Become a SW Voices member, local boxing champ, Jerry Garcia music

Welcome to our first ever MEMBERSHIP DRIVE! ‍
Hello, newsletter readers. We heard your shouts yesterday at Open Streets. "We love your newsletter!" "How do you do that everyday?" "Thanks for covering the news in our area!"

The outpouring of support means the world to us, it really does.

If you don't financially support us, we ask that you do that today. Our goal is to have 112 new members or one-time donors by the end of June.

Your support will pay for a summer of original, hyperlocal community news coverage – and keep this newsletter going.

If you are already a member, can you encourage three family members, friends, or community members to become members this week? Make sure they give you a shout out so we can send you a personal thanks, too!

If you want to help spread the word, here's a handy dandy hyperlink to do so.

Thank you for supporting community journalism.

-Melody, Charlie, and Andrew

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Open Streets yesterday, Southwest Voices member Jason Garcia walked into Iconos on Lyndale and noticed a party going on. Cuban music filled the restaurant and a group of people were up dancing along.

Turns out, it was a celebration for David Morrell Jr., a local boxer, who had just defended his championship title on Saturday at The Armory. Thanks to Jason for sending in an article about our local boxing champion.

Monday Meeting Review

Note: each link will send you to the meeting agenda, if it's already available.

Minneapolis City Council and committees
The Business, Inspections, Housing & Zoning Committee meets tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. I am taking an educated guess that the new food hall highlighted in this recent on-the-street reporting is named Eat Street Crossing, based on the committee's public hearing for that location.

The Public Works & Infrastructure Committee meets at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Once the agenda is posted, we will include it in our newsletter.

Most city meetings are on Comcast Channel 14 or 799, City Council TV, or the City's YouTube channel. Here is how you can participate in the meetings.

MPS School Board
No meetings scheduled until June 14.

All Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education meetings are held at the John B. Davis Education Service Center at 1250 W. Broadway Ave. You can watch livestreamed meetings in real time or recordings of the meetings after they conclude.

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
The Park Board's Committee of the Whole meets Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Powderhorn Park.

Hennepin County
Tomorrow, the Hennepin County Board and Regional Railroad Authority meet at 1:30 p.m.

Hennepin County meetings can be watched live via Microsoft Teams and meetings recordings are also made available. C losed captioning for board meetings can be accessed here.

Met Council
The Met Council meets on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Agenda links include a YouTube video that goes live for each meeting.

LINK ROUNDUP 🔗

Check out video and pictures of the LOTI pencil sharpening party from the Wedge LIVE!. If you are lost as to what the heck we are talking about, we summarized the spectacle before it happened.

I was on the Wedge LIVE! podcast again. This time, to launch a new program called "Monthly with Melody" which includes my own theme song. Each month-ish, John and I will discuss news that Southwest Voices covers and whatever else John throws my way. (Wedge LIVE!)

The proposed Tenants Opportunity to Purchase policy is seemingly stalled. The policy would allow Minneapolis renters to be the first in line to purchase the property they live in. (Star Tribune)

According to Star Tribune reporter Paul Walsh, "the state trial of two fired Minneapolis police officers charged in connection with the death of George Floyd two years ago has been delayed from next week until January." (Star Tribune)

Southwest High School journalist Julia Lynch reviews Domino's pizza. (The Navigator)

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES 💪

The LynLake Street Art Series is raising funds to support street artists for their time, talent, and experience.

Did you know the City of Minneapolis has cultural radio programs on KMOJ 89.9 FM (English), La Raza 95.7 FM (Spanish), KALY 101.7 FM (Somali) and WIXK AM 1590 (Hmong)? Here is a list of the radio shows schedule and audio files of past programs.

If you’ve fallen behind on your mortgage or other housing expenses because of COVID, apply now for the state’s HomeHelpMN program.

Heads up – Excelsior Boulevard will be reduced to one lane at Abbott Avenue all week.

Check out the Story Stroll and Food Drive in Pershing Park all week. Stroll through the park and read "The Last Stop on Market Street," then drop off food for the Aliveness Project. "The story is about appreciating differences, finding beauty all around us even in unlikely places, and helping out-being an active community member."

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OUT & ABOUT 🎵

At 7:30 p.m.at the Lake Harriet Bandshell is Ragged but Right, music from The Jerry Garcia Band.

Birth is playing with 58 Belvedere at Icehouse tonight.\

If you are looking for something chill, may I suggest open board game night at Tower Games? Bring your own games or use their ample demo game selection.