Janice Downing and Alicia Belton, The Coliseum, 2708 E. Lake St.

Minneapolis shines a light on partners creating new opportunities with city support

Signs of recovery can be seen all around the City of Minneapolis A new video series, Stories of Recovery , highlights some of the incredible rebuilding efforts happening in the city and the people …

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

Nokomis East Business Association Board Members (left to right): Natalie Lyon of Farmer's Insurance, Jackie Sawyer of Nokomis Tattoo, Colin Johnston of Steve's Tire, Heidi van Heel of hvh Engage!, Patrick Jensen of Edward Jones and Tesha M. Christensen of the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.

See you on the Nokomis Days Scavenger hunt

I love finding the small town in a big city. When I moved down to Minneapolis after working for my hometown newspaper in Cambridge, Minn. for a decade, I was delighted to find that sense of community …

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

On becoming an octogenarian

UPDATE REGARDING DEWAYNE TOWNSEND AND MARCEA MARIANNI'S NEW REALITY Text message from Marcea July 3. DeWayne passed away around 10 p.m. July 2. An important voice and significant presence is no more …

Striking labor disputes in the City of Parks

Consistently rated in the top 3 park systems in the country, our beloved Minneapolis parks have a labor problem. The largest bargaining unit of unionized workers at Minneapolis Park and Recreation …

Reconnecting, streaming, thinking in pictures

RECONNECTING WITH STORIES AND JOURNEYS From time to time I need to remind myself what I am tasked to do when it comes to writing Stories and Journeys.I am tasked to write what I'm …

Finding Moses Dickson: The untold story of Minnesota and the Underground Railroad

I am sharing exciting news about Karen Sieber, historian, educator, and leader in public humanities this month. She has discovered a missing chapter in Minnesota’s history about our …

Rebuild Repair Recycle

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 …

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 …

Update on Hiawatha Golf Course

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 …

From Third Precinct into Minneapolis Black cultural center?

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 …

Community rallies to save Cooper School playground

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 …

More Rebuild Repair Recycle

Facebook

Aging Well

Celebrating business longevity in changing times

There’s always a buzz in the neighborhood when a new business opens, but what about celebrating a business that has shown real staying power? RoseLee Buechler (Rosie) has owned and …

‘Inside Senior Living’ docu-series explores aging

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 …

Affordable senior housing in Longfellow

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 …

Fond farewell

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 …

10 guidelines for a strong, long and happy life

Some time ago, after suffering the shocking and unexpected loss of my still young husband, Martijn, while we were living in Europe, I experienced what is called traumatic grief. In addition to a year …

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Home & Garden

Unusual fruits for your Minnesota garden

You probably know that many different fruits are commonly grown in Minnesota, like apples, raspberries, and grapes. But did you know we can also grow kiwis? Read on to learn about some unusual fruits …

Slow mow summer

You’ve probably heard of “No Mow May” – a slogan designed to encourage everyone to avoid mowing their lawns until June and letting spring flowers bloom to support pollinators. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Voices Against Violence

‘Oppressive’ experience:’ 57 hearings, 80 court orders, 12 parenting time schedules

What do you do when 11 judges and referees, 20 therapists, 12 mediators, two parenting consultants (with 37 directives), one custody evaluator, and one guardian ad litem haven’t been able to …

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 …

Longfellow

Meet Longfellow Community Council’s new executive director Joel McReynolds

Joel McReynolds joined the Longfellow Community Council after a decade of experience in nonprofit programming, including youth mentoring, community gardens, refugee outreach, fundraising, and …

Lovingly curated second-hand store opens in Longfellow

When Longfellow resident Mary Laurel True was only five years old, her mother taught her how to recognize a bargain and how to dress with style. True said, “I’m the oldest of six …

Lighting way to a safer neighborhood

A couple years ago following the uprising in our community, the Longfellow Community Council and the Longfellow Business Association joined together to help businesses and residents feel safer in the …

Nokomis

Our Giving Garden

Eight years ago, Nokomis East Neighborhood Association worked with the community to create the Giving Garden. The Nokomis East Neighborhood Association’s Gateway Garden and Nokomis Naturescape …

Join a reading club this summer at Nokomis Library

Nokomis Library is more than just a place to borrow books; it's a vibrant community hub where children’s imaginations come to life, especially during the summer. This year, the library’s …

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 …

Arts

New street murals

The City of Minneapolis Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs has unveiled two new artist-designed asphalt murals on 21st Avenue in south Minneapolis. The murals are located near Folwell …

Show combines neurodiversity, art and science

Anxiety, restlessness, being a superpower and feeling free and unchained are some of the emotions Saint Paul actor Michael Wolfe experiences while waiting for a bus. Wolfe, who identifies as a …

Get creative with Twin Cities Makers Circle

Longfellow resident, handcrafter, and entrepreneur Anna Sharratt is offering up all kinds of fun classes through her new business. In her Twin Cities Makers Circle (TCMC) classes, participants use …

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 …

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

Residents speak: No city project at Roof Depot Site

RISE AND REMEMBER 2024

On May 25, Singer Kashimana and Brass Solidarity led a joyful procession from the solidarity fist at 38th St. and Chicago Ave. to the Say Their Names cemetery, where 400 candles were placed around …

Birth Justice Collaborative applauds passage of birth justice legislation

Two bills aimed at advancing maternal health and improving birth outcomes for Minnesotans were passed …
Reimagining 3rd Precinct Space

Conversations about closed and proposed safety facilities continue to bring disagreement and hope to the …
‘Enough is enough’

Community members stood with the family of Ricky Cobb II at George Floyd Square on Aug. 5, 2023 to offer …
Street art at Becketwood commemorates George Floyd

For the last three years, Kenda Zellner-Smith and her volunteers have been scouring Minneapolis’s …
RISE & REMEMBER

Embracing the community-centered theme “Ubuntu,” a term from South Africa that loosely means “I am …
6 key facts you need to know about Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. This momentous occasion is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and …

Through Their Eyes

Rise and Remember 2024 (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Election

Election results in south Minneapolis

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 …

2023 Ranked Choice Voting Elections in Minnesota: Bloomington, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park and St. Paul

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 …

Farewell from council member Andrew Johnson

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

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 …

Hear from Mark Rivard, creator of Do Rad Things, at 'Let's Connect' event in February

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 …

Begin planning kids' summer recreation now

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 …

More family

School & Sports

Planning commission finds path forward for contentious Minnehaha Academy field plan

The city of Minneapolis Planning Commission has approved most of Minnehaha Academy’s requests to make their proposed field improvements, but not the one needed to install a new synthetic turf …

MPS faces $100 million shortfall

Lisa Sayles-Adams, the new Minneapolis Public School (MPS) Superintendent, has been on the job for less than three months and has already participated in two major contract negotiations. Plus, she is …

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 …

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, …

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

Dakota elder weighs in on debate over Hiawatha Golf

Minneapolis educators strike for ‘safe, stable schools’

MFT59 STRIKE

Minneapolis educators strike for ‘safe, stable schools’

Divided we drive: America's EV adoption gap

Motointegrator worked with research experts to look at the electric vehicle trends throughout the U.S. and what they say about the country's transition.

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.

Con el Programa de Ayuda Adicional de Medicare Más Personas Ahorran Dinero en Recetas Médicas

({blank}) - Debido a una nueva ley, más personas califican para ahorrar más en medicamentos recetados con el programa Ayuda Adicional de Medicare, por lo que podría valer la pena solicitarlo …

The most popular host from 15 hit shows

Stacker looked at YouGov data to spotlight 15 shows with at least two hosts who had been with the show for five years or longer to determine the most popular host.

5 tips for protecting your phone while traveling abroad

Spokeo consulted cybersecurity sources and travel guides to determine some of the best ways you can protect your phone while traveling.