We deliver so much more than you’re expecting. At UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, we deliver so much for parents and their babies. By creating a personalized journey for every expectant mom, we help women with uncomplicated pregnancies as well as those who need more complex care. From genetic testing to our internationally recognized expertise in comprehensive maternal-fetal medicine for high-risk pregnancies, Magee delivers so much more than you’re expecting. To learn more, visit UPMC.com/MageeWeDeliver. 8983_upmc_magee_wd_general_er_10.5x12.25_a.indd 1 10/5/18 3:59 PM CONTENTS: From the Editors The only local voice for A rebuilding year: news, arts, and culture. December 19, 2018 We deliver Editors-in-Chief: brick by brick Brian Graham & Adam Welsh ver the past few years we’ve felt some Managing Editor: 2018 Year in Review – 5 Nick Warren negativity as the Year in Review issue ap- proached. That burning desire to finally so much more Copy Editor: Snuffing out the dumpster fire of O Matt Swanseger disillusionment en route to improvement say good-bye to the year that was and start again. than you’re expecting. Contributing Editors: Looking back on our covers you’ll find the looming Ben Speggen Gem City Playbook: It’s All in the specter of death putting an end to 2014, a garbage Jim Wertz dump in 2015, and in 2016 we needed a martini Contributors: Execution – 10 just to process it all. Those years seem like child’s At UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, we deliver so much for parents and their babies. Mary Birdsong play compared to 2018, however. You know what’s Charles Brown By creating a personalized journey for every expectant mom, we help women Asking Alice DeGeorge if a stolen idea matters happening in the world. Lots of things. There will Jonathan Burdick with uncomplicated pregnancies as well as those who need more complex care. Tracy Geibel as much as we think be lots of things happening in 2019 too, and not From genetic testing to our internationally recognized expertise in comprehensive Lisa Gensheimer all of them good. Why does this dread and bitter Miriam Lamey Spotlight on Erie – 13 nostalgia sweep over us every year when we need maternal-fetal medicine for high-risk pregnancies, Magee delivers so much more Tommy Link to have something to say about the past three than you’re expecting. To learn more, visit UPMC.com/MageeWeDeliver. Aaron Mook This must be it, welcome to the New Year Dan Schank hundred and sixty-some days? Well, for one, we’re Tommy Shannon realists. We know what’s happening in the world Ryan Smith Your New Year’s To-Do – 21 too, and it’s rightfully upsetting. Jen Sorenson And just like the past few years, we’re ready to Rebecca Styn Cara Suppa close the lid on this dumpster fire. It’s a rebuilding Forest Taylor year — just look at the LEGO work on the cover. Bryan Toy Special thanks to Bruce Lowell (for the original Cover Layout: dumpster design) and Bill Ward for his tongue- Nick Warren in-cheek adaptation of it. Brick artists know a Cover Photography and thing or two about rebuilding. This city is learn- Construction: ing a thing or two about it as well, for better or Bill Ward - brickpile.com worse depending on who you ask. If you happen Photographer: to ask Matt Swanseger, he has a thing or two to Jessica Hunter say about it too, with plenty of acerbic commen- Intern: tary on all the strange goings-on around our city, Hannah McDonald complete with and the good news and the bad. 1001 State St. Suite 1315 So as old regrets should be forgotten and nev- BRAD Erie, Pa., 16501 er brought to mind, so too is this a time to re- [email protected] member a few of our favorite things. By “our,” we How to close out 2018 in Erie mean both the Reader and the Reader’s readers, The Erie Reader is published every too. The votes have been tabulated for this year’s other week and distributed at over Best of Erie Awards and we’re proud to present 350 high foot-traffic locations in The 2018 Best of Erie Finalists – 22 Pennsylvania from North East to the top three finalists for each category. This year Girard to Edinboro. In addition to The top three contenders in each category saw the most votes cast ever. We want to extend appearing in print, Erie Reader adds a sincere thank you to every single person who new content daily at ErieReader. according to your votes voted, shared, and nominated anyone for this com as well as social media sites. All rights reserved. All content The Top 5 Movies of 2018 – 26 year’s awards. Your voice is being heard, and we’re © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 inclined to agree. State St., Suite 1315, Erie, Pa, 16501. The finest slices of cinema the year had to offer Lists, lists, lists. That’s what we’re into during No part of this publication may be the final weeks of December. Our music writers, reproduced without permission. The opinions of our columnists Top Ten Albums of 2018 – 28 Aaron Mook and Nick Warren teamed up to give and contributors are their own you a top 10 list of the best albums of the year and do not always reflect that of Our favorite picks from this year (with Warren throwing in another recurring the editorial board or organization. feature, the top three local albums as well). For- Direct sales inquiries to 814.314.9364. For editorial inquiries, email Top Three Albums From Erie Artists in est Taylor was happy to build a top five (or may- [email protected]. 2018 – 30 be six) list of his favorite films, and trust us, he’s seen plenty. There are also a few favorites War- Check out three of the best full-lengths from ren selected for your perusal on the small screen, around the area perhaps a cozy way to occupy your time during that strange stretch between Christmas and New Top TV Picks From 2018 – 30 Year’s Eve. And speaking of New Year’s Eve, Cara Suppa has a festive rundown citing some of the Some of the best shows of the year can’t-miss events going on that day (and more so, that night). Crossword Puzzle – 31 It’s time to raise a glass and toast to what’s ahead, and maybe next year, we won’t need to be This year’s last stumper from David Levinson quite as cynical. Wilk December 19, 2018 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 8983_upmc_magee_wd_general_er_10.5x12.25_a.indd 1 10/5/18 3:59 PM Second Hand Rose CONSIGNMENTS HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SECOND HAND ROSE (814) 455-3061 Erie Dance Conservatory Call us or visit Thank You Enrolling NOW for 351 W 26TH ST. ERIE, PA Winter Semester beginning January 3, 2019 To All Our Customers for a Hours Safe Dance Flooring Professional Faculty Wed - Fri 11-5 No Registration Fee S at 11-3 Wonderful Year! Performance Opportunities FREE Trial Class From all of us at Presque Isle Printing Ballet Modern we wish you and your family a great Tap Pointe Jazz Tiny Taps Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!! Acro Tiny Tots Hip Hop Tiny Tumblers 814-833-9020 Presque Isle 4318 W. Ridge Road 2014 •2015 •2016 •2017 Erie, PA 16506 Printing Services www.eriedanceconservatory.org www.presqueisleprinting.com @GoAskAlice08 814.476.7123 4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com December 19, 2018 NEWS & VIEWS 2018 Year in Review Snuffing out the dumpster fire of disillusionment en route to improvement In its previous 25 issues of 2018, the Erie Reader covered a lot of ground concerning Erie’s storied past, complicated (but often fun) present, and promising future, in addition to celebrating its 200th edition. measure were felt deeply in the 2018 midterm elections, with incumbent U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly (R) withstand- ing a strong push from Democratic challenger Ron DiNicola, who won the newly reunited Erie County handily by 19,813 votes. Fairer and more closely contested races can be expected down the road as a result of this ruling. The bad news: It’s never smooth sail- ing in politics — just ask Czech Presi- dent Milos Zeman, who in June invited the media to watch him burn a large shaker (it might get slippery out here) which incentivizes outside capital in- pair of “red underwear” (i.e., a symbolic By: Matt Swanseger — and follow along for a guided tour of vestments in economically depressed cloth that might have doubled as a top- eality (n) — a slap in the face with the year just passed. areas. Opponents of the legislation ob- sail) in response to critics accusing him a cold octopus. At least that’s ject to potential gentrification, or cur- of Communist affiliations. At least he The Year in Government & Politics Rhow one New Zealand kayaker rent residents being priced out of the had a sense of humor about it. might define it. In September, that man The good news: Mayor Joe Schember area. No laughing matter is the City of Erie’s took a cephalopod full-on to the nog- proved recently that he can grow a de- Realizing the magnitude of the task at impending budget crisis, which projects gin, courtesy of a fidgety seal fiddling cent beard, and has also proven to make hand, he set about creating a solid team an $11 million deficit for 2019. Schember with its food.