(UPDATED) Ron Paul's MN Convention Speech Drawing 5th District Interest

Local Republicans readying for Paul's appearance Friday.

See updates below. Ron Paul is set to speak at the Minnesota Republican convention Friday, and party activists in the Fifth District are preparing for a possible Paul win—with one local activist saying "I get the feeling I'm witnessing history." Paul is poised to make a strong showing in Minnesota after congressional-district conventions gave him 20 of 24 available national delegates. The Texas congressman was denied a speaking slot at the 2008 state convention, but has proven a popular candidate and speaker here since—turning fans away, for example, from an over-capacity speech in Arden Hills shortly before Minnesota's 2012 caucus night. On Monday, Paul announced his campaign would stop spending money in states that haven't yet held …

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Former SW, Washburn High Teacher Dies

Harold Strobel taught students for 30 years.

Pastor Youngdahl of Mount Olivet Died Monday

The 73-year-old pastor met with two sitting presidents while serving Mount Olivet.

Senior Pastor Paul Youngdahl of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Southwest Minneapolis died Monday. "He will be remembered as one of Mount Olivet's greatest treasures for his leadership, his commitment and service to God's family, and for his never-ending love of the Lord," said a statement posted on the church's website. "We will miss him dearly and extend our condolences to you, his beloved church family." Funeral arrangements are being worked out. Youngdahl was a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and the Lutheran School of Theology in Rock Island, Ill. He was ordained by Mount Olivet in 1963, then served at churches in New Orleans and St. Paul before returning to Mount Olivet in 1968. He assumed the senior pastor position in 1974. He…

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Savoring Southwest

Our Fine Farmers Markets Before Opening Weekend: The Kingfield Edition

The already successful Kingfield Farmers Market has its season opener on May 22, 2011. Here's some history and vendor info to whet your Southwest appetite before the parking lot fills up on Sunday.

I agree whole-heartedly with my editor (can you believe it?) here at Patch about opening day at the farmers market. It is the first true representation of a Minnesota spring, which frankly on March 21 is not well promoted by the whisper of wind through icy tree limbs and piles of black snow. But enough about the past. The grass is green, it's time to sow seeds and the sun has actually made a legitimate show of itself on more than one occasion. So now it is time for all the sights, sounds and tastes that our Southwest markets promise from now through late fall. In this, part one of my intro to the fine markets or our area, I bring you the reigning local fave: the Kingfield Farmers Market with its season opener on Sunday, May 22 from 8:30 a.…

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Savoring Southwest

Take Mom Out to Eat for Mother's Day and a Cinco De Mayo Secret...

There are many restaurants doing something special for moms on Sunday, May 8 in the area. Here are some of our favorites plus a great local deal for Cinco De Mayo.

I'm not a mom, so I make sure to revere and fête the mothers I know, including my own, on Mother's Day. I can barely take care of my cat and my husband, let alone be responsible for a wee one. What I can do, however, is choose the appropriate restaurant for the occasion. And while that may be a minor talent in a world where diseases are cured, despots are dethroned, and mothers nurture their children, I do strive to use my powers for good. In this case, Sunday, May 8, 2011, requires some serious thought about where to take mom and her hangers-on — so that she has the best time possible. Today is her day, whether she's your significant other, aunt, niece, friend or actual mother — as long as she's raising up, or has raised, a child. Show …

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Savoring Southwest

Sun Street Breads to Open in March — Plus a Rundown of Eatery Openings in the Southwest

With Sun Street Breads opening in March, it seemed a good time to meet the baker behind it and then give you a cheat sheet about all the area restaurant comings and goings.

Sun Street Breads Coming to 46th Street and Nicollet Avenue "Here's my new electric stacked oven," bragged Solveig Tofte, about her gleaming, four level baking appliance, obviously excited about her Sun Street Breads store as it takes shape at 4600 Nicollet Avenue. She and her husband, Martin Ouimet are deep into the renovations of the old Snyder's drug store, which is on schedule to open in March as a retail and eat-in bakery with breakfast and lunch service. Sun Street will also have a beer and wine license. "We were at the Kingfield Farmers Market all summer, so really when we were looking for a space it was kind of our hope to stay in the 'hood," said Tofte, formerly the head baker at Turtle Bread Company. "We picked this spot because …

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