CALHOUN WAKE-UP CALL

Crash Course: The Ten Most Dangerous Intersections in Denver

As driving in Denver becomes increasingly perilous, certain intersections are now full-fledged danger zones. The city has logged more than 24,600 reported motor-vehicle accidents since the beginning of 2023, according to Denver's Open Data Catalog. Those crashes have resulted in 576 serious bodily injuries and 85 deaths, based on the Vision Zero dashboard.

That makes 2023 Denver's worst year for serious collisions in decades.

Ten of the city's surface street intersections (not including highway entrances or exits) have seen a huge number of crashes — 354 collisions between them— over the past seventeen months. While none of those accidents were fatal, fifteen people were seriously injured.

We've been documenting these dangerous intersections since 2017, and only one — Santa Fe Drive at West Alameda Avenue (above) — has been featured on every list. For more from Hannah Metzger, keep reading...

Picture This: Mr. 50 Cent Goes to Washington

Rapper 50 Cent was in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, collecting and posting photos with politicians like the Avengers infinity stones as he promoted Black representation in the liquor industry. His most-talked-about pic: a now-viral shot from Capitol Hill with Colorado's most notorious congresswoman.

"Lauren Boebert, Colorado Republican making the white house look good," wrote 50 (real name Curtis Jackson) in an X post.

The District 4 rep responded with a post sharing the same photo and saying, "I'd still love you if you flipped burgers at Burger King, @50cent, I used to do that myself! Thanks for the photo, great to meet you!"

She might be less appreciative of a second post from the rapper, in which he joked about Boebert's controversial night at a Beetlejuice performance and referenced chlamydia.

Chris Perez has the X-rated details here.

Asia Like It: Has Noodle Express Reached the End of the Line?

While the metro area's Asian food scene has been growing in the last couple of years, those seeking Sichuan fare still don't have many easy-to-access options. And soon there may be one less.

Noodle Express is located at 703 South Colorado Boulevard, in the nearly empty Belcaro Shopping Center. The restaurant, which opened in February 2020, just before the pandemic-era indoor dining shutdown, is in a stand-alone structure that it shares with Osaka Sushi. While its name and nondescript exterior may give the impression that Noodle Express is just a quick-service, noodle-focused joint, it dishes up some of the best Sichuan fare in town, including favorites such as chong qing chicken (chile-studded fried chicken), spicy boiled fish, mapo tofu and pan-fried green beans studded with savory, caramelized bits of ground pork.

Shortly after we visited for the first time in 2022, we learned that Noodle Express was facing imminent closure — but a deluge of distressed fans helped the owner renegotiate the lease. But now Noodle Express is in danger again.

For more from Molly Martin, keep reading...

Mile High Highlights: Dozens of Things to Do in Denver This Weekend

It's National Doughnut Day! Fuel up for a big weekend at one of our six favorite doughnut shops.

First Friday is here, and there are arty parties all over town tonight. We've got the lineup in the latest Art Attack.

And there's more, much more action around town, including the Five Points Jazz Festival, the Denver Fringe Festival and Lit Fest. For details on all your entertainment options, see "Free Things to Do in Denver This Weekend" and "More Things to Do in Denver (and Beyond) This Weekend."

In Case You Missed It...

Just in time for these hot pre-summer days, we rounded up the city's best ice cream shops in "Chill," this week's cover story.

The June 6 issue also includes our annual Summer Guide, with listings for hundreds of great events over the next few months, as well as a roster of our favorite Colorado bars for drinking up history. See that road trip-worthy list here, and find the entire guide in our digital flipbook.

Don't miss Westword's second annual Out to Brunch tomorrow, with unlimited food and drink samples...and drag queens!

And finally, our first spring membership drive ends today! We so appreciate your continued support.