Longfellow Nokomis Messenger

Sunshine breaks through the clouds of a brisk fall day in Minneapolis as people walk around the Camp Nenoocaasi encampment designed for Indigenous women in South Minneapolis. Flames flicker in a fire … more

By JAN WILLMS | 11/19/21 | 3 comments

Just what is ranked choice voting?

Struggling to figure out who won in the Minneapolis races that use ranked choice voting? From fairvotemn.org: In ranked choice elections, voters rank as many or as few candidates as they like … more

11/3/21

Voters reject plan to change police department, vote for rent control and executive mayor

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, voters in Minneapolis rejected a plan to change the Minneapolis Police Department and replace it with a public safety department. The vote was 80,506 no to 62,813 yes. As of … more

11/2/21

They took her children away

When Starr Jones* tells her story, people can’t believe this is happening in Minnesota. They can’t believe that the dad was investigated by child protection when their first daughter was … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 10/28/21

“How is it possible that while the entire world is rising for justice, in Minneapolis police officers are hunting protesters and hunting individuals”? asks Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN). He’s referring to recently released body camera footage from the 2020 uprising in which an officer is heard saying they were going to “hunt” people now.

1,100 experiences with police

Standing with police accountability advocates, partners and supporters, Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB) announced on Oct. 13, 2021 that they had collected 1,100 stories from … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 10/28/21

Under the direction of Courtland Pickens, Youth Choral Ensemble KNOWN Mpls brings high energy and positivity to the stage. Established in 2019, KNOWN is an audition-based community choir for singers ages 12-25.

George Floyd Global Memorial celebrates Floyd’s 48th birthday

On what would have been George Floyd’s 48th birthday, the George Floyd Global Memorial (GFGM), with community members and supporters, hosted “And Still We Rise,” a celebration of … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 10/28/21

A pair of MiMS runners compete in the full 26.2-mile Twin Cities marathon on Oct. 3. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

POWER OF RUNNING

When Mishka Vertin moved from New York City to Minneapolis in 2014, she hit the ground running. Trained as a social worker, she took a job at Mill City Running while looking for a job in her field. … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 10/28/21

Twin Cities Marathon 2021

10/28/21

Jerrod Brown, a professor at Concordia University in St. Paul, is the program director for a master of arts degree in human services with an emphasis in forensic behavioral health.

Helping professionals need help, too

Coping with the ups and downs of everyday life can be challenging in the best of times. But add COVID-19 to the mix, and those challenges can increase greatly.Jerrod Brown, a professor at Concordia … more

By Jan Willms | 10/28/21

The HiBAR team at their workplace in the St. Paul Midway neighborhood. HiBAR launched in late 2018, and is already on the shelves in more than 10,000 stores across the country. Founder Nora Scharper said, “The world needs one or two brands that can popularize the idea and practice of being plastic-free, and we intend to be one of them.”

HiBAR co-founders drawn together by sense of purpose

By now, everyone has seen images of plastic-strewn beaches around the world. Half a billion shampoo and conditioner bottles get tossed out every year in this country alone. Nora Schaper and her three … more

By Margie O’Loughlin | 10/28/21

First-of-its-kind bouldering area coming to Keewaydin

When Keewaydin Park is revamped in the summer of 2022 it will lack its wading pool but have a new bouldering area that is the first of its kind in the Minneapolis park system.Improvements are … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 10/28/21

In Brief November 2021

City lifts drought restrictionsThe city of Minneapolis has lifted the even-odd water sprinkling restrictions as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has moved the Mississippi River … more

10/28/21

Plan It November 2021

Dia De Muertos on Oct. 30Midtown Global Market will commemorate Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a day of tradition, education, food, crafts, entertainment, and presentations. Festivities … more

10/28/21

Free helping dogs

Can Do Canines announces that there is currently less waiting time than normal for clients who need one of the following types of assistance dogs: Mobility Assist Dog, Hearing Assist Dog, Diabetes … more

10/28/21

Classes, planning and rebates

Food saving basics class NENA's Green Initiatives Committee hosts free webinars to keep our community informed and engaged. Make plans to join us on Nov.3 at 6:30 pm for our free online class on food … more

By BECKY TIMM, Executive Director becky.timm@nokomiseast.org | 10/28/21

What about those boxelder bugs?

As the weather gets colder, insects start looking for warm places to spend the winter. Boxelder bugs are a particular nuisance this year – they love hot, dry conditions, so the weather we had … more

By LAUREN BETHKE, Master Gardener Intern | 10/28/21

Charter Amendment Forum

10/27/21

City recognizes problems with expansion at Roof Depot site

Supporters of the indoor urban farm at the Roof Depot site unearthed a city report from June that shows city construction would be "problematic" given the lead and arsenic contaimination in the area, … more

by Tesha M. Christensen | 10/1/21

Ward 9 council member Alondro Cono speaks to the crowd of her own neighborhoods and constituents.

Community rallies in support of indoor urban farm at former Roof Depot site

Supporters of the East Phillips Indoor Urban Farm rallied on Thursday night, Sept. 23 in between two votes that will determine the future of the project. On Wednesday, Sept. 22, the city council … more

10/1/21

"You really put yourself out there when you make public art," remarked Lomgfellow resident Taylor Tinkham. "Mostly people are great, but I’ve been hassled by the police. I’ve been yelled at by passersby, I’ve had people comment on my body when I’m drawing. As I approach a space where I’m going to chalk, I’m anxious – but as soon as I start chalking, I feel good.”(Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Longfellow chalk artist creates mindfulness messages on pavement

Taylor Tinkham has been chalking on neighborhood sidewalks for the last two and a half years. She said, “The idea came out of a mindfulness meditation class I was taking as part of my masters … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 10/1/21