44 MILLION REASONS TO #SaveGamingRevenue

ECGRA has strategically invested $44 million in 203 community and cultural assets, 700 entrepreneurs and business lenders, job Grants training and educational institutions, and & Loans neighborhoods and municipalities. 6:1 Return

Local share gaming revenue is strengthening the nonprofit ECGRA has invested $6.7 million in business TM organizations and for-profit $ growth through Ignite Erie resulting in $39.6 businesses in the city of Erie that 22mm million in additional capital for local companies. are implementing the city’s in the City comprehensive plan.

$18.1million in gaming revenue is inextricably woven into $ Erie’s cultural, recreational, 18.1mm and human services assets, ECGRA’s investments have resulted QUALITY dramatically improving quality in a cumulative impact of $87.2 OF LIFE of life for residents and quality million, supported and sustained of experience for tourists. 573 573 jobs, and generated $2.9 JOBS million in local and state taxes.

Two Ways to Help

WRITE. CALL. ADVOCATE EDUCATE yourself.

for Erie’s share. Transforming a Region with Local Share Gaming Revenue: An Economic Impact Study

Tell Your Legislators How ECGRA Read and Share ECGRA’s Grant Money Works for You! Economic Impact Study at ECGRA.org/impactstudy

ECGRA.org/calltoaction prepared by:

@ECGRA814 #IgniteErie ECGRA.org/igniteerie /ECGRA

ECGRA_Economic Impact Full Page Ad.indd 1 3/1/17 3:11 PM 44 MILLION REASONS TO CONTENTS: From the Editors The only local voice for Sometimes we all need a news, arts, and culture. March 29, 2017 Editors-in-Chief: little health care. Brian Graham & Adam Welsh #SaveGamingRevenue or an entire week recently, one of our Managing Editor: staff members had a nagging cough. It Nick Warren Just a Thought – 5 F Copy Editor: wasn’t the first time a slight sickness has Katie Chriest Speaking from experience crept up this season. Coughing has kept Contributing Editors: him up at night, wreaking havoc on his Ben Speggen sleep schedule. That lack of sleep made his Jim Wertz body weaker every day. The rollercoaster ECGRA has strategically invested $44 million Contributors: of temperatures outside certainly wasn’t in 203 community and cultural assets, Maitham Basha-Agha Exile on State Street – 6 Ed Bernik helping, either. After a long winter season, entrepreneurs and business lenders, job Mary Birdsong What the City of Erie needs in stresses at home and elsewhere were tak- 700 Tracy Geibel Grants training and educational institutions, and Lisa Gensheimer the next mayor ing a toll on him. Gregory Greenleaf-Knepp What he needed was some good old fash- & Loans neighborhoods and municipalities. Dan Schank Tommy Shannon ioned health care. Ryan Smith After the spectacular failure in the House 6:1 Ti Sumner Our City’s Other Election – 8 Matt Swanseger of Representatives on Friday, March 24, the Return Bryan Toy The crucial role of Erie City Affordable Care Act is still standing. De- Cover Design: spite President Trump and House Speaker Nick Warren Council Photographers: Paul Ryan’s best-laid plans, Republicans Local share gaming revenue is Maitham Basha-Agha have neither repealed nor replaced the act Ryan Smith known as Obamacare. ECGRA has invested $6.7 million in business Brad Triana strengthening the nonprofit This was understandably seen as a major TM Publisher’s Assistant: News of the Weird – 11 organizations and for-profit $ growth through Ignite Erie resulting in $39.6 Emily Hanisek loss for the Republican leadership. At last million in additional capital for local companies. Intern: Parking slopes and April’s look, Trump’s approval ratings stood at 36 businesses in the city of Erie that mm Angie Jeffery 22 percent, lower than President Obama’s ever are implementing the city’s expectations in the City 1001 State St. Suite 901 were. comprehensive plan. Erie, Pa., 16501 We’re not exactly sure what will cure rat- [email protected] ings like that, but we’re sure it’ll be covered. Harrisburg Happenings – 13 Remedies come in all forms. Some might $18.1million in gaming revenue The Erie Reader is the local voice for view our city’s ills as a nagging cough, news, arts, and culture, and is Erie’s only $15 million dollars and more while others consider them symptoms of a is inextricably woven into independent, alternative newspaper. Founded in 2010, the Reader has quickly unanswered questions chronic diagnosis. One possible cure is new $ Erie’s cultural, recreational, become the region’s award-winning city leadership. In this issue, we welcome 18.1mm and human services assets, source for arts coverage, a strong cul- back former Erie Mayor Rick Filippi with a tural compass, and a dynamic resource ECGRA’s investments have resulted dramatically improving quality for news and opinion. With a dedication new edition of “Exile on State Street.” De- QUALITY to long-form journalism and a commit- The Police and the scribing which qualities our next leader in a cumulative impact of $87.2 of life for residents and quality ment to provoking thoughtful discus- needs at this crucial time, he offers up a OF LIFE sion, the Reader tells the stories of the Public – 15 million, supported and sustained of experience for tourists. people and places making and shaping rallying cry to inspire our next generation Erie, while highlighting the events and Bridging the divide and of leaders. 573 573 jobs, and generated $2.9 issues influencing life in northwestern creating accountability While we will certainly continue our million in local and state taxes. Pennsylvania. The Erie Reader is pub- JOBS lished every other week and distributed discussions about the upcoming mayoral at over 250 high foot-traffic locations in election, this issue also looks at another Pennsylvania from North East to Girard immensely important impending decision: to Edinboro. In addition to appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new content dai- Spotlight On Erie – 23 who will be on Erie City Council. Ben Speg- ly at ErieReader.com as well social me- Come, be my April fool, Come, gen outlines a few particulars of this elec- dia sites. All rights reserved. All content tion, such as the sheer quantity of contend- © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State we'll break all the rules St., Suite 901, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of ers and the unique situation presented by Two Ways to Help this publication may be reproduced empty seats as well as candidate team-ups. without permission. The opinions of In “The Police and the Public,” Lisa Gen- our columnists and contributors are their own and do not always reflect that sheimer examines community-law enforce- WRITE. CALL. ADVOCATE of the editorial board or organization. Rosa’s Legacy Reborn – 33 ment group seeks to build trust and curb Direct sales inquiries to 814.314.9364. violence in our city. Tracing a 15-year-old EDUCATE yourself. For editorial inquiries, email contact@ ErieReader.com. Take a culinary trip to court case involving police brutality, she for Erie’s share. Transforming a Region with Local Share Gaming Revenue: An Economic Impact Study Meadville … and the draws a line between a personal tale of jurisprudence and present-day efforts by Tell Your Legislators How ECGRA Read and Share ECGRA’s Dominican Republic. the police department to make their force Grant Money Works for You! Economic Impact Study at ECGRA.org/impactstudy fairer for the entire community. ECGRA.org/calltoaction prepared by: So as we reach the welcome end to flu Music Reviews – 35 season, let’s hope we can rest up. Spring might just begin warming our lives a little Jack Stauber, Valerie June, Jay more every day. We can fill our lungs with Som, and The Shins a breath of fresh air and start on our own healing process, whatever that may be.

@ECGRA814 #IgniteErie ECGRA.org/igniteerie /ECGRA March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3

ECGRA_Economic Impact Full Page Ad.indd 1 3/1/17 3:11 PM VOTE BRENEMAN for MAYOR ON MAY 16 HURRY OFFER ENDS SOON

EXCLUSIVE OFFER for FORMER MEMBERS FREE Enrollment SAVE UP TO $250 Must present this coupon at time of enrollment. Expires 3/31/17. Not valid with any other offer. Membership dues apply. 5401 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509

4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 NEWS & VIEWS Just a Thought DOWNLOAD. Speaking from experience DOWNTOWN. soaks my shirt with its brine. Eye-catching color in … My fingers wriggle in new work- this West 10th Street garden is like planted gloves, poetry. itching to do a little digging, to join the earthworm’s long, dark transla- I worked at night, tion of the world. that’s how I filled … Here for a moment, mine many days. is a small lot: I only I’d often end up turn the soil, and often at the Erie Book- fail to recognize what I uncover. store, then housed … the garden begins as in the ground lev- a patch of dirt: el of Lovell Place, anything can happen. with welcoming As an apartment-dweller I longed light from high for my own small lot, especially in windows. I loved spring. I’d walk by purposeful home- to meander among owners out working in their yards, the used books and their winter-pale cheeks flushed imagine who’d held with fresh air and exercise and re- them before, where newal. But I’d never thought of yard they’d been taken work as poem fodder. in carry-ons, what they’d stirred in

previous readers. You could say that poetry Developing Plans, Programs and Resources Poetry Scene elevates the mundane. for a Better Downtown. used to be held But more accurately, there on Friday poetry reminds us that nights, and one there’s no such thing as night I nervously TOWNHOUSE FOR RENT got up and read my the mundane. That a riot clumsy lines to a of sensory and emotional group of generous details surround us at KATIE CHRIEST KATIE fellow language any given moment. Ours lovers. My sweaty for the taking, if only we By: Katie Chriest fingers trembled the printed-out TANDEM page I’d brought to read from, smear- would notice. or years I lived downtown ing last-minute edits I’d made. But I TOWNHOUSES on West 10th Street, in an old got through it, and understood better You could say that poetry elevates Fapartment carved out of an old- the courage a poet must gather, even the mundane. But more accurately, - Beautiful country setting er house. Someone once asked what I when alone at a desk. poetry reminds us that there’s no - Located in Fairview PA liked about living there. “The trees,” I One afternoon at the Erie Book- such thing as the mundane. That a - Laundry facilities on site replied unhesitatingly. Tall and state- store, I opened Alan Michael Parker’s riot of sensory and emotional details ly and established, those trees and book of poetry Days Like Prose, and surround us at any given moment. - Rent is $685 plus gas & the dwellings they shaded created stood there in awe as words arrowed Ours for the taking, if only we would Electric an authentic, soulful atmosphere; into my heart. I bought a copy for notice. - 24 Hour emergency the polar opposite of character-free myself and the man I was falling in No wonder April is National Poetry maintenance prefab suburban townhouses that love with – and now two copies live Month. Writing a poem is an almost- - 2 Bedroom in our house. too-easy avocation in spring, in the developers erect ad nauseam. - 1 Bath In spring, especially at the turn- Parker has since become widely re- midst of blooming and birdsong and ing of a month, the street would nowned in the world of letters. But 20 rampant rebirth. - No pets permitted be lined with castoffs on garbage years ago, when this debut collection But I never get the rake or shovel - Off street parking day, some of which I’d have dragged was published, he lived in Erie and or hoses out for the first time of the home for repurposing, if I’d had any- taught at Penn State Behrend. Surely year without thinking of Parker’s where to store them. Someone was our landscape had something to do “Alchemy.” And remembering how I always moving out, and someone with his transcendent words. once longed to be who I now am. was always moving in. But despite In a few selected lines from “Alche- Anything can happen, indeed. CALL OUR the transience, the area still felt like my,” Parker writes: a neighborhood – one where you On the first good day of yard work Katie Chriest can be contacted OFFICE TODAY could wander for hours. And because winter pours from my body at [email protected]. 814.474.5778

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 5 NEWS & VIEWS Exile on State Street What the City of Erie needs in the next mayor

steps taken in the last several years to balance the district’s budget, and the unfair and inequitable longstanding tax burden on city residents, especial- ly compared to the suburban districts surrounding the city. And where has the current may- or been during this entire crisis? As usual, content to sit on the sidelines claiming this is not his fight. Not his fight? How could anything be further from the truth? A real leader would recognize the critical nature of this impending di- saster and how, with a defunct school district, there will be no viable way to implement the city’s new compre- hensive plan, or even just improve the 40-year slide that the city has found itself in. No, a real leader would recog- nize the significance of this issue and lend his or her leadership and political clout to the fight. What does it matter

NICK WARREN that the mayor or City Council does not run the school district? The city is fighting to remain relevant, and for By: Rick Filippi There are seven candidates running meaningful import. its life. The survival of the school dis- for the city’s highest elected office. A particularly poignant example of trict is essential to the city’s long-term Anyone can hold the helm when the Frankly, I believe it is one of the stron- this is in the City of Erie School Dis- future. sea is calm. – Publilius Syrus gest fields in an open race in a lifetime. trict’s impending financial collapse. To his credit, Erie School Board Pres- It’s arguably stronger than the field I For those who don’t realize it (and for ident Frank Petrungar Jr. eloquent- ell, it’s good to return to ran against in 2001. reasons I don’t fully understand), the ly stated the issue in a March 1 Erie the Erie Reader after an All of these candidates bring differ- city and the Erie School District share Times-News article: “It’s not just about Walmost 16-month absence. ent qualities and attributes to the ta- the same boundary. The district is the school district, it’s about the city. And what better time? The upcoming ble. But what are the most important? run completely independently of city If the school district fails, the city is spring primary, at least for the City of Actually, what is the most important? government, yet both derive their tax- going to fail. There is no one who is Erie, has epic consequences. I could Let’s take a look at the quality most es from the same base. It’s no secret going to want to move here with fam- not just stand by and let this happen necessary in the next mayor: LEAD- that this, coupled with myriad other ilies, or open businesses, if we don’t without giving some input. ERSHIP. issues, has led Erie School District to have a thriving school district. The And whether you agree with me or There are many definitions of lead- slash spending, cutting teacher and taxes keep going up and we’re just not, I hope that when I write a few ar- ership. However, I believe it’s best to administrative positions and defer- pushing people out of town. It’s just ticles on this subject, you will at least look at a recent practical example to ring maintenance on schools over the not working.” consider some of the ideas which I reflect on how we don’t have it now recent several-year period just to sur- Frank Petrungar gets it. Joe Sinnott think are critical to the city electing and what we must look forward to in vive. does not. The next mayor must get it. its next chief executive. the future mayor. Most recently, the district, ably led The next mayor needs to understand In the coming issues, I intend to The next mayor needs to lead, not by Superintendent Jay Badams, pre- and appreciate all of the workings of focus on the primary qualities and only the City of Erie, but its related en- sented a recovery plan to the state De- our region and how they interrelate. attributes that the next mayor must tities, as well as all of Erie County and partment of Education since the city The next mayor must understand exhibit. And, the purpose of my pieces northwestern Pennsylvania. Without school system is in a “financial watch” that advocating for things which will not be to advocate one particular a real representative in Congress, and status. The district’s plan was sound- might not be in the city budget or in candidate. You, the Erie reader, can with the local legislative districts ger- ly rejected by state Secretary of Edu- his or her “disciplines” is one of those be the judge of that. However, I am rymandered beyond reason, the may- cation Pedro Rivera, who essentially crucial elements that define leader- hoping to stimulate an insightful, if or of Erie must be looked upon as that told the district to tax its way out of ship. The mayor must recognize that not critical analysis of what the can- individual with the driving vision to the crisis. the position brings with it the mantle didates have to offer, since this may be move us forward. The mayor must be Well, anyone who owns property of the leader of northwestern Penn- Erie’s last shot – for at least another able to assume a leadership role that in the city knows this is not a viable sylvania, and with that the duty to ex- generation if not more – for a mayor might not necessarily be within his option. Further, this demonstrates ercise clout and lobby for those things to turn the ship around and lead us to or her technical “job description,” but an alarming level of ignorance on the critical to the survival and prosperity prosperity. rather one of far more extensive and part of state officials regarding the of our region.

6 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 NEWS & VIEWS

Let’s face some real facts. Jay Badams Invest in a Vibrant Future has done an incredible job through- out this debacle. However, he is not an elected official. He does not have political clout. To her credit, Kathy Dahlkemper has shown a willingness to support the cause. However, the mayor, who should exercise significant clout with Democratic Governor Tom Wolf, is completely AWOL on the issue. Imagine a staff member, which the secretary of education is, sending a letter to Lou Tullio, Joyce Savocchio, and I’d like to think even myself, essen- tially telling the school district to go pound salt and raise taxes? It would never have happened from the admin- istrations of Democratic governors if the mayor of Erie had any leadership role on the issue and was exercising political clout.  THE ERIE ARTS ENDOWMENT I am not saying that the district An Endowment Dedicated to Advancing Arts and Culture in our Region would have gotten everything it want- With an Established Fund for The mayor must recognize Arts Education that the position brings Learn more at www.erieartsandculture.org or by contacting with it the mantle of the Amanda Hurd at 814-452-3427 or [email protected]  leader of northwestern  Pennsylvania, and with that   Photo Credit: A local student tie-dyes at Erie Arts & Culture’s booth during JUMP! Back to School Expo 2016 the duty to exercise clout and lobby for those things critical to the survival and Transforming Our Community prosperity of our region. ed, or even anything, but surely a Dem- ocratic governor would have realized, with an upcoming re-election bid, the political danger in dissing the mayor of Erie. Here, since we had no leader- ship on the issue, the governor has es- sentially done that. Furniture • Decor • Jewelry The reality is that the next mayor must exhibit an understanding of the issues that are critical to the survival Distinctive Decor and prosperity of our region. In doing so, the next mayor must have the cour- for Inspired Homes William M. Schuster age and tenacity to lead, even on those July 13, 1907 - March 21, 1998 issues that might not be commonly Bill Schuster, founder of Warren Radio, passed away thought of as in his or her wheelhouse. in 1998. In 2016, his favorite nonprofits received over These are not calm seas that our city $51,000 through an endowment he established at finds itself in. Hours The Erie Community Foundation. When adrift in rough waters, we Mon through Fri: 10am-6pm need a captain who can steer our ship Sat: 10am-5pm to a safe harbor. That is why we, as res- idents of Erie, need to look for LEAD- You, too, can make a difference. ERSHIP as the primary quality in the 814.520.8055 Learn about endowments and next mayor. 2208 West 8th St. Erie, PA 16505 The Giving Pledge at the Foundation.

Rick Filippi can be contacted at [email protected]. Shop Online at www.claudinesconsignment.com 814-454-0843 | www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 7 NEWS & VIEWS Our City’s Other Election The crucial role of Erie City Council

council passes legislation and pro- Lastly, incumbent Democrat David vides oversight, checking and balanc- Brennan – to the surprise of many ing an executive. Or, if apathetic, they voters – announced he would not can stay out of the way of a mayor seek re-election. and an agenda. So that leaves three potential out- So, if you care about who wins the comes: Both incumbents win their mayor’s seat, you should care about bids for election alongside two new- who fills the four seats up for grabs comers; one incumbent wins his bid on a seven-seat council. Because if for re-election alongside three new- your mayoral candidate wins, you’ll comers; both incumbents lose their want him or her to have support. Or re-election bids and Erie sees four if your candidate loses, you’ll want to newcomers take to the bench. ensure someone on council still hears If history has taught us anything, your voice. it’s that the edge typically goes to Four vacancies exist for three rea- an incumbent for various reasons, sons. among them name recognition, an The first open seat results from established bloc of voters, and cam- Democratic Councilman Curtis paign machines that needn’t be start- Jones, Jr.’s inability to seek re-elec- ed from scratch. But in a crowded tion, having reached his term limit. field, names can get buried. And with Two other incumbents – current more options, voters might consider NICK WARREN Council President Casimir J. “Kaz” looking elsewhere. Kwitowski and Jim Winarski, both The options within those three By: Ben Speggen mer dropping out), the ballot for City Democrats – are seeking re-election. outcomes become more varied and Council is twice as ost political talk in Erie to- packed. day focuses on the change And although Mabout to occur at 626 State serving as a City Street. More specifically, most of that Council member talk centers around who’ll occupy the is a part-time po- fifth floor of City Hall after Novem- sition compared ber’s general election. to the mayor’s In case you haven’t read past is- full-time, who gets sues of the Erie Reader, followed Erie elected is just as Times-News coverage, or tuned in to critical. Erie News Now or WJET-TV, or have Why? City Coun- been residing under a rock at Win- cil will either help tergreen Gorge, or burying your head affirm and push in the sands of Presque Isle, Erie will a newly-elected elect a new mayor this year. mayor’s agenda, We find ourselves here because serve as a foil to Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott, after besting plans they see Democratic incumbent Rick Filippi in detrimental, or do the 2005 primary election, is complet- nothing at all. ing his third and final four-year term That is, in a may- as mayor. Sinnott, who’s been vocal or-council form about remaining neutral during this of government, a election, ran unopposed in both his second and third bids to lead City Kevin Otteni (top Hall. left) is joined by John But political talk of 626 State Street Reitinger (top right) isn’t limited to the fifth floor. and Liz Allen (bottom As May 16’s primary election date right) to form the slate collectively draws nearer, more people are turn- known as “Erie’s ing their attention to Council Cham- Next City Council.” bers. And while the field of candi- Michael Haas dates running for mayor is crowded (bottom left) is one of 16 Democrats vying (we started with 10, but find ourselves to be on the ballot in

now at nine with Republican Al Zim- November. MAITHAM BASHA-AGHA

8 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 NEWS & VIEWS KEEP SWIMMING IN THE SAME DIRECTION complicated, with 17 people – in- four new representatives. And that cumbents included – vying for an opportunity matters because it open council seat. As it stands at will help shape the composition of this writing, the Democratic field council for potential voting blocs. features 16; the Republican, one. New to Erie politics this year – and Dan Nick is the sole Republican. specific to City Council – is a slate And although the city’s more than of candidates running together. On two-to-one Ds to Rs voter registra- March 15, Liz Allen, Kevin Otteni, tion edge, party affiliation plays and John Reitinger collectively an- a lesser role – if only slightly – in nounced their bids for City Council council seats. as Erie’s Next City Council. While Erie saw its last Republican The trio of newcomers are ral- Together, improving community conditions. mayor in the early sixties when lying behind Erie Refocused, the Charles Williamson held the seat United Way of before Democrat Lou Tullio went on his historic 24-year run (clearly If history has taught us Erie County before Erie had term limits), a Re- publican last cast a vote on coun- anything, it’s that the Learn More: UnitedWayErie.org/Benchmarks cil in 2013. But that comes with an edge typically goes to an asterisk. Republican John Evans incumbent for various served on council from June 2012 to reasons, among them December 2013 but as an appointee. name recognition, an Before that, the last Republican to SEE THE DIFFERENCE serve on council, Denise Robison, established bloc of voters, was elected in 1990. and campaign machines Still, a 30-year difference makes, that needn’t be started CALL 814.455.7591 well, a difference. from scratch. But in a To schedule your free LASIK On the Democratic side, the ballot crowded field, names will look like this: Kathleen Schaaf, consultation & receive 10% off Jim Winarski, Gary Grack, Casimir can get buried. And with your blade free procedure! J. “Kaz” Kwitowski, Michael Keys, more options, voters Liz Allen, John Steiner, Mark Aleks might consider looking Or visit us online at www.erielasereye.com Aleksandrowicz, Brad Ford, Kevin elsewhere. Pastewka, Rob Mahrt, John Reiting- LASER EYE er, Kevin Otteni, Adrian D. Ewing, SURGERY Michael Haas, and Freda Tepfer. city’s recent comprehensive plan OF ERIE And while that may seem like a submitted by the Alexandria, Vir- th lot of candidates to research and ginia-based planning firm czb, LLC, 311 W. 24 St. Erie, PA 16502 get to know, Erie has seen similar- which was commissioned by the Exp. 4/12/2017 ly crowded fields in the past, with Sinnott administration. Although INDIVIDUAL RESULTS MAY VARY AND ARE NOT GUARANTEED. nearly 20 folks bidding for a seat in the three pledged to work together THIS PROCEDURE MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL PATIENTS. 1997. to help Erie’s next mayor carry out Aside from serving as the balance Erie Refocused, each acknowledged to the executive office, doing the during their announcement that research matters because the pool their decision to run together as a is diverse in background and expe- slate did not mean that their votes rience. It also matters because Erie would always align on every issue. lacks ward-based representation, As crowded as the field may be meaning that while each candidate and as new as elements like slates represents the entire city, he or she are, the City Council race matters. does not represent the one out of Seven people – with potentially up six wards in which he or she lives. to four new faces – will be charged Big-picture enthusiasts have with overseeing the promised plat- made the case that it’s better that form of whoever occupies City each council member represent the Hall’s fifth floor. In Erie’s case, -gov entire city; others have argued cer- ernment is important from the top tain sections of the city have been of City Hall all the way down to the unfairly underrepresented because first floor in Council Chambers. candidates from certain wards have a better chance (read: more fi- Ben Speggen can be reached nancial support) to win. at bSpeggen@ErieReader. Regardless, an opportunity exists com and you can follow him to elect anywhere between two to on Twitter @BenSpeggen.

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10EFCU | Erie Erie Reader Reader 0317.indd | ErieReader.com 1 3/16/17 1:44 PM March 29, 2017 NEWS & VIEWS News of the Weird Parking slopes and April’s expectations

By: Chuck Shepherd May on a proposed property tax in- University of London conference tors to (fruitlessly) take on the Staten crease to fund a community hospital previewed a near future when fake Island case. In March, the city's Of- in Garberville to serve a web of small women routinely provide uncompli- fice of Court Administration finally Location, Location, Location towns in the scenic, sparsely popu- cated relationships for lonely (or dis- shrugged and closed the case. [New highlight of the recent upmarket lated region, and thanks to a county turbed) men. (Recently, in Barcelona, York Times, 3-8-2017] Asurge in Brooklyn, N.Y., as a residen- judge's March ruling, the issue will Spain, a brothel opened offering four tial and retail favorite, was the asking be explained more colorfully. Oppo- "realdolls" "disinfected after each cus- Ironies price for an ordinary parking space in nent Scotty McClure was initially tomer" though still recommending chain reaction of fireworks in the garage at 845 Union Street in the rebuffed by the registrar when he condoms.) [Forbes, 2-28-2017] Tultepec, Mexico, in December Park Slope neighborhood: $300,000 tried to distribute, as taxpayer-fund- A cientists at Columbia University had made the San Pablito pyro mar- (also carrying a $240-a-month condo- ed "special elections material," con- and the New York Genome Center ketplace a scorched ruin, with more minium fee and $50 monthly taxes). tempt for "Measure W" by including S announced that they have digitally than three dozen dead and scores That's similar to the price of actual the phrase "(insert fart smell here)" in stored (and retrieved) a movie, an en- injured, leaving the town to grieve one-bedroom apartments in less ritzy the description. The registrar decried tire computer operating system and a and, in March, to solemnly honor the Brooklyn neighborhoods like Gra- the damage to election "integrity" by $50 gift card on a single drop of DNA. victims with even more fireworks. vesend (a few miles away). [DNAInfo, such "vulgarity," but Judge Timothy In theory, wrote the researchers in Tultepec is the center of Mexico's fire- 3-6-2017] Cissna said state law gives him juris- the journal Science, they might store, works industry, with 30,000 people diction only over "false" or "mislead- on one gram of DNA, 215 "petabytes" dependent on explosives for a living. ing" electioneering language. [North Compelling Explanations (i.e., 215 million gigabytes enough to Wrote The Guardian, "Gunpowder" is Coast Journal (Eureka, Calif.), 3-7- aginaw, Michigan, defense lawyer run, say, 10 million HD movies) and in "their blood." [The Guardian (Lon- 2017] SEd Czuprynski had beaten a felony could reduce all the data housed in don), 3-10-2017] DUI arrest in December, but was sen- the Library of Congress to a small tenced to probation on a lesser charge Can't Possibly Be True cube of crystals. [Wall Street Journal, Miscellaneous Economic Indicators in the incident, and among his restric- ews of the Weird has written 3-3-2017] entley" the cat went missing in tions was a prohibition on drinking al- several times (as technology Marina Del Rey, California, on cohol which Czuprynski acknowledged N n office in the New York City gov- "B progressed) about Matt McMullen's Feb. 26 and as of press time had not in March that he has since violated at ernment, suspicious of a $5,000 "RealDoll" franchise the San Marcos, A been located despite a posted reward least twice. However, at that hearing payment to two men in the 2008 City California, engineer's richly detailed of $20,000. (A "wanted" photo is online, (which could have meant jail time for Council election of Staten Island's flexible silicone mannequins that if you're interested.) (2) British snack the violations), Czuprynski used the Debi Rose, opened an investigation, currently sell for $5,500 and up (more food manufacturer Walkers advertised opportunity to beg the judge to remove which at $300 an hour for the "spe- with premium custom features). in February for a part-time profes- the restriction altogether, arguing that cial prosecutor," has now cost the Even before the recent success of the sional chip taster, at the equivalent of he can't be "effective" as a lawyer un- city $520,000, with his final bill still very humanish, artificially intelligent $10.55 an hour. (3) An Australian state less he is able to have a drink now and to come. Despite scant "evidence" and (AI) android "hosts" on TV's "West- administrative tribunal awarded a then. (At press time, the judge was still multiple opportunities to back off, world," McMullen revealed that his $90,000 settlement after a cold-calling undecided.) [MLive.com, 3-10-2017] the prosecutor relentlessly conduct- first AI doll, "Harmony," will soon be ed months-long grand jury proceed- telemarketer sold a farm couple 2,000 Fine Points of the Law available with a choice of 12 "person- ings, fought several court appeals, ink cartridges (for their one printer) by alities," including "intellectualism" repeated pitches. [Fox News, 3-8-2017] esidents in southern Humboldt had one 23-count indictment almost and "wit," to mimic an emotional [Leicester Mercury, 2-23-2017] [The Age County, California, will vote in immediately crushed by judges, and R bond to add to the sexual. A recent enticed state and federal investiga- (Melbourne), 3-9-2017]

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 11 NEWS & VIEWS

Perspective Least Competent Criminals merican chef Dan Barber staged ops! An officer in Harrington, Del- Aa temporary "pop-up" restaurant Oaware, approaching an illegally in London in March at which he and parked driver at Liberty Plaza Shop- other renowned chefs prepared the ping Center in March, had suspicions fanciest meals they could imagine aroused when she gave him a name using only food scraps donated from other than "Keyonna Waters" (which local eateries. A primary purpose was was the name on the employee name to chastise First World eaters (espe- tag she was wearing). Properly ID'ed, cially Americans) for wasting food, she was arrested for driving with a not only in the kitchen and on the suspended license. [WMDT-TV (Salis- plate, but to satisfy our craving for bury, Md.), 3-6-2017] meat (for example, requiring diver- sion of 80 percent of the world's corn The Passing Parade and soy just to feed edible animals). n his third try of the year in January, Among Barber's March "WastED" ILi Longlong of China surpassed his dishes were a char-grilled meatless own Guinness Book record by climbing beetburger and pork braised in left- 36 stairs while headstanding (beating over fruit solids. [TreeHugger.com, his previous 34). (Among the Guinness 3-3-2017] regulations: no touching walls and no pausing more than five seconds per Undignified Deaths step.) (2) The online live-stream of the moking Kills: A 78-year-old man in extremely pregnant giraffe "April" (at SEaston, Pennsylvania, died in Feb- New York's Animal Adventure Park) ruary from injuries caused when he has created such a frenzy, and exposed lit his cigarette but accidentally set the tiny attention spans of viewers, afire his hooded sweatshirt. (2) Por- that, as of March 3, they had spent a nography Kills: A Mexico City man cumulative 1,036 years just watching. fell to his death recently in the city's (Erin Dietrich of Myrtle Beach, South San Antonio neighborhood when he Carolina, 39 weeks pregnant herself, climbed up to turn off a highway vid- mocked the lunacy by livestreaming eo sign on the Periferico Sur highway her own belly while wearing a giraffe that was showing a pornographic mask.) (By press time, Erin had deliv- clip apparently placed by a hacker. ered; April, not.) [Huffington Post, 3-10- [NJ.com, 2-28-2017] [Metro News (Lon- 2017] [BBC News, 3-3-2017] don), 3-6-2017] IMPRESS COPYRIGHT 2017 CHUCK SHEPHERD YOUR PEEPS Only 11x17 Posters $1.00! *80# Matte Cover,1 Sided, No Bleed

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12 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 NEWS & VIEWS Harrisburg Happenings $15 million dollars and more unanswered questions

By: Sen. Dan Laughlin nia’s unemployed workers. his month, I would like to ex- By Labor & Industry’s own esti- plain why I recently voted mates, it will take several weeks to Tin the Senate Labor & Indus- bring back the laid-off employees try Committee against a $15 million and reopen the shuttered call centers. transfer from the Unemployment The infusion of funding for employee Compensation Fund to the Service overtime offers immediate relief and and Infrastructure Improvement can provide a bridge until the Auditor Fund (SIIF), and address misinforma- General completes his report. tion presented in a recent statement I would also like to comment on a by a labor organization. recently published statement from Since 1886 While the proposed transfer to the a local union that indicated that SIIF is a move that appears to have the Erie UC office was basically gut- the best of intentions, there are still ted; and also implied that idled local too many unanswered questions workers, particularly those impacted and unresolved issues that made me by the closure of the GE plant, were “If we don’t have it, You don’t need it!” question and ultimately vote against being neglected. this proposal. The claim that there is only one For four years, the Department of Labor & Industry tapped the UC Fund for a total of $178 million for This month, I would like 814.453.4314 technology upgrades. That spending to explain why I recently is now under review by the state Au- voted in the Senate Labor ditor General. All we know for sure is & Industry Committee that money was spent and the work against a $15 million transfer was not completed. That led the gov- from the Unemployment ernor to shut down three Unemploy- Compensation Fund to the ment Compensation Service Centers late last year after the Legislature re- Service and Infrastructure fused to transfer another $57 million Improvement Fund (SIIF), into SIIF without receiving assuranc- and address misinformation es that the money was spent respon- presented in a recent sibly. statement by a labor It is also important to recognize organization. Podiatry Associates of Erie, Inc. that the transfer would take resourc- es from the fund used to pay un- FOOT & ANKLE employment compensation claims, employee remaining at the Erie Ser- which further exposes it to insolven- vice Center is incorrect. The Erie call CENTER cy and could ultimately result in an center is open and running at full Richard D. DiBacco, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S. increased tax burden on employers capacity with two shifts going. A de- Board Certified: ABPS, ABQAURP and employees. partment official has assured me that No, I simply cannot justify spend- there are six dedicated call center THE MOST ing another $15 million until we re- employees at SB 3 Business Park ded- EXPERIENCED ceive the Auditor General’s report, icated to serving GE unemployment OFFICE IN THE which is expected at the end of April, needs and that they are TRA and TAA and should detail past activities and specialists. TRI-STATE (hopefully) provide assurances that I encourage local residents to visit AREA future funding will be responsibly my website, senatorlaughlin.com, and spent. my Facebook page, facebook.com/ Erie, PA That certainly does not mean in senatorlaughlin/, to keep up to date 4402 Peach St. any way that I am not moved by the with state government news – includ- (814) 864-4874 plight of workers who face delays in ing the state budget – and learn more receiving benefits due to the gover- about state services and agencies. Meadville, PA nor’s closure of the service centers. I 105 Mead Ave. believe that we can – and should – im- Sen. Daniel J. Laughlin can (814) 337-0404 mediately infuse $3 million into the be contacted by visiting call centers for overtime. That action senatorlaughlin.com/contact, Conneaut, OH would be effective immediately and and you can follow him on 167-B W. Main St. would provide relief to Pennsylva- Twitter @SenatorLaughlin. (440) 593-6476 www.eriefootdoctors.com

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14 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 FEATURE The Police and the Public Bridging the divide and creating accountability

account of Cooley’s era and shared on YouTube, sparking story. protests and opening up old wounds. “This was supposed Was the force justified or was it an to be Travis’s day in example of police misconduct? The court,” his mother, ongoing probe by the FBI seeks facts Mary Taylor, told Erie in that case and examines patterns Times-News reporter and practices within the Erie Bureau Ed Palattella. “This of Police. was the police’s day Members of Unified Erie, Police in court.” Chief Don Dacus, Assistant U.S. At- To understand torney Marshall Piccinini, and rep- how encounters like resentatives from the FBI are partic- these can undermine ipating in the ongoing community African-Americans’ discussions, and by all accounts con- trust in the police – versations have been sincere, bru- at a time when their tally honest, and might just result in cooperation is des- significant breakthroughs. The group perately needed to hosted a public forum on Feb. 20 at stem Erie’s rising tide Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School, of gun violence – I which was recorded by WQLN Public tracked down Cooley Media and is available online. at his home in Hart- Not long after the federal civil rights

TONY WEBSTER TONY ford, Connecticut, investigation was announced and the where he lives with Erie Bureau of Police launched its own By: Lisa Gensheimer claims one officer pressed his head his wife and two-year-old son. internal investigation into the Bolden into his back and put him in a choke- I also talked with members of a new arrest, three Erie police officers came ne month to the day after the hold, while another beat his head four community-law enforcement group, forward following another incident, 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pennsyl- or five times with a flashlight after he a gathering of about 20 law enforce- reporting that a fellow officer, patrol- Ovania Army National Guards- was handcuffed, flat on the ground. ment professionals and concerned man Justin W. Griffith, kicked a hand- man Travis Cooley, 22, played pool Cooley says what hurt him more citizens that has been meeting every cuffed suspect in the face “like he was with some buddies at Big Daddy’s, an than the bleeding gash on the back other Friday since August to share kicking a ball.” The police report said alcohol-free dance club at 13th and of his head before he passed out that their perceptions about racial profil- the suspect, Patrick Gehrlein, who State streets. He says he knew enough night was hearing an officer shout ing and excessive force, improve rela- is white, spat at officers and said he not to drink that night. Like many “You are not in the military, you f---ing, tionships, and take personal responsi- had AIDS. Gehrlein suffered fractures military personnel across the country, lying nigger.” bility for keeping neighborhoods safe. around his eye and cheek. Griffith was his unit was on high alert. Cooley, now 38, says he remembers arraigned on a criminal charge of sim- When a fight inside the nightclub every detail as if it happened yester- Cooley, now 38, says he ple assault on Feb. 27. A trial date in spilled into the streets, Cooley says day. I remember it, too. I was on the Erie County Court is expected in April he and his friends headed for the all-white jury of nine men and three remembers every detail as or May. door, distancing themselves from the women that eventually convicted if it happened yesterday. I What Cooley’s case tells us crowd by crossing the street to the L. Cooley of failing to leave the scene, a remember it, too. I was on Press Parking lot while they waited misdemeanor that has followed him the all-white jury of nine rateful that Cooley was willing for a friend. City of Erie police officers, ever since. The police officer who men and three women that Gto talk with me by phone after fearing a riot, approached Cooley. “Get cracked Cooley’s head open and sent all these years, I pulled out my notes the f--- out of here. Do you want to go him to the emergency room was ac- eventually convicted Cooley and the newspaper clippings I’d saved to jail?” he claims one of them asked. quitted of all charges, including ag- of failing to leave the scene, from his 2003 trial and began to ask Turning to walk away, Cooley says gravated assault, in a separate trial. a misdemeanor that has how his experience with police and he felt an officer grab his Sean John He resigned from the Erie Bureau of followed him ever since. the criminal justice system affected coat – the expensive designer jacket Police, pocketing $70,000 in back pay. the trajectory of his life. Maybe this he had saved up for – and snatch it Turns out Cooley could have avoid- could help explain why other Afri- from his back. Claiming it was Cool- ed a trial altogether by pleading no The community group was con- can-Americans in our community are ey who threw down his own coat contest to a summary charge of disor- vened after the U.S. Department of reluctant to work with police. and then assumed “a fighting stance,” derly conduct, a fact I read for the first Justice opened a civil rights investiga- From the time he was a kid, Cool- four officers slammed him against a time in the newspaper the day after tion into the possible use of excessive ey wanted to be a police officer, he burgundy Chevrolet Astrovan and our verdict was announced. But Cool- force by individual officers who ar- recalled during our telephone inter- threw him to the ground. Cooley says ey knew he was innocent. He says he rested Montrice Bolden on June 27 in view. “There used to be a group of he twisted and turned to break free, believed a jury would clear his name. the parking lot of a local tavern. What police officers who would walk along as they taught him to do in his train- Unfortunately, as I would later dis- to some looked like police brutality my block on West Fourth Street. The ing at Fort Benning, Georgia. Cooley cover, our jury never heard a full was captured by a surveillance cam- neighborhood was starting to get out

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 15 FEATURE

(Top) Shown here with his wife Tanya Cooley a nigger. and youngest son Ethan, Travis Cooley At trial, several police officers testi- looks to the future after graduating with fied Cooley was taken to the ground a bachelor’s degree in human services from Springfield College, in Springfield, and beaten by an officer they couldn’t Massachusetts. Cooley says his sons Travis identify by name. All that some offi- Jr. (left) and Trevonne (right), who still live cers remembered seeing was a hand, a in Erie, mean the world to him. He hopes flashlight, and Cooley’s bloodied head. they stay out of harm’s way. One complained his hair gel had been mussed up while trying to subdue ‘where did you get your teachings Cooley. Think from?’ I saw nothing of those older But shortly after the incident, anoth- guys in these younger guys.” er officer at the scene, corporal Keith Cooley learned to respect police Kaschalk, had come forward. He re- from his mentor, David Morris, the ported to his street sergeant that he legendary Gannon College basketball saw patrolman Edmund C. Libell as- star and Strong Vincent basketball sault Cooley. Two days after Cooley’s coach who taught him the value of beating, the Erie County District At- sp ng community service and volunteerism. torney’s Office charged Libell with -ag They spent a lot of time together at gravated assault, simple assault, and the Martin Luther King Center while recklessly endangering a life. He was Cooley was growing up. suspended from his job without pay. “David was everybody’s dad. He took Then top Assistant District Attorney me under his wing; he employed me. Robert Sambroak (who later served He didn’t owe my family anything. for thee years as an Erie County He had a family of his own. He still Judge and died unexpectedly March 2 found time to raise me, teach me to be following a brief illness) turned to the respectful, and love God,” Cooley said, jury and told us to concern ourselves growing emotional. “The way I con- only with the charge against Cooley duct myself, the way I treat others, he under the narrow definition of “fail- pretty much chiseled me into a man.” ure to disperse.” Sambroak, known When I paged through the transcript for his calm, matter-of-fact demeanor, of Cooley’s trial, I wondered why our assured us the assault case against Li- jury had never seen this side of Travis bell would be prosecuted later. Cooley. After listening to instructions from As it turns out, according to Cooley, Judge DiSantis and following nearly the attorney assigned to defend him three hours of deliberation, during hadn’t met with him ahead of time which I and one other woman argued to get all the details about what hap- Cooley had been railroaded (it seemed Find Your Place at Edinboro University pened. The only thing he seemed to to us the only reason he didn’t leave EU Open House know was what he had read in the the scene was that police officers held Spring Open House newspaper. Cooley tried to fire his at- him there against his will, handcuffed torney before the trial began, but the on the concrete), we gave in and went judge said it was too late. along with the other jurors. Cooley  Tour our beautiful 585-acre campus Saturday, April 22, 2017 The trial transcript revealed that was convicted of failure to disperse despite numerous sidebar discussions but was acquitted of resisting arrest.  Get answers to your questions from faculty, 9 am - 12 pm called by Judge Ernest J. DiSantis, Jr., Cooley paid his fines, and served one both on and off the record, and being year probation and 50 hours of com- Admissions and Financial Aid staff , and more Frank G. Pogue Student Center given three chances to correct him- munity service after Judge DiSantis, self, Cooley’s defense attorney failed at his own discretion, added the origi-  Explore our undergraduate and graduate to properly “ask the questions in the nal charge of disorderly conduct. To register or for right way.” Calls for character wit- Three months later, officer Libell degree programs nesses who could vouch for Cooley’s was acquitted of all charges, includ-

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS performance in school and his record ing aggravated assault, simple assault,  Take advantage of application fee waivers full event details, visit of community service were dismissed. and recklessly endangering a life. He available at the event of control with people coming in from Cooley believed the police force had The exception was one woman who walked away with $70,000 in back pay. openhouse.edinboro.edu Detroit and Chicago to set up shop a culture of family, just like the mili- gave an eyewitness account of the An hour before then-Erie Mayor Rick and sell drugs. And there were these tary he volunteered for considered it- incident at Big Daddy’s. She recalled Filippi was to announce his decision older cops who walked with us, talk- self a family. “Values get passed down seeing a police officer push Cooley on Libell’s future as a police officer, Li- ed with us, and asked us how we felt as they teach new recruits how to and grab him by the jacket as he tried bell voluntarily resigned. about the neighborhood,” Cooley said. treat the general public, the people to leave the scene. She said Cooley did At the time, Filippi said he “wanted “They were some of the coolest guys they swore to protect,” Cooley said. not assume a “fighting stance” as po- to stress that Erie’s police officers are #GoBoro I ever met. It seemed like they really “And then I ran into those guys that lice officers alleged. He was trying to held to a high standard, and that there cared about us.” night on State Street and it was like, walk away. She heard the officer call has to be a level of confidence in police 814-732-2761 • edinboro.edu

16 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 Think sp ng

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18 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 FEATURE officers by the public” (Tim Hahn, Erie (top) Erie Police Chief Don Dacus (at Times-News 7/25/03). “People have to right) speaks at the panel on community and police relations at Pfeiffer-Burleigh feel safe, feel as though police officers Elementary School. (bottom) James Bolden are out there to protect the communi- (left), father of Montrice Bolden, poses ty, to have that level of trust,” Filippi a question regarding the injuries his son said. sustained at the hands of the police, as panel moderator Marcus Atkinson looks Cooley filed a federal police-brutali- on. ty lawsuit against the city. But before the case was heard in federal court, Erie City Council approved a $20,000 When he thinks about the deaths of settlement with Cooley (Kevin Flow- unarmed black men and boys at the ers, Erie Times-News, 2/10/05). Cooley hands of police – people like Michael told me he signed the settlement to Brown, Tamir Rice, and Eric Garner – avoid going to trial on a gun charge af- and reads about continuing violence ter he alleges being picked up by some in Erie, Cooley said he’s concerned for of the same officers who arrested him the safety of his two oldest sons, ages at Big Daddy’s. He says he was told he 14 and 15, who still live in Erie. “I wor- could spend 14 years in prison if con- ry about them running into the police victed by a jury. If he dropped his law- more than I worry about them run- suit against Edmund Libell, he says he ning into some crazy kids with guns,” was told those charges would disap- Cooley said. pear. Given his previous experience in “My advice to parents? Protect your court, Cooley says he had lost faith he kids, protect your families, and con- would get a fair shake from a “jury of tinue to teach your kids how to avoid his peers.” the police. Stay away from trouble. According to Cooley, 40 percent of Don’t even look like you’re in trouble. the settlement went to his attorney. I almost want to say, ‘don’t look black,’ “As soon as I cashed my check at you know? That’s almost what you DeLuca’s, I bought a Dodge Caravan, have to do.” kissed my kids on their foreheads, Dialog, new initiatives aim to gave my kids’ mom some cash, and rebuild trust moved to Las Vegas. I wanted to get as far away as possible,” said Cooley. His ver the years, others have come brother, who lived in Vegas, helped Oforward with stories questioning him land a job as a security guard. police conduct, from racial profiling “I felt robbed,” Cooley said. “It ruined and harassment to outright assault. my life. It cost me my relationship Some have been referred to the Jus- with my kids. I was passed over for tice Department by the NAACP. The STEVE LEITZINGER STEVE promotion and my military career de- family of David Johnson received a clined.” settlement of $410,000 from the city’s hopes of rebuilding trust, healing old proud of the men and women on Erie’s But Cooley didn’t give up. After a insurance carrier, ending a federal civ- wounds, and ultimately, working to- police force. He believes they are the couple of years he returned to Erie, il rights lawsuit filed over Johnson’s gether to reduce violent crime. best trained in the region, and pointed and in 2010 volunteered to serve a 1991 death, which allegedly followed “It’s so good for the police and law to a number of programs that are put- tour in Iraq, working at the maxi- a scuffle with police. In one highly enforcement to get the perspective ting police on the ground in the neigh- mum-security prison in Taji. After he publicized 2009 case, an off-duty pa- of someone who’s been pulled over borhoods they serve. left the military, he went on to earn a trolman, James Cousins II, publicly [in their car] for no reason at all,” said When he was sworn in last Septem- Bachelor of Science degree in Human mocked a homicide victim’s mother at Erie County District Attorney Jack ber, Dacus, a 21-year veteran on the Services from Springfield College, in a bar one night in a racially charged Danieri, who attends the sessions. force, said his goals include strength- Springfield, Massachusetts. Now he’s rant, which was recorded and shared “But what makes these discussions ening ties between the police and studying to take the LSAT exam so on YouTube. work is that the community leaders community. He said a lack of coopera- he can get into the University of Con- The black community asserts the – the mothers who lost someone to vi- tion from crime victims and the com- necticut Law School. If he succeeds, reality of police brutality must be olence, the social workers, the clergy, munity is keeping police from doing he’ll go tuition-free because of his acknowledged, even if committed by the security guard at a local hospital – their job effectively. wartime service. only a few rogue cops. that they, too, get the perspective of a “They don’t feel that they can trust In the meantime, Cooley works odd But if real progress is to be made, ev- police officer. Because if you’ve never law enforcement to such a degree that jobs and helps with his father-in-law’s erybody must dig in and get to know been one, and you’ve never had one in they’re willing to take on the addition- landscaping business. He attributes each other as people, including what your family, how do you know what it al responsibilities of being good vic- gaps in his employment to his disor- they are up against every day – in a feels like to get out of your vehicle at a tims or witnesses for law enforcement derly conduct and failure to disperse conference room instead of a court- domestic scene when there’s 30 people when the time comes to prosecute in- convictions, misdemeanors that re- room. The community-law enforce- on the lawn? How do you know some- dividuals for crime,” Dacus said. main on his record. He said he still ment relations group accepted that one is not going to put a bullet in your “I want to be visible. I want to put in suffers from migraines and has trou- challenge six months ago and pledged head as you get out of your car?” the extra time, the extra effort, and ble with his back. to keep talking for one year, in the Erie Police Chief Don Dacus said he’s the extra hours to show them that I

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 19 FEATURE am committed to building those rela- also placed two city police offers the subculture that he believes exists said, affords police to use more force tionships, doing the right thing, and and two sheriff deputies at Pfeiffer- in many police precincts. than what’s being used against them, moving the community forward,” Burleigh School every Wednesday “I know that for every profession as long as that force is reasonable and he said. “I’m expecting my command from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., working with there is a subculture. But when you proper. He admitted police need to do staff to follow my lead and be just as 60 children who are deemed at risk. have a profession that is paid by the a better job of educating the public proactive and visible.” They help them read, do homework, public and that has the ability to use about that. In other words, Dacus wants people and play sports as time allows. deadly force, that’s a powerful posi- “If officers make decisions that to know there’s more to police work “We want to keep the officers con- tion to be in, but it’s also a position are not in accordance with our de- than making arrests. sistent, so these children have the op- of accountability. So the people in partment’s policies and procedures, There is much to build upon. portunity to build a relationship with charge have to go back to their offi- there are mechanisms to hold them His predecessor, Chief Randy Bow- these officers,” Dacus said. “We’ve had cers and say, ‘Here’s the standard, and accountable,” Dacus maintained. He ers, partnered with Parris Baker, a several parent nights, where parents you don’t get the luxury of violating said the public might not be aware Gannon University social work pro- can come and engage our officers and that based upon some blue code, albe- of the disciplinary actions he takes fessor and member of Erie’s African ask questions, and just see that these it unwritten, and it won’t be tolerated because, unless an officer has commit- American Concerned Clergy, to run an policemen are impacting their chil- on our watch.’ ted a criminal act, it becomes a private intensive diversity training program dren in a positive manner.” “I was the former YMCA Teen Cen- personnel issue. for all 172 members of the police force. Dacus said he hopes that kind of ter director. If I have a teen terroriz- On the other hand, he said, “If an Bowers made a concerted effort to cop-kid relationship will help them ing the other teens, and I do not han- officer commits a criminal act, we’ve recruit minority candidates without have a different outlook on police dle that, my authority as a director is demonstrated we’re willing to make much success. Currently the force when they grow up. weakened when I try to discipline or the hard decisions.” includes five African-American men, “We want people to understand the even encourage another student who Dacus would not list any specific two Hispanic men, one Native Amer- police are their biggest fans,” Dacus comes to the teen center and says, actions, but said, “I can tell you that ican man, nine white women, and 155 said. “We’re in their neighborhoods ‘Mr. Atkinson, you’ve let this person we have been able to use information white men. trying to make a safe place to live and run amok, he’s beating up on people, gathered from these meetings to ad- During Bowers’ tenure, the depart- raise their children to be productive, he’s disrespecting people, you hav- dress neighborhood situations, and to ment secured a $600,000 Byrne Crimi- and we’re looking to eradicate the address situations within the police nal Justice Innovation Grant from the criminal element to keep them safe. department.” U.S. Department of Justice to fund We want to make these safe neighbor- “I know that for every Danieri said while there is a percep- community-policing efforts such as hoods for everybody.” profession there is a tion of police brutality, black commu- neighborhood patrols. Last year the nity members in the discussion group Rooting out violent subcultures subculture. But when you patrols worked in Little Italy, covering “would be the first to tell you, ‘Listen, wherever they are have a profession that the area between West 14th and West is paid by the public and we’ve got problems within our com- 21st streets, between Sassafras and arcus Atkinson, one of the munity. It’s a problem that individu- that has the ability to Liberty streets. Dacus said he’s hoping Mmost passionate participants in als are not assisting police. We know to expand the program in 2017. the community discussion group, is use deadly force, that’s a that. We’re not going to blame officer “We’ve had very positive feedback,” thankful for these efforts and agrees powerful position to be in, so-and-so for us not telling you what said Dacus. Six to 10 officers go into there has been excellent dialog about but it’s also a position of we know about this. That’s not suit- the neighborhood with the Erie Bu- what needs to happen next. accountability”. able anymore.’ I think they’d be the reau of Police mobile precinct, get out Atkinson, pastor of community en- first to agree that the community has of their vehicles, and walk around gagement at Grace Church and direc- as much work to do as law enforce- the neighborhood in four-hour shifts. tor of ServErie, an association of Erie en’t done a thing about him, so I don’t ment does.” “We’re engaging with neighbors in churches that is working to improve want to hear your encouragement or The give-and-take is not always easy, general conversations and to find out and restore some of Erie’s most ne- I don’t want to hear you preach to me. and there’s a long way to go to rebuild what their concerns are. We’ve part- glected neighborhoods, is also host of Handle that if you want my respect, if relationships, but everyone agrees nered with code enforcement, and NEXT on WQLN Radio and Erie Now you want me to listen.’” they need to work together to root other city services, to try and address on WQLN TV. He serves on the board The community feels the same way out violent crime in Erie. whatever their needs might be, from of the Martin Luther King Center and about the police department, Atkin- “These individuals have a great voice trash collection to drugs and prostitu- is a former director of the YMCA’s son said. in the community,” said Danieri. “They tion.” Teen Center. “You want me to trust you? Do some- have been going and will continue to Also last year, city police and the Erie “I can tell you to a person, we are be- thing about this guy who’s always go into the community and say, ‘You County sheriff’s office, together with ing honest and open,” Atkinson said. putting his boot on my neck when think you can paint all these officers Erie attorney Ron DiNicola, revived “If people didn’t walk away from that he sees me, who’s always pushing me with the brush of a few? You shouldn’t the Erie Police Athletic League (PAL), first meeting or two offended or frus- around when he sees me,” Atkinson do that. Here’s why. I’ve sat with these which flourished in the 1950s and trated, we were probably not being said. “That conversation probably people, we’ve shared stories, we’ve 1960s and disappeared in the 1970s. honest with each other because this lasted a good month, and we were shared tears, we’ve shared experienc- Sheriff John Loomis said, “If we can issue is so sensitive. And we passed meeting every week. Because it was at es.’ Nothing gets better if we all just point our youth in the right direction that test in my mind. So now let’s see the epicenter of how most of us felt, stand with our arms crossed on each at a young age, and keep them from who is coming back. Let’s see who’s and strikes at the very heart of the side of that line in the sand.” going astray and going down a path interested in coming to some resolu- distrust issue.” that may lead to crime, drug addic- tion. And you know what? Everyone Chief Dacus said he’s come to under- Lisa Gensheimer is a documentary tion, or incarceration, that’s our goal, including the chief is coming back.” stand there is confusion over what producer and writer who lives in to get them on a better path.” Atkinson said the issue that brings kind of force police are allowed to use North East. She can be contacted Dacus said the Police Athletic League him the most angst and frustration is in certain circumstances. The law, he at [email protected].

20 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 Darkness turns to light

A service of fire, candlelight, incense, sacred story, song and new life

THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER Saturday, April 15 at 8:02 pm Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul 134 W. 7th Street • Erie cathedralofstpaul.org Sponsored by Cathedral of St. Paul and Erie area Episcopal and Lutheran Churches Featuring the music of Harry T. Burleigh “Rustbelt New Americans” Photo exhibit on display Reception following • Nursery care

WRITING INTERNSHIP CONTACT NICK WARREN [email protected] PLEASE INCLUDE ppy RESUME & SAMPLES

WednesdayHour - Friday • 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Live Music Event with Zack Orr Tuesday, April 4th - 5 to 8 p.m.

Dinner Lunch Tuesday - Thursday Like us on Monday - Saturday 5 to 9 p.m. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday & Saturday 5 to 10 p.m. 18 North Park Row Erie, PA • (814) 616-8578

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 21 Disney Favorites | April 1 Mac n’ Cheese 2.0 | April 2 ‘Organ’ Symphony | April 8 Warner Theatre @ 8pm Concourse of Union Station @ 1pm Warner Theatre @ 8pm Including exciting selections from Erie’s only mac n’ cheese tasting 160 singers, 80 musicians, 1 organ Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, competition returns. Tickets $15 in & an unforgettable evening of music. Aladdin and more! advance, $20 at the door. Tickets start at only $20! Join us for the perfect season finale week! eriephil.org/seasonfinale | 455.1375

$ $ 3/29 • 7pm 4/5• 6pm 4/12 • 7pm 4/19 • 6pm • 10 4/26 • 6pm • 10 5/3 • 7pm 5/10 • 7pm 5/17 • 7pm 5/24 • 7pm

NATIONAL BIRD (2016) THE BUREAU SHORT DAVID LYNCH: TWIN PEAKS: FIRE INVISIBLE HAND (2016) LOVESONG (2017) BUSTER’S JACKIE (2016) TBA (2017) With Panel Discussion FILM COLLECTION THE ART OF LIFE (2017) WALK WITH ME(1992) Directors in Attendance Neglected by her MAL HEART (2017) Sponsored by: Hosted by: Ben Speegen, Sponsored by: husband, Sarah embarks Peter and Charlene Correa Jay Breneman & Josh Fedor With Leah Meyerhoff With 2017 Short Screenplay With filmmaker Skype Q&A Skype Q&A Infusing his own Competition Winner Al & Peggy Richardson on an impromptu road Stay Updated! Visit: trip with her young This documentary Sponsored by: art, music and with Live Stage Reading Following the daughter and her Rami Malek follows the dramatic Grant Larson Productions early films, this Free market forces have assassination of documentary A young FBI agent recently manifested best friend, Mindy. (Emmy-nominee, filmsocietynwpa.org journey of three A block of short Along the way, the President John F. shines a light into disappears while as ‘fracking’ in “Mr. Robot”) stars whistleblowers who films from an Pennsylvania - a high dynamic between the as Jonah, a troubled Kennedy, First Lady the dark corners investigating a two friends intensifies Facebook: are determined to audience-supported risk method to extract man on the run from Jacqueline Kennedy break the silence of his unique murder miles from natural gas - that before circumstances @FILMErieArtMuseum studio that funds Twin Peaks that may force them apart. Years fate. Malek exposes fights through around one of the world, giving state and federal the depths of Jonah’s grief and trauma and premieres be related to the governments support. later, Sarah attempts to most controversial new work monthly audiences a better rebuild their intimate soul in this smart to regain her understanding future murder of But communities hell current affairs issues by independent bent on protecting connection in the thriller, peppered faith, console her of our time: the of the man and Laura Palmer; the their rights are fighting days before Mindy’s with dark humor filmmakers. last week of the life wedding. children, and define secret U.S. the artist. back against state and and laden with her husband’s drone war. of Laura Palmer is corporate take over; interlocking mystery. chronicled. some with success. historic legacy. The cure for mediocre cinema filmsocietynwpa.org

22 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 Spotlight on Erie March 29 – April 11, 2017

Thursday, April 6 Thursday, April 6 exercise, a plant/legume-based diet, The rejuvenated Luda comes to the and the social aspects of family and Junker Center ready for y’all to “Stand Mercyhurst Prep Life, Longevity, and Legumes community are just a few of the com- Up.” Performs Mary Poppins mon ingredients to foster a Blue Zone. So clear your calendar and/or tell After years of careful research, we can your other obligations to “move, get now know some of the more elusive out the way.” Unless they can do it components to a prolonged, healthy at the Ludacris concert – because life. – Nick Warren you know it’ll be sold out. – Matt Swanseger 7 p.m. // Jefferson Educational Society, 8 to 11 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.) // 3207 State St. // jeserie.org or 459.8000 Junker Center (take Jordan Rd. to Sta- tion Rd.) // behrend.psu.edu/concert Friday, April 7 // $25 (Behrend students), $35 (public), Ludacris Shows Behrend $40 (at the door) Some Southern Hospitality re there secrets to a long, vibrant Friday, April 7 Alife? Tony Buettner has some in- formation on that. Buettner will detail Heralding the Yellowstone the knowledge we can gather from Apocalypse “Blue Zones” when he speaks at the Jefferson Educational Society. Stem- t’s supercalifragilisticexpialido- ming from observations regarding “Icious!” a particular region in Sardinia, Italy, And “super” is just the feedback that longevity experts began to identify Mercyhurst Preparatory School’s different factors that caused residents (MPS) Performing Arts Department to live much longer than average. Not- will want to hear following its produc- ed for its record concentration of cen- tion of Mary Poppins. tenarians, this community sparked research that pinpointed four other n case you haven’t received the news Students in the program will per- via Word of Mouf, multi-platinum form the beloved musical four times hotspots of longevity. Unique settings I in Okinawa, Japan, the Nicoya Pen- recording artist Ludacris is Back for at the MPS Performing Arts Center the First Time as Penn State Behrend’s from Thursday, April 6 to Sunday, insula of Costa Rica, Icaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California became spring concert headliner. April 9, which leaves few excuses to Luda (born Christopher Bridges) miss the show. the framework for this remarkable work. Residents with exceptionally rolled out of the Atlanta scene at the “Mary Poppins is a great choice to race yourself for a heavy dose of long lifespans were mapped with blue turn of the millennium and was a inaugurate some of the new technol- grooves. Yellowstone Apocalypse circles, and clusters of them became moneymaker for the Def Jam South B ogy and features in our new PAC,” said is coming and they know how to get a known as Blue Zones. imprint from the start, with his in- Arthur Martone, MPS performing arts augural single “What’s Your Fanta- stage rumbling. Though the band has chairman and director of the show. sy?” quickly ascending the charts. only two members, they pack enough More than 68 cast members and 35 power for ensembles triple their size. Stemming from observations The “Dirty South” movement would orchestra members have been prepar- come to dominate the landscape of The Cleveland duo plays a powerful ing since January. Students Maia Ma- regarding a particular region early-’00s hip-hop, with Luda at the blend of stoner-rock-inspired doom gerle (Mary Poppins) and Gabe Galla- in Sardinia, Italy, longevity vanguard. With masterful flow and metal. Comprised of guitarist Mike gher (Burt) will actually fly across the experts began to identify humorous, often tongue-in-cheek Sopko and drummer Joe Tomino, the stage during the performance. different factors that caused treatment of stereotypical hip-hop band is well rounded and experienced. The musical will feature songs like “A In 2015, Sopko released a collaboration residents to live much longer subject matter (cars, money, women), Spoonful of Sugar,” “Chim Chim Cher- Luda’s wit and charisma endeared with child prodigy and former Mars Ee,” “Jolly Holiday,” and “Let’s Go Fly than average. him to an entire generation of fans. Volta drummer Thomas Pridgen, a Kite.” Just as when you watch the His career has yielded eight albums along with legendary bassist Bill Las- movie, you’ll likely find yourself sing- well (who produced records for Iggy The term begat the company, which (five platinum, two gold) and appear- ing or humming these catchy tunes Pop, Motörhead, and Herbie Hancock) was founded by Tony’s brother, Na- ances on 88 singles (51 as the featured long after the show is over. Fortunate- fittingly titled Sopko-Laswell-Pridgen. tional Geographic fellow and bestsell- artist) – 35 of those have charted in ly, since there are multiple showings, Tomino also serves as the drummer ing author Dan Buettner. Today, Tony the Top 40. you can come back to get your fix. for Dub Trio, who recorded and toured serves as national speaker and senior His most recent album, Ludaversal Though information is available on- with Mike Patton for his Peeping Tom vice president of business develop- (2015), ended a five-year drought be- line, the tickets for this production project. Since 2011, Dub Trio has been ment at Blue Zones, LLC. Buettner tween records and heavy involvement will be sold at the door. – Tracy Geibel the backing band for Matisyahu; in has been a featured speaker at the in Hollywood, particularly with the fact, Tomino’s appearance in Erie actu- 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Aspen Institute and the Estes Park Fast and the Furious franchise as Tej ally comes sandwiched between gigs on Sunday // Mercyhurst Prep Performing Institute, and has nearly 80 speaking Parker. Critics hailed it as a return to with that artist. Arts Center, 538 East Grandview Blvd. engagements per year. He encourages form after pressing on 2010’s Battle of Yellowstone Apocalypse is a relative- // $10 adult, $7 senior, $5 student // activities that develop beneficial life- the Sexes, looser without losing lyrical ly new venture. After spending years mpslakers.com/inside-mps long habits. Factors such as regular punch (or his patented punchlines).

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 23 CALENDAR in the San Francisco area, Sopko relo- “Classics in the Evening” at 7:15 p.m. in Now in its 10th year, the festival has cated to Cleveland. Teaming up with the First Niagara community room. – certainly earned its designation as Tomino, the two formed the band, Tracy Geibel Erie’s Original Craft Beer Fest, and it cementing a sound that’s arguably offers plenty of opportunity for pa- heavier than most of their previous 8 to 10 p.m. // Warner Theatre, 811 State trons to get their sample on. The VIP work, in a style similar to the instru- St. // $10 to $52 // 455.1375 // eriephil.org session kicks off at 12:15 p.m. and runs mental work of bands like Sunn O))) until 4 p.m. Sampling session 1 begins Saturday, April 8 and Pelican. There’s a palpable, viscer- at 1 p.m. and continues until 4 p.m., al energy oozing from these thunder- Celebrating Local while session 2 runs from 5 to 8 p.m. In ous notes, one that is able to envelop Microbreweries for 10 addition to entering the Micro Brew listeners, transporting them to a dis- Fest 45 minutes early, VIP guests will tant land of sonorous bliss. – Nick meant to be played on the organ. El- Consecutive Years also receive a free souvenir glass to Warren gar’s version, however, adds to the mu- take home. All those aiming to learn sic, bringing in other instrumentation. more about locally-produced beers 9 p.m. // Darcy’s Pub & Grub, 3746 W. 12th Then the Erie Philharmonic Chorus might want to bring a notebook. This St. // Free // 21+ // facebook.com (directed by Gabrielle Dietrich) will year, there will be 30 microbrewer- take the stage with the Slippery Rock ies present including the aforemen- Saturday, April 8 University Combined Choirs (direct- tioned, plus Southern Tier Brewing Erie Philharmonic Ends ed by Stephen Barr) and two soloists Company, Straub Brewery, Victory from the Pittsburgh Opera to perform Its Season with an Brewing Company, Robin Hood Brew- Dona Nobis Pacem. This title of this ing Company, Five & 20 Spirits and Organ Symphony piece, written by Vaughan Williams, Brewing, Rusty Rail Brewing, and he Erie Philharmonic hopes to end means “grant us peace.” many more. Ton a good note. The final performance of the night xcellent craft beer and Erie have Not up for drinking? The festival Conductor Daniel Meyer and the and the season will be Camille Saint- Ebecome synonymous, particularly welcomes designated drivers to rein rest of the Erie Philharmonic Orches- Saëns’ Symphony No. 3, also known as with the opening of so many small, in their thirsty friends, but also to ex- tra will wrap up their 2016-17 season the Organ Symphony, which unsur- local breweries. Whether you’re a La- perience the atmosphere and learn. with the Organ Symphony on Satur- prisingly features the organ amongst very fan, always at Millcreek Brew- Tickets are available at a discount for day, April 8, intending to “leave the other instruments. It was well re- ing Company, or have a taste for Erie those getting behind the wheel. Be- Warner Theatre shaking.” ceived in the 1800s in London where it Ale Works, local beer is diverse and cause responsibility is key, y’all. – Mir- The evening begins with a transcrip- was first performed, and the Erie Phil- appeals to many tastes. And the ide- iam Lamey tion of Bach’s Fantasia and Fugue in harmonic believes that Saint-Saëns’ al way to learn more about regional 12:45, 1, or 5 p.m. // The Brewerie at Union C minor. More specifically, the Erie timeless piece is just the way to end brewmasters and microbrews is to Station, 123 W. 14th St. // 454.2200 // Philharmonic has chosen to perform its season. head over to the Erie Micro Brew Fest wqln.org/Auctions-Events/Erie-Micro- English composer Edward Elgar’s As he does before every concert, on April 8 at the Brewerie at Union Brew-Fest recreation of Bach’s work, which was Brian Hannah will host a talk called Station.

St. facebook.com/ Mary D’Angelo Performing Apr. 7 — 8 to 11 p.m. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 MUSIC sherlocksparkplace. Arts Center, 501 E. 38th St. Penn State Behrend Junker E. Front St. gemcitybands.org. FOOD & DRINK miac.mercyhurst.edu. Jenny Oaks Baker Julio Quezada and Friends Center, 4701 Behrend College SAS Acoustics featuring Three B’s & Chill Dr. behrend.psu.edu. Mar. 31 — noon to 1 p.m. Apr. 1 — 6 to 9 p.m. Roche Guest Artist Kayti Stadler Mar. 31 — 9 p.m. to midnight Series: Music Therapist WQLN Radio, 8425 Anchor In at Oasis Pub, 3122 Earphorik Apr. 12 — 6 to 9 p.m. Three B Saloon, 732 W. 4th St. Dr. Deforia Lane Peach St. wqln.org. W. Lake Rd. jazzerie.com. Apr. 7 — 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Colony Pub and Grille, facebook.com/ThreeBSaloon. Apr. 3 — 8 p.m. 2670 W. 8th St. facebook. SAS Acoustics featuring Disney Favorites Kings Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. Maple Festival Walker Recital Hall, 501 E. facebook.com/kingsrookclub. com/SASAcousticDuo. Kayti Stadler Apr. 1 — 8 to 10 p.m. 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. Apr. 1, 2 — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gem City Revival Mar. 31 — 5 to 7 p.m. Warner Theatre, 811 The ‘Organ’ Symphony Asbury Woods Nature Roche Guest Artist Series: Presque Isle Downs, 8199 State St. eriephil.org. Apr. 8 — 8 to 10 p.m. Apr. 12 — 6 to 9 p.m. Center, 4105 Asbury Rd. Gerald Lee, Piano Perry Hwy. facebook. Warner Theatre, 811 The Back Deck, 4646 Buffalo Rd. asburywoods.org. com/SASAcousticDuo. Mosaic Foundation Apr. 5 — 8 p.m. facebook.com/gemcityrevival. State St. eriephil.org. Wine On The Lake Apr. 1 — 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Walker Recital Hall, 501 E. Spring Punk Party Palooza Kings Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. Bravura, The Apocalyptic DANCE Apr. 1 — noon to 4 p.m. & 1 to 4 Mar. 31 — 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Fist or Black Death, p.m. & 5 to 9 p.m. & 6 to 9 p.m. facebook.com/kingsrookclub. Champions of Dance Basement Transmissions, 145 Lunchtime Concert Series: Amavasya, Sun & Flesh Bayfront Convention W. 11th St. facebook.com/pg/ Doug Phillips Dr. Meghan DeWald and Ford the River Apr. 2 Center, 1 Sassafras Pier wineonthelake.com. basement.transmissions. Apr. 2 — 1 to 4 p.m. Apr. 7 — 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Apr. 8 — 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier erieevents.com. HelioTrio Arundel Cellars, 11727 E. Main Dr. William P. Alexander Bobbys Place, 1202 W. St. Peak’s Day Irish Rd. arundelcellars.com. Music Center at Edinboro 18th St. facebook.com/ And if Not Now, When Beer & Whiskey Party Mar. 31 — 6 to 9 p.m. University, 110 Kiltie Rd. gimpguyunderground. Apr. 1 — 5 to 9 p.m. Anchor In at Oasis Pub, 3122 Gem City Jazz Ensemble events.edinboro.edu. Apr. 7, 8 — 8 p.m. W. Lake Rd. jazzerie.com. Apr. 2 — 2 to 3:30 p.m. Big Mean Sound Dafmark, 1033 State Peek’n Peak, 1405 Olde Riverside Music Festival Machine, Galactic Duo, St. dafmark.org. Rd. pknpk.com. The Breeze Band Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. Front St. jazzerie.com. Apr. 7 — 4:15 p.m. & Apr. 8 — and Weazildust Mar. 31 — 9 p.m. 11:15 a.m. & Apr. 9 — 11:45 a.m. Lake Erie National Cheer Breakfast with the Apr. 8 — 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Dance Championships Easter Bunny Presque Isle Downs, 8199 Perry Concert Band of Riverside Inn, 1 Fountain Northwest Pennsylvania Ave. theriversideinn.com. Kings Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. Apr. 9 Apr. 2, 9 — 10 a.m. to noon Hwy. presqueisledowns.com. facebook.com/kingsrookclub. Spring Concert Experience Children’s Primal Scream Therapy, Erie Insurance Arena, 809 The Wildeyes and Apr. 2 — 3 to 4:30 p.m. Acoustic Jukebox French St. erieevents.com. Museum, 420 French St. Acoustic Earle Awake At Last, Of eriechildrensmuseum.org. Louis C. Cole Auditorium in Apr. 9 — 1 to 4 p.m. Mar. 31 — 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Shadows, Vanity Cultural Series: A Memorial Hall at Edinboro Strikes, and More Arundel Cellars, 11727 E. Main Little Bit of This and Mac n’ Cheese 2.0 Kings Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. University, 205 Meadville Rd. arundelcellars.com. Apr. 2 — 1 to 4 p.m. facebook.com/kingsrookclub. St. events.edinboro.edu. Apr. 7 — 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. a Little Bit of That Basement Transmissions, 145 Gem City Jazz Ensemble Apr. 9 — 2 p.m. Concourse of Union Station, Vulgar Display of Pantera D’Angelo Department of W. 11th St. facebook.com/pg/ Spring Concert Mercyhurst North East 121 W. 14th St. eriephil.org. Mar. 31 — 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Music: Concert Choir basement.transmissions. Apr. 9 — 2 to 3 p.m. Ridge Library Great Room, Erie Food Tours Sherlocks, 508 State Apr. 2 — 4 p.m. 16 W. Division St. northeast. Ludacris Concert H.O. Hirt Auditorium in the mercyhurst.edu. Apr. 8, 22 & May 13, 27

24 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 A church of miracles. FUN FOR THE It's Jesus' church. WHOLE PACK! It can be your church, too. Double-A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Come and see.

THURSDAY, APRIL 6 3126 State Street, Erie, PA 16508 vs. TRENTON THUNDER Phone: 814-476-7519 PRESENTED BY Sundays 9:45am Sunday School Sundays Opening Day Bash: 4-6 PM 9:45am Sunday School Game Time: 6:35 PM 11am Worship Service Wednesdays Get tickets at seawolves.com for 6pm Bible Study MONDAY, APRIL 10

vs. BOWIE BAYSOX Topics Included: Sponsored By T Tiny Homes as an Affordable Housing Option The Erie County Human Relations Commission Game Time: 6:35 PM T Updates on PHARE and other Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Products TH T How Tenant Income Relates to Rent Approval for Section 8 11 ANNUAL Enjoy Smith’s hot dogs, 12 oz. Pepsi, select 12 oz. domestic draft beers T Transgender Discrimination in Housing T Energy Efficiency & Green Building Opportunities in FAIR HOUSING SEMINAR Affordable Housing and popcorn for just $1.00 each thanks to Budweiser & Rocket 101. T Creating Win-Win Partneships with Landlords T State of Solar in NW Pennsylvania JOIN US TUESDAY T Criminal History & Expungements 101 CALL T SDHP—Introduction to Services April 25, 2017 9:00am to 4:00pm (814) Participants: 456-1300 (Registration 8:15am) T Joseph Aguglia, Esq., ECHRC T Carla Falkenstein, PHFA Charge – $10 T Rev. Faith Folwer, Cass Community Social Services (include continental breakfast/lunch) T Gale Schwartz, Housing Alliance of PA T Robert Catalde, Erie County Clerk of Courts T Kevin Huwe, Self-Help Determination Project BLASCO LIBRARY T Darrin Kinnader, Housing Authority City of Erie T Amy Clabbatz, Erie County Housing Authority HIRT AUDITORIUM T Guy McUmber, Green Building Alliance T John Purvis, Solar Revolution

RSVP for an Interpreter or other Accommodation by April 20, 2017 Pre-Register by emailing [email protected] Or by phone at (814) 451-7021 | Fax (814) 451-7066 Dietary Restrictions? please let us know For more information: www.eriecountypa.gov/HRC

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 25 Album Release Party at R

ate pri oor pen at H H R

**NO COVER FOR MEMBERS EXCEPT SPECIAL EVENTS** k THURS 03/30 s Roo PAINT & ROCK King FRI 03/31 THE WILDEYES Club + ACOUSTIC EARLE FRI SAT 04/01 MOSAIC FOUNDATION **APR 08 FRI 04/07 EARPHORIK SAT 04/08 BIG MEAN SOUND MACHINE BIG MEAN SOUND MACHINE +GALACTIC DUO + GALACTIC DUO UPSTAIRS LOUNGE WEAZILDUST [DOWNSTAIRS] WEAZILDUST [UPSTAIRS] SAT THURS 04/13 **APR PAINT & ROCK 29 FRI 04/14 GOOSE AQUEOUS SAT 04/15 THIS AMERICAN SONG UPSTAIRS LOUNGE ZACK ORR + REBEL SOULS + PAOLELLO & GONE FRI 04/21 D OORS 8PM | MUSIC 10PM MATTY MISTER F B’S SAT 04/22 BIG CITY EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT! HANGOVER & THE ICECREAM Grab your gear and get here! • 10PM SOCIALIST No Cover • Drink Specials • Open 8 PM [Sign up before 10 PM & rst drink is on us] best **NO COVER FOR MEMBERS EXCEPT SPECIAL EVENTS** oF Music at 10pm•Fri & Sat Happy Hour Specials: $2 Wells & www.tecro.cc select beers 8pm-12am•Free pool, shuffleboard & games always!!!•1921 Peach St. • Members & guests only 2015 t t rie Find us on Facebook : www.facebook.com/kingsrookclub

26 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 CALENDAR

Saturday, April 8 ever write set lists and we call all our Tuesday, April 11 most dynamic and sophisticated oral songs on stage,” they say, “there’s no historian,” while Newsweek called Big Mean Sound Machine specific song we look forward to play- Mercyhurst University Brings her “The most exciting individual in and Galactic Duo Promise ing any more than any other.” How- Anna Deavere Smith to Erie American theater.” an Energetic Gig ever, attendees can anticipate a joyful In Reclaiming Grace, Smith will dis- atmosphere at the Rook: “We are most cuss the power of kindness, imagina- interested in all of our music having a tion, and hope. She will deliver several spirit of positivity and being uplifting monologues in which she acts as peo- to our audience.” ple who displayed extreme grace and Galactic Duo, meanwhile, is com- compassion to overcome the obsta- prised of Tony Grey (bass/keys/vo- cles they encountered and ultimately cals/composition) and Ian Maciak transcend their challenges. (drums), and they’ll bring a similar Smith is probably best known for her chill vibe to the gig. The two are “look- plays Fires in the Mirror and Twilight: ing forward to tapping into the energy Los Angeles, which was nominated for thaca-based Big Mean Sound Ma- of the room and creating an improvi- a Tony Award. Notes from the Field: Ichine will be returning to Kings sational exchange that’s exhilarating Doing Time in Education, one of her Rook Club on April 8, with special for both the audience and musicians.” most recent works, looks into how guests Galactic Duo. Big Mean bring For those new to Galactic Duo, they school suspension can lead to further their larger-than-life presence and Af- suggest starting out with “Say What trouble, and in Let Me Down Easy, she n Tuesday, April 11, Mercyhurst ro-funk style that must be heard to be You Mean,” as the track best high- dived into the complex and dubious University is presenting Anna defined. lights the band, itself. It’s “a track that O topic of healthcare to share her find- Deavere Smith’s one-woman show at “It’s truly a challenge to describe taps into the concept of superficiality, ings with audiences. the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts our sound in words, or to try to pick where people move through their day She has received the 2013 Dorothy Center. a single tune that exemplifies it,” the on autopilot due to societal condition- and Lillian Gish Prize, the National Known for her unique performanc- band explains. However, they offer ing, which becomes the stereotypical Humanities Medal, and a MacArthur es that discuss meaningful topics like the track “Seeing The Bigger Picture” norm.” Foundation “Genius” Grant. race and social inequality through as a good start. This is also the sin- Stick around for the afterparty The show is expected to sell out, so one-woman plays based on real in- gle for the band’s upcoming album upstairs hosted by Weazildust (aka purchase tickets soon. – Tracy Geibel terviews, Smith will be performing Runnin’ for the Ghost, which, coin- Packy Lunn from Jimkata) to keep Reclaiming Grace in the Face of Adver- cidentally, drops the day before this the night going … and going. – Miriam 7:30 p.m. // Mary D’Angelo Performing sity. gig. Even though potential attendees Lamey Arts Center at Mercyhurst University, 501 can do their sonic research, the show The New York Times described E. 38th St. // $15 adults, $10 seniors and will still be a surprise. “Since we rarely 10 p.m. // Kings Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. Smith as “the American theater’s students, $5 12 and under // 824.3000 // // 456.6439 miac.mercyhurst.edu

— 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mar. 30 — 8:30 to 10 p.m. Art of Life Tin Plated Dreams: Apr. 9 — 2 to 4 p.m. The Glorious Ones Like My Thai, 827 State Edinboro University Apr. 12 — 7 p.m. Sculptures by Erie Art Museum, 411 State Apr. 2 — 7:30 p.m. St. eriefoodtours.com. Pogue Student Center, 405 Erie Art Museum, 411 State William Brady, Jr. St. erieartmuseum.org. Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10 Scotland Rd. facebook.com/ St. erieartmuseum.org. Ongoing through St. erieplayhouse.org. Erie Micro Brew Festival pg/edinborofilmseries. January 7, 2018 THEATRE Apr. 8 — 12:15 to 4 p.m. & Erie Art Museum, 411 State Don’t Dress for Dinner 1 to 4 p.m. & 5 to 8 p.m. Chasing Water and VISUAL ARTS Sesame Street Live St. erieartmuseum.org. Apr. 5, 19 & May 2, 3 — The Brewerie at Union Station, Brilliant Darkness Sophomore Review “Make a New Friend” noon & Apr. 7 — 7 p.m. & 123 W. 14th St. wqln.org. Mar. 31 — 7 p.m. Ongoing through Mar. 31 Senior Art Thesis Mar. 29 — 10:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Apr. 8, 22, 29 — 5:30 p.m. & Apr. 23, 30 — 2:30 p.m. Edinboro University Exhibition Warner Theatre, 811 State Awards Banquet Mercyhurst University Pogue Student Center, 405 Cummings Gallery, 501 E. 38th Apr. 3 through May 5 St. erieevents.com. Station Dinner Theatre, 4940 Apr. 8 — 5:30 to 10 p.m. Scotland Rd. foundationfor St. miac.mercyhurst.edu. (Reception Apr. 8 — 2 to 4 p.m.) Peach St. canterburyfeast.com. sustainable forests.org. Cultural Series: A St. James Place, 2622 Mercyhurst University Mary Poppins Buffalo Rd. facebook.com/ Annual Gmitter Comedy Tonight Ed Wood Double Feature: Cummings Gallery, 501 E. 38th lakeshorerailwaymuseum. Scholarship Exhibition St. miac.mercyhurst.edu. Mar. 30, 31 & Apr. 1 — 7 p.m. Apr. 6, 7, 8 — 7 p.m. & Bride of the Monster and Apr. 9 — 2 p.m. Ongoing through Apr. 1 Mercyhurst North East Alex Night of the Ghouls Annual Student Show Mercyhurst Preparatory FILM Bruce Gallery in Doucette Theatre, 16 W. Division St. Mar. 31 — 8 to 10 p.m. Juried by John Vanco northeast.mercyhurst.edu. School, 538 E. Grandview Extreme Weather Hall, 215 Meadville St. Blvd. mpslakers.com. Erie Movie House, 3424 brucegallery.info. Apr. 4 through Apr. 16 Ongoing — 11 a.m. & 1 & 3 p.m. (Opening Reception Women of Word W. Lake Rd. facebook. The Miss Firecracker Tom Ridge Environmental com/ErieMovieHouse. Sergei Isupov: and Awards Apr. 4 — Mar. 30 — 6 p.m. 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.) Contest Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. Hidden Messages Diebold Center for the The Bureau of Allegheny College Doane Apr. 6, 7, 8 — 7:30 p.m. biggreenscreen.com. Ongoing through Apr. 2 Performing Arts at Edinboro Hall of Art, 520 N. Main & Apr. 8, 9 — 2 p.m. Creative Works University, 217 Meadville Lewis & Clark: Great Erie Art Museum, 411 State St. allegheny.edu. Apr. 5 — 7 p.m. St. events.edinboro.edu. Mercyhurst University Journey West St. erieartmuseum.org. Taylor Little Theatre, 501 E. Erie Art Museum, 411 State Adjusting the Ballast: The Ongoing — noon & 4 p.m. Noises Off 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. St. erieartmuseum.org. Nathan Sulecki work of Michael Radar Tom Ridge Environmental Photographs Mar. 30, 31 & Apr. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 — Anna Deavere Smith: Passengers Apr. 5 through Apr. 22 7:30 p.m. & Apr. 2, 9 — 2 p.m. Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. Ongoing through Apr. 18 Reclaiming Grace in Bruce Gallery in Doucette biggreenscreen.com. Apr. 5 — 8 to 10 p.m. Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10 the Face of Adversity Glass Growers Gallery, 10 E. 5th Hall, 215 Meadville St. St. erieplayhouse.org. Prehistoric Planet Edinboro University St. glassgrowersgallery.com. brucegallery.info. Apr. 11 — 7:30 p.m. Frank G. Pogue Student The Middle Ages Ongoing — 2 & 5 p.m. Center, 405 Scotland Rd. Earth Stories Mary D’Angelo Performing Barber National Mar. 31 & Apr. 1 — 7:30 to 10 Arts Center, 501 E. 38th St. Tom Ridge Environmental events.edinboro.edu. Ongoing through June 11 Institute Art Show Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. p.m. & Apr. 2 — 3 to 5:30 p.m. miac.mercyhurst.edu. biggreenscreen.com. Big Trouble in Little Erie Art Museum, 411 State Apr. 7 — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. & All an Act Theatre, 652 W. Apr. 8, 9 — noon to 3 p.m. China (1986) St. erieartmuseum.org. 17th St. allanact.net. COMMUNITY National Bird & Apr. 10 — 1 to 6 p.m. Apr. 7 — 8 to 10 p.m. Photographs by Tai Chi Mar. 29 — 7 p.m. Barber National Institute, Constellations Erie Movie House, 3424 Gary Cardot 100 Barber Place Mar. 29 & Apr. 3, 5 — Erie Art Museum, 411 State Mar. 31 & Apr. 1, 7, 8 — 8 p.m. W. Lake Rd. facebook. Ongoing through June 24 barberinstitute.org. 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. St. erieartmuseum.org. Dramashop on 2nd Floor com/ErieMovieHouse. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Erie Art Museum, 411 State of Renaissance Centre, 1001 Second Sundays St. lifeworkserie.org. Phantom of the Paradise David Lynch: The St. erieartmuseum.org. State St. dramashop.org.

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 27 CALENDAR The Dangerous Curves of Women of Word Celebrating seven years of hard-hitting poetry

WoW. “For example,” she adds, “Mat- thew Borzon has a book of poetry com- pletely about PTSD. Darryl Brown sat and listened to him, and wrote the per- fect poem to join them together. Borzon got chills when he heard Brown slide it into their conversation.” Also on the program is Luchetta Cook- ie Manus addressing homelessness. She and Thasia will join Marjorie Won- ner in a piece about STEM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), which is a fresh and compelling topic. omen of Word, now in its seventh As always, WoW brings in unusual el- Wyear, is not for the faint of heart. ements to keep things new. This year, The poetry event, at Edinboro’s Die- expect an expanded interpretive dance bold Center for the Performing Arts on component and original folk music. March 30, focuses, by choice, on some “Last year, dancer Sukanya Burman of the most unsettling topics of our day. watched from the audience and asked Expect original poetry about suicide, to participate,” says Thasia. Burman will post-traumatic stress disorder, mental be joining Sarah Foster, back from last illness, domestic violence, homeless- year. Jack Wonner will open the show ness, and more. The event is not exclu- with folk originals and is throwing in sive to female poets; male writers will some limericks, as well. also add their voices to the evening. In all, WoW delivers a distinctive and As you may recall, WoW differs in that interesting way of experiencing poet- poems are not read individually but are ry. Besides the novel delivery, you can paired thematically, creating poetic continue the conversation afterward conversations with unexpected twists and pick up a chapbook by the poets. and turns, resulting in surprising mo- If nothing else, go for the poetry about ments of clarity or counterpoint. STEM curriculum. – Mary Birdsong “Audiences have been blown away for the past six years by the two-poem con- 6 p.m. // 219 Meadville St., Edinboro versational format,” says Thasia Anne, // Free admission // Meet and who created, directs, and produces greet after the performance

Five Wishes Advance Lifting Class & May 4 — 6:30 to 8 p.m. Directive Planning: Part 2 Mar. 30 & Apr. 6 — 9:30 a.m. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Mar. 29 — 1 p.m. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach St. lifeworkserie.org. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach St. lifeworkserie.org. Harland Williams St. lifeworkserie.org. Digital Media Festival Mar. 30 — 7 p.m. & Mar. 31 & Apr. 1 — 6:45 & 9:30 p.m. Qi Gong: Wellness Mar. 30, 31 — 12:15 to 9 p.m. Jr’s Last Laugh Comedy Club, Wednesdays Penn State Behrend, 4701 1402 State St. jrslastlaugh.net. Mar. 29 — 1 to 2 p.m. College Dr. sites.psu. Lincoln Community Center, 1255 edu/behrendarts. Literary Festival: Eibhear Manchester Rd. erielibrary.org. Library Explorers Walshe Reading Qi Gong Workshop Mar. 30 — 4 to 4:45 p.m. Mar. 30 — 8 p.m. Apr. 6, 20 — 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Children’s Storytime Room at Mercyhurst University Blasco Memorial Library, 160 Taylor Little Theatre, 501 E. Children’s Storytime Room in 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. the Blasco Memorial Library, E. Front St. erielibrary.org. 160 E. Front St. erielibrary.org. Therapeutic Yoga Paint and Rock Oriental Painting Mar. 30 — 4 to 5:15 p.m. Mar. 30 — 8 to 10 p.m. Mar. 29 & Apr. 5, 12, LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Kings Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. 19 — 5 to 7 p.m. St. lifeworkserie.org. facebook.com/kingsrookclub. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Day in Intelligence Studies St. lifeworkserie.org. New Horizons Music Project: Strings and Folk Mar. 31 — 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Who Needs a Will? Mar. 30 & Apr. 6 — 4 to 6 p.m. Mercyhurst University, 501 E. 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. Mar. 29 — 7 p.m. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Room 219 at Blasco St. lifeworkserie.org. Tai Chi Memorial Library, 160 E. Front St. erielibrary.org. Music of the World, A Mar. 31 & Apr. 7 — 9:30 Creative Arts Residency to 10:15 a.m. Cardio Fit and Weight Mar. 30 & Apr. 6, 13, 20, 27 Regency At South Shore,

28 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 CALENDAR Now is the Time For Compassion Dafmark Dance Theater creates another artistic pearl Jo Alspaugh (left), hearts, inner beauty, unending Langman Cisek who will be cre- more importantly, an opportu- Megan Sabatini, time, pain, and courage. ating a visual work of art during nity to participate in an artistic Andona Zacks-Jordan, Dafna’s choreography is her the performance that will be re- conversation about humanity and Jennifer Dennehy interpretation of, but also her vealed at the conclusion. and introspection. will be joined by Scott Heinrich for Dafmark’s response to, each of the songs. The work will be presented on According to Jean-Marc, presentation of And If She hears and sees our mutual Friday and Saturday evenings, this is an experience not to be Not Now, When. need for each other, dialogue in- with Friday’s performance fol- missed. “From the music to the cluding aggression, a mother’s lowed by a wine, cheese, and visuals, I am taken each time ers and the dynamic experience, our journey through into a space of awe and exalta- tion, with my feelings amplified choreography of Daf- loss and hope, freedom, and “At a time when na Rathouse-Baier wisdom. “At a time when com- after each viewing. If people compassion is less and in what co-director passion is less and less a social don’t know Dafmark Dance The- Jean-Marc Baier says reality, I would hope that the less a social reality, I ater, this is the production that SCOTT MCGRATH SCOTT is “one of the most viewer and listener will identify would hope that the reveals an artistic pearl in our powerful evenings with the simplicity of what is viewer and listener midst.” n what promises to be a pow- ever created by Dafna.” most dangerous in us: indiffer- will identify with the In these times, pearls of wis- Ierful and stirring performance, “Compassion” is based on a ence.” simplicity of what is dom, peace, and hope might be Dafmark premieres And If collection of ancient Hebrew Company dancers are Jo Al- most dangerous in us: just what we need. – Mary Bird- Not Now, When on April 7. De- and Arabic poems, proverbs, spaugh, Jennifer Dennehy, indifference.” song signed around the seven-part and songs; each of the seven Megan Sabatini, and Andona song cycle “Compassion” by segments in the work has a dif- Zacks-Jordan. Guest danc- 8 p.m. both evenings // Dafmark Nigel Westlake and Lior, And ferent theme and tone, includ- er Scott Heinrich joins in the dessert reception. Either should Dance Theater, 1033 State St. If brings together six perform- ing wisdom, peace, hardened presentation, as does Marsha be a memorable night out, but // 454.3993 // dafmark.org

322 Washington Place Film and Fun: Apr. 3, 4 — 6 p.m. St. lifeworkserie.org. Presque Isle After Dark: Apr. 8 —- 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. lifeworkserie.org. Extreme Weather Long Pond Trail Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall, “What The Hell is Bayfront Convention Center, 1 1158 E. 12th St. erieplayhouse.org. Sassafras Pier erieevents.com. Travel to Israel Apr. 1 — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Going On?” Apr. 7 — 7 to 8 p.m. Mar. 31 — 1 p.m. Tom Ridge Environmental Fit for Life Fitness Class Apr. 6 — 4:30 p.m. East Pier Parking Lot in Presque Paintology at the Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. Isle State Park, 301 Peninsula Isle House LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach events.dcnr.pa.gov. Apr. 4 — 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Erie Club, 524 Peach Dr. events.dcnr.pa.gov. St. lifeworkserie.org. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach St. prsanwpa.org. Apr. 8 — 6 to 8 p.m. Mindfulness and St. lifeworkserie.org. Watershed Education LuLaRoe Pop-Up William Wegman Lecture Presque Isle Wine Cellars 9440 Meditation Teacher Teacher Workshop W. Main Rd. piwine.com. Mar. 31 — 5 to 7 p.m. Training Pre-planning Benefits Apr. 6 — 6:30 p.m. Apr. 8, 9 — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Family Shop, 2501 W. 12th and Aftercare Clouds and Rainbows: Apr. 1, 22 — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Louis C. Cole Auditorium in Tom Ridge Environmental St. thefamilyshoperie.com. Apr. 4 — 6:30 p.m. Memorial Hall at Edinboro Little Leaves Program Plasha Yoga Studio, 3330 W. Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. University, 205 Meadville 26th St. plashayoga.com. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach events.dcnr.pa.gov. Apr. 10 — 10 a.m. to noon City Light Canvas Class St. events.edinboro.edu. St. lifeworkserie.org. LEAF Education Center, 1501 Mar. 31 — 6 to 8 p.m. Fly Fishing Instructional Erie Handmade Fair Erie SeaWolves vs. W. 6th St. leaferie.org. Claytopia, 924 W. Erie Plaza Litter at Presque Workshop Supports Autism Trenton Thunder Dr. heathercash.com. Society NWPA Isle State Park Apr. 8 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Night Owls Canvas Class Apr. 5 — 1:30 p.m. Apr. 6, 7 — 6:30 p.m. & Apr. 10 — 6 to 8 p.m. Edinboro’s Got Talent Apr. 1 — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Apr. 8, 9 — 1:30 p.m. Rotary Pavilion in Presque LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Isle State Park, 301 Peninsula Claytopia, 924 W. Erie Plaza Mar. 31 — 6 to 8 p.m. Polish Falcons Club, 431 UPMC Park, 110 E. 10th E. 3rd St. facebook.com/ St. lifeworkserie.org. Dr. events.dcnr.pa.gov. Dr. heathercash.com. Louis C. Cole Auditorium in St. erieevents.com. eriehandmadefair. Memorial Hall at Edinboro PRSA Student Day Blue Zones: Secrets Making Herbal Medicinals: Erie SeaWolves vs. University, 205 Meadville Motel Mayhem: A Apr. 5 — 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. of a Long Life An Intro to Preparing Bowie Baysox St. events.edinboro.edu. & Blending Teas Apr. 10, 11 — 6:30 p.m. Comedic Murder Mystery Multipurpose Room in Apr. 6 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Mansion Frank G. Pogue Student Apr. 8 — 10 a.m. to noon & Apr. 12 — noon EPIC Volleyball Jefferson Educational Society, Tournament Apr. 1 — 5 to 7p.m. Center at Edinboro Tom Ridge Environmental UPMC Park, 110 E. 10th University, 405 Scotland 3207 State St. jeserie.org. St. erieevents.com. Apr. 1, 8, 22 — 8:30 a.m. Watson-Curtze Mansion, 356 W. Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. Rd. events.edinboro.edu. Shoot the Rock Future events.dcnr.pa.gov. Fort LeBouf High School, 6th St. juniorleagueoferie.com. Humanity’s Hunt for Artsy Elephant Stars Classic 931 North High St. Erie BayHawks Making Herbal Medicinals: Habitable Planets eriesportscommission.com. Canvas Class Apr. 7, 8, 9 vs. Delaware An Intro to Tincturing Apr. 10 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Apr. 5 — 6 to 8 p.m. Family First Sports Run for Parkinson’s Apr. 1 — 7 p.m. Apr. 8 — 1 to 3 p.m. Jefferson Educational Society, Claytopia, 924 W. Erie Plaza Park, 8155 Oliver Rd. 3207 State St. jeserie.org. Apr. 1 — 9 a.m. Erie Insurance Arena, 809 eriesportscommission.com. Tom Ridge Environmental Dr. heathercash.com. Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. Rotary Pavilion in Presque French St. erieevents.com. events.dcnr.pa.gov. The Iran Nuclear Isle State Park, 301 Peninsula 40th Annual English Used Book Sale Princess Ball Agreement: Dr. runsignup.com. Awards Night with Poetry Apr. 7 — noon to 5 p.m. & TEDxPSUBehrend Breakthrough or Bust? Apr. 2 — 3 p.m. Reading by Distinguished Apr. 8 — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. United Way Success by Apr. 8 — 1 to 6 p.m. Apr. 11 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Ambassador Banquet and Poet Ross Gay Cambridge Springs Public 6 Early Learning Expo Conference Center, 7794 LIbrary, 158 McClellan St. Penn State Behrend, 4701 Jefferson Educational Society, Apr. 5 — 7:30 p.m. Apr. 1 — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Peach St. erieplayhouse.org. cambridge.ccfls.org. College Dr. behrend.psu.edu. 3207 State St. jeserie.org. Waldron Campus Center Macy’s Court in the Millcreek Spring Semester at Gannon University, 109 Sacred Geometry: Blasco Author Series: Planetarium Show: Mall, 5800 Peach St. facebook. University Square. gannon.edu. The Architecture Thomas Rourke Legends of the Night Sky com/pg/UnitedWayErie. Art Classes of the Universe Apr. 8 — 2 p.m. Apr. 12 — 7 to 9 p.m. Apr. 3 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Medieval Stained Book Drive Erie Art Museum, 411 State Glass Windows Apr. 7 — 1 to 2:30 p.m. Admiral Room at Blasco Cooper Science Center Apr. 1 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. erieartmuseum.org. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Memorial Library, 160 E. at Edinboro University, Apr. 6 — 2:30 p.m. Front St. erielibrary.org. 230 Scotland Rd. events. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 St. lifeworkserie.org. Mainstage Cattle Calls LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach edinboro.edu. E. Front St. erielibrary.org. Cathedral Prep Legacy Gala

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 29 CALENDAR Welcoming Sounds Down by the Riverside

FRIDAY, APRIL 7 THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 9 mances from local and regional musicians. The main stage is housed in the hotel’s Victorian Room, the site of Riverside’s Dinner Theatre produc- tions. Moyar explained that “the main stage will show- case some up-and-coming local bands and also some fan favorites. Friday seems to emphasize more of a folk and bluegrass flavor, while Saturday is focusing more on the blues rock side of things. Both days will still have surprises interspersed in the lineup.” The Gastropub Stage is the place to be for acoustic acts and solo performances alongside a full service bar. “We have a wide variety of styles and genres com- ing in, so that stage alone is a surprise every time the next performance starts,” Moyar mused. looks forward to the weekend, exclaiming that “it’s The hotel’s Ballroom will feature a mix of workshops great to have all the musicians in one area for one and more live sets. In addition to all of the musical per- weekend in the hotel to just jam and meet new people. formances, there will be 13 workshops, ranging from That’s what I love most about it.” s soon as you approach Riverside: The Inn at Cam- morning yoga with Abi Pooler to guitar classes with Stuczynski has performed at the festival nearly every Abridge Springs, you’ll feel the unique atmosphere. Eric Brewer. year since its inception. “I’ve played solo, duo, trio, or Walking up to the 133-year-old building, you get a rich Near the hotel will be a fourth stage, at The Villa full band on most of the stages,” Stuczynski said. sense of history; the inn is listed in the National Regis- Restaurant and Lounge. Located a short walk across ter of Historic Places, after all. It’s a gorgeous hotel al- French Creek via the Main Street bridge, you can find “As soon as you pull down the drive, you’ll most frozen in time. The location itself is enough to be Bob Kellogg’s Eerie Records Stage. “We’ve brought in hear music. Not the amped-up, outdoor, inviting, but then you begin to hear the music. Greeted some of the best punk, metal, rock, and everything in huge stage speaker system kind, either. I’m with welcoming notes of all timbres, musicians gather between from the tri-state area. Many of the bands talking about good old-fashioned porch for impromptu jamborees along the hotel’s vast porch- can be heard on the Eerie Records Compilation CD, as jams with guitars, banjos, fiddles, upright es. well as others the company’s produced,” Moyar added. Event organizer Justin Moyar affirmed, “As soon as The sheer number of Erie musicians present at the basses, and so on.” you pull down the drive, you’ll hear music. Not the hotel will be impressive unto itself. Throughout the amped-up, outdoor, huge stage speaker system kind, weekend, people mingle, playing together in different “It’s one of my favorite festivals to play, because there either. I’m talking about good old-fashioned porch combinations. Singer-songwriter Claire Stuczynski are so many things going on at once, and I love the old jams with guitars, banjos, fiddles, upright basses, and wrap-around porch with everyone just jamming on it so on.” together!” After taking in the open, communal vibe, guests can Admission to the performances comes, remarkably, visit any one of the numerous stages. From kickoff free of charge. In its seventh year, the festival serves at 4:15 Friday afternoon with Paolello and Gone, to as a welcome kickoff to the warmer months. With Sunday at 5:15 with Lori Burke, there will be 82 perfor- plenty of history behind it and even more ahead, the Riverside Music Festival is a unique, beautiful place to experience our local community of artists and musi- The historic Riverside Inn at Cambridge Springs will be the cians. – Nick Warren site of this year’s Riverside Music Festival. (middle) Tiger Maple String band member Ali Parker and Justine Parker Russell are joined by their friend George for some late April 7 through 9 // Riverside Inn, 1 night music on the patio. (right) Tiger Maple String Band Fountain St., Cambridge Springs // entertain guests in the hotel’s ballroom during the 2016 TheRiversideInn.com or 398.4645 festival.

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30 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 Be a Part of the Culture!

Bring your Business to the Heart of Downtown RenaissanceErie.com

Contact Melani Scott to schedule a tour [email protected]  814-464-7236

ING OUR E TAK E’R W

garage

TO THE STREETS (INSIDE)

Join us as we transform our gigantic garage into a vibrant streetscape. Enjoy performers, live music, fresh local fare from food trucks, drinks and more! Garage Gala proceeds help drive EmergyCare’s life-saving mission. Friday, April 28, 2017 7 until 10 p.m. $50 per person “Garage Chic” Attire RSVP by April 21

Contact Jennifer Farrar at [email protected] or call 814-870-1066 for reservations

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 31 BRAND NEW COLORS ANNA DEAVERE SMITH For Fall 2017

“The American theater’s most dynamic and TRUNK SHOW sophisticated oral historian…” Friday, April 14th | 11am – 4pm – The New York Times Award Winning Green Manufacturer at Made in Austria • 100% Wool Sizes 4 – 20 ...in the Colony Plaza

Classic clothing for women 2636 West 8th Street, Erie, PA Visit www.geiger-fashion.com to see the full catalogue

Tuesday, April 11 · 7:30 p.m. Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center

Tickets at miac.mercyhurst.edu or 824-3000

Support for this program is provided in part from an Erie Arts & Culture Project Grant, made possible by community contributions to the annual Arts & Culture Campaign and the Erie Arts Endowment.

32 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017 FOOD & DRINK Rosa’s Legacy Reborn Take a culinary trip to Meadville … and the Dominican Republic.

location closed. It surpassed expecta- own rum. A sweet and creamy morir tions with moist, tender, and pleasing- sonando (milk with orange juice, lime, ly seasoned meat. The white rice and vanilla, and sugar) went well with the beans sides, typically an afterthought rum, as did the parcha juice made with in many places, shone as brightly as the passion fruit. They also offer a tamarind main ingredient, the red beans having juice, lemonade, and soda. A sample of a delicate smokiness and just the right all the juices arrives at every table be- amount of tooth. fore the meal to help you choose your An extra side of fried green plantains beverage. If you go for craft beer, an ex- (tostones) and fried sweet plantains cellent idea may be to stop at VooDoo (plátanos maduros) we ordered were Brewery just around the corner for a eagerly dunked in the bean juice as growler of your favorite brew. You’d be well as into a sample of tasty Shrimp supporting two local businesses in one Soupy Rice we enjoyed compliments of fell swoop. the house. It was here that the cabbage Presiding over it all is Brode, whose salad would have been an excellent foil pride is obvious. “We stick to basics. to the entrees, following the Dominican What goes on the plate is the most

NICK WARREN custom of mixing meal components important thing. All our time, energy, together for a delectable symphony of and passion is for the food.” It’s also flavors. clear he’s happy to have Rosa’s operat- By: Mary Birdsong bathed (nicely) in a piquant unpreten- By coincidence, we knew some fellow ing again and is pleased to be a part of tious vinaigrette. They were delicious, diners, part of a foodie group in Mead- Meadville’s revitalization. “I want this to rieites who fondly remember Rosa’s but in hindsight we should have saved ville, who were eager to share their be a community place, be community ELegacy when it was on Brown Ave- them for eating alongside our entrees, notes about entrées we had not tried. driven,” he says. “People like Ed Fine nue in Erie have reason to celebrate. as the dressing would have provided Nancy Smith and Alice Deckard both who has been working hard to re-make The good news: Rosa’s has reopened. a crunchy and tangy counterpoint to praised the Shrimp in Garlic Sauce, with the downtown area have my gratitude The bad news (for Erie, anyway): It’s now what was to come. Smith remarking, “When you can smell for all the help they have provided.” located in Meadville. My husband Mike selected the Fish the garlic first, you know it’s going to be Brode also wants to send special Rest assured that this restaurant is of the Day, which happened to be good.” Deckard, who hesitates to order thanks to the “Erie crowd” that has worth the 45-minute trip from Erie. barramundi, often called Australian shrimp in a land-locked location, found shown up with support he calls “unre- After a recent visit, I am happy to re- sea bass. It was marinated in a sofrito it “so tender and flavorful.” The Spring al.” port that dining there will be the same (peppers, onions, herbs, and spices) Pork Chops also received rave reviews If you live in Meadville, rejoice to have great experience that many of us have and then pan fried with onions and from Devon Stout and Mike McGrath a very fine restaurant close at hand. missed. The atmosphere is similar to its peppers. The fish was flaky, tender, and as “aromatic and moist.” Rob Smith Erieites, plan your weekend evenings old digs, maybe a little less petite and had taken well to its marinade. In other summed up the dining experience by accordingly. charming. But the music plays, fans words, perfectly done. For his side, he saying, “Nothing is overly spiced. The 964 Park Ave, Meadville // 4 to 8 spin, and bright colors grace the walls, chose the yellow rice of the day, which flavors are subtle and just right.” p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday all putting one in the right mood for ca- was a simple but flavorful pilaf includ- Exactly. The emphasis here is on fla- // Cash only // 737.7678 sual and laid-back Caribbean dining. ing black beans, and an agreeable com- vor, not heat. The menu, as before, contains just a plement to the fish. Knowing this was a BYOB establish- Mary Birdsong can be contacted few carefully curated selections in each I had the Oxtail, a braised beef dish ment and aware it offered house-pre- at mBirdsong@ErieReader. com, and you can follow her on category of meat, poultry, and seafood, I had been eager to try before the Erie pared juice beverages, we brought our Twitter @Mary_Birdsong. bringing the best of authentic and homey Dominican cooking to the table. All offerings are prepared from scratch, with marinades fashioned for each particular type of meat or fish. Proprietor Neil Brode also pointed out that everything on the menu is gluten free, except for the bread pudding. Before we could barely get settled at our table, two cabbage salads ar- rived dressed with pickled onion and

Located on Park Avenue in the heart of Meadville, Rosa’s Legacy delivers the same delicious food Erie residents grew to love. (bottom) The fish of the day, Australian Sea Bass, also known as barramundi, arrives alongside a bed of rice pilaf and grilled MARY BIRDSONG MARY sofritos.

March 29, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 33 MUSIC REVIEWS

Jack Stauber Valerie June Jay Som The Shins Pop Food The Order of Time Everybody Works Heartworms Self-released Concord Records Polyvinyl Records Columbia

wildly in- his record feels he work of here’s just Aventive, Thonest. Differ- T22-year-old Tsomething genre-bending ent aspects of Val- Oakland, Califor- magical about dance sympho- erie June Hock- nia native Melina James Mercer’s ny, Pop Food is ett’s personality Duterte, Jay Som voice. These days, a delicious meal. shine through in has made a record the principal Erie native Jack The Order of Time. that’s nothing songwriter of The Stauber offers up his second full-length In vulnerability and in strength, she short of incredible. Everybody Works Shins is the only one left of the origi- solo album, a followup to 2013’s Finite tells a story. Her nasal Memphis twang is the first proper album from Duterte, nal lineup. Always the driving force of Form. Stauber is a familiar face to Base- is immediately recognizable in all its following last year’s Turn Into collec- the band, Mercer once again offers up ment Transmissions regulars, serving as idiosyncrasies. June blends folk, blue- tion. It’s a luscious, dense work of indie a new addition to the band’s catalog. frontman for the Edinboro-based Joose, grass, soul, and Americana elements rock genius. With heavier elements of For many, The Shins provided an inim- as well as Pittsburgh’s Zaki. Like Finite into a welcoming stew. Utilizing the shoegaze employed in tracks like “1 Bil- itable soundtrack to the 2000s. They Form, this new work is ideal for fans of traditional tools of Americana music lion Dogs” and “Take It,” Duterte does captured an essence of late 60s rock Animal Collective, as well as Ariel Pink from Appalachian to gospel, June and a stylistic balancing act. There are del- and bottled it for a new generation. or even Mac Demarco. Frenetic, humor- her band forge a unified sound. It’s raw icate dreampop tracks that perfectly Heartworms is their fifth full-length ous moments in tracks like “I Love You music of the earth. The album begins emulate the 1980s such as “Remain.” record, and their first since 2012’s Port Verne Troyer” give way to the softer, in- humbly, with a slow, passionate shuffle, The tender, effects-laden melodies of of Morrow. The latest opening track, timate sounds of “Koi Boy.” Even during guitars echoing in the dust as if they the jazzy “One More Time, Please” and “Name For You,” begins in a familiar the album’s most tender moments, you were fading along that very “Long Lone- the warbly vibrato of “(Bedhead)” pull tone, a simple drum rhythm against a can tell that Stauber is having fun with ly Road.” What follows is the gospel plea off the meditative, full-body experi- chorused upbeat guitar. Things gradu- every note. The programmed drums, ef- of “Love You Once Made,” which fades ence that made My Bloody Valentine ally change. By the time “Cherry Hole” fects-laden guitars, and experimental into the uptempo country dancehall so enriching. The album closes with comes around, you realize that this keyboards create a tonal palette that of “Shakedown.” Some of the passion- the hypnotic epic “For Light,” float- isn’t the same Shins you’re used to. Re- defies any easy classification. Staub- ate standouts like “Astral Plane” and ing listeners out on airy waves and lying much more on keyboard effects er’s unbridled creativity shines with a “With You” resonate the best, despite tucking them safely into bed. Duter- and present-day production styles, glimmering wink, combining the ac- occasionally dragging. The album clos- te’s rich musical vocabulary is able to the result is a modern indie pop sound, cessible grooves of early Passion Pit es with the catchy and appropriately articulate her vision with grace. Her perhaps more akin to Mercer’s Danger with the chaotic soul of Captain Beef- named “Got Soul,” a floor-stomping voice is soothing, disarming the lis- Mouse collaboration, Broken Bells. heart. Some lyrics float like gorgeous full band celebration. Order of Time tener immediately. A tad more som- Although never quite rising to the waves on tracks like “Bothersome,” does its best to follow up on 2013’s suc- ber than Turn Into, the record never heights of 2003’s Chutes Too Narrow, while others, like “My Plea,” are laugh- cessful Pushin’ Against a Stone. The ventures into emotional charlatanism. this latest offering stands on its own. out-loud funny. It all fits together, as overall sound is streamlined, a more A success at nearly every turn, with With strong songwriting throughout, an entrancing, psychedelic dichotomy. distinctly southern feel than before. Everybody Works, everything works. Mercer’s gift for melody hasn’t faded. – Nick Warren – Nick Warren – Nick Warren – Nick Warren

Tommy in Toon — by Tommy Link

34 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com March 29, 2017