Inspired
![Ellen Pillsbury practices what she preaches -- working to get everybody to embrace safe walking to all, or at least most, of their destinations. ] Sha](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/O2ZUF7P2VSI6N7DJHTX2HJ47TM.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
This Minnesotan is doing her part in the fight to make local communities more walkable
Ellen Pillsbury helps lead the Minnesota Department of Health's Walkable Community Workshops.
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![Community health worker Adar Kahin talked to Ahmed Mohamed about the harmful effects of smoking. He smokes a pack a day.] Smoking is a longtime tradit](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/YGN2LWIOHU5IFNUH72WEU6BWQY.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Twin Cities Somali American community is focus of new anti-smoking campaign
The program estimates that smoking prevalence for Somali American adults in Minnesota is 24%, much higher than that for adults overall.
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Hands-On Twin Cities offers a range of opportunities. Learn more about which groups need volunteers at handsontwincities.org or 612-379-4900.
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Chalk art creations popping up on Mpls. sidewalks encourage mental health breaks
Since April, a local artist has left a couple hundred chalk sketches throughout the city encouraging passersby to stop and take a moment for themselves.
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![Richard Mclemore spoke to a group of law students at Mitchell Hamline School of Law September 04,2019 in St. Paul, MN.] Jerry Holt • Jerry.holt](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/JH45O4NYVGTQ7YKVD26KRP3U6A.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota's largest community foundation helps give former inmates a second chance
Over the past five years, the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundations has awarded a growing amount of money to organizations focused on criminal justice reform.
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Minneapolis time-management guru turns procrastinators into goal-setters
For 30 years, the Brooklyn Park-based owner of Uniquely Yours Consulting has been helping people, mostly by getting out of their own way.
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'Fantastical' idea to bike across U.S. gets real as a way to honor his brother
He plans to ride 4,764 miles over 107 days as a tribute to his brother who died from leukemia.
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Comcast customer rep and her supervisor help save man's life in Michigan
The man was having a stroke 890 miles away.
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'Masterchef Latino' finalist is living, cooking and inspiring his own way
"MasterChef Latino" finalist is first participant using wheelchair.
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Oak Park Heights man repays 80-year-old debt to group that helped him as a teenager
Les Heggernes, 94, collects towels and toiletry items for the 400 homeless people who find shelter at the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities each night.
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Lake Hiawatha's guardian artist uses sculptures to call attention to trash problem
In his Minneapolis neighborhood and at City Hall, Sean Connaughty has become known as the lake's outspoken caretaker.
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New roommate matchmaker Rumi connects caregivers, people with disabilities
Blake Elliott, vice president of operations for Rumi's parent company, Bridges MN, explains why he feels the timing is right for this service.
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Chess-playing prisoners take on fellow inmates in worldwide online tournament
Chess-playing prisoners take on fellow inmates in online tournament.
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Adapted guitar program at Southwest High turns special kids into rock stars
Southwest High School music educator Ruth LeMay teaches music through color-coded guitars.
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Minnesota is No. 1 in AmeriCorps members: 'I love to see these kids'
AmeriCorps — sometimes called the domestic Peace Corps — is demonstrating measurable success, aided by a robust Minnesota presence.
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Girl born with half a heart overflows with love, hope
After 7 heart surgeries in 7 years, girl remains hopeful for a transplant.
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A 50-year commitment to one another and to justice helps seal
A commitment to one another, and to justice, seals 50-year bond.
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Minnesota rocker Mick Sterling pays bills to help people catch up financially
'Online bartender' Mick Sterling pays bills so people can catch up.
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Woman unravels mystery of letter from 1967 that arrived in her mailbox
It began as a mystery in the mailbox — a letter originally postmarked in 1967 and labeled "Return To Sender."
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Twin Cities' Art Buddies bring youthful dreams to life in cardboard, cloth and duct tape
The nonprofit mentorship program matches adults from the Twin Cities creative industry with low-income students, serving about 300 children a year in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
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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.
