The power of passion projects

Passion projects are becoming one of the most powerful tools in education — and for good reason. These are projects that allow students to explore something they truly care about, whether it’s mental health, art, animals, technology or helping others. When students are given the freedom to choose what they want to learn and create, they become more focused, excited and engaged.

How do passion projects help? They go beyond traditional learning. Students aren’t just memorizing facts — they’re learning how to take initiative, think creatively and solve real problems. Through their projects, students develop important life skills like time management, communication, research and follow-through. They also gain confidence as they see their ideas come to life.

Passion projects give students a chance to shine in their own way. For many, it’s the first time they feel like their voice matters. They get to work on something meaningful and personal, which leads to a deeper love for learning and a stronger sense of purpose.

Let’s keep encouraging passion projects in our schools and programs. Because when students are inspired, they not only learn more — they believe in themselves more, too.

— Makayla Anderson, St. Paul

Sweet land of liberty?

We gather all our grandchildren around us and begin reminiscing about “our sweet land of liberty.” They ask where is that place now, and we weep. They ask for more stories about this land of grace and dignity, and we hold them tight.

— Jim Mulrooney, Mendota Heights

Keep in mind

Keep in mind that the same people who are telling you that the Big Beautiful Bill is only benefiting billionaires and is the beginning of the end of Democracy also told you that Joe Biden was sharp as a tack, protests were peaceful, that wearing masks and taking the vaccine would stop the spread of Covid, and that if you liked your doctor you could keep your doctor. And l could go on.

— Don Anderson, Cottage Grove

What’s the problem?

Regarding the Mendota Bridge railing height. The bridge is old. In all of its existence I do not recall of anyone having a problem with the original 42” railing height. To those bikers who are acrophobic I would remind them that crossing the bridge is voluntary. If they still feel compelled to do so they could walk their bikes across the bridge. Regarding the bureaucrats who would spend $2.5 million to fix this “problem,” you have helped me understand why voters felt compelled to vote for Trump.

— Jerry Munzen, Rosemount

‘Made people feel like they mattered’

The profile of Brandon Skelton (“Beloved grocery cashier ‘made people feel like they mattered’,” July 10) is another gem from the keyboard of Mary Divine and is a reminder that in an increasingly Gesellschaft world, the Gemeinschaft connections are what we find most meaningful.

I wish I had known Brandon, but I’m fortunate that Speedy Market in St. Anthony Park, where I grocery shop, has had a series of cashiers over the years that brighten my day. A year or so ago Speedy installed a self-checkout register. I’ll never use it because it doesn’t talk to me and call me by name.

— Dave Healy, St. Paul

Downtown needs a municipal grocery

As a registered dietitian, public health educator and City Council candidate, I’ve spent the last few months knocking on thousands of doors — and one idea consistently lights up people’s faces: a municipal grocery store in downtown St. Paul.

It’s not just a good idea. It’s a necessary one.

Downtown St. Paul is home to thousands of residents, many of them elders, immigrants and low-income renters. It’s also where thousands of state employees — from the State Capitol to the Judicial Center — have returned to work to spend their days serving Minnesotans alongside county and city workers. Whether you live or work downtown, one thing is clear: there is nowhere to buy basic groceries. Not a single full-service option exists for blocks in any direction.

As state workers are being asked to return to offices, and as we try to reimagine downtown for a post-pandemic world, we need to make it a place where people can actually live and thrive — not just clock in and go home. That starts with the basics: food access.

A municipal grocery store would fill this gap. It could offer stable pricing, fresh produce, and culturally relevant options. It could serve downtown residents and returning workers, while partnering with local farms, co-ops, and food shelves to build a local supply chain alongside benefitting from the traditional strengths of a large grocery. It doesn’t need to run as a charity, it would run as municipal liquor stores have for decades, being revenue neutral or a boon to the city budget. And it could model the kind of city we say we want — one that puts basic needs first.

We’ve built stadiums and parking ramps with public money. We’ve given away TIF dollars left and right to entice development. In this moment, we should build a grocery store that feeds our neighbors and pays its own bills too. We can do the right thing and be fiscally responsible at the same time.

We’ve already seen models that work. Cities like Chicago, New York and Milwakuee are running or exploring municipal grocery stores, and right here at home, programs like Nutritious U at the University of Minnesota show what’s possible when we lead with public good. The City of St. Paul should step in where the private market will not — not to compete, but to complete the work of building a city that works for everyone.

— Cole Hanson, St. Paul

Sainted

I would like to Saint the owners of The Gnome. As KARE11 reported, “Brian Ingram and a team of volunteers prepared and gave away nearly 600 pieces of barbecue chicken, along with ranch beans and coleslaw, to anyone willing to spread a little kindness.”

Amazing. And it touched me deeply. Kindness indeed.

— Margaret Dobbelaere, Hastings