Opinion – Page 2 – Pima Post

An NBA check-in: the Eastern Conference edition

12Apr

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Opinion, Sports

An NBA check-in: the Eastern Conference edition

By JAVIER DOSAMANTESPima Post In my last NBA column, we took a look at how the Western Conference Playoffs would play out. At the time, I wanted to wait a week to get a larger sample size from the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers before discussing a convoluted Eastern Conference Playoff picture. However, that week turned into a month, the regular season is over and there is still no clarity on who could come out of the East. However, I’m of the unpopular opinion that we need to analyze things with nuance and perspective. And the Eastern Conference has been hard to figure out all season long. With that said, I am glad that I did not participate in the initial hyperbole that anointed the 76ers as champions after the James Harden for Ben Simmons trade happened. ...

Tucson Taco Madness: The last taco face-off

5Apr

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Arts & Entertainment, Food, Opinion, Reviews

Tucson Taco Madness: The last taco face-off

By JAVIER DOSAMANTESPima Post This March, we had a tournament for the books. We witnessed upsets, future stars shining and legends coming up short. The 2022 Tucson Taco Tournament has now concluded, and a new champion has been crowned. Last night’s battle went down to the wire and culminated in a grueling journey for everyone who played. Tacos del Rancho and El Tacoson had to reach deep and put together their best tacos on the plate for one last time. It took a hard-fought and complete effort from both, but there could only be one winner. El Tacoson represented the South Central Conference with an al pastor taco, which is most emblematic of Mexico City. While Tacos del Rancho came out from the North Conference with a carne asada taco — the signature taco of the state of Sono...

4Apr

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Food, Opinion

Tucson Taco Madness: the final four

By JAVIER DOSAMANTESPima Post The table was set, and the winners of each division went against each other to compete for their respective conference titles, and advance to the tournament finals. Every taco had to step up against competition that was outside its comfort zone. We saw differing styles within divisions in the last round, but this round was a clash of completely different styles of play. All tacos had to adapt and make the necessary adjustments to come out with a win. A battle ensued between traditional and contemporary in the North Conference. An iconic style of taco versus a new style of taco that has been steadily gaining popularity — and one day perhaps will reach icon status. And in the South Central Conference, we witnessed an all-out prizefight between two...

31Mar

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Culture, Food, Opinion, Reviews

Tucson Taco Madness: fish food fight

By JAVIER DOSAMANTESPima Post Making a fish or shrimp taco sounds like a simple task, right? You grab a tortilla, pack it with fish, pour some “powers” (veggie toppings and salsas) on it and you’re good to go. Well, actually … no. No, I tell you, no. What is known as a fish taco or a shrimp taco, isn’t made willy nilly with any kind of fish or shrimp. Nor with random powers and any kind of tortilla. It is not a simple taco. It is one of the most layered, colorful and loudest tacos. Jazz music is just random sounds and noises, struggling to find a flow and rhythm without structure to the unfamiliar ear. When in fact, it’s a beautiful collection of melodies within a structure. And that from time to time, it steps out of that structure in search of more adventurous sounds — ...

Tucson Taco Madness: A fiery battle of taco powerhouses

29Mar

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Food, Opinion, Reviews

Tucson Taco Madness: A fiery battle of taco powerhouses

By JAVIER DOSAMANTESPima Post Mexico City is the Washington, D.C., of Mexico. It is also a standalone district outside of the other states, and it’s the capital of the country. Perhaps equally important, it is arguably the home of the best al pastor tacos. It is a taco rooted in history and cultural heritage. Its original conception was introduced by Lebanese immigrants who arrived in Mexico. It was a remix of a homeland dish — with the traditional anatomy substituted with ingredients found in the region. Pita bread was switched for a corn tortilla and lamb for pork. The meat was seasoned with chiles and spices from the region, and voila … the al pastor taco, as we know it today, was born. An al pastor taco is made with cuts of layered and seasoned pork meat g...

Tucson Taco Madness: The battle between goats and porks

25Mar

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Food, Opinion, Reviews

Tucson Taco Madness: The battle between goats and porks

By JAVIER DOSAMANTESPima Post The state of Jalisco has given the world tequila and mariachi, but equally as artful of a cultural contribution — is birria. Birria has a rustic origin, has a rich tradition and is known for its versatility. You can enjoy it as a broth with a birria taco on the side. As a taco with broth on the side for dipping … or as a straight up taco. People eat birria for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And with beers, the day after some beers or in family gatherings. Nearby states of Jalisco are known to have mastered the craft of making birria, but one of them is the state known for their carnitas. Michoacan gave birth to this beautiful incarnation of pork — it is tender on the inside and crisped to golden perfection on the outside. Carnitas...

Let’s put the worst behind us, and prepare for whatever comes next on COVID-19

24Mar

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Opinion

Let’s put the worst behind us, and prepare for whatever comes next on COVID-19

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. (CDC) By Diane E. BrownArizona PIRG Education Fund With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rapidly declining, we’ve got a real shot at putting the worst of this pandemic behind us, but only if more people get vaccinated. Health experts agree, this virus isn’t done with us yet. It will continue to spread and mutate, and there’s no guarantee that the next variant won’t be more deadly. Vaccination continues to be the best tool we have to protect ourselves, our community, and to get back to seeing friends and family safely. If you’re young and healthy, the odds that you’ll get severely sick or even die from COVID-19 are low, but t...

Tucson Taco Madness: A grilling duel in the Sonoran desert

24Mar

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Food, Opinion, Reviews

Tucson Taco Madness: A grilling duel in the Sonoran desert

By JAVIER DOSAMANTESPima Post Carne asada is not just another menu item in the Mexican state of Sonora. It is a tradition and a symbol of cultural pride. Sonora is mainly a livestock farming and agricultural state. It's a state known for its top-quality beef — and consequently — its carne asada. People have their grilling technique and taco construction philosophy that's passed from generation to generation or friendship to friendship. Although, two cardinal rules are followed by every Sonoran and perfected by some to become oracle-level “taqueros.” The meat (diezmillo or arrachera) should only be salted and not marinated. Marinating is frowned upon and is the mark of a lack of carne asada expertise.Carne asada tacos are to be made with flour tortillas, full stop. A...

A strawberry that’s not as good as it looks

24Mar

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Arts & Entertainment, Opinion

A strawberry that’s not as good as it looks

By JAVIER DOSAMANTESPima Post “Strawberry Mansion”Directed by: Kentucker Audley and Albert BirneyRating: RRun time: 1 hour, 31 minutes “Strawberry Mansion” is a sci-fi romantic comedy set in 2035. It’s a future where our dreams are taxed and recorded on iPad-like devices hooked to beds. The movie isn’t as dystopian as it seems, though. It is a hazy and whimsical story about a tax auditor that is tasked with going over the dreams of an eccentric older woman for dream auditing. Upon finding out that she didn’t switch over to the new technology, and all her dreams are in VHS tapes, our protagonist has to stay longer than he anticipated to complete the job. Of course, hijinks and a time-traveling romance ensue. When I saw the trailer, I was excited to see this movie. It...

10Mar

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Culture, Food, Opinion, Reviews

2022 Tucson Taco Tournament

By JAVIER DOSAMANTESPima Post In 2015, Tucson became the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States, a distinction shared by only 36 cities in the world. Tucson is famous for its unique multicultural food scene, particularly for its rich Mexican cuisine. In the very true and eloquent words of the late Anthony Bourdain: “I should remind you that Mexico is not homogenous. When you say ‘Mexican’ food to a Mexican, you haven’t really said anything at all. There are 32 distinct states, the food changes from region to region.” One universal staple, however, is the taco (seriously, there’s even a Netflix docuseries about it called “Taco Chronicles”). And the taco landscape in Tucson is one of the best in the country. Local chefs who specialize in tacos have appeared...