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EDITOR’S NOTE

THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: HOLDING OUT HOPE, EXPECTING FAILURE

By Scott Recker | leo@leoweekly.com THE 2022 Kentucky General Assembly session reflects many other political situations: There’s a decent amount of room for opportunity, and even more room for failure.

By the time you read this, the redistricting process will most likely be well under way, and that will be a lightning quick, shadily quiet and absolutely partisan move by the Republican supermajority, right as the session begins on Jan. 4. There will also inevitably be childlike grandstanding, toxic culture wars waged, gross dog-whistling and shows of power from certain factions within the supermajority. Arguments about critical race theory and COVID will happen, and abortion rights will come under attack.

This won’t be a session that brings people together.

On the borderline bright side, it will almost certainly be more unified than the special session back in September, where the GOP-dominated legislature essentially inherited control of the state’s coronavirus response after a Kentucky Supreme Court ruling shifted policymaking power. The special session was pretty much one big middle finger to the Gov. Andy Beshear, who angered the Republi-

cans via his executive orders early on in the pandemic. It was about GOP payback, and tearing down what previously was built, instead of carving out the future of public health during a rapidlychanging crisis. It was messy, and the state’s COVID numbers are not exactly very good right now.

So, is there room for a little bit of optimism for this session — even very, very cautious optimism?

There — and I could very easily want to Sharpie this line

out of every single issue of LEO that gets delivered this week — probably is.

That’s mostly because the state has money to spend. Kentucky is holding onto a $1.1 billion fiscal year budget surplus and is looking forward to the incoming American Rescue Plan Act funds.

And, this year, the General Assembly will pass its first two-year budget since before the pandemic.

At a Louisville Forum event addressing the session back in December, House Minority Leader Joni Jenkins (D-Louisville) — who appeared alongside her Republican peer Sen. Paul Hornback — expressed some positive thoughts, saying the budget could keep the session focused.

“It tends to take a lot of discussion

and air out of the room,” Jenkins said of the budget. “And it is a good year for us because revenues are up, there is lots of one-time money, but for every dollar there’s been probably three or four people asking for that dollar. There’s lots of hard decisions to make.”

A lot is riding on this 60-day session.

Some of it’s going to be chaotic, some of it’s going to be depressing, some of it’s going to be a blatant waste of time that doesn’t serve anyone, but there has to be some common ground during a long session with a decent chunk of money. Let’s address tornado relief, poverty, equity, essential worker shortages, infrastructure, child care and economic development.

Let’s create prosperity for everyone, and look to the future. Let’s move forward.

We have the resources. But, at the end of the day, we have to hold out hope that a volatile supermajority gives more than it takes. •

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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THE MIDWESTERNIST

THE POOPING TURTLE

By Dan Canon | leo@leoweekly.com

THE only thing my middle daughter wanted for Christmas was a pooping turtle. The ads for the Little Live Pets Gotta Go Turdle promise “an interactive, toilet-trained turtle who loves to sing, dance, chat back, eat, and poop – on the toilet!” To a five-year-old, that’s a persuasive pitch. For weeks, all we heard was: Pooping turtle!

Pooping turtle!

Pooping turtle!

A visit to a hard-of-hearing Santa resulted in some confusion, since my daughter’s residual babyspeak screamed through the filter of a cloth mask made her persistent request sound like “POOPOO TWODDLE,” which, unlike “pooping turtle,” is a silly thing to ask for. To make extra sure, she dictated a letter to the North Pole which, in her mother’s pristine handwriting, unmistakably listed “Pooping Turtle” as the first of only five total items. And so we were obligated to buy her a pooping turtle.

She doesn’t like it all that much. At first, Shelbert (or Lena, as our daughter has renamed her) (the renaming plus the inherent difficulty in sexing testudines forces me to guess at proper pronouns) (Lena: please forgive me if I have misgendered you) was of great interest to the whole house.

It was not merely scatological curiosity driving Lena’s early popularity. She repeated whatever the kids screamed at her, she made delightfully weird digestive noises, her giant prehistoric neck shimmied and wriggled like a fuzzy purple tube man, and the pièce de résistance: When the time came to move whatever analog turtles have to bowels, Lena erupted into song.

Uh-oh! Gotta go!

Uh-oh gotta go!

What better song for our troubled times? Yes Lena, there is cause for alarm. Yes, we do gotta go. The “going” itself seemed a miracle of innovation. Pink sand is scooped into Lena’s beak and emerges from the other end only when she is placed on a tiny plastic toilet. The sand mingles with a half-cup of toilet water and becomes a congealed mass of droppings, but returns to sand form as soon as it is pulled out of the water, allowing it to be fed back to the turtle.

Incredible!

But a miracle oft repeated is no miracle at all, and we soon recognized Lena’s limitations. Her limbs don’t move, so she is perpetually in a squat. She just sits on the pot waiting to be fed, and then waiting to poop, and then waiting to be fed again. The “chat back” feature adds a bit of novelty, but all she can do is repeat, repeat, repeat. The Furby was a more adept conversationalist, and that toy is — brace yourself Xers — nearly a quarter-century old. Even the “gotta go” song, catchy and poignant though it may be, is the same four words over and over. After a day or two, the pooping turtle was left silent and untouched on the kitchen table, abandoned in favor of more pliable, non-defecating toys.

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This New Year, my sole resolution is to ask, at regular intervals, whether I am doing any better than a Live Pets Gotta Go Turdle. Lena’s rut is surely unique to plastic, sandcrapping reptiles, but a close human equivalent might be dysthymia, a mild-but-chronic cousin of clinical depression.

The condition, sometimes referred to as persistent depressive disorder, doesn’t involve episodes requiring hospitalization or anything quite so dramatic. It’s subtle. It manifests itself as a hazy distaste for life; a stagnant, swampy air that burdens the lungs, leaving you with enough energy to carry out your daily obligations but little else. So you plod through the mud, aspiring to nothing other than getting through the day, because why bother with more? When you look at the grand design of the universe, all you can see is turtles, toilets and excrement all the way down, with nothing more to offer, no better songs to sing, and no reason to move from where you are.

Persistent depressive disorder can be effectively treated (antidepressants work surprisingly well) but is devilishly difficult to diagnose. Mental health professionals generally agree that you must have experienced symptoms for at least two years to be considered dysthymic. As such, most cases go untreated. Once you’ve lived more-orless successfully with low-grade depression for a period of years, you aren’t likely to spend a couple hundred bucks to trade your familiar couch for an uncomfortable Freudian model. And who could look at these last two years and say that a simmering revulsion for existence is abnormal? How can you even call that a “disorder?” Most folks I know are stuck right here with me, our knees forcibly bent, eating the same shit we ate yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that.

Listen, reader: I want to confide something in you. For all the bleak

cynicism I squeeze out onto these pages every couple of weeks, I still believe that the year to come holds bright, beautiful things worth getting off the pot for. There will be new toys to play with, new friends to make and new pills to take. At the very least, there will be new extended metaphors that don’t involve pooping turtles. I hope you’ll explore all of that with me. And when next Christmas comes around, I hope we get all the gifts we ask for, even the stuff we don’t know about yet. •

Dan Canon is a civil rights lawyer and law professor.

His book “Pleading Out: How Plea Bargaining Creates a Permanent Criminal Class” is available for preorder wherever you get your books.

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IT’S TIME TO CHANGE OUR CANNABIS LAWS

By State Rep. Nima Kulkarni | leo@leoweekly.com THE HISTORY OF CANNABIS criminalization is rooted in racism and xenophobia.

We cannot allow this fundamental fact to become lost in discussions about tax revenue and administrative frameworks to legalize a substance whose simple possession has resulted in over 6 million incarcerations over the last decade.

Cannabis was not an illegal plant until the turn of the 20th century, and once we look at the reasons it was criminalized to begin with, we can clearly see the growing absurdity of trying to perpetuate a series of fundamentally and intentionally disingenuous laws that have targeted Black and brown communities for generations.

If we really want to dismantle systems of racism, we must look to the history of how we got here and why.

Today, nine out of 10 Kentuckians favor the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes and six out of 10 favor legalization for any purpose, according to a 2019 Kentucky Health Issues Poll.

One in three Americans live in states when cannabis is legal for adult use.

As of this writing, Kentucky is one of 14 states in our nation that has neither decriminalized cannabis nor approved its adult use for either medical or recreational reasons.

We are currently in a period that favors the legalization of cannabis, but over the last 85 years, our laws and our attitudes towards cannabis have changed drastically.

Beginning around 1910, Mexican immigration increased due to the Mexican Revolution, and it is here that we begin to see the criminalization of cannabis, primarily in border states, based less on the dangerous properties of the plant itself than the xenophobic sentiments prevailing at the time. This is also when we saw the terminology began to change from the botanical term, cannabis, to marijuana, in an attempt to associate the plant with dangerous and criminal behavior by immigrants.

During the 1920s, this rhetoric was amplified through a steady stream of anticannabis stories published by the leading newspapers of the time. For example, in 1923, a Hearst paper reported that “Marihuana is a short cut to the insane asylum.

Smoke marihuana cigarettes for a month and what was once your brain will be nothing

but a storehouse for horrid specters.” In 1925, a New York Times headline went: “Mexican, Crazed by Marihuana, Runs Amuck With Butcher Knife.”

During the 1930s, America was in the throes of the Great Depression, and it was not difficult to tap into deep cultural anxieties about minorities and immigrants.

In 1930, as support for the prohibition of alcohol was waning (the 18th Amendment was repealed in 1933), Harry Anslinger was appointed as the first Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, a precursor to the DEA, and is often thought of the architect of our original drug enforcement laws.

He remained in this position until 1962, having done more than perhaps anyone in establishing our mindset of drug use as a moral failing and criminal issue that must be dealt with through harsh penalties.

In 1937, Congress passed the Marihuana Tax Act, which effectively outlawed individual possession and sale of cannabis in the U.S., and imposed onerous fees and record keeping for medical use. This Act was understandably opposed by the American Medical Association because the tax was imposed on anyone who bought, sold, imported, distributed, cultivated or prescribed it as medicine, including physicians, pharmacists and manufacturers. The AMA did not believe the claims that cannabis cause insanity, addiction, and violence, and also objected to the unfamiliar term “marihuana” with which most medical professionals would not equate cannabis. In fact, in 1944, after a five year investigation, the New York Academy of Medicine issued a report that contradicted Anslinger’s opinion that cannabis caused violence, insanity, addiction or led to other drug use.

During the 1950s, we saw an increase in laws that imposed mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses. The Boggs Act marked the first time that cannabis and narcotics like heroin were treated the same in our criminal system, and imposed two to five year minimum sentences for first offenses, including simple possession.

Second offenses carried prison terms of five to 10 years, and third offenses carried a sentence of 10 to 15 years. Five years later, the Narcotics Control Act of 1956 further escalated these penalties, imposing a five-year

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CASH

You may look into Cash’s eyes and see an ordinary pitty mix in need of love...and you’d be right! But this one-year-old is a wildcard in disguise. Cash came to the Kentucky Humane Society when a rural shelter ran out of space. We knew right away this dude was special. Although he’s listed as a Bull Terrier mix, Cash snorts in excitement just like a little piglet. (You can’t tell from his picture, of course! You’ve gotta meet him in-person to appreciate his vocals.) But many people pass him by in lieu of cuter, smaller companions. Cash has tried many things in life to stand out from the crowd. He’s learning tricks like sit and stay.

Once, he attempted to eat some questionable berries in an effort to become a food connoisseur; they were not tasty! He even tried to join the warthog exhibit at the Louisville Zoo but was denied because - despite his silly snorts - Cash is, in fact, a domesticated dog. He’s running out of ideas! Cash has been excited to see every single person he’s met. He greets everyone with a thorough, snort-filled inspection to make sure they’re not hiding any treats in their pockets. Or hands. Or face. He’ll make sure to give plenty of kisses in his search! We haven’t seen if Cash gives the same love-filled greeting to dogs or cats because he just hasn’t met any. You can always bring your dog for a meet and greet, though! Cash is neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on his shots. If you’ve always wanted a pet pig but are more of a dog person, you’ve gotta meet Cash! Visit him today at the Kentucky Humane Society’s East Campus, 1000 Lyndon Lane, or learn more at www.kyhumane.org/dogs.

Petunia, what are you still doing here? Such a sweet little flower and no home yet, huh? Well, maybe PETUNIA Little it’s because people don’t know about you yet! We can’t believe you were at an overcrowded shelter before

coming to the Kentucky Humane Society. Your markings are adorable and look like a milk mustache! Even at four years of age, you still enjoy playing and getting petted. Thank you so much for being patient as your feline neighbors have arrived and left for their new homes; you’ve been so friendly and welcoming to them! And even with your FIV, you’ve been active and bright. We’ve been telling people that kitties like you have a weakened immune system, which is true, but you’ve been keeping yourself very healthy in spite of that! You’re such a strong kitty! We know your beauty rest is important...but you may have to come out of your fluffy bed every once in a while. Otherwise, people will think you’re just crabby rather than comfy! Maybe someone who’s looking for a soft-spoken friend will meet you soon. Plus, you’re spayed, micro-chipped and up-to-date on your shots. How could someone pass up a great kitty like you?! If you’re looking for a little Petunia in your life, come meet her today at the Kentucky Humane Society’s East Campus, 1000 Lyndon Lane, or learn more at www.kyhumane.org/cats.

UPCOMING EVENTS Thursday, January 20, 2022 7:00pm EST

Comedy Night at Gravely

Gravely Brewing Company

Cacao Ceremony

Saturday, January 22, 2022 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST

Healing Within Louisville

Saturday, January 29, 2022 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM EST

The Walnut Street Revue 2022 Kentucky Center for African American Heritage

New Comics Showcase

Thursday, February 3, 2022 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM EST

Aloft Louisville Downtown ~ Louisville Laughs

REDPINTIX.COM LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

VIEWS

minimum for first offenses and a 10-year minimum for subsequent offenses.

The 1960s confirmed that these mandatory minimum sentencing laws were not working. The Prettyman Commission in 1963 and the Katzenbach Commission in 1967 both found that longer prison sentences were not an effective deterrent to drug users, that rehabilitation should be a primary objective for the government, and that courts should have wide discretion to deal with drug offenders.

In 1969, 32 years after it was enacted, the Supreme Court struck down the Marihuana Tax Act in Leary v. United States.

In 1970, Congress repealed the Marihuana Tax Act along with mandatory minimums for drug offenses. Instead, it enacted the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which created five schedules and temporarily classified cannabis under Schedule I, which was reserved for substances that have been determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, thereby prohibiting their use for any purpose. During the 1970s, several states decriminalized cannabis or greatly reduced penalties for possession.

Crucially, the CSA also called for and funded a commission specifically to study whether cannabis belonged in Schedule I. In 1972, the Shafer Commission released a report that recommended decriminalizing simple possession of cannabis, finding that it was as safe as alcohol and did not belong under Schedule I. Nixon rejected the recommendation, and that is why cannabis remains a Schedule I today, despite no evidence to justify the classification.

That was 50 years ago.

Under Reagan, who called cannabis “probably the most dangerous drug in the United States,” the number of people incarcerated for nonviolent drug offenses increased from 50,000 in 1980 to over 400,000 by 1997, as mandatory minimums were reinstated and further strengthened.

This era of mass incarceration for low level drug offenses coincided with a crackdown of drug use in minority communities and contributed to the disparities in sentencing that we see today.

Through the next decades, we saw a doubling down of the war on drugs and a militarization of law enforcement under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

The consistent thread in the implementation of these laws has been disparate arrest rates and longer sentencing for Black and brown people.

In 2010, arrests for cannabis possession accounted for over half of all drug arrests, and of the arrests made between 2001 and

2010, 88% were for simple possession. In 2020, the number of cannabis-related arrests has dropped to 43%, but nearly 90% of those arrests were for simple possession, according to a report from the ACLU. In addition, the rate of arrests for Black people is still almost four times higher than for white people nationwide, even though rates of cannabis use are roughly the same.

In Kentucky, that number jumps to almost 10 times higher.

These disparities exists despite 36 states having some authorized use of cannabis in statute. While some states have explicitly included provisions that address felony expungement, restoration of voting rights and equitable access to new cannabis industries, some have not.

In Kentucky, we are at a turning point.

With the data that we have from states that have decriminalized or legalized cannabis in some form, along with a disgraceful history we should seek to redress, we must adopt the basic provisions of decriminalization legislation, including defining and decriminalizing a personal use quantity of cannabis for possession and cultivation, amending the drug paraphernalia statute to exempt personal use cannabis accessories, and creating a process for automatic expungement of prior convictions relating to personal use amounts of cannabis or cannabis accessories.

We cannot simply move forward with broad cannabis legalization and establishing a new cannabis industry in our Commonwealth without at the same time addressing the disparate and devastating impact that this succession of laws has had on our minority communities since the turn of the century.

This is an opportunity to study our past and learn from it, finally moving away from harmful rhetoric towards rational and equitable policy. We are in a shrinking minority of states that do not have some form of authorized cannabis use on the books. When we move towards the majority of our neighbors in establishing this new industry, let’s make sure we do it right, for the right reasons, and with equal opportunity for everyone in our Commonwealth. • Kentucky Rep. Nima Kulkarni (D-Louisville) pre-filed two bills that address decriminalizing cannabis ahead of the current General Assembly session. To read more about those bills, visit the news page.

NEWS & ANALYSIS

A SURPLUS OF MONEY, A LIGHTNING QUICK REDISTRICTING AND AN EMBOLDENED SUPERMAJORITY:

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY’S 2022 SESSION

By Josh Wood | jwood@leoweekly.com

AS THE 2022 legislative session gets underway in Frankfort on Jan. 4, passing plans for redistricting and the state’s first twoyear budget since the pandemic will be top priorities.

The way the redistricting map for Kentucky’s House of Representatives was developed — behind closed doors by Republicans and released last Thursday, a state holiday just days before the legislative session — has irritated Democrats.

The proposed map itself would up the number of majorityminority districts from two to four, and would pit a few incumbents against one another — two sets of rural Republicans, and two sets of Louisville Democrats.

Congressional and state senate maps are anticipated to be released early in the session. Also expected in the coming days is a delay in the filing deadline for candidates from Jan. 7 to Jan. 25.

With Kentucky turning to one-year budgets in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, 2022 will be the first time lawmakers set a typical two-year budget since 2018. Kentucky is riding a wave of a $1.1 billion fiscal year budget surplus and the incoming American Rescue Plan Act funds, which means there is money to spend. Gov. Andy Beshear has called for raises for teachers and Kentucky State Police troopers. You also can expect budget topics like tornado disaster relief, essential worker pay and how much money should be set aside in the rainy day fund.

Ultimately, everything remains in the hands of the Kentucky Republicans, who maintain an supermajority in both

THORNS & ROSES THE WORST, BEST & MOST ABSURD THORN: REPRESENTING HIMSELF Kentucky Republican Floor Leader Sen. Damon Thayer doesn’t care if you, or any other Kentuckian, want medical marijuana legalized. In a KET interview, the Georgetown lawmaker said he doesn’t support it, even though he knows his constituents do. “If they don’t like it they can take it out on me in the next election,” he said. Kentucky lawmakers know they can keep getting reelected if they have a bit of power and an R in front of their name. Mitch McConnell’s been doing it for years. Maybe it’s time to show them that they can’t. Of course, Thayer isn’t up for reelection until 2024. Perhaps that’s why he’s feeling so bold.

chambers — 75-25 in the House, 30-8 in the Senate.

Since it’s an even-numbered year, the session may not last longer than 60 days and cannot extend past April 15.

Here are some of the pre-filed bills and other issues we’re keeping an eye on during the session:

COVID, ROUND 2

Republican lawmakers are again flooding the session with a series of bills against vaccination requirements.

The most wide-reaching is BR 106, which is sponsored by 18 Republicans, with Rep. Savannah Maddox (R-Dry Ridge) as the prime sponsor.

Under BR 106, no government entity or employer can require an employee or applicant to disclose their vaccination status or to provide proof of vaccination. Similarly, no postsecondary education facility can require staff, students or prospective students to disclose their vaccination status.

Businesses in the Commonwealth would not be allowed to require customers to provide documentation of vaccination status (as currently occurs at some music venues, for instance) as a condition of entry or to receive services.

If passed, employees or applicants for employment can bring civil action against violators and receive $1,000 per day in punitive damages.

Other bills are similar, but not as far-reaching. BR 358, for example, only states that employers may not require vaccination as a condition of employment or ask an employee

ROSE: A SOLID NOMINEE FOR DISTRICT 42 The Louisville Democratic Party has chosen their nominee to run for Rep. Reginald Meeks’ state House seat as the longtime lawmaker prepares to retire. And their selection was refreshing. Keturah Herron is a former ACLU lobbyist who pushed for Louisville and Kentucky to ban no-knock warrants.

She’d also be the first openly LGBTQ House member in Kentucky’s history. Of course, she’s not the only promising candidate: Robert LeVertis Bell, a democratic socialist and public school teacher says he will also be on the ballot for the special election in February. But, we’re looking forward to choosing between at least two candidates who could represent Louisville well.

THORN: NEW YEAR, MORE VIOLENCE Louisville closed out another blood-soaked year with a record-breaking 188 homicides in 2021. And the crime wave does not show signs of stopping.

The first homicide of 2022 occurred on New Year’s Day. Perhaps Louisville’s greatest hope of stemming the tide of violence is stricter gun laws. But, the Kentucky legislature only seems interested in making it easier for people to get their hands on firearms in the current legislative session. (See this week’s news story.)

ROSE: A REPREIVE FROM RAND Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul announced that he will no longer be posting to YouTube… unless it’s to criticize the platform, which has suspended him in the past for spreading COVID misinformation. Instead, he’ll be taking his rantings to the echo chambers of conservative social media sites. Now, if only he’d give up Twitter.

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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NEWS & ANALYSIS

or applicant about their vaccination status while BR 65 prohibits the government from requiring “vaccine passports” — which are defined as “documentation that an individual has been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2” — to gain entry to government facilities or access to services.

Two bill requests — BR 353 and BR 432 — establish workers compensation for employees who suffer adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccinations and work for an employer that mandated vaccines.

Last year, the legislature passed into law a bill that allowed Kentuckians to opt out of vaccinations.

Anti-vaccine and anti-vaccine mandate rhetoric has been popular on the fringes of the right, but in deep red Kentucky, 74% of adults have had at least one jab, according to the latest available data from the state.

BR 359 takes aim at face masks, forbidding any policies that mandate face masks for any students enrolled in public schools or public postsecondary education institutions.

The bill request prevents the government from mandating mask use at schools while also barring any school policies that would require masks. The bill request currently has five sponsors.

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS

While bills passed in recent years mandated that schools in the Commonwealth have armed School Resource Officers on campus, Jefferson County Public Schools has so far operated without them. BR 440, introduced by four Republicans, could put more pressure on JCPS by setting an Aug. 1, 2022 deadline for school districts to assign armed SROs to all of their campuses.

The bill request also takes out language in the current law that allowed school districts to assign SROs “as funds and qualified personnel become available.”

JCPS has been without SROs since 2019 when its Board of Education voted to stop using law enforcement officers. But the debate over SROs in Louisville was rekindled in September after LMPD Chief Erika Shields called for JCPS to establish its own police force just hours after 16-yearold JCPS student Tyree Smith was shot and killed while waiting for his school bus in the West End.

LGBTQ AND GENDER IDENTITY BILLS Two bill requests, BR 45 and BR 97 would amend Kentucky’s civil rights law to make gender identity and sexual orientation protected classes and prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation and financial transactions based on

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those traits.

Another bill request from Rep. Lisa Willner (D-Louisville), who is the prime sponsor on BR 45, prohibits mental health professionals from engaging in efforts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Six other Democrats have sponsored that bill.

BR 119, also from Willner, would require school districts to provide instruction on “healthy relationships” to students. That instruction would go beyond typical sex ed to talk about the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships, the harm of gender stereotypes and how to set boundaries. The instruction laid out in the bill would also provide students with “age appropriate information about gender identity and sexual orientation.”

Additionally, the bill request would prohibit schools from limiting the ability of a teacher to answer questions asked by students.

On the other side of the aisle, Republicans are fighting their own battle over gender identity. BR 154, which has 13 Republican sponsors, requires that any school “athletic activity or sport designated as ‘girls’ shall not be open to members of the male sex.” The bill defines the sex of a student as the gender they were assigned at birth.

MARIJUANA BILLS

Kentucky is one of just 14 states in the nation not to have any kind of legalized marijuana — medical or otherwise. Nationally and locally, attitudes on weed have shifted in recent years, but efforts to get ganja legalized in some form in Kentucky have failed so far.

But lawmakers are back at it again and there are currently three bills in the works that, if successful, could legalize or decriminalize marijuana in some fashion.

The two most ambitious bills are from Rep. Nima Kulkarni (D-Louisville).

One, BR 325, would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana, mandating that a person of 21 years of age or older would not be subject to penalties for possession, use or cultivation of a personal use quantity of cannabis. A “personal use quantity” is described in the bill as up to one ounce of weed, up to five grams of resin or concentrate, cannabis products with up to 1,000 milligrams of delta-8 or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or five plants.

A second bill, BR 123, could potentially have a more lasting effect as it seeks to pose a ballot question on decriminalization to voters. Beyond decriminalizing personal

use amounts of cannabis like BR 325, the proposed constitutional amendment in the second bill includes language that could potentially provide a path to marijuana sales by saying that the General Assembly can “by general law regulate and control the production, processing, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-derived products.”

Perhaps in a better position to pass is a much more restrictive bill anticipated to be filed by Rep. Jason Nemes (R-Louisville) that would finally legalize medical marijuana. Nemes’ bill would legalize nonsmokable forms of marijuana for serious medical conditions, allowing doctors to prescribe the drug to patients suffering from chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and nausea. While extremely limited, the passing of a medical marijuana bill would mean that Kentucky is no longer one of the few states not to have any form of legal marijuana.

Last year, a medical marijuana bill introduced by Nemes was passed by the House in a 65-30 vote but was not considered by the Senate.

Speaking to the Courier Journal, Nemes was optimistic about his latest bill being passed, saying: “I would say we have a better chance now than we’ve ever had.”

CRITICAL RACE THEORY

On another front line of the culture wars playing out in Kentucky’s legislature is critical race theory.

Neither BR 60 nor BR 69 even mention critical race theory, but both Republicanbacked bills include — verbatim — much of the same cookie-cutter language that has been used in other anti-CRT bills across the country: Innocuous sounding lines about no race, sex, religion being superior and about how individuals cannot be inherently racist, sexist or oppressive by virtue of their race, sex or religion.

But to opponents of these bills, they are about stifling classroom discussion of current and historical systemic racism in the United States, an issue that has been brought to the forefront during the 2020 racial justice protest movement.

BR 69 would forbid any “formal or informal” classroom discussion as well as any materials that promote eight different concepts, including: -That “any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race, sex, or religion” -That “an individual, by virtue of his or her race, sex, or religion, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, sex, or religion”

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-That “meritocracy or traits such as hard m work ethic are racist, sexist or oppressive, or w were created by members of a particular raceo or religion to oppress members of another i race or religion” BR 60, which included much of the same c copy and pasted language, also prohibited t K teaching the concept that “the Commonwealth or the United States is fundamentally w r or irredeemably racist or sexist.”

Students at public postsecondary educa- c tion institutions would be exempt from any f mandatory gender or sexual diversity train- r b ing under the bill.

If BR 60 were to pass, schools in viola- e tion could see funds of $5,000 per day withn held by the state.

Meanwhile, Rep. Attica Scott (D-Lou- r isville) has sponsored two bills that would a seek to address systemic racism in the o classroom. ( BR 427 would see every middle and high school curriculum include instruction fi h on the history of racism. That instruction would include “the transatlantic slave trade, l the American civil war, Jim Crow laws, the a black codes, desegregation, the Civil Rights fi Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, t redlining and residential segregation.”

Another bill request sponsored by Scott, E BR 853, would require middle and high school world history and civilization courses W to teach about African civilizations. It would i also require American history courses to C teach about Native American history and a cultures both before and after the founding o of the country. c a SAVANNAH MADDOX LOVES GUNS D Kentucky’s answer to Lauren Boebert, b Rep. Savannah Maddox, loves guns and has o introduced a slew of bill requests to give h guns (and their people) more rights. d Kentucky already has permitless h concealed carry, but a bill introduced by o Maddox (R-Dry Ridge) would make it so you only have to be 18 instead of 21 to t legally tuck a pistol in your jeans without a t permit.

Another Maddox bill request, BR 967, l t would make it illegal for governmental bodies to do business with any companies s that do not first produce an affidavit that K they do not “discriminate” against any “firearm entity” or “firearm trade associa- p tion.” The bill request goes on to describe B discrimination as a company not doing business with firearm groups solely because they R are firearm groups.

BR 969 would repeal KRS 237.115, r which allowed postsecondary education h entities as well as state and local governT

NEWS & ANALYSIS

ments to prohibit and limit concealed weapons in facilities they own, lease or occupy. If you haven’t guessed yet, the bill is sponsored by Maddox.

Under BR 259, Kentucky would not comply with any potential federal regulations on firearms that did not exist under Kentucky law. Any state government official who tried to enforce a potential firearm regulation that was not also Kentucky law could be charged with a misdemeanor. Any federal agent who tried to enforce federal regulations in the Commonwealth would be subject to arrest by state or local law enforcement.

BR 208 — which, surprisingly was not introduced by Maddox — would get rid of sales and use tax on firearms and ammunition.

There is at one bill request pushing back on Kentucky’s gun laws: Sen. Karen Berg’s (D-Louisville) BR 847 would mandate that firearms confiscated by law enforcement have to be destroyed. Currently, Kentucky law mandates that confiscated guns be auctioned off, a practice that has seen some firearms used in more crimes after they were taken off the streets.

ELECTION BILLS

BR 1060, introduced by Rep. Buddy Wheatley (D-Covington), would allow independents to vote in political primaries.

Currently, Kentuckians have to register as a member of a political party by Dec. 31 of the preceding year to vote in its primary contest (meaning if you were registered as an independent instead of as a Republican or Democrat by last Friday, you’re not going to be eligible to vote in either party’s primaries on May 17).

Nationally, advocates of open primaries have said that systems like Kentucky’s disenfranchise independent voters. Others, however, have worried that open primaries open up the candidate selection process to their enemies who may brigade candidates they see as weak with votes.

Another bill request sponsored by Wheatley, BR 307, would remove the straight ticket voting option from the ballot.

And a bill request Wheatley co-sponsored with Scott, BR 306, would extend Kentucky’s voting hours from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wheatley filed bill requests similar to BR 306 and BR 307 last year.

RAISE MINIMUM WAGE

After a bill they sponsored last year to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour across the board failed, Sen. Reginald Thomas (D-Lexington) and Sen. Morgan

McGarvey (D-Louisville) have pre-filed BR 91, a more scaled back bill that would gradually raise minimum wage to $15 an hour for large employers (more than 25 employees) and $12 an hour for small employers (less than 25 employees) over the next four years.

The bill request would set a minimum wage of $10 at all employers on the effective day of the act, with more increases coming on July 1 of every following year.

Minimum wage in the Commonwealth is currently $7.25.

Also aiming to put more money in Kentuckians’ wallets is Attica Scott’s BR 322, which aims to give many residents of the Commonwealth a universal basic income of $1,000 per month. The idea of universal basic income — UBI to its fans — became popularized by Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang in the 2020 election, but has not been implemented on any large scale level in the country (save for Alaska, which has paid out a yearly dividend to citizens since the 1980s thanks to oil money).

FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION

With the U.S. Supreme Court set to decide on the future of Roe v. Wade — which would see abortions banned in Kentucky instantly under a trigger law if justices overturn the landmark 1973 decision — abortion is already a massive issue in the country and in the Commonwealth this year.

Republican lawmakers in Kentucky are continuing to try to put even more restrictions on abortions here. An omnibus bill sponsored by Rep. Nancy Tate (R-Brandenburg) that Republicans plan on introducing during the legislative session would require minors to have the consent of parents or a judge to get the procedure, limit access to abortion medications and charge doctors with a Class D felony if they perform the procedure on a minor without consent of parents or a judge.

According to WFPL, the bill will not have any exceptions for women seeking abortions in cases of rape or incest.

The omnibus bill comes ahead of a November ballot question that will ask voters if they want to add a section to Kentucky’s constitution saying: “To protect human life, nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.”

That ballot question is the result of a bill filed by Republican lawmakers in last year’s session. •

@leoweekly

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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NEWS & ANALYSIS

EXCLUSIVE Q&A:

MAYOR FISCHER TALKS LMPD, RELATIONSHIP WITH COUNCIL AND GOALS FOR THIS YEAR

By Scott Recker | leo@leoweekly.com

MAYOR GREG FISCHER’S more-than-a-decade run as head of Louisville’s government has basically broken into two parts: before 2020, and after. In the before 2020 years, Fischer’s business deals, his “compassionate city” catch phrase and his consistent visibility made him extremely popular; in 2018, he won the Democratic primary with 74.7% of the vote. But, during 2020 — after COVID moved in, after the LMPD killing of Breonna Taylor, after the social justice protests that followed — the criticism of Fischer, and the effectiveness and transparency of the mayor’s office, began to pile up.

As we enter 2022, Fischer has one more year as Louisville’s mayor before term limits set in. During a one-on-one end of the year sit-down at Metro Hall on Dec. 23, LEO met with Fischer to talk about some of the biggest issues surrounding the city. It was impossible to get to all of the issues sweeping through Louisville in the 15 minutes we were allowed for the interview, but here’s the conversation that we had.

LEO: I wanted to dive right into some big issues and leave the back end of the conversation for some more openended questions. So, three people in the jail recently died, one of which Metro Corrections has requested a civil rights investigation into by the FBI. [Editor’s Note: Another person has died in the jail since this conversation. All four deaths happened in a 33 day period].

The DOJ is obviously also investigating the LMPD for discriminatory policing, [and] using force on protesters. There’s obviously good cops in the city, almost nothing is a monolith. But, there are also patterns, which you’re well aware of. Your administration has used the term ‘compassionate city’ for a long time. Do you think local law enforcement and the criminal justice system has been compassionate to Louisvillians? And do you think your administration has done enough to keep them fair, equitable and just?

Mayor Greg Fischer: I’m pleased that people hold us to this idea of being

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LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

a compassionate city, so that should be something we’re all proud of to say: We aspire to that. When I see any kind of failure, you have to ask: Is it intentional? Or is it a result of big numbers and bad things are going to happen? So, when it’s a process or a program or a training failure, we can address that. When it’s an individual malfeasance or illegal behavior that needs to be addressed too. So, the Department of Justice investigation into LMPD — there are four new DOJ investigations announced this year, some 70 cities are in some type of review period — is going to help make LMPD a much better organization, in my mind. We’re embracing it as a city, for that way. The jail situation: We’ve had four deaths in the jail this year, an average year is in the six to seven range. Three of them just happened to happen in one week. The one that we reported to the FBI was concerning, obviously that’s why we reported it. So, it’s under investigation. I can’t really say much more than that. When there are instances that we see clearly very disturbing behavior took place, we’re going to make sure we understand what that is and people will be held to accountable and systems will be changed, if they need to be changed.

What has your relationship with Metro Council been like this past year, since they passed the no confidence resolution on you in the fall of 2020? I know you considered the steps they asked for, because I went back and watched your reaction to the resolution, where you put some of the blame on your own

Mayor Greg Fischer.

shoulders, and said that you wanted to create a path to work with them, and address the city’s biggest issues.

So, what’s the relationship been like, what’s the dynamic been like and how have you all been working toward those steps together, and on the biggest issues for the city?

It’s been a lot easier to work with the council because we’ve got more resources that have come from the Coronavirus Relief Fund and the American Rescue Plan. For 10 years, basically, we’ve been having to reduce the budget because of, primarily, pension increases and things like that — that were beyond our control. So, this is the first time that we’ve actually had resources to work with. So, we’ve done that in conjunction with the council. There’s been a bunch of good programs created as a result of that. So, I feel like the council relations are strong right now. We still have more resources left to work on, as well. And the reality is, when you have 26 council people, you’re going to have people who

disagree with you from time to time, and that’s normal — that’s part of the process. We had unprecedented challenges as a city last year, in the summer of 2020. Certainly we were not alone as a city in that. It would have been preferable if everybody came together to work on those in the right way, but that didn’t happen.

So, Louisville already passed the record number of homicides again this year. [Editor’s Note: A reminder the conversation happened on Dec. 23, 2021]. I know that we’ve been investing in things like GVI [Group Violence Intervention], we have the office of Safe And Healthy Neighborhoods, we have people like Dr. Eddie Woods with No More Red Dots. There are initiatives in place, but when we see numbers like we saw this year, what are the next steps, how do we go further, to curb this violence?

We, as a city, have had a series of one-off things that have not been funded

NEWS & ANALYSIS

properly. We don’t have a fully-funded system in place — we’re on a path in ’22 to having that in place, both by the increases in this last fiscal year budget, started July 1, quadrupled the amount of spending to almost $20 million outside of law enforcement, in areas like prevention and intervention and things that you spoke about. We were able to pass the police contract that provides competitive pay for police officers, so hopefully we can get some stabilization in the police force and then in the American Rescue Plan funding that just passed, some $40 million or so in additional public safety measures, from everything from technology to deflection models to increased investment in intervention, the kind of work that Eddie Woods is doing. So, ’22 I’m hoping is going to be a much improved year, because it will be the first year that we’ve got a funded system, if you will, around public safety, because most people just look at the police force, or law enforcement, for public safety — it’s much broader than that. That’s just one of what we call six pillars. [Editor’s Note: The other five pillars identified by the city are intervention, prevention, community mobilization, organizational change and re-entry.]

In August, the Metro government announced it will spend at least $3 million to establish a safe outdoor space for homeless individuals, with plans to purchase property in Old Louisville.

What’s the status of that safe outdoor space?

It’s progressing well. We closed on the property last month. We will be announcing an operator of it in the first or second week in January. And we hope to have residents there in February. So, it will consist of, obviously, a safe location for people that want to stay outdoors. A lot of people don’t understand that some people don’t want to move inside a building, so we want a safe outdoor space for them.

There will be mental health assistance for them there, transitional help for folks that do want to move to more permanent housing and there will be a place to wash your clothes and shower and eat and that type of thing. So, that’s one of four stages we have on the money that we’re putting to work with the American Rescue Plan funds. So, safe outdoor space is the first, and then transitional housing is the second and then permanent supportive housing and then more investment in affordable housing. So, that’s a big

story from this past year. The significant amount of money that we’re able to dedicate to that area.

I know the initial goal was to open that in mid-November. What was the hold up? Was it purchasing the property?

Closing on the property was difficult, and then we ran into some supply chain issues, like everybody has. For the tents available, or for this available, so that’s been pushed back about six to eight weeks or so.

During your time left in office, what are your goals? What do you want to accomplish? I know there are a lot of big issues and that’s a big question, but I wanted to give you a chance to have that open-ended question at the end of the interview, to establish the goals in the year or so you have left.

In the immediate sense, we certainly want to see a reduction in gun violence and gun homicides. It’s been a really horrible 18 months. We’re starting to see improvement in the last four months, in terms of month over month — a reduction in homicides, but not nearly enough.

We will see, in the next 12 months, a lot of the investments from the American Rescue Plan — that getting started, in terms of projects and building in the community. So, we’ll be running across the finish line with that. Our economy has come back quite strong from the pandemic, so we see that continued come back in the economy. Our racial equity work has been strong this past year — more important than ever, coming out of the summer of 2020. So, we got to keep working on our equity work, our police accountability. And then we’ll sum up.

It’s been 12 years as mayor. The city has changed enormously in those 12 years.

We’re much better known around the country as a place to do business, as a place to come for tourism, as a great place to live, so I can just say that we’ll be running across the finish line, with lots of projects going, handing off a strong city to the next mayor.

Do you have any political aspirations to run for another office, at this point?

I don’t have any. This is my first time in office. I’m an entrepreneur that just happens to be mayor. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to help a lot of people, and this is a great platform to do that, but I don’t have any immediate plans to run for any other office. • LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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LOCAL SONGS FROM 2021

NEW YEAR, same drill. In recent years LEO has used the first issue of the year to look back on our favorite local songs from the previous year. And, as usual, as we remembered and reflected on what Louisville artists did over the last 12 months, we found a wide and brilliant range of work. So, check out what we have to say below and then head to Bandcamp or Spotify and check out the songs themselves.

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BOA BOYS

Hey, Hello, How Are You?

This breezy track from last spring, the most recent release from psych-groovers Boa Boys, brings forth all the notes of #quarantinelife, intentionally or not. Shane Spader sings, “I leave my curtains drawn / To let you know that I’m okay / You can stop by any other day / It’s just me alone in my home / But it didn’t used to be that way.” Even the chorus, “Hey, hello, how are you? / It’s not looking good, but, y’know, power through,” pretty straightforwardly defines much of the last two years. Still, this track isn’t depressing — in fact, the music video, filmed to look like a series of colorful Kodachrome slides, is basically a throwback to the ‘70s. It’s a neat visual. But don’t let that distract you –– the point of the song is about appreciating good times with loved ones. As Spader puts it: “If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s plant a tree and love your family.” —Carolyn Brown

FEAR OF TALK

eliza out back, end of day

The subject of parenting, mortality and aging is addressed in such an obvious and familiar way throughout the album on love by Fear of Talk. The story told in “eliza out back, end of day” is such a simple, slice-of-life story about someone, ostensibly their father, watching siblings play in the backyard. The kids are full of life and joy, challenging one another in the silly and sometimes unintentionally unkind ways that children play. And that’s how the young learn, to engage, to be silly, to find magic and mystery wherever they turn. It’s here that the singer reflects on the scene, watching their love and happiness in just being. Through that, the character juggles the twin responsibilities of ensuring the safety of these children, while noting the passage of time. As a parent, this is so unbelievably close to my heart, watching my own children live, while acclimating to middle age. Coupled with softly strummed acoustics and the type of layered vocal harmonies that would make Crosby, Stills, and Nash weep, this is an incredibly joyous and moving experience worth finding on your own. —Syd Bishop

MARZZ Love Letter

Louisville artist Marzz released her EP Love Letterz in the spring of this year, and the two tracks she was most confident would pop were “Cleopatra” and “Countless Times.” But there is a sleeper hit on the album called “Love Letter,” which she recorded five years prior at the age of 16. The song began with a beat she found on YouTube and was recorded in her uncle’s home studio — Marzz’s first time ever in the booth. She explained the delay in releasing the record: “Because that was, like, my first song that I ever wrote, I didn’t really think people would connect to it, but honestly they do.” And how do listeners connect? “They DM me a lot. One lady wrote that she listened to ‘Love Letter’ over and over when she was going through some traumatic relationship things, and it helped her love herself and grow.” —Sarah Kinbar

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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LOCAL SONGS FROM 2021

HOUNDMOUTH McKenzie

“McKenzie” is the second single off of Houndmouth’s latest album Good For You, which is their first on Dualtone Records. The new record is a return to Houndmouth’s signature Americana sound after the electronic experimentation of the band’s previous release, 2018’s Golden Age. For me, this song of unrequited love is the standout track on Good For You. “McKenzie” is a showcase for everything Houndmouth does well. The song has a lazy, hypnotic groove that pairs well with singer Matt Myers’ subdued vocals. Myers has a knack for delivering simple lines that hint at deeper emotions.

As when he sings, “McKenzie / I only see you when it’s dark out / And these streets grow faces / I met you when you was a waitress / I can’t remember what I said / But I was long-winded.” I immediately liked “McKenzie” when I heard the band perform it on CBS Saturday Morning some months ago, and it stayed with me. When the band played it at their show at Old Forester’s Paristown Hall back in November, it drew a big shout of approval from the crowd. I knew then that I wasn’t the only one who had this song stuck in their head. — Michael L. Jones

JORDAN JETSON Came Back

Easily one of the most talented hip-hop artists to emerge from Louisville’s loaded scene, Jordan Jetson does it again with “Came Back,” a dynamic, honest entry into his skillful discography. The amount of well-crafted words, poignant ideas, pure style, versatility and precision that Jetson can pack into a song under three minutes is nothing short of incredible. By the time you process what he just said, he’s two thoughts ahead of you. You can listen to “Came Back” 10 times in a row and pull something new out of it on each listen. Jetson’s word flow wildly fast, but there’s no waste in “Come Back” — there’s no filler or fluff or cliche brags, just stuff that seems real. —Scott Recker

WOMBO

Just Like Time

Equal parts groovy and hysterical, Wombo’s “Just Like Time” invokes an unstoppable, primal energy. Their 2020 release, Blossomlooksdownuponus, marked the beginning of a new sound for the band which they’ve mostly continued with 2021’s Keesh Mountain EP, albeit slightly more stripped down and danceable. However, “Just Like Time” sees the band returning to the manic and avant-pop songwriting of their debut release from 2017, Staring at Trees. For me, the two most ear-grabbing elements of this song would be the fantastical synth lead that occasionally creeps under the band and the head-spinning lyrics that paint vivid portraits of deja-vu nothings from like two weeks ago, or 10 years ago, or something.

While these could be considered the main attractions by myself and others, the track as a whole is irresistible and effortlessly commands the listener to dance. Come to think of it, this is just like that one time when…—Doug Campbell

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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LOCAL SONGS FROM 2021

KNOCKED LOOSE God Knows

Knocked Loose’s latest release, A Tear in the Fabric of Life, is a concept EP in which over the course of the record’s six songs tell the story of one person’s descent into madness after the tragic death of a loved one. On the song “God Knows,” the band takes the listener on a ride through the protagonist’s emotional hell as they become overwhelmed with grief and despair in dealing with life after loss. Mixing elements of hardcore, death metal, thrash and doom, the riffs come fast and plentiful and the time changes are numerous behind panicked, screamed vocals. They succeed in spades with musically fitting the narrative of the lyrics. Disorienting, unsettling, punishing and, above all else, heavy, “God Knows” is a sonic beatdown! The track ends with a sample of the Beach Boys classic “God Only Knows” that eerily warps as it fades out, setting the tone for what is to come. —Jeff Polk

SAM BRENZEL HACKED

When anxiety reaches an all-time high and intrusive thoughts multiply in your mind, it can feel as though something, or someone else, is taking control. These are the unseen forces Sam Brenzel evokes and addresses head-on in the captivating lead single from her debut EP, Scorpio Moon. “HACKED” finds the narrator gradually losing grip on her own psyche:“Go, go, go / Get out of my head,” she sings to the intruders. Propelled further by a minimal synth hook and glimmering guitar, by the chorus she already knows it’s too late: “My mind’s been hacked.” There is hope in this hauntingly infectious groove that persists, and for Brenzel, music was the means for that profound self-reflection. At the heart of “HACKED” is a sobering reminder that while we can’t always escape our pasts, we may use those times of turbulence to craft something beautiful. —Lara Kinne

MOLLY O’MALLEY You Look So Good

There were a lot of good songs released to the world in 2021, but not all them have the ability to make you feel the way “You Look So Good” does. Molly O’Malley’s latest song hits on all the right notes, glazing the listener in a feel-good melancholy, bouncing with an ‘80s new-wavy nostalgia that will have you in search of the nearest mall food court looking for love. Impressively, O’Malley (who plays every instrument here but bass) has delivered it all through the sugary-layered, lo-fi lens of a deceivingly-mature pop number. The singer and songwriter says she penned “You Look So Good” as an ode to her happiness with her romantic situation at the time, but, after the ear jewel of a chorus drops, you’ll be the one that’s smiling. —Tyrel Kessinger

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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LOCAL SONGS FROM 2021

ROUTINE CAFFEINE Pennies in the Garden

With a rock and roll heart and a dream-pop core, Routine Caffeine’s “Pennies in the Garden” is a slick and addictive track that lives in-between genres, with a brain-burning guitar line, hushed vocals, steady drums and a couple of twists and turns along the way. A rumination on how the present meets the past, the song is coming-of-age poetry about what you used to be and what you’ve become, surveying vivid memories and fracturing them into visceral snippets. All the way through — all of the instruments, all of the words — are incredibly clever and sharp, without overcomplicating anything. Hyper-smart, but never convoluted, “Pennies in the Garden” mines entire fields of riches, and, in an age where everything has been done, still manages to feel original. —Scott Recker

FTF KD

MOONWALKING

“My process is to choose the beats and then, a few days before my scheduled studio time, I sit down and write to that beat,” said Arkansas-born rapper FTF KD. That creative cycle has seen a flurry of activity all year, with KD releasing one single after another. “MOONWALKING” stands out for its elevated, smooth energy, a nod to his West Coast favorites and Side 3 Studios in Denver, Colorado, where KD recorded it. You can’t understand this artist without acknowledging the Louisville influence. He made Kentucky his home and in 2020 launched his music career, with Evo Auditory being one of his favorite studios. Compare his earliest drops to “MOONWALKING,” released last month, and you’ll notice he evolved quickly without abandoning the sound he first presented. —Sarah Kinbar

LIL NAS X FT. JACK HARLOW Industry Baby

This collab between Lil Nas X and his good friend Jack Harlow dominated the charts last year, and with good reason. It’s impossible not to vibe with the chorus, in which Lil Nas X tells his detractors that no matter what they say, his career is back on top, and he’s not going anywhere. The song’s music video, set in a men’s prison and full of bright pink, is just as noteworthy — the gay sexual imagery, including a scene of nude male dancers in the showers, is anything but subtle.

(Combine that with the trumpets that start and then underscore the track, and you could say that the video is very horny.)

Of course, the local element here is Jack Harlow, who raps about his own successes as he gets felt up by a female prison guard, survives the electric chair, and makes a prison break with Montero. The two of them have put together a solidly catchy pop-rap track that we’re proud Louisville has a connection to. —Carolyn Brown

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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LOCAL SONGS FROM 2021

MELANCHOIR

‘THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS LOVE’

With beautifully-muddled shoegaze verses and a striking chorus that catches a little bit of melodic fire, MELANCHOIR’s “THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS LOVE” is magnetically melancholy, unpredictably sweet and emotionally crushing.

The lyrics, which are concealed by layers of swirling noise, match the tone of the song, providing the jolt of a fractured memory that you can’t quite piece together, but you can distinctly feel. The sounds are experimental without getting into just-trying-to-be-weird territory, and the lyrics are poetic, dark and personal, while still having a universal element of youthful heartbreak and ambiguous relationships that can echo back to a specific time and place for a lot of people. It feels both comfortingly familiar and wildly original — a true testament to its craftsmanship all the way through. —Scott Recker

THE N8VS, TRAPKINGKAI, RMLLW2LLZ Good Dope

The general theme is the same for so many of us here in the state: just let me live, motherfucker. That’s exactly what “Good Dope” is about: finding the best highs, the best parties, the best (hottest) partners, and most importantly, the best community. As part of the N8Vs comp that came out a few months ago, this is an ideal number, a track that pays homage to finding your tribe and living your best life. Every emcee goes hard here, referencing the finer things in life while comparing their crew (rightly) to the Wu-Tang. That’s the thing here, is that while each player on this track is a star in and of their own right, together they form a Voltron to fuck shit up. This is the kind of track you put on at a party to get things live, the track you put on when you got the job or got that special someone’s number, or just when the weather is dope as hell.. This is for the finer times in life, the moments that you need to celebrate. —Syd Bishop

LACEY GUTHRIE Lion Pose

Twin Limb vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Lacey Guthrie stepped out on her own in 2021 with her debut solo album, The King of Holding Onto Things. And I do mean solo, as she wrote and played everything heard on the record. While elements of Twin Limbs’ other-worldly, atmospheric dream pop sound are certainly present here, Guthrie strips them back to a darker, drearier, more melancholic layer. Nowhere is this better displayed than on the album’s fourth track, “Lion Pose.” The track — carried by Guthrie’s rich, beautifully haunting vocals and backed by minimalistic synthesizers, electronic drum beat and layered backing vocal harmonies — creates a sweeping cinematic dreamscape that the listener can’t help but be caught up in. This is more than a song you hear; this is music you feel. This is an experience. A four-minute mental journey where the darkness of despair collides head on with the light of hope. Yes, Lacey Guthrie has truly stepped out on her own! —Jeff Polk

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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OF OUR FAVORITE

LOCAL SONGS FROM 2021

CORY LINER Puke

Experimental and psychedelic, but definitely rooted in pop, Cory Liner’s “Puke” is a longing love song built on a gigantic sonic soundscape. The track is based on the part of a budding relationship where the initial spark fades a bit, revealing some red flags, causing the question of whether there’s a chance it could turn into something solid, or if the early dishonesty should just be a sign to bail. The synth and guitar work add weight to the crushing source material, creating a dynamic, powerful song that’s also equally as catchy in its own stormy, indie-synth sort of way. The lyrics are straightforward and carefully delivered, seeming almost like a reminder to not put effort into a toxic situation, even if it’s a magnetic one. —Scott Recker

HOUSE GHOST Monday Morning

Given their accessibility and charm, it’s incredible to me that House Ghost aren’t household names. On “Monday Morning,” the band tackles the malaise of isolation and capitalism, at least by my reading. Here, the band examines the relative freedom that we have on the weekends, which is disrupted by a return to the grind of a job. Of course, this is through the lens of our cultural cabin fever, our homebody lives that have turned inward to look out. Each verse explores the interior worlds of the singer — for better or worse — as a counterpoint to the return to normalcy and sobriety that comes with the standard work week. The thing is, the composition is so lighthearted and whimsical, a slice of indie-pop heaven that balances lyrical depth and an easy compositional style. That push-pull between heavy philosophical quandaries and danceable dream pop parallels the hookiness of tracks like Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” which is meant here (and always) as high praise. –Syd Bishop

BELUSHI SPEED BALL

We Aren’t Thrashers, We Are Hipster Posers

On “We Aren’t Thrashers, We Are Hipster Posers,” local legends Belushi Speed Ball deliver yet another glorious thrash anthem. This song was inspired by a discouraging YouTube comment received by the band that claimed they should dress like “real thrashers,” instead of “hipster posers.” In the best ways possible, this song only adds to the difficulty one could experience when attempting to explain what exactly Belushi Speed Ball is to someone who has never heard of them before. This is because of the song’s inside joke quality and the genius shift from thrash metal to unabashed emo-pop in the last third of the song. Setting aside the song’s devilish riffs, calculated rhythm and comedic tone, it’s quite beautiful to hear these sponge-core goofballs take this negativity and use it to take aim at hurtful gatekeeping practices in the metal community. “We’re Not Thrashers…” has made for a great addition to the group’s stellar and unique live performances, often prompting a unifying, lighter-waving singalong. —Doug Campbell

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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20 PRESENTS

TALKING HEADS VS. BLONDIE, PIPES

Jan 15

TODD SNIDER WITH CHICAGO FARMER

JAN 29

AND DRUMAGEDDON

SCHOOL OF ROCK WINTER MAINSTAGE SEASON SHOWS

FROM 2021

Love Love Love

COMING SOON

MAINSTAGE SEASON SHOWS

LOCAL SONGS MY MORNING JACKET

1386 LEXINGTON RD, LOUISVILLE, KY

SCHOOL OF ROCK WINTER

OF OUR FAVORITE

A THRILL IN THE VILLE : LOVE JONES VS EVERYBODY

Whenever Jim James and company head into the studio, there are inevitably going to be a few heartfelt idealistic tracks that emerge from all the far out experimental explorations. “Love Love Love” is the latest example of just such a thing. It’s an ethereal and gorgeous take on a timeless theme of coming together. Hell, even the title echoed the opening lines of the Beatles’ classic, “All You Need is Love.” In a troubled city like Louisville, we definitely needed to be reminded of that sentiment this past year. — Kevin Wilson

BENEFITING ST. JUDE TRANSITIONAL

JAN 16

TALKING HEADS VS. BLONDIE, PIPES AND DRUMAGEDDON

MOTH STORYSLAM

JAN 25

TOPIC: GOALS

LOW CUT CONNIE

JAN 26

DONATION BASED SHOW / FREE TO ATTEND / 21+

WITH DOORWAY

FEB 4

PINEGROVE Feb 5

THE REGRETTES

WITH ROBERT FINLEY

BACK2MAC

JAN 28

HOUSING PROGRAM AND LOCAL MUSICIANS.

Feb 11

JACOB RESCH WITH SWEET G & THE SHINE

FEB 12

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT HEADLINERSLOUISVILLE.COM OR AT THE BOX OFFICE 18

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

SHI - 死

Lawn Care for Adults

“Depressive Suicidal Stoner Doom,” this is how Louisville’s Shi describes their sound.

While that is entirely accurate, there is certainly more to it. Sure it’s dirty, grimy, ugly and sludgy, but there is a bourbonsoaked, Kentucky-fried Southern metal groove to it. “Lawn Care for Adults,” from their latest album Basement Wizard, starts out with a fuzzed-out bass line that gives way to a stoner, desert, psych metal vibe with a bluesy, boozy swagger to it. Then a little past the halfway mark, the band picks up the tempo and embraces their hardcore punk influences in a fit of Black Flag meets Buzzoven-esque rage. Lyrically, this song takes direct aim at Trump and his ilk, and in rather unflattering terms. At first lashing out in frustration at the lies and gaslighting, then following it up with a call to arms, and finishing with a very un-Shi-like bit of optimism at rising up against them. —Jeff Polk

STAFF PICKS THURSDAY, JAN. 6

‘Paintings for the Future’ Opening Reception

The Common Gallery at fifteenTWELVE | 1512 Portland Ave. | Search Facebook | Free | 6-9 p.m.

Artist Skylar Smith has been working on a series of pieces that speak to thinking ART forward and thinking higher. During the pandemic, she used materials that she had around the house to start a series of meditative and reflective pieces to soothe herself at the beginning of the lockdown. Since then, she has begun to explore how those materials can shift and be used in ways that they haven’t before and how other materials can be added to further her idea of painting to a new future. See 20 new works by Smith at the fifteenTWELVE gallery in Portland. There will be drinks and snacks. —Erica Rucker

FRIDAY, JAN. 7-15

‘Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical’

Art Sanctuary | 1433 S. Shelby St. | timesliptheatre.org | $24 | Times vary

Time Slip Theatre presents a musical adaptation of the 1999 film I LOVE THE 90S “Cruel Intentions” starring Reese Witherspoon. According to a press release, “‘Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical’ tells the story of Sebastian and Kathryn, two nefarious high-school Manhattan socialites who work to manipulate and maneuver Annette, a new student, in one of their villainous conquests. But when Sebastian struggles to reconcile his and Kathryn’s sinister ways with the purity and innocence of Annette, Kathryn’s wicked game comes to a life-changing climax. Featuring such 1990s pop songs as ‘Every You, Every Me,’ ‘Bye Bye Bye,’ ‘Just a Girl,’ ‘I’m the Only One,’ ‘Iris,’ ‘Bittersweet Symphony,’ and more, ‘Cruel Intentions’ is a hysterical and seductive send-up of all the unhinged yet refined debauchery of the wealthy ‘90s.” The musical will run at Art Sanctuary while the theater group prepares to convert their new space in Butchertown into a black box theater. —LEO

SATURDAY, JAN. 8

Bowie + Elvis Birthday Celebration

High Horse Bar | 1032 Story Ave. | Search Facebook | $5 | 9 p.m.

Painting by Skylar Smith.

FRIDAY, JAN. 7

Quite Literally, De�ınitely Pinwheels, Sam Brenzel — Majazztic ‘Mingos The Flamingo Lounge | 119 S. Seventh St. | Search Facebook | $10 | 9 p.m.

Apparently, this is an event for ‘hepcats’ to relive the past underground of music and poetry scene of 100 years ago. The guest of honor, Gregg Wagner, LOUNGE & GROOVE will present a selection of works from the late Jim Webb (poet activist, music and nature lover). Webb was from Whitesburg, Kentucky. The night will progress into an evening of unique and “colorful” jazz to get folks moving. The band, Quite Literally, is a folk band inspired by swing jazz. Guaranteed to get folks out of their chairs.

This event is 21+.—Erica Rucker

Did you know that David Bowie and LEGENDS Elvis had the same birthday? The two music legends get a joint tribute concert at High Horse this Saturday night, featuring a live Elvis impersonator and a Bowiethemed DJ set. —Carolyn Brown

SUNDAY, JAN. 9

Sunday Showcase – ‘Bree Wayy: Promise Witness Remembrance’ at Speed Cinema

Speed Art Museum | 2035 S. Third St. | speedmuseum.org/cinema | Free | 3:30 p.m.

The Speed will be screening Dawn Porter’s SAY HER NAME half-hour documentary about the creation of Amy Sherald’s painting of Breonna Taylor and how the Speed’s “Promise Witness Remembrance” exhibit came to be. Bring your vax cards or negative test results. — Carolyn Brown

Amy Sherald, Breonna Taylor, 2020 LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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STAFF PICKS

FRIDAY, JAN. 14

The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring

Kentucky Science Center | 727 W. Main St. | kysciencecenter.org | $5 members, $10 nonmembers | 7 p.m.

Prepare your eyeballs, fellow nerds, for The Lord Of The Rings film trilogy will be shown on the enormous, four-story screen at the Kentucky Science Center.

MY PRECIOUS Watch Frodo and the fellowship embark on their quest across Middle Earth to destroy the “one ring” and bring down the dark lord Sauron in an epic, immersive way — the way it was meant to be watched. The three films will all be shown on a Friday at 7 p.m. in early 2022, each two weeks apart. First up: “The Fellowship of the Ring” plays on Friday, Jan. 14. That’s followed on Friday, Jan. 28 with “The Two Towers” and the trilogy wraps up with “The Return of the King” on Friday, Feb. 11. —Scott Recker

‘Here To There’ By Martin Rollins

WheelHouse Art/B. Deemer Gallery | 2650 Frankfort Ave. | wheelhouse.art | Free Streets, crowded or deserted, can be depressing. Not so with the cityscapes of Martin Rollins.

CITYSCAPE It may have something to do with his medium of choice, oil pastels. The shiny and colorful surface adds a brightness that lightens the mood. “Living in the town where I grew up, I am aware of how much Louisville is changing, but also of its inherent physical and atmospheric qualities,” he said. “Those effects of light and shadow constantly enliven the look and feel of both the architecture and natural areas.” —Jo Anne Triplett

‘Levy Brothers’ by Martin Rollins.

Oil pastel on paper.

THROUGH APRIL 3

‘Cra�ting The Vernacular’

KMAC Museum | 715 W. Main St. | kmacmuseum.org | Prices vary

SATURDAY, JAN. 15

Second New Year’s Eve

Trouble Bar | 1149 S. Shelby St. | Search Instagram | No cover | Time TBA You tested positive for the ‘rona. You just didn’t feel safe. You had family to see soon. There were plenty of reasons why you may not have wanted to go SECOND CHANCE out on New Year’s Eve. But, if you missed it, Trouble Bar has you covered. The Shelby Park bourbon bar hosted a regular New Year’s Eve party, but it’s doing it all again on Jan. 15 for Second New Year’s Eve, featuring the same champagne specials and food from Square Cut Pizza that it did the first time. All guests must present proof of vaccination. —Danielle Grady

20

THROUGH JAN. 15

Glass artists, as an artistic group, have things in common. Heat CRAFT and sand — that’s part of their vernacular. The finished object is also something they share, with vases, windows or glasses being the most prominent. The artists in “Crafting the Vernacular” are Cory Pemberton, SaraBeth Post, Ché Rhodes, Therman Statom, Leo Tecosky and Nate Wat‘Remix #1’ by SaraBeth Post. Glass. son. They have stepped away from traditional craft production to create unusual designs in glass coupled with other media. —Jo Anne Triplett

THROUGH DECEMBER 2022

‘Still, Life! Mourning, Meaning, Mending’

21c Museum Hotel Louisville | 700 W. Main St. | 21cmuseumhotels.com | Free Let’s face it, it’s been a sucky couple of years. While COEXHIBIT VID-19 is still going strong, museums and galleries are determined to show artists’ work. A case in point is 21c with its first major exhibition since the whole thing began. Featuring work purchased before or during the pandemic, the 45 artists focused on the universal feelings produced by the disease and social injustice. —Jo Anne Triplett LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

‘Selma’ by Omar Victor Diop. Photograph.

MUSIC

LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA WELCOMES PIANIST YUJA WANG TO PREMIERE A NEW PIECE BY ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR TEDDY ABRAMS

By Bill Doolittle | leo@leoweekly.com PIANIST YUJA WANG appears with the Louisville Orchestra in concerts Friday and Saturday in Whitney Hall to premiere a new “Piano Concerto” composed by Teddy Abrams.

It’s the 14th composition Abrams has created for the orchestra in his eight years as music director, and the latest collaboration of Wang and Abrams comes from a friendship that dates to their college days at the Curtis Institute of Music, in Philadelphia – both setting sail on careers that now find them among the brightest young stars in classical music.

“We were at Curtis together, and about the same age, and she was already starting to play major performances,” recalls Abrams.

“It’s not unusual for people to already have a significant career while still a student there.

But in her case, I think everybody knew that this was quite unusual in the speed her career was taking off.”

Abrams and Wang — oh, why not call them Teddy and Yuja, as everyone does — became friends and colleagues when Teddy signed up to accompany Yuja for her lessons. While Yuja played her solo part, Teddy would play the orchestra’s part on another piano — a “reduction” of the orchestra’s score consolidated as a piano accompaniment. In other words two pianos: Yuja soaring off in artistic flight, Teddy trying to keep up.

“She was already performing at such a high level that no other pianist at the school would dare accompany her,” says Teddy.

“Either I was just foolish, or brave, but I signed up to play for her. She would call me 30 minutes before her lesson, and say, ‘Oh, by the way, I’m going to do the Rachmaninoff Second Piano Concerto, or I’m doing Beethoven, or Prokofiev’s Third, and can you come play the orchestra part?’ And I’d say, ‘Sure, sure.’

“I’d be thinking, what’s the worst thing that could happen? And so I’d come and ‘sight read’ my way through those things.”

Of course, Teddy, himself, was an accomplished player — at a certain level.

More important, he was a budding young conducting and composing candidate, with a natural understanding of music, and musical showmanship. “It was,” says Teddy, “the

beginning of a really special relationship that we have retained to this day.”

Behind the scenes Teddy and Yuja continued their practice work sesTeddy Abrams will premiere his new piano concerto with friend Yuja sions, when Wang. | PHOTO BY CHRIS WITZKE possible. One classic]. So I thought this time, working toward an appearance with would be a great opportuthe San Francisco Symphony and maestro Yuja Wang will play with the Louisville Orchestra this Friday and Saturday. | PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA nity to write a companion Michael Tilson Thomas, Yuja practiced a piece.” week on a particularly difficult concerto Teddy.

Perhaps another 17-minute piece, with with Teddy as her guide, working in their But perfect for a talent as dynamic and Gershwin’s jazzy vibe. familiar format: Teddy playing the orchestra exuberant as Yuja.

“But then this new piece that I was writpart on one piano, with Yuja crystallizing the “I think she’s one of the greatest pianists ing for her kind of blossomed into a much, solo on her piano. alive, and of all time, if I can safely say much larger work,” says Teddy, who clocks “It’s a really private thing,” Yuja that,” says Teddy. his concerto at 35 minutes. A stand alone. explained at the time. “You learn the music.

Teddy says the concerto does reference You understand something. It’s like readAnd interesting the concerto is “too hard” Gershwin’s “Jazz Age,” but ventures beyond for the composer to play. ing poetry by yourself. And then you have Manhattan for a look at the many visages to read it when there’s another person in “I mean I can kind of pick my way of musical Americana. That’s been a broad the room, and you have to make the other through it, you know, slowly,” says Teddy. theme of Teddy’s tenure here, championing person like it, and share what you have in “But working with Yuja on the piece in the Louisville Orchestra’s legacy of presentmind.”

New York was something special. To hear ing American music. And he doesn’t stick So it’s only natural Teddy’s first piano her play it, at tempo for the first time, was strictly to the classical symphony format. concerto might have some origin story with like a revelation. There is such a difference Expect to hear a beat laid down occasionally between looking at it on the page, and even his friend Yuja. And it does — only not as with electric bass and riffled with cymbals first envisioned. imagining it my head, and then hearing it and snare. Or a brassy Latin America sound.

“The original concept was that I would brought to life by a human being. Just one of Or American Gospel. write a companion piece for her to play the most gratifying experiences any creative And expect Yuja to do it all on the when she performs Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in musician can have.” keyboard, setting the themes in multiple Blue.’ Something that has the same kind of Delivered by his friend Yuja Wang. cadenzas. jazzy American populist vibe that orchestras “I always intended for her to be the one “The piano, in particular, is a kind of could program alongside of ‘Rhapsody,’” to take the piece and make it her own,” says wanderer that makes it through hundreds of Teddy said. “Because that piece is such an Teddy. “And ideally come to Louisville to years of musical history, and is so translatunusual length. Just sixteen and a half minpremiere it.” • able to other styles,” says Teddy. “I see this utes long. Generally, if you’re an orchestra concerto as an opportunity for the piano to and bringing Yuja in, you would also have Louisville Orchestra will perform the guide us through what I think is one of the her do something else.” piece with Yuja Wang at Whitney Hall on strengths of American culture, its plurality, But what?

Jan. 7 at 11a.m. and on Jan. 8 at 8p.m. its interconnectedness.”

“It’s always been a little bit of a puzzler Vaccination proof or negative test required.

Teddy recently visited Yuja in New as to what to program with ‘Rhapsody in Tickets are $23-87. For more information, York to work on the concerto. Except with Blue,’” explains Teddy. “There are shorter louisvilleorchestra.org. just Yuja’s piano. No accompaniment from concertos that could be played, but they’re Teddy this time. “It’s too hard for me!” says in very different styles [from the Gershwin LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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MUSIC

LOOKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD WITH SENORA MAY

By Kevin M. Wilson | leo@leoweekly.com

SENORA MAY is a singer-songwriter and social justice activist who studied under Silas House at Berea College, co-founded the Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund with her husband Tyler Childers and recently released a gorgeous new album, All of My Love, that has been widely praised for its sophisticated earthiness. Heading into the new year, we caught up with the Kentucky artist to discuss her progress thus far and her hopes for the future.

LEO: Can you tell us a bit about your family background and educational pursuits?

Senora May: I started out on a small farm in Estill County and moved to the Lee County line at age 7, when my parents divorced. Growing up, I was always whistling or humming and working with my hands a lot — building fairy houses, making mud pies, catching snakes. Mom is a stained glass artist and dad just retired from an aluminum recycling plant. I’m one of six kids; I definitely grew accustomed to sharing everything early on. After I graduated from Lee County High in Beattyville, I attended Berea College and graduated with an independent major, Ecological Architecture.

Looking back, were there any key occurrences that put you on your current path?

Mom hid money aside whenever she could to pay for music or art [instruction] because it was important to her that we express ourselves in those ways. One of my favorite childhood memories is going to oil painting lessons on Saturdays with Russel McClanahan, in town. He forced me to look at something for what it was and not what it was supposed to be in my mind. You know, like squinting at an object and seeing its true form, the contrasting points of light and dark and the honest hues, not the color that your mind associates it to be. I think that ability to accurately perceive has served me well over my life, not just with painting or shape and color assignment, but with music, lyrics and intentions too.

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LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

Lately, you’ve been using your notoriety as a musician to garner support for worthwhile organizations. What is The Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund all about?

The Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund is something my husband and I had hoped to create for a while. It’s a fund in which we direct contributions, generated from projects that we put out, to address problems that would benefit from financial assistance. I realize that a lot of the things we’re aiding [including Louisville Urban League and Give Black, Give Back] need a lot more than we’re able to give but it’s a good thing to shed light on something, too, that way other people can see the need and pitch in. The fund has a board and is managed by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, but my husband and I determine how the money we generate — with album sales, fundraisers, percentages of ticket sales and more — should be distributed.

Speaking of creative projects, what was special to you about the process of assembling your latest LP? I rented an AirBnB in Neon, outside of Whitesburg, and all of the ladies who worked on the album stayed there. We bonded so much over that week of recording, we took turns cooking, we ate together, danced, told stories, discussed ideas for each song. It was one of the best experiences of my musical career. To top it off, Jessica Lea Mayfield produced the record, and if you know me, you know that’s a huge deal.

She wrote some of the first songs I ever learned on guitar. She’s one of my favorite artists. So, to have her work on my songs, pick them apart and make suggestions, took them to another realm and made me connect with the album in a whole new way. I am so proud of every song on All of My Love and with this sisterhood of instrumentalists contributing to the foundation, it became so much more than an offering of love songs.

It’s an exhibition of every type of love, not just romance, but devotion, protection, affection, sacrifice, understanding, all of it.

Senora May | PHOTO BY MELISSA STILWELL

The music business seems stranger than ever. In this day and age, and at this point in your career, how do you measure success?

When I have people tell me that my music helped them in some way, or made them stronger than they thought they were

in a particularly hard situation, it makes me feel that I am succeeding as a songwriter. I am so blessed to have the job that I do, and as long as I can afford to travel and sing my tunes for people that claim they’re doing them some good, I will continue to do that. •

FOOD & DRINK

RECOMMENDED

SIMPLY MEDITERRANEAN BRINGS LEBANESE FLAVOR

By Robin Garr | louisvillehotbytes.com BACK in the late winter of 1984, I did my first restaurant review for The Louisville Times. I enjoyed a great dinner at a shortlived Lebanese restaurant on Bardstown Road with a Lebanese-American friend who spent a short time at the city’s afternoon paper before moving on to bigger things.

Here we are, almost too many years later to count, and I’ve just finished a tasty repast from Simply Mediterranean, which I believe is the city’s first ethnic Lebanese restaurant since then.

Why has it been so long between iterations of such a cuisine? Louisville has boasted a vibrant Lebanese-American community since Ellis Island days, and quite a few neighbors with Lebanese ancestry have been involved in the restaurant, grocery, and food-distribution business, all the way back to the city’s storied Haymarket.

Anyway, I’m delighted to welcome Simply Mediterranean, which as its name suggests, operates under the broader umbrella of “Mediterranean,” melding the cuisines of the Eastern Mediterranean from Greece through Turkey, Lebanon, Syria,

A falafel Saloova wrap, fondly named after the owners’ mother, wraps dense falafels, pickles, and lettuce in a thin markouk bread wrap. | PHOTOS BY ROBIN GARR.

Israel, Palestine, and Egypt, and over to Iraq and Iran too.

We’ve got a couple dozen Mediterranean restaurants around the metro now, and if they all look similar, they’re certainly not identical. Each offers an appetizing whiff of its owners’ heritage, and you should pay attention to that. Look more closely and you’ll realize that this one’s Persian, that one’s Syrian, and the folks at that one over there hail from Palestine.

So take my advice: Try to discern which national flavor reflects your host’s background, and choose those dishes. You can enjoy a good gyros anywhere, but the fare that come from the owner’s heart and speak of the owner’s soul will make you happiest of all.

We got an immediate and smiling welcome from Chef Farrah, who was working behind the counter, and her husband, Chef Ziad, who gave us a friendly wave through the window from the kitchen. She boasts half-Lebanese and half-Palestinian ancestry, she told us; he’s all Lebanese.

The first thing you see on the menu is

Small but intense, kibbeh are formed into mini football shapes from chopped beef, bulghur wheat, onions, and pine nuts.

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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FOOD & DRINK

Shawarma loads thin-sliced flank steak, pickles, and veggies into a paper-thin markouk flatbread roll.

a catering page with combo meals ranging from $60 (for a moussaka repast) to $120 (for a tempting roast lamb leg). It’s not as pricey as it seems: These are full meals that serve four to six.

Actually, only a handful of main dishes are more than $10: Musakah is $11.99, a three-skewer chicken kabob platter is $12.99 and a three-skewer lamb kabob platter tops the menu at $16.99. About two dozen more items are listed under starters, soups, salads and wraps.

A half-dozen wraps, rolled in chewy, paper-thin lavash, are all priced at $7.99 (for chicken, tangy chicken, lamb and falafel Saloova, fondly named after Chef Ziad’s mom, who taught them her special recipe). A veggie kabob wrap is $6.99.

Savory pies, popular Lebanese street food snacks baked in pitas, are offered here as appetizers: Meat, potato and onion pies are $5.99 for two; savory spinach, onion and olive oil pies are $4.99; and an unusual Lebanese treat, savory thyme pies with sesame seeds and olive oil on an open-face pita are $3.99 for two.

There’s plenty more, from grape-leaf roll dolmas or hummus ($4.99) and baba ganoosh ($5.99) to baklava for dessert ($2.99).

I’m always up for baba ghanooj, and this place does it right, fire-roasting eggplant before mashing it with tahini, lemon and olive oil. The version here is chopped and mashed but not blended smooth, with tender pitas on the side.

Simply Mediterranean’s Lebanese version of taboulleh ($7.99) is primarily finelyLEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

chopped parsley, as it should be, mixed with tiny dice of pale-pink winter tomato and bulgur wheat ground very fine, almost like cornmeal. The ingredients were swimming in a salty olive oil and lemon dressing.

The nations of Eastern Mediterranean argue about who invented kibbeh, but in my experience, Lebanese chefs usually get it right. Two rather small pieces ($6.99) were filled with deeply-browned chopped beef, pine nuts and tiny bits of onion, surrounded by a thick shell of bulgur and fried. It was crunchy and tasty and didn’t really need either of the small tubs of tahini and tzatziki sauce that came with the meal.

Shawarma is close kin to the Greek gyros, but shawarma is bathed in a spicy marinade, served with pickles and lettuce. The beef was thin-sliced flank steak, brushed with tahini and rolled into the wrap with briny, crisp Lebanese pickles and diced tomatoes and onions.

A falafel Saloova Wrap ($7.99), the one named after the chef’s mother, was built similarly to the shawarma but filled with dense falafels that could have passed for meatballs, surrounded with tangy pickles and lettuce in a lavash wrap.

A hearty meal for two, with plenty of leftovers, came to about $40 plus a 20 percent tip. •

SIMPLY MEDITERRANEAN 2900 Brownsboro Road 963-5577 simply-mediterranean.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WHAT TO SEE: JANUARY GALLERY

ROUNDUP

By Jo Anne Triplett | jtriplettart@yahoo.com

A GALLERY ROUNDUP of art shows to see in Louisville this month. Note: This list is a selection of current exhibitions.

“WHAT LIES BENEATH”

Through March Group show that’s part of the Louisville Photo Biennial.

“STILL, LIFE! MOURNING, MEANING, MENDING”

Through December 2022 The show focuses on dealing with loss during the pandemic.

21c Louisville 700 W. Main St. Hours: Mondays-Sundays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

21clouisville.com

“LOST AND FOUND”

Through Jan. 3 Assemblage art ceramics by Cheryl Ulrich-Barnett.

“JANUARY NOCTURNS”

Jan. 7-Feb. 19 Art by painter and retired doctor Rex Lagerstrom.

Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery 137 E. Main St., New Albany, Indiana Hours: Thursdays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 1-3 p.m. bourne-schweitzergallery.com

“DEBRA CLEM: SURFACE AND ILLUSION”

Through Jan. 22 Solo show by the head of the painting department at IUS Southwest.

Carnegie Center for Art & History 201 E. Spring St., New Albany, Indiana Hours: Mondays-Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursdays, noon-8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays,

10 a.m.-5 p.m. carnegiecenter.org

“CATALOG: NEW WORK FROM THE PRINTMAKERS LEFT” Through Jan. 7 Show featuring recent works by collaborative team The Printmakers Left.

Cressman Center for Visual Arts 100 E. Main St. Hours: Thursdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays, 1-6 p.m. louisville.edu

“WEST OF NINTH: RACE, RECKONING, AND RECONCILIATION”

Through September Photographs, artifacts and wall panels featuring stories from the nine neighborhoods in West Louisville. Organized by Walt and Shae Smith of West of Ninth. Part of the Louisville Photo Biennial.

Frazier History Museum 829 W. Main St. Hours: Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, noon-5 p.m. fraziermuseum.org

“ON AND OFF THE WALL”

Through Jan. 8 Mixed media sculpture by Brent Oglesbee and W.G. Rickel.

Galerie Hertz 1253 S. Preston St. Hours: Wednesdays-Saturdays, noon-6 p.m.; Sundays, noon-4 p.m. galeriehertz.com

“BEAUTIFUL DIFFERENCES”

Jan. 11-Feb. 19 An exhibition that explores the differences in the world.

Gallery 109, Arts Association of Oldham County 104 E. Main St., La Grange Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. aaooc.org

“CRAFTING THE VERNACULAR”

Through April 3 Group show of glass artists.

KMAC Museum 715 W. Main St. Hours: Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. kmacmuseum.org

“NATIVE REFLECTIONS: VISUAL ART BY AMERICAN INDIANS OF KENTUCKY”

Through March Touring exhibition of contemporary art organized by the Kentucky Arts Council, the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission and the Kentucky Heritage Council.

Louisville Metro Hall 527 W. Jefferson St. Hours: Mondays-Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. louisvilleky.gov

“THE TAD & TIA SHOW”

Jan. 7-29 Art by new members Tad DeSanto and Tia Wells.

PYRO Gallery 1006 E. Washington St. Hours: Fridays-Saturdays, noon-6 p.m.; Sundays 1-4 p.m. pyrogallery.com

“I AM NOT AN ALCHEMIST’

Through Jan. 8 Paintings by Brooklyn artist Hank Ehrenfried.

Quappi Projects 827 E. Market St. Hours: Thursdays-Fridays, noon-4 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. quappiprojects.com

“1966-Skylark” by Zak Ové at 21c Louisville

“WINTER WONDERLAND”

Through Jan. 3 The gallery’s fifth annual handmade ornament show.

Revelry Boutique + Gallery 742 E. Market St. Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sundays-Mondays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. revelrygallery.com

“SUPERNATURAL AMERICA: THE PARANORMAL IN AMERICAN ART” Through Jan. 2 Art that has shaped our imagination of the supernatural and asks why America is haunted.

RALPH EUGENE MEATYARD: “THE UNFORESEEN WILDERNESS”

Through Feb. 13 Meatyard’s photographs of Red River Gorge accompanied by Wendell Berry’s essays. Part of the Louisville Photo Biennial.

Speed Art Museum 2035 S. Third St. Hours: Fridays, 1-8 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. speedmuseum.org

“HERE TO THERE”

Through Jan. 15 Urban and rural scenes in oil pastels and other media by Martin Rollins.

WheelHouse Art 2650 Frankfort Ave. Hours: Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. wheelhouse.art LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

BRITTANY THURMAN ON HER NEW PICTURE BOOK, ‘FLY’

By Melissa Gaddie | leo@leoweekly.com

BRITTANY J. THURMAN is a picture book and middle grade author from Louisville, with an upcoming picture book release titled “Fly,” debuting on Jan. 11. “Fly” follows five-year-old Africa who dreams of competing in Double Dutch. I spoke with Brittany about the creation of “Fly” and being a Black writer. Here’s the short version of our conversation.

LEO Weekly: I read when writing ‘Fly’ you had to embrace parts of yourself — being a Black woman, recognizing and embracing where you came from. And I read that you’ve been accepted into a cohort of artists that are trying to help, trying to push publication of stories with better representation. Do you feel like that’s a way you’re building community or another way that drew you into writing is being able to tell those stories?

Brittany J. Thurman: When I was younger I loved reading chapter books.

I would read those little Mary-Kate and Ashley chapter books, um, back in the day.

And I remember visually trying to insert myself in the story. So when there was like a description, or if there was a side character, even with the main characters, I was trying to change that description to fit who I was in my background. I did this a lot for stories that I read. I loved the American Girl series, but I also wanted to read stories that represented myself as a Black girl living in present day who had dreams and aspirations and goals, not always tied to the past.

And so, that’s my main reason for starting to write — really writing for the child that I used to be who wanted these stories, but that the kids today Black, or, you know, no matter their background, who need to read these stories as well to see this world in which we live. And I think that I came into publishing at, um, an opportune time. I kind of started looking into writing for children at the height of, or at the beginning of the We Need Diverse Books nonprofit when that started. And so they were amplifying the need for diverse literature within the children’s literature community. It was hard at first, it was difficult, going to conferences, being the only Black person there, the only person of color there, having my stories

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rejected because an editor who isn’t of my background and [didn’t] understand why my character was named Africa or didn’t understand the reasons for why I was writing.

So I really started out writing for this person that I used to be, this person I am today, and recognizing the need that continues. I think that we will always need books that show the vastness of our world, so that people like me can see myself in literature, but that others can see, you know, who exists within this beautiful world that we live in.

As you write more books and publish more books, how do you envision yourself being the kind of person that — for a little kid that dreams of being a writer — can set an example for them?

While I was working at the [Carnegie] library, there was a patron, a little girl who used to come in and I told her that I was a writer and every time that she would come in, she would say, ‘Is your book ready?’ and I would say, ‘Not yet, because it’s a long process, these things take time.’ And then she would say, ‘It’s okay because I will wait.’ And I have her in the back of my mind each time that I write.

I think that, you know, our kids are waiting for us, whether it deals with the writing or our own dreams, no matter what it is, they are waiting. I think that for me, I have to remember to wake up every day and recognize these goals that I have, put pen to paper, and not give up. I think that sometimes half

“Fly” by Louisville author Brittany Thurman debuts January 11.

the battle is showing up, with the way of the world today, things are very difficult, but I think that when our kids see us showing up daily, getting up, going through the motions, you know, whether it is succeeding or failing, I think is a prompt for kids to see that, you know, things don’t always go our way. But I hope that by me showing up, being there, continuing to write, I hope that I can be a reflection that, you know, that this is possible. I don’t remember an author visiting me when I was in school, and so I’m trying my best to schedule visits so that kids can see, you know, this can be your path; you can write, this can be a career that you

have. You can go into writing or you can go into publicity, you can go into working for publishers. There are different avenues. Um, yeah, so I think that for me, it’s showing up, it’s being there. It’s being consistent and being transparent. It’s not always, it’s not easy. • Brittany will be at Carmichael’s (2720 Frankfort Ave.) on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. for an author’s visit and story time.

ETC.

The New York Times Magazine Crossword THIS AND THAT

No. 1114

BY SID SIVAKUMAR

T R E M O R N A I V E

D R A M A C T B I G

T A H I T I

E R A S U R E C U S S E D O N E P I N

S E X M O T H E R I N L A W M A L E S

C U B I S M M A D M E N I D I D

M O I R E

O A T M I L K

C R E I A N T T L A S O C C R I R I N I N G E G D T B A F I S I N E N S A L L A P

A C T O R O C K E M E R C E L A I A L B S H O D O V I L C A N D A P A S S E F H S C A C H E S R O O T O P S P S V S N O G O T V A T E I M I N E Y N O

R A W M E A T M O N E Y B E L T

C A L I E N T E C A S E

R S I E M A S A L T

A S N I D T C A T K E H A O D E C A S T P L U S O U N T R S H T A E D I G H E R O O M B A N O U T E T S S E R B A T R A N I O N D A D D R

A G R E E S

M A R C I E

R U N I C

E A T S I T P A R A S K I

P R I N T S

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ACROSS Piles Tablet purchases Setting for Banff National Park Dealer’s enemy Disney film with more than a million hand-drawn bubbles Rap’s Run-D.M.C., e.g.

Ostrich or kangaroo Amtrak service Emulate Ella Fitzgerald Boxer Wolfe who played Artemis in ‘‘Wonder Woman’’ ‘‘Yes, indeed’’ Get-together Rush Clear spirit Seasonal fast-food sandwiches that aren’t halal ‘‘Star Trek’’ virtual-reality chambers San ____ (European enclave) [stern glare] Italian wine region Certain developer’s job Seriously unpleasant Or greater Fall flavoring Some movie-theater concession areas Shattered Eateries serving small plates Spoils Up Command center Multiday event, for short 2017 CVS Health acquisition Profess Tough bass part?

Really grooves with something Quaint locale of first-aid supplies Valorous Bhikkhunis : Buddhist monastery :: ____ : convent The C of C major, e.g.

Word with zone or boots Actor Idris Error message?

Was completely exhausted D W E L T

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Hiking aids Employees who work a lot Bit of reading near a cashier, in brief Grasps at straws?

Not at all Big name in pasta sauces N.B.A. coach ____ Unseld Jr. Badly hurt ‘‘Capisce?’’

Rail in a dance studio Images on some Australian silver coins V.I.P. access points Mythos Nutritional plan involving controlled removal of foods Predator frequently appearing in Calvin’s daydreams in ‘‘Calvin and Hobbes’’ 92 Special delivery?

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DOWN Put on pretensions Island home to Faa’a International Airport It’s located in the middle of an alley Drones, e.g.

Terse confession Op. ____ Bad person to confess bad things to Twisting together Puerto Rico’s ____ Telescope, formerly the world’s largest single-aperture telescope Impersonate at a Halloween party Immune system component Vegetable in bhindi masala Lens holder Fine crystals used in food preparation Symbol of industry Make a flying jump onto a slope They get left in the dust Treat on a tea trolley tray ‘‘____ Mode’’ (2018 No. 1 hit for Travis Scott) Labyrinth builder of myth Tarot card said to ‘‘radiate’’ positivity Foretold the future Certain gasket Deterrent to a pickpocket Behaves like a fool, informally Drama linked to the resurgence of the name ‘‘Betty’’ for baby girls Remains tightly secured Acquired family member Actress Meyer of ‘‘Beverly Hills 90210’’ Tested the censor, say Vendors of e-cigs

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Cruise stop Wet behind the ears Important sales for growing businesses?

Argument Totally wipes out Like some very old characters Pallet piece Small drink of whiskey Zap, in a way Items at T.S.A. checkpoints Boeing competitor What the waving of a white flag can indicate Business brass Reduce in rank Style pioneered by Picasso Works at the cutting edge?

Hot, in Havana Evidence of a crossword solver’s mistake, maybe

68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 81 82 84 86 87 88

Dairy-free coffee additive Butcher’s offering Quiver Ripply fabric pattern Give a thumbs-down Bespectacled ‘‘Peanuts’’ character Gives a thumbs-up Talk-show slate Harped (on) Unfashionable Time off, for short Slightly spoiled, in a way Label signing ____-positive movement Contest Actress Mowry of ‘‘Sister, Sister’’ Authority, metaphorically

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS LEGAL Notice is hereby given that pursuant to KRS 359.200-359.250 Morningstar Storage, 646 West Hill St, Louisville, KY 40208 502-434-7537 will sell the contents of the storage units listed below at a public auction at storageauctions.com at 1pm on 12/142021. This will not be public; this will only be done digitally at storageauctions.com Kim Parker – Unit 152 Tamara Evans – Unit 222 Gordon Jackson – Unit 348 Vanny Choun – Unit 387 Laverra Stoner – Unit 393 Anthony Moore – Unit 500 Brittany Sistrunk – Unit 677 Richard Tucker – Unit 699 Holly Lewis – Unit 707 Shameika Jefferys – Unit 714 Brandi Garner – Unit 723 Jerwanda Wilson – Unit 743 Page Patterson – Unit 781 Page Patterson – Unit 783

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to install a public light communications structure with an overall height of 35 feet at the approx. vicinity of 3530 Shadyside Drive, Louisville, Jefferson County, KY 40211. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Larissa Ehlert, l.ehlert@trileaf.com, 1515 Des Peres Road, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63131, 314-997-6111.

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to install a public light communications structure with an overall height of 35 feet at the approx. vicinity of 516 Forum Avenue, Louisville, Jefferson County, KY 40214. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Hannah, h.powell@trileaf.com, 1515 Des Peres Road, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63131, 314-997-6111.

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to install a public light communications structure with an overall height of 39 feet at the approx. vicinity of 2545 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, Jefferson County, KY 40212. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Larissa Ehlert, l.ehlert@trileaf.com, 1515 Des Peres Road, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63131, 314-997-6111.

Harris Automotive, dba, Cottman Transmission, 4047 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40220, (502) 479-6081 has intention to obtain title of a 2013 Ford Escape with a VIN #1FMCU0GX6DUB22103. Owner of Vehicle: Michael Adams. Lien Holder: Neals Auto Sales. Unless owner or lien holder objects in written form within 14 days after the last publication of this legal notice.

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JANUARY 5, 2022

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