Pause, notice, act: This week’s guide to loving local

We protect what we love, and often, love grows from what we pay attention to. Lately, I've noticed how true this is in the Twin Cities.

Last weekend at Silverwood Park, my friend and I spotted a heron standing perfectly still in Silver Lake's shallows—a quiet reminder to pause and simply be. For a few minutes, I let go of my usual overthinking and just watched.

It's easy to overlook these everyday wonders. Sometimes we need a nudge to notice what's right in front of us.

That's what I hope Twin Cities Scout can be: a gentle reminder to notice, celebrate, and care for the gifts around us. Maybe it's grabbing pho at Quang's with someone new, a neighbor's wave, or volunteers delivering meals across the city. These small moments weave the fabric of a stronger, more connected community.

Learning to "love local" hasn't always come naturally to me. It's meant stepping out of my comfort zone and showing up for community events, even when I'd rather stay home. But every time I do, I'm reminded how much we need each other.

So here's an invitation: This week, notice something new in your neighborhood. Say hello to someone you haven't met. Support a local business. Every small act matters. Let's keep building the community we want, together.

Join fellow Scout readers for our first group volunteering event this Saturday, July 12th!

We’ll be at Second Harvest Heartland in Brooklyn Park from 12–2pm, sorting and packing food shipments for neighbors who need it. This is a family-friendly event—kids ages 8 and up are welcome to join in and help out alongside adults.

Afterward, everyone is invited to Hartkopf Park’s picnic shelter (just a 5-minute drive away) for snacks and cold drinks. I’ll bring a cooler of bubbly water and kombucha—feel free to bring your own treats to share!

A few spots are still available (they’re no longer reserved for just us since the 7/3 deadline passed, but there’s room if you’d like to join).

Already signed up? Keep an eye out for an email later today with details about what to wear, where to meet, and other logistics. A final email will go out Friday.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Say hello to Cupcake the Border Collie/Retriever mix, Georgia the Retriever mix, Riley the cat, and Freddy, the first-ever bunny to be featured here.

Green Guardians MN rallies neighbors to protect and restore our local environment. On July 12, join their Lake of the Isles Cleanup to pick up trash, enjoy treats, and build community while making the lakes cleaner for people and wildlife. Join the cleanup crew

Bridging empowers people to thrive in their homes by providing quality furniture and household goods to families pursuing housing stability. Volunteer as Warehouse Assistance in Plymouth—help accept and move donations, support intake with Bridging trucks, and keep active, all while changing lives. Lend a hand in Plymouth

Southside Harm Reduction Services champions health, safety, and dignity for people who use substances in South Mpls. Lend a hand during their July 19th Saturday Clean-up along the Cedar-Franklin Route—volunteers will pick up syringe litter, making community spaces safer and cleaner for everyone. Volunteer for the Clean-up

Have an opportunity you’d like to share everyone? Tell us about it here

Got news about your business to share, a cool project to spotlight, a position you’re hiring for, or just feel like connecting with 8,000 awesome people?

Audrey Christine Co: Audrey will join your family for a few hours of authentic connection at your home, resulting in beautiful photos that express your family's honest personality. We will plan an activity for you to gather around (having a picnic, doing a puzzle, reading books, etc.). In addition to candid moments, we'll take portraits of groupings of your choice (full family smiling at the camera, mom + child together, etc.). Get 10% off an at-home family lifestyle session

Jook Sing pops up at Bar Brava this summer! We're thrilled to share that our modern Chinese pop-up restaurant has a new home at Bar Brava, the 2025 James Beard Award nominated natural wine bar. Join us this summer to experience a vibrant intersection of Chinese heritage, Midwest roots, and modern technique, all paired with some of the best natural wines. Ready to join us? Reserve your spot on Resy or follow us on @jooksingmn for the latest updates.

MidCity Farmers Market comes alive each Wednesday in a sunny corner of St. Paul, from 4-8pm. This week’s theme is Dog Days of Summer. Bring your pup out for some dog treats and fun! Check out the deets

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

Support the Jeremiah Program by visiting Wooden Hill Brewing on Monday, July 14th. Enjoy a brew or meal, and 10% of taproom proceeds from 5-8pm will be donated to help disrupt the cycle of poverty for single mothers and their children. Join them for a great cause!

🆓 - free event admission 🐕 - dog-friendly

Snack and Squish: Transplants and Transfers, 12pm–1pm at Flux Arts Building, Mpls 🆓
Meet artists, enjoy creative clay play, and snacks at a relaxed midday arts gathering.

Music on the Cortile: Laamar, 12pm–1pm at Landmark Center, St. Paul 🆓
Free summer lunchtime music inside the beautiful Musser Cortile, perfect for downtown workers and visitors.

Yard Games, 2pm—4pm at Excelsior Library 🆓
Enjoy outdoor yard games and activities on the trail side of Excelsior Library—fun for all ages, drop in and play!

Wellness Walk, 5:30pm–6:30pm at Eastman Nature Center, Osseo 🆓
Guided nature walk with wellness activities—great for stress relief and nature lovers.

Yoga in the Park, 6pm–7pm at Minnehaha Regional Park, Mpls 🆓
All-levels outdoor yoga session hosted by Women’s Environmental Network with mindful movements and gentle stretches—bring your mat and water bottle!

Plant Swap, 6pm—9pm at Dual Citizen Brewing Company, St. Paul 🆓 🐕
Swap houseplants and cuttings with fellow plant lovers at a welcoming brewery event.

Groovin’ In The Garden: Salsa del Soul, 6pm–8pm at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul 🆓
Free outdoor Latin music, climbing wall, bouncy balls, and food trucks in scenic Como Park.

Ye Vagabonds with Hemma, 8pm at 7th St Entry, Mpls
Irish folk duo paired with a talented local act for an intimate concert.

Café Sketching, 10am–4pm at American Swedish Institute, Mpls
Relaxed, daytime handcraft sketch session—bring your creativity and enjoy a Nordic environment.

Slow Fashion Sale, 10am-7pm at Textile Center, Mpls
Shop one-of-a-kind secondhand garments donated by local creatives. Proceeds support the Textile Center’s artistic and educational programs. Runs through Saturday.

Documentary Screening: The Right to Read, 2pm—3:30pm at Hopkins Library 🆓
Screening of LeVar Burton’s The Right to Read (2023), exploring childhood literacy as a civil rights issue.

PhilanthroBrew: Chamber of Mothers, 3pm–9pm at Urban Growler Brewing Company, St. Paul
Support paid leave and maternal health—drink for a cause at this community brewery fundraiser.

DEMO Summer Mixer / Skill Share, 7pm at Resource, Mpls
Join DEMO for a summer evening of connection, creative exchange, and seasonal cocktails.

Movies in the Parks: The Parent Trap, 8:45pm at Sibley Manor Apts, St. Paul 🆓 🐕
Outdoor movie night—watch The Parent Trap. Bring a blanket, friends, and your pup.

Mighty Microgreens, 2pm–4pm at St. Louis Park Library 🆓
Plant and take home a mini microgreens sampler—discover easy, nutritious growing fun for all ages! Drop in any time.

Early Evening Jazz: Yeshaya Ehrlich Yeshaya, 4:30pm–6:30pm at Berlin Mpls 🆓
No cover jazz show—unwind to skillful, soulful music after work.

Summer Art Market, 6pm–11pm at Modist Brewing, Mpls
Shop art by local makers and enjoy craft beer and lively neighborhood vibes.

S'mores on the Patio, 8pm–10pm at Minneapolis Cider Company 🆓
Free marshmallow roasting—gather ’round the fire with cider and friends.

Firefly Viewing Nights, 8:30pm–10:30pm at MN Landscape Arboretum, Chaska
Hike meadows and trails to spot magical fireflies—advance tickets required.

Southwest Farmers Market, 8:30am–1pm at 5025 Knox Ave S, Mpls 🆓
Saturday morning neighborhood farmers market with produce, food trucks, and family programming.

Minnesota Unearthed, 10am—2pm at Bell Museum, St. Paul
Dig into Minnesota geology and Indigenous history—try atlatl throwing, canoe making, and enjoy planetarium shows.

Book Fair for Grown-Ups, 12pm–7pm at MN State Fair Grounds, St. Paul
Shop books, meet authors, grab a drink.

Fix-It Clinic, 12pm—4pm at St. Joan of Arc Library, Mpls 🆓
Get free guided help to repair small household items, clothing, or electronics—no registration needed, all ages welcome.

Dog Adoption Event, 12pm–2pm at Forgotten Star Brewing Co, Fridley
Healing Hearts brings pups for adoption and a meet-and-greet.

The Mushroom Block Pop-Up, 12pm–4pm at Marigold, Nicollet Ave, Mpls
Learn about functional mushroom wellness—discover products and get tips.

Edina Puzzle Exchange, 12:30pm—1:30pm at Edina Library 🆓
Drop in to stock up on jigsaw puzzles—bring puzzles with 250+ pieces to give away, but bringing puzzles is not required.

Screenprinting with Diana Eicher, 1pm—3pm at Rondo Community Library, St. Paul 🆓
Screen print your own tote bag with artist Diana Eicher! All materials provided. For youth ages 12–18.

Backyard Boombox!, 2pm–10pm at HeadFlyer Brewing, Mpls
All-day DJ dance party. $10 before 6pm, $15 after.

Wicked, 9:15pm at East Side Sculpture Park, St. Paul 🆓
Free outdoor sing-along screening of Wicked hosted by Trilingua Cinema—bring a blanket or chair! Free hot dogs and popcorn before and during the movie.

Fungus Among Us, 10am–11am at Wild River State Park, Center City 🆓
Guided walk exploring the fascinating world of fungi—great for all ages.

Family Day: Bloom, 10am–5pm at Minneapolis Institute of Art 🆓
Hands-on floral art, origami, drumming, gallery activities celebrating nature, free for all ages.

Sunday Yoga, 11am–12pm at Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, Mpls
Yoga for all levels, $10 includes drink—bring your mat for Sunday self-care.

Minneapolis Vintage Market, 11am–4pm at Sociable Cider Werks, Mpls
Vintage vendor pop-up—cider, unique finds, music and fun.

History Hike, 1pm–2pm at Fort Snelling State Park 🆓
Guided hike exploring natural and human history at river confluence.

Curiosity Camp, 1pm–3pm at East Lake Library, Mpls 🆓
Imaginative and creative camp—fun learning for curious young minds grades 3-8, July 14–16.

Sarah Morris, 7pm at Dakota Jazz Club, Mpls
Honey-voiced Americana—heartfelt live music on the Dakota stage.

90's Baby Trivia, 7pm–10pm at BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul 🆓
Prove your 90s knowledge—seven themed rounds, prizes for trivia and costumes.

Striving for Resilience: Pollinator Stories at the Minnetonka Farmers Market, 4pm—5pm at Ridgedale Library, Minnetonka 🆓
Celebrate Monarch and Pollinators Awareness month with pollinator stories and activities for families at the Minnetonka Farmers Market.

MN Guitar Society: Fingerstyle Masters, 6pm–9pm at MetroNOME Brewery, St. Paul 🆓
Monthly free fingerstyle guitar concert—enjoy masterful acoustic players.

Art & Wine After Dark: Latin America, 6pm at Minneapolis Institute of Art, Mpls
Curator-led exhibit tour plus wine and bites—21+ event, ticket required.