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 you 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 New York 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 Facebook
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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. California 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 Twitter @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 Brooklyn, 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.) [New York Post, 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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FEATURING The latest in cardio and strength training equipment 75% OFF Supportive team, dedicated to helping you make the most of your workouts ENROLLMENT Group exercise and aquatics Save up to $250! Personal training, nutritional counseling and massage Expires 1/31/2016. Monthly dues apply. First-time members only. Mention this mailer to redeem. Executive-style locker rooms with all the amenities
Call 814.868.7800 or visit LECOMWELLNESS.com