August 12-18, 2020 FREE fwweekly.com
SEEING GREEN Texas’ first crop of legally grown hemp will soon be hitting the market. BY EDWARD BROWN
METROPOLIS It’s up to City Council to adopt recommendations on policing. Or not. BY EDWARD BROWN
EATS Birria tacos are more than just regular tacos (and Instagram gold). BY EDWARD BROWN
STUFF Welcome back, sportsball. As the Mavs rise, the Stars descend. BY PAT R I C K H I G G I N S
MUSIC With new records out, the gothic Nova Blak cast a spell. BY JUAN R. GOVEA
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SEPTEMBER 23 Fort Worth Weekly wants to celebrate our amazing city and get the word out about the best things there are to do in and around the area. Best Of 2020 is the perfect guide to get your message out to local shoppers and spenders throughout the year. With its magazine–style, glossy cover, great photographs and insightful opinions, Best Of is the issue you can’t afford to miss. Best Of online voting starts August 5 so you can make your campaign all about why you are the best of the best at what you do.
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Walking for Reform
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Just like in the ’80s, neoconservatism has made a comeback.
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
If you’ve ever visited the Cowtown Farmers Market on a Saturday morning, you’ve likely met Charlie Blaylock. Charlie runs Shine’s Farmstand, a local biointensive micro-farm that uses sustainable and organic techniques to grow fresh local fruit and vegetables year ‘round. In addition to running his farm (since 2013), he’s also the Cowtown Farmers Market manager and an activitist in the local food environment, serving on the board of the Tarrant County Food Policy Council. This week at Shine’s booth you can find eggplant, bell peppers, and perhaps salad mix and arugula if the weather cooperates! You’ll also find soap made by his wife Laura.
Lee Newquist, Publisher
Edward Brown
Shine’s Farmstand
FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY
Member of the North Central Texas Farmers Market Corporation
Number 21
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METROPOLIS
Law Enforcement Reform on the Horizon?
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Attempts to reform the Fort Worth police department are nothing new. The too-frequent assault and killing of unarmed Black men and women by white police officers led to the 2017 formation of the Task Force on Race and Culture, which finalized its recommendations in December 2018, and the recent establishment of two police monitors now tasked with reviewing complaints against police. In 2014, the Fort Worth police department participated in a pilot program for the Department of Justice’s National
The Coming Big Chill
Being 63, I just made it under the wire to have “OK, Boomer” shade thrown at me by Gen Zers. In 1969, that hallowed year of Woodstock and Altamont, I was only 12, much too young to be traipsing about nude in the muck of upstate New York or dancing to “Under My Thumb” while dodging a Hell’s Angel’s knifeblade. I still witnessed your standard boomer historical signposts: that trio of assassinations (JFK, MLK, and RFK) that rocked our world, the Vietnam War debacle, and Nixon’s well-deserved fall. More personally, I remember how in the early ’70s, the reading at my local Stop N Go changed from paperback covers with scantily clad young women to politically charged books like Eldridge Cleaver’s Soul on Ice and Abbie Hoffman’s Steal this Book, which I almost did. But I also remember well when the zeitgeist changed and the book carousels, no longer needing to be relevant, returned
FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
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Cour tesy of Alex Del Carmen
An independent review panel finds Fort Worth police officers too frequently resort to verbal attacks and heavy-handed policing tactics.
Del Carmen: “I’m not describing a perfect scenario, but I am optimistic.”
to safe, apolitical softcore porn, as God intended. Because of my age, I missed all the big demonstrations of the 1960s and ’70s. I was only 13 when, during the Moratorium Day protests in Austin, more than 10,000 demonstrated against the Vietnam War. By the time I got to the capital, you were lucky to get a hundred. Then political engagement by young people was on life support. In 1987, maybe 20 protesters and I demonstrated against Reagan’s Central American policy of funding death squads, assassinating uncooperative nuns, and giving big, wet besos to rightwing strongmen. Our numbers were so low we didn’t walk on the street but took the sidewalks down Congress Avenue all the way to the Guadalupe River, where folk singer Charley King serenaded us with his trenchant “Vaguely Reminiscent of the ’60s.” We all knowingly laughed at this tongue-incheek song delivered with a Dylanesque nasal twang, which mocked the consensus in the ’80s that protesting was an anachronism led by dead-enders stuck in their tie-dyed, hippie-dippy days. In the 1980s, conservatism was ascendant. The cultural ferment of the ’60s that
had made protesting cool disappeared. Rapacious, wealthy right-wing think tanks set the narrow terms of political discourse. In one of that era’s most popular movies, The Big Chill, Jeff Goldblum plays a once radical journalist who has sold out. Instead of power to the people, he pushes pop entertainment pablum at People magazine. In one scene, he reads aloud an impassioned piece he wrote during his radical past but responds to it with little more than a shrug and a cynical acknowledgment that he had nailed the overheated rhetoric of the ’60s left. In this 2020 COVID summer of widespread discontent, thousands have taken to the streets to protest the continuing murder of people of color by police, the misappropriation of public safety funds, and statues memorializing racists. I’m incredibly proud of these mostly young people who have sacrificed their time and too often their safety for the greater good, but my inner grandfather worries about them because I know what’s coming. Their greatest transgression is to have succeeded. Statues have tumbled. Memorials have been moved. Attitudes have shifted. Cities from Minneapolis to Fort Worth have had to grapple, however
haltingly, with long-standing issues of race and police violence. Because of that, in the coming years, the entire weight of a well-funded conservative reaction will bear down on these brave protesters. Never underestimate the damage deep pockets with no scruples or empathy can do. A quote often ascribed to Mark Twain goes, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” So it won’t go exactly like the ’80s, but a reaction will come –– probably with violence. Will today’s demonstrators look back on this summer of George Floyd years from now with jaded eyes? Perhaps, but we better hope they retain the real lesson of 2020: that democracy is no abstraction but an action and that “a tolerant ... inclusive America of perpetual self-creation” is only possible if we are willing to put our bodies on the line, damn the consequences. –– Ken Wheatcroft-Pardue The Weekly welcomes submissions of all political persuasions. Please email Editor Anthony Mariani at anthony@fwweekly. com.
Fort Worth police cadets are given 51 hours of instruction on the proper uses of force. Of that time, only eight hours are spent on de-escalation. Are those numbers concerning? I taught at police academies for 22 years. I can tell you it isn’t the number of hours that matters as much as what they are doing with that training. Once the police are sent out and they are doing their job, they need to adhere to the policy. There needs to be accountability as well. I’m a big fan of good training, but the department needs to make sure training is carried out once officers are deployed. We saw quite a bit of calls where officers used foul language. We understand officers are working with issues that are emotional. We felt that, and science shows, any time officers
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Your preliminary report found that the Fort Worth police department lacks functioning crisis intervention services. What is the danger in this? There are cases that police respond to that involve people who are mentally ill and need a critical assessment. They need someone to take care of them. We feel that in a city the size of Fort Worth, we have a limited number of personnel who are Crisis Intervention Team-trained. If you add to that the fact that they were only available from 9 to 5, those services may not be available when they are needed by the community. Those [crisis intervention members] should have as a resource a social worker or psychologist they can bring when necessary. Trained professionals will know how to talk to [someone having a mental health crisis]. Trained professionals will know what sorts of symptoms are being manifested and what type of medical resources are needed. That person may tell the officer, “We don’t need to handcuff them. We need to take them to [John Peter Smith Hospital], so someone can take care of them.” We also need to give 911 dispatchers the option of redirecting calls from police [to mental health professionals] as needed. The Fort Worth police department does not have an Early Intervention System (EIS) in place to identify potential issues with officer performance or conduct. What are the consequences of this? The EIS is used to help police officers, to identify officers who may have underlying issues that are affecting their performance. If an officer is late to work or is showing signs of depression, these are indicators that police compile. All this data is then fed into the system. The idea is to help that officer before that individual gets into a situation. It is mostly used as a preventative measure and not for punishment. In Fort Worth, the police have [this system] in theory, but it has yet to be implemented. Fort Worth has been through reform efforts before. Should Fort Worthians be optimistic that this effort will lead to the types of changes that major cities across the United States are asking for? Some of [the panel members] are residents of the area. I’ve lived in the Metroplex for 22 years. This is personal to us. The police department is at a place where they want to change. They want to do good. They have given us access to everything that was asked. We met many officers with goodwill who are interested in helping. I think the Fort Worth police department finds itself at a crossroads. I am very optimistic about the attitude they have. I’m not describing a perfect scenario, but I am optimistic. The people of Fort Worth should be optimistic too. l The full preliminary findings can be read at Fortworthtexas.gov/FWPDReview.
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Was there anything about the Fort Worth police department’s policies and practices that particularly stuck out? I have been involved in police research for 22 years. I don’t think there is a point of departure [in Fort Worth’s policing habits] that I would say is unusual. What stood out as far as the highlights of our findings was the deescalation component. There was a disconnect between the policy and the practice. The fact that they only have a limited number of officers who are responsible for crisis intervention was significant.
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AUGUST 12-18, 2020
How would you summarize the citizen complaints you documented earlier this year? There were common themes. One concern was about the use of force by police officers. The death of Atatiana made an impact in the community. I think that and other [shooting of unarmed Black men and women by white police officers] had a resounding effect on community members. They were concerned about the frequency of people of color being targeted by police stops. They wanted to identify if there were patterns and practices related to that. Many people felt the relationship between the community and police had been broken for years.
use foul language, it escalates the response from the other person. For us, it is not only an issue of politeness: It is a potential cause of escalation during police encounters.
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Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice with the aim of enhancing procedural justice, reducing implicit bias, and encouraging reconciliation processes, among other goals. The 2019 killing of Atatiana Jefferson, a Black woman, in her own home by a white male officer prompted the most recent reform effort — a comprehensive review of Fort Worth police department procedures and tactics. The Fort Worth Police Department Expert Review Panel began its work earlier this year by collecting first-hand accounts of police interactions from Fort Worthians. The four-person panel spoke extensively with officers at all levels of the department. Last week, the panel released its preliminary findings and recommendations. This October, the panel plans to present its final recommendation to Fort Worth City Council. At that point, it will be up to Mayor Betsy Price and councilmembers to implement specific policies that address the findings. Panel co-chair Dr. Alex Del Carmen, a criminologist with decades of experience in training police, spoke to the Weekly about the findings.
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Edward Brown
SEEING GREEN Texas’ first crop of legally grown hemp will soon be hitting the market.
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fter a several-decade hiatus from the Texas agricultural landscape, hemp is back. Waxahachiebased Texas Botanics is one of a few dozen hemp farms to sprout up in North Texas over the past few months. The open-air facility consists of a central warehouse, large adjacent greenhouses, and offices. On a recent visit, a few dozen 2-foot-tall hemp plants labeled “mothers” sat near the entrance of one greenhouse. The moniker refers to the female plants’ role as the base for clones. Leaning over the plant, grower Nathan Sherrer held one small branch and pointed to its base. If the branch were cut off and transplanted to a new cup of soil, he said, it would grow into a genetically identical copy of its “mother.” The nursery model is where Texas Botanics owner Stephanie Brentlinger and Sherrer see Texas Botanics’ future.
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
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Texas farmers are now growing hemp for various purposes, including medicinal, industrial, and food-related ones. By working with partially grown cannabis clones, farmers can ensure that their crops have predictable levels of cannabinoids like CBD, Sherrer said. In an adjacent greenhouse, Sherrer pointed to a hemp flower, which looks surprisingly like the crystallized marijuana buds that adorn the covers of High Times. “There is a lot of potential there,” he said, referring to medical research on the benefits of cannabinoids. “You see research coming out on the diseases that cannabinoids can cure or treat. It’s something that can benefit everybody. To be a part of that feels good.” Last March, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) began accepting applications for licenses to grow hemp. That step allowed Texas to join 46
A hemp flower looks surprisingly like the crystallized marijuana buds that adorn the covers of High Times.
states and a global $4.7 billion industry. According to data provided by TDA, 27 licenses have been granted for hemp producers and handlers in Tarrant County. Several Fort Worth hemp growers have facilities in nearby cities like Azle, Grand Prairie, and Waxahachie. In a 2019 story, the Weekly documented the events leading up to the passage of HB 1325 in May of that year. The bill created a legal framework for Texas farmers to grow hemp. The state bill followed on the heels of the federal 2018 Farm Bill that removed hemp with very low concentrations of THC from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Controlled Substances Schedules. Marijuana and hemp are both members of the same plant species, Cannabis sativa L. While marijuana is grown and processed to produce THC (the psychoactive ingredient that induces a “high”), CBD, the target agent grown
through hemp plants, does not produce intoxication but does alleviate a wide range of ailments and health conditions. Sid Miller, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, told us at the time that farmers would likely focus on medicinal extracts for 2020’s first hemp crop. “Most people are just using the buds for CBD oil,” Miller said. “I don’t think people will be growing it for [food and fabrics] and so forth. We’ll get to that soon, though.” The recent rollout of regulations governing the growth of hemp has created challenges for Brentlinger and Sherrer. TDA staff have been very helpful in answering questions, the business owners said, but fulfilling the bureaucratic steps of opening a hemp farm has pushed many Texas hemp farms into a growing season where temperatures are reaching the century mark, and questions remain about
Many Texas farmers have been heartened by a rapidly growing CBD market and predictions of future growth. In one 2019 prediction, analysts at the New York City investment bank Cowen & Co. estimated that CBD will be a $16 billion domestic market by 2025. “There are a lot of folks who promote the idea that it is a crop you can get rich on,” Zachary Maxwell said. The president of Arlington-based Texas Hemp Growers, a farmer association with around 200 members, said anyone who believes that hemp will offer easy money will likely be disappointed by the realities of growing a labor-intensive plant in an uncertain market. “One challenge is the lack of buyers,” Maxwell said. “There are a lot of growers
Edward Brown
how well different hemp varieties will fare in Blackland Prairie soil and the North Texas climate. If those hurdles weren’t enough, Brentlinger and Sherrer are dealing with the economic uncertainty brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The business owner said her 2020 schedule was booked with weekly conventions and meetings that would have provided crucial networking opportunities. Even with those problems, the duo sees a bright future for a product that has long awaited the opportunity to bear the label Made in Texas.
Stephanie Brentlinger and grower Nathan Sherrer see Texas Botanics’ future as the nursery model.
who jumped in and grew a lot of hemp [across the country]. Some of the figures out there are anywhere between 11% to 25% actually sold their crop. It’s not all rainbows and roses.” Hemp prices are plunging due to a “grossly oversupplied” market, according to a recent article in Bloomberg News. Brentlinger said the prices of CBD
and other cannabinoids are hard to predict. “There may be people who applied [for permits] who are sitting it out” this year due to uncertainty from COVID-19, she said. “It is hard to see who will be in the industry next year.” Low hemp production in Texas this year could be a boon to growers who do manage to produce medical-grade hemp,
especially given Texans’ penchant for supporting products made in the Lone Star State, she added. Maxwell and his colleagues split their time educating members on the potential pitfalls of growing hemp and campaigning to connect wholesale buyers with Texas hemp farmers and processors. Hemp seeds require a significant upfront investment for farmers. The average price of one hemp seed can range from 50 cents to $1, Maxwell said. “When you think about a grower who is growing an acre, that could require a minimum of $2,000. Those are big input costs.” For a quality feminized seed (meaning it won’t produce psychoactive THC), a $1 seed could still be a profitable investment. Given the new climate and soil characteristics of Texas, Maxwell said buying seeds comes with uncertainties. “All the genetics have come from out of state,” he said. “Colorado could be 7,000 to 9,000 feet higher than Texas. When you bring seeds down, you can run into phenotype issues. Your hemp plants don’t grow like you expected.” Maxwell said some local farmers are seeing their hemp begin to flower weeks or even months ahead of schedule, which can drastically throw off a farmer’s timeline. “Then there is the misunderstanding about this just being a plant-it-and-leave-it kind of crop,” he said. “That’s really not true. The problem is that farmers have to grow this plant like a marijuana plant. It
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has to be fed carefully and tended to. You can’t plant CBD hemp the same way that you plant industrial hemp. A lot of big agriculture farmers think they can seed hemp like cotton and wheat. They are in for a rude awakening. The farmers who will be the most successful are vegetable and small berry farmers and people who have a better understanding of the labor intensiveness of this plant.” What’s true for marijuana is just as true for hemp: The presence of even one male plant can spell disaster come harvest time. Isolating female marijuana plants promotes the production of THC and prevents seed production — a highly unprofitable biological imperative.
Similarly, keeping male hemp plants away from females encourages the female plants to focus less on reproduction and more on producing CBD. Summer can be an unforgiving time for purging fields of male plants under a blistering sun. “A lot of farmers underestimate the labor and cost estimates that go into growing a crop the market wants,” Maxwell said. Farmers are up against more than Mother Nature. Texas’ first crop of hemp faces an uncertain market where retailers are hesitant to sign contracts with growers. That cycle, Maxwell said, then leaves farmers reluctant to invest in a large crop. Adding to many hemp farmers’ woes is
the recent ban by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on the retail sale and distribution of smokable hemp.
After weeks of hearing testimony, DSHS recently adopted regulatory language that banned the manufacturing, processing, distribution, and retail sale of smokable hemp products. Texans are still allowed to light up hemp cigarettes or to grow hemp flowers (with a license) for their own use, but the new rules could effectively eliminate the retail sale of an important portion of the hemp market. DSHS, which heard or read more than
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1,700 public comments overwhelmingly against the ban, stated that the retail ban of smokable hemp is a logical extension of the prohibition against the manufacture of smokable hemp products as described in HB 1325, the original hemp farming bill. “This will be devastating for retailers, some of which earn 50% to 80% of their sales from smokable hemp flower sales,” Maxwell said. “This is an assault by the state on Texas business owners. At a time when we are dealing with an economic crisis, this is not what the state of Texas should be doing.” To protect the availability of prerolled hemp, CBD vape pens, and other forms of smokable hemp, Texas Hemp Growers recently raised more than $15,000 to support legal efforts aimed at what the growers call overreach by DSHS. The donations are now partly funding a lawsuit that was recently filed by Texas Hemp Legal Defense Fund, the lawyer-led plaintiffs, in Travis County. The suit aims to reverse DSHS’ ban on the retail sale of smokable help. “When DSHS starts to enforce its rules, the attorneys are planning to file a briefing in court where they will request a temporary restraining order,” Maxwell said. “If we can get that, DSHS can’t enforce the ban while we are litigating in court. We’re confident the attorneys behind the Texas Hemp Legal Defense Fund will make a strong case in court so that this ban may be halted with a restraining order and possibly eliminated by a judge.” Since the original HB 1325 did not explicitly restrict the distribution and retail sale of smokable hemp, Maxwell and his team believe that portion of DSHS’ restrictions can be struck down outright. Crown Distributing, a North Texasbased manufacturer of smokable hemp goods, recently filed a similar lawsuit that “seeks a declaration that the smokable bans in Texas are invalid and unconstitutional,” according to attorney Chelsie Spencer. According to a press release, Crown Distributing stands to lose $56.4 million dollars in revenue over the next five years if the ban is upheld. The uncertainty over smokable Texas hemp highlights the interconnectedness between growers and retailers. Like many producers, farmers rely on retail stores to convert products into profits. Tim Blackwell, owner of Zen Alchemy Labs in Fort Worth, said CBD prices have fluctuated significantly over the past year. “The popularity of CBD created a resurgence of farming,” Blackwell said. “We had an overabundance [of CBD] as a result. We have adjusted our prices to stay competitive, just like any business would.” Blackwell and his team have started selling CBG, one of more than 100 cannabinoids native to the cannabis plant. The lesser-known cannabinoid is gaining popularity for its unique medicinal benefits, Blackwell said.
Texas Botanics consists of a central warehouse, large adjacent greenhouses, and offices.
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farm, Brentlinger advised that prospective hemp farmers “do their research.” She is quick to admit that she wouldn’t be able to enter the business without the help of Sherrer, who has extensive experience in horticulture. “You want to have reputable partners,” she said, referring to suppliers, transporters, and other contract labor and business connections. “All the licensing and fees add up quickly if you aren’t careful. If you have never grown, I would not start with hemp. It is more appropriate for someone with a background in growing.” Brentlinger remains bullish on hemp. Being one of Texas’ first hemp farms and nurseries has highlighted the heavy paperwork and fee structure that hemp
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
Cour tesy of Zachar y Maxwell
Sherrer said that fee makes experimenting cost-prohibitive for all but the largest agriculture groups. “We need to see the fees lighten up,” he continued. “The profits for hemp aren’t the same as [for medical or recreational] marijuana. These barriers may cause this industry to grow more slowly.” Brentlinger said hemp and CBD have become mainstream, even among suburban white families who would have historically stayed away from anything that remotely resembled marijuana. “Now people give hemp treats to their dogs,” she said. “We see a big future for Made in Texas hemp products.” When asked what advice she would give to anyone interested in starting a hemp
farmers now face. While she is grateful to the prompt help that TDA staffers deliver, she hopes that future generations of hempminded entrepreneurs face fewer financial and bureaucratic obstacles. “We want a level playing field with the other states,” she said. “If we can’t, then Texans will have to buy [hemp products] from other states.” Even in the current economic and political climate, Maxwell sees a bright future for Texas’ smokable hemp industry. Hemp flowers are highly perishable by nature, he said, which means that retailers will need a steady local supply to support an industry that many rely upon for the pain-, stress-, and anxiety-relieving properties of CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids that come from hemp flowers that now need to be carefully labeled to avoid DSHS’ new ban on smokable hemp. He also sees a bright future for large Texas farms that can garner contracts with local retailers. The Texas hemp industry, he said, could learn a lot from the system of futures contracts that float staple crops like soy, corn, and wheat in the United States. The contracts are based on a predetermined price that a buyer promises the farmer at a specific time in the future. In his extensive communications with farmers and buyers, Maxwell said Texans seem largely aloof to the benefits of the well-established practice. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved CBD as a dietary supplement. There is growing public pressure for the FDA to greenlight the use of CBD as a supplement in mainstream food products, Maxwell said. Once large companies like Starbucks are free to offer CBD as readily as espresso shots, the hemp industry could reap the financial rewards. In an email, FDA spokesperson Nathan Arnold said that the FDA recognizes that there is “substantial public interest in marketing and accessing CBD for a variety of products. We are working toward a goal of providing additional guidance and have made substantial progress. There are many questions to explore regarding the science, safety, effectiveness, and quality of products containing CBD, and we need to do our due diligence. Our first priority needs to be to protect the health and safety of Americans.” The FDA, he continued, remains steadfast in its efforts to address consumer access in a way that protects public safety. Maxwell said COVID-19 has created a huge setback for the Texas hemp industry, but hemp farmers, processors, and retailers should focus on growing the demand side of the hemp market. “Right now, we don’t know where the buyers are at,” Maxwell said. “I’m not going to convince a farmer to grow 50 acres if I don’t know where to put it. Where is the farmer supposed to sell their crop? That is what it boils down to.” l
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Brentlinger and Sherrer are keeping their future growth strategies open. The ongoing economic downturn has afforded the duo time to test various hemp strains that would have otherwise sold as saplings. When the plants begin to flower, individual THC and CBD levels can be measured. A hemp strain that stays below the currently mandated .3% THC threshold in Kentucky may test hot in the Lone Star State’s climate, Sherrer said. Texas Botanics aims to be a source of knowledge in a state that was not afforded the option of growing hemp before last March. “We are relying on other states [for data], not knowing how they will perform here,” Sherrer said. “There isn’t a good research program here in Texas.” The current licensing fee to grow a strain of hemp is $500, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture’s website.
Maxwell: “Right now, we don’t know where the buyers are at.”
Edward Brown
“The biggest benefits we’ve seen are for nausea, pain, and inflammation,” he said. “CBG is good for people with glaucoma, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn’s disease.” While CBD has no direct soporific benefits, Blackwell said, many people who use Zen Alchemy Labs’ CBG products tell Blackwell that CBG is an effective sleep aid. Used in combination, CBD and CBG can help patients with sleep disorders or chronic pain find restful sleep, he added. Ideally, Blackwell would like to see everything under the “cannabinoid umbrella” legalized for medical purposes. “People are going to do it whether it’s legal or not,” he said. “We hope the state representatives will listen to [this community]. Law-abiding citizens are missing out on the benefits of THC, which can help with sleep and pain. A 50/50 dose of CBD and THC is one of the best pain managers available. You can have pain relief and still function. Anyone who is blending CBD and THC isn’t doing it to party. That’s for sure.” Until marijuana is legalized across the country, important scientific research will be missing, he added. Blackwell sees the importance of winning the hearts and minds of those on the enforcement side of marijuana/hemp reform. His online store, which sells products at retailers throughout North Texas, offers discounts to police officers and military personnel. “Police officers have a difficult job,” he said. “The things that they see can be classified as PTSD-inducing. THC will temporarily interact with your memories. For someone with PTSD, shutting out memories allows him to navigate the present and heal. CBD helps with the anxiety of that. Both sides of that plant can really help police officers, Blackwell said. “We don’t blame law enforcement [for how marijuana use has been criminalized]. We feel there is a lack of education.”
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Billy Bob’s Texas just called in the cavalry.
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How are you celebrating National Filet Mignon Day? From 10:30am to Thursday 4pm today –– and every Thursday –– enjoy a $9.99 steak (of some sort) and lobster meal at Bucks Cabaret (2345 Meacham Blvd, 817-740-0026). The special includes sides and a view. Domestic beers are available for $1.75. Tipping is encouraged. I’d bring singles.
FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
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There is a Texas Rangers game this Wed, but there Wednesday will be no fans in the stands except the cardboard ones, like the one for hometown music hero Vinnie Paul. If you miss the fanfare and the camaraderie of watching the game with fellow fans, Arlington Backyard at Texas Live has a solution. At 8pm at 1650 E Randoll Mill Rd, watch the game via a direct live feed at Play Ball! at Texas Live. The outdoor seating area is large enough to ensure social distancing. Food and drinks will be available along with premium, reserved tables. Ingame entertainment and backyard games are on the agenda, too. Entry is free. To reserve a table in advance, email info@texas-live.com. Call 817-852-6688.
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I’ve heard the one about the horse, but a Corn Dog With No Name? Vic and Jace Friday “F” of CDWNN, who come from a “long line of fried food connoisseurs” –– I’m guessing the “F” is for Fletcher’s” –– will be serving the aforementioned corndogs at Armadillo Ale Works (221 S Bell Av, 940580-4446) for the Rio Fresco Hard Seltzer Dill Pickle flavor release from 12pm to 7pm. Everything will be handled through the Armadillo drive-thru system, including the beer, corndogs, pop, and seltzers. It’s a drivethru corndog pickle party!
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At 10pm, see an actual concert at Billy Bob’s Texas (2520 Rodeo Plaza, 817-624Saturday 7117) when country/folk/ Americana band Flatland Cavalry hits the stage as part of the #SaveOurStages effort. With social distancing in mind, capacity is limited to 1,000 reserved seats ($28 each) and 200 general admission tickets ($16 each). As Billy Bob’s is now operating as a restaurant, get there early –– doors open at 6pm –– and have dinner at the Honky Tonk Kitchen. Chef Chris Fersch won the people’s and critics’ hearts at the Fort Worth Weekly’s annual Cowtown Chili Cookoff when he came in first in both categories. His menu will not disappoint. Tickets are available at BillyBobsTexas.com.
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Guns and brunch — two things Texans love. Enjoy both from 11am to 3pm at Sunday Brewed (801 W Magnolia Av, 817-945-1545), the host location for a license-to-carry class by the self-defense company Clearing The Chamber. (As CTC is focused on helping women, the company hosts a lot of brunches and wine tastings.) Initial cost is $100 to reserve your spot, then your confirmation email will list the other expenses you need to cover. Brunch is on you. For more information, visit Facebook.com/ ClearingTheChamber. Call 214-244-1131.
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In honor of National Nonprofit Day, please consider adopting a new Monday furry –– or feathered –– friend from Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Shelter (4900 Martin St, 817-3921234) and help them #ClearTheShelters. Through Aug 31, all pets are free to adopt. Animals cared for at the shelter always have an initial health screening and are
microchipped, spayed or neutered, and vaccinated. To view the pets that are available and to start your application process, go to FortWorthTexas.gov/Animals. If you are unable to adopt but would still like to help, consider making a clear-the-shelters donation at GreaterGood.org.
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While built to showcase Broadway productions, professional theaters Tuesday typically have great acoustics and may even surpass traditional venues. Casa Mañana is such a place. Its next run –– a series of Elvis specials called A Tribute to The King –– will test that theory. Star Taylor Rodriguez was named the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion in 2019 by Elvis Presley Enterprises. (Translation: He’s the real deal.) Check out “the stories, the hits, that hair, those hips” from today thru Aug 22 at 7:30pm and/or 9pm at Reid Cabaret Theatre at Casa Mañana (3101 W Lancaster Av, 817-332-2272). Tickets are $65 plus fees at CasaManana.org.
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Days a Week
The new and improved Crockett Hall (3000 Crockett St, 817-886-7331) is now open daily. Inside are 10 different food concepts to choose from and three more in the works. With barbecue, burritos, cheesecake, coffee, hamburgers, Italian, salads, sandwiches, seafood mac ’n’ cheese, poke, and pot pie available now, and popcorn, shawarma, and tacos coming soon, there is something for everyone. Did I mention the full-service bar? Social distancing and cleanliness are a top priority. Parking is free (four-hour limit). Just park in the garage across the way and have your ticket validated inside.
By Jennifer Bovee
Cour tesy of FWMSH
NIGHT&DAY
Cour tesy of Flatland Cavalr y
BIG TICKET
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is back.
FWMSH Is Reopening
During the pandemic, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History –– self-described as “just a museum trying to make a long-distance relationship work” –– has had an online discovery lab going. It is still available now at YouTube.com/ FortWorthMuseum, but soon you can also visit in person. FWMSH is last but certainly not least in this endeavor. While several of the other museums in the Cultural District have recently opened their doors as well, FWMSH is ready to reopen two exhibits –– Innovation Studios and the Oak Rooms –– on Thu. Innovation Studios is all about animals, beads, and space exploration, with live shows at the Science Theater. While most everything is hands hands-free, there are STEAM activities that are hands-on to be enjoyed one family at a time. FWMSH is open 10am-4pm Thu-Sat for members and 11am-4pm Thu-Sat for the general public. Tickets are $9 at Buy.FWMuseum.org/Events. Call 817-255-9300.
WE ARE
OPEN
MODERN ART MUSEUM OF FORT WORTH Spend a quiet, relaxing day in our spacious, air-conditioned galleries with plenty of room for social distancing. Explore work by nationally and internationally renowned artists, and visit the special exhibition Mark Bradford: End Papers, on view through January 10.
ONLINE PROGRAMS
Experience the Modern from home by visiting www.themodern.org/online-learning-programs.
Explore the Modern’s COLLECTION ONLINE.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth 3200 Darnell Street Fort Worth, Texas 76107 817. 738.9215 Follow the Modern
www.themodern.org
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
10 PAGES – Projects for kids to enjoy at home
FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY
• Drawing from the Collection • Drawing from the Collection for Children • Wonderful Wednesdays • Slow Art Tours • Curator Talks
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VIRTUAL PROGRAMS:
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STUFF
Enter the Bubbles
With the resumption of their seasons, the Stars and the Mavs are playoff bound, but their recent games show two teams heading in opposite directions.
FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY 12
H I G G I N S Cour tesy of iStock
P A T R I C K
In this flaming trash receptacle of a year, anno domini 20 and 10 times two, there’s been basically Bo Diddley squat to be excited about. Two weeks ago, however, in lieu of the desperately needed motivation to actually get up off the couch, sports fans were given a legit reason to stay there. That’s right kiddos, pro sports are back! The Rangers are already boring the fan surrogate cardboard cutouts (given the genuinely funny dad-joke name “Doppel Rangers”) donning the stands of the brand-new giant panini grill they call Globe Life Field. Some 23-year-old kid just won the PGA’s first major of the year. The Cowboys are in “pre-training” training camp, whatever that is. Most importantly, however, after a nearly fivemonth pause, the NBA and NHL have finally resumed their seasons, albeit in pandemic-adjusted fashion. Each in their respective so-called “bubbles” located in Orlando, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta, the Mavericks and the Stars have picked up right where they left off in March when the world changed forever. The Mavs have cemented their spot as the seventh seed in the Western Conference for the NBA playoffs, which began Monday. For now, we’ll ignore that they’ll likely draw a nail-gnawing, anxietyinducing matchup against the secondseed L.A. Clippers and just enjoy the fact that there’ll be Maverick basketball in April, er, August? for the first time in a long time. It’ll be the Little Mavericks’ first trip to the postseason in three long
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
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years. The Mavs’ eight-game “regular season” in the Walt Disney Hermetically Sealed NBA Bubble and Theme ParkTM has been mixed. After melting down in the fourth quarter repeatedly, the Mavs dropped three of their first five games (requiring overtime to achieve both wins). The team seems to have its footing, winning two straight. Regardless of how many games the Little Mavericks might survive against the Clippers once the games really matter, there’s so much to be excited about with this team for seasons to come. The seamless transition from Euro GOAT Dirk Nowitzki to the next Euro sensation, Luka Doncic, is practically unfair to the rest of the NBA. Doncic, the second-year player, has astoundingly improved upon his Rookie of the Year performance from a year ago, so much so that he’s a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player, i.e., the most improved from Rookie. Of. The. Year. Against the East-leading Mill-e-wahque Bucks last Saturday, Luka snagged his league-leading 17th triple-double with a grown-ass-man stat line of 36-19-14, including a career-highlight, no-look, lefthanded, straight-up nasty between-thelegs pass to Maxi Kleber for a dunk. Add
to Luka’s meteoric rise to superstardom a vastly improved Kristaps Prozingis as his wingman, along with a supporting cast featuring several players capable of stepping up to be a solid third on any given night, and it’s easy to imagine the Mavs beginning to pry open a championship window that looks like it could remain open for the next few years. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the boys in Victory Green. The Stars entered bubble play with the same stalled offense that plagued them before the shutdown, managing just four goals in the three round robin games. On Sunday, the Stars were able to score with just 31 seconds left in regulation to force overtime against the team I hate most in all the NHL, the St. Louis Blues, snagging their first win since –– wait for it –– February 25th (!) in a shootout. Prior to that win, Dallas had lost eight straight games, nine if you count the exhibition game against the Predators prior to the start of meaningful games. In a funhouse mirror inversion of the Mavs’ rising stars, the Stars’ best players are aging and starting to decline. The core of their team is on the downside of their careers. Reputed sharpshooter Tyler Seguin and captain Jamie Benn haven’t scored a single point since March.
It’s been a crazy up-and-down season for the Stars. From starting the season 1-8, to the sudden and still mysterious firing of head coach Jim Montgomery, to the dazzling magic of the Winter Classic, and the surge to finishing the regular season in the third seed, my neck is sore from all the whiplash. You can’t write them off completely just yet. It’s still the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and anything can happen once the puck drops. The NHL has by far the most parity of any sport come postseason, with eight seeds seemingly winning championships as often as one seeds. However, if the Stars can’t find their offense –– Benn and Seguin especially –– hope for either of them ever hoisting Lord Stanley’s Shiny Silver Tower Bowl Thing grows ever slimmer. Team mediocrity has stolen the best years of Benn’s and Seguin’s careers, and they are running out of time. As the Mavericks seem to be entering their next era of greatness, the Stars appear that the door is closing on an era of greatness that never was. No matter how it goes, the next couple of months should be really exciting, exciting enough even to get us through to the (keeping everything crossed) start of football season. l
EATS & drinks SERVING
THE BEST CUSTOMERS FOR OVER 50 YEARS.
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Locations Now Open
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Great Food Great Drinks Great Patio Hours Happy Hour 11am - 2am Daily 5pm - 7pm More Food & Drink Specials 11pm-2am 909 W. Magnolia 682.385.9395 W W W . T H E Y U C ATA N G R I L L . C O M
We have been Cleaned and Sanitized by “The burgers have an edge over most in Fort Worth ” - Bud Kennedy
3520 ALTA MERE DR, FORT WORTH - (817) 560-3483
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
Friday 10pm – 2am
BEERS, BURGERS & WINGS !!
FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY
Thursday 7pm – 11pm
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Come join us at our newly owned, freshly renovated, neighborhood restaurant.
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Green’s ts
Produce & Plan
and Operated Family Owned Est. 1969
Fresh, Local Produce | Herbs Hanging Baskets | Bedding Plants Garden Decor | Specialty Items
Best Farmer’s Market? Vote for Green’s Best of 2020! 3001 W. Arkansas Ln. - Arlington, 76016 817.274.2435 - greensproduce.com Mon-Sat 8-7pm | Sun 8-6pm
CELEBRATING 5 YEARS
FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
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CRAFT COCKTAILS COMFORT FOOD
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401 W Magnolia in The Near Southside (817) 708-2663
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THE BEST THAI IN FORT WORTH FIRST BLUE ZONES APPROVED THAI RESTAURANTS IN FW!
SPICE Thai Kitchen & Bar 411 W. Magnolia Ave Fort Worth • 817-984-1800
order online for pickup at Spicedfw.com “Best Thai Food” – FW Weekly Critics Choice 2016 – FW Weekly readers Choice 2017
4601 W. Fwy, Ste 206 Fort Worth • 817-737-8111 Order online for pickup lovethailicious.com “Best Thai Food” – FW Weekly Readers Choice 2014
4630 SW Loop 820 Fort Worth• 817-731-0455 order online for pickup Thaiselectrestaurant.com “Best Thai Food” – FW Weekly Critics Choice 2015 & 2017
3529 Heritage Trace Parkway, Suite#147, Fort Worth • 817-741-3993 order online for pickup thebangkokdfw.com “The Bangkok has everything north Fort Worth wants.” – Bud Kennedy, Star Telegram
EATS & drinks
More than a fad, these bad boys are here to stay. B R O W N
made with barbacoa, goat, and lamb. Variations of the culinary newcomer are common in taquerias across Fort Worth. Chefs in Fort Worth are experimenting with various cheeses, consommés (which can vary by the type and number of peppers used), and cooking techniques. While some chefs hand-dip the tortillas in the consommé before grilling them, Fuentes uses a ladle to drizzle the rich, red broth over the tacos as they grill. The chef also offers a vegan birria taco made with jackfruit, vegan cheese, and a vegan consommé. The decision to make birria tacos a permanent fixture on Mariachi’s menu has boosted sales as overall revenue continues to take a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, Fuentes said. The tacos “gained some traction”
before the pandemic, said Ashley Miller, Mariachi Tacos’ owner. “It blew up on social media. Everyone is like, ‘Where are these?’ So we decided to bring it back as a special.” The bump in revenue from the birria tacos has been a “Godsend,” she said. Fuentes’ list of local restaurants that serve superlative birria tacos includes Birrieria y Taqueria Cortez (2220 E Rosedale St, 817600-0127), Caliscience (3318 E Belknap St), El Tamaulipeco (3650 Altamesa Blvd, 817-793-3549), and Panther City BBQ (201 E Hattie St, 682-499-5618). Fuentes and Miller said the dish isn’t just a trend. Taquerias across Fort Worth have made the California import a permanent fixture on local menus. Fuentes provided this recipe.
Birria Tacos
Edward Brown
2 lbs barbacoa or suitable meat substitute 4 cloves garlic 4 tbsp oregano 1 diced onion Several dried chiles (guajillo is recommended) Several bay leaves
Fuentes said Mariachi Tacos first served the dish in March, and the decision to make the tacos a permanent fixture of his menu has boosted revenue when overall sales continue to slump.
Boil ingredients for two to three hours or until the meat begins to fall apart. Scoop the oil off the top of the consommé and place the layer of rendered fat in a bowl. Remove and chop the barbacoa. Take a double layer or corn tortillas, dip in the set-aside oil, and place on a hot skillet. Once one side has browned, flip the shells and place cheese (Monterey jack and/or mozzarella) and meat on the crispy side of the tortilla. Once the other side has browned, fold into a taco and serve with diced onions, chopped cilantro, and a bowl of consommé. l
fwweekly.com
Besides being trendy and highly Instagrammable, birria tacos are damn delicious. Part of the novelty of the trending dish is the use of a rich consommé that the tacos are dipped in before eating. The broth adds a delicious blend of chile, garlic, and oregano flavors. Birria tacos are also distinguished by their dark crimson tortillas. “Birria tacos come from Jalisco, Mexico,” said Chef Angel Fuentes, who has been serving up birria tacos at his Riverside restaurant Mariachi Tacos on and off since March. “It is a celebratory dish and not traditionally served like a taco. The original dish is served in a bowl like a pozole. Somehow, it transformed into a crunchy taco. I saw it first in California, then it exploded everywhere.” Fuentes said authentic birria tacos are
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
E D W A R D
Besides being trendy and highly Instagrammable, birria tacos are damn delicious.
FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY
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Edward Brown
Birria Tacos Deliver
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EATS & drinks
Arlington Improv 309 Curtis Mathes Way, Arlington. Comedy club and full-service restaurant also serving drinks. August 14 to 16: Red Grant.
Eat, Drink & Be Merry! Places around town for dinner, drinks, and a good time. Alley Cats 2008 W Pleasant Ridge, Arlington. 609 NE Loop 820, Hurst. Bowling, laser tag, rock climbing, and arcade games with a full bar and food options.
Billy Bob’s Texas 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth. Dance hall, concert venue, restaurant. August 15: Flatland Cavalry. August 21:Tracy Byrd.
Find Your Own Favorite Food!
Dutch’s Hamburgers 3009 S University, Fort Worth. Burger joint, full bar, occasional live music. August 14: Live Music by Jeremiah Herren. Gas Monkey Bar & Grill 10261 Technology Blvd E, Dallas. Music venue with full-service restaurant and bar. Tribute bands playing weekly. Sat, 8/8: Wayne “the train” Hancock. Grease Monkey 200 N Mesquite St, Arlington. Burger joint, full bar, and patio, with occasional live music and sporting events. August 14: Pop Punk Night with Van Full Of Nuns! and Best Coast.
fwweekly.com
Hyena’s 425 Commerce St, Fort Worth Fort Worth’s premier comedy club, inside Lone Star Live. August 28 to 29: Tony Hinchfliffe.
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Happy Hour
$5 DRAFT + $5 WELL Monday to Friday 3pm to 7pm
NOW OPEN
Shwarma Is Back!
FREE PARKING!
FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
3 0 0 0 C R O C K E T T S T R E E T, F O R T W O R T H T X 7 6 1 0 7 CROCKETTHALL.COM
Lava Cantina 5505 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony. Rock n’ roll themed Coastal Mexican restaurant that doubles as a premier concert venue. In-person and live streaming options. August 12: That 70’s Band. August 13: Messer. August 14: Emerald City with Metal Shop. August 15: Texas Flood (SRV tribute) and Thin White Dukes (David Bowie Tribute). Oscars Bar & Grill 1581 SW Wilshire Blvd #101, Burleson. Restaurant, bar, and music venue. August 13: Chris Osborne acoustic debut. August 14: Even It Up (Heart tribute). August 15: Radio KAOS.
Park in the garage across the way, bring us your voucher and we’ll validate it for you. Four hour limit.
Voicebox Karaoke 2955 Crockett St, Fort Worth. Private suite karaoke lounge, now taking reservations. To submit information, email Jennifer@fwweekly.com.
J U A N
R .
G O V E A
After years of playing the circuit as a hard rock outfit in the early aughts, Justin Foia and Brock Miller recently reconnected to develop some new, non-hard rock material. The result is the goth duo The Nova Blak, whose most recent single, “Better Angels,” came out in July. As the pandemic continues, Foia and Miller are continuing to add to their oeuvre. “Once we went into lockdown, we put in way more work because we were at home looking for something to occupy our minds from what was going on in the world,” Miller said.
HearSay Boycott-ify
Billionaires inspiring hatred by spouting ignorant, patronizing, and tone-deaf takes on how we mere five-figure salaried mortals can best improve our circumstances is nothing new. From Marie Antionette’s infamously callous “Let them eat cake” response to being informed her subjects had no bread, to Nepotism Barbie’s flat insulting “Find Something New” campaign –– a supposed easy-peasy solution to pandemic-instigated unemployment –– the well-insulated rich have lobbed their condescension from behind armed-guarded stone walls for literal centuries. Sadly, the guillotine has lost favor as a means of resolving such insensitive stupidity. The latest to inspire the pitchforkwielding masses to storm the proverbial castle (at least on Twitter) is Spotify CEO, and actual man-sized macrocephalic infant, Daniel Ek. In a recent interview with Music Ally, a self-described “modern global music business knowledge company,” Ek laid the blame for his behemoth streaming service’s miserly royalty payouts not at the tootsies of the laughable $0.00348 that the quadruple billionaire pays per stream but at artists’ supposed lack of production. “Some artists that used to do well
in the past may not do well in this future landscape,” Ek said when asked about the impact that streaming services –– which have largely replaced direct purchases of musical content –– have had on the music industry. “You can’t record music once every three to four years and think that’s going to be enough.” The implication here is that the artist must overcome the stinginess of tech giants’ exploiting her content for shareholder profit by continuously churning out new material at the same pace Tyson Foods does salmonella, um, I mean “chicken.” “The artists today that are making it realize that it’s about creating a continuous engagement with their fans,” Ek continued. “It is about putting the work in, about the storytelling around the album, and about keeping a continuous dialogue with your fans.” Vomit. Decoding the CEO-speak, the message is clearly, “Get your ass into the studio (don’t ask me how you’ll pay for it) and write a damn song that’ll help put new tile in the onboard shower of my yacht, the S.S. Bloodsucker.” This mentality shows how divorced the rich have become from identifying with not only the average person but also often with the very industry they trade in. It’s obvious Ek has never attempted to do anything musical on his own in his entire vampiric
life. Set aside the fact that creativity is hardly an on-demand resource. Even if artists could easily write the next “Don’t Stop Believin’” every time they picked up an instrument, Ek’s shortsightedness completely ignores the time/expense/logistics of recording and releasing music. Even in a world without a global pandemic that has robbed musicians of their main source of income –– live shows –– putting out new music every few months is simply impossible. The average song costs about $500 to produce from start to finish. Not exactly cheap, especially when you consider Ek will pay you only $348 if that song earns an eye-popping 100,000 streams. Even if Spotify paid a decent royalty, there’s still their heinous pay-to-play activities and inherent bias toward major label schlock, which buries the small, independent artists who depend on the broad reach of the platform for exposure the most. Ek’s comments have piqued the ire of many local musicians, prompting singersongwriter Jacob Furr to threaten to remove his music from the platform altogether. “I know it’s probably futile, but today I’m going to start figuring out how to take my music off of Spotify” he said via tweet. “Hardly anybody listens to it anyway, but I can’t be part of that app anymore. Maybe we all ought to go on strike?” I’d encourage music fans, especially fans of local music, to ditch the ominous
green dot service and instead use Bandcamp. As opposed to the fraction of a penny per stream that local artists will likely never see from Spotify, Bandcamp offers listeners the ability to purchase music from their favorite artists directly, taking only 10 or 15 percent commission. With the recent addition of “Bandcamp Fridays,” the site is actually waiving its share of royalties on these select days to help artists impacted by the pandemic earn just a bit more scratch. Bandcamp has long been the preferred platform of small, independent artists. National acts are now offering their music through the site as well. By actually purchasing music (usually at below standard retail store prices), you’re not only restoring the financial gain of art made back into the pockets of those who made it, but you’re reinstating a more organic method of discovering music instead of it being force-fed to you by some inhuman algorithm. All parties are the better for it. You might even help a local musician pay his/her rent. Or, I suppose, there are those who still just can’t get enough of the same five tired Red Hot Chili Peppers songs that you can find at literally any given moment on commercial radio, and for them I hear Ek’s yacht shower still needs new tile. –– Patrick Higgins Contact HearSay at anthony@fwweekly.com.
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“I had a dream last year that we made a record together out of all these influences we liked,” Foia said. “The next day, I called him up and said we should probably give it a go.” Miller agrees that cocreating with his longtime friend makes musical sense. “I like his writing, his vocals, and his natural sense of how songs are structured.” If “goth” is what Foia and Miller are aiming for, they definitely achieve it with The Nova Blak. The guitars are textural as opposed to flashy or in-your-face, and there are more than a few passing references to post-punk and ’80s-era David Bowie. On “Better Angels,” Foia’s voice soars over a deep bassline and shimmering guitar. “If the world should fall away,” he sings. “If the sun should shine brighter than today / Could you still believe in love?
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
Two former hard rockers reconnect over a shared love of deep darkness.
/ Could we still believe in anything at all?” The group’s first single introduces a resonant, fuzzy synth line like something from a Nine Inch Nails album before Foia tells another tale of mysterious, dark misfortune. “There’s a tear in the curtains / There’s a hole in the floor / There’s a crack in the window / There’s a knock at the door / There’s some girls on the corner, and there’s wolves in the park / Seeing businessman crawling, and it’s getting dark.” As The Nova Blak, Foia and Miller plan on releasing a single every month for the near future. The band already has two ready to go, starting with “Wounded Prey” this month. “We want to release singles to stay disciplined and committed to the music,” Foia said. “And sometimes that’s more liberating than trying to do an EP or an LP and craft a whole suite of songs that work together.” Foia and Miller have no big agenda for The Nova Blak but feel that it reflects subgenres and styles of music that are often ignored or derided. “I honestly think a lot of people like ‘dark’ music and don’t admit it,” Foia said. “The Nova Blak celebrates that, so we want to give it to them.” The group isn’t sure how deep their aspirations run, but the guys agree that if people decide to love it, they will be fortunate with any response. They also like what they are doing, they said, and releasing singles keeps it fresh. l
FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY
The Nova Blak Shine Darkly
Cour tesy of Near Dark
MUSIC
The single, inspired by Foia’s personal experience of cautiously explaining to his young daughter what is happening in a world plagued by a pandemic, was recorded right after lockdown began, he said. “This one has a lot more latitude to be Dark Wave and industrial,” Foia said. “We wanted something that we enjoyed listening to, and [threw] everything else out the window.” “Better Angels” follows The Nova Blak’s debut EP, the pre-COVID Near Dark, and debut single, “Nylon.” All of the band’s releases were recorded, engineered, and mastered at home, which wasn’t easy, considering Miller lives in Fort Worth and Foia is in San Diego, where he is a filmmaker. Miller programmed the guitars and synths and mixed the drums and organs while Foia recorded his vocals in a makeshift booth, a closet. His instrument is a little Simon Le Bon-ish, which is appropriate for a Dark Wave outfit. Not all of the material made the cut, Miller said. Some songs were too catchy. Others were the mere ideas for songs. Foia and Miller’s early-aughts band was Monsters and Dust. As a quartet, they played Deep Ellum a lot, packing venues like the Gypsy Tea Room and Galaxy Club before disbanding after only a couple of years. Foia and Miller have stayed in touch over the years as close friends and said they are quick to respond to each other’s musical references.
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SAT 9/19
FREE ADMISSION
ENDURE: LEBANON SAT 10/10
BASTARDS OF SOUL LZ, PAPA Z, THK, SUPER MIL, MR. DON GIOVANNI
SAT 9/19
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public notices
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO, SITTING AS THE JUVENILE COURT In the Matter of: BABY GIRL JONES Minor born: 12/3/19 Case No.: 240338 PUBLISHED CITATION WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTIONS 294 & 366.26 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO: HEATHER KAY JONES, OR ANYONE CLAIMING TO BE THE MOTHER OF THE ABOVE-NAMED BABY GIRL JONES, FEMALE CHILD BORN ON 12/3/19. PUBLISHED NOTICE OF HEARING AND NOTICE TO PARENT OF RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES PURSUANT TO WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTIONS 294 and 366.26 1. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT on 9/30/2020, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 134 of the Sacramento County Juvenile Court, Superior Court of California, located at 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826, a hearing will take place pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 366.26, to either terminate your parental rights or to establish a guardianship for your child or to place your child in long-term foster care. 2. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, currently there is no public access to the courthouse. However, this may change at any time. We strongly encourage you to contact the assigned social worker, Joycelyn Wormley, at (916) 874-3376 prior to the court hearing date to verify whether the hearing will be held in person or through teleconference or videoconference should the court remain closed at the time of your scheduled hearing. The zoom hearing (videoconference) information is https://saccourt.zoom.us/my/dept134. If you opt to call in (teleconference), the telephone number is: (888) 475-4499 Meeting ID: 977 501 4696. 3. You are further notified that the Sacramento County Department of Family, Child and Adult Services, Petitioner, will recommend the following action: termination of parental rights permanently and a court order that the above-named minor be placed for adoption. 4. You have the right to personally appear in court and be heard in this matter. 5. On the above date the Court will determine the best permanent plan for your child. Evidence will be presented. After hearing the evidence presented by the parties, the Court will make one of the following orders: a. Terminate your parental rights permanently and order that the child be placed for adoption; b. Without permanently terminating your parental rights, identify adoption as the permanent placement goal and order that efforts be made to locate an appropriate adoptive family for your child for a period not to exceed 60 days; c. Without permanently terminating your parental rights appoint a legal guardian for your child and issue letters of guardianship; or, d. Order that your child be placed in long-term foster care, subject to the regular review of the Juvenile Court. 6. You may have the right to have an attorney represent you at the hearing. If you cannot afford an attorney, the Court will appoint an attorney for you, unless you knowingly and willingly waive your right to representation by an attorney. You have the right to present evidence at the hearing. 7. You have the right to request a trial on the issue of what permanent plan is best for your child. You have the right to present evidence. You have the right to use the Court’s power to compel the attendance of witnesses to testify on your behalf. You have the right to confront and cross-examine any adverse witnesses. You have the right to confront and cross-examine the preparers of any reports submitted to the Court by the Sacramento County Department of Family, Child and Adult Services, Petitioner. You have the right to assert the privilege against self-incrimination. 8. Any Order of the Court permanently terminating your parental rights shall be final and you shall have no legal rights to the care, control or custody of the child. 9. The Sacramento County Department of Family, Child and Adult Services, Petitioner will prepare and file an assessment report containing its recommendation in this matter at least ten (10) calendar days before the hearing . You have the right to be provided and obtain a copy of the report. You should immediately contact the social worker assigned to your child dependency case or your attorney if you have any questions or if you would like to read and obtain a copy of the report. 10. If you fail to appear at the hearing, the Court will proceed in your absence to adopt one of the above-mentioned permanent plans. Such proceedings may include the termination of your parental rights so that your child may be placed for adoption. If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please contact the specified below or an attorney. DATE: July 29, 2020 Michelle Callejas, Director Penelope Peters, Paralegal Department of Family, Child and Adult Services Paralegal Services (916) 875-4822 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, 8/26/20
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
HAS OPENINGS FOR PART-TIME, YEAR-ROUND SURVEY INTERVIEWERS 20-40 HRS A MONTH $16.12/HR & $0.575/MILE MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN, 18YRS OF AGE OR OLDER, HAVE VALID DRIVERS LICENSE, RELIABLE VEHICLE, & BE AVAILABLE TO WORK DAY, EVENING, & WEEKEND HRS The U.S. Department of Commerce is An Equal Opportunity Employer. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the application process, please notify the agency. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
TO APPLY EMAIL: NAME, PHONE, FULL ADDRESS, COUNTY, & HOW YOU HEARD OF THIS JOB OPPORTUNITY TO DENVER.RECRUIT@CENSUS.GOV BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH SPEAKERS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
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DICKIES ARENA HIRING FAIRS AUG 13 1P-6P & AUG 14 10A-1P
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Parking Available in the Yellow Lot Bring a resume and your own pen. Face covering mandatory. For more information & to pre-register, visit DICKIESARENA.COM/JOB-OPPORTUNITIES For questions, contact us at HR@DICKIESARENA.COM | 817.402.9090
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50 Years of Peace Love & Smoke
TEXT: 817-987-7689
The Gas Pipe, The GAS PIPE, THE GAS PIPE, your Peace Love & Smoke Headquarters since
4/20/1970! Now, SCORE a FREE GIFT on YOUR Birthday, FREE Scale Tuning and Lighter Refills on GAS PIPE goods, FREE Layaway, and all the safe, helpful service you expect from a 50 Years Young Joint. PLUS, SCORE FREE INCENSE With-A-Buy all Labor Day Weekend 9/4-9/7. Party Clean, Keep On Trucking’
HANNAH IN HURST
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FOR LEASE
Office Retail 1550+ sf, 5430 River Oaks Blvd 76114, call Rocky 817.377.1925
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FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY
AUGUST 12-18, 2020
RIDGLEA THEATER: Sat 9/19 FREE SCREENING of Endure: Lebanon; Sat 10/10 Bastards of Soul. RIDGLEA ROOM: Sat 9/19 LZ, PAPA Z, THK, Super Mil, Mr. Don Giovanni; Fri 10/16 Girls Night Out. RIDGLEA LOUNGE: 9/18 FREE SHOW with James Tuffs and the Southern Trouble Band. Get much more up-to-the-minute information at theRidglea.com
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LEGAL NOTICE
Small wares, pots & pans, and all kitchen essentials available to the public.
The owners or lien holders are hereby notified that the vehicles listed below are being stored at AA Wrecker Service: 5709-B Denton Hwy. Haltom City, TX 76148 (817)656-3100 TDLR VSF Lic. No. 0536827VSF | www.license.state.tx.us
YR
MAKE
Homemade Trailer 2012 Tao Tao
MODEL Moped
VIN
NOVIN 19NTELKE6C1000528
PRICE
Come see our showrooms!
$572.43 $1425.20
*Storage charges accrue daily until the vehicle is claimed *Failure of the owner or lien holder to claim the above vehicles within 30 days is a waiver of all right, title, and interest in the vehicles and a consent to the sale of the vehicle at a public sale.
MON-FRI 8am-5:30pm
BEST OF 2020
2524 White Settlement Road Fort Worth • 817-265-3973