LEO Weekly, April 11, 2025 by Big Lou Holdings

MANAGING

Caleb Stultz

CREATIVE

Creative Director - Haimanti Germain

Graphic Designer - Aspen Smit

DIRECTOR

Marsha Blacker

Kelsey Knott, Will Doty

Aria Baci

Joe DeSensi

T.E. Lyons

Ezra Knapp

Marc Murphy Jeff Polk

Chris

MARC MURPHY

KILLING A MOCKINGBIRD

Lawyers are holding the flashlight while Trump buries the carcass

BY MARC MURPHY

Rule 1.2 Model Rules of Professional Conduct

d) A lawyer shall not counsel a client to engage, or assist a client, in conduct that the lawyer knows is criminal or fraudulent, but a lawyer may discuss the legal consequences of any proposed course of conduct with a client and may counsel or assist a client to make a good faith effort to determine the validity, scope, meaning or application of the law.

I represented people accused of crimes my entire career. Awful crimes sometimes, that made them pariahs in the eyes of the so-called law-abiding public. Loathsome outcasts in the eyes of others not worthy of respect much less the Constitutional rights I exercised on their behalf. In such cases attorneys understand that the defense of those rights – including testing the prosecutor’s case through a trial if necessary –protects everyone. It can be dirty work in a nation that has been idiotically (without anything to show for it) Tough On Crime for decades and incarcerates a higher percentage of its citizens than any country in the world. Our answer to everything is to criminalize it – even to criminalize people – and it’s up to lawyers, usually underpaid and monstrously overworked public defenders, to use their education and experience to protect the innocent and, especially, the factually guilty. What Tough On Crime politicians call “technicalities” when an attorney is successful are actually guarantees in the Constitution that protect all of us.

So it happens that attorneys, obligated to zealously advocate for their clients, may appear to be thwarting the efforts of law enforcement to protect public safety. Attorneys are obligated to keep their clients’ secrets. Attorneys are obligated in trial to force the prosecutor – the people’s attorney – to prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Attorneys – no matter what they know – are obligated to ensure the jurors understand their clients are presumed innocent in the law.

But an attorney can never help their client commit a crime. Most of an attorney’s work is after-the-fact, and, even then, a lawyer cannot promote perjury or use their clients’ lies in trial if they know them to be false. And, while a lawyer “may discuss the legal consequences of a proposed course of conduct” with a client, they may not, ever, “counsel a client to engage, or assist a client, in conduct that the lawyer knows is criminal or fraudulent”.

This, however, is exactly what a growing

number of lawyers are doing right now on behalf of Donald Trump. They may be our biggest problem. And they should be ashamed.

I take this personally, as a lawyer and law professor. Lawyers, despite the glossy image preferred by streaming service show runners, are not hired guns. They have obligations to more than their own clients. In fact, the first obligation lawyers undertake, in the presence of their family, future colleagues, and a Justice or two of their state Supreme Court, is to support the Constitutions of the United States and their own state. The same U.S. Constitution the new lawyers had recently agonized over in law school. The Constitution that is subject to constant scrutiny and interpretation but has at its core meant certain things beyond responsible debate: That the U.S. has no king. That all persons are guaranteed Due Process. And that the right to counsel does not include a right to force your lawyers to help you commit your crimes.

The managing lawyers of mega firms Paul Weiss and Skadden Arps and this Administration’s appointees doing its antidemocratic bidding within the Department of Justice were apparently tragically absent the day this was taught in law school. Bad day to miss. Since the beginning of Trump’s rise to power libraries full of thought pieces have been written about various

demographic or geographic or other groups’ support for Trump. It’s been blamed on economic anxiety, our public education system, religion, the inept Democratic Party, and other things. There’s truth in some form in all of that and decades from now in the event history is still being written at all it will be fully explored. Some people who supported Donald Trump, it will be concluded, had excuses.

Lawyers have none. The thickest, least cognitively agile, worst-class-attending, non-outlining graduate of any law school in the nation knows that the Trump Presidency is in the middle of the most illegal, unconstitutional, cruel, and unnecessary blitzkrieg against the Rule of Law the nation has ever encountered. This is an obvious and uncontroversial point. What isn’t obvious and should be very controversial is that he’s doing it with the assistance of (a) lawyers at the Department of Justice and in other Cabinet agencies and (b) lawyers at an increasing number of the nation’s largest and most successful law firms. All of them should know better. All of them do know better. All of them should be disbarred.

Trump and his MAGA administration know that the only thing standing between him and the authoritarian regime he is building is the Rule of Law. Business has generally fallen in line (as it always will). The churches won’t stop him (they never do).

The Democratic Party are the Washington Generals[1] at this point. And the people? He doesn’t care, there aren’t enough of them, and nearly half of Americans polled still approve of his efforts even after *all of this*[2]. Our brothers and fathers and uncles and friends aren’t being killed in Vietnam so it’s difficult to imagine a group manifesting the energy of those protests today.

The last, already feeble, guardrails are found under the umbrella of the Rule of Law, the stewards of which are lawyers. In my classes I tell students they are preparing to be nothing less than “Ministers of Justice” and that in the (still) secular way in which we structure our society they hold a sacred trust: The understanding of the history, the why, and the how of the law that has among its highest purposes the prevention of the government Trump is to this point successfully and with very little resistance creating. Lawyers have to be on the front lines of that resistance.

Not running away from it like cowards and deserters like Paul Weiss and Skadden Arps. On one hand the Trump appointees with which he infected the DOJ are actively arguing for the destruction of the Republic and against the prosecution of certain crimes and criminals as if Donald Trump was their client (he is not – another day apparently missed in law school) and are arguably in violation of both their attorney oaths and possibly the criminal law. These Trump sycophants presumably have their own reasons and none of them are defensible. It’s good for their career. They’re White Supremacists. They’re misogynists. They’re Christo-Fascists. They think they look good in Brown Shirts. Whatever.

On the other hand, enormous private law firms - called Big Law in the industry – are supposed to be filled with the best and the brightest. The Ivy grads and law review editors and federal judicial clerks who made their bones billing 2400 hours a year who have a fleet of private cars at their ready so they can grab a quick dinner with a client and return to the office until 1am without missing a beat or even calling an Uber. They’re the ones you call if you’ve got the money and you want the best. In theory. In practice, not so much. When the Trump administration threatened Weiss and Skadden because of representation Trump decided was contrary to his interests, former and present, these Big Law firms did the Smallest Possible Thing and “settled” with the President, if “settlement” can be defined as “begging for mercy and

expressing an abject willingness to do whatever Trump wants”. 90 former Paul Weiss associates signed a letter saying that Managing Partner Brad Karp’s deal with Trump “made the firm a poster child for the administration’s effort to silence dissent” among lawyers. Further, the letter said “Instead of a ringing defense of the values of democracy, we witnessed a craven surrender to, and thus complicity in, what is perhaps the gravest threat to the independence of the legal profession since at least the days of Senator Joseph McCarthy”. Under the agreement Trump rescinded an executive order that had stripped the firm’s security clearances, threatened federal contracts held by clients, and restricted its lawyers’ access to federal government buildings. Paul Weiss in exchange pledged $40 million in pro bono legal services that support Trump administration goals and agreed to an audit of the firm’s diversity hiring practices.

Skadden Arp’s executive partner Jeremy London reached a similar agreement and said in part the firm was “pleased to have achieved a successful agreement with President Trump and his Administration. We engaged proactively with the President and his team in working together constructively to reach this agreement. The Firm looks forward to continuing our productive relationship with President Trump and his Administration” It isn’t reported whether he was dictating this statement to his assistant while he was polishing Elon Musk’s Tesla in the Rose Garden, rushing because he still had to shine Trump’s golf shoes as he’d promised before the President left for Mar-A-Lago.

In response to these capitulations Trump said “I just think that the law firms have to behave themselves”. He’s getting what he wants, from the very people – the only people? – in a position to stop him. That’s the problem. The law firms, especially the wealthiest and most powerful, should most definitely not be “behaving themselves” to please him. But they are.

These firms who have already surrendered to Trump aren’t really, we know now, law firms at all. They’re just big businesses like the banks and hedge funds and international conglomerates they represent, no better, no worse. Their product may be the billable hour and not another commodity but in every other meaningful way there’s no distinction. The fact that they swore an oath to support the Constitution is a distant a memory to them now, as meaningful to their practices as their high school diplomas. They don’t stand for anything, so they’ve fallen for everything.

This is not about loyalty to a client, a sacred obligation. These Big Law firms didn’t represent Donald Trump. In fact, they represented clients in various postures of opposition to his administration. They had no duty to Donald Trump as he was not their client (he is now). An argument that they were protecting their actual clients

from retribution from the administration doesn’t pass muster, either. Someone was going to represent those clients – they are among the most sought-after clients by law firms in the world. These clients would have no problem securing able representation elsewhere. Make no mistake, these firms were protecting their representation of those clients, not the clients themselves. They were protecting their fees. They were protecting their firm, their profit distributions, and their mortgages. Those are not good enough reasons to agree to do the bidding of a man in the process of dismantling this nation, inflicting cruelty upon millions around the world, and lighting the Constitution itself on fire.

In the interest of completeness, I’ll note that section (b) of Rule 1.2 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, section (d) of which was cited above, does state: A lawyer’s representation of a client, including representation by appointment, does not constitute an endorsement of the client’s political, economic, social or moral views or activities. The agreements reached by Paul Weiss and Skadden Arps are, in fact, not merely “endorsements” of Trump’s “political, economic, social [and] moral views”. These lawyers agreed, specifically, to help the Trump Administration impose those views upon a nation that will find itself more and more helpless to resist every time a law firm or lawyer turns and runs from this fight. The fact that Big Law, at least these firms, is going to do this pro bono – for free – is a level of humiliation the word for which I don’t think exists in the English language.

Not everyone is built for these times. People of all walks are struggling with identifying the point from their own perspective at which Trump and his goons will have gone too far and that to live their lives as if things were normal would be a lie. A lie because people are being disappeared. A lie because foreign agents are spending millions bribing our President with unregulated crypto currency and memes. A lie because the Civil Rights clock is being turned back to 1962. A lie because the Treasury is being raided and Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare threatened. A lie because their own friends and neighbors are being fired for their color, their gender, their speech. A lie because there are, effectively, no more rules – except for those lawyers can protect, in spite of the odds. Those who are built for these times are going to have to be brave, principled, and committed to a democratic future.

Unlike the directors of Paul Weiss and Skadden Arps.

[1] The Harlem Globetrotters’ regular opponent who comically fall for every joke and stunt and lose, every single time.

[2] 49%: Harvard CAPS/Harris poll published March 31, 2025

Marc Murphy

WHAT DOES SOLAR ENERGY LOOK LIKE IN KENTUCKY IN 2025? The EcoIssue

Solar energy is gaining momentum across Kentucky, with increasing installations in urban areas like Louisville, but policy uncertainty and rural adoption challenges persist.

by Caleb Stultz

Adoption of solar energy is rising in Kentucky; metropolitan areas like Louisville are leading both commercial and residential installations. Driven by local programs, state projects and federal funding, the state,s solar capacity is rising. Widespread development is hampered, though, by policies of uncertainty and delayed rural uptake.

Current State of Solar in Kentucky

As of 2022, Kentucky had roughly 163.2 kWh of solar-plus storage capacity, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). By means of joint investments in energy storage, utilities and regulators hope to hasten deployment rates, hence lowering electricity prices and improving grid stability.

Federal and State Investments Fueling Growth

Federal funding will help Kentucky’s solar industry considerably grow. Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Kentucky will get over $62 million to increase home solar energy availability, especially for low-income households. An EPA press statement claims that this money is part of the “Solar for All” competition, meant to provide home solar installations to almost 900,000 households around the country.

On the state level, Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities (LG&E and KU) are expanding their Solar Share plant in Simpsonville. Comprising more than 1,100 solar panels, the fifth portion under development will generate up to 500 kilowatts of electricity. LG&E and KU said in a news release, “Once all eight sections are complete, the facility will have a total capacity of 4 megawatts.”

Urban Areas Driving Solar Adoption

Louisville leads Kentucky’s solar projects right now. Mayor Craig Greenberg highlighted the city’s dedication to sustainability by announcing the installation of solar panels on three local buildings: the Southwick Community Center, Iroquois Library, and Fire Engine 8. “Once this installation is complete, it’ll produce enough solar energy to meet about half the needs of these three buildings,” Greenberg said, according to a Louisville Metro Government press release. The program is projected to save the city around $18,000 yearly.

Louisville has also reintroduced the “Solarize Louisville” campaign, which encourages locals to adopt solar energy. “Sustainability is an extraordinarily high priority. It’s critical and key for what we’re doing to try to build a safer, stronger, and healthier city,” said Greenberg in a Louisville Metro Government statement.

Challenges Facing Solar Expansion in Kentucky

Despite improvements, obstacles remain. Policy uncertainty, particularly over net metering restrictions, could undermine the financial sustainability of home solar installations. Changes to net metering policies may affect the financial incentives for homeowners who sell excess energy back to the grid, thereby limiting future adoption.

Rural locations in Kentucky also face hurdles such as less awareness, fewer available contractors, and concerns about upfront expenditures. To address these obstacles, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet has developed a Solar Site Suitability Tool and a Solar Toolkit to aid developers and local governments in boosting solar adoption. According to a study by the Cabinet, these services aim to help locate suitable sites for solar projects and streamline the permission process.

Economic and Environmental Impact

The expansion of Kentucky’s solar business has substantial economic repercussions. For instance, Canadian Solar Inc. has launched a $712 million project in Shelbyville to create industrial-scale batteries for energy storage. The project is estimated to produce around 1,500 jobs. “With this investment, we’re putting our stamp on working to become just the battery capital of the United States,” said Governor Andy Beshear in a statement quoted by AP News.

On the environmental front, rising solar capacity reduces dependency on fossil fuels, contributing to cleaner air and healthier communities. According to SEIA, Kentucky’s Public Service Commission compels electric companies to include energy storage and distributed energy resources in their Integrated Resource Planning, supporting a more sustainable energy future. Kentucky’s solar future appears promising, with projected increases in installations and growing public support. However, sustaining this growth will require continued collaboration among government agencies, industry leaders, and local communities. Mayor Greenberg expressed optimism about Louisville’s ongoing efforts, stating that initiatives like Solarize Louisville aim to “rapidly accelerate the adoption of renewable energy” in the region.

OTHER WAYS TO GO GREEN The EcoIssue

Measuring your carbon footprint in alternative ways and saving money at the same time

by LEO Weekly Staff

When a person researches topics related to How To Go Green In The Home, the #1 search result typically reveals something directly related to electricity (use LED lighting, for example). But what many people do not realize is that there are several other ways to go green. We’ve highlighted three that we think you might enjoy learning more about.

Grow Local, Share Local

LEO reached out to Pineal, whose mission is to use nature to increase the health of our planet and everything that’s living on it. Founded in Louisville, KY by Noah Curtis, Pineal offers assistance in building raised beds for veggie and herb gardens and also helps the local community in creating trade stations, which essentially are plant stands that community members put outside their home, school, small business, church, etc., as a swap point for the community to share and trade homegrown produce, seeds, houseplant cuttings, plant starts, backyard chicken eggs and other gardening goodies. Curtis started building them in his dad’s driveway, and now stations are available nationwide and are helping grow healthier, more sustainable communities.

Curtis believes this movement can change the world by working with the community rather than waiting on someone else to fix the problem. Problems such as limited access to healthy local produce, the amount of waste that modern agriculture produces, the decreasing biodiversity in our communities due to lack of habitat, and just the lack of community networks and the community helping community way of thinking and operating. Curtis noted, “There seems to be a lot of hate in the world today. I think it’s very hard to hate someone who helps feed our family and I am hopeful that Pineal trade stations can bring a little more love into our lives today.” He further commented, “If we start growing our own fresh produce and trading and growing flower gardens as much as we did grass, we could really do amazing things in uplifting the community and our planet. I also believe that working with our community just brings a little more joy to our lives as humans

and I think that is something we all need in what seems to be a revolving door of negativity everywhere you look.”

While it may not fit the traditional going green way, with grocery prices skyrocketing and taxes at an all-time high, growing your own produce, veggies, and herbs can make a huge difference in the bottom line over time, and if you happen to have more than you need, use a trade station to better someone else’s situation! The Louisville Pineal Community facebook group is a great group to join to learn more about this unique and vital service being offered to the community.

The Dangers Of Fast Fashion

Fast fashion is a business model that encourages low cost, high volume, and low quality products

with the idea that trendy clothing will be accessible to all people but will be discarded just as quickly due to being out of fashion (or poorly made), counting on the need to be replaced with another low cost but fashion forward item. Some of the popular fast fashion companies are Shein, Temu, Zara, and even local stores such as H&M and Forever 21. This isn’t to say that some of the clothing purchased from these companies isn’t decent or needed clothing, but the business model is built to outsource to low labor areas, mass produce for cheap, and sell with the intent that it won’t last long. (Sounds familiar to our appliances that are built to break in 4-7 years.)

Landfills are being overwhelmed by clothing that is being tossed out. According to earth.org, the average US consumer throws away 81.5 lbs of clothes every year. And if you think that you’ll order the item and just return it, that’s not going

to save the planet. Most of the items returned to retailers from consumers end up in landfill. This is mainly because it costs more for the company to put them back in circulation than to get rid of them. Retailers often dispose of returned items in landfills because it’s more cost-effective rathern than reintroducing them into the market. So, what is the solution? If you are a fashion and trendy fan and like the concept of fast fashion because it is on-point with the latest trends, sign up with companies such as ThreadUp, The RealReal, or even Stitch Fix, which does require a subscription but you receive a personal stylist. The more feedback you give, the better the boxes are, so you typically end up receiving high quality, good fitting, and fashionable clothing in the end. If you are looking just to empty the 10% of your closet that you never wear, but still want to make a few bucks, try selling to a

local vintage or flea market consignment store. Are you a UofL student or employee? Visit the UofL Free Store, which is open during semesters and is staffed by volunteer students and interns promotes the on-going free exchange of clean, functional, durable items like clothing, shoes, accessories, housewares & kitchen items, linens, bath/beauty/cleaning supplies, electronics, small appliances, books, school & art supplies, and more.

Regardless of which direction you go, tossing old clothes is not the green solution - so jump off the fast fashion trend and try a resale store instead.

No-Waste Groups

You can get lost doing a search for no-waste groups on the internet and across social media platforms. But the result is the same: no-waste groups exist to do just that, limit their waste to avoid unnecessary landfill contributions. Whether the items are gently used, new, or broken and just wanted for parts or scrap, everyone is looking to accomplish the same goal. Many groups are free to swap or take and actually make it part of their rules. The old idiom, One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, is tried and true with these groups. Take a look and

see how you can improve your sustainability by joining in on the fun. Do be prepared to do some scrolling and searching though!

• Buy Nothing Louisville : facebook.com/groups/671612014203705

• Louisville Freegans : facebook.com/groups/167709899927595

• Give Freely Jefferson Co : facebook.com/groups/493711107817671

While these are just a few options available to the public on other ways to go green this year, there are many other solutions out there. A basic internet search will reveal top 10 lists from several companies. You don’t have to invest a lot of money to get started. You can begin with basic recycling and then see how you can further lessen your carbon footprint as you jump on the go green bandwagon.

Fast Fashion: A landfill showing clothing piled and discarded.

Courtesy photo from Earth.org

Noah Curtis with a community member at the completion of a Pineal Trade Station build.

Noah Curtis

OPINION The EcoIssue

Donald Trump And His Selfishness Will Be Responsible For Avoidable Pain In Kentucky And Across The Nation

by Caleb Stultz

This was easily avoidable, but self-centered egoism prevailed. Now, we are paying the price

To each and every voter who decided the health of the economy was more important than their own lives, voting against their own interest of safety and well-being again and again, this goes out to you.

We see you. We know exactly who you are. You, yes you, the Trump voter, have continuously and selfishly looked towards your own financial ends to get just a little more ahead than the person next to you, while trampling over the lives of millions of your fellow Americans. Your selfishness, your greed, all those things that make you who you are lead us to this moment in history where families across the country are fighting for their

own survival in the richest nation in all of human history.

Closer to home, millions of people in Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana are scared, horrified at the reality that a gust of wind can rip away everything that they built (which isn’t much compared to older generations). Even I—sitting in my small home that I just barely eeked out enough money for—could be picked up and tossed across the city I live in as the climate shifts faster than scientists ever could have imagined.

And that was before they were fired for “efficiency’s sake.” Thanks, DOGE.

Right now, there are several freezes on absolutely necessary FEMA assistance for those who were hurt—physically, mentally and emotionally—by the toll of weather

events across the country, including massive floods in West Virginia (that you definitely did not hear about from the mainstream media (MSM)).

21 states. 21 states currently need help. That’s before the devastating winds and tornadoes rip away the livelihoods of millions here in the Commonwealth and in the Louisville Metro area.

So what does the other side do? Symbolically stand and hold up government for 25 hours? I appreciate the gesture, but civil disobedience means not just making it difficult for autocrats and demagogues to govern; it means taking back the power by any means necessary.

Even our own Constitution (remember that piece of paper, Don?) states that

America’s citizens must fight to take back the government that no longer serves its citizens. Ask yourself, honestly, when was the last time it felt like government was serving your best interests?

If you’re in Western Kentucky, you may remember the last bout of tornadoes that ripped through your home four years ago. That may be the last time you felt like the government was on your side, the last time FEMA had the money and resources to help you rebuild.

That was then. This is now.

No one is coming to save you this time. How does that sit with you?

EAT, DRINK AND SEE IN THIS WEEK’S STAFF PICKS

ALL MONTH LONG

Beginning and Intermediate Pottery Classes

Art Center of the Bluegrass | 401 W Main St | $175+ | artcenterky.org/registration/ | 6 p.m.

Try your hand at pottery with the Art Center of the Bluegrass and their beginner and intermediate pottery classes, running throughout April and early May. These classes will occur every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. starting on April 8th, with the final class on May 13th. You will work with instructor Stacie Barton to create 3-4 finished projects, with clay, glazing, and firing all included in the class and final projects ready 2-3 weeks after completion. Pick up a new hobby or hone your skills this spring!

—Ezra Knapp

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

Easter Egg-Citement

Eckert’s Versailles Orchard | 1396 Pinckard Pike | $5+ | eckerts.com/event/ | 9 a.m.

Dive into some family friendly fun at Eckert’s Versailles Orchard for their annual Easter egg hunt. Once the eggs have been tracked down, families can enjoy animal petting, a tractor ride around the farm, cookie icing, face painting, a take-home plant, duck pond, and more! The orchard playground will also be open for springtime frolicking, and tickets are available to purchase for unlimited access to the all-new Mega Slide and Jumping Pillow.

—Ezra Knapp

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

KMAC Couture: Lucky #13

KMAC Museum | 715 W Main St | $190+ | redpintix.com/ | 7:15 p.m.

Experience creativity at the KMAC Couture wearable art show, their yearly fundraiser for the museum’s educational programs and exhibits. The KMAC Museum is celebrating their thirteenth anniversary of the KMAC Couture show with their theme, “Lucky #13,” highlighting superstition and good fortune through wearable masterpieces. If you’re feeling especially lucky, enter into their raffle for a chance to win group tickets to both Oaks and Derby! Front row seats are already sold out, so make sure to purchase your tickets today.

—Ezra Knapp

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

Run for the Rosé

Work the Metal | 1201 Story Ave | facebook. com/events/ | 10 a.m.

ndulge at Work the Metal during their Run for the Rosé event, featuring a wine bar, feather bar, and plenty of pop-up vendor shops! Starting at 10 a.m., Work the Metal is the place to be for all your Derby needs. Browse the variety of sips at the wine bar and DIY a fascinator or upgrade your current piece just in time for Derby celebrations. Explore the eclectic pop-up vendors for jewelry, decor, handmade gifts, and more.

—Ezra Knapp

Friday, April 11 through Friday, July 11

Don’t Tell Me You Care: History of Louisville Music Through Flyers

ArtPortal has teamed up with Gasoline Press for their latest exhibit: Don’t Tell Me You Care, which features flyers, posters, and photos from over 50 years in the Louisville music scene! If you’re a Louisville music geek like me and chomping at the bit to get a look at this exhibit, you can do so at the opening night celebration on Friday, April 11th from 5pm to 11pm, which will feature music by Strong Style, Wee Mighty, and Cold Hand. Tickets are $6.39 in advance, or available at the door. And beginning Saturday, April 12th through July 11th the exhibit can be viewed for free with admission to any event at Portal, or by appointment.

—Jeff Polk

FRIDAY, APRIL 11

Murder for Hope - Murder Mystery Dinner

MillaNova Winery | 744 Gentry Ln | $60+ | my.onecause.com/event/ | 5:30 p.m.

Prepare for a night of suspense at the MillaNova Winery and their Murder for Hope murder mystery dinner. Try not to lose your head as you enjoy decadent dinner options, including a vegetarian choice, and an incredible and interactive WhoDunnit theater performance. This to-die-for event will also include an auction with prizes such as autographed memorabilia from UofL and UK coaches, rare bourbon finds, golf excursions, vacation packages, and more! The proceeds of the night will be donated to Seth’s Squad, funding care for cancer patient families.

—Ezra Knapp

Saturday, April 15

Record Store Day

Various places and times | recordstoreday.com

Since 2008, independently-owned brick and mortar record stores around the world have been the focus of Record Store Day, which is devoted to celebrating the role they play in their communities and the people who make them spin: the staff who run them, customers who shop them, and the artists who make the music they sell. And every year hundreds of RSD exclusive releases, spanning every genre of music, are released in limited quantities and only available on Record Store Day. Check out the list of titles at recordstoreday.com and get yourself to any and all of the locally participating record stores, which as of this writing are: Better Days Records (both locations), Guestroom Records, Matt Anthony’s Record Shop, and The Great Escape.

—Jeff Polk

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

Puppy Palooza Westport Village | 1301 Herr Ln | Free! | facebook.com/events/ | 11 a.m.

Visit Westport Village for a family-friendly and doggone good time with the Puppy Palooza event. Their fifth annual, Kentucky Humane Society supporting event holds tons of fun for humans and canines alike. Enjoy live music, a wide array of vendors, a pet photobooth, giveaways and so much more! Cool off at the Puppy Splash Zone or treat yourself and purchase a drink ticket, take part in some arts and crafts, or face painting. Make sure to stick around for the doggy-centric contest, with categories like “Best Dressed,” “Most Instagrammable,” and “Best Smile.”

—Ezra Knapp

Tuesday, April 15

Nashville is really the only city I’m aware of that can compete with Louisville in terms of the quality of local music being made, and a big part of that is Nashville’s fuzzed-out prog rock/heavy psych legends Howling Giant. Seriously, you need to see these guys live! If you’ve ever wondered what a mashup of Pink Floyd, Mastodon, Rush, and Queens of the Stone Age might sound like, you’re in luck! The band is working on their third full-length album and is gearing up for a big summer tour, so hopefully we’ll get to hear some new songs before everyone else! With support coming from local heavyweights Baptise and Bandshee.

—Jeff Polk

THURSDAY, APRIL 24

“Water in the Sky: Myths and Real Science” Lecture

Howard Steamboat Museum | 1101 E Market St | Donations Only | howardsteamboatmuseum.org/ | 7 p.m.

Discover the wonders of astronomy during Professor Gerry Williger’s lecture, “Water in the Sky: Myths and Real Science” hosted in the Carriage House at the Howard Steamboat Museum. He will guide guests through a tour of some major water-constellations in the milky way and explore how it is created, where it goes, and how it reaches Earth. This event is free to attend, with a recommendation of a $5 donation.

—Ezra Knapp

Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19

Legalize Lex 2025

I wouldn’t normally list shows outside of Louisville as a staff pick, but this is something special. If you’re looking for the ultimate way to kick-start your 4/20 weekend, then pack your bong and get your ass to Lexington! Legalize Lex is Kentucky’s premier doom / sludge / stoner metal festival and features two nights of some of the heaviest, most crushing, brain-melting riffs this side of Tony Iommi. Six bands playing Friday night including Temple of the Fuzz Witch, Hashtronaut, Weed Demon, and Shi. 11 bands Saturday night on two stages, (both indoor and outdoor), including Horseburner, Lo Pan, Rebreather, Crop, Friendship Commanders, and Stormtoker. Full band list and set schedule up now on Legalize Lex’s social media pages.

—Jeff Polk

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

Kentucky Bourby 2025 by TKO Flight Club Progress Park | 4501 Progress Blvd | $100+ | www.eventbrite. com/ | 6 p.m.

Join TKO Flight Club for their 2025 Kentucky Bourby, celebrating the upcoming Kentucky Derby and supporting Louisville Parkinson’s Fighters. Tickets will include free bourbon tastings from local distilleries, hors d’oeuvres, music, race raffles for door prizes, a silent auction, and free valet parking. The night will feature live horse racing $5 raffles for wonderful bourbon prizes, a silent auction for rare bourbon delights, and a cigar bar hosted by J. Shepherd Cigars. Check out their variety of ticket options and bring your Derby spirit!

—Ezra Knapp

DINING WITH A SIDE OF DELIGHT AT PASEO IN LOUISVILLE

BY JOE DESENSI

When you think of fine dining, do you picture stiff waitstaff and hushed conversations. . . maybe an ice sculpture of a swan? Paseo, nestled in the Lower Highlands on Baxter Avenue, is here to challenge those stereotypes—one wood-fired carrot at a time. This metropolitan-style eatery manages to combine upscale culinary offerings with an atmosphere that feels warm and friendly

If you have not noticed it before, it sits back from the street a bit behind a huge entrance that simply reads: Paseo. Walking through the painted brick edifice, like taking a wardrobe ride to Narnia, you discover the large, partially covered patio and heated pool from the Myriad Hotel and Swim Club with the entrance to the restaurant located in the back.

With many tables spread out under high ceilings, the open floor plan and high end bar let you know that you are definitely not at the swim club concessions stand.

Live jazz plays on select evenings, serenading patrons as they sip half-priced bottles of wine (a Tuesday night’s special. . . put it on your calendar), or as Hope says, “I like a wine deal with a soundtrack.”

The

Menu—a Feast for All (Even Vegetarians and Octopus Fans)

For main courses, everyone at our table found their jam. Rob went bold with the octopus, complete with fingerling potatoes and Spanish chorizo. My vegetarian heart led me to the risotto, decadent eating for a veggie—especially when topped with Frondosa Farms mushrooms that were offered for a slight upcharge. Those mushrooms alone were worth the price of admission. The ladies at the table (the word ‘Ladies” used loosely) opted for the salmon, which arrived adorned with pomegranate reduction, white balsamic, microgreens, and candied almonds. It looked so artful, I half expected Hope to frame it instead of eating it (she didn’t—she inhaled it).

Shareables Worth Sharing (or

Not)

While the risotto was the headliner for the night for me, the shareable plates were an all-star opening act.

Starting with the hummus brûlée as an amuse bouche of sorts (a smoky, creamy take on the Mediterranean classic complemented by harissa onion jam and flatbread - make it

Paseo

900 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY

(502) 632-7935

www.paseolouisville.com

gluten free with adding the crudité- a variety of crisp, pickled veggies), we had the sustenance to order more appetizers. The plentiful order of wood-fired carrots drizzled in basil aioli and topped with pistachios, exemplified simplicity done right where you let the veggies themselves do the heavy lifting on the flavor profile. Same with the fingerling potatoes. . . perfectly cooked tubers with sherry vinegar, house made berbere spice, and grana Padano. Though not veggie-compliant, the table also scarfed down the crispy Brussels sprouts with orange n’duja vinaigrette. We pretended to share, but there were some fork battles. No regrets, no apologies.

Service With a Smile (and Great Wine Pairing Skills)

What truly sets Paseo apart is its service. Our server flowed seamlessly between

informative and entertaining, offering thoughtful wine pairings and dessert wine recommendations. While most of us enjoyed gelati, sweet treats and coffee to end the evning in style, the server suggested an after dinner glass of wine to my wife who was not partaking. Hope leaned over and said, “He really gets me.”

For travelers staying at the Myriad Hotel, dining at Paseo is a must. But even for us Lu-a-vill-yuns, it’s the perfect excuse to treat yourself and loved ones to a night out. Or make a whole day out of it with a day pass to the swim club.

Joe DeSensi

AUTHORS FOR PARENTAL STEM ENTHUSIASM

BY T.E. LYONS

Even the most basic matters of education now seem to carry with them confusion and controversy. But one of the bedrocksolid concepts to have gained attention and clarity through recent decades is the value of a focus on STEM—that’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. It may have gotten short shrift at some times and places, but people with lifetimes of learning and teaching, after watching education trends ebb and flow, know that STEM training has stood the test of time. It’s a great way to introduce kids to reasoning and provide other preparations for later life—and it’s definitely not just for raising nerds and geeks.

Three education researchers (two from greater Kentuckiana) have combined their advocacy for STEM with lessons learned from both everyday-grounded experience and academic understanding, and channeled the results into the new book “STEM SMART Parenting.”

Though there are two mnemonic acronyms in the title, this is a practical guide rather than a programmatic how-to.

SMART, by the way, stands for Struggle Can Be Productive; Mistakes Are Learning Opportunities; All Topics and All People Are Connected to STEM; Risk-Taking Should Be Rewarded; and Think Critically. Individual book chapters dive into discussion and suggestions, including no-cost and low-cost supportive activities. Pointing out the joy of facing challenges and perils in perfectionism may not be innovative ideas, but there’s very relatable style to how this trio gently but clearly steers family interactions away from “helicopter parenting” or the new-classic “lawnmower parenting.”

Personal recollections (the authors’ families include 11 children) are sidelights that make for relatable following. One substantial chapter identifies toys, games, etc., that spur learning. The recommendations skew toward descriptive types more often than brand names—providing lasting utility.

In advance of the upcoming author discussion at Carmichael’s on Frankfort, LEO got in a couple of quick email questions with co-author Lisa Hoffman, who emphasizes that the skills this book intends to bring out “are for poets and politicians as much as for programmers.”

LEO: How did you three authors decide to include examples from your own (remarkably rich) familial and professional experiences?

Lisa Hoffman: As researchers, we usually publish articles in academic journals that live behind paywalls. But we’re

also parents, and we find this research really useful ourselves. So we wanted to inform and empower other parents and caregivers in a conversational style and an accessible format. With 11 children among us, we are also keenly aware that the people most invested in their

children’s development often have the least time to read about it!

LEO: Your book’s early chapters seem to skew toward avoiding or breaking less-desirable parenting traits. Sometimes adults can help by doing less rather than more. Lawnmower parenting is the tendency of adults to remove obstacles from a child’s path so they won’t have to struggle or fail. After all, no one likes seeing a child disappointed, and frankly it’s more efficient to do things ourselves. It’s easy to focus on what is comfortable for the adult rather than what is beneficial for the child. But struggle can be productive, and kids need to learn to persevere through difficulty.

LEO: What kind of resourcing or parental preparation is needed to nurture skills and learning as you’ve set out here? Parents don’t need more tasks piled on their plates! Caregivers already feel enough pressure in raising kids with limited resources of both funds and time. Supporting STEM SMART skills doesn’t require adults to have deep pockets or provide special classes. These are life skills that can be integrated into everyday life.

Saturday, Apr. 19

2 p.m.

2720 Frankfort Ave. carmichaelsbookstore.com

Clockwise: STEM SMART Parenting authors LisaHoffman Alan Zollman, EmilySuh Courtesy photos

TUMBAO COLLECTIVE BRINGS MULTICULTURAL DANCE

TO LOUISVILLE

Their next event is making moves to support a vital local resource

BY ARIA BACI

Tumbao Collective is a Louisville-based nonprofit organization that builds community through art, music, and movement. They host a free event called Tumbao Tuesdays, where they collaborate with local creatives, including visual artists Megan Lenahan and Morgan McGill, glass artist Shawn Ford, and the seven-piece Latin band Yapa!

The next Tumbao Collective event is a Spring Social at Foko (991 Logan St.), the Southern-inspired Mexican restaurant in Shelby Park, on Friday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the Americana World Community Center in Beechmont. Americana provides a full spectrum of educational and social support services for immigrants and refugees in Louisville. H3: Supporting a vital local resource Americana World Community Center is

supported entirely by grants, sponsorships, its own fundraising events, and individual donors. A significant amount of grant money Americana receives comes from local and regional foundations who themselves are the primary recipients of federal funds. But recent cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency have threatened Americana — which is usually a secondary recipient of federal funds — with permanent closure.

Although admission to the Spring Social is by donation, Tumbao Collective encourages a minimum donation of $10 because donations will directly support Americana. In order to continue serving immigrant, refugee, and economically underserved communities in Louisville, Americana needs to secure $520,000 by Monday, June 30. Every dollar matters.

Dancing at the fundraiser — and beyond

The Tumbao Collective is named for the rhythm played on the conga drum and the bass in Afro-Cuban music. The name of the rhythm is derived from the Cuban Spanish use of “tumbar,” meaning “to knock over.” At the Spring Social, the floor will be open for bachata, salsa, and merengue dance all night — or at least until the event is scheduled to end at midnight.

Bachata is a 20th-century musical genre that originated in the Dominican Republic. Its stylistic amalgam of Spanish folk as well as indigenous Taíno and African tone colors exemplifies the cultural diversity of the Dominican people. The music soon inspired its own dance form. Bachata is a couple dance with a lead and a follow that can be performed in open, semi-closed, or

closed positions.

Dominican musician and bandleader Johnny Pacheco brought a New York style of Cuban dance music into wide public awareness in the 1960s. He called the music, its corresponding dance style, and the culture that developed around it “salsa” and never looked back. Salsa includes elements of Latin styles like mambo, rumba, and son as well as American styles like hustle, swing, and tap, so it is usually a couple dance.

As a style of music and movement, merengue is also Dominican in origin. Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic. Because it is performed as a danced walk, it is accessible even to inexperienced dancers, which makes it popular well beyond the Dominican shores.

Louisvillians who are ready to dance should join Tumbao Collective in their fundraising event at Foko on Friday, April 4 — and again for Tumbao Tuesdays throughout the spring and summer.

Yapa! Courtesy of the Artist Dancers

Mehmet Duymaz / Pexels

BLASE GROODY AND ROB GOODKNIGHT KNOW TALENT

WHEN THEY HEAR IT

Their two-part release is a showcase for local rappers and vocalists

BY ARIA BACI

Local musician Blase Groody has had a lifelong passion for music. “My dad introduced me to the saxophone when I was young, which turned me into a musician as I got older,” he said. A graduate of the University of Louisville School of Music with a Jazz Performance degree, he found his way into “the elite class of musicians around town pretty quickly.” In addition to his exploration of sound engineering and piano, he also followed his passion for hip-hop and started rapping. Groody expanded his creative range even further when he began collaborating with Louisville-based music producer and audio engineer Rob Goodknight. “Rob and I have been cooking up beats together for years,” Groody said in an exclusive statement to LEO. “Sometimes it can be tricky to get your beats to the right people or get credited correctly if artists use your beats, so we finally decided to make our

own project!”

The co-producers wanted to showcase the Louisville hip-hop music scene by featuring their favorite local rappers and singers on their recording project. “We wanted to make it as easy as possible for the artists, so all they have to do is write their lyrics, and we take care of the rest,” Groody said. He and Goodknight do all the recording, mixing, and mastering as well as all the promotion, distribution, and royalty management. They even manage the video content and album cover art.

“Literally everything.”

“One of the hardest parts was trying to find a name for the project,” Groody said. “We had a lot of ideas, but none of them really fit right. Until finally, we were debating through a list of names and one of us said, ‘you’ll know when you hear it.’ We both instantly realized that had to be the name for the project.”

The album “You’ll Know It When You Hear It” features rhymes by local rappers Mike Bandanna, Joey Phantom, Trapkingkai, Nise the Nymph, Empty Advice, Lady Laveaux, Anna B, justthos, Rosario, and Allen Witcher. “We ended up having quite a few songs, so we had to split the release into two parts,” Groody said. Part 1 was released on all major streaming services on Tuesday, April 1. Part 2 will be released approximately eight weeks later, on a date yet to be determined. In addition to his recording work with

Goodknight, Groody also recently joined Operation Doomsday, a bilingual music and poetry series that features local musicians, spoken word performers, and visual art inspired by the music of hip-hop artist MF DOOM. Groody’s keyboard and saxophone jams behind spoken word offers audiences active engagement with poetry. Groody is always looking for new collaborators, so he welcomes inquiries at his Instagram profile, Produced By Rob and Blase. “We’re trying to make a wave in the city with all the rappers and singers,” he said. “Spoken word poets are welcome too.” Groody will be performing with Operation: Doomsday at The Whirling Tiger (1335 Story Ave.) on Friday, April 11; at Carmichael’s Bookstore (2720 Frankfort Ave.) on Thursday, April 17; and at The Monarch Music and Arts Community (1318 Bardstown Rd.) on Saturday, April 26. Follow the series at doomsdayky.com for details and updates.

Clockwise: “You’ll Know It When You Hear It” cover art

Benji

Blase Groody

Courtesy of the artist

Rob Goodknight Courtesy of the artist

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of April 11

ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Life is asking you to be a source of generosity and strength for the people and animals in your sphere. I hope you will exude maximum amounts of your natural charisma as you bestow maximum blessings. Soak up the admiration and affection you deserve, too, as you convey admiration and affection to others. Here’s a secret: The more you share your resources, help, and intelligence, the more of that good stuff will flow back your way.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Ceramicist Jun Hamada says that trying to force harmony into her art leads to sterile work. “The most beautiful pieces come from the moments I stop trying to make them beautiful,” she notes. “They emerge from embracing the clay’s natural tendencies, even when they seem to fight against my intentions.” I recommend her approach to you in the coming weeks. Your best results may emerge as you allow supposed flaws and glitches to play an unexpected part in the process. Alliances might benefit, even deepen, through honest friction rather than imposed peace. What will happen when you loosen your attachment to enforced harmony and let life›s natural tensions gyrate?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini-born Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) was a prolific architect who orchestrated many daring designs. Among his most audacious experiments was a project to build a house over a waterfall in Pennsylvania. “It can›t be done!” experts said. But he did it. Before he was ready to accomplish the impossible, though, he had to spend months studying the site’s natural patterns. I bring this to your attention, Gemini, because I believe you are ready to consider your own equivalent of constructing a house over a waterfall. Prepare well! Do your homework!

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In the early phase of his illustrious career as a photographer, Edward Weston (1886–1958) cultivated a soft-focus, romantic style. But he ultimately converted to stark, uncompromising realism. “The camera,” he said, “should be used for recording life, for rendering the very substance and quintessence of the thing itself.” If there is anything about you that prefers warm, fuzzy illusions over objective, detailed truth, I suggest you switch emphasis for a while. If you like, you can return to the soft-focus approach in June. But for now, a gritty, unsentimental attitude will be essential to your well-being.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Here’s my mini-manifesto about change, just in time for a phase when change is most necessary and possible

for you. 1. Real change is often a slow and subtle process. There may be rare dramatic shifts, but mostly the process is gradual and incremental. 2. Instead of pushing hard for a short time, you’re more likely to change things by persistently pushing with modest strength for a sustained time. 3. Rather than trying to confront and wrestle with a big problem exactly as it is, it’s often more effective to break the seemingly insurmountable challenge into small, manageable pieces that can be solved one at a time through simple efforts.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Textile artist Mei Zhang wondered if the synthetic dyes she used on her fabrics were limited. Might there be a wider variety of colors she could use in her creations? She discovered that her grandmother, using age-old techniques, had produced hues that modern dyes couldn’t replicate. “The most sustainable path forward,” Zhang concluded, “often involves rediscovering what we’ve forgotten rather than inventing something entirely new.” I recommend that counsel to you, Virgo. The solution to a current challenge might come from looking back instead of pushing forward. Consider what old approaches or traditional wisdom you might call on to generate novelty. Weave together fresh applications with timeless principles.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The moon rises about 50 minutes later every day, and always at a slightly different place on the horizon. The amount of light it shows us is also constantly in flux. And yet where and how it will appear tomorrow or ten years from today is completely predictable. Its ever-changing nature follows a rhythmic pattern. I believe the same is true about our emotions and feelings, which in astrology are ruled by the moon. They are forever shifting, and yet if we survey the big picture of how they arise, we will see their overall flow has distinct patterns. Now would be a good time for you to get to know your flow better. See if you can detect recurring motifs. Try to develop more objectivity about how your precious emotions and feelings really work. If you do this correctly, you will deepen and enhance the guiding power of your precious emotions and feelings.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Research reveals that interludes of productive uncertainty may strengthen our brain’s neural pathways — even more so than if we consistently leap to immediate comprehension. The key modifier to this fortifying uncertainty is “productive.” We must be willing to dwell with poise in our puzzlement, even welcome and enjoy the

fertile mystery it invokes in us. Neurobiologist Aiden Chen says, “Confusion, when properly supported, isn’t an obstacle to learning but a catalyst for understanding.” These ideas will be good medicine in the coming weeks, dear Scorpio.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Persian American author Haleh Liza Gafori translates the poetry of 13th-century Sufi mystic Rumi. One of their joint books is titled Gold She writes, “Rumi’s gold is not the precious metal, but a feeling-state arrived at through the alchemical process of burning through layers of self, greed, pettiness, calculation, doctrine — all of it. The prayer of Sufism is ‘teach me to love more deeply.’ Gold is the deepest love.” That’s the gold I hope you aspire to embody in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. You are in a resplendently golden phase when you have more power than usual to create, find, and commune with Rumi’s type of gold.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The coming weeks will be an excellent time to reframe the meaning of “emptiness” in your life. To launch your quest, I will remind you that quiet interludes and gaps in your schedule can be rejuvenating. Sitting still and doing nothing in particular may be a good way to recharge your spiritual batteries. Relieving yourself of the pressure to be endlessly active could be just what you need to open up space for fresh possibilities.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):There was a time, many years ago, when I consulted a divinatory oracle every day of my life. Sometimes it was the Tarot or the I Ching. I threw the Norse runes, did automatic writing, used a pendulum, or tried bibliomancy. Astrology was always in the mix, too, of course. Looking back on those days, I am amused at my obsession with scrying the future and uncovering subconscious currents. But employing these aids had a wonderful result: It helped me develop and fine-tune my intuition and psychic powers — which, after all, are the ultimate divination strategy. I bring this to your attention, Aquarius, because I believe you now have an enhanced power to cultivate and strengthen your intuition and psychic powers.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The fovea is the part of the eye that enables sharp vision. Humans have just one kind of fovea, which gives them the ability to see clearly straight ahead. Eagles have both a central and peripheral fovea. The latter gives them an amazing visual acuity for things at a distance. This extra asset also attunes them to accurately detect very slow movements. I suspect you will have a metaphorical semblance of the eagle’s perceptual capacity in the coming weeks, Pisces. You will be able to see things you wouldn’t normally see and things that other people can›t see. Take full advantage of this superpower! Find what you didn›t even know you were looking for.

Homework: Which of your previous bests are you primed to surpass?

SAVAGE LOVE

VIBE SHIFTS

BY DAN SAVAGE

Hey Dan: I’m a gay 35-year-old guy in the San Francisco area. I’m heading on a weekend getaway with my boyfriend and two other gay couples. We’re all solid but purely platonic friends — at least so far — but turning this “couples’ getaway” into a group play extravaganza sounds so hot to me. I believe everyone is in an open relationship like us, but we’ve never played with either couple, and I have very limited experience playing with groups in general. How do we test the waters with the other two couples to see if they’re down to clown without making things awkward and ruining the vibe of the trip?

—Weekend In The Country

“We’ve had things like this happen for us organically,” said one of my sluttiest gay friends after I shared your question with him. “But it’s only happened without advance planning on night four or five of week-long vacations in Provincetown — LOL — after a long buildup of a lot of hot will-we-or-won’t-we?’ erotic tension. And by the time it happened, it was really pretty clear group play was the vibe, and everyone had signaled they were down.”

Like you, WITC, my sluttiest gay friend is in an open relationship — a long-term, committed, wide-open relationship — and he has a lot more experience turning friends into friends-with-vacation-related-benefits than I do (it’s practically his superpower), which is why I shared your question with him. Let’s call him Himbo. OK, seeing as you and your partner don’t have the luxury of time — you’re only going away with the friends you wanna fuck for a weekend — what’s the best plan of attack?

“Assuming his friends aren’t a bunch of sex-positive gays with X-rated alts and OnlyFans accounts — and it doesn’t sound like they are, considering this guy doesn’t even know if his friends are open or not — he’s going to need to proceed with caution,” said Himbo. “So, step one is obviously asking the other couples if they’re open, which is a question most gay couples are comfortable answering. And if they are, maybe broach the subject in advance. If all three couples are open and all three down — two big ifs — that will create anticipation, which can be way hotter than just stumbling into things. But even if everyone is open and thinks they might be down, no one can know for sure how they’re going to feel until you all get together. If it’s not the vibe, don’t force it.”

Another reason to talk about it in advance?

“The bottoms won’t be magically prepped at the exact same time without a little advance warning,” said Himbo. “Springing a group fuck session on a bunch of guys and expecting the bottoms to be ready-for-use is something only a clueless top would do. I’m not saying all tops are clueless — I don’t even know if this guy is a top — but speaking as a bottom, expecting guys to be ready to bottom without warning is the move of a very clueless top.”

Anything Himbo thinks you should watch out for?

“Smashing close friends on your first attempt to open your relationships goes one of two ways in my experience: great or horrible,” said Himbo. “Couples who are opening up for the first time are more likely to get in their heads and have weird feelings, so if these other couples have been closed up to now, this guy and his friends should take it really slow. Another thing to consider is how they’re all going to be trapped in the same house and unable to leave, which is a little risky. So, maybe leave the fucking around — if, again, it’s the vibe — for the last night. If it goes great and everyone in the group wishes they’d fucked around the whole time, they can schedule another weekend getaway for the group sooner rather than later.”

P.S. I’m sure there are people out there thinking, “The world is on fire and all this Himbo guy can think about is catching dick in Provincetown.” For the record: to prove that dick isn’t the only thing my sluttiest gay friend thinks about, I asked him what else is on his mind right now: “The strength, speed, and effectiveness of the right-wing propaganda machine in the United States is both fascinating and horrifying,” said Himbo. “I honestly think the internet ruined America and the rise of a Trump-like figure was inevitable. Basically, the internet made it impossible for people to discern between legitimate information from fraudulent bullshit, which paved the way for Trump. I don’t know what to do about it, but here we are, and it sucks. But I do get a lot of dick online, so, you know, the Internet isn’t all bad.”

Hey Dan: I’m in a pickle. My gay male partner and I have a bonus boyfriend who comes in from L.A. once or twice a month to see us. I feel the relationship with this boyfriend has run its course, but partner wants to keep it going. This boyfriend prefers me because I fuck him — and when I do, he confesses his love for me. I have texted the boyfriend and talked to the partner about this, but neither seems to get the message. Do I have to be mean to get my message across? Keeping It Not Dramatic

Whatever you said to your partner and whatever you texted your bonus boyfriend didn’t do the trick. They either didn’t understand what you meant because your meaning wasn’t clear or you made yourself

clear enough, KIND, but whatever you said — to your partner and separately to your bonus boyfriend — was open to more than one interpretation and your partner went with the interpretation that allowed him to keep seeing your bonus boyfriend and your bonus boyfriend went with the interpretation that allowed him to keep taking your dick.

Regarding your bonus boyfriend: The impulse to let someone down easy — the impulse to soften the blow — is a commendable one, of course, but you can let someone down so easily they don’t realize they’ve been let down (read: dumped) at all. So, while it sounds like you’ve been clear with your partner, it sounds like you’ve been vague with your bonus boyfriend in the hope that he… do what exactly? Pick up on your subliminal suggestion and think it was his idea to break things off with you? Or maybe you hope your partner — who doesn’t want this thing to end — will do the dirty work and let your bonus boyfriend know it’s over?

Sorry, KIND, but you’re gonna have to do this yourself. You don’t have to be mean, but you have to be blunt: “I’m sorry, but this is over. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

Regarding your partner: You wanna end things with your bonus boyfriend, your partner does not. So, is your partner allowed to keep seeing this boy on his own? Or is your partner required to break up with him too? You obviously can’t be expected to keep seeing/fucking some boy you don’t wanna see/fuck anymore, KIND, because that wouldn’t be fair to you. But your partner may feel like having to break things off with this boy just because you don’t wanna see/fuck him anymore isn’t fair to him — or fair to this boy, whose feelings matter too. If you and your partner have an “only play with and/or date other boys together” rule, you may need to revisit it. Whether you wind up revising it or recommitting to it is ultimately up to you and your partner. Good luck.

Hey Dan: I’m a 33-year-old gay male in a monogamous relationship for three years. The other night I went to a dance festival with two friends who are a hot gay couple. As the night went on, I was in an increasingly altered state of mind. I told my boyfriend earlier that I would come to his place after the festival. However, I did not do that. I went back to my friends’ place with the intention of possibly having sex with them. We did not have sex. We didn’t even kiss. All we did was cuddle while watching RuPaul’s Drag Race. I have a tremendous amount of guilt over this because I did not tell my boyfriend. I don’t know if I should tell him. I do not want to break his heart. He was already upset with me for not telling him I was going back to my friends’ place. Is this something that I should keep to myself in order to protect his feelings? Or should I tell him in order to relieve myself of this guilt that I feel? Please help. I feel like

I just ruined a good relationship.

—Almost Cheated Didn’t Cheat

You went out dancing with a hot gay couple, you did a bunch of drugs, and then instead of going back to your boyfriend’s place as promised, ACDC, you went back to this hot couple’s place. Now, I believe you when you say nothing happened — not even a kiss — because you have no reason to lie to me. But your boyfriend, who suspects something happened that night, knows you have cause to lie to him, which makes him less likely to believe that nothing happened. And when you think about it… which you’ve outsourced to me… something did happen that night: you decided to cheat on your boyfriend, and you almost did cheat on him. Not cheating isn’t cheating, of course, but deciding to cheat and almost cheating isn’t nothing. So, you’re gonna have to tell him what happened that night, ACDC, which means telling him what happened and/or almost happened.

Once it’s all out in the open, ACDC, you could try to convince your boyfriend that what happened that night was a good sign. After all, you honored your monogamous commitment when it mattered most: when you were seriously tempted. You were alone with two hot men, you were high and horny, but you didn’t — despite means, motive, and opportunity — go through with it. Which means your boyfriend can trust you! Or you could admit to your boyfriend that, even though you honored your monogamous commitment that night, going home with a hot couple fully intending to have sex with them — fully intending to seize the opportunity — means you can’t trust yourself. Yes, you resisted temptation and watched Drag Race instead… but you only barely resisted temptation, ACDC, and odds are good you’ll succumb to temptation the next time you’re high and horny. And there will be a next time.

It’s the kind of conversation that ends or transforms a relationship — the stakes are high — but your relationship is likelier to survive a brutally honest conversation before you’ve cheated than it is to survive the inevitable after-you’ve-cheated confrontation.

I think it is time for another contest. What should come up when a person googles “Elon Musk”?

The Name Game

“Susan Crawford.”

Got problems? Yes, you do! Email your question for the column to mailbox@ savage.love! Or record your question for the Savage Lovecast at savage.love/ askdan! Podcasts, columns, and more at Savage.Love.

A sale will be held on May 1st 2025 noon to 5pm of a 2010 Escalade. VIN# 1GYUKJEF2AR185271. Sale location is 1013 Sarah Dr. Louisville, Ky. 40219. Phone # 502-3868380. Seller reserves the right to bid.

ALL VEHICLES WILL BE SOLD AT 2402 RALPH AVE, LOUISVILLE, KY 40216 ON OR AFTER MAY 2, 2025

• 2000 Buick Century with VIN 2G4WS52J1Y1280272 owned by Charles Bradley

• 2009 Saturn Outlook with VIN 5GZER13D39J131381 owned by Taily Delgado Cecilio

• 2008 GMC Acadia with VIN 1GKER23728J210769 owned by Abad I. Rosas Manzano

• 2018 Hyundai Tucson with VIN KM8J3CA29JU804994 owned by Moye R. Starks and Bridgecrest Acceptance

• 2000 Honda Civic with VIN 1HGEJ8247YL00652 and KY plate 181NTV, owned by Reyes Mota

• 2013 Dodge Charger with VIN 2C3CDXBG4DH656129 owned by DJS Auto Sales

• 2014 Chevrolet Malibu with VIN 1G11C5SL8EF259249 and KY plate BZM043, owned by Dona Ngoyi Nshimba

• 2005 Honda Odyssey with VIN 5FNRL388X5B095105 owned by Senzoga Gwangano

• 2004 Honda Odyssey with VIN 5FNRL18094B049844 and KY plate K6B411, owned by Innocent Safari

• 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 with VIN 1D7HU18NX5S280377 owned by Marvin L. Williams and Royal Motor Sales

• 2018 Honda Civic with VIN 2HGFC2F51JH571074 and KY plate 7023JP, owned by Kayla Rose Covin

• 2013 Ford Edge with VIN 2FMDK3J99DBB31048 owned by You Drive Auto

• 2013 Ford Focus with VIN 1FADP3F29DL288666 and KY plate K8L193, owned by Dacoyia Beatrice Owens and Southside Auto Sales II

• 1986 Lincoln Town Car with VIN 1LNBP96F8GY752802 owned by Kendall Anderson

• 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid with VIN JTNBB46K073042918 and KY plate G8X606, owned by Jose M. Cajchum

• 2008 Dodge Caliber with VIN 1B3HB28B28D774092 and MO plate CU9Z4V, owned by Jannifer E. Williams and Superb Auto Finance

• 2011 GMC Terrain with VIN 2CTALMEC6B6321948 owned by State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

• 2003 Honda Accord with VIN 1HGCM56673A103183 and KY plate AHJ250, owned by Denna M. Williams

• 2007 Ford Econoline E-150 with VIN 1FTNE14W47DA81812 owned by Christopher B. Vaughn

• 2010 Chevrolet Equinox with VIN 2CNALDEW0A6385502 and KY plate 519VRF, owned by Jessica R. Yarbrough

• 2002 Ford Escape with VIN 1FMYU041X2KB12821 and KY plate 144NMT, owned by Samuel A. Matz

• 2013 Chevrolet Captiva Sport with VIN 3GNAL3EK1DS579982 and KY plate 643XSK, owned by Joaqin Escobedo Santos and ON Time Finance LLC

• 2009 Dodge Caliber with VIN 1B3HB48A89D169045 and KY plate AFZ504, owned by William Mccathern

• 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan with VIN 2D8HN54129R572485 owned by Stimar Transportation and Cruz Care Transportation LLC

• 1999 Lincoln Town Car with VIN 1LNFM82W5XY605153 and KY plate 472EFD, owned by Arthur Louis Koenig

• 2010 Lincoln MKS with VIN 1LNHL9FT4AG604106

owned by Auburndale Motor Sports

• 1991 Cadillac Brougham with VIN 1G6DW54EXMR726620 owned by Ronald Young Jr.

• 2012 Ford Focus with VIN 1FAHP3H28CL192069 owned by Luis Perez Rodriguez

• 2002 Ford F-150 with VIN 1FTRX17202NA57434 and IN plate CHL812, owned by Alvin Sawyer Jr.

• 2011 Ford Escape with VIN 1FMCU0C72BKB35977 owned by Martha S. Reyes and Self Help FCU

• 2015 Chevrolet Traverse with VIN 1GNKRGKD9FJ361213 owned by Mary R. Gasper Felix and Jacintos Auto Sales LLC

• 2014 Chevrolet Malibu with VIN 1G11H5SLXEF160854 and KY plate E8J328, owned by Greg D. Booker

• 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 with VIN WDDGF54X48R037048 and IL plate EQ86098, owned by Nathaniel Asante

• 2014 Buick Regal with VIN 2G4GN5EX2E9273341 owned by Dina Credit Auto Sales LLC

• 2009 Mazda 6 with VIN 1YVHP81A395M20009 and KY plate BRB241, owned by Jaida Knuckles

• 2016 Hyundai Sonata with VIN 5NPE24AF1GH399847 owned by Yuradis Tamayo Rodriguez

• 2011 Ford Fiesta with VIN 3FADP4CJXBM108625 and IN plate CEN138, owned by Junior Yarkpawolo Mulbah

• 2004 Cadillac DeVille with VIN 1G6KF579X4U183806 owned by Budget Car Sales and Rentals

• 2012 Ram 3500 with VIN 3C63DRNL3CG246699 owned by Ryan Oliphant and Texas Partners FCU

• 2011 Nissan Altima with VIN 1N4AL2AP0BC179960 owned by Progressive

• 2016 Chevrolet Trax with VIN KL7CJKSB7GB545578 and KY plate AFY632, owned by Abdul Rahamani Baba

• 2010 Honda Civic with VIN 2HGFA1F56AH317814 owned by Derek Blanchard, Sarah J. Reeves, and OneMain Financial GR

Crown Castle Fiber, LLC is proposing to modify an existing telecommunications facility at a proposed overall height of 37 feet on an existing 42-foot tall (overall height) small cell pole telecommunications structure near 1607 Gardiner Lane, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky (38° 12’ 12.7” N, 85° 41’ 21.3” W).

Crown Castle Fiber, LLC invites comments from any interested party on the impact the proposed undertaking may have on any districts, sites, buildings, structures, or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering, or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments may be sent to Environmental Corporation of America, ATTN: Annamarie Howell, 1375 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or via email to publicnotice@eca-usa.com. Ms. Howell can be reached at (770) 667-2040 x 108 during normal business hours. Comments must be received within 30 days of the date of this notice. 25001157/PEW

Crown Castle Fiber, LLC is proposing to modify an existing telecommunications facility at a proposed overall height of 34 feet on an existing 42-foot tall (overall height) small cell pole telecommunications structure near 3800 Poplar Level Road, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky (38° 12’ 18.8” N, 85° 42’ 47.2” W).

Crown Castle Fiber, LLC is proposing to modify an existing telecommunications facility at a proposed overall height of 37 feet on an existing 44-foot tall (overall height) small cell pole telecommunications structure near 1707 Paisley Road, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky (38° 12’ 39.3” N, 85° 41’ 19.0” W ). Crown Castle Fiber, LLC invites comments from any interested party on the impact the proposed undertaking may have on any districts, sites, buildings, structures, or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering, or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments may be sent to Environmental Corporation of America, ATTN: Annamarie Howell, 1375 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or via email to publicnotice@eca-usa.com. Ms. Howell can be reached at (770) 667-2040 x 108 during normal business hours. Comments must be received within 30 days of the date of this notice. 25001159/PEW

Crown Castle Fiber, LLC is proposing to modify an existing telecommunications facility at a proposed overall height of 44 feet on an existing 50-foot tall (overall height) small cell pole telecommunications structure near 1701

Gardiner Lane, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky (38° 12’ 18.9” N, 85° 41’ 9.6” W).

Crown Castle Fiber, LLC is proposing to modify an existing telecommunications facility at a proposed overall height of 35 feet on an existing 41-foot tall (overall height) small cell pole telecommunications structure near 1326 Trevilian Way, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky (38° 12’ 38.2” N, 85° 42’ 10.0” W).

49 Pickles might be in them

51 Dollar, informally

52 # Believes

MARK MY WORDS

BY SIMEON SEIGEL

Puzzles Edited by Will Shortz

Simeon Seigel, of Brooklyn, is a partner at the Turett Collaborative, an architecture and design firm in New York City. He sees a similarity between his professional work and crossword constructing: ‘‘They’re both about finding creative ways to work with and around a litany of practical constraints, rules and conventions to create something unexpected and beautiful.’’ — W.S.

Across

1 Choose not to take part

5 Style of hip-hop

9 ‘‘Like, duh!’’

13 Settles, as the stomach

Steep decline

51 Only solo artist with Billboard No. 1 singles in seven consecutive decades

53 Curing liquid

Hole-boring tool 21 Feature of a safe landing, per

23 Hit the ____ 24 Stiletto feature

25 Fraudster Sorokin profiled in Netflix’s ‘‘Inventing ____’’

26 Mere pittance

27 [Not this]

31 Film attire for George Clooney and Christian Bale

32 The Emmy statuette depicts a winged woman holding one

33 Jordan’s most-visited tourist site

35 Ancient

40 Returns a call, in a way

43 Comprehension

44 Facilitates

45 Sch. whose student newspaper is The Reveille

46 Kid who’s a handful

Useless

59 Stack in an office cabinet

60 1960s diplomat Dean

61 Hold together

62 * Composed *

66 Canadian dollar, informally

67 Stimulant crop of South America

68 Pricing level 69 Dishes out

70 Feasts - - -

76 Fairy ____

77 Put-down

78 Modern love?

79 Elegant and luxurious 80 Translation of ‘‘fin’’ 81 Target for a Mighty Patch 83 Something searched for in vein? 85 Soak

87 Alumnus º 93 Leader who wrote ‘‘The Discovery of [96-Down]’’ 18 High in the Andes

— Peruse — 103 Do a millworker or barista’s job, maybe

105 Its southernmost point, Pamana Island, is more than 750 miles below the Equator

Group in ‘‘a pension fund’’

Mark one’s words?

Classification on a B.M.I. chart

Having a certain strong flavor, as meat

Fine print, often

____ wave

Entries in a passport

Makes liable for libel, say

Average killers? 115 Actor Diggs who made his film debut in ‘‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’’

54 Cryptids of the Himalayas

55 Proteins hypothetically responsible for mad cow disease

56 Small scale amount

57 ‘‘Point taken!’’

58 ‘‘Schitt’s Creek’’ co-star Catherine

61 Third part of a double album

62 Diamond jubilee?

63 Get around

64 TV franchise spun off from ‘‘JAG’’

65 Big Sicilian smoker

66 Apply pressure to

69 You might be told to watch yours

70 Broke down

71 Sleeping, quaintly

72 First to the finish line

73 Sweetie

74 ‘‘Exit’’ key

75 ‘‘Don’t tell anyone!’’

77 Fiber of one’s being, so to speak

81 Top marks

47 Utter

sympathies

and others

Hath dominion o’er

7 Eight-time Grand Slam tournament winner from 1992 to 2003 8 Spa treatment, informally 9 Keynote figure 10 Baguette in Vietnamese cuisine

Wall climber 12 Apply haphazardly, with ‘‘on’’

systems?

Question of self-reflection

Items helpful for removing

Fix, as a logbook entry

School for some royal offspring

Piece of one’s mind?

Bit of media revenue

Terrier type from Scotland

Joker or jokester

Detectives, for short

Home drainage option

Recede

Vin classification 42 Something a pitchfork might go into

82 ‘‘Aw, rats!’’

83 Tribe headquartered in Red Rock, Okla.

84 Music player button

85 Author who originally intended his pen name to rhyme with ‘‘voice,’’ though Americans pronounced it differently

86 Walk unsteadily

88 Org. whose budget is classified

89 Period that a couple dedicates to themselves

90 Invariably

91 Not partial

92 Order after closing time

96 Country once led by 93-Across

97 Like a bodybuilder’s arms

98 Much-lauded Lauder

100 Features of sleepy eyes 101 Genesis brother 102 Scholarship criterion 103 Whitehouse. follower 104 Stat achieved after a bases-loaded walk