Here is our Monday newsletter, delivered to inboxes all over Minneapolis. Sign up for our newsletter at the bottom our homepage.
As the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and ESPs continue contract negotiations with Minneapolis Public Schools, the community is preparing for a possible teacher and ESP strike that could begin as early as tomorrow. We have compiled a list of childcare, drop-in centers, and food resources for parents and caregivers . Please share these resources and text or email us with any resources you'd like to add: 612-204-2887, info@southwestvoices.news. You can always use the "add context" box at the bottom of any story to share resources, too.
Superintendent Ed Graff sent out a video update at the end of last week with details for parents in the event of a strike.
Details from the district:
- All MPS classes and before & after school programs will be cancelled
- The district will provide extremely limited childcare options for kids from PreK-5th Grade (they encourage families to find other options if possible to save these slots for families most in need)
- A meal bag with one breakfast and one lunch will be available for pickup at your child's school every day
- School-based clinics and mental health services will continue to be availble at your child's school
- Varsity athletics will continue, and JV and B-squad athletes will as well if adult supervision is available
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Well that was a fun storm on Saturday night and now we have a Snow Emergency. We are on Day Two which requires drivers to park their vehicles on the odd side of the streets. When the even side of the street is plowed or after 8 p.m., move your vehicle to the even side of the street to prep for Day Three. You got this!
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Local organizations are doing a lot of work to support Ukrainian citizens and refugees.
The East Side Neighborhood Serves has a donation drop-off location at Cafe Gigi's. All items collected will be transported to Poland and into the hands of displaced Ukrainians. Donations will be expected through Thursday, March 10. People who bring donations to Cafe Gigi's get a free cookie! Materials they are collecting include baby formula, blankets, canned food, diapers, and first aid kits. You can find more information about donations here.
Alight, a Northeast Minneapolis organization formally known as American Refugee Committee, is collecting monetary donations here.
WCCO has also collected a list of organizations helping the people of Ukraine.
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GET IN TOUCH ☎️
We will be in Whittier this week for our neighborhood listening tour. On Wednesday from 10-11:30 a.m. we will be at Wesley Andrews Coffee + Tea at 111 26th St. East. We are doing a much bigger walk around on Friday. Stay turned for the full schedule in the newsletter tomorrow.
Want to see us feature something in your neighborhood? Text us at 612-204-2887. Sign up for our weekly text messages at the bottom of our homepage.
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LINK ROUNDUP 🔗
Tove Moen, managing editor at The Navigator, the Southwest High School news publication, wrote an opinion piece about Superintendent Ed Graff's leadership. (The Navigator)
Local investigative reporter Sam Richards and MIT Technology Review reporter Erin Ryan-Mosley published a story about law enforcement agencies in Minnesota carrying out "a secretive, long-running surveillance program targeting civil rights activists and journalists in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd in May 2020." (MIT Technology Review)
The intersection of East Minnehaha Parkway and 50th Street will see some safety improvements by fall 2022. (Minneapolis Park and Recreation)
More local eatery news! Uptown Diner is opening up a second location on Hennepin Ave. South next to Urban Outfitters and Zettas is morphing into Yeah Yeah Tacos. (Racket)
COMMUNITY RESOURCES 💪
Tonight at 6 p.m., Move Minnesota is hosting an online info session about Lake Street and mass transit. Reps from Hennepin County, City of Minneapolis, and Metro Transit will present on planned Lake Street improvements, including the Hiawatha/Lake intersection and the new METRO B Line Bus Rapid Transit.
If you ride Metro Transit, make sure to review the announced schedule updates. In our area, Routes 6 and 23 are impacted.
Plant some trees for cheap! Starting today, Minneapolis property owners in the city's "green zones" can order 5-8 foot trees for $30 each to plant on their private property. If you are a renter, tell your landlord about this opportunity.
OUT & ABOUT 🛵
Dave Power is Icehouse's Monday night jazz resident and guest curator for March. Power’s March Madness Mondays feat. Experimental Improvisatory Sounds starts tonight at 8 p.m.
