presents
May 13 – 21, 2021 Dates, Locations, and Line-up sugbject to change.
featuring GOV. TOM RIDGE, SYNTHIA SAINT JAMES, DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN, JEFFREY ROSEN CLAYOLA BROWN, ROBERT PAPE, BARBARA PERRY, STACY CORDERY, ANITA MCBRIDE STEVE SCULLY, ANDREW CARD, DENIS MCDONOUGH, MACK MCLARTY AND A VERY SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER ON MAY 17! JES Memberships Available Now: Renew. Join. Get Your Tickets Now! For more information, call 814.459.8000 or visit www.JESErie.org CONTENTS From the Editors The only local voice for news, arts, and culture. NOVEMBER 18, 2020 The gift of gratitude Editors-in-Chief ll around the world, shopping small is going to Brian Graham & Adam Welsh look a little different this year. Managing Editor Nick Warren Your 2020 Elections Recap – 5 A Traditional European Christmas markets such presents as Nüremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt (set in a quaint Copy Editor Examining results of local races and Matt Swanseger German village square), Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens Contributing Editors Erie County’s impact in the presidential Christmas Market (Danish amusement park rides fes- Ben Speggen election tively aglow), and Barcelona’s Fira de Santa Llucia (the Jim Wertz Spanish capital’s beautiful cathedral looming overhead) Contributors International Recycling Group Finds Home are all hallmarks of the holiday shopping season abroad Liz Allen in Erie – 8 — and likely several Hallmark movies. Tivoli and Fira John Bavaro will cautiously continue spreading yuletide cheer this Mary Birdsong Startup aims for plastic recycling rates of 90 Ally Kutz year, but with COVID-19 spreading rapidly in Germany, Christopher Lantinen percent at $100 million facility Christkindlesmarkt has been canceled for the first time Tommy Link in 73 years. Aaron Mook 2020 Made in Erie Gift Guide – 14 North American reproductions of these cherished rites Brad Pattullo May 13 – 21, 2021 are also falling by the wayside, with the Toronto Christ- Erin Phillips Having yourself an Erie little Christmas Dates, Locations, and Line-up sugbject to change. Claudia Rose mas Market, Chicago’s Christkindlmarket, and Philadel- Melissa Sullivan Shimek Handmade Tales – 16 phia’s Christmas Village being some of the more prom- Jen Sorenson inent examples. Although the Gem City has noelthing Rebecca Styn Three local creators share their paths to full- Cara Suppa on the same scale as those major metropolises, our cal- Forest Taylor time success endar section (still on print hiatus) is typically stuffed Bryan Toy like a Thanksgiving turkey with events such as WQLN’s Larry Wheaton Rivers and Roads: Discovering the Covered Holiday Craft Show, Asbury Woods’ Schoolhouse Craft Photographer Bridges of Ashtabula County – 20 Festival, the Erie Handmade Fair, and the Made in Erie Jessica Hunter Cross the Ohio border into the charming, Marketplace. With dozens of pop-up stations featuring Intern artists, artisans, and craftspeople of every persuasion, Simonique Dietz rustic past they are perfect occasions to pick up one-of-a-kind gifts. Cover Design This year, however, they’re all off the menu. Nick Warren Learning and Living on the Airwaves – 23 But just like Santa, just because you can’t see a store- 1001 State St. Suite 1315 WQLN steps up to the plate for Erie front doesn’t mean they don’t exist. E-commerce and Erie, Pa., 16501 social media marketing have provided a Rudolph-es- [email protected] 10 Local Books to Add to Your Christmas que beacon of hope amidst a blizzard of uncertainty for List – 24 independent sellers such as Katie LeVan, Kaitlyn Page, The Erie Reader is published every and Heather Cash. From Facebook to Etsy to Pinterest other week and distributed at over Dog ear these works by Erie-area authors to Instagram, these talented local artists know firsthand 350 high foot-traffic locations in about the cornucopia of creativity awaiting you behind Pennsylvania from North East to TV Reviews – 25 featuring your computer, tablet, and/or smartphone screens. If Girard to Edinboro. In addition to you can’t buy, like, share, subscribe, or bookmark a web- appearing in print, Erie Reader Early holiday cheer and an entrancing new adds new content daily at miniseries site. And if you have a talent of your own worth sharing, GOV. TOM RIDGE, SYNTHIA SAINT JAMES, ErieReader.com as well as social the women say, please do not hide. media sites. All rights reserved. All Our Hand-picked Podcast Favorites This Erie’s independently owned brick-and-mortar stores content © Flagship Multimedia, Month – 27 won’t be, as their proprietors encourage safely support- DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN, JEFFREY ROSEN Inc, 1001 State St., Suite 1315, ing local on Shop Small Saturday (Nov. 28) and beyond. Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of this Enthralling audio for the streaming Wear a mask, wash and sanitize your hands, and get out publication may be reproduced and explore before the rush if you can. Whether you without permission. The opinions generation choose to do your shopping in-person (we might suggest CLAYOLA BROWN, ROBERT PAPE, BARBARA PERRY, of our columnists and contributors the Shops at the Colony Plaza, which hosts 20 unique lo- are their own and do not always Movie Reviews – 28 reflect that of the editorial board Rebooted Witches and Uninspired cally owned businesses) or online, Liz Allen and our an- STACY CORDERY, ANITA MCBRIDE or organization. Direct sales nual Made in Erie Gift Guide (compiled by Nick Warren) inquiries to 814.314.9364. For Protesters should provide ample inspiration. If you’ve ever unen- editorial inquiries, email contact@ thusiastically unwrapped a box of whitey-tighties and Cartoons – 29 STEVE SCULLY, ANDREW CARD, ErieReader.com. tube socks on Christmas morning (or an embarrassing Hand-wringing, time travel, celebration, and pink bunny costume), you’re aware of the alternative. DENIS MCDONOUGH, MACK MCLARTY confusion Truly, gift-giving is an art. Like art, the “best” gifts are motivated by creativity, imagination, thought, and Music Reviews – 30 emotion. They are a reflection of both the giver and the AND A VERY SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER ON MAY 17! recipient. They’re memorable because their exchange Mr. Bungle, Nothing, Oneohtrix Point Never, uniquely frames some aspect of a relationship or con- and Katy J Pearson nection. As we tear away their wrapping paper, we’re JES Memberships Available Now: Renew. Join. Get Your Tickets Now! inspired to laugh, cry, blush, jump up and down, roll our Crossword Puzzle – 31 eyes, or just express our genuine gratitude. The latest stumper from David Levinson Wilk In an especially miserly 2020, getting that kind of reac- For more information, call 814.459.8000 or visit www.JESErie.org tion is no small feat. November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 Get the healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted!
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4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 NEWS & VIEWS Your 2020 Elections Recap Examining results of local races and Erie County’s impact in the presidential election
According to the Washington Post, more “I Voted” stickers were distributed in the general giving directions to backdate 2020 general election than any U.S. election ballots received after the state-im- since 1900. About two-thirds of the voting- posed deadline. Just days later, after eligible population turned out, with higher an investigation was launched, Rich- percentages found in key battleground states like Pennsylvania (70.3 percent) — a ard Hopkins told USPS investigators trend that held true for Erie County. he had fabricated the account and re- canted. But before that, newly re-elect- publican incumbent Mike Kelly’s ed Republican Senator in South Caro- 65,640, putting the Erie County native lina Lindsey Graham gave the story and political newcomer up by 2,823 oxygen in the mainstream media. So votes in her backyard. But Erie alone did others elsewhere, including the does not make up PA-16; it includes 45th President of the United States on Crawford, Mercer, and Lawrence Twitter. counties, and a portion of the incum- So, all the aforementioned rac- bent’s home county: Butler. Kelly won es could also be filed under: Things each of those other counties, totaling stayed the same. But the one that can- 207,472 votes to Gnibus’ 142,232. not be is the race between Republican It’s not the first time an Erieite chal- incumbents President Donald Trump lenged Kelly. Just two years ago, Erie and Vice President Mike Pence and County’s Ron DiNicola took a run at their Democratic challengers, former PA-16 but fell short by 11,239 (124,109 to Vice President Joe Biden at the top of Kelly’s 135,348) in 2018’s midterm elec- the card and California Senator Ka- tions. mala Harris as his Vice President. So while Gnibus fell to Kelly by a After flipping red for the first time
SIMONIQUE DIETZ larger margin, she did notch more since 1984 during President Ronald overall votes than DiNicola did. Like Reagan’s re-election bid, Erie County Pa. announced Bizzarro would serve Gnibus, DiNicola was unable to win — a reliable, traditionally blue coun- By: Ben Speggen in the leadership capacity of Demo- any other county aside from Erie, ty — went to Trump. Many might n more ways than not, Erie Coun- cratic Policy Chair. which he did top by Kelly by a larger recall the night it happened, when ty, Pennsylvania looks much the Filed under As-We-Would-Have-Ex- margin (60 percent to Kelly’s 40) than Pennsylvania was still a toss-up, and Isame after the 2020 general elec- pected: Republican incumbent to the Gnibus did. upon getting the news that Erie went tion. But, the change that did happen General Assembly 6th Legislative Dis- The increase of votes cast in 2020 to Trump, it tipped the state scales to has received — and will continue to trict Brad Roae held off Democratic compared to 2018 is largely explained Trump, and Pennsylvania became pro- receive — the national spotlight. challenger Matt Ferrence, defeating by the race at the top of the ticket. jected for him. That is, as Erie went Unless you’ve been buried beneath him 5,412 to 3,463, or a margin of 1,949. The big show. The race to which more red, Pennsylvania followed. rocks or unplugged from glowing Filed under Most-Local-Eyes-Were- Americans — and perhaps the world Now, Erie is again getting the spot- screens both large and small, you like- On-This-Race: In the hotly contested — pay attention to than anything else: light. After Trump edged out Demo- ly already know that. But let’s recap. race for State Senate District 49, Erie the presidential election. cratic challenger Hillary Clinton in Filed under Absolutely-No-Surpris- voters elected to send incumbent But before we get to that, let’s note: 2016, national correspondents para- es-There: Pennsylvania State Reps. Dan Laughlin back to Harrisburg for The numbers presented here come chuted in, Googled “diners in Erie, PA,” Pat Harkins, Bob Merski, Curt Son- a second term. Of the 116,907 votes from local, state, and national unoffi- sat with folks in booths with cups full ney, and Parke Wentling, representing cast, Laughlin, a Republican, received cial final counts, which include all le- of coffee and plates full of eggs, and General Assembly Districts 1, 2, 4, and 69,813. His Democratic challenger, Ju- gally cast ballots, many more of which asked them: So what the heck hap- 17, respectively, are all headed back to lie Slomski, received 46,900. were this time cast by mail, Pennsyl- pened? in an electoral analysis ouro- the halls of Harrisburg without any Most were watching this race, be- vania included. boros. headaches on the campaign trail, as cause, with a nightly barrage of TV Due to Act 77, the election reform In between then and the election, they all ran uncontested re-election commercials, a seemingly never-end- bill signed by Gov. Tom Wolf on Oct. major news outlets pointed to Erie bids. Along party lines, it’s an even ing-amount-of pop-ups and ads on so- 31, 2019, Pennsylvanians were now as a bellwether not just for the Com- split, with Harkins and Merski rep- cial platforms, and what seemed to be able to cast no-excuse mail-in ballots. monwealth of Pennsylvania, but also resenting the Democrats and Sonney enough flyers mailed to start a 13-mile- Plus, the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact for the country. Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. and Wentling representing Republi- wide bonfire, this race was hard to ig- weighed heavily on voter habits, as John Fetterman weighed in, noting cans. nore. While that inundation may have many opted not to vote in-person out often that “so goes Erie, so goes Penn- Filed under Not-A-Shocker: In the lent to the appearance of the race be- of an abundance of caution. sylvania, and so goes Pennsylvania, so race for the General Assembly 3rd Leg- ing close, Laughlin prevailed with a This led to, again, something you’ve goes the nation.” islative District, Democratic incum- 22,913-vote margin. likely heard about already but bears The national reporters have already bent Ryan Bizzarro handily defeated Filed under The-Past-Is-The-Pres- repeating: Baseless accusations of been — and will continue to be — back, his Republican challenger Greg Hayes ent-Again: Democratic challenger for voter fraud. That hit home in Erie, as assumedly asking again: So what the by 8,236 votes — or, 22,217 to 13,981. Fol- the PA-16 congressional seat Kristy a USPS worker told Project Veritas he heck happened? lowing the election, House Dems in Gnibus notched 68,463 votes to Re- allegedly overheard the postmaster On Election Day, a Tuesday that
November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 5 NEWS & VIEWS
seemed to last 117 hours, Americans back through 2000 where, in round table uptick in voter turnout. Yet the went to bed not knowing the outcome numbers: 59, 55, 57, 56, and 50. margin of victory for Democrats isn’t of the election. And, depending where While unofficial counts are being where it had been before losing it in you were looking, Electoral College made official, a process that does take 2016. And the same can be said for Erie. tallies were different. The similarity, time and is common practice follow- On voter turnout alone, this election though, was that Biden was ahead of ing elections and is not the result of will be called historic. Other reasons Trump. And, while both were short nefarious interference, it is projected include: The incumbent’s refusal to of the necessary 270 Electoral Col- that voter turnout in 2020’s general concede, despite having lost both the lege votes necessary to be declared election, nationally, will be around 70 Electoral College and the popular vote, the election’s winner, Biden had more percent. The closest our nation came leaving no path to victory, and having paths to victory than Trump. Trump to that in the history of the modern no substantiated evidence of voter would have needed to sweep most American presidency is the 1960 elec- fraud that’s being claimed to have ma- of the remaining board, while Biden tion between John Kennedy and Rich- nipulated the election’s outcome. could’ve used various combinations of ard Nixon at 63 percent. We are living in the interregnum some states. What does this all add up to? now — the period between the elec- As Tuesday wore on into Wednesday, On the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 13, tion night and the inauguration, a pe- then tumbled towards Thursday, and major outlets took the last two re- riod historically marked by the peace- flowed over to Friday, the likelihood maining uncalled states off the board: ful transition of power. of a Biden victory was becoming more North Carolina went to Trump, and A key feature that has made America apparent. As moderator for Meet The for the first time in 28 years, Georgia itself over the course of this experi- Press Chuck Todd said, in essence, went blue, going to Biden. The final ment in government has been that more than a few times: We know the Electoral College count from CNN: peaceful transition. Many point to outcome; we just don’t know how Biden, 306; Trump, 232. Washington’s channeling of Cincinna- we’re going to get there. While the unofficial count still needs tus in not seeking never-ending power Then, we did. to be made official, Joe Biden and despite having it as an option on the And it was Pennsylvania, tipping Kamala Harris, who has made histo- table. Others point to Adams conced- Biden over the 270-threshold, while ry as the first woman and first Afri- ing to Jefferson and becoming the other states remained in play. The can-American and Asian-American first president to be ousted after just coup de gras: No path to victory for woman elected to vice president, have one four-year term and accepting the Trump did not include the Keystone won both the Electoral College and results of that election. State, while Biden could have lost Pa. the popular vote. Pundits, scholars, pollsters, and vot- but won the election by picking up The Biden-Harris ticket has received ers continue to unfurl speculations other states. more votes nationally than any other of what will unfold between now and Biden’s victory in Erie County marks candidate in the history of the United Jan. 20, 2021, the date of inauguration. the slimmest margin dating back to States at 78.8 million. What we do know is that on Dec. 14, 2000. Second to that comes the only Likewise, Donald Trump and Mike electors from all 50 states plus the Dis- Republican claim to Erie County since Pence, with 73.1 million votes, have trict of Columbia meet to cast their 1984 at 1,957. received more votes than any sitting ballots for president. During the ear- Before the Obama era, President president and vice president before ly days of January, the newly elected George W. Bush won re-election over them. Congress will meet — first the House, Democratic challenger John Kerry in Like only a few other sitting presi- then the Senate for a formal electoral 2004, but Kerry topped Bush by 144,248 dents before him (Hoover in 1932; Ford vote count. votes in Pa. and 10,549 in Erie Coun- in 1976; Carter in 1980; H.W. in 1992), These have been nothing more than ty. Four years before that, although Trump becomes just the fifth presi- mere formalities in our country’s he became the 43rd President of the dent in modern American history to past. Whether they remain histori- United States, Bush lost to Democratic lose as an incumbent. Ford remains an cally so by the time we get there this nominee Al Gore by 204,840 in Pa. and outlier, as the nation’s only president go-around will be seen in the coming 10,372 in Erie County. to have been neither elected to the hours, weeks, days, and months. Voter turnouts in Pa. from 2016 back presidency or vice presidency. Nation- through 2000 were, in round numbers al turnout in those elections: 53, 54, 53, Ben Speggen can be contacted by percentage: 61, 58, 62, 60, and 52, re- and 55, respectively. at bSpeggen@ErieReader. spectively. For Pennsylvania, it’s back to being com. You can follow him on Voter turnouts nationally from 2016 blue, mirroring the nation with a no- Twitter @BenSpeggen.
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November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 7 NEWS & VIEWS International Recycling Group Finds Home in Erie Startup aims for plastic recycling rates of 90 percent at $100 million facility
International Recycling Group, spearheaded are recycled. As noted on their website, by founder and chairman Mitch Hecht the goal of IRG is to find value in every (pictured), will begin construction on a $100 million plastic recycling facility in Erie next part of post-use plastic. Combined with year, slated for completion in 2022. Hecht’s plastic scrap generated by industrial goal is to go from 90 percent of plastics and commercial industries, the group in landfills to 90 percent recycled plastics estimates that annually, over 50 mil- within the next 15 years. lion tons of plastic scrap are destined for landfills. Their technology will be sition. “Erie is literally 40 miles to the able to accept all types of plastic—not south of where we need to deliver our just bottles. Thus, this “single stream- clean material to a steel company up in ing,” or the combination of all plastics Nanticoke, Ontario.” into a recycling bin, will now become a Hecht had been working with Cap- reality. Zone, a group that had previously But as for how one gets into the plas- committed funding to Erie, about how tics recycling industry to begin with? to try to access the opportunity zone “My partner [Doug] and I came out funding. He then called up the Cap- of the steel industry. I was looking for Zone CEO Al Pachula to talk about ways to reduce our fuel costs for coal. Erie Insurance. “I found out they had a By accident, I came upon this article meeting with them the following week that Japan and Western Europe were and he invited me to join. So I did.” taking waste plastic that they didn’t “[Erie Insurance] told me they wanted have a recyclable application for — be- to develop the next generation of in- cause they don’t have landfills — and dustry in Erie, and we think recycling they were getting rid of it in the blast is perfect — adding that in fact, there furnace of steel mills because it’s a ze- was a huge downstream plastics econo- ro-oxygen environment in extremely my that could be natural customers for high temperatures.” our recycled post-consumer resins.” Zero-oxygen environment means no IRG was then introduced to Plastek burning — and no combustion.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Group and Penn State Behrend, which “It’s really just eliminating plastic by has one of the largest undergradu- vaporizing. Getting rid of that mate- By: Rebecca Styn How Erie came to be was somewhat ate polymers research institutes and rial was an ideal way to remove a lot serendipitous — a mix of the right loca- programs in the country. “And within of plastic from a landfill or the waste n the heels of Wabtec’s loom- tion, right time, and a sprinkling of in- weeks there was a whirlwind of meet- stream. When I looked at it, I thought, ing layoffs is a glimmer of good vestment (a combined $9 million from ings with several groups and it just was we’ve got more waste plastic going to Onews in the world of manufac- Erie Insurance and Erie-based Plastek so obvious that this was a perfect fit landfills in this country than anywhere turing in Erie. Group) didn’t hurt either. IRG plans for where our business needed to be.” in the world on a per capita basis, why International Recycling Group (IRG), to be at full commission by the end of What was born from that was a hand- aren’t we doing that here?” a New York City-based startup, will 2022, with 50 new jobs — and a hopeful shake deal in January, and then an ar- His research found that coal was so soon be setting up shop in the Gem future expansion that could increase duous due diligence process and final cheap in the U.S. that one needed gov- City. The group will build what it de- employment to more than 150. completion of the transaction. ernment subsidies to support such a scribes as the world’s largest plastics “We plan to break ground beginning “When COVID hit and I thought, ev- program at the time because the steel recycling facility at a price tag of $100 of next year and then hopefully by the erybody’s going to take the opportu- operator would rather take coal. million. end of 2022 it will be completed. It’s nity to either cancel the deal because “You couldn’t manufacture the ma- I recently had the opportunity to roughly an 18-month development,” of the economic uncertainty, and the terial for it to be cheap enough where talk to the founder and chairman of says Hecht. world will just stop investing in things, you make money, or you could cover the group, Mitch Hecht, who will soon The group was first introduced to Erie and businesses will be shut down. But the cost. That was in 2004.” be an Erieite himself; anticipating his by the way of Erie Insurance, when they by the time we closed on our transac- But in 2007 things changed. “All of move in mid-November. “I signed a saw on the news that EIG had estab- tion in August, the handshake deal that a sudden, coal prices went from be- lease in an area in the city known as lished a $50 million opportunity zone we had in January with Erie Insurance ing incredibly cheap now to shooting OWB [Our West Bayfront]. Coming fund. “That was of critical importance and the Plastek Group was exactly the through the roof, because all of the fos- from New York, where we have Soho, to learn about because the toughest fi- deal that resulted after all the legal doc- sil fuels coming out of China. All of our Doho, and all these little nicknames, I nancing that you need to raise always umentation was done. Incredible kudos raw materials were skyrocketing. And thought the OWB was cool.” is something called pre-development and credit to the integrity of everyone at that point, I realized coal now used IRG’s CEO will soon be moving to Erie funding, but it’s really the seed capital involved in the transaction.” by a steel mill was more expensive.” as well. Chris Dow hails from down un- that we needed to finalize development According to the Environmental Pro- der. He currently resides in Melbourne, of a plan.” tection Agency, in the United States, That’s when Hecht started knocking Australia, but COVID has delayed his In looking at the location on the map, only about 7 percent of all plastics that on the doors of the guys in the North move. he then realized Erie was in a prime po- enter the municipal solid waste stream American steel industry that he used
8 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 NEWS & VIEWS HIRING TODAY! to work with. energy value that can be used to offset “They said, if you can make a materi- coke in the production of iron oxide. al that is clean and energy consistent, Hecht believes those markets will we’ll buy every ounce of it that you can continue to develop. make. So that’s how it got started.” “And then we’ll start pulling the mate- Mitch said he expects that uses oth- rial away from the steel mill and start er than steel mills will be found for all providing the material to the recyclers. grades of plastic. Our goal is that we go from 90 percent “Our model is really intended to cre- landfill today of plastics to 90 percent ate a bridge. Our goal would be to send recycled plastics.” A lofty goal — one material (to a steel mill) only if we can’t that Hecht believes will take upwards find another market for that material. of 15 years — but one that would pro- That would be our long-term goal.” vide a positive environmental impact It’s the classic chicken and the egg. for generations to come. “Many plastics don’t have a recycling Hopefully through this initiative, Erie application because nobody is collect- will play a small role in not only saving ing those plastics efficiently because a part of the environment — but help- there is no market for the material. So, ing our community grow in tandem — the question is, how do we get from with the help of a little startup from 10 percent recycled recovery of all New York City. plastics to 90 percent of recovery and turned back into products? The only Rebecca Styn is the proprietor of Make a living way you can do that is creating a box Room 33 Speakeasy. She is also VP of where we’re driving every single type Ventures at Erie Innovation District while making a of plastic and resin.” and recently completed her Ph.D. But in October the group had signed in Leadership and Organizational a memo of understanding with Can- Learning from Gannon University. ada-based steelmaker StelCo Inc. IRG Follow Room 33 on Facebook @ difference. will plan to sell the company a propri- room33speakeasy, and follow etary blend of plastics that has a high Rebecca on Twitter at @rstyn. Lakeshore Community Services is seeking dedicated and reliable Direct Support Professionals and Certified Nursing Assistants eager to make a difference in the A good neighbor lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. has your back. Are you compassionate and motivated to help others? Join us!
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November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 9 2019
Just thanking Erie for your support and 2019 Best of Erie win! Shop Local Come in and check out why we were voted Best in Erie! this Holiday Season Visit bestof.eriereader.com to vote for Erie’s Best Distillery Covid Hours: Mon: Closed; Tue — Fri: 3pm - 10pm; Sat: 2pm - 10pm; Sun: Closed Small Business Saturday | November 28, 2020 The bar is closed but you may sit at a table inside or outside! VISIT ERIEAPPAREL.CO
10 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 FEATURE Make Big Plans to Shop Small Local businesses make splash for holidays
Baking kits, cookbooks, card games, stationery, and more can be found on the you are eligible for a gift giveaway on shelves of Pressed Bookstore & Coffee, Nov. 30. located in Greengarden Place, the plaza at Two long-standing businesses, Miller West Eighth and Greengarden Road across Brothers Power Equipment, 2111 State from Frontier Park. St., and Mighty Fine Donuts, 2612 Pa- rade St., have joined the passport pro- youngsters to the kitchen. “We have a motion this year. Also new to the list gingerbread cookie baking set, a Christ- are Copper Carriage Antiques, 1909 mas tree baking set, as well as general Chestnut St.; Flower Kitchen, accessi- start-baking sets and even kid-safe ble at the West 23rd Street entrance to knives and cutting board sets and, of St. John’s Lutheran Church on Peach course, kids’ cookbooks to go with Street; and Herb & Honey Bakery, in Ur- them,” Bowes said. baniak Brothers Quality Meats (which And who wouldn’t have fun with a also participates), at 310 E. 24th St. Harry Potter wand set, Lego-themed The number and variety of vibrant stationery and journals and “Mad Libs” businesses in Erie’s central city corri- Christmas cards? With Toys R Us gone, dors always amaze me. As a loyal pa- Bowes said her store and Inside the Jel- tron of Kraus Department Store, 810 ly Jar in the Colony Plaza fill a needed Parade St., I had to include this family niche with their toy selections. business, now in its 135th year, on the Bowes and her husband Casey own list of places to shop local. Greengarden Place, home to a number Joe Nowosielski, who runs the busi- of specialty businesses and retailers, ness with two of his brothers, his son LIZ ALLEN including Buona Cucina Oils and More. and his nephews, remembers when his Bowes is a big fan of the olives stuffed father, grandfather, and uncle would By: Liz Allen remotely, there are fewer business suits with orange peel sold at Buona Cucina. play Santa Claus at Christmastime. You range-stuffed olives. Red Flyer to be cleaned, so she suggested thinking “They are delicious and they surprise can step back in time before you even wagons. A “green” alternative to of some other items that might need to you,” Bowes said. step inside the store by window-shop- Owhite paper towels. be cleaned, like your drapes. That way, Surprising finds are a bonus of shop- ping for the Red Flyer wagon and the Make a plan to shop local after Black you tidy up the house and support a lo- ping local. Walking to Greengarden Red Flyer tricycle on display in front of Friday and you will enjoy a fun, multi- cal business. Place to check out the fused oils, extra a fireplace mantle. There’s also a metal hued experience. You should also be Whether in Downtown Erie or else- virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, teas, shopping cart, one of the items Kraus nimble enough to seek out new desti- where, local business owners are com- hand-blown cruets and recipes at Buo- sells to elderly clientele who live near- nations for your shopping excursions mitted to customer safety this season. na Cucina, I discovered The Reskhued by. and to broaden your notion of what “Along with many other small busi- Piece at 1648 W. Eighth St., which sells Because a lot of customers lack trans- constitutes a gift. ness owners, we are diligently sanitiz- custom-painted furniture, kitchen cab- portation, the store also sells bicycles With the challenges brought on by ing and doing our best to enforce mask inets and specialty paints, including and inner tubes, although bikes are the pandemic, it’s critical for Small policies. Everyone knows they should lush and lovely milk paint. hard to find this year due to supply Business Saturday to succeed on Nov. do that because they are concerned In similar fashion last year, I stum- chain issues, Nowosielski said. 28 and for customers to embrace the about their own and their neighbor’s bled upon chocolate-covered red seed- I love to browse the aisles for U.S.- “shop local” movement throughout safety,” said Tracey Bowes, owner of less grapes at Pulakos Chocolates, made cast-iron cookware, bird feeders, the holiday season, according to Emi- Pressed Books & Coffee at Greengarden which has stores at East 26th and Pa- 99-cent greeting cards and handy gad- ly Fetcko, assistant director of the Erie Place, the plaza located at West Eighth rade streets and at the Millcreek Mall. I gets, such as snow scrapers. Nowosiels- Downtown Partnership and manager Street and Greengarden Road across called to make sure the grapes are still ki said that stocking seasonal products of its Main Street program. from Frontier Park. available (they are) and learned that “is what keeps us going, [what makes “Shop Local” is more than a cute slo- Unlike big box stores, local business- Pulakos also sells chocolate-dipped ba- us] so diversified.” gan, she said. “It’s time to get it off the es usually don’t have long lines, so it’s con, sprinkled with sea salt. If you are searching for items made in sweatshirt and get it into action,” she easy to social distance, she said. But The eastside Pulakos is one of 29 local Erie, many local businesses can accom- said. “Make it a verb instead of just a all stores get busier as holidays loom, businesses participating in the Small modate you. nice idea.” so Bowes suggests shopping early, es- Business Saturday/Shop Small pro- Pressed sells Erie-made cards, jewelry, In Downtown Erie, businesses have pecially as COVID-19 numbers spike. “I motion organized by the Sisters of St. and candy. pledged “an abundance of caution” am very hopeful that things won’t be Joseph Neighborhood Network. The Edinboro Market, 109 Erie St. in Ed- with their COVID-19 protocols so that shut down, but there is not an iron-clad promotion has three zones: Historic inboro, features 42 different local food customers can experience “an abun- guarantee,” she said. Little Italy, Parade and 26th Street, and producers and food entrepreneurs, but dance of joy,” Fetcko said. Puzzles are a great gift for kids and The Hill District. Pick up a passport at in recent weeks, it has added locally This is also the time to put yourself in adults every winter, but especially this a participating business or download produced food-related items, according the shoes of business owners. She used year, when we will be hunkering down one at the “latest news” section on ss- to Marti Martz, president of the non- Chido’s Dry Cleaners, 1103 State St., as to stay healthy. jnn.org. Have your passport validated profit market. an example. With more people working Now is also a cool time to introduce at four participating businesses and Each item comes with a “producer
November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 11 FEATURE
A Red Flyer tricycle and Red Flyer wagon sit buy things at their school’s Secret San- in the display window of Kraus Department ta shop. Store, 810 Parade St., which has been a staple of shopping local for over 135 years. Like many small businesses, Sammi’s Heartfelt Treasures is a family enter- prise. Schening’s husband, John, laid financial circumstances so many are the flooring and did the painting, but facing, artists will each include at least the shop is “100 percent my shop,” she one piece under $100 in the show, Potter said. “For 15 or 16 years I’ve dreamed of said. The show, which is cash and carry, this, but it was never the right time or I will also include jewelry, ceramics and didn’t have the money,” she said. “Final- holiday ornaments, she said. The art- ly, one day, the stars aligned and here I work will also more accurately reflect am.” the diversity of Erie’s artistic commu- Here, too, in her gem of a store, you nity. can meet the resident rabbit, Cinna The show opens Friday, Nov. 27, from Bun-Bun, a silky black Netherlands 6 to 9 p.m., continues Nov. 28 and Nov. dwarf bunny. Color me happy. 29 from noon to 6 p.m. and then runs Thursdays through Sundays from noon Liz Allen was delighted to find to 6 p.m. through Dec. 21 or by appoint- baseball socks for her sports-loving ment at 814-983-8566. husband at Sammi’s Heartfelt LIZ ALLEN A love of art is also at the center of Treasures last Christmas. You can Shelly Schening’s store, Sammi’s Heart- reach her at [email protected]. profile” about the entrepreneur and the al horizons during the holidays. felt Treasures. On Nov. 11, the store product. For example, Simon Camp’s Patrick Fisher, director of Erie Arts & marked its one-year anniversary in the Learn more company, Green Wood Works, makes Culture, says that buying memberships old Jarecki Jewelers at 21 W. Ninth St. To explore what’s new this holiday sea- rolling pins, kitchen utensils, and mea- and subscriptions to local institutions I became enamored with Sammi’s ex- son in downtown Erie, including a map suring spoons from his family’s Ameri- is a wise way to help them weather the terior and interior during the final Gal- of light displays, visit the Erie Downtown can chestnut trees in Meadville. pandemic. In addition, patronizing local lery Night of 2019 last December. I like Partnership at eriedowntown.com or fol- LizzieBeth’s, Beth Ivanic’s company in art and gift galleries and pottery shops the way Schening uses the old wooden low the organization on social media. Saegertown, makes “untowels” and oth- benefits both the artisans and the local jewelry cabinets to display some of the For a list of the 29 businesses partici- er green products to counter our throw- business owners, he said. oodles of items she sells, including local pating in the Sisters of St. Joseph Neigh- away culture. The “untowel” roll works Don’t assume that art is too rich for crafts and antiques. “The built-ins are borhood Network’s annual Shop Small/ this way: “There’s terrycloth on one side your blood. one of the things that attracted me to Small Business Saturday event on Nov. and beautiful fabric on the other side. A holiday exhibit at 1020 Collective, the store and just the vibe that it gives 28, visit ssjnn.org and click on “latest You tear one off every day, throw them 1020 Holland St., will feature “affordable off,” she said. news.” in the laundry (after use), and at the art to warm your heart,” according to An artisan herself, Schening wants to To learn about holiday plans for North end of the week, snap it back together Alexa Potter, president of the North- provide art workspace for people strug- East, including Sugar Plum Sunday, visit again,” Martz said. western Pennsylvania Art Associa- gling with mental illness, although the North East Area Chamber of Com- Nestled inside Edinboro Market is tion, which is sponsoring the show in those plans are on hold now due to merce at nechamber.org the Boro Sweet Shop, a for-profit busi- collaboration with Chroma Guild and COVID-19. Instead, she welcomes those To learn about Girard’s newest busi- ness operated by Martz’s husband, Curt students from Edinboro University of who need to talk with a place to sit and ness, the Crick Coffee House & Eatery Hals, that sells coffee, tea, and many Pennsylvania’s Master of Fine Arts pro- chat. at 236 W. Main St., visit facebook.com/ delectable sweets, including goodies for gram. She’s also added the Peapod Shop, thecrickcoffeehouse. Manager Jackson those on vegan, gluten-free and other The “affordable art” tagline comes where kids can buy gifts for $5 and un- Loept said you can grab a local coffee types of diets. from celebrated graphic artist and Ed- der for family, friends and teachers. It’s from the Happy Mug or enjoy a full meal, In addition to indulging your sweet inboro professor Shelle Barron, said a welcome addition when so many kids then visit the many unique gift shops tooth, you can also expand your cultur- Potter. To acknowledge the difficult are going to school remotely and can’t nearby.
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Erie County Human Relations Commission
The Erie County Human Relations Commission (ECHRC) works to eliminate discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations through identification, consultation, and investigation of complaints.
• The ECHRC provides a system of equal justice for employer–employee, landlord– tenant, business–patron, and lending institution–homebuyer.
ECHRC’s Ordinance makes it unlawful to discriminate against protected Shop locally for gift cards, winter gear, classes that include: • Race; Color; Family Status; Religious Creed; Ancestry; Age; Sex; National Origin; Sexual bath products, lots of unique gift items! Orientation; Disability; Gender Identity; Criminal History; and Source of Income.
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November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 13 FEATURE 2020 Made in Erie Gift Guide Having yourself an Erie little Christmas
By: Nick Warren Scented Candles from Wicks & Wax Handmade Recycled Paper from hopping local! It’s the name of Grounded Print Shop the game. This year in particular it’s important to support region- al businesses, as the economic Simpact of the pandemic continues to take its toll. Thankfully, Erieites are a creative and resourceful lot. Not only are there plenty of options as far Erie-made gifts go, but there’s a myriad of different ways to purchase them. This is the sixth annual edition of the Made in Erie Gift GROUNDEDPAPERSHOP @
Guide and it barely scratches the sur- NICK WARREN face. There’s a nearly endless supply of ETSY things made in our area by our commu- musicians in need, Bandcamp decided GONELOCAL.COM nity. to waive its fees one Friday. This, thank- One of the star players from Gone Local, Have an artist on your list? Give them fully, became a monthly ritual for the site Wicks & Wax offers an interactive experi- a one-of-a-kind arena for their work with A Holiday Box from Gone Local known as Bandcamp Fridays. The next ence in addition to their more traditional some handmade recycled paper. Found- one is on Dec. 4, leaving just the right gifts. Located on Edinboro Road in McK- ed by artist Ashley Pastore in 2019, the amount of time for shipping. Aside from ean, the site lets visitors pour their own products made by Grounded Print Shop looking up your favorites, you can search candles to take home with them, open to are eye-catching unto themselves, filled for the tag “Erie,” or consult a healthy list walk-ins, small groups, and private par- with amazing textures and coming in we made online this May, or better yet, ties. If you aren’t as inclined to drop by, captivating colors. Their Etsy shop has circumvent it and just ask the artists their site offers over 60 different scents handmade notebooks, masks, and a va- themselves. // Bandcamp.com to choose from, letting you choose your riety of 5” x 7” paper bundles — perfect own lid type for an even more personal for making your own holiday cards or Video Games by Whitethorn Games touch. Each candle is made from natural unforgettable thank you notes. Located plant oil, with their wax sustainable, as on Cherry Street in Erie’s Little Italy, the part of the Round Table on Responsible shop also offers classes for pulp paint- Soy. // wicksandwaxerie.com ing, papermaking, and book binding. // groundedprintshop.com
GONELOCAL.COM Fresh Baked Bread or Donuts Bath Bombs from Dragonfly Lake There’s an easy hack for finding the Scents right Erie gifts this year. Just go to gonelocalerie.com and they have just about everything you could want for — as the name implies — your local WHITETHORNGAMES gifting needs. The centerpiece of this @ year’s selection is one of their specially FB curated Holiday Boxes. There are three: Ideal for any locally-minded gamer in The Great Lake, The Gem City Giant, your life, Whitethorn Games offers up a and The Presque Isle Premium, each of slew of games to choose from on a wide increasing size and complexity. Be sure range of platforms. Whether you’re look- to act fast, as pre-orders for these close ing to play on Nintendo Switch, XBox GONELOCAL.COM on Nov. 22. If you miss that date, don’t One, PS4, Steam or more, Whitethorn has DRAGONFLYLAKESCENTS @ fear, because the Gone Local site has a gorgeous selection to pick from. Go on over 150 different items to choose from, their website, or search for Whitethorn in Just imagine waking up on Christmas ETSY made by dozens of nearby makers, start- your online shop of choice, grab a down- morning to some fresh, locally made Have you or someone you loved ever ing at $1. // gonelocalerie.com load code, and give hours of playable fun. bread or donuts. Virtually any time used a bath bomb? If so, then you know Whitethorn specializes in “pleasant, cozy during the holiday season and beyond how amazing they are in all their fizzy, Local Music from Bandcamp games that can be played in pieces,” that is the right time to bring home some frothy glory. Rather than grab one from Looking for a way to support your don’t come with the high price tags that well-risen confections. Think outside a flush national chain, grab them di- friendly neighborhood musician? Band- some tentpole platformers typically car- the stocking this year, and grab a loaf rectly from Erie’s bath and body experts, camp.com has become one of the top ry. If you know someone who is already from a place like The Majestic Bakery or Dragonfly Lake Scents. Check out their sources for independently made music enamored with a Whitethorn game, go The Workingman’s Cake (they even deliv- Etsy shop and just try not to pick up a and big-name artists alike. In March, the to their website for a great selection er it courtesy of Gone Local), or a dozen brilliant-looking bar of handmade soap deal became even sweeter. In an effort to of enamel pins, t-shirts, and more. // from a much-loved location like Mighty as well. Run by Tenise Monterio and help put more money into the pockets of whitethorndigital.com Fine, Jack Frost, or H&K. Mioshee Greer, Dragonfly has made a
14 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 FEATURE name for itself for being one of Erie’s great sources for t-shirts, hoodies, hats, top artisanal makers. Also available are and more made by Erie-area companies. masks, balms, muscle soaks, body but- There are hundreds upon hundreds of ters, and more. // etsy.com/shop/Drag- options to choose from. There’s workout onflyLakeScents gear, loungewear, and of course, t-shirts. Choose from Erie-centric designs, or go SleepPhones from AcousticSheep with a more subtle nod to a brand you love. You can stop in to a brick-and-mor- tar store like Erie Apparel or Iron Empire, The perfect gift or an online shop like Dotigan or Melan- choly. for the holidays is just a click away. Wine, Beer, or Spirits On Saturday, November 28, buy one $10
SLEEPPHONES Erie Downtown gift certificate and get another @
FB $10 gift certificate—absolutely free.
Have a restless sleeper on your list? Shop this exclusive One Day Sale at One of Erie’s most praised gifts for years just might be the answer. Acous- Eriedowntown.com ticSheep’s SleepPhones remain a re- Limit $50.
markable invention. Founded in 2007 FIVEAND20 @
by Dr. Wei-Shin Lai and husband Jason FB Wolfe, SleepPhones are often imitated and never duplicated. Its flagship item There’s a reason that alcohol is a pe- is a comfortable, bed-friendly head- rennial favorite on this list. The Erie area Shop Local, band with specially designed ultra-slim has so much to choose from. To certain Support Local. headphones built between the head- people, a six pack with a bow around it band’s fabric. There’s a variety to choose will mean so much more than a tie ever from, including some with Bluetooth could. Surprise craft beer enthusiasts or pre-loaded audio tracks (and a new with a small-batch run they haven’t tried ASMR edition), and newly improved bat- yet. Looking for an instantly-appreciated tery life. // sleepphones.com office gift (even if you work from home)? A bagged bottle or two of Lake Erie wine Shirts from Local Makers will work like gangbusters — you could even go extra-Christmasy with mulled wine or some ever-so-sweet ice wine. If Christmas spirits are something you want to take literally, a nice bottle from an area distillery is nearly unbeatable. Most offer t-shirt and merch options Any regular priced to boot. The options are flowing. // Get 10% merchandise. Includes ERIEAPPAREL
@ started at lakeeriealetrail.com or la- bikes, parts & accessories.
FB keeriewinecountry.org OFF Have your own idea for what you’d like to Not including sales items or electric bikes. Expires 4/30/2021 Want to look good and keep things see on this list? Let us know! Nick Warren can local next year? There are all kinds of be reached at [email protected] 2774 W. 12th St. ● 814.833.0430 ● www.johnadamscycling.com
United Way of Erie County’s Erie FREE Taxes program is in urgent need of community members interested in becoming IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers for the 2021 tax filing season. Online IRS training is provided for free. Visit UnitedWayErie.org/ErieFreeTaxesVolunteer or call (814) 456-2937 ext. 236
During tax preparation, precautions will be in place at each tax site to provide a safe environment for the VITA tax site, VITA volunteers, and tax filers.
November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 15 FEATURE Handmade Tales Three local creators share their paths to full-time success
[left]: Local painter Kaitlyn Page specializes in the stunningly psychedelic and surreal, Heather Cash: I was living in Cali- selling her artwork in the form of stickers fornia, working as a programmer [for (pictured here), prints, and apparel. [bottom Google], and started painting just for right] Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Page had found success vending (as the the fun of it. I put some paintings up Inner Observer) at various music festivals on Etsy just to see what would happen, throughout the area. Thankfully, social and they sold within a week. It was so media and her online e-commerce store has exciting that someone wanted to buy allowed her to sustain herself as a full-time artist in the absence of in-person events. something that I made myself! From then on, I was hooked. I couldn’t stop creating and listing [items] for sale. versity. As a graduating senior, I was MS: What channels or methods have part of a group show where I painted you used to promote your work? Which a bunch of birds. I have always felt that approaches have worked for you, and art can mean something, or it can mean which not so much? nothing. It can simply be a statement KL: I opened up my own online shop of “this is what I want to paint in this outside of Etsy through Shopify at the THEINNEROBSERVER @ moment, and that’s enough of a reason beginning of 2020, which also marked FB to do it.” To my surprise, I sold most the beginning of me becoming a full- of those birds that opening day. From time artist. Up until this year, I have By: Matt Swanseger sought-after by Google Search users that moment on, my artwork generat- sold locally at various markets, as well each glass and handbags. Pottery this time of year) online are many. Ac- ed a small following that I have worked as a few out of town events, such as and pet portraits. Windshield de- cording to three local women who’ve tirelessly to grow as I have grown. the Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pitts- Bcals and woodwork. Earrings and either partially or fully graduated from Kaitlyn Page: When I originally began burgh. Alongside my years of doing in urns. These are just a sampling of the Etsy to running their own professional my journey as an artist, I had no real person art shows, I have focused on items available from Erie-based Etsy websites, the key is not painting your- intent to sell my work. I was painting growing my social media following. I sellers. As eclectic as these inventories self into a corner. strictly for the enjoyment I got from it give out business cards to everyone, may seem, their products do sell — Three artists, three stories and I didn’t see myself as working pro- and try to direct as many people as sometimes by the thousands. Katie LeVan, Kaitlyn Page, and Heath- fessionally in this field. It wasn’t until possible to my Instagram or Facebook Still regarded by many as the strong- er Cash are all full-time artists and Erie my late teens (2014-ish), that I realized pages. hold of Internet arts and crafts (and residents who have successfully found people were actually interested in pur- Instagram specifically has been a facemasks in 2020), Etsy has lured in markets for their work online. Their chasing what I was creating, whether game changer for my artwork, especial- over 138 million unique buyers over its artistic styles and journeys, however, that be an original painting, a commis- ly when I started to be more conscious 15-year lifespan, with nearly 70 million are as individual as the women them- sion, prints, etc. about the aesthetic and congruency active as of last quarter. Fueled pre- selves. LeVan’s paintings showcase flo- dominantly by independent artists, ar- ra, fauna, and sweeping and majestic tisans, and craftspeople, it has become landscapes. Page, who won the 2019 the sixth-highest grossing e-commerce Best of Erie Award for Best Fine Art- website in the United States (over $6 ist, specializes in the stunningly and billion in sales through three quarters psychedelically surreal. Cash, a 2016 40 this year) and 19th largest in the world. Under 40 alumna, commands a cast of If you’re looking to shop small with- cute critters that have charmed their out leaving the house this holiday sea- way into the hearts of children and son, Etsy is a good place to start. Busi- adults alike. nesses don’t get smaller than most Etsy Here is what they had to say about Shops, which are generally owned and how they made their dreams reality, operated by one or two people (usually and how you can too (or at least how women) who handle all aspects of mar- you might discover other really cool, keting, production, and distribution. original gifts from creators locally and Shops cost nothing whatsoever to set around the world. Psst ... social media, up — to generate revenue, Etsy charges interest groups, and online communi- a small listing fee for each item and ties). skims a percentage off the top of each Matt Swanseger: When did you first sale (currently 5 percent). realize you were creating something Despite Etsy’s popularity, accessibili- that people wanted to buy? Had you al- ty, and variety, by no means is it the be- ways had the intent to sell or were you all, end-all of artistry and e-commerce. encouraged to do it? In 2020, the avenues for buying or sell- Katie LeVan: I have been painting
ing unique, personalized, customized, most of my life and pursued a degree THEINNEROBSERVER @
homemade, and/or handmade gifts (all in studio art from Mercyhurst Uni- FB
16 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 FEATURE
Local artist Katie LeVan’s colorful and myself. I pushed my work on as many creative use of mixed media and soothing Facebook groups as possible, which is and majestic natural scenes have her wares a hot commodity on Etsy, motivating her still what I do to this day. Instagram to graduate to her own dedicated Shopify came into play later, after doing more website (katielevan.com). research into algorithms and how to use hashtags. Today I use my Facebook of what I’m posting. It is so easy to Business page and Instagram as main form solid relationships and interact channels to promote my paintings and with both artists and those who take merchandise. an interest in my work through that HC: I find that word-of-mouth is the platform. I do my advertising almost best promotion. Working with local exclusively through Instagram, which businesses and nonprofits results in generates most of my sales on my on- the best referrals for me. Facebook line store. and Instagram are helpful, but I think KP: In recent years, one of the best every artist should have their own ways I’ve found to promote my work professional portfolio website. I know online is via Facebook groups. Most many people have found me through of my traffic comes from these groups my website and it works out very and I tailor my posts to get the best well because they can easily browse exposure possible. A short post with a through my full portfolio of work, as single image captures attention much well as easily find contact information. better than a long post with multiple MS: Roughly what percentage of your images. It’s all about striking while the sales are online? Has COVID had any iron’s hot, which is why when I finish a effect? new piece, I post it to as many places as KL: I would say at least 90 percent of possible with links to pre-order prints. my sales are online, especially since the Much of my original exposure was beginning of 2020 when I started doing organic because people shared my art full-time. I try to drop a new collec- work and others saw it, including peo- tion of artwork every month or two,
KATIELEVAN.COM ple with much larger followings than generating interest in each collection
Thank you for shopping small
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November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 17 FEATURE
Heather Cash started drawing and painting you’ve scaled up? for the simple fun and joy of it. Once a KL: Being an artist, you continuously Google programmer living in California, Cash now is active in art education and have to navigate the challenges of your on both her Etsy shop and professional self-worth being tied to your ability website, where she repurposes her to make a living off of both your pro- “whimsical woodland art” into decals, ductivity and things deeply connected stickers, luggage tags, bookmarks, greeting cards, and more. to your soul. It can become very hard to part with pieces that you become er to the holiday season, as I have a lot so close to. Personally, I’ve found that of repeat customers buying gifts and gratitude has helped me to navigate those who find me through word of through some of these difficult feel- mouth. I know my artwork is on a lot ings. I am eternally grateful anytime of people’s wish lists, which is such a someone wants what is essentially a wonderful and humbling feeling. I find piece of my heart to be something that that people are really drawn to my art- becomes a part of their home. This work because the materials I combine keeps me grounded no matter what are different than what most people kind of sales I’m bringing in. Even one are used to. sale is still so meaningful to the maker. HEATHERCASH.COM KP: I believe my work stands out to a The only compromises I’ve had to make broad audience. Less than 25 percent of are with my time. I work extremely with progress shots. When COVID hit, either. My online sales soared when my online sales are local, with the ma- hard and have very little free time, but I wanted the space I take up on the In- quarantine went into effect and have jority coming from out of state. Most of I am so grateful for the ability to create ternet to be one that could be beneficial roughly stayed the same since. these sales come from places like Cal- something unique within that space. to others. I tend to be a very anxious HC: Before COVID, about a quarter of ifornia, Colorado, and other areas on KP: It’s evolving all the time. Prices person who has learned a lot of coping the money I made was from online sales the West Coast. I also make quite a few for my originals have nearly doubled mechanisms over my years of over- through Etsy. The other three-quarters sales internationally, with countries within a year’s time. This is due to thinking. One of those was to watch was from teaching classes and commis- like the Netherlands, Canada, and the several factors, including supply and process or time lapse videos of artwork sioned work. Since COVID hit, however, UK being the biggest buyers. demand, others informing me that I being made, so I began to record and my online sales have skyrocketed. Now HC: A very small percentage of my should charge more, and simply how post everything I was making. Since I make all my money through Etsy. I’ve buyers are local. I have some work for much someone will pay for something. doing this, I have been able to fully sell also been expanding my online sales to sale at Sparrow Gallery, and before Most of my original work now sells out collections in one weekend. a few different other sites, like Teach- COVID I would sell at a couple differ- before it is even finished. It’s what the KP: At the present moment, over 90 ers Pay Teachers (classroom resources) ent festivals throughout the year. But market will bear. As more people have percent of my sales are online. Last and RedBubble (print-on-demand). I’ve always seemed to do better at sell- taken interest in my work, prices have year I began vending at music festivals, MS: Roughly what percentage of your ing my products online. I get sales from risen to accompany this demand. and while that showed a lot of poten- buyers are local? Have you been able to all over the world, even Europe and Time and detail also play a factor. tial, it was unfortunately cut short by stand out to a broader audience? Australia! When I first started out I based my the emergence of COVID. I wasn’t able KL: It tends to change with the sea- MS: I’ve always wondered how you prices solely on an hourly wage. As to explore the world of vending again sons. During most of the year, maybe put a price on art. How do you recon- things grew, I started taking the size of this year and I’ve already faced the fact 5 to 10 percent of my buyers are local. cile creativity as a commodity? Have the painting into account. Now I base that I might not be able to next year This percentage jumps as we get clos- you had to make any compromises as my prices off the amount of detail and
I tothe Personalized and back GIFTS
2040 W. 8th St. • Erie, PA 16505 • www.kimkopy.com ALUMINUM 2 for $28.00 (One Design) ORNAMENT Sale Includes set-up! • Expires 11/30/20 18 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 FEATURE time rather than size. A smaller paint- yourself to the idea of marketing. ing doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper HC: My main advice would be to not because I can still put just as much give up. It took me years to become fully time and effort into a smaller piece as a financially dependent on my art. Don’t larger piece. In fact, sometimes smaller just list 10 items on Etsy and then decide Take pieces are even more difficult because no one is buying them and give up — I still work in the same detail-oriented keep creating, constantly, and keep add- fashion. ing products. I have over 500 products HC: It’s definitely hard to price my in my Etsy Shop right now. You really Charge work. I find it helpful to search online need to have a lot of products in order for others selling similar products, and to get seen amidst all the other sellers. try to use that as a baseline. Often- Also, don’t put all your eggs in one bas- times I’ll find that I was going to price ket. Find other ways to make money, like of Diabetes my products for less than I should creating YouTube videos, creating print- have! One thing I’ve found that helps on-demand products, teaching ... that is creating prints of my artwork. In way, when one avenue goes south, the the beginning, I only wanted to sell other ones can pick up the slack. Lastly, Make Our Team original, one-of-a-kind art, and not don’t ever think you’re not good enough. create prints. However, I’ve found it There will always be people better than Your Team to be much more practical to scan in you. But, if you create enough products, my artwork and create prints, cards, you will make sales. Don’t ask me how and bookmarks to sell. It means that a — there are tons of artists with better single piece of art can create so much stuff than mine on Etsy — but some- Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in more profit than just selling the origi- how, people still buy my products. So the United States. Working with a team of diabetic health nal work would make — and you reach just ignore those other people that you care professionals has been shown to improve successful a much wider audience. Also, it’s so think are better than you — you can management of the disease. The diabetic health care team satisfying to sell a print of a piece of still be successful no matter what your art you made years ago — because the skill level. from LECOM Health can help you take an active role and work is already done, and you’re still collaborate to develop a treatment plan that’s made profiting off of it! You just print out Discover more just for you. the artwork and mail it out, and you’re Please do not ignore our featured art- done! ists or their peers — their stuff is pretty MS: What advice would you give to cool. someone trying to make a living as an Katie LeVan artist website: katiel- artist? evan.com KL: Being an artist can be ugly and Katie’s local picks: Caelin McDaniel difficult, but you can do it, whatever Pottery mcdanielpottery.com, Hypo- Fernando Melaragno, DO, is a “it” is. Explore, learn, grow, and for the thetical Horror (typewritten poetry and love of everything please do not dimin- collages, currently on hiatus) fellowship- trained endocrinologist, ish yourself for anyone else. You are Kaitlyn Page artist website: kaitlyn- specializing in adult diabetes and gold and I believe in you. You and only page.storenvy.com thyroid disorders. Dr. Melaragno is you can determine what your path is, Kaitlyn’s local picks: Mercy Maclay also fellowship trained in and you absolutely don’t need every- (watercolors and inks) instagram.com/_ geriatric medicine. thing to be perfect to start walking mercymaclayart, Nate Gillies (graphic down that path. artist and cartoonist) facebook.com/ KP: Practice, practice, practice! In or- Lawnsters, Leslie Hess (tattoo artist) der to make it as an artist, don’t expect andromedaerie.com, Douglas Bailey (re- Jackie Carlson is a registered dietitian success to come overnight. You must claimed wood pieces and cutouts) bai- and Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). first refine your techniques and be in- ley814.bigcartel.com, Katie LeVan (see Jackie has over 20 years experience spired by your craft. Draw everyday, above) live your art, make creativity a priority Heather Cash artist website: heather- in diabetes education and specializes in your life. Once you have the basics cash.com in continuous glucose monitoring and down and feel ready to start selling, try Heather’s local picks: Leanne Nipps insulin pump therapy. different avenues and find what works (moody and spooky art and photog- best for you. Focus on the details and raphy) leannenipps.wixsite.com/dark- don’t get wrapped up in just trying to edgeart, Cathryn Stranahan (Raven- Call (814) 868-3488 promote yourself. Create new and inno- maid Creative) cathrynstranahan.com to schedule your appointment vative work that captures the imagina- tion of those around you. Create things Matt Swanseger (mswanseger@ that make people feel something, even if eriereader.com) currently has that feeling is a less than desired one. If no art for sale, but can be you stand out amongst the crowd, peo- commissioned for fully improvised ple will start to notice. But in order to do finger-painting and stick person this, it all starts with passion! Don’t lose drawings on a limited basis.
November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 19 FEATURE Rivers and Roads: Discovering the Covered Bridges of Ashtabula County Cross the Ohio border into the charming, rustic past
[left] Ashtabula County, Erie County’s western neighbor in Ohio, is home to a total of 19 covered bridges, including the Root Road Bridge in Kingsville, built in 1868 and restored in 1982. [bottom right] The Olin Bridge in Ashtabula County is named for the family who has owned the property on which it stands for more than 150 years.
this project: Why cover a bridge? Back when many of these bridges were built, in the mid to late 1800s, the most readily available resource was timber. And, while wood was plentiful, “wood, by its very nature, must go the way of flesh rather than bone” states author Carl Feather in his comprehensive book The Covered Bridges of Ashtabula County. When wood is exposed to moisture, freezing, heat, etc. it will decay, no matter how strongly the bridge is built. The pur- pose of the roof in a timber frame bridge, therefore, is mainly for protection, and to increase the bridge’s longevity. Some in the past speculated on other pur- poses, including keeping livestock calm while cross- ing a raging river or as a respite of shelter while trav-
ERIN PHILLIPS eling during the horse and buggy days. Obviously, nowadays, there are much more durable materials to use, but the charm of the covered bridge lives on. By: Erin Phillips turn, and in examining what resources the county And so, on a crisp Sunday morning in autumn, I leave had to offer, Smolen made the decision and the county my family behind and set out for the longest amount y dad’s first new car was a 1973 MG-B con- (and in some cases, the federal government) made the of time I have been away from them since the start vertible, dark red with a silver racing stripe financial investment to shore up its bridges to draw of the pandemic (insert mind-blown emoji here). I’ve Mand black interior. Many of my childhood tourists to the area. The plan paid off, as Ashtabula got a Yeti full of coffee and Guided by Voices playing memories involve this car, and I can still picture it is now known as the covered bridge capital of Ohio. in between the GPS instructions in a much less inter- perfectly. The smell of the inside of the garage it sat in It touts 19 bridges in total, including the longest cov- esting car than my parents, but it feels good to hit the over the winter: a mix of leaded gasoline, leather, and ered bridge in the United States (named for the one road, see some beautiful fall scenery, and learn about old wood. I remember sitting in the front seat (long who conceived it: the Smolen-Gulf Bridge), which was a county so close by it seems crazy I hadn’t realized all before I should have been allowed) and looking at built in 2006. it held before now. the magnets on the glove box advertising the Sports You may be asking yourself, as I did when I began Very early on into Ashtabula County, I come upon Car Club of America Covered Bridge Rally of 1975 and 1976, and I imagine my young parents adventuring in their cool car, racing through the back country roads and across the covered bridges of Erie and Ashtabu- la County. Now, eight months into a pandemic, the number of activities I feel comfortable participating in dwindles. I feel like I am at the perfect moment in my life to take a break from my omnipresent work-at- home husband, wild toddler, and remote-learning 3rd grader, to take a drive and experience those bridges that my parents enjoyed some 45 years ago, and that the people of Ashtabula County have been enjoying for generations. Erie County has only two remaining covered bridg- es (Neimeyer Road in Waterford built in 1875 and the Sherman Covered Bridge in Albion built in 1870) and both are currently under construction and res- toration. However, our neighboring county to the west has managed to hold onto most of their covered bridges, and has used their popularity as an econom- ic boon. Many, if not most, of the covered bridges in Ashtabula were either constructed or restored in the 1980s under the vision and supervision of former county engineer John Smolen. At the time, the rural county of Ashtabula was in a major economic down- ERIN PHILLIPS
20 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 FEATURE
helped build the bridge in 1913 and it was moved to land on their property after the county decided that the bridge needed to be replaced for safety. It is now a park attraction and venue, with benches and tables for picnics, and a beautiful, historic backdrop for weddings and other events. I head back up towards the lake and hit a few more bridges before I head east back to Pennsylvania. The Benetka Road Bridge was built on the site of an old grist mill that was constructed in 1829. There were likely other bridges built over the mill-stream but most believe the current bridge to have been con- structed around 1900. According to Carl Feather’s book, there are timbers in the bridge that have two different kinds of saw marks: circular saw marks and well as vertical marks, likely made by sash saws pow- • No Doctor’s order needed ered by the mill. This indicates that those timbers • Gender determination at 8 weeks were hewn around 1860 or earlier, suggesting that the bridge was built then, and rebuilt more towards the turn of the century. The county also restored this bridge in the 1980s. Be aware that the curving, south approach to the bridge has a blind spot. Locals know to beep their vehicle’s horn upon approach. The Olin Bridge on Dewey Road is a picturesque old one, built in 1873 and spanning a particularly scenic
ERIN PHILLIPS section of the Ashtabula River. The Olin Bridge is named for the family who has owned the property After suffering major economic decline, Ashtabula County for more than 150 years. Connections to this land for branded itself the “covered bridge capital of Ohio” to draw Call or text for info 814-580-9164 tourism to the area, with concerted restoration efforts in the Olin family go back to at least 1850, when Almon the 1980s. Exploring them would make for a great socially- Olin was born in a log cabin on the river. And given WWW.PINKORBLUE.SIMPLYBOOK.ME distanced day trip as weather permits. the overwhelming beauty of the landscape, it is not surprising that his descendants stayed. three horse-drawn carriages working their way down As I make my way back to I-90, I make one final the road and I feel as though I’ve just driven back in stop at the Creek Road Bridge. As I approach, I no- november 27~december 20 time, which is a feeling that continues as I work my tice some other travelers with a covered bridge map opening friday, november 27: 6:00 to 9:00 way deeper into the county. The first bridge I find is in hand. As I get out of my car to walk around, I greet at the 1020 collective one of the newer bridges that sparked the beginning the two middle-aged women and teenage boy. “You’re 1020 holland street of the covered bridge revival in Ashtabula: The State all alone?” one woman says. “Yes, but I have two little Road Covered Bridge. It is huge and beautiful, situat- kids at home,” I reply. “Say no more! You need to get ed over Conneaut Creek. There is a parking area with out!” they laugh. They tell me they live on the Ohio public access to the creek and forest below, which al- border close to Indiana and they were looking for lows a great opportunity to take in sweeping views of something fun to do that didn’t involve being around holiday the bridge. You could spend all day right here, it’s so many people. And they decided to get to know some picturesque and expansive, but I stay for just a few unique parts of their own state. They ask me how to minutes: the rest of the bridges are calling. pronounce “Conneaut” and are amazed at the answer. The next bridge I find is the Root Road Bridge in This final bridge spans Conneaut Creek and has Kingsville. Upon reflection after my drive, this bridge multiple trailheads and places to park and picnic. It is my favorite. This is what you picture when you strikes me that we all have an opportunity right now, think of an old covered bridge. It has it all. Weathered as we try to find ways to get out and have fun that whitewash, gaps between the creaking floor beams, are safe and socially distant. You can do like I did, random piles of horse manure surrounded by au- and as this family has: get to know a little bit more tumn leaves, goldenrod and aster, with no sounds but about where you live and who lived there before you. the birds and the Ashtabula River beneath you. The Ashtabula is just a few miles to our west, but driving Root Road bridge was built in 1868 and underwent ex- these dirt roads alongside horses and passing over tensive restoration in 1982. This bridge has the kind of covered bridges that have been there for 150 years, showaffordable art to warm your heart oldness that can give you chills, in its simple beauty it is like driving straight into the past. Go alone. Go and in the thought of all the history that has gone on with family. Just go and discover and enjoy the fall our holiday exhibition features members of the through and around it. and the beauty that lives in our part of the world that northwestern pennsylvania art association, I make my way around the county and find a few has previously gone unnoticed. And, if you can, be the chroma guild, and students in the mfa more beautiful old bridges. One, the old Graham sure to take a cool classic convertible. program at edinboro university. Road Bridge, is no longer functional, but during the bridge preservation effort in the 1980s, it was set A complete list and map of all the covered thursday through sunday 12:00 to 6:00 or by appointment down on the land of the grandson of one of the origi- bridges in Ashtabula can be found at the contact:814•983•8566 nal builders of the bridge. John Benson’s grandfather website: www.coveredbridgefestival.org masks and social distancing required
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22 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 COMMUNITY Learning and Living on the Airwaves WQLN steps up to the plate for Erie
The Learning at Home initiative is one Tom Hanks, and the on-air team from way Erie PBS affiliate WQLN Public PBS Newshour. Media (and lovable Muppet Grover) is WQLN’s mission was still not complete helping kids reach toward the stars, even with in-person schooling shut in these unprecedented times, though. down. It offers area residents access to a Public events were being canceled left comprehensive educational programming and right and the region’s cultural oppor- catalog and additional online resources tunities were declining by the day. free of charge. So when the Erie Philharmonic’s entire season was in jeopardy of being can- receiver that hooks up to an outdoor an- celed due to the pandemic, WQLN col- tenna that allows them access to curric- laborated with it to broadcast concerts ulum that can be used in a wi-fi enabled for free to homes throughout the region. computer, even without a data signal. Anyone can now enjoy concerts on se- This one-way system will give educators lect Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. or watch the ability to provide specific assign- a rebroadcast the following Sunday at 2 ments to students with details about p.m. Remaining in this season’s lineup is PBS LEARNING AT HOME PBS LEARNING AT projects that need to be completed and “Americana” on Nov. 19 and 22, and “A how the work is to be returned. Accord- Holiday Special” on Dec. 17 and 20. By: Mary Birdsong ing opportunities while staying safe at ing to the PA PBS website “Any type of Concerts may also be viewed via lives- home,” she adds. file (.jpg, .pdf, .mp4, etc.) can be transmit- tream at wqln.org/eriephil, and previous t some point in March, every WQLN also created WQLN Homeroom ted via datacasting. This means that the concerts can also be viewed from ar- business, nonprofit organiza- as a part of Learning at Home. WQLN possibilities of creating and packaging chives at both the Erie Philharmonic and tion, and person had to come PBS partnered with school districts and content designed for instruction are lim- WQLN websites. to grips with the changing pub- the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate itless.” But what about fundraising and keep- Alic landscape brought on by COVID-19. Unit to connect with numerous Pre-K to The program is being rolled out in ing the nonprofit afloat with no revenue While the average person thought about Grade 6 teachers across our community. phases, with several already implement- coming in? According to station man- toilet paper and acquiring groceries, Those teachers then recorded lessons ed. All PBS stations now have access to ager Tom New, WQLN was fortunate to businesses faced a lack of customers, from home in the content areas of lan- PBS learning media, and the datacast- receive a Small Business Association possible layoffs, and uncertain supply guage arts, math, science, social studies, ing infrastructure was completed last Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan chains. and other specialty topics. The lessons month. The PA DOE is now finalizing through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief WQLN Public Media was no differ- were recorded early during the pandem- which school districts will participate in and Economic Security (CARES) Act. ent. For them, it meant that their many ic and can be accessed any time at wqln. pilot programs. In addition, the Corporation for Public community activities and fundraisers org. WQLN PBS’s goal is to record new The pilot will allow stakeholders to Broadcasting — the steward of the fed- were now canceled. No Brewfest, Gears lessons sometime in the near future. learn how long it may take for a file to eral government’s investment in public to Beers, Christmas Craft Show, or bus The statewide system of public broad- download in different areas, establish broadcasting — also received funding trips to theater events. And while raising casting went further with this idea. best practices for end-user equipment, through CARES and shared it with their funds is crucial to keeping WQLN radio Thanks to a new partnership formed allow educators and administrators to member television and radio stations. and TV on the air, staff quickly realized between all seven Pennsylvania PBS streamline what and how students will This has helped WQLN and many other that their mission “to stimulate, enrich, stations and the Pennsylvania Depart- see when they receive the files, and sort public media nonprofits keep the lights educate, and entertain the public” came ment of Education, Learning at Home out models for returning completed on and the programming moving for- first. They set about looking for how they programming now reaches across the work/assignments to a teacher. ward. In fact, the pandemic may have could help the community. state, with all stations airing education- The 29 Intermediate Units in the state powerfully revealed how valuable public First up was education. Kathy Wood- al programming for Pre-K to 12th grade will work with each school district to broadcasting is to the community. ard, WQLN education outreach manag- during the week from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. distribute receivers to the families who New says it may lead to once again er, tells me that “COVID-19 immediately All instructional units are additionally need them. It is anticipated that the en- receiving funding from Pennsylvania, revealed enormous equity issues in our paired with curriculum-aligned resourc- tire state will be connected soon, maybe something that was eliminated for all education system. Recognizing that es and activities. According to Woodard, as early as December. public broadcasting in 2008. “We are many students in our community do not “Teachers can print and distribute these But not all education is book learning. hoping to demonstrate a need for our have access to the Internet, the sole me- resources to parents to supplement Realizing that regional high school se- services, which may help us regain a dium to reach nearly 100 percent of our their child’s education, while learning at niors would have no opportunities for place in the state’s budget.” students is broadcast TV. It’s free over home.” recognition at graduation ceremonies, With the current resurgence of the air, and, most areas, does not require Not all students can receive curricu- WQLN reached out to every school COVID-19 in our community and around an antenna for access.“ lum via data-based technology, however. district in Erie, Crawford, and Warren the country, public media outlets like In response, a program called Learn- Rural, remote, or mountainous areas still Counties to collect photographs of their WQLN have proven their worth, and ing at Home was created. It contains a have difficulty getting Internet access. seniors. In special broadcasts on July demonstrated that this public-based ini- comprehensive catalog of educational The PA DOE and PA PBS is address- 4 and 5, they saluted each graduate by tiative has the best interest of the com- programming available on broadcast ing that issue with an initiative called airing their photos along with music and munity at heart. Truly a comfort in these TV, strengthened with additional online Connected to Learning. Through this a keynote address from former governor trying times. resources for teachers and families. “It project, families who need technolog- Tom Ridge. They also used graduation Mary Birdsong can be reached @ has become a bridge to distance learn- ical assistance will be able to acquire a addresses from Henry Louis Gates Jr., [email protected]
November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 23 BOOKS 10 Local Books to Add to Your Christmas List Dog ear these works by Erie-area authors
America and the significance they have in The Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series the American criminal justice system’s his- By Randall Silvis (Poisoned Pen Press, 2017- tory. Clark and Palattella examine both real 2021) and fictional characters and the parts they The Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series com- have played in shaping institutions such as prises four published books — Two Days the FBI and practices like bail systems and Gone, Walking the Bones, A Long Way Down, most-wanted programs. // Nonfiction // Or- and No Woods So Dark as These — with a der at pressedbooks.com fifth, When All Light Fails, set for release in August 2021. The series follows Sergeant Harry T. Burleigh: From the Spiritual to the Ryan DeMarco as he navigates mysteries Harlem Renaissance and murders that crop up in his line of work. By Jean E. Snyder (University of Illinois Beginning with the murders of a beloved Press, 2016) college professor’s family in Two Days Gone, In this comprehensive look at the tri- DeMarco investigates both new and old umph and successes of Erie native Harry T. cases, attempting to bring justice for those Burleigh, Snyder delves into lesser-known who have been wronged. // Fiction, Mystery aspects of the composer’s life. From a Penn- // randallsilvis.com sylvania childhood to tenure as a soloist in By: Ally Kutz keep gang violence off the streets while Manhattan, Burleigh strongly influenced Goddesses Don’t Wear Orange also working to keep her professional and American song and helped pave the way for By Laura Weber (Self Published, 2018) he holiday season can be stressful for personal lives separate. In Quicksand, this African American musicians during an era Florence’s boyfriend winds up dead after Tmany reasons, with the question of what line is blurred when she must use her cul- riddled with race and class issues. // Nonfic- dumping her and, after failing to convince a to buy for our friends and family near the top tural background to decipher whether a tion // Order at pressedbooks.com jury that she did not kill him, she finds her- of the list. Books are the perfect gift to give body discovered in a rough part of town is self an inmate at Coffee Correctional Facil- when it comes to choosing something both gang-related or something more sinister. In Can’t Take Back Yesterday & Tomorrow ity. Her only hope at regaining her freedom inexpensive and heartfelt for those on your Shoreline, Nora relocates to the Erie FBI of- Comes is through the Rehabilitation Seminars, a shopping list. fice where she fights to disband a group of By KB Manz (BookBaby 2015 & Lulu mysterious program that will take her deep- With the COVID-19 pandemic still making domestic terrorists before their destruction Publishing Services 2016) er into the past that she is desperately try- its way through the country, many are turn- gets out of hand and becomes a national Can’t Take Back Yesterday tells the story ing to hide from. Mixed with her unrequited ing to local sources for services, entertain- threat. // Fiction // carolynbaugh.com of Lucas Fielding, an 18-year-old who over- love for the prison janitor and attention from ment, and gift ideas. Buying books by Erie hears an argument between his parents a stranger, Florence thinks she can survive authors is the perfect way to “shop local” Friends Who Move Couches that reveals a shocking secret that sets ev- the year…as long as she doesn’t find some- and support the area’s treasure trove of tal- By CJ Zahner (Self Published, 2020) erything into motion. Accidental murders, a thing that will make her question any basic ent. Here are 10 of the best local books to In this hilarious and heartwarming story, suicide, and other tragedies begin to occur, expectations she has about herself and the check out this holiday season. Nikki Grey is an average neighborhood wife but Lucas only knows part of the actual se- world. // Fiction, Novel // Order at pressed- and mother whose main concerns are her cret. Tomorrow Comes details the impact books.com Waldameer Mystery Files Series workaholic husband, her rebellious children, the secrets kept have on all those affected By David Gorman (Dog Ear Publishing, 2016, and feuding with the families on the other by the aftermath of the truth being revealed. Accidental Paradise: 13,000-Year History 2017, & coming in 2020) side of the fence. But when smoking mari- // Fiction, Mystery // Order at pressedbooks. of Presque Isle In this children’s series about the beloved juana brings to light a lifelong but dormant com By David Frew and Jerry Skrypzak Erie amusement park, siblings Seth and Ju- medical condition, Nikki loses her driver’s (Jefferson Educational Society lia Ambrose along with their friends Tyren license and ends up stuck in her home. In an Tucker and Ripley’s Adventure on Presque Publications in cooperation with the Tom and Anh set off around Waldameer & Wa- attempt to regain her friends on the block, Isle Ridge Environmental Center Foundation, terworld and the city to solve mysteries to- Nikki further muddies her relationships, By Eugene H. Ware (Outskirts Press, 2019) 2020) gether. Starting with The Long-Lost Locket becoming the joke of the neighborhood. Tucker Turtle and Ripley Rabbit decide Compelling narrative and hundreds of and The Sneaky Sabotage, the series is set Ultimately, Nikki seeks to find the answer on a sunny summer morning that they full-color images of Presque Isle, the jewel to release another installment, The Curious to one burning question: who should she want to meet the many different animals, of Pennsylvania’s state park system, ar- Clues, sometime before year’s end. Perfect keep in her life and who should she kick to birds, and insects that live in Presque rive just in time to celebrate Presque Isle’s for kids and adults alike, the Waldameer the curb? // Fiction, Memoir // cyndiezahner. Isle State Park. The book takes readers 100th anniversary as a state park in 2021. Mystery Files series is the ideal combination com // Order at pressedbooks.com on a journey through the peninsula to Features geological formation of the pen- of detective work and childhood nostalgia. 25 different places throughout the park insula, natural history, and colorful political // Children’s Books // waldameermystery- On the Lam: A History of Hunting Fugitives while also introducing the animals that history highlighting people, events, and files.com in America live there. Perfect for both children and roles played by Erie’s peninsula to the pres- By Ed Palattella and Jerry Clark (Rowman & adults, this book expertly blends edu- ent day. Included is naval history, ecology, The Detective Nora Khalil Series Littlefield Publishers, 2019) cational elements with fun illustrations. beaches, Presque Isle Lighthouse, Perry By Carolyn Baugh (MacMillan Publishers, From the authors of Pizza Bomber: The Be sure to look for some hidden gems Monument, TREC, Gull Point, Waldameer 2015 & 2017) Untold Story of America’s Most Shocking throughout the book, including worms Park, the flirtation with steel magnate An- Egyptian-American FBI agent Nora Khalil Bank Robbery and Mania and Marjorie Die- racing and a guitar-playing mouse. // drew Carnegie, the forerunners of the U.S. is part of a joint task force with the Phil- hl-Armstrong: Inside the Mind of a Female Children’s Books // Order at pressed- Coast Guard, and much more. // Nonfiction adelphia Police Department, working to Serial Killer comes a chronicle of fugitives in books.com // jeserie.org, trecf.org
24 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 TELEVISION No ‘Bah, Humbug!’ With Dash & Lily The new Netflix original series brings holiday cheer that even Scrooges can get behind The Netflix original series Dash & Lily is stern but loving, requiring her to lie strikes the perfect balance between and sneak around to complete some of reality and the Hallmark Channel style of her dares. Additionally, there are times storybook romance, proving itself capable of injecting much-needed holiday cheer into when it seems Dash and Lily are not who your watch queues. the other thought they were through the pages of the notebook. With characters having depth and sub- ing Lily (Midori Francis of Good Boys, stance that breaks from typical rom-com Ocean’s 8) in the hopes of finding some- tropes, Dash & Lily doesn’t feel forced as one brave enough to take on the dares. too cheery or too depressing like many This event kicks off a whirlwind romance holiday-themed shows. Instead, it is the between the two, as they exchange not perfect balance between reality and only dares, but also secrets, hopes, and guilty-pleasure Hallmark-esque holiday dreams between the notebook’s pages. movies, making it a show perfect for the Lily’s dares bring out the best in Dash, masses. showing him that the holiday season Filled with laughter, romance, and a can truly be magical, while Dash’s dares heartbreak or two, Dash & Lily will make
ALISONCOHENROSA/NETFLIXVV show Lily that acknowledging and feel- even the most Scrooge-like among us ing negative emotions instead of hiding crack a smile and believe in the spirit of love Christmas as much — if not more Cynical, Christmas-loathing Dash them is a necessary part of life. The ro- the holidays, even if only for a moment. I— than the next person, but this year (Austin Abrams of Chemical Hearts, Pa- mance is not without its ups and downs, — Ally Kutz hasn’t exactly fostered the holiday cheer per Towns) finds a notebook titled “Do though. Dash’s ex-girlfriend Sofia (Kea- Season One currently streaming on Netflix I’m used to feeling post-Halloween. You Dare…?” hidden in the stacks at his na Marie) moves back to the city with // Created by: Joe Tracz // Based on the book Dash & Lily, however, was a complete favorite bookstore, The Strand, in New plans of rekindling their relationship, series by: Rachel Cohn and David Levithan game-changer that propelled me into York City the week before Christmas. even though he has drastically changed // Starring: Austin Abrams, Midori Francis, the Christmas mood. The notebook is left by Christmas-lov- in the year since she left. Lily’s family Dante Brown, and Troy Iwata // Eight episodes
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• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; • Multiple sclerosis; • Anxiety disorders; • Neurodegenerative diseases; • Autism; • Neuropathies; • Cancer, including remission therapy; • Opioid use disorder for which conventional • Crohn's disease; therapeutic interventions are contraindicated NETFLIX • Damage to the nervous tissue of the central or ineffective, or for which adjunctive therapy nervous system (brain-spinal cord) with is indicated in combination with primary Netflix miniseries is certainly one to check out objective neurological indication of intractable therapeutic interventions; ears ago I was watching a behind-the- Heller, director of Can You Ever Forgive spasticity, and other associated neuropathies; • Parkinson's disease; • Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders; • Post-traumatic stress disorder; Yscenes about the making of Amadeus, Me?). Yet Beth’s dependency on tranquiliz- • Epilepsy; • Severe chronic or intractable pain of the 1984 Academy Award winner for Best er pills — plus excessive binge-drinking — • Glaucoma; neuropathic origin or severe chronic or Picture. There is a scene where Mozart’s deepens, following her ambition to chess • HIV / AIDS; intractable pain; frenemy and rival Salieri takes his musi- tournaments all around the world, where • Huntington's disease; • Sickle cell anemia; cal dictation for the Requiem Mass, the her undeniably prodigal brilliance is stop- • Inflammatory bowel disease; • Terminal illness; and • Intractable seizures; • Tourette syndrome two laboring over the composition of the pered by players of perhaps lesser natural intricate piece for hours. One of the film- talent but greater erudition, vision, and makers remarked how it seemed crazy to focus (for example, grown-up Thomas Bro- CALL 412-398-7777 include in the film a scene that is literally die-Sangster playing a chess cowboy and just two men engaged in the act of compo- mentor, Benny Watts). sition, speaking nothing but the language Yet for all the glossy, sophisticated fash- of music between them. ion (the dresses! the hair scarves!), immer- I was thinking of this as I watched Beth sive set design, smart dialogue and briskly Harmon, rendered into life by an exquisite triumphal expositional scenes of Beth’s How long should your pet live? Anya Taylor-Joy, sink opponent after (male) wins, the most entrancing moments in- opponent at the chessboard in the new volve steady, settled-in matches between Help your pet live a longer, healthier life. Netflix limited series The Queen’s Gambit. Beth and her opponents, face-to-face, si- It is a veritable enchantment, by way lently speaking the language of elite chess of both the cast performances and the masters, as their hands weave around the well-plotted pacing of this coming-of- board in contradictorily thrilling move- age story, with its themes of feminism, ments. The power of these well-crafted sexism, addiction and the loneliness of scenes lies in the soundtrack and Tay- Nickel Plate Mills genius, dotted by the miniature wars that lor-Joy’s expressive eyes, which somehow 1932 Parade St, Erie, PA 16503 play out on the chessboards, as precisely convey everything an uninformed audi- www.nickelplatemills.net choreographed as any large-scale battle ence needs to know. sequence. “It’s so much more exciting than I imag- Like us on facebook The Queen’s Gambit was created by Scott ined,” Mrs. Wheatley enthuses after Beth Frank and Allan Scott, based on a 1983 wins a final tournament match. novel of the same name, with every one of The Queen’s Gambit isn’t without its the seven episodes written and directed flaws, but Mrs. Wheatley has the right of by Scott. It opens on Elizabeth Harmon, it: in the tradition of Amadeus, I watched the daughter of an entirely absent father Beth Harmon’s genius at work, trans- and a mentally ill math professor moth- fixed, with the same enthusiasm normal- er who takes her own life, landing Beth in ly reserved for Steelers fans on Sundays. an orphanage. Here she makes a friend, — Cara Suppa Jolene, and first encounters her life’s twin Currently streaming now on Netflix // Created obsessions: tranquilizer pills and chess. by: Scott Frank and Allan Scott //Based on the The first episode is set mainly in the or- book by Walter Tevis //Starring: Anya Taylor- phanage and moves forward in time with Joy, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram, Isla Johnston, a confident, assured pace. We see teenage Christiane Seidel, Rebecca Root, Chloe Pirrie, Beth adopted, forming a surprisingly warm Akemnji Ndifornyen, Marielle Heller, Harry and understanding relationship with her Melling, Patrick Kennedy, Jacob Fortune- new mother, Alma Wheatley (played with Lloyd, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and Marcin sage resignation by an excellent Marielle Dorociński // Seven episodes
26 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 PODCASTS Our Hand-picked Podcast Favorites This Month Enthralling audio for the streaming generation
Bananas Little Gold Men Til Death Do Us Blart Hosted by: Kurt Braunohler and Scotty Landes Hosted by: Michael Hogan, Katey Rich, Richard Lawson, Hosted by: Tim Batt, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Comedy, Chat Show Joanna Robinson Travis McElroy, and Guy Montgomery Movies, Oscars Movie, Comedy n a world where the Inews is constantly ith the Oscars raditions are im- at our fingertips and Wbeing pushed to Tportant. Some- in our ears, it can be April 2021, you’d think times, those traditions difficult to escape Little Gold Men, Vanity last forever, living on the dread and anxi- Fair’s elevated yet un- long after we shuffle ety that comes with pretentious podcast off this mortal coil. it. But, if you’re look- about Hollywood’s That’s sort of how Til ing to add a bit of award season, would Death Do Us Blart TILLDEATHDOUSBLART.COM EXACTLY RIGHT PODCAST NETWORK RIGHT PODCAST EXACTLY humor to your week- sputter. FAIR CONDÉ NAST/VANITY works. The show is ly news consump- Instead, the episodes hosted by the McElroy tion, look no further than the Bananas podcast on seemingly designed to fill time this fall have often been Brothers, the prolific podcasters behind My Brother, My the Exactly Right Network. Hosted by comedians the most entertaining. Take their 2000 Oscar flashback Brother, and Me and The Adventure Zone, who team up and writers Kurt Braunohler (The Big Sick, Bob’s for example, an episode that allows the co-hosts (plus with New Zealand comedians Tim Batt and Guy Mont- Burgers) and Scotty Landes (Workaholics, Ma), Ba- guests from another great movie podcast, This Had Os- gomery of The Worst Idea of All Time to watch Paul nanas gathers eccentric, intriguing, and downright car Buzz) to talk Steven Soderbergh’s historic year; how Blart Mall Cop 2. Every (American) Thanksgiving, one unbelievable news stories from around the world. most Best Picture nominees would likely be TV shows episode is released, forever. It has been established With guests including actress Kristen Schaal, musi- today; and the insane idea that Al-Qaeda wanted to kid- that each guest is to choose a successor in the event cian Phoebe Bridgers, and professional basketball nap Best Actor winner Russell Crowe as part of a “cul- of their death, allowing the podcast to theoretically player Sue Bird, Braunohler and Landes bring their tural destabilization plot.” Seriously, listen just for that. continue until the end of recorded time. comedic genius to the already hilarious headlines In normal years, the podcast would lack the time to It’s hilarious, whether hearing the hosts try to pro- and stories. Each episode features a handful or two dedicate an entire episode to answering the question: nounce the movie’s name, going stir crazy, or showing of peculiar headlines, but Braunohler, Landes, and “Does The Social Network Deserve an Anniversary Cel- Stockholm syndrome in appreciation of the subpar their guests’ real-life experiences are what make ebration?” But the pandemic has forced the format to film. In April of this year, a special episode was released, this podcast a laugh-out-loud success. Ridiculous slow down and thus innovate. discussing the original (and in the hosts’ opinion, inferi- headlines range from “Florida couple’s picnic ruined Made for those who find themselves deep-diving or) Paul Blart Mall Cop. If you’re not familiar with TWIo- by guacamole-stealing alligator” to “Detained ‘drug IMDB pages and who remember crazy “For Your Con- AT, that podcast had Batt and Montgomery repeatedly smuggler’ cat escapes Sri Lanka prison” to “Appar- sideration” campaigns (I’m looking at you, David Lynch, watch the same bad movie every week and talk about ently, you can buy arms for your chickens.” With and your roadside cow), the podcast is still setting it. Since 2014, they’ve kept their feed packed, with sea- no shortage of weird and wacky headlines both old up the 2021 Oscars, albeit at a more deliberate pace. sons covering movies such as Grown Ups 2 and both and new from around the world, you’ll be sure to Shoutout to their love for Maria Bakalova, the break- Sex and the City movies. Like a disgusting banana, say, “That’s Bananas!” at least once each episode. out star and surprising Oscar potential from Borat 2. it’s a Thanksgiving tradition for podcast fans to savor. — Ally Kutz — Christopher Lantinen — Nick Warren
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November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 27 MOVIE REVIEWS Robert Zemeckis’ Take On Roald Dahl Is Not Very Bewitching
n 1990, a film came out that left children Iscarred for life, a film with convincing prac- tical effects and a villain with a commanding presence. This movie was The Witches, based on Roald Dahl’s book of the same name, and like most nostalgic films, it has been given a remake, this time directed by Robert Zemeckis with Guillermo Del Toro attached as a produc- er. The Witches tells the story of a young boy and his grandmother who wind up staying at the same hotel where a coven of witches is plotting to eliminate the children of the world by turning them into mice. Remaking the orig- PICTURES BROS. WARNER inal film is not inherently a bad thing — changing the setting to 1960s Alabama actually had potential to give a fresh take on the source material, and for the first third of the film, it looked like it would. Octavia Spencer’s per- formance as the grandmother alongside Jahzir Bruno as the main protagonist was very compelling, and leads the audience to believe this was going to be a strong film that could stand on its own. In the most unfortunate case of irony, the worst part of The Witches…..is the witches. Anne Hathaway’s performance as the leader of this coven, the Grand High Witch, will make viewers wonder how on earth witches avoided being discovered for so long. She screams, breaks multiple pieces of hotel furniture, and publicly draws attention to her suspicious activities. While the Grand High Witch was written to have an accent, it is doubtful that Hathaway’s combination of Frau Blücher from Young Frankenstein and the Swedish Chef was what Dahl had in mind. To make matters worse, the overall choices of digital effects miss the mark in so many ways. The animals stand out as if they are from a completely different movie, and the choice to give the witches three long fingers on each hand is frankly insensitive to individuals with limb differences. After seeing what Del Toro and Zemeckis have been capable of in the past, it’s concerning to see that they appear to be going back- wards. — Claudia Rose Currently streaming on HBO Max // Directed by: Robert Zemeckis // Written by: Zemeckis, Kenya Barris, and Guillermo del Toro // Starring: Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, Jahzir Bruno, and Chris Rock // 106 Minutes // Rated PG
The Whole World is Watching: The Trial of the Chicago 7 is Too Conventional for Its Own Good
period film is never just about the period it Ais depicting. They are always made to make a statement, either comforting or upsetting, about the time in which they are made. Even November 16 – December 5 though Aaron Sorkin’s new film The Trial of the collection sites, during business hours: Chicago 7 is set in 1969, it’s quite clearly speak- ing to our own era of political uncertainty and open hostility towards protest. The film is sup- posed to be a celebration of revolutionaries, so 26th & Peach Sts. • West 26th (Peninsula Dr.) it breaks my heart that Sorkin chose to present 850 Pittsburgh Ave. • 34th & Liberty Sts. it in the most safe, conventional method possi- Summit Square (1945 Douglas Prkwy) ble. What should be a battle cry ends up more 800 State Street like a TV movie-of-the-week. Following the riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the film fol- lows eight protesters who were arrested and charged with conspiracy to start a riot. As the NETFLIX case drags on for weeks and months on end, it becomes obvious to these men that the system is determined to 420 French Street make an example of them and what follows becomes one of the most notorious trials in American history. COMMUNITY PARTNERS As is expected of Sorkin (The West Wing, A Few Good Men, The Social Network, etc.), the writing is sharp and en- ergetic with rapid-fire dialogue and witty humor. The directing, however, sadly follows the rules and conventions Chido’s Cleaners of the courtroom drama playbook step-by-step — anyone who has ever seen a movie before in their life will find no WCTL Radio 106.3 1103 State surprises here. With no real directorial flair, the actors are forced to carry the film on their backs. Some are more than up to the task (Mark Rylance), others are left out in the cold (Eddie Redmayne and Joseph Gordon-Levitt). A story about radicals requires a radical director and Sorkin is about as un-radical as they get. — Forest Taylor Currently available on Netflix // Written and directed by: Aaron Sorkin // Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jeremy Strong, Mark Rylance, John Carrol Lynch, Alex Sharp, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Frank Langella, and Michael Keaton // 130 minutes // Rated R
28 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 29 ALBUM REVIEWS
Mr. Bungle Nothing Oneohtrix Point Never Katy J Pearson The Raging Wrath of The Easter Bunny Demo The Great Dismal Magic Oneohtrix Point Never Return Ipecac Records Relapse Records Warp Records Heavenly Recordings
his is the first here has per- ith Magic his was the Talbum Mr. Bun- Thaps never WOneohtrix Tkind of album I gle has released been a year better Point Never, it needed. Return is since 1999’s Cali- suited for a Noth- feels like Danial upbeat and poppy fornia, seeing the ing record than Lopatin’s experi- with a hint of mo- band go back to 2020. The band mental electronic rose intelligence their roots. Known has been experi- project has finally that makes it sing. for blending genres at a breakneck speed, menting with its unique brand of nihilis- come full circle. The pioneer of vaporwave The debut record from Katy J Pearson mixing offensive and jokey lyrics with tic dream pop since 2010, and while their has spent over a decade forging new sees the Bristol, UK songstress keyed into complex musical structures, the band is 2018 album Dance on the Blacktop was a styles of synth and sample-based prog- an incredibly inviting sound. Combining fronted by Mike Patton, the vocalist be- bit too muddy and uneven to leave a last- pop that often explores heady themes of an alt-country feel with indie folk and pop hind acts like Faith No More, Fantômas, ing impression, it seems all it took was a life, death, and deterioration in both hu- sensibilities, Pearson has a true gift for Tomahawk, and more. On The Raging pandemic and a tumultuous year of civil man beings and audio; now, on a record melody. Her voice and delivery have the Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo, Mr. Bun- unrest to set the stage for the band’s best whose name is inspired by the seminal strength and sweetness of Julia Jacklin or gle revisits their self-released demo tape, and darkest album yet. The Great Dismal radio station Magic 106.7, Lopatin has Angel Olsen, but there’s one singer she’ll made in 1986, which was straightforward isn’t just a topical title — it’s accepting crafted a garbled, psychedelic master- probably be most compared to: Stevie thrash metal. Three original members that the end is here. The Great Dismal piece that roughly emulates the feeling Nicks. Perhaps it’s perfect timing follow- from this era are on this re-recording, may also be Nothing’s heaviest record of channel surfing with your car radio on ing Matt Apodaca’s viral “Dreams” Tik- with Dave Lombardo (Slayer) filling in on to date, oftentimes hearkening back to another planet. The reception may be Tok, and maybe more than a coincidence drums and Scott Ian (Anthrax) on rhythm their full-length debut, Guilty of Every- fuzzy, the source unidentifiable, but it’s hearing the opening tracks, “Tonight” and guitar. Overall, this is a solid thrash record thing. This is largely due to the presence hard to deny an earworm when you hear “Beautiful Soul.” Either way, Pearson has with standout tracks “Raping Your Mind”, of new guitarist Doyle Martin, frontman one. It doesn’t take long for songs like the made something great, and endlessly “Eracist”, and “Methematics.” The only of shoegaze band Cloakroom. Additional propulsive “I Don’t Love Me Anymore,” or listenable. Whenever the string sections time Mr. Bungle strays from the thrash help comes from prolific singer-songwrit- the warbly “Lost But Never Alone” to set come in, it’s emotionally captivating, sound is on the track “Hypocrites/ Habla er Alex G, who shares production duties up camp in the back of your mind. Lopatin and when she lets loose, even more so. Espanol O Muere” where they take a dig and offers guest vocals on the aforemen- also recruits Uncut Gems and After Hours Anthemic album highlights like “Take at our current political climate and blend tioned “April Ha Ha.” Ultimately, The Great collaborator The Weeknd for general guid- Back the Radio” pop, as do the tender, a Latin-style medley over an S.O.D. cover. Dismal’s success comes down to cohe- ance, a co-producer credit, and a well- stripped-down moments of the album’s The whole record clocks in around an hour siveness; here, songs like “Say Less” that placed vocal cameo on the ‘80s ballad titular track, the title alluding to a failed and without a change in musical styles, showcase an atypically aggressive energy replicant, “No Nightmares.” Challenging record deal she had with her brother and it starts to feel a bit redundant. Had the (and industrial influence) sit comfortably as it may be, Magic Oneohtrix Point Never her return to music writing. It may not be band chosen to cut ten minutes from the next to some of the catchiest tracks the offers listeners one of the most thrilling sonically groundbreaking, but it might record, it would have been near-perfect. band has ever written (“Catch a Fade”). and unforgettable journeys of the year. also be one of the best debuts of the year. — Larry Wheaton — Aaron Mook — Aaron Mook — Nick Warren
TOMMY IN TOON — BY TOMMY LINK
30 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 18, 2020 CROSSWORD
Across 44. Nutritional fig. Princeton 1. Writing implement ex- 45. Long-billed wading 13. Morn’s counterpart tending from start to end bird 21. Since Jan. 1 of 20-, 36- and 53-Across 49. 100° or more, say 22. + or - particle 4. Hoisting device 50. Drop-____ (unexpect- 26. Kvetching cries 9. Cappuccino cousin ed visitors) 28. ____ tai 14. Morales who was 52. That’s an order 29. Julia Roberts, to Bolivia’s president from 53. “Yes, duly noted” Emma Roberts Answers to last puzzle 2006-19 58. They’re raised on 30. Shocking weapon 15. Nebraska’s capital farms 32. Tiny before Lincoln 59. NBA legend Thomas 33. Moscow-born ab- 16. 2003 NBA Rookie of 60. Tyrant Amin stract artist Wassily the Year Stoudemire 61. Madison Sq. Garden 34. Modern replacement 17. ____ music player for a cash register 18. Brought home the 62. “Taxi” character Elaine 36. Capital city north of gold 63. Actor Cage, in tabloids Johannesburg 19. No longer sleeping 64. Serta competitor 37. Horror star Chaney 20. Risking mutual de- 65. Shot in the dark 38. Singer/songwriter Rita struction, say 66. It’s found in a 1-Across 39. “What a relief!” 23. You might RSVP to ... as well as in this puz- 40. C3H8, familiarly one with a click zle’s circled letters, aptly 43. Explosive stuff 24. “You’ve got mail” co. 45. ____ B. Wells who 25. “Who am ____ judge?” Down received a 2020 Pulitzer 27. Tear to bits 1. Bell, e.g. citation for her pioneer- 28. Yoga ____ 2. Change over time ing work in journalism 31. Traditional Christmas 3. Half a workout mantra 46. String ____ gift for a child 4. “Gosh, will you look at 47. Trapped at a ski lodge, 33. One of the Hawaiian that!” maybe Islands 5. “That’s my cue!” 48. Xmas VIP 35. Things equestrians 6. Da ____, Vietnam 51. Some big band music have on hand? 7. In vogue 52. Community spirit 36. Frank 8. ____ yoga 54. With: Abbr. 39. Cook’s garment 9. Supreme Court aides 55. Jacob’s biblical twin 41. They make tracks 10. Out of control 56. Retired Italian money 42. Hannah who coined 11. “Enjoy this spectacular 57. Young fellows the phrase “the banality view!” 58. Barnes & Noble’s of evil” 12. State capital near NYSE symbol, aptly
November 18, 2020 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 31