Binge-reading the Messenger and Southwest Voices

Donald L. Hammen

By binge reading I commit to reading the entire paper in one session.

MICHAEL AND MITRAL
Michael Casper is my former massage therapist at The Wellness Center MN and a Longfellow neighborhood resident. Since his departure I have spoken to him on two occasions at the Midtown Farmers Market. My understanding is he is happy to have landed a new opportunity.

My heart’s mitral valve is leaky. A visit with my family practice doctor resulted in a plan of care for the month of September and a referral to a cardiologist.

SOONER VS. LATER
How can Greater Longfellow history go beyond "Neighborhood By the Falls" by lead author Eric Hart in collecting ongoing history and preserving it in whatever formats? This is an ongoing topic of conversation between Eric Hart and myself. So, dear reader, I’m asking you: what are some ways that the history of Longfellow or any neighborhood, like Seward or Uptown for example, can be collected and preserved in this day and age? Tell yourself, tell others even better tell me via tesha@tmcpub.com. 

PROTESTING MEDICAID CUTS SEPT. 19 AND 23.
I am a member of the Minneapolis Regional Retirees Council (AFL-CIO) Democracy Action Committee. We have recruited MRRC friends and allies to join forces with residents of Episcopal Homes located at 1680 University Ave. in St. Paul to protest Medicaid cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill. And if you have read this far you have taken the plunge into the river(flow) of life experiences which is Stories and Journeys.

MINNESOTA NEWSPAPER MUSEUM AT THE STATE FAIR.
Thanks to Metro Mobility for getting me there. Thanks for $5 off the admission price on Seniors Day. Thanks to Home Town Mobility for taking care of Rick, my walker, and renting me an electric scooter which enabled me to independently navigate. Grateful for chatting about newspapering with volunteers at the museum.

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT STARTS OCT 7
My stance once again, Medicare Advantage plans are not actual Medicare.They are insurance plans using the name Medicare market themselves. I stand with Health Care for All Minnesota. I chatted with their volunteers at the State Fair and I do donate to them.

I’M VOTING NOV. 3 IN PERSON AS IF SOCIAL SECURITY IS ON THE BALLET NOT DONALD TRUMP
A growing share of national income is concentrated among high earners – and much of that income is not subject to Social Security payroll taxes, which is starving the program. SOLUTION IS SCRAP THE CAP.

ELDER VOICES (TELLING OUR STORIES/SHARING OUR JOURNEYS)
Next meet ups Sept. 25 and Oct. 30, 10-11 a.m. officially at Turtle Bread(4752 Chicago Ave.). Look for the table with the All Elders sign.
In gratitude.

Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the SEUI Health Care for MN/IA Retiree Council and Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council.