They're part of our community, and in 2014, they were part of the news. In case you need a quick catch-up, here are the people who were included in our Ode to the Year That Was:
Zygi Wilf: Vikings owner has declined to use bird-safe glass in construction of the new stadium in Minneapolis.
Barkhad Abdi: Minneapolis actor nominated for an Academy Award for his role in "Captain Phillips."
Eric Kaler: University of Minnesota president got a five-year contract extension — and a raise.
Olga Viso: Director who led Walker Art Center into its 75th year.
Sally Wingert: Local actress was hailed for her portrayal of Maria Callas.
Tom Bakk: Minnesota Senate majority leader from Cook, pushed for a new state office building.
Glen Taylor: Minnesota Timberwolves owner bought the Star Tribune.
Louise Erdrich: Celebrated Minnesota author won the PEN/Saul Bellow Award.
Dan Barreiro: Radio host and personality.
Lucia Watson: After 30 years at the helm, she sold her Minneapolis restaurant, Lucia's.
Neil Gaiman: The art of prolific author (whom we claim as a homie) was showcased in book described as part biography, part scrapbook.
Bernadeia Johnson: Superintendent of the Minneapolis public schools, resigned.
Jeff Johnson: Hennepin County commissioner ran unsuccessfully for governor.
Stewart Mills: Lost a close election in the Eighth Congressional District.
Wilhelmina Wright: Won election to the State Supreme Court.
Mike Zimmer: Hired in January as head coach of the Vikings.
Jerry Kill: Gophers football coach led team to 8-4 record and won Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Mark Dayton: Was re-elected as Minnesota's governor in November.
Janeé Harteau: Minneapolis police chief shook up leadership of the force.
Bill Pohlad: Produced Oscar-winning movie "12 Years a Slave."
Osmo Vänskä: Returned to the Minnesota Orchestra as director after a lockout and signed a two-year deal.
Garth Brooks: Country music star played for more than 200,000 fans during an 11-show run at Target Center.
Ron Gardenhire: Twins manager was fired after the fourth losing season in a row.
Michele Bachmann: Finished her fourth and last term representing Minnesota's Sixth District in Congress.
Kaywin Feldman: Her position, director and president of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, got an $8 million endowment.
Amy Klobuchar: The U.S. senator wasn't on the ballot, but her party was. In 2015, she'll be in the minority party.
Prince: Minnesota's famed musician released two new albums on the same day.
Tommy Mischke: Former radio personality started a podcast this year.
Nikola Pekovic: The often-injured Timberwolves player sat out much of the season.
Joe Mauer: The beloved Twins catcher moved to first base.
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski: Former Minnesota Orchestra director conducted the first post-lockout concert in a renovated Orchestra Hall.
Blong Yang: Elected to the Minneapolis City Council for a first term.
Abdi Warsame: Elected to the Minneapolis City Council for a first term.
Linea Palmisano: Elected to the Minneapolis City Council for a first term.
Jacob Frey: Elected to the Minneapolis City Council for a first term.
Betsy Hodges: Elected to the Minneapolis City Council for a first term.
Ricky Nolasco: Twins pitcher, acquired in free agency, had a disappointing year.
Brian Cornell: Named Target CEO in July.
The Replacements: Rocked a hometown reunion show at Midway Stadium in September.
Maya Moore: Minnesota Lynx star shined as the WNBA's MVP.
Tom Emmer: Elected to Congress in Minnesota's Sixth District.
Alan Page: Supreme Court justice penned second children's book with his own child, Kamie Page.
Richard Pitino: Finished his first year as Gopher basketball coach and started second in 2014.
Yvonne Prettner Solon: Lieutenant Governor declined a second run with Gov. Dayton.
Joe Dowling: Longtime Guthrie Theater artistic director begins his final season.
Hubert Joly: New CEO of Best Buy surprised shoppers in stores on Black Friday.
Michele MacDonald: Losing Minnesota Supreme Court candidate was convicted of resisting arrest when suspected of driving while impaired.
Terry Ryan: General manager fought to get the Twins out of cellar.
Brian Setzer: Stray Cats musician, now a Minnesotan, released a new record, "Rockabilly Riot."
Kurt Daudt: New speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from Crown.
Lisa Goodman: Minneapolis City Council member whose name rhymes with Woodman. (See below.)
Dave Frederickson: Minnesota agricultural commissioner.
Ricky Rubio: Timberwolves star signed a four-year contract extension, then got sidelined by an injury.
Jonny Lang: Minneapolis-launched musician played a Jimi Hendrix all-star tribute show at the State Theatre.
Stewart Woodman: Local chef (who closed Heidi's in 2013) opened Workshop at Union in Minneapolis.
Al Franken: U.S. senator won his bid for re-election.
Carlos Gomez: Former Twin played in the All-Star Game at Target Field — as a Milwaukee Brewer.
Barb Johnson: Minneapolis City Council member.
Andy Johnson: First-term Minneapolis City Council member.
Connie Nelson and John Wareham contributed to this report.