**We are observing Juneteenth on Monday. Look for our next daily newsletter to be in your inboxes on Tuesday, June 21.**

Welcome to our weekly newsletter. On Fridays, we share things we've published, popular links from our daily newsletter, and a curation of stuff to do over the weekend.

Hot off the presses

We attended the City Council meeting yesterday where the Hennepin Avenue South Redesign plan was approved and Interim City Coordinator Heather Johnston was confirmed for the permanent position. People spoke directly to City Council President Andrea Jenkins and Councilmember Latrisha Vetaw about their actions during the meeting.

Councilmember Aisha Chughtai was the only Southwest area councilperson to vote in favor of the Hennepin Avenue redesign and vote against the nomination of Heather Johnston. We are reaching out to Councilmembers Lisa Goodman, Linea Palmisano, and Emily Koski voted against the Hennepin plan and in favor of Johnston.

Do you want to write a tribute to a local colleague, worker, or neighbor that deserves more recognition from the community? Email us at info@southwestvoices.news.

Farmers market vendor spotlight

Jessica Tijerina, owner of Tijerina Global Spices launched a line of global salt-free spice blends in June 2020. Tijerina operates out of Provision Community Kitchen (which Anna wrote about via its cafe).

Jessica procures several ingredients from farms in St. Michael and Delano, Minnesota. Her spice blends are freshly toasted and ground and packaged in unique glass jars that are returnable. Her number one seller is the Vanilla Masala Chai Latte mix. A hint of white pepper brings on the spice and she makes her own vanilla bean sugar so that there is only 1 teaspoon of sugar per cup.

You can find her dividing her time on Sundays between the Kingfield Market and the Linden Hills Market. On Thursdays she is at the East Isles Market and Saturdays at the Northeast Market.
This weekend she will only be at Stone Arch Bridge Festival. Stop by for an iced vanilla chai.

If you'd like to spotlight your farmers' market business, email us at info@southwestvoices.news.

Here's a roundup of what we published this week

Anna wrote about Provision Community Restaurant, a pay-what-you-can restaurant & non-profit at 2940 Harriet Ave. S. People can choose to pay, volunteer, or eat a meal for free. Their goal is to reduce food waste, food insecurity, and social isolation.

Melissa wrote an article this week about next year's MPS budget, which shows how declining enrollment, new educator labor contracts, and a lack of state assistance is creating a major financial crisis for the district.

Want to know why the principal of Lyndale Community School got slimed? Check out the article about it. Hint: it has to do with reading. 🤔

Spice Your Life co-owner Mark Kryzer is also a military vet and sponsored an Afghani family here in the United States after the Taliban took over control of Afghanistan last summer.  They arrived safely in April.

The two-week extension at Minneapolis Public Schools has left students without hot lunches and fresh fruits and veggies for a snack.

Links that our daily subscribers clicked on a lot this week

Side Chick closed and will reopen as Luna Uptown. That's all we know, for now.

This Twin Cities Business article about Uptown talks about the new mini-golf venture in the works via the Can Can Wonderland owners.

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OUT & ABOUT 🛵

Our events calendar is filled with unique events happening around town. You can submit events to be added to our calendar here. If you subscribe to the calendar, the events go straight to your personal calendar. Or you can add just the events you like.  🤯

Friday
The April Fools are playing at Icehouse with Rich Mattson and Germaine Gemberling.

Prairie Fire Lady Choir is a rock 'n' roll a capella group, performs at the Lake Harriet Bandshell at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday
The American Swedish Institute is hosting a Midsommar celebration.

We will be at the Twin Cities Pop-Up Market at Mueller Square starting at 11 a.m. Swing by and say hi.

There is a Hennepin Avenue group bike ride at 5 p.m. It's a casual and fun ride. Kids are usually biking with, too.

Granada Theater is hosting Freedom Ball 2022, a Juneteenth celebration with Pan-African inspired food.

Twin Cities Mobile Jazz Project, which is described as music, unity, and creative education, is performing at the Lake Harriet Bandshell at 7:30 p.m.

If you had Chicago's Very Own Grand Opening on your calendar, you will have to wait. They are figuring out their online ordering before they open their doors. We will keep you posted on their new opening day.

Sunday/Juneteenth
Cantus (men's vocal ensemble) and Brass Menegerie (from Bruno Mars to Sinatra) perform starting at 2 p.m. at the Lake Harriet Bandshell.

Service industry dance night, Colores, starts at 10 p.m. at Icehouse.

Check out our events calendar for even more events this weekend.