Inspired
Autistic savant keeps more than 5,000 birthdays in her head and never errs
The addresses and birthdays are not listed in a personal address book but are instead permanently encoded in her brain.
Inspired
![Richard Luedtke (center) led conversation and prayer inside the Spirit of St. Stephens Catholic Church Community. ] Shari L. Gross • shari.gros](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XHIQUI2RVWNPSYJE2CV3ICA6LI.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
For 50 years, this special needs group has offered faith, food and friendship in Twin Cities
The church-based initiative grew out of a time when many people with developmental disabilities moved from large, state-run care facilities to community-care settings.
Inspired
5 Twin Cities tweens find a way to 'make a difference' on summer break
A look at an unusual gifted-and-talented summer school class offered through West Suburban Summer School.
Inspired
A remarkable creative space reopens in St. Paul's Lowertown
The Creators Space is a creativity center and coffeehouse that provides space and tools for creative people to incubate ideas.
Inspired
Far from being 'woo woo,' research shows that forest bathing is calming and stress-reducing
Minnesotans are among many enjoying calming effects of forest bathing.
Inspired
Surfing makes a splash in urban Japan
With the Olympics coming to Tokyo in 2020, artificial waves are all the rage in urban areas.
Inspired
Vending machines with poems raise money, more for writers in Minn. prisons
The hand-cranked vending machines can now be found in bookstores from Minneapolis to Northfield.
Inspired
15 years after ECFE class, these Mpls. families still camp together
They met as new parents long ago, but the expanded Twin Cities group remains close through a shared love of the great outdoors.
Inspired
Helping Hand Companies is labor of love on Minneapolis' North Side
The north Minneapolis business teaches local youths work skills and self-sufficiency, with plenty of fun still included.
Inspired
Middle East ropes course offers teens a path to peace
Israeli, Palestinian and American teenagers find their voices as peace leaders.
Inspired
Women players make their move into the world of chess
Karen Schmidt still faces pushback, but mostly enthusiasm, from male players.
The Good Life
Little kids and 'grandfriends' get care under the same roof in St. Louis Park
When you put a preschool and a senior living facility together, kids gain skills while older adults gain purpose.
Inspired
Meet a 97-year-old Woodbury resident who was one of the first female Marines
June Fremont joined up during WWII, shortly after the Marine Corps authorized a Women's Reserve in 1943.
Inspired
Twin Cities philanthropist sees our best hope for common ground in Citizens Juries
For 45 years, Ned Crosby has randomly selected a microcosm of the population to gather and listen to and learn from experts on pressing societal issues before respectfully brainstorming solutions.
Inspired
Sartell High graduate serves elderly by collecting 4,000 tennis balls for their walkers
Max Fesenmaier is an ace at serving seniors.
Inspired
LGBTQ 'hero's' nonprofit helps other students fulfill their college dreams
A 19-year-old created a nonprofit, with a $25,000 donation from Ellen DeGeneres, to help other kids in need to attend college.
Inspired
![Nawal Noor, is the developer and general contractor for the remodel of Hosmer Library in South Minneapolis. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startri](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XVKM3566HMK7Q5U7QRYQ3UDQQI.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Somali American is trailblazer in a construction field with few women, people of color
As a developer and general contractor, Nawal Noor is leading efforts to diversify the industry.
Inspired
Twin Cities' theater brings magical, free, puppet shows to backyards and parks
For 17 summers, the driveway tour has been roving through the Twin Cities to perform.
Inspired
New nonprofit Let Grow urges parents to land those helicopters and let kids be kids
How do we let go? Minnesota native Diane Redleaf has a suggestion: Practice.
Inspired
Senior walkers embrace idea of coming together for a common purpose
The groups drew inspiration from Moai, a tradition that began in Okinawa, Japan.
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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.