Southwest Journal : Forum

By Sarah McKenzie

July 14th, 2010

The Southwest Journal is celebrating its 20th anniversary tomorrow (July 15) at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. Festivities will start around 7:30. Please swing by and join us for the party! There will be music, treats and goodie bags. We're so grateful for all the support from the community.

A local artist "T-shirt Mart" at the Walker

Gregory J. Scott

April 1st, 2010

Having made it through the month of March without a single flake of snow, Minnesotans are slowly accepting that warm weather, for once, has actually arrived early this year. No tricks this time. And w...

Gurban's exit letter

Cristof Traudes

March 17th, 2010

On March 12, Superintendent Jon Gurban told the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board he will not consider an extension of his contract. That means that after June 30, he will no longer be the head...

Uptown Theater sign climber leaves authorities baffled, neighbors blasé

Gregory J. Scott

March 10th, 2010

Was he a graffiti tagger? A parcours enthusiast? Or just a guy who’s seen too many King Kong movies? It’s one day later, and officials are still pretty much baffled as to why ...

Temps in the 40s? Time for a dip!

Cristof Traudes

March 5th, 2010

It's warm(er) outside. Perfect time to jump in a lake, right?That seems to be the mindset of lots of people, who will shed most layers this weekend and dunk themselves in Lake Calhoun. Mig...

Share your memories of 50th & Bryant

Dylan Thomas

February 18th, 2010

1 Comment

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Time to caucus

Cristof Traudes

February 2nd, 2010

Happy precinct caucus day, Southwest.Tonight is when parties begin their selection of candidates and issues to focus on this election season. It’s unlikely this year’s meetings...

Give & Take 2010 Launch Party

Sarah McKenzie

January 26th, 2010

Solutions Twin Cities founders Troy Gallas and Colin Kloecker are kicking of the 2010 season of Give & Take with a launch party and happy hour on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyn...

Oil: A Love Story

Sarah McKenzie

November 12th, 2009

Solutions Twin Cities is hosting a special discussion tonight called Oil: A Love Story at Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave. S.Four speakers are lined up for the event exploring our societ...

An Evening Excursion on Eat Street

Sarah McKenzie

October 21st, 2009

More than 15 restaurants, bars and shops on Eat Street are offering special deals as part of An Evening Excursion event planned for Oct. 29–30.Participating restaurants include Azia, B...

Recovering from the tornado sale

Sarah McKenzie

September 15th, 2009

Just got a note that Electric Fetus is having its biggest outdoor sale in its 40-plus year history. Gifts, music and clothing will be up to 75 percent off. Here are the details ... ...

Kingfield Farmers Market needs your help

Sarah McKenzie

July 8th, 2009

Here's an e-mail from the folks who bring you the Kingfield Farmers Market. They could use your help. ...Hey market-goers --Usually, we use this space to detail all the gre...

Hungry in Southwest

Sarah McKenzie

June 22nd, 2009

I just stumbled across a fun little blog called "Hungry in Southwest." The blogger writes about the new outdoor antipasto bar at Broders' that we'll be featuring in the next SWJ. Here's t...

Stewart talks about Burroughs incident

Dylan Thomas

June 9th, 2009

Minneapolis School Board Member Chris Stewart commented publicly for the first time Monday on a confrontation with Burroughs Communit...

Tour de Farm at the Walker

Sarah McKenzie

May 19th, 2009

I just got a news release announcing a Tour de Farm event will be held at the Walker on July 30.The Tour de Farm program is the brainchild of Scott Pampuch, owner of the Corner Table in King...

Tips on saving money on groceries

Sarah McKenzie

May 14th, 2009

I just got this release from the Twin Cities Area Natural Food Co-ops. Some good tips. Thought I'd share. ...... 25 WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GROCERY DOLLARSTwin Citie...

Highpoint sneak peak

Dylan Thomas

April 15th, 2009

These are exciting times for the folks at Highpoint Center for Printmaking.While the recession forced many local arts ...

Best of Southwest contest

Sarah McKenzie

April 13th, 2009

We love Southwest, you love Southwest. So let's celebrate our special part of town. We've just launched our first annual Best of Southwest contest. You — are lovely readers — get to vot...

Raw mayoral emotions, courtesy of the Twins

Cristof

April 8th, 2009

Most Minnesota Twins supporters watching last night’s game probably had the urge to jump out of thei...

'My Co-op Rocks!' video contest

Sarah McKenzie

April 1st, 2009

In love with your co-op? Check out this video contest I just got a news release about ... LOVE YOUR CO-OP? TWIN CITIES FOOD CO-OPS HOST ‘MY CO-OP ROCKS!’ VIDEO CONTEST...

Adam Levy performing at Simply Jane

Sarah McKenzie

March 27th, 2009

Hey SWJ readers,Thought I pass along this little note from Jane Elias at Simply Jane: "Just want to let you know that Adam Levy from the Honey Dogs is doing an in-store live perf...

Katie Couric featuring Jon Charles Salon

Sarah McKenzie

March 24th, 2009

The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric will be featuring the Jon Charles Salon in Uptown tonight at 5:30 p.m. as part of a package exploring the impact of the recession and how people are helping o...

Following the cherry

Dylan Thomas

March 23rd, 2009

It’s been a month now, and the spoon is looking a little lonely.The big red cherry was removed February 23 from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden’s famous “Spoonbridge...

School Choice update

Dylan Thomas

March 18th, 2009

As Minneapolis Public Schools officials continue to hammer out the details of a new school choice system, clues are emerging as to what that system will look like.The documents prepared for ...

Home Improvement Fair

Sarah McKenzie

March 10th, 2009

The Southwest Journal's Home Improvement Fair is this Saturday, March 14 at Southwest High School, 3414 W. 47th St. Come learn from experts on affordable green remodeling, the latest in wind...

Beauty day at Walker Methodist

Sarah McKenzie

March 3rd, 2009

Who wouldn't enjoy a free makeover these days?I got a little note from Lindsay...

Call for poems

Doug Wilhide

February 24th, 2009

Do Poets Bloom Below the Snow?Winter is tough on the psyche in these parts, but Psyche is the goddess of the soul and looks after poets. When the going gets tough, the tou...

Meet the Journal Day

Sarah McKenzie

February 16th, 2009

Greetings friends of the Southwest Journal!I'm holding my second "Meet the Journal Day" at Java Jack's this Friday, Feb. 20 from 3–5 p.m. It's a chance for me to meet with re...

Could Facebook save the Park Board?

Cristof

February 13th, 2009

In a turn of events only possible since social networking websites began gobbling up everybody's precious time, a City Cou...

Commenting with respect

Jake Weyer

January 26th, 2009

Hello, Southwest Journal readers! As I hope you all know, we love getting comments from you on our stories, whether it’s in the form of a phone call, a letter, an e-mail or a post on this websit...

Hopes and Fears for the Next Four Years

Sarah McKenzie

January 12th, 2009

Tied to our special SWJ package, "Hopes and Fears for the Next Four Years," we asked readers to sends us their hopes and fears, too.Here's an e-mail I got from an old friend Nick F...

Wanted: A jolly old elf

Dylan Thomas

January 2nd, 2009

Looks like Minneapolis Police in the Fifth Precinct might have had a little too much holiday cheer when they assembled the latest CLEAN Sheet. (You can find it ...

Twins win! In winter.

Brian Voerding

December 23rd, 2008

If you're already counting down the days to Twins spring training, as I am, then the Uptown Bar has a way to keep you engaged (and imbibed) until February....

Hoot returns

Sarah McKenzie

December 16th, 2008

The Hoot is back in business! Here's the press release from Jim Walsh ... Press Release: Starting December 28 and January 1, the Hoot gets out of the basement and goes stree...

You can't compost that.

Brian Voerding

December 15th, 2008

When Eureka Recycling CEO Susan Hubbard began to speak at the Wedge co-op this morning for a media event — which, among other things, recognized Southwest restaurants that compost their waste &m...

Holiday bar crawls

Sarah McKenzie

December 9th, 2008

What would the holidays be like without alcohol? For many of us, pretty rough.There are a couple of holiday bar crawls planned this weekend that might get you in the holiday spirit.Th...

Another green link

Sarah McKenzie

December 9th, 2008

A reader just sent over another good "green" website to check out — an overview of green building options. It's on the city of Minneapolis website. Click ...

Recessiontainment

Sarah McKenzie

December 3rd, 2008

OK, who isn't looking for great deals this holiday season? With all the parties, dining and shows we go to this time of year, it's nice to know there are a few options out there for folks on a budg...

See green living — up close

Cristof

December 2nd, 2008

...

Time to thank your neighbors!

Sarah McKenzie

November 20th, 2008

It’s one of my favorite Journal features of the year — our annual “Thank You” issue.Please take a minute to reflect on all of the good deeds of folks in your neighbor...

Score for Treehouse Records

Sarah McKenzie

November 12th, 2008

I just got a Facebook invite from my pal Dan Cote at Treehouse Records, 2557 Lyndale Ave. S., for a sweet in-store show this Sunday.Here's the note: "We are thrilled to announce that Pa...

Assessing KIPP

Dylan Thomas

November 10th, 2008

2 Comments

When ...

The lines! Oh, the lines!

Cristof

November 4th, 2008

Well, that's the longest I've ever had to wait to vote.Honestly, it wasn't horrible — just a little under an hour. But considering I'm used to walking in and out, it was a bit differen...

Free stuff we can believe in

Cristof

November 3rd, 2008

If you watched this weekend's John McCain SNL skit, chances are you've seen the ad for free Starbucks tomorrow if you vote. It's doubtful that that's the only free stuff voters can pick up tomorrow. S...

Kids and "tough art"

Dylan Thomas

October 20th, 2008

I was walking through the Tetsumi Kudo retrospective at the Walker Art Center on Sat...

The quest for the best burgers

Sarah McKenzie

October 15th, 2008

For a couple of months now, I've been on a quest to sample the best burgers in the city with my friend Mike. We've had the Vincent burger, been to the Band Box, My Burger, Ike's and have many more ...

This revolution will be televised.

Brian Voerding

September 29th, 2008

Since tonight's Monday Night Football matchup is likely to be a battle of defenses (read: boring), turn that television to the Food Channel for some entertainment filmed right in your backyard....

Q&A with Chuck Klosterman

Sarah McKenzie

September 23rd, 2008

Chuck Klosterman, the astute cultural critic known for his unique narrative voice, will be in town soon promoting his first novel Downtown Owl — a quirky tale about the lives of folks in a small...

And the winner is ...

Dylan Thomas

September 4th, 2008

... Greg Yolen, director of the Minneapolis Underground Film Festival (MUFF), who ...

Submit your RNC delegate travel tips

Dylan Thomas

August 25th, 2008

The Democratic National Convention opened this morning in Denver, which means the Twin Cities' turn in the political limelight is just a week away.Chances are the tens of thousands of politi...

Where are the doughnuts?

Jake Weyer

August 20th, 2008

If you're a doughnut fan, you've heard the news. Dunkin' Donuts is returning to the Twin Cities after a five-year hiatus. We can expect to see about 100 of the doughnut and coffee shops open in th...

Are you a localvore?

Sarah McKenzie

August 12th, 2008

The "Eat Local America" challenge kicks off this Friday, Aug. 15 and runs through Sept. 15. The Wedge and Linden Hills co-ops are among several Twin Cities co-ops participating in the cha...

Spark24: Well on its way

Cristof Traudes

July 29th, 2008

Had a brief chat this morning with Scott Mayer, the organizer of Minneapolis' pre-convention bash, the 24-hour-long ...

Have you gone digital?

Dylan Thomas

July 28th, 2008

The future arrived in my living room Sunday afternoon, and not without a few glitches.Sunday was the day I finally went out and purchased a digital converter box so that I can recieve over-t...

Yes she can (sort of, in 25 years)

Cristof Traudes

July 23rd, 2008

A keen eye from a colleague alerted me to yard signs spread throughout Southwest proclaiming support in the presidential election for neither John McCain nor Barack Obama — not even Ralph Nad...

Bandits on the roof

Jake Weyer

July 18th, 2008

My wife and I encountered a few bandits of the animal variety Wednesday night on the roof of our house in Armatage. We've lived in the house since September and have gotten used to the ...

Megan's run

Dylan Thomas

July 15th, 2008

Southwest High School student Megan Schaenzer has run more than 200 miles in just under two weeks, all the way from Minneapolis to near Big Fork, Minn. ... and she's still got almost 100 miles to g...

Gearing up for Fringe

Dylan Thomas

July 7th, 2008

I'm getting to work on the annual Minnesota Fringe Festival preview for the Journals, but if you want your own sneak peak at this y...

The list of legal fireworks

Michelle Bruch

July 3rd, 2008

Police are canvassing the state with warnings and safety advice this weekend. Here are a few of the highlights:— Minnesota law forbids the use of fireworks that explode or leav...

Laugh around the clock

Dylan Thomas

June 30th, 2008

Sleep deprivation tends to affect your sense of humor in one of two ways: either everything is funny or absolutely nothing is funny.Would you still be laughing at the end of a 24-hour comedy...

Literally a landmark

SP.

June 27th, 2008

1 Comment

Anyone who has lined up outside Uptown Theatre probably understands what a true movie-going experience is supposed to be like – or at least what it was once like.A 50-foot tall “Upto...

Wake up, it's a hoot!

Dylan Thomas

June 25th, 2008

It’s not just about the politics this September.A growing number of Minneapolis arts events are scheduled to coincide with the ...

Spoofing Nate

Cristof Traudes

June 24th, 2008

Last month, we reported on Nate Maydole, an Uptown resident and Do...

And our Walk Score is...

Cristof Traudes

June 17th, 2008

1 Comment

For those of you who live here, none of what I'm about to tell you is a big surprise. I'm simply confirming what we already know: If we wanted to, we could walk to all of life's necessities within ...

No more plinth for Bassett Creek

Dylan Thomas

June 12th, 2008

What is a plinth, you ask?Well, in architectural terms, it's basically a base upon which something else is buil...

milky + white = ew?

Cristof Traudes

June 10th, 2008

If you've been keeping up with recent environmental issues in Southwest, you may have read about the curious "milky, white substance" discovered in Lake Calhoun around late April. ...

A summer without an ArtCar Parade

Dylan Thomas

May 30th, 2008

Well, sad news for this guy: This summer's ArtCar Parade has been cancelled.Intermedia Arts ...

The law against lurking

Michelle Bruch

May 22nd, 2008

A law criticized for criminalizing thoughts could be struck from the rulebooks this summer.A pubic hearing on the “lurking” law is scheduled for June 11. The law states that no...

Failure on the monkey bars

Cristof Traudes

May 20th, 2008

Windom South Park will soon be getting a brand new playground after the last one finally found itself exhausted after 22 years. What's been there was "well-loved," to quote one parent of ...

It's referendum time

Dylan Thomas

May 14th, 2008

The campaign for a new $60 million school levy gets its unofficial Southwest launch tonight (7 p.m. May 14) at Burroughs Community School, 1601 W. 50th St.Will you be there?If voters ...

Who do you want to party with?

Cristof Traudes

May 13th, 2008

Minneapolis, are you ready to party? Like, seriously party? Scott Mayer hopes so.The brains behind the Ivey Awards, which celebrate the best in Minneapolis theater, vigorously has bee...

Face-to-face

Dylan Thomas

May 5th, 2008

I had a strange experience this past weekend. But first this:Like many reporters, I do a lot of my reporting from my desk, tapping away on my computer while I talk on the phone. It’s n...

Get ready to bike!

Sarah McKenzie

May 2nd, 2008

Attention Southwest folk:Bike Walk Week is around the corner. Here's an e-mail I just got from the city:Bicycling Update Subscribers, Spring has sprung, and the countdow...

Sneak peak at stimulus checks

SP.

April 30th, 2008

Calculate your stimulus check. And when ...

They call this the South?

Cristof Traudes

April 29th, 2008

Hi – my name is Cristof Traudes, and I’m the newest reporter here at the Journals. You’ll see my name attached to any future environmental and Park Board stories, along with coverage...

A temporary dog owner

Dylan Thomas

April 28th, 2008

I get to experience the delights and duties of dog ownership this week, when I take temporary custody of Xander, my mom's lab-shar pei mix. (He has the curly tail and coloring of ...

An excuse to eat out

Michelle Bruch

April 24th, 2008

If you dine out tonight, your money might cover more than the food.Over 100 local restaurants are donating part of their proceeds to an AIDS charity today, April 24. Donations will go to The...

Green deals

Sarah McKenzie

April 22nd, 2008

In honor of Earth Day, a couple of Southwest businesses are holding some special sales.Twin Cities Green at 2405 Hennepin Ave. S. is&nbs...

Thank you, poets!

Sarah McKenzie

April 18th, 2008

Thanks to all the poets who participated in our second Southwest Journal Poetry Slam last night at Java Jacks. What a blast!...

Let sleeping ducks lie

Dylan Thomas

April 15th, 2008

I tuned into Windom's wood duck webcam for the first time this afternoon and saw a gray blob in a bo...

It's time for another Poetry Slam

Sarah McKenzie

April 15th, 2008

Calling all Southwest poets:We want you at our second Southwest Journal Poetry Slam on Thursday, April 17 at Java Jacks, 46th & Bryant.The competition starts at 7 p.m. Here's a ru...

Cave Women on Mars!

Dylan Thomas

April 11th, 2008

Back in October, the Southwest Journal ...

High schools on the agenda

Dylan Thomas

April 8th, 2008

Putting high schools on the agenda for a Minneapolis Public Schools meeting almost guarantees a heated debate. Well, that's just what they did ...

Tennis, anyone?

Michelle Bruch

April 4th, 2008

I live in South Minneapolis across the street from a tennis court, and I was a bit surprised last week to see workers installing the nets above mounds of snow. Apparently they knew what they wer...

How about a Home Depot in Calhoun Square?

Jake Weyer

April 2nd, 2008

No, a Home Depot isn't planned for Calhoun Square and no, I don't want one there (nor do I think the site would even be a consideration for the company or the mall's developers). ...

The school district's hot Lake St. property

Dylan Thomas

March 31st, 2008

This is a Minneapolis Public Schools story. But it also could be the real estate story of the year on Lake Street. Students and teachers from Uptown Academy showed up at the Minneapolis Boa...

Is your dog licensed?

Michelle Bruch

March 27th, 2008

1 Comment

I own an adorable dog and cat, and I’ll plead the Fifth on whether they’re licensed with the city. Out of 107,000 dogs estimated to be living in Minneapolis, 9,007 were licensed in 2...

A new vision for walking

Sarah McKenzie

March 27th, 2008

The city has started gathering feedback on its proposed Pedestrian Master Plan.A consultant team will present the plan to the City Council late fall. For more details, click ...

School plan updates

Dylan Thomas

March 25th, 2008

Minneapolis Public Schools recently announced two opportunities for parents and community members to learn more about the district's ...

It's spring!

Sarah McKenzie

March 21st, 2008

OK — so it doesn't feel like it yet, but it's technically spring as of Thursday. And if you need to find a way to get in the springtime mood, be sure to check out the Southwest Journal's Spri...

Massive potholes

Sarah McKenzie

March 20th, 2008

We're hearing buzz about cars getting swallowed up by massive potholes around Lake of the Isles. Have you had issues with these potholes? Let us know. Post here, or e-mail smckenzie@mnpubs.com....

Rock for schools

Dylan Thomas

March 14th, 2008

Stop in at the First Avenue mainroom tonight and the cost of your ticket will go toward the purchase of musical instruments for students at ...

Strategic plan defined

Dylan Thomas

March 11th, 2008

Tonight, district leaders get down to details on the Minneapolis Public Schools' strategic plan.After spending much of last year developing that plan, the Board of Education adopted ...

Seeking sushi

Mary O'Regan

March 4th, 2008

2 Comments

Last week, my boyfriend and I decided that we wanted to dine at a sushi restaurant. The only problem was that we had plans later that evening at a friend's house in Armatage and didn't want to be l...

Joining a neighborhood board?

Dylan Thomas

March 3rd, 2008

The Wedge, Whittier and Bryn Maw...

Crazy bus riders

Mary O'Regan

February 29th, 2008

I had the following one-sided conversation with a woman sitting next to me on the Lyndale Avenue bus this morning:HER: Did you know that people are moving back to Wisconsin to be in a movie ...

A drinking fountain for Uptown

Michelle Bruch

February 28th, 2008

Uptown is poised to receive its very own artist-designed drinking fountain if the City Council votes its way on Friday. The city is spending $500,000 to install public drinking fountains in sele...

Scary Southwest

Mary O'Regan

February 26th, 2008

Last night, as I was sleeping, the police entered an apartment building a few doors down from my house on West Franklin Avenue and ...

Recruiting in schools

Dylan Thomas

February 25th, 2008

1 Comment

The issue of military recruiters' access to high school students has inspired passionate debate in communities across the nation. On Tuesday, the debate comes before the Minneapolis Public Schools ...

Nice to meet you!

Sarah McKenzie

February 22nd, 2008

Thanks to all the Journal readers who stopped by Meet the Journal Day on Friday at Java Jack's.I got lots of great tips and story ideas. We'll do it again soon.:) Sarah ...

Eclipse, anyone?

Michelle Bruch

February 21st, 2008

If you missed the lunar eclipse last night, be sure to catch the next one in 2010. ...

Gone fishing

Mary O'Regan

February 19th, 2008

Earlier this month, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board released some data about the health of the fish in Cedar Lake and Lake ...

Skiing Minneapolis

Dylan Thomas

February 18th, 2008

1 Comment

I went cross-country skiing on the beautiful course at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reser...

Where is the best Wi-Fi?

Michelle Bruch

February 15th, 2008

The ongoing installation of the city’s wireless service in Southwest includes a few dark areas around lakes...

Weekday breakfast spots

Sarah McKenzie

February 14th, 2008

A Southwest Journal reader called in this week to say she was having a hard time finding good breakfast spots open week days. She is looking for spots in the Armatage area. Do you know of a good place...

Hunting for a carwash

Mary O'Regan

February 12th, 2008

3 Comments

Throughout January, my car was filthy. Its blue-green coat had turned dirt-gray brown and my windows looked like they'd been pelted with balloons full of dirty dishwater. So naturally, I decided to...

The new Uptown

Jake Weyer

February 6th, 2008

1 Comment

...

Bus etiquette

Mary O'Regan

February 5th, 2008

As yesterday's snow proves, we're still in the thick of winter and Mother Nature isn't planning on letting up anytime soon. This means that more and more commuters will be riding the bus to and fro...

Twister history

Dylan Thomas

February 4th, 2008

February 4th, 2008 Did you take part in the longest Twister marathon ever?Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., set the world record with six hours of continuous left-hand-blue,...

Love poetry reading

Sarah McKenzie

January 30th, 2008

Here's a note from our contributing poetry editor Doug Wilhide: Our FIFTH ANNUAL Pre-Valentine’s Day Love Poetry Reading will be held next Thursday, February 7, at 3019 West 43rd...

SWJ honored by Minnesota Newspaper Association

Sarah McKenzie

January 25th, 2008

The Southwest Journal took home several top awards at the Minnesota Newspaper Association's 2006-2007 Better Newspaper Contest ceremony held in Bloomington last night. The Journal's con...

Meet the Journal Day

Sarah McKenzie

January 23rd, 2008

Got a story idea for the Southwest Journal? Or do you have some feedback you want to share on the newspaper? I will be hanging out at Java Jack’s, 818 W. 46th St., on Feb. 22 from 3–5 p...

What's broken in Southwest?

Sarah McKenzie

January 15th, 2008

1 Comment

We're launching a new feature in the Journal called "What's broken?"This has been an occasional feature in the Downtown Journal, and we decided it would be a good fit for the SWJ, ...

Remembering Sonny

Sarah McKenzie

December 28th, 2007

4 Comments

Sonny Siron, a beloved Southwest community leader and namesake of the popular Sonny's Crema Cafe at 3403 Lyndale Ave. S., has passed away.We know Sonny has touched so many of your lives. Ple...

Got a question for a City Council member?

Sarah McKenzie

December 14th, 2007

1 Comment

The Journals are launching a new video series showcasing interviews with members of the City Council. Our first interview is with Ralph Remington. We are inviting readers to send along quest...

Holiday Hootenanny

Sarah McKenzie

December 12th, 2007

Jim Walsh's traveling Hootenanny heads to the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown tomorrow. Here's the lineup (doors open at 7 p.m.):Simon Sheehan, 7:45 p.m. Alicia Corbett, 8:15 p.m.Bl...

Thank your neighbors

Sarah McKenzie

November 15th, 2007

1 Comment

What are you thankful for? Your next-door neighbor who unexpectedly drops off a bundt cake? The smiling face of your friendly barista at the neighborhood coffee shop? The kid down the block who wat...

Remembering the 'Mats

Sarah McKenzie

November 14th, 2007

Southwest Journal columnist and local music critic Jim Walsh will be reading from and signing copies of his new book, "The Replacements: All Over but the Shouting, an Oral History" on Thu...

Thank you, poets

Sarah McKenzie

November 9th, 2007

Thanks to all the folks who attended our first Southwest Journal poetry slam last night at Java Jack's. It was a blast. I was impressed by all of the talented wordsmiths and the variety of poems, f...

Minnesota mean?

Mary O'Regan

November 2nd, 2007

I was biking down West Franklin Avenue on Halloween Day when I came across a fallen man on the sidewalk. Flat on his back, with tattered bags and clothes strewn around his body, the man appeared to be...

My life on a reality show

Katherine Rautenberg

October 31st, 2007

Part Three, Nov. 9 The craziest thing about this entire escapade, I think, has absolutely nothing to do with me. It’s everyone else. There are the key play...

The Wellstone memorial service revisited

Michael Metzger

October 24th, 2007

2 Comments

Like everyone, I was shocked by Paul Wellstone’s death. I had expected him to continue his march upward in the polls, culminating in a victory over Norm Coleman on election night. I had expec...

Come on, hear the noise.

Michael Metzger

October 16th, 2007

So the deal was announced this afternoon. What's your initial reaction to the airport noise deal between Minnea...

Hoot night

Sarah McKenzie

October 15th, 2007

So I finally made it The Mad Ripple Friday Night Hootenanny at Java Jack's. Wow, what a blast. Organized by Jim Walsh, one of our columnists, the hoot showcases some amazing local musicians, professio...

Zinns and outs of city's Columbus Day celebration

Michael Metzger

October 8th, 2007

1 Comment

The city of Minneapolis is taking a break today from work to recognize Christopher Columbus. It's an interesting day off for city workers in a municipality that prides itself so on its progressive pol...

Knock, knock: Reconstruction no joke?

Michael Metzger

October 2nd, 2007

I live in South Minneapolis, away from the McMansions, lakes, airport and, best of all, away from the reconstruction of the Crosstown. Anyone have any late-night knock-boom-BOOM horror stori...

If you love it, this is the time to show it

Michael Metzger

September 25th, 2007

Betsy’s Back Porch is just a little coffee shop where folks sip java while others sometimes strum the evenings away on musical instruments.Here’s a statement from the Back Porc...

Could there be a delicate thread of sarcasm woven in here?

Michael Metzger

September 18th, 2007

An e-mail from readers:It'’s nice to know that the budget has been settled, that we have enough police on the street, that the libraries are now open longer hours, that the infrastructu...

Stop hounding us, BBC!

Michael Metzger

September 17th, 2007

They just won't leave us alone. We thought it was over, finally, when the national news crews stopped videotaping our most private moments in transit, but no. Now the BBC is after us, too.Ma...

Priorities: Where do you put circus animals?

Michael Metzger

September 14th, 2007

1 Comment

Reporter Kari VanDerVeen tells me that in her 18 months or so as our City Hall reporter, there has been no demonstration in the Hall like the one Thursday for the public hearing on a proposed city ban...

Where were you? What were you doing?

Michael Metzger

September 11th, 2007

On Sept. 11, 2001, I was at home. I got a phone call from my then-girlfriend telling me that the World Trade Center had been knocked down. Her words didn’t make sense to me, but the shock in ...

Tap, tap. Tap.

Michael Metzger

September 6th, 2007

1 Comment

I was at the Humphrey Terminal the other day, when I felt the urge. Having just returned from a few days of beautiful beach and weather on the shores of Lake Michigan, I was rested and ready. ...

Affordable housing in Tangletown: Why are you opposed?

Michael Metzger

August 23rd, 2007

1 Comment

On June 21, southwestjournal.com ran an ...

It's time to see the bridge for ourselves

Michael Metzger

August 21st, 2007

Now that the last victim of the I-35W bridge collapse has been recovered from the Mississippi River, it’s time to let the public get closer to the disaster we’ve lived with for almost t...

Suspicious minds: Tim vs. R.T.

Michael Metzger

August 16th, 2007

2 Comments

The suspicions are in the open now. The name-calling and finger gestures are moments away. The divorce lawyers have their noses to the wind. The scent of blood and money is in the air. ...

Spot on

Michael Metzger

August 13th, 2007

Please take a look at that thing in the upper left corner of your screen. The thing with the lines drawn on it. Looks sorta like a map. It is, in fact, a map, but it's unlike any map you've ever se...

Why were we the focus for so long?

Michael Metzger

August 7th, 2007

2 Comments

As I sat at my desk for the past few days, helping reporters and editor Sarah McKenzie shape our coverage of the collapse of the I-35W bridge, I kept an eye on how the story was being reported on majo...

Share your experience of the collapse of the I-35W bridge

Michael Metzger

August 1st, 2007

Share what you can, when you can. If you were there when it happened, please describe your experience. Thank you....

Hit the brakes on the Speedy House objections

Michael Metzger

August 1st, 2007

In some ways, it seems so simple: You spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to acquire it, therefore you get to do what you like with it. That includes knocking it down.Yet that’s n...

Row, Run, Ride

Michael Metzger

July 20th, 2007

Check out this video by Southwest Journal reporter Jake Weyer on YouTube. ...

Reader: Ralph Remington should apologize

Peter Carter

July 18th, 2007

A Lynnhurst reader writes: Your recent front-page article on the City Council's unanimous adoption of restrictions...

Dazzle with your dapple

Michael Metzger

July 16th, 2007

In a few months, my son will be three years old. So he’s pretty easily amused on most days. We can spend quite a bit of time watching ants running around on the sidewalk or taking a walk arou...

Tagging terror

Sarah McKenzie

July 12th, 2007

Our columnist Terre Thomas, owner of the Fairy Godmother shop in Kingfield, has made headlines this week. Her shop was targeted by graffiti vandals earlier this week. In the July 2-15 issue of the ...

Bastille Day Block Party

Sarah McKenzie

July 12th, 2007

Barbette presents the 5th Annual Bastille Day Block Party this Sunday, July 15.The party at 1600 W. Lake St. will feature tons of entertainers including Ruby Isle, Vicious Vicious, Moon Maan, Dance...

The last place youâ€™d expect to find her

Michael Metzger

July 9th, 2007

Maybe very last on the list of publications where you’d expect to find the name Paris Hilton is the Southwest Journal. Yet here we are, pandering to the lowest common denominator ...

Welcome to southwestjournal.com

Michael Metzger

June 29th, 2007

It was difficult for us at the Southwest Journal to have the worst website in the world. Luckily, that dubious distinction has been passed on to someone else now. We now have a website wor...