Inspired
Minnesota woodturners' boxes give sick kids a place for beads of courage
Through the Beads of Courage program, a child receives a colored bead for each treatment milestone — an overnight stay in the hospital, a blood draw, a round of chemotherapy.
Inspired
Safekeeping for cellphones offers relief to people facing homelessness
Last summer, a Chicago shelter installed small lockers where people can charge their cellphones overnight — and lock them up.
Inspired
Faribault celebrates the virtuous life with community effort to bring out its best
A group of residents felt that now was the time to encourage people to bring out the best in themselves. Thus was born Faribault's Virtues Project.
Inspired
Community rallies to save a unique treehouse
In a California community, people are supporting Brian Esola's treehouse, lamenting its possible removal and offering to help.
Inspired
North side teens dream big with sweet Green Garden expansion
Green Garden grows vegetables in its community garden, bakes them into healthy vegetable-based desserts for every diet, and markets them using sustainable practices.
Inspired
Problem Solvers: Learning Buddies give kids a boost in school
Program manager Erin Walloch, a former teacher with a master's degree in multicultural education, schools us in the program, which matches seniors with struggling students.
Inspired
Firefly Sisterhood offers support to women facing breast cancer
The St. Louis Park nonprofit started in 2014 and has since matched 740 breast cancers patients with mentors who have survived breast cancer.
Inspired
Cool Beans coffee cafe offers specials perks to students with special needs
One of the shop's main goals is to prepare the students for life after school.
Inspired
Friends' quick thinking saved Minnesota buddy mauled by grizzlies
As Tom Therrien and Todd Green half-ran through the rugged Beartooth Mountains that divide Wyoming and Montana, they prayed for help.
Inspired
Bald eagle swoops in to join firefighters' 9/11 tribute in Minnesota
Viral video shows the majestic American symbol atop a fire truck in Coon Rapids.
Inspired
Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota bolsters health of children with on-site attorney
Brianna Boone has long been drawn to work that improves the lives of people living on the margins, but she never imagined where she'd set up shop.
Inspired
Campus food shelves in Minnesota fight growing food insecurity, stigma
Food insecurity on a college campus can be anything from missing a few meals to forgoing meals several dozen times in a semester.
Inspired
He saw the worst of the Nazi war machine; after 70 years, he saw his Bronze Star
The tough-it-out attitude in the armed forces can discourage some people from coming forward.
Inspired
St. Paul couple restore and give away hundreds of bicycles a year
For the hundreds of people each year who receive free bicycles from Mr. Michael Recycles Bicycles, it feels pretty magical.
The Good Life
Words of wisdom for parents about to face an empty nest
A clinical therapist at the Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wis., offers parents guidance to find joy in new possibilities.
Inspired
St. Paul police officer honored with two lifesaving awards
St. Paul's Alexander Graham kept two victims from bleeding to death.
Inspired
How a lost wallet at the State Fair renewed my faith in Minnesotans
I figured somebody had picked my pocket.
Inspired
St. Paul artist's tiny talisman lifts morale of deployed troops and their families
For a dozen years, Pat Benincasa's medal of Joan of Arc has been worn on dog tags by thousands of American servicemen and servicewomen, as well as clutched by those in crisis.
Inspired
After 60 years, couple renew vows in Robbinsdale dry cleaner parking lot
Children hold surprise renewal of vows for parents — married 60 years — on site where their church once stood.
Inspired
Minnesota's Master Water Stewards tackle pollution with grassroots approach
Master Water Stewards protect Minnesota's pristine resource — by the yard.
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Variety
Entertainment, arts and lifestyle news, commentary and features, including things to do and reviews from Minneapolis, St. Paul and Twin Cities venues.
