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The local voice for news, arts, and culture. Local collective at the forefront of building Erie’s art scene August 19 - September 1, 2015 / Vol. 5, No. 17 / ErieReader.com PERFORMING ARTISTS COLLECTIVE ALLIANCE Erie's Food Truck Freakonomics Emerge 2040 Check-In Chrome Moses I Tropidelic I Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad I Travis Tritt From The Editors eighborhoods define cities. In Erie, That is, as Pete Engardio for Bloomberg open-container city like ours — shows the both natives and transplants alike Businessweek put it, “the trend is to nurture proof in the proverbial pudding. Noften ask what neighborhood you living, breathing communities rather than A forthcoming report by PlaceEconomics live in. sterile remote, compounds of research silos.” titled “Beyond Tourism: Preservation in the What rarely follows are questions of what Places — districts — looking to develop Economy and Life of Savannah and Cha- neighborhood do you work in, do business business are now endeavoring to be a fuller tham County,” revealed — you guessed it in, and enjoy various recreational amenities community rather than merely a place of — that historic districts do much more than in? Perhaps that stems from the definition business by creating a noticeable link be- simply drive heritage tourism. Additionally, Editors-in-Chief: and origin of the word neighborhood, one in tween economy shaping and social network- they act as vehicles for economic impact, Brian Graham & Adam Welsh which we are near inhabitants — not busi- ing (which yes, can still happen face-to-face) playing a vital role in how a community de- Managing Editor: nesses, not buildings, not development, but by offering an all-in-one package to residents fines itself and evaluates itself. Ben Speggen rather people. — a Swiss Army Knife approach, if you will, Of note, the PlaceEconomics study found Contributing Editor: Districts, on the other hand, are defined instead of focusing on just being a blade or a that historic districts, like the ones in Savan- Jim Wertz by particular characteristics not necessar- corkscrew. Rather than solely focusing — as nah, spurred job growth, disproportionately Arts & Culture Editor: ily limited to people. And the definition of the perception of neighborhoods may have attracted more residents, small firms, and Alex Bieler districts is evolving, as placemaking contin- us think — on people in neighborhoods, we start-ups, and positively impacted the eco- Contributors: ues to play a more paramount role in where now consider places the things present in a nomic region outside the city. Lisa Austin, Civitas people prefer to live and why they favor one community, which creates a snowball effect. For communities to grow quickly, appre- Mary Birdsong Katie Chriest place over another. City improvement districts find a major- ciation of history, pride in place, and invest- Rick Filippi Take “innovation districts,” for instance. ity of property owners agreeing to provide ment — private funding or contributions Frank Garland As defined by Brookings Institution’s Bruce services that supplement and complement from anchor institutions — must lead the James R. LeCorchick Katz and Julie Wagner in “The Rise of In- those typically provided by a local authori- way. Bold contributions — be that in the John Lindvay Bob Protzman novation Districts: A New Geography of ty. Which is to say, people — if they feel con- flow of capital or community-building — in- Dan Schank Innovation in America,” these districts are nected to their place — will pool their own spire communities to dream bigger, to real- William G. Sesler “geographic areas where leading-edge an- resources to both maintain and manage ize change is accomplishable, to think that Chris Sexauer chor institutions and companies cluster and their environment with initiatives ranging better is possible. Tommy Shannon Ryan Smith connect with start-ups, business incubators, anywhere from clean-up projects, like litter A strong example of that in Erie is the Sara Toth and accelerators. They are also physically collection, to public safety ambassadorial Thomas B. Hagen History Center, a critical Bryan Toy compact, transit-accessible, and technical- services. part of the new Historical Society of Erie Jim Wertz ly-wired and offer mixed-use housing, office, Historical districts, too, can greatly impact County campus. But Hagen isn’t a stranger Cover Photo / Design: and retail.” communities, and Savannah, Ga. — another to community development; one needn’t Brad Triana look farther than the outreach of Erie Photographers: Insurance into the neighborhoods sur- Ryan Smith Brad Triana Contents — August 19, 2015 rounding Erie’s only Fortune 500 compa- Designers: What Fell and Rose in a Forest 4 ny, where he’s made significant contribu- Mark Kosobucki tions both personally and professionally Liz Venuto George Washington’s Erie connection forever changed the history of the United to the preservation of history in that area. Interns: States of America Does Erie benefit from a new History Lauren Griffith Erie at Large 5 Campus that will increase heritage-based Emily Hanisek tourism? Without a doubt. Will people Candice Martone Sen. Casey calls for more COPS. Nicolas Miller rush to inhabit West Fifth and Sixth streets because of the new renovations News of the Weird 6 1001 State St. Suite 901 and attention being paid to the Historical Erie, Pa., 16501 Gassy protesters, creative diplomacy, and pets that are treatered better than you. [email protected] Society and its growth? Time will tell. But this should give us hope. Agents of 9 The Erie Reader is the local voice Considering the City action are preserving and emphasizing for news, arts, and culture, and is Erie’s only independent, alternative The first-ever Comprehensive City Plan poses challenging questions for Erie and Erie’s past — after all, the Grand Opening newspaper. Founded in 2010, the Reader has quickly become the its future Gala for the Hagen History Center will be region’s award-winning source for an Erie-centric event, featuring local food, arts coverage, a strong cultural 11 compass, and a dynamic resource for Food Truck Freakonomics local musicians, and even a beer brewed news and opinion. With a dedication to long-form journalism and a How Mobile Kitchens are Changing the Culinary Landscape with the old Koehler recipe — in hopes of commitment to provoking thoughtful discussion, the Reader tells the stories creating a brighter future because histor- of the people and places making and Emerge 2040 readies for action 15 ic districts benefit communities in many shaping Erie, while highlighting the events and issues influencing life in Lake Erie Marine Sanctuary, land bank could help Erie from sinking. proven ways. northwestern Pennsylvania. The Erie Reader is published every other week And people should be inspired: An Erie and distributed at over 250 high foot- Creative Spirits Soar on State Street 19 traffic locations in Pennsylvania from son who rose from part-time file clerk North East to Girard to Edinboro. In to CEO to a champion of preservation addition to appearing in print, Erie At the forefront of building the arts community, you’ll find PACA — the Reader adds new content daily at Performing Artists Collective Alliance. and development clearly believes in Erie ErieReader.com as well social media sites. All rights reserved. All content and believes that this city and region are © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State Geeked Out 36 worth investing in. We should too. St., Suite 901, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of this publication may be reproduced American Squad Wins Top Honors at The International 2015. without permission. The opinions of our columnists and contributors The Grand Opening of the Hagen History are their own and do not always 38 reflect that of the editorial board ER Sports Center will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, at or organization. Direct inquiries to 7 p.m. More information can be obtained 814.314.9364 or contact@ErieReader. The future of Strong Vincent hoops is the talk of the town. com. by visiting Facebook.com/ErieHistory. August 19, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 NEWS & OPINION What Fell and Rose in a Forest George Washington’s Erie connection forever changed the history of the United States of America A portrait of a young George Washington tribute to the financing of the French wearing a British uniform. and Indian War, but when the new Brit- ish Prime Minister William Pitt came to It was none other than George Wash- power, he showed new respect to the ington, an ambitious, naïve young colo- North American colonies, and the col- nial aristocrat from Mount Vernon, Va., onies became enthusiastic about the whose early military career was mostly war. This further assisted the final Brit- a series of disasters. ish victory. Washington, in spite of his ineptness, A series of taxes in the 1760s imposed was both very brave and very lucky, arbitrarily on North America, however, and before the French and Indian War undid the new colonial enthusiasm, was over, having survived some dan- and led to the eventual alienation of gerous battles, he retired to Mount Ver- the British settlers that culminated in non to become a farmer, politician, and land speculator. Although the war pitted the two most avaricious colonial powers in the The French and Indian world at that time, and one of them fi- nally emerged dominant, the outcome War in North America of the war was determined by a third (1754-60) began as party, the Native American tribes who had originally populated this region of a consequence of a North America. Most of these tribes blunder by a 21 year- were allied with the French, and this enabled France, with only 85,000 set- old British officer who tlers and an army supplied primarily led his men to defeat by these settlers, to control Canada as well as much land that is now in the a French colonial U.S.