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2 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 CONTENT — May 27, 2015 From The Editors

Exile on State Street 4 ention bikes in Erie and al, charged with first-degree murder most people likely think of of cyclists and/or drivers. Is the City of Erie’s population Mmotorcycles and the rum- According to Citi Bike, the 8.75 mil- decline the final knockout bling hums signaling that summer lion trips that resulted in 14.7 mil- has arrived. And most come to this lion miles logged on its bikes led to punch? conclusion with good reason, as the just a hundred crashes — and zero stalwart summer festival, Roar On deaths. This news isn’t uncommon, Erie At Large: 5 The Shore — the multi-day gathering as bike-share programs throughout Editors-in-Chief: Let’s put Emerge 2040 in its of bikes, bikers, and the culture that the world aren’t leading to mass — or Brian Graham & Adam Welsh comes with the quasi-Sturgis that’s nearly any — casualties. Rather, driv- Managing Editor: proper place. heralded as sound economic develop- ers are learning, adapting, modifying Ben Speggen ment for the City of Erie — is becom- their driving tendencies as they ac- Contributing Editor: To Uber or Not To Uber 7 ing a rival in size and scope to Cele- climate to the increased presence of Jim Wertz brate Erie. Some even consider it the cyclists. Arts & Culture Editor: Reader riders take on the opening act to the August festival. Realizing that bicyclists and in- Alex Bieler question. Beyond ROTS — and its effect on creased bike traffic won’t correlate Contributors: the City — there are bike nights, too, to an increase in biker deaths means Lisa Austin, Civitas that reinforce the notion that when that biking isn’t just for small towns Mary Birdsong Harrisburg Happenings 9 Katie Chriest we think of bikes in Erie, we think or rural paths. Rather, it means bik- Pen Ealain State Senate draws clear party motorcycles first and bicycles, well, ing works in bigger cities and the use Rick Filippi hardly at all. of bikes has the potential to build Eric Kisner lines on one bill while unifying One of the things that motorcycles better transit by at the very least cre- James R. LeCorchick John Lindvay in bipartisan celebration over and bicycles have in common are the ating more alert drivers and at the Lili Morton the other. perceived risks inherent in opting for very most reducing the number of Bob Protzman two wheels instead of four. As dan- citizens opting for motor-powered Dan Schank gerous as motorcycles may be (think: transit to take them a mere mile. Jess Scutella Street Corner Soapbox 10 Tommy Shannon no helmet law in Pa.), bicycles aren’t After all, that AJPH study notes that Ryan Smith Hindsight’s 20/20, but Jeb without controversy, too (think: mass of the nearly 140 million commuting Jay Stevens hysteria over bike lanes in New York trips made daily, less than 1 percent Rebecca Styn Bush’s vision of the invasion City and the introduction of a bike- are made by bicycle. What’s more Sara Toth Bryan Toy of Iraq may be blurred by bad share program). shocking is that approximately 25 Jim Wertz intelligence seen through rose- Bike lanes, some argued, would in- percent of trips made total less than Cover Photo: crease bicycle-related accidents, be- one mile in distance and 75 percent of Brad Triana tinted glasses. cause they’d promote more bicycling those trips are made by car. Cover Design: and more bicycles sharing the road Aside from the obvious conclusion Liz Venuto Art in Tandem 15 at the same time as cars creates the that if any of these short trips were Photographers: more bikes plus cars equals more ac- to be made by bike people would get Ryan Smith An exploration of love, art, and cidents all around equation. more exercise, which could lead to a Brad Triana bicycles. “Evaluating the Safety Effects of Bi- reduction in obesity, bikes can also Designers: cycle Lanes in New York City,” a study help to build stronger communities. Liz Venuto published in the American Journal Take for instance the work the Sis- Leah Yungwirth How Safe is Erie? 31 for Public Health, revealed that the ters of Saint Joseph Neighborhood Interns: Lauren Griffith The Jefferson Educational “installation of bicycle lanes did not Network are doing in Erie. And con- Emily Hanisek lead to an increase in crashes, despite sider Erie’s Eastside Opportunity Candice Martone Society looks for answers in a the probable increase in the number Corridor being developed by County 1001 State St. Suite 901 new essay. of bicyclists.” Rather, the study not- Councilman Jay Breneman and City Erie, Pa., 16501 ed, “the most likely explanations for Council President Dave Brennan. [email protected] Creativity on Display 31 the lack of increase in crashes are Katie Chriest covers both of these — reduced vehicular speeds and few- and more — in a riveting feature on The Erie Reader is the local voice for news, arts, and culture, and is Erie’s only Erie Arts & Culture's 2015 er conflicts between vehicles and Erie’s bike (read: cycling) culture and independent, alternative newspaper. Founded in 2010, the Reader has quickly become Summit highlights our bicyclists after installation of these how these examples demonstrate the region’s award-winning source for arts lanes.” That is, creating a lane for cars how people are endeavoring to make coverage, a strong cultural compass, and a dynamic resource for news and opinion. community's artistic potential. and a lane for bicycles means a clear Erie a bikeable city, one more bicy- With a dedication to long-form journalism and a commitment to provoking thoughtful separation leads to an increase in cle-friendly while making Erie a bet- discussion, the Reader tells the stories of the Bikeable Erie 32 people and places making and shaping Erie, safety for all travelers. ter city. while highlighting the events and issues But it doesn’t stop there. When Citi Is promoting bikes, bikers, and biker influencing life in northwestern Pennsylvania. The push to make Erie more The Erie Reader is published every other week Bike, the recently debuted bike-shar- culture revolutionary? No. Is it con- and distributed at over 250 high foot-traffic locations in Pennsylvania from North East to bicycle-friendly. ing program in NYC, launched last troversial? Not really. Girard to Edinboro. In addition to appearing year, critics cried foul, suggesting that But it gives us hope that people see in print, Erie Reader adds new content daily at ErieReader.com as well social media sites. Geeked Out 38 cabs would inevitably end up mow- that bikeable cities mean improved All rights reserved. All content © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State St., Suite 901, ing down cyclists, spilling the blood cities, and they aren’t afraid to dare Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Edinboro’s video game design of innocent pedaler making their way to have such dreams in a smaller opinions of our columnists and contributors through the Big Apple. Fast-forward (read: shrinking) city — especially be- are their own and do not always reflect that program takes off. of the editorial board or organization. Direct a year later to the shocking news in cause the current population statis- inquiries to 814.314.9364 or contact@ErieReader. com. NYC: No one found bike lanes on tri- tics don’t have us all that revved up.

May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 NEWS & OPINION Exile on State Street Is the City of Erie’s population decline the final knockout punch?

Erie’s population continues to plummet, but no one at City Hall seems to have a plan.

just not competitive. How do you avoid raising taxes? In one respect we have to run the City more efficiently. In my administration, we implemented the “DROP” plan, a re- tirement incentive that allowed us to reduce the City’s workforce by nearly 200 through retirements. The savings from that program delivered benefits for years. Other savings ideas, which the current administration has failed to adopt, in- clude the electronic payroll system. The City still employs numerous pay- roll clerks to calculate wages. Why not do this with 20th century technology? That’s right – 20th century. The next mayor needs to push for innovative and creative ways to reduce the City’s expenses to avoid raising taxes. Second, and related to taxes, is to de- velop new revenue sources. I’ve beat- en this horse numerous times before to deaf ears. We’ve seen over a hun- dred million dollars of investment by the Convention Center Authority in BRAD TRIANA the convention center, hotels, and the ice arena and ballpark complex. Does the City get one red cent from any of By: Rick Filippi Did this have to happen? I don’t be- hopefully a few of the candidates who these facilities to address its budget- ometimes you hate to be right. lieve so. will vie for the City’s top job might con- ary issues? Of course not. Why isn’t This time it really hurts. As reported in the Erie Times-News, sider. Because folks, the City of Erie is the mayor at every single Convention S As you know by now, the U.S. when asked how the City could reverse on its last legs. It’s in cardiac arrest, and Center Authority meeting demanding Census Bureau recently released its this decades long population slide, the people running it – be it the admin- a piece of the 7 percent room tax? The 2014 census statistics for the City of the only thing Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott istration or city council – don’t even City hosts these facilities. Much of the Erie. And, as I predicted for the last sev- could say was that “it’s a complicated seem to realize it. If the population sta- revenue generated from them comes eral years, it is now estimated that the question.” Not surprising from an ad- tistics don’t wake them up, then noth- from outside the City. Why don’t the City of Erie’s population has fallen be- ministration that for 10 years now has ing will. But I have to have hope. I live consumers using these facilities pay low 100,000 for the first time in almost offered not a single idea to address the here. My businesses are here. My kids their fair share of the expenses to run a century, standing now at 99,452 as of City’s fundamental problem, which is go to school here. the City? July 2014. the fact that the City is not an environ- Here are a few suggestions that we all In addition, why isn’t the mayor going We have to go back to 1920 to see a sim- ment that people want to invest in, be could start working on now to address after all of the so-called “nonprofits” ilar figure! Folks, this is nearly a knock- it to live or to do business. In fact, the this “complicated question” and reverse to get fair payments in lieu of taxes? out punch for the City and the Erie Re- administration of the current mayor this trend – or, at least demand that the These “nonprofits,” including the hos- gion. It wasn’t enough that we lost the has contributed significantly to the next mayor support them. This is by pitals, the universities, and others, pay designation as the third largest city in City’s slide by doing virtually nothing no means a complete list as there are their top executives hefty salaries that the Commonwealth. Or, that we no lon- to address the root problem. so many things a leader of Erie could the private sector can only envy, yet ger have a representative in Congress. The answer to Erie’s population de- be doing. I tried some of these things pay only token amounts for the bene- Or, that the state legislature has sliced cline is not complex at all. Is it hard? myself when I was mayor, and I have fits they receive from the City. The next and diced Erie County so that we no Yes. Does it take some vision? Of suggested them in this column before. mayor needs to go into the ring with longer have unified representation in course. And will it require hard work First, stop raising taxes. In the last the nonprofits and fight for fair share Harrisburg, because ladies and gentle- and leadership? Absolutely. three years, the City has raised taxes payment to offset the burden on city men, the City’s loss of population and With the recent municipal elections approximately 24 percent. That is not residents. the corresponding political clout that behind us, and as we look forward to a novel or creative way to deal with Third, and again related to taxes, as comes with it has dire consequences a new mayor in a couple of years, I am the City’s problems. Coupled with the well as expense reduction, the City for our entire region. going to offer some suggestions that school district’s high tax bill, the City is needs to open serious negotiations

4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 NEWS & OPINION

with the County about transferring housing stock is old. If there is a de- Erie At Large: the City’s well-trained and qualified cent neighborhood without blight, fire department to the County. This your house is overtaxed. When I was Let’s put Emerge 2040 in its proper place. makes sense on so many fronts its ri- mayor, through the backing of city diculous that this discussion has not council, we adopted the City-wide, 100 By: Jim Wertz 2040 plan; they should be the projects happened. percent LERTA (Local Economic Revi- and programs of the Emerge 2040 The fire department represents talization Tax Assistance) program, a he untimely release of Erie plan. about a $17 million expense to the City. tax incentive to get people to reinvest County Director of Planning Emerge 2040 currently operates The impoverished and overtaxed city in the City. And you know what? It TJake Welsh at the hands of from within the Erie Regional Cham- residents can’t afford it. At the same worked. County Executive Kathy Dahlkem- ber and Growth Partnership. That time, the volunteer fire departments In the early- to mid-2000s, the City per is raising many questions about move was made to insulate the proj- throughout much of the County, and experienced a mini building boom. what goes on behind closed doors in ect manager’s position from the ev- in particular the metropolitan area, the less than transparent office of the er-changing political tides of regional are experiencing great difficulty staff- Erie County Executive. Dahlkemper government. But those were the days ing themselves. By transferring the called the firing a “personnel issue” when Emerge 2040 was branded Des- fire department to the County and re- The answer to Erie’s in local media, but information about tination Erie, a controversial study deploying its force in a strategic geo- population decline Welsh’s departure has been so tightly rather than an executable plan. Now graphic fashion, not only would the held that Dahlkemper refused to dis- that such a plan is in place, the com- City realize a significant cost reduc- is not complex at all. cuss the matter at a public Erie Coun- munity should be holding its elected tion by spreading this important re- Is it hard? Yes. Does ty Council meeting, asking instead officials accountable based on the ob- gional public safety necessity among to meet with Council in an executive jectives and timeline of Emerge 2040, all of Erie County, but the County as it take some vision? session, away from the public and the mitigating the need for meddling a whole would benefit from increased media. middlemen with their own agenda. public safety. After all, Millcreek Of course. And will Only County Councilman Kyle Foust Just as Destination Erie planners Township has already started going it require hard work objected to the executive session and were concerned about the political to part-time paid fire personnel to ad- refused to take part in the private will of incoming and outgoing elected dress its needs. The next mayor needs and leadership? meeting because he claimed it ran officials, so too should Emerge 2040 to begin discussions with the county Absolutely. contrary to “open government.” This planners be concerned about the un- executive to make this happen. is an ironic position considering that due influence of the ERCGP, which Fourth – and this one really hits Foust was the sole no-vote to Coun- has its own history of poorly man- home – after experiencing another ty Councilman Jay Breneman’s sun- aged plans to recruit and maintain shooting and wounding in my neigh- We actually were able to challenge shine resolution to record and post regional assets. borhood, there is no doubt that the census figures at the time and proved County Council’s public meetings on- County leaders should codify pro- gun violence that has plagued the that the City had gained back some line. Nevertheless, Foust’s exercise in City now for almost two years has ground, largely due to this program. bureaucratic contradiction will have Dahlkemper should be contributed significantly to the flight What did the current administration to wait while we parse out the saga of people from the City. I know the and council do? Cut back on the pro- of the County Executive, and what fighting for the County’s police have been doing their best. But gram. What happened? We lost any appears to be, her ongoing attempts director of planning and where the hell has the current mayor ground we had gained. The next may- to remove the vestiges of previous ad- the project manager of been? At my count, he has had one or needs to utilize existing resources, ministrations. Emerge 2040 to be one press conference last year to address such as LERTA, to attract residential Dahlkemper says that she’s looking this situation. and commercial investment in the for new leadership in the planning and the same. The next mayor needs to show the City. office. In concert with Welsh’s depar- people of Erie that he or she is out Is the City finished? Of course not. ture, she asked County Council – be- tections for the Emerge 2040 project in front of this problem. The mayor But the latest population data con- fore the executive session – to reduce manager, holding that person – be it should have weekly press conferences firms a decline that has far reaching the salary for the director of plan- the current project manager, Anna telling the citizens of Erie how we are implications for the City and the en- ning position to $65,000. Welsh made Frantz, or her successors – account- dealing with the problem. The mayor tire Erie Region. $70,980 in his former post, according able on a level beyond the reach of should be conducting neighborhood These ideas are just the surface of to county records, but he was also a the County Executive. The evaluation sweeps, as I did, going through the what the next mayor needs to ad- county employee since 1988. Welsh rubric is built into Emerge 2040. If the violence prone areas, which are now dress. Folks, the City is in a fight for supervised the county planning office objectives of the plan are being met practically the whole city, with police, its life, and we, the citizens of Erie, since 2006. and its projects remain on schedule, public works, and code officials, clean- need a champion who can fight back. Dahlkemper also says that she wants the project manager should be unim- ing up junk and debris, closing down We need a man or woman as the next the vision of the director of planning peachable. crack houses, going to neighborhood mayor with a spine of steel and an to reflect the Emerge 2040 regional If the community and its leadership watch meetings and fundamentally acute vision that can go into the are- plan. She’s correct, but she’s not gone can’t agree on that simple premise, letting the people of Erie know that na and throw some counter punches. far enough. Dahlkemper should be the Director of Planning shouldn’t be he or she gives a damn about their Without a leader of that sort, the City fighting for the County’s director of the only vacancy at the Erie County plight. really will be down and out for the planning and the project manager of Courthouse. Finally, we need to rebuild the fun- count. Emerge 2040 to be one and the same. damental blocks upon which all cities The projects and programs under- Jim Wertz can be reached at jWertz@ are built – and that is the neighbor- Rick Filippi can be contacted at atty. taken by county government should ErieReader.com, and you can follow hood. Let’s be frank, folks. The City’s [email protected]. not just be in the spirit of the Emerge him on Twitter @jim_wertz.

May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 5 6 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 BUSINESS To Uber or Not To Uber Reader riders take on the question.

at Urraro Gallery and a nightcap in The Brewerie. The Rides Erie Yellow Cab is, well, a cab. It’s essentially a fleet of what appear to be recycled police cruisers of various age with variable quality of interior – including everything from seats to smells. Some drivers own their cabs, while others rent, but all of the drivers are required to have clean driving records, according to the cab company’s website. The upshot with Yellow Cab is that if you’ve had a dispatch horror story, some drivers may give you a direct line to their cell phones, allowing you to circum- vent what can be a very frus- trating exchange. If you’ve never lived in or spent extended periods of time in bigger cities, Reader

BRAD TRIANA readers, getting the driver’s num- ber is a move that can make the By: Jim Wertz try with stories of bad Ubers and, To face these truths and chal- difference between expensive, for that matter, bad Uber riders. lenge some stereotypes, the Erie frustrating nights and a person- ver since Uber arrived in But if you’ve spent enough hours Reader assembled a team of rid- al chauffeur for a fraction of the Erie April 10, there’s been an and lost nights trying to cab your ers to put the ridesharing service cost. Tip well and behave and Earray of questions related way around Erie, you know that in direct competition with the you may have something akin to to the ridesharing service that is Erie Yellow Cab is not necessar- city’s stalwart Yellow Cab. There a private car service for the fore- disrupting traditional taxi service ily the reliable choice. Stories were four riders in teams of two: seeable future. around the country. The general- abound of dispatch hanging up one “Team Yellow Cab,” and one Uber drivers, on the other hand, ly skeptical public questions the on needy riders at the midnight “Team Uber.” The Reader’s fear- all use their personal vehicles, safety of getting into a stranger’s hour because they have a cross some foursome hit the town with which must be 2007 or newer, car, the cost of something that street, but no street address. It’s the same agenda, a couple of sport four-doors, and cannot be amounts to low-rent limo service, one thing when you’re stand- smart phones, and enough cash salvaged or reconstructed vehi- and the quality of the ride related ing on State Street waiting with to eat, drink, and – for the cab set cles. The drivers undergo, what to both the drivers and their cars. friends outside a bar. It’s another – take care of your driver. one driver described as, “a seri- The taxi mafia PR mill has filled when you’re a female college stu- The Agenda ous background check” and must the airwaves and newspapers in dent on the tail end of bad date in The Reader riders selected lo- have driven in the U.S. for at least cities and towns across the coun- a questionable neighborhood. cations that provided enough one year. There aren’t many Erie distance from one another to Ubers in service, but we met driv- compare the cost of the rides and ers who’ve been working Erie geographic variance that would streets since its inception about a test Uber and Yellow Cab’s abil- month ago as well as those who ities to reach riders in a timely were two days on the job. Both manner. The night began at La- said they’ve seen new Ubers on very Brewing Company on West the map each day. 12th Street in downtown Erie at Because Uber eliminates the happy hour, followed by a cross- middleman of the dispatcher, town jaunt to The Public House Uber drivers choose which fares at West Ridge and Asbury Road they take when an Uber ping in Millcreek for dinner, and a re- comes across the driver’s smart- turn trip to Union Station for art phone. Likewise, riders can spin the wheel to get another driver From Downtown Erie to West if they don’t like what they see Millcreek and back again, the Reader on their handheld device. Drivers

BRAD TRIANA riders put Uber to the test. and riders rate each other post-

May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 7 BUSINESS t en Uber vs. Erie Yellow Cab: A split decision. ev el! r e v years, noted that he typically posts up h e u t o o l around the Erie International Airport, y t t e ex took the same route back downtown – ak n 26th St. to I-79 to 12th St. – arriving at T Union Station in just over 20 minutes for the same cost as the outbound trip, $21 fare and a $4 tip. The same concern about dispatch and wait times was made, but no personal contact infor- mation was offered by the driver. Perfect for By the time Team Yellow Cab had an- other beer in hand, Team Uber was just Weddings- Corporate Events slipping into a Kia Soul. He followed Conventions - Family Reunions the same route as the Yellow Cab and Birthday Parties - Class Reunions arrived at Union Station 32 minutes Holiday Parties - Any Celebration after the ride was requested. Because

Uber charges by distance and the route was shorter, the total fare cost $17.30. The Verdict It was a split decision. Uber’s cheap- er, but not always faster. However, the quality of an Uber is, well, uber. As Uber continues to scale into the Erie market, the variety and number rides will in- PHOTOBOOTH crease. The disruption that ridesharing

Call us at 814.490.9193 or BRAD TRIANA causes to Erie Yellow Cab remains to email us at [email protected] for a quote. be seen, but neither of the cab drivers www.starlightphotobootherie.com ride. So if you want to treat your Uber it didn’t show on the final bill. No cash said they were concerned, both citing like Taxicab Confessions, that’s fine, is exchanged with Uber. You pay with a the fact that they served regulars who but there may be fewer Ubers in your credit card pre-registered on the Uber didn’t seem interested in making the future. And by the way, if you puke or app, with which multiple payment Uber switch. The potential for disrup- leave bodily fluid in an Uber, you’re methods can be stored. tion, though, is strong. Nevertheless, as on the hook for the cleanup and your Team Uber expected to wait for their the love for Uber continues to grow, so credit card will be charged between counterparts for the better part of an too must the number of Ubers in town. $100-$200 dollars or more depending hour. But much to their surprise, the Uber knows this. on the extent of the damage, according Yellow Cab crew walked through the In major markets like New York and to the Uber Cleaning Fee Policy. door just seven minutes later, for a total San Francisco (the city where the whole The Challenge time of 29 minutes from call to drop off. rideshare concept started in 2009 and Team Yellow Cab put in the call to The cab had arrived in less than 20 min- is still headquartered), increased avail- dispatch and Team Uber tapped the utes and the driver took 12th Street to ability led to increased expectations app shortly before 6:30 on a Thursday I-79 to 26th Street. It was a $21 fare with from riders. Between 2013 and 2014, night at Lavery Brewing Company. a $4 tip. The riders in the car expressed Uber riders’ willingness to wait for Team Yellow Cab – after enjoying the their concerns about dispatch and the Uber rides dropped from eight minutes Every dollar stays on-hold playback stylings of the Goo potential 40 minute wait time, to which to just four minutes because their ex- Every dollar stays Goo Doll’s “Slide” – was told by dispatch the driver, who had been cabbing for perience in the previous year of service that it would be “40 minutes or less” be- three years, responded with a business had been prompt and cost effective. RIGHTEvery dollar HERE stays . fore their chariot would arrive, so they card, cell phone number included. Uber mines this type of data in every RIGHT HERE. went back in for another round. Both teams expected the ride back city in which it operates – which as of Hamot Health Foundation is privileged to represent more than Hamot Health Foundation is privileged to represent more than Team Uber was in a sporty red Hyun- from Public House to pose a greater March was more than 200 – so by this 2,0002,000 donors donorsRIGHT who, who, through through philanthropy,philanthropy, HERE are are building building. healthier healthier communitiescommunitiesHamot rightHealth right here.Foundation here. is privileged to represent more than dai Elantra in two minutes – before the challenge. Looking at the Uber app time next year we should have new 2,000 donors who, through philanthropy, are building healthier cabbers even ended the call. The Uber map, the closest cars were in Fairview transportation data on Uber Erie and WithWith your communitiesyour continued continued right generosity, here.generosity, wewe are are making making significant significant investments in our local health care centers, equipment, and investmentsWith yourin our continued local generosity,health care we are centers, making significant equipment, androute followed 12th Street to Asbury and east of I-79. the travel habits of the people of the peopleinvestments — helping in ourto fulfilllocal health the mission care centers, of UPMC equipment, Hamot, and and peopleensure —people helping that — nationally helping to fulfill to recognizedfulfill the the mission health of UPMCof care UPMC Hamot, will continue Hamot, and toand Road, arriving at the Public House 22 At 8:30 p.m. the app was tapped and a Gem City. Such information could be ensurebe availablethatensure nationally that here nationally in our recognized recognizedcommunities health health for care generations care will continue will continueto to come. tominutes after the app tap for $18.90, call to dispatch – for an authentic ex- transformative for city planning as be availablebe available here inhere our in our communities communities for for generations generations to come. to come. To help us make an even greater impact in our community tip included. Ubers charge only by dis- perience – made. Both teams ended up well as our transportation sectors. We To help us make an even greater impact in our community this year, visit , or call us at To help usthis make year, visit HamotHealthFoundation.organ HamotHealthFoundation.org even greater impact, inor callour us community at tance and don’t accept tips. The driver with different cars, different drivers, might even learn something about 814-877-7020814-877-7020 for for details details on on howhow youyou can can donate. donate. this year, visit HamotHealthFoundation.org, or call us at said Uber fares don’t include idle time and different experiences. Team Uber what we want and, dare I say, what we 814-877-7020 for details on how you can donate. like metered cabs, so traffic – whatever tracked their driver from West County need to make Erie just a bit more uber. that means in NWPA – is not a factor. on the Uber app and watched begrudg- Gifts made to Hamot Health Foundation are tax deductible to the But according to the Uber rate card, it ingly as Team Yellow Cab drove out of Jim Wertz can be reached at jWertz@ Gifts madefull extentto Hamot of the HealthInternal FoundationRevenue Code areSection tax 501(c)(3).deductible to the full extent of the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). does charge 25 cent per minute. If there Millcreek. A different driver in a dif- ErieReader.com, and you can follow him

Gifts made to Hamot Health Foundation are tax deductible to the were time-related charges on our trip, ferent cab, who’s been driving for nine on Twitter @jim_wertz. full extent of the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

8 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 NEWS & OPINION Harrisburg Happenings State Senate draws clear party lines on one bill while unifying in bipartisan celebration over the other.

By: Senator Sean Wiley

s the General Assembly enters into the month of June, the ACommonwealth budget pro- MICHAEL PLASMEIER cess begins to ramp up. Thirty days has defined by the courts as “deferred com- day, the floor of the Senate saw more September, April, June, and November. pensation for services rendered,” there- than four hours of heated banter, with Thirty days to land upon a responsible fore making pension benefits part of accusations and indictments hurled budget worth more than 29 billion in the contract between an employer (in across the aisle, and a final vote to pass tax dollars. this case, the Commonwealth) and an SB 1. The Governor’s bold plan is being employee, thus protected by the state SB 1 took more than five months to reviewed with the proverbial fine- constitution. The fact that SB 1 chang- craft, but garnered only 72 hours worth toothed comb, and hand-in-hand with es the terms of that existing contract of review and consideration by the that process, the General Assembly is puts it in direct opposition to consti- Senate. How does that speak to open- tackling additional major challenges. tutional protections. Therefore, if SB 1 ness and transparency? How does that Earlier this May, the Senate passed, does pass the House and is signed by speak to good government? How does along party lines, a pension reform the Governor, those potential future that speak to dispelling the color of bill, Senate Bill 1, as introduced by Ma- savings generated by the change in cynicism and of skepticism of govern- jority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre). formulas, etc., may never materialize ment in general? Corman cited the need to address the because of the pending constitutional It doesn’t. public pension system in the Common- challenges. I contrast the aforementioned situa- wealth as priority number one. I agree SB 1 is more than 400-pages long, a tion with an example of bipartisanship with Corman, but where my agreement at its finest. Only one day prior on May ends is how to tackle a reorganization 12, the Senate came together united in of that system. SB 1 is not the right an- SB 1 took more than five an effort to move forward legislation to swer as indicated by my negative vote months to craft, but garnered allow the medicinal use of cannabis in on May 13. only 72 hours worth of review the Commonwealth. Senate Bill 3, as of- My biggest criticism of SB 1 is that and consideration by the fered by Senators Mike Folmer (R-Leb- it does nothing to address the un- Senate. How does that speak to anon) and Daylin Leach (D-Montgom- funded liability the Commonwealth openness and transparency? ery), outlines a solid plan for access to is currently facing, further pushing How does that speak to good treatment and a critical step forward in improving the lives of thousands of down the road the responsibility of government? shouldering those costs. How much Pennsylvanians who endure serious longer is the General Assembly going medical conditions. By voting 40-7 in to delay, and at what point will we fi- document that my colleagues and I favor of SB 3, the Senate moved the bill nally say enough’s enough? We have saw for the very first time late on Fri- to the House for further consideration, criticized previous administrations day afternoon May 8 when it was first where the House has until the end of for neglecting their duty to address made public. By that next Monday the 2015-2016 regular session to take it this liability for the last 17 or so years, morning, the Republican-controlled up. and yet SB 1, as written, subscribes Senate Finance Committee voted the The week of May 11 ran the gamut of to the very same philosophies. Unac- bill out of committee along party lines. emotion, from flying high in bipartisan ceptable. Tuesday morning saw a quick review celebration to drawing a firm line in SB 1 targets employee benefits instead by the Pennsylvania Employee Re- the sand affixed with a keep-out sign. of addressing the unfunded liability. tirement Commission (as required by I am hopeful that sign will not hang The new benefit offered to employees statute) that spit out a hasty actuari- there for the rest of our deliberations is substandard at best by providing a al note – the same note that was then in the 30 coming days. 20 percent replacement of salary for provided to my colleagues and me on workers who have been employed for the Appropriations Committee that Senator Sean D. Wiley can be contact- 25 years, far short of the national stan- same morning. ed at [email protected], dard of between 60-70 percent. Addi- We asked to table the bill, to delay the and you can follow him on Twitter @ tionally, pension benefits have been vote, but were denied. The very next SenatorWiley.

May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 9 NEWS & OPINION

Jeb Bush was an early created the “Office of Special Plans” in supporter of the invasion the Department of Defense to provide of Iraq. unvetted intelligence information to the Bush administration. That office American Century, and was headed by Paul Wolfowitz. a 1998 memo to then The Bush administration’s thirst for President Bill Clinton an invasion of Iraq was so strong, it advocating for the over- kick-started the U.S. “enhanced inter- throw of Iraq’s dictator, rogation” program in order to torture Saddam Hussein. Which detainees into coughing up “evidence” is a very big deal, when linking Hussein to al Qaeda, according you realize that among to former State Department officials. the memo’s signees were And let’s not forget the press’ role in Paul Wolfowitz (later to creating bad intelligence. Take The New serve as Bush’s Deputy York Times’ Judith Miller, who ran a se- Secretary of Defense), El- ries of stunning reports on evidence of

DOD MEDIA- liot Abrams (Bush’s spe- Iraq’s nuclear ambitions just before the cial assistant on the Na- invasion. Only that “evidence” was fed tional Security Council), to her by Amed Chalabi – an Iraqi exile John Bolton (Bush’s Undersecretary of wanted for bank fraud in Jordan, who Street Corner Soapbox State and Ambassador to the UN), and had close ties to Paul Wolfowitz, and Donald Rumsfeld (Bush’s Secretary of Hindsight’s 20/20, but Jeb Bush’s vision of the Defense). And that among the group’s invasion of Iraq may be blurred by bad intelligence signatories to the PNAC’s statements The decision to invade of principles includes Dick Cheney Iraq was not based seen through rose-tinted glasses. (Bush’s Vice President), Scooter Libby (Cheney’s assistant for national secu- on faulty intelligence. By: Jay Stevens Ah, those days of yore! When men rity affairs), and… drum roll …Jeb Bush! Faulty intelligence were men, and when bold, visionary Or maybe we start with recently de- ostalgia,” according to my presidents acted from the gut on the classified documents that show, only was used to justify handy Miriam-Webster dic- faulty intelligence they had! Sure, in hours after the terrorist attack on Sept. an invasion that had “Ntionary, is a “wistful or sen- hindsight, the invasion might have 11, 2001, Donald Rumsfeld met with top timental yearning for a return to or of been a bad idea. But with the informa- military aides and asked them how to already been decided some past period of irrecoverable con- tion we had at the time, it was the right turn the U.S. response against Saddam on. dition.” call to make. Hussein. How sweet the honeyed taste of nos- Nothing like the passage of time to Which, you know, should remind ev- talgia. How alluring it is to sip from its add a rosy tint to your glasses! eryone that the original reason the who promised to supply the U.S. with nectar. Jeb Bush is not alone in his, ahem, nos- Bush administration gave for invading the intelligence they needed to justi- Take the interview that Fox News’ talgia. David Brooks, also an avid Iraq Iraq had nothing to with the dreaded fy an invasion in exchange for being Megyn Kelly conducted with Republi- War booster, recently wrote that “the WMDs – but instead due to Hussein’s named head of the new Iraqi state. The can presidential hopeful Jeb Bush, in decision to go to war was a clear mis- alleged ties to al Qaeda and the 9/11 at- Times later admitted that coverage of which he was asked if he would have judgment.” The lesson? “[W]e should tacks. It was only after the media had the Iraq invasion “was not as rigorous authorized the invasion of Iraq if he look at intelligence products with a trouble gagging down so obvious a lie as it should have been,” and its lead ed- were president instead of his brother, more skeptical eye.” that the Bush administration turned to itor, Bill Keller, expressed “regrets” over George W. Bush, in 2003. Alas, reality has a harder shine. WMDs. his “handling” of Miller. “I would have,” said Bush. “And so The decision to invade Iraq was not “The fraudulence for the case for So… why all the nostalgia for a mythic would’ve Hilary Clinton, just to remind based on faulty intelligence. Faulty in- war was actually obvious at the time,” time of good decisions made on faulty everybody. And so would’ve almost telligence was used to justify an inva- wrote Paul Krugman in a recent edito- intelligence? anybody that was confronted with the sion that had already been decided on. rial. “[T]he ever-shifting arguments for “Some of them, I suppose may have intelligence they got.” It’s this reality, by the way, that David an unchanging goal were a dead give- been duped…which doesn’t say much Jeb Bush, of course, was referring Brooks calls, “a fable going around.” away. So were the word games – the about their judgment,” wrote Krug- to evidence linking Iraq to weapons Which is the real fable. talk about WMD that conflated chemi- man. “More, I suspect, may have been of mass destruction – the infamous There’s so much evidence that we cal weapons… with nukes, the constant complicit: they realized that the offi- “WMDs” – his brother’s administration were lied to, manipulated, that Iraq insinuations that Iraq was somehow cial case for war was a pretext, but had used as justification for invading Iraq. was planned months, even years be- behind 9/11.” their own reasons for wanting a war… The current presidential candidate fore, that intelligence was cooked, or As for the intelligence? or allowed themselves to be intimidat- Bush scurried for a different answer skewed, or not parsed properly. That There’s plenty of documentation that ed into going along.” after getting walloped in the press for the Bush administration pressured in- shows the Bush administration pres- Saying you made a decision based on his answer. (The Iraq War, after all, was telligence agencies and military bodies sured the CIA into coming up with faulty intelligence lets you avoid the seen by most to be a disaster.) “You to come up with the information they “actionable” intelligence on Iraq. That hard truth: you were a sap, a sucker, or know, given the power of looking back,” needed to go to war. caused the agency to pass on unreliable worse, that you were in on the fix. he said in a later interview, “of course, Where do we start? or obviously false reports to the Bush anybody would’ve made different deci- Perhaps with the neoconservative administration that confirmed their Jay Stevens can be contacted at jste- sions. There’s no denying that.” think tank, the Project for the New allegations. Likewise, Donald Rumsfeld [email protected].

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May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 11 NEWS & OPINION

Suspicions Confirmed News of the Weird n New York City, someone By: Chuck Shepherd Ican be fired for being “too nice.” Doorman Ralph Body, Is This a Great near-asphyxiation and con- them down a toilet.) [Stuff. that night in August 2013 while 41, was dismissed from his job Country or What? trolled arterial blood-letting (in co.nz, 4-30-2015; Dominion Post barhopping (later, registering at an upscale New York City which splatters are captured via Stuff.co.nz, 5-6-2015] .178 blood alcohol), and as she apartment building because here’s hardly a more “gener- on a canvas as if made by a ran a red light, smashed into a he did too many favors for Tic” song in America than painter). An event organizer Ironies pickup truck, injuring herself tenants, according to an April “Happy Birthday to You,” but to said the “Cirque de Plaisir” was badly and her friend in the pas- New York Post report. Body this day (until a judge renders more of a “performance art” he ancient art of yoga is senger seat fatally. According said he “gave his life” to the a decision in a pending case), display by a few body-modifi- “Tsupposed to offer a path to the police report, her last residents at the “27 on 27th” Warner/Chappel Music is still cation aficionados than it was to inner peace,” wrote the Wall text to the ex- boyfriend (three tower in Queens, but “upper trying to make big dollars off a fetish “party.” Local govern- Street Journal in February minutes earlier) was “Driving management” thought such of the 16-word ditty (15 origi- ments were alarmed especially — before launching into a re- drunk woo ... I’ll be dead thanks extra kindnesses violated nal words plus a user-supplied by the blood splatters’ endan- port on how many yoga class- to you.” [Connecticut Post building policy and ordered 16th). Its original copyright gering onlookers and promised es these days are so crowded (Bridgeport), 4-27-2015] [Miami his dismissal despite a tenant should have expired, at the lat- an investigation. [WNBC-TV, that inner peace-seekers are Herald, 4-30-2015] petition. [New York Post, 4-5- est, in 1921, but amendments 4-29-2015] more likely than ever either to 2015] to the law and technicalities seethe throughout their ses- eaders’ Choice: (1) The In- in interpretation (e.g., did the ccused amateur serial sion — or to openly confront Rdian Journal of Derma- hen the chief auditor copyright cover all public uses Atooth-puller Philip Han- floor-hoggers. Explained one tology announced in April Wfor Hartford, Connecti- or just piano arrangements?) sen, 56, was convicted on two coach, “People who are practic- that it was withdrawing a cut, finally got around to bring Warner at least $2 million counts in May following a trial ing yoga want Zen; they don’t recent scientific paper by a checking the finances of the a year in fees. A federal judge in in Wellington (New Zealand) already have it.” [Wall Street dentist in Kerala state, “De- police shooting range recent- California is expected to rule District Court. Several women Journal, 2-16-2015] velopment of a Guideline to ly, he found that the range su- soon on whether the song is in had accused him, during 1988- Approach Plagiarism in Indi- pervisor had bought 485,000 fact uncopyrightably “generic” 2011, of holding their mouths imely Information: (1) Jo- an Scenarios,” because parts bullets per year, but was us- — 125 years after the Hill sis- open and wriggling teeth out Tseph Forren, 21, with a .172 of the article had been plagia- ing only 180,000 — and had ters (Mildred and Patty) com- with pliers (and in one case, a blood alcohol level, plowed rized from a student disser- no paperwork on where the posed it. [CBS News, 3-27-2015] screwdriver), motivated by his into a pickup truck in April in tation. (2) Low voter turnout other bullets went. (In one attraction to “gummy women” Trumbull, Connecticut (though in non-presidential election instance, the supervisor ac- Can’t Possibly Be True as a prelude to sex. He appar- with no serious injuries). Police years is increasingly prob- knowledged having bought ently also lauded the “free” said Forren’s cellphone on the lematic in easily distracted 94,500 rounds of .45-caliber n April, WNBC-TV’s investi- service he was providing, since seat still displayed a current Los Angeles, but the issue ammo two years after the de- Igative unit in New York City real dentists, he said, would text message, “Don’t drink and was specifically addressed partment had stopped using reported on a series of fetish have charged the women. drive ... Dad.” (2) According by campaigners in the March .45s and switched to .40-cali- parties in Manhattan report- (Hansen allegedly told anoth- to police records released in 3 city council elections — ber weapons — but his story edly organized by a licensed er woman, with full dentures, April, Mila Dago (now 24 and which, of course, only about was that he needed .45-caliber M.D., in which the consensual how “beautiful” she was — as awaiting trial for DUI man- 9 percent of registered voters bullets so he could trade them activities consisted of saline he was removing the plates, slaughter) was trading sarcas- cast ballots in. [NPR, 4-2-2015] for .40s.) [Hartford Courant, scrotal inflation, controlled crushing them and flushing tic texts with her ex-boyfriend [LA Weekly, 3-4-2015] 5-2-2015]

Just Toyin’ Witcha By: B. Toy

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May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 13 14 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 FEATURE Art in Tandem An exploration of love, art, and bicycles. BRAD TRIANA

art piece titled “Chattel Num- Ricardo have been able to sup- they essentially share a greater Ricardo (left) and Jesse (right), By: Hannah Choi Paul ber 5” and have traveled the port themselves as artists. universe through their imag- otherwise known as Art in Tandem. country with the exhibition A dual self-portrait hangs ination, a vibrant sea evoking ou may have spotted Hateful Things. They’re back in from the ceiling of “Poetics of happiness because they have Out of that four million, I will them on occasion — Erie, along with their creators, Space,” each side representing found each other. And evi- bet that only two people dress two men riding on who stand on either side of me, one. The self-portraits have dent in their home and gallery like Jesse and Ricardo – and a tandem bike and dressed identically in orange recognizable differences. On space, there are no boundaries that’s Jesse and Ricardo. Lace Ysearching for treasure in the and green. The building is their Ricardo’s canvas, a disembod- between them. fringe over green suede boots, ordinary. They are Jesse and shared home, their shared art, ied female spectral hovers over “We’re like the house,” Jesse khaki skirts layering khaki Ricardo, Erie artists collective- and their shared life, naturally a chair. A red heart is in stitch- says. “It’s visible for the world pants, knitted hats topped ly known as Art in Tandem. titled the “Poetics of Space.” es on the chair, either coming to see. We try to be very open. with spiraling towers — these On West Front Street, I stand Adventurous travelers, artists, apart or being sewn back to- We can see the bay from every are a few of the things I’ve seen in the upper floor of a building and scholars in several fields, gether. Jesse’s canvas is divid- window. Even when sitting on them wear. that smells like honeyed soap Jesse and Ricardo do every- ed: two chairs and two masks the throne.” “It’s been a bumpy road to try and newspapers. A black man- thing and go everywhere to- (the muses of tragedy and com- ocals may see Art in Tan- to educate people when the op- nequin clothed in a tribal dress gether – literally. Jesse is from edy). Remarkably, both por- Ldem as a novelty, dressing portunity arises,” Ricardo says. has a black baby doll strapped Erie, and Ricardo is originally traits swim in bright primary alike because they are gay. But “We’re doing an art piece with to the waist. The doll sings, from New York City. His father, reds and yellows, which reveals there are about four million our wearing apparel, and it has “Joy, joy, joy,” which sounds who may or may not have been something important about adults in the United States nothing to do with being gay.” like sorrowful nuclear fission. related to Mussolini, moved Jesse and Ricardo’s relation- who identify as being gay or If the premise holds true that The spray of static evokes a the family to a hog farm in ship. Although they come from lesbian, according to the Wil- art is life then I see no better devolved society. The manne- Ohio when Ricardo was a boy. different backgrounds andliams Institute on Sexual Ori- example than Art in Tandem. quin and baby doll make up an For several years, Jesse and have different stories to tell, entation Law and Public Policy. Their relationship is art, and

May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 15 FEATURE BRAD TRIANA BRAD TRIANA

their art is their relationship. together and adopted some Above: The decor of “Poetics of The elision was both gradu- of the styles that are innate Space” is a team effort. Right: Jesse (left) and Ricardo (right) al and instantaneous. Jesse, a within each of us. And I think take delight in collaboration. sweet, shy 19-year-old met the that should be a good thing if older, assertive Ricardo, who you see something in the per- showed up at Ricardo’s front took it upon himself to ensure son you are with, that you are door to apologize for the ten- that Jesse reached his greatest attracted to, something that nis no-show. He also happened potential. He went with Jesse maybe you wished was part to need a ride to work at a plas- to every one of his undergrad- of your personality. So in that tics factory, and Ricardo pulled uate and then graduate classes way, I think we have flowed to- out his spare bicycle. at Gannon and Mercyhurst. gether.” After that first bike ride, they Ricardo didn’t want Jesse to ne of the very interesting were together. Several days be stereotyped and underesti- Othings I learn about Ricar- later, while Jesse and Ricar- mated. do is that he came out in the do were walking through the “He’s like me except he’s got black community, specifically neighborhood, they saw an old more chutzpah,” Jesse says in Cleveland during the ‘80s. red Western Flyer tandem bi- with a smile. “In class, I would “They were completely warm cycle. Art in Tandem was born. have no identity among all the and loving,” he says. “Every- It makes sense. Love, like a bi- students. Ricardo was there to thing I hadn’t found in the cycle, can save you from lone- support me. As he was sitting white community.” liness. It can get you out of the there, I was thinking about Ricardo officially met Jesse at house and make you see your why I was there and what I Erie’s Blues and Jazz Festival city in a new way. It can lead was doing. And I concentrat- at Frontier Park. Ricardo saw you to discover the beauty of ed and graduated with all ‘As,’ him standing and, character- pavement and grass and the summa cum laude.” istically, made the approach. vivid colors of a building with Ricardo was 16 when he They made a date to play ten- more intimacy than if you started college. He didn’t talk nis, and Jesse, characteristical- were driving. to anyone in his classes, and ly, failed to keep the appoint- “You have to make your own his friends were still in high ment. It wasn’t the first time way,” Jesse says. “It’s like there school. Perhaps, attending Jes- Ricardo had noticed Jesse. were no bicycle paths before se’s classes many years later “I had seen him from across we came along.” was a way to relive a formative the street one time or two be- Of course, a bicycle can also experience that he hadn’t been fore. I had seen him walking,” lead to danger. You can get present for, spiritually and he says. “He looked like he was run over or stranded by a flat

emotionally. It was a way of in his own world… like he was tire. Your bicycle can be sto- BRAD TRIANA doing something over and do- lost or looking for something. len, which is what happened ing it right with purpose and And he was smiling.” to Ricardo before he was with meaning. At the time, Ricardo lived Jesse. more than 20 years ago, but he asked for my bicycle, and he “I have learned more consid- on Chestnut Street in the “One time I was about to go still sounds a bit flabbergasted said he didn’t have it anymore. eration and kindness from house that eventually became bike riding with a guy, and he by the blatant theft. I would He couldn’t give it back… He being around Jesse,” Ricardo Art in Tandem’s first space, was all for going for a bike ride, be, too. said someone stole it from says. “And hopefully he’s be- “Crumbling to Perfection,” and I was getting the spare one “I looked for him because I him. Well, if he left it outside come more assertive being which was featured on the out, and he just rolled off with knew where he hung out… or something like that, then around me. We have grown show American Pickers. Jesse my bike,” Ricardo says. It was and I approached him and someone would naturally steal

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May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 17 FEATURE

LAST YEAR WE WAXED OVER 3,000 BODY PARTS BRAD TRIANA

DON’T TRUST YOUR HOO-HA

WITH ANYONE ELSE BRAD TRIANA

Above: Ricardo says he “feels a lot of love it from him,” Ricardo says. from Erie.” Below: The primary mode of He’s talking about a long-lost bicycle, transportation for Art in Tandem. but his anecdote offers some choice lessons in modern love. Don’t leave that, until the work is complete. There your bicycle outside, and don’t leave it is always some give and take as argu- WITH OVER 14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE unlocked. Don’t go riding with shady ments slip into negotiations. strangers who say one thing and do Jesse gets a thrill from children’s toys. Now at our new location at another. Don’t give your bicycle to just Ricardo delights in anything off-the- anyone. And if you’ve found a fellow wall. The Shops at the Colony Plaza $ Only 55for rider, a rare kindred spirit, who’s going Ricardo basks in primary colors. Jesse

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l original home i best not to fight it and just ride tandem. They indulge in laughter as children of the true a SandCille.com t A snowy afternoon, I follow as they no longer in need of parents. Brazilian e d carry a long tapestry down a slippery Clothing is play with layers of gender. 814.456.7400 r fo hill. Twin orange patches in a white, icy They’re part of their mothers. They’re *call world. They unfurl the tapestry to ex- part of their fathers. They’re part of ev- plain how it worked in their art piece, eryone. “River of deNile.” They show me how I can grow here. “It’s like Magritte’s ‘Cela n’est pas une We Can’t Wait to You Pipe.’” Hannah Choi Paul can be contacted at They’re birds building a nest. One lays [email protected]. down a twig and his mate a leaf. On and on, one seeing this, the other seeing

18 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 19

CALENDAR VanAmburg Kings Rook Club, 1921 Tom Ridge Environmental taste from each. With Peach St. facebook. Center, 301 Peninsula June 3 — 6 to 6:30 p.m. food available for com/kingsrookclub. Drive. trecpi.org. purchase, arts and Victor’s Restaurant, Bel Aire Clarion, 2800 Ron Yarosz & Wonders of the Arctic crafts, a tradition- W. 8 St. jazzerie.com. The Vehicle al costume fashion Ongoing — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. show, and live per- Lady Day June 6 — 6 to 9 p.m. Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula formances, this free June 4 — 7:30 p.m. 8440 Singer Road, North East, Drive. trecpi.org. event is sure to have The Brewerie, 123 W. lakeviewwinecellars.com. something that ev- 14th St. brewerie.com. Pygmalion eryone in the family The Ark Band May 28 — 8 p.m. Season Finale for Erie has never seen—or June 7 — 3 p.m. Chamber Orchestra Erie Movie House, 3424 tasted—before. Hen- Schickalay’s on the Bay, Westlake Road. facebook. June 5 — 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. na and calligraphy 2860 W 6th St., facebook. com/ErieMovieHouse. Cathedral Prep com/schickalaysonthebay. drawings will also be Auditiorium, 225 W Pure Doctor available. The perfor- 9th St. facebook.com/ Latin Jazz and Salsa May 31 — 2 p.m. mances take place at eriechamberorchestra. June 7—4 to 6 p.m. Erie Movie House, 3424 1 p.m. and at 4 p.m., The Two Bridges Unitarian Universalist Westlake Road. facebook. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO both perfect for grab- com/ErieMovieHouse. + Seann Clark Church, 7180 Perry bing a plate of eth- Hwy. jazzerie.com Asian Festival Showcases June 5 — 9 p.m. nic food and sitting down to watch as Great Expectations Culture from Eight Kings Rook Club, 1921 FILM dancers twirl, spin, jump, and shake on June 4 — 8 p.m. Different Countries Peach St. facebook. stage in traditional dress. com/kingsrookclub. Rocky Mountain Erie Movie House, 3424 Express Westlake Road. facebook. he Rib Fest, The Greek Fest, The This one-day event is put on by the com/ErieMovieHouse. TCherry Fest—sure, these are all sta- Erie Asian Pacific American Associa- Unplugged 2.0 Ongoing — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ples of a summer spent in the Erie area. tion. Erie APAA showcases the diverse June 5 — 6:30-10 p.m. Tom Ridge Environmental Ghosts, Spirits, Center, 301 Peninsula But what about the Asian Festival? cultures in the region through events Erie Philharmonic, 609 and Hauntings Walnut Street, Erie, PA Drive. trecpi.org. At Rainbow Gardens – located at 3100 like these. The nonprofit organization 16502. eriephil.org. June 6 — 7 p.m. West Lake Road – the festival takes also serves as a place for individuals to Living in the Age Erie Movie House, 3424 place on Saturday, May 30 from 11a.m. network and share experiences from Gang of Thieves of Airplanes Westlake Road. facebook. com/ErieMovieHouse. to 6:30 p.m. these Asian/Pacific cultures. – Lauren June 6 — 9 p.m. Ongoing — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Fifth Biennial Asian Festival will Griffith feature countries Bangladesh, Burma, China, India, Japan, Mongolia, Paki- 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. // Rainbow Gar- stan, and the Philippines, and offer a dens at Waldameer Park // ErieAPAA.org

Basement Transmission, May 29 — 6 p.m. MUSIC 145 W. 11 St. facebook.com/ Sherlock’s, 508 State beardedbabyproductions. St. facebook.com/ Beyond Silence sherlocksparkplace. May 28 — 9 p.m. The Cottonwood Band Sherlock’s, 508 State May 29 —6 to 9 p.m. Eric Brewer & Friends St. facebook.com/ Sprague Farm and May 30 — 6 to 9 p.m. sherlocksparkplace. Brew Works, 22113 8440 Singer US-6, Venango. Road, North East, OTIS! sleepingchainsaw.com. lakeviewwinecellars.com.

May 28 — 9 p.m. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The Groove Sherlock’s, 508 State GNOSiS + Wanyama St. facebook.com/ May 30 — 9 p.m. May 30 — 9 p.m. sherlocksparkplace. Presque Isle Downs Kings Rook Club, 1921 The Romantic Era at Sherlock’s. The band will start pump- Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. Peach St. facebook. Rankin and Schell presqueisledowns.com. com/kingsrookclub. Brings the Pop to Happy ing out dance-inducing numbers start- May 28 —6 p.m. Hour at Sherlock’s ing at 6 p.m., letting you celebrate the Matt Gavula Sprague Farm and Old School weekend as soon as possible. Brew Works, 22113 May 29 — 5-7 p.m. May 30 — 9 p.m. y the time 6 p.m. hits on a Friday, it’s The locally-founded pop rockers have US-6, Venango Presque Isle Downs Sherlock’s, 508 State time to have some fun. The 9-to-5 earned themselves quite a few fans sleepingchainsaw.com. Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. B St. facebook.com/ gig can be put on hold for a few more with tracks like “Forever” and “Alone” presqueisledowns.com. sherlocksparkplace. After Funk days, and if you don’t necessarily have and an electric live presence that can May 29 — 9 p.m. MF Jones Badfish a 9-to-5 gig, well, it’s still the start of turn any night into a party. Head to the weekend and you can relax with a Sherlock’s May 29 to join in on the hap- Kings Rook Club, 1921 May 29 — 9 p.m. May 31 — 3 p.m. Peach St. facebook. draft or two during a wonderful period py hour fun whether you just got out Presque Isle Downs Schickalay’s on the Bay, com/kingsrookclub. Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. 2860 W 6th St., facebook. called happy hour. of the office and feel the need for a re- presqueisledowns.com. com/schickalaysonthebay. On Friday May 29, The Romantic Era laxing drink, or want to start the week- BT’s Acoustic Showcase will provide some pop to go with your end off on the right note, courtesy of May 29 — 5:30 p.m. The Romantic Era 2Blue w/ Dave beer during a special happy hour show The Romantic Era. – Alex Bieler

22 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 There’s still time to register THINK

WITH EU SUMMER SESSIONS

With convenient scheduling and a wide range of course o erings, EU summer sessions are a great way 2015 SUMMER SESSIONS to Catch Up, Keep Up and Get Ahead. June 8 - July 8 • Courses available in Art, Business, July 13 - August 12 forRECOVERY Criminal Justice, Education, History, Math, Psychology and more Rappel 14 stories down the side of the • No application fee Renaissance Center to raise money to focomrbaRt theE incCreasOe ofV herEoinR deaYths • Classes both on-campus and online edinboro.edu | 888-8GO-BORO June 10, 2015 Rianp opuerl c1o4m stmoruiensit yd.o Fwund tsh era sisidede aotf tthhies • No Friday classes Reevneanist swainllc hee Clpe nintedri vtiod uraailsse w mhoon ceayn ’tto To register, visit www.edinboro.edu/summer or call 814-732-2761 caofmfobrda tt rtehaet minecnret.ase of heroin deaths June 10, 2015 in our community. Funds raised at this event wSilil hgenlp i nudivpid uTalso wdhoa cayn’!t

The Block Party Series holds nine events afford treatment. over the course of the summer months, Go to: https://gdnzhb.ejoSigninme.org/g aupudenz iToday!a_erie_overtheedge with each weekly party showcasing a Sign up Today! different charity. Last year’s series saw or call: Sarah Burrows at 814-459-4775 $44,000 go towards various charities in- cluding the YMCA and the Autism Soci- Go to: https://gdnzhb.ejoinme.org/gaudenzia_erie_overtheedge ety. With the Block Party Series currently THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS in its 10th year, this should be one for the or call: Sarah Burrows at 814-459-4775 books. The free shows are a great way to get out and celebrate the summer sun, and to support the community while do- ing so. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Radio and Media CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The Block Parties are hosted at a dif- coverage all day of event ferent location each week, and feature different performances from local acts. Honorary Chair & Rapeller Franco’s Café Summer Block Party Season Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle, Abbey Road, Jamison Hixenbaugh Zak Westfall and Jared Schaaf Photography Kicks-off in Downtown and The Romantic Era are other bands RaNdieow asn Adn Mcheodri, aR eporter No Dress Code Studios WICU/WSEE Erie with Geek Army that will be hitting the Erie region for coverage all day of event Lakeside Auto the parties at Calamari’s, Jerry Uht Park, HoCneolerabrryit yC DhaJ iar n&n oRuapnceellresr Franco’s Café he first of Erie’s Summer Block Par- and The Plymouth Tavern, among other JamLIiVsoE nre Hmixoeten bfraoumgh Zak Westfall and Jared Schaaf Photography Connoisseur Media ties takes place next Thursday, June 4, restaurants and bars in the area. News Anchor, Reporter T radio stations NoG DAreUss DCoEdNe SZtuIdAio Es RIE WICU/WSEE at the U Pick Six Tap House and benefits The Block Party Series is put on by the AddictioLna Tkreastimde nAt u&t oRecovery Services the American Red Cross. The Tap House Erie Downtown Partnership. It was cre- Celebrity DJ announcers has 22 beers on tap that change daily, and ated in order to promote businesses in LIVE remote from will suit any taste—whether you’re in the the area and to bring more people down- Connoisseur Media mood for a lager or an ale. The event lasts town, and has proved to be successful. radio stations GAUDENZIA ERIE from 6 to 10:30 p.m., and is sure to be one The crowds continue to grow each year, Addiction Treatment & Recovery Services hell of a show. Geek Army is always a hit and this one looks to be no different. in Erie, playing energetic tracks from the w— Lauren Griffith ‘80s, 90’s, and the 2000s. With this being the first one of the season, it should draw 6 to 10:30 p.m. // U Pick 6 Tap House// a big crowd. eriedowntown.com

May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 23 CALENDAR Professional Development Opportunities

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rate compared to the national CONTRIBUTED PHOTO average of 50%. Schickalay’s on the Bay Kicks Sublime tribute band Badfish (top) and reggae rockers Ark Band (below) kick off off Summer Music Series Schickalay’s Summer Music Series. with Badfish and Ark Band EARN YOUR etter than Sublime with Rome,” “Bone fan posted about Badfish – They’ll be joined there by local pop HR CREDENTIALS Rhode Island’s (in)famous, (un)official troupe The Romantic Era, making it a Sublime tribute band – after a Key- good day (yep, the shows start at 3 p.m.) The human resources stone State show in late April. to get down to – and down at – Schick- preparation course readies “Definitely better than Sublime with alay’s. Rome,” another fan replied. From there, the sound-and-sun-kissed you to sit for the SHRM-CP/ If you’ve seen what they got, chanc- fun keeps happening – and the spirits SHRM-SCP exam. While 57% es are you may concur. That’s because of tributes to music legends linger – of national test-takers pass Badfish (A Tribute to Sublime) always with the series featuring Ark Band’s this test, 85% of Mercyhurst deftly, and always lovingly, carries the “Tribute to Bob Marley,” with special torch, and the soul – the best of the guests Chaka, as its next installment students pass. best – of the legendary Long Beach act, on Sunday, June 7. long after that band’s bright-burning, I’ll repeat what I said about this place cut-short heyday a couple of decades recently: Of all the cool Erie gyro joints back. to go catch live summer-day shows, It’s never too late to learn. On Sunday, May 31 – just after their Schickalay’s is the one … well, it’s the highly-anticipated annual summer one. show at Nelson’s Ledges Quarry Park And this summer’s lineup, right from in Garrettsville, Ohio – Badfish are the get-go, is looking tasty. – Ryan bringing it back to Erie for a return Smith More Information Apply today! appearance at Schickalay’s on the Bay, [email protected] once again kicking off the gyro joint/ 3 p.m. May 31 and June 7 // 2860 West 824-2297 awesome live music venue’s outdoor 6th St. // facebook.com/Schickalayson- mercyhurst.edu/graduate Summer Music Series. theBay

24 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 What feels illegal but isn’t?

Lavery’s Cards Against Humanity

the worst round yet.

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May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 25 CALENDAR

Tom Weber Films: Street, erieartmuseum.org. Heeschen Gallery 910 and percussion.” This is the third time this Retrospective Market St. (Second Floor) Meadville, season the ECO has performed a concerto June 10 — 7 p.m. Into the Common Ground by G.C. Meyers artsmeadville.org. from a living, American composer — and Erie Movie House, 3424 Wagner will be in attendance for it. Westlake Road. facebook. Ongoing — All Day Regional Juried com/ErieMovieHouse. The ECO’s performance of the Wagner The Kada Gallery, The Photo Exhibit Shops at the Colony, 2632 concerto also features one of the most FILM at the Erie W. 8 St. kadagallery.com. Ongoing from June respected flautists in the world, Bonita Art Museum 12-July 15—All Day Heeschen Gallery 910 Boyd, a professor at the Eastman School of June 10 — 6 p.m. Kristen Cliffel, Ronald E. Holstein Gallery Market St. (Second Music and the musician who actually gave Floor) Meadville, the premiere of Wagner’s work, according Erie Art Museum, Ongoing beginning artsmeadville.org. to a preview video posted online by ECO’s 411 State Street, May 22 — All Day FOOD AND DRINK music director Matthew Kraemer (who erieartmuseum.org. Erie Art Museum, 411 State Street, erieartmuseum.org. will also be conducting the season finale). VISUAL ARTS French Picnic at Up next is Kodaly’s “Dances of Marosszek Mark Hulings: Iris Garden - 92nd Annual (Marosszeki tancok),” with the evening Original Paintings May 30, 31 —- 11:30 to 3p.m. Spring Show rounded out by Antonín Dvořák’s “Czech Ongoing to May Johnson Estate Ongoing — All Day Suite, op. 398, D major (Ceska suita).” The 30 — All Day Winery, 8419 West Erie Art Museum, Main Road, Westfield, CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Dvořák piece, Kraemer said, is “a brilliant Meadville Fine Arts, 242 411 State Street,. lakeeriewinecountry.org. Chestnut St., Meadville way to close our season.” (This writer erieartmuseum.org. meadvilleart.com. Erie Chamber Orchestra stands in agreement, as nothing screams THEATER Season Finale Features “Summer is here!” more than the Czech Geoff Dunn “Echo The Stories We of the 7” The Erie Station Dinner Renowned Flautist composer. But that may be because she is Don’t Tell Theater Presents Ongoing beginning a nerd and Dvořák’s “New World Sympho- Ongoing — All Day Snake Eye Sam’s May 22 — All Day ummer is upon us, with the promise of ny” has soundtracked many late summer Kada Gallery, 2632 W. 8 Saloon Showdown Glass Growers warmer, longer, greener days. As one nights in her newspaper office.) St. kadagallery.com. May 30 — 5:30 p.m., May 31 S Gallery, 10 E. 5 St. season begins, however, another ends — If an evening of classical music sounds glassgrowersgallery.com. — 2:30 p.m., May 27 — noon whether it’s spring, or the 37th season of like the perfect, relaxing way to send Echo of the 7 The Erie Station Dinner Theater, 4940 Peach St. the Erie Chamber Orchestra. spring packing, get to the Erie Chamber Higherglyphics: Annex Ongoing from May 22 to June 30—All Day canterburyfeast.com. The ECO will deliver its last performance Orchestra’s last performance of the sea- Stairwell Project, Annex Stairwell Glass Growers of its 2014-15 season next weekend, and it son. Can’t make it? It’s okay – as Kraemer PACA Presents: Ongoing — All Day Gallery, 10 East 5th St., will go out with a bang, with a lively, ex- adds at the end of his video preview, “our grassglowersgallery.com. “Calling the Moon” citing evening featuring an eclectic range new season is only three months away.” Erie Art Museum, 411 State by Margo Wolfe Street, erieartmuseum.org. of pieces, spanning the classics to the con- — Sara Toth Heeschen’s Creatures May 21-30 — 8 p.m. at Meadville Council temporary. Ian Brill: Storm, McCain PACA, 1505 State St. on the Arts paca.ning.com. The evening begins with Beethoven’s 7:30 p.m. June 5// Cathedral Prep Audi- Family Gallery Ongoing from May State St. RSVP to Adam “Egmont: Overture” before going into Me- torium 250 W. 10th St.// Free admission// Ongoing — All Day 29-June 6—All Day Kenney at aKenney@ linda Wagner’s “Concerto for flute, strings http://www.gannon.edu/2014-2015_Season Erie Art Museum, 411 State Bridgewaycapital.org

Bona Fide Blues-Rockers probably know what all the fuss Ron Yarosz and the is about – they’re bona fide blues: Vehicle Head to Oasis rare to find, easy to get down with, and, once you have, hard to y first time seeing you … shake. “Mdefinitely won’t be my Good thing for us – and for any- last!” one who’s not yet taken a ride – “Smashing! Now I know what Yarosz and the Vehicle keep their all the fuss is about.” schedule good and full, making That’s the kind of stuff you’ll one of their next stops at Oasis come across if you take a quick Pub on Friday, May 29. look at Ron Yarosz and the Vehi- Yarosz and the three other well- cle’s social media feeds. And the known local musicians who things people are saying really make up the Vehicle (Eric Brew- say something about the band, er, Jassen Wilber, and Norbbie which has a well-earned place as Gavin) know what they’re driv- the Erie region’s quintessential ing at – real, good blues – and can blues-rock act, garnering nu- always be trusted to take an audi- merous local and regional mu- ence on one helluva ride. sic awards and other accolades, — Ryan Smith along with an ever-growing, avid fan base. 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 29 // 3122 If you’ve seen them, you, too, West Lake Road CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

26 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 CALENDAR

Erie community and nonprofit events, brought to you by Country Fair. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Urban Entrepreneur Lagoon by Pontoon TREC, Room 112, 301 Peninsula Dr Forum Ongoing from May #1, trecpi.org. May 27 — 5 to 7 p.m. 22 -September 7 — 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Erie City Hall, 626 Hiking at the State St. RSVP to Adam Pontoon station, Erie Bluffs Kenney at aKenney@ 301 Peninsula Dr., Bridgewaycapital.org. trecpi.org. June 7 — 9-10:30a.m. Erie Bluffs State Park, Kate Buczek Evening Lagoon W. Lake Rd, trecpi.org. Memorial Concert by Pontoon June 7 — 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Bike Night Unitarian Universalist Fridays from May June 5 — 6 to 10p.m. Congregation of 27 - September 4 State Street Erie, 7180 Perry —7, and 8:30 p.m. from 4th to 12th, Hwy, uuerie.org. Pontoon station, eriedowntown.com. 301 Peninsula Dr., Presque Isle trecpi.org. Painting Party Saxophone Quartet with Angela June 3 — 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Sunset Stroll June 12, June 26, July Erie Art Museum, June 5 — 8 to 9:30 p.m. 24, Aug 7 — 6 to 8p.m. 10 E. 5th St., Between beaches 9 YMCA Camp Sherwin, erieartmuseum.org. and 10, 301 Peninsula 8600 West Lake Rd., Dr., trecpi.org. www.ymcaerie.org/ Unitarian camp/events. Universalist Presque Isle Congregation’s Bay Fishing Beach Glass Jewelry Annual Yard Sale is Making Party

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO June 6 — 9a.m. to 12 p.m. June 12-13 — 9 Pontoon station, June 5, 19; July 3, 17, Erie gets Wild with Rib a.m. to 2 p.m. 301 Peninsula Dr., 31; Aug 14, 28; Sept name, the four-day event also offers 11, 25 — 6 to8 p.m. Cook Off & Music Festival Unitarian Universalist trecpi.org. plenty of live music that you can chew Congregation Church, YMCA Camp Sherwin, t’s that time of the year when barbecue (and dance) to, including performances 7180 Perry Highway, Discovering 8600 West Lake Rd., call (814) 864-9300 Bluebirds www.ymcaerie.org/ Ilovers throughout Erie head to Perry from Sean Patrick and the Newgrass Rev- with questions. camp/events. Square to feast on some delicious meat. olution and Jackson Station. June 6 — 10a.m. to 12p.m. That’s right: Erie’s Wild Rib Cook Off & If you need more reason to head down- Music Festival is back for a four-day run town for the Rib Fest, there’s going to starting May 27. be three main event matches from Pro The Rib Fest has been a favorite event Wrestling Rampage May 30, as well as of local carnivores and for good reason. the usual lengthy list of local vendors Every year, several travelling cooking and children’s events. You can even get teams, like Mojo’s Rib Shack and Carolina a chainsaw-carved ice mug to help you Rib King, provide tasty servings of meat wash your tasty ribs down with a cold that come with their own handles. That’s drink. I repeat, chainsaw-carved mugs. convenient – and delicious – eating right That’s just cool. there. For the past 25 years, the Rib Fest has It’s been so good that the 2015 Rib Fest provided Erie with some mighty fine marks the 25th year of the event. Like tastes, sights, and smells, so head down past iterations of the occasion, the Rib to Perry Square and enjoy the tradition Fest promises more than just meat – al- for yourself. — Alex Bieler though many people wouldn’t complain if that were the only offering at Perry 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 27 and 28, 11 Square. As you might have guessed by a.m. to 11 p.m. May 29 and 30 // Perry the second half of the Rib Fest’s official Square Park // erieribfest.com

May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 27 CALENDAR

Botanical Beverages from gardens to glass Friday, June 26 a signature fundraiser for Goodell gardens Venango Valley Inn & Friday, June 19 Golf Course 7pm 45 ticket Proceeds benefi t NAMI’s free $ / mental health programs. $25/DD 21+ ONLY $125/golfer Sample Botanically- $500/foursome themed craft cocktails Cost includes 18 holes with & Farm-Fresh Foods cart, pulled pork lunch, steak dinner, refreshments, and Live Music by microbrew tasting. Other entertainment includes live Picks & Hammers music, scotch and cigars, and RSVP BY much more! Play Lawn Games 6/11/15 Sponsorships available. Croquet, Bocce and Find out more at Badminton NAMIerie.org/fabulous

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• Rental Assistance GUITERREZ MILLER RACHAEL • Child Care Services • Auto Repair Assistance Gang of Thieves w/ The L.E.C. Vermont-based Gang of Thieves bring their • Utility Assistance funky rock ‘n’ roll grooves to the King’s Rook Club Sat. June 6. hen Gang of Thieves comes to your Wtown, the only crime that you’ll end up reporting is that the Vermont the night, as local hippie-hoppers The band completely stole your attention. L.E.C. will add its own blend of funky You can be one of the group’s latest tar- tunes to the evening. The night will even gets when the funky rock ‘n’ roll sextet feature some additional entertainment busts into the King’s Rook Club Saturday, to complement the main show, as Oakkao June 6. and Liquid Nixon will provide even more Be warned: Gang of Thieves is not a band music during the pre- and post-concert for people looking for a quiet evening. parties. No, this group is ready to get loud, which While the show is for members of the isn’t very surprising when you consider Kings Rook only, all it takes is a small fee the fact that the group’s latest full-length to sign up and join the club. With Gang of album is called Thunderfunk. The gang Thieves and The L.E.C. playing together, mix together elements of grunge, funk, it would be a crime to miss this show. – and classic rock into one eclectic, electric Alex Bieler sound, making for one explosive and ex- For more information, please call: ploratory live set. 9 p.m. Saturday, June 6 // 1921 Peach 1-855-431-3755 The Vermont rockers won’t be alone on St. // facebook.com/kingsrookclub

28 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 MUSIC REVIEWS

Kopecky Braids Mikal Cronin Hot Chip Drug for the Modern Age Deep in the Iris MCIII Why Make Sense? ATO Arbutus Records Merge Domino

rug for the Modern here is no denying ack in 2013, Mikal n their new al- DAge marks the first Tthat the members BCronin released Obum Why Make album released by Ko- of Montreal trio Braids one of the Reader’s top Sense?, British elec- pecky since the band are talented or that albums of that year. Of tronic band Hot Chip shortened its name they mesh together like course, heavy praise moves away from the from Kopecky Family fingers intertwined for leads to high expec- days as a “Boy From Band, and marks the crew’s second full- prayer. Seeing them perform is fascinat- tations, but Cronin’s latest album MCIII School” and heads straight into the length album on ATO Records. Like the ing. Vocalist Raphaelle Standell-Preston mostly lives up to them. The layered, lusty atmosphere of a nightclub. While group’s change in title, the Nashville sex- melds her lilting voice into a hypnotic melodic glory that made MCII a joy to fans of the band may not come to think tet retains a large part of their fanbase on electric soundscape of layered vocals, listen to immediately makes its presence of lead vocalist Alexis Taylor’s boyish earlier work while continuing to evolve. synthesizers, and percussion. If you were known on opening track “Turn Around,” pipes as “sexy,” the vibe translates The engaging harmonies and energy are to strip away the Celtic mythology and a gem of a song that’s just made for well on the new release. Lead single still a major factor, but Kopecky draws deep magic and showmanship of Kate summer drives with the windows down. “Huarache Nights” makes for a twitchy more inspiration from the ‘80s on Drug Bush, you would have what Braids does Much of MCIII follows the same path, five-and-a-half minutes of fun, as a for the Modern Age than in prior efforts, here. But really, does anyone want to lis- pumping out sonically-pleasing nuggets bouncy groove gets the album off to a resulting in a number of catchy dance- ten to Kate Bush without those things? one after the other, similar to the album’s good start. Hot Chip channels lowly-lit pop tracks like “My Love” and “Talk to Braids’ music is fun to watch, but not so predecessor. Really, the biggest issue dance floors on their new album, com- Me.” The new shift makes for a fun album, much fun to listen to. Alternating between with MCIII is that it doesn’t carry quite ing off like a smoke-filled club that has although there are still some string-laden sleep-inducing and mildly abrasive, the the same weight as MCII, although that’s Daft Punk and Pet Shop Boys in heavy treats for fans of releases like the excel- soundscapes Braids creates are so syn- mainly because the MCII was really good rotation. Not everything on Why Make lent Disaster, as album bookends “Die thesized that the intricacies of the percus- and not because MCIII is a sonic slouch. Sense? works, such as the languishing Young” and the title track show off the sion and the beauty of the voice are com- Cronin’s latest album may not reach the “White Wine and Fried Chicken,” but band’s ability to create lush sonic land- pletely squelched. When the insipid lyrics same soaring heights as his 2013 offer- the album bounces back quickly with scapes. The band name may be a little dif- of the song “Miniskirt” are added into the ing, but it still has plenty of sunny, pop- the lovely string-aided “Dark Night,” ferent, but Kopecky still packs all of the mix, you may just say your own prayer ask- rock punch to make it a success. — Alex one of several highs that easily outpace usual heart. — Alex Bieler ing for the album to end. — Bryan Toy Bieler the lows. — Alex Bieler

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May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 29 NICKI BLUHM AND THE GRAMBLERS

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30 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 COMMUNITY

How Safe is Erie? have declined substantially over the cidents per year. By contrast, between town than in Erie, 354 more in Albany, past two decades and our community 2006 and 2008, Erie averaged 550 vio- 390 more in Reading, and 474 more in The Jefferson appears to be following similar trends, lent crimes per year. If these numbers Canton. Educational Society albeit more slowly. Not all of the news don't automatically thrill you, a more Still feeling unsafe? That might be is positive, though – since 2006, our vi- long term comparison might be useful. because homicides are still on the rise looks for answers in a olent crime rate has exceeded the na- According to EPD statistics, the num- in our city. Between 2010 and 2014, the new essay. tional average each year. ber of violent crimes in our city be- EPD reports an average of 8.3 murders Not ready to pop open the champagne tween 1991 and 1994 exceeded 800 inci- per year. That's up from 3.3 per year By: Dan Schank and celebrate? A closer look at the ev- dents each year. Obviously our current between 2005 and 2009. But according idence might prove more compelling... numbers aren't ideal, but the overall to the essay, many of these homicides ast month, a concise, readable Most of the violent crime data in the trend appears positive. have been the “result of drug conflict, essay titled “Is Erie A Safe City? essay comes from two sources, the To contextualize their findings, the bar fights, neighborhood or family LPerception, Reality, Recommen- Erie Police Department (EPD) and the Jefferson contrasted Erie's crime data feuds, and as such do not pose a grave dations” was released by the Jefferson FBI's annual Uniform Crime Reports with numbers from cities in the sur- threat to the general public.” Educational Society, a local think tank (UCR). The UCR data is compiled from rounding region with similar popula- Another reason the essay suggests dedicated to promoting “civic enlight- monthly law enforcement reports and tions. When compared to Allentown, that we might feel unsafe is because enment and community progress,” individual incident records, which are Reading, Albany, and Canton, Erie positive news is often neglected. For according to their website. Since the carefully examined for errors and de- quickly emerges as the safest of the example, according to a January 2015 essay's title asks an important ques- viations. Also, the Jefferson essay was bunch. In 2011, for example, the UCR New York Times article cited in the tion, I'll begin with a summary of their written in response to data from the reported 431 violent crimes in Erie, essay, the national murder rate has de- answers. City of Erie only, not all of Erie County. whereas the number in Albany was clined by a dramatic 56% since its peak In short, Erie is probably less danger- Let's start with the good news. Vio- more than twice as high, at 939. in the 1990s. Consider this – in 1980, ous than you suspect. According to lent crime – a category which includes To account for differing populations there were 10.2 homicides per 100,000 the Jefferson's findings, we're living in murder, aggravated assault, robbery, within each city, the Jefferson com- people in our country; by 2013, the av- “one of the safest cities in the tri-state and rape – appears to be decreasing. pared violent crime rates per 100,000 erage was 4.5. When I asked Dr. William area,” with a substantially lower vio- According to the UCR, the number of people. In 2013, when the UCR's find- Garvey, the Jefferson's president, about lent crime rate than most similar cities violent crimes occurring in our city be- ings are viewed through this lens, there the discrepancies between crime data nearby. Better still, national crime rates tween 2010 and 2013 was about 459 in- were 73 more violent crimes in Allen- and public perception, [Cont. on 36]

that supports creativity and School for the Arts, a summer to consider ways to “increase Creativity on Display collaboration.” Accordingly, program at Mercyhurst Uni- access” within our communi- many of the creative people versity which was defunded ty. This framework prompted Erie Arts & Culture's 2015 Summit responsible for these recent de- in 2009. Citizens for the Arts a productive discussion about highlights our community's artistic velopments were in attendance Pennsylvania is currently the lack of knowledge about – and eager to share their ideas working to re-establish the pro- cultural programming on our potential. about the future as well. gram. They're also advocating college campuses. One attend- The afternoon's special guest to increase funding for several ee, a graduate of the Universi- By:Dan Schank art projects. In Oil City, vacant was Jenny Hershour, the Man- tax credit programs designed ty of Pittsburgh, mentioned a Victorian homes are being con- aging Director of Citizens for to provide arts education to un- “scavenger hunt” she partici- surprising number of verted into live/work spaces the Arts Pennsylvania, a grass- derserved communities and to pated in during her first year art-related projects are for artists. In Warren County, roots advocacy organization encourage filmmakers to shoot of college, which was designed Aunderway in North- people with special needs are that works to increase aware- movies in the state of Pennsyl- to introduce new students to western PA as I write this. learning about print-making, ness about the arts in our lives. vania. things to do in the city. We all In our immediate surround- fiber arts, and metal-working Hershour had some good news When Hershour was finished agreed that this was an excel- ings, the Erie County Historical techniques. Finally, Sharon, PA of her own. According to her or- speaking, the attendees worked lent model to follow, and sug- Society is preparing to re-open is preparing to host Waterfire, ganization, “the non-profit art in small groups to brainstorm gested implementing some- the Hagen History Center on a “multi-sensory art event” in industry in this state has an an- ideas for greater artistic de- thing like it in Erie. West 6th street this August. which the Allegheny river is nual impact of over 2.5 billion velopment. Each table was After about twenty-five min- The Flagship Niagara will soon illuminated by a series of cus- dollars, and generates more assigned a particular topic, in- utes, each group submitted undergo a 4.8 million dollar re- tom built baskets containing than 360 million in state and cluding issues like sustainabil- their proposals and the event fit in 2017. The expERIEnce Chil- powerful flames. local tax revenue. This econom- ity, tourism, marketing initia- came to an end. The mood was dren's Museum is celebrating I learned about these positive ic impact supports over 81,000 tives, accessibility, community, a bit livelier as we began our ex- its 20th anniversary through a developments when Amanda full-time equivalent jobs that and increased opportunities its – good ideas were beginning series of workshops, fairs and Brown Sissem, the Executive produce 1.8 billion in household for artists. to take shape and friendly part- art shows. And the Lake Erie Director of Erie Arts and Cul- income.” My table – which included nerships seemed more likely to Ballet recently invested in new ture, took the stage for their Although Hershour was vis- representatives from the Lake put them into action. Hopeful- studio space. 2015 summit on a rainy Monday iting from Harrisburg, she Erie Ballet, the Erie Regional ly by next year’s summit, some In Grove City, sculptor and art afternoon at the Erie Art Muse- shared an arts-related connec- Chamber and Growth Partner- of our ideas will join the grow- instructor Glen Sanders is help- um. In her words, the Summit's tion to Erie. In 2007, her daugh- ship, and the Academy Theater ing list of regional accomplish- ing young people create public goal was to cultivate “a culture ter attended the Governor's in Meadville – was instructed ments.

May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 31 FEATURE

Bikeable Erie way too many hours in my car,” provement to current bicycle he says. But when he began, amenities even higher. “A lot of The push to make Erie more bicycle-friendly. “There was little info out there people named the ability to bike about how to ride” in the city. safely as their highest priority,” By Katie Chriest erating board, nonprofit status, ways I’ve seen kids and adults Interestingly, according to says Brozell. “But we essentially and a goal of raising enough ride are just scary. Our schools Debbi Lyons’ Old Time Erie blog, have almost no bike lanes.” he kid’s probably ten funds to hire a director. teach kids how to drive cars. the Tribune Bicycle — a sin- Brozell points out that even years old. It’s a glorious Their collaborative spirit is But a bike was the real freedom gle-speed model with a frame positive pedestrian efforts — Tspring day, after school, evident on Bike Erie’s impres- when I was a kid.” resembling today’s designs such as concrete bump-outs and he’s tearing off on a slight- sive website. Providing count- When I reach Brozell, he’s just — landed Erie’s Black Manu- — create “squeeze spots” for ly too-big bike he’ll likely grow less motivating resources for returned from — you guessed facturing on an 1896 cover of cyclists, and that in general, cy- into this summer. He glances cyclists, the website’s “Get In- it — a bike ride. It’s a shining Scientific American. But some- clists’ needs are not considered back at me. Eyes up my bike. volved” page is comprehensive Sunday evening in May, the sort how, cycling hasn’t maintained nearly enough in planning. “We His face contorts with all of enough to overrule anyone that makes May an obvious its celebrated status here, a fact need to change this,” he states. the fiery pent-up energy of skeptical about biking’s plausi- choice for National Bike Month. Bike Erie hopes to change. “It’s not the way a community his decade on earth. We’re ap- bility as a means of transpor- The Saturday before, Environ- “[Erie is] flat, our roads are rel- should be run.” proaching a little climb. He tation. Ultimately, they’d like ment Erie hosted Bike Around atively wide, and we don’t have Increasingly, local leaders emits some sort of character- to see Erie achieve the goals of the Bay, an event my bike-ob- much of a traffic issue,” argues agree, including Erie City Coun- istic Tonka-truck-ish speed Bicycle Friendly Community sessed husband returned from Brozell. “It could be a perfect cil President David Brennan noise, stands, and pedals his (BFC) assessment through the with the same relaxed ebul- bike friendly place.” and Erie County Councilman butt off, his bike swinging back 135-year-old League of Ameri- lience Brozell exudes on the Currently, though, Erie falls Jay Breneman who, according and forth as he throws his can Bicyclists, which emphasiz- phone. short. In a recent survey con- to the Erie Times-News “are strength into winning. es five categories: Engineering, Brozell has been a cycling ad- ducted as part of the Erie Coun- spearheading the Eastside Op- But I pass him anyway. Education, Encouragement, vocate for years, and an Erie ty 2040 Long Range Transpor- portunity Corridor project. This I know. I should let him win. Evaluation & Planning, and En- bike commuter since 1993. In tation Plan, respondents rated aims to create 2.4 miles of bike But it’s spring. And I was a kid forcement. fact, the opportunity to ride to bicycle amenities as very high trails and walking paths along once, too. Remember that feel- According to their website, work was one of Brozell’s rea- priorities. Unfortunately, they a former railroad line and East ing? Biking returns it to you, if “Bike Erie supports using the sons for returning. “I’d spent rated the need for major im- 19th Street, between State you’re lucky. BFC application as part of a The kid and I are lucky. We framework for tracking the both own functional bikes and progress of each city, munic- helmets. We’re on a side road in ipality and place throughout Fairview. It’s pretty safe to bike Erie County.” The League’s here. BFC guidelines provide Bike For many people in Erie, Erie a framework to adapt to it’s another story. Roads are Erie County’s unique needs, “to wrecked. Some drivers speed, make our communities safer, text, and otherwise disrespect more accessible and enjoyable bikers’ rights. Some cyclists to bike and walk.” ignore basic safety rules and This year, Bike Erie has part- endanger everyone. Bikes and nered with the League to certi- requisite helmets are hard to fy League Cycling Instructors come by. Maintenance and re- (LCIs), who’ll teach Smart Cy- pairs are out of reach. cling classes locally to children But cyclists are a resourceful and adults. LCIs’ goals are “to lot. And there’s safety in num- help people feel more secure bers. So in 2012, with the hopes about getting on a bike, to cre- of solving local pedaling prob- ate a mindset that bikes are lems, Bike Erie was born. treated as a vehicle, and to en- Justin Smith, a Bike Erie sure that people on bikes know founding member and volun- how to ride safely and legally.” teer, emphasizes that “There The cliche “it’s like riding a have been a lot of important bike” suggests biking’s simplic- advocates and folks from oth- ity, but there’s a lot more to er organizations who’ve helped safely biking as primary trans- biking in Erie and the region port. Providing educational progress for a much longer outreach to both cyclists and time than Bike Erie has been motorists who share the road is around. It’s been a grassroots a galvanizing focus of Bike Erie. movement that’s still evolving.” “We’re hoping to provide a lot Bike Erie has grown from co- of resources for the communi- operative, meaningful action. ty,” says Eric Brozell, another And as of 2015, they have an op- founding member. “Some of the BRAD TRIANA

32 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 FEATURE

Street and Schaal Avenue.” tional Bike to Work Day? “By “Years ago, when riding the biking to work!” he laughs. bus to work downtown, it “The more people ride on the struck me that such a long, and streets, the safer it is for all of practically unbroken stretch us.” of land could sit there, cutting “More often than not,” adds through neighborhoods and Smith, [biking is] a lot more en- serving as a dumping ground,” joyable than driving. It makes says Breneman. sense as a transportation op- “As time went on, and I got tion more often than most peo- to know the people, business- ple probably realize, so I think es, and organizations in the it’s important to have organiza- area, my resolve continued to tions like Bike Erie to help peo- strengthen that something ple learn how to incorporate needs to be done for this com- healthy transportation in ways BRAD TRIANA munity. I felt [this] was an issue that make sense for them.” that both the County and the Inspired by successful bike nered with the Sisters of St Jo- through the hands-on experi- Above: Bike Around the Bay features three levels of tours City should work together on, organizations’ efforts in near- seph Neighborhood Network ence of refurbishing a donat- — a 10-mile, a 30-mile, and a because it will benefit the re- by cities, Bike Erie is exploring (SSJNN) to facilitate Pedal ed bike. Participants are fitted 50-mile trek — providing routes gion as a whole by demonstrat- ideas like bike sharing, where Mettle, a build-a-bike program for a bike and learn how to fix for everyone, from novices to ing that no corner of our Coun- people may rent bikes for for kids, nearing its one-year minor problems that might experienced bikers. ty deserves to be forgotten, or point-to-point travel. But Bro- anniversary. Volunteer Kristine strand them. They even get to dismissed as a lost cause.” zell feels that bike sharing is Nelson saw a similar program decorate the bikes they’ll earn. health and fitness aspect of Meanwhile, Erie County Ex- unlikely to work until we have on TV and thought it would be In an introductory video on getting out on a bike.” ecutive Kathy Dahlkemper more bikeways, and more un- great for the Erie area. the Bike Erie website, Nelson “I’m very touched about the invited County employees to derstanding among both mo- The five-week course, open to explains, “So we’re covering a sense of accomplishment that bike with her to work on May torists and cyclists about how 12- to 17-year-old city residents, boost in their self esteem, a we’re seeing in the kids as they 15: National Bike to Work Day. to safely share the road. teaches basic bike terminol- boost in artistic endeavor on learn the small skills of bike re- So how did Brozell honor Na- To that end, Bike Erie has part- ogy, safety, and maintenance their parts, and of course the pair,” adds Nelson. “It’s just so

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34 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015 FEATURE

cool to see them kind of matur- education and repair.” Over 100 ing before your very eyes.” similar co-ops nationwide have “We were encouraged to do expanded access and interest in this program to help kids in cycling for folks from all back- the city,” adds Gloria Shotwell, grounds. SSJNN East Program Director. “I’ll encourage anybody to ride “Instead of kids getting in trou- their bike,” summarizes Brozell. ble, we’re giving them some- “I don’t care what their income thing positive. And kids love level is!” the program.“ And that’s a lot of what it Pedal Mettle, located at St. comes down to. Bike commut- John the Baptist School, is di- ing isn’t a sacrifice. It’s not rectly behind the International something we should only do if Institute. They’ve reached out we absolutely have to. to the local refugee and new- At one point I got stuck in the comer community through writing of this article. Staring supporting agencies, with ev- at a computer, as it turns out, ident results. Brozell says the doesn’t make words appear. But current kids’ class “looks like a bike ride often does. the United Nations of bicycle Out West Lake Road, past acres building.” of emerging crops, I breathed Pedal Mettle depends upon the luxurious aroma of lilacs at volunteers and, as such, wel- peak bloom. comes anyone interested to As a kid, I rode my bike contact Shotwell at 870-9021, down long dirt roads lined by or [email protected]. Vol- Queen Anne’s Lace, past red- unteers needn’t know much wing-blackbird-crowded thick- about biking, as experienced ets and rows of field corn. The Bike Erie folks are always on older I got, the further I was hand. allowed to ride. The further I

STEVAN OVICIGOR STEVAN Also especially needed are bi- rode, the freer I felt. If we’re cycle donations, especially in lucky, we learn the pleasures smaller sizes. “Anything that and freedoms of biking as kids, looks like a bike,” says Brozell, riding out of our parents’ sight “we’ll take it.” During garage towards early glimpses of who sale season, finding cast-off we might become. The bike bikes and parts is a breeze, as an agent of freedom never and those willing to donate are quite leaves us. Nevertheless, likewise encouraged to contact we end up in cars. Isolated, Shotwell. sheltered, inert, and — at least Pedal Mettle is also open to as commuters — anything but adults on Monday evenings, free. with access to bikes, parts, In his book Bicycle Diaries, tools, and safety training. Some Talking Head David Byrne city residents who are home- writes, “Cycling can be lone- less have benefited greatly ly, but in a good way. It gives from this service, as bike own- you a moment to breathe and ership is often the key to gain- think, and get away from what ing employment and escaping you’re working on.” poverty. Or for some, like Bike Erie’s This year, Bike Erie and SSJNN faithful volunteers, cycling be- inaugurate Erie’s first formal comes the thing you’re work- bike cooperative, open to ev- ing on. And the rest of us are eryone in the Erie community. better for it. “Our hope,” according to Bike Erie, “is to grow the co-op into a To volunteer with Pedal Mettle successful city hub for bicycle or donate bikes or parts, contact Gloria Shotwell at Left: Peddle Mettle allows kids to (814) 870-9021or or gshotwell@ build their own bikes from spare ssjnn.org. To join or learn more parts — and have fun doing it. about Bike Erie, or to receive Above: A city’s bike-friendliness their newsletter, visit www. BRAD TRIANA is a top priority to would-be residents. bikeerie.orgv

May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 35 COMMUNITY

[Cont. from 31] he responded with a provide a more complete picture by humorous analogy: “It's primordial. It acknowledging what goes un-reported. goes back to the fact that a rustle in The Jefferson essay also praises the the bushes might mean death for cave- work of the Parade Street Blue Coats, men... We grow up with a feeling that a community-oriented mentorship life is dangerous, so we don't believe program founded by City Councilman the figures.” André Horton and community activist Obviously there's still important work Daryl Craig. According to Horton, the to be done locally to improve public Blue Coats are dedicated to “walking safety. And it's probably premature to the line between the police and the assume that the average reported gun- community.” They provide counseling shot is simply a firecracker in disguise. to vulnerable youth in low income com- Accordingly, the Jefferson makes a munities, work to de-escalate neigh- number of suggestions to build on our borhood conflicts, and advocate on positive momentum, including adding behalf of troubled young people who additional police officers to our ranks demonstrate a willingness to change. (especially through specialized units A $300,000 Erie Community Founda- devoted to juveniles and family crises), tion grant was recently awarded to the working to improve ethnic diversity Erie School District to expand the Blue within the EPD, developing partner- Coats' mentorship initiatives, which ships to eliminate blight in our com- lead to the creation of a non-profit munity, and increasing police funding called Creative Community Connec- – either through a public safety tax or tors to bring their work to more schools social capital funding. in the region. One organization singled out by the Since Councilman Horton represents study for positive progress “in im- many of Erie's most at-risk neighbor- plementing preventative policing” is hoods, I asked him what he thought of UnifiedErie, a collaborative effort be- the Jefferson's findings. While he was tween the EPD, the District Attorney, quick to praise the emphasis on diver- and the Regional U.S. Attorney. Unifie- sifying our police force, he also noted dErie takes a three-pronged approach that “Erie is not a safer city for all. It to crime in our city, by focusing on depends on where you live.” Horton prevention, enforcement, and re-en- thinks smarter policing can be as ef- try. When I spoke with UnifiedErie's fective as increasing police numbers, Amy Eisert, who serves as the prima- and expressed some caution about the ry facilitator for the Erie County Poli- essay's emphasis on adding more offi- Come meet and connect with cy and Planning Council for Children cers. Horton said that he is “very aware and Families, she noted that there are a that we need a partnership with law Erie’s 40 Under 40 “wealth of evidence-based programs in enforcement... but at the same time we Erie, many of which have low referrals” need independent, outside oversight.” classes of 2013 through 2015 dedicated to crime prevention and fam- He added that the best way to do that , from 6 to 8 pm. on June11 ily services. UnifiedErie works to con- would be to create a Civilian Police Re- nect these organizations and improve view Board to give people in the com- public awareness about them. They munity a clearer voice when conflicts 120 of Erie's top young innovators, entrepreneurs have had particular success with fam- arise. and leaders who are shaping the future of the Gem City will gather ily-oriented youth programs designed “Is Erie a Safe City?” is the first entry Trackside at The Brewerie at Union Station, 123 W. 14th St. for an to encourage parents to find effective in a new series of essays sponsored evening of drinks, food and networking plus music provided by Erie's own DJ ways to demonstrate responsible be- by the Jefferson to weigh in “on sub- Salt. Free and open to the public. havior to children. jects important to promoting civic I asked Andrea Bierer, UnifiedErie's growth and improvements.” Though For more details, visit facebook.com/ErieReader Community Action Plan Coordinator, it may not provide a complete picture how they hope to build on the momen- of public safety in our community, tum outlined in the Jefferson's essay, let's hope that it engenders greater and she cited the importance of their enthusiasm about positive communi- 2015 Neighborhood Concerns Survey. ty development – and encourages us The questionnaire, which will be avail- all to be a little less suspicious of our ableBase online until June 8, asks a series neighbors. X 2015 Kia Soul 2015 Kia Optima L of neighborhood specific questions de- PANTONE (and as seen on the times ad) signed to provide “a more rounded pic- A free PDF of “Is Erie a Safe City?” is ture of victimization, whether it's been available online at www.jeserie.org. To reported or not.” If you're skeptical respond to UnifiedErie's 2015 Neigh- /mo* Or own it for as low as $83 ecurity lease ll other fees. S /mo* 36 mo ee, DMV & a les only uisition f aboutn stock vehic the official numbers the Jeffer- borhood Concerns Survey, visit www. n plus taxes, acq y incentives. I $58 $2,995 Dow llege, militar d co ecurity ived. Include $18,995ll other fees. S deposit wa 4 mo lease e, DMV & a les only 2 uisition fe n stock vehic n plus taxes, acq y incentives. I $2,995 Dow llege, militar ed. Included co deposit waiv son has been using, this survey could unifiederie.orgv X 2015 KIA FORTE L 2016 KIA SORENTO LX AWD 36 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 27, 2015

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May 27, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 37 TECHNOLOGY Geeked Out

Edinboro’s video Recently Edinboro was ranked ing it meets industry needs is game design 15th in a list of the Top 25 Public a high priority for Dr. Bennett. Game Design Schools and Colleges “When we started, there were program takes off. nationwide. very few programs out there so there was not much to mod- By: John Lindvay programmer to interact with el off of.” He said, so they sim- an animator, and added those ply build on what they had, a t is well known that Edin- classes to the program. Final- strong arts and science degree boro University has a ro- ly we added a physics class.” with a focus on inter-disci- Ibust art program, but did Add in the mixed student plinary communications be- you know that it also has a projects that allow for stu- tween programmers and art- EVAN AMOS EVAN highly- rated game design pro- dents from each program to ists and a liberal education. gram? Recently my alma ma- collaborate and all of a sudden Now with the first graduates ter was ranked 15th in a list of it seems you got the making hitting the market, the school the Top 25 Public Game Design of a great program. People of- hopes to get feedback from Schools and Colleges nation- ten underestimate the value a them to see how to further wide, according to Animation liberal arts education brings to shape the program. They also Career Review. even high technical and spec- had a number of speakers visit The program moved up the ified programs like computer the campus and their talks re- rankings this year and, with science or game development. inforced those goals Bennett my own ties to the game de- First of all “Game Design” is a and the rest of the faculty es- velopment industry, I felt com- tricky profession as it includes tablished. pelled to reach out to Edinboro not only computer science If you remember back in April Assistant Professor Dr. Daniel knowledge, but also things like of 2014, I wrote about the Edin-

Bennett and find out what AMOS EVAN visual design, psychology, phi- boro Game Expo (EGX), which some of you aspiring game de- losophy, and communications. hosts the fine products of velopers may be missing. tation of the Game and Virtu- al arts approach. Edinboro has “[Edinboro’s liberal arts] is the program as well as work- For my podcast Big Sushi, I al World Development track, a strong animation program, absolutely essential,” Bennett ing with neighboring schools interview game developers with the first pair of students and has for years. Cross polli- said. “We have students work- like Penn State Behrend in from indie to AAA (a term graduating this past year. nating between the two pro- ing with Psychology professors highlighting the game devel- used in the industry for games However, Bennett said that grams makes for strong and interested in the effects of im- opment possibilities found with the biggest development the graduating class was much rigorous curriculum.” mersion, and student projects around Erie. To me, the next budgets) and we often discuss larger this year. “We built the program with have drawn cooperation from big step would be to start game design curriculum and So what makes the Edinboro classes from our theoretical the student body across the hosting a game jam, where academia. Traditionally, game program special? What is mak- computer science track, insert- institution especially actors, programmers, artists, and mu- developers come from a back- ing the school climb the An- ed some classes directly aimed musicians, and animators. The sicians all come together for a ground in computer science, as imation Career Review list? at game development, and liberal education environment weekend to make a game. Per- programming is often required Bennett put it simply, “We de- made elective classes like com- exposes students to many oth- haps we could do the Gem City to actually make games. Ed- cided to build on the strengths puter graphics and artificial er areas and the smaller school Jam, or the Niagara Jam, with inboro has had computer sci- of the university.” What Edin- intelligence a requirement,” personality encourages follow the theme being “Don’t Give ence (CS) degree programs for boro has over other game de- Bennett explained. “After that up and interaction based on Up the Ship!” Actually, that’s a while now, but it wasn’t until sign or computer science pro- we asked a Computer Anima- that exposure.” Take that, lib- not a bad idea… roughly seven years ago that grams is — and this might be tion instructor what classes eral arts haters! the school began implemen- surprising to some — its liber- would be required to allow a Building this track and ensur- Sponsored by: Epic WebStudios

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