Two years ago this month, the inaugural issue of The Bridge newspaper showed up in neighborhood mailboxes from Nicollet Island south past the Lake Street bridge, from the St. Paul border to the shirttails of Downtown. A merger of the long-standing Seward Profile and the Southeast Angle newspapers, The Bridge’s creation — perhaps not entirely consciously — begged an interesting question: what constitutes a “neighborhood” newspaper?

The Bridge’s goal was, to some, an ambitious one: tell the stories of 10 Minneapolis neighborhoods, communities known for their distinct personalities and pride of place, in a single newspaper mailed to residents and available at businesses and public places throughout the area. A few wondered if folks in Como would care, say, about a new watering hole in Longfellow, or if a Cooper family would want to read about staffing changes at Marcy Open School.

But over these past two years, we think The Bridge has proven a point: people’s sense of “neighborhood” in many ways defies the strict geographic boundaries found on a city map. Bridge readers share interests that range from local music to condo development, from local food to happenings at city hall. Moreover, they’ve shown a shared passion for the health of their neighborhoods, and a recognition that what happens “next door” — whether up the block or up the river — has an impact on their lives.

For us, no recent incident has highlighted this sense of broader connection so intensely as the collapse of the I-35W bridge. While folks across the Twin Cities were getting calls from family and friends in far-flung cites and countries, we were getting calls from friends in Southwest Minneapolis — were we all right? The moment provided a rare opportunity to see The Bridge community from the outside, looking in: our shared stomping ground, writ large upon the world.

On this, the second anniversary of The Bridge newspaper, we want to take a moment to thank the wonderful local writers and photographers who have lent their skills and expertise to the paper thus far. A special tip of the hat, as well, to the three amazing editors who have charted the course: Chris Steller, Craig Cox, and our current editor, the indefatigable Jeremy Stratton. And a hearty thanks to the many businesses who advertise in The Bridge and make this community news source possible. But most of all, thanks to you, our readers.

Finally: if you value The Bridge, please consider supporting its ongoing operation by making a contribution to the paper’s Inner Fold. Details on this campaign, an effort of Southeast Publications (The Bridge’s parent nonprofit), are available on page 4.

On behalf of everyone here at The Bridge, we look forward to many years of serving this vibrant and thoughtful community — the Bridgeland community.

— Becky Clawson, publication manager

last revised: September 7, 2007

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