News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Friday December 19th 2025
Dorothy Benson: Daughter”™s Tribute “I guess because they were hungry.”
By MICHELLE BENSON
Dorothy Benson, my mother, was a resident of the Phillips Neighborhood since the early 1950”™s. She and my father fought very hard against “Model Cities”** in the sixties which were trying to isolate and divide Phillips Neighborhood by building freeways like what happened to Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul. They were both very immersed in the DFL (Democratic Farmer Labor party), politics, PNIA (Phillips Neighborhood Improvement Association), and Neighborhood activism.
Philips Neighborhood is where she raised us; a family of six children. While the youngest was in diapers, the oldest was in college. My father worked a day job while my mom had a day care business along with the full time job of raising us, too. However, we were not the only children mom inspired along the way. My sister reminded me of the Christmases when mom took neighborhood kids in, five or six at a time, and they made homemade Christmas cookies from scratch. They would all take their treats home and mom would tell them to “send the next group of kids!”
My mother was very compassionate about the kids. She would always try to find time to read to them out on the porch, or ask them if they were hungry because she knew how important it was and what some of their situations were at home.… Read the rest “Dorothy Benson: Daughter”™s Tribute “I guess because they were hungry.””
Phillips West Neighborhood Upcoming Events
Check out the Phillips West Website:www.phillipswest.info
Phillips West Monthly
Community Meeting
March 6th & April 3rd
(First Thursday) 6-7pm
Join your neighbors and other Community Partners for updates from Local City Government & Minneapolis Police! Meeting will take place at the Center for Changing Lives Building in the Centrum Room (2400 Park Avenue). Free parking is available in the rear of building off of Oakland Avenue. Free Jakeeno”™s Pizza Dinner will be provided! If you would like more information or would like to get involved in the neighborhood please contact Crystal at 612-879-5383 or email her at pwno2005@yahoo.com
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What’s Up at Your Community Libraries
Franklin Library
The Franklin Library renovation is 98% complete! Look for a reopening celebration in the early spring!Â
Seeking nature donations for a Franklin Library Teen Program
A teen-led science and technology program at Franklin Library is looking for donated nature items. We are most interested in found animal skulls and interesting rocks you may have in your home. Please no feathers or small shells. These items will be part of a Nature Trading Program at Franklin Library, which will reopen spring 2020. Please drop off any donations to Hosmer Library: 347 E 36th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408 through March 2020.
Coffee & Conversations (for adults)
Tuesday, March 3, 10am-12pm
Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Join Franklin staff for free coffee and doughnuts, plus special guest performer local hip-hop artist Tufawon
East Lake Library
2727 E. Lake Street
W, F, Sa: 9am-5pm
M, T, Th: 9am-8pm Su: 12-5pm
Youth and Families
Homework Help
M, T, Th: 4-7pm
Free in-person tutoring for K-12 students. No advance sign-up needed. Tutors available September 16 to May 21, except on holidays and school breaks.
Family Storytime
Friday March 13, 2020
Friday, March 20, 2020
Friday, March 27, 2020
Friday, April 3, 2020
10:15-10:45am
For children of all ages and their caregivers.… Read the rest “What’s Up at Your Community Libraries”
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