News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Sunday December 21st 2025
Running Wolf Fitness Center: A Wellness Dream Betrayed. Will We Save It?
By Robert Albee
Quite often, I sit in our conference room overlooking the westside entrance to the Phillips Community Center. There I usually see a stream of people entering the building, standing by the door to Running Wolf Fitness Center waiting to be let inside. Or it”'s somebody leaving, having worked on their physical fitness routines. Almost everyone is smiling whether coming or going! All that could go away soon, perhaps in a month or two.
It seems like Running Wolf”'s sponsoring organizations, Native American Community Clinic and the Indian Health Board are dumping Running Wolf and have quit seeing its value and it”'s profound impact on the rest of the Community. Building the program, they received considerable funding from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and U-Care of Minnesota, who invested close to $100,000 to get Running Wolf started. Now it seems as if they don”'t care if these assets remain in Indian Country or become alienated. Do they even care who they toss the keys to as they focus more on their clinical operations?
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Success By Leaps and Bounds “Look if I can do it anyone can”¦”
By Connie Norman
Hello from Running Wolf Fitness Center. Wow its June already! I wanted to share another special Running Wolf fitness Center success story with you. This is for all of us who struggle to develop a regular routine of exercise and wellness activities so you can live a healthier life.
Late last November Mr. Jackson came into Running Wolf after being dropped off by Metro Mobility. Mr. Jackson used a rolling walker and had serious one sided weakness and balance issues since a diagnosis of severe spinal stenosis and muscle atrophy a year before. His goal was to get stronger, develop better balance and be able to increase his endurance in walking and standing. He worked out 3- 4 times a week and worked with our trainer to develop a good progressive workout routine. He also was able to use the large Park Board gym in the Phillips Community Center building to focus on walking endurance with our trainer.
One day while he was at Running Wolf- he asked about the other programs he saw in the building. I gave him a tour and he met with the Waite House Chef Austin Bartold ”“ who instructs the 6 week Adult Culinary arts program as well as cooks and serves food daily at the center.… Read the rest “Success By Leaps and Bounds “Look if I can do it anyone can”¦””
Museum in the Streets 5 reasons to explore
By Holly Harrison
Lake Street is never short on shopping, dining, and festivals., There”'s one activity available 24/7. The Museum in the Streets””over 70 plaques spread along 5 miles that picture and describe places of historical interest.
1. You can become a Lake Street history buff in one day. Lake Street has seen it all. After a little walking and reading, you”'ll have had a fascinating glimpse about the individuals, stories, and events that made Lake Street what it is today. A bonus is that you can use this knowledge to impress (or annoy) your less Lake Street- savvy friends.
2. Become a Lake Street 2013 buff in one day. Lake Street is bustling and it”'s easy to miss its treasures while driving. While walking you”'ll probably spot murals and other public art you didn”'t notice before and enjoy a great meal in a restaurant you”'d overlooked.
3. The tours are self-guided. Busy schedule? Luckily you can take in the Museum in the Streets on your own with a handy brochure available at stores.
4. Visits needn”'t be alone. Preserve Minneapolis will give tours this summer.
5. There”'s a free Spanish/English lesson in it for you. All three, area tours are featured in side-by-side English and Spanish, which is both convenient and a sort of time capsule of Lake Street in 2013.… Read the rest “Museum in the Streets 5 reasons to explore”
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