Tommy Bardney, North Minneapolis Shooting Victim, Had Extensive Criminal Record (Mostly Bad Domestic Stuff Like, Oh Gee, DOMESTIC ASSAULT BY STRANGULATION)

Stock photo, blog post by John Hoff

Tommy Bardney (yes, that appears to be his legal name, "Tommy") died in a burst of gunfire on the 1000 block of Humboldt Ave. N. His family and loved ones say he was "assassinated," and though I may have scoffed a little bit when I first read that headline in the Star Tribune, subsequent reading of the facts does justify that description. (Here's another Strib story in case the first link doesn't work, it's hitting about 50/50 right now on a 404 error message)

Bardney was seated in a van talking to his wife. Based on his record of domestic violence, I'm guessing he wasn't invited inside the house...

Alexis On The Sexes Hangs Out At Donny Dirk's Zombie Den...

Top photo by Jeff Skrenes, bottom photo by a bystander, blog post by John Hoff

Donny Dirk's Zombie Bar, which replaced the notorious Stand Up Frank's in the Hawthorne Neighborhood, was already the epitome of cool trendiness; with zombie bar fanatics flying in from all over the nation just to check it out. I thought it wasn't possible for Donny Dirk's to be any cooler.

Then, just recently, I ran into the columnist who writes "Alexis On The Sexes" drinking a Strongbow at the bar. We chatted for a bit--a lot longer than I chatted with Remaro Smith's attorney, actually, click here--and somebody snapped this pic. Turns out she'd heard of my blog. I think my head will explode from the swelling!

Alexis says she hangs out at Donny Dirk's every few weeks.

(Do not click "Read More")

Donny Dirk's Zombie Den - a Reason to Cheer in 2009!

Guest post by the Hawthorne Hawkman. Photos by the Hawkman, John Hoff, and Bryan Thao Worra.

This blog was proudly boasting about the hottest new night spot in town long before anyone else. (Click here, here, and here for a few other examples of the awesomeness that is Donny Dirk's Zombie Den.)

Well, it didn't take long for others to take notice. Most recently...

The Star Tribune listed Donny Dirk's #2 in their "Finding nine reasons to cheer Twin Cities culture in '09" article. (Disclaimer: Strib links often "go dead," and not in a zombiefied way, after a while, so this story may not be available in the future. Johnny Northside will always be there for you, however.)

Pictured above, the avocado-green exterior, some of the zombie kitsch found inside, and me showing off my Tommytronic 3-D racing game to fellow NoMi geek Bryan Thao Worra.

Hawthorne is proud to have Donny Dirk's in the neighborhood. Come on by, and you'll probably run into resident activists celebrating the most recent historic changes in our community!