Big day for the Kenny neighborhood and when Minneapolis had streetcars

Did you know Minneapolis used to have a giant streetcar system all over the city? Not only that, the system connected Lake Minnetonka to Stillwater and everything in-between. The map (scroll down) is pretty wild.

Josh Biber wrote a piece for us about the history of the Como-Harriet streetcar. Let Josh take you through a journey of the ghosts of transit past, from the Lake Harriet pavilion, through Uptown, to Minneapolis Millers games at Nicollett Park, and a ride through scenic Loring Park, it's hard for me to even imagine what it all used to look like.

And stay tuned--there are more Southwest streetcar lines to explore with Josh that we will be publishing.

Happy Kenny Day! This isn't a real holiday, but we're calling it that anyways, because tonight is an exciting one for families all over the neighborhood.

The Kenny Summer Festival is tonight from 6 - 8 p.m. at Kenny Park. The event will include a ribbon cutting for the new Kenny Park playground with Park Board officials. They'll have Red Wagon pizza available for purchase, as well as free popcorn and popsicles. Sir Sydney Soapington, the Baron of Bubble, and Lady Rainbow of Balloon will be there doing fun bubble tricks and making balloon creations.

The Star Tribune shared a few details about the game of musical diners happening in Loring Park. The Nicollet Diner will be bringing their 24 hour service to the old Ichiban space alongside the new Roxy's Cabaret.

Nicollet Diner owners Sam and Dion Turner will be revamping the original diner space. Muffin Top Cafe, which is currently next door, will expand into part of the venue. The rest will go to Mother Clucker's Pizza, which will have chicken, subs, and, you guessed it, pizza. No word on time frame yet but we will keep you posted.

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LINK ROUNDUP 🔗

‍What to think about when funeral planning in Minnesota, in a piece centered around Lakewood Cemetery and the expense of funerals. (Star Tribune)

Changes resulting from the city's "after action report" about the city government's response to the uprising following George Floyd's murder are not expected to be in place until 2024 at the earliest. (FOX 9)

The judge's ruling against the Minneapolis 2040 Plan has put a pause on a multifamily development scheduled for 3554 Girard Ave. S. (MSP Business Journal)

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES ✊

In response to shifting ridership and staff shortages, Metro Transit will be making changes to bus and rail services beginning August 20. Routes in Southwest Minneapolis affected are the 2, 18, and 46, while the 21 is changing to "improve reliability."

Friends of the Roberts Bird Sanctuary are looking for artists to submit tiny Roberts-themed art for a fundraising auction.

Bde Maka Ska's 32nd Street Beach and Cedar Lake's Main Beach are still closed after elevated levels of E. coli were found in the water. You can check beach status updates here.

During the height of the pandemic, a group of Wedge neighbors started the LHENA Restaurant Fan Club to support local restaurants. Tonight, they're headed to Common Roots where they can sit outside under the big umbrellas on their expanded patio. If you would like to get on the e-mail list or join the group, email Joan@thewedge.org.

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