Photos: The top ten things LoDo needs — according to you

What does LoDo need? Two weeks ago, mysterious chalk messages suddenly appeared on sidewalks across downtown Denver — in 83 spots, to be exact — referring passersby to a website where they could share their thoughts on what LoDo was missing. “In 25-square blocks, LoDo has boutique clothing stores, multi-story…

What are lemons and limes called in Spanish?

Dear Mexican: Can you help me unravel the citrus dilemma? When I am in Mexico or a Mexican restaurant or market, I am unable to find lemons (yellow, egg-sized tart-tasting fruits). When I ask, I get green-colored fruits that look and taste like limes (green, smaller-than-egg-sized tart-tasting fruits). I understand…

Why are Mexican desserts so bland?

Dear Mexican: What’s the story with Mexican pastries? Like most cultures, Mexicans seem to be cribbing from the French, but pan dulce just winds up tasting like a dinner roll with a little icing on top. So many other parts of Mexican cuisine emphasize strong flavors. Why must the best…

Mexican women are channeling the Earth Mother

Dear Mexican: The current clothing trend is for ladies to wear low-cut jeans and belly shirts that expose their midriffs. That looks great on a hard-bodied woman, so why do so many fat Mexican mujeres insist on dressing like this? It’s one of the grossest things imaginable. Their gut hangs…

Historic precedents that overturned discriminatory laws

Dear Mexican: My dad says that when he was growing up in Downey, California, they used to open the local pool to mexicanos and negritos on Thursdays only because the pool was cleaned on Friday mornings. Is this an accurate account of racism in the 1940s or an exaggeration? Do…

Is Mexico as violent as it’s portrayed in the movies?

Dear Mexican: Why is there a jealous cousin driven by insecurity in every Mexican family?Must Excuse Vulgar-Ass Lingual Expression Dear MEVALE: Take your pick. It’s because a) your dad unwittingly insulted his dad back in the rancho when they were boys, and your cousin was taught to hate you as…

Take Ten: Meet the latest class of MasterMinds

In the early 2000s, Denver was all about the creative class. Author/big thinker Richard Florida had labeled the metro area one of the top creative spots in the country, an honor that John Hickenlooper used to promote the city that had just elected him mayor. Fifteen years before, he’d been…

Can Mexicans be vegetarians?

Dear Mexican: Do you agree with gente who think you can’t be vegetarian if you’re Mexican because meat is an essential part of our diet? I’ve heard this argument three times within the last 24 hours, from two blogs and the Today show. I think it’s babosadas. My parents growing…

Are juveniles with criminal records easily deported?

Dear Mexican: I know an eighteen-year-old getting deported from the USA. He has been here since he was five years old. His entire family is here and undocumented. He grew up in juvenile halls and did a felony as soon as he turned eighteen. Will he be deported for sure…

Why are first-generation Latinos so judgmental?

Dear Mexican: Why is it that many first-generation Latino students are so quick to judge and alienate second-generation students just because their parents went to college and are able to afford a little more? People treat me differently and think I will look down on them, yet I grew up…

Is it safe to travel to Mexico?

Dear Mexican: I am a butt-white Irish guy, stoked to be married to a beautiful Chicana. Her familia is from a gorgeous rancho deep in the corazón of Zacatecas, and I’ve been wanting to experience all of the ranchero lifestyle I keep hearing about from my acquired familia mexicana. However,…