Stories | Southwest Connector

David Walcher of Urban Boatbuilders instructs Masyn May to lace ribs to the frame of a canoe. Urban Boatbuilders teaches youth how to build boats through paid internships. Gretchen Wilbrandt of Urban Boatbuilders says they seek to let companies know they have employable youth. She cites COVID, global wars, and a mental health crisis as stressors that can make youth feel hopeless.

How can the community help youth succeed?

What are the biggest barriers to young people succeeding in the Twin Cities? Are there enough resources to assist youth facing overwhelming challenges? Are those resources readily accessible? And … more

By Jan Willms | 9/18/24

We can do more for the opioid crisis

We have a growing problem that not a lot people understand. Behaviors are happening on the streets and in schools that are unprecedented. Principals, teachers, and behavioral specialists can't … more

By Eric Ortiz | 9/18/24

Medicare Annual Update on Oct. 9

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is partnering with MN Senior LinkAge to host a free class to help people learn about Medicare. “Medicare Annual Update” on Wednesday, Oct. … more

9/18/24

The CCCA would harm marginalized communities

The Black community has faced many hurdles, yet we have shown remarkable resilience and unity in rebuilding and strengthening our neighborhoods. When I came to America from Jamaica as a young … more

By Tommie Beevas | 9/18/24

GreenRoom fellows practice dancing and performing together at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts on Friday, July 19, 2024.

Maia Maiden leads Ordway theater fellowship for budding artists

Tears streamed down 62-year-old Myra Curry’s face as she sat in a circle receiving praise from her cohort fellows. One after the other, people took turns telling Curry how proud, and inspired … more

By Talia McWright | 9/18/24

Hennepin History Museum’s staff welcome all visitors: (Left to right) executive director John Crippen, archivist Michele Pollard, and curator Alyssa Thiede. (Photo submitted)

Masks, puppets and plenty of free parking

Propped up alongside Sky, Prairie, Moon and Woods and with arms extended, River’s giant, blue face stares down at passersby, perhaps hoping one stops and hears stories about the Mississippi … more

By Brian Gabrial | 9/18/24

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

Minneapolis for a lifetime? Debatable

I recently attended my first Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging meeting. I am convinced that in the city of Minneapolis elders/seniors don’t exist. There is such a thing as the … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 9/18/24

Volunteer of the year

Nancy Eustis was named Volunteer of the Year at the Kenwood Senior Living, 825 Summit Ave. She has lived at The Kenwood since 1997. Eustis has volunteered throughout the community in many ways. … more

9/18/24

Alzheimer Assn offers classes

The Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota chapter is offering a series of classes for The Empowered Caregiver designed to provide dementia caregivers with helpful tools and ways to … more

9/18/24

Holding harvested marigold blossoms, farmer and educator Maddy Bartsch said, “We’re land stewards really, those of us who are working to develop our local fiber system.”

Three Rivers Fibershed connects people with local fiber

Marigolds, hollyhocks, cosmos, and black eyed Susans. These are just a few of the late-summer flowers bursting into bloom right now. While many are cutting them for bouquets, farmer Maddy Bartsch is … more

By Margie O’loughlin | 9/18/24

Richfield Penn fest draws crowds

Penn Avenue from 62nd to 76th Streets comes alive on Saturday, Sept. 15 with fun during the annual Penn Fest. Held since 2008, the festival draws about 10,000 people for music, dance, sports, games, … more

9/18/24

Howard Quednau Shepards and Charlatans, 2023 Wood, styrene, plaster, paper, acrylic

MCAD faculty biennial exhibit

The Gallery at Minneapolis College of Art and Design will spotlight the art and research undertaken by faculty in the 2024 MCAD Faculty Biennial. Some fifty faculty members are participating in an … more

9/18/24

City briefs - Sep 2024

New regional plan The Metropolitan Council is drafting a new regional plan to help guide land use, transportation and develop decisions for the next decade. They are seeking feedback on their draft … more

Briefs compiled by Cam Gordon | 9/18/24

Neighborhood news - Sep 2024

20th ANNUAL AUTUMN BREW REVIEW Minnesota’s longest-running craft beer festival, Autumn Brew Review, will take place this year on Oct.12, 2024, from 1:30 to 5 p.m. This premier craft brew … more

9/18/24

Business - Sep 2024

NEMAA WELCOMES OPERATIONS MANAGER The Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association is excited to welcome its new Operations Manager, Morgen Ru. He joins NEMAA from the film world, having produced a number … more

9/18/24

OMAR DEFEATS SAMUELS

U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar defeated challenger Don Samuels by 16,000 votes in the primary. Two years ago, she defeated him by only 2,000 votes. more

9/5/24

61A FORUM: KATIE JONES & TOYA LOPEZ

Tuesday, Sept. 17, Minneapolis Women’s Club 410 Oak Grove. Hosted by the Women’s Club of Minneapolis, Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, and Citizens for Loring Park. more

9/5/24

61A PRIMARY RESULTS

Katie Jones received 43 percent of the vote in the primary for the Minnesota House of Representatives 61A seat. She received 43 percent of the vote. Will Stancil received 36.5 percent and Isabel … more

9/5/24

Be a citizen scientist at Minnehaha Park Sept. 14

The Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) is starting off a yearlong project to engage with communities to help survey and document species in parks through "BioBlitz" events, funded by a … more

9/5/24

New resident enjoys Messenger

As a new resident of the Nokomis East neighborhood, I really am enjoying this publication. Keep up the good work. - Mike Napoli more

9/3/24