LEO Weekly Jan 18, 2023

A LITTLE LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING

By Erica Rucker | erucker@leoweekly.com

Y’ALL, IT’S WILD times at LEO. Moving into the editor-in-chief’s chair means things start shifting like tectonic plates. This week, we moved Pangea to bring you an issue that we think is fun, super readable, and a little bit different. I’ve told you that LEO is a biweekly print magazine and a daily digital. What does that mean?

When you pick up LEO on the stand, you pick up something to read over your favorite hot mug. Spend time with the print issue. The stories will be somewhat evergreen so that you can come back anytime within those two weeks and find value. We will still have Staff Picks, which can give you a taste of things we think you should do around the city. It’s the perfect “try something different” section of LEO.

New To LEO this week are “‘Round the Fire” and “Ask the Mayor.”

First, “‘Round the Fire” is a homegrown, Kentucky-bred dive into the issues of self. You’ll read about familiar places, issues, and how the human spirit can overcome, tune in and commune with others through times of struggle. Written by a former licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)/therapist, Christina Estrada, we will journey with her through tales of the family (we all have those), finding peace through trauma, and learning to step into the light after darkness. I think we all could use a bit of that as we learn to live with COVID as endemic instead of a pandemic. Estrada will soothe us, challenge us and maybe make us mad but we need her right now.

Our other new feature, “Ask the Mayor,” is giving Louisville its first dedicated cannabis column. Written by Mayor Wando, a delightful oceanic fellow who will answer all of our questions about the ‘Green’: flowers, seeds, and stems, it’s a space for you to ask what you want to know about cannabis and to find information about the types of cannabis available in the legal states nearby. Remember, we ain’t telling you to use it, we’re just making sure you know what it’s all about. So, when you want to know some-

thing about cannabis, Ask the Mayor.

And, keep up with our news writer, Josh Wood, who has been following the developing story of Gov. Andy Beshear’s medical cannabis executive order.

We also are bringing “Soapbox” but that’s just another name for “Letters to the Editor,” “Erosia,” and all other things we’ve called it over the years. You can send us your love letters, hate mail (another term for “I still read your paper”), questions, and tips. We might reprint them, and we even might have a comment or two about them.

OK… so we’ve gotten through what’s new (this week) in the book. Let me tell you more about digital LEO. Every day, LEO updates our website with local trending stories, news, events that you want to look out for, concerts, photos, and real estate.

So, when looking at LEO for what’s going on daily, the place to find that is online. Get thee to LEOWeekly.com!

And now, since you now have a better idea of how we work, also keep your eyes out for a new film column that will break down the films and film festivals that you should be seeing and some other content partnerships that will bring you the best of local arts and entertainment.

LEO has been loved and supported by Louisville for so long. Your eyes, your talkbacks, partnerships, and print and digital advertising have carried us through. Damn it, we still need you — so stay involved, buy an ad, send us flowers (I just want some) and talk to us when we make you laugh, or cry, or piss you off. LEO is very uniquely Louisville and we want to keep it that way but we don’t do this alone.

Last thing: LEO has volumes and volumes of old issues, so don’t be shocked if you see a few flashbacks coming your way. Most aren’t digitized (yet), so you might be getting the best-of-cell-phone captures of some old but memorable LEO content.

502 4 Life. •

MARC MURPHY

VIEWS

SOAPBOX

We like it when you talk to us, even if you’re upset. This space is for you. Sometimes, we talk back.

BIG MAD

Youre ignorance is on full display. Hilariously labeling any singular folk as a “sycophant”. Smfh.. you’ll feel di erent when you grow up. Please, grow up. You’re a small minded, anti-progressive child. Please don’t reply. I’ve heard enough from you in your asinine, uninformed, biased, and blatantly retarded columns. —Isaac Roell

I’m turning 50 this year, but I guess we’ll see.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day. — ‘Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood.’ — Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took esh. To be great is to be misunderstood. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Just because you have a platform doesn’t mean you can willfully be ignorant. Clearly, your mind is plagued by a foolish consistency and an intentional disregard for history. —Isaac

Roell

A VOTE OF SUPPORT

I read Leo sometimes when I can pick up a copy usually at Rainbow Blossom In Indiana. But I read your article about Ch-Ch- Changes and found it very interesting. I am very happy to see a sister in the editor’s chair and I hope that any changes to Leo will improve its voice for the people and increase its readership. I am writing this to you to encourage you to be the best you can be. I am from Louisville but live in Je ersonville, IN, now. And I am a Black man. God Bless You. —Terry Silver Thanks, Terry!

Keep them coming to leo@leoweekly.com.

‘ROUND THE FIRE ALL IS QUIET…

By Christina Estrada | leo@leoweekly.com

I HELD HANDS with a small group of relatives in my new Vine Grove, KY., home on New Year’s Eve and asked everyone to inhale and then exhale as we crossed over to a new start amidst pain and turmoil all around. Up to that moment, all holiday plans were halted, canceled or deterred by external forces we could not control. We simply could not force the universe to comply. We had to accept that we could not attain the perfect day of tradition, celebration and/or simply a universal memory amenable to all.

In the dining room, a small motley crew gathered — embattled and barely standing. We were bruised by these recent years — COVID, life, loss — and fatigued as we joined together eye-to-eye after these disruptions. Many of our loved ones were not there, and the few assembled were not the same. Each one of us was at a different point in our journeys and the only common denominator, this night, was the familial connection of blood and marriage.

Some of us freaked out and isolated over the last few years. Many of us indulged, in any way possible for our own survival, with various addictions: work, substance abuse, food, exercise, etc. Some were starting lives in new homes with little ones who were just old enough to begin forming core memories.

As I looked around the room, I saw disappointment and sadness, but there was also laughter at old stories not thought about in quite some time and general exhaustion with the stress of holiday expectations. The reactions were varied and moved about the room in waves.

There was evidence of deterioration

from age, personal sickness and separation. I called for a joining of hands and a simple statement that would speak to everyone in the room. I realize that I, truly, did not know where everyone was — spiritually — in the room, but I did not want that to stop us from creating a brief pause and acknowledgement to a greater power, a simple space to be wherever we were on our spiritual path and still feel loved and accepted with the freedom to channel our own personal beliefs into the moment, even if it was a simple exhale into silence in our chaotic gathering.

We squeezed one another’s hands, inhaled on command, and let out a long exhale that sent a cacophony of emotions and thoughts out of our bodies. Everyone was welcomed to call upon their own deity or simply to send out a reflection, release, plea, wish and/or intention for a new year, and we were all battle-weary on various levels. This evening, we took our struggles, blessings and pain, and marked the moment in our minds — acknowledging this time, our first holiday in a new home, with family, after isolation. The need in the room was palpable, and these were all my people, my tribe, my story, my blood. So many experiences were present, and each one was worthy of space.

My family? We are American mutts, rooted in mixed races who were thrown together by the only option to join the middle class that our poverty-stricken fathers found — the military. We are the outcome of a Mexican fruitpicker from East L.A. who married a fair-skinned coal miner’s daughter from Hopkins County. My family is a blended

one, like so very many of yours are now, and we have stories to share.

Join me in this small space I want to create for us, a storytelling adventure with tales from my family, as we are, sometimes barely hanging on, with multigenerational curses and blessings that have joined us together around this dinner table, in a little town built upon a small military post. Maybe, just maybe, you might see yourself or your family in my stories.

I’m a first-generation college graduate who looks Mexican, like my father, raised by a blonde white woman — a woman who never fully understood why she chose her own path.

Now an ex-social worker/therapist, I have worked under license and with no license. I lost my career through disability, and gained a new identity in that small death. My life bears witness. My stories will, too.

I’m you, you’re me. and we’re still, even after these years of isolation and quarantine, in this together. •,

CHRISTINA ESTRADA

Christina Estrada is a lifelong seeker of light in the darkness wearing a variety of hats including, but not limited to: student/teacher, survivor/healer, mother/ child, therapist/client, introverted extrovert. At present, a disabled wife and mother with stories and thoughts from five decades of life and 30 years of social work, inpatient and outpatient.

Members see it all for free!

Advance ticket purchase strongly encouraged.

Visit speedmuseum.org

Image: Detail of JOB (Cigarette papers), 1896 Color lithograph 26¼ × 18¼ in.

© Mucha Trust 2022

Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary is organized by the Mucha Foundation, Prague. The exhibition is curated by Tomoko Sato.

Media sponsorship from:

exhibition closes january 22, 2023

Czech-born Alphonse Mucha (1860 – 1939) was one of the most celebrated artists in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. As an influential force behind the Art Nouveau movement, he created sumptuous posters and advertising—promoting such everyday products as cigarette papers and tea biscuits—that transformed the streets of Paris into open-air art exhibitions.

Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary celebrates the Mucha Trust Collection’s first major U.S. tour in 20 years, featuring a vast array of posters, illustrations, ornamental objects, and rarely seen sculpture, photographs, and self-portraits.

Exhibition season sponsored by: Debra and Ronald Murphy

Arthur J. and Mary Celeste Lerman

Charitable Foundation

The Sociable Weaver Foundation

HOW ARE DOCTORS NAVIGATING KENTUCKY’S VAGUE MEDICAL MARIJUANA EXECUTIVE ORDER?

By Josh Wood | jwood@leoweekly.com

IN STATES where medical marijuana is legal, regulated medical marijuana cards provide a way for dispensaries and law enforcement officers to identify legitimate patients.

But when Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued an executive order granting preemptive pardons for the possession of medical marijuana, there was nothing in the action about uniform marijuana cards or any other registration with the state. Instead, the executive order, which went into effect on Jan. 1, said patients needed to obtain a “written certification” from a physician documenting that they have one of 21 qualifying conditions.

The executive order says that certification must include the doc-

tor’s contact information, their professional license number and a statement that they have a bona fide relationship with the patient, but provides no additional guidance on the document. The certification is not a prescription and does not have to mention marijuana.

That lack of regulation — along with the legal no man’s land that medical marijuana occupies in Kentucky today — has left doctors and healthcare systems in the Commonwealth to fend for themselves, resulting in a patchwork of responses to the executive order.

“This has certainly been something that has presented some interesting conundrums for us to be able to solve through our providers,”

said Michael Newkirk, vice president of Baptist Health Medical Group, in an interview with LEO Weekly. “The governor’s approach to this doesn’t legalize marijuana. It doesn’t make it a medical marijuana prescription, so we’ve really had to work with our physicians on how to approach this with their patients.”

In response to the executive order, Newkirk said, Baptist Health has come up with a template for a document that “satisfies the governor’s requirement for the medical condition statement so we have less variation around what our providers give to a patient.”

Additionally, he said, healthcare providers have been advised to brief patients requesting such a docu-

THORNS & ROSES

THE WORST, BEST & MOST ABSURD

THORN: FISCHER ADMIN MOVED TO SQUASH EMBARRASSING OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS

On Jan. 16, the Courier Journal reported that former Mayor Greg Fischer’s administration had a process by which open records requests dubbed “embarrassing” were obstructed. Will things be better under the new guy? Well, the CJ reached out to the Greenberg administration about the ordeal. They took a week to get back to the CJ, and ultimately provided a statement that First Amendment attorney Jon Fleischaker called “meaningless.”

THORN: MORE ANTI-LGBTQ BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE

It wouldn’t be a Kentucky legislative session without a slew of Republican-introduced bills intended to make life hell for LGBTQ folks. According to the CJ, which did an excellent rundown of the bills on Jan. 17 one would mandate public school students use restrooms corresponding to their gender at birth. Another would “prohibit discrimination against medical care providers who decline to perform procedures that violate their conscience,” basically allowing medical providers and insurance companies to reject requests for gender-a rming care. And a third would prohibit gender-a rming care for people under 18. Here’s hoping they all fail.

ROSE: A NEW DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR FOR LEO!

After many months of not having a digital content editor (yay the struggles of our totally healthy industry!) LEO nally got one this month. The DCE is in charge of making sure the web side of our operation moves smoothly and is an essential position, so hopefully we can all rest a little easier. Everybody put down the paper and wave hi to our new DCE, Lincoln Wright.

ROSE: YEAR OF THE RABBIT

According to the Chinese calendar, come Jan. 22, it is the Year of the Rabbit, which means it is a lucky year for everyone! So be sure to bask in the good things heading your way.

ANALYSIS

ment on the potential ramifications of seeking medical marijuana: that it is still technically illegal in the Commonwealth and federally; and that they could face ramifications from drug tests or in things like child custody cases.

Under the executive order, people with one of the 21 qualifying medical conditions are proactively pardoned for possessing up to eight ounces of marijuana so long that it is legally purchased in another state, the person has a receipt for the purchase and a written certification from a physician. Beshear has called his executive order “imperfect” and characterized it as a stopgap in place until the legislature can legalize medical cannabis.

While Baptist, which owns seven hospitals in Kentucky, told LEO that it has established a clear protocol to comply with the executive order, other healthcare systems were more vague about

their approaches.

“Based on available scientific literature, UofL Health cannot recommend that its providers certify patients for the use of medical cannabis at this time,” said David McArthur, director of public relations for UofL Health, in a statement to LEO Weekly on Jan. 10. “However, the ultimate decision on whether to provide certification is up to each provider. UofL Health trusts its providers to make the best decisions for each individual patient.”

Allison Perry, spokesperson for the University of Kentucky’s medical campus in Lexington, echoed similar sentiments in a brief email to LEO on Jan. 9.

“Because medical cannabis products are not FDA-approved, physicians cannot prescribe medical cannabis. It is not part of the treatment protocol here at UK HealthCare,” she said.

She did not, however, directly address whether

doctors would provide certification in line with the governor’s order.

Norton Healthcare, which has five hospitals in Louisville, signaled that they would issue paperwork that complied with the governor’s order.

“Our main goal, as always, is to ensure our patients receive the care they need. This executive order is similar to other situations that require verification of a medical condition,” said Norton Healthcare director of public relations Maggie Roetker on Jan. 9.

Amid the unclear situation, the Kentucky Medical Association, which represents medical doctors across the Commonwealth and has previously pushed back on medical marijuana legalization efforts, recommends physicians seek advice regarding patients requesting certification that would be used under the executive order.

“Given the uncertainties and liability concerns involved, we recommend they speak with their employer and/or legal counsel for guidance,” said Emily Schott, the Kentucky Medical Association’s director of communications.

While Baptist has a system in place to navigate the executive order, Newkirk,

the Baptist Health Medical Group vice president, said decisions on certifying letters will ultimately fall into the hands of physicians.

“I think each physician and each provider will have to make conscious decisions about whether to give these letters out knowing that marijuana is then likely to be used by their patient, and is that really in their patient’s best interest,” he said. “I do think it’s complicated. I think there’s going to be a lot of very difficult conversations in clinic groups talking with patients about this.”

As healthcare providers grapple with the executive order, so do those seeking medical marijuana. As LEO reported in early January, advocates for medical marijuana in the Commonwealth have raised concerns that the lack of a standardized medical marijuana document — as well as the pardoning aspect of the executive order — means that people could still get into legal trouble for legitimately trying to seek medical cannabis.

•

DREARY GRAY, cloudy days. Dramatic dips in temperature. Entire workdays consumed by dark drive times and little sight of the sun.

It’s a natural phenomenon of the fall/winter shift; for many, dreaded but manageable. For others, shorter daylight hours mean the beginning of a seasonal struggle, triggering an onslaught of symptoms ranging from mild (it’s cold, I don’t want to get out of bed) to severe (massive and deep depression and apathy toward activities that were once enjoyable).

Luckily for those who suffer, there is validation, a name, and a diagnosis: This condition, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or (quite appropriately) SAD, is a type of depression that occurs during fall and winter months. SAD is believed to be caused by the reduction in sunlight during these seasons, which can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm and lead to a decrease in the production of serotonin — a chemical in the brain that regulates mood.

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM SAD? SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:

• Feelings of depression and hopelessness

• Anxiety

• Loss of energy and tiredness

• Difficulty concentrating

• Changes in appetite and sleep patterns (insomnia or oversleeping or craving high-carb foods)

• Weight gain

• Social withdrawal; loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities

Unlike depression, these symptoms are exacerbated during the winter months and can become severe enough to interfere with daily life and functioning.

SAD STATS:

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, an estimated 10 million Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and another 10-20% experience a milder form of the condition known as the “winter blues.”

SAD is more common for people with depression and other mental disorders.

SAD is more common in women than men, with women four times more likely to be affected. SAD is also more common in people who live further away from the equator, where there is less sunlight during the fall and winter months.

The prevalence of SAD varies by age. The highest rates occur in young adults and the lowest rates occur in children and older adults. SAD is also more common in people with a family history of depression, bipolar disorder, or SAD, and people with pre-existing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.

Note: The above statistics are based on self-reported cases; the actual number of people affected by SAD may be higher as many people with the disorder may not seek help or may not be diagnosed.

SAD: A FORCE OF NATURE?

“Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real medical diagnosis, and it affects people here in the Ohio Valley,” said National Weather Service meteorologist John Gordon. “SAD is a type of depression that is related to seasonal changes. If you’re like most people with SAD, the cold, cloudy winter months sap your energy and make you feel moody.”

“Lack of sunshine is a primary driver of SAD,” continues Gordon. “In the U.S., SAD prevalence ranges from 9.7% in New Hampshire to 1.4% in Florida. The reduced level of sunlight in the fall and winter months may affect an individual’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects

By Amy Barnes | leo@leoweekly.com

mood; lower levels of serotonin have been shown to be linked to depression. Brain scans have shown that people who had seasonal depression in the winter had higher levels of a serotonin transporter protein that removed serotonin than in individuals who did not have seasonal depression.”

CHASE THE BLUES AWAY

The good news is that SAD is a treatable condition. With the right care and support, it is possible to manage the symptoms of SAD to improve overall well being. Below are tips, tactics and advice from local experts to help readers affected by SAD to manage its symptoms and side effects.

LET THE SUN SHINE!

“The development of Seasonal Affective Disorder is the result of shorter days and less exposure to sunlight,” said Shelly Werts, LCSW, owner and lead mental health therapist at Lotus Counseling and Wellness Center.

“Sunlight is important for the development of serotonin, which boosts mood, and melatonin, which helps to induce sleep. A reduction in sunlight reduces the level of both serotonin and melatonin, resulting in depressive symptoms and insomnia. Despite the cold of winter, it is still important to obtain some amount of sunlight to stave off Seasonal Affective Disorder.”

“Soak up as much sunshine as possible,” echoes Gordon. “Even if it’s cold and sunny, put on a bunch of

layers and get outside…you will feel better!”

GO TOWARD THE (HAPPY) LIGHT

Werts recommends the use of a full spectrum light box — often referred to as the “happy” light — to combat SAD; this is particularly helpful if you cannot get outside much during daylight hours. The light box mimics natural outdoor light and covers the electromagnetic spectrum from infrared to near violet, covering all wavelengths that are useful to plant or animal life. It can help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm and improve mood. For best results, sit in front of the box for 30 minutes to an hour each day. Several types of light boxes are available online.

Yoga is a great way to help alleviate and manage symptoms of seasonal a ective disorder. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE INNER WARRIOR

TAKE YOUR VITAMIN D (IF YOU CAN’T GET IT FROM NATURE)

“In my years of doing body therapy and energy therapy, one of the issues everyone is impacted by is Seasonal Affective Disorder,” said Timothy Mast, an integrative therapist who practices healing techniques using a variety of modalities. “ We miss our sunshine during the winter and the Vitamin D the sun assists the body in producing. Having studied the immune system for over two decades, Vitamin D is very key for one’s overall health and immune system function.”

BECOME ONE WITH THE EARTH

EMF grounding, also known as “earthing,” is the practice of connecting to the Earth’s natural electric charge by walking barefoot on the ground or using a device that allows for contact with the Earth’s surface. Some people believe that EMF grounding can help to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder by reducing inflammation and improving circulation, which can improve overall physical well-being and reduce feelings of fatigue — common symptoms of SAD. Additionally, studies have also shown that contact with the earth’s surface can have a positive impact on the body’s circadian rhythm and melatonin

production, which helps to regulate sleep and improve mood.

“Grounding is an emerging awareness field,” said Mast. “ More studies are showing that our connection to the Earth is very important, with one of the most important benefits being reduction of inflammation. We run around disconnected in our rubber-soled shoes. Rubber is a natural insulator. Prior to the 1900s, we did not have this issue, and many people went around barefoot. We also drive around in cars with rubber tires; once again disconnecting us from the Earth, but also protecting us from lightning. We need to spend more time barefoot and in nature.”

“There are frequencies which the Earth produces, known as the Schumann frequencies (there are eight in total), which influence one’s brain. If one is not connected with the Earth, these frequencies will not be as helpful.”

EXPLORE THE METAPHYSICAL

Many people believe that there are metaphysical or spiritual impacts of the changing seasons on SAD. Some people may find that they are more in tune with their emotions and spirituality during the fall and winter. They

may also find that they are more introspective or reflective during this time. Practicing gratitude, engaging in self-care (meditation, journaling and yoga) and utilizing visualization techniques can help to shift mood and perspective, in addition to drawing awareness to thoughts and emotions. Energy healing, such as reiki or chakra healing, can help to balance and align the body’s energy, reducing feelings of depression and boosting positive feelings.

GET A LITTLE SALTY

Halotherapy, also known as “salt therapy,” involves inhaling salt particles in a controlled environment, such as a salt cave or a salt room. It has been shown to help with depression by reducing inflammation in the lungs and airways, which in turn can improve respiratory function and overall well-being. Some studies have suggested that spending time in a salt cave may also reduce stress, anxiety and sleep disorders.

Halotherapy is also said to alleviate conditions such as COPD, asthma, allergies, sinusitis, congestion, cystic fibrosis and ear infections. What’s more, it’s also great for the skin, as the body absorbs the dry salt particles distributed by the halogenerator and helps the skin to

Salt caves have increased in popularity in recent years. | PHOTO PROVIDED BY LOUISVILLE SALT CAVE.

regenerate and heal faster. Salt cave sessions at Louisville Salt Cave are accompanied by soft, meditative music (or, sometimes, a guided meditation) as visitors sit back in a zero-gravity chair. This time is for you – you can pray, meditate or even fall asleep.

EAT YOUR WAY TO HAPPY

People with SAD may experience changes in appetite, such as overeating or loss of appetite, which can lead to weight gain or weight loss. It’s important to be mindful of these changes and work to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein can help improve overall physical and mental health.

Nutrition plays an important role in managing the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. A well-balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and lean protein can help improve overall physical and mental health, which can in turn help reduce the symptoms of SAD.

Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and folate have been shown to be particularly important for mood regulation and may be beneficial for people suffering from SAD. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods such as fatty fish, nuts and seeds are important for brain health and have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve mood. Vitamin D — which can be obtained naturally from sunlight or through foods such as fatty fish, eggs and fortified milk — has been linked to a reduction in depression symptoms. Finally, folate (found in leafy greens, nuts and legumes) plays an important role in the production of serotonin.

WORK IT OUT!

Regular exercise can help boost mood, reduce stress and improve sleep. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, on most days of the week.

“Since most people choose not to or cannot run off

to somewhere sunny in the winter, one is best to then choose forms of therapy or body movement that keep their energy able to flow and move well,” said Mast. “Some of those things are massage therapy, reiki, pranic healing, qi gong, tai chi, dancing, breathing exercises, yoga, craniosacral therapy and others.”

GET BENDY

Practicing yoga can help with Seasonal Affective Disorder by addressing its physical, mental and emotional impacts. It can help to increase physical flexibility and strength, improving overall well-being and reducing feelings of fatigue — common symptoms of SAD. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety and improve mood and focus. Finally, practicing yoga can help to increase self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-compassion, improving an individual’s ability to cope with difficult emotions and negative thoughts.

Certain yoga practices, such as pranayama and meditation, can also aid in regulating the nervous system and promote feelings of relaxation and calmness.

“The practice of yoga helps to calm the mind and clear the path to our true nature, our silent center,” said Sabine Gaona, owner of The Inner Warrior, a commu-

Aromatherapy and essentials oils are popular for elevating one’s moods. | PHOTO PROVIDED BY SAGE’S BOTANICALS

A look into Sage’s Botanicals. | PHOTO PROVIDED BY SAGE’S BOTANICALS.

nity- funded and supported yoga studio offering donation-based classes. Gaona operates the studio with her daughter Gabriella. “Sometimes, the hardest part is showing up for yoga class,” said Gaona. “But when you do and you’re done, the world seems sunnier…every single time. When the days are short and the nights are long, there is nothing more healing than yoga in a beautiful space together with community.”

HANG WITH YOUR PEEPS

Spending time with friends and family and participating in social activities can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are common symptoms of SAD. Social support can provide a sense of connection and belonging. Being around other people also provides opportunities for distraction and engagement, taking the focus off negative thoughts and feelings. Social activities, such as joining a support group or club, can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Additionally, sharing feelings and experiences with others who can understand what you’re going through can be a valuable way to cope with the challenges of SAD.

LIVE BETTER THROUGH CHEMISTRY

Antidepressant medication can also be helpful in managing SAD; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help to alleviate symptoms of depression. It is important to consult a doctor or mental health professional if you are experiencing symptoms of SAD and they are impacting your daily life. Additionally, some studies have suggested that the use of light therapy in combination with medication can also be an effective treatment option.

EXPERIMENT WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

Evidence suggests essential oils can have a beneficial effect on depression and have been used as a complementary treatment for depression and anxiety.* Oils such as lavender, bergamot and rose have been found to have a calming and relaxing effect, which can help to reduce these symptoms; inhaling them can activate the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions — which can lead to changes in mood. Peppermint, alternately, can provide an invigorating impact.

Aromatherapist Christine Mikel, owner of Holistic Health, Sage’s Botanicals and HarrysBar.online, customizes therapies

based on an individual’s specific needs.

“We look into the uniqueness of each person to align the correct plants in the form of essential oils, teas and niche perfumes to aid an individual. Where essential oils are concerned, it is important to have basic knowledge of safe use. Anyone is welcome to reach out with questions, and we will do our best to provide insight. For me personally, I love bergamot; many go for any of the oranges,” said Mikel.

*Essential oils should be used with caution, as some can be toxic when ingested or used in high concentrations.

TRY INTEGRATIVE CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Chiropractic care is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate symptoms of depression by improving nervous system function, which helps to improve mood. They can also reduce stress levels by promoting relaxation and reduce tension in the muscles, as well as improve sleep quality.

“The ‘hands-on approach’ of chiropractic care offers patients a way to reduce stress and sensitivity,” said Dr. Eric Epstein, DC, CCP, owner of integrative chiropractic care practice Epstein Chiropractic and Wellness. “The parasympathetic nervous system is correlated with rest, digestion and repair. It is well known that SAD is a major stressor that interferes with sleep and other things that increase the sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ stress response. Medicine, exercise and talk therapy can’t do it all; none of these therapies are standalone. A person has to build their team of assistants. The goal is to reduce fight or flight stress and increase the body’s ability to rest, digest and repair.”

“I have worked with people that have seasonal affective disorder. It’s one of the challenges we have when there is so much darkness. The body produces a great deal more melatonin — a neurotransmitter produced by the pineal gland which initiates the sleep cycle. When either too much melatonin is released or consumed in a supplement, the unfortunate side effect can be depression. Because we humans are less resilient since the onset of the pandemic the effects of SAD appear worse. It’s showing up in every chronic ailment from which people suffer.”

“We are seeing so many more strokes and heart attacks. The more stressors that

are piled upon us, the more resilient we need to be. In my opinion, the solution is not to find the medication that will help. SAD is not a deficiency of drugs; it is a deficiency of the body’s ability to rebound when it’s exposed to stress and the capacity to rebound. My job is to improve resilience where I can.”

ASK FOR HELP

If you suspect you may have SAD, talk with your doctor or a mental health professional to help you determine the best course of treatment for you. With the right treatment and support, it is possible

to manage the symptoms of SAD.

In the event seasonal sadness or symptoms of depression seem or become unmanageable, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text GO to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor through Crisis Text Line, a global not-for-profit organization. The 24/7 service is free and confidential. •

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

INTEGRATIVE THERAPIES BY TIMOTHY MAST

Integrative therapies, sound therapy/crystal bowl meditation, breathing workshops.

(502) 636-1116 Wizkid33.mt@gmail.com

THE INNER WARRIOR

This donation-based studio is completely community-funded and supported; 100% of donations go directly toward providing the donation-based classes.

600 Distillery Commons, Suite 250 Louisville, KY 40206 (502) 930-9501

HOLISTIC HEALTH, SAGE’S BOTANICALS AND HARRYSBAR.ONLINE

1622 Story Ave. Louisville, KY 40206 Shopping by appointment (502) 749-7064. www.sagesbotanicals.com sagesbotanicals@gmail.com

LOUISVILLE SALT CAVE

9800 Shelbyville Rd. Louisville, KY 40223 (502) 996-7000 Louisvillesaltcave.com

EPSTEIN CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS

Dr. Eric Epstein, DC, CCP 1987 Brownsboro Rd., 40206 (502) 894-0804 DRERICDC@aol.com

LOTUS COUNSELING AND WELLNESS CENTER

Shelly Werts, LCSW; Werts provides mental health counseling, Ayurvedic health coaching, yoga teaching, yoni steam facilitation, and reiki. She is also a women’s empowerment facilitator, artist, writer and U.S. Navy veteran. Lotus also offers massage therapy, workshops related to health and healing, monthly women’s circles, a yearly women’s wellness program and tarot guidance.

8701 Old Bardstown Rd. Louisville, KY 40291 (502) 618-2823 Lotuscounselwellness.com

RAINBOW BLOSSOM NATURAL FOODS

Rainbow Blossom has several locations in Louisville and an additional store in Southern Indiana.

3738 Lexington Rd. Louisville, KY 40207 (502) 896-0189 rainbowblossom.com

MERIDIAN ACUPUNCTURE & HERBAL MEDICINE

meridianlouisville.com 311 Wallace Ave. Louisville, KY 40207 (502) 290-8788 meridianlouisville.com

Literary LEO Literary LEO Literary

Literary

STAFF PICKS

THROUGH FEB. 5

‘PORTAL’

by Shae Goodlett

Revelry Boutique + Gallery | 742 E. Market St.| revelrygallery.com | Free

THROUGH FEB. 18

‘All Today’s Parties’

WheelHouse Art | 2650 Frankfort Ave. | wheelhouse.art | Free

I admit NFT (non-fungible token) digital art confuses me, but after reading about this group exhibition, I’m on my way to understanding it.

NON-FUNGIBLE

Perhaps you have heard the phrase “it’s a portal to another world.” Mixed media artist Shae Goodlett certainly has, and in his latest solo show he’s re ecting on what a portal means to him.

GALLERY

Don’t go to the exhibition expecting to see only works of doors. Think of a larger interpretation of the word. The Louisville artist examines “the use of these gateways [and how they] are relative to the passengers who cross their threshold.”

Viewers of his pieces are “encouraged to engage with and pass through whichever gate they are called,” he said. —Jo

Anne Triplett

THROUGH FEB. 12

‘Dispositional Granularity’

By Uhma Janus

Capacity Contemporary Exchange | 641 W. Main St. | capacitycontemporary.com | Free

Mexican artist Uhma Janus is intrigued by the meanings of identity and the state of being. Currently living in Louisville, Janus is a scientist who uses her creativity to delve into the non-physical parts that make up a human being. “My desire to understand the essence of reality and the experience of consciousness has drawn me to a palette of diverse disciplines,” she said. Her abstractions represent the essence of our “interrelated elements.”

—Jo

Anne Triplett

WheelHouse Art is probably Louisville’s rst art gallery to feature NFTs, and “All Today’s Parties” is its rst exhibition promoting the new art form. The show displays NFT digital art beside art made by traditional media. This baby step helps viewers get used to seeing NFTs as honest-to-God art, much like how photography was shown when it was introduced as an art medium. There are 10 artists in the exhibition, including Valerie Sullivan Fuchs, Thaniel Ion Lee and Yoko Molotov. Cryptocurrency not required. —Jo Anne Triplett

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

Back2Mac: Celebrating Christine McVie

Headliners | 1386 Lexington Rd. | headlinerslouisville.com | $15 | Doors at 7 p.m., music at 7:30 p.m.

Fleetwood Mac fans around the world mourned when keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter Christine McVie passed away in November. This Friday, local Fleetwood Mac tribute band Back2Mac will honor McVie’s legacy and music with help from Out Loud Louisville (formerly Girls Rock Louisville), Natalie Bajandas, Sherry Edwards, Rachel Hagen, Carly Johnson, Brigid Kaelin, Christy O’Connell, Juliana Rodrîguez, Sheryl Rouse and Heather Summers.

— Carolyn Brown

FANS

‘Divination l’ by Shae Goodlett. Paint and ink on cut paper. .

‘Multiangulated: A Connected Composite’ by Uhma Janus. Acrylic ink painting.

‘Untitled 4’ by Thaniel Ion Lee. Digital print on photo paper..

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

‘EO’ at Speed Cinema

Speed Art Museum | 2035 South 3rd St. | speedmuseum.org/cinema/eo | $8 Speed members, $12 non-members | 6-7:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, JAN. 24

Java Men

Zanzabar | 2100 S. Preston St. | zanzabarlouisville.com | $12 | 8 p.m.

FILM

This visually unique Polish lm (with English subtitles) is about a donkey named EO who journeys across Poland and Italy after being removed from a traveling circus. Along the way, according to the movie listing, he is “both helped and hindered by a cast of characters including a young Italian priest (Lorenzo Zurzolo), a Countess (Isabelle Huppert), and a rowdy Polish soccer team.” The movie is a contender for the Best International Film Oscar.

— Carolyn Brown

Still from the Polish lm, “EO”.

A freewheeling jazz band that often borrows from various other genres, the trio Java Men uses instrumental prowess to build songs that twist and turn with life and energy, creating magnetic grooves and deep solos. Formed in Louisville in 1992, Java Men is made up of Todd Hildreth (keys), Ray Rizzo (drums) and Craig Wagner (guitar). They’re able to pull so much emotion and substance out of each song, so it’s not a show you’ll want to miss. —Scott Recker

ALL THAT JAZZ

Java Men.

THURSDAY, JAN. 26

Thunderdome: Presents!

| 8:00 p.m.

Thunderdome shows are monthly themed comedy shows with this month’s theme being: Presents! Planet of the Tapes is a lm-themed bar serving creative mixed drinks. Seats are rst come, rst serve when the doors open at 8:00 p.m. All events are for ages 21+. —Gracie Vanover

FUNNY

THURSDAY, JAN. 26

Harmony Luau Skate Night

9851 LaGrange Rd. | Search Facebook | $2 Cash Only | 6:00-8:00 p.m. Something for the kids. Harmony Elementary PTA is hosting a luau skate night at Champ’s Rollerdrome Louisville. Come dressed in Hawaiian-inspired attire for a luau. Entry is $2 and skate rental is an additional $4. This is a cash-only event. A signed waiver and supervising adult is required. —Gracie Vanover

ALOHA

Psychic Fair

Raven’s Roost Boutique | 128 W. Main St, New Albany, IN | facebook.com/RavensRoostBoutique | Prices vary | 12 - 6 p.m. I’ve always wanted to talk to a psychic, and I’m thinking this weekend could be my chance (and yours, too), at Raven’s Roost. The boutique will feature their in-house Tarot readers and two other diviners, High Priestess Diana and Christina with Xtina. Reading prices will vary. Raven’s Roost will also have all forms divination tools 15% o which is de nitely an added bonus. —Giselle Rhoden

ALL IN THE CARDS

MONDAY, JAN 30

Wine Education Night: Old World vs. New World

Nouvelle Bar & Bottle | 214 S. Clay St. | Search Eventbrite | $60 | 7-9 p.m.

As someone still trying to gure out what wine I like, it’s hard. I couldn’t tell you the di erence between a moscato or a pinot grigio if I tried. If you’re anything like me, for $60, you can become an aspiring wine connoisseur from learning about how di erent factors a ect bottled wine. You’ll learn how to compare Old World European wine to New World wines made everywhere else in the world, and you’ll know how to impress your friends at your next party. —Giselle Rhoden

WINE

NECESSITY WAS THE KEY OCCURANCE: A Q&A WITH LUCERO’S BEN NICHOLS

By Kevin Murphy Wilson | leo@leoweekly.com

REMARKABLY, the Memphis-based rock ensemble Lucero has been righteously running the route for decades now, singing songs loaded with misadventure. We recently caught up with primary lyricist and frontman Ben Nichols to discuss the audacious act’s latest LP, his modest hopes for the future, and the current tour that lands the band at Headliners on Jan. 28.

LEO: CAN

TELL

LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL BACKGROUND AND EARLY INFLUENCES?

Ben Nichols: I grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the ‘80s, listening to classic rock radio. I was aware of country music back then but didn’t think much of it at the time. I spent my high school and college years in the ‘90s going to punk rock shows and playing in those kinds of bands. I always found the idea of getting in an old tour van with a bunch of guys and driving around the country having adventures very appealing. By the time I moved to Memphis, I’d come to appreciate a broader range of music. I loved the fact that guys like Johnny Cash and Levon Helm were from Arkansas. And driving the streets of Memphis where all this great musical history took place really made me want to play music that had a more timeless sound.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE KEY OCCURRENCES IN YOUR ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT AS A SINGER AND GUITARIST?

Well, I only started playing guitar because I couldn’t get any guitar players to join the band. I’d been playing and writing songs on the bass guitar up until Lucero started. Brian Venable, who became our guitar player, had never played guitar before either. But he wanted to be in the band. So we both learned how to play guitar at the same time. Still learning. Couldn’t find a singer either. So here I am. I guess necessity was the key occurrence in my musical development.

JUNCTURE,

When it comes down to it, Lucero is a rock ‘n’ roll band. One of the things I like most about the band, though, is the fact that we can play almost any type of song from rowdy rough rock n’ roll to slow sad country songs to pretty indie-rock stuff and even soul inspired stuff and it all fits under the Lucero umbrella. I love being able to follow whatever influences I come across over the years and not having to stick to one strict genre of music.

and a ton of very talented musicians and engineers. Lots of clubs to play. There were so many great local bands that we played with all the time in the early days. I don’t think Lucero could exist without Memphis to be honest.

SPECIAL TO YOU?

The new LP is just a flat-out fun record. With the last two albums, I was trying to write very serious, melancholy stuff. Which I love. But it was time for something different. Should’ve Learned by Now is a back-to- basics rocker of an album. The first song on the new record is titled “One Last F.U.” That kinda sums up the attitude on the

There are definitely some ridiculous stories from our previous stops in Louisville, but none are fit to write down in such a fine publication. Luckily, in our old age, we’ve eased back just enough and our crowd has mellowed out just the slightest amount, and we’ve been playing better than ever. The last time we were at Headliners it was a perfect show. I doubt we can do that twice in a row, but this show

probably be pretty good, too.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Fun shows. Good songs. More records. As long as we can. •

Memphis was a great place for a band like Lucero to start. Lots of great old studios

YOU

US A

AT THIS

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO?

HAS THE SCENE DOWN IN MEMPHIS AFFORDED YOU MORE FREEDOM FOR MUSICAL EXPLORATION AND COLLABORATION THAN OTHER PLACES MIGHT?

LUCERO HAS A NEW LP ABOUT TO DROP. HOW DID THINGS COME TOGETHER THIS TIME AROUND? WHAT MAKES THE MOST RECENT BATCH OF SONGS

whole thing.

YOU’LL BE TOURING MUCH OF THIS YEAR. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE LIVE SHOW? ANY RIDICULOUS MEMORIES OF PREVIOUS STOPS IN LOUISVILLE?

will

Lucero returns to Louisville Jan. 28 at Headliners. | PHOTO BY JAMIEHARMON [AMURICA]

By Tyrel Kessinger | leo@leoweekly.com

DEALING with the ever-oncoming crush of time is something every musician probably attempts to confront in their songs at some point during their careers, but few do it as poignantly as Stuart Wicke. In his quest to “make something mundane feel profound” Wicke has crafted “Two Cars,” a song that tells the passage of time in a very unique way — peering in at the every day things in our lives that affect us more than we know.

“Two Cars” is about measuring time,” said Wicke. “I’ve been writing about that a lot lately, and the passage of time is something I’ve always been sentimental about. I never liked birthdays or New Year’s because I don’t like being reminded that it only moves in one direction. Life became a series of birthdays, cars, and pets — just anything to look forward to, and it stuck with me that as people get older, we tend to measure our time in longer stretches like where we live, what we drive, who we’re with and all the specifics inbetween get less and less specific. So I wanted to take a step in that direction and try to articulate what I was feeling with more ordinary imagery.”

“Two Cars” is a lush, acoustic-driven ballad that sways with a palpable melancholy. On the other end of this dance is Wicke’s keen storytelling and sense of romanticism, both in content and literary sensibilities. There is an overwhelming airiness to the song, like laundry drying in a light wind, and its loose, natural feeling makes it seem as if Wicke and his bandmates simply picked up their instruments one evening, hit record, and dumped out this brief bit of magic.

“I record all of my songs in my basement, which means I’m limited in gear, and at the time, I didn’t have a proper keyboard to record with, so all of the synthesizer and

organ sounds were recorded on a toy keyboard, a Casio SA-76. There’s a particular synth sound I use a lot on this record and I don’t think “Two Cars” would have been the same song without it. I’ve upgraded my keyboard since recording it, but I do feel like that one sound is totally unmatched.”

While it might seem like standard practice for songwriters to lean heavily on their personal lives for lyrical material, “Two Cars” is actually one of Wicke’s first forays into the more personal narrative side of things.

“It’s sort of unusual for me, but every line of the song is completely true. My dad really drove a ‘95 Dodge Ram, it really was totaled on an interstate ramp (I-64W going to I-264E to be exact), it really was the last truck he ever owned. I write a lot of songs that are based on my experience but really rarely are they so completely true to my life, which makes it that much cooler when someone tells me they connect with this song specifically. Getting older is a universal experience so it’s always reassuring when someone hears the song and says, ‘Hey, I get it, man!’” •

STRANGER CLUB: HOW A ONCE METALCORE BAND FOUND THEIR UNIQUE SOUND IN HYPERPOP

By Giselle Rhoden | leo@leoweekly.com

AS TEENAGERS, Adam Johnson, Devon O’Dell and Taylor Lin were a part of a metalcore band and they realized that the genre was not for them. It wasn’t until 2020 when the boys met Stefan Vaught and Chaz Crawford that the group finally found their sound in hyperpop. Since then, Stranger Club has been performing shows, making music videos and using each other’s musical backgrounds to make a unique statement in their newfound genre.

“It was a lot of trial and error. It wasn’t easy by any means,” Johnson—the lead vocalist for the band—told LEO, “but I think I think we’ve kind of finally in the past like 6-7 months have kind of nailed what our what direction we’re going in stylistically, as far as the music goes.”

Before Stranger Club, the band was called Refractions and drummer Stefan Vaught said that the guys got his attention about four years ago. He was in a punk band at the time when a friend invited him to a show at a small venue in Lexington for another band he knew, as well as Refractions.

Vaught said: “I had never heard of Refractions… and so I pull up to the show and like Refractions blew out of the water, in my opinion. But it’s just like ‘Yo. These teenagers, just like pulled up and just like murdered their set.’ I remember looking at my guitar player, that was with me at this time, and I was just like ‘Dude, I wish we were doing that.’ ”

Vaught followed their music ever since.

Two years later, Vaught said he and guitarist Chaz Crawford were in a band together recording at a studio in Lexington, and they met Refractions for the first time. The band was looking to swap in new members, and Vaught and Crawford were losing interest in their work together.

“It was fate,” Johnson said.

With over 19,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and over one million streams on their hit song “Tulips,” the new group changed their name to Stranger Club in 2020.

The band discovered an undeniable chemistry when they played together that helped them find their style in hyperpop, an emerging genre that takes elements from EDM and traditional pop. Vaught said that,

even in hyperpop, the band is finding ways to stick out from mainstream pop music.

Their unique sound comes from each member having a different background in music and band culture. Johnson grew up in metal and punk, but also owes much of his vocal style to indie music from artists like Brakence.

Bassist Devon O’Dell grew up listening to metal and rap, giving Stranger Club the groove you can hear throughout their records. He learned most of what he knows from artists like Hippo Campus and Chon. Vaught is what the band calls “the band dad” since he has experience in traveling with other bands as a session drummer for indie bands. He said his experience comes with versatility, which he’s used to make unique drum patterns that feed off of the rest of the band. The youngest member of Stranger Club, Crawford, comes from a “a little bit more chill” indie pop and indie folk background.

“It kind of lets me add some more spacey kind of textural elements to the music,” Crawford said.

Guitarist Taylor Lin comes from a metal and punk background like Johnson, giving Stranger Club their intricate guitar licks influenced by artists like Polyphia. The band credits him for writing their songs, as well

as producing their sound.

Getting the band together can often be difficult. With Crawford at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN, and O’Dell a senior at Code Louisville, Vaught said it’s hard to manage five different schedules constantly, especially when it comes to booking shows in the area.

“Which is kind of fine too though,” he said, “because it’s like we don’t want to overexpose ourselves into just starting our different cities, just with the fact that we’re not a major commercial band.”

This year, the band has a lot of plans for growth. They plan to travel to surrounding states like Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana. Johnson said they just finished a music video for their new song “Outfit,” and the song will be released in a few weeks. Their latest single “Fasten” is out and available on all music streaming platforms. •

Stranger Club | PHOTO FROM BAND FACEBOOK PAGE

LISTEN LOCAL: LATEST LOCAL MUSIC REVIEWS

By Je�f Polk | leo@leoweekly.com

BUCKSHOT GEORGE

“BURN DOWN THE TRAILER PARK” SINGLE

I really only needed to see that Buckshot George had played with Nine Pound Hammer before I knew I was going to dig this tune. Then the other bands he’s played with jumped out at me: Jeff Dahl, The Earps, Moonshine Millionaires, and Gravel & Spiders (among others). That’s a hell of a resume right there. After that, I see an old friend of mine, Dave Wathen (who has been in numerous great local metal bands over the years), is playing drums on this track. OK, my interest is piqued! And, thankfully, this track exceeded every expectation I had for it. Buckshot George’s mission statement sums it up perfectly: “I am dedicated to entertaining audiences with lively, spirited stage performances that fuse the energy of punk rock and the theatrics of glam rock with the twang and storytelling of country music.” And that’s exactly what you get with this tune. Just a big, fun, upbeat cowpunk tune with a ‘70s glam rock flair and some hilarious lyrics about life in the trailer park. Originally written and performed by Jeff Dahl, Buckshot George says of the song: “It’s an homage to a mentor. It’s got the New York City rock ‘n’ roll roots, it’s got some Arizona desert dust in there, and some Kentucky stank on it. It’s everywhere I’ve been and all that is now in the present tense.” I, for one, am definitely looking forward to hearing more.

LISTEN: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ozuJJFwJ30&t=1s

C-ZO

“WYSH” SINGLE

C-ZO represents everything great hip-hop should be. Far too many artists in the genre are just ‘talking loud and saying nothing,’ (to steal a James Brown lyric). Bragging about their money, possessions, how ‘hard’ they are, etc. When, in reality, many are nothing more than studio gangstas trying to appeal to the pop music market. C-ZO is a hip-hop artist, staying true to the genre and himself, creating lyrics focused on the reality of life — its pains, struggles, and memories. Something C-ZO knows a lot about, unfortunately, as he has had a long journey of setbacks and challenges, including losing one of his daughters in May 2021 and his wife in July of that same year. However, endurance is also something he knows a lot about as well. Keeping his head up and remaining focused on his goals, he has overcome and persevered. An artist, songwriter, engineer, and producer, C-ZO has released seven singles in the past two years alone, the latest being “WYSH” (an acronym for When You See Her). “WYSH” is a straightforward banger, featuring rich and powerful bass backed by a steady beat and keyboards and no unnecessary instrumentation bogging it down — doing an excellent job of highlighting C-ZO’s deep, powerful vocals and lyrics about a strong, independent woman. But listen to any of his songs and you can hear that C-ZO is a man driven to make an impact. This is hip-hop.

QUIET CONFIDENCE

“ALL MESSED UP” SINGLE

In an attempt to stay sane while serving as a frontline worker during the COVID quarantine of 2020, Louisville native and former vocalist/ guitarist for the Milwaukee-based alt-rock/emo/ pop-punk outfit North Breese, Ryan Lane began writing and recording demos. According to Lane, it was these demos that “sparked a need to keep on moving forward. A drive to create a thoughtprovoking act above and beyond the mundane”. Enter Quiet Confidence, Lane’s solo project that has begun to grow into a life all its own. The first of hopefully many more songs to come is “All Messed Up,” a track about leaving a bad relationship behind. This track is a long way from a demo, as it presents a highly-polished and very slick professional production. Lane’s rich pop-punk-style vocals and flowing acoustic guitar are highlighted perfectly by drums and synth in a beautiful alt-pop masterpiece. To call this song huge is an understatement. A little bit Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers and Ed Sheeran, this song could absolutely be a massive hit. In a perfect world where the record industry hadn’t turned to shit, A&R reps would be in an all-out brawl to get Quiet Confidence on their labels. It’s not hard to picture this tune blasting out of the car stereo of every high school kid across this nation. This is talent that deserves to be heard on a grander scale.

LISTEN: linktr.ee/quiet.confidence

THE JIMHÄRRALSON

“99TH FLOOR” SINGLE & UNDEAD IN CINCINNATI, OHIO EP

Walking the line between hardcore, metal, punk and doom, Louisville’s The JimHärralson is punishingly heavy, dark, mean and ugly. And they are amazing at it. This is a sound that is somewhere between Crowbar, Eyehategod, Agnostic Front, Knocked Loose, The Misfits, and late 80’s GG Allin. Yeah, it’s not for everyone. With blunt, pointed lyrics dealing with drug abuse, failed relationships, frustration, getting fucked with, getting fucked over, and getting revenge, the four now-sober members have channeled their anger and rage into a sound that hits like a freight train, cuts like the fanous Ginsu knife, and crushes like a steamroller. New single “99th Floor” rolls along for the first minute in kind of a haze before abruptly pummeling the listener. The six tracks that make up the Undead in Cincinnati, Ohio EP, with its mockup cover art lifted from The Misfits’ “Evilive,” were recorded at Witler on the 8’s last year and features a live version of “99th Floor,” and five live versions of tracks from their debut album “Who Cares,” including their rather inventive take on the Chris Isaak classic “Wicked Game.” Pure and simple, this is music that will fuck you up.

LISTEN: www.youtube.com/@thejimharralson7149

RECOMMENDED BAHN THAI & M RETURNS THAI FLAVOR TO HOLIDAY MANOR

By Robin Garr | LouisvilleHotBytes.com

IT’S NOT USUALLY difficult for a restaurant critic to learn about new eateries around our town. Either the owner or chef clues me in with an email, text, or news release, or I’ll hear about it on social media or the Louisville HotBytes forum.

Now and then, though, an appealing new place will fly under the radar until, like Columbus “discovering” America, I stumble into it myself.

So it was the other day when I rolled into Holiday Manor, planning a quick run to Kroger, when I suddenly noticed a bright new storefront sign: “Bahn Thai & M,” it read.

Wait a minute! That’s the space where Thai Cafe, one of my favorite local family-Thai eateries, had been turning out tasty Southeast Asian fare for almost 30 years, making it the oldest surviving Thai spot in town.

Hoping to learn more, I got in touch with my friend Vichan Snow, whose parents, Billy and Chavantee Snow, had owned Thai Cafe since opening day. “My parents sold it and they are no longer involved,” he said.

After all those years, the Snows deserve a happy retirement, and I hope they’re enjoying it. And my task was clear: Check out the new Thai place, see what I think, and let all of you know.

Bahn Thai & M, the host told us, is con-

nected by ownership with another Bahn Thai restaurant in Fern Creek’s Glenmary Center. The Moundine family joins the Klomklao family in this new property, hence the added “& M.”

The Holiday Manor shop’s menu appears a bit more compact than the Fern Creek property’s bill of fare, but it still offers a good cross-section of Thai cuisine. Thai fare is one of my favorite cuisines. I love its bright, clear flavors that pop, and I’m smitten by its complex aromatics that speak for themselves yet also take inspiration from the cuisines of India to its west and China to its north and east.

Yum. I want to go back right now.

We found the small room almost full for lunch on a Friday. It’s been open since mid-November, and obviously has become popular via word of mouth alone.

“Bahn” means “home” in the national language of Thailand, and the menu offers a range of hearty, home-style Thai dishes. About 60 items include a short list of appetizers and app-size soups that range in price from $4.50 (for fried spring rolls) to $12 (for starter sampler plates).

Entrees are divided into many categories, including Thai dinner salads and noodle soups, fried rice, stir-fried noodles, seafood,

The dish that came out wasn’t what we ordered, but it was delicious, so no complaints. Hearty rice noodles were loaded with thin-sliced beef, fresh broccoli, and sweet yellow soybean sauce.| PHOTOS BY ROBIN GARR. Not your average boring dumplings, these Thai delights are carefully formed

Thai curry, and stir-fry entrees. Thirteen vegetarian apps and entrees are listed on a separate page. The entrees all seem reasonably priced, ranging from $12-$13 (for many entrees) to $20-$22 (for many of the eight seafood entrees).

There appeared to be only one server for the entire room, along with a host at the front desk. To her credit, she stayed friendly and welcoming under pressure.

Dishes are served on attractive, heavy white porcelain plates with stylish stainless service ware.

Four steamed vegetable dumplings ($6) were formed into purses in the standard way, filled with bits of tofu, rice noodle, onion and garlic, but then fashioned into tiny bowlshaped rounds just right to hold a few drops of tangy-hot chili soy sauce.

A bowl of ginger soup ($6) was steaming and aromatic. Fresh halved white mushrooms, strips of onion and julienned ginger, scallions and neatly halved baby corn swam in a delightful sweet, tangy, and deeply gingerflavored broth. It was profoundly appetizing, and a perfect choice for a chilly winter day.

One of our main dish orders got switched in the kitchen. We had intended to order beef noodle soup ($13), but what we got was a beef noodle dish, apparently sweet soybean noodle

pork ($14) but with beef in place of pork.

The server and the host both apologetically offered to exchange it, and I appreciated that; but we didn’t want to wait while our other entree cooled. The unexpected replacement looked good too, so we accepted the substitute. Wide, flat rice noodles, tender but al dente, were coated with a thin, slightly sweet sauce with a few tiny yellow soybeans scattered through it. Thin squares of wellcooked beef and crisp-tender, bright green broccoli florets were arranged in a circle around the dish, with intensely flavored bits of fried garlic on top.

The vegetable basil fried rice ($12) was stunning, a delicious entree very different in style from traditional Chinese fried rice. Every grain was separate, yet they clung together, united by an aromatic, umamiladen sauce, redolent of anise-scented Thai basil. The dish was loaded with bits of meaty pressed tofu, crisp stir-fried squares of onion, whole snow peas, broccoli florets, sliced carrot, baby corn, and garlic. All the flavors and textures united in a simple but wonderful dish.

A filling meal for two, with appetizers and entrees but only water to drink, came to $40.28, plus a $10 tip. •

Noise Level: The room was crowded but the noise was generally bearable. Levels averaged 61.9dB (normal conversation) with peaks to 67.4 dB (requiring a little more effort to be heard).

Accessibility: The restaurant and restrooms appear accessible to wheelchair users except for a few booths.

2226 Holiday Manor Center 365-2776 bahnthaim.com Facebook: bit.ly/BahnThaiNM

BAHN THAI & M

A new dish to me, this warming soup featured vegetable goodies in a deeply avored, aromatic ginger broth, perfect for a chilly winter day.

ASK THE MAYOR

By Mayor Wando | scheduling@mayorwando.com

“AND A VERY GOOD DAY TO YOU SIR!” calls Mayor Wando as he departs his residence and wanders the streets of Freetown. He tips his hat to the townsfolk, who nod as they wend the streets. “For the public to be responsible for consuming cannabis, education is key,” opines The Mayor. “We need to educate the taxpayers as to the benefits of quality educational materials, personal investment of time for everyone to know the ins and outs of personal consumption - and most importantly, redress any social grievances and give those who have been incarcerated because of low level cannabis crimes, the ability to expunge records and reintegrate into the voting public.”

As the Mayor of Freetown, Mayor Wando wants to inform the public of the different questions that will inevitably popup as the growing, transfer and responsible use of cannabis and cannabis products becomes more mainstream in America. Currently, there are 38 states that have medicinal cannabis. There’s still a patchwork of states with varying legal status, with issues surrounding “has cannabis been decriminalized?” and “is there recreational use available?”

Welcome to Ask The Mayor, a new column for LEO, in which we will delve into the educational aspects of cannabis as we explore the new horizon of responsible cannabis consumption in Kentucky. Here, we will talk openly and honestly about personal adult use cannabis and cannabis products. We will look at Gov. Andy Beshear’s executive order on medical cannabis, which went into effect on Jan. 1. Please direct all questions to: scheduling@mayorwando.com

on crops/strains/harvests that gives an accurate representation of the chemical makeups of the strains. The percentages usually target 15% - 26% THC, depending on grow areas, temp/heat. etc.

There’s so many terms now. I’ve smoked weed forever and I am confused as to all the new terms. What gives?

Grumpy Old Guy

more than 8 ounces.

The overall situation is confusing; for more on the executive order, check out LEO’s previous coverage on the issue.

Why does there have to be such a smell to cannabis? I was in a legal state and I smelled weed everywhere I went!

Anonymous

Here are some examples of questions we can focus on and some good overall history and educational aspects of cannabis consumption.

I used to consume weed in high school. It’s different now — everything seems much stronger and more potent. Am I correct or did I just get older?

A. Stoner

Hey A. Stoner, you are not dreaming. Things are more potent almost across the spectrum than what was historically available in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but there’s good news for you! In cannabis-legal states, there’s often much more testing done to ensure that there are consistent crops harvested over time. Depending on the state, there’s testing done

Grumpy, I promise you aren’t alone — we are in a new era for weed and cannabis consumption. Overall usage might have gone up with accessibility, but many of the old rules still apply. Many people are confused about different strains — indica, sativa, hybrid, etc. These might be a good starting place, but there’s been a lot of innovation and cross-breeding, so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what a strain is, unless there is actually DNA mapping of that specific harvest. That’s expensive, so there are other things that we can do to find the provenance of the cannabis. There’s a lot of new tech and some cool things happening, so buckle up, ask questions and learn all the cool things available in states where cannabis is legal.

What’s the overall deal with Governor Beshear’s Executive Order?

Concerned Citizen

Under Gov. Beshear’s executive order, preemptive pardons for marijuana possession are issued for people who have one of 21 qualifying medical conditions. But there are a few caveats. For one, it has to be purchased outside of Kentucky in a state that it is legal. The person will also have to keep their receipt for the marijuana and have a “written certification” from a physician documenting their qualifying medical condition. And you can’t have

That’s one of nature's jokes that cannabis is so fragrant while cultivating and growing, while processing and curing — even when consuming. Some of the smell awareness is expected as the public consumes cannabis in legal states. There will be a time where the public will be acutely aware of the cannabis smell. That’s why it’s up to individual users to have their legal cannabis contained in airtight containers or smell-proof dispensary bags. All consumers should take it upon themselves to responsibly consume and store their cannabis. Please direct all question to: scheduling@mayorwando.com

Mayor Wando is a cannabis consultant and educator.

By T.E. Lyons | leo@leoweekly.com

“The Nightmare Man” by J.H. Markert (Crooked Lane; 336 pgs., $26.99)

“Feel the Bern” by Andrew Shaffer (Ten Speed Press; 256 pgs., $16.99)

FOR your first book of a brand new year, do you want to see an author’s sweat and soul on every page in their ambitious attempt at The Great American Novel? Sorry but not sorry — sometimes a professional author’s goal is as simple as a readership that feels it’s been entertained. Still, quality wins out. With nuanced characters, gripping twists on plots that have a foundational familiarity-lending momentum, humor that’s tuned well to the readership (cynicism for a noir; snark for a contemporary coming-of-age), two Louisville authors offer a demonstration with their new works.

James (J.H.) Markert, well-established for historical fiction novels, has now turned toward horror/thriller. Andrew Shaffer, who expanded his national recognition with the “Obama-Biden Mystery” duology, is once again bringing his skills for parody to engaging, breezy suspense. Markert’s “Nightmare Man” starts fast, with short chapters that alternate the narrative characters (a Stephen King-like bestselling writer; an aging homicide detective who’s more than meets the eye), plus shorter, italicized mini-chapters that glance at the past—which may hold the key to a small town’s violent history and its chilling, now-accelerating body count. Actually, there’s more than one key. A very full keyring, with all that goes on in the one-shock-after-another beginning and the coalescing-of-plot-threads middle. There’s a a lot to keep up with—but the

“The Nightmare Man” by J.H. Markert.

Author J.H. Markert.

@leoweekly

chapter structure is devised with strength to carry the load. Also, the primary characters are fine from the start, and they seem to gain realism as the tale moves along. This is good news, because it might seem as if Markert made disappointing choices for them (but this is partially redeemed through one late-in-the-game narrative twist).

The only other matter of note is the cobbling-together of subplots and motifs very recognizable to horror readers (and film viewers). It’s not just the possessed succubus (that trope is used well enough in its subplot). No, there are many borrowings, such as symbolic moths (as in “Silence of the Lambs”); a character’s psychic bonds based on touch (“The Dead Zone”); and even typewritten pages providing creepy evidence of obsessive derangement (“The Shining”). These seem superfluous — but if the familiarity helps translate to expanded readership, Mr. Markert’s earned it.

(J.H. Markert will be reading/signing at Butcher Cabin Books, 990 Barret, on Saturday Jan. 21 at 6 p.m.)

Of course, peppering a text with little bits of the somewhat-familiar has been an ongoing trend in publishing, and Shaffer is very practiced at employing half-remembered factoids and amusing sidelights. It’s not just the distractions in the text that make his Senator Bernie Sanders cozy/

comic procedural a fun frolic. There are numerous little structural conceits of modern book publishing: for example, an appendix with regional recipes, an interlude referring to a book-within-a-book that figures in the plot (and that keeps the entire proceedings from becoming too Yankee-centric).

If readers are going to suspend disbelief enough to read about the crusty politician’s adventures in semi-actionfest, then Sanders needs a solid sidekick. Crash Robertson fits the bill: a Vermonter who’s new to the staff in D.C., when drawn by circumstances to return to New England she can exchange references to Lake Champlain’s urban-legend monster without making Sanders seem like an expository droning machine.

Of course there are mitten references. And maple syrup ends up being central to the murder mystery. But there’s more to the senator’s spiel here than shallow reflections on his love-hate relationship with capitalism. Even more interesting is how Shaffer weaves in a little subtext on modern frictions, and possibilities, in dialogue between local and state political participants and their Washington representation. —T.E. Lyons •

“Feel the Bern” by Andrew Sha er.

Author Andrew Sha er.

‘DOT’ COMING TO PANDORA PRODUCTIONS

A PREVIEW AND INTERVIEW WITH PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL DRURY

By Marty Rosen | leo@leoweekly.com

FOR MICHAEL DRURY, producing artistic director of Pandora Productions, reflection always seems inextricably linked to action. I suppose that’s the essence of an actor’s work and one of the reasons theatrical storytelling endures as such a powerful, universal, provocative form of storytelling.

In a 2015 interview, Drury told LEO about the company’s early history, including a seminal meeting in 2003 when he and a group of confidants gathered around a table and set out on a mission-driven course that in the years since has profoundly affected the region’s culture.

Then and now, the company’s central mission has focused on telling stories with an LGBTQ+ focus — stories so universal that they pretty much are the definition of and to invoke a buzzword, intersectionality.

The sense of mission that grew out of that 2003 meeting has produced an extraordinary body of quality work. And like many other fiercely determined theater companies in Louisville and around the world, Pandora persisted through the pandemic by experimenting successfully in reaching audiences through alternative production platforms — in Pandora’s case, streams of productions staged in rigorously safe conditions. One of those productions was Colman Domingo’s autobiographical “A Boy and His Soul,” featuring a great performance by Tony Smith as the young artist coming out and discovering his identity

Now the company is back with another play by Domingo — whose list of credits as a writer, actor, and director fills up several Wikipedia screens and range from Broadway (“The Scottsboro Boys;” “Chicago”) to film (Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln”) to AMC’s “Fear the Walking Dead,” to the Netflix production of August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” The current Pandora production – running through this weekend — is a revival of “Dot,” which premiered at Actors Theatre of Louisville’s 2015 Humana Festival of New American Plays. The current production (which I haven’t had a chance to see) is directed by Alonzo Ramont and features August Anderson, Jacob Cooper, Elias Feghaly, Immanuel Guest, Sage Martin, Kymberly Vaughn, and Sepricia White.

When I asked whether he had a special affinity for Domingo’s work, he

said, “Colman Domingo has a voice that we’ve not heard on our stage before ‘A Boy and His Soul.’ His craftsmanship is really compelling. He weaves an interesting narrative, and the payoff is always worth it. We always focus on making great theater, and these plays do that.”

But what happens on stage and in the audience is always affected by what’s happening in the world outside the theatre, and in our conversation it was clear that Drury and company have also been reflecting deeply about how the conjunction of the pandemic and the largest most powerful mobilization of citizen outrage around racist violence in this country since the ‘60s can be addressed by companies like Pandora.

“We haven’t been slackers when it comes to diversity,” said Drury. “And for many of our younger years as a company, we just believed that we were diverse by our very nature because we’ve been doing LGBTQthemed art, that other companies only do occasionally. That’s our mission. That’s all we do. But the world has changed — we can get married now, for example. And we need to change with it.”

For Drury, that means telling stories that the company hasn’t yet addressed. “I’m very interested in telling the Hispanic gay story, the Black gay story, and exploring all the intersections of LGBTQ and BIPOC. For example, we don’t have it on the agenda yet, but I’m really interested in finding a way to

explore the Two-Spirit ideas around gender in Native American cultures. In those cultures, people of Two-Spirits were revered, which is quite the opposite of attitudes toward LGBTQ people have historically been treated in mainstream culture. I think there are interesting stories to be told there.”

As Drury sees it, the way forward for Pandora is multi-faceted. On stage, he says, the company is working to build a more diverse casting and backstage pool, and to grow the company’s directing pool (he is only directing two plays during this season).

Programming itself, said Drury, is essential in enriching the pool of creatives and audiences. But another essential step, he said, is usually invisible to the audience: diversifying the boardroom. “We really need to have those voices in the boardroom. It’s a challenge that we’ve been working on for years.”

Recruiting and engaging board members is always a challenge, noted Drury. And he described it as a circular process – having a diverse board enriches a theatre’s connections to multiple communities, and one key to igniting the interest of potential board members is to light the fire with diverse programming.

After twenty years under Drury’s leadership, it looks like Pandora Productions is well-positioned to become even more reflective of the communities it strive to serve.

•

“Dot” by Colman Domingo runs through Jan. 22

Henry Clay Theatre 604 S. 3rd St. Times and prices vary Pandoraprods.org

Pandora Productions welcomes “Dot” to the stage.| PHOTO PROVIDED BY PANDORA PRODUCTIONS.

BY MATTHEW STOCK AND

ACROSS

CHANDI DEITMER |

Some old PCs

EDITED

BY

Experience financial ruin

SHORTZ

Many files in a Downloads folder

Talk ____

1990s sitcom starring Tia and Tamera Mowry

Beethoven’s ‘‘Ah! perfido,’’ for one

Southwest people known for their dry farming

Grand Prix city

Fulminate

Portent

Start a web session

Tribute

Many zoomers

Gush (over)

Red lightsaber wielder

Singular praise

____ Xtra (soft drink)

Soul: Sp. 39 Make it so there’s snow way out? 41 1963 hit for the Kingsmen 45 It gets the show on the road 48 Nothing but a number, it’s said 49 Call from an old-time paperboy 50 Essayist Susan 51 Attraction, so to speak, with ‘‘the’’ 53 Org. often impersonated by phone scammers 54 Time for a visit from Ong Tao, the ‘‘Kitchen God’’ 55 Slip up 56 Yellowstone sight 58 [Gulp!] 59 House of Commons reps 61 ____ gratia (in all kindness: Lat.) 62 Rush order 64 Like some questions 66 Romanov V.I.P., once 68 Charlotte N.B.A. player 70 ‘‘ . . . you get the point’’ 74 ‘‘Well, lookie here!’’ 75 Quaint exclamation of dismay 78 Fee payer, often 79 Thin pancakes in Indian cuisine 80 Laborer of old 84 Dan of ‘‘Schitt’s Creek’’ 85 To the ____ power 86 Time for March madness? 88 Ultimate fighting inits. 90 Certain summer baby 91 ‘‘There you ____!’’ 92 Big tower, for short? 94 Years and years 95 Shock

Sings, in a way 101 When you should leave, for short 103 Piece of roller-derby equipment 104 Classic-joke start

High five at the Olympics?

Unchanged

Yea or nay

Power source

Barfly’s flier

Added to a thread, say

El ____ of the Spanish Renaissance

‘‘Amscray!’’

Egomaniac’s thought

Noted character with object-subject-verb syntax

Dangerous part of a road on which to pass

Tie down

Best-picture winner of 2012

Basketball feat suggested by this puzzle’s pairs of theme answers, informally

1040 figs.

Love of languages?

In on

Add (on) Down

Philosophy

H.S. class in the same department as chem

Yahoo alternative

Trusty to the end

Pirate’s booze

One way to learn

Like the Six Million Dollar Man

Aweigh’’ grp.

stop: Abbr.

conundrum

BY RACHEL ROBINSON

SAVAGE LOVE

By Dan Savage | mail@savagelove.net @fakedansavage

MANNERS

Q: I’m a gay man and I’ve recently started seeing a guy in an open relationship. He’s intelligent, funny, and sexy. He told me early on that his partner is a Dom top, into kink (leather, latex, etc.), that his partner has caged boys, and so on. Moreover, with his partner he’s a “bratty sub,” meaning he engages in erotic disobedience and defiance. I was indifferent to this initially, but I have begun to become aware of his partners presence in a way I don’t like, even though I’ve never met the guy. I also find myself feeling resentful and jealous of the idea of him being told what to do, held back, or controlled. (The sex we have is hot, intimate, and intense, as well as completely vanilla.) I know his relationship with his partner is none of my business, but if he truly is a bratty sub, and his partner is a “tamer,” am I just a pawn in their games? Is the intimacy we share in the service of his primary D/s relationship? I like this guy and wish I could be with him but that’s not possible because he and his partner are engaged. I’m okay with that. But I can’t stand the idea of our connection being incorporated into an erotic game he’s playing with his partner. I don’t want to be conscripted into their power exchange. I welcome your advice.

Neither Brat Nor Tamer

A: Let’s call the guy you’re hooking up with “Brat” and call his fiancé “Dom.” Worst-case scenario, NBNT, Brat goes home and tells Dom everything you’ve been doing together, presumably in a very bratty way, and then Dom punishes Brat for being a slutty brat. If that’s what they’re doing—and we don’t know if that’s what they’re doing—then, yeah, I guess the vanilla sex you’re having with Brat is being “incorporated” into the erotic power-exchange games Brat and Dom play together. You could ask Brat not to tell Dom anything about the time he spends with you, NBNT, but you ultimately can’t control what Brat does or says when he’s alone with Dom… and them telling each other everything might a condition of their open relationship… and you attempting to control what Brat says to Dom when they’re alone while at the same time objecting to the control Dom has over Brat is a little hypocritical. Zooming out for a second: Anyone who doesn’t like the idea of someone they’re fucking talking to a primary partner about the fucking they’re doing shouldn’t fuck primarily partnered people and/ or should only fuck primarily partnered people who have DADT arrangements with their primary partners. (Submissive English majors: I order you to diagram that sentence.)

Back to you, NBNT: I think the real issue here is that you’ve caught feelings for Brat. But since you can’t

object to Dom’s existence, as Dom was a given at the start (and Dom’s willingness to open the relationship made your connection with Brat possible), you’ve subconsciously landed on the idea of objecting to the sex Brat has with Dom and the possibility that the sex Brat has with you—in addition to being great and hot for you—fuels his connection to Dom. So, it’s not that Brat plays a subordinate role in his relationship with Dom that bothers you, e.g., Brat being told what to do, Dom controlling Brat), but the subordinate role you play in Brat’s life. You want Brat the way Dom has Brat—not the sub part, NBNT, the partner part—and you’re going to comes to terms with that if you decide to keep seeing Brat. P.S. Just in case there any Tucker Carlson producers are digging through my column looking for things to get outraged about: “caged boys” is a reference to submissive adult men, sometimes called “boys,” who enjoy wearing locking male chastity devices, sometimes called “cages.” Brat’s fiancé is holding the keys to cages with cocks in them, not the keys to cages with children in them.

Q: What is the etiquette for running into people you’ve hooked up with? My partner and I, both males, practice ENM, so long as doesn’t know who I hook up with and I always play safe. I was recently on my own at a store and saw a guy I hooked up with. I would’ve said hi/acknowledged him, but he was with another guy, so I actively avoided eye contact since I didn’t know if they were together. But we definitely saw each other just not at the same time. I want to be ready for when this happens again either when I’m alone or with my partner.

Ran Into Guy I Dicked

A: Fucking questions, sucking questions, cock-locking questions—I feel qualified to answer those on my own. But etiquette questions? Those are outside my areas of expertise, RIGID. So, I shared your letter with Daniel Post Senning, great-great grandson of Emily Post and co-author of Emily Post’s Etiquette: 19th Edition.

“Etiquette says we acknowledge people we know with our eyes, a wave, a nod, and a polite ‘How’s it going?’ when we meet in passing,” said Senning. “So long as the other person understands the limits of your romantic connection, there’s no reason for the encounter to be awkward.”

Since you weren’t with your partner, RIGID, you were free to acknowledge your hookup without your partner both noticing and knowing. But let’s say you were with your partner. What then?

“In a small world where we might be managing

multiple relationships where the parties would rather not interact or know about each other, it’s a good idea to make explicitly sure everybody knows that fact,” said Senning, “and everyone knows that might mean walking past each other in public or otherwise limiting interactions.”

In other words, RIGID, what you know your partner—he would rather not know about your hookups—your hookups need to know too. It’s a small world and the gay world is even smaller; even if you were to stick to horny tourists and business travelers, your chances of running into a hookup when you’re out with your partner are high. So, you should say something like this to your hookups as you’re showing thems to the door: “Hey, that was great. Look, if we run into each other and I’m with my partner, I might not be able to say hi. We’re open but we’re doing the ‘don’t ask/don’t tell’ thing, and saying hello to a hot guy like you is a tell. My apologies in advance.”

Now, in the example you mentioned, RIGID, you were alone, but your hookup was with someone else, and you opted to pretend not to see him. Was that the right thing to do, etiquette-wise? “Thinking about how you manage these moments

with consideration for all involved is the right way to think these things through,” said Senning. “RIGID was right to consider the possibility the guy he saw might not want a past hookup to say ‘hello’ or otherwise engage when he was with someone else.” While I agree with Senning—and defer to him on all matters of etiquette—I think gay men should err on the side of acknowledging the existence of men whose asses we’ve recently eaten, whenever possible. Ignoring someone we’ve fucked is cold and it can leave that person wondering what they may have done wrong. So, a quick smile and a nod. If the guy he’s with notices—or if the guy you’re with notices—telling a small lie to spare someone’s feelings is a courtesy that etiquette allows. Some suggestions: “We used to work together,” “He goes to my gym,” “That’s George Santos.”

Daniel Post Senning co-authored Emily Post’s Etiquette: 19th Edition with Lizzie Post, also a great-great grandchild of Emily Post. Together they co-hose the podcast Awesome Etiquette.

Send your burning questions to mailbox@savage.love Podcasts, columns and more at Savage.Love!

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS

LEGAL

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Lienholders: None. Owner or lienholder has 14 days after last publication of this notice to object. Objections must be sent in writing to the above address.

HELP WANTED

Quality Assurance Manager

Perform as a section leader of the Quality Planning department to develop and implement the manufacturing process and quality systems. Improve quality system and supplier performance. Lead the quality systems and process development for new products. Must have a master’s degree in mechanical or automotive engineering, or its equivalent, or a related eld, and 2 yrs exp in quality assurance, quality control or related. Send resume to Human Resources, Yamamoto FB Engineering, 7331 Global Drive, Louisville, KY 40258 or email hdean@yamamotofb.com.

PHOTO