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2 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 26, 2014 CONTENT — NOV. 26, 2014 Features 10 — Tom Wolf Ready to Take Over What the Governor-elect’s victory means for Erie and the Keystone State 27 — Penelec’s Tree Maintenance Leaves Much to be Desired Why some neighborhoods are manicured while others get chopped Editors-in-Chief: Brian Graham & Adam Welsh Managing Editor: News & Opinion Ben Speggen Contributing Editors: 4 — Exile on State Street Rebecca Styn Jim Wertz Waking up Erie’s Leadership Contributors: GOVERNOR FOR WOLF TOM Alex Bieler 5 — Street Corner Soapbox Mary Birdsong Governor-elect Tom Wolf at a Pen Ealain The Moral Bankruptcy of the GOP From The Editors Get Out the Vote rally earlier Rick Filippi this year Eric Kisner 6 — The Way I See It ritical times lie ahead for the James R. LeCorchick state of Pennsylvania and John Lindvay USPS and the Burden of the Postal the city of Erie. On the cover, manicuring versus chopping. It’s Lili Morton C we’re featuring the Keystone State’s a simple question: Why do some Dan Schank Reform Accountability Act Jess Scutella governor-elect Tom Wolf, because neighborhoods see pin oaks treated Tommy Shannon 7 — Just Toyin’ Witcha if we’re left with any question af- like bonsai trees while others fea- Ryan Smith ter the 2014 midterm elections, it’s: ture gapping Vs? It’s a rather simple Jay Stevens Your Guide to American Radio Stations What does his election mean to Erie answer: Communities with strong, Rebecca Styn — and to the state? unified voices send loud and clear Sara Toth 7 — News of the Weird by Chuck The Corbett administration bare- messages. In this case, that mes- Bryan Toy ly had a fighting chance of taking sage is that the aesthetics of a com- Jim Wertz Shepherd a second term — something every munity matter. Publisher’s Assistant: 8 — A Keen Perspective governor of Pa. had done before. Dan Schank writes about the re- Jessica Courter His probability of winning seemed cent Destination Erie community Cover Design: Edinboro Honors Student Marries Art and Math so slim that he resorted to ads fea- meets held throughout the county. Leah Yungwirth turing zombies and horror-film-in- As the two-year, $1.8 million plan Photographers: 8 — Considering The City spired murderers. But what was nears its completion, the ques- Ryan Smith more telling was the fact that major tion of What’s next is on everyone’s Brad Triana Made In Erie Marketplace media outlets announced Wolf the mind. The outcomes of these meet- Designer: winner at 8:01 — just sixty seconds ings in this community-driven pro- Leah Yungwirth 26 — Destination Erie after polls closed — with zero per- cess will help to begin answering Design Intern Key Recommendations Unveiled cent reporting. that. At very least, it’s a reminder Liz Venuto But did we elect Wolf because we that we should all be paying close Writing Interns: 30 — ER Sports believe strongly in him, or had we attention in the months to come, Michael Iverson just lost so much faith in Corbett? as they’ll influence the decades to Christopher Sexauer That’s something time — the next follow. four years to be exact — will tell. Rick Filippi turns his attention 1001 State St. Suite 901 Erie, Pa., 16501 Culture In this issue, Contributing Editor in this issue’s Exile on State Street [email protected] Jim Wertz breaks down key issues to local leadership in light of the Wolf ran on and talks to local po- midterm elections. He sounds the The Erie Reader is Erie’s only independent 14 — Calendar litical leaders to get a sense of what bell to wake Erie’s leadership from source for news and culture. The Erie Reader is a forum for ideas and discussion, and seeks January 2015 will look like. If any- what he calls a “comfortable slum- to drive two-way communication with its 23 — Reader Eater: Mad Mex thing, we’ve seen two good omens ber” and questions the age of “anti” readers. At the Erie Reader, we endeavor to highlight the best of Erie by providing in-depth, thus far: Wolf announced he won’t ideas and “anti” anything and how magazine-style journalism that cuts to the 24 — Music Reviews be collecting a salary, as a means of that may impede progress. heart of the issues that matter to Erie. The Erie Reader is published every other week at The budget tightening a la Bloomberg, If there’s anything to take away Corry Journal, 28 W. South St., Corry, Pa. 16407. 25 — Q&A with Pains At Being Pure At and Vice President of The Brook- from these pieces, it’s that collabo- The Erie Reader is distributed at over 250 high foot-traffic locations in Pennsylvania from Heart’s Kip Berman ings Institution Bruce Katz said ration — whether it’s a Democratic North East to Girard to Edinboro. In addition during the Jefferson Educational governor working with a Republi- to appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new content daily at ErieReader.com as well social 29 — Geeked Out Society’s Global Summit that “he’s can-controlled state congress, com- media sites. All rights reserved. All content © the kind of governor Pennsylvania munities uniting, citizens working Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State St., Suite First-person perspective changes everything 901, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of this publication needs” and went on to emphasize together, or leadership taking ac- may be reproduced without permission. The Wolf’s strong background in man- tion rather than idly sitting by man- opinions of our columnists and contributors 29 — Tech Bits are their own and do not always reflect ufacturing. aging decline — will win the day, that of the editorial board or organization. Also in this issue are several piec- because if we don’t work together, Direct inquiries to 814.314.9364 or contact@ Google Experimenting with Removing Ads for ErieReader.com. es that articulate the importance of we’ll be asking the same questions a Fee community voice. First, we look at and addressing the same problems tree trimming — or in some cases, year after year.

November 26, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 NEWS & OPINION

Exile on State Street Waking up Erie Leadership from Its Comfortable Slumber

By: Rick Filippi

ow that the dust has settled on the 2014 election, I’d like to offer some Tom Wolf (pictured) one of the Nthoughts both on the national re- few bright spots in an otherwise sults and here locally. As everyone knows by depressing election. now – except maybe those who don’t vote, which is quite a large group – the Republi- politics, it’s not going to change soon. cans completely routed the Democrats in Let me provide some examples just in every major election, with the notable ex- case the point is not getting through. ception of Tom Wolf’s victory over Tom Cor- On the political front, as stated, Erie bett here in Pennsylvania. no longer has its own representative In my thirty years of political awareness, in Congress. We are now designated a I must say that this past election was the "rural" area by the state. Few national most surreal that I have ever experienced. political candidates visit Erie. For that My politics are well-known, but I believe matter, few statewide candidates make many would agree that the Republican na- Erie a priority as witnessed in the re- tional rout was largely the triumph of "no-­ cent gubernatorial campaign, particu- -ideas." Actually, it might be more appro- larly by the now governor­-elect. priate to call it the election of the party of Economically, it’s very similar. Our "anti-­ideas." probably cannot even get close to the votes two major hospitals are now affiliates of The GOP offered nothing in the way of any necessary to override a presidential veto. So Pittsburgh-based hospital networks. The forward-thinking, solution-oriented pol- we will have another two years, at least, of largest bank and the largest real estate firm icies, only the tried and true platform that blustering gasbags bemoaning everything are also Pittsburgh based. We continually anything that is or was anti-Obama­ was to Obama. It will be painful at best. see a reduction in state and federal invest- be voted for. Sadly, this was a vindication of And what of the local election? The guber- ment in the region. The list could go on. the GOP’s six-year effort to oppose, obstruct, natorial election aside, there really were no Sure, some of these things are due to and reject any meaningful proposals to deal surprises. How could there be? With the Re- changing economics. But because of our with America’s domestic and foreign policy publican-controlled state legislature’s reap- population stagnation, we are approaching issues. portionment plan now fully in place, were the loss of critical mass that enabled Erie to On the other hand, the Democrats might any of the elections really in question? Dem- be its own economic and political unit. Now, as well have run in this election with a sock ocrats have continually trounced the GOP in we’ve become a vassal state of Pittsburgh, in their collective mouth. Rather than flout almost all of the most recent statewide elec- which is confirmed in our political emascu- the progress made in the last six years and tions, including the last several presidential lation. stand on their principles, most ran from elections as well as most state offices. Yet, So what should we learn from the local those accomplishments, and instead of- the election of your local senators, repre- elections? That unless we address our in- fered… nothing. Few Democrats gave any sentatives, and even congressmen, was a ternal problems with bold and, yes, radical compelling reason to vote for them or their foregone conclusion from day one. ideas, we will continue to slide into political party. Despite the evidently accepted gospel Okay. You all know I’m a Democrat, but obscurity. Our leadership needs to wake up that the President has been a failure, his ac- what really sticks in my craw is that Erie and take active roles in job creation (i.e. the complishments are quite significant. has felt the brunt of this reapportionment Inland Port Project), land use planning (i.e. A short list. First, the President’s econom- more than any other part of the state. We stop sprawl), tax equity (i.e. countywide ic policies helped pull us from the brink of no longer have a representative in Con- revenue sharing), and education (i.e. the the economic collapse now known as the gress. Mike Kelly? Really? He’s from Butler. community college). These are just some of "Great Recession." Second, the Affordable Glenn Thompson at three and a half hours the things that have either failed or are not Care Act. This was a promise the President away in State College represents Erie Coun- even being discussed. ran on, to address a significant social prob- ty? There’s no Happy Valley here. It’s really This was a depressing election, particular- lem, i.e. the millions of Americans with no quite depressing. The state legislative of- ly for Democrats like me. But it should also health insurance. Third, national reduction fices are almost as bad, as Erie County has make others think as well. Has this great na- in unemployment rates to numbers we had been sliced and diced so that we will not tion become spent of meaningful ideas? Are not seen in years. Fourth, the withdrawal have a clear voice of representation at least we just a bunch of "anti" anythings? Does from the quagmire in Iraq created by the for a decade to come. it matter to anyone here locally, that Erie previous administration. Finally, as further If Erie’s leadership is listening, the results seems to have lost much of its relevancy as a vindication of the President’s policies, the of this election should be a wake up call. geo­political unit? stock market continues to break records The problem is that we’ve had the alarm on Nationally, I hope we can come to grips and putting huge profits in the pockets of many "snooze" for more than a generation. What put the country’s interests first, as opposed of the richest people in America. Ironically, the local elections should signal to Erie’s to individual interests and get some things many of those people form the core of the leadership is that the loss of Erie’s politi- done again. Locally, I would hope that this anti­-Obama front. cal clout has been profound. And the loss election and surely those to follow wake up Tactically speaking, the most significant of political clout is due directly to the Erie Erie’s leadership from its comfortable slum- effect of the election is to ensure more grid- region’s failure to grow and prosper. Erie is ber to develop their own ideas to bring about lock in the next two years. The GOP will be no longer a region that can collectively flex change that leads to progress and growth. able to block appointments to the Supreme its political muscle for its share of the pie. I’ll hold my breath because I have to. Amer- Court and other federal offices. But can they Frankly, our failure to grow has allowed us ica and Erie are worth it. really enact any meaningful legislation? to be passed by other regions in the state. They don’t have the sixty votes in the Sen- It has effectively marginalized our political Rick Filippi can be contacted at ate to move most legislation to a vote and strength. And, unfortunately, given state [email protected].

4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 26, 2014 NEWS & OPINION

Street Corner Soapbox The Moral Bankruptcy of the GOP TV 54.1 • Radio 91.3FM • WQLN Education • Q-Media By: Jay Stevens Schedule Highlights

he 2014 midterm elections were a delay, or political cover-up – at least accord- thing but – and the scientific community as dark week for the Republican party. ing to a Nov. 21 House Intelligence Commit- a secret society engaging in vast conspira- T Waitaminute! Am I crazy? The GOP tee report, which came to the same result as cies. There’s no such thing as a nonpartisan by all accounts dominated the 2014 election! five previous government reports. authority over reality, posit conservatives. They picked up 12 more House seats, won a You don’t have to look much further than Everything is political, even facts. Senate majority, picked up some guberna- Erie’s own House representative, Mike Kelly, Dave Roberts, a blogger for Grist, summed torial seats, and upped their majorities in for evidence of how the emerging GOP ma- up the disturbing trend of conservative state legislatures across the country! How jority will play out. rhetoric in a series of 36 brilliant tweets. could you call that a “dark week”? Yes, I’m After the Pennsylvania state assembly ger- “[The] right has systematically and pro- a progressive, a liberal, a lefty – whatever rymandered Kelly’s House seat into a safe gressively destroyed the very notion of a you want to call me (and some of you might Republican stronghold, Kelly rewarded the nonpartisan arbiter of information,” he prefer unprintable terms) – but I’m not cra- electorate by turning his House seat into a wrote. “It’s like pointing to an apple and zy enough to call the 2014 elections a “dark guest seat on Fox News and Friends. Railing saying, ‘this is an orange.’ It takes practice week” for Republicans. against the Obama administration on Ebo- to train your mind to be able to do it. [O]n You see, I didn’t really pen that opening la, coal, the IRS, immigration, Obamacare, the question of what the object is, there are line. I stole it from a Republican strategist and the Keystone Pipeline on Fox News, Kel- only competing answers — no objective fact and columnist for the Houston Chronicle, ly in Congress has done...nothing. Assigned of the matter. ” Chris Ladd. That’s what he said, not me. to draft legislation in 2013 that would trim Conservatives have taken out any sense of So, why would a Republican write some- $380 million from the federal budget in authority over facts. As such, “every dispute, thing like that? loan guarantees to clean-energy compa- even over matters of fact, becomes a contest Three reasons. of power – loudest, best funded, most per- For one, argues Ladd, the 2014 election sistent voices win.” Which is readily appar- saw Republicans deepen their support, not Conservative politicians ent, especially in the political battles over broaden it. They saw support increase from and the media that climate change. As the globe warms and aging rural white voters, but made no in- we’re wracked by extreme weather events roads among Democratic constituencies, supports them are creating (like five feet of November snow in Buffalo), especially in the most heavily populated conservatives are still disputing of any of areas of the country – the Northeast, West their own version of reality this is actually happening. Coast, and parts of the West. That’s Ladd’s that’s politically motivated The “danger for the right,” tweeted Rob- “Blue Wall,” an area that contains so many erts, “is that once you lose your mooring Electoral College votes that it makes a Re- to consolidate their base to nonpartisan epistemological standards, publican presidential victory in 2016 near- and immunize themselves you are at sea. You start thinking you real- ly impossible. Despite the GOP sweep this ly can ‘make your reality,’ forgetting there’s election, for example, no Republican candi- against rational counter- anything rigid in the world that can’t be date won a Senate seat behind Ladd’s Blue responses. wished away.” Wall. That sense of fantasy will have two results. Second, GOP success was in large part a First, it will hinder us from coming to any result of low turnout. Ladd noted that the nies, Kelly never turned in his homework. political solution to any problem. Second, Republican victories rested on winning 52 “Mike’s efforts shifted when he chose to fo- it will damage the Republican Party as its percent of those that turned out in 2014. cus more on holding the administration ac- policies, rhetoric, and agenda drift from the Given only about 35 percent of registered countable with regards to [Operation] Fast problems people are actually encountering. voters turned out, which translates to 17 and Furious,” explained Kelly spokesperson And that’s why Chris Ladd thinks the 2014 percent of the registered electorate. Hardly Tom Qualtere. “And then when the Beng- midterm elections represents a “dark week” a “mandate.” hazi tragedy occurred, that took the cake.” for the GOP. Ladd also admits that turnout success was Real issues need to be addressed – climate “It is almost too late for Republicans to due to “vote suppression” – the crazy patch- change, the Syrian civil war, increasing in- participate in shaping...our economic and work of new voter registration laws – but equality of wealth, the deficit – but Beng- political transformation,” writes Ladd. “The thinks that’ll bring advantage in only one or hazi! opportunities we inherited coming out of two low-turnout elections, but at the cost of It’s a pattern among Republican politicians the Reagan Era are blinking out of exis- losing any hope of winning minority voters and the media that supports them, this in- tence...while we chase so-called ‘issues’ so “for the foreseeable future.” creasing disconnect from reality. Conserva- stupid, so blindingly disconnected from But the kicker is what Republicans will tive politicians and the media that supports our emerging needs that our grandchildren do with their Congressional advantage be- them are creating their own version of re- will look back on our performance in much tween now and 2016. Expect more stupid. ality that’s politically motivated to consol- the same way that we see the failures of the “This is an age for Republican solutions,” idate their base and immunize themselves generation that fought desegregation.” claims Ladd. “[But] what are we hearing against rational counter-responses. That’s I am a liberal, a progressive, a goddamned from Republicans? Climate denial, theoc- how they were able to drive the Benghazi Commie pinko, but I am not crazy. I know racy, thinly veiled racism, paranoia, and scandal for a year and a half, how they there are millions of bright, energetic minds Benghazi hearings.” create “controversy” out of thin air – Fast in conservative ranks that want to provide According to a July New York Times report, and Furious, IRS corruption, death pan- real and conservative solutions to real prob- Congress has spent more than $3 million on els, Obama-is-a-Kenyan. That’s how they lems. I believe the world needs them. hearings around the attack on the Libyan keep issues of scientific certainty – climate embassy in an effort to tie it Obama admin- change, evolution – “controversial.” Jay Stevens can be contacted at Jay@ istration incompetency. To date, there has They’ve done this by painting the main- ErieReader.com, and you can follow been no evidence of intelligence failures, stream media as “liberal” – when it’s any- him on Twitter @Snevets_Yaj.

November 26, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 5 NEWS & OPINION

a payment of more than $5 billion annually But due in part to the payment, shortly USPS a statutory monopoly on the delivery The Way I See It from 2007 through 2016 to build up a retire- thereafter, USPS revenues started to decline of first-class and standard mail and restricts ment fund in order to prefund 50 years of es- – so much so that back in 2011, the looming mailbox access to mail delivered by the USPS and the Burden timated costs. According to the Government default on payments called for drastic mea- USPS, preventing other companies from de- of the Postal Reform Accountability Office, this payment was sures. Offices around the country shuttered livering such services. The group also bene- Accountability Act intended to reduce possible liabilities on fu- their doors to avoid default on this $5 billion fits from other privileges, by being exempt ture taxpayers. Prior, the USPS employed a annual obligation. In the round of cuts end- from vehicle licensing requirements, sales By: Rebecca Styn “pay as you go” approach to pensions, pay- ing this year, Americans will see 229 pro- taxes, and local property taxes. They don’t ing the pensions and health care benefits cessing plants close and 28,000 jobs lost. have to pay parking tickets and have emi- wo months ago, I penned a column on out of each year’s profits. Locally, our East 38th Street branch is slated nent domain powers. the imminent consolidations or clos- As a result, the USPS is now the only en- to close in April 2015, and if that happens, So, while Congress requires this mandate, Tings of branches of the United States terprise in America that is required by law nearly 120 jobs in Erie could be lost or dis- it also provides USPS all the abovemen- Postal Service. I cited facts and figures di- to pre-fund future retiree healthcare bene- placed. tioned privileges. The Act accelerated this rectly from the USPS website and included fits – which in essence, is not a bad idea and This is truly only part of the problem. Ac- process, and financially stressed the system, my own personal thoughts on the situation, something all government entities should cording to Quora.com, the Postal Service but like most other businesses (government, but wasn’t supportive of this shrinking, have to do. labor rules and lack of innovation have also for profit, or non profit), the group is also at rather mentioning that given the looming But that’s the reason we’re here. prevented them from becoming competi- the mercy of its consumers. timeline and deficit, “without a complete The USPS was once the United States tive. For FedEx and UPS, labor is 50 percent We have had declining mail volume over 180 of the operation, the facility will even- Post Office Department – a heavily gov- of their expenses. For the USPS, it is 80 per- the years due to the use of new technology tually close, and we are just prolonging the ernment-subsidized agency. In 1970, in re- cent. The group is also not allowed to offer that doesn’t have the same strict laws. Ad- inevitable.” sponse to widespread postal worker strikes any new products or services in an effort to ditionally, bloated operating expenses, and Readers offered quick rebuttals, which is based on requests for additional pay, Con- keep them competitive. constant congressional meddling have all great, because that is the intent of the col- gress compromised with the Postal Reor- Conversely, while Congress does impose added to USPS’ current state of affairs. And umn – to provoke discussions regularly. ganization Act of 1970, which replaced the these costs and obligations, it also protects companies like FedEx and UPS are also gain- Most of the arguments against the piece United States Post Office Department with the Postal Service from all competition. ing ground, literally, by offering expansive cited the Postal Reform Accountability Act the United States Postal Service. This new According to the Government Accountabil- ground service deliveries that the Postal Ser- as the main source of post office’s issue organization was quasi independent and ity Office, the Postal Service has a legal mo- vice can’t, due to limited weight restrictions. (which I did not mention previously, so I’ll allowed to set its employees pay. Also as a nopoly over first-class and standard mail. Ultimately, with or without the mandate, address it here). For what it’s worth, though, result of the reorganization came the Unit- It is mandated by Congress to provide each the USPS still needs an entire overhaul to I must note that with the exception of one ed States Postal Regulatory Commission (or American with “universal service,” which stay afloat. gentleman, every single person shared their PRC), an independent regulatory agency, includes uniform prices, access to services, thoughts via email. which from 1970 through 2006 had over- and six-day delivery nationwide, irrespec- Love? Hate? Agree? Disagree? I want to hear In 2006, the Postal Accountability and En- sight authority over the USPS. And in 2006, tive of where they live or the costs of serving from you. Email me at rStyn@ErieReader. hancement Act required the USPS to make this Act came to be. them. To ensure this, Congress grants the com and follow me on Twitter @rStyn.

6 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 26, 2014 NEWS & OPINION

er people in the room.” Soifer says when the city turned him down. into Liverani’s nose during an he Law Works in Strange Ways: News of the Weird the ad ridicules a serious problem Van Vleet wanted data from the Asian backpacking trip and had T(1) The Gothamist news site — and compared it to “making city licenses of strip club em- poked part-way out several times reported in October that bicyclist By: Chuck Shepherd fun” of a man missing an arm or ployees (dancers’ stage and real (though Liverani had assumed it John Roemer, who was rear-ended leg. [Associated Press via New names, date of birth, etc.) so that was a nosebleed clot and “sniffed by a driver in Brooklyn in May (and York Daily News, 11-4-2014] he could pray for them individu- (it) back up”). When she finally whose intensive-care bill was paid Weird Patriotism ally, by name, to make his appeals saw a doctor in October, she said, by the driver’s insurance company), ovember is tax-publicizing he Power of One Sensitive more effective. (In October, Judge the leech played peek-a-boo for a is now being sued by the driver in Nseason in Finland, where, TSoul: (1) Lt. Col. Sherwood Ronald Leighton denied Van Vleet half-hour until the doctor grabbed small claims court for $2,000 dam- starkly unlike America, the gov- Baker was turned away from a temporary restraining order it with tweezers. Melua’s tiny spi- age to her car. (2) In November, a civ- ernment releases all individuals’ Adams High School in Roches- against the city.) [KING-TV (Seat- der apparently lived in her ear for il court in Lindau, Germany, ordered tax records to help build public ter, Michigan, in September by a tle), 10-23-2014] a week, creating a constant “rus- Rory Gray to pay Dr. Daniel Ubani support for the country’s vast wel- guard who said a school official tling” noise until her doctor vac- for calling Ubani “an animal” (for fare state. Thus, reported Foreign sent word that Baker was not al- he Washington, D.C., restau- uumed it out. She guessed that it having injected Gray’s father with Policy magazine, Finnish society lowed in to discuss his daughter’s Trant Second State recently came in through old earbud head- 10 times a drug’s safe dose in 2008, gets a “yearly dose of schaden- class schedule until he changed added an accessory to its bar phones on an airline flight. (Her which led to his death). The court freude” ... “opening the door for to civilian clothes — because “a menu — “hand-cut rock,” i.e., “ar- spokesperson said the singer had found the epithet unwarranted and a media frenzy of gossip, boasting student” might be offended by his tisanal” ice, for $1 extra (but free in no hard feelings and had released ordered Gray to help pay Ubani’s le- and fingerpointing” about “fair military uniform. (The Rochester premium drinks). The local sup- the spider into her garden.) [Daily gal expenses. [The Gothamist, 10-16- share” and who’s more worthy. A school superintendent later apol- plier Favourite Ice assures that its Record (London), 10-12-2014] [The 2014] [BBC News, 11-7-2014] few, however, proudly pay high ogized.) (2) The British Embassy frozen water contains no calcium Guardian (London), 11-2-2014] Finnish taxes as a “badge of pa- in Washington, D.C., apologized to cloud it and, with a heavy-du- Well, Of Course! triotism,” rejecting common tax twice in August, first a tongue-in- ty band-saw blade, “hand-cuts” Chutzpah! shelters. “We’ve received a lot of cheek “apology” for England’s War 200-to-300-pound blocks into the he owner of the world’s largest help from society,” said one home- of 1812 attack on the White House cubes that ultimately wind up in he law finally caught up, par- Tcorn maze (63 acres), at Cool grown (and wealthy) entrepre- and then for making that “apolo- the glass. A Favourite Ice found- Ttially, to squatter Darrell Beat- Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, Califor- neur, “and now it is our turn to pay gy” in the first place — because of er said his frozen water resists ty in September, as he was charged nia, told Sacramento’s KOVR-TV in back.” [Foreign Policy, 11-5-2014] a backlash on Twitter from Ameri- drink-weakening longer than or- with grand larceny for forging a October that “several” times this sea- cans complaining the jokey “apol- dinary cubes do. [NPR, 10-21-2014] deed to a home owned by Jennifer son, visitors have called 911 to come “Offended!” ogy” was “offensive.” [Daily Mail Merin, 70, in Laurelton, New York. get them out of the maze. Said own- (London), 9-11-2014] [Sky News Ewwww — Gross! However, he bailed out of jail on er Matt Cooley, “When it’s dark, all teve Soifer, CEO of an interna- (London), 8-25-2014] Oct. 22 and immediately returned you see is corn.” (Also, two months Stional support group for peo- aniela Liverani, 24, of Edin- to the house. In fact, Beatty’s two earlier, an emergency crew in Brain- ple with “shy bladders,” excoriat- Bright Ideas Dburgh, Scotland, and Brit- sons had remained “at home” tree, England, was forced to use spe- ed DirecTV in November for its ish singer Katie Melua recently even while Beatty was locked up. cial equipment to find and rescue an series of commercials featuring avid Van Vleet asked for cer- survived inadvertent, grotesque The home has been in Merin’s elderly woman who had fallen while Rob Lowe, whose “awkward” char- Dtain supposedly public re- ordeals hosting, respectively, a family since 1930. “Mind-bog- inside the 10-acre Blake House Craft acter in one ad stands at a urinal cords in Tacoma, Washington, three-inch leech and a spider. gling,” she said. [New York Daily Centre maze.) [KOVR-TV, 10-30- and says, “Fact: I can’t go with oth- and was forced into federal court The leech had found its way News, 11-4-2014] 2014] [Essex Chronicle, 8-20-2014]

Just Toyin’ Witcha — By: B. Toy

November 26, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 7 NEWS & OPINION

Considering the City A Keen Perspective Made in Erie Marketplace An Edinboro Honors Student Marries Art and Math

By: Civitas Members Lisa Austin and Laurel Swartz By: Mary Birdsong

o you make a point of buy- Stephanie oday, people often ing things that are made in Westley (pictured) think of art and math DErie? volunteered during Tas having the same According to the American Busi- sort of relationship as oil last year’s Made In ness Alliance, buying locally “cre- and water. Not Megan ates more local wealth and jobs.” Erie Marketplace to Kuntz, an Edinboro Uni- Additionally, the Forbes’ Retail organize this year’s versity junior, double ma- blog noted this November that 48 event. joring in art education and percent of purchases “at local in- painting and illustration. dependent businesses” are “re-cir- ber, Moriah Schreffler, Earlier this month, she culated locally, compared to less Brian Shuffstall, and walked away with a nation- than 14 percent of purchases at PHOTO CONTRIBUTED others) will offer ceram- al award in the Visual Art chain stores.” ketplace page at Facebook.com/ ics, fiber, metal, and wood prod- category at the National This means that when you shop MadeInErieMarketplace. ucts including earrings, crockery Collegiate Honors Confer- on Upper Peach, instead of invest- Some of the 2013 Marketplace and cutting boards. ence in Denver for her proj- ing directly in Erie’s economy, you vendors are returning including A client from the StARTup In- ect “Using Mathematical are sending 86 percent of your Jessica Stadmueller, Carol Posch cubator in Edinboro will repre- Perspective.” purchasing power out of town. Comstock, and Lena Logvina. New sent the new Institute for Inno- To complete this endeav-

This “dollar-drain”, like the “brain- Marketplace vendors include: vation and Entrepreneurship, an or, she applied the method PHOTO CONTRIBUTED drain” of Erie’s ex-pats, negatively Ali Ford and her Table of Curiosi- affiliate of Edinboro University. of one-point linear perspec- impacts our local economy. Luck- ties, Linda Flatley’s journals, Pink Mary Moodey, founder of Mar- tive to explore how a sub- EUP Honors student Megan ily, there is a simple solution to Cottage Soaps by Janice Fatica, MooWorks will be selling chil- ject in a two-dimensional work Kuntz won a national award reverse that trend: Start – or con- award-winning stuffed animals dren’s products along with Alex- of art changes based the viewing in the Visual Art category tinue – buying locally-made prod- by Sarah Brown, and sleek furni- andra Carney-Knisely’s fiber work, distance and angle. Kuntz start- at the National Collegiate ucts. ture by Brian Millspaw. Maddie Royce Hilderbrand’s ceramics. ed with a three-dimensional still Come Black Friday, this will be Fry will offer fiber works from her A $3 donation gains entry to the life, took measurements, creat- Honors Conference in easy thanks to the Made in Erie Drop Spindle Studio and Angela Marketplace, where the Nowhere ed scatter plots for two different Denver. Marketplace, held from 5 to 8 p.m. McNair will share her “boutique Family Band will be performing viewing distances in Microsoft Nov. 28 at the Masonic Temple finds.” Additional businesses new their folksy, indie sound. No- Excel, and then translated those my project with people who are Building, located at 32 W. Eighth to the Marketplace include: A where’s musicians include Opti- two graphs into two-dimensional interested in the same things I St. in downtown Erie. Little Brick House, Conneauttee mistic Apocalypse and Andi Won- paintings designed to be viewed am,” adding with a laugh, “Not Last year on Black Friday, Civi- Creamery, Dragonfly Lake Scents, dersound, who will play some of from different distances. all of my friends appreciated me tas launched the Marketplace to Exercising Balance, Firekin Stu- his handcrafted instruments. This undertaking came about talking about my project.” encourage the establishment of a dio, Girl with Baggage, Jess and The money earned by the indi- after Kuntz read the book View- McKelvey, who has taught venue for locally produced food, Joann Creations, Rags & Old Iron, vidual vendors at the Marketplace points: Mathematical Perspec- Kuntz in several of his classes, is functional objects, and culture and TARA Pottery. is theirs to keep. All of the Mar- tive and Fractal Geometry in Art, a big fan. in order to showcase the wealth The Erie Mobile Kitchen will re- ketplace entrance donations will which breaks down the method “It does not surprise me one bit of local talent and to better inject turn with pizza on International be re-donated to winners of the of linear perspective into mathe- that she won this award. She is dollars into Erie’s economy. Bakery shells, savory Italian sau- 2015 Design Excellence Award at matical and geometric terms and very motivated, absorbs concepts Local crafter Stephanie Westley sage from Bello’s Market served the annual Innovation Erie De- offers exercises for implement- easily and produces quality work – who had only been a crafter for on fresh rolls from the West Lake sign Competition held at the Erie ing it. Ever since, she wanted to at the highest level,” he says. “I a year – attended the 2013 Mar- Bakery, and the Kitchen’s popular Art Museum. The cost of publicity apply it to her work. don’t think I have ever had a stu- ketplace, and before leaving, she vegetarian quesadilla. New food and the Masonic Temple venue are She was advised in the project dent as brilliant in so many ca- volunteered to organize the 2014 vendors include Beelzebub with being covered by a generous spon- by her art professor, Terry McKel- pacities.” Marketplace. After high school their “outstanding salsa and pick- sorship from the Edinboro Uni- vey, and math professor, Dr. John Kuntz’s project has begat off- (General McLane), she earned her les” and Showman Farms selling versity Institute for Innovation & Hoggard. spring, as well. The collaboration undergraduate degree in art his- cheese and raw honey. Entrepreneurship. “Professor McKelvey helped me between McKelvey and Hoggard tory at Edinboro University. While Westley is initiating a theater Westley hopes that Erie attracts with understanding how size and has led to the two departments completing her masters in art his- table to build attendance at local and retains residents “not just be- the temperature of color affect working together to develop a tory in Arizona, Westley sold vin- productions. Shoppers will meet cause it is cheap to live here” but our perception of distance and specific math class for artists. tage items. When she returned to Mark Tanenbaum from PACA and because creative-types “can make size. It helped me enhance the “We always say that disciplines Erie, she began creating a line of Jess Flock from Dramashop. Tick- a living.” If you want to support mathematical side,” Kuntz ex- are interrelated, but, in truth, clothing and accessories available ets to upcoming productions at living-wage jobs in Erie, buy some plains. “Dr. Hoggard helped me we rarely work together,” says at PACA’s bi-monthly Even Crafti- these two venues will be on sale. locally-made products. A good work through some of the more McKelvey. “Now we will, and we er fairs. In support of another literary art place to start is at the Made in Erie complex math and showed me expect to have a class up and run- To make the Marketplace ven- – poetry and spoken word – West- Marketplace. how even small measurement ning in a couple of years.” dor-selection process more effi- ley has invited the Erie County errors can result in distortions.” The award is a feather in Edin- cient, Westley initiated an online Poet Laureate Cee Williams of Civitas members can be reached Kuntz says it was “really nice” boro’s cap, says McKelvey. “We application. From the submis- Poets’ Hall and Chuck Joy to sell at their website www.civitaserie. to win the award, but her favor- are very proud of Megan.” sions, she selected a group of ven- chapbooks of their award-win- com, via Facebook at CivitasErie, ite part was doing the project and dors selling everything from yoga ning poetry. by emailing [email protected], talking about it with the contest Mary Birdsong can be contacted DVDs to handmade soap. Exam- Edinboro University will have a or by scheduling a Friday morning judges. “They were enthusiastic at mBirdson@ErieReader. ples of products can be found on strong presence. Art students and meeting at the Civitas office in the and really captivated in what I com, and you can follow her on the Facebook Made in Erie Mar- alumni (Alexis Spina, Heather Nu- Masonic Building, 32 W. Eighth St. had done – it was great to share Twitter @Mary_Birdsong.

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By: Jim Wertz

om Wolf was one of ten Democratic By 8:01 p.m. — just gubernatorial candidates elected in one minute after Tthe Republican sweep of the 2014 mid- Pa.’s polls had term election cycle. closed — major Wolf’s candidacy, juxtaposed against one media outlets had of the most unpopular governorships in the country, led many pundits and prognosti- declared Tom Wolf cators to give him the likely win. Then ev- triumphant over ery major media outlet in the country con- incumbent Tom firmed the victory at 8:01 on election night. Corbett. It was the first race called nationwide. With zero percent reporting. And they were all right: Wolf defeated in- take” says State Rep. cumbent Gov. Tom Corbett 54.9 percent to Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) 45.1, with nearly 350,000 more votes cast in “The Democrats have to favor of Wolf. understand they’re not Corbett and Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell were going to get everything the only Republican governors to lose this they want just because election cycle. Parnell was defeated by inde- there’s a Democratic pendent challenger Bill Walker. governor and the Re- The electoral mandate gives Gover- publicans surely under- nor-elect Wolf bargaining power heading stand that just because into his first term in Harrisburg, and there’s they have the numbers a good chance he’s going to need it. they’re not going to That’s because the Republican led Pa. Gen- get everything they eral Assembly picked up additional seats on want because there is a Nov. 4, giving the party a 35-seat majority in Democratic governor. the House of Representatives and a 10-seat There’s got to be com- advantage in the Senate. promise.” Whether the political advantage will be po- Opponents of the ex- larizing or positive remains to be seen. traction tax argue that Remember that the Republican legislature such as tax would in- under Corbett blocked privatization of state hibit job growth asso- liquor stores, reminding Corbett that he had ciated with the oil and no free reign. gas industry and there-

Wolf is likely to face a few legislative chal- GOVERNOR FOR WOLF TOM fore impact overall job lenges just to remind him that the electoral growth in the state. mandate he received is no more potent than Shale-related employ- was Corbett’s party affiliation. funding, according to factcheck.org, which “Instead of looking for things to cut, we’d be ment, however, currently accounts for only Nevertheless, the tenor of legislative de- analyzed education spending as Corbett and in the process of restoring programs based 0.40 percent of Pennsylvania employment, bate in Harrisburg is not likely to be as di- Wolf sparred on the campaign trail. on that funding alone.” according to the Multi-State Shale Collabo- visive as it’s expected to be in Washington, School districts most affected by reduced The $8 million charter school reimburse- rative. D.C. But Gov.-elect Wolf laid out major leg- education spending were those in low-in- ment was nearly equal to federal stimulus Compromise on this point may be the third islative reforms during the campaign that come communities with shrinking tax funds received by the district in 2010 and rail of the next session in the General As- are not likely to sit well with all members of bases. Most school districts in Pa. made up 2011. sembly because it’s also tied to economic the Assembly. the losses through tax increases on home- Stimulus money disappeared in 2012 and development initiatives, which Gov.-elect “Governor-elect Wolf doesn’t have long owners, who contributed the majority of that loss was compounded by an increase in Wolf made top priority during the cam- political coat tails in this election,” says revenue to the local districts, factcheck.org contributions to the state retirement fund, paign. Although Wolf said throughout Democratic party stalwart Bill Sesler. “He’s concluded. which was legislated in the General Assem- the campaign that economic development got to decide how he’s going to answer the In Erie, reduced state funding for public bly. Between 2009 and 2013, Erie Public should not be “about the next deal or re- question of balancing the budget for 2015- schools also meant the loss of reimburse- Schools experienced a net loss of $2,188,465 acting to the latest crisis,” it’s clear that the 2016. That budget will need to be formulat- ment for $8 million in charter school pay- in state and federal funding, says Cum- electorally conscious Republican-led legis- ed and presented by March, at the latest, to ments, which the Erie Public Schools are mings. lature doesn’t necessarily share his opinion. the General Assembly, and they’re facing a required by law to disburse. Those reim- Gov.-elect Wolf proposed a restoration of Observers remain hopeful that Wolf’s deficit that could easily be $300 million.” bursements went unfunded by the Corbett public education funding during the cam- manufacturing background may well posi- Education funding in Pa. waned under the Administration. paign, but that’s dependent upon the pas- tion him to lead Pa. into a sustainable eco- Corbett Administration and will be a major “The restoration of reimbursement for sage of a 5 percent extraction tax on oil and nomic recovery. point of contention in upcoming budget charter schools is the top recommendation gas industries operating in the Common- Bruce Katz, vice president of The Brook- talks. Amplified by the loss of federal stim- of the auditor general, Eugene DePasquale. wealth. That wasn’t a popular position with ings Institution, told the crowd at the Jeffer- ulus dollars to public education, state con- We’re hopeful that it gains some traction the outgoing Governor and it’s unlikely to son Educational Society Global Summit VI tributions to public K-12 education dropped because it’s part of the law, but it went un- have much traction in the General Assem- in early November that Wolf’s election was to historic lows and placed the Common- funded,” says Matthew Cummings, director b ly. one of the bright spots of the 2014 midterm wealth 45th nationwide in public education of communications for Erie Public Schools. “There’s going to have to be a lot of give and elections because of his business acumen.

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12 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 26, 2014 FEATURE PA NATIONAL GUARD NATIONAL PA

He is “the kind of governor Pennsylvania Tom Corbett made Pennsylvania needs,” said Katz, who’s also the founding history, becoming the first incumbent director of The Brookings Metropolitan Pol- governor to lose his bid for a second- icy Program. term. Tom Wolf, a native of York, Pa., is a graduate of Dartmouth College, the London School of Economics, and he holds a Ph.D. in political reconcile high costs of living with a federal science from MIT. As the sixth generation minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. owner of his family business, he returned to As a punctuation to the wage debate, the company and by all accounts saved the Wolf will follow an emergent trend among organization from financial ruin. Reporters wealthy businessmen turned executive pol- and citizens across the Commonwealth laud iticians. Like former New York City mayor Wolf’s everyman qualities – from his whole- Michael Bloomberg, Tom Wolf will also for- sale support of his wife and two daughters go his salary of $187,256 by either donating to a seemingly genuine interest in the lives it to charity or returning it to the state, ac- of people with whom he interacts in busi- cording to a statement made to the Associ- ness and on the campaign trail. ated Press. Wolf is the first entrepreneur to take the Regardless of the cards Wolf gets to play as Governor’s office since Democrat Mil- the architect of Pennsylvania’s new deal, his ton Shapp (1971-1979), who amassed a tenure in office will likely be defined by his multi-million dollar fortune as a pioneer of first two years in office. the cable television industry. If Republicans in Harrisburg follow the Wolf, like Shapp, enters the governor’s of- lead of their federal counterparts and stone- fice at a time of great political discord. And wall the Wolf Administration as a prelude like Shapp, Wolf stands at the precipice of to 2016 and beyond, it’s going to be a long major reforms for the Commonwealth of four years for the citizens of Pa. and its first- Pennsylvania. term governor. Courting new business will take overhauls If, however, Wolf’s pro-business policies of both tax and regulatory policy, both of are insurance enough for Republican lead- which Wolf experienced first hand as the ership in the General Assembly to allow CEO of the Wolf Organization, Inc., Ameri- Wolf and Democrats in the House and Sen- ca’s largest supplier of kitchen cabinets and ate to initiate the debate points that made specialty building products, which employs Wolf popular in the primary and general more than 250 people, according to its web- elections, the Commonwealth of Penn- site. sylvania will likely return to its otherwise Moreover, Wolf supports raising the min- standard practice of reelecting incumbent imum wage in Pa. to $10.10 per hour over governors. a two-year period and tying the minimum wage to the inflation index after that. It’s a Jim Wertz can be contacted at jWertz@ major point of contention at the state level ErieReader.com, and you can follow across the country, as different locales try to him on Twitter @Jim_Wertz.

November 26, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 13 CALENDAR

Erie Philharmonic’s Come Home for the Holidays he Erie Philharmon- Tic’s wildly popular “Come Home for the Holidays” pops concert on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. is sold out, but you still may be able to catch a little jingle at the 2 p.m. matinée. New this year, the kid-friendly, shorter concert has all the sug- WWW.ERIEPHIL.ORG arplums that the Phil is offering in the evening, but packaged up just a little bit differently to keep the kiddos entertained. And someone very special might be making an appearance. You know, that guy dressed all in fur from his head to his foot. Expect holiday tunes, from the traditional to the swinging, performed by the pops or- chestra, the Erie Philharmonic Chorus and Young People’s Chorus of Erie. An even sweeter treat is special guest, pops fiddler Jenny Oaks Baker who will be sitting in on a few pieces. Oaks, a first violinist in the National Symphony Orchestra for seven years, has a national reputation as a solo violinist, with her album Wish Upon a Star: A Tribute to the Music of Walt Disney earning a Grammy nomination in 2011 for Best Pop Instrumental Album. She will be joining the pops orchestra on classics like “We Wish you a Merry Christmas,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” and the lesser-known “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” among others, and, of course, the traditional carol sing-along that is the hallmark finale of the concert. Children’s activities starting at 1 p.m. in the lobby, provided by the expERIEnce Children’s Museum, makes the afternoon a slam-dunk for parents looking to occupy little one who may be getting a little antsy about a visit from the big guy. Or grown ups who still believe. – Mary Birdsong Warner Theatre 811 State St. // 455.1375 // EriePhil.org

Travel through the one-way street forest, pass the twirly-swirly snowfalls, and walk into the Erie Playhouse for Elf : The Musical t was 11 years ago when au- Idiences first saw an unusual- ly tall elf named Buddy travel through the seven levels of the candy cane forest, pass the sea of twirly-swirly gumdrops, and walk through the Lincoln Tun- nel. Now the beloved Christmas story of Elf: The Musical will grace the Erie Playhouse stage for a month-long run this holi- day season. The magical mainstage musical follows Buddy, a human who was mistakenly taken to the North Pole as a baby, and his journey to find his dad in New York City, where the locals aren’t quite as friendly as the sugar- and hap- piness-loving elves. Not one to be easily dismayed by relatives on the “naughty list” and depart- WWW.ERIEPLAYHOUSE.ORG ment store Santas who smell of beef and cheese, Buddy persists PHOTO CONTRIBUTED on an adventure that will make for plenty of laughs and have you thinking of the true meaning of Christmas. Led by a cast that includes Michael Hipwell as the lovable Buddy, Elf: The Musical grants you 16 chances to travel through the one-way street forest, pass the twirly-swirly snow- falls, and walk into the Erie Playhouse theater to embrace your inner elf. – Alex Bieler 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 11-13, 17-20, and Jan. 2, and 2 p.m. Dec. 14, 21, 27, 28, and Jan. 3 and 4 // 13 W. 10th St. // erieplayhouse.org

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Let Winter Drive You Mad at PACA with a Party inter weather can drive people a little Wcrazy, especially when it arrives much earlier than expected. In fact, someone should tell Mother Nature that the first day of winter isn’t officially until Dec. 21. But Erie’s seasons don’t really work that way, so we should learn to embrace the cold and find good reasons to congregate in warm indoor areas – like the Winter Madness Party at PACA. “What’s the Winter Madness Party” you ask? It’s just a crazy-good lineup of local rock stars that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy PHOTO CONTRIBUTED from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at PACA. The event offers up a talented group of five bands, with Eric Brewer and Friends, Smackdab, Falling Hollywood, Daybreak Radio, and Pot- whole, all ready to have your ears ringing in the holidays. Adults can also treat their taste buds with Lavery Brewery’s fine fare available with a donation and snacks provided by The Cookielady. You can’t stop winter, so you might as well embrace the crazy weather. The Winter Mad- ness Party is an excellent excuse to brave the potential frost burn and head to PACA for a night keeping warm – and happy – with the music-loving community. – Alex Bieler 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 // 1505 State St. // paca1505.com

’Tis the Season with Babes in Toyland – a dance concert for the holiday season he snow is already flying Tin Erie, Christmas carols are flooding the airwaves, and the most intrepid (or most foresighted) among us have already strung up holiday dec- orations and lights in store windows and on front porch- es. The time is right, then, for a Christmas classic and sure sign of the season: Babes in Toyland. Presented by the Mercyhurst Dancers and Liturgical Dance Ensemble next weekend, ‘Tis the Season with Babes in Toy- land is an hour-long dance concert that features the bal- let from which it takes its title, a heart-warming Christmas production that in turn has been an operetta, a musical, a ballet and movie – one which,

in 1961, the New York Times PHOTO CONTRIBUTED said that with a finish “as col- orful, busy and cheerful as a Grandma Moses winter scene, this ‘Toyland’ should be a Christmas joy to every moppet everywhere.” Dated language from the Grey Lady maybe, but the subject is still charming as ever. FALL & WINTER HOURS But this Babes is an original ballet, choreographed by Mercyhurst assistant professor of dance Melissa Bobick, who took elements from the operetta and score to create new work, 3141 West 26th St. | Erie, PA 16506 completely different from the beloved movie. In Bobick’s work, two little girls are allowed Mon- 10—5:30 to open one present each on Christmas Eve, transporting them to the world of Toyland. Inkle Loom Weaving—Wednesday, Oct. 29th Eventually, however, Bobick said, the girls realize that the toys, while delightful, are just 6:30-9:00 | $35 plus Materials Tue- Closed toys. Beginner Knitting Cowl Class—Saturday, Nov. Wed- 10—5:30 “In the end, they decide that spending time with your family is what Christmas is all 8, 15, and 22 | 10:30-12:00 $35 plus materials about,” Bobick said. Thurs- 10—3 Beginner Crochet Class—Tuesday, Dec. 2 and The evenings at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center also include a spiritual work 9th 6:30-8:30 | $35 plus materials Fri- 10—5:30 to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach titled “Passion Sculpture,” and an original seasonal premiere called “Christmas Fun on Fa-La-La-Lane.” Like us on Facebook to find more classes! Saturday 10—4 “It’s a fun way to jump into the holidays,” Bobick said. – Sara Toth Call to RSVP | 814-836-7875 (purl) Sunday Closed 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 // 501 E. 38th St. // 824.3000

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18 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 26, 2014 CALENDAR

Original Members of Shotgun Jubilee Reunite For One Night at the King’s Rook Gallery Night puts the ART in Party t’s been nearly a year since Erie hat’s your calendar look like on Friday, Dec. Ibid adieu to Shotgun Jubilee at W5? How about meeting an artist or two and their Farewell Show at the crooked feasting your eyes on the best of local, regional, i. The beloved State Street estab- and national art? lishment may still be closed, but Gallery Night – a staple of the Erie art scene for the bluegrass-loving jam band will more than a decade – has all that, and offers a be back in action – for at least one chance to do some gift shopping, too. Plus, if you more night – when Shotgun Jubi- visit at least five of the participating venues, you

lee returns for a special reunion get a chance to win a gift certificate to any of the WWW.GLASSGROWERSGALLERY.COM show Friday, Nov. 28 at the King’s galleries. Rook Club. A bounty of styles and materials should make finding something of pleasure easy, wheth- “When [the band] got together er it’s painting, sculpture, jewelry, or photography that trips your trigger. for the farewell show, it was pret- PHOTO CONTRIBUTED Glass Growers has paintings by Joyce Perowicz and ceramic sculpture by Ron Mazanows- ty final that we weren’t going to ki; the works of Frank Kelly, Jr. and Sebastian are at D’Hopkins Denniston; the venerable do another show,” Shotgun Jubilee bassist Ryan Bartosek said. “Then we had so much fun Kada Gallery is hosting Finger Lakes artist, GC Myers, and Allen Stoneware is presenting a working on it that almost immediately after it happened we talked about doing it again.” student show. What’s more, the reunion show will feature all of Shotgun Jubilee’s original members, as- California ceramic artist Greg Ledd Carlson has his ceramic porcelain shadow boxes and sembling Ryan Bartosek, Tonya Camasi, Dominick DeCecco, Steve Powell, and Paul Schil- local painter Diane Wenzel Pierce has oils on display at Ralph Miller, and the newly de- linger back together once more. The Black Friday show will also feature an opening set by signed Schuster Gallery at Gannon University is presenting the Photographic Arts Society local artist Tyler Smilo, an extra bonus to a free show that will bring back some old chums of Northwestern PA. to the same stage. Besides the usual refreshments and meet-and-greet opportunities that venues are provid- “It’s definitely like a family reunion,” Bartosek said. “We’re all like brothers and sisters and ing, Urraro Gallery is offering live music by Matty B., along with the annual holiday show we’re just having a good time with it.” by the artists of the Northwest PA Artists’ Association. According to Bartosek, no plans are being made for another Shotgun Jubilee show The granddaddy of the event is, of course, The Erie Art Museum, which is showcasing the soon, but the idea isn’t out of the question. Either way, the Reunion Show is an opportu- design work of Erie native Wilbur Henry Adams and works by local artist Jamie Borowitz. nity to welcome back one of Erie’s favorite jam bands in recent years for one more night. It also promises a ClaySpace demonstration and sale and a “quirky winter-themed tour of – Alex Bieler the galleries” at 7:15 p.m. 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 // 1921 Peach St. // facebook.com/kingsrookclub Many of these venues offer additional artisan-crafted wares to please your eye and make local shopping easy and fun. – Mary Birdsong 7 to 10 p.m. // Free Admission // Various locations // More MUSIC St. 453.7760. McCoy’s Barrelhouse at erieartmuseum.org/events/gallerynight and Grill, 1013 State St. Matty B and the Thanksgiving Night mccoysbarrelhouse.com. with TJ the DJ Dirty Pickles 10 Year Nick I am a Don Anniversary w/ Nov. 27 — 9 p.m. Nov. 28 — 9 p.m. Potwhole and Broke Sherlock’s, 508 State A Visit From St. Bacchus Boland, Plus After Party St. 453.7760. The Metropolitan Dance Club, w/ The Remnants 144 W. 13th St. metroerie.com. was the night before Thanksgiving and all through the New Wave Nation Nov. 26 — 9 p.m. Ralph Chamberlain Jr. ‘Ttown, every creature was stirring (their drinks) and look- Nov. 27 — 9 p.m. ing to get down. King’s Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. Nov. 28 — 9:30 p.m. facebook.com/kingsrookclub. Sherlock’s, 508 State We all were discussing, our late evening plans, as many bars, St. 453.7760. Doc Holliday’s, 7425 Schultz Road. dochollidays.net clubs, and dance floors, would be filled with great bands. East Ave. Matty B’s 10-year reunion was where we all finally were led, Nov. 26 — 9 p.m. The Bleeder Project w/ Chris Taylor Rankin & Schell while visions of Dirty Pickles, danced in our heads. The Brewerie, 123 W. 14th Nov. 28 — 6 to 9 p.m. We knew Potwhole and Broke Boland, were musical guests St. brewerie.com. Nov. 28 — 8 p.m. The Beer Mug, 1108 The Ugly Tuna Tavern, at the pub, as we drove up State Street, to the newly revived Liberty St. 454.4753. 1010 Peninsula Drive. King’s Rook Club. GNOSiS uglytunatavern.com. Nov. 26 — 9 p.m. After enjoying the show, we ran to our car, drove down Jesse Weston The Metropolitan Dance Club, Shotgun Jubilee Reunion Peach Street, and walked in the next bar. 144 W. 13th St. metroerie.com. Nov. 28 — 9 p.m. Show w/ Tyler Smilo As we took in the scene, something grand did appear, the

The Brewerie, 123 W. 14th PHOTO CONTRIBUTED Nov. 28 — 9 p.m. release of NEIMAN’s first solo album – it was finally here! Jake & Rick St. brewerie.com. King’s Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. Amongst the talent on stage, were other great guests – Dom- Nov. 26 — 6 to 9 p.m. JD Jazz and Blues facebook.com/kingsrookclub. my Doo, GNOSIS, and Byron Eanes – were some of the best. Sprague Farm & Brew Works, We then learned Ron Yarosz was playing, but we didn’t know where – and whether we 22113 U.S. 6, Venango. Nov. 28 — 6 to 9 p.m. Tennessee Backporch Anchor In, 3122 West were going to stay or leave and head there. sleepingchainsaw.com. Nov. 28 — 9 p.m. Lake Road. 833.1212. We knew in a moment that we must stay the course, so we put on our gear and took off Ron Yarosz and Presque Isle Downs and with great force. Junk Shop Failure w/ Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. the Vehicle presqueisledowns.com. As we walked out the door, I heard Wertz yell in delight: Nov. 26 — 9 p.m. This American Song “Now, Graham! now, Bieler! now, Welsh, now Speggen! Scotty’s Cigar and Martini Nov. 28 — 9 p.m. Tricky Dick and On, Triana! On, Birdsong! on, Toy and Stevens! Lounge, 301 German Erie Ale House, 1033 State St. The Cover Ups We are heading to Scotty’s for scotch and cigars and we can hear Ron Yarosz at that great facebook.com/eriealehouse. St. 459.3800. Nov. 28 — 9 p.m. corner bar!“ Taylor Maid Man Up Day featuring Oasis Pub, 3122 West Lake When we arrived at the lounge, Yarosz spoke not a word; the bluesman took to the micro- Road. oasispub.net. Nov. 26 — 7 p.m. The Highlife phone and went straight to his work. Docksider Tavern, 1015 Nov. 28 — 6 to 9 p.m. Winter Warriors Tour After the show, before we parted our ways, we went through the bill and determined our State St. 459.0099. Sprague Farm & Brew Works, featuring Battlecross, pays. 22113 U.S. 6, Venango. Wretched, War of As we got in our car, and drove out of sight, we heard Ron Yarosz exclaim, “Happy Thanks- Wild Turkey Wednesday sleepingchainsaw.com. Ages, Precinct Aflame giving to all, and to all a good-night!” – Rebecca Styn, with apologies to Clement Clarke w/ Whiplash and Saevitia Moore Nov. 26 — 9 p.m. Next of Kin Nov. 28 — 7 p.m. Nov. 28 — 7 p.m. Matty B and the Dirty Pickles Ten Year Reunion Show // King’s Sherlock’s, 508 State Rook Club 1921 Peach St. // 8 p.m.

November 26, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 19 CALENDAR

More than a Day in the Park: Dramashop presents Pulitzer- and Tony-winning Play Winter Warriors Tour Pays Tribute to Veterans hen they left their southside Chi- eterans Day is over, but that isn’t stopping Wcago home at the end of Raisin in Vthe Winter Warriors tour from showing their the Sun, what became of the Youngers? appreciation for those who served. The Youngers are on the periphery of Detroit’s thrash/heavy metal group Battlecross Clybourne Park, never a direct part of its is collaborating with the Veteran Ticket Founda- action, but in its way, the play explores tion, an organization that provides free admis- the answer to that question, sweeping sion to concerts and other events to members of into its plot examinations of race, hous- the military, on their headlining tour across the ing and discrimination. And now, Bruce U.S. after doing major tours in South America Norris’ Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play and Europe. comes to Erie, in the way of a staged “We are a band that stands for ideals such as loy- reading from Dramashop December 9 alty, honor, sacrifice, and perseverance through PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

and 16. UPAF our lyrics and how we conduct ourselves,” says Norris wrote Clybourne in response to guitarist Hiran Deraniyagala. “[We] hope the tour will be a fitting tribute to every service Lorraine Hansberry’s Raisin, taking the member who attends. We look forward to raging with our fans who serve or have served in audience across decades and across town into the lives of families living in the white neigh- the U.S. Armed Forces and thank them again for their service.” borhood of Clybourne Park, where the Youngers presumably move to in the late 1950s. Battlecross’ latest album War of Will released on MetalBlade Records debuted at No. 134 on Flash forward 40 years, and the neighborhood is predominantly black, and a white couple the Billboard Top 200 chart, and peaked at No. 3 on the iTunes Metal charts. looking to move into the area highlights issues of gentrification and race. The connections Supporting acts on the tour are Wretched from Charlotte, N.C., and Erie’s own Christian between the two plays, though each stand on their own, “raise the stakes” of the action in metalcore band, War of Ages. War of Ages is one of Erie’s most successful underground Clybourne, said director Jessica Annunziata. bands, and one of the only bands still active from what some would consider the glory days It’s a production Annunziata hopes will resonate with Erie audiences. of Erie’s underground music scene. Despite the members having relocated to other cites, “I hope people will see themselves in all of the characters,” she said. “That can be challeng- WoA returns to their hometown on almost every tour, and have filmed music videos for ing when we’re looking at characters whose views we don’t agree with, which may even their songs “All Consuming Fire” and “Chaos Theory” at Forward Hall and the old Base- be offensive to us, but it is necessary because it helps us to be critical of ourselves and our ment Transmissions, respectively. society. With this play in particular, I hope audiences and the cast will have considered and Opening the show are locals Saevitia and Precinct Aflame, both of which have presale considerate conversations about race, gentrification, and how we all aspire to a better life.” tickets available for the event. To say “we don’t like to talk about race in this country” is a cliché, Annunziata said, but it’s It’s reassuring to see that in a business usually motivated by profit, one band is willing to true – “and that’s exactly why we need to talk.” sacrifice some of that to give back to those who have sacrificed much more, and hopefully Ultimately, Annunziata said, she’s looking forward to “having and hopefully inspiring it will encourage other bands to do the same. – Tommy Shannon fearless conversation about difficult things.” – Sara Toth 7 p.m., Nov. 28 // Basement Transmissions 145 W. 11TH ST. // Presale 8 p.m. // Renaissance Theatre 1001 State St. // Dramashop.org Tickets: $12; day of show: $15 // facebook.com/basementTransmissions

Basement Transmissions, Nov. 29 — 6 to 9 p.m. Mid-Life Crisis Dec 5, 6 — 4:30 & 7:30 p.m. Fri- Claus Pub Crawl Family Night at 145 W. 11th St. Sprague Farm & Brew Works, Dec. 5 — 7 p.m. day, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Saturday Dec. 5 — 6 p.m. the Movies basementtransmissions.com. 22113 U.S. 6, Venango. McCoy’s Barrelhouse Mary D’Angelo Performing Sherlock’s, 508 State Dec 4 — 5:30 p.m. sleepingchainsaw.com. Arts Center, 501 E. 38th and Grill, 1013 State St. St. 881.4223. Corry Chamber of Commerce, Chrome Moses w/ St. 824.3000. Coronado and Bill Jasper mccoysbarrelhouse.com. 221 N. Center St. 665.9925. November Reign III Erie Art Museum Nov. 29 — 9 p.m. Live Music Showcase Amy Shallenberger How The Grinch Gallery Night Edinboro Film Series Stole Christmas King’s Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. Nov. 30 — 5:30 p.m. w/ Sean Seth Dec 5 — 7 p.m. Presents ‘Jurassic Park’ facebook.com/kingsrookclub. Dec 6, 7 PACA, 1505 State St. Dec. 6 — 6 to 9 p.m. Erie Art Museum, 411 Dec 4 — 8:30 p.m. paca1505.com. Erie Dance Conservatory, 8335 Fred Ardillo w/ Anchor In, 3122 West State St. 459.5477. Pogue Student Center, Lake Road. 833.1212. Edinboro Road. 476.7123. Frank Singer 2Blue Edinboro University, 405 FILM Scotland Road. 732.1048. Nov. 29 — 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 — 6 to 9 p.m. Come Home for Lake Erie Ballet Anchor In, 3122 West Victor’s at the Bel-Aire the Holidays Open House Great White Shark VISUAL ARTS Lake Road. 833.1212. Clarion, 2800 W. 8th St. Dec. 6 — 8 p.m. Dec 8 — All day Ongoing — Noon, 4 p.m. belaireclarion.com. Lake Erie Ballet, 701 GC Myers Alchemy French Kiss Warner Theatre, 811 Tom Ridge Environmental State St. eriephil.org. Holland St. 871.4356. Center, 301 Peninsula Exhibit Nov. 29 — 9 p.m. Justin Moyar Drive. trecpi.org. Ongoing — All day Sherlock’s, 508 State Dec. 4 — 7 p.m. Gathering at Chaffee’s FOOD & DRINK Kada Gallery, 2632 W. St. 453.7760. The Villa, 236 S. Main St., Christmas Party Mysteries of the Eighth St. 835.5232. Cambridge Springs. 398.4409 Black Friday Special Unseen World Jake’s Blues featuring Spiritual Rez Dec. 6 — 9 p.m. Nov 28 — all day Ongoing — 2, 5 p.m. Liminal Spaces: Nov. 29 — 9 p.m. Basket Eddy, Tyler Courtyard Wineries, Paintings by Kenneth Hall Smilo, and Dan Baney King’s Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. Tom Ridge Environmental Presque Isle Downs and facebook.com/kingsrookclub. 10021 W. Main Road, Center, 301 Peninsula Ongoing — All day Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. Dec. 5 — 9 p.m. North East. 725.0236. Drive. trecpi.org. Bruce Gallery, Doucette presqueisledowns.com. King’s Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. Mala Sangre, C-face, Cooking with Garlic Hall, 215 Meadville St., facebook.com/kingsrookclub. and Bitchwax Wonders of the Arctic Edinboro. 732.2513. Perdition, Gelatin Dec. 3 — 7 p.m. Dec. 6 — 10 p.m. Ongoing — 11 a.m., 1, 3 p.m. Skeleton, Starve, Frank Singer Duo w/ Frankie and May Fresh Rebecca Signoriello: and Resinaught Bobby’s Place, 1202 W. Tom Ridge Environmental Tony Steffanelli Grocery, 1101 Peninsula Drive. Center, 301 Peninsula Paintings of People Nov. 29 — 8 p.m. 18th St. 455.9840. frankieandmay.com. Dec. 5 — 6 to 9 p.m. Drive. trecpi.org. Ongoing — All day Bobby’s Place, 1202 W. Anchor In, 3122 West Winter Madness Party Bruce Gallery, Doucette 18th St. 455.9840. Lake Road. 833.1212. Barjo Bons Club Ugly Warren Miller’s ‘No Dec. 7 — 5 to 10 p.m. Sweater Party Hall, 215 Meadville St., Turning Back!’ Edinboro. 732.2513. Small Town Revolution The Groove PACA, 1505 State St. Dec 4 — 5:30 p.m. paca1505.com. Nov. 28, 29 — 7 p.m. & Nov. 30 — 1 Nov. 29 — 9:30 p.m. Dec. 5 — 9 p.m. Beechwood Golf Club, p.m. Architecture of Erie: A Doc Holliday’s, 7425 Schultz Presque Isle Downs and 6401 Gorski Road, Tom Ridge Environmental Photographic Survey DANCE Fairview. 725.0236. Road. dochollidays.net Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy. Center, 301 Peninsula Ongoing — All day presqueisledowns.com. Drive. trecpi.org. Tiger Maple String Band ‘Tis the Season with 8th Annual Santa Cummings Art Gallery, Babes in Toyland Mercyhurst University, 501

20 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 26, 2014 Erie’s true-crime summer hit is now the hottest holiday gift!

The early reviews are in – - and they’re rave!

“Praise to DiPaolo (and) Pinski …” The early reviews are in – and they’re rave! “ … the Aboutbig leagues onthe their authors: first try!” DiPaolo A COP’S MEMOIR Erie, Pennsylvania - January 3, 1983: “ … first-time authors shine …” By DOMINICK D. DiPAOLO “Praise to DiPaolo (and) Pinski …” Are you ready for some football? “ … never a dull moment!” and Pinski By Dominick D. DiPaolo As told to Jeff Pinski “ … bravo!” rank “Ash Wednesday” Dovishaw was more than ready DOMINICK D. DIPAOLO served with “ … the big leagues on their rst try!” Fthat bitterly cold Monday night. He didn’t really care distinction as an Erie, Pennsylas- told to JEFF PINSKI “ … rst-time authors shine …” who won or lost the last regular National Football League vania, police o cer for a quarter game of the season. But the man also called “Bolo” did century, much of that time as Erie’s “ … never a dull moment!” indeed care about local sports betting on the nationally- leading homicide investigator. televised pro game, and more specifically about his “take” Retiring at the rank of detective “ … bravo!” Don’t miss the legendary Erie detec- on the action. sergeant, he became the most Frank – or “Ash Wednesday” or “Bolo.” He had many decorated law enforcement o cer “Praise to DiPaolo’s unique perspective as a former homicide cop and the nicknames and aliases. He was a bookmaker. Not just a in the City of Erie’s history.tive’s behind-the-scenestalented pen of writer Pinski. Together they breathe lifememoir into a raw, in-depth of For the past 20 years, DiPaolo garden variety illegal numbers and sports-betting bookie. In has been an elected Magisterial chronicle that unravels the mysteries and untangles the webs that are the partnership with an admitted mob hit man, he ran Northwest- District Judge, representingmurder Erie’s andhistory ofbetrayal, Erie, Pennsylvania’s underworld.” dirty cops, crooked ern Pennsylvania’s most lucrative bookmaking operation, vast Sixth Ward. Active in civic, RICK PORRELLO one that easily handled hundreds of thousands of dollars religious, youth and athletic Suburban Cleveland Police Chief over a busy college bowl and professional football weekend. organizations, he is the lawyers,father of arsonists, careerAuthor ofcriminals, Kill the Irishman! He was king of the local action. (“Best true-life crime caper since Goodfellas” Unfortunately for Bolo, he would never see football that two and grandfather of four. He San Francisco Examiner.com) and his wife, Janet, live inmobsters the City and wannabes – all intercon- night; nor would he take another bet. Just hours before of Erie. kickoff, begging for mercy on his knees, Frank Dovishaw “In this outstanding e ort, these rst-time authors shine when writ- The Stained Life and Rude Times lost not a wager, but his life. nected in inga about seven-year an actual case, one of many that Detective romp Sergeant Dominick through the of Mob Wannabe “Bolo” Dovishaw The execution-style gangland murder set off a series of JEFF PINSKI was an award-winning events for Erie’s top homicide investigator that would span DiPaolo worked and solved. e book is both riveting and dicult to put journalist for four decades nearly seven years, touching upon virtually every aspect of at Erie, Pennsylvania’s Timesregion’s darkdown. ere wasunderbelly. never a dull moment! You only the lakeside city’s dark underbelly, and reaching from Penn- Publishing Company. First a DiPaolo’s experience as a seasoned investigator is what makes this book sylvania to Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia and Florida. Morning News reporter and later so very interesting and easy to read. His story is told through longtime Along the way, it became the story of dirty cops, hit men, managing editor, then Eriethought Times- you knew the details – but here drug dealers, crooked lawyers, and co-conspirators who News public editor, he is the journalist Je Pinski in such a manner that the reader quickly envisions all abandoned omerta, their code of silence. Yet, despite the former president of the Pennsyl- the action. in vivid descriptive prose are the inside many obstacles and detours, DiPaolo’s unrelenting quest to vania Associated Press Managing I especially enjoyed the way they progressed the story line with descrip- identify Dovishaw’s killers could not be stopped. Many of the Editors, and the former longtime tions and dialogue that belie the fact that this is their rst book. chairman of both Leadership Erie acts DiPaolo encountered were stunningly vicious. Yet other stories thatVery impressivenever and bravo! ey’vemade graduated to the big leagues front on their pages and the MS Society’s Northwestern acts, and especially those who inflicted them, would be Pennsylvania Advisory Council. rst try.” almost humorous if not so jaw-dropping, brutally true. Aer retiring from theor newspa -evening news! DONALD LEWIS, ESQ. Here is the extraordinary true story of Dominick DiPaolo, per, he became Edinboro Uni- Author & former Assistant U.S. Attorney a persistent, unyielding veteran cop who refused to quit versity’s Associate Director for through death threats, bribery attempts, false leads and Communications and Marketing sidetracks, while tenaciously following clues and suspects, for seven years. A veteran of from “made” men and wannabes, burglars and armed the U.S. Navy and father of one, “. . . easily the most talked robbers, arsonists and hired killers, cop and union leader he and his wife, Doris, live in killings, to culmination of The Unholy Murder of Ash Fairview Township. about book in Erie history!” Wednesday. —Mercyhurst University North East Cultural Series This perfect holiday gift, now in its 3rd printing, is sold at Werner Books (Liberty plaza), Erie & national chain book stores and at www.mmweriepa.com Authors’ signings Dec. 5 at Barnes & Noble; Dec. 11 at Werner Books

drug free / alcohol free / all ages 145 west 11th street BASEMENT www.basementtransmissions.com TRANSMISSIONS [email protected]

SIDENTS A RE ARE RIE Y E 12 B 1, ' , '1 '10 IN W RO N A S I AR V YE OT ER 3 ED BEST CATER

November 26, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 21 CALENDAR

E. 38th St. 824.3000. St. erieplayhouse.org French St. ottershockey.com. Combat Paper: Erie Broadway Series A Very Merry Corry Words Made Flesh presents ‘Sister Act’ Christmas Ongoing — All day Dec 8 — 8 p.m. Dec 5 — 5 p.m. Doane Hall of Art, Allegheny Warner Theatre, 811 Corry Chamber of Commerce, College, 520 N. Main St., State St. 452.4857. 221 N. Center St. 665.9925. Meadville 332.4365. Dramashop presents Downtown D’Lights The Anytime Arcade Staged Reading Series Dec 5 — 5 p.m. - Joe Popp and ‘Clybourne Park’ Perry Square Park. Karen Dodson Dec 9 — 8 p.m. eriedowntown.com. Ongoing — All day Renaissance Centre, Glass Growers Gallery, 10 2nd Floor, 1001 State St. Tennessee Backporch E. Fifth St. 453.3758. [email protected] Concert Dec. 5 — 5 p.m. NPAA Schuster COMMUNITY Asbury United Methodist Gallery Exhibition Church, 4703 W. Ridge Ongoing — All day Friday Night Writes Road. 456.8073. Schuster Gallery, Gannon Ongoing — 8:30 to 11 p.m. University, 700 Peach St. Poet’s Hall, 1136 E. Lake Port Farms Country facebook.com/NPAAonline. Road. 572.6077. Christmas with Santa Dec 5 through 7 — 6:30 p.m. Erie Art Museum 30th Annual Saint Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday Focus: Fiber Exhibit Vincent Festival of Trees Port Farms, 2055 Stone Ongoing — All day Nov. 26 through 30 — Noon Quarry Road, Waterford. Erie Art Museum, Bayfront Convention portfarms.com Bacon Gallery, 20 E. Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. Fifth St. 459.5477. ahn.org/FestivalOfTrees. Erie Bayhawks vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce Erie Art Museum Erie Otters vs. Dec. 5 — 7 p.m. Karen Erst Exhibit Mississauga SteelHeads Erie Insurance Arena, 809 Ongoing — All day Nov. 27 — 7 p.m. French St. 790.5600. Erie Art Museum, Erie Insurance Arena, 809 Holstein Gallery, 20 E. French St. ottershockey.com. TREC the Halls! Fifth St. 459.5477. Dec. 6 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Light Up Night Tom Ridge Environmental Erie Art Museum Nov. 28 — 6 p.m. Center, 301 Peninsula Wilbur Adams Exhibit Gibson Park, Route 20, North Drive. trecpi.org. Ongoing — All day East. nechamber.org. Erie Art Museum, Main Gallery, 25th Annual 20 E. Fifth St. 459.5477. MLK-ACE Turkey Schoolhouse Day Challenge Craft Festival Erie Art Museum Nov. 20, 30 — 8 a.m. Dec. 6 — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gallery Night Erie City Schools. McDowell High School, 3320 Dec 5 — 7 p.m. [email protected]. Caughy Road. 835.5356. Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Sugar Plum Weekend Fifth St. 459.5477. Christmas at the Station Dec. 6 — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Dec. Nov. 29, 30 & Dec. 6, 7 — Noon 7 — Noon to 5 p.m. THEATER to 4 p.m. Downtown North East. necham- Lake Shore Railway Museum, ber.org. All An Act presents 31 Wall St., North East. ‘The Odd Couple’ lakeshorerailway.com. Safer Sex Games Nov 29, 30 — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec 6 — 2 p.m. 3 p.m Sunday Erie Otters vs. Penn State Behrend, Erie Hall, All An Act Theatre, 652 Belleville Bulls 4701 Behrend College Drive. W 17th St. 450.8553. Nov. 29 — 7 p.m. 452.0224 x 310. Erie Insurance Arena — 809 Laugh/Riot presents French St. ottershockey.com. Erie Bayhawks vs. ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Grand Rapids Drive Dec 4 through 6 — 7:30 p.m. Community Dec. 6 — 7 p.m. Edinboro University, Singing Circle with Erie Insurance Arena, 809 219 Meadville Road. Todd Crowley French St. 790.5600. laughrioterie.com. Dec 2 — 7 p.m. Corry Ministerial Corry Chamber of Commerce, Association The Tempest 221 N. Center St. 665.9925. Dec 4 through 6 — 8 p.m. & Dec Annual Christmas 6 through 7 — 2 p.m. eriechildrensmusuem.org. Music Festival Dec 7 — 3 p.m. Taylor Little Theatre, 501 E 38th St. 824.2000. Holiday Open House First United Methodist Church, & Book Signing 650 Worth St., Corry. corryfirst.org with David Frew Striking 12 Winter Madness Party Dec. 3 — 5 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 through 6 — 8 p.m. Dec 7 — 5 p.m. Schuster Theatre, 620 Erie Maritime Museum, 150 E. PACA 2nd Floor, 1505 State St. Front St. flagshipniagara.org. Sassafras St. 871.7494. 434.0687. Erie Playhouse Erie Otters vs. Owen Living With Disabilities presents ‘Elf’ Sound Attack Dec 8 — 2 p.m. Dec 5 through 6 — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 — 7 p.m. Edinboro Branch Library, 413 W. Erie Playhouse, 13 W 10th Erie Insurance Arena, 809 Plum St. 451.7081.

22 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 26, 2014 FOOD & DRINK

Mad Mex Opens Lucky No. 13 Franchise in Erie gnarly good mash-up of thick cut, grilled and ancho chili all snug in a wheat torti- Portobello and piquant spinach that ain’t lla with roasted green chilis are more your Executive Chef Bill Fuller emphasizes fresh ingredients, craft your grandmama’s canned stuff and that’ll thing, look no further than the Carnitas beer, and distinct menu items with his Cal-Mex cuisine remind you that leafy greens really can be Quesadilla – a meatlover’s dream served up fun, rounded out with pico de gallo, black with a side of slaw, pico, and Jack cheese. By: The Reader Eater beans, and melty Monterey Jack cheese. But that’s just an iota of the menu. There’s It’s angry in all the right places and fun and an entire array of enchiladas and tacos. And f there’s one thing Reader Eater editors food) brand of cuisine to Erie from its ro- friendly just like your favorite hippie friend those aforementioned burrito and quesadil- can agree on, it’s our love of Mexican bust roots in Pittsburgh with branches and who’s always happy to see you. la – they both have a lot of friends taking up Icuisine. If there’s something else, it’s our leaves stretching as far as Philly and Colum- Noticing a vegetarian-friendly theme, you good real estate beside them on the menu. appreciation of a solid vegetarian-friendly bus, Ohio – and just because it’s a restaurant say? There’s that Cal in the mix, a West Coast The common thread? That Mex – big, restaurant. located in a mall doesn’t mean it’s bland approach to food that keeps it fresh and fun bold flavors dished out on grande plates, So when we noticed the slow Pittsburgh food-court food. In fact, it’s far from it. without weighing it down and sacrificing all to be washed down by shots of tequila, invasion of Erie by way of sandwiches with Take notable appetizer Pennsyltucky Fried flavor. pints of craft beer, or glasses of fresh mar- fries on them and burritos with names like Tofu. Funky in nature – after all, it’s bite-size Want to take it to the extreme? Many dish- garitas – which tells you that this is a place “Angry Hippie,” we knew we had to head hunks of mashed soy beans tossed in soy es come with the option to go full-frontal to unwind, gather friends, laugh, sweat, up the Millcreek Mall to check out what sauce, peanuts, sesame seeds, and cilantro vegan by swapping things like the cheese and be merry, because life’s too short to not was happening. That’s how we came to get served with fresh bean sprouts – PFT jumps for Diaya shreds satiate even the most be funky fresh in a Cal-Mex kinda way and a taste of the fresh, funky style of the new off of the menu, smacks you in the taste health-conscious consumers out there. enjoy the food that embodies that philos- Mad Mex. buds, and warns you that this is not some- But fear not, Carnivores – there’s the other ophy. Executive Chef Bill Fuller’s brought his dis- thing commonplace that you’re bound to extreme, and eating meat doesn’t have to tinct Cal-Mex (yes, different than the Tex- see many other places. come with a side of guilt. The Reader Eater can be reached at Mex most Americans just call “Mexican” Then there’s the Angry Hippie Burrito – a If things like pork braised in beer, garlic, [email protected]

Like many options on the menu, the “Angry Hippie Burrito” (top right) can be made vegan, showcasing the Pittsburgh based restaurant’s health- conscious ethos. PHOTOS BY: JIM WERTZ JIM BY: PHOTOS

November 26, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 23 MUSIC REVIEWS

TV on the Radio Seeds Harvest

•Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice Law hen TV on the Radio singer Tunde Adebimpe sings “I should really give it up sometime” Wless than a minute into latest album Seeds, it almost sounds as if he recorded potential •Workers Compensation & thoughts about the band’s future. It wouldn’t be too surprising for the alternative rock kings, as Disability Law longtime bassist Gerard Smith lost his battle with lung cancer and the band split with label In- terscope following the release of 2011’s Nine Types of Light. But luckily for us – at least for the •Social Security Disability moment – TV on the Radio still chugs on for Seeds, an album full of some of the band’s prettiest Claims pieces yet. While it lacks the ambitious compositions that made past works like Return to Cookie Mountain and Dear Science essential listens, the latest album certainly doesn’t skimp on quality, with the nervous-energy of “Happy Idiot” and the steady buzz of “Careful You” serving as high- Proudly Serving: In addition to having a well-rounded legal Erie & All Northwestern PA lights. TV on the Radio may sound more reserved these days, but we’re lucky to still have them Including Butler, Warren, Crawford, education, Rick Filippi has secured access to & Mercer Counties & the around. – Alex Bieler Surrounding Communities serve before the U.S. Court of Appeals (3rd District) and the United States Supreme Court. Erie County Bar Association Damien Rice “Pro Bono Attorney of the Year” He also has experience in local politics, having My Favourite Faded Fantasy 2010 served on Erie's city council from 1998 to Warner Bros. 2001. Additionally, he was elected Erie mayor Pennsylvania Bar Foundation “ProBono Attorney of the Year” from 2001 to 2005. 2010 Rick has made a career caring for the people, fter eight years of near silence, Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice comes out with a both in politics and in his legal practice. When Asoul-stirring bang on My Favourite Faded Fantasy. The delay between his second and third you have an important legal problem, put solo albums certainly didn’t diminish Rice’s ability to put his inner turmoil on display, as listeners Rick's experience to work for you. get a taste with the haunting melodies and sweeping arrangements on the title track and album opener. Rice’s soft vocals float above the gentle plucks of guitar and delicate piano before the 504 State St |Erie, PA 16501 highlight track shifts into a powerhouse track of passion, climaxing with Rice shouting “I’ve never 814.874.0558 loved” amid shrieking strings. Unfortunately, the rest of the album struggles to compete with its www.rickfilippi.com stellar introduction. “It Takes a Lot to Know a Man” and “The Greatest Bastard” are solid songs, but lose some luster trying to compete, although “Colour Me In” is a gentle delight. Overall, My Favourite Faded Fantasy is a welcomed, if unbalanced, return for the Irish balladeer. – Alex Bieler

The Twilight Sad Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave Fat Cat

f you’re looking for an album full of heartwarming, happy tunes, then The Twilight Sad’s Nobody IWants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave won’t be up your alley. The appropriately-named Scottish trio, however, has quite an aptitude for creating melancholy sonic tableaus, much like if the guys behind Interpol inherited the natural glumness of Glasgow’s Frightened Rabbits. No- body Wants to Be Here showcases The Twilight Sad’s penchant for fuzzy synths and echoing guitars, making for a haunting 10 tracks. The album tends to hit a lull at times with the insistence on midtempo misery, but there are some tracks that add a bit of energy to the melancholy, such as singer James Graham’s impassioned lines on “Drown So I Can Watch,” or his wails of “I’ve been put to bed” on “Leave the House.” Anguish usually isn’t pleasant, but it makes for some solid inspiration on Nobody Wants to Be Here. – Alex Bieler

Joe Bonamassa Different Shades Of Blue Small Business J&R Adventures Saturday Celebration! November 29 & December 1st 10am-5pm both days his is straight-up rock-inflicted blues at it’s finest. Clean, smokin’ hot guitar licks packaged BOGO Tin tight, melodic grooves. Memorable, catchy tunes sung with soulful delivery. Intense, up- Hourly give-a-ways! lifting lyrics matching perfectly with toe-tapping rhythms. Joe Bonamassa’s latest album should BUY ONE GIFT CARD $25 become a staple on every rock-formatted radio station in the nation. After being discovered at a GET ONE $12.50 20% off ENTIRE young age by Eric Clapton, Bonamassa has gathered for himself a loyal following of millions of in stock purchase! rabid blues-loving fans. His name is synonymous with the term “guitar god” and is mentioned NOV 29 - DEC 3 EXPIRES 12/01/2014 freely in the same breath as his heroes, Clapton, Jimmy Page, Duane Allman and Stevie Ray LIMIT 3 Vaughan. The brass-heavy “Trouble Town” could be off a Little Feat record and he channels Rob- ert Cray on “Never Give All Your Heart.” His guitar work is killer as always on this record, but it is the diverse songwriting that sets this one apart. – Bryan Toy

24 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 26, 2014 ARTS & CULTURE

Q&A with Pains of Being Pure At Heart’s Kip Berman Talking about the chance to tour with a band he’s admired, the Denver Nuggets, and being a huge music fan after seven years in the business

By: Alex Bieler

any people dream of being a suc- Pains of Being Pure At Heart are on cessful musician, but Kip Berman tour with and opening for The New Mis one of the few who went from Pornographers, which included a stop adoring fan to an on-stage star. Berman in Cleveland. began his journey to musical fame back in 2007 with the formation of his band The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. What started like “Hey, you’re cool, want to grab a drink off as a group with a few song uploads on after the show or get tacos?” MySpace turned into a critically-acclaimed AB: I was going through the Pains Twitter shoegazey pop band that released its third account before this interview, and I saw that album Days of Abandon earlier in 2014, lead- you gave Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nug- ing Berman and his fellow musicians to tour gets a shout out. Are you a big NBA fan? around the world, including a Sat. Nov. 15 KB: Oh yeah, Kenneth Faried is awesome. show with veteran rockers The New Pornog- We were playing in Denver. The U.S. Inter- raphers at the House of Blues in Cleveland. I national squad this year was a little bereft chatted with Berman over the phone about of the traditional stars that you would ex- the chance to tour with a band he’s admired pect. LeBron [James] wasn’t there, [Kevin] for years, the Denver Nuggets’ Kenneth Durant, Kevin Love were out for legitimate reasons. The basketball season is probably too long, and with the exhaustion that these “I just feel incredibly lucky guys face, you can’t expect them to show up and fortunate that this has for every national tournament. But I was really psyched that Kenneth Faried totally gotten to be my life. I feel picked up the slack and that he was totally psyched to be there. You don’t really think that the most important of him as a traditional Dream Team amaz- thing is heart and ing player because he doesn’t score a ton of points, but he has a really good attitude songwriting, and if I do my and energy and commitment. And I like best and work hard, we can that he has spoken out in favor of same-

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED sex marriage, which is a difficult issue for make something special in professional athletes to take a public stance this world.” on. I think it was really courageous that huge fan of music and I always feel like an bum Days of Abandon came out earlier this he was willing to engage in an issue that outsider looking in. We’ll be playing a large year. How have the new songs been trans- might seem like a bad business decision if Faried, and how he’s still a huge music fan festival or something, and I’ll feel like I’ve lating to the stage? you are really mercenary about it, but he after seven years in the business. been accidentally been given this backstage KB: It’s been really exciting to play these was speaking from the heart. So yeah, I love Alex Bieler: You’re touring with The New pass to this show I would have wanted to songs live. Whatever sonic differences our him as a player, and he seems like a really Pornographers. I remember reading that go to anyway, and then I’m up there on the albums have from one to the next, they dis- cool person. you were a big fan of Destroyer, so you must stage playing too. I don’t know if I’ll always appear when we play them live. We proba- AB: He’s a fun player to watch, one of those be pretty excited. have that outsider’s perspective to music, bly play the first record and it sounds better so-called stat-sheet stuffers. Kip Berman: Oh yeah. I’m a fan of The but I think I might because I’ve never real- than what it did on the recording, maybe KB: That’s the thing: Everyone in the NBA New Pornographers as well. I remember ly thought of ourselves as a real band, but the new record sounds more raw, but they has incredible talent, but there are always when Mass Romantic came out, I was liv- at the same time, we’ve been doing this for all meld into a consistent sound live in a those guys who aren’t going to make flashy ing in this house in Portland [Ore.] with seven years. I just feel incredibly lucky and way that you may not think they would moves or put up a bunch of points, but they my cousin and the only record that all of fortunate that this has gotten to be my life. just listening to the records because they’re succeed through real passion, dedication, the people in the house could agree on was I don’t think there’s any reason that we’ve each distinct in their own ways. I like that; I and hard work. Bringing it back to music, Mass Romantic, so we listened to that a lot. had the success that we do except that so like the ability to have different identities to that’s how I feel about myself. I’m not Jimi They’ve gone on to make wonderful records much of it is luck and working really hard. songs live than on the record. I don’t think Hendrix and I can’t sing like Adele; I have as a group, and obviously the solo work of AB: So the whole sense of wonder hasn’t people really want to go see a band just push a lot of physical limitations. I’m not Prince, Neko Case, and A.C. Newman, and Dan Be- worn off just yet? play on a CD player and replicate it 100 per- but I feel that the most important thing is jar, all of those people have made such in- KB: Oh my god, not one bit! Just the fact cent. There should be something different heart and songwriting, and if I do my best credible records, so it’s an honor to get to that I get to say hi to Neko Case and Daniel in the energy or the arrangement of live and work hard, we can make something tour with them and see how they go about Bejar for the next seven weeks, get to play music than on the recording because it’s a special in this world. their lives and music. festivals with Blink-182 in England, and get different experience. AB: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart have AB: In addition to being a musician, you to travel to incredible places around the AB: When you see fans at shows, are there been together for seven years now. Do you seem to genuinely be a massive fan of music world, I never… I mean, I went on a fishing any people that remind you of yourself be- have any idea what the band is going to look as well. What’s it like being in the business trip with my grandpa to Canada once when fore you started Pains? like in another seven years? as well as being a fanboy? I was a kid, but [other than that] I had nev- KB: I have a hard time even thinking we KB: Well, older, hopefully, unless some- KB: It’s true – although I wonder what er really left the United States until Pains. have fans; I think of them as people like my- thing really bad happens to me before seven bands are not fans of music. I don’t under- It never wears off, nor should it. It must be self who like our music. I don’t see a huge years from now. stand how you can participate in some- such a sad thing to have all of these wonder- divide between who I am and the people thing and not have a lifelong interest in it. ful experiences and not be able to appreci- that come to our show at all. I see people Alex Bieler can be contacted at aBieler@ It’s such a weird concept to not have artists ate it. that love the kind of sounds we make and I ErieReader.com, and you can follow you admire and aspire to emulate, so I’m a AB: Pains of Being Pure at Heart’s third al- see people that I’d hang out with in real life, him on Twitter @Catch20Q.

November 26, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 25 COMMUNITY

ties, Education and Training, Arts, Culture Destination Erie and Recreation, Environment, Community Health, Regional Collaboration and Lead- Key Recommendations Unveiled ership, and Land Use, Infrastructure and Transportation Networks. By: Dan Schank There are pragmatic ideas, like improving broadband Internet access, encouraging hen it comes to envisioning the local food production, and updating Erie’s future of Erie, a diverse array of plan for development on the waterfront. Winstitutions, organizations, and Some suggestions aim to attract visitors – individuals are already hard at work. Des- such as the creation of a cultural tourism tination Erie is an attempt to bring them plan to highlight our region’s industrial together. and maritime history. Other proposed proj- According to Project Manager Anna ects are more ambitious, like the formation Frantz, “the goal has always been to break of a Tri-State Alliance to identify economic down silos between organizations work- opportunities in our region and establish ing on issues that affect us.” The project’s entrepreneurial projects that will support three phases of development are nearing the local workforce. completion, and last week they unveiled What unifies these ideas is their inter- a list of recommendations at public meet- connectivity. For example, consider the ings across the county. Destination Erie’s proposed Green Infrastructure Matching “regional vision” offers an opportunity for Grant Program. By encouraging eco-friend- local citizens, business owners, nonprofits, ly construction projects, it could address and government officials to work togeth- our architectural and environmental needs er for the shared benefit of Northwestern simultaneously – and possibly create some Pennsylvania. well-needed jobs in the process. It would The project began in 2012, with approxi- make things look better too – trees would mately $1.8 million in federal funding from be planted, facades would be updated, and the department of Housing and Urban De- stormwater runoff would be kept to a min- velopment. Destination Erie is a large-scale imum. planning initiative for the five-county re- At the meeting, Eve Holberg of the plan- gion that surrounds Erie, with suggestions ning firm Peter J. Smith and Company for sustainable development over the next claimed that about 18,000 manufacturing twenty-five years. Those helming the plan jobs have been lost in our region over the started by establishing a baseline to as- past fifteen years. In short, that’s a really de- sess the community’s most crucial needs. pressing number. Accordingly, it’s under- Through a series of neighborhood work- standable that some of Destination Erie’s shops in the summer, local people were in- recommendations have been met with vited to help revise and improve the ideas. skepticism in our community. As technol- The current draft recommendations of- ogy changes and jobs are outsourced, it’s fer suggestions about how to improve our easy to become disillusioned with large- local economy, make our neighborhoods scale public planning projects and promis- safer, cultivate civic engagement, and pro- es about prosperity. tect our environment. Now that the recom- Some of the Destination Erie events have mendations are complete, they’ll seek out been a bit quarrelsome. I attended one of local businesses, institutions, and citizens their Neighborhood workshops last sum- to help implement the ideas. mer and, among the half-dozen folks at my That may sound like a lot to accomplish. table, there were lively debates about topics And Destination Erie is still working to ad- ranging from natural gas exploration to dress funding sources and key partners as home-schooling. On some issues, we found they compose their final timeline, which common ground, and on some we didn’t. will be unveiled in early 2015. But we were still able to hear each other. Still, Frantz is optimistic that several And when the time came to offer sugges- short-term priorities can be implemented tions, I felt that Destination Erie heard us soon. When I asked for a practical example, as well. Frantz suggested we could build “more re- Last week, I saw those conversations re- gional systems using technology to better flected in the proposals themselves. They track the issue of blight and coding en- clearly weren’t the products of political forcement.” This approach could help us polling or stuffy bureaucracies – they reduce or retrofit the abandoned homes in seemed borne out of healthy debates with- our region, maintain safety standards, and in our community. Once Destination Erie monitor landlord/tenant disputes more ac- establishes a foundation for community tively. partnerships, the heavy lifting will be up to At the community meeting I attended on us. Implementing the ideas will undoubt- Nov. 20, tables were set up to highlight the edly involve dialogue, compromise, and recommendations. Informative handouts collaboration. As we begin to put the pro- were made available, as were suggestion posals into practice, I hope we can maintain sheets to allow us to respond to the pro- the spirit of democracy on display at these posals. Community representatives were meetings, warts and all. also on-hand to explain and discuss the eight areas of focus: Economic Growth and Dan Schank can be contacted at Development, Vibrant and Safe Communi- [email protected].

26 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 26, 2014 FEATURE

Penelec Tree Trimming Leaves Much to be Desired Why some neighborhoods are manicured while others get chopped By: Jim Wertz his time of year, sometime amid the But homeowners do care, and that’s the pri- six minutes of beautiful Fall weath- mary difference in the outcome of utility Ter we experience before the snow- mandated pruning throughout the city. mageddon, I usually take a moment to re- Residents who monitor the cutting by Pe- flect on when the leaves remained on the nelec contractors and, in some cases, file trees and the yards were clear of autumn grievances with the electric provider to debris. save their trees and salvage the look of their The leaves are camouflage, of sorts. They neighborhood have better looking commu- hide the creative arborism that tree services nities. carry out on behalf of Penelec in an effort Penelec prefers to avoid the formal com- to protect the power lines that feed the city plaints because they are costly, in terms of with electricity. both time and capital resources. According to Penelec, trees across Pennsyl- The Pennsylvania Utility Commission vania are trimmed on a four-year cycle. The requires Penelec to investigate every com- electric provider spent $24 million in 2014 plaint. One formal complaint on a single on, what it calls, “vegetation management.” electrical circuit might lead Penelec to As you drive through the city in late fall explain to a single homeowner why the and winter, you’ll see that many of its large trees must be cut. A neighborhood with trees, which hide power lines in the Spring three-hundred homes on a single circuit all and Summer, have actually taken on a “V” shape where the trees have been “end-cut” and center branches extracted, effective- ly making the tree grow around the power lines. “Why are there holes cut out of the trees for the power lines?” asked one first time visitor to the city. News reports each year focus on residen- tial complaints about the methods used by service providers contracted by Penelec. Some city residents believe the end-cutting – also known as “topping” – kills the trees. “It absolutely does,” says City of Erie arbor- ist Sarah Galloway. “It might take five years or it might take twenty five years, but the trees are harmed in the process. There’s no way the tree can seal over that wound.” This process also creates a particular aes- thetic in the city’s downtown corridors. None of the large trees grow upward be- cause the end cutting has damaged the trees’ central leaders, the bodies of the trees from which other branches grow up and out. Once a tree has been cut, it will not return to its original form. But preserving trees is not Penelec’s pri- mary concern, nor is the resulting aes- thetic. For the electric company, it is about clearing power lines – four feet around the

power lines – to prevent outages that result WERTZ JIM BY: PHOTOS from falling dead branches and other debris which usually comes down during severe filing complaints about the tree cutting is the trees groomed privately rather than al- Penelec places priority on safety weather. more problematic, and more expensive to low the Penelec contractors to do the work over aesthetics, which often results “Vegetation is inspected and trees are defend and possibly litigate. for concern over the end result. But this in “end-cutting.” But neighbors who pruned in a manner that helps maintain the In neighborhoods like Frontier and Glen- process can also be time consuming and ex- reach out to the electric company health of the tree, while also maintaining wood Hills, outspoken residents have for pensive. Therefore, it’s an option that’s out see better and more responsible safe and reliable electric service for custom- decades demanded that the trees be pre- of reach for many city residents. ers – Penelec’s top priority,” Penelec said in a served. This is why the resulting aesthetic of end vegetation management. statement released earlier this year. As a result, the same tree services that cutting city trees is problematic for the fu- Many people believe that this means most end-cut trees along city thoroughfares care- ture of Erie. kind of residents that would attract could be residents in the City of Erie have very little fully prune giant pin oaks like bonsai trees, Imagine if every neighborhood – from col- the remedial spark necessary to revitalize a to say about the preservation of trees on ensuring that Frontier and Glenwood Hills lege and residential rentals downtown to downtown struggling to find identity and their property. That’s not the case. remain attractive to current residents and Frontier and Glenwood on the periphery – community. Penelec does not care about the look of the prospective homebuyers alike. had equal appeal at first glance. The types It’s a philosophy that influenced the recent trees from neighborhood to neighborhood. In some cases, homeowners choose to have of communities that that cultivates and the revitalization efforts along West 18th Street

November 26, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 27 FEATURE

Vocal communities expressing other downtown neighborhoods. concern over the “end-cutting” of “That’s a standard policy instituted trees see an end to the Vs lopped into throughout the city,” says Galloway. vegetation lining their streets. New trees and public lighting aren’t the only infrastructure changes in Little Italy. Community gardens and mural projects are in the Little Italy neighborhood. changing the look of the neighborhood and “When you come in to a neighborhood, residents’ feelings toward their community. what you see becomes your perception of “We really believe that in order to fix an that area,” says Rose Graham, Executive area, you have to help the people in that Director of the Sisters of St. Joseph Neigh- neighborhood create community with their borhood Network (SSJNN), which has been neighbors, but also to work on physical in- spearheading the revitalization efforts as frastructure. Changing a community has to part of the Little Italy Revitalization Associ- come from the inside out. The community ation and the Historic Little Italy Plan. has to be involved in that change,” says Gra- “When you see broken streets, or broken ham. sidewalks, rundown buildings, boarded up As the city moves forward under Destina- industry, what do you think when you see tion Erie, or the next proposal, or the last that? You think, ‘I don’t want to live there.’ proposal, there are important lessons to be “We want [Little Italy] to be a place peo- learned from its most stable and successful ple want to live and want to come to. It is communities as well as its most developing a neighborhood that still maintains that and emergent neighborhoods. If it aban- character of people who know each other,” dons notions of looking good and feeling Graham says. good under the guise of fiscal responsibility The Historic Little Italy Plan includes a de- and project expediency, it will be left hold- tailed streetscaping project that has been ing the decaying limbs of its central leaders. underway since 2012. This includes replac- Like so many things in life, the greatest ing, repairing, and widening sidewalks and wisdom on the subject might just have come curbs, installing more lighting throughout to us as children from the great philosopher the neighborhood, designing bus shel- Theodor Seuss Geisel when he wrote, “Un- ters and parking lots, and planting trees less someone like you cares a whole awful throughout the neighborhood. lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” The trees planted thus far are low-growth trees that will not exceed twenty-five feet in Jim Wertz can be contacted at jWertz@ height and therefore will not be subject to ErieReader.com, and you can follow

PHOTOS BY: JIM WERTZ JIM BY: PHOTOS cyclical cutting that has altered the look of him on Twitter @Jim_Wertz.

28 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com November 26, 2014 TECHNOLOGY

Geeked Out Tech Bits First-person perspective changes everything Google Experimenting With Removing By: John Lindvay Ads for a Fee

rand Theft Auto 5’s new feature on version, these moments By: Conor Dougherty the re-release already has people were hidden inside the Gtalking car and audio would n oft-heard saying in Silicon As another holiday cycle approaches, ‘tis be your only context Valley is that “information the season of mega video game releases. to what was occurring. Awants to be free.” Google is run- And so far, 2014 has been rife with re-re- Now, players get the ning a test to see if users feel the same leases, with Last of Us, Tomb Raider, and wonderfully uncomfort- way. Halo, all of it culminating in the unexpect- able dead-eye expression On Thursday, Google started exper- ed re-release of Grand Theft Auto 5 for Play- of a streetwalker asking imenting with a new way to let users Station 4 and Xbox One. Rockstar Games, what kind of ‘service’ contribute to web sites in exchange the studio behind the venerable series, they are looking for – all for removing – or at least reducing – packed in more than just a high-definition accompanied with ani- the number of ads. The service, called upgrade to convince gamers to pick up this mation of various sexual Contributor by Google, has users give game potentially for a second time. acts… woohoo advance- between $1 and $3 a month to sites like GTA5 made waves last year for how im- ment in video games – The Onion and Mashable. mense the world within the game is and right?! Once they pay, the ads that normally for offering a narrative with three playable Okay, so I’m no prude, show will be replaced with a banner protagonists. In its first iteration, players and to be honest, I don’t that says “Thank you for being a con- could swap between one of three carica- think this is something tributor.” Think of it as an ad-blocker tures: Trevor (a trailer-park-dwelling hy- that should be removed that doesn’t stiff the publisher. from the game based on the perspective shift, Rockstar excels at but more than anything, While people still though, what this has expect most websites pulling from our called to our attention is to be free, they seem collective pop-culture the depressing, uncom- fortable feeling we have to be increasingly and mashing various – and why, based on the comfortable with pop-culture laden game. elements together Ultimately, it shows paying for online into a big ol’ circus what Rockstar thinks of content. us and what we like to see that is one part in our games. Between The experiment is tiny, and follows In many ways, the latest GTA is the cul- this, the strip clubs with topless women, other similar pay experiments like mindless fun and mination of what has made video games the torture scene, and the rampant ultra-vi- Google Consumer Surveys, a way for another part critique so popular, and with the re-release on the olence with little-to-no consequence, it all publishers to finance content through latest and greatest hardware, Rockstar makes for yet another male power fantasy. surveys instead of ads, or Fan Funding, on modern life. seems to want to go even further. Not only Rockstar is at its best when its taking our a way for YouTube fans to pay their fa- did they increase the visual fidelity, mak- pop-culture and spitting it back at us, all vorite video makers (this is often de- ing use of the new hardware for even more the while making us (maybe) laugh at how scribed as “a tip jar”). per-violent sociopath), Michael (ex-bank delicious graphics, they added in a new absurd it all is. Moments like the above just For Contributor, Google is only work- robber and Tony Soprano analogue), or perspective: For the first time you can play remind me of my teenage years with my ing with 10 sites, and it will take a small Franklin (gangbanger looking to elevate the game in first-person. Before, the game buddies’ chuckling around the “hot-coffee” cut of the contributions. The sites may himself above street game). All three are always took a third-person perspective incident back during GTA: San Andreas, not be completely ad free: Google only back in this upgrade. with the camera, and the player, hovering where a mini-game was left in that con- has the power to remove ads it has What’s notable is that game-in and game- a short distance behind the protagonists. tained sexual themes which were then used served, so it should probably be de- out, Rockstar excels at pulling from our Surprisingly, moving the camera just a as a bullwhip by Jack Thompson, who then scribed as a way to see “fewer ads” rath- collective pop-culture and mashing vari- few feet changes everything. went on to use it to demonize games. er than no ads. ous elements together into a big ol’ circus GTA has never been shy to diving into Perhaps, like in the words of Roger Mur- While people still expect most web- that is one part mindless fun and another adult themes of sex, prostitution, drug use, taugh, “I’m getting too old for this shit.” Per- sites to be free, they seem to be in- part critique on modern life. and violence, and in the firstGTA5 , Rockstar haps we all are. creasingly comfortable with paying Without question, Grand Theft Auto has dove head first into a lengthy and graph- But do enough people think that this mat- for online content. HBO recently said become one of the tent poles in the gaming ic torture scene that has had many of us ters? And, is this increase in graphic sex any it would start a new streaming service world, a series often looked upon as touch- in the game world discussing it ever since. more offensive than the graphic violence aimed at so-called “cord cutters” who stone games for many. I remember the But having the camera in the third-person already found in games? This is the mirror don’t want to buy cable service. Com- first GTA, which was a top-down pixelated in some ways helped distance us as play- that’s now being held up to us and we need ing from another direction is Vimeo, mess and a limitless source of fun for my ers from the actors we saw on screen as we to decide what it is that we see. an online video service that has started friends huddled around a computer. Since would when we watch a scary movie and the One thing is for sure, though, with the hol- charging for content and is investing its jump to consoles with GTA3, it has be- antagonist is brutalizing our hero. However, iday season looming: Please don’t buy this in premium shows like “High Mainte- come a smorgasbord of cultural influences if the viewpoint is from the killer, we get a game for your kids. It has an M for Mature nance.” and commentary sponging and excreting bit more uncomfortable. rating for a reason. Will this condition people to pay for influences of TV, film, and music – all set The same is true in GTA5. With the new websites like the Onion? We shall see. on the backdrop of the criminal under- first-person view, when picking up a pros- John Lindvay can be contacted at world of getaway drivers, bank robbers, titute in your car, you now have the chance [email protected], and you can © The New York Times 2014 // and players. to watch the scene unfold completely. In past follow him on Twitter @FightStrife. Sponsored by Epic WebStudios

November 26, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 29 SPORTS

For starters, the Lakers didn’t score a point ER Sports in the opening 10 minutes but trailed just 8-0 as the Golden Knights also weren’t Catching up with Erie-native and USA Today writer Jon Saraceno and breaking much offensively. And then to top it off, the down the strange happenings of the Gannon-Mercyhurst Basketball Game Hurst actually held the lead at the intermis- sion, up by an 18-14 count. By: James R. LeCorchick It appeared the home team was going to cruise to the win when they opened up a ’M AT THAT stage in my life when some that evolved into a spot at USA Today in the few years earlier before the scandal hit. 41-25 lead with 10 minutes left in the con- things make you feel old, and some other Virginia-D.C area in 1984, following a stop I did have one last question for him, as test, the Golden Knights’ offense being to- Ithings make you feel real old. I had one of in Florida and a few other moves. He started I asked, “Are you in the Erie Sports Hall of tally shut down. At this point, I commented those latter experiences recently, but it was with the national paper as a general assign- Fame?” He answered, “I didn’t know they on the radio, “If Mercyhurst ends with 50 a positive one so I guess I’m okay with it. ment reporter, which included auto racing had one.” points, they win easily. “ I ran into one of my all-time favorites at and many other events. On a personal note, I’m not a big fan of Now keep in mind they had 41 at this point a Gannon basketball game and was a bit He covered two-dozen Super Bowls in his the media entering any Halls of Fame (they and needed just nine tallies in the final 10 shocked when I thought how long it has 30 years on the staff there. should have their own), but I believe it’s minutes to reach this mark. The truth is the been since I met nationally-known sports However, it was in the wild, whacky world time Saraceno be informed that Erie has Hurst needed just six points, as 47 would’ve writer Jon Saraceno, the talented writer of boxing he made his name and was also one, and he’s going to be inducted – soon. given them the win. who made quite a name for himself nation- taking part in a labor of love. “I was always As far as his association with USA Today, But the GU defense kicked in and the MU ally as a beat writer with USA Today. watching boxing with my dad when I was a he took an early buyout a year ago. Now I offense went into shutdown, the visiting Saraceno, who graduated from McDowell youngster, and it was always something I en- Golden Ones outscoring the Lakers 21-3 in 1975, was working for the Erie Times-News joyed,” he told the listening audience while in the final 10 minutes, the winning bas- in the summer of 1978 when I first met him. a guest on my Sports Blitz Radio Show. I ran into one of my ket coming with 5.1 seconds to play when I was writing sports at the local paper when “Boxing is a great sport, and I loved cover- All-American candidate Blazek buried a I saw him working at a typewriter (you re- ing it.” all-time favorites at three-pointer. member those?), and after someone told me He has many (too many to get into here) The most fascinating aspect of this game who he was, I felt the need to go over, intro- great stories about what went on inside the a Gannon basketball comes when you do the math and take a duce myself, and tell him I thought he had a ring, and outside it. He lists Muhammad game and was a look at two 20-minutes phases, the first and great gift after reading some of his stories. Ali as one of his all-time favorite athletes final 10 minutes and the 20-minute span in He seemed sincerely appreciative, and we he has mentioned over the years. He also bit shocked when I between. just seemed to get along after that day. He enjoyed working with Kareem Abdul Jab- thought how long it As you look at the figures, MU scored zero was a junior at Penn State, and as they say, bar, Brett Favre, and Joe Namath. points in the first 10 minutes and three (be- “The rest is history.” When queried as to some of the bigger has been since I met ing out scored 21-3) in the final 10. Mean- The former Trojan, who was in town vis- jerks, he maintained his professionalism nationally-known while, in the 20-minute span in between, iting his 93-year-old mother, seemed to and pointed out some are just tougher in- the Lakers scored 41 markers. always remember his hometown, and that terviews than others. He did add that in- sports writer Jon So, if you look at one 20-minute duration, is something I’ve never forgotten. It was al- terviewing Ben Roethlisberger was “like the Hurst tallied three points in one half ways exciting to hear him being introduced going to the dentist.” Saraceno. (which adds up to six points for the entire an Erie-native when he would be on a major Saraceno said he worked with broadcaster game), or you can look at the other 20 min- boxing broadcast or when he inserted the George Michael and that Michael had one feel really, really old. utes and that computes to 82 tallies (41 per name of his hometown in one of his USA of the bigger egos he ran into. However, he I CAN REMEMBER about 60 years of half). Today columns. was quick to point out, “He wasn’t a bad guy; sports, so it goes without saying that I As I said, no matter how many sporting “I love Erie, and I always will,” Saraceno he just had a large ego – as many on air peo- have seen many, many strange happen- events one goes to, strange things never told me. “This will always be my home- ple do.” ings in that time, but I must admit the quit happening. town.” He also explained that the TV people are a recent Gannon-Mercyhurst men’s bas- For those who missed this encounter, The PSU-grad mentioned a long-proven different breed than the print media. Sara- ketball game caught my attention, the another one is scheduled for the Hammer- adage about ending up with the national ceno said that it was more likely you would Golden Knights winning on an Adam mill Center in late January. Don’t be sur- publication, as he pointed out, “I was in the end up going out for a beer with a big name Blazek three-pointer with five seconds prised if some strange happening occur right place at the right time.” writer rather than a broadcaster. remaining that gave his team a 46-44 vic- once again. And the right place, believe it or not, was Saraceno, a true-blue (pun intended) Penn tory. Danville, Ill. State loyalist, had all the respect in the While it was typical GU-MU intense, physi- James R. LeCorchick can be contacted at The personable Erie-native accepted a po- world for Joe Paterno, but wished the Nit- cal barnburner, thinking about it for a min- [email protected], and you sition with the Gannett Corporation, and tany Lions coach had given up the position a ute, several odd things began popping up. can follow him on Twitter @JRLSports.

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