Mexican-America’s Sweetheart

When you have a successful book and a syndicated column featured in 35 newspapers, what’s a Mexican to do next? Well, we asked the Mexican, and here’s what he told us: see the country and meet the ones who made you famous. “Without my readers, I’d be just another unemployed Mexican,” says Gustavo Arellano, whose column ¡Ask a Mexican! is published weekly by New Times. The Southern Californian’s been pumping paws and kissing babies for a while now in support of his book, and he returns to the desert for a signing. “Arizona’s like Orange County, but a little more laid back,” Arellano tells New Times. “Historically and politically, Arizonans are very comfortable with their Mexicans.” With one exception, of course: “Fuck Sheriff Joe. Flat out.”

Fri., May 9, 7 p.m., 2008