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Contents: February 17, 2016 From the Editors The local voice for news, arts, and culture. Just a Thought 4 From automation to the arts, Editors-in-Chief: Brian Graham & Adam Welsh Smart innovation makes thoughtful use there’s a lot to be optimistic about Managing Editor: of what we already have. Katie Chriest in Erie today. Contributing Editors: Ben Speggen t’s increasingly challenging to feel like an original Jim Wertz Erie At Large 7 in this hyper-shared, info-ready world. Used to be, Contributors: Fishing for free riders: unions after Fried- if had a great business idea, you’d ask around Lisa Austin, Civitas I Mary Birdsong richs. town to see if anyone else had thought of it yet. You Rick Filippi might even check the yellow pages. If nothing came Gregory Greenleaf-Knepp James R. LeCorchick up? Great! You’d found your niche. John Lindvay Disunified Erie Reveals Deeper Today’s searchable world makes originality a lot Brianna Lyle Community Problems 8 harder to come by. Now, if you have a great business Dan Schank William G. Sesler The divisive conversation continues. idea, you might plug it into an Internet search and be Tommy Shannon immediately overwhelmed and deflated by the sheer Ryan Smith Ti Summer volume of like-minders who already thought of the Matt Swanseger News of the Weird 11 same damned thing. Sara Toth Bryan Toy From snow removal to art, getting away Of course, that very online culture has also carved Nick Warren with the bare minimum. out countless new niches, and opened up lines of Senator Sean Wiley communication, mentorship, and commerce between Cover Design: Nick Warren folks with similar ideas all over the world. Photographers: In fact, that’s what several of the companies fea- The State of Erie Industry, 2016 14 Ryan Smith tured by Ryan Smith in this Industry, Innovation, and Brad Triana Modest gains and growing pains. Entrepreneurship issue – our second – are banking on. Publisher’s Assistant Emily Hanisek Meanwhile, nominations are now open for our 40 Intern Under 40 Class of 2016. If you know someone under 40 Angie Jeffery Success After 40 Under 40 17 striving to make this community stand out in mean- With nominations now open for the 2016 ingful ways, nominate her or him via the link on our 1001 State St. Suite 901 Erie, Pa., 16501 class, these three alumni continue to be website. [email protected] great examples of local leadership. In this issue, Brianna Lyle checks in with three 40 Under 40 Alums to see how their businesses have The Erie Reader is the only local voice evolved since joining these honorable ranks. Their for news, arts, and culture, and is Erie’s A Spotlight on Local Companies 20 only independent, alternative newspaper. commitment to goals and vision, generosity of spir- Founded in 2010, the Reader has quickly These are just a handful of the innovative it, and honest self-awareness are inspiring to behold, become the region’s award-winning source for arts coverage, a strong cultural local companies that help to shape the and suggest a bright collective future for the Erie area. compass, and a dynamic resource for news Erie area’s commercial/industrial land- Beyond that, even in the wake of local job news at and opinion, welcoming perspectives scape. the end of 2015, Jim Wertz examines reasons to be op- from all viewpoints. With a dedication to long-form journalism and a commitment timistic about the state of industry in Erie, reminding to provoking thoughtful discussion, the us of the need for diversity moving forward. Reader tells the stories of the people Considering the City 24 and places making and shaping Erie, Speaking of diversity, Lisa Austin of Civitas high- while highlighting the events and Arts & Culture Economy lights the measurably valuable role of the arts and issues influencing life in northwestern Pennsylvania. The Erie Reader is published arts organizations in the positive economic develop- every other week and distributed at ment of a city, noting that arts-related events foster over 250 high foot-traffic locations in Spotlight on Erie 26 the sort of social interaction and complex communi- Pennsylvania from North East to Girard to Edinboro. In addition to appearing in Here we are now. Entertain us. cation central to a city’s vitality. print, Erie Reader adds new content daily To that end, as usual, we spend plenty of space spot- at ErieReader.com as well social media sites. All rights reserved. All content © lighting those contributing generously to our arts Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State St., A Review of Fluidity of Gender: Sculpture life right now, including an art exhibit at Allegheny Suite 901, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of this by Linda Stein 37 publication may be reproduced without College and a review of The Miserable Mrs. Head at permission. The opinions of our columnists Drafting a superhero “born” during World PACA, where members of the Northwestern Pennsyl- and contributors are their own and do vania Artists Association are currently exhibiting in not always reflect that of the editorial War II to her cause, a artist ex- board or organization. Direct inquiries to plores male/female roles and expectations. PACA’s gallery, leading up to a fundraising auction on 814.314.9364 or [email protected]. March 12. It’s a lot to take in. And we wouldn’t have it any other Delightfully Thoughtful, ‘The Miserable way. Mrs. Head’ Shines at PACA 38 You could look at Erie as a town lacking some of the Playwright Richard Boler debuts a new trappings of our larger, trendier cohorts. We certainly one-act comedy in Erie. aren’t flooded with the elements of gentrification. Or, you could see our town as one where you can tru- ly make a singular impact; where you can contribute Geeked Out 40 quickly, directly, and in your own way. Clearly, that’s Amazon introduces their free-to-use en- what many of the folks we feature have chosen to do. gine called Lumberyard. And we’re all the better for it.

February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 NEWS & OPINION Just a Thought Smart innovation makes thoughtful use of what we already have.

his non-cane hand, then makes his way to the trash- can for disposal. Though I admire the man’s use of waiting, I’d probably dismiss this un- remarkable event if we weren’t in the midst of planning this issue of the Reader. Instead, I think Erie's Only Hot about the simple use of his cane – something already

ROBERT COUSE-BAKER ROBERT made, that he already Power Yoga Studio owned – in an innovative By: Katie Chriest way. No new infrastruc- ture or resources required. t’s late afternoon at the bus stop After boarding the bus, I spend the YOUR FIRST CLASS IS downtown. The slanty, diffuse win- 20-minute ride home thinking about Iter light isn’t warming the air, but how much we’ve invented that simply glows across the faces of passersby. isn’t necessary. A quick Google search February surrounds us in tolerable would probably reveal a pile of cane- cold. Coats are open at the collar. Cig- like litter grabbers that could make this arettes and phones are held between job easier and more efficient. bare fingers. And those of us waiting But they’d likely be made by compa- for the bus shuffle around, in and out nies who employ third world workers of the shelter, gazing eastward. A man, 60 or so, ambles up. He relies Discounts for Students, Seniors & Veterans heavily on his cane, and stops a few We humans are smart. We can FREE solve our perceived problems yards short of the shelter. His arrival is slow but in plenty of time. I think of my in breathtakingly ingenious tendency to rush through life: a habitu- ways. But just because we al pattern I revert to even when there’s can invent and manufacture no hurry. I don’t envy his impediment new stuff, it doesn’t mean we but admire his air of calm surrender. I always should. may be misreading serenity on his face, but we learn from others what we need Located in the Colony Plaza to in any moment, and his countenance in exploitative conditions. And of non- whispers, slow down. renewable plastics destined to add to 2560 West 8th Street, Erie PA 16505 The dance of waiting plays out among the already horrendous quagmire in the bus riders. We hurry tensely to the our landfills and oceans. And cheaply 814-520-6998 www.yogaerie.com stop. Then our shoulders drop once – in the spirit of planned obsolescence we’ve made it. Then stillness settles that builds breakdown (and thus, an- as the pieces of our rushing selves fall other purchase) into the construction All Natural Holistic Pet Foods together. Then impatient shuffling en- of nearly everything. sues, either on foot or through smart- We humans are smart. We can solve FOR CATS AND DOGS phone feeds. our perceived problems in breathtak- Even Unhurried Man starts to mean- ingly ingenious ways. But just because der a bit. An empty snack size potato we can invent and manufacture new - USDA inspected Nickel - No by-products chip bag tornado-ing on the concrete stuff, it doesn’t mean we always should. Plate catches his eye. It swirls under the In our modern state of earthly affairs, - Human grade protein Mills bench, trapped where most of us can’t the wisest inventions will be repur- - No artificial ingredients reach it (not that anyone’s tried). He posed. The smartest innovations will - Grain free or whole grain only wanders toward it, uses his cane to slow us down. And the best ways to use - No fillers pull it closer, then leans over to pick dwindling resources? Not to. it up. While down there, he sees a 1932 Parade St. Erie, PA 16503 couple more discarded wrappers and Katie Chriest can be contacted grabs them, too. He fits what he can in at [email protected]. www.nickelplatemills.net Like us on

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February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 5

NEWS & OPINION Erie At Large Fishing for free riders: unions after Friedrichs.

Without fair share, the case for non- political leanings of their union or membership becomes more attractive to don’t fully comprehend the benefits of people who don’t share the political leanings of their union or don’t fully comprehend the union membership. benefits of union membership. Most analysts expect the Court to side with Rebecca Friedrichs. If they’re correct, it could make for awkward percentage of full union dues based on meetings at the water cooler, at least how much time the union spends on for the first few months after Fried- matters related only to collective bar- richs as emboldened “free riders” test gaining, but not to the union’s political liberation from their public-sector activities. unions and employers test the resil- Fair share fees were implemented be- ience of bargaining units with frac- cause the union is still required to rep- tured memberships. resent non-member employees who But I suspect those divisions won’t would otherwise be covered by the col- last long. lective bargaining agreement. In other It’s a lesson I learned decades ago words, if Friedrichs were fired without crabbing on a weather-beaten New Jer- just cause, the union would still be re- sey boardwalk. quired to defend her. Fair share fees were the outcome of Fair share fees were the Supreme Court’s 1977 decision in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, implemented because the which established that unions had the union is still required to right to collect fees related to their cost represent non-member of doing business on behalf of mem- employees who would bers and non-members covered under otherwise be covered by the contract. The non-members are referred to as “fair share” employees or the collective bargaining FIBONACCI BLUE FIBONACCI more commonly called “free riders” in agreement. In other words, union parlance because they reap the By: Jim Wertz if Friedrichs were fired ten subject to heightened scrutiny by benefits of union membership without without just cause, the rie is a union town. Despite pundits and the general public because paying union dues. union would still be required neo-conservative attempts to members are paid with tax dollars. In Friedrichs, the teachers’ attorneys to defend her. Edestroy unions over the past 50 This issue is at the heart of a recently argued before the Court that union years and neo-liberal attempts to dis- argued Supreme Court case that may membership and collective bargaining mantle unions with corporate-friendly radically alter the shape and size of on behalf of public employees are in- My cousins and I had a cheap cage regulatory practices and trade policies, public sector unions across the nation herently political acts because they are with a rope attached, a fish head inside, the Erie region – for the most part – has and right here in NWPA. tied to tax dollars collected as a matter and a small net at the end of a pole. Ev- remained union strong. In Friedrichs v. Teachers of political policy. Therefore, non-mem- ery once in a while, you’d pull the cage All told, there are 252 AFL-CIO affili- Association, the Court was asked to bers should not be required to pay a fee off the bottom. If the cage was full and ated unions representing more than consider whether or not union fees, for union services. the crabs were hungry, there might be 45,000 people in the 19 counties that known as “fair share” or “agency” fees, Legislatures in 28 states have already one or two hanging on the outside. We comprise the Northwest Pennsylvania violate the First Amendment. These banned agency fees. called them free riders. They always Area Labor Federation. Couple them are fees paid by employees who are Pennsylvania remains one of 22 states got caught first. with the Service Employees Inter- covered by the collective bargaining that still allows fair share payments. national Union (SEIU) members and agreement negotiated between the For now. Ding dong, Scalia’s dead. The Supreme Teamsters, both of which disaffiliated union and the employer even though Public sector unions across Pa. are Court Justice who may have carried with the AFL-CIO in 2005, and you’ve that employee has chosen to opt out of in the process of attempting to fig- the critical vote in Friedrichs, Antonin got something akin to a movement on union membership. ure out what union membership in a Scalia, died just hours after I finished your hands. If you’re not familiar with collective post-Friedrichs world will look like. writing this column. His death means The success of the labor movement bargaining, it sounds overcomplicated. That’s because in most cases, fair share that if the eight surviving justices in northwest Pennsylvania is due in But it’s not. payments amount to approximately 90 lock in a four-four split, the Friedrichs large part to the abundance of public Rebecca Friedrichs was one of sever- percent of full union dues. You have to case will remain undecided by the sector unions that represent the re- al public school teachers in California be an ideologue or an asshole to opt Supreme Court, allowing unions in gion’s teachers, law enforcement, and who chose not to join the California out of full union membership when fair share states to collect agency firefighters, as well as clerical and pro- Teachers Association. Even though faced with those stakes. fees from non-members. You can fessional staffs in municipal and coun- she and her colleagues didn’t join the But without fair share, the case for curse at or kibitz with Jim Wertz at ty governments and affiliated entities. union, they were still required to pay non-membership becomes more at- [email protected], and you can But those public sector unions are of- a “fair share” fee, which amounts to a tractive to people who don’t share the follow him on @jim_wertz.

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Offer BRAD TRIANA 500 Stag-N-Drag valid thru March 31, 2016 By: Ben Speggen group reveals a blatant lack of diver- & sity. But the invitation – reiterated at he news is not unique to Erie. As recent public meetings – to take a seat 1,000 50/50 Tickets the crumbling of cities, towns, at the table remains open. And leaders Tand boroughs under the pres- in the black community, like Marcus sures of rising crime becomes more Atkinson, are vocal about the potential ONLY pronounced, community leaders crave of Unified Erie to address Erie’s violent $ 00 quick-fix solutions. Let’s fix this yester- crime problem. 80. ! day becomes the clarion call of urgency, Second, this can be seen as a turf war as blood flows in the streets. But those within a turf war. A big part of Unified Tickets are printed in black ink only bearing the gravity of such community Erie is the call-in method – the ultima- on your choice of 65# color cardstock. depression for decades can’t help but tum of: accept our help through com- Numbering on tickets will be extra. wonder why the community wasn’t munity resources presented to you, more concerned yesterday, when the or return to a life of crime and suffer blood was flowing before, just not the consequences when caught. Those Go Ask Alice! 814-833-9020 enough to sound the apparent alarm. call-ins – at least based on the Kansas Waiting to take action begets reactive City model – take place at “neutral lo- 2015 4318 W. Ridge Road Presque Isle Erie, PA 16506 solutions. Disdain for reactive solu- cations,” like churches. In a way, these tions so begets proactive solutions. places of worship are being hamstrung Printing Services Thus, we look to get creative. to participate in something they’ve al- www.presqueisleprinting.com @GoAskAlice08 But these creative, we-must-act-now- ready been participating in. because-we’ve-noticed-the-startling- According to its website, “The White uptick-in-crime reactions can seem like House Office of Faith-based and Neigh- a slap in the face to those who have borhood Partnerships within the Do- been attempting to address the crime mestic Policy Council works to form issue for decades. The common goal is partnerships between the Federal Gov- to reduce crime and create the oppor- ernment and faith-based and neighbor- tunity for all citizens to live in a safe hood organizations to more effectively climate, but not everyone seemed to serve Americans in need.” President care until yesterday’s problem became Barack Obama opined: “Instead of today’s reality. driving us apart, our varied beliefs can WillSPRING you be readyIS ON to be ITS my groomer? WAY This is Unified Erie’s conversation, bring us together,” which is more hope- You could earn a diploma in and this is the disunity that’s boiled to ful than it is realistic. the surface. Is faith-based intervention working Professional Dog Styling in a little as Why? against crime? Yes, but the process 9 weeks! First, it’s easy to see Unified Erie as is not without its challenges. Indeed, (TOPS Market Plaza) a white solution to a black problem. A many of us still have varied beliefs that 1530 West 26th Street Erie, PA 16508 quick glance at Unified Erie’s advisory act as the opposite [Cont. on page 39] (814) 456-7297 www.justfourpawsacademy.com

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10 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 NEWS & OPINION News of the Weird From snow removal to art, getting away with the bare minimum.

By: Chuck Shepherd bank with four wheels." tips on suspicious pas- practice (though she ly disturbed earth in his on video deliberating [Globe and Mail, 1-21-2016] sengers. (The program felt the need to report backyard. Eventually Le- whether to make up [Associated Press via apparently ignored that to a hospital afterward). mek confessed to literal- charges against a (per- Intelligent Design WMUR-TV (Manchester, federal employees have [Connecticut Post, 1-29- ly burying the evidence haps obnoxious) check- ired.com's most N.H.), 1-21-2016] such a duty even with- 2016] using a construction ve- point monitor. Veteran Wrecent "Absurd out a bounty.) DEA was hicle to crush his truck protester Michael Picard, Creature" feature shows Great Art! apparently interested The Continuing Crisis and an excavator to dig 27, posted the videos on a toad devouring a larva ed up with the "pre- in passengers traveling ritain's North York- up his backyard and drop his YouTube page in Jan- of a much-smaller bee- Ftense" of the art with large amounts of Bshire Police success- the truck into it. [The uary, showing troopers tle, but the "absurdity" world, performer (and cash which DEA could fully applied to a judge Republican (Springfield), (illegally) confiscating is that the larva is in radio personality) Lisa potentially seize if it sus- in January for a "sexual 1-8-2016] Picard's camera and sug- charge and that the toad pected the money came gesting among them- Levy of , New risk order" against a man o Need for a Pre- will soon be beetle food. from illegal activity (and selves various charges York, sat on a toilet, na- whose name was not Nup: The 20-year The larva's Darwinian also, of course, then keep N they could write up (at ked and motionless, at disclosed publicly and New York marriage of advantage is that, inside the money under fed- least some not warrant- the Christopher Stout whose alleged behavior Gabriel Villa, now 90, and the toad, it bites the hap- eral forfeiture law). Ac- ed by evidence) to, as Gallery in January to was not revealed. Who- Cristina Carta Villa, now less "predator" with its cording to the inspector one trooper was heard protest artists' "BS" by ever he is and whatever 59, apparently had its hooked jaws and then se- general, the tipping TSA imploring, "cover our presenting herself in he did, he is forbidden happy moments, but as cretes enzymes to begin agent was to be rewarded asses." (The troopers re- the "humblest" way she to enter into any sexual Cristina found out when decomposing the toad's with a cut of any forfeit- turned the camera after could imagine. Visitors situation with anyone things went bad recently, tissue (making it edible) ed money. [USA Today, deliberating, but seemed were invited to sit on a without providing at Gabriel had attempted to and provoking it to vom- 1-7-2016] unaware that it had facing toilet (clothed or least 24 hours' notice to protect himself shortly it the still-alive larva. been running during the not) and interact with hiropractor William the police nor is he al- after the wedding by ob- [Wired.com, 1-29-2016] entire incident.) State her in any way except for DeAngelo of Strat- lowed to look at or pos- taining a Dominican Re- C police internal affairs of- touching. Levy told the ford, Connecticut, was sess any sexually orient- public divorce and keep- Great Achievements ficers are investigating. Bushwick Daily website charged with assault ed materials. According ing it secret. Cristina in Laziness [Hartford Courant, 1-26- that too much "ego," "like in January after an em- to the York Press, the found out only when she 2016] n 80-year-old man a drug," "distorts your ployee complained that order is temporary until realized in a property ac- Aand a 37-year-old reality." [Bushwick Daily, she was ordered to lie May 19, at which time the counting that her name woman were ticketed 1-20-2016] down on a table and let magistrates may extend was not on the deed to Oops! in separate incidents in DeAngelo apply electri- it. [York Press, 1-21-2016] their Manhattan apart- rivate Parts: (1) A mid- Canada the week of Jan. Wait, What? cal shocks to her back as ment. (She is challenging dle-aged woman re- 18 when police spotted P n January, the U.S. De- punishment for being the Bright Ideas that divorce as improper ported to a firehouse in them driving cars com- partment of Justice's office gossiper, spreading even under Dominican Padua, Italy, in January pletely caked in snow I hristopher Lemek Jr. inspector general recom- rumors about colleagues. law.) [, 1-24- to ask for help opening except for a small por- Cwas arrested in Palm- mended closing down a DeAngelo said he was 2016] a lock for which she had tion of the windshield. er, Massachusetts, in program of the depart- reacting to complaints misplaced the key. It The man, from Brussels, January and charged in ment's Drug Enforce- from patients and staff, turned out that the lock Ontario, was driving a a New Year's Eve hit-and- Suspicions Confirmed ment Administration but seemed to suggest run accident that took a was to the iron chastity car resembling a "pile of everal Connecticut that paid employees of in a statement to police pedestrian's life. Lemek belt she was wearing of snow on the road." The state troopers in- other federal agencies that he was only "re-ed- emerged as a suspect a S her own free will, she said Halifax, Nova Scotia, volved in a DUI check- (Amtrak and the beloved ucating" the woman on few days after the colli- (because she had recent- woman's car was, a police point in September Transportation Securi- how to use the electrical sion when police, visiting ly begun a romantic rela- statement said, "a snow- were apparently caught ty Administration) for stimulator in the office's his home, noticed fresh- tion- [Cont. on page 12]

Just Toyin’ Witcha — By Bryan Toy

February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 11 NEWS & OPINION

ship that she wanted not Peruvian chef Mitsuha- zon.com driver reported to become too quickly ru Tsumura joined Scot- them following his deliv- sexual). (2) Firefighers land's Paul Wedgwood ery truck and scooping in Osnabruck, Germa- to create haggis from, up packages as soon as ny, told Berlin's The Lo- instead of sheep, guinea he dropped them off. In- DECISIONS, cal that in two separate pig. Wedgwood said he side the pair's car, officers incidents in December, was "proud" to raise hag- found numerous parcels men had come to their gis "to new gastronomic and mail addressed to stations asking for help levels." [Daily Telegraph others plus a "To Do" list DECISIONS removing iron rings (London), 1-21-2016] that read, "steal mail and they had placed on their shoplift." [Reuters, 11-23- penises to help retain Least Competent 2015] [San Diego Union- (DECISIONS) erections. (The Local, as Criminals Tribune, 12-15-2015] a public service, quoted riton Jacqueline Pat- a prominent European rick, 55, was sentenced A News of the Weird sexual-aid manufactur- B to 15 years in prison in Classic (December 2011) er's recommendation to December for the 2013 n October (2011), the su- instead use silicone rings, murder of her husband, which usually do not Iper-enthusiastic win- accomplished by spiking ners of a Kingston, Ontar- require professional re- his wine with anti-freeze. moval.) [Daily Telegraph io, radio station contest To cover her crime, she claimed their prize: the (London), 1-17-2016] [The handed over a note the Local (Berlin), 12-8-2015] chance to don gloves and husband had supposedly dig for free Buffalo Bills' written, requesting that football tickets (value Recurring Themes if tragedy struck him, $320), buried in buffalo ma- ew matters in life he wished not to be re- nure in a wading pool. The Fare weirder than the suscitated, preferring to show's host, Sarah Cros- Scottish love of hag- die with "dignerty" (sic). bie, reported the digging gis (sheep's liver, heart, Suspicious, police asked live (but, overcome by the tongue and fat, blended Patrick to spell "dignity," smell, vomited on the air). with oats and seasonings, which, of course, came More curious was a run- LOCALLY CRAFTED WINE, boiled inside a sheep's out "dignerty." (2) Kristina ner-up contestant, who SPIRITS, AND NOW, BEER. stomach to achieve its Green, 19, and Gary With- continued to muck around enticing gray color!), and ers, 38, both already on for the second prize even Visit any of our locations, including in January, in honor of probation, were arrested though it was only tickets the area’s first ever combination the Scottish poet-icon in Encinitas, California, in to a local zoo. [Yahoo Cana- December afteran Ama- winery, distillery, and brewery Robert Burns, prominent da Sports, 10-21-2011] to Enjoy Mazza for yourself.

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eomindd 1 1122015 01050 FEATURE The State of Erie Industry, 2016 Modest gains and growing pains. ED BERNIK ED BERNIK

By: Jim Wertz settling at best. However, analysts and Economic Research Institute of Erie It’s a bit of a shell game, but over time regional planners over the past two (ERIE) at Penn State Erie, The Behrend it’s not all bad. ews of loss. That’s how we decades have embraced the notion of College. “We need to continue to grow “Long term projections for local in- closed 2015. diversification, both within and among in diverse ways.” dustry by the PA Department of Labor N The layoffs announced by GE industries. This means that in addition It’s that type of diversification that are not all that pessimistic,” says Louie. Transportation are expected to near to building portfolios different from keeps Louie feeling optimistic about “Between 2012-2022, they’re projecting 1500 by the end of the first quarter of traditional manufacturing, moving Erie’s economic future. employment in all industries to grow this year, depending on a number of into advanced manufacturing sectors, “We’re still recovering from the reces- by 6.7 percent. That means that overall, variables including voluntary retire- industrial services, and management sion, so we haven’t gotten back all the employment is going to modestly in- ments, changes in the global economy, support, our traditional industries jobs we’ve lost, but we’ve made some crease. Furthermore, PNC Bank is fore- and technological advancements in need to diversify their own portfolios modest gains.” casting that employment in NWPA is the production of the Lawrence Park in order to remain competitive within Unemployment has declined in the going to grow by 1.7 percent in the next plant’s primary product, locomotives. their respective sectors. region during the past few years. As year. Again, these gains are modest, but But this cycle of boom and bust over So the production model of a compa- of mid-2015, the Pennsylvania Depart- they’re headed in the right direction.” the past 30-odd years has wreaked hav- ny like GE Transportation will move ment of Labor and Industry estimated What’s harder to comprehend is the oc on the collective regional psyche from traditional locomotives into tech- that unemployment in Erie County fell changing nature of Erie’s industrial and placed GE Transportation in a light nologically advanced locomotives like to 4.9 percent, just slightly higher than profile. Manufacturing was the back- similar to a west Texas oil company or its Evolution line, as it’s done for some statewide unemployment estimated bone of the Erie economy for so long an Appalachian mining enterprise. In time, as well as create other products at 4.8 percent. The caveat to declining that its decline unsettled the labor such cases, the promise of prosperity and services like the locomotive “kits” unemployment rates is our shrinking force as well as those industries that makes the tragedy of the bust worth that will be shipped to assembly plants population. Since 2011, Erie County supported manufacturing. Sixty-eight enduring, whether it be fact or fiction. in locales as different as Fort Worth, has lost just under 1 percent of its to- percent of the jobs lost during the last As a region, we’ve become obsessed Texas and Bihar, India. tal population, many of whom were job recession were, in fact, lost from man- with the status of work at GE Trans- “In economic theory, diversification makers, and as a result the region lost ufacturing. As traditional manufactur- portation in no small part because it’s is always better than trying to stand more than 5 percent of its total labor ing declined, employment in health- been the region’s largest employer for behind a single industry or a few in- force. In short, fewer jobs and fewer job care and various service sectors began as long as most people can remember. dustries or old industries from the seekers equaled lower unemployment to replace high-paying manufacturing The prospect of that changing is un- past,” says Ken Louie, director of the rates. jobs.

14 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 FEATURE NICK WARREN

For traditionalists, the bright spot ufacturing labor force, albeit a high- coming out of the 2007-2010 recession ly skilled workforce, have less than a was the fact that advanced industries – bachelor’s degree. those focused on investing in research According to Pennsylvania Labor In- and development within their sectors, dustry forecasts, traditional manufac- and those with significant shares of turing is expected to grow by less than employees performing STEM knowl- 2 percent in the next few years. How- edge jobs – continued to produce prod- ever, service industries are expected to ucts and wages at rates well beyond see growth greater than 8 percent. traditional manufacturing. In Erie, Advanced services will do even better. the advanced workforce earns nearly That’s good news, because traditional $69,000 per year on average. Outside of service sectors like tourism and compa- this sector, wages average just $30,000 rable industries like retail tend to offer per year. wages well below those in manufactur- Among small metros in the U.S., Erie ing, generally, and advanced industries, advanced industries employment falls in particular. within the top 25 percent. To that end, state analysts expect And advanced industries jobs are professional technical services to grow expected to multiply in the next few by more than 11 percent and manage- years, although many of these will be ment is expected to see greater than 43 in advanced services rather than ad- percent growth. Louie says these esti- vanced manufacturing. The most sig- mates are historically consistent with nificant difference between these sec- ERIE analysis. [Cont. on page 41] tors is that advanced services – such as architecture, engineering, and con- Opposite and at left: these photos by Ed sulting – tend to employ people with a Bernik depict regional workers in a few of the diverse industries creating jobs in the bachelor’s degree or higher, whereas 50 area, where unemployment has actually percent of the nation’s advanced man- declined during the past few years. ED BERNIK

February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 15 Velocity Network is building tomorrow’s network today. As Northwestern Pennsylvania’s largest local provider of Fiber-Optic Internet, Voice, and Managed IT Services – organizations of all sizes rely on Velocity to help grow their operations.

Investing in Erie and providing the communities of Northwestern Pennsylvania with access to technology and world-class Internet speeds is our passion. We work here, we live here, and we are committed to delivering the next generation of technologies necessary to strengthen our local economy. TV HD phone reliability gigabit gigabit fiber 100% local

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Investing in Erie and providing the communities of Northwestern Pennsylvania with access to technology and world-class Internet speeds is our passion. We work here, we live here, and we are committed to delivering the next generation of technologies necessary to strengthen our local economy. TV CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By: Brianna Lyle also involved a new website, new connecting them with one an- From left: Steven Krauza, Scott checked in with Steven Krau- business cards, new social media other for collaborative opportu- Quezada, and Honey Stempka are three 40 Under 40 Alumni whose HD phone za, owner of Krauza Family sites, etc. nities as well as connecting them businesses have grown and evolved IChiropractic; Honey Stemp- Scott Quezada: Since my induc- with the big businesses in the re- since their induction. Though their ka, CEO & founder of Undo Un- tion, I’ve continued business as gion, to be a part of their supply work may seem initially dissimilar, all done; and Scott Quezada, owner usual. Although, my client base chain, whether it is for a widget three seek to improve the wellness, of SQuare Trade Design, three is expanding and I’m projected to or a service. success, and livability of our region. reliability of Erie’s 40 Under 40 alumni. have my most profitable year. SQ: Small business is a funda- gigabit gigabit fiber Read the Q&A below to see what BL: Erieites often complain mental part of any society. Un- Today’s business climate re- they’ve been up to: renaming about the lack of small and/or fortunately, we as a whole live in quires businesses of different 100% local businesses, eliminating carbon diverse businesses in the area, an over-saturated global market. and similar industries to collab- footprints, and showing people but there is opportunity to begin So for small business to thrive, orate instead of competing. An that they are capable of any- and foster business here. What we all need to make a conscious example of this is the local craft thing. are your thoughts on the state of decision to support our young beer industry. These business Brianna Lyle: How has your small business in Erie? business owners. owners don’t necessarily com- business evolved since you were SK: Small business is the future BL: Any advice for someone pete against one another. They on Erie’s 40 Under 40 list? of the Erie community. The writ- looking to start a new business? know if they work together, they Steven Krauza: The 40 Under ing is on the wall in terms of large SK: Many new entrepreneurs will all benefit. In the health care DID YOU KNOW? 40 list introduced me to a new au- industries remaining in Erie. envision a well-established, fine- industry, I collaborate with other Velocity’s fiber optic network spans dience. I am reaching a new and In order for this community to ly-tuned business in their head. wellness-minded businesses and different demographic now. Be- survive job cuts and companies As a result, many take on too individuals. If we work to build over 500 miles in Erie County. ing featured in 40 Under 40 has moving to other states, we need much debt load … which makes it one another up, we all win. Sym- Hundreds of local businesses been a great experience! to create our future. This is a difficult to keep their head above biosis in business is a wonderful currently benefit from Velocity’s Honey Stempka: The business great time for people to contem- water in the early years. thing in today’s economy. has been renamed and rebrand- plate starting a small business. I strongly recommend new HS: Start, don’t sit on the idea Fiber and Voice Solutions. ed to Undo Undone (previously HS: Interestingly, there are business owners start lean, take waiting for it to be perfect. Per- Sustainable Lifestyle Group) more small businesses in our on as little debt as possible, fection is an illusion. Get it out business + residential business with a focus on revolutionizing community than “big” business- and then allow the business to there and adjust as you get feed- the workplace through custom- es. I think there is work that evolve. As the awareness of the back from the market. ized training, team building, and could be done making those new business grows, customer SQ: Do the prep work! Business strategy experiences that help small businesses visible in the base develops, and cash flow in- plans are essential for starting reengage and refocus employees community, taking their contri- creases, then [you can] start up- any new business. Making your- … We are expanding beyond the bution seriously – particularly grading in a disciplined manner. self an expert in your profession region working with new indus- when it comes to women-owned The well-established businesses translates to your patrons that tries in other geographic areas. businesses or those owned by new entrepreneurs envision at they are spending their dollars built for erie. The rename and rebrand has underrepresented populations – the start take time to develop. wisely. 814.833.9111 || www.vnetfiber.com February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 17 BUSINESS

BL: How do you go from an idea to a expand the company exponentially in long-running fixation of mine. Now I system. (from krauzachiro.com) business? Maybe you can help readers the future. get to disassemble people’s houses and 898.2346 or krauzachiro.com understand some of the process from SQ: For me, it started with interest, create healthier, more efficient spaces initial idea to fruition. experience, and continually feeling un- in design and use. SQuare Trade Design offers full SK: Business owners need to devel- der-appreciated in my vocation while BL: What’s your favorite book? service sustainable design and op their “why:” why they want to be working for others, creating a catalyst SK: The Power of Now by Eckhart construction. Utilizing Building in business for themselves. The “why” for change. I realized that I needed in- Tolle. Sciences – the study of how houses must be their driving force and com- dependence in my work-space. From HS: There are many. I am developing function – allows the company pass. There are a lot of less stressful there, it’s still an uphill struggle with a a list of books that I read every year to use fewer, safer, and longer ways to earn a living than owning your plethora of daily responsibilities. Val- because the information within is so lasting materials. In turn, this own business. The purpose [of the idation and inspiration will be all the valuable to the way that I execute the minimizes clients’ and its own business] should be bigger than you, rewards needed to continue your jour- day-to-day or to my mindset. One of carbon footprint, which is the letting the passion of the “why” flow ney. those books is The Big Leap by Gay company’s loftiest goal. 490.3514 or through the “what” of your business. BL: Why do you do what you do? Hendricks. For the last three years, this [email protected] HS: It takes a lot of time, more time SK: We are all capable of more than is the first book that I read at the be- than you think, more time than people we give ourselves credit for. Many peo- ginning of the year. Also on this list are Undo Undone delivers memorable, tell you it will take. I could say, “Do this, ple live in fear … fear of pain, fear of re- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective customized experiences that then this, then this,” etc.; but depend- jection, fear of failure, fear of success, People by Stephen Covey and Think revolutionize today’s workplaces. ing on the business and the person, the fear of being their true selves … I be- and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, so far. They work with independent process would be different for every- lieve in people; in showing them they SQ: Merriam-Webster Dictionary teams and departments of all sizes one. It begins with vision, a vision so are capable of anything they choose to through training, team building, big it’s scary and from there establish- do. They just need to believe in them- Krauza Family Chiropractic aims and strategy to create healthier and ing goals and an action plan to make it selves. to create a consciousness for more productive employees that happen. HS: It all comes down to making a each practice member to actively love what they do and for whom When I began, I didn’t have a big positive difference in people’s lives. participate in their expression of they work. (from undoundone.com) enough vision, I was playing it safe. I Trying to be a kick-ass role model for life so they can effectively create 969.5402 or [email protected] am currently working through the vi- my sons. wellness in all three dimensions sioning process again and expanding SQ: Taking things apart and put- of life without interference Brianna Lyle can be contacted on the vision exponentially, which will ting them back together has been a to the body’s master control at [email protected].

BRING IT to Do you know someone UNDER 40who is THE Barre shaping the future of Erie?

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February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 19 FEATURE A Spotlight on Local Companies What’s Next These are just a handful of the innovative local companies that help to shape the Erie area’s commercial/ IN LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT industrial landscape. In 1890, a young entrepreneur established the Edison By: Ryan Smith General Electric Company after inventing the incandescent Zurn Energy Division – is no relic. David Hunter. ne is a website development company that’s With nearly 120 employees in Erie working with oth- That’s a very vital service to have at-hand in the electric lamp. What came next changed our economy forever. taken off throughout Erie – and well beyond er engineering professionals around the world, CMI business world, especially as many sectors of com- O– in recent years. (now part of the nearly 200-year-old Belgium-based merce and industry become increasingly connected Another is a major player in the international ener- international corporation CMI Group) continues to and truly worldwide. gy industry, with a 175-year local history. develop technologies for a range of energy industry “It’s of utmost importance to keep Erie visible on the A major architectural development company. applications. That means engineering professionals international stage,” says Hunter, and the Internet is A co-working space that makes room for new local in Erie are working on everything from combined-cy- “typically the first place [people] are going to go.” start-ups to grow. cle power plants, solar-thermal power, and maritime Started in 2009 by Hunter and Shaun Rajewski (the A veteran-owned automation business that em- energy to designs that address fluctuating energy brain behind 29 million-and-counting lines of code), ploys dozens of skilled local workers. demands and solutions for meeting ever-more-strin- Epic Web now has a full staff of developers, designers, Another company, also longstanding in Erie, is rec- gent emissions control standards. and other young tech nerds providing good Internet ognized as a world leader in magnetics technologies. In short, company officials say, CMI continues to looks to over 300 unique clients – many of whom, These are just a handful of the innovative local create power technologies that truly have an impact they point out, are nowhere near Erie. companies that help to shape the Erie area’s commer- around the world. Cool, Epic. cial/industrial landscape. And, in this year’s Industry, Beyond that, “we also foster progress by investing Innovation & Entrepreneurship Issue, you’ll get to in Erie and its future, not only by providing profes- Eriez Manufacturing Co. know each of them a little better. sional career opportunities, but also by endowing student scholarships through Penn State University’s CMI Energy, LLC Behrend College, and by promoting research and de- WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOUR BUSINESS? velopment in engineering and technology,” says CMI If you have an idea, Ignite Erie partners can help you get Chief Executive Officer Yvan Moosmann. networked, get training, get funded, and get to market. Past, present, and future, that’s powerful work. A $5 million initiative launched by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority in conjunction Epic Web Studios with Erie’s most renowned business owners, educators, subject-matter experts, thinkers, and investors, Ignite Erie spurs inner-city small business development, fosters industry + university collaborations for business acceleration, and offers a broader spectrum of financing products for starting, growing, and reinventing small business. Visit IgniteErie.org for more.

ike many longstanding Erie-based companies, LEriez Manufacturing – now the “World Authority GET FUNDED GET TO MARKET in Separation Technologies” – started out way back in We’re investing in key growth areas, including minority-owned, We specialize in equipping and networking the day as a means to solveing a problem. inner-city, tourism, manufacturing, and tech-based businesses. leaders in all areas of business. riginally established as Presque Isle Foundry in ehind every good website, there’s a savvy devel- In its case, the day was the early 1940s; the problem O1840 – over a decade before the city of Erie was Boper – or a whole team of them. was runaway bits of metal (“‘tramp iron,”’ they called officially incorporated – the international company In the Gem City, that team goes by the name Epic it) in grain millers’ equipment; and its solution (dis- now known as CMI Energy has long been an indus- Web Studios, and it does everything from website de- covered by equipment seller and Eriez original found- trial and economic powerhouse for the region, and sign and development to social media, digital market- er, Orange Fowler Merwin) was magnetics. around the globe. ing, and search engine optimization. According to the company’s history, Merwin, act- In 1859, the company – then known as Erie City Iron Helping companies across the gamut develop a ing on complaints from his customers, researched Works – provided the engine used to drill the world’s strong online presence, “we basically work our butts a then new, very strong magnetic alloy, and, in 1942, first oil well in Titusville. developed and first marketed a permanent magnetic In 1868, the company supplied Erie’s water depart- separator. Grain millers readily purchased the new ment a 264-foot standpipe – at the time, the tallest “We basically work our butts off to make technology: They no longer had to deal with stuff like structure of its kind anywhere. the businesses and industries here stand wires and bolts and nails in their grains, and a new And by 1880, it was one of the largest boiler man- out as leaders in their fields,” says Epic Web Erie manufacturing company was born. ufacturers in the U.S., securing itself an important co-founder/managing partner/problem- Fast-forward seven decades or so, and Eriez is going and enduring role in the country’s early industrial solver/spokesperson David Hunter. strong, manufacturing and marketing an array of development. Some of its old records, in fact, are even equipment for magnetic separation, metal detection, archived at the Smithsonian Institution’s National and materials feeding, screening, conveying, and con- Museum of American History. off to make the businesses and industries here stand trolling. Impressive. But the 176-year-old company – which out as leaders in their fields,” says Epic Web co-found- Now going far beyond just meeting the needs of later became and was known locally until 2004 as er/managing partner/problem-solver/spokesperson local mills, Eriez officials say the company provides

20 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 @ECGRA814 #IgniteErie IgniteErie.org /IgniteErie

Erie 2016 Ad_erie reader.indd 1 2/11/16 1:15 PM What’sIN LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTNext

In 1890, a young entrepreneur established the Edison General Electric Company after inventing the incandescent electric lamp. What came next changed our economy forever.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOUR BUSINESS? If you have an idea, Ignite Erie partners can help you get networked, get training, get funded, and get to market.

A $5 million initiative launched by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority in conjunction with Erie’s most renowned business owners, educators, subject-matter experts, thinkers, and investors, Ignite Erie spurs inner-city small business development, fosters industry + university collaborations for business acceleration, and offers a broader spectrum of financing products for starting, growing, and reinventing small business. Visit IgniteErie.org for more. GET FUNDED GET TO MARKET We’re investing in key growth areas, including minority-owned, We specialize in equipping and networking inner-city, tourism, manufacturing, and tech-based businesses. leaders in all areas of business.

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Erie 2016 Ad_erie reader.indd 1 2/11/16 1:15 PM Doug Massey, Carl Nicolia, Carmen Dawson, Katrina Smith, Joel Secundy, Amy Bridger, Jeff Parnell, Maggie Horne - Brad Gleason, Dr. W.L. Scheller, Ralph Ford, Beth Zimmer, Governor’s BlueTree Allied Angels, Adreamz DevelopErie Erie Management Director, Research & Erie Technology Gannon SBDC Mercyhurst, Tom Ridge Dean of Engineering Interim Innovation Group Business Development, Incubator at Gannon Action Team Innovation Collaborative School of Intelligence Studies and Business, Chancellor, Collaborative PSU Behrend and Information Science Gannon University Board of Directors PSU Behrend Mike Noble, Jonathan D’Silva, Dr. Ken Louie, Amanda Sissem, President , MacDonald Erie Arts & Economic Research Institue Hero BX Illig, Innovation Culture Collaborative of Erie, PSU Behrend Board of Directors Partners with a Purpose

Dr. Balaji Rajagopalan, PSU Dean of Black School of Business, Innovation Steve Findlay, Collaborative Board of Directors BlueTree Allied Angels

Dr. Greg Dillon, PSU Behrend, Director of Applied Research Dave Mosier, Dr. Nathan Ritchey, “Disrupting Erie, BlueTree Allied Angels VP of Strategic Initiatives and Dean and Innovation Collaborative of Edinboro’s College of Science and Board of Directors Health, Innovation Collaborative Board of Directors One Entrepreneur at a Time...” Dr. Rajeev Parikh, Dean, Walker School of Business Mercyhurst University Vice Chairman, Innovation Collaborative Board of Directors Bill Scholz, Anna Franz, Linda Stevenson, Innovation Emerge2040 Athena Powerlink Collaborative

Samuel “Pat” Black III, Erie Management Group

Bob Spaulding, Erie’s Hero Award Economic presented to Development H.O. Hirt and O.G. Director, Office of Crawford at the first annual Cathy VonBirgelen, Disrupt Erie Awards. Senator Sean Wiley eMarketing Learning Center Brian Scott, BlueTree Allied Angels & 2015 Todd Scalise / Higherglyphics Innovation Collaborative T.J. King, Board of Directors Bridgeway Capital

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22 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 FEATURE

hundreds of products to more than 80 industries. Radius CoWork Weber Murphy Fox You’ll find their magnetized machinery at work in hether it’s working on restoring historic struc- industries that range, according to the Eriez website, Wtures, building new sports and recreational fa- “from food to pharmaceutical; coal mining to mineral cilities, or designing a $150 million project to bring ur- beneficiation; pulp and paper to rubber and plastics; ban office, living, and retail to Erie’s bayfront, Weber ceramics to aggregates; foundries to textile; recycling Murphy Fox can count its successes as many. to primary metals; industrial minerals to stone, clay But jobs well done aren’t counted in numbers of and glass; tobacco to chemical; packaging to industri- new ribbon-cutting ceremonies, according to com- al machinery; power generation to coal processing; fabrication to automotive; transportation to lifting and rigging; and many more.” Leave it to an Erie company to have the know-how to help other industries separate their wheat from their chaff.

Great Lakes Automation Services, Inc.

rie’s first-ever co-working space, Radius CoWork, Etaps into evolving business and cultural models for success, and states its purpose clearly: “Provid- ing facilities and connections that empower creative pany officials: At WMF, they say, success is measured professionals, freelancers, and start-ups to get work “over time, as people use the facility and experience done.” the spaces that are designed specifically for the indi- Radius has been doing that since early 2015 after vidual.” winning the Renaissance Centre’s annual contest in With offices in Erie, Cleveland, and State College, which deserving start-ups go after a year’s worth of the architectural design firm also focuses on con- free office space. Earning that accolade showed that struction management, land planning and develop- Erie’s business leaders saw the value of coworking ment, and historic preservation. Using experience, – an emerging national trend toward open-access, keen professional insight and modern design con- collaborative workspaces – and the growing need for cepts and approaches, WMF serves clients ranging the availability of such space for other start-ups on from churches and hospitals to colleges and public sk company President Mark Fatica to explain in the local level. schools, from corporations and manufacturers to se- Aeasy terms what Great Lakes Automation Ser- nior-living centers and public spaces. vices, Inc. does, and he’ll tell you, basically, they work “We strive to understand our client’s business so within the field of robotics. Spaces like Radius CoWork, becoming that our design solutions enhance the functionality That’s because the term robotics “is a buzzword more common in cities across the country, of their built environments,” says WMF Principal that everyone sort of understands,” says Fatica, who facilitate innovation. They facilitate Dennis Wilkins. “We invest heavily in cutting-edge launched GLASI – an officially-recognized Service constructive risk-taking. They facilitate technology that affords our clients the ability to vi- Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) that growth. And Erie needs as much of those currently employs upwards of 60 skilled people – in as it can get. Using experience, keen professional nearby McKean in 2002. insight and modern design concepts and Like that wide-open field of science and technolo- approaches, WMF serves clients ranging gy, the applications of automation services are near- In short, spaces like Radius, becoming more com- ly endless in the modern industrial landscape, and mon in cities across the country, facilitate innova- from churches and hospitals to colleges GLASI’s services are widely used in everything from tion. They facilitate constructive risk-taking. They and public schools, from corporations and automobiles to medical devices. facilitate growth. And Erie needs as much of those as manufacturers to senior-living centers and The business of GLASI may be to create precise, ef- it can get. public spaces. ficient automation systems for a range of high-tech “The critical role we seek to fill,” says Radius industries, but the heart of its success, Fatica is quick co-founder Sean Fedorko, is to “provide the low- to say, is the people behind the machines. est-cost, lowest-friction, highest-value opportunity sualize design concepts, and better enables WMF to “The people in this area – skill-wise and [with solid] for somebody to get started” in business, wheth- integrate our construction management services ear- work ethics – are huge for us,” he says. And “the thing er that person’s needs are for physical work space, ly in the design process, resulting in both time- and that makes us succeed is our local vendors,” and oth- computers and other resources, or opportunities for cost-savings for our clients.” er companies that have a demand – and repeatedly idea-sharing amongst peers. The results of that investment of time and talent return – for the services GLASI offers. That’s good work, and it’s becoming one of the ways can be seen in plenty of buildings and spaces in and For GLASI and many other companies, forging and that people with new ideas are getting a lot of things around Erie, and elsewhere. keeping those kinds of cooperative, long standing done. relationships on the local level is a big part of what “Now,” Fedorko says, “Erie is able to accommodate Ryan Smith can be reached at rsmith@ success in industry is all about. a lot of really great work that may have otherwise eriereader.com, and you can follow him And there’s something very human about that. starved.” on Twitter @ryanmsmithplens.

February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 23 NEWS & OPINION Considering the City Arts & Culture Economy

Business leader and author lated expenditures” amounted Margaret Hefferman said that “for to more than more than $7.5 good ideas and true innovation, million being infused into the you need human interaction, local economy. Clearly the arts conflict, argument, and debate. Arts organizations are at the are playing a significant role in forefront of fostering these vital Erie’s economy. interactions. A review of Elizabeth Cur- rid-Halkett’s “The Warhol and spends it back out” in the Economy” on Amazon explains community. His team has in- that the author believes NYC’s vested $50,000 in remodeling economy is hugely dependent the hundred-plus-year-old on “social life … where creative building at 1505 State Street. people meet, network, and These funds were spent lo- exchange ideas.” Troublingly, cally, hiring electricians and Currid-Halkett’s book reports plumbers, and buying sup- that “urban policymakers … plies and materials at Kraus have not only seriously under- Department Store, Frontier estimated the importance of Lumber, or Gypsum Services. the cultural economy, but they domestic product (GDP). The of settings – city to rural and Local musicians are hired per have failed to recognize that it By: Lisa Austin, Civitas GDP is the estimated value of forest to ocean – as utilized in event. Currently, PACA’s gal- depends on a vibrant creative ttending arts and cul- “all goods and services” pro- That Thing You Do (1996) and lery is filled with 75 artworks social scene.” Currid-Halkett tural events in Erie for duced in the U.S. According The Road (2009). Nevertheless, by independent artists (NPAA noted the “importance of so- Athe last 20 years, I have to the 2015 ACPSA report, U.S. individual filmmakers could, members) which will be fea- cial milieus in the production been transported by music, arts and culture economies with support, make this indus- tured during the March 11 Gal- of culture” and that this cre- transfixed by dance, lost in create jobs not only within the try a larger economic player. lery Night and auctioned off ative vitality attracts “high hu- film, overwhelmed by theater, arts and cultural industry; but Nationwide, advertising con- on March 12 from 1-3 p.m. as a man capital from around the shocked by poetry, enchanted also in other sectors at a rate of tributed over $29 million to the fundraiser for each artist, the world.” by crafts, challenged by visual 1.6 to 2. For example: Two the- GDP in 2012. While the impact NPAA scholarship, and PACA. While NYC is a world apart, arts – and engaged in conver- ater jobs support the creation here in Erie has not been de- Meanwhile, visiting perform- Erie should take note of Cur- sation with people of all ages, of 1.6 jobs in other industries. fined, we can clearly boast so- ers and PACA’s 10,000-plus an- rid-Halkett’s point: A city’s so- races, economic status, levels In 2012, the most recent year phisticated firms specializing nual visitors enjoy dinner be- cial scene informs and frames of education, political views, for which data is available, in advertising animation, web, fore performances and drinks the cultural economy and spiritual practices, physical U.S. GDP was $16,163.2 billion. and graphic design, including afterwards downtown, further these both impact the larger abilities, and birthplaces. Arts The ACPSA report reveals that Creative Core, Epic Web, More- expanding this organization’s economy. Business leader and revive and hone our humanity, the arts and culture sector’s Frames, PAPA Advertising, and economic impact. author Margaret Hefferman contribute to social interac- contribution to the GDP was Werkbot Studios. These firms Melinda Meyer, program di- said that “for good ideas and tions, foster innovation, and $698 billion. This exceeded the serve clients in Erie and na- rector at Erie Arts & Culture, true innovation, you need hu- attract and retain human cap- construction industry’s por- tionwide, and some are look- explained that her organiza- man interaction, conflict, argu- ital to the region, thus enrich- tion ($586.7 billion); as well as ing to expand globally. tion is participating in a na- ment, and debate. Our region’s ing our economy. Arts organi- that of the agriculture, fishing, David Hunter, managing tional study on how the arts arts organizations are at the zations also measurably put forestry, and hunting industry partner of the eight-year-old impact economies. Along with forefront of fostering these vi- dollars into the local economy. ($195.3 billion). The ACPSA re- Epic Web Studio, reported that 300 other communities across tal interactions. They can’t out-source their port lists specific arts and cul- in addition to regional work, the country, Erie Arts & Cul- Supporting Erie’s “arts and workers and tend to buy sup- tural industries in descending his firm attracts clients from ture is working with Ameri- culture economy” is key to plies nearby (thus supporting order of contribution to the big cities like Chicago and Bos- cans for the Arts, as they pro- what Harvard economist Ed- other local jobs). Additionally, GDP: 1) broadcasting, 2) mo- ton. Due to Erie’s lower cost duce their fifth report on the ward Glaeser describes as “the arts organizations attract visi- tion picture, 3) publishing, 4) of living, Hunter explained arts and economic prosperity. most successful economic de- tors downtown to spend their retail trade, 5) performing arts that Epic is able to “provide a Their last report, with figures velopment policy” for cities: dollars in Erie. and independent artists, and higher tier of service at a low- from 2010, indicates that Erie “attract and retain smart peo- Published by the Depart- 6) advertising. er cost than major agencies in County arts and culture or- ple and then get out of their ment of Commerce’s Bureau For now, let’s assume that big metropolitan areas.” Hunt- ganizations and audiences to- way.” of Economic Analysis and the Erie broadcasting, as it cur- er wants to help make Erie “a gether spent over $18 million, National Endowment for the rently exists, has a limited known spot for technology resulting in over $700,000 re- Lisa Austin can be reached Arts, the Arts and Cultural audience base. Next, we can and digital marketing.” ceived “in revenue to local gov- via email Lisa@civitaserie. Production Satellite Account probably agree that a motion Mark Tanenbaum, artistic ernment,” and almost $13 mil- com; or by scheduling a (ACPSA) details the contri- picture industry does not re- director at Performing Artists lion “in household income paid Friday morning meeting butions of our country’s arts ally exist in Erie (despite the Collective Alliance, says PACA to residents.” In addition, the at the Civitas office in and culture sector to the gross potential to feature a variety “pipelines all [earned] money “non-admission” but “event-re- the Masonic Building.

24 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 % Furniture Decor Jewelry OFF www.claudinesconsignment.com Running & Walking 15Min. $50 purchase of any reg. priced item. Not valid with any other offers or specials. Expires 3/2/2016 : Hours SPECIALTIES Our free gait analysis will help you nd the shoe that’s right for you! Mon-Fri: 10-6 (814) 520-8055 2309 W 12th Street Erie, Sat 10-5 2208 West 8th Street Erie, PA PA 16505 the ultimate medical & technical running & walking shop Leap into Spring Event 814-871-6320 Running & Walking Shoes • Apparel • Accessories www.achillesrunning.us Wednesday, February 24, 2016 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Refreshments! Prizes! We actually t you for shoes!

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February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 25 Spotlight on Erie February 17 -- March 1, 2016

Thursday, Feb. 18 Berninger from the National covering weird in its own right – impressed John ditional, and contemporary Celtic styl- Colin Hay. Acoustic guitar in hand, he Lennon and George Harrison so much ings since 2008, sharing stages with the Jess Royer and Jake Johns keeps a steady pulse with a subtle foot that they convinced their manager Al- likes of Gogol Bordello and Dropkick Bring Soulful Storytelling tambourine. The light beat provides a len Klein to produce the director’s next Murphys. Songs to Bobby’s Place backdrop as dynamics climb and cas- feature. Jodorowsky rose to the occa- On Friday, Feb. 19, they bring their mu- cade. Tones transition from woeful sion by combining just about every in- sical rampage back to the Kings Rook to humorous, with everything in be- gredient in the hippie cookbook – acid Club, setting up for what’s sure to be an tween. You’re sure to be easily won over meltdowns, new age mysticism, free evening of good-timey debauchery. by both artists. — Nick Warren jazz, science fiction, tarot, yoga, and a With pre- and post-performances heavy dose of inexplicable nudity. both upstairs and down, Erie’s own 8 - 11 p.m. // Bobby’s Place, 1202 W. 18th St. So is The Holy Mountain a vision- honky-tonkin’ string band the Bootleg- // Free Admission ary epic or a dated curiosity? For my ger’s Bible Club will open and close the money, it’s more of the former than show. Thursday, Feb. 18 the latter. There’s something genuine- So long as you’re 21-plus, sounds like Is The Holy Mountain the ly wild about Jodorowsky’s ferocious that could be a really good time. — strangest movie ever made? ambitions, even as he wallows in pseu- Ryan Smith do-profundity. If you’re a fanatic, a Wiccan goddess, a hipster 10 p.m. // 1921 Peach St. // facebook.com/ ake a nice respite from the cold Feb- cinephile, or just an all-around stoner, kingsrookclub ruary weather, grab a drink, and this is one you won’t want to miss. — T Saturday, Feb. 20 warm yourself up to two of the best Dan Schank songwriters in the area. Jess Royer has Basement Transmissions’ been making a name for herself late- 8:30 p.m. // Edinboro Film Series // 405 ly, playing numerous events large and Scotland Rd., Edinboro // facebook.com/ Punk Floor Show Embodies small. While her voice has no trouble events/934729586618872/ the Spirit of Punk Rock filling a room of any size, cozy venues o you enjoy weird movies? Well, like Bobby’s Place provide an added in- Friday, Feb. 19 if you do, Alejandro Jodorowsky’s timacy. The virtue of such an intimacy D 1973 epic The Holy Mountain makes Bastard Bearded Irishmen might be debatable when it comes to Donnie Darko look like Jerry Maguire. full-band rock and roll, but for these Bring Good-timey Debauchery Want to see a loin-clothed Jesus two performers, it’s undeniable. Both to Kings Rook Club lookalike wake up from a nap sur- rounded by hundreds of mannequins designed in his image? How about a Cozy venues like Bobby’s Place reenactment of the Spanish siege of provide an added intimacy. The Mexico, featuring a cast composed en- virtue of such an intimacy might tirely of costumed frogs and lizards? be debatable when it comes to full- The film also makes a pit stop on the band rock and roll, but for these planet Mars, where “the young gener- two performers, it’s undeniable. ation makes arms for its marches and sit-ins,” including “psychedelic shot- guns, grenade necklaces, rock-and-roll weapons” and so on. I’ve just described artists are warm, introspective, and his month’s installment of Base- about ten minutes of screen time, by ith a name like Bastard Bearded inviting. Nearly everyone who’s heard ment Transmissions’ Punk Floor Irishmen, you’d think these guys T Royer’s voice has become mesmerized W Show series doubles as the CD release would be wild. Raucous. Hairy. Maybe by it. Her alto is saturated and remark- show for Pittsburgh’s The Scratch n’ even a little ferocious. able, undulating somewhere between Jodorowsky rose to the occasion Sniffs’ Scraping By. And you’d be right on all counts. Ella Fitzgerald and . Royer by combining just about every The Scratch n’ Sniffs were clearly The Pittsburgh-based band – men- recently recorded a full length album ingredient in the hippie cookbook channeling bands like NOFX, Lag- tioned in in 2013 as a with Trevor Huster, which she’ll be re- – acid meltdowns, new age wagon, and Bad Religion while writing leasing shortly. She also has plans to mysticism, free jazz, science their energetic skate-punk album, tak- ing just enough influence without rip- pick up a few more musicians along fiction, tarot, yoga, and a heavy The Pittsburgh-based band ping anything off. The old school vibes the way, so keep tuned for that. The dose of inexplicable nudity. has been ripping it up with its evening is part of a showcase series coming from Scraping By scoff at the original blend of folk, rock, punk, curated by Matt Texter. Excited about notion that punk is dead. the team-up, Royer exclaimed that traditional, and contemporary Previous punk floor shows at BT the way. It goes on and on like this. “I’m genuinely so happy to be playing Celtic stylings since 2008, sharing showcased an array of styles in the Let’s back up a bit. The Holy Mountain with Jake. He just has this amazing stages with the likes of Gogol broad spectrum of genres related to is Jodorowsky’s follow-up to El Topo, a spirit, and you can really hear it come Bordello and Dropkick Murphys. punk. But this time around, the show “psychedelic western” that, along with out through his music. You’ll love it.” series is centered around punk in its cult hits like Night of the Living Dead Johns mixes his soulful baritone voice rawest and purest form. BT veterans and Pink Flamingos, helped mobilize “Band to Watch,” among other acco- with intelligent, creative storytelling. Dysmorphia and Genetically Engi- the “Midnight Movie” craze of the 70s lades – has been ripping it up with its For a starting point, try picturing Matt neered Super Humans (GESH) return and 80s. El Topo – which is pretty damn original blend of folk, rock, punk, tra- to the stage – or floor, rather – as well

26 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 **NO COVER EXCEPT ok SPECIAL EVENTS** s Ro FRI 02/19 King BASTARD BEARDED IRISHMEN Club [DOWNSTAIRS] SAT + BOOTLEGGERS BIBLE CLUB FEB [UPSTAIRS] 19 SAT 02/20 SMACKDAB [FREE] Bastard FRI 02/26 AFTER FUNK Bearded + HAEWA [FREE] Irishmen SAT 02/27 DOWNSTAIRS CONCERT COMPLEX FALLING HOLLYWOOD + TYLER SMILO UPSTAIRS LOUNGE [FREE] Bootleggers Bible Club FRI 03/04 CHICKSTOCK: CLAIRE STUCZYNSKI FRI + OPTIMISTIC APOCALYPSE MAR + BRITCHES 18 [FREE] START MAKING SENSE SAT 03/05 SMILO & THE GHOST TALKING HEADS TRIBUTE + JAKE JOHNS + HMFO: HALL & OATES TRIBUTE [FREE] DOWNSTAIRS CONCERT COMPLEX FRI 03/11 FUNKTIONAL FLOW D OORS 9PM | MUSIC 10PM MA [FREE] TTY B’S SAT 03/12 UPTOWNE BUDDHA EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT! [FREE] FRI 03/18 Grab your gear and get here! • 10pm START MAKING SENSE: TALKING HEADS No Cover • Drink Specials • Open 8pm TRIBUTE + HMFO: HALL & MUSIC AT 10PM•NO COVER EXCEPT SPECIAL EVENTS OATES TRIBUTE FREE POOL, SHUFFLEBOARD & GAMES ALWAYS!!! [DOWNSTAIRS] 1921 Peach St. Erie Pa•Private Parties Available•MEMBERS & GUESTS Contact: [email protected] & find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kingsrookclub

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JOIN US FOR We intend to be a cross-centered community Werner Books is a locally SUNDAY WORSHIP owned new and used bookstore that reaches the culture. located in Erie, PA. Basement Transmissions STORE HOURS 145 West 11th Street Monday – Friday: Corner of Sassafras and 11th 10 am – 5:30 pm Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm 10am www.TheCross.cc Closed Sundays /TheCrossErie [email protected] www.wernerbooks.com 3514 Liberty Street, Liberty Plaza, Erie, PA 16508

February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 27 Erie Bayfront Convention Center April 15-16-17, 2016

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Sponsor & Vendor Information Ph: 455-5718 http:/www.petsonthebay.com [email protected] Mon-Fri: LIKE US ON FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK (814) 806-7664 TWITTER 8:30 - 3:00PM “The goal of this event is to promote responsible pet ownership and Compassionate caring for all animals, through education and hands-on activities.” FREE DELIVERY: 10:30 - 1:30PM Follow us on Facebook for Daily Special or call for the Daily Special!

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28 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 CALENDAR as the grungy Flipper-meets-Dinosaur and present — publicly available for Wednesday, Feb. 24 bled south side decide to withhold sex Jr. stylings of Out of It. borrowing, and archived and preserved from their men until the violence ceas- The intimacy of playing on the floor for posterity as part of the communi- Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq Offers an es. The protest spreads until sexual instead of the stage is part of what ty’s history. Audacious, Ambitious Look frustration has overwhelmed not only made the old BT location on State As we’ve said before, that’s an awe- at the World We Live in the film’s gang-banging protagonists, Street so great, and the band and audi- some idea — and one that’s been heart- but also the mayor, the president, and ence being on the same level perfectly ily supported by the local music com- (eventually) the world. embodies the spirit of punk rock. — munity. As a parable about gender dynamics, Tommy Shannon And now, after months of music-gath- Chi-Raq is pretty simplistic. Its men ering, Blasco Library staffers Jessica are all dogs, and its women are scanti- 6 p.m. // 145 W. 11th St. // $5 // facebook. Makowski and Sarah Brown-Millspaw ly-clad angels. But as its focus shifts to- com/events/527541344073082/ are pleased to announce the official un- ward the concentrated poverty, racism, veiling of the Erie Library Local Music Saturday, Feb. 20 Project, coming, fittingly, during a “CD As a parable about gender release party” slated for Saturday, Feb. The Erie Library Local dynamics, Chi-Raq is pretty Music Project Celebrates 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Blasco. Along with an unveiling of the new simplistic. Its men are all dogs, and Regional Music Past, local collection, there will plenty of here’s a lot going on in Spike Lee’s its women are scantily-clad angels. Present, Future – and Live live music — local, of course — with Tmessy, visionary 2015 film Chi-Raq. But as its focus shifts toward the performances by Matty Boland, Opti- It’s inspired by Lysistrata, a classical concentrated poverty, racism, and mistic Apocalypse, and Strangers and Greek comedy by Aristophanes. Most violence that plagues our most of its dialogue rhymes. It’s kind of a Liars, along with an open mic session, vulnerable communities, it starts musical, though it won’t call to mind a musical petting zoo, and other mu- to pack a punch. sic-themed happenings. Grease or West Side Story. You could “We’re really just trying to connect probably call it a comedy, though the library to the musicians, and [the there’s nothing funny about the issues and violence that plagues our most vul- musicians] to the public,” Makowski it deals with. At times, it’s compelling nerable communities, it starts to pack a said recently. and provocative. It’s also, occasionally, punch. Better still, it rarely crosses over That’s music to our ears. — Ryan annoying. But absolutely worth seeing. into faux-serious, Oscar-bait territory. Smith The premise is completely absurd Spike Lee is true to his wild, weird vi- couple of hip Erie County Public (though Lee doesn’t expect us to take sion. ALibrary employees started the Lo- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. // 160 East it too seriously). After a small child is Take, for example, the cast. It’s an oil- cal Music Project in late 2015 as a ve- Front St. // facebook.com/ killed by accidental gunfire in a gang and-water mix of bad decisions (Jenni- hicle to make Erie-made music — past ErieLibraryLocalMusicProject shootout, the ladies of Chicago’s trou- fer Hudson as a grieving mom), good

The Highlife Kings Rook Club, 1921 Peek’n Peak Resort, 1405 Feb. 26 — 6 to 9 p.m. Sherlocks, 508 State MUSIC Peach St. facebook. Olde Rd. pknpk.com. St. facebook.com/ Feb. 19 — 6 to 9 p.m. Sprague Farm & Brew com/kingsrookclub. Works, 22043 US Hwy 6 & sherlocksparkplace. Dave VanAmburg Sprague Farm & Brew Radio Age 19 sleepingchainsaw.com. & Friends Works, 22043 US Hwy 6 & Flight Small Town Rollers 19 sleepingchainsaw.com. Feb. 20 — 9:30 p.m. Feb. 18, 25 — 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 19 — 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Whitney Peyton’s Feb. 27 — 6 to 9 p.m. Break the Frame Tour Maxi’s Restaurant, 2800 Acoustic Jukebox Sherlocks, 508 State South Erie Turners, Sprague Farm & Brew W. 8th St. jazzerie.com. St. facebook.com/ 2663 Peach St. Feb. 26 — 6 to 10:30 p.m. Works, 22043 US Hwy 6 & Feb. 19 — 6 to 9 p.m. sherlocksparkplace. 19 sleepingchainsaw.com. southerieturners.com. Basement Transmissions, Sherlocks, 508 State Colony House Band 145 W. 11th St. facebook.com/ St. facebook.com/ Basement Tri-State Music Feb. 18, 25 — 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Smackdab basement.transmissions. sherlocksparkplace. Transmissions Festival: Honor Colony Pub & Grille, 2670 Feb. 20 — 10 p.m. Punk Floor Show The Groove Band Concert W. 8th St. jazzerie.com. Friday Night Jazz Kings Rook Club, 1921 Feb. 20 — 6 p.m. Peach St. facebook. Feb. 26 — 8 p.m. Feb. 27 — 2 p.m. Feb. 19, 26 — 6 to 9 p.m. Faculty Recital Series Basement Transmissions, com/kingsrookclub. Presque Isle Downs & Mary D’Angelo Performing Oasis Pub, 3122 West 145 W. 11th St. facebook.com/ Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. Arts Center, 501 E. 38th Feb. 18 — 8 p.m. Lake Rd. jazzerie.com. events/527541344073082. Sunday Fireside presqueisledowns.com. St. mercyhurst.edu. Walker Recital Hall, 501 E. Music Series 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. Chris Higbee Rick Magee and the This American Song Feb. 21, 28 — 1 to 4 p.m. Tri-State Music Feb. 19, 20 — 8 p.m. Roadhouse Rockers Festival: Prism Jess Royer & Arundel Cellars, 11727 E. Feb. 27 — 7 p.m. Jake Johns Presque Isle Downs & Feb. 20 — 6 to 9 p.m. Main Rd. arundelcellars.com. Concert Erie Ale Works, 416 W. 12th Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. St. eriealeworks.com. Feb. 18 — 8 to 11 p.m. presqueisledowns.com. Sprague Farm & Brew Feb. 26 — 8 p.m. Works, 22043 US Hwy 6 & Piano Recital: Dr. Mary D’Angelo Performing Bobbys Place, 1202 W. 19 sleepingchainsaw.com. Whiskey Road 18th St. facebook.com/ Erie Ale House Nicholas Phillips Arts Center, 501 E. 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. Rock Show events/924494054265410. Acoustics I-90s Feb. 21 — 3 p.m. Feb. 27 — 8 p.m. Feb. 19 — 9 p.m. to midnight Walker Recital Hall, 501 E. After Funk & Haewa Basement Feb. 20 — 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. Presque Isle Downs & Transmissions Erie Ale House, 1033 State St. Sherlocks, 508 State Feb. 26 — 10 p.m. Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. facebook.com/ErieAleHouse. Acoustic Showcase St. facebook.com/ The Color Purple Kings Rook Club, 1921 presqueisledowns.com. sherlocksparkplace. Peach St. facebook. Feb. 19 — 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 22 — 7 to 9 p.m. Bastard Bearded com/kingsrookclub. Old School Basement Transmissions, Irishmen & Highway 45 Blasco Memorial Library, 160 Feb. 27 — 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. 145 W. 11th St. facebook.com/ Bootleggers Bible Club E. Front St. erielibrary.org. Zillion basement.transmissions. Feb. 20 — 9:30 p.m. Sherlocks, 508 State Feb. 19 — 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Salmon Frank Feb. 26 — 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. St. facebook.com/

February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 29 CALENDAR decisions (Samuel L. Jackson as our ex- Friday, Feb. 26 her mainstream counterparts. Her Friday, Feb. 26 tremely loud Greek chorus), fun stunt songs are driven more by the delivery casting (Dave Chappelle as the owner Whitney Peyton’s Break the of the lines throughout the entirety B.D. Lenz Delivers of a strip club), and completely inexpli- Frame Tour Brings Hip-hop of the song, instead of resorting to a Virtuosity and Versatility cable stunt casting (John Cusack as the to Basement Transmissions one-line hook and a bass drop that so at the Anchor In energetic preacher of a mostly-black many cookie-cutter party rap songs church). These decisions keep things use to dominate the radio and night fresh and unexpected – even when clubs. She even uses the line “I’ll rock a they don’t particularly work. different image ‘til you’re thrown off / The set design is also wildly innova- I’m not shaking my ass but my words tive – each rival gang is filmed in its will knock your dome off” to separate own, distinct color pattern. Almost herself from the typical tactics used by all of its establishment shots involve mainstream hip-hop. graffiti, signage, and murals – making But perhaps the most impressive rap- Chi-Raq feel like a cross between Jean per on the lineup goes by the moniker Luc-Godard and an episode of Empire. Yung Skola. This Erie native MC is only I’m not going to lie to you – parts of 11 years old, but his songs have a certain this movie are pretty disastrous. But realism to them that one would expect like much of Lee’s best work, there’s a from someone twice his age, making t may sound like your daddy’s music, sense that the director is thinking out them all the more extraordinary. He Ibut trust me – the Anchor In is (prob- loud, with a brazen lack of inhibition. asement Transmissions is known shows a surprising amount of social ably) way cooler than your parent’s He’s certainly not worried about what Bin Erie as a hub for varying types of awareness for his age, confronting po- basement. some smart aleck at an alt-weekly music. Metal, punk, and indie are most lice brutality and senseless violence There will be no dirty laundry or lit- thinks of him, and his confidence is commonly featured, but hip-hop hasn’t in his song “No Justice, No Peace,” and ter boxes in sight for this installment contagious. Chi-Raq might not be the yet received much recognition from telling a moving tale of loss in “I Miss of the Friday Night Jazz series, just best film of 2015, but it’s probably the the venue. That changes, however, on You.” the clean phrasings of two cats who one that best represents the uncertain Feb. 26 when Whitney Peyton brings Even from a very restricted under- really know how to pull some strings. zeitgeist we live in. — Dan Schank her Break the Frame tour to BT. standing of hip-hop culture, I can tell New Jersey’s B.D. Lenz will join Erie’s I will be the first to admit that my that this show is not something to own Frank Singer on guitar for three Film at 7 p.m., panel discussion about knowledge of hip-hop as a genre is miss. – Tommy Shannon hours of laid back grooves in the cozy violence to follow // Erie Art Museum, 411 substantially limited. But the music confines of the Oasis Pub’s understo- State St. // erieartmuseum.org/events/ that Whitney Peyton brings to the 6 p.m. // 145 W. 11th St. // $8 advance, ry. Both have been students of the in- film.html turntable seems to be sincerer than $10 day of show // facebook.com/ strument since their early teens, and events/763268537150403/ sherlocksparkplace. Matters of the Heart Van Houten Dining Hall, 345 Dr. trecpi.org. Women of Faith: Feb. 24 — 7 p.m. Scotland Rd. edinboro.edu. Feb. 19, 20, 26, 27 — 8 p.m. An Amazing Erie Art Museum, 411 State Fallen Union D-Day: Normandy Joyful Journey St. erieartmuseum.org. Lake Erie Ballet, 1020 Sips, Suds & Songs 1944 Movie Feb. 27 — 9:30 p.m. Holland St. facebook. Feb. 18 — 7 p.m. & Feb. to 1:30 a.m. com/lakeerieballet. Feb. 19, 26 — 8 to 11 p.m. Ongoing through March Stairway to 20 — 12:55 p.m. Heaven (1946) Peek’n Peak Resort, 1405 The Cork 1794, 17 W. Main 31 — noon & 4 p.m. St. cork1794.com. Cinemark’s Tinseltown, 1910 Olde Rd. pknpk.com. Stardust Valentine’s Tom Ridge Environmental Rotunda Dr. cinemark.com. Feb. 25 — 8 p.m. Dance Center, 301 Peninsula Erie Movie House, 3424 Brewers Cup Dr. trecpi.org. Next of Kin Feb. 20 — 7 to 11 p.m. Bolshoi Ballet - Lady Westlake Rd. facebook. Feb. 20 — 5 to 8 p.m. com/ErieMovieHouse. Feb. 27 — 9:30 p.m. Stardust Ballroom Dance of the Camellias The Brewerie at Union Tiny Giants to 1:30 a.m. Club of Erie, 3902 W. 38th Feb. 20 — 12:55 p.m. St. facebook.com/Stardust- Station, 123 W. 14th Ongoing through March Liquid Sky (1982) South Erie Turners, Mary D’Angelo Performing 2663 Peach St. Ballroom-Dance-Club-of- St. brewerie.com. 31 — 2 p.m. & 5 p.m. Feb. 26 — 8 p.m. Erie-597514403606573. Arts Center, 501 E. 38th southerieturners.com. Tom Ridge Environmental St. mercyhurst.edu. Erie Movie House, 3424 Voodoo Brewery Center, 301 Peninsula Westlake Rd. facebook. Master Class with Event at U Pick Falling Hollywood Dr. trecpi.org. Metropolis (1927) com/ErieMovieHouse. & Tyler Smilo Barbara Sandonato 6 Beer Store Pretty in Pink 30th Feb. 20 — 8 p.m. Far From the Feb. 27 — 10 p.m. Feb. 21 — 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 24 — 7 to 9 p.m. Anniversary Erie Movie House, 3424 Madding Crowd Kings Rook Club, 1921 Patterson School of Ballet, U Pick 6 Beer Store, Westlake Rd. facebook. Peach St. facebook. 2415 W. 26th St. facebook. 7520 Peach St. #101 Feb. 17 — 2 & 7 p.m. com/ErieMovieHouse. Feb. 28 — 1:30 to 4 p.m. com/eriedance.consortium. com/kingsrookclub. facebook.com/Voodoo- Cinemark Tinseltown, 1910 Blasco Memorial Library, 160 Brewery-305706522795288. Rotunda Dr. cinemark.com. The Danish Girl E. Front St. erielibrary.org. U.S. Navy Band FOOD & DRINK Barstool Open Feb. 21 — 2 p.m. Feb. 29 — 7 p.m. Voodoo Brewery Children of I’ll See You in Feb. 27 — 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Men (2006) Taylor Little Theatre, 501 E. My Dreams McDowell High School, Event at U Pick 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. 3580 W. 38th St. 6 Tap House Sherlocks, 508 State Feb. 17 — 7 p.m. Feb. 28 — 2 p.m. navyband.navy.mi. St. facebook.com/ Feb. 18 — 7 to 9 p.m. sherlocksparkplace. Erie Art Museum, 411 State The Maltese Taylor Little Theatre, 501 E. St. erieartmuseum.org. Falcon 75th 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. Star Trek: The U Pick 6 Tap House, 33 State St. #110 FILM Anniversary (1941) Ultimate Voyage facebook.com/Voodoo- The Holy Mountain An Evening with Neil Feb. 21, 24 — 2 & 7 p.m. Mar. 2 — 7:30 to 10 p.m. Brewery-305706522795288. Robots Movie Feb. 18 — 8:30 p.m. Young Live Q&A Cinemark Tinseltown, 1910 Warner Theatre, 811 State Ongoing through March Edinboro University, 405 Rotunda Dr. cinemark.com. Feb. 29 — 8 p.m. St. erieevents.com. Martin Luther King, 31 — 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. Scotland Rd. facebook. Cinemark Tinseltown, 1910 Jr. Luncheon Tom Ridge Environmental com/edinborofilmseries. Rotunda Dr. cinemark.com. DANCE Chi-raq (2015) Feb. 19 — noon Center, 301 Peninsula

30 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 Buy a $25 From your Amigos at Gift Card, 2709 West 12th St. Get $5 FREE 814 835 2290

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February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 31 A Film Society of NWPA Event OSCAR PARTY FEBRUARY 28, 2016 SHERATON ERIE BAYFRONT HOTEL VIP $80 • 7PM | GENERAL $50 • 8PM filmsocietynwpa.org /oscars

SPONSORED BY: Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel • Erie Reader Grant Larson Productions • JET/FOX/YourErie Hagan Business Machines • Whole Foods Co-Op

CD Release Party! ERIE LOCAL @THE BLASCO MEMORIAL LIBRARY MUSIC PROJECT Demos 2016 Winter Term Saturday Vendors Feb. 20, 2016 UPCOMING VISITING SPEAKERS Open Mic 10 am - 4 pm Performances Instrument Petting Zoo David Briel, MBA Executive Director of International Investment in the Office of International Music Storytime @ 12:30 pm Business Development for the Pennsylvania Department of Community Economic Development. Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 ErieLibrary.org Evaluating Pennsylvania’s Role in the Global Facebook.com/eriemusicproject 160 E. Front st. Erie PA, 16507 Marketplace Boasting a GDP the size of Switzerland, the Keystone State would be the FEBRUARY MOVIE OF THE MONTH at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center 28th largest economy in the world if it were a country. This lecture will evaluate Pennsylvania's role - and future - in the global marketplace through international investment. Roxanne Sukol, M.D. Medical Director, Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Enterprise, Department of Preventative Medicine. Monday, Feb. 29, 2016 Preventing - and Reversing - the Growing Trend of Diabetes and Obesity $5.00 SPECIAL Do you know the difference between real foods and manufactured calories? Want to know how to prevent and reverse diabetes and obesity by protecting your health and wellness? Dr. Sukol has your answers. 814.459.8000 www.JESerie.org. 3207 State Street, Erie, PA 16508 trecpi.org 814.838.4123 301 Peninsula Dr. Erie, PA 16505

32 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 CALENDAR

it’s evident in their fluid and articulate Friday, Feb. 26 Will, fleeing his rural hometown after playing. a scandal at his Evangelical church, Lenz, a former math teacher, can Dramashop Stages the his teenage son whom he had given up count himself among the most covet- Award-winning Dark Comedy, for adoption, his son’s adopted broth- ed players in jazz today. His music has A Bright New Boise er, a hapless young woman, and their appeared on hundreds of TV shows, manager. All are striving, in the play’s including Breaking Bad (AMC), Catfish here’s no place quite like the break notes, to “confront an unyielding world (MTV), and Anthony Bourdain’s No Res- Troom of a Hobby Lobby to explore through the beige-tinted impossibility a crisis of faith. There’s nothing pretty of modern faith.” – Sara Toth Lenz swings and slinks with the about such a crisis, and certainly noth- ing pretty about a corporate behemoth 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Feb. 26 – bluesy swagger of a Kenny Burrell recently caught on the wrong end of March 12 // Dramashop, Renaissance on some recordings and soars into the church/state divide. Centre, 2nd Fl., 1001 State St. // Tickets $12 the spacier, new-agey fusion of a But “nothing is pretty about A Bright // dramashop.org

Pat Metheny on others. New Boise,” quipped The Washington SMICKER EMILY Saturday, Feb. 27 2013. Their debut album, Set the Table ervations (Travel Channel). He is not- There’s no place quite like the Kings Rook Club Welcomes saw the boys with a folk-inspired fla- ed for his versatility in addition to his break room of a Hobby Lobby to Falling Hollywood’s vor. Their follow-up, aptly titled Heavy virtuosity, swinging and slinking with explore a crisis of faith. Americana Shuffles and Weather hit listeners with a slightly the bluesy swagger of a Kenny Burrell grittier edge, still packed with all the on some recordings and soaring into Garage Rock Singalongs hooks you could ask for. They’ve all but the spacier, new-agey fusion of a Pat Post, “a play that marches in the foot- t’s been a while since Falling Holly- given up trying to define themselves by Metheny on others. steps of Sam Shepard’s acid comedies.” wood have taken the stage here in subgenres. Summing up their musical Singer, a regular at the Anchor, has Dark comedy is the phrase that best I Erie. Dust off those dancing shoes, be- evolution, guitarist Matt Flowers ex- collaborated with scores of talented comes to mind with Samuel D. Hunt- cause it’s time for another fun night plained that “we’re a rock and roll band, musicians over the years and should er’s Boise, set to begin its run as part with the loveable quartet. If you don’t there’s no bones about it at this point.” be equal to the task as bossa nova, of Dramashop’s Mainstage series. The know the band by now, you probably Expect them to be previewing a sol- Latin, blues, hard bop, and fusion fill play won the 2011 Obie Award for Play- should. Their sound is full of Amer- id bit of new material at this show, as out the syllabus Friday night. — Matt writing, and Hunter was the recipient icana shuffles and garage rock sing- they’ve been cooking up a new album Swanseger of a 2014 MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship. alongs (a guaranteed hit for fans of this year. Their sound is chiseling itself 6 - 9 p.m. // Anchor In // 3122 West Lake So, back to the Hobby Lobby break Spoon or Born Ruffians). The home- into a harder form of rock. Bassist Bill Rd. // 814-833-1212 for reservations // no room, and a group of lost souls. There’s town favorites had a one-two punch Frackowiak described it as “adding tex- cover with back-to-back in 2012 and ture to the music. It’s new territory for

Sicario (2015) Kids as Curators Feb. 17, 18, 19, 20 — 7:30 2rd Floor Lounge, 824 Featuring Lake Erie’s Outside the Window: p.m. & Feb. 21 — 2 p.m Peach St. gannon.edu. Mar. 2 — 7 p.m. Ongoing through March 13 Maritime Heritage Beach in a Bag Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10 Erie Art Museum, 411 State Erie Art Museum, 411 State Ongoing through Apr. Feb. 18 — 10: 30 to 11:30 a.m. St. erie playhouse.org. “Dead & Breakfast,” St. erieartmuseum.org. St. erieartmuseum.org. A Murder 25 — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tom Ridge Environmental Lazarus Laughed Mystery Event Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. Imagine Dragons: The Fluidity Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. events.dcnr.pa.gov. Smoke & Mirrors of Gender Feb. 17, 18, 19, 20 — 8 Feb. 26 — 6:30 to 10 p.m. events.dcnr.pa.gov. p.m. & Feb. 21 — 2 p.m. Woman’s Club of Erie, 259 W. WMMA Lenten Concert Ongoing through March 13 Schuster Theatre, 620 6th St. eriewomansclub.com. Ask an Expert Series Worship Services Mar. 2 — 7:30 p.m. Allegheny College, 520 N. Sassafras St. gannon.edu. and Luncheons Cinemark Tinseltown, 1910 Main St. sites.allegheny.edu. Catch Me If You Can Feb. 17 — 6 to 7 p.m. & Rotunda Dr. cinemark.com. Feb. 18 — 12:30 to 2 p.m. Feb. 18, 25 & Mar. 3, 10, Little Shop of Horrors Feb. 26 & Mar. 4 — 7 p.m. & Assembled Visions LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach 17 — noon to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 18 — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 & Mar. 5 — 5:30 p.m. VISUAL ARTS Ongoing through Mar. 26 St. lifeworkserie.org. Westminster Presbyterian Diebold Center for the Station Dinner Erie Art Museum, 411 State Church, 3642 W. 26th National Juried Performing Arts, 217 Theatre, 4940 Peach St. St. erieartmuseum.org. Volunteer Meeting St. pcusa.org. Printmaking Meadville St. edinboro.edu. canterburyfeast.com. Feb. 17 — 7 to 8 p.m. Invitational American Short Plenty Unitarian Universalist Ongoing through Feb. 26 The Miserable A Bright New Boise Stories Ongoing through May 7 Mrs. Head Congregation of Bruce Gallery, 219 Meadville Feb. 26, 27 & March Erie, 7180 Perry Hwy. Feb. 18, 25— 4 to 6 p.m. St. brucegallery.info. Erie Art Museum, 411 State Feb. 18, 19, 20 — 8 p.m. 4, 5, 11, 12 — 8 p.m. theerievegsociety.org. St. erieartmuseum.org. Jefferson Educational PACA, 1505 State St. 2nd Fl. Renaissance Society, 3207 State Ryan Groney facebook.com/paca1505. Centre, 1001 State St. Syria: Shifting St. jeserie.org. Art of the Comic Book dramashop.org. Ongoing through Mar. 1 Alliances and Ongoing through May. 22 Agatha Christie’s Instability in the New Horizons Music Glass Growers Mr. Burns: a post- Gallery, 10 E. 5th St. Erie Art Museum, 411 State Black Coffee Middle East Project Open House St. erieartmuseum.org. electric play glassgrowersgallery.com. Feb. 19, 20, 26, 27 & Mar. 4, Feb. 17 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 18 — 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 25, 26, 27 — 8 p.m. Dark Garden 5 — 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. & Feb. Jefferson Educational LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Juried Student 21, 28 & Mar. 6 — 3 to 5 p.m. & Feb. 28 — 2:30 p.m. Society, 3207 State St. lifeworkserie.org. Art Show Ongoing through Jan 8, 2017 All an Act Theatre, 652 Allegheny College, 520 N. St. jeserie.org. Ongoing Mar. 13 — 9 Erie Art Museum, 411 State W. 17th St. allanact.net. Main St. allegheny.edu. Tom Cotter St. erieartmuseum.org. Erie BayHawks a.m. (Reception Feb. Feb. 18 — 7 p.m. & Feb 19, Six Sigma COMMUNITY/VARIETY vs. Maine 18 — 7 to 9 p.m.) THEATRE 20 — 6:40 & 9:30 p.m. Cummings Art Gallery, 501 Feb. 22, 23 — 8 p.m. Great Lakes Feb. 17 — 7 to 10 p.m. Jr.’s Last Laugh, 402 State E. 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. Nice Work If You Palumbo Academic Center Shipwreck Exhibition Erie Insurance Arena, 809 St. jrslastlaugh.net. Can Get It French St. erieevents.com.

February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 33 CALENDAR us, but we’re definitely excited for it.” ning, while the next week will see the courtesy of Soundwave and The Pala- Opening up the night will be local debut of his full band, Smilo and the din. folk-master, Tyler Smilo. He’s excited Ghost. The show will take place on the Still doesn’t light your fire flower? to be teaming up with the band again, upstairs stage. No cover will be needed Perhaps a little cosplay will spark your noting that “I’m so glad to be a part of to see two of the best local acts around. interest. A Super Nintendo-themed Falling Hollywood’s first show back — Nick Warren costume contest will be held, granted after hiatus. They were one of the there are enough willing participants first bands to give me an opening slot 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. // King’s Rook Club, 1921 (you know you’ve got that Hyliacious- when I moved to Erie and I love their Peach St. // Free Admission with Member ly caliente green tunic hanging in your sound.” Smilo is one of the area’s finest ID closet, now you just need the Courage to wear it. Not to Triforce your hand or Saturday, Feb. 27 Falling Hollywood has all anything …). Gamers of a certain age have rescued but given up trying to define Super Plurtendo at PACA is a princesses, ancient relics, star systems, Nintendo Lover’s Dreamworld means the event is North American, themselves by subgenres. “We’re hopes and dreams, and even potas- Japanese, and PAL-compatible. No a rock and roll band, there’s no re your social skills gathering more sium-rich banana hordes from the adaptors required, just an open mind bones about it at this point.” dust than your long-neglected clutches of evil. Rescue yourself from A – or a couple beers (BYOB storage will bins of 16-bit cartridges? Do not blow the winter doldrums and peel back be provided; content not rated by the off your chance to forge new connec- the years at PACA before it’s too late ESRB – or PLCB). songwriters. His voice is effortlessly tions (and reform old ones) at the “Su- (facilities max out at 200 lives). — Matt More intrepid adventurers can show emotive as he weaves rich tales drawn per Plurtendo” theme party, hosted by Swanseger off their Mode-7 dance floor scaling from his life. He also has a new album Azure Underground. No worries of re- capabilities to four hours of continu- in the works, entitled Burn the Rivers. gional lockout here – the PLUR (“Peace, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. // PACA // 1505 State St. // ously-mixed house and electro music, He’ll be taking the stage solo that eve- Love, Unity, and Respect”) quality seal eventbrite.com

Shakespeare’s Infinity Gems Winter Fairy Basement asburywoods.org. Mother Daughter 400-Year Afterlife: Feb. 19 — 6:30 p.m. Gathering Transmissions Book Club Reinventions Stitch n Bitch Medications Poets’ Hall, 16 W. 10th St. Feb. 20 — 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Consultations Feb. 23 — 6 p.m. and Adaptations facebook.com/PoetsHall. Asbury Woods Nature Feb. 21 — 3 to 6 p.m. Werner Books, 3514 Liberty Feb. 23 — 9 to 10:30 a.m. for Our Times Center, 4105 Asbury Rd. Basement Transmissions, St. wernerbooks.com. Feb. 18 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Scratch: Video asburywoods.org. 145 W. 11th St. facebook.com/ & Feb. 25 — 9 to 11 a.m. Jefferson Educational Game Arcade basement.transmissions. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Mind, Body, Beer Chinese New St. lifeworkserie.org Society, 3207 State Feb. 20 — 9:30 to 11 a.m. and Yoga St. jeserie.org. Year Luncheon & Erie Otters vs. Box of Light Studios, 419 Wise Words for Feb. 23 — 7 p.m. State St. boxoflight.org. Mahjong Class Kitchener Wellness Erie Ale Works, 416 W. 12th Community Equity Feb. 20 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 21 — 5 to 7:30 p.m. St. eriealeworks.com. through Social Robotics Mission Woman’s Club of Erie, 259 W. Erie Insurance Arena, 809 Feb. 23 — 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Impact Investing Model Class 6th St. eriewomansclub.com. French St. erieevents.com. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach County Council St. lifeworkserie.org. Feb. 19 — 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 20 — 9:30 to 11 a.m. Meeting LEGO Machines Class The Vibrant Jefferson Educational Feb. 23 — 7 p.m. Box of Light Studios, 419 Life Series Fun and Fit Society, 3207 State State St. boxoflight.org. Feb. 20 — 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Erie County Courthouse, 140 St. jeserie.org. Box of Light Studios, 419 Feb. 22 — 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 23 — 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. & W. 6th St. eriecountypa.gov. Machu Picchu in Peru State St. boxoflight.org. Feb. 25 — 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Technology Classes LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Feb. 20 — 10 a.m. St. lifeworkserie.org. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach The Tale of the with Gannon LEGO Animation St. lifeworkserie.org. Steamer the Erie: OT Students McCord Memorial Library, 32 W. Main St. 2 Class Weight Lifting Lake Erie Calamity Feb. 19, 26 — 10 to 11:30 a.m. mccordlibrary.org. Feb. 20 — 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Balance Great Books: Happiness and Feb. 23 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Box of Light Studios, 419 Feb. 22 — 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Discontent Jefferson Educational St. lifeworkserie.org. Art Studio: Ice State St. boxoflight.org. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Society, 3207 State Painting St. lifeworkserie.org. Feb. 23 & Mar. 1, 8 St. jeserie.org. Oasis Program Feb. 20 — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Movie Making 1 Class — 1 to 2:30 p.m. Open House Experience Children’s Feb. 20 — 2 to 3:30 p.m. Piano Masterclass: Jefferson Educational Planetarium Show: Feb. 19 — 1:30 p.m. Museum, 420 French St. Box of Light Studios, 419 Dr. Nicholas Phillips Society, 3207 State What’s Up? St. jeserie.org. Ridge Library, 501 E. 38th eriechildrensmuseum.org. State St. boxoflight.org. Feb. 22 — 4:30 p.m. Feb. 23 — 7 to 9 p.m. St. mercyhurst.edu. Walker Recital Hall, 501 E. Great Books: Cooper Science Center, 230 Erie Library Local Joe Root’s 38th St. mercyhurst.edu. Scotland Rd. edinboro.edu. Animation Free Play Music Project CD Frostbite Open Counterparts Release Party Feb. 19, 26 — 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 — 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. Islam in the Feb. 23 & Mar. 1, 8 Eboo Patel Keynote — 4 to 5:30 p.m. Box of Light Studios, 419 Feb. 20 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beach 1-Runners Club United States Speech at Gannon State St. boxoflight.org. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 Pavilion, 301 Peninsula Feb. 22 — 7 to 8 p.m. Jefferson Educational University Society, 3207 State E. Front St. erielibrary.org. Dr. discoverpi.com. Feb. 23 — 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wintertime at Benedictine Sisters of St. jeserie.org. Erie, 6101 E. Lake Rd. Hammermill Center, the Maritime Presque Isle Zem Zem Shriners eriebenedictines.org. Gentle Yoga, 109 University Square Snow Day Daytona 500 Party gannon.edu. Feb. 19 — 6 to 10 p.m. Karla Bretz Erie Maritime Museum, Feb. 20 — 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fundraiser Moonlight Feb. 23 — 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. 150 E. Front St. Presque Isle State Feb. 21 — noon. Snowshoe Hikes Monthly Book Club flagshipniagara.org. Park, 301 Peninsula Dr. Zem Zem Shrine Club, 2525 Feb. 22 — 7 to 9 p.m. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Feb. 24 — 11 a.m. St. lifeworkserie.org. events.dcnr.pa.gov. W. 38th St. zemzem.us. Asbury Woods Nature Werner Books, 3514 Liberty Poetry Scene and Center, 4105 Asbury Rd. St. wernerbooks.com.

34 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 35 CALENDAR

The Dark Side Pennsylvania’s Birthday Bash Vista 3 Parking Area Hotel, 55 W. Bay Dr. Lone Wolf Phenomena of the Internet: Role in the Global across from Stull filmsocietynwpa.org. Feb. 26 — 7:30 p.m. Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. Mar. 1 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cyberterrorism Marketplace Poets’ Hall, 16 W. 10th St. events.dcnr.pa.gov. SafeNet’s Scrabble Jefferson Educational and Cybercrime Feb. 25 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. facebook.com/PoetsHall. Tournament Society, 3207 State Feb. 24 — 4 to 5:30 p.m. Jefferson Educational Erie Otters vs. St. jeserie.org. Feb. 29 — 5 p.m. Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State The Most Influential Saginaw Society, 3207 State St. jeserie.org. Family in North East Ambassador Hotel and Hunks Feb. 27 — 7 to 9:30 p.m. Conference Center, 7794 St. jeserie.org. Feb. 27 — 10 a.m. Mar. 2 — 7 p.m. University Erie Insurance Arena, 809 Peach St. safeneterie.org. French St. erieevents.com. Jr.’s Last Laugh, 402 State Creativity Matters Spotlight Series McCord Memorial Library, 32 W. Main St. Dinner Along the St. jrslastlaugh.net. Feb. 24 — 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 26 — 12:30 to 2 p.m. mccordlibrary.org. Super Plurtendo Italian Coast LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Feb. 27 — 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Feb. 29 — 5:30 to 9 p.m. St. lifeworkserie.org. St. lifeworkserie.org. Wildlife Tracking Basics PACA, 1505 State LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach St. facebook.com/ St. lifeworkserie.org. Evening Fireside Talk Winter Stroll Feb. 27 — 10:30 a.m. events/1690910117818506. - Ancient Animals in the Park to 12:30 p.m. Preventing - and Feb. 24 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 26 — 1 to 2:30 p.m. Asbury Woods Nature Backyard Reversing - the Rotary Pavilion, 301 Presque Isle Lighthouse Center, 4105 Asbury Rd. Birdfeeder Basics Growing Trend of asburywoods.org. Peninsula Dr. events. Parking Area, 301 Peninsula Feb. 28 — 2 to 3 p.m. Diabetes and Obesity dcnr.pa.gov. Dr. events.dcnr.pa.gov. Sports Raffle Tom Ridge Environmental Feb. 29 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. Savory Simple Soups Steve Hytner Feb. 27 — noon to 5 p.m. events.dcnr.pa.gov. Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State with Terri Chandler Feb 26, 27 — 6:40 & 9:30 p.m. Bayfront Convention St. jeserie.org. Feb. 25 — 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jr.’s Last Laugh, 402 State Center, 1 Sassafras Erie BayHawks Pier erieevents.com. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach St. jrslastlaugh.net. vs. Toronto Lou Tullio: A St. lifeworkserie.org. Feb. 28 — 2 to 5 p.m. Real Erie Guy Erie Otters vs. So You Want to be a Sushi Chef? Erie Insurance Arena, 809 Mar. 1 — 6:30 to 8 p.m. New Horizons North Bay French St. erieevents.com. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach Music Project Feb. 26 — 7 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 27 — 1 to 2 p.m. St. lifeworkserie.org. Feb. 25 — 4 to 6 p.m. Erie Insurance Arena, 809 Blasco Memorial Library, 160 One Night in E. Front St. erielibrary.org. LifeWorks Erie, 406 Peach French St. erieevents.com. Hollywood The Evolution St. lifeworkserie.org. Feb. 28 — 8 p.m. of Terrorism: Friday Night Writes Winter Dog Walk Sheraton Erie Bayfront Understanding the Evaluating Presents Cookee’s Feb. 27 — 1 to 3 p.m.

36 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 ARTS & CULTURE A Review of Fluidity of Gender: Sculpture by Linda Stein Drafting a superhero “born” during World War II to her cause, a New York artist explores male/female roles and expectations.

According to a Doane Hall of Art official, Heather Brand, three of the pieces can be worn by appointment, and were worn during the reception (which may explain why there is a mirror in the gallery).

“Body-Swapping at Flomenhaft Gal- lery” (2009) is a performance-piece vid- eo presented during Fluidity. In it, an audience member wears “Arrow” while communing with a professional danc- er who wears a similar Stein creation, albeit sporting a body stocking under- neath (for either the sake of modesty or chafing, it’s not evident). According to a gallery official, Heath- er Brand, three of the pieces can be worn by appointment, and were worn during the reception (which may ex- plain why there is a mirror in the gal- lery).

Linda Stein’s sculpture in The Fluidity of Gender “explores the continuum between masculinity and CONTRIBUTED PHOTO femininity, while inspiring

By: Gregory Greenleaf-Knepp the compassion, empathy, Out goes the adage “clothes make the dividual images of the comic book fem- and bravery it takes to resently at Allegheny College’s man?” inist icon: Wonder Woman. Doane Hall of Art, Linda Stein’s “With my androgynous forms I invite With a black and white shadow become an upstander Psculpture in The Fluidity of Gen- viewers to seek out diversity in unpre- printing of Wonder Woman in all her rather than a bystander.” der “explores the continuum between dictable ways, to ‘try on’ new personal 1940s glory affixed to the wall next to masculinity and femininity, while in- avatars and self definitions,” states it, this “body” is concocted of paper, spiring the compassion, empathy, and Stein in an on-site brochure, “knowing wood, and archival inks. Its “skin” is a bravery it takes to become an upstand- that every new experience changes the collaged surface featuring the feminist Fluidity is part of Have Art Will Trav- er rather than a bystander,” according brain’s structure and inspires each of prototype as she battles not only crime el, a nonprofit founded by Stein in to a press release. us toward a more authentic self.” and supervillains; but also the “glass 1972. “With exhibits, lectures, and per- Entering the gallery, several life-size Along the same theme, but on a larger ceiling” and gender constriction, con- formances, HAWT addresses issues of black torsos are immediately apparent. scale, several black leather patchwork temporary topics, and text supplied by racism, sexism, ableism, classism and Perched on individual pedestals, these creations are mounted to the walls. the artist. homophobia,” explains an on-site bro- slightly-differing, skin-tight-leather- Portions of shoes with their laces, an “Think you can make fun of and scare chure. clad composite creations resemble law alligator purse, and a sliver of a Ben Ho- these men because they’re gay, you’re Yet beyond the bulky Wonder Wom- enforcement figures in imposing futur- gan golf bag compete with belts, buck- wrong!” says the Amazon princess an empowering aegis wear, leather istic riot gear; each torso bedecked with les, snaps, and lengthy horizontal zip- while manhandling a bully. sculptures, and egalitarian manifestos, found small metal bric-a-brac meant to pers that seem to challenge the viewer Continuing the Wonder Woman ico- it seems ironic that while Stein touts resemble badges, name tags and fruit to look away from these high-mounted, nography, Fluidity presents several fairness for all genders, her totemic salad adorning its chest. (Devoid of ominous, wraith-like shapes and their “wearable sculptures” showing her creations appear to be for – dare I say? these, the sculptures – also zig-zagged latent asexual message. many escapades. – the fairer sex. with zippers and the occasional cod- “Justice for All 698” (2010) serves as a “Arrow Knight 670” (2009) is composed piece – take on a distinctly S&M bent.) transition piece within Fluidity. Iden- of wood, metal, leather, paper, and Vel- The Fluidity of Gender: Sculpture With this series, Stein’s ideas become tical in size and shape to the other cro straps to fasten the front and back by Linda Stein continues through visually evident when it’s finally dis- wall-mounted works, “Justice” bursts midsection, while leaving the left bo- March 13 // Doane Hall of Art, cerned that these daunting, macho tor- forth as a bright eye-candy cornucopia som on display. The derriere is exposed Allegheny College, Meadville // sos are anatomically female. that’s emblazoned with scenes and in- save for a row of leather strips. 332.4365; allegheny.edu/artgalleries.

February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 37 ARTS & CULTURE Delightfully Thoughtful, ‘The Miserable Mrs. Head’ Shines at PACA Playwright Richard Boler debuts a new one-act comedy in Erie.

At left: Camille Jones, Cheryl Horton-Jong, and Betsy Butoryak star in The Miserable Mrs. Head, along with John Stockhausen (not pictured).

Mrs. Head, with subtle nuance, her mi- cro-reactions relieving tension through laughter and creating it through awk- ward discomfort – sometimes in the same line. If the story is Mrs. Head’s, Horton-Jong’s Mrs. Witherspoon is the sage – sometimes frustrated – spiritual guide, advancing the plot with power and command of the entire stage. Camille Jones, as the Young Wom- an (in an old[er] woman’s play), enters mid-story, adding depth to the overall

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO performance. Jones thrills in one of the play’s best scenes, which features the By: Ben Speggen of now, only to one day be outpaced by outstandingly versatile John Stock- generations that follow. More impor- hausen, who plays a drifter, a store ommunication breakdown. Sad- tantly, we’re always changing the ways clerk, a New Age boss, and more. ness. Isolation. we communicate: missing messages, As the New Age employer, Stockhau- C Although not typically topics mixing messages, and breaking or mak- sen interviews Jones – who believes her that first come to mind when thinking ing connections. having taught the dulcimer to Central of comedy, they’re at the heart of what Director Mark Tanenbaum superbly American children during a working Erie playwright Richard Boler explores works a tight cast into a small space retreat reveals her uniqueness. Instead in The Miserable Mrs. Head, a one-act (one setting for nearly all of the play), of being one out of many, the younger play that debuted at PACA Thursday, creating plenty of room for Boler’s interviewee, Stockhausen notes, is one Feb. 11 and continues its run Thursday, words to stretch out. This sparse set- of many. Everyone boasts such excep- Feb. 18 through Saturday, Feb. 20. And ting brings the dialogue and character tionality, Stockhausen’s 21st century like Boler’s past work – Spooks: The interaction front and center. boss scoffs, as he offers her a job with- Haunting of the Skowronski Sisters and Betsy Butoryak shines as the titular out definition – or defined hours – that The Bad Haircut: A Disconnected Com- begins as a three-month-long unpaid edy – Mrs. Head leaves an indelible im- internship followed by three months pression. Its examination of the human at MW – otherwise known as minimum Undeniably, The Miserable Mrs. condition and barbed commentary on wage, as Jones’s deflated young woman contemporary culture unfold at a bus Head delights in the misery notes. stop on Christmas Eve, featuring three of our loneliness in a crowded Undeniably, The Miserable Mrs. Head women, one drifter, a few flashbacks, world, banking many laughs delights in the misery of our loneliness and two very important phone calls. along the way. But it’s heartfelt, in a crowded world, banking many Poking at pop culture can be a writ- thought-provoking, and soul- laughs along the way. But it is heart- er’s nightmare. A reference that’s funny stirring – through both pain felt, thought-provoking, and soul-stir- and pointed today may be passé tomor- and hilarity. ring – through both pain and hilarity. row. Popular tastes can be fickle; and An emotional rollercoaster, Boler’s such unpredictability can leave a writ- new work is most daring because it er looking out-of-touch, old, or hack- isn’t afraid to laugh at communication neyed if the script relies too heavily on character. Loud, obtuse, and acutely breakdown, sadness, and isolation. If the jokes of now rather than the perva- unaware of personal space, Butoryak’s we’re laughing, at least we’re not ig- sive themes time refuses to forget. Mrs. Head runs the emotional gamut noring; and if we’re not ignoring, then Boler, a master of satire and keen so- at a sprinter’s pace for most of the play, we’re connecting in this strange world cietal observer, uses the former to aug- looking for something to fill the void filled with strange people. ment the latter, resulting in a play that in life and give deeper meaning to the will be as good decades from now as it world around her. Ben Speggen can be contacted is today. This always has been – and al- Balancing such bombast, Cheryl at bSpeggen@ErieReader. ways will be – no country for old folks, Horton-Jong approaches Mrs. Wither- com, and you can follow him where the young command the pace spoon, who’s awaiting the same bus as on Twitter @BenSpeggen.

38 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 MUSIC REVIEWS

Junior Boys Money Black Tusk Diiv Big Black Coat Suicide Songs Pillars of Ash City Slang Records Bella Union Relapse Records

achines ith a title lack Tusk iiv’s first re- Mhave driven Wlike Suicide Brips it apart Dcord was both the pop and Songs, you might with Pillars of amazing. Oshin indie circuits for expect this al- Ash. That cer- hit fans at just so long that it’s bum to sound tain swampy, hot the right time, easy to forget the less, well, hope- part of Georgia and it was exact- human element ful. Awash with seems to be a ly what a lot of behind all the epic movements fertile breeding people needed. circuit-bending. The ’ fifth al- and cavernous instrumentation, Money’s ground for fantastic bands who create I’ve since seen the band a few times, and bum is a welcome reminder of the depths sophomore release captures a melan- music that feels like this. Black Tusk is kept a close eye out for their follow-up al- synthesized music can reach – without choly beauty. Lyrically, the tracks have part of the holy triumvirate of Savan- bum. Almost four years later, we get Is the necessarily blowing out your subwoofers. the biting, self-aware hopelessness of nah’s metal bands, along with Kylesa and Is Are. With so much riding on an album Through their reliance on vintage equip- Morrissey. Religious themes are interwo- Baroness. Sadly though, like Baroness, like that, did the band pull it off? So far, ment and slightly under-polished pro- ven with the somber tone of singer Jamie the band has been marred by tragedy. the answer is a cautious “pretty much?” duction, the Canadian duo convincingly Lee. The honesty resides with a narrator In november of 2014, bassist and vocal- This record sounds great, but it won’t revives the sounds of electronica’s past who has nothing to lose. All emotions and ist Jonathan Athon passed away after a be the watershed that Oshin was. The without forgoing their sense of self. Synth- thoughts are released, both navel-gazing motorcycle accident. Damaged, yet res- hypnotic, reverb-heavy hooks are every- pop, , , min- and grandiose. While the intent of some olute, the band persevered. With Athon’s where. ’ alum Zachary Cole imalism, and IDM are all referenced here of the subject matter may be up for de- bass and vocal parts already recorded Smith’s vocals are lackadaisical, soft, and – but binding it all together are the unas- bate, the band displays a unified theme. prior to his death, the band began build- ghostly. Smith’s longtime girlfriend, song- suming vocals of the brilliantly-bearded Acoustic strumming mixes with horn ing Pillars of Ash. The record doesn’t let writer/model/actress , makes Jeremy Greenspan, which hold up even sections and soft, legato string accom- up, keeping its tempo fast and steady. a notable appearance as well on “Blue after extensive clipping and processing paniment. Imagine The Verve if they were The guitars grind along, an amalgam Boredom.” The couple is the very mod- (the exquisitely-layered “Over It”). Other fronted by a sedated Joe Strummer. The of punk chugs and doom riffs. Andrew el of underground hipster royalty. Smith highlights include the acid-washed, New sound feels distant, as if a listener in the Fidler’s piercing shouts cut through has recently been using his Cobain-es- Order-inflected cover of Bobby Caldwell’s next room were hearing the band play to the mix alongside Athon’s gruff growls. que look to model for Saint Laurent. The “What You Won’t Do For Love,” the bitter- an empty concert hall. The sound is relax- Jamie May’s drums are as intricate and couple even endured a drug arrest in sweet (vaguely Todd Rundgren-ish) aside ing. Notes rise and fall in short parades, pummeling as ever. The band blends the 2013, adding to their collective mystique. “Baby Don’t Hurt Me,” and the ominous always returning safely to their tonic urgency and anger of early 2000s hard- Does the mini-celebrity-status hinder the drone of title track. From start to finish, home. We find the band’s sound more core with the ethos and groove of stoner band’s sound, though? Not really. The al- Big Black Coat consistently delivers op- expansive and brighter than their debut, metal. The result is refreshing for fans of bum is brighter than before, and longer. portunities to get nostalgic about the fu- The Shadow of Heaven, making Money all either, and the results are powerful and There are 17 shoegazey tracks here to ture. – Matt Swanseger the more rich. – Nick Warren potent. – Nick Warren feast on. – Nick Warren

[Cont. from page 8] of unity. House is going to jail because makes it damn difficult to get residents compared to Erie’s der the age of 18. Entering the Third, it’s perceived as a she was charged with aggra- a job. Why? Because most em- less than a third of that) in an adult world already in poverty white privilege versus black vated identity theft – a charge ployers have the right to ask. attempt to make Erie safer and doesn’t initially paint a bright oppression problem. Bishop that carries a mandatory min- And therefore the right to better. picture of the world, trust me; Dwane Brock, a vocal oppo- imum sentence. Earl pleaded judge someone twice for their But more than anything, but education and employ- sitionist against Unified Erie, guilty to a third-degree felony, crime. Erie’s disunity problem needs ment changed that worldview paints it as such. But the ex- which doesn’t. It’s apples and It doesn’t take a sociology an economic- and educational- for me. And I like to think I’m ample he uses reveals a bigger oranges, but it’s still fruit, and expert to recognize that when ly-based solution. That is, Erie’s not an anomaly. problem that he isn’t leverag- in this case, the basket holding the job market doesn’t exist disunity is more a financial So if we want a quick-fix ing or explaining clearly in this them together is rotten. because the economy’s tanked destitution problem. Take it solution to Erie’s rise in crime, narrower conversation. To get a sense of what man- – or worse, the market keeps from someone who grew up in we need to focus less on cre- Katrina House (who’s black), datory minimum sentences you locked out because you’ve a single-earner household who ating a list of at-risk people to is going to jail for stealing have done to the justice sys- been in the tank – desperation knows the stresses created by whom we’ll talk about stealing what amounts to chump tem and how it’s crushed mi- sets in. We’re in essence creat- having to make the choice of bread, and fighting over how change compared to David norities and the impoverished, ing a world of Jean Valjeans, whether to pay an electric bill we’ll talk to them. Instead, we Earls’ (who’s white) embezzling read Michelle Alexander’s The and stealing bread can be or get groceries. ought to be working together of $170,000. Earls is not going New Jim Crow: Mass Incarcer- child’s play in the 21st century. While violent crime rose in to open up some bakeries. to jail. The example of injus- ation in the Age of Colorblind- Unified Erie is rooted in good 2015, Erie’s poverty rate has tice is apt here, but it’s bigger ness. Then read Bryan Steven- intentions. It’s aimed at fixing remained consistently higher Ben Speggen can be contacted than Erie County Attorney son’s Just Mercy. a problem, and it’s studying a than the state and national av- at bSpeggen@ErieReader. Jack Daneri and Assistant U.S. It should come as no shock model in KC (albeit one with erage. The largest demograph- com, and you can follow him Attorney Marshall Piccinini. that having a criminal record 1,268 violent crimes per 100,000 ic living in poverty? Those un- on Twitter @BenSpeggen.

February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 39 TECHNOLOGY Geeked Out Amazon introduces their free-to-use engine called Lumberyard.

help run the massive multiplayer game think it’s just a matter of time. servers. Unreal and Unity are the two main This sounds great, but it’s hardly any- 3D game engines. Unity is considered thing new or revolutionary. I think that one of the major driving factors in the the Twitch integration is what they are rise of indie game development for its hoping will be their big win. ease of development tools and its free Twitch Plays is a new phenomenon. I access for hobbyists. wrote about the first ever Twitch Plays Unreal has been around much longer, when they put up Pokemon and beat and it’s the engine that drove many the game. Since then, there have been of the big successes on consoles for countless Twitch Plays streams hosting the past few generations. Like Gears By: John Lindvay engine that boasts a bevy of features various games of complexity. Sure it’s of War? Unreal. Bioshock? Unreal. including integration with Amazon’s novel, but the really interesting Twitch Batman? Unreal. You get the picture. f you are an avid gamer, you might Cloud services as well as special Twitch. integrated games are things like Choice However, due to Unity’s fast-spreading know that video games run on an tv integration. But this news is inter- Chamber, where a player runs through adoption rate across new developers, Iengine. As with cars, there are var- esting beyond the fact that Amazon, a platforming game (think Mario, while Unreal switched their model to com- ious engine manufacturers. Currently which has been slowly creeping into users in chat vote which obstacles or pete with Unity, with a free version for the more ubiquitous ones are Unreal the game industry via publishing and special rules the active player has to developers. and Unity. Amazon – yes, that Amazon selling games, is now in it whole hog. obey). From there, more developers are Unity also has its fair share of super where you can buy anything and have The promoted feature that Amazon is trying to find interesting ways to inte- hits. Cities: Skylines? Unity. Hearth- it delivered on the same day – just an- hoping sets them apart is the integra- grate Twitch into their games, but it’s stone? Unity. Kerbal Space Program? nounced that they are getting into the tion into their cloud-based computing no easy task to find a design that sates Also Unity. Part of the reason is that, game development industry in full services, which could be used for sim- both the player and the audience. We traditionally, game companies would force with their own free-to-use engine ple things like storing game saves; but have yet to see the breakout success invest extensive resources into devel- called Lumberyard. also for more advanced things like le- that makes this feature the big winner oping their own proprietary engine for Lumberyard is a cross platform 3D veraging numerous computations to Amazon likely wants it to be. But I do their games. But with the rise of better

40 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016 TECHNOLOGY / FEATURE tools made by Unity, Unreal, and now and walk out with a completed game. potentially Lumberyard, developers These tools make it happen. Arts & Drafts Fest can spend less time making tools and So will Amazon come in there and more time designing games. make waves? Most of the developers What makes these engines special is I’ve asked have responded with, “Let’s 50 Local Artists, 15 Local Bands, the ease with which anyone can pick wait and see,” which seems fair. But them up and start making a game. Typ- aside from the Twitch integration, it 1 Place, The Brewerie. ically, you would need to understand feels like Lumberyard doesn’t do any- programming and some low level com- thing that Unreal and Unity haven’t puter science. Now, these engines take already been doing. care of most of that. I’ve written before about game jams John Lindvay can be contacted at where people make games rapidly, [email protected], and you can sometimes with no prior experience, follow him on Twitter @Fightstrife.

[Cont. from page 15] “I see that our Product (GDP) used to compare the economy needs to diversify so that economic performance of nations. the growth areas like architectural Between 2011-2013, Erie’s GMP grew consulting and architectural services, by more than 10 percent, according to in addition to new sectors like com- the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which puter systems and computer design, publishes nationwide data on Ameri- which are expected to grow by more ca’s metropolitan regions. Erie’s GMP than 40 percent, can continue to cre- is expected to grow more than 1 per- ate new jobs,” says Louie. cent more in 2016. Wages in these categories tend to “The region is growing,” Louie says, be well above the regional medi- “and I think the fact that it’s growing an household income of just over rather than contracting is reason for $45,000. optimism.” This contributes, to some extent, to anticipated growth of Erie’s Gross Jim Wertz is the co-author, with Metro Product (GMP), a measure- Perry Wood, of “Erie’s Advanced ment for metropolitan areas to com- Industries.” He can be reached at pare relative economic performance. [email protected], and you can It’s analogous to the Gross Domestic follow him on Twitter @jim_wertz.

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February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 41 At Edinboro University, made you’re not just a student, you’re a ERIE Fighting Scot.

And that means you’ve got pride, spirit and an unyielding desire to learn, grow and succeed.

Visit EU, and you’ll fi nd a vibrant campus community o ering over 150 undergraduate It is important to consider the beauty and graduate degree programs, all guided by in and around our great city. accomplished faculty who embody our proud A truly unique climate, Erie gets to history of academic excellence. see and experience diversity on all levels.

Kelso Beach Follow me as I document both the industial and natural beauty found in and along the shores of Erie.

NINA is an EU graduate student in the Master of Arts in Social Sciences program

Follow as I document both the industrial and natural beauty found in and along the shores of Erie, Pennsylvania. Choose exceptional, affordable education. Choose Edinboro. | 888-8GO-BORO | edinboro.edu TRIANA SECTION At Edinboro University, made you’re not just a student, you’re a ERIE Fighting Scot.

And that means you’ve got pride, spirit and an unyielding desire to learn, grow and succeed.

Visit EU, and you’ll fi nd a vibrant campus community o ering over 150 undergraduate It is important to consider the beauty and graduate degree programs, all guided by in and around our great city. accomplished faculty who embody our proud A truly unique climate, Erie gets to history of academic excellence. see and experience diversity on all levels.

Kelso Beach Follow me as I document both the industial and natural beauty found in and along the shores of Erie.

NINA is an EU graduate student in the Master of Arts in Social Sciences program

Follow as I document both the industrial and natural beauty found in and along the shores of Erie, Pennsylvania. Choose exceptional, affordable education. Choose Edinboro. | 888-8GO-BORO | edinboro.edu TRIANA February 17, 2016 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 43 SECTION

44 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 17, 2016