The results are in (and they're beautiful) 🙌

Happy Tuesday, friends. Tomorrow I'm heading to Yosemite with my wife to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. Hard to believe a decade has flown by. We'll spend the rest of the week hiking around the park (and maybe attempting a Half Dome day hike if we're feeling ambitious), but don't worry: next week's newsletter will still be packed with local adventures and connections. This week I've lined up a great cat extravaganza, multiple bike events, the Stone Arch Bridge Festival, and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors. Enjoy!

—James

Okay friends, the results from last week's volunteer event questionnaire are here, and they paint a pretty clear picture of what gets this community fired up about giving back. A hearty thank you to all of you who took the time to share your input.

The winner? Supporting families in transition tied with environmental cleanup projects as your top choices, with animal welfare coming in strong third.

For timing, Saturday mornings emerged as the clear favorite, followed closely by weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Most of you prefer medium-sized groups (11-20 people) for that sweet spot of impact and community connection.

Here’s what’s next: Mai-Linh and I will reach out to 2-3 social impact organizations to determine who’s a good fit for our preferences and to start scheduling our first group volunteer session in late June or early July. Keep an eye out for more details next week, including how to sign up.

Can’t wait to see all the good we can do together!

This week is apparently all about animals and alliteration. Meet these two playful Great Pyrenees pups, Mika and Magnus. Our feline friends are Forest and Finnick, both kind and affectionate kittens. They’re all looking for loving homes—could it be yours?

Want to make a difference in your community? Here are three ways you can help support important local projects:

Bridge to Basics provides essential hygiene products to local non-profits, ensuring everyone can show up for school, work, and community life with dignity. Help by assembling hygiene kits at home or work for families or housing-insecure neighbors. Build kits for families or housing insecure neighbors

Small Sums equips individuals experiencing homelessness with gear, training, and transportation to start new jobs. Their Summer Community Day on July 14th offers additional resources to achieve long-term stability. Volunteers are needed for interview prep, resume support, LinkedIn registration, and services from barbers or photographers. Get involved

Ruff Start Rescue is dedicated to saving the lives of at-risk animals. Join their new Young Professionals Board! Connect with changemakers while networking, volunteering, and fundraising to help Minnesota's people and pets. One-year commitment with real impact. Learn more

Want to feature an event with a poster? Reach out here

Start your Saturday morning with intention at a yoga fundraiser for the Jeremiah Program, a nonprofit empowering single mothers to break the cycle of poverty through education, childcare, and housing support. Flow through a one-hour class in a private garden overlooking the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, then enjoy pastries and hear from a current JP mom.

When: Saturday, June 14th, 11:00am
Where: 47 Groveland Terrace, Minneapolis
Cost: $40 (100% of proceeds empower JP families)

Get your paws on the Great Cat Extravaganza at MidCity Farmers Market! Free supplies, adoptable bottle-fed kittens, fostering info from Pet Haven, plus cat toys and accessories. Adventure cats welcome—wear your cat apparel!

When: Wednesday, June 11th, 4-8pm
Where: 693 Raymond Ave, St. Paul

🆓 - free event admission
🐕 - dog-friendly (qualifiers like patio-only will be mentioned in the event description)

Nokomis Farmers Market Opening Day, 4-8pm at 5167 Chicago Ave, Mpls 🆓 🐕
Season kickoff for this beloved market—local produce, makers, community fun.

Wirth on Wednesdays - Mountain Bike Race Series, 4:15pm at Theodore Wirth Park, Mpls
Mountain biking races for all ages and skill levels, with celebration and prizes. Online registration available right up until race start time.

Groovin' In The Garden: Innocent Reggae Band, 6-8pm at Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, St. Paul 🆓
Free outdoor reggae concert, family activities, the Brick Oven Bus Food Truck, and drinks for purchase at the Como Gardens.

Plant Swap, 6-9pm at Dual Citizen Brewing Co., St. Paul 🆓 🐕
Bring plants or cuttings to swap with fellow plant lovers at a friendly local brewery.

Break the Bubble, 6-9pm at Dual Citizen Brewing Co., St. Paul 🆓 🐕
Meet new people in a relaxed networking event; ideal for making authentic local connections.

Freedom to Listen (feat. Peter Brendler, Jon Irabagon, and Mark Ferber), 7pm at Berlin MPLS, Mpls
See nationally acclaimed jazz musicians perform a unique set in an intimate venue. $22.

Coven Northeast Grand Opening!, 9am - 5pm at Nordøst Building, Mpls 🆓
Free coworking, food, activities, and local connections—discover The Coven's new space.

Taste of Chile, 4-8:30pm at Luce Line Brewing Co., Plymouth 🐕
Sample Chilean cuisine from Minnesota's first all-electric food truck.

Meet at Mia: Summer Series 2025 – Summer Kickoff, 5pm at Target Park, Mpls 🆓
Live outdoor music, art making, and the Eggroll Queen food truck.

Lowertown Sounds: Free Summer Concert Series - June 12, 6pm at Mears Park, St. Paul 🆓 🐕
Outdoor music fest with live bands, food trucks, and local craft beer, supporting Cookie Cart.

Art Opening & Open Studios at the Kickernick, 6-8pm at Kickernick Building, Mpls 🆓
Browse new local art, meet artists, and explore creative studios for free.

East Side Farmers Market, 4-7pm at East Side Sculpture Park, St. Paul
Fresh veggies, herbs, and community connection the second Friday of every month.

You Haul Art Crawl 2025, 5pm at Bauhaus Brew Labs, Mpls 🆓
Mobile art pop-ups at 3 NE Minneapolis spots.

Saint Paul Board Game Group, 6:30-10pm at Dual Citizen Brewing Co., St. Paul 🆓 🐕
Join the Friday board game night—bring your favorite game or join a table.

Candle Making & Painting Class, 6:30pm at Simply Creative, Mpls
DIY candle pouring and painting class; leave with 3 custom candles. Supplies/step-by-step included. $55.

Juneteenth Fun Run & 5K, 7:30am at Theodore Wirth Park, Mpls 🆓
All ages 5K and fun run celebrating Juneteenth; snacks, music, community, and free shirts. Registration is a sliding scale from free to suggested donations.

Welcome to the Farm, 10am-12pm at Linden Hills Library, Mpls 🆓
Learn about localized foods with Guerrilla Pastures, featuring interactive farm animals for hands-on experience.

Stone Arch Bridge Festival (Day 1), 10am-7pm at West River Parkway, Mpls 🆓 🐕
200+ artists, live music, family activities, vintage car show, and specialty markets along the Mississippi River.

Dog and Puppy Adoption Event with Healing Hearts Rescue, 12pm at Forgotten Star Brewing Co, Fridley 🆓
Meet adoptable dogs and socialize.

Twin Cities Brewvet: Brewery Bike Tour, 12-8pm ends at Forgotten Star Brewing, Fridley
Bike tour of 35 local breweries with prizes for stops. $20 to register.

Bikes and Botany, 2-4pm at Hosmer Library, Mpls 🆓
Free bike tune-up clinic with Full Cycle plus fresh neighborhood produce from Plant-Grow-Share staff.

Asian Street Food Night Market, 3-11pm at 425 Rice St, St. Paul 🆓
Savor Asian street food, vibrant entertainment, and cultural celebrations at this lively two-night outdoor market.

District 10 Lake Como Cleanup, 5-8pm at Dock & Paddle, St. Paul 🆓
Volunteer with neighbors to pick up litter and help keep Lake Como beautiful.

Michael Cain Trio (with Barbara Cohen & Terrell X), 7:30pm at Berlin MPLS, Mpls
Live jazz by top local musicians in an intimate, creative space. $20 door.

Stone Arch Bridge Festival (Day 2), 10am-5pm at West River Parkway, Mpls 🆓
200+ artists, live music, family activities, vintage car show, and specialty markets along the Mississippi River.

Story Time and Crafts - Father's Day, 10:30am at Forgotten Star Brewing Co, Fridley 🆓 🐕
Father's Day stories and crafts, with guest author and food truck.

Joon Cafe: Mutual Aid Coffee Gathering, 12:30-3:30pm at Resource, Mpls 🆓
Guided discussion, zine workshop, bike safety training with Bike Alliance, plus free coffee and clothing donations—donations appreciated.

Asian Street Food Night Market, 2-10pm at 425 Rice St, St. Paul 🆓
Savor Asian street food, vibrant entertainment, and cultural celebrations at this lively two-night outdoor market.

Outdoor Yoga at California Street Farm!, 4:30pm at California Street Farm, Mpls
Vinyasa yoga at a NE Mpls vegetable and flower urban farm—bring your mat, all levels welcome, $15.

Block Printing Craft Night, 5-9pm at Inbound BrewCo, Mpls 🐕
Hands-on creative block printing, $45.

Line Dance with Billie at Fat Pants!, 7pm at Fat Pants Brewing Co., Eden Prairie
Beginner-friendly line dancing—learn new moves in a lively brewery setting. $15.

Zine Scene: Readings and Workshop, 5:30-8pm at Minneapolis Central Library 🆓
Local zinesters share their work followed by hands-on zine-making workshop with materials provided by guest artist.

Pitch-A-Friend, 7pm at Inbound BrewCo, Mpls
Fun matchmaking social—nominate friends to meet new people.