News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Sunday January 11th 2026
“Celebrate Your Independents”: Stalwart Businesses “Bridging” Shopper”'s Needs for Decades
Left to Right: Janet Robert, President and General Manager for AM950 (Metro IBA Board Member), Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Mary Hamel executive Director Metro IBA
By Julie Ingebretsen
Throughout July, dozens of local independent businesses, who are members of the Metro Independent Business Alliance (Metro IBA) joined forces in a “Celebrate Your Independents” campaign.
“Celebrate Your Independents” offered shoppers exclusive deals, as well as a chance to register to win $1,250 in gift cards from the participating Metro IBA member businesses; including Bibelot Shops, Butter Bakery Café, Electric Fetus, First Tech, Ingebretsen”'s Scandinavian Gifts, Linden Hills Co-op, Midwest Mountaineering, Peapods, Trotter”'s Café, Warners”' Stellian and others.
The campaign kicked-off with an event at Ingebretsen”'s on Thursday, June 30, where Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie spoke to the importance of supporting local businesses.
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Meet Soren Jensen, the new Executive Director of the Midtown Greenway Coalition
Soren Jensen
Soren has more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, including management positions with the National Parks Conservation Association, American Red Cross, and Sabathani Community Center. He has also worked for Target Corporation, where he managed the United Way campaign and employee volunteerism for Dayton”'s, Hudson”'s, and Marshall Field”'s stores across the Upper Midwest.
One of the things we really liked about Soren was the depth of his non-profit management experience. He has all the essential skills you need in a non-profit leader, including extensive experience with fundraising, marketing, finance and volunteer management. He is well-positioned to lead our organization into the future.
– Michael Nelson, Board President
Like so many people in the Minneapolis area, I treasure the Midtown Greenway. It has made has made a noticeable impact on the quality of life in our community, from providing transportation across town, to creating beautiful green urban spaces for both exercise and reflection, to influencing urban planning and neighborhood revitalization. I am honored to have been selected to continue the Coalition”'s important work.
– Soren Jensen, ED of the Midtown Greenway Coalition
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Thank you Tim for decades of gracious, dedicated work “Bridging” Minneapolis
By Harvey Winje
The adjacent article by Tim Springer is reprinted with permission from the Midtown Greenway Coalition newsletter “Pathways.” The Alley appreciates having this farewell in Tim”'s own words. Another article by a writer familiar with the saga of this Phillips resident and organizer who has done yeoman”'s work for nearly two decades. There are very people who have navigated the “mine fields” of funding, regulation, political and bureaucratic protocols and egos, successfully for such a long time. Thank you, Tim, for your gracious, dedicated service to this Community and to the City. Because of his initiatives in marshalling hundreds of Greenway workers, the future is bright and even greener. You have truly “bridged” many obstacles assisting many citizens of creating this wonderful amenity to our lives”“the Midtown Greenway.
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