Finding light through community connection 🎷

Happy Tuesday, friends. I took a much-needed vacation last week, so this week's issue will be a bit lighter than usual. Twin Cities Jazz Festival is this weekend—plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy incredible music!

On a more sobering note, I think it’s important to acknowledge the tragic events of this past weekend, with the assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, along with the attempted assassination of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. I'm still processing these events, and I imagine many of you are too. Today's newsletter feels different in light of everything, but I hope these opportunities for community connection offer something meaningful. —James

When Wits Realty hosts their 6th Annual Golf Outing on August 11th, they're supporting ESTHER Homes—a local nonprofit that provides housing and support for pregnant women going through crisis situations.

ESTHER Homes doesn't just give women a place to stay. They surround them with live-in staff and volunteers who help with everything from practical needs to celebrating milestones. It's the kind of consistent support that helps families actually get stable—92% of their alumni families now have their own apartments.

The Wits team gets this. They've been quietly doing community work for years, and their commitment to giving back is just as solid as their reputation for helping Twin Cities families find the right home.

August 11th - 12:30pm shotgun start - Majestic Oaks Golf Club

Whether you're swinging for par, swinging for fun, or would rather just write a check, this is about showing up for families when they need our community most.

Sometimes the most powerful way to support our neighbors is simply showing up. — Brought to you by the Wits Realty Team

Our group volunteering event is coming together for mid-July. Mai-Linh and I are confirming logistics with two potential partner organizations (Bridging MN and Second Harvest Heartland) this week. If you want to be first to know when registration opens, just reply to this email.

This week, Daisy, a gentle adult Great Pyrenees, Emilia, an affectionate Poodle/Retriever puppy, and Tucker, a kitten with whom I have the privilege of sharing a name, are all looking for their forever homes.

Great news from last week: Mika, Magnus, Forest, and Finnick were all adopted! Were you one of the families who took them in? If so, send me a photo and I'll feature you in an upcoming issue.

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

Celebrate 27 years of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival on June 20-21 in Saint Paul's Lowertown! Enjoy free performances at Mears Park's outdoor stages and venues throughout the walkable neighborhood. Bring blankets, chairs, and your love of jazz. Check out the schedule

Celebrate the longest day at Susty Social Hour (solstice edition) hosted by Charly Frisk on Friday, June 20th from 6-8pm in Bang Brewing's native prairie garden in Saint Paul. Join climate storytellers for an evening featuring the Story Stream Trailer, flower crown making, fire pits with sustainably brewed beers, and learning about local climate actions. This free event welcomes all to share stories under the setting sun and soak up the longest light in community. Register for free!

🆓 - free event admission
🐕 - dog-friendly

Great River Walking Tour, 10am at Upper Landing Park, St. Paul 🆓
Stroll St. Paul's riverfront and learn city history with a Landmark Center guide.

Art On the Lawn - Tiny School of Art & Design, 3-7pm at Roosevelt Library, Mpls 🆓
Drop-in traveling art studio with high-quality materials and unusual drawing tools for all ages.

MidCity Farmers Market, 4-8pm at 693 Raymond Ave, St. Paul 🆓 🐕
Mingle with a mix of local farmers, food producers, chefs, and artists in this vibrant corner of St. Paul. This week there’s free science kits for kids from the Bell Museum!

Feeding Our Souls: The Essence of Juneteenth Joy, 5:15pm at Minnesota History Center, St. Paul
Juneteenth event exploring Black culinary traditions. $25 ticket includes tastings from several local chefs.

Groovin' In The Garden, 6-8pm at Como Park Zoo, St Paul 🆓
Wednesday outdoor summer concerts, perfect for all ages! Bring a blanket and a picnic.

Tote Bag Painting Craft Night, 6:30pm at Simply Creative, Mpls
Paint your own custom tote—no experience needed. Fun, beginner-friendly, all supplies included for $30.

Darlingside w/ Special Guest Clovers Daughter, 7pm at Dakota, Mpls
Baroque, literary folk-pop as acclaimed Darlingside brings their harmonies to Dakota's listening room.

Soul of the Southside – Juneteenth Festival, 12-8pm at Hook & Ladder/Moon Palace, Mpls 🆓
Juneteenth music, performances, vendors, and family activities—all ages, citywide party.

Summer Nights in Rice: Mississippi (contemporary jazz), 5-7pm at Rice Park, St Paul 🆓 🐕
Free outdoor jazz, dancing, food options. Community night in Rice Park.

Lowertown Sounds - June 19, 2025, 6pm at Mears Park, St Paul 🆓 🐕
Free, live outdoor music concerts every Thursday. Food trucks and local beer.

Nyttu Chongo / Calvin Caron & Patrick Adkins, 7pm at Berlin, Mpls 🆓
World jazz and Twin Cities Jazz Fest set—no cover at Berlin bar.

Ultimate Survivor: Fern Edition, 11am at St. Croix State Park 🆓
Short educational walk on ferns—their quirky adaptations and survival tricks.

The Peoples' Market MPLS, 3-7pm at The Plaza at The Capri, Mpls 🆓
Fresh produce, artisanal goods, and handmade crafts supporting local farmers and artisans. Kickoff is this Friday.

Summer Patio Trivia, 5:30-7pm at Cream & Amber, Hopkins 🆓
Team trivia on the sun-dappled patio every Friday.

Friday Night Improv Club, 7:30-8:30pm at Strike Theater, Mpls
Three improv groups, one fun night of unscripted comedy and community.

Tails & Trails: Dog Walk Meetup, 10am at Luce Line Brewing, Plymouth 🆓 🐕
Brewery dog walk—bring your pup for friendly strolls and patio time!

Midsommar Celebration at American Swedish Institute, 10am - 4pm at 2600 Park Ave, Mpls
Swedish midsummer with flower crowns, music, maypole, and Scandinavian snacks.

Soma Yoga for Adults, 10-11am at Champlin Library 🆓
Therapeutic yoga focusing on gentle movements to maintain stability, strength and mobility for all adults.

Monthly Gardening Classes, 10-11am at St. Louis Park Library 🆓
Learn about growing herbs with Hennepin County Master Gardener Volunteers.

Papermaking Workshop: Foraged Fibers, 10am at Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Mpls
Hands-on papermaking using local plants.

Fabric Swap, 12-2pm at Open Studio Sewing, St. Louis Park 🆓
Swap fabric, patterns, notions, and sewing tools—bring items or just come chat about sewing!

Summer Market @ Forgotten Star, 12-8pm at Forgotten Star Brewery, Fridley 🆓 🐕
Local vendors, music, food, drinks—family fun at this brewery-hosted market.

Weaving Water - Free Indigo & Fiber Workshops, 1-3pm at 809 Nicollet Mall, Mpls 🆓
All-ages weaving and indigo dyeing workshop exploring our role as vital parts of the urban watershed.

Music on the Mississippi, 1-4:30pm at Upper Landing Park, St. Paul 🆓
Riverside music experience featuring Quarteto Carioca, swing lessons, and Naomi and her Handsome Devils, in partnership with the TC Jazz Festival.

Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Fair, 1-8pm at Inbound BrewCo, Mpls 🆓 🐕
Daylong book fair—local writers, crafts, readings, and trivia.

Movies in the Parks : Barbie, 9:05pm at Lake Harriet Bandshell, Mpls 🆓 🐕
Outdoor screening of Barbie at a lovely lake.

Yoga at the Market, 9am at Kingfield Farmers Market, Mpls
Donation-based community yoga amid the hustle of the farmers market.

Front Porch Pies & Functional Heirlooms Pop-Up, 10am - 2pm, Dogwood Northeast, Mpls
Grab a sweet treat and check out beautiful pottery at a coffee shop favorite—writing this as I sip tea from my new Functional Heirlooms mug.

Llamas at the Library, 1-3pm at Golden Valley Library 🆓
Lounge and learn with Carlson's Lloveable Llamas plus library-led activities for limitless llama-themed fun!

Music in the Park: Emerson Avenue, 5:30pm at Lake Harriet Bandshell, Mpls 🆓 🐕
Lakeside R&B in evening.

Movies in the Parks: Monsters, Inc, 9:05pm at Van Cleve Park, Mpls 🆓 🐕
Family-friendly outdoor movie screening with Spanish subtitles.

Fix-It Hub, 4-7pm at St. Anthony Library 🆓
Work with skilled volunteers to repair broken household items and gain new sustainability skills.

Polymer Clay Magnet Craft Night, 5pm at Broken Clock Brewing, Mpls 🆓 🐕
Craft custom fridge magnets—supplies and guidance provided, welcoming all skill levels. $45.

The Initials Game Live, 7pm at Luce Line Brewing, Plymouth 🆓
Addictive KFAN radio game show comes alive! Race to solve clues, win gift cards, and unleash your competitive spirit!