A couple weeks ago I wrote about my experience tooling around town in my friend’s new Smart car.   I’m a true fan.   I love the gas mileage, clean design, and small footprint.  However as I noted the immediate reactionary comments I heard were about safety due to the compact size.

CNN reports that the Smartcar received high marks for front and side collisions, and except for less than standard whiplash protection was considered a very safe vehicle overall.

Being far from a crash test authority I take issue with the line “bigger and heavier is always better.”  You may feel safer driving a school bus or garbage truck, but how many SUVs flip over on freeways and superarterials each year?   Big and heavy without the experience and knowledge to manage such a vehicle cancels out any safety factor you gain by driving it.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The ultra-tiny Smart ForTwo earned top marks in side and front crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said Wednesday. The two-seat car did not earn the Institute’s Top Safety Pick designation, however, because it didn’t earn top marks for whiplash protection.

The ForTwo is the smallest car the IIHS has ever tested. “All things being equal in safety, bigger and heavier is always better,” said institute president Adrian Lund in an statement. “But among the smallest cars, the engineers at Smart did their homework and designed a high level of safety into a very small package.”

Full article and video here.

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Living in Denver I usually fly United on long flights in order to rack up miles, and also take advantage of mileage building promotions like credit cards and online shopping. 

Well this sucks:  Following US Airway’s lead , United will no longer give you a 500 mile minimum for flights less than 500 miles.  

If you fly from Colorado Springs to Denver for a connection, or from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Chicago as I often do - you could always count on at least 500 miles.   Not bad for those who fly from tertiary cities that require a short flight, but would be a long drive.   Now you’ll only get credited the actual distance flown - a measly 70 miles from COS-DEN. 

While I don’t care for the recent avalanche of airline rules and restrictions most haven’t affected me.  I don’t check a second bag, I don’t buy food on short flights, but this new policy is a bummer for me.   Here’s the discussion from flyertalk.com and the notice from UAL (and below)

Mileage Plus accrual policy for flights less than 500 miles
To ensure that Mileage Plus miles earned toward award travel on United and elite status are aligned with actual miles flown, we are revising our base accrual policy. Effective July 1, 2008, all travel on United, United Express, Ted, Star Alliance and partner airline* flights credited to the Mileage Plus Program will accrue actual miles, with no minimum. This change affects only those flights that are less than 500 miles. Flights greater than 500 miles have always accrued actual miles, and are not affected by this policy change.

This new mileage structure applies to travel on or after July 1, 2008, regardless of when the flight was ticketed. (Flights of less than 500 miles flown on or before June 30, 2008, will fall under the previous accrual policy.)

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consisted of walking through Cherry Creek State Park since we didn’t get around to driving up to the mountains.   I drive by here a lot, but only end up seeing the north side of the dam from interstate 225.  If you’re a road cycling enthusiast this state park, located in southeast Denver is heaven.  Plenty of smooth trails and roads. 

Although its hard to spelunk deep inside the park without still seeing condos in the distance there are some slightly woodsy trails like the “Shop Creek” trail pictured.  If you’re visiting Denver and looking for some outdoor fun its a fun place to visit - and you can take the train there too.    But I’d still recommend going up to Boulder and heading into the canyons.

Another observation:  Being from the boating mecca of Michigan I’ve never understood the lure, (pun alert,) of buying a fancy high speed boat just to zoom from one side of a reservoir to the other.  But all through the summer I see folks hauling their rigs to Grand Lake, Dillon Reservoir, and Chatfield and Cherry Creek Reservoir.  And they all have Colorado plates.   I can understand a small fishing boat or a couple kayaks, but I just don’t get pleasure boating on a small body of water like this.   If I’m boating I want to crash some waves and see new ports.  Or at least get far enough away to where I can’t swim to another boat.  In Grand Haven, Michigan or the much higher priced Marina del Ray you can actually go places.

More at Cherry Creek Reservoir’s site.

Our second adventure consisted of Nas, who you’ll recall from our Walden camping post, making us potato pancakes with garlic yogurt sauce.   These are a staple of his native country Bulgaria, and deceptively satisfying when given some time and care.  On the way home we stopped at the East Europe Market, on Colorado Boulevard behind Hooters, and picked up some cheese and yogurt. 

First we make the sauce of garlic, yogurt, dill, and some other seasonings and put it aside.  Then we mashed up the boiled potatos, peel, and mixed in the cheese.

After forming the pancakes from the potatos we flour them, coat them with an egg layer, dredge them in a layer of breadcrumbs, and fry ‘em up.

It may look easy, but it took us, no wait HIM, a lot of time to get these little guys just right, mainly because we took the time to make the with care and precision, rather than just slapping them together (which is how I usually make pancakes.)

With some cold beer they were the perfect non-hydrating cure for my wretched sunburn.

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The Wall Street Journal visits some Colorado residents who are turning their yards into mini-farms.

My thumb is far from green and I can barely keep a cactus alive, but I can’t think of a more environmentally friendly way to use your yard and eliminate the costs of fertilizer and maintenance associated with keeping your lawn in golf course shape. Of course running a small farm takes another cost: Lots of time.

Among such challenges these urban farmers face are squirrels and mud trampled into the house (buy a roomba,) and also neighbors who would prefer to see green grass rather than dirt and radishes. The video doesn’t mention one major factor that could put the kibosh on these green thumbs: pesky HOAs, covenants, and their leaders who are bent on controlling every microscopic aspect of your community. However laws are being examined which would prohibit HOAs to restrict elements of “green” living - such as drying your clothes on a clothesline - and hopefully great ideas like this.

Screw keeping up with the Joneses. I’d love to see more of these!

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If you haven’t read my “Free Ice Cream at Safeway tip” you still have time to stock up on free Ben & Jerry’s 3.6 oz ice creams.

I popped in the Cherry Creek Safeway over the weekend and picked up a reasonable amount without emptying out their freezer.    On a diet?  No worries - put them in the ice box and save them for this fall’s trick-or-treaters.

ok - been a while since I emptied out my “news of interest” saved bookmarks into a post - so here we go:

From the New York Times - an article about the advantages of small cars.   Check out the gas mileage charts.  How can you not love these?  Or my friend’s new Smart Car.    And a related piece from the Boston Globe about the difficulties of selling large gas guzzlers.

The Denver Post documents the perils of cycling on 32nd Avenue in Golden.  This article comes complete with 52 comments (as of 10:22am)  mostly frustrated comments between motorists and bikers.

Fox Nomad - who writes and excellent travel blog with personal in-depth idea and excellent lists of travel tips and tricks is currently running a contest for “Sexiest Summer Travel Story“  Check it out and you could win a $250 airline gift card.   I would send him that story about that night in Munich last year, but co-workers and potential future employers might read my blog, sooo….

From American Magazine, I found this article on Houston and other “opportunity cities“ interesting.  This story details the shift from of business from established northeastern cities like New York and Boston to the sunbelt cities of the south where housing is affordable and job opportunities abound.  

The Atlanta Journal Constitution gives some high merits to the Denver Fastracks plan - our 15 year plan to expand current rail lines and build new lines to corners of the metro area, including Boulder and the airport.    More about Fastracks here.

More auto news:  Here’s an accident I saw at 7th and Josephine last week.  No one was hurt.  But how can that car hit the telephone pole with such straight on perfection?    

A girl, (about 10,) who was exiting the nearby soccer field reprimanded me for taking photos of someone else’s misfortune. I’m sorry. But thanks for speaking your mind young city stranger!

by James Van Dellen

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I’m in the market for a new cell phone and provider.  I currently have a Razr phone from Verizon.  I get absolutely horrible service at home and at the office.  At home I have to go outside on my back patio, and at work I have to hang up and call people back from my desk.   Other than that it works fine.

You’d think since my home and office are the two places I reside at for the greater part of my existance that I would have ordered me up a new phone by now, but I guess I’d rather put up with crummy service than spend a Saturday at the mall waiting for an hour at a cell phone store talking endlessly about plans, texting, contracts, features, the web, number of minutes, and on and on with enthusiastic young salespeople.  I make calls, text, and take photos.  That’s it.  My ringtone is set to default, and except for changing my wallpaper to Chichen Itza that’s the only customizing I’ve ever done on a cell phone.

Here’s a feature that came to my attention which may sway my carrier choice.  I am smart enough to realize I need to dump my shitty Verizon service, but I didn’t know who to switch to, and again I really just don’t care or want to deal with it.

One feature I’d like is the ability to use a cell phone overseas.  For most folks using their cell phone overseas is a no go.  You need a special phone, or have to buy a chip or card.   I haven’t used my cell phone outside of the states except for Mexico, where I can easily make calls without additional equipment.  Maybe its easy, but having never done it seems like a cumbersome ordeal, and of course I loathe visiting cell phone stores.

This phone by T-Mobil has a feature which will connect through any Wi-Fi point - allowing you to make and receive calls from anywhere there’s Wi-Fi.  Apparently Wi-Fi calling is the same price everywhere, regardless of location, and of course will work in the most remotest of service areas provided there’s a Wi-Fi connection.  If you’re sitting at a coffee chop in Addis Ababa it will ring.  No expensive equipment or lengthy setup, and much less bulkier than a satellite phone.

Pictured is the Blackberry 8120 Pearl phone, the entry level Blackberry.  By selecting “Hot Spot @ Home” from the feature list of T-Mobil’s phone site you can see all phones available with Wi-Fi calling.  To me this is cool.  And even at home if my service is not perfect I can simply switch the phone to MY Wi-Fi.

For the frequent overseas traveler this is a phone and feature worth considering.  If anyone has a phone with this feature I’d love to hear about it, and know whether its easy (or not) to switch between cell and Wi-Fi calling.    When my contract with Verizon is up in June I’ll most likely be changing over to this and will post an update

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Even though the weather has been windy, rainy, and sometimes snowy this past week it hasn’t stopped the construction of this project outside my window at work.

These magpies have been busy shuttling back and forth to their to the nest with twigs and tiny branches- which are relatively large compared to their size, and clumps of random stuff to put this together. They’re busiest in the morning, but I don’t see them much in the afternoon so maybe an expert birder can tell me where they’re going.

With the extreme wind of yesterday the top of this tree was swaying about fiercely- but the nest is still holding up solid.

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To celebrate Earth Day, (which I realized has past,) Safeway has a little blue coupon book located at the checkout full of savings from various “green” companies.

One of them is a free 3.5 ounce cup of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. These aren’t very big - but hey they’re free. After finding the coupon yesterday I returned, snagged another book from up front and got two without any problem.

It’s a good deal, and if you have trouble putting down the spoon on a regular size carton (like me) these portion controlling freebies may be for you. Or a treat for the kids.

Hit a checkout line first and pick up the little book called “because you care about the environment.” The Ben & Jerry’s coupon expires 5/26. There’s also a coupon for 50 cents off Cliff bars, another high carb favorite of mine.

by James Van Dellen

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One of my favorite DJs, Nick Terranova aka Starkillers, will be at Beta Nightclub in Denver Thursday, May 1st.

Best known for “Discoteka” and “Scream,” they’ve also done popular remixes of Seal’s Killer.   He’ll be performing with Austin Leeds and Jerome Farley.

I’ve never visited Beta and look forward to checking the place out.  This new club is promoting itself as a “green” club, and although I’m skeptical of most corporate green claims Beta Nightclub has given some clear and simple ways of how they’re cutting down waste in the nightclub industry.   (Cups cups and more cups.)

Check out Starkiller’s music on Myspace.  Beta Nightclub is at 19th and Blake, downtown Denver.  Their site also features a clip of Beta management discussing their green initiatives with a local TV news station.    The entire Future Gringo team will be at this event.  Unfortunately due to the economy no more free T-shirts.  Say hello if you see me though - I’ll be wearing my favorite pants and need a haircut.

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I’ve been testing out the Heineken mini keg this week.  Cost?  about $20.  Availability?  Select larger liquor stores.  Your corner store probably won’t carry it.   Other blogs and reviewers say it pours about 20 full glasses, which would be about $1 a glass.  Not bad.

Pros?  Pour your own custom size beer anytime.  Can have a small glass with dinner, or a large glass in front of the game. If you’re like me and enjoy using beer for cooking (steaks and making your own beer battered onion rings,)  its perfect for small amounts without using an entire bottle.  Ok I’m not kidding anyone - who can’t just finish half of a beer? 

Other pros:   Looks great at a party.  Large kegs are synonymous with drunk frat boys setting furniture on fire.  This keg fits right in next to the wine or in the fridge.   And it doesn’t take up any more space than one six pack of bottles or cans.

Cons:  Lots of foam until it chills down and settles.   If its rolling around in your car you’d better wait a few hours before imbibing.  Con #2:  you can’t hide it inside your jacket and sneak it into a club.

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Today’s commentary from the Sunday Palm Beach Post story “Elderly Man Drives onto Runway” found via the Consumerist. That’s basically the entire story: Old guy accidentally drives through a gate and into airport property.

Police do not believe Friday’s security breach was terrorism related. “It’s a possibility that this guy lost his way or was disoriented.” They quickly added, “But until they finish interviewing him, we won’t know for sure.

Ya think? Is that really necessary to reference terrorism JUST because this particular occurrence of wacky elderly driving mishaps happened at an airport?

A Consumerist reader comments: Can we PLEASE stop throwing the T-word around whenever anyone does anything remotely odd? And I agree. Throwing around “terrorism” for the slightest of security infractions dilutes was real terror is and was in our country.

Also the report says he “drove onto runway 9.” Really? Maybe. Hell i wasn’t there. But I do know that large airports have little two lane roads that run the perimeters for maintenance. You don’t just drive onto airport property and straight onto a runway.

Maybe I’m wrong, but more plausible is that he ran the gate and turned onto one of these perimeter roads - which are actually roads. Its a much more believable error. I’d dare speculate he probably wasn’t even a on a taxi way much less a runway, and not barreling headlong into an MD-11 like the bus on Speed.

This is just another article about elderly drivers. There’s zero terrorism danger. There’s no wish to plant fear and no ill-intention towards the U.S., it’s people, our government, or aviation infrastructure. This story has as much to do with terrorism as an elderly person driving through a window of an “Old Country Buffet.”

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Holy crap what a beautiful friggen week here in Denver.   You’ll notice I’m dialing down my profanity a notch because its “Take Your Son/Daughter to Work Day.”   The days and nights this week have been perfect spring weather.  And thanks to Kraftwerk last night for giving my fix of late 70s early 80s Moog techno. 

Anyway May is sweeps month - so let’s get started on an investigation that only I could care about.

I can’t remember if I read this on the Consumerist or heard it in person, but I heard or read a rumor somewhere that Budget, (and possibly other car rental companies,) are no longer offering maps at the car rental desk.  Keyword being “offering.”  They still HAVE maps.  But they are now tucked under the counter, and only given out if asked.

Reason?  Not to save a tree, but to subtly prod customers in renting a GPS.    If the maps aren’t visible as a simple free option, (which they are,) a GPS upsell is more likely to happen.

I rented a car last week at O’Hare.  Along with the myriad of other upsells and insurance, (including telling me a larger car was “safer,”)  the gentleman offered a dash mounted GPS unit.   I declined, and my exact words were “No, a map will be fine.”

Now I didn’t exactly ASK for a map, but from my past experience with Budget they’ve always asked me if I WANTED a map.  I especially remember this when renting at LAX, as I know the L.A. area well and always decline.

After walking out and photographing the many scratches and dings on my shitty Kia Rio, (documented here of course,) I realized I never got a map.  I walked back into the office and specifically ask for one - and the same gentleman gave me one from the pad - now UNDER the counter.    Hmm.  I always remember them always being ON the counter - free for the taking.

I think the GPS is certainly a nice feature and worth the cost in some cases.   But in my case I just needed a visual reminder of the Chicagoland expressways for my trip around the lake to Michigan.    A lot of people just don’t need GPS.  If you’re going to Orlando its pretty easy to get from the airport to Disneyworld. (I believe there’s a sign or two.)  And unless you’re geocaching your way around Hawaii a GPS unit really isn’t necessary.  Personally I really LIKE the Budget maps.   I’ve gone to a few cities and not even bothered buying a map because the rental car maps show interstates, major roads, and tourist landmarks.   They usually have a blow-up of the downtown area making it useful on foot too.

I’ve always had a pleasant experience with Budget.  I usually rent at LAX or Chicago, and I occasionally rent a truck at the downtown Denver location for camping trips or a major stock up at Home Depot. 

To satisfy my curiosity I called the O’Hare location. I spoke with manager Mark and asked if they were purposely discouraging giving out maps in order to rent GPS units.  

Mark, who I’m sure is extremely busy running this location, was very courteous and explained that policies vary branch to branch, but at HIS location he HAS been a bit more conservative in handing out maps.  However NOT to upsell the GPS, but because he’s seen them being unused, or thrown away upon departure.  Very logical.  He explained his employees generally ask if a map is needed.  We chatted about Denver a bit and he told me some additional benefits of their GPS units.  (Traffic alerts and such.)  I reiterated my positive past experiences with Budget and thanked him for the clarification and time.

In any case I shouldn’t be nervous that rental car companies, or at least Budget, will cease giving out maps.   Or start dumbing down their maps simply interstates, major arterials, and chain locations, (where you can go rent a GPS.)   Or worse take a cue from the airlines and start charging for them.

To other Budgets:  I like maps.  Please keep giving them out and making them readily available.  And thanks Mark for taking the time to chat with me.  I’m sorry for bitching about my Kia Rio.   It got me to Grand Rapids and back just fine and would have got great gas mileage if I wasn’t doing 95 the entire way.

Investigation complete.   

p.s.  If you’re in Denver the small downtown Budget and 20th and Broadway is an excellent alternative to the airport.  Like Mark in Chicago the staff is helpful and friendly, and manager Andy will rent you this kick-ass truck for your trip to the mountains.

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Happy Earth Day.  The smart car Center in Denver has been open since late February, and I recently got a chance to take a spin in one thanks to a friend at work who just purchased one.  (Ok his wife did, but its his turn to show it off.)

The “Smart” of Smart Car is an acronym taken from “Swatch Mercedes ART” - as the original project was originated by the Swatch company.  I’ve admired these on the streets of Europe and have seen a few out in California the past year.  Now they’re an occasional sight around Denver thanks to this new dealership.

Unfortunately this elegantly compact beauty still sparks stereotypical comments of too small, too unsafe, and effeminate. (But similar emasculating insults are lofted at guys who show off expensive cars too.)  Most myths are dispelled after experiencing a test ride.   The seats sit quite high - higher than most compacts actually.   The interior width space appears deceiving due to the front to rear bumper measurements, but inside its quite comfortable.   The entire car is built around a reinforced steel shell.  As described in blogs.cars.com “it’s like being encased in a walnut shell.”   And I sometimes do need the jaws of life when opening walnuts.

At 47 miles per gallon and a prices ranging from $11,000 to $16,000 I have a feeling these guys will become more common on our streets.  The photos are of the Cabriolet, which is the highest end model and features dual automatic/manual transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, heated seats, and a tinted sunroof.  An ample cargo compartment is found in the bag, big enough to store golf clubs and other bulky gear.  (Ski rack still required though.)

The smart center Denver is at 2855 South Broadway in Englewood, just south of Yale.   And since its Earth Day go ahead and read up on their ecology.  

I’m a true fan.   I love the gas mileage, clean design, and small footprint.   Here’s a clip from a Boston TV station which shows the interior and a test drive:  

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This definitely qualifies as “funny photo of the week.”  Which is not currently a feature on this blog nor planning to be one anytime soon.  

This pleasant neighborhood park is located in Grandville, Michigan, just southwest of Grand Rapids.   Along the path I found this well constructed blue sign which conveys much agreed upon advice of consuming liquids when during periods of high activity.

Staying hydrated certainly is good advice when walking, running, biking, rollerblading, or any other ing.  However I found it humorous that such warnings are necessary on this trail, which consists of a simple half mile loop around a small lake.  Furthermore the park is surrounded by houses on two sides.  So hypothetically if you DID become severely dehydrated you could stumble into someone’s walkout basement gasping for water.   Or most likely someone grilling in their backyard would see you raggedly dressed wandering half-delusionally about and call in the medivacs. 

There is also a Starbucks across the street.

But wait - one more comparison:  if you check out this map you’ll see that Heritage Park, on the left, is (sadly)  just barely one fourth the size of the nearby mall’s footprint.  Perhaps this sign should be relocated to the Rivertown Crossings Shopping Center?   In my experience its MORE difficult to stay hydrated at the mall, since the food court vendors will only give you a thimble size cup of water if asked.

In any case - stay hydrated…

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This concept car has been around for a few years, and a friend of mine recently examined it up close at the Denver Auto Show.

The Jeep Treo, which means three in various languages, looks more like a Mars rover than a car to me. It’s described as an “urban-active” Jeep, meaning versatile enough to navigate tight city streets and parking spots, yet rough enough to take to the mountains and trailheads.  It’s powered by hydrogen fuel cells which power the wheels by electric motors.  Conceptcarz.com describes the interior as spacious and bright, even given the small size.

Hence it’s name the Treo seats three - the third being a single rear seat as the body tapers in towards the rear.  (If I’m sitting alone in the back seat I sit in the middle anyway to avoid staring at a seatback.)   Most unique characteristic to me?  Its integrated to carry two Jeep Rubicon bikes, pictured mounted below.  Nice marriage of car and bike.   Of course if I owned this car with the two bikes pictured it wouldn’t leave my line of sight for too long. 

More photos and info at Conceptcarz.com.

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A few years back I took this picture on the streets of Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. This small ensemble of percussionists was slowly ambling down the street to the rhythm’s staccato beat.

I watched curiously for a bit, but this particular side street was empty of people so there was no one around to ask what was going on.

Due to leave soon on a boat back to Buenos Aires I didn’t think too much more of it until reviewing my photos. Later, at home, I posted the photo on a few travel forums soliciting answers, but I didn’t receive any replies.

I recently received an email from Shirley - answering my question and directing me to the site candombe.com- which explains the art, history, music, dress, and everything else beyond what’s captured in this small group.

From candombe.com:

Candombe (can-dome-bey) is an African derived rhythm that has been an important part of Uruguayan culture for over two hundred years. Uruguay, with a population of approximately 3.2 million, is a small country located in South America, bordered by its two massive neighbors, Brazil (162 million) to the East, and Argentina (34 million) to the West. This rhythm traveled to Uruguay from Africa with black slaves, and is still going strong in the streets, halls and carnivals of this small enchanting country.

Frequently, many drummers assemble onto the streets of Montevideo, playing their drums under the moon lit sky. As these drums move down the narrow streets of Montevideo, doors and windows swing open wide to receive this message that’s being delivered. At intervals the cuerda will pause, and by setting a fire, will heat their drums’ skins for tuning purposes. Pure candombe.

To learn more about this Afro-Uruguayan music, and it’s history and long journey from Africa check out candombe.com. And thanks Shirley for the email!

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Again my apologies for the lull in postings. I’ve just been super busy with some other projects, including planting a new tree in my front yard yesterday - Which resulted in me writing a “to-do” note to write a long photo post about Paulino Gardens, the most professional/knowledgeable nursery in Denver. This place is like walking into a small town farm in the heart of the city. The property has been around since 1915, and while now ensconced by freeways and warehouses its a gardener’s oasis in the city.

Anyway - as I’ve mentioned in past posts I’ve been fascinated by a West Michigan coffee chain named “Beaner’s.” Yes - there is, or was, actually a coffee shop called “Beaner’s.” Apparently when the original store was created it never registered to the founders that Beaners is not always used as a compliment when directed towards our Mexican friends. That said mis amigos mexicanos actually get a kick out of it when I tell them about the chain. Although I have no plans to ever bring my Beaner’s mug to work.

Imagine my surprise earlier this week when I saw that the “Beaners” sign had now become “Biggby’s Coffee.” (Good idea as they can keep the large “B” logo)

Turns out Beaner’s is looking to expand past it’s West Michigan confines, and along that line was advised that the name “Beaners” probably won’t fly so well in Santa Fe or San Diego. Or exist anywhere else west of the Mississippi without resulting in a few rocks through the window now and then.

I wonder if Latinos in Grand Rapids actually made an effort to avoid “Beaner’s?” Maybe my mug at home (thanks Mom,) and these photos from ‘06 will be worth something on Ebay.

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