It's finally here – introducing our Last Minute Local Gift Guide! When you procrastinate buying your gifts (again) this year, do your late holiday shopping at local stores in your neighborhood. If you shop late, shop local.

No, it's not "last minute" yet. But soon, it will be. You'll thank us then.

This is an evolving document. See anything we missed?  Shoot us a text at 612-204-2887 or use the “Add Context” box at the bottom of the piece.

Melissa Whitler's summary of this week's School Board meeting is up on our site. You can find more details in her live Tweets. There were several interesting moments, including a number of participants who asked the board to shorten the superintendent's next contract, the student representative to the board highlighting the lack of air conditioning in certain schools, and a bunch of key budget items.

This week at SW Voices, Melody introduced herself as our new editor, Henry Pan wrote a wrap-up report on the interviews to become our Met Council representative, we interviewed Emily Koski, and we ran a cross-post of Heavy Table's piece on Wooden Ship Brewing Co.

Thanks for reading, sharing, giving us feedback, criticism, and everything else. We appreciate you.

LINK ROUNDUP

The city has announced a new effort to fight carjacking by focusing on repeat youth offenders that they've identified as being a major source of the problem. Stephanie Kollman, a criminal justice expert at Northwestern, has pushed back on the idea that the issue is all about youth offenders, pointing out that while they're a large portion of the people that get caught, we don't have a ton of data about the ones that don't. (Star Tribune, MPR)

GET INVOLVED

The Park Board released two drafts of the Cedar - Isles master plan this week. You can view both concepts here. We'll have a brief article breaking down both options early next week, but the short version is more nature and more amenities are coming to the area.

They'll be hosting the first of four open houses this Saturday, Dec. 18, 10:00 - 11:30 am at Cedar Lake South Beach. If you can't make it, don't worry, there will be three more open houses (both in-person and virtual) in January. You can fill out a survey with your initial thoughts here.

STUFF TO DO‍

The Holidazzle kicks off tonight at 5 PM in Loring Park and runs tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday.

The Big Holiday Bike Ride, where people will be riding their bikes around looking at holiday lights, kicks off from Smith Triangle (Hennepin & 24th) tomorrow at 5 PM.

This is the last weekend to check out the Armatage holiday light tour and vote on your favorite houses.

Drop your Toys for Tots toys off at Twin Town Guitars and you'll be entered to win a free guitar or amp. Yes, seriously!

The Art Shanty Project is collecting new or gently used gloves, socks (not cotton!), jackets, scarves, snowpants, and new long underwear. They appreciate all adult sizes, as well as kid sizes. Donations can be dropped off at the Ivy building at 2714 E 27th St on Saturday.

Swing by the winter market at La Doña Cervecerìa on Sunday from 12:30 - 6:00 p.m. It's hosted by Market Collective MN, a collective that prioritizes BIPOC vendors and allies.