News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Sunday December 14th 2025
BYI Teams Creating Connections and Resources for Health
By Janice Barbee, Cultural Wellness Center
In the last two months the BackYard Initiative Update highlighted the work of eleven Citizen Health Action Teams (CHATs) that have been working over the past year to improve the health of BYI residents. There are a total of 14 CHATs now meeting in the Backyard community and this update highlights the work of the other seven CHATs.
The Backyard is defined as the approximately one square mile area surrounding Allina”'s corporate headquarters. Residents of these seven neighborhoods in south Minneapolis have been supported by the Cultural Wellness Center to develop and implement their ideas for community health improvement since December of 2008. Allina has been contributing the funds for these projects, with additional support from Twin Cities LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation).
Each of the CHATs is growing the community”'s capacity to increase residents”' knowledge and skills that help people to take better care of themselves.
12. Project S.E.L.F. CHAT: This team began under the leadership of a young Somali man who had a vision for strengthening the connection between youth and elders in the Somali community by open mic performances, storytelling, and dialogue. The CHAT has hosted an event every month, except during Ramadan, has held two open mic events, two mother-daughter events, several story-telling sessions for young children, and a large community picnic last summer.… Read the rest “BYI Teams Creating Connections and Resources for Health”
LOW after ZOO ANIMAL on TOMBSTONE STAGE June 9th fed by Hola Arepa and Dandelion Kitchen
By Sue Hunt Weir
Zoo Animal performing at 5:30 p.m. and Low taking the stage at 7:00 p.m. Hola Arepa and Dandelion Kitchen will sell some great food during the concert. This is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event. In addition to the music, there will be fun activities for kids and If you missed last year”'s benefit concert at Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery (and even if you didn”'t””maybe especially if you didn”'t), you”'ll have another chance to hear some great music in one of Minneapolis”'s most unusual and interesting concert venues. On Saturday, June 9th, Indie band Low, with special guest Zoo Animal, will headline the second annual benefit concert at Minneapolis”' Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery (2925 Cedar Avenue South).
Low, one of the best-known indeed rock groups to come out of Minnesota formed in Duluth in 1993. The band consists of Alan Sparhawk, Mimie Parker, and Steve Garrington. Often labeled slowcore, their music has also been described as “hypnotic and entrancing” by nationally renowned music critic Jim Derogatis. Low”'s performance will include songs from their most recent album, C”'mon, which music critic Chris Riemenschneider calls “some of the prettiest, warmest music they have made together.”
Proceeds from the performance will help support our efforts to restore the historic steel and limestone pillar fence that serves as the border of the cemetery along Lake Street and Cedar Avenue.… Read the rest “LOW after ZOO ANIMAL on TOMBSTONE STAGE June 9th fed by Hola Arepa and Dandelion Kitchen”
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