across party lines.

Best golf course in every state, according to golfers

PrimePutt compiled the best golf course in every state using data from Tripadvisor as of April 2024.

How health care quality varies by state

Free NPI Lookup dug into the 2023 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities report to analyze differences in quality of care between states.

Marine Toys for Tots' Christmas in July Campaign Delivers Hope to Children in Need

Marine Toys for Tots' Christmas in July Campaign Delivers Hope to Children in Need

(NewsUSA) - Marine Toys for Tots, best known as the Nation's premier children's Christmastime charity, doesn't wait until the holiday season to support children in need. Toys for Tots has evolved …

Dr. Calm's Expert Advice for Mastering Election Stress

Dr. Calm's Expert Advice for Mastering Election Stress

(NewsUSA) - Stress continues to permeate the lives of many people worldwide, and data shows that 80% of chronic diseases have roots in stress, according to Kiran Dintyala, MD, a physician also known …

Texas Celebrates Youth Sports This Summer

Texas Celebrates Youth Sports This Summer

(NewsUSA) - Kids take the field in a big way this summer in Plano, Texas, as the town gears up to host a diverse mix of activities that attract the best young talent from across the United States.A …

Unique, Hands-Free Ways to Soothe Your Baby

(Family Features) Most parents know - or soon will - crying is completely normal for babies. Even once you've determined a cause for the cries, finding foolproof ways to soothe baby can be difficult.

Nurturing the Mental Health of Young Children

(Family Features) The earliest years of children's lives lay the foundation for their social and emotional well-being, setting the stage for success in school and beyond.

4 Tips for Summer Water Safety

(Family Features) Drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To protect your loved ones when playing in and around water this summer, keep these tips in mind.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Jon Trappe
Talking lawn care with U of M
People are getting back into our yards and gardens, with pent-up demand following a long winter. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Jon Trappe has tips for yards that accomplish multiple …
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.
How real estate agent commissions will now affect us
You’ve heard, I’m sure, about the court ruling and the decision by the National Association of Realtors: Buyer’s agents will no longer receive a “standardized” 2.7% …
Jill Carmody is a senior manager at the Habitat for Humanity’s Minneapolis ReStore. They are both a drop-off site for leftover paint products, and a retailer for the Amazon brand of recycled paint. Carmody said, “PaintCare has made it easy for people to recycle their left-over paint, which is the right thing to do for the environment.”
Recycle your left-over paint with PaintCare
Did you know there’s an option for recycling leftover paint in Minnesota? That’s right, recycling, not just disposing of leftover paint. Since 2014, the non-profit PaintCare has been …
Patricia Neal works with children to tend their neighborhood sponsored garden.
Local model for an urban CSA
“Four years ago, I realized we needed a model for an urban CSA,” says Craig Neal, founder and chief gardener of the Neighborhood Sponsored Garden (NSG) located in a backyard on Beard Ave. …
Christy Johnson of United Goods does minimalistic, graphic prints in small sizes. (Photos submitted)
Inside the head of minimalist State icon artist
Christy Johnson, founder & CEO of United Goods started working as a graphic designer and artist in 2003 in Minneapolis. A life-long creative, she’s loved to draw since she was a kid. Over …
How one company helped to create a playroom fit for a princess
(BPT) - Like many little girls her age, 6-year-old Francesca loves her pets, mermaids, swimming, ice pops, playing with her brothers — and all things princess. Her favorite activities are …
How to bring optimistic content to your social media feeds
(BPT) - For many Gen Z-ers, scrolling on social media has become a primary source of entertainment and a tool for staying connected. In fact, the majority of Gen Z Americans report going on at least …
Translating Gen Z Slang This Back-to-School Season
(BPT) - Slang phrases used by Gen Z continue to grow in popularity. And according to recent surveys, many parents are struggling to understand exactly what their kids are saying and meaning. This …
Stay connected in any emergency with portable power
(BPT) - Extreme weather events cast shadows of worry, but modern power solutions can keep families safe and connectedEmergency preparedness is a practical necessity for every household, especially …
8 tips to save on your next vacation to Myrtle Beach
(BPT) - Getting away from your routine to recharge, renew and reset on vacation is great for your mind, body and spirit. But are you worried about the dent it can put in your wallet? Relax! You don't …
More Lifestyle coverage

Throw a Party Like a Pro

(Family Features) Before gathering your crew for your next event, make a plan to ensure you get to enjoy the day as fully as your guests.

Volunteering Together to Build Friendships and Strengthen Bonds

(Family Features) As people age, many social avenues from earlier phases of life, such as school and work, no longer exist and making friends can be difficult. Experts suggest volunteering as a beneficial way to make friends and improve social well-being.

Volunteering Together: Building friendships and strengthening bonds

(Family Features) As people age, many social avenues from earlier phases of life, such as school and work, no longer exist and making friends can be difficult. Experts suggest volunteering as a beneficial way to make friends and improve social well-being.

More renewables projects were funded by rural energy program REAP in 2023, but small-scale funding was down

The Daily Yonder reports that since the inception of the Inflation Reduction Act, small-scale funding for the Rural Energy for America Program is down, with the greater number of grants going to the largest projects and salaries.

Standout college athletes competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics

BestColleges highlights several of the standout student-athletes who qualified to compete for Team USA at this year's Summer Olympics in Paris.

Which U.S. cities have the highest and lowest birth rates?

SmartAsset examined U.S. Census data for 37 of the largest U.S. cities to determine where birth rates and family sizes are highest and lowest.

One top trend to improve your home's value: hardwood flooring

(BPT) - Whether you're thinking about selling your home or just making some updates, it's always smart to consider renovations that will enhance the enjoyment of your home and increase your …

How to beat the summer heat — and boredom

(BPT) - Summer break can be wonderful for kids, as they are able to explore new activities, visit with friends or just have more free time to play. But summer can also get hot — and long. If …

Designing with green hues: 5 ways to add this trending color to your kitchen and bath

(BPT) - Move over, gray. Green is having its moment this year in bath and kitchen design and décor. Whether dark, light or somewhere in between, these luscious hues are on trend right now, but …

Bottled water is full of microplastics. Is it still 'natural'?
Grist reports on legal battles against bottled water companies by consumers hoping to protect themselves from microplastic contamination.
Going to extremes: How Olympians vying for the gold in Paris contend with climate change
Stacker used NOAA data to track a changing climate's impact on the Summer Olympics, exploring efforts to reduce the Games' carbon footprint and protect athletes.
This state is testing a model to add more civility to politics
Next City reports that Minnesota's Civility Caucus is helping to develop fertile ground for understanding and collaboration across the aisle of the state legislature.
The South was the center of rural population growth last year
The Daily Yonder reports on last year's American rural population growth, with 90% happening in the South.
Redesigned envelope leads to fewer rejected ballots, but new issue arises
Votebeat reports that while fewer mail-in ballots were rejected in Pennsylvania's 2023 primary election due to an envelope redesign, a new glitch has emerged.