What trees teach us about community

Welcome back, friends. I’ve been learning a ton about trees lately. Did you know trees in a forest connect underground through a network of fungi often called the “wood-wide web”? This lets them share nutrients and even send warnings to each other. When one tree is struggling, neighboring trees can pass along support through this hidden network. Forests remind me that healthy communities are built on quiet acts of support—some seen, some invisible.

Trees also take a long time to mature, often measured in decades or even centuries. The iconic paper birch along the North Shore can take up to 50 years to reach maturity. Our state tree, the Norway Pine, needs more than 80 years, and the white oaks lining city streets can take over a century. That reminds me that the best things in life really do take time to grow, especially in a world that’s always telling us faster is better.

As the week begins, what quiet connections are helping you grow? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

— James

Hi friends—Candace Newgard here from Wits Realty to highlight some of our favorite South Minneapolis spots.

Whether you're spending time near Lake Nokomis, wandering around Minnehaha Falls, or just looking for a new go-to, these are places locals genuinely love and recommend to their actual friends. This list is about local spots where we’ve shared coffee, had great conversations, and made a few unexpected memories! Here you go.

All Square
Grilled cheese with a mission. Every sandwich helps support individuals rebuilding after incarceration through professional development and education. The food is comforting, and the vibe is welcoming. If the weather’s nice, grab a seat on the patio—it’s strung with lights and full of good energy.

Okome House
Cozy Japanese comfort food just blocks from Minnehaha Falls. Their onigiri (Japanese rice balls) come in craveable flavors like teriyaki salmon, umeboshi, and miso eggplant.

SunBean Coffee
Bright, friendly, and full of personality. SunBean serves up creative drinks and homemade pop-tarts that are worth the trip alone. It’s one of those spots where you always seem to run into someone you know—or someone you’ll wish you knew.

Crema Coffee + Cream
Shoutout to another coffee shop fav. Their coconut cold brew is my favorite summer drink (and it just came back!). My kids are obsessed with the gelato—dirt n’ worms is the top pick in our house—and the affogato? So good.

Venn Brewing Company
A true neighborhood favorite with local beers, a spacious patio, and regular visits from some of the city’s best food trucks. It’s kid-friendly, dog-friendly, and just a great spot to catch up with friends or play a board game while you sip.

A Baker’s Wife Pastry Shop
This one’s a South Mpls classic. Known for its retro vibe and lineup of nostalgic pastries—think tea cakes, almond croissants, and doughnuts. The State Fair-style doughnut is a year-round favorite around here. Go early; it’s popular for a reason.

Town Hall Lanes
Vintage lanes, classic bar food done well, and a beer list that’s more thoughtful than most. Whether you bowl or not, this place is perfect for a laid-back weeknight or rainy day. Family-friendly energy but always a good time.

Northern Coffeeworks
Adventure-inspired coffee near the trails and Minnehaha Creek. Their waffles, breakfast sandwiches, and lattes make it a perfect pre-bike-ride or post-walk pit stop. There’s always something new on the walls and a sense of community in the air.

Carousel and Folk
A vintage shop that feels more like a treasure hunt. Home goods, plants, art, and gifts, all curated for style and warmth. You’ll get personalized help, and dogs are always welcomed with a treat.

Sea Salt Eatery
A seasonal must. Right inside Minnehaha Park, Sea Salt serves up fresh seafood, local beer, and an outdoor patio that fills fast on sunny days. Grab a seat, soak up the falls, and take it all in. It’s hard to beat.

If you’ve got a neighborhood spot you swear by or a story about someone behind the counter, hit reply and let us know. Your recommendations help make this guide better (and our weekends tastier). See you around the neighborhood!

— Candace Newgard, Realtor and Marketing Coordinator at Wits Realty

You’ll notice our newsletter looks a little different this week. We’ve merged our Adopt Pets and Helping Hands Hub to bring you all the good stuff in one spot!

🐕 Pets for Adoption
This week, meet Ayla the Wheaten Terrier, Apollo Creed the Lab, and Walt Whitman the kitten.

🤝 Ways to Help
Looking for ways to make a difference? You can pack school supplies for underserved students, distribute books to Little Free Libraries, or serve at CAPI’s food shelf.

📚 Read of the Week
Racket’s list of ways to make friends in the Twin Cities inspired me to get out more. My favorite tip was in the comments—if you find yourself pressed for time, turns errands like Costco runs into a group activity!

Have a cause or pet to feature? Simply hit reply.

Got news about your business to share, a cool project to spotlight, a position you’re hiring for, or just feel like connecting with 8,500 awesome people? Tell us about it

Wits Realty is showcasing a bright, modern 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo featuring private entrances, an open layout, walk-in closet, dual vanities, and a heated garage—all tucked away in a quiet St. Paul neighborhood. Don't miss the open house Sunday, July 27th, from 12–2pm. Take a look inside!

Hi, I’m Hunter, the founder of Hunter’s House. We help you understand your home environment through a comprehensive assessment of your house's air, water, light, EMFs, and chemical exposure so you can optimize it for better energy, sleep, and overall health. I recently launched the company and I am inviting 10 homeowners to experience our service at our one-time launch offer for just $400. Want to be one of them? Schedule a chat with me to get started

MidCity Farmers Market comes alive each Wednesday in a sunny corner of St. Paul, from 4-8pm. This week is Community Appreciation Day! Check out the deets

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

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

The Minneapolis Aquatennial returns this week with a large lineup of exciting events for everyone. It runs Wednesday, 7/23, through Saturday, 7/26. Check out the full list of events

Silverwood Book Swap, 5–7:30pm at Silverwood Park, St. Anthony
Swap books (optional) and stay for an outdoor concert—discover new reads and enjoy summer vibes.

Book Launch: Community Anthology Celebration, 5:30–6:30pm at SubText Books, St. Paul
Celebrate Black voices with live readings and signings from the Rondo Anthology.

Community Dinners, 5:30–7:30pm at Pershing Park, Mpls
Free community meal—eat, play games, and connect with neighbors in the park.

Uplift & Unwind in the Garden, 5:30–7:30pm at Rivoli Bluff Farm, St. Paul
Join local nonprofit Urban Roots at a night of relaxing with garden food, massages, music, and beautiful views.

Movies in the Parks: Wicked (Sing-along), 8:50pm at The Commons, Mpls
Sing along to Wicked under the stars as part of summer series Movies in the Parks.

Art On the Lawn: Tiny School of Art & Design, 12–4pm at Oxboro Library, Bloomington
Drop-in traveling art studio for all ages—make art with quality supplies.

The Fungus Among Us, 1–2pm at Eastman Nature Center, Osseo
Guided mushroom/fungi walk—learn local IDs. Reservations required, $6.

Streets.mn Happy Hour, 5:30–7pm at Venn Brewing Co., Mpls
Meet the editorial team, chat story ideas, and connect with transit- and land-use-planning enthusiasts over drinks on the patio.

Paint + Fiesta, 6:30–8:30pm at PURALIMA Cantina, Edina
Paint and decorate terracotta pots while sipping limeade at this creative, family-friendly DIY evening.

Knitting for Good, 6:30–7:30pm at Shoreview Library, Shoreview
Knit hats, blankets, and more for charity—no experience needed.

Movies in the Park: Paddington in Peru, 8:50pm at Powderhorn Park, Mpls
Family movie night: “Paddington in Peru” outdoors with Spanish subtitles.

Forest Bathing, 9–10:30am at Lake Hiawatha Park, Mpls
Relax into mindfulness with a guided nature walk.

Learn 3D Printing, 2–3pm at George Latimer Central Library, St. Paul
Hands-on beginner intro to basics of 3D printing.

Ashley DuBose, 7pm at Dakota Jazz Club, Mpls
Soulful R&B, pop, and acoustic hits from Mpls-based singer-songwriter.

Irie Sol, Prairie Fire Choir, 7–11pm at Amsterdam Bar & Hall, St. Paul
Experience a dynamic night of reggae fusion and a cappella as Irie Sol and Prairie Fire Choir unite for an uplifting show.

Universe in the Park, 8pm at Afton State Park, MN
Outdoor astronomy talk and telescope stargazing for all ages.

Movies in the Park: Inside Out 2, 8:50pm at Matthews Park, Mpls
“Inside Out 2” outdoor movie with Spanish subtitles—bring a blanket!

The Grove Book Club: The Serviceberry, 9–11am at Curioso Coffee Bar, Mpls
Join the first Grove Book Club for creative reflection, art, and a group discussion of The Serviceberry—free and open to all.

Crash Course: Identifying Components, 9:30am–12pm at Pavek Museum, St. Louis Park
Electronics repair workshop: learn soldering, repair skills. Pay-what-you-can, all supplies included.

Loring Park Art Festival, 10am–5pm at Loring Park, Mpls
Enjoy 150+ artists, food, music, and activities for the entire family. Continues through Sunday.

ThriftCon Minneapolis 2025, 10am–5pm at Mpls Convention Center
Vintage and retro finds from 100+ vendors—kids under 13 free.

Fungi Walk w/ Volunteer Master Naturalist, 11am–12:30pm at Frontenac State Park, Frontenac
Guided midsummer mushroom hike—see chanterelles and more.

Hot Dog Party, 12-6pm at Black Hart of Saint Paul, St. Paul
Fourth annual hot dog party at Black Hart Bar in St. Paul! Raises money for charity, has live music, and and artist market. (And hot dogs of course!)

St. Paul Water Lantern Festival, 6–10pm at Phalen Beach House, St. Paul
Lantern releases, food trucks, and music on the water.

Davina and The Vagabonds, 7pm at Dakota Jazz Club, Mpls
High-energy jazz, blues, and piano from local favorite.

An Evening with The Wailin' Jennys, 7pm at Pantages Theatre, Mpls
Beloved folk trio returns for a memorable evening of live harmonies.

Nate Bargatze - Big Dumb Eyes Tour, 7pm at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul
Nationally-touring comedian brings his acclaimed standup to St. Paul.

50+ Adventures: Stand-up Paddleboard, 9:30–11:30am at Fish Lake Regional Park, Maple Grove
SUP lesson for ages 50+; gear and instruction provided. $35.

Sketching in the Park, 10am–12pm at Fort Snelling State Park
Nature walk and outdoor drawing lesson; bring or borrow sketch pad.

Nine Lives X Pilates for the People, 10:15–11am at Nine Lives, St. Paul
Open-level pilates in the grass—wear monochrome, bring a mat!

Stand-up Paddleboard Lesson, 12:30–2:30pm at Fish Lake Regional Park, Maple Grove
Beginner SUP skills, safety, and confidence session. $35.

Summer Swap: Craft Supplies, 1–3pm at Brooklyn Park Library
Swap unused craft supplies or grab new-to-you goodies.

Puzzle Exchange, 1–2pm at Plymouth Library
Exchange puzzles—bring one, take another (100–1,000+ pieces welcome).

Mend and Make Do: A Practical Conservation Party, 3–6pm at A-Mill Artist Lofts, Mpls
Drop in to mend clothes, learn new skills, and connect over conservation efforts—open to all experience levels.

Minneapolis POPs, 5:30pm at Lake Harriet Bandshell, Mpls
Big band sounds at the Bandshell—part of summer music and movies.

Umbra Social Table Dinner Experience, 6–9pm at Canopy by Hilton, Mpls
Family-style dinner, unlimited wine, and lively games—make new friends over great bites.

Build a Birdfeeder, 4–6pm at West 7th Library, St. Paul
Make a suet feeder from recycled wood—ages 5+ and all materials included.

Poetry- Open Mic Mondays, 7–8:30pm at AMSS, Mpls
Up to 15 poets share their work—sign up early, all forms welcome.

Pizza Nights at the Farm, 5–7:30pm at MN Landscape Arboretum, Chaska
Live music, chef-made pizza, yard games, and sunset views on the farm; pre-order pizzas.

Campfire Cooking with Fartoun, 5–7pm at Whittier Recreation Center, Mpls
Kids learn essential campfire cooking skills—fully discountable for Mpls residents.

Lizz Wright, 7pm at Dakota Jazz Club, Mpls
Soulful, smooth songs from a celebrated singer-songwriter—new music and favorites.