News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Friday December 19th 2025
Franklin Library News September ’25
FRANKLIN LIBRARY HOURS
Monday 9 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday 12 PM – 8 PM
Wednesday 12 PM – 8 PM
Thursday 12 PM – 8 PM
Friday 9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM
Closures:
Labor Day, Monday, September 1
PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES
Let’s Read!
(Grades K-5)
Starts Sept. 8th
Tuesdays/Thursdays: 4 – 7:30 PM
Saturdays: 2 – 5 PM
Free in-person reading support for K-5 students. Students and trained volunteer tutors meet weekly one-on-one to work on grade level reading skills.
Homework Help
(Grades K-12)
Starts Sept. 8th
Tuesdays/Thursdays: 4 – 7:30 PM
Saturdays: 2 – 5 PM
Free in-person tutoring for K-12 students. No advance sign-up needed.
Connect & Play
Thursday, Sept. 25th
3:30 – 4:30 PM
For children of all ages and their caregivers. Connect with your child during this drop-in program exploring early literacy activities. A licensed Family Educator from Way to Grow will provide support and resources for parents and caregivers.
STEAM Workshop
(Ages 8+)
Starts Sept. 10th
Wednesdays: 5 – 6 PM
Drop in for fun and creative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) experiments and projects! Materials provided. Led by Franklin Library’s teen STEAM Squad.… Read the rest “Franklin Library News September ’25”
Mayor Frey’s La-la Land
By MARTI MALTBY
On July 30, Mayor Jacob Frey sent out a weekly update that claimed, among other things, that “Under Mayor Jacob Frey’s leadership, Minneapolis is seeing meaningful progress in addressing unsheltered homelessness.“ The update went on to tout the lower costs to the City in encampment closures and a reduction in 911 and 311 calls (85% and 87% respectively) involving encampments. Overall, the Update painted a rosy picture of homelessness in Minneapolis under Mayor Frey’s leadership.
I doubt many alley readers agree with Mayor Frey’s message. Yes, the City has cracked down on encampments, reducing many problems associated with encampments. But the problems associated with homelessness . . . well, those are still with us. The crackdown has simply scattered encampment dwellers to other parts of the neighborhoods. And the problems have moved with them.
I don’t need to belabor the point. Anyone who lives or works in Ventura Village, Phillips West, Midtown Phillips, or East Phillips knows how homelessness is affecting this part of the City. Homelessness hasn’t ended, but it has shifted. With the City fencing off so much of its own land, it is sending those with nowhere else to go onto private property.… Read the rest “Mayor Frey’s La-la Land”
August Events
We Are Still Queer
Through September 12
Two Rivers Gallery
Minneapolis American Indian Center
1530 E Franklin Avenue
Free
To celebrate Pride Month and beyond, Two Rivers Gallery is showcasing emerging artists who explore themes of Indigenous LGBTQIA2S+ identity, community, and artistry. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am – 4pm.
Salad Hilowle: Inscriptions
Through Oct. 26
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Avenue
$8 – $15
Free: Thursdays 3 – 8 PM
Swedish artist Salad Hilowle creates poetic multimedia explorations of belonging, spectatorship, and the visibility of the African experience in Sweden over time. Curated by Berlin-based curator Sagal Farah, the exhibit is a collaboration between the American Swedish Institute and The Somali Museum. Visit asimn.org/exhibition/salad-hilowle-inscriptions for more information.
Four Sisters Farmers Market
Thursdays through October
11 AM – 3 PM
1414 E Franklin Avenue
Free
Enjoy local food, handcrafts, and community every Thursday through October at an Indigenous-focused farmers market that celebrates Indigenous pride, health, and well-being. SNAP/EBT benefits, Market Bucks, Gus Produce Market Bucks, cash, and cards are accepted and welcome. In partnership with Hunger Solutions, Four Sisters can match up to $10 of SNAP/EBT benefits (visit market manager table to learn more). Follow the Four Sisters Farmers Market facebook page for the latest weekly programming, including art making, music, food demos, and more!… Read the rest “August Events”
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