Recent content from Gail Rosenblum
Before signing off, Gail Rosenblum offers thanks for the best career ever
Retiring Star Tribune writer and editor Gail Rosenblum reflects on 45 fulfilling years as a journalist.
Who inspires you?
A youngster undaunted by health challenges, a teacher seeking out adventures and a woman whose positivity knows no bounds.
St. Louis Park doctor, 85, wrote the book of life — and death
Dr. Stuart Hanson's "A Senior's Guide for Living Well, and Dying Well" offers a thoughtful and compassionate road map for end-of-life decisions.
Inspiring ways to help
Volunteer listings offer many opportunities to connect with Twin Citians in need
South Minneapolis grocery store offers a special on helping
Nonprofit, volunteer-driven Good Grocer forms a partnership to empower the neighborhood.
A grocery store with good at its core
Good Grocer opened on Eat Street one-and-a-half years ago with a mission to serve, build community and provide healthy food to all
Who inspires you?
A doctor leaving a legacy of hostas as good medicine, a retired attorney working to prevent evictions and a runner facing cancer with grace
Twin Cities volunteer opportunities abound
Ways you can help in big ways in as little as one hour a week
Want to help? Volunteer opportunities in the Twin Cities area
Coats for Kids and mentoring are among the ways to help others in the Twin Cities area.
After the loss of her son to the opioid epidemic, a Minnesota mother seeks to change the outcome for others
Buoyed by support from bestselling author Cheryl Strayed, Colleen Ronnei is bringing her educational outreach into schools across the state.
Partners in Policymaking celebrates 35 years of advocacy and training for people with disabilities
Colleen Wieck, executive director of the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Administration, reflects on the program's early challenges and considerable progress.
A fighter, a friend and a frequent volunteer are celebrated this month in 'Who Inspires You'
One faced a dire medical diagnosis with courage, another buoyed her neighbor during COVID. And a third, at 89, is a pillar of River Falls, Wis.
Who Inspires You?
This month, we honor Minnesotans working to help others stay sober, raise healthy babies and face health problems with creative flourish.
Author-coach encourages us to broaden our definition of happiness
Founder of the Society of Happy People believes that all of us can create habits to feel better more often.
Who Inspires You: How to nominate
Tell us who makes a difference in your life. We might feature them in an upcoming Inspired section.
Who inspires you? Minnesotans share tales of kindness
A doctor whose kindness was acknowledged after 40 years, a couple who clean up for good, and the mobilizer of self-care kits for shelters are featured in our monthly reader-driven feature.
Minnesota's PaintCare program makes recycling of unused paint painless
Our state is one of just 10 nationwide which offers more than 250 drop-off sites for proper disposal to keep paint out of landfills.
Minneapolis' oldest co-op celebrates 50 years — and one member who's been there almost as long
Now retired as a manager at Seward Community Co-op, Leo Sanders remains a loyal customer.
In an era of information overload, Excelsior 'intuitive artist' says to trust our gut
Former radio personality Liv Lane has made it her life's work to get us to trust our intuition.
Who Inspires You
This month, we honor a special mom to an accomplished Scout, a lifelong-learning grandpa and a fearless friend.
Hands-on help for Ukrainian kids
Northfield fifth-graders have raised nearly $5,000 for Alight's Ukrainian relief mission with their artistic creations sold at the local farmers market.
For some Minnesotans, the new American dream is cohousing
One well-established Minnesota cohousing community, built on the Danish model of shared spaces and social support, serves as a model for five in development.
Collected too much stuff? How to cut through clutter
Experts offer tips on what to throw out and what to save.
Minnesota graduates thank 'amazing' teachers who helped them succeed
In another transitional year, graduating high school seniors thank the special people who taught them about math, music and meeting deadlines, but also about resilience and the courage to launch big dreams.
After losing everything in a house fire, the Rev. Jen Crow found healing in helping others
A bolt of lightning took everything but her precious family. The experience led the Minneapolis minister on a journey of self-discovery and resilience.
Belting it out, easing hospital jitters, being a good friend
Who Inspires You this month? A 100-year-old Twins fan, a hospital volunteer who lifts patients' spirits and a thirtysomething who has his friends' back.
High school seniors: Tell us who inspired you this year
On Sunday, May 29, our monthly Who Inspires You feature will focus on the special people who made a difference to graduating seniors this year.
Fostering college dreams through Minnesota nonprofit
Hannah Planalp works to lower barriers to higher education for young adults in foster system
Fare For All offers discounted groceries for people facing food insecurity — and anyone else
New Hope-based nonprofit Food Group's Fare For All program offers produce and meat at low cost.
A demanding science teacher, generous baker and early childhood educator make the grade this month
Who Inspires You nominees offer perspective, mentorship and sweet treats across generations
Meet the compost queen of Eden Prairie
Mary Lanners wants everyone to get their hands dirty on behalf of Mother Earth.
Minnesota public health professional has heartening news about HIV treatments
Mariah Wilberg, who has lived with HIV since 2006, travels the country to bust myths and serve as an example of how to thrive.
Two years into COVID, is a gap year a smart move for graduating high school students?
An academic dean weighs in on this and other options in still-uncertain times.
Who inspires you? A caregiver, a Boy Scout, a 108-year-old grandmother
Readers share stories of special people deserving of recognition
School-based dental clinics brings smiles to hundreds of kids in southeastern Minnesota
Let's Smile was founded by a dental hygienist growing worried about what she was seeing among her tiniest patients.
Promoting fairness in funding for Minnesota public schools
Minneapolis consultant and mother offers ideas for how to lessen glaring school funding gap.
Plymouth 10th-grader helps fellow students 'Escape the Vape' with award-winning video
Ashley Zhou, 16, hopes her nonjudgmental approach will keep fellow teens away from e-cigarettes.
Who inspires you? Readers reply with those who buoy us through tough times
Family members, friends and pets all step up to help.
Problem Solvers: Pilot program allows approved Minnesota legal paraprofessionals to represent and advise clients
The two-year pilot aims to increase access to legal help in certain housing and family matters.
North Loop's Avivo Village offers shelters from the storm
Nearly one year after Avivo Village opened in the North Loop, one of its champions talks about its many successes.
After losing a baby, grieving moms donate breast milk to give other newborns the best chance at life
Donors to Minnesota Milk Bank find joy, and sometimes healing, in their gift
Retired Twin Cities executive coach challenges us to focus on 'purpose' this year
Rethinking resolutions: How about thinking more broadly this year?
Sisters age 5 and 6 ID'd as killed in house fire near Bemidji
The girls, ages 5 and 6, were visiting their grandmother while their mother was preparing for Christmas.
Minnesota men help others "man up" to cancer with support and friendship
Two Minnesota cancer survivors are among 18 members selected to promote the growing men's cancer support community
University of Minnesota students create nonprofit to donate unused medications to those who can't afford them
U start-up also cuts down on medical waste.
Photographer John Noltner continues his quest to find peace in America
To counter a growing divisiveness he witnessed as he traveled, he launched "A Peace of My Mind," a multiyear, multimedia arts project sharing stories of the courage and kindness of everyday people.
Richfield woman's handmade cards remind the grieving they aren't forgotten
Twenty-five years and hundreds of cards later, Mary Jane Steinhagen reminds us of the healing power of empathy.
University of Minnesota neuroscientist digs into research on how we can build back trust in institutions, each other
Iris Vilares has long been fascinated by social relationships, and she believes that at the core of all of them is trust. Or lack thereof.
Minnesota's SHIP promotes healthy eating for all our kids
Kristine Igo, director of the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership, shares ideas to ensure that all our kids grow up healthy.
Minneapolis author seeks understanding by studying 'unexamined bias'
Jessica Nordell's "The End of Bias" dives deep to help us transform ourselves and our world.
Brooklyn Park father of two shifts focus from golf course to classrooms, encouraging kids to be nice
Bryan Skavnak is founder of Be the Nice Kid, a business venture that engages students in storytelling and activities designed to build character, courage and compassion.
My Team Triumph is back on course for the Twin Cities 10k and 5k
Minnesota chapter founder and president Ben Delkoski shares more about the organization and why finishing isn't even the most thrilling part.
Bemidji-based Able To Vote is working to increase voter turnout in disability community
For Grace Gouker Littlefield, the 2021 election isn't just about the candidates. It's about who gets to vote for them. After about six years of…
For 20 years, Eden Prairie neighbors have remembered 9/11 with sweet tradition
More than $66,000 in donations later, the Olympic Hills 9/11 Lemonade Stand has become an annual fundraiser.
For chair of Cook County's Oral Health Task Force, dental health is overall health
Paul Nelson champions comprehensive and early dental care for everybody.
Minneapolis forgiveness expert: 'Anger is a doorway to our power but not a house we can live in'
Author of "The New Kitchen Mystic" and "Unconditional Forgiveness," Mary Hayes Grieco is gearing up for a forgiveness workshop specific to these times.
Twin Cities Habitat wins $836,000 HUD grant to keep low-income seniors safer in their own homes
He talks about how the grant will make home indeed a sweet place for hundreds of homeowners.
Minnesota State University, Mankato's sports psychologist tackles mental performance pressures of Olympic scale
A professor in sports psychology at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Cindra Kamphoff has worked with USA Track and Field.
Minneapolis-based Climate Generation helps teachers, parents talk about climate change with kids
Lindsey Kirkland was raised in a farming community in Iowa and "always felt a connection to the land and animals." She pursued a degree in…
31 years after suicide attempt, Chicago woman returns to Faribault to reclaim her life
After years of healing, Jennifer Green returned to Faribault to find peace.
Men, the doctor will see you now and would really like to
Nobody needs a bigger nudge unless they're really sick. Even then, they might not be candid about what ails them.
Center for Victims of Torture director retires after 9 years of leading healing work
Curt Goering was exposed to humanitarian work at an early age. His father managed reconstruction projects in Europe, rebuilding homes and communities after World War II.
Inclusive play specialist Jill Moore of Golden Valley makes sure everyone gets to play
Moore was born with spina bifida and is a full-time wheelchair user. She also swims, plays basketball, skis and has completed 12 marathons.
Inspired Problem Solver Willie Dominguez is a friend to fathers
He shares ideas for luring in reluctant dads to embrace their essential role as role models.
6 grateful Minnesota graduates thank the special person (or pet) who helped them
In their own words, six grateful high school grads pay homage to the special person (or pet) who guided them through COVID-19 and got them to the finish line.
