We Remember Walter Mondale

“Dinkytown’s strong sense of place is built upon a familiar landscape of buildings and streets that bind generations of engaged Minnesotans who have benefited from this local proliferation of vision and energy.”

Walter F. Mondale | July 9, 2015

Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale | January 5, 1928 – April 19, 2021

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“He went from this very small little town to be vice president and run for president he accomplished a whole lot and we should be proud of him, ” said Pat Coupanger, co-chair of the Elmore Museum. “[Visitors] ask about it when they come—do you have anything about Mondale?”

R.I.P. Jerry Rau

Rau, Jerome "Jerry" Michael age 83, passed away 10/15/21 at Southview Acres in West St. Paul, MN. Known as the "Minnesota Minstrel", Jerry was active in the folk music scene for much of his life and a Vietnam Veteran known as a peace-loving activist and a founding member of the local chapter 27 of Vets for Peace.

He was raised in North Minneapolis and joined the Army Reserves at age 18. At age 20 he enlisted in the Marine Corps where he served 9 years, including a tour in Vietnam in 1965 where he saw things that changed his life. He learned to play the guitar while in service, and upon his re-entry into civilian life he lived out his dream of becoming a singer-songwriter.

Jerry became the heartbeat and conscience of the Minnesota Folk Music Scene, performing at many local venues, and many years on the street most frequently in Dinkytown. He performed across the country, and made a special pilgrimage in France to follow the steps that Joan of Arc had walked, after writing a song about her. He had two songs accepted by the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC and recorded numerous albums of his original music.

Jerry is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Ruth and Laurence Kveton, and infant son John Patrick. He is survived by daughter Joanne Dymond (Michael), sons James (Oi Wong) and John (Dionne), seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mass on Monday Nov. 1, 11AM with visitation 1 hour prior at St Joan of Arc Church, 4537 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis with a luncheon to follow. A musical tribute will be held on Sunday Oct. 31, 1-5PM at The Hook and Ladder Theater and Lounge, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis where numerous musicians will perform in his honor. Proof of vaccination and masks required for both events. Memorials to St. Joan of Arc Peace and Justice Fund, Guitars for Vets or Health Partners Hospice.

Originally published in the Star Tribune, Oct. 31, 2021

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UMN students partner with Dinkytown businesses to combat pandemic-related shortfalls

The Minnesota Daily

Samantha Woodward | September 7, 2020

As Dinkytown restaurants struggled during a desolate and pandemic-stricken summer, some University members hope their recent initiative will help guide businesses through the coming months.

This summer, nearly 300 University of Minnesota students remotely took part in the Office for Public Engagement’s (OPE) 2020 Summer of EngageMNt, a volunteer-driven initiative to help local businesses and nonprofits. Within the initiative, some students formed a partnership with Dinkytown stakeholders to help restaurants improve communication with the community and abide by new safety regulations.

The result of the summer’s partnership was an extensive research packet outlining suggestions that businesses can use to continue to weather the pandemic. The packet was distributed to Dinkytown businesses and includes step-by-step recommendations spanning topics like reopening, improving promotions, delivery and pickup, outdoor dining, and local health guidelines. 

The Dinkytown history you don't know: Three stories

MPR News

Tom Weber, Britt Aamodt and Emily Kaiser | July 9, 2015

Dinkytown, the commercial district bordering the University of Minnesota, is up for a historic designation vote Friday at the Minneapolis City Council.

The vote wouldn't include all of what many consider Dinkytown today. It would cover a smaller footprint limited to the older core buildings.

But the area has been the focus of a long debate over how much new development should be allowed in an area of Minneapolis known for its old and quirky buildings and history.

There are already several new buildings along the edges of Dinkytown, but there have also been fights over what advocates describe as the area's character, especially in those few blocks considered the district's heart.

The City Council last year blocked a proposed hotel that would have meant tearing down a building that includes two well-known food spots: Mesa Pizza and Camdi, a Vietnamese restaurant.

A view of Dinkytown from 14th Avenue SE looking south toward 4th Street, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, near the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. —- Jennifer Simonson | MPR News

Al's Breakfast make's Esquire magazine's "please save" list

Esquire Magazine Names The 1 Minnesota Restaurant That America ‘Can’t Afford To Lose’ Amid COVID

CBS News | Jan 6, 2021

Esquire recently put out a list of “100 Restaurants America Can’t Afford To Lose,” chosen by its writers. Of the 100 restaurants listed, only one from Minnesota made the list: Al's Breakfast in the Dinkytown neighborhood of Minneapolis. Katie Johnston reports.

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Meet Doug Grina

Doug Grina is been the co-owner and Chef of Al’s Breakfast, the legendary and indescribable Minneapolis breakfast diner for over 40 years.

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More interviews like the one above on our YouTube channel and in the Collections!