News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Saturday December 20th 2025
Make your garbage beautiful
By Patrick Cabello Hansel
Have you seen the beautiful mosaics on concrete garbage and recycling containers around Phillips? Would you like one on yours? Â
Those mosaics are the work of the Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts @ St Paul”'s Lutheran and its artistic director, Pastor Luisa Cabello Hansel. Pastor Luisa and other community artists would love to work with you and your neighbors to create a unique mosaic that will last decades.In the process, you will learn how to do mosaic, and maybe meet some new people in our community.
The Semilla Center also is looking for youth ages 11 to 15 who are interested in learning about community art this summer. Our Young Leaders program trains youth for the job market and leadership in the community. Youth earn stipends while creating together. Career day visits to artists, theaters and museums connect youth with possible professions in the arts.
For information on either of these programs, call 612-724-3862 or e-mail: semillacenter@gmail.com. And like “Semilla Center” on Face Book, ¡por favor!
PollinatingÂ
Phillips
As we know, pollinators are crucial for life. Without butterflies, bees and other insects, many of the foods we eat would not be available.… Read the rest “Make your garbage beautiful”
Briefs
Help bump up recycling
Funding is available to neighborhood and community nonprofit organizations in Minneapolis to conduct outreach focused on increasing participation in the city”'s residential organics recycling program. Participating organizations will receive training, funding and environmental education resources to conduct a project in their communities. Contact: jessica.arika@hennepin.us or 612-348-3025.
Help mow for seniorsÂ
Senior Community Services is a city of Minneapolis partner organization, and its HOME Program mows lawns for seniors in Hennepin County. The HOME Program is seeking helpers to mow lawns every 7-10 days and use a weed whip once a month for $16 per hour. Mowers must supply their own lawn mower and weed whip and set their own schedule. Contact Bethany at seasonalwork@seniorcommunity.org or call 952-767-7886.Â
Rethink I-94 over free mealÂ
Share a free family-style, sit-down meal with the communities surrounding I-94 and I-35W on Thursday, May 2, 5-8 p.m. at Franklin Steele Park off Portland Ave. This is an opportunity for neighbors to meet, share a table, and have a conversation with MnDOT staff and construction workers about rethinking I-94.The meal will include halal, vegan, and gluten free options, and there will be kids activities. More at: mndot.gov/I-94minneapolis-stpaul
Norway House to expand
The country of Norway has pledged NOK 1.5 million (around USD $175,000) to Norway House in Minneapolis.… Read the rest “Briefs”
Letter to community: Arsenic levels map confusing
The April 2019 Alley page 3 shows a map with a confusing description: “Childhood elevated blood lead, arsenic & asthma per 10,000 people.”
 It should be clarified to show that the arsenic levels were in soil, not blood. Soil with greater than 95 ppm (or mg/kg) was removed in an extensive project by 2008.   For more information about arsenic, see https://www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/spills/incidentresponse/superfund/southmplsressoil
My neighbor”'s yard in Seward was removed and replaced with new soil because of arsenic. I agree that children in Phillips bear excess burdens of a contaminated environment. Lead remains a major issue because of lead paint and poor removal practices that allowed lead to go into the soil.
Jim Haefemeyer
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