TheThe locallocal voicevoice for for news, news, arts, arts, and and culture. culture LIFEthruMUSIC education in the key of life.

February 18th - March 3rd 2015 / Vol. 5, No. 4 / ErieReader.com

The Business of Higher Education Grading the Price of a College Degree coney island rock n’ roll roadshow | beyond words iV | Film Society’s oscar party 2 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 18, 2015 CONTENT — FEB 18, 2015 From the Editors wo weeks ago in this very col- The Editors, the snapshots we pro- umn, we welcomed you to our vide are far from an exhaustive Tinaugural Industry, Innova- list. That’s why we encourage you Features tion, and Entrepreneurship Issue, a to write in to tell us about the busi- perennial look at the climate of in- nesses and companies you know 10 — LifeThruMusic dustry in Erie with the endeavor to of that serve as a strong reminder Education in the Key of Life examine, understand, and predict that yes, Erie is not only open for our industrial forecast. business, it’s a good place to be in 27 — The Business of Higher John Lindvay announced Velocity business. Education Network’s ambitious plan to bring And of course there are those ac- Fiber To The Home in Erie this year. tive in our community propelling Grading The Price of a College Degree Ben Speggen analyzed Erie’s en- other sectors, like art and educa- Editors-in-Chief: trepreneurial ecosystem, examin- tion — which is why you’ll find Dan Brian Graham & Adam Welsh ing the catalyst that is Erie County Schank’s cover feature on LifeThru- Managing Editor: Gaming Revenue Authority’s Ignite Music, a local mentorship program Ben Speggen Erie. And Jim Wertz reported on dedicated to providing free music Contributing Editor: the conditions of Erie’s changing instruction to local kids at East Jim Wertz industrial landscape, culling from High School for more than a year Arts & Culture Editor: News & Opinion sources like the now. The program, Alex Bieler Economic Research under the direc- Contributors: Institute of Erie’s tion of its founder Lisa Austin, Civitas 4 — Erie At Large Kenneth Louie Corey Cook, isn’t Mary Birdsong Roar On The Shore & Economic Katie Chriest and Director of the Because exclusive to East Pen Ealain Development Metropolitan Pol- High students, as it Rick Filippi icy Program at the we’ve always welcomes elemen- Eric Kisner Brookings Institute believed that tary students from James R. LeCorchick 5 — Street Corner Soapbox Bruce Katz. throughout the re- John Lindvay The Tale of Two Media Anchors and We rounded out Erie’s people gion to participate, Lili Morton our first I2E Issue proving inclusion Bob Protzman the True Weight They Carried Dan Schank by spotlighting lo- are its greatest and collaboration Jess Scutella 6 — Just Toyin’ Witcha cal businesses that lead to sustained Tommy Shannon are “not just surviv- resource, we success. Ryan Smith Je Suis Charlie ing but thriving in And if the name Jay Stevens our region as proof want to remind Corey Cook sounds Rebecca Styn that Erie remains you that familiar, it’s be- Sara Toth 6 — News of the Weird by open for — and cause he was fea- Bryan Toy Chuck Shepherd good place to start tured in the 2014 Jim Wertz nominations are — business.” 40 Under 40 Issue. Cover Design: In short, we open for the 40 We were moved by Liz Venuto 9 — Tech Entrepreneurs Find a Happy Home in Erie learned a lot in the Corey’s story then, Photographers: process of produc- Under 40 Class and are proud to re- Ryan Smith Meet The Husband-Wife Team Behind ing such an issue, port of his accom- Brad Triana of 2015. AcousticSheep, LLC. and we learned plishments and Designers: something import- continued pledge Liz Venuto ant after you had to make Erie a bet- Leah Yungwirth 11 — Considering The City the chance to read, ter place. Interns: Porch Safety digest, and discuss it: You like to — Because we’ve always believed Michael Iverson and want to — talk business. that Erie’s people are its greatest Zach Knight Two weeks ago, Jim Wertz wrote in resource, we want to remind you Candice Martone 30— ER Sports Christopher Sexauer his column that Erie has a self-im- that nominations are open for the age problem. And while the knee- 40 Under 40 Class of 2015. Like we 1001 State St. Suite 901 jerk reaction is to be hypercritical of did with last year’s list of notable Erie, Pa., 16501 this city and this region, criticizing achievers, we’re asking you, Read- [email protected] failure before a thorough critical er readers, to help us populate that

The Erie Reader is the local voice for news, arts, analysis exists, championing our list. If you know someone — and and culture, and is Erie’s only independent, success and promoting our accom- we’re sure you do — whose endeav- alternative newspaper. Founded in 2011, the Reader has quickly become the region’s award-winning plishments must be something we ors make Erie a better place with source for arts coverage, a strong cultural compass, Culture do if we’re to keep moving along the their contributions to this commu- and a dynamic resource for news and opinion. With a dedication to long-form journalism and a path to progress. nity, nominate them at ErieReader. commitment to provoking thoughtful discussion, 17 — Calendar That’s why we’re proud to an- com. the Reader tells the stories of the people and places making and shaping Erie, while highlighting the nounce that the ideas that gave And if this year is anything like last events and issues influencing life in northwestern rise to the I2E Issue will now have a year, we’ll have scores of nomina- Pennsylvania. The Erie Reader is published every 24 — Music Reviews other week at The Corry Journal, 28 W. South St., place in each issue we print. We’re tions to sift through. Because we’ll Corry, Pa. 16407. The Erie Reader is distributed at dedicating space to featuring local need enough time to read through over 250 high foot-traffic locations in Pennsylvania from North East to Girard to Edinboro. In addition 29 — Geeked Out businesses in Erie that are on rise, your recommendations, the nomi- to appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new content as well as those firmly rooted in our nation window closes Feb. 28. daily at ErieReader.com as well social media Revisiting Your Favorite Videogames sites. All rights reserved. All content © Flagship landbank. In this issue, you’ll find So nominate now and nominate Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State St., Suite 901, Erie, of Yesteryear with Speedruns Pa, 16501. No part of this publication may be a feature on AcousticSheep, LLC., often. There’s no limit to the num- reproduced without permission. The opinions of a successful tech-based business ber of people you can enter, and our columnists and contributors are their own and do not always reflect that of the editorial board or whose presence in our region can there’s no limit to what this city and organization. Direct inquiries to 814.314.9364 or literally allow us all to sleep better. region are capable of if we continue [email protected]. As noted here in our last From to invest in our people. February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 NEWS & OPINION

Erie at Large Roar on the Shore and Economic Development TV 54.1 • Radio 91.3FM • WQLN Education • Q-Media Schedule Highlights By: Jim Wertz

espite a preponderance While Roar On The Shore of evidence to the con- brings thousands of trary, my mother raised D bike-enthusiasts to Erie me right. So I wanted to say something nice. I really did. each year, its economic But when the Manufactur- impact remains a point of er and Business Association debate, as access routes announced its lineup for this to local businesses are year’s installment of the Roar often limited or blocked on the Shore Thursday, Feb. 12, off. I just couldn’t keep it in – dis- dain, disappointment, a mild roar. ness, unless the local business Maybe it’s the hypocrisy of owner bought into Blue Ocean an organization with a phil- bullshit spewed by festival or- osophical mission to destroy ganizers. organized labor hosting a mo- It’s also notable that while lit- torcycle festival to celebrate the erally tens of thousands of bik- culture of motorcycles histor- ers pass through Perry Square ically assembled by organized during the event, no one gets labor that gets stuck in my a taste of Erie in the park. So- craw. Maybe it’s unfettered capi- cial media roared last year about talism masquerading as charity the absence of local vendors at the that I don’t like. Or maybe, just festival’s main attraction. One ven- maybe, it’s that event organizers dor bought all the space, I’m told, continue to refer to Roar on the and the organizational and fiscal Shore as economic development merits of such a scenario trumped when, in fact, it is not. the fleeting notion of community If you’ve ever had the pleasure involvement. of visiting the Harley Davidson And in the event you wanted to factory in York, Pa., you quick- wade downtown for any one of the ly realize two things: Every man 1980s powerhouse rock bands that and woman in the factory was, grace the stage, you’ll be charged for lack of a better phrase, born to for direct access to the main stage, ride; and every laborer in the fac- which was and will be cordoned tory is a member of the Interna- off by a ten-foot-high chain-link tional Association of Machinists fence, making ticket holders look and Aerospace Workers. more like POWs than VIPs. (Think: At its peak, the Harley plant in Red Dawn, the one with the Rus- York employed around 2,000 sians, not the one with the North union workers. But in 2008 the Koreans, and you’ll get the pic-

company announced its inten- CONTRIBUTED PHOTO ture.) tion to cut the workforce in York It’s not that there shouldn’t be a by half – a result of automation VIP section. Surely, people who and other “efficiencies,” as well as an aging of the nation’s workforce. love the smell of sweat and money need population of consumers who were buying No doubt, Roar on the Shore brings thou- somewhere to congregate, but blocking the bikes on the back end of a lucrative second sands of easy riders into Erie County each flow of pedestrian traffic to and from local act instead of spending big bucks as some year and those people spend lots of money bars on the north-end of State Street and form of youthful indiscretion. The union while they’re here. But don’t try to go down- forcing ticket holders to buy booze inside leadership got defensive and the company town if you’re not on a motorcycle. Down- the holding pen seems to be lesser, not bet- threatened to move to Kentucky. town parking is motorcycle-only and the ter. In 2009 after much negotiation and delib- weeklong street closures make it difficult to I’m willing to concede that the Manufac- eration, the union offered a counterpropos- reach popular bars, restaurants, and retail- turer and Business Association is very good al. It would sacrifice half of its workforce ers. For proprietors looking to lure the Roar, at executing its Blue Ocean Strategy with and reclassify job descriptions in exchange there is but one option: Join the club and Roar on the Shore, but I’m yet to be con- for $90 million to be reinvested in the York become a sponsor. vinced that the benefits exceed the costs. plant. It was a hard bargain but a pragmatic Talking to downtown-business owners last True economic development is like a flu one that ultimately saved hundreds of jobs summer, I was reminded of the scene from vaccination; its effects are long lasting and and made Harley Davidson a more nimble Goodfellas in which Ray Liotta’s character stabilizing. So far, however, Roar on the and profitable company. It was also the kind describes how business owners who got Shore feels more like the flu. It comes on of deal that organizations like the Manu- into bed with the mob were treated when fast and you’re grateful when it’s gone. facturer’s Association claim isn’t possible they couldn’t pay their weekly vig. “Busi- when dealing with unions, which are more ness was slow? F-you, pay me. Rent was Jim Wertz can be contacted at jWertz@ often looked upon as terrorist groups than due? F-you pay me.” In other words, there ErieReader.com, and you can follow advocates for the fair and ethical treatment was no way to tell bikers about local busi- him on Twitter @Jim_Wertz.

4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February18, 2015 NEWS & OPINION

Street Corner Soapbox The Tale of Two Media Anchors and the True Weight They Carried

By: Jay Stevens

his is a tale of two news an- Jon Stewart (left) recently chors who are leaving tele- announced his departure from vision. One – the phony, the T Comedy Central’s The Daily Show at clown – by choice; the other – the professional, and respected journal- the peak of its success, while Brian ist – trailed by scandal. Williams (right) has had to leave his This is also a tale of the invasion post at NBC’s Nightly News amid of Iraq, and the role that the media scandal. played in creating that war. It’s a story of lies and truth, of television journalism and television comedy. to create a kind of echo chamber, and with This is about Brian Williams and one routine – which went viral online – it Jon Stewart. broke apart. We could laugh at them now. Brian Williams was the anchor of Young people loved The Daily Show and NBC Nightly News until Stars and The Colbert Report. It attracted the most Stripes reported that an anecdote under-30 viewers out of any news pro- he had told on air was false. He had gram, and its viewers consistently ranked claimed to have been in a helicopter among the most knowledgeable news shot down by an RPG in the Iraq War; consumers – better than NPR listeners, he was not. Other of Williams’ sto- better than network news consumers, ries have since come into question. and far, far more knowledgeable than Fox Reporting on Hurricane Katrina News viewers (who consistently finish from New Orleans, for example, he last). made some claims about vicious You could say young viewers liked The DAVID SHANKBONE DAVID gang members in his hotel and dead TABERCIL Daily Show because it was funny and ir- bodies floating in the street outside reverent. Or maybe they liked it because – although hotel workers deny the gang of journalism? And there, among the troops, were the em- Millennials are pragmatic problem-solvers, story, and his hotel was located in the high- Well, yes. But Williams’ defenders proba- bedded reporters in Kevlar vests breathless- and they like news without all the bullshit. and-dry French Quarter. bly aren’t defending the man – although it ly reporting from the front lines. They like honest reporting. Either way, it Williams first went on a short, self-im- seems many like him, personally – but the Is it any wonder this is what Brian Wil- was the Millennials who came out in droves posed break to let the mess clear itself kind of reporting he’s doing, where the ul- liams decided to lie about? to the polls in 2006 and 2008 and ended the up. Then, after public outcry, the network timate goal of news is ratings. The kind of Jon Stewart and The Daily Show were the Iraq War and broke the tired Beltway cliché stepped in and suspended Williams while “serious,” money-making reporting they’re antidote, fresh air in the poisonous media they investigate his reporting. doing, too. atmosphere. What’s been surprising about the Wil- Which is the problem. The Daily Show is, of course, primarily com- liams’ story isn’t that he lied – not a surpris- “Brian Williams didn’t have to go away be- edy. It’s a satiric send-up of a newsroom with In a time of insanity, it ing end to a job that’s only part journalist, cause he lied,” said HBO Real Time host Bill over-the-top reports from far-flung corre- and mostly celebrity. “We want our anchors Maher in a recent opening monologue. “He spondents, mocking the newsmakers and was a satire show that to be everywhere , to be impossibly famous, should have to go away because the NBC the people they report on. During the Iraq brought clarity. In a time globe-trotting, hilarious, down-to-earth, Nightly News sucks.” Williams’ and network War, the Daily Show took aim at the admin- and above all, trustworthy,” wrote The New news programming’s crime is that they de- istration’s WMD claims, its poor handling of lies and deceit, it was York Times media critic, David Carr, in his vote too much time to “car chases and bears of Iraqi reconstruction, the media’s poor last column – he, too, exiting, but from lung in swimming pools and store clerks fighting reporting through segments like, “Mess the comedy spoof that cancer, “it’s a job description that no one back” instead of real, hard news. O’Potamia,” “Guantanamo Baywatch,” and told the truth. can match.” “Delivering the news is a sacred responsi- “Crisis in Israfghyianonanaq.” No, what’s surprising is that so many of bility,” said Maher. “It is telling us the im- The show weighed evidence against rhet- Williams’ television and reporting peers cir- portant things we need to know. It shouldn’t oric, and was one of the few outlets on tele- cle around the man. be a race to the bottom over who can attract vision where you could find some honest that you can’t count on young voters. (They The New Yorker’s Ryan Lizza tweeted a more eyeballs with titillation. If it is, let’s get commentary. didn’t show up for McGovern back in ‘72!) link to a piece on false memories, urging it over with and show porn in the last seg- And it was one of Stewart’s correspondents In a time of insanity, it was a satire show his followers to read it “before you crucify ment.” – Stephen Colbert, who had gotten his own that brought clarity. In a time of lies and de- [Williams].” A sentiment echoed by other And this gutless, money-driven, avoid-dif- show – who made probably the most famous ceit, it was the comedy spoof that told the reporters and columnists. “We all make bad ficult-questions kind of reporting was at its and important stand-up routine at the 2006 truth. The Daily Show wasn’t alone in its re- mistakes,” said MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough worst during – you got it! – the Iraq War. White House Correspondents’’ Dinner, lam- porting – there was Sy Hersh, Frontline, and on-air, “let him who is without sin cast the Back in the early 2000s when the Bush basting George Bush’s anti-intellectualism, McClatchy News, among others – but it was first stone.” administration casually and baldly plant- his poll numbers, the disaster of Iraq – while funny as hell and influential as hell, and it Williams, by this narrative, was being driv- ed stories of Iraqi WMDs duly reported by Bush himself sat ten feet away, glowering! helped preserve journalism. en out by an unruly mob of jealous nobodies the mainstream press, when whispers of And the assembled Beltway media gasping, Brian Williams? We won’t even remember on Twitter. Williams is the victim! torture and rendition and domestic spying or lapsing into silence! he was there. Jon Stewart? I can’t help feel- But his lie seems too apparent. He “misre- leaked but went largely uninvestigated, and You had to be there, you had to have en- ing U.S. democracy will die a little with his membered” getting shot down in a helicop- when the tanks rolled in the desert chased dured four years of insane propaganda to departure. ter? What’s more likely is that the anchor by the press corps, the mainstream media understand how refreshing, how exhila- embellished his stories partly as self-pro- took on the role of cheerleader, stenogra- rating it was to hear Colbert criticize Bush Jay Stevens can be contacted at Jay@ motion, and partly to add lurid detail to sell pher, and videographer for the government and the press to their faces. The mainstream ErieReader.com, and you can follow his broadcasts. Isn’t that against the ethics and military. press and Bush administration had colluded him on Twitter @SnevetsYaj.

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 5 NEWS & OPINION

lephants in Love: (1) India TV other users to design hypotheses 37 journals, 17 quickly accepted staff had departed. When Pacifici News of the Weird Ereported in January that a wild and visual representations of the it, some feigning actually having and four associates crawled out male elephant from an adjoining data in ways that might improve his read it, with the only catch being through a window, security offi- By: Chuck Shepherd sanctuary had broken into the Nan- relationship with his alimentary that Shrime would have to pay a cers spotted them, provoking the dan Kanan zoo in Odisha, wildly canal. According to the data-anal- standard $500 fee for publication. New York magazine headline, besotted with a female, Heera. The ysis website FiveThirtyEight.com, Shrime warned that some of the "Polish Police Detained a Jewish Weird News You Can Use male cast aside two other females the "researcher" used the standard journals have titles dangerously Leader Trying to Escape Aus- t turns out that a person having trying to protect Heera and mated "Bristol stool scale" (seven catego- close to highly respected journals chwitz." [The Smoking Gun, 1-14- Ia heart attack is usually safer with her. The male lingered over- ries of excreta, by shape and con- and cautions journalist (and read- 2015] [New York, 1-28-2015] to be in an ambulance headed to night until zookeepers could shoo sistency) "and produced interesting er) skepticism. [Fast Company, 1-27- a hospital than to already be a pa- him away. (2) A frisky male ele- hypotheses in the ensuing Reddit 2015] Least Competent Criminals tient in a hospital, according to a phant crushed four cars in 10 days conversation." [FiveThirtyEight. wo men remain at large after study by University of North Car- in January at Thailand's Khao Yai com, 1-25-2015] [Reddit.com/user/ Wait, What? Tstealing an ATM from Casino olina researchers. It takes longer, National Park — the result, said a captainmercedes] s. Meng Wang filed a lawsuit Calgary in Calgary, Alberta, in Jan- on average, for non-ER hospital park veterinarian, of the stress of Mrecently in New York City uary. They had smashed through staff to comply with hospital pro- the mating season. (Only the last Suspicions Confirmed against Gildan Outerwear over her glass front doors, unbolted the tocols in ordering and evaluating of the four cars was occupied, but (1) A January examination disappointment with Kushyfoot machine, put it on a dolly and tests (nearly three hours, accord- no injuries were serious.) [India TV — of New York City records Shaping Tights. In television ads, rolled it to a waiting car (though ing to the study) than it does for ER News, 1-1-2015] [The Nation (Bang- through NYC Open Data found that Wang wrote, a young model sa- it briefly toppled over onto one of (and ambulance) staff, who treat kok) via 9News (Sydney), 1-12-2015] the five most common first names shays down a city street with her the culprits). Managers told police every case of cardiac symptoms as of taxicab drivers licensed by the eyes dreamily closed and "moans the ATM was empty, disabled and life-threatening. Overall, according hile nearly all Americans city are five variations in the spell- and utters highly sexually charged scheduled to be moved to another to a February Wall Street Journal re- Wenjoy low gasoline prices, ing of the name "Mohammed." (2) phrases" "including 'That's the spot' location later that day. A Calgary port, the study found the mortality residents of sea-locked Alaskan The last McDonald's burger to be and 'so good' ... passersby (stop) police officer expressed bemuse- rate for heart-attack victims treated towns (Barrow, Kotzebue, Nome, sold in Iceland before the chain in their tracks to look at her with ment at the city's recent ATM in emergency rooms is 4 percent, Ketchikan) have continued to pay abandoned the country in 2009 mouths agape." Wang said the smash-and-grab epidemic, since compared to 40 percent for patients their same hefty prices ($7 a gallon, has been on open display at the Na- ad clearly implies that the tights the machines are hard to unbolt, already admitted for other reasons according to one January report on tional Museum of Iceland and was produce an orgasmic sensation of hard to open and emptied several and then suffering heart attacks. Alaska Dispatch News). Though the recently moved to the Bus Hostel in some sort, wrote Gothamist.com, times a day. "It's a very ineffective [Wall Street Journal, 2-3-2015] price in Anchorage and Fairbanks Reykjavik, "still in good condition," but that she, herself, has come up way to make a living." [National resembles that in the rest of Amer- according to the hostel manager. empty. [Gothamist.com, 1-14-2015] Post, 1-29-2015] The Continuing Crisis ica, unconnected towns can be "Some people have even stolen h-Oh: The man hospitalized in supplied only during a four-month some of the fries." [Daily Mail (Lon- Cliches Come to Life nwise Robbery Target: Po- Ufair condition in January after breather from icy sea conditions don), 1-14-2015] [Iceland Review, argaretta Evans, 63, finally Ulice in Champaign, Illinois, being rammed from behind by a and thus received their final winter 1-28-2015] Mreported her missing son to charged Clayton Dial, 23, with car while on his bicycle happened shipments last summer. The price the Myrtle Beach (South Carolina) robbery on New Year's night, for to be Darryl Isaacs, 50, one of the the supplier was forced to pay then arvard University medical Police Department in January. She carrying a pellet gun into the most ubiquitously advertising per- dictates pump prices until around Hresearcher Mark Shrime said Jason Callahan, who would Kamakura Japanese restaurant sonal-injury lawyers in Louisville, May or June. [Alaska Dispatch documented recently how easi- be 38, had been missing since and demanding money from the Kentucky. Isaacs calls himself the News, 1-2-2015] ly made-up research can wind up "early June of 1995" when he left hostess. However, he fled quickly "Heavy Hitter" and the "Kentucky in reputable-sounding academic home to follow the Grateful Dead when chef Tetsuji Miwa walked Hammer" for his aggressiveness on The Ever-Valuable Internet journals — by submitting an article on tour in California and Illinois. over, holding his large sushi behalf of, among other clients, vic- n January, "Captain Mercedes," a composed by random-generating (2) Riccardo Pacifici, described as knife. "He saw the blade," Miwa tims of traffic collisions. The (soon- Iregistered user of the Reddit.com text software, supposedly about the head of Rome's Jewish com- said later, and "started running." to-be-poorer) driver told police the social media site, announced he "the surgical and neoplastic role munity, was accidentally trapped (Miwa and two co-workers gave sun got in his eyes. [Associated had compiled a data file catalogu- of cacao extract in breakfast cere- while visiting the Auschwitz pris- chase and held him for police.) Press via WKYT-TV (Lexington), ing every bowel movement he had als" (and authored by "Pinkerton on death camp in January on Ho- [News-Gazette (Champaign), 1-1- 1-27-2015] in 2014 and was offering the file to A. LeBrain and Orson Welles"). Of locaust Remembrance Day, after 2015]

JUST TOYIN’ WITCHA — BY: B. TOY

6 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February18, 2015 Feel good again with exercise

NOW OFFERING

Ne xt Steps a collection of fitness programs designed for individuals Take the transitioning from or managing a medical condition or for those simply needing additional support next step to improved health by joining today!

9 SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS ALL 8WEEK PROGRAMS OFFER Cancer Fitness Cardiac Fitness Diabetes Fitness Unlimited, full access to the center Functional Fitness Orthopedic Fitness Pre-Hab Fitness Pre- and post-assessments Pulmonary Fitness Transitional Care Weight Management Supervised sessions twice per week with credentialed fitness specialists Optional transition to membership with free Programs are open to the community. Physician referral required. enrollment after program

LEARN MORE

(814) 868-7800 5401 Peach Street LECOMWELLNESS.com Erie, PA 16509

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 7 THAT WAS THEN

We started with one man’s passion for technology and expanded to a small team of enthusiastic employees. Armed with a cabinet of dial-up modems and the promise of constant change, we delivered Internet service to thousands of homes and businesses in the region.

Since the early ‘90s, Velocity Network has been leading the charge, bringing every new viable technology to our area, and keeping Northwest Pennsylvania ahead of the technology curve.

THIS IS NOW Still locally-owned and managed, Velocity Network has grown to become the region’s premier fiber-optic Internet service provider for the business community. Our sta‡ of 50+ also provides businesses with comprehensive IT support and robust telecommunications solutions.

SO WHAT’S NEXT? We are planning to deliver the next generation of advancements via a new technology facility to deploy a gigabit fiber-optic community—delivering a breakthrough technology that will dramatically change the way you connect and bring the world into your home. With speeds up to 100 times faster than any current Internet connection technology—a fiber connection in your home will make every part of your life faster and more productive.

Live, work, and play at the speed of light. So you, your home, and our community can move ahead. Find out more at www.connecttothefuture.net

8 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 18, 2015 BUSINESS IMAGINE Erie isn’t necessarily the place Lai thought her WHAT YOU Tech Entrepreneurs Find a Happy Home in Erie company would end up after launching in State Col- COULD DO WITH lege, but she’s glad it did. Meet the husband-and-wife team behind AcousticSheep “We reached out to the same business resources in INTERNET State College as we have here, but those were really THIS FAST By: Jim Wertz more focused on the students,” Lai says. “People say that Erie isn’t keeping up. I think that Erie is really e’re going to be in all of the ma- making a good effort. Coming from the State Col- jor stores,” says Dr. Wei-Shin lege area, I’d say that Erie has much more to offer. “WLai, CEO of AcousticSheep, LLC. There wasn’t anything like the Erie Technology In- That’s her ten-year plan for the Erie-based cubator, which is based at a university, but it’s not company that produces SleepPhones and for students. There’s a lot of mentorship going on RunPhones, two products that are revolution- here – I have a mentorship team and I’m part of a 1 Gb/sec izing the headphone sector of the consumer mentorship team.” electronics industry. For the record, that’s not “The team” seems important to Lai as she talks just standard hyperbole of corporate portrai- about the evolution of SleepPhones as a brand and ture. The statement is industry-endorsed. AcousticSheep as a company. Since 2013 AcousticSheep has been recog- It began with teamwork in her kitchen. From nized each year at the International Consum- there, Lai and Wolfe hired a team of seamstresses er Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas for its to sew the headbands. When it came time to get innovation, design, and engineering. serious about product distribution, they looked In 2013, Lai received the Governor’s Entre- for someone to join the team and oversee ware- preneur ImPAct Award, and the following house operations. They struggled to find the right year, she was awarded the Export Impact person as well as the right location. That’s when Award of the Governor’s ImPAct Awards for they turned to Wolfe’s brother, Jeff. increasing export sales and tapping into new He had experience and he was interested in the foreign markets. opportunity, but he lived in Erie. So AcousticSheep “Last year, we sold close to 130,000 piec- came to him. Now Lai and the Wolfe brothers are es, and we’ve had double-digit growth every at the central command of a company that deliv- CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS year,” Lai says. ers product to almost every continent. That growth didn’t come easily. One wall of the brightly colored, but otherwise Lai and her husband, Jason Wolfe, modest, office space, a map of the world is dotted AcousticSheep’s Chief Technology with fluorescent stickers marking locations where Officer, made the first 500 units by SleepPhones or RunPhones have shipped. hand in their kitchen. She sewed the “We have a few international sales agents, one headbands from fabric purchased at in the UK that handles Europe and another one a Joann Fabrics and he soldered the based in the UAE that handles the Middle East, Af- earpieces and wiring with electronics rica, and Asia. He’s helping us work on Japan right purchased from a catalog. now. Japan’s a tough market to crack,” Lai notes. “I made the first few by hand,” Lai re- She’d also like to expand into Brazil, but recogniz- called. “Then Jason bought me a sew- es that as another difficult market to break into. ing machine for my birthday.” It’s also difficult to get shelf space in major retail SleepPhones cost twice as much then outlets, and that’s where Lai has focused her atten- as they do today because they were tion. SleepPhones sell well online, but according handmade. With one sewing machine to industry experts, only 20 percent of electronics and two sets of hands, it took them six are purchased online. The other 80 percent are months to fill the first 500 orders. purchased in brick and mortar locations. That was seven years ago in State Col- “To make it as a headphone company, we need lege where, by day, Wolfe worked as a to be in Best Buy, Target, or WalMart. To be rec- software developer and Lai worked as ognized as a brand, we need to be in one of those a physician in the student health center. three stores,” says Lai. Her experience in family medicine inspired Lai to Above: Dr. Wei-shin Lai, CEO of As I listened to the AcousticSheep elevator create SleepPhones. As a family doctor, she was on AcousticSheep, and her husband Jason speech, I couldn’t help but feel like the tone and call every fourth night and frequently received mid- Wolfe, Chief Technology Office. Below: tempo were similar to that of a winning pitch on night emergency phone calls. When she struggled AcousticSheep’s SleepPhones. the television show Shark Tank. But when I posed to fall back to sleep, her husband suggested she try the question of investors to tap into the markets neural beats – sounds designed specifically to pro- she wants to enter, Lai rejected that notion. 10 Mb/sec mote relaxation and sleep. But regular headphones It’s not the kind of product you necessarily think “Whatever we've made in profit we keep reinvest- were bulky and only allowed her to sleep on her of when someone says it’s the unique offering of a ing in the company and we’re going to keep grow- back. Earbuds were better, but if you’ve ever worn “tech startup.” ing in that way. We’ve found our way through the them for an extended period of time you know that Indeed, at AcousticSheep’s headquarters and ware- process, asking a lot of questions and not being they can cause pain and discomfort in your ear. So house in EBCO Park, there are few overt signs of afraid to ask questions. You think of business as Lai searched for a better solution. That’s when she “tech.” A handful of employees saddle workstations being more cutthroat, but unethical businesses created SleepPhones, a soft fleece headband with tackling everything from sales to customer service, can’t survive. It’s only the ones that give some- flat speakers pocketed inside. to graphic design. SleepPhones and RunPhones thing of value to the world that are going to make It’s a seemingly simple solution, but there was are assembled by hand and every box is packaged, it. As a doctor, I feel like I’m helping more people nothing like it. This January, Wired magazine called packed, and shipped by people working in Erie. now than I ever did one-on-one as a family physi- it one of the “coolest things at CES.” AcousticSheep has ten full-time employees in Erie cian.” Lai says customers and former patients who tried and an equal number of part-time and seasonal em- the product stopped taking sleeping pills once used ployees that help fill holiday orders and the boost Jim Wertz can be contacted at jWertz@ to cope with insomnia and, in some cases, a snoring that comes from press like it received during this ErieReader.com, and you can follow spouse. year’s Consumer Electronics Show. him on Twitter @Jim_Wertz. Leading Competitor Leading

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 9 BECOME A LEADER

Inspire change This is not about management; it’s about leadership. It’s about building relationships, aligning employees and producing results. We’re here to teach you how to become a motivated, driving force at any level, in any field. Call to learn more — you’re one step closer to earning a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership (MSOL).

“I became a better leader from the GET THE preeminent center for leadership education. Anyone can become 24 hour SER EXPERIENCE. a better problem solver and SAVE VICE motivator, all while working toward improving your leadership skills.” Lindsay Cox `14 10% CALL NOW AND RECEIVE 10% OFF CALL NOW! THE ENTIRE BILL FOR YOUR NEXT MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR CALL. 459-8255 PRESENT TO TECHNICIAN AT TIME FREE ESTIMATES OF SERVICE [email protected] FOR NEW FURNACES! (EXCLUDES NEW INSTALLATIONS) 814-824-2297 mercyhurst.edu/graduate Like us on and visit us at www.KeepHeating.com My Humans Are

Offer Getting Married! valid thru March 31, 2015 500 Stag-N-Drag & 1,000 50/50 Tickets 814-833-0517 ONLY Store Hours: Mon - Sat 10-6 $80.00! Tickets are printed in black ink only on your choice of 65# color cardstock. 3 OR Numbering on tickets will be extra. 20% MORE Go Ask Alice! 814-833-9020 OFF ITEMS Presque Isle 4523 W. Ridge Road Erie, PA 16506 *SOME EXCEPTIONS APPLY EXPIRES 03/03/2015 Printing Services

www.presqueisleprinting.com @GoAskAlice08 10 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 18, 2015 NEWS & OPINION

Considering the City ing by or ignore them. They may read, says that well-used porches transform the play a guitar or just sit quietly. Regardless, residents themselves into the “safeguards Porch Protection research shows that their porch presence of the neighborhood.” contributes to a sense of safety to everyone Wonderful projects, like the Summer 2014 By: Civitas Members Lisa Austin and Stephen Sonnenberg walking down the street, riding a bike, or “Porch Fest” (featuring live music on West pushing a stroller. Seventh Street porches and stoops), should ay Gindroz, co-founder of Pittsburgh’s The New Urbanist co-authors of be repeated. In addition, neighborhood Urban Design Associates, claims that The New Civic Art: Elements of Town watch groups could volunteer to shore up Rurban safety is a fundamental prob- Planning Andres Duany, Elizabeth sagging porches. A member of City Coun- lem facing cities today. “No one wants to Plater-Zyberk, and Robert Almi- cil could legislate a program to incentivize live, work, start a business, or shop in a city,” nana jointly noted that porches porch repairs on rental properties. Gindroz says, “unless it’s safe.” positively impact street-life by pro- All these efforts will help create a safer city. One way Erie can become safer is by build- viding “the passerby with a glimpse ing, repairing, and using front porches. of the private life of the residents.” Eyes on the Street David Sucher, in his book, City Com- Jane Jacobs, the self-taught urban-plan- forts, says that “people like to walk Porches served as a place where ning critic, gained fame with her 1961 book, together.” He describes a universal residents cooled off during The Death and Life of American Cities, in custom – a “social stroll” – that in- summer months. The comings which she coined the phrase “eyes on the volves, “watching other people, and street” to describe how – from windows being watched, and chatting.” and goings of neighbors and and porches – people enjoy watching other In our inner-city neighborhoods strangers entertained those people on the sidewalks and streets in the couples, parents and children, and seated on their porches. public realm. Jacobs noted that the passive many folks with dogs on leashes observations of residents resulted in an in- take an after-dinner stroll around creased measure of security for everyone. the block – even in winter. Over When placed in a semi-protected spot, time, the dozens of short interac- Partnering for a Safer City seating attracts people. While sitting on tions (a wave, a greeting, a hand- Gindroz, who taught urban design at Yale CONTRIBUTED PHOTO our own porches, we have been asked for shake) build trust – and community. for twenty years, noted that good urban and directions, about a lost dog, to purchase Porch Architecture architectural design (including porches) fundraising tickets, and to attend football Urban safety is a fundamental Porches, separate from the main buildings, is “known to be an essential component of games. Porches, functioning as transitional problem facing cities. Porches — and usually have their own roofs that are held urban safety.” But, Gindroz warns, “design private-public spaces, encourage casual in- the protection they can bring — are an up by some kind of vertical element: un- alone… is powerless.” teractions. answer to that problem. finished 4 x 4 posts, or carved and painted Gindroz reports that safe cities require “a Porch History wooden columns, or – an Erie specialty – ta- partnership” among four different groups: These elevated, covered spaces that project pered brick supports. Designers, community leaders, residents, from apartment houses, duplexes, and sin- those seated on their porches. By the mid- Some Erie porches are architecturally sig- and community-based police. gle-family homes have complex ancestry. 20th century, television (and air condition- nificant. Trott described a home on the 500 While Erie has many involved community Dhiru A. Thadani, writing in The Language ing) moved people inside. Erie architect block of West Eighth Street as a “classic leaders, residents, and police, designers are of Towns and Cities, explains that “the lin- Adam J. Trott reports that the “popularity masonry building” with a “unique cast iron missing from this partnership. In the face eage of the American porch can be traced of the back(yard) deck” further reduced “life porch façade … (that) desperately needs of gun violence, working with designers . . . from the Ancient Greek stoa to the Re- on the street.” cleaning, repair, prep and painting.” and saving porches may seem like a foolish naissance loggia to Thomas Jefferson’s por- But Erie Zoning Hearing Board’s Jacque- Sadly, too many facades in Erie include the distraction. But protecting porches (and tico at Monticello” and from “West African line Spry notes that 35 years ago, the New ghost roofline of former porches or bricked- engaging the expertise of an urban design- vernacular to the Caribbean gallerie to the Urbanism movement began bringing life in second-floor doorways (once leading to a er) needs to be a part of Erie’s urban safety piazzas of the American South.” This inter- back to the street in new developments, second-floor porch). Owners – often those strategy. national ancestry is appropriate to our “im- such as Seaside, Fla. New Urbanists built of rental properties – choose to tear off migrant nation.” homes closer to the street and always in- porches instead of repairing them. Civitas members can be reached at Almost always added to the front of Amer- cluded a front porch to provide “a place Urban Safety & the Porch their website www.civitaserie.com, via ican homes from 1800-1940, porches served where people met and talked to each other.” Spry says that her studies in urban plan- Facebook at CivitasErie, by emailing Lisa@ as a place where residents cooled off during Public realm & Social Strolls ning taught her how a front porch can “ig- civitaserie.com, or by scheduling a Friday summer months. The comings and goings While sitting on the porch residents can nite” the social energy of the house and morning meeting at the Civitas office in of neighbors and strangers entertained choose whether to talk to someone walk- “connect it to the life on the street.” Spry the Masonic Building, 32 W. Eighth St

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 11 FEATURE LIZ VENUTO

Director of LifeThruMusic Corey Cook (background, left) believes peer-to- LifeThruMusic peer support is extremely important Education In The Key of Life in music and music education. extremely impressive – so much so that I By: Dan Schank assume he's been playing since he was old enough to get his hands around the sticks. ninety-minute sessions each week, on Mon- necessary to keep young people interested. Not so, it turns out – this is just his third year am Smith's hit song “Stay With Me” days, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The first Once Sam Smith has been demystified, of drumming. There's a power and profes- was written in the key of C major. half of the class follows a traditional lecture the students break into smaller groups. Six- sionalism to the performance that stands in This is one of the first things I learn format, with Cook and others offering di- teen-year-old Victoria Duck and eighteen- S stark contrast to the young kid I see before when I arrive at East High School in Erie on rect instruction to everyone. Later, smaller year-old Nina Arrington stay with Cook at me. He's got natural talent, and he seems to a chilly January afternoon. I've dropped by groups splinter off for more intimate men- the piano for more advanced instruction. have found good people to help him devel- for a firsthand introduction to LifeThruMu- torship. Together, they iron out the basics of a sur- op it. Which is great, since he also wants to sic, a local mentoring program directed by As we're gathered around the piano, Cook prisingly wholesome Nicki Minaj ballad pursue music in college (eventually). musician Corey Cook. explains the mechanics behind “Stay With called “Grand Piano.” Four or five students Corey Cook considers the relationship be- It's a Monday afternoon, classes have just Me” through a number system designed to gather to watch, commenting and joking tween Stanton and Thompson essential to ended, and about fifteen students gath- translate its melody into multiple keys. Ac- occasionally. But mostly listening. LifeThruMusic's vision. Growing up, five er around an electric piano in the school's cording to Cook, this is essential because “if As they get to work, I follow seven- of his close friends helped him sharpen band room. Cook asks if anyone has a song you learn how to play something one way, teen-year-old Daniel Stanton to the gym's his own skills, and they all became profes- they'd like to learn how to play. A few teens you have to learn how to play it twelve dif- storage room where drum instruction sional musicians as adults. Accordingly, take out their phones, load up tracks, and ferent ways” as well. Through this system, takes place. As LifeThruMusic's peer tutor, Cook believes that “peer-to-peer support is offer suggestions. Smith's “Stay With Me” is he provides a brief overview of scale sys- Stanton focuses on “different strokes, time extremely important in music. Sometimes one of them. Cook doesn't take long to intuit tems and chord progressions as well. signatures, and the basic fundamentals of when it's just with a private instructor, it can the basic melody, and uses it to teach them By the end of the tutorial, I understand how drumming.” He's been playing the instru- only take you so far. Having other students about keys and charts. an MP3 on a cell phone can translate into a ment for about fourteen years, and plans on push you – and a teacher as well – is very ef- LifeThruMusic has provided free music in- fully realized piano melody – and how that studying to become a professional musician fective.” struction to local kids at East High for about melody can be played in a number of keys when he gets to college. Stanton tells me Next to the band room, a group of seven a year and a half now. But the program isn’t depending on mood or preference. Since my that he's been accepted to two universities students gather in one of East High's three exclusive to East High attendees – in fact, el- most recent piano lessons concluded in the already, and is waiting to hear from a third. practice spaces to work with LifeThruMusic ementary school students (grades four and late ‘80s, I can assure you this is not because Once we arrive at the drum set, a ten-year- Supervisor India Henderson on songwrit- up) are also invited to attend. The young I'm an adept learner. It's because Cook is a old he's been working with named Malaki ing. Henderson encourages them to “think people meet in the mid-afternoon for three strong teacher with the focus and patience Thompson gives us a demonstration. It's

12 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February18, 2015 IS TODAY THE DAY YOU IGNITE YOUR FUTURE? FORTIS offers programs in LIZ VENUTO the following areas: Nursing • Medical/Dental Information Technology Business • Skilled Trades Cosmetology

IGNITE YOUR FUTURE CALL 1.855.445.3276 TEXT “IGNITE” TO 367847 FORTIS.EDU

FORTIS INSTITUTE 5757 WEST 26TH STREET, ERIE, PA 16506 Financial Aid Available for those who qualify. Career Placement Assistance for all graduates. For consumer information, visit Fortis.edu.

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 13 FEATURE LIZ VENUTO

Director of LifeThruMusic being lead by Alex Staley, a fifteen-year old Corey Cook (background, with impressive musical skills and a beauti- left) believes peer-to- ful voice. Despite his best efforts, everyone is struggling to keep a straight face and the peer support is extremely song is frequently interrupted by laughter. important in music and No one seems to mind. Some are taking the music education. music seriously, and some are just goofing around. But everyone seems to be having a going to need to know that en- trepreneurship is an option for them.” With the new programming in mind, I ask Cook about the fu- LifeThruMusic has ture of LifeThruMusic. He has practical goals, like acquiring provided free music equipment upgrades and gain- ing access to a permanent stu- instruction to local dio space. Some of his priorities are more ambitious: “My five- kids at East High for year plan is to expand through- out the state. We already have about a year and a an operation in the works in Harrisburg, and in Pittsburgh half now. as well... We're hoping to fran- chise [the program] and branch creatively and write songs that are positive.” shines through on “You’re Special,” which it out across the state.” The Har- When asked about content, she says they was professionally recorded with LifeThru- risburg project will consist of a small-scale great time. typically deal with personal experiences – Music and can be purchased on iTunes for music production program set to begin in This final scene reminds me of my own “things they've been through, things that $0.99. October. LifeThruMusic has hired a local high school days. As the teens struggle to are going on now, and how we move on and Henderson, who has known Cook since producer Justin Williams to invite six stu- make their way through a casual, giggly get past things.” childhood, began her work with LifeThru- dents into a real recording studio, where rendition of a familiar song, I remember Under Henderson's supervision, the stu- Music through an internship at Gannon he'll show them what they'll need to get how music helped me to cultivate my own dents composed a song about bullying University. When she completed her degree started in the industry. adolescent friendships. It occurs to me that called “You're Special.” It’s a catchy R&B in Entrepreneurship, she was so inspired by By 5 p.m., the session is drawing to a close a real sense of community is developing track, pairing a somber piano melody with the work they were doing that she decided and people are starting to pack things up. here, and LifeThruMusic is making it pos- lively electronic beats. The hooks wouldn’t to make a more long-term commitment. As I'm asking Cook my final questions, I sible. be out of place on a Rihanna album, but the Currently, she’s building a program through hear music coming from one of the practice lyrics speak more directly to the anxieties LifeThruMusic designed to encourage teens rooms. Eventually, the two of us walk over to For more information about LifeThruMusic, teens face in high school. Henderson urges to “get familiar with a business plan” to see what's going on. visit them online at: lifethrumusic.org her students to think of the songs as “love make their music marketable. Henderson A core group of students have gathered letters to themselves,” and to use writing sees a lot of talent at the after-school ses- around a piano for an impromptu sing-along Dan Schank can be contacted at as a tool of empowerment. That message sions, but she realizes that the students “are to “If I Ain't Got You” by Alicia Keys. They're [email protected]

14 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February18, 2015 Renaissance Centre

Call for a tour today! 814.451.1110

We’re bringing WWW.PDAINC.US New Orleans to Erie for one fabulous party at the Erie Art Museum.

Do you know someone mARTi gras under 40 who is shaping Masquerade the future of Erie?

February 21, 2015 • 7 to 11 p.m. nominate them by sending an email to [email protected]. $50/person Please include a brief description and Proceeds benefit the Erie Art Museum. contact information. All nominations must be recieved For Tickets: call (814)459 - 5477• erieartmuseum.org by February 28th. February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 15 OUR FREE GAIT ANALYSIS WILL HELP YOU 2309 W 12th Street FIND THE SHOE Erie, PA 16505 THAT’S RIGHT Family. Friends. 814-871-6320 FOR YOU! Community. www.achillesrunning.us

Cam El-Farouki, Agent We’re all in this together. 15% OFF 3319 W 26th Street State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That’s one reason Min. $50 purchase of Running & Walking Specialties Erie, PA 16506 any reg. priced item. Bus: 814-833-6663 why I’m proud to support The Erie Reader! the ultimate medical & technical ® Not valid with any other offers or specials. www.teamerie.com Get to a better State . running & walking shop Expires 3/3/ 2015 Running & Walking Shoes • Apparel • Accessories We actually fit you for shoes! 1211007 State Farm, Bloomington, IL

16 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 18, 2015 CALENDAR

Meet The Addams Family St. facebook.com/ Feb. 24 —7 p.m. Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. sherlocksparkplace. Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth presqueisledowns.com. ou know the Addams Family. They’re creepy and St. erieartmuseum.org. Ythey’re kooky. Mysterious, one could even say. The Groove Jack Stevenson Spooky. They’re perhaps the last group of people any Feb. 21 — 9 p.m. 2Blue w/ Dave Feb. 27 — 6 to 9 p.m. “normal” human being would want to be associated The Oasis Pub, 3122 W. VanAmburg The Ugly Tuna Tavern, with. Unless, of course, that person is in love. Lake Rd. 833.1212. Feb. 26 — 6 to 9 p.m. 1010 Peninsula Dr. uglytunatavern.com. Enter Wednesday Addams. Yes, the morose, maca- Victor’s Restaurant, The bre, “ultimate princess of darkness” has grown up, Next of Kin Bel Aire Clarion, 2800 Feb. 21 — 6 to 9 p.m. W. 8 St. jazzerie.com. Old School fallen in love, and is faced with the unsavory task of Feb. 27 — 9 p.m. introducing her charming, respectable, normal boy- Doc Holliday’s Country Bar, 7425 Schultz Rd. 868.3627. Coney Island Rock Sherlocks, 508 State friend to her family. What could go wrong? ‘n Roll Roadshow St. facebook.com/ You’ll have to check out Erie Playhouse’s production ShadySide Feb. 26 — 8 p.m. sherlocksparkplace. of the musical comedy The Addams Family to find out. Feb. 21 — 6 to 9 p.m. King’s Rook Club, 1921 Tropidelic The show opened Valentine’s Day weekend, because Sprague Farm & Brew Peach St. facebook. nothing says love like a severed hand gracing your Works, 22113 U.S. 6, Venango com/kingsrookclub. Feb. 27 — 9 p.m.

TIMLIFE MAGAZINE dinner table. sleepingchainsaw.com. King’s Rook Club, 1921 But back to Wednesday for a moment, the poor girl. American Ride Peach St. facebook. Special Guest com/kingsrookclub. Nothing, nothing, nothing is more nerve-wracking than the idea of your significant other Feb. 27 — 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 21 — 10 p.m. meeting your parents. It’s long been a storytelling trope, from La Cage aux Folles to Meet Doc Holliday’s Country Bar, Chris Higbee The Empty Keg, 129 Erie 7425 Schultz Rd. 868.3627. the Parents to that one time my partner left me alone in a room with his mother 15 minutes St., Edinboro. 734.1221. Feb. 28 — 9 p.m. after meeting her … We’re digressing. Chris Higbee Presque Isle Downs But, like most problems, it’s best to face these things head-on – with nothing short of an This American Song, Feb. 27 — 9 p.m. Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. presqueisledowns.com. Addams-hosted dinner at their beloved mansion for Wednesday, her boyfriend, and her Liquid Nixon Presque Isle Downs boyfriend’s parents. It’s an evening that will change both families forever, and the question Feb. 21 — 9 p.m. Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. The I-90s remains – will Wednesday and her boyfriend make it? King’s Rook Club, 1921 presqueisledowns.com. Feb. 28 — 9 p.m. Well, with role models like Gomez and Morticia (beacons of true, undying love), my mon- Peach St. facebook. Sherlock’s, 508 State ey’s on yes. But find out for yourself – the Erie Playhouse’s run of (the altogether ooky) The com/kingsrookclub. Eric Brewer and Claire Stuczynski St. facebook.com/ Addams Family goes until March. — Sara Toth sherlocksparkplace. Cootie Harris Jazz Jam Feb. 27 — 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 19 to Feb 22; Feb. 25 to March 1; evening performances at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 22 — 2 to 4 p.m. Docksider’s, 1015 State St. Lydia Marks Trio facebook.com/Docksiderbar. matinees at 2 p.m. // 13 W. 10th St. // 454.2852 or EriePlayhouse.org Gardner Theater, 910 Feb. 28 — 6 to 9 p.m. Market St., Meadville. Ancor In, 3122 W. Lake artsmeadville.org. Frank Singer Duo w/ Phil Papotnik Rd. jazzerie.com. MUSIC Feb. 20 — 9 p.m. 1010 Peninsula Dr. Corey Wilkes at The Feb. 27 — 6 to 9 p.m. Max Schang uglytunatavern.com. The Oasis Pub, 3122 W. Erie Art Museum Anchor In, 3122 W. Lake Feb. 28 — 6 to 9 p.m. 2Blue w/ Dave Lake Rd. 833.1212. Feb. 23 — noon Rd. jazzerie.com. Next of Kin Sprague Farm & Brew VanAmburg Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth Works, 22113 U.S. 6, Venango Feb. 20 — 6 to 9 p.m. Geeks Unplugged Feb. 19 — 6 to 9 p.m. Chris Mathers St. erieartmuseum.org. sleepingchainsaw.com. Feb. 27 — 5 to 7 p.m. Victor’s Restaurant, The Feb. 20 — 5 to 7 p.m. Doc Holliday’s Country Bar, Bel Aire Clarion, 2800 Presque Isle Downs 7425 Schultz Rd. 868.3627 Ethnic Heritage Ensemble Presque Isle Downs The Mucklebuck W. 8 St. jazzerie.com. Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. presqueisledowns.com. Red w/ 3 Years Hollow Beer Pong Tourney and Seven Circle Sunrise Dave Callaghan Quartet Dancing Beyond Words: Mercyhust Ballet w/ DJ Henry GQ Feb. 20 — 6 p.m. Theatre and SoMar Partner Again Feb. 19 — 9 p.m. Feb. 20 — 6 to 9 p.m. Basement Transmissions, Sherlocks, 508 State Wegman’s Cafeteria, 6143 145 W. 11 St. rt is ancient. From the dawn of man, expression has been St. facebook.com/ Peach St. jazzerie.com. basementtransmissions.com. Aan integral part of humanity. And before there were oil sherlocksparkplace. paints, grand pianos, or even an inkwell and parchment, there Enter Erotica - A Small Town Revolution was the body and there was dance. Feb. 20 — 9 p.m. Colony Club House Band Multimedia Experience It’s fitting then that Beyond Words IV is named such. The Feb. 19 — 7 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 20 — 7:30 p.m. Presque Isle Downs fourth iteration of a partnership between Mercyhurst Ballet Colony Pub and Grille, 2670 Cathedral Prep Auditorium, Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. MIAC Theatre and SoMar Dance Works, the evenings of dance this W. 8 St. jazzerie.com. 225 W. 9 St. facebook.com/ presqueisledowns.com. eriechamberorchestra. weekend showcase the best of Erie’s resident dance companies. Crazy Friends 2Blue Saturday Night The Mercyhurst Ballet Theatre, which draws students from across the country, is for select and Cool Jazz Erie Ale House Acoustics Jazz, Pop, and More dance majors at the school and has performed in Cleveland and in Pittsburgh. SoMar Dance Feb. 19 — 5:30 p.m. Feb. 20 — 9 p.m. Feb. 21 — 6 to 9 p.m. Works, locally-based, is the brainchild of Solveig and Mark Santillano, who serve as artistic Courtyard Wineries, 10021 Erie Ale House, 1033 State St. Anchor In, 3122 W. Lake directors, choreographers, and dancers. The pair has danced their way across the globe. W. Main Rd., Northeast facebook.com/ErieAleHouse. Rd. jazzerie.com. The bottom line? This is (literally) world-class stuff – especially when you take into account courtyardwineries.com. The Breeze Band guest dancers on stage from the Liaoning Ballet Academy of China. Frank Singer Duo The performances this weekend feature ballet and contemporary dance – “contemporary” w/ Jeff Gibbens Feb. 21 — 9 p.m. AjamajA and Friends usually being the point at which some of you may say, “eh, dance just isn’t my thing.” But Superjam Feb. 20 — 6 to 9 p.m. Anchor In, 3122 W. Lake have you seen Misty Copeland in action? Have you seen Sergei Polunin (and all his tattoos!) Feb. 20 — 9 p.m. Rd. jazzerie.com. Anchor In, 3122 W. Lake dance to Hozier’s “Take Me To Church”? For that matter, have you seen Footloose? Trust me, King’s Rook Club, 1921 Rd. jazzerie.com. Peach St. facebook. Erik Bossert and Zak if you have a pulse, dance is for you. com/kingsrookclub. The High Life Thundercloud Additionally, the production includes a special, multimedia collaboration with local chil- Feb. 20 — 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 21 — 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. dren’s book author Mary Arete Moody, and “Talk Back” sessions with the dancers and chore- Big Eyed Phish Sprague Farm & Brew Basement Transmissions, ographers Friday and Saturday evening. Saturday’s evening performance benefits the city’s Feb. 20 — 9 p.m. Works, 22113 U.S. 6, Venango 145 W. 11 St. domestic violence safety network SafeNet and the dance department’s Jenni-Lyn Memorial Sherlocks, 508 State sleepingchainsaw.com. basementtransmissions.com. Scholarship Fund — so the bodies in motion are moving to good causes. — Sara Toth St. facebook.com/ French Kiss sherlocksparkplace. Kristo 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb 20/ 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 & Sunday, Feb. 21 — 9 p.m. Feb. 20 — 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 22/ 7 p.m. Saturday //501 E. 38th Street// $15/$10 Chasing Moira Sherlock’s, 508 State The Ugly Tuna Tavern, for students and seniors //mica.mercyhurst.edu

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 17 MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY BASEMENT TRANSMISSIONS 3.4 7:30 P.M. MARY D’ANGELO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

America’s oldest and most celebrated modern dance company presents an exciting new work by Andonis Foniadakis reimagining the myth of Narcissus and Echo!

Join us before the performance for a conversation on mythology and dance with Mercyhurst World History and Dance faculty. Local Bands TBA Tickets $17 Advance | $20 at Door Doors 6pm | Music 6:30pm

Drug Free | Alcohol Free | All Ages [email protected] 145 West 11th Street www.BasementTransmissions.com

2015 SEASON FRI 7PM SAT 5:30PM SAT MAR 7, 5PM $37 adults $31 seniors/students

RESERVE NOW!

Feb 27, 28 CALL 814-864-2022 March 6 & 7 OR TICKETS NOW A MURDER MYSTERY COMEDY AVAILABLE ONLINE AT *GROUP RATES AVAILABLE WWW.CANTERBURYFEAST.COM ticket price includes full dinner, show & tax 2014 -15 SEASON TICKETS: miac.mercyhurst.edu MIAC 814-824-3000 Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture This engagement of Martha Graham Dance Company is made possible through the ArtsCONNECT program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

18 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 18, 2015 CALENDAR

mARTi Gras At The Erie Art Museum Freddie Hubbard, and other straight-ahead mainstream modern jazz – maybe some soul jazz and Latin.” – Bob Protzman tart looking into the deep, old history of Sthat beautiful thing called Cajun music, 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22 // Gardner Theatre, Meadville Market and toward the modern end of the line – House, 910 Market St., Meadville // 336.5051, ArtsMeadville.org around the late 1980s, in fact – you’ll almost surely come across Steve Riley and the Ma- mou Playboys. In the stretch of time between then and now, Riley and the Playboys have put forth a Feb. 28 — 9 p.m. Presque Isle Wine Cellars, Concert Night! bounty of real music, all perfectly authentic King’s Rook Club, 1921 9440 W. Main St., North Journey and Queen East piwine.com. to its Louisiana roots, and most sung and per- Peach St. facebook. Feb. 20 — 8 p.m. com/kingsrookclub. formed in true-blue Cajun French. Erie Movie House, 3424

TIM SNELL They’ve even garnered two Grammy nomi- Refuge West Lake Road. facebook. nations – one for 1993’s Trace of Time, another Sunday Brunch at Presque com/ErieMovieHouse. Feb. 28 — 6 to 9 p.m. for 2003’s Bon Réve – in the awards’ Best Tra- Isle Wine Cellars ditional Folk Album category. Doc Holliday’s Country Bar, Feb. 22 — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Freaks and The 7425 Schultz Rd. 868.3627. Elephant Man Now, that’s the kinda band you’d want at any Mardi Gras party. Presque Isle Wine Cellars, Feb. 21 — 2 p.m. And guess what? The Erie Art Museum’s got ‘em. 9440 W. Main St., North Rogues & Reverie, East piwine.com. Erie Movie House, 3424 West The museum’s bringing the band – and plenty of other touches of New Orleans – to the Gelatin Skeleton, Red Lake Road. facebook.com/ Gem City for one sure-to-be-awesome party (for a good cause, of course) as it presents its Light Departure Tap Takeover at Molly ErieMovieHouse. mARTi Gras Masquerade on Saturday, Feb. 21. Feb. 28 — 6 p.m. Brannigan’s Feat. Erie Erie Movie House, 3424 Starting at 7 p.m. and rockin’ through 11, the Masquerade also features a parade led by Basement Transmissions, Brewing Company West Lake Road. facebook. ‘King and Queen’ Dan and Kathy Dahlkemper; authentic Cajun hors d’oeuvres; a silent auc- 145 W. 11 St. facebook.com/ Feb. 25 — 8 to 10 p.m. com/ErieMovieHouse. gimpguyunderground. tion; and toasts with awesome brews from Erie Beer and Magic Hat Brewing Company. Molly Brannigan’s Irish Pub, 506 State St. One Chance The cost to attend this 21-and-over bash is $50 per person, and proceeds benefit the Erie Endeavor and Art Museum. – Ryan Smith mollybrannigans.com. Feb. 22 — 2 p.m. Forever Cadence Taylor Little Theatre, 501 E. Mar. 1 — 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. Spraguenstein Small Saturday, Feb. 21, 7 to 11 p.m. // 20 E. Fifth St. // erieartmuseum.org 38 St. miac.mercyhurst.edu. Basement Transmissions, Batch Tasting IV 145 W. 11 St. Feb. 26 — All Day RED: Celebrating the basementtransmissions.com. Sprague Farm & Brew Best Film of 2014 Works, 22113 U.S. 6, Venango Feb. 22 — 8 p.m. Celebrating Cootie Harris DANCE sleepingchainsaw.com. and the Meadville Jazz Jams Bayfront Sheraton Hotel, 55 West Bay Road. azz jam sessions or “jams’’ Line Dancing w/ Brewer’s Cup filmsocietynwpa.org. Selleena and Corey B are about as old as the mu- Homebrewing J Feb. 18, 25, Mar. 4 — 8 p.m. sic itself. They practically date Competition Abbot and Costello: McCoy’s Barrelhouse, Africa Screams to the style’s early days in New Feb. 28 — 5 to 8 p.m. 1013 State St. The Brewerie, 123 W. 14 Feb. 27 — 7 p.m. Orleans around the turn of the mccoysbarrelhouse.com. St. brewerie.com. Erie Movie House, 3424 20th century, and they were West Lake Road. facebook. thriving by the ‘20s. Beyond Words IV FILM com/ErieMovieHouse. To a large extent, jams are Feb. 20 — 2 p.m., Feb. 21 — 2, 7 about the opportunity for less- p.m., Feb. 22 — 2 p.m. Rocky Mountain Express Pink Floyd: The Wall skilled, often – but not always Mary D’Angelo Performing Ongoing, Wednesday through Feb 28 — 5, 8 p.m. – younger musicians who don’t Arts Center, 501 E. 38 St. Sunday — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Erie Movie House, 3424 CONTRIBUTED PHOTO miac.mercyhurst.edu. play regularly, to gain experi- Tom Ridge Environmental West Lake Road. facebook. com/ErieMovieHouse. ence by playing with, observing Center, 301 Peninsula Zumbathon Drive. trecpi.org. and talking to more advanced Feb. 21 — 11:30 a.m. Still Dreaming and often professional musi- Kristine’s School of Mysteries of the Mar. 1 — 2 p.m. cians who play for pay as well as Dance, Chestnut St., Unseen World Taylor Little Theatre, 501 E. Meadville. 763.4435. pleasure. Ongoing, Wednesday through 38 St. miac.mercyhurst.edu. All this leads us to the fact that in nearby Meadville, musicians have held annual public Sunday — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. jazz jams, roughly every other month, for about the last 30 years. Irish Hooley with VISUAL ARTS Seamus Kennedy Tom Ridge Environmental The latest will be held Feb. 22 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Gardner Theater, in the second floor Center, 301 Peninsula Feb. 28 — 7 p.m. of the Market House. It’s free for the pack of musicians expected to turn out and just $5 for Drive. trecpi.org. Higherglyphics: Annex Mount Carmel Parish, 1531 E. people coming to listen. Jams also are social gatherings, so there will be food and beverages Stairwell Project, Grandview Blvd. 825.7313. Wonders of the Arctic Annex Stairwell available. Ongoing, Wednesday through Ongoing — All Day The man who started it all is Cootie Harris, a drummer and drum teacher who needed a FOOD & DRINK Sunday — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. situation and a place to work with his students. He tried upstairs at the Market House, but Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth Tom Ridge Environmental St. erieartmuseum.org. found pro musicians often occupied it. It ended up with the kids playing with the adults, Come Drink Craft Beer! Center, 301 Peninsula and both enjoying the experience. Feb. 19 — 4 to 9 p.m. Drive. trecpi.org. Ian Brill: Storm, McCain Thus was born the Meadville Jazz Jams. Sprague Farm & Brew Family Gallery Harris no longer plays, but still teaches. He will be an honorary participant this particular Works, 22113 U.S. 6, Venango Edinboro Film Series Ongoing — All Day sleepingchainsaw.com. Sunday for his contributions to Meadville’s jazz scene, and more importantly, the celebra- Presents: Art and Craft Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth Feb. 19 — 8:30 p.m. tion of his 92nd birthday the day after the jam. Build Your Own Pizza St. erieartmuseum.org. Pianist/keyboardist Dan Hallett III is the jam organizer, tasked with putting together the Pogue Student Center, Feb. 20 — 6 p.m. 405 Scotland Road. aux. best possible rhythm section – the “most important part of a good jazz jam,” according to Heeschen’s Creatures, Presque Isle Wine Cellars, edinboro.edu/filmseries. Robert E. Holstein Gallery Hallet – and will serve as the event’s emcee. 9440 W. Main St., North Ongoing — All Day Musicians will come from Meadville, Erie, Franklin, Saegertown, Oil City, and small towns East piwine.com. The Mark of Zorro in the Meadville area. Students from area high schools and colleges will also join in for the Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth Feb. 19 — 7 p.m. St. erieartmuseum.org. jam. 4th Annual Chilean Juice Workshop Erie Movie House, 3424 As for the music? West Lake Road. facebook. Feb. 21 — 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Into the Common “We won’t be playing any raging be-bop,” Hallett chuckled, “We’ll play some Miles (Davis), com/ErieMovieHouse.

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 19 CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

20 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 18, 2015 CALENDAR

Coney Island Rock n’ Roll Basement Transmissions Roadshow Rolls into The Rook Turns Red ttention, adventurous ladies and gentle- he color red can strike a Amen: You’re not gonna want to miss this Tnumber of varying emo- one – and you’d best leave the kids at home. tions on sight or from sim- In short, here’s how the Coney Island Rock ply hearing the word. On n’ Roll Roadshow describes itself: “A trav- one hand, it can provoke fear eling show made up of beautiful burlesque and display aggression and babes, sideshow stunts and shenanigans, and strength. On the other, it can amazing musical acts ranging from gritty bar represent passion and love. It room rock ‘n’ roll to gypsy-honky-tonk, lo-fi seems fitting that a Christian trash rock and one-man-bands, all wrapped alt-rock/metal band with an up into one hell of a party.” intense sound and divine mes- CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

That party’s making a dirty-fun, board- CONTRIBUTED PHOTO sage would choose the name walk-ey spectacle out of the King’s Rook Red to embody what they Club’s downstairs concert complex on Thursday, Feb. 26, and everyone’s invited – except stand for. the kids, of course. Although they’re now based in Nashville, Red hails from Linesville, Pa., a small town The Roadshow has a current core lineup that includes, but isn’t nearly limited to, the local roughly an hour south of Erie. Last September, the band made its way back to Northwest favorites Jesse Ray Carter Trio, Potwhole, and lots of other musical acts; The Cut-Throat Pa., playing to a sold-out crowd at the Erie Insurance Arena. On Feb. 20, you can catch them Freakshow featuring Cut Throat and Candy Pants; pinup/alt-model Bad-Ass Burly Q; and up close and personal at Basement Transmissions. emcee/DJ/‘weirdo wrangler’ Daddy Stitches. The show falls just days before the release of the band’s fifth studio album Of Beauty and From the sounds of it, the Roadshow’s done up with all the razzle-dazzle the “Coney Is- Rage, which is set to be released on Feb. 24., so this show will be a great opportunity to hear land” part of its name would suggest. some new never before heard songs. Sounds like some good, freaky fun alright. – Ryan Smith While Red is a highly accomplished band with numerous awards under its belt and has toured with some of the biggest alternative rock bands of the mid 2000s, like Three Days Thursday, Feb. 26, 8 p.m. // 1921 Peach St. // facebook. Grace and Breaking Benjamin, the band’s biggest achievement was in 2008 when they com/Coney Island Rock n’ Roll Roadshow made Radio & Records history by becoming the first Christian rock band in the publication’s history to have a song debut at No. 1 with their song “Fight Inside.” Touring with Red is the Quad Cities Illinois/Iowa-based hard rock band 3 Years Hollow, Ground by G.C. Meyers THEATER Feb. 20 — 8 p.m., Feb. 21 — 2 p.m. which is coming off of big tours with Sevendust and Lacuna Coil, and preparing for New Ongoing — All Day Schuster Theatre, 620 York City’s Exposed Music Festival. The Kada Gallery, The Shops Laugh/Riot Presents: Sassafras St. gannon.edu. Opening acts on the bill are Seven Circle Sunrise from Canton, Ohio and Anthems of Apa- at the Colony, 2632 W. 8 Bedtime Stories thy from Erie. This show is a great chance to see some local and regional talent mixed with St. kadagallery.com. Feb. 18 — 8 p.m. Songs for a New World the exposure of national touring acts, and is definitely not something to miss – regardless Schuster Theatre, 620 Feb. 23 and 24 — 7 p.m. of whether red is your favorite color. – Tommy Shannon Kids as Curators 2015, Sassafras St. gannon.edu. Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th Hagen Family Gallery St. erieplayhouse.org Doors at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20 // Basement Transmissions, Ongoing — All Day Erie Playhouse Presents: Playshop Theatre 145 W. 11th St. // Pre-sale Tickets $17, $20 Day-of-show // Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth The Addams Family http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1191175 St. erieartmuseum.org. Feb. 19 to 21, 25 to 28, Mar. 1 — Presents: Clybourne Park 7:30 p.m., Feb. 22 — 2 p.m. Feb. 26 to 28 — 8 p.m. Mary J. and Fran Rosiak: Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10 Vukovich Center, 520 N Main APPlied Images St. erieplayhouse.org. St., Meadville. allegheny.edu. and the Search for an The Bel-Aire Clarion, Sport and Travel Expo Ongoing — All Day 2800 W. 8 St. 474.5183. Erie Broadway Series American Sound Feb. 27, 28 — 8 p.m., Mar. 1 — 5 Glass Growers Desire, Desire, Desire Feb. 20 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. p.m. Gallery, 10 E. Fifth St. and For Whom the Presents: Flashdance Thirteenth Annual glassgrowersgallery.com. Feb. 26 — 7:30 p.m. The Jefferson Educational Hometown Heroes Bayfront Convention Southern Belle Tolls Society, 3207 State Center, 1 Sassafras Pier, Feb. 19 to 21 — 8 p.m. Warner Theatre, 811 State Bowling Tournament Patti Larson: A Wide St. jeserie.org. eriepromotions.com. PACA, 1505 State St. St. nacentertainment. Feb. 22 — noon com/cities/erie. Range Photography paca1505.ning.com Wintertime at Eastway Lanes, 4110 Buffalo Erie BayHawks vs. Ongoing beginning — All Day Road. eastwaylanes.com. Erie Theater Company the Maritime Iowa Energy Glass Growers Gannon Presents: The Feb. 20 — 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 28 — 7 p.m. Gallery, 10 E. Fifth St. Sketch Comedy Show Presents: Jimmy Winning Battles, glassgrowersgallery.com. Earl’s Defense Erie Maritime Museum, 150 E. Erie Insurance Arena, Feb. 19 — 8 p.m. Front St. flagshipniagra.org Losing Wars: The New 809 French St. erie. Feb. 26 to 28 — 7:30 p.m. American Way of War Performing Blackness, A.J. Palumbo Academic Center, dleague.nba.com. 824 Peach St. gannon.edu. Strong Vincent Erie Otters vs. Feb. 23 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Performing Whiteness Auditorium, 1330 W. 8 Peterborough Petes The Jefferson Educational Fifth Annual Ongoing — All Day St. erietheaterco.org. Laugh/Riot Presents: Feb. 21 — 7 p.m. Society, 3207 State Chocoholic Frolic Allegheny College, 520 St. jeserie.org. Third Annual New Erie Insurance Arena, 809 Feb. 28 — 5 p.m. N. Main St., Meadville, Works Festival COMMUNITY allegheny.edu. French St. ottershockey.com Elks Lodge No. 219, 15438 Feb. 19 — 7:30 p.m. Strengthening Our Hwy. 86, Meadville. 724.5219. Erie BayHawks vs. Community Through Styled by Adams: Edinboro Performing Arts Westchester Knicks Improv at The Gardner Center, 219 Meadville St., Historic Presevation MECA Presents Streamlining America, Feb. 18 — 7 p.m. Feb. 21 — 7:30 p.m. Edinboro. laughrioterie.com Feb. 24 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Bar Stool Open Main Gallery Erie Insurance Arena, The Market House, 910 Market St., Meadville The Jefferson Educational Feb. 28 — 10 a.m. Ongoing — All Day All An Act Presents: 809 French St. erie. Society, 3207 State dleague.nba.com. artsmeadville.org. Downtown Bars. Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth Witness for the St. jeserie.org. mecaerie.org. St. erieartmuseum.org. Prosecution mARTi Gras Masquerade The Napoleonic Era - Caroline Rhea at Feb. 21, 22, 27, 28 — 7:30 p.m., Grand Success or Failure? Feb. 21 — 7 to 11 p.m. Derreck Kayongo at “WhatRU?” Youth Feb. 22, Mar. 1 — 2 p.m. Jr’s Last Laugh Gallery Event at Urraro Feb. 18 — 7 p.m. Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth Penn State Behrend Schuster Theatre, 620 St. erieartmuseum.org. Feb. 26 to 28 — 6:30 p.m. & 9:30 Mar. 3 — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 — 6 to 9 p.m. The Jefferson Educational p.m. Sassafras St. allanact.net. McGarvey Commons, 4701 Urraro Gallery, 135 W Society, 3207 State St. jeserie.org. Snowflake Cruise-In at Jr’s Last Laugh, 1402 State Behrend College Dr. 898.6171. 14 St. 455.6240. Gannon Presents: the Bel-Aire Clarion St. jrslastlaugh.com. Oedipus Tex Gershwin, Ellington, Feb. 21 — 6 to 11 p.m.

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 21 CALENDAR

RED – Celebrate the Biggest Movie Night of the Year ou don’t have to be in Los Angeles to Ycelebrate the biggest movie night of the year. The Film Society of Northwest Pennsyl- vania will host RED, the organization’s annu- al Academy Awards event, at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel Sunday, Feb. 22, giving Erieites a chance to walk the red carpet like a star in fancy attire and celebrate some of the best films of 2014. Cinephiles can enjoy the Oscar’s in style thanks to a high-class spread of fine eats, cash bar drinks, and other treats starting at 8 p.m. for $50. But for those looking to start the festivities earlier, a $75 VIP package gives you access to intriguing edibles, like Peruvian ceviche and assorted sushi rolls, as

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO well as a top-shelf open bar from 6 to 8 p.m. After relishing the swanky soiree, there’s still an entire Oscars ceremony to enjoy! The Academy Awards have had its share of come- dic emcees, so the Film Society will have its own master of ceremonies to host the night’s festivities. “I have a friend named Oscar; that’s about as close as I get,” jokes comedian Walter Camp- bell about his connection to the Academy Awards. The funnyman recently relocated to Erie after spending years as an Army recruiter in New Jersey, but he’s no stranger to making people laugh, having worked with notable names like Richard Lewis and Sinbad. Now he’ll host an event where movie fans will try to predict which films take home the top prizes. “I’m not good with guessing. All of my life all of my guesses haven’t panned out. I thought the Seahawks would win [the Super Bowl], I thought the Heat and the Knicks were going to be good. I’m just making sure of whatever the envelope says.” While Campbell may not make any predictions, you can always fill out a ballot to pick and choose between films before participating in some Oscar night trivia at the Sheraton. Whether you’re rooting for Birdman, Selma, or any of the other Best Picture nominees to take the top prize at the Oscars, you can be the real winner thanks to the festivities at RED. – Alex Bieler

6 p.m. (VIP) and 8 p.m. (GA) Sunday, Feb. 22 // 55 West Bay Drive // filmsocietynwpa.org/oscars

Brewer’s Cup raft beer is a wonderful thing. There is a Ccertain joy to discovering a delicious bever- age from a small, relatively unknown brewery, but how exciting would it be to be able to sam- ple various homemade beers? Now, it would be a bit creepy to just enter someone’s house and demand a pint, but thanks to the Brewerie, you can sample several servings of homemade suds in a place well known for pouring pints for the public. The Eighth Annual Brewer’s Cup will play host to more than 20 different amateur beer makers Saturday, Feb. 28, promising locals a chance to try some new concoctions that CONTRIBUTED PHOTO can’t be found in stores or be ordered at your bar of choice. What’s more is that the competing home brewers could provide a variety of delights, with potential drinks running from aggressively hoppy India pale ales to creamy milk stouts. The only way you’ll know what drinks are up for grabs (and sips) is by heading to the Brewerie and tasting for yourself. The Brewer’s Cup is more than just an opportunity to test out some low-profile drafts; you and other pint purveyors can vote on what brews you found the most delightful, resulting in “People’s Choice” awards for the top offerings. For just $20, you can treat yourself to an evening of new brews and endless possibilities. – Alex Bieler

5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28 // 123 W. 14th St. // brewerie.com

22 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February18, 2015 Pharmacy Technicians Are In DemAnD!

DID YOu knOw: 1. Pharmacy Technicians can work at hospitals, physicians’ offices, pharmaceutical companies, and outpatient clinics 2. Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 20 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations *bls.gov 3. You can train and be career-ready in just 8 months

CALL TODAY! 864-6666 glit.edu

Programs great lakes offers: · Dental Assistant · Massage Therapist · Pharmacy Technician · Diagnostic Medical Sonographer · Medical Assistant · Surgical Technologist · Health Information Technology · Medical Office Assistant · Veterinary Assistant

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at glit.edu/disclosures.

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 23 MUSIC REVIEWS

Father John Misty Butch Walker Jamie Cullum The Subways I Love You, Honeybear Afraid of Ghosts Interlude The Subways Sub Pop Dangerbird Records Blue Note YFE Records/Cooking Vinyl

hile Josh Tillman could utch Walker was very here’s a lot to like about he British band that Wbe found winking to Bclose to his father. TBritish vocalist/pianist Tdefines the term his audience on the excel- Unfortunately, the song- Jamie Cullum and his enor- “Party-Punk” lays down lent 2012 album Fear Fun, writer’s father died in mously satisfying new al- twelve tracks that are less he’s now staring right back 2013, an experience that bum. Jazz purists may sniff about dancing and drink- at them on I Love You, Hon- looms over much of Walk- at it, but just about anyone ing and more about heart- eybear, pulling back the er’s latest release Afraid with a broader perspective ache and relationships. curtain to provide a closer look at the entertain- of Ghosts. The album is a more somber will find it hugely rewarding and entertain- But it’s okay: These tracks still rock out with er that is Father John Misty. Still, this new per- affair than some of Walker’s past efforts, ing. On his seventh album, Cullum’s versatili- three-chord, Green Day-influenced fun. spective doesn’t really clarify who this persona an understandable shift given the circum- ty and stunning voice stamp him as arguably The break-up song, “Taking all the Blame” is, blurring the lines between hammy sideshow stances. Walker’s producer background is the best, most exciting singer to come along in cooks along at a bouncy 220 beats per min- performer and an absolutely sincere folk singer evident, as the album’s reverb-laden vocals quite some time. Cullum handles with aplomb ute, while “I’m In Love and It’s Burning In My who is tired of 21st century America. The sto- add an extra sense of longing to his tracks, an incredibly eclectic playlist of 15 tunes, cov- Soul” is full of rock ‘n’ roll happiness. The ries Tillman presents on Honeybear may seem although the effect does make some of the ering disparate artists from Dizzy Gillespie Subways are best when they really make an less cartoonish than the drug-tripping and songs blend together a little too well. Songs to Ray Charles, to Randy Newman, to Great effort at kicking some can. They hit the mark novel-writing on display during Fear Fun, some like “Father’s Day” and “Still Drunk” pack a American Songbook writers Harold Arlen and with “Twisted Game” but miss it spectacu- of his targets come off just as nutty. “Save me particularly powerful emotional punch, as Johnny Mercer (“Out of This World” and “Come larly with the repetitive pseudo-ballad, “Be- President Jesus!” exclaims Tillman on the bitter Walker bears his soul while he struggles to Rain or Come Shine”), and even a song written cause of You.” There’s not too much about “Bored in the USA,” a song that rails against the come to terms with his loss while Bob Mould by iconic jazz singer Mark Murphy. Who knew? The Subways that you can’t find a hundred educational system and housing market while provides backing vocals and guitar. Afraid Cullum, an award-winning jazz star in Britain, other bands doing, but the lyrics that front- canned laughter plays. It’s a pretty eye-open- of Ghosts delves into a theme of heartbreak infuses everything with a natural blues and man Billy Lunn comes up with about rela- ing mix, but what’s most impressive is that Till- and regret without becoming too melan- jazz feeling. And he’s backed by a group of fine tionships on this album somehow ring truer man’s immense character doesn’t overshadow choly, an impressive balancing act by Walker jazz musicians in combinations from trio to a here than the lyrics of nearly any other punk the stunning arrangements found on his latest on a commendable new album that finds big band sound, with brief, but mostly solid so- or punk-inspired band you can find… except album, making for a welcome encore from Fa- him moving forward without forgetting the los and consistently engaging arrangements. maybe The Buzzcocks… or The Ramones… ther John Misty’s sideshow. – Alex Bieler past. – Alex Bieler – Bob Protzman or The Pogues… – Bryan Toy

WINTER HOURS

3141 West 26th St. | Erie, PA 16506 1 item per coupon Beginner Knitting—Thursday, Feb. 26th, March Mon- 10—5:30 consignment items 5th and 12th 6:30-8:00 | $35 plus materials Tue- Closed excluded expires 3/3/15 Hats, Mittens and Slippers OH MY!!—Saturday, Wed- 10—5:30 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Mar. 7th, 14th and 21st 10:30-12:30 |$30 plus materials Thurs- 10—3 UNIQUE Arm Knitting Workshop—Saturday, Mar. 7 2:00-3:00 | FREE *Yarn must be purchased from Cultured Purl* Fri- 10—5:30 JEWLERY Like us on Facebook to find more classes! Saturday 10—4 Earthshine Company Call to RSVP | 814-836-7875 (purl) Sunday Closed 118 Meadville St. Downtown Edinboro 814.734.5858

Think of Franco’s Get Something Special for your Special Someone From when it comes to your Second Hand Rose luncheon catering needs! CONSIGNMENTS Featuring a wide variety of choices at competitve prices. 351 W 26TH ST. ERIE, PA 814-455-3061

1001 State Street HOURS: First floor of the Wed - Fri Send your nominations Renaissance Centre 11-5 and a brief description to 814-455-8008 Sat [email protected]. Focus is on CATERINGGGGG 11-3 he esp. wants the website... francoscafe.net francoscafeerie All nominations must be and the facebook /francoscafeerie francoscafe.net MOVING & ESTATE SALES recieved by February 28th. featured also the following copy 24 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February18, 2015 "Think of Franco's rst when it comes to your luncheon catering needs. Featuring a wide variety of choices at competitive prices." If theres a better way to phrase that you can play with it too! thanks candice NEW STUDENT SPECIAL! 2 WEEKS UNLIMITED YOGA only

$This offer limited2 to first time, local5 residents ONLY

Located in the Colony Plaza 2560 West 8th Street, Erie PA 16505 814-520-6998 www.yogaerie.com

SandCille Spa... Home of Mens Waxing in Erie, including the Male Brazilian Don’t want anyone to know? Try our discreet, private entrance. A dollar saved, many earned. Plan for your future now. Now at our new location at the Shops at the Colony Plaza Dean Scalise, CFP 4021 West 12th Street, Erie, PA 16505 2640 West 8th St. phone 814.836.1038 SandCille.com email [email protected] 814.456.7400 www.ScaliseFinancialAdvisors.com

We Can’t Wait to You SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH ROYAL ALLIANCE ASSOCIATES, INC. MEMBER FINRA/SIPC ADVISORY SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH SCALISE FINANCIAL ADVISORS, INC., A REGISTERED Spl INVESTMENT ADVISOR NOT AFFILIATED WITH ROYAL ALLIANCE ASSOCIATES, INC. February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 25 2015 You fought for our homes. We’ll fight for yours. Assistance for veterans & their families who are: RECOGNIZING ACHIEVING VOLUNTEERS IN ERIE homeless or at risk of homelessness • Rental Assistance Call For Nominations • Child Care Services • Auto Repair Assistance • Utility Assistance The Junior League of Erie invites you to submit nominations for the RAVE Volunteer of the year awards. we will present four volunteer awards at an April 28, 2015 dinner event at the Ambassador.

Categories Include: Nomination information:

• Adult Volunteer (Age 25 and over) Nominations are due to the • Young Adult Volunteer (Ages 18-24) Junior League of Erie by end of day • Teen Volunteer (Ages 13-18) Friday, February 27, 2015. • Junior Volunteer (Ages 7-12) For more information, visit: www.juniorleagueoferie.com.

RAVE award winners will be awarded $1,000 each to then be distributed to the nonprofit of their choice. For more information, please call:

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 1-855-431-3755 www.juniorleagueoferie.com

**NO COVER EXCEPT ok SPECIAL EVENTS** s Ro FRI 2/20 King AJAMAJA Club & FRIENDS SUPER JAM SAT 2/21 THIS AMERICAN SONG a church for the city +LIQUID NIXON FRI 2/27 coney island TROPIDELIC SAT 2/28 THE MUCKLEBUCK ORIGINAL MUSIC D OORS 8PM | MUSIC 9PM FRI 3/6 CHET VINCENT BIBLE TEACHING & THE BIG BEND DOWNSTAIRS +GRAND PIANO AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY CONCERT COMPLEX +DANI TREWHELA SAT 3/7 +POTWHOLE MISTER F +GNOSIS +CUT THROAT FRI 3/13 FREEK SHOW THE COMMONHEART JOIN US FOR We intend to be a cross-centered community +SCARLETT SAT 3/14 SUNDAY WORSHIP that reaches the culture. STORM BURLESQUE MAT ST. PAT’S BLAST TY B’S DOWNSTAIRS Basement Transmissions THE TRADESMEN PADDY WHACKED 145 West 11th Street EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT! THE MULLIGANS FRI 3/20 Corner of Sassafras and 11th Grab your gear and get here! • 9pm SUNDAY SOUND +COSMIC RHYTHM 10am www.TheCross.cc No Cover • Drink Specials • Open 8pm SAT 3/21 SEAN PATRICK /TheCrossErie MUSIC AT 9:30•NO COVER EXCEPT SPECIAL EVENTS & THE FREE POOL, SHUFFLEBOARD & GAMES ALWAYS!!! NEWGRASS 1921 Peach St. Erie Pa•Private Parties Available•MEMBERS & GUESTS REVOLUTION Contact: [email protected] & find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kingsrookclub 26 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 18, 2015 FEATURE

The Business of Higher Education Grading The Price of a College Education

By: Katie Chriest

ast fall, I asked my Research and Writ- and executive salaries while traditional val- ing students at Mercyhurst University ues — teaching, for one — are getting short- Lto respond to a free-write prompt. The changed. rules were simple: do nothing for fifteen And students get cheated. minutes. No electronics, no talking, no A weird system indeed. And we’re all los- eating, no exercise. Then, freely reflect on ing out. the experience in writing without the par- alyzing constraints of grammar or getting it hough this trend is happening nation- “right.” Paddle the stream of consciousness. Twide, a recent local example is Mercy- Stimulate the connection between unbri- hurst University. With enrollment drop- dled thought and written meaning-making. ping, the university eliminated 14 positions One response, by freshman Intelligence in November. Initially, no faculty were let Studies major De’Lenci Shannon-Brown, go. Gary Brown, senior vice president for stood out: strategic finance, told the Erie Times-News I have great academic and athletic scholar- that no “significant impact on service to the ships, and this school is still breaking the bank. students, the faculty, or the university” was The worst part is I’m almost halfway done with anticipated. one year of schooling which would be almost But just two months later, Mercyhurst an- 401(k) 2012 $30 thousand at full price, and I have yet to nounced likely cuts of $1 million more. Pres- learn anywhere near $30K worth of informa- ident Thomas Gamble told the Times-News, orities away from elaborate gyms, deluxe The cost of a college degree continues tion. I don’t even think I’ve learned $5K worth. “Everything is on the table.” He added, dorms, and overindulged athletics, they to rise, leaving many to question the I know tuition pays for the teachers and build- “What we don’t want are across-the-board need to stop enrolling based on these ame- return on educational investment. ings and whatnot, but I feel they could at least cuts if things get bad. Then you are cutting nities. make it worth it for the student. It’s funny to things that have a really strong return and William Deresiewicz, a former Yale pro- me how you have to put four years of schooling things that don’t have a strong return.” fessor who wrote Excellent Sheep: The Mise- vost and director of the Mercyhurst Archae- together for it to mean anything at all. You can As long as higher ed priorities are deter- ducation of the American Elite & the Way to a ological Institute, earned $283,224, a 16.7 complete one or two years of school, spend $70- mined by enrollment, decisions will be re- Meaningful Life, specified that “The custom- percent spike.” to $80K, and it means nothing because you turns-driven. It would be naive to imagine er-service mentality” is to blame for extrav- So in one year, Gamble received a raise of didn’t complete your degree. It’s a weird system that these institutions are immune to the agant campuses “financed by a mountain of $21,836; Adovasio’s was $40,655. These two we have here. belt-tightening faced by other industries. debt, and that has been a major factor in tu- raises combine to $62,491, enough to cover I was struck by Shannon-Brown’s simple But other industries are not “nonprofit” in ition growth. Colleges now sell themselves Amatangelo’s salary for almost two-and-a- yet poignant math, and shared it with the the eyes of the IRS. Other industries don’t to kids in terms of what they can give them, half years. rest of my students. The floodgates were have everyone from peers to the President not what they plan to expect of them.” Incidentally, in June 2013, Mercyhurst an- open. Why is college so expensive, they of the United States singing their praises. According to some students, like Mercy- nounced an employee-wide pay freeze. This wondered? How are costs determined? Why Other industries aren’t idealized as benev- hurst freshman Intelligence Studies ma- year, some administrators took pay cuts, but is college seen as such a necessity? Why are olent — almost sacred — despite obvious jor Galen Bernick, they aren’t expecting will likely suffer the least. students graduating with thousands in un- corporatized management. enough. Bernick hoped classes would cel- Curiously, also cut in November was Brit- forgivable debt? And is it all worth it? “The institution is a business,” explains ebrate “exploration, not regurgitation.” In- tany Prischak, Mercyhurst’s Sustainability It is a weird system we have here. And it Susan Black, owner of Art of Yoga. Black, stead, he said, “the challenge is really just Officer. At a time when even the Pope de- may be broken. now retired, has held upper-level admin- managing all the course work. I wish it were mands sustainable action to mitigate cli- istration positions at all five regional uni- more challenging philosophically because I mate change, this logic confounds. ike many systems, higher ed’s predica- versities, observing first-hand how enroll- believe college is to self-discover and grow I cannot stress enough that Mercyhurst is Lments feel overwhelming, insurmount- ment — not altruism — rules the business the mind, not make it a calculator.” only one institution cutting campus-wide able through individual or local action. Or of higher education. She highlighted how Still, we might need a calculator to face the while unreasonably compensating highest they seem to only impact those directly af- the illusion of benevolent institutions is corporatized reality of higher ed. administrators. Focusing locally is merely filiated. making these cost-cutting moves harder to In November, at the beginning of her 20th intended to illustrate this systemwide tra- But in fact, the problems in higher ed af- swallow by students, parents, employees, year at Mercyhurst, Betty Amatangelo “was jectory. fect us all – and in Erie, it’s no exception. and the public. “If you believe something told that the college was in great financial Nevertheless, the Times-News added that Students who shoulder enormous loan bur- that’s not true,” she added, “you increase trouble” and that her position in Campus in 2012-2013, Gannon President Keith Tay- dens are unlikely to invest in our economy. your suffering.” Ministry ”was being eliminated, effective lor “earned $357,118 … a 23.6 percent spike.” Universities are exempt from paying taxes Black stressed that numerous well-mean- immediately.” Amatangelo, owner and That’s a raise of $68,226, more than twice on valuable real estate they inhabit. Work- ing, good-hearted individuals work within teacher at Yoga Haven, wrote a letter to the the median income of Erie, where citizens ers with years of beneficial experience are every higher ed institution. “Many individ- editor of the Times-News in January. “Oth- are picking up the tax slack from these very passed over for promotions and jobs simply uals truly care about students, and want the er than sorrow for the person who had to institutions. because they haven’t gained access to the best for them. People in the institution may tell me this,” she wrote, “my thoughts went As Rick Filippi declared in the Reader last all-powerful college degree. care,” she clarified, “but hard choices are directly to the numbers. If the university December, “The amount of money these Still, the dominant message remains based on pure business. From a larger per- faces a steep decline in revenue, how help- [nonprofit executives] are being paid is ob- “College for all,” exemplified by President spective, it’s a numbers game.” ful would my whopping $26,000-per-year scene in the sense that they argue they are Obama’s recent push to make the first two She said that seeing past the illusion of salary be?” ‘charitable organizations.’” years of college free for qualifying students. benevolence is freeing. Facing this reality Good question. Mercyhurst President Filippi continued, “If the legislature refus- But as the societal value of a degree in- shifts the power to put institutions back Thomas Gamble “earned $347,971 in total es to address this issue, then the City needs creases, the value of the education may be into the hands of those they serve. compensation in 2012-13, up 6.6 percent” to take legal action against these entities to decreasing. As colleges corporatize, what Black added that most financial decisions from 2011-2012, the Times-News reported, ensure that they are paying their fair share sells stays. Driven by enrollment dollars, are based “on the whims of 18-year-olds.” just before he’s set to retire in May. Mean- of taxes. Can anyone justify a ‘charity’ pay- colleges are investing in showy buildings If students and parents want to move pri- while, “James Adovasio, Mercyhurst’s pro- ing hundreds of thousand of dollars in ex-

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 27 28 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 18, 2015 FEATURE / TECHNOLOGY

ecutive compensation when we don’t even have enough cops on the streets to prevent Geeked Out violence?” Meanwhile, according to one employee, Revisiting Your Favorite Videogames of Yesteryear with Speedruns Mercyhurst has contracted an executive search firm to pursue their next president, By: John Lindvay at a retainer fee of $84,000. That’s just the retainer. Generally, it’s argued that attract- was eight years old when Super ing the best candidates legitimizes these Metroid was released on the Super enormous sums – yet another emblem of INintendo. It was an influential game higher ed’s corporatizing. for me, as it forever changed how I look But while millions are spent on adminis- at games, because after running, jump- tration, the majority of faculty nationwide ing, and gunning through the game’s are now contingent, adjunct, or non-tenure massive two-dimensional world, I got track, earning salaries below the poverty to the end of the credits, which cere- line – but that’s another story for another moniously – and surprisingly – dropped day in the near future. a completion time in the center of the What warrants such exorbitant raises on screen. already staggering executive salaries? And Wait... this was timed? How fast could the game be completed? How fast can I beat it? What warrants such These were the kinds of questions an exorbitant raises on already eight-year-old boy immediately begins asking, as his whole worldview of games staggering executive comes crashing down because of a clock. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO salaries? And if students Prior to this moment, games, for me, were mastered by simply completing Any-percent is oftentimes the more ex- are the priority, what Games Done Quick organizes two them. High scores were a concept I was fa- citing, because, as Dan explains, they “… weeklong events that are streamed miliar with, but speed? This was complete- justifies underpaying those are rife with exploits – sequence breaks, on Twitch.tv each year dedicated to ly foreign to me. movement glitches, out-of-bounds” and who actually teach them? This Earth-shattering moment was not a so – all in an effort to simply get to the end the art of speedrunning. singular incident specific to just me. As it credits as fast as possible. A great example turns out, many people found similar ex- of this, according to Dan, is of the classic Games Done Quick and Summer Games if students are the priority, what justifies un- periences in other games that then led to Nintendo 64 game Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Done Quick – involving a weeklong Twitch. derpaying those who actually teach them? the desire to see just how fast players could of Time, because while traditionally played tv video-streaming marathon of various complete their favorite games, which then this game takes several hours to complete, speedrunners from around the world ex- f we want Erie to succeed, we must look re- turned into ritual. the world record for Any-percent is 18 min- ercising their craft. Awesome Games Done Ialistically at the management of our local I am now twenty-nine years old and there utes. Quick 2015 ended last month, and “…after universities. We must see these institutions are handfuls of small Internet-based com- So what makes a good speedrunning 160 hours of speedrunning, the final dona- as the businesses that they are, supported munities dedicated to this tradition called game? tion total to the Prevent Cancer Founda- considerably by tax dollars for which we’re “Speedrunning.” “There is a notion of good and bad spe- tion was $1,575,000.” compensating. I first met Dan Fitzgerald through game edgames – games that present the right Yes, $1.5 million was raised by fans root- In an interview last December in the Read- conventions. He is a game developer living kind of challenge to foster competition ing for their favorite runners and watching er, Gov. Tom Wolf celebrated the “great in Chicago, but like any curious gamer in between the people who are interested their favorite games. universities” and “intellectual capital” that college, he experimented a bit, dabbling in in running it,” Dan says. Like some of the GDQ has been doing this for several years Pennsylvania should take advantage of. He speedrunning. most popular games from my youth – Su- now, and regarding one particular event, hopes to incentivize innovative “companies “Speedrunning is playing a game to some per Metroid, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Dan told me about an awesome Legend of and entrepreneurs, who are willing to cre- measure of completion as fast as possible,” and Super Mario 64. “I think this has a lot to Zelda: Ocarina of Time run that showcases ate good family sustaining jobs in Pennsyl- Dan describes. He also adds that, “…per- do with the fact that so many people have not only the cool exploits found in Any-per- vania.” haps the most familiar kind of speedrun is a nostalgic attachment to the games, and cent runs, but also an awesome overview of Innovation begins with intellectual stimu- an RTA (Real Time Attack,) which means familiarity gives them a frame of reference why the community and runners are awe- lation and exposure to diverse perspectives. the game is played by a human, by hand – to appreciate how impressive (or bizarre) some. Donors raised $10k to watch Cosmos As Galen Bernick summarized, “The goal also, typically, any exploits that exist in the the runs are.” Wright perform this Any-percent run, and of college is to create minds that can break game as it was released are fair game.” Dan adds that something about games during it, Cosmos goes over the history of the molds, not perpetuate them, this being This is an important distinction to make made during the original push from 2D to the run and the various discoveries that character development instead of job train- in the speedrunning community: Tech- 3D makes them more laden with exploits occurred over a decade of players running ing. If everyone is taught the same and that nology has enabled runners to utilize and techniques that offer a more interest- the Zelda game. way is inefficient, then colleges are just per- computer tools to assist them when doing ing spectacle. So how about it? Any of you ready to go petuating mediocrity​.” more complicated maneuvers in a game. And the spectacle is part of the draw. back to your childhood favorite games and Our local universities incorporate passion- This performance-enhanced playing via While there are only handfuls of well- see if you can beat it faster than before? ate faculty, selfless staff, and promising stu- technology – a Tool Assisted Speedrun, or known speedrunners, there is a commu- Do you remember watching friends play dents. The passionate faculty, selfless staff, “TAS” – isn’t without controversy and is nity that loves to watch these masters at games in the arcade, and a crowd would and promising students who comprise our important to keep in mind when either ob- work, reverse engineering the games they form as they got farther than anyone be- local universities deserve institutions that serving or playing. love and beating them in ways they never fore? support incubating creativity, not conformi- In essence, though, there are two ma- imagined. Dan himself only dabbled in Speedrunning rekindles that kind of ty. It’s not as sexy as a winning team, not as jor types of speedruns: 100 percent and actual running, he admits, but he is much spectating and also celebrates the games sleek as a new building, not as impressive as Any-percent. While 100 percent is some- more fascinated in just watching the run- we all love and play, all while building and an executive salary. But maybe it’s time we what self-explanatory, it basically means ners work new routes, find new exploits, or strengthening the gaming community. all got our priorities straight. that a speedrunner beat the game while master game techniques. collecting all the game objects (think: Su- Games Done Quick (GDQ) is a part of the John Lindvay can be contacted at Katie Chriest can be contacted at per Mario 64 and getting all the Stars as fast speedrunning community, and GDQ or- [email protected], and you can [email protected]. as you can). ganizes two events each year – Awesome follow him on Twitter @FightStrife.

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 29 SPORTS

ER Sports The Similarities and Differences of Former Gannon Basketball Coaches Tom Chapman and Clive Wright

By: James R. LeCorchick

HILE FLIPPING through the chan- Former Lady Knights Coach Cleve nels recently (Note: I am a pro- Wright gives instructions at a Gannon Wfessional channel surfer), I came practice. across a hoops encounter featuring Miami (OH) and Ohio University, Miami coached by former Gannon University boss Clive Wright. And there are many similarities 100 as he put The Lady Knights on the na- between him and ex-GU men’s mentor Tom tional map. Chapman. “Chappy” moved to Olean, N.Y., Personally, he was another coach that was to lead the St. Bonaventure program after great to work with. He seemed to appreciate an extremely successful tenure with The anything you could do for his program and Golden Knights. would let you know his feelings. If I had one I started wondering how tough it is to go work to describe him, I would say, “Sincere.” from an ultra-successful Division II coach to He’s off to a slow start with an overall re- a moderately successful Division I boss, the cord of 12-41 at Miami, 8-22 his first season jump being much tougher than I originally and 4-19 so far this round, but that will thought after viewing the career turns of change. both Wright and Chapman. While the jury Roddy explained, “Cleve was an intense is still out on Coach Wright, looking at both coach but was also a gentleman. How many coaches shows how extremely rugged the coaches can you describe as ‘friendly’ during transition really can be. the season? His personality consistently at- GU was the first D-II stop for both coach- tracted outstanding student-athletes to the es and both of them had programs that Gannon program.” catapulted The Golden Knights on a yearly CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Also, Roddy added, “If Cleve didn’t want to basis, Coach Wright with two teams in the coach basketball, I think he could be a very Elite Eight and Coach Chapman with a pow- successful business consultant. The culture erful squad that lost to powerful Kentucky he built around the Gannon women’s pro- Wesleyan in the national championship gram was world-class. contest. Also, they were both hired late in “He genuinely cared about everyone who the hiring process after great seasons, both helped the program – from the players to decisions catching many fans by surprise as everyone sitting at the scorer’s table. I know it appeared they were already making plans after one season (maybe he did it more of- for the upcoming season. ten) he sent a personal note to everyone on However, Miami and the Bonnies came- the stats crew.” a-calling with a lot of cash in hand and the I can best describe the difference between challenge of running a D-I program, an of- Coach Wright and Coach Chapman as this: fer no one as competitive as these coaches Coach Wright wanted his student-athletes could pass up. And name one great coach to know where the classrooms were and that doesn’t relish a rugged challenge. Coach Chapman wanted his athlete-stu- First of all, I want the record to show that I dents to know where the Hammermill Cen- thought both these coaches would be huge ter was. successes as they were proven winners that This isn’t a knock at the former men’s I thought could win on any level. Coach coach as he was under a lot of pressure to Chapman’s record speaks for itself, much to win more than a women’s coach and he utter shock, but I feel there’s no doubt Coach was getting paid to win, and that’s what he

Wright will get the RedHawks headed in the DASANDMAN008t worked to do. GU fans have more patience right direction. He’s just too good of a coach with their women’s coaches and that en- not to. was his job to face the fans in tough times. saying, ‘We need you.’” abled Cleve to have more leeway when com- Chapman went on to post a 22-62 record The fans loved him. Chapman also won over many fans when piling wins and losses. with the Bonnies in three seasons, after Resident Golden Knights’ hoop authority there would be a long line for tickets days The fact is: both these men were the right posting outstanding marks at Gannon (120- Jimmy Roddy, a former player at GU (1988- before the game (when the Hammermill people for their jobs. 38) and Division III Upsala (138-31). 92), broadcaster, and the man behind www. was sold out on a regular basis) and he TRIVIA TIME – With the recent passing of I dealt with him a lot, becoming personal GannonHoops.blogspot.com, said this re- would show up with boxes and boxes of do- legendary University of Nevada-Las Vegas friends while he was in Erie, and he was bril- garding Chapman: “First and foremost, nuts, handing them out to everyone waiting basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, do you liant at building excitement in his program Coach Chapman was an incredible recruit- to buy a ducat. The PR genius was also the know who he succeeded? Be honest and try with a flair for the dramatics. He stayed on er. He consistently attracted Division I-level talk of the town when he showed up in a and answer this without the help of modern top of everything and one of his moves I talent to Gannon – amazing athletes who tuxedo to coach a game at the Tullio Arena. technology. If you Googled this, you proba- remember the most is he never ran from a played above the rim. I don’t know what happened in Olean, but bly cheat in solitaire, also. question. He enjoyed the tough ones. “You rarely saw that in Division II.” it was pure magic in Erie. Answer in the next edition of the Erie I used to do a radio show called “Knights on Roddy also pointed out, “He was a show- Meanwhile, the soft spoken Wright Reader. the Line” following GU games and he never man as well. He knew how to press the but- achieved his results in a different way and CLUE – Psyche! There is no clue. showed up after a win, sending an assistant tons of the media and the fans. Prior to big was just as popular as Chapman as he took or two, but he always arrived to answer the playoff games at the Audi, he would walk the women’s program to a level never seen James R. LeCorchick can be contacted at callers after a loss. Coach was a genius in de- through the stands and high-five the fans in before. [email protected], and you flecting the negative comments and knew it the bleacher seats, pumping his fists while His overall mark at GU was a brilliant 233- can follow him on Twitter @JRLSports.

30 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February18, 2015 Choosing the right university can be challenging, but when students visit Edinboro University, they find exactly what they’re looking for.

• High-quality education in traditional and innovative •Personal Injury & Medical areas of study Malpractice Law • Affordable tuition, with •Workers Compensation & $4 million in institutional Disability Law scholarships and awards for •Social Security Disability the 2014-15 academic year Claims • A network of over 65,000 alumni who are award- Proudly Serving: In addition to having a well-rounded legal Erie & All Northwestern PA winning animators, Including Butler, Warren, Crawford, education, Rick Filippi has secured access to & Mercer Counties & the acclaimed artists, and Surrounding Communities serve before the U.S. Court of Appeals (3rd District) and the United States Supreme Court. leaders in education, Erie County Bar Association computer science, business, “Pro Bono Attorney of the Year” He also has experience in local politics, having 2010 served on Erie's city council from 1998 to criminal justice and many 2001. Additionally, he was elected Erie mayor other fields Pennsylvania Bar Foundation “ProBono Attorney of the Year” from 2001 to 2005. 2010 Rick has made a career caring for the people, both in politics and in his legal practice. When you have an important legal problem, put Rick's experience to work for you. D R Ac T e 504 State St |Erie, PA 16501 814.874.0558 An yUr tUr a W.EdnR.e/Vi i edinboro.edu www.rickfilippi.com

February 18, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 31