Inspired
August 21, 2019
Josh and Sheree Savage have invested in four spaces in south Minneapolis that they offer to the public for free.

Hero Plumbing owners build community by offering free use of spaces throughout Minneapolis

A local couple have made four intimate spaces available for free to all community members who need a spot to gather.
Inspired
August 16, 2019
Tony Desnick of Cycling Without Age picked up Sister Susan Smith and Sister Rosalind Gefre for a ride from their home Carondelet Village, through St C

Minn. nursing homes embrace Danish cycling idea that puts older adults on wheels

Cycling Without Age gives older adults with limited mobility a thrilling change of scene on electric bikes.
Inspired
August 16, 2019
After Ivan Mazurkiewicz who has, for more than 14 years, been an EMT/paramedic, experiened a tragic call involving the death of a 5-year old boy, he n

Twin Cities paramedic works magic — literally — when responding to emergencies involving kids

He performs magic tricks for his youngest patients as a way to calm them down and make their ride to the hospital less stressful.
Inspired
August 16, 2019
Tutapona offers emotional healing to victims of war, including Minnesotans

Tutapona offers emotional healing to victims of war, including Minnesotans

More than 50,000 victims of unspeakable trauma have begun to reclaim their lives thanks to this nonprofit's forgiveness model.
Inspired
August 16, 2019
Rob Lawless, right, sits down with Dalina Soto, left, owner of Nutritiously Yours, at Soto's office in WeWork's Northern Liberties location in Philade

28-year old's mission is to meet 10,000 people, one at a time, over next 10 years

This self-described, full-blown extrovert is on a mission to make friends. The process is one he loves so much that he's turned it into a full-time job.
Inspired
August 10, 2019
Collaborative attorney and mediator Ron Ousky.

Edina divorce lawyer creates cards to help couples communicate better and maybe stay together

What if couples had a way to proactively practice talking to one another, not about kids or money stresses or in-laws, but about their own needs, vulnerabilities and desires?
Inspired
August 9, 2019
Rose Barry demonstrates how she mixes assorted ingredients to try and figure out new products that can be made in Africa to help feed the population s

From Minnesota to Africa, local nonprofit connects food experts worlds apart

Minnesota-based Partners in Food Solutions connects U.S. food experts with smaller African companies looking for new ways to feed large populations.
Inspired
August 9, 2019
Provision Community Restaurant is Minneapolis' first pay-what-you-can eatery.

One of Minneapolis' first pay-what-you-can restaurants opening soon

Provision Community Restaurant addresses food insecurity and sustainability.
Inspired
August 9, 2019
credit goes to the Catlin Family.

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
August 2, 2019
Richard Luedtke (center) led conversation and prayer inside the Spirit of St. Stephens Catholic Church Community. ] Shari L. Gross • shari.gros

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
August 2, 2019
Young volunteers participating in a program offered through West Suburban Summer School.

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
August 2, 2019
Creators Space founder Melissa Dessart stood for a portrait in the salt room.

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
August 2, 2019
In this June 19, 2019 photo, Janice Joyce, of Albany, N.Y., closes her eyes and spreads her arms out in an energy connection exercise lead by Carol Ma

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
August 2, 2019
A surfer rides an artificial wave at Citywave Tokyo. MUST CREDIT: The Japan News/Yomiuri

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
July 26, 2019
Each poem is neatly printed on white paper, secured with twine and placed inside a capsule. A lucky few have a poet’s first published poem.

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
July 26, 2019
Courtesy of Kristine Spanier

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
July 26, 2019
Helping Hand Companies is labor of love on Minneapolis' North Side

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
July 26, 2019

Middle East ropes course offers teens a path to peace

Israeli, Palestinian and American teenagers find their voices as peace leaders.
Inspired
July 26, 2019
Chess lover Karen Schmidt, left, plays a lunchtime game of chess with Tyson Supasatit at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle. Supasatit works nearby at

Women players make their move into the world of chess

Karen Schmidt still faces pushback, but mostly enthusiasm, from male players.
The Good Life
July 24, 2019
Children from the TowerLight Child Care Center helped Joan Johnson, from the TowerLight Memory Care Unit, water plants as part of their multigeneratio

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.

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Entertainment, arts and lifestyle news, commentary and features, including things to do and reviews from Minneapolis, St. Paul and Twin Cities venues.