What is considered a low temperature? Is it the lowest temperature within one day? Or is it the overnight low, which spans two days? Charlie and I cannot agree on this, so we took to Twitter to ask Sven Sundgaard to settle the argument. Turns out, reported low temperatures are subjective.

Last week, the joint executive board of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and Education Support Professionals voted unanimously to give its members the power to vote on a strike (FOX 9). We have our education reporter, Melissa Whitler, on this story and will update you as it develops.
In the meantime, if you are a MPS staff member or teacher and would like to talk with us about contract negotiations and the strike vote, text us at 612-204-2887 or email melody@southwestvoices.news. Your name can be kept confidential.

I talked with the organizer of LHENA's Wedge Snow Time team about how to be a shoveling steward in your neighborhood. Marcelle suggested to shovel promptly, help out your neighbors, and watch salt use on the sidewalks.

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Snacks, a hot beverage, and a helmet rest on top of a sled during an active sledding morning at Lyndale Farmstead Park

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LINK ROUNDUP
Officials in Minneapolis cited educator absences as the reason for switching to remote learning. "Everyone from teachers to bus drivers either fell ill or had to care for sick family members," Eder Campuzano writes. (Star Tribune) ‍

The fate of the boarded-up Burger King at 33rd & Nicollet Ave. S is up for debate due to Minneapolis's ordinance that doesn't allow for drive-thrus. We are keeping an eye on this as I know other local outlets like WedgeLIVE! are, too. (Star Tribune)

‍The Racket remembers Delayna Payne, former owner of Cliché (now Rock Paper Scissors Goods at 24th and Lyndale Ave. S).

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COMMUNITY ACTION
The Sahan Journal published a collection of ways to donate time, money, and energy in helping Afghan evacuees/refugees resettle here in Minnesota. The collections includes organizations to donate directly to, wish lists to buy items from, and local Afghan businesses to support. ‍

Apply to to get financial support for your pollinator-friendly garden this spring. The deadline is Feb. 15.  The Lawns to Legumes program supports participants in pocket plantings, trees and shrubs, and pollinator lawns and pollinator meadows to help conserve at-risk species.

OUT & ABOUT
Local music legend LA Buckner & Big Homie are playing at Icehouse tonight.

‍Rainbow, a Chinese restaurant on Eat Street, is offering a vegan-friendly Lunar New Year menu (and non-vegan options, too). The food needs to be pre-ordered by tomorrow for pick-up starting Jan. 26. The menu items will sell out, so order soon. Lunar New Year is Feb. 1.

"Anyone who does anything to help a child in [their] life is a hero."
-Fred Rodgers (and Melody)

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