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Anna Sharratt of Twin Cities Makers Circle remarked, “The way I studied craft in Sweden, it’s used to challenge gender stereotypes, and to talk about how you can make or repair things you might otherwise buy.
Get creative with Twin Cities Makers Circle
Dr. Catherine Barrett
Voices against family violence
‘Oppressive’ experience:’ 57 hearings, 80 court orders, 12 parenting time schedules
Fartun Weli
Shake-up on police oversight commission
Lidiia (last name not being used for safety), a school principal, has collaborated with Sarah Friedman on several projects to help people in Ukraine, including an art sale.
Art from war-torn Ukraine
Ukrainian students stuck in a war are still daring to create.  Through a fundraiser organized by Nokomis East Neighborhood Association Communications Manager Sarah Friedman, people can buy …
Children at Dowling School. Among the notable visitors to the school over the years were President Franklin Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor. Turning to the children, he said, “I hope you will all learn to swim in this fine pool. Swimming, as you know, is the only exercise I can take.”
Dowling School celebrates 100 years
Portraits of two distinguished gentlemen flank the main exit at Dowling Community School. Both are wearing high starched collars and bow ties. On one side,  William Eustis looks out with a faint …
Town hall
Rep. Ilhan Omar speaks at a Town Hall meeting on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 at Sanford Middle School in Longfellow. On hand to fill in an audience of about 200 with local news, were Minnesota …
Eliston Rounds
People - May 2024
SCHOOL BOARD STUDENT REPS The Minneapolis Board of Education has announced juniors Elliston Rounds  and Leo Peralta (bottom right) will serve as the 2024 Student Board Representatives. Rounds …
Timothy Sexton
City briefs - May 2024
City budget listening session The City of Minneapolis Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee (CLIC) is seeking public input on next year’s budget.  CLIC is the advisory committee …
Naton and Panou Vang with one of their twins. The Vangs own Mornin' Sunshine Farm and vend at both the Nokomis and Kingfield Farmers Markets. (Photo submitted)
Eat healthy with help from Nokomis farmers market
When was the last time you’ve visited your local farmers market? I found myself in Bachman’s just last month. My two-year-old was attempting to dance by bouncing his little knees off-beat …
Confluence Studio merges ideas, creativity, and action to reconsider and reconfigure our societal landscapes
Confluence Studio is an open, critical space for neighbors to imagine different ways for our communities to live. Through creative collaboration, art, and creativity, Confluence plays through future …
Outgoing Longfellow Community Council Executive Director Rachel Boeke (at right) chats with Ward 9 City Council Member Jason Chavez (left) and Ward 12 City Council Member Aurin Chowdhury. (Photo courtesy of LCC)
Rachel Boeke leaves Longfellow Community Council
Rachel Boeke has left her position as executive director of the Longfellow Community Council (LCC).   She was hired to help lead the organization in the fall of 2021 and her last day …
Mark Rivard, at right, holds up the first skateboard art he drew with a sharpie. Next to him, his mom, Lorelli Byrne, holds up an iconic piece he did on another skateboard. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
Disrupting education with skateboards, art, and experiential learning
By Eric Ortiz Mark Rivard is not your typical educator. He never went to college. He was not that good a student in high school. And he calls himself “uneducated.” But he has found a …

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May 2024 Messenger

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SPONSORED CONTENT
Janice Downing and Alicia Belton, The Coliseum, 2708 E. Lake St.
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Minneapolis shines a light on partners creating new opportunities with city support
AWARD WINNING NEWSPAPERS

20 AWARDS FOR TMC PUBLICATIONS IN 2023

TMC Publication's three newspapers earned a total of 20 awards at this year's Better Newspaper Contest. Congrats to the winners! NEWS1) First Place, Sports Story - Eric Erickson, “Unforgettable …
Opinion
Vilma Alkhas, principal of the school with her son Marduk, student at the Lithuanian Heritage School outside of Minnehaha United Methodist Church.
Keeping tradition going
A little known fact about South Minneapolis: it is home to a Lithuanian Heritage School that has been going strong since its inception in 1999. Founded by a Lithuanian immigrant and mother of four, …
Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice steering committee.
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 power to …
Eric Ortiz lives in the Wedge with his family. When he’s not bonding, he is community building with the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation and writing bilingual children’s books with his kids. Their first book, “How the Zookalex Saved the Village,” is available in English and Spanish.
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 …
Michael Wilson
PELRA bargaining groups at U of M need reform
As an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2011, I, like many Wisconsin emigrés, experienced significant upheaval around Wisconsin Act 10. Under the guise of a …
Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice steering committee.
Encounters and conversations, new program director
So far in 2024, I have been showing up for more meetings and events in-person or via Zoom. In person showing up has been enabled by three factors. 1) The mild winter weather enabling me to be out and …
Rebuild Repair Recycle
The MPRB began and supported several small but impactful projects at Hiawatha Golf Course while funding for a more comprehensive design effort was secured.   Osprey Trash Boom System …
Gather on Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m., at the Hook and Ladder Theater and Lounge to focus on the transformation of the former 3rd Precinct site into the Minneapolis Black Cultural Center. This event aims to …
The community objection to the Minneapolis Public School (MPS) district’s announcement to demolish the playground at the now-closed Cooper school convinced the district to delay the demolition …

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Aging Well
In an exciting development for the local television landscape, “Inside Senior Living,” a groundbreaking docu-series, has announced its partnership with PBS North. The series, set to …
With affordable housing a priority at all levels of government, state and local commissioners and elected officials joined leaders from Ecumen – a nonprofit leader and developer  of …
Thirty-five years ago, at Thanksgiving, I moved to Minnesota from my Philadelphia home. I relocated back to my hometown in time for Passover and Easter. In November 1988, the Twin Cities were cold …

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Home & Garden
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 …
Andrea Tritschler
Improve your home, improve the community
The Greater Longfellow Neighborhood is known for its charming bungalows and craftsman-style homes. These old homes are embedded into the character of our neighborhood, but as any property owner …
There are a number of options for hydroponic systems – ways to a grow plants directly in water, without soil. (Photo submitted)
Consider hydroponic gardening
Although it’s been a mild fall so far, winter is rapidly approaching. Something that has always helped me maintain a good attitude despite Minnesota’s cold, snow, and short days, is …
Plants with berries (such as winterberry, shown here) and those with unique bark and stem colors (such as dogwood) add color during winter months. Add winter interest by leaving stems and flowers intact rather than cutting them down in the fall. (Photo submitted)
Planting for winter interest
The days are getting shorter and it’s almost time to wrap up the gardening season. When planning garden spaces, we often think about staggering bloom times so we can enjoy beautiful flowers …
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. …
Voices Against Violence
Police officer Paul Elmstrand, officer Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth
Violence Free Minnesota issues statement on Burnsville Police and EMT domestic violence homicides
Violence Free Minnesota issued the following statement on Tuesday, Feb. 20 to call attention to the full circumstances around Shannon Cortez Gooden's murder of two police officers and an EMT in …
Christmas Eve luminary supports Domestic Abuse Project
For 25 years, the warm glow of hundreds of luminaries have lit Dupont/King’s Highway on Christmas Eve. The annual event not only brings neighbors together, but it has raised over $50,000 for …
Dani's daughter sent her teddy bear with her mom on Oct. 2, 2023. “I couldn’t stop thinking about how my daughter would take the news that her mom wasn’t coming home for a month,” said Dani.
Domestic abuse victim jailed
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a Minnesota judge ordered a victim to jail for not forcing her daughter to see her father. Dani* was ordered to serve 30 days in jail on Oct. 2, 2023 or …
Thi Synavone works as the executive director at Standpoint. (Photo submitted)
FROM THEIR STANDPOINT
Thi Synavone came to the U.S. in 1979 as a Laotian refugee. After living in many states, her family settled in Minnesota in 1988. Synavone said that growing up, domestic and sexual violence was never …
CAUGHT BETWEEN
She lived in Minnesota for only five months and her daughter was born in Iowa, but Dani* has been dragged into family court in Minnesota nearly every one of the past 11 years by her ex-boyfriend. …
Longfellow
Mark your calendars for an anniversary celebration, Thursday, May 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Vine Arts Center in the Ivy Building. Stop by for food, drinks, updates about SLRJ, and to view a gallery …
It’s a 60 degree day in March, and I’ve just returned from a walk along West River Parkway. The signs of spring have begun to awaken along the path – budding flowers and grasses, …
A typical Minnesota winter has more snow than what we’ve seen this year (which is almost none). Personally, the snow is what I love most about the cold winter months – the trees sparkle …
Nokomis
Nokomis East is proud to call itself home to many women-owned and operated organizations, both storefront and home-based.  We don’t know if this phenomenon is unique to the Nokomis …
When people talk about bikes, I used to think of fun commutes or quick after work rides that provide short bursts of freedom on an otherwise humdrum day. I never thought about big adventures or using …
  I'm sharing information Nokomis Pride FC provided this month: Established in 2022, Nokomis Pride FC is a soccer team made up of players aged 30 and above, mainly residing in the …
Arts
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ruth Leitman calls her latest film “The Lovely Beast.” “It was a beast and a bear to make,” she reflected. Her film, “No …
A film that has been long in the making will premiere during the Minneapolis Saint Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) running April 11-25 at the Main Cinema, 115 SE Main in Minneapolis. …
The 43rd annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) at the Main Cinema, 115 SE Main in Minneapolis will include 140 feature films from more than 100 countries and cultures, …
MESSENGER CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
Cal deRuyter and Tim Nelson began and ended their careers in neighborhood journalism. In 1977, their office was at Thomas and Fairview in St. Paul. (Photo submitted)
How a newspaper business developed
When I was chosen to be co-editor of our high school paper, it was exciting to learn the ropes of planning a publication, assigning stories, cleaning them up and eventually putting them on the page …
At Uptown Bill's, the coffeeshop, bookstore and performance venue in Iowa City which Tom Gilsenan managed for almost 10 years.
SO MANY STORIES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
Our neighborhoods are full of wonderful stories. And for more than a dozen years, I got to tell those stories right here in the Messenger. It was grand. Minnehaha Falls is full of stories. It has …
20 years with neighborhood newspapers
It has been nearly 20 years since I handed in my first story to the Longfellow Messenger, and it is hard to believe the time has passed so quickly. I had arrived in Saint Paul from Montana with two …
Lewis Duemke
THE MOVERS AND THE SHAKERS
The Longfellow-Nokomis Messenger is not only one of Minneapolis’ oldest neighborhood newspapers, it is part of a long tradition of such Minneapolis and St. Paul publications.Coverage of city …
Carola Bratt wrote and edited for the Messenger when it was owned by the Milbraths.
Staff members through the years

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Citizens have different plan for Roof Depot site

Residents speak: No city project at Roof Depot Site

Read more about the Roof Depot issue

Racial Justice
Rashad Cobb (holding microphone) stands with family in grief over the loss at the hands of state troopers of his twin brother, Ricky Cobb II. “What are we gonna do for us, as citizens, together…? I’m a peaceful person. I don’t really agree with violence.”

‘Enough is enough’

Community members stood with the family of Ricky Cobb II at George Floyd Square on Aug. 5, 2023 to offer support and demand justice for Cobb, who was fatally shot on July 31 by a Minnesota State …

Through Their Eyes
Rashad Cobb (holding microphone) stands with family in grief over the loss at the hands of state troopers of his twin brother, Ricky Cobb II. “What are we gonna do for us, as citizens, together…? I’m a peaceful person. I don’t really agree with violence.”
Rashad Cobb (holding microphone) stands with family in grief over the loss at the hands of state troopers of his twin brother, Ricky Cobb II. “What are we gonna do for us, as citizens, together…? I’m a peaceful person. I don’t really agree with violence.”
Rashad Cobb (holding microphone) stands with family in grief over the loss at the hands of state troopers of his twin brother, Ricky Cobb II. “What are we gonna do for us, as citizens, together…? I’m a peaceful person. I don’t really agree with violence.”
Rashad Cobb (holding microphone) stands with family in grief over the loss at the hands of state troopers of his twin brother, Ricky Cobb II. “What are we gonna do for us, as citizens, together…? I’m a peaceful person. I don’t really agree with violence.”
Rashad Cobb (holding microphone) stands with family in grief over the loss at the hands of state troopers of his twin brother, Ricky Cobb II. “What are we gonna do for us, as citizens, together…? I’m a peaceful person. I don’t really agree with violence.”
Election
The Longfellow-Nokomis area will see few changes in city council representation following the Nov. 7, 2023 election where all 13 Minneapolis City Council seats were on the ballot and all the …
This fall, Bloomington, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, and St. Paul all used ranked choice voting for their municipal elections and were among 21 cities in seven states using ranked choice …
Well friends, my time in office has come to an end. I want to thank you, the people of Ward 12, for giving me the opportunity to serve you over the past decade, and for your tremendous support along …
Family
Every artist has an interesting origin story. But nothing compares with how Mark Rivard got started. Rivard began illustrating skateboards with Sharpie markers in the early 2000s. That led to an …
Due in part to high demand, parents who want to place their kids in summer rec programs or summer camps should being vetting such programs and camps well in advance of summer. The following are a …
Minneapolis is filled with great local people doing great things in the world. The Southwest Connector will showcase them with "Let's Connect," a new community speakers series. Every month, the …

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School & Sports
Jan. 12-13, 2024, the Roosevelt High School Debate team competed in the MSHSL Minnesota State Debate Tournament. Students from all across Minnesota gathered for high quality, rigorous, debate, and we …
In the fall of 2023, two students from Yinghua Academy Chinese immersion school in northeast Minneapolis went on the trip of a lifetime. Keewaydin resident and sixth grader Sage Houdek and seventh …
Minneapolis Public Schools is getting a new superintendent in February. On Dec. 1, with the support of both southside school board directors, the Minneapolis Public School (MPS) Board of …
Longfellow Business Directory articles
Ekta Prakash moved to Minneapolis 20 years ago as an immigrant from India and has served as CAPI’s CEO for the last 14 years.
A BETTER BUSINESS AS USUAL
Since we last printed the Longfellow Business Directory in early 2020, our business community, landscape and daily rhythms have been substantially and irrevocably changed. COVID-19 has presented a …
Ruhel Islam at the Gandhi Mahal site. Photo by Jan Willms
LONGFELLOW RISING
The year 2020 was challenging for the Longfellow business community, particularly in the main commercial intersection of Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue referred to as Downtown Longfellow. The COVID …
As we heal the Coliseum, it is a sign that the broader community along Lake St. is healing. Taylor Smrikarova, Redesign
RESTORING THE COLISEUM
The Colisum, a community commercial center since 1917, was almost destroyed following the civil unrest after the murder of George Floyd. In order to restore this historic 80,000 square-foot building, …
Mother Earth Gardens
COMMUNITY VOICES
1) “We are asking questions about what our community needs, trying to use our space and resources to meet those needs, and trying to hold onto connections and awakenings that have been made …
A LONGFELLOW PARTNERSHIP
The Longfellow Business Directory has been an important part of the Longfellow community going back to the 1990s. It was started to help foster better communication within the business community, and …
TWO YEARS AFTER AN UPRISING

Breathing new life into 27th and Lake

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Hiawatha Golf Course: 8 years and counting

Dakota elder weighs in on debate over Hiawatha Golf

Read more about Hiawatha Golf Course

Web Extras - Contact us to sponsor content
Within the gender housework gap, laundry is one of the most unequally divided tasks
Hampr analyzed data and used historical and academic research to find out why laundry remains one of the most unequally divided household chores.
New research suggests a beneficial link between erectile dysfunction medication and heart health
Hims reports on a new study that looks at the effects of taking erectile dysfunction medication on the risk of cardiovascular conditions.
Movies and TV shows casting across the US
Backstage compiled a list of movies and TV shows casting across the US.
10 states with the most uninsured veterans—and how the nation compares
Charlie Health reports on states with high rates of uninsured veterans and provides information on how to seek veteran-specific mental health care.
Itching for a new venture? Here are the 20 best US metro areas to start a pest control business in 2024
Pest Gnome takes a look at the best U.S. metro areas to launch a pest control business.
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