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2 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 11, 2014 CONTENT June 11, 2014

Editors-in-Chief: Brian Graham & Adam Welsh Managing Editor: News & Notes Culture Ben Speggen Contributing Editor: 4 Street Corner Soapbox 7 Reader Eater: Rebecca Styn Cloud 9 Wine Bar Editor -at-Large: World Cup Soccer has Arrived! Again. Cory Vaillancourt 5 The Way I See It Copy Editor: 12 If We Were You Alex Bieler The Trouble with Raising the Minimum Here's what we would do Contributors: Wage Alex Bieler 16 Music Reviews Mary Birdsong 6 Just Toyin' Witcha 17 Lavender Country: Pen Ealain Violence in Erie is epidemic! Where is Rick Filippi The Reissue of Iggy Imig Ghost Mayor?! Country Music’s first James R. LeCorchick openly gay record John Lindvay Lili Morton 8 Erie Bluffs: 19 Geeked Out Dan Schank A Tradition of Trouble Ryan Smith The next level of next-gen Jay Stevens games is finally here Rebecca Styn 11 Rail Terminal Redux Bryan Toy Q&A with John Elliott and Steve Rubin Cory Vaillancourt of DevelopErie Cover Design: B. Toy 20 Upfront Photographers: Another Brick From The Wall Ryan Smith Brad Triana 22 ER Sports Designer: Local sports with James R. LeCorchick Leah Yungwirth Writing Interns: Jessica Courter Khadija Djellouli Ellie Hartleb Tom Ricci From the Editors Will Taylor 32 W. Eighth St. #302 or anyone in the world of media, there still remains a great rush passes through the Bayfront Connector gateway to The Gem City greeted Erie PA, 16501 of excitement and swell of pride that comes with truly breaking with advertisements? They also had concerns — Who actually owns this [email protected] Fa story. And perhaps this excitement and pride is amplified in to- land, and who is overseeing its development? And the comments — they day’s arena, as newspapers, TV, and radio compete against the likes of were plentiful. Which is why we decided to feature a fleshed-out, in- The Erie Reader is Erie’s only free, blogs, podcasts, and social media platforms. depth look at the Bluffs in this issue. independent source for news, culture, and But there is also a great responsibility of cultivating a story once it Chiefly, people lamented about a perceived lack of community input entertainment. The Erie Reader is a forum has blossomed and taken root in a community. throughout the process. As Mary Birdsong notes in her feature, com- for ideas and discussion, and seeks to drive two-way communication with its readers. At For us, an example of that responsibility began March 5 when CIVI- munity input was solicited — but that was back when the process of the Erie Reader, we endeavor to highlight the TAS members Lisa Austin, Michael Beightol, and Stephen Sonnenberg plotting the future of that land had just begun. What is clear to us, best of Erie by providing in-depth, magazine- wrote in their “Considering the City” column that “Erie’s Bayfront now, is that the community remains interested and still cares about a style journalism that cuts to the heart of the Bluff Park has Potential.” It continued April 30 in B. Toy’s comic strip, lot of land, and these community members demand transparency and issues that matter to Erie. The Erie Reader is published every other week at The Corry “Just Toyin’ Witcha” when he presented a single panel featuring the desire a seat at the decision-making table. Journal, 28 W. South St., Corry, Pa. 16407. The words “Beautification — Erie style” hovering above an all-too-realistic Also in this issue, Cory Vaillancourt’s “Upfront” returns with “Anoth- Erie Reader is distributed at over 250 high rendering of the Bluffs depicting tree stumps, bulldozers, and corpo- er Brick From the Wall: Education. Dark Sarcasm.” In it, Cory tells a foot-traffic locations in Pennsylvania from rate logos with signs sprouting up in place of pedestrian walkways and tale of seven Savannah women who, house by house, plot by plot, be- North East to Girard to Edinboro. The Erie Reader is also available by mail subscription; gardens. gan preserving historical landmarks throughout the city in the ‘50s, one year (26 issues) for $49.99. Send check or But the story actually began long before that, dating back to the simply by banding together and securing the money to purchase these money order payable to Flagship Multimedia, City of Erie’s incorporation in 1805. That narrow, 23-acre strip of land places themselves. Inc., to the address below. In addition to sprawling out from Cascade Street to Wallace Street remained under Engaged, active citizens with questions, comments, and concerns — appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new content daily at ErieReader.com as well social the ownership of the Keystone State — that is, until the Erie-Western and more importantly, the fortitude and will to not only become part media sites. All rights reserved. All content PA Port Authority obtained it in 2002. of a conversation, but to change that conversation entirely. © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 32 W. Eighth From there, the story of that strip of once-forgotten, once-unused, Erie is good at losing itself in nostalgia, daydreaming for the days of St., Suite 302, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of this once-overgrown land becomes a complicated one. Which is why you’ll yesteryear when things seemed better. But daydreaming doesn’t stop publication may be reproduced without permission. The opinions of our columnists find the history and status of what’s quickly becoming known as “Bill- the demolition and the conversion of historic relics into parking lots. and contributors are their own and do board Alley” on our cover — complete with new art from B. Toy. And it certainly doesn’t cultivate the future of strips of land brimming not always reflect that of the editorial When we first covered the topic back in early March and then again with great potential. Now is the time for concerned citizens to get their board or organization. Direct inquiries in April, we quickly learned from the conversation these initial pieces heads out of the clouds and onto the streets, where conversations can to 814.314.9364 or contact@ErieReader. generated that the people of Erie had questions — why is anyone who be made theirs, if their voices are loud enough to be heard. com. June 11, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 News of the Weird Street Corner Soap Box By: Chuck Shepherd World Cup Soccer Has Arrived! Again. What’s in a Name anellope, Rydder, Jceion and Burklee By: Jay Stevens Vhead the latest annual list of the most common baby names on the Social Security he last men’s soccer World Cup er professional sports in the country. than football: according to the 2010 Cen- Administration register of first-time-appear- was greeted with conservative hy- The sport has always been an oddball sus, 13 million Americans play soccer, be- ing names. There were 63 Vanellopes (girls), perbole. “I hate it so much, prob- game to American fans, a curiosity, some- hind only basketball for participation in a but only 10 each for Rydder and Jceion, the ably because the rest of the world thing to experience close up every so often team sport. That includes over 8 million most popular debut names for boys. Other Tlikes it so much,” said Glenn Beck. “Soc- to see what all the global fuss is about, but kids ages 7 to 17, more than the number notables were Hatch (eight times) and Psalms cer is a socialist sport,” wrote columnist then to eschew, as they settle in to watch that play baseball and football. Those num- (seven). (In other “name” news, among the Marc Thiessen, and saw similarities in it baseball, football, basketball, or hockey. Or bers have likely only increased since the finalists in April’s “Name of the Year” contest to Obamacare. “To conservatives, the trou- car racing. Tennis. Boxing. UFC. knowledge of the dangers of concussions sponsored by Deadspin.com were the actual bling aspects of the game aren’t confined to Things are different now. Really. in football have grown. monikers Curvaceous Bass, (Dr.) Eve Grunt- the pros,” wrote another, Matthew Philbin. The 2010 World Cup in South Africa, for fest, Chillie Poon and the winner — Shamus “Soccer requires comparatively little from example, drew impressive U.S. viewership. Beaglehole. [Nameberry via MSN.com, 5-15- children but the ability to run after the ball The elimination match between the U.S. The demographics of 2014] [NameoftheYear.com] – the risk of failure for anyone except may- and Ghana, for example, was watched by soccer viewers points to be the goal keeper is zero. Even the strong 19.4 million Americans – more than the a steep increase in the Editorial Privilege chance that any given game will end in a tie 19.2 million that tuned in for last year’s sport’s popularity: the o celebrate today’s 25th anniversary of the makes it attractive for parents reluctant to deciding Game 6 of the World Series be- Tweekly distribution of News of the Weird impart life’s difficult lessons to young kids.” tween the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis two biggest segments of by Universal Uclick, Chuck Shepherd recalls But as the nations don cleats to face off in Cardinals. The tournament’s final – which soccer viewers, according a few of his favorite stories (among the more this year’s tournament in Brazil, it may be saw Spain defeat the Netherlands, 1-0 – was than 25,000 covered). time to face this fact: soccer has at last ar- watched by even more Americans, 24.3 to Nielsen ratings, are (1989) In the mid-1980s, convicted South rived in the U.S. . million. Women’s soccer is popular, too. the young (viewers under Carolina murderer Michael Godwin won his Oh sure, we’ve heard that before. “Soc- The gold-medal match between the U.S. 34) and Hispanics. The appeal to avoid the electric chair and serve cer has been America’s sport of the future and Japan in the 2012 London Games drew only life imprisonment. In March, while sit- since 1972,” quip Men in Blazer podcasters 4.35 million viewers – more than typically former is, of course, the ting naked on a metal prison toilet, attempt- Michael Davies and Roger Bennett. Soc- watch games of the Stanley Cup finals. future, and the latter ing to fix a TV set, the 28-year-old Godwin bit cer “arrived” in the U.S. when 77,000 fans U.S. viewership of European soccer is the fastest-growing into a wire and was electrocuted. [Orlando packed Giants Stadium to watch Pele’s New also up, drastically. NBCUniversal’s Feb- Sentinel, 3-8-89] York Cosmos in a 1977 NASL playoff match. ruary 2014 ratings of its English Premier demographic in the U.S. Soccer “arrived” when the World Cup land- League games set a monthly record for soc- (1991) Dee Dee Jonrowe, leading the ed in the United States in 1994 – 69,000 cer broadcast, as did its recent 10-game si- Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in January in fans on average attended each match, still multaneous broadcast of the final Premier So what’s in store this World Cup? For northern Minnesota, took a wrong turn and a FIFA Cup record, and by a large margin. League matches. And several of this year’s starters, it’s in Brazil – itself a draw for went 300 yards before recognizing her error. (The next closest was during the 2006 tour- UEFA Champions League games drew Americans, not just because of the pag- The mistake cost her team only a few minutes, nament in Germany, when 52,000 fans on more than a million American fans to their eantry and excitement that’ll accompany but stopping to calculate her location allowed average attended each match.) television sets. soccer’s biggest tourney in soccer’s liveliest the dogs an unsupervised rest, and by the Nonetheless, soccer lags behind most oth- That’s a far cry from the Super Bowl, of country, but because it’s only an hour or two time she was ready to go, two of her dogs had course, whose recent lopsided Denver ahead of most time zones in the U.S. . And begun to copulate. She was forced to wait on Broncos – Seattle Seahawks matchup drew while the U.S. squad’s odds of advancing them for 25 minutes and lost the lead. [Duluth more than 111 million viewers. But the de- are slim – it’s in this year’s “group of death,” News Tribune, 1-17-91] mographics of soccer viewers points to a with favorites Germany and Portugal, and a steep increase in the sport’s popularity: quality Ghana team – and without its most (1994) In Toronto in March, Sajid Rhatti, 23, the two biggest segments of soccer view- famous player, Landon Dononvan, who was and his 20-year-old wife brawled over wheth- ers, according to Nielsen ratings, are the cut from the team at the last minute, rising er Katey Sagal, who plays Peg Bundy on “Mar- young (viewers under 34) and Hispanics. interest in America for soccer likely means ried With Children,” is prettier than Christina The former is, of course, the future, and the more soccer viewing records will fall. Applegate, who plays her daughter. First, the latter the fastest-growing demographic in But most importantly, soccer is a great wife slashed Rhatti in the groin with a wine the U.S. And those viewers tend to be more game. It’s a game full of chaos and creativ- bottle as they scuffled, but she dressed his socially connected, too, much more likely ity and played by the world’s best athletes. wounds and the couple sat down again to to own a smartphone and to stream video The tension and suspense of a close soccer watch another episode of the show. Moments ADVERTISE on it, and more likely to spread the news game is like nothing else in sports. If for later, the brawl erupted again, and Rhatti, who WITH U S through social networks. no other reason, love for soccer here has suffered a broken arm and shoulder, stabbed “Millennials are the biggest driver of the grown out of a basic love for the beautiful his wife in the chest, back and legs before they sport right now,” said Gilt Edge Soccer Mar- the game. begged neighbors to call an ambulance. [Ca- keting’s John Guppy in a recent Bloomberg And for all those reasons, it’s appropriate nadian Press via Edmonton Journal, 3-18-94] report. “They are looking for their own that soccer is growing in popularity here. identification. Soccer fits that bill.” It is in many ways the face of 21st-century (1995) From the Riley County police blotter in That might also explain why the MLS sur- America with its young, multicultural fan- the Kansas State University newspaper, Sept. vives. In some cities, it even thrives. The base and a beautiful artistry at its heart. No 2: 1:33 p.m., disturbance involving Marcus Seattle Sounders, for example, draw an av- wonder Glenn Beck hates it. Miles; 2:14 p.m. (different address), “unwant- Email [email protected] erage of 44,000 fans to each game – that’s ed subject” (police jargon for acquaintance for more information. a higher per-game average than all but the Jay Stevens can be contacted at Jay@ who wouldn’t leave) in the home, Marcus Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB, and near- ErieReader.com, and you can follow him Miles told to leave; 4:08 p.m. (different ad- ly triple the average that attend each Cleve- on Twitter @Snevets_Yaj. To dress), Marcus Miles accused of harassment; land Indians’ home game. Seattle also has a follow this story or comment, 6:10 p.m., “unwanted subject” call against high population of millennials. scan the QR code or visit Marcus Miles. Nov. 14: 6:47 p.m., “unwanted And more Americans are playing soccer http://erirdr.com/9pt83 subject” in the home, Marcus Miles told to 4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 11, 2014 leave; 7:36 p.m. (different address), “unwant- ed subject” call against Marcus Miles. Nov. 20: 2:05 a.m. (different address), “unwanted The Way I See It subject” charge against Marcus Miles; 2:55 a.m. (different address), disturbance involving Marcus Miles; 3:07 a.m. (different address), The Trouble with Raising the Minimum Wage “unwanted subject” charge against Marcus Miles; 4:11 a.m. (different address), “unwanted By: Rebecca Styn subject” report made against Marcus Miles. [K State Collegian, 9-7-95; 11-14-95, 11-20-95] ecently, Seattle passed the highest minimum wage ever seen: $15 an (1996) A pre-trial hearing was scheduled hour. Assuming a 40-hour work- in Lamar, Missouri, on Joyce Lehr’s lawsuit week, this hike equates to $31,200 against the county for injuries from a 1993 fall grossR annual income. For us Pennsylvania in the icy, unplowed parking lot of the local folk, that’s over twice our current wage of high school. The Carthage Press reported that $7.25, which has been in place since 2009. Lehr claimed damage to nearly everything Also interesting to note is aside from Seattle, in her body. According to her petition: “All twenty other states have a higher minimum the bones, organs, muscles, tendons, tissues, wage than Pennsylvania. nerves, veins, arteries, ligaments ... discs, Since November 2013, President Barack cartilages, and the joints of her body were Obama has been trying to increase the min- fractured, broken, ruptured, punctured, com- imum wage on a federal level – to $10.10 an pressed, dislocated, separated, bruised, con- hour. But it’s received much criticism – and tused, narrowed, abrased, lacerated, burned, Congress has not decided to move forward cut, torn, wrenched, swollen, strained, with the legislation. Case in point, in Penn- sprained, inflamed and infected.” [Carthage sylvania, a proposed change in the mini- Press, 1-9-96] mum wage currently sits in the House of Representatives. (1999) From a May police report in The Mes- On the positive side, according to the Bu- senger (Madisonville, Kentucky), concerning reau of Labor Statistics, a leap to $10.10 two trucks being driven curiously on a rural would be enough to get a large number of road: A man would drive a truck 100 yards, the working poor out of poverty. It would stop, walk back to a second truck, drive it 100 bolster the earnings of about 16.5 million yards beyond the first truck, stop, walk back to workers, providing $5 billion a year more for the first truck, drive it 100 yards beyond the families living in poverty and $12 billion a second truck, and so on, into the evening. He year more for families earning from one to did it, he told police, because his brother was three times the poverty threshold. Closer to passed out drunk in one of the trucks, and he home, statewide, the move would help more was trying to drive both trucks home, at more than 1 million workers. or less the same time. (Not surprisingly, a And the truth is, nobody that works full- blood-alcohol test showed the driver, also, to time deserves to be living in poverty. Erin Hoekstra be impaired.) [The Messenger, 5-7-99] However, just because something seems like a good idea, doesn’t always mean it is. plans and other small perks. If businesses Seattle’s minimum wage increased to (2002) The Lane brothers of New York, Mr. The Congressional budget office estimated suffer, those added employee benefits could $15 per hour -- more than twice what Winner Lane, 44, and Mr. Loser Lane, 41 (their that lifting the minimum wage would also be in jeopardy. Erie residents make at $7.25. actual birth names), were profiled in a July reduce total employment by about 0.3 per- The irony to all of this, however, is even Newsday report, made more interesting by the cent, eliminating 500,000 jobs. So, we’d be with an increase, according to the Center fact that Loser is successful (a police detective raising some families out of poverty while for Economic Policy and Research, if the only sluggishly limping along. The Afford- in South Bronx) and Winner is not (a history displacing others. minimum wage would have kept up with able Care Act and a host of other regulatory of petty crimes). A sister said she believes her Economists maintain that a raise will spur increases in worker productivity (a mea- changes from the current administration parents selected “Winner” because their late economic growth by distributing more sure of the amount of goods and services have created great uncertainty for small father was a big baseball fan and chose “Loser” money to lower-wage earners, thus helping that can be produced within a specific time- business owners throughout the country. just to complete the pairing. [Newsday, 7-22- low- and middle-class families climb the frame) over the years, the actual federal This uncertainty has frightened business 02] economic ladder. And conservatives be- minimum wage would be about $21.72 an owners who are waiting to see how these lieve that raising the minimum wage would hour today. regulations affect their bottom line. This (2004) The New York Times reported in Feb- cause businesses to hire fewer workers, The truth is, situations like these shouldn’t change would only increase the unknown. ruary on a Washington, D.C., man whose love which would in turn hurt the very employ- be decided on the federal level. While I do While recognizing our minimum wage of music led him, in the 1960s, to meticu- ees the raise is looking to assist. believe anyone working a full-time job is low, this may not be the time to raise it. lously hand-make and hand-paint facsimilie In Erie, much of our local economy relies shouldn’t be living in poverty, the increase There will be a time, but with the state of record album covers of his fantasized music, on small businesses. We are just now, as a on a federal level could actually hurt the lo- our current fragile economy, decisions like complete with imagined lyric sheets and lin- country, coming out of one of the most dev- cal economy (one that is already stagnant). these should be left in the hands of the local er notes (with some “albums” even shrink- astating economic recessions we’ve ever ex- Then, the increase could end up driving and state legislatures. While there is a good wrapped), and even more incredibly, to hand- perienced. Just last week it was announced more individuals into poverty than those argument that decisions made at the feder- make cardboard fascimilies of actual grooved that the total number of employed in the being lifted out. al level make the system more consistent, discs to put inside them. “Mingering Mike,” United States is finally back to pre-reces- A letter from 33 Pennsylvania chambers some things should be left to local and state whom a reporter and two hobbyists tracked sion levels, yet unemployment numbers of commerce sent to the General Assembly government, where the voices of individual down (but who declined to be identified in still remain high. An increase in minimum this past week says the last time Pennsyl- residents not only carry more weight, but at print) also made real music, on tapes, using his wages here could hurt many of our local vania increased the minimum wage, many times, better insight. and friends’ voices to simulate instruments. small business employers. small businesses were forced to reduce His 38 imagined “albums” were discovered Another factor to consider is that the wag- hours, halt hiring, and cut jobs, and a boost Love? Hate? Agree? Disagree? I want to hear at a flea market after Mike defaulted on stor- es you get paid are not the only things that to $10.10 an hour could result in the loss of from you. Email me at rStyn@ErieReader. age-locker fees, and the hobbyists who found make up the amount that your employer is 28,000 to 119,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. com, and follow me on Twitter them said they were so exactingly done that paying out for your work. On a larger scale, The benefits simply do not outweigh the @rStyn. To follow this story or a major museum would soon feature them. there is health insurance and 401k plans. costs. It has been six years since the Great comment, scan the QR code or [New York Times, 2-2-04] On a smaller front, there are employee meal Recession started and the economy is still visit http://erirdr.com/egt8o June 11, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 5 Guest Opinion Why Preserving Erie’s History Matters Fracking and Destination Erie Archaeological Reviewer Kira Heinrich to Speak at Mission Main Street

By: Tom Fuhrman Workshop

aving served as the Chair of the Envi- But some issues have just recently been ac- By: Jessica Courter ronment Committee for the Destina- knowledged, such as a ban on fracking in at hen our dear Htion Erie project for the past two and least the Lake Erie watershed portion of Erie friend Opportuni- a half years, I’ve experienced some ups and County. At a recent Consortium Leadership W ty comes knock- downs as we have struggled to envision Erie meeting, which included committee chairs ing, we need to welcome thirty to forty years down the road. Our com- and the leadership team, I brought up this him with open arms. Thank- mittee has worked hard to identify needs and idea and it was a pleasant surprise that our fully, he makes appearances policy to protect our natural resources that new County Executive, Kathy Dahlkemper, rather often in Erie. will make Erie County a cleaner, greener, and immediately embraced the idea and had the Now Opportunity is knock- healthier community. courage and vision to say so publicly. She ing once again in the form At times, it’s been frustrating to work with needs to be commended for taking a stand of an Erie County Gaming consultants and others who want to sug- on a controversial issue and we can only hope Revenue Authority Mission ar-coat things like sprawl by calling it some- Main Street workshop on thing else – even though land use has been a It should be obvious to most that June 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m major problem over the past fifty years, with at the Jefferson Educational us developing over half of the land we had environmental issues are threaded Society. The workshop is a with no population growth. through most of the other focus collaborative effort of Preservation Erie and Mission Main Street workshops will But we have identified policy and action areas of Destination Erie. the Erie County Historical Society to provide be held at the Jefferson Educational ideas that could protect and even enhance our Erie-area residents with a chance to learn the Society Friday, June 20. quality of life, which could attract new busi- that her leadership will carry over to other hows and whys of preserving Erie’s history in ness and people to the area as well as slow elected officials. I have been outspoken all order to better our future. what we call the “brain drain.” Some of these along that any ideas, actions, or policies com- “Knowing where you came from forms like home. ideas were brought up early in the process ing from Destination Erie will need political where you’re going,” says Archaeological “Having these things in your community and others have been discussed more recent- will to get accomplished. Reviewer Kira Heinrich of the Pennsylvania gives you an identity and gives you a sense of ly – things such as completing and comply- So your last chance as a community is this Historical and Museum Commission and place,” says the Mercyhurst University alum. ing with a Climate Action Plan and getting week to let your voices be heard on the issues one of the key speakers at the workshop. “If “Not having that connection to the past real- an Open Space Referendum on the County mentioned here or on any of the other issues you don’t understand how you got to where ly changes how a place feels and how it func- ballot for voters to decide if we should have a or actions recommended by the other com- you are as a civilization then you’re bound to tions and how people feel in the place.” dedicated funding source for protecting more mittees. Meetings are being held throughout make the same mistakes that people in the We are always looking towards the future open space. the County and a schedule can be found on the past have made.” as we focus on what is down the road, of- We’ve also found consensus on encourag- County’s website. As we walk down the streets of Erie, we tentimes without glancing behind us. This ing and promoting renewable energy, which This is your plan. Most of us Baby Boomers don’t always realize we are walking through workshop serves as a reminder to us all that would contribute to a greener economy, a who are working on this project will be gone history. Everyday we pass buildings that have sometimes we need to take not only a glance need to focus on RE-development rather than by the time many of the action items that been preserved or restored, like the Boston but a good, long look at our past and make development (as in using more open space), come from this plan will be implemented or Store on State Street that was completed in the effort to preserve where our city has preserving agricultural land, making walk- results accomplished. But this is the future, 1931, or the Dickson Tavern on French Street been. able neighborhoods, and improving pub- this is your future. that was built in 1815, making it Erie’s oldest lic transportation. It should be obvious to building. Jessica Courter can be contacted at most that environmental issues are threaded If you would like to contact me, send me an We don’t always pay attention to the signif- [email protected], and you through most of the other focus areas of Desti- email at [email protected] and icance of buildings like these but rather we can follow her on Twitter @ nation Erie, such as Economy and Workforce, your phone number. To follow this tend to take them for granted without recog- JessCourter. To follow this story Housing and Neighborhoods, Transportation story or comment, scan the QR code nizing that they actually make our city and or comment, scan the QR code and Infrastructure, and Community Facilities. or visit http://erirdr.com/drcs3 that without them Erie wouldn’t really feel or visit http://erirdr.com/nkv2t

Just Toyin’ Witcha — By: Bryan Toy

6 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 11, 2014 Photos by Brad Triana Brad by Photos

the world from which it comes. wings – available in ghost honey hot, Cassis “Bertrand himself having grown up in the blackberry Jalapeno, and maple mustard Cloud 9 Wine Bar French countryside – it was a way of life for stout varieties. him. There was no ‘organic’ or ‘biodynam- Cloud 9’s other equally-delicious offer- ic’ or ‘sustainability,’” said B.J. Shields, Gen- ings include several types of poutine (a By: The Reader Eater eral manager of Cloud 9. “His mom would common Canadien dish consisting of send him to get produce, and it was pro- French fries and gravy topped with more p until recently, the restaurant scene in Erie has certainly been ro- duce from the farmer down the road. That’s Showman Farms cheese), gourmet thin- bust enough to leave diners on cloud 3 or cloud 4; of course, we’ve got how he grew up, and moving to the States crust pizzas, salads, topless tartines, and Alto Cucina, Bertrand’s Bistro, Colao’s, Peppino’s, and 1201 Kitchen, with all of our processed stuff was kind of a burgers, all exhibiting high-quality in- so maybe it’s more like cloud 5 or 6. shock to him, so he tries, even with his bis- gredients and thoughtful flavor pairings. tro, to do everything local and sustainable. Main courses (no, Cloud 9 is not just a tapas But now, Bertrand Artigues – owner of the aforementioned Perry Those are things that the chef holds dear to joint like some had speculated) include ev- USquare favorite Bertrand’s – has let his French roots vine their way down to 10th his heart, and I do as well.” erything you’d expect from a place like this and French streets with a truly hyperbolic effort sure to leave local gourmands on You can see this ethos in action for your- – gnocchi, Mahi, scallops, free-range chick- cloud 9 – the Cloud 9 Wine Bar. self in some of their appetizers – especially en, duck confit, pork loin, and strip steak. the charcuterie and cheese plates – mostly To wash it all down, Bar Manager Ryan First, let’s talk about that space – that rounded, glassy corner of the parking garage sourced from Showman Farms in Edin- Bondi sums up how his little fiefdom com- across from Jerry Uht Park. Somehow, Bertrand’s crew made the arcing, rambling boro. plements Artigues’, Shields’, and Fioret- room even more open by closing off parts of it and coloring it in Mediterranean Chef de Cuisine Kyle Fioretti – an Erie na- ti’s. “We want to fall in line with the vision hues of maroon and tan, accented by dark woods and a stainless steel bar. Among tive and Mercyhurst University alum, who – sticking with sustainability and local the finer details of this beautiful environment lies a secret – when you grab a seat comes to Cloud 9 from 1201 Kitchen and spirits and local wines,” including Lavery at the bar, reach your hands underneath and feel what’s there. is just 27 years old – deserves much of the Brewing Company’s beers and Mazza Vine- credit. “What we’re trying to do is source yards’ whiskey. “We will not be using any as much as possible from not only local pre-made things here,” he said. “We uti- No, most of us wouldn’t go to Cloud 9 just to be a first for our area, they even have a but also sustainable and wholesome farm- lize fresh fruit, fresh-squeezed juices, and to recharge our phones, but the electri- cruvinet – a custom-built, climate-con- ers, foragers, and producers,” he said. “We down the road, we’ll be getting into a clas- cal outlets nestled just above your lap are trolled tap system holding 16 different bot- spend a lot of time finding these people, sic cocktail revival – bringing back original a handy feature symbolic of the attention tles of wine that fills the bottles with inert finding these ingredients, and then we take recipes from the 1920s.” to detail that went in to this place – a place Nitrogen to keep them fresh indefinitely. all that and make things from scratch.” Overall, Cloud 9 Wine bar is a welcome that has been synonymous with failure Bertrand’s always been known for his Almost as if on cue, the duck egg man addition to the local scene and will certain- over the past few years. In fact, about the wine savvy, and in another brilliant inno- showed up at that moment with a fresh ly be appreciated by eaters, drinkers, and only thing that didn’t fail in that space in vation – at least locally – all wines are avail- dozen. He handed them over the bar to anyone who enjoys great food and great the last decade or so was the local Obama able by the bottle, by the glass, and by the Chef Kyle, who returned moments later service in a great setting. Perhaps the only for President campaign headquarters. “taste.” A “taste” is a 2-ounce pour just per- with a decadently rich crispy poached duck problem with the whole concept is the However, if this respected restaurateur fect for pairing with the plethora of small egg perched precariously atop pancetta ri- name; to hell with “Cloud 9” – this place fails in this effort, this Reader eater is will- plates served. sotto and swimming in aromatic bouillon. should be called Cloud 19. ing to pull a Werner Herzog and eat his And those plates – dear Lord, those plates – If that sounds good to you, run don’t walk. shoe. they are astounding. Brilliantly conceived, In line with the sustainability-oriented The Reader Eater can be contacted at Seriously. It’s that good. The restaurant, expertly prepared, and beautifully present- mindset of Cloud 9, only 24 of these dish- ReaderEater@ErieReader. not the shoe. ed, everything on the menu is ridiculously es will be available each week, because com.To follow this story or As the name suggests, Cloud 9 Wine Bar delicious (ridiculicious?), unpretentiously some of those duck eggs need to grow up comment, scan the QR code or has wine. Lots of it. And in what is believed priced, and created with a mindfulness of to become ducks for Cloud 9’s fried duck visithttp://erirdr.com/1rys3 June 11, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 7 directly across from Liberty Park including a safe walkway across the Parkway into Lib- Erie’s Bayfront Bluffs erty Park.” Both phase one and two, the clearing of the west and east side, was completed in 2013. A Tradition of Trouble There is no timeframe indicated for the third phase, but currently a path from Cas- By: Mary Birdsong cade and around the corner towards Liberty is being cleared with Port Authority funds he Erie Bluffs, a slender ribbon of along with some matching monies from the undeveloped land between the Bay- ECF. Raymond Schreckengost, executive front Parkway and the rest of the director of the Port Authority, says that the city, has been a problem since 1795 crosswalk to Liberty Park will be completed Twhen our region became a part of Pennsyl- this summer. vania. This land’s small footprint belies its The clearing of the bluffs was instrumen- large presence as a barrier between the city tal to getting the project off the ground and and the water’s edge that keeps citizens from is the first step in the Overlook Park master easily accessing the sparkling waters of Pr- plan, since so many invasive plants, such as esque Isle Bay. ailanthus (tree of heaven), phragmite (com- And now, since 2011, with the Erie Commu- mon reed), and Polygonum (Japanese knot- nity Foundation’s licensing agreement with weed) had populated the site. the Port Authority and the current Bayfront Removing the debris and invasive plants Beautification Project, this 23-acre no-man’s was expensive work. The Overlook Park plan land continues to see its share of trouble. calls for the sparing of areas that contain With the overgrown and invasive vegeta- native species and maintaining areas for tion removal nearly complete, and sponsor wildlife, but doing so was cost-prohibitive logos and small gardens installed, critics call says Dan Dahlkemper, landscape architect it an eyesore or worse, and champions call it and consultant to the ECF on the Bayfront a work in progress. Project. One thing both detractors and proponents “I would love to see native plantings or agree on, though: Something had to be done wildflowers, but they are difficult to con- with the prominent overgrown bluffs that trol,” says Dahlkemper, “We started with so are the city’s “front door.” many invasives; until we can get those under To understand how the bluffs (and the com- control, I am looking to use native trees and munity) got to where they are today, we need grasses in the design that are easier to main- a quick history lesson. tain and still create a park-like setting.” When the borough of Erie was established This is where the voice of the opposition in 1805, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gets a little louder. retained title to this property, which stretch- Susan A. Smith, a member of the Presque es from Cascade Street on the west and Wal- Isle Advisory Board, and on the boards of the lace Street on the east. No one knows why. Lake Erie Region Conservancy (LERC) and The land was untouchable by the city, de- Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation Center as velopment-wise. Citizens, working alone or well as a life-long nature and wildlife advo- in small, independent groups created ad-hoc cate, disagrees. “The worst part is the way paths and put in a few benches, but mostly the bluff was savaged to look like it had been no one cared for the parcel because no one Brian Graham by Photo bombed and that nothing has been done to local owned it. restore the natural habitats,” she says. Chris The state forgot about it, only paying atten- Various corporate logos advertising both for-profit and nonprofit organizations Magoc, Chair of the History Department tion when granting easements to the rail- dot the Bayfront Bluffs. and Director of the Public History program road or a company wishing to do business at at Mercyhurst University, agrees. “I was not the waterfront, and it allowed the Erie Exten- directly involved in this project, so perhaps I sion Canal to link up to the West Basin. The am wrong, but from the outside, it seems to two-mile stretch quickly became an indus- me that far more trees and vegetation were trial corridor where trains and trucks went move forward with any development on the institutions receive recognition through stripped away than necessary, doing damage about their business and people dumped property. their logo signs and a surrounding gar- to prime habitat for birdlife and other ani- their unwanted trash. What does this have to do with the clear- den, with maintenance, for a five-year pe- mals that inhabit the water’s edge.” By the year 2000, it was a bank overgrown ing of trees and the sprouting of corporate riod. Afterwards, the sponsors can choose Tom Fuhrman of LERC echoes their con- with invasive plants and laden with junk logos? to re-up for a pro-rated share of the overall cern. “I wish all the logos were created like that looked shabby next to the new Bayfront The Overlook Park plan never found fund- maintenance costs, which Mike Batchelor, Sunburst Electronics’ was — out of living Parkway that was being built in the 1990s, ing. Nine years later, in 2011, the Erie Com- executive director of the Erie Community shrubbery, in a green manner. They don’t and the and developments north of it. munity Foundation (ECF), with a generous Foundation, says would be approximately seem to have any consideration for wildlife The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Au- $75,000 gift, kick-started the effort to move $6,000 per year. The ECF plans to complete in their plans. When it was first cut in 2011, thority finally acquired the land in 2002 as the land from unkempt bank to public park. its project at the end of the five-year agree- LERC received lots of calls from citizens re- part of a site master plan — created with The Foundation came to a five-year licens- ment, which Batchelor says will be in one or porting animals moving up into the neigh- community input — for the development ing agreement with the Port Authority to two years, and any future development will borhoods on the lower west side.” of “Overlook Park.” This comprehensive oversee the “Bayfront Beautification Proj- be back in the hands of the Port Authority. Despite their criticisms, Smith, Magoc, and forty-page plan outlines the challenges and ect,” giving it the right to make decisions According to the Erie Community Founda- Fuhrman are supportive of the project and lays out a plan for open spaces, habitat rec- about the property. The ECF then turned to tion’s website, its part in the larger plan is a want to contribute to it. lamation or improvement, pedestrian walk- the business and nonprofit community for multi-year process in three phases, with the Another point of contention is the installa- ways, security, and more. Its estimated price additional funding. and started soliciting bulk of the initial cash going towards clear- tion of the logos on the bluffs. In their “Con- tag in 2002 was $12,122,600. As far as can be sponsorships from local businesses and civic ing the sites between Cascade Street to Myr- sidering the City” editorial in the Erie Reader told, only a handful of people remember that organizations. tle Street (with the exception of some pri- March 5, Civitas points out that, according this plan was created and it is not available For-profit organizations were asked by the vately-held properties), and Holland Street to zoning laws, advertising on the Bayfront online for public viewing. It is, however, still ECF for $50,000 sponsorships and nonprof- to Parade Street. The third phase is listed as is prohibited and people see the signs as just the plan that the Port Authority is using to its, $25,000. In return, these businesses and “creating bayfront access down the hillside that – advertising. 8 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 11, 2014 OPEN HOUSE EVERY WEDNESDAY IN JUNE, 3-8 PM 2951 WEST 38TH STREET, ERIE

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June 11, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 9 John Vanco, executive director of the Erie Schreckengost adds, “for those one or two Art Museum, is disappointed in the results people who don’t like what’s being done, and sees the signs as mere marketing. “The there are 100 who do. We aren’t going to logos show no understanding of good de- please everyone.” sign and seem to me to be erected far too But many are still unsettled and feeling early in the project. Shouldn’t the work be disenfranchised and several questions lin- done before the sponsors get recognition?” ger. Should the Erie Community Founda- he asks. Magoc says the signs “cheapen what tion have held more meetings or collaborat- is a public space.” ed more broadly? Should the ECF or the Port Batchelor supports the signage, saying that Authority have conducted more outreach it is not about marketing but showcasing the on the need for removal of invasive species region’s assets. “We can show anyone who to prevent negative public perception? Will comes here that we have thriving businesses all we end up with is a long bank of grass, and four educational institutions that make some trees, and more metal logos sprouting this a better community.” He also added that up? as part of the agreement with the Port Au- And the biggest question of all may be: thority, who retained ownership of the prop- When the ECF steps away in one or two erty under the licensing agreement, the ECF years, then what? The answer to that ques- has permission to use the space in this way. tion, as far as funding is concerned, may be Dave Brennan, a member of Erie City Coun- making its way through the Pennsylvania cil, thinks that there should be more land- Senate. scaping and the signage could be smaller, Senate Bill 968, sponsored by Sen. Ran- but overall, he supports the project. He ex- dy Vulakovich (R-40) and co-sponsored by pressed some concern, however, for how the Sen. Sean Wiley (D-49), promotes a Water- ADVERTISE project is moving forward. “I’m relatively new on Council, so I am still catching up on WITH the details, but I think we need more public input – see the complete vision the orga- “The logos show nizers have in mind. We really haven’t seen US that.” no understanding And there’s the “trouble” in a nutshell. Many members of the community feel that of good design they have not had a chance to contribute, de- and seem to me to TAKE THE NEXT STEP FOR YOUR BUSINESS! spite the fact that five public meetings were AD DESIGN AVAILABLE held for the Port Authority’s Overlook Park be erected far too Contact [email protected] plan in 2001 and two before the ECF’s Bay- front Beautification Project moved forward early in the project. in 2011. Schreckengost feels that if people wanted input, they should have been a part Shouldn’t the work of the process when the public meetings were held. be done before Many who are now voicing their concerns, however, were part of the Overlook Park the sponsors get planning process. Vanco, who was a mem- recognition?” ber of the planning committee for the Over- look park plan, says at the time it “did not include the mounting of large corporate front Development Tax Credit program that logos on the bluffs. Yes, public-private part- would allow private enterprise to receive a nership is needed, but this isn’t the way to tax credit for any donation made to an eli- Eat, Drink & Learn series at Asbury Woods go about that.” gible organization that is developing a wa- One can surmise that nine years of inactiv- terfront property for public use. This would ity since the creation of the Overlook Park be similar in structure to the current Educa- Plan is serving to confuse and surprise peo- tional Improvement Tax Credit program. Hawks & Bocks ple; after all, public memories can be short The bill was referred to the Appropriations lived. But the ECF is taking some heat from Committee in January. If passed into law, a critics for their handling of the more recent more regular funding stream may be possi- Wednesday, June 25 project. ble. 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Vanco also attended one of the two public But is the Overlook Park envisioned in meetings that the ECF held in 2011, where 2001 still viable? Hasn’t the Bayfront and Kick back with BBQ & brews at the Asbury Woods Nature he asked to see concrete plans and a budget. the community changed since then? Cer- Center as we soar into the fierce and feathered world of “I found out later that people were unhappy tainly our perception of it has. hawks. For the first time in public, experience an up close that I was asking those questions,” he says, Is it time to revisit, and, perhaps, freshen encounter with Kiakiak, a rare white Red-tailed Hawk and the adding, “nothing changed as a result of my the Overlook Park plan? Tamarack Wildlife Rehab Center's newest educational bird. A input.” Now that the work has begun and the com- delicious dinner will be catered by The CAB Bar & Grille with Magoc feels “this project has thus far pro- munity is engaged, we stand at a threshold ice-cold Shiner Bock provided by Glenwood Beer Distributors. ceeded without the sort of genuine engage- of opportunity. Could this be the moment ment with important constituencies of this we do it right and do it well? Reservations are $25 per Asbury Woods member, $35 per community who might well have been able Let’s try, shall we? non-member. Individuals must be 21 or older to attend the to collaborate in helping to produce a more event. Pre-registration is required. thoughtful design of greater sensitivity to a Mary Birdsong can be contacted at range of issues.” [email protected], and you can Batchelor maintains that their planning follow her on Twitter @Mary_ Asbury Woods Nature Center - 4105 Asbury Road - Erie, PA 16506 “was not hatched in secret. We held pub- Birdsong. To follow this story or (814) 835-5356 - www.asburywoods.org lic meetings for input. This will take years comment, scan the QR code or to develop; people need to be patient.” visithttp://erirdr.com/qyxf9 10 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 11, 2014 ception was that your group didn’t focus on Rail Terminal Redux the public relations aspect of introducing the project. Perhaps you could address the Q&A with John Elliott and Steve Rubin of DevelopErie community outreach that your group did conduct, and if you think the citizens were By: Rebecca Styn given the appropriate information from the beginning. n it’s original capacity, the plan for the John Elliott: I do think we could have Erie Rail Terminal project called for a done a better job introducing the project. 30-acre facility to be built near Wal- While our conversations with township of- bridge Road and Route 20 in Harbor- ficials and PennDOT began several months Icreek. The specifics were very detailed: before the project was introduced, along- The project had to be right next to a CSX side that, much of that time was spent doing mainline; the site itself had to be long and traffic and environmental studies – so that flat with three- to four-thousand feet of we could begin answering the questions we frontage along the railroad so that you had knew the community was going to ask and the ability to park a ten-thousand-foot train had already started asking. We’ve learned a without blocking any roads. The location lot from a false start in Harborcreek. Projects must have easy eastbound and westbound of this scale need better communication, access; be close to state and interstate high- and unfortunately, it really wasn’t enough ways; and be zoned for industrial use. to identify opportunities and start bringing The project was estimated to have cre- in customers and partners. It became appar-

ated 500-plus construction jobs, sever- Photos Contributed ent quickly, that besides our early efforts, we al full-time rail terminal jobs, and then were missing our local community. thirteen-hundred full-time jobs for every lowing this developing saga. Others, like pan’s third–largest shipping company, in a Steve Rubin: It really was a transitional one-million square-feet that was developed Steve L. Rubin, Erie Rail Terminal President, number of senior leadership roles for North phase which John and his team were lead- around the terminal – alongside $3 million are not as widely known in the community. American operations. ing – until I was appointed president and in new payroll. It would have generated real Although not a household name, his experi- But even with all of this collective experi- started working with him in developing the estate and payroll taxes. It would have cre- ence speaks volumes. In addition to his cur- ence and expertise and planning, on May 15, go-forward strategy. Starting in late winter, ated a supply chain for existing businesses rent role, he serves on the Board of Directors 2014, the project derailed. we had formally partnered with PennDOT to and attracted new business to the area. of Horizon Lines, the largest U.S. domestic In an effort to shed some light on the sub- develop a full public engagement process. The site itself was a perfect match for ocean container line, he was Chairman of ject, I sat down with Mr. Elliot and Mr. Rubin In early April, Bill Petit [PennDOT’s District freight patterns. Just not for its neighbors. the Board of Directors of the Intermodal to discuss the past, present, and still hopeful Executive] alongside myself and Katrina There are several key players involved in Association of North America, the premier future of the rail terminal project. Smith [DevelopErie Senior Vice President] this project. Some, like John Elliott, Presi- trade association of the intermodal freight Rebecca Styn: As you’re both aware, there started discussing the project – but we had dent and CEO of DevelopErie, are already industry, and prior to that, he spent 17 years was much talk about lack of community just started scratching the surface. We had a recognizable to anyone who has been fol- at Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Inc. (K Line), Ja- outreach on this project. The public per- public official briefing in mid Cont. on 21

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and bold movie history of his 15 hour doc- show continues its run which started Photo Contributed antiques and classics to muscle and sports umentary The Story of Film: An Odyssey. It June 5. cars belonging to collectors in Erie and was also an official Selection in the Cannes “A lot of people have the misconcep- beyond. The show spans from 4th to 12th Film Festival, Karlovy Vary International tion that it’s tied to that ‘70s era and that it’s ‘flower child-like,’ but the instrumentation and streets as well as Perry Square and is a free Film Festival and Toronto International characterization of our production is very modern,” says Jess Flock, who plays Mary Magda- event. Film Festival lene in the show Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice created in the early ‘70s. “It’s got a very 2 to 10 p.m. // State St. // 868.8622 6 p.m. // 20 E. Fifth St. // modern rock feel to it, much more than what a lot of people think it’s capable of having.” brownpapertickets.com In addition to Flock, Jesus Christ Superstar boasts a talented cast that includes Andrew 3rd Annual Jog ‘n Hog Dolan as Jesus, Adam Fladd as Judas Iscariot, and plenty of other notable local thespians It’s a test of physical strength ... of mental looking to add plenty of rock to a story with plenty of soul that should appeal to people who endurance ... of gastronomical fortitude. thurs 6.12 are active in the religious community as well as those who are not. It’s cross-running-meets-binge-eating: The “This show is really cool because it focuses on the humanity of Christ as opposed to the Stanganelli’s Pepperoni Ball Jog ‘n Hog. Downtown Block Party divinity,” Flock says. “If you’re coming to the audience with a very faith-heavy background, And, now in its third year, it’s becoming at Sullivan’s Pub you’ll absolutely respond to the treatment of Christ, but even if you’re coming from a secu- one of Erie’s most fun — and freakiest — It’s something we all wait for every year lar approach, his human story is so interesting.” traditions. So, if you think you can handle a — that sure sign that summer is officially Jesus Christ Superstar has been entertaining people for the past 43 years, but now it’s time four-mile, meat-and-dough-filled jog along underway. It’s Erie’s Downtown Block Party for an update of the rock opera hit where Erieites can meet the new show, which still has the Presque Isle this weekend, get yourself and we’re glad to see it. Swing by Sullivan’s heart and soul of the old one. — Alex Bieler signed up ahead of time. Or, just head out Pub on this (hopefully) lovely Thursday to 7:30 p.m. June 11-14, 19-21, 26-28 and 2 p.m. June 15, 22 // 13 W. 10 St. // erieplayhouse.org to see the all-American spectacle that is Jog listen to some classic tunes from the ‘80s ‘n Hog ... just one of the things that keep and ‘90s from local bands Money Shot summertime in Erie weird, and wonderful. and The I90s, rain or shine. Remember to inick DeCecco have all made some great 8:30 a.m. // Presque Isle arrive early if you want to procure a street music in separate bands, so it makes sense sat 6.14 Beach 1 // jognhog.com table. Proceeds benefit The A.N.N.A. Shel- that when they team up for Scarlet Ledbet- ter. ter, the results are pretty great. The string Three Mile Isle 6 p.m. // 301 French St. // eriedowntown.com band trio will team up again at the Sunset Running is as much a part of being human as sun 6.15 Grill at the Edinboro Lake Resort to show eating and breathing. The only difference is off their own twist on Americana. If you — as Brian Graham points out in his “Run- HOTBOX Open Mic Night fri 6.13 can’t catch Scarlet Ledbetter lakeside then ner’s Paradise” article last issue — running Hey, you. Yeah, you – with the musical talent. you can catch them at the King’s Rook Club is no longer a condition of survival. Now Sherlock’s is hosting HOTBOX, a night where Scarlet Ledbetter on Saturday. people run for pleasure, competition, and aspiring musicians of all kinds can take their Keith Wilson, Tanner Edwards, and Dom- 7 p.m. // 12690 Edinboro Road, exercise. For those of you who run for any guitars, their rhymes, and their flash drives

12 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 11, 2014 Contributed Photo Contributed

Eerie Roller Girls Home Opener vs. Royal City Roller Girls

ou don’t always have to deal with bad drivers out on the road to experience hell on wheels. In fact, there’s a much more enjoyable way to experience heavy traffic when Ythe Eerie Roller Girls host their Home Opener June 14. Erie’s premier roller derby squad comes back home for their third season with a match against the Royal City Roller Girls of Guelph, Ontario at the Presque Isle Skating and Event Center, featuring two teams full of tough women ready to put on a show. Roller derbies pit five roller-skating players from each team out on a flat-track rink at a time, a race of speed and physical will featuring badass ladies with names like Hemmorhoidal Rage and Master Grief. For once, heavy traffic and tough hits make for some entertaining road rage, and the Eerie Roller Girls are ready to return to Erie for a hellishly good time on wheels. — Alex Bieler 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14 // 3162 West Lake Road // eerierollergirls.com to put on a show. Special guests are always a possibility, so join some local greats and mon 6.16 enter your name in the conversation. 8 p.m. // 508 State St. // 453.7760 Great American Book Sale Who doesn’t love finding a good book to WWE Live get lost in while lounging in a hammock, A long-and-hard-fighting battle be- swinging in the summer breeze, or while tween two trios of strongmen — the soaking up rays at the beach? And if you dark-and-mysterious Shield and the back- can find a good book at a good price, even woods-creepy Wyatt Family — has been better. At the Great American Book Sale raging on in the world of WWE Wrestling. you can find gently used, donated books That’s the kind of war pro-wrestling fans along with VHS tapes and CDs. Funds can really sink their claws into, and to- raised support the Erie County Library. night, the Gem City is its chosen battle- The sale takes place at Villa Maria Center field, as WWE Live comes to Erie Insurance Gym. Arena. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. // 2551 W. 5 p.m. // 809 French St. // Tickets/info: wwe.com Eighth St. // erielibrary.org

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

June 11, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 13 Romolo Chocolates tues 6.17 Summer Music Series w/ Gloria Reuben Pride Night at Erie Seawolves NWPA Pride is having a Pride Night at the ocals can enjoy the Erie SeaWolves in Jerry Uht Park. Stop out sweet eats provided by for a family and friends night at the ball- LRomolo Chocolates all park! A portion of the ticket costs will go year round, but it has been a directly to NWPA Pride and help the group long wait for the musical treat with future events. Tickets will be $8 and that is the Summer Music Se- you must get a voucher from NWPA Pride ries hosted by the confection- prior to purchasing your ticket. ary. Thankfully, the 2014 sea- 7 p.m. // 110 E. 10th St. // son kicks off this month with [email protected] a performance from Gloria Reuben and her band. The R&B singer will play June 26-28 wed 6.18 at Romolo Chocolates’ out- door piazza Saturday, June GILBERT Sirsy 21, the first of seven special While some bands have enough members Saturdays that mark the 2014 GOTTFRIED to roster a beer-league softball team, Sirsy Summer Music Series. Reu- is an example in musical efficiency. The ben, an actress who is known two-person alt-rock act turns up the vol- from her performance on the ume for their smartly-written songs, which medical drama *ER, will be It’s Gilberts �irst time here at Jr’s! will pair quite well with the beautiful set- performing songs from her He is a true legend and we are ting at Presque Isle’s Beach One when Sirsy 10-year singing career along thrilled to have him! At the young plays as part of the UPMC Sunset Music with her five-man band, mak- age of 15, Gilbert Gottfried began Series. ing soothing sounds in a re- doing stand-up at open mike nights 7:15 p.m. // Beach One at Presque laxing setting. in New York City and after a few Isle // discoverpi.com/events/ It’s been nearly a year since upmc-sunset-music-series/ the last Romolo Chocolates short years, became known around Summer Music Series, so treat town as "The Comedian's Comedian. yourself when Gloria Reuben Aside from his glowing reputation in thurs 6.19 kicks off another great year of Photo Contributed comedy clubs, Gottfried began to music down on the piazza. gain a reputation as the king of Downtown Block Party 6 p.m. Saturday, June 21 // 1525 W. Eighth St. // romolochocolates.com quirky roles in both movies and at U Pick Tap House television. He appeared in such Craft beer, live music, and downtown Erie, movies as "Problem Child," "Prob- Pa. — all of this makes for a Thursday eve- lem Child II," "Look Who's Talking ning you should spend outdoors and on raro Gallery, ranging from metal sculptures Bay Swim VII at Presque Isle the streets of The Gem City. The M-80s are eight-feet tall to dazzling, handcrafted jew- Up to 300 swimmers are expected to make a II" and "The Adventures of Ford headlining and this evening benefits the elry. What’s more, there’ll be Russian clas- splash at Presque Isle Bay today, when they Fairlane." He was also the host of the American Red Cross, so join the rest of Erie sical guitar from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the jump in for Bay Swim VII, a one-mile swim very popular late night movie series and don’t miss out of the party-of-the-week. Frank Singer Duo from 7:30 to 9:30. Wine from Presque Isle State Park’s Beach 1 to the "USA Up All Night." After his stellar 6 to 10:30 p.m. // 333 State St. // 455.3743 from Penn Shore winery will be available Erie Yacht Club, in which they’ll be vying performance as the wise cracking for purchase and the hors d’oeuvres will be for bragging rights and benefiting local parrot, IAGO, in the Disney classic complimentary and plentiful, so don’t miss nonprofits in one stroke. Pre-registration is "Aladdin," Gottfried became one of fri 6.20 this meeting of artist, music, food, and wine required for those who want to jump in, and the most recognizable voiceover on a Friday night. spectators are welcome. talents, lending his voice to several Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle 5:30 p.m. // 135 W. 14th St. // 455.6240 9 a.m. // Presque Isle State Park, Oasis is set to turn into a blues-rock ball- Beach 1 // discoverpi.com commercials, cartoons and movies, room when Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle including the frustrated duck in the comes to the West Lake Road establish- sat 6.21 AFLAC Insurance commercials. As a ment. Yarosz brings his Hammond B3 or- sun 6.22 famed comics comic, Gottfried puts gan and trusty harmonica to the stage for Zack Orr aside political correctness for his a rocking night as the rest of the Vehicle Zack Orr is a talented guy. So talented, that Erie Cemetery Tours live performance and �ires an drives the jam along. All you need need to it’d be a shame if he were limited to just one Find out everything you’ve ever wanted onslaught of jokes that know no do is come along for the ride. set. Luckily, he’ll be performing solo elec- to know about the lives (and afterlives) boundaries. Come see what he has 6 p.m. // 3122 West Lake Road // 833.1212 tric and DJ sets at the King’s Rook Club this of some former, and now-long-deceased, in store. Saturday, a great opportunity for you to get residents of Erie’s famous West 6th Street THURSDAY: The Vigil, Basket Eddy, even more Orr. neighborhood during today’s Erie Cemetery $15 per ticket and Justin Moyar 9 p.m. // 1921 Peach St. // facebook. Tours. Today’s two tours are part of a series As you are ready to get away from the hectic com/kingsrookclub being presented by local genealogist Caro- 6:30 pm work week, a trio of bands are gearing up line Reichel, who’s rich in knowledge about FRIDAY & SATURDAY: to unplug and entertain this Friday night Romolo Chocolates Erie County’s colorful history. It costs $10 at the Erie Ale House. Local acts The Vigil, Summer Music Series for adults, and $8 for kids 12 and under. $20 per ticket Basket Eddy, and Justin Moyar are all set to Gather in the piazza of this confectionary 11 a.m.; 2 p.m. // 2116 Chestnut St. // 864.4423 6:30 & 9:30 play for Erie Ale House Acoustics, provid- delight to experience this delectable kickoff ing plenty of top tunes as you settle in for of the summer. The first showcase will fea- Biggest Loser Run/Walk the night. ture actress and R&B singer Gloria Reuben Half Marathon/5k 8 p.m. // 1033 State St. // 454.4500 alongside her five piece band including Jay Returning to Erie once again due to the For reservations: 1402 State St. & Marty Ashby, Tom Wendt, Tony DePaolis success of last year’s inaugural race! So suc- “What’s Her Name?” and Shay Pierre. The event is free and open cessful in fact, that the race sold out and due 814-461-0911 or Erie, PA Ukraine-native and Erie-resident Artist to the public. to the overwhelming response, the event is jrslastlaugh.com Lena Logvina will debut new works at Ur- 6 p.m. // 1525 W. Eighth St. //452.1933 being moved to the campus of Penn State 14 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 11, 2014 Iggy’s Last Show w/ AWAR, Dos Noun, and Mic Excel

ason Imig has been a big member of the JErie hip-hop scene, booking plenty of prime talent for this city. Sad- ly, the man many know as “Iggy” will be leaving the Flagship City for the West Coast – but not without a proper good- bye celebration first. PACA will host Iggy’s last show, featuring New York’s AWAR and Pittsburgh’s Dos Noun, along with several oth- er out-of-state and lo- cal MCs ready to honor Iggy and entertain the crowd. As for the mu- sical talent, Iggy is a big fan of the lineup assem- bled for the Saturday night shindig. AWAR - Contributed Photo - Contributed AWAR “AWAR is definitely heavily East Coast-in fluenced hip-hop, a lot of the more classic sound,” Iggy says over the phone. “As for Dos Noun, I cannot put into words enough what an awesome freestyle MC he is. When he performed with his buddy BZE as Timecapsoul, they freestyled at least half of their set and you would not have known it.” The show will cap off a day that includes a graffiti jam at the Raven building on Peach Street, an event that Iggy describes as a “mini Bencher’s Union,” referencing the all-day artist extravaganza he’s helped run in past years. Iggy has been a big contributor to the art and music scene in this city. Now we can offer a fond farewell to a good man and celebrate the hip-hop movement he supported at the same time. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14 // 1505 State St. // paca1505.com

Behrend so that more runners and walkers ed a change of venue. And onward go the Erie’s 1st Vapor Store & Lounge may participate. Both a 5k and half mara- shows, as BT welcomes War of Ages to the thon will be offered in a non-intimidating stage. The local band was a favorite back environment, with longer course time lim- in the days of Forward Hall on Peach Street Stop Smoking & its to allow runners and walkers to complete and the Hangout in Edinboro, so don’t miss the race at their own pace. what’s sure to be a kick-ass show on their Start Vaping 7 a.m. // 4701 College Drive // ChristinaM@ home turf before they embark on an inter- biggestloserrunwalk.com national tour. As always, shows are open to HUGE SELECTION OF MODS & DRIPPERS! all ages. 814.403.0336 Now open 7 days a week The Fantastic Foray of the 7 p.m. // 145 W. 11th St. // 2414 Peach St hippieandthehound.com Frolf Frolic at Frontier basementtransmissions.com It’s simple: Take the game of golf and add a Frisbee, and there you have it — Frolf. This round of Frolf benefits the Lake Erie Arbore- tues 6.24 tum at Frontier, so it’s $20 per person or $45 for a tree-o (eh-oh!), which includes beer Between the States: and wings afterwards. So yeah, just so we’re Photographs of the Civil clear here, that’s: Frisbee, golf, beer, wings, War at Mercyhurst and a good cause — doesn’t get much better In commemoration of the 150th anniversary than that. of the Civil War, the Cummings Art Gallery 1 p.m. // Eighth Street and Seminole Drive at Mercyhurst presents photographs of the // http://www.leaferie.org/events/ War Between the States, from historical war sites to the haunting events that resulted by photographers such as George Barnard, mon 6.23 Matthew Brady and Alexander Gardner. Come take a walk through history of the War of Ages at Basement war that “divided a country and created a Transmissions nation.” Basement Transmissions is on the rise, their 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. // 501 E. 38th St. popularity growing so much it warrant- // miac.mercyhurst.edu June 11, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 15 Erie CountyMusic Reviews 2nd Annual onewayness + dRachEmUsiK Fabulous Golf Outing immeasurable Friday, June 27, 2014 self-released Venango Valley Inn & Country Club Registration at 12 p.m. Shotgun start at 1 p.m. hen you spin a 46-minute, four-song album with tracks named “Loving Kindness,” “Com- Wpassion,” “Joy,” and “Equanimity,” you're bound to make certain assumptions as to the sub- the $125/golfer, $500/foursome stance and style of the thing; when that album has been summoned into existence from the milky ether by local electro-ambient artist onewayness (Adam Holquist) and his frequent collaborator boas For more information, visit dRachEmUsiK (Indianapolis-based Charles Shriner), your assumptions will be both rewarded and are back in town! NAMIerie.org/fabulous rejected. Dreamy but not dreary, sparse but not slight, and intense but not overwhelming, im- measurable is a deeply textured sonic landscape that – much like the aforementioned concepts of peace and positivity – reveals deeper layers each time you revisit the wispy, watery reverber- ations contained therein. Think Pink Floyd's Ummagumma without the LSD-induced mania, or The Orb without the driving house music beats. One of the best local albums released so far this year, immeasurable measures up, measure for measure. - Cory Vaillancourt

Jack White Lazaretto Third Man Records/Columbia

f 2012’s Blunderbuss offered us insight to the post-divorce, tormented, jaded lover, Lazaret- Ito seems – lyrically – chiefly concerned with isolation, identity, and vision. “I fantasize about the hospital – the army, the asylum, confinement, in prison,” raps Jack White on “That Black Bat Licorice,” “Any place where there’s a time to clear my vision.” From phoenix references in title track “Lazaretto” – a funky blues-rocks meets Rages Against The Machine infectious gutpunch of sound – to the split-engineering on “We Are Going to Friends”-esque “Want and Able,” sepa- rating piano and baritone vocals to be piped in through the left channel and the guitar and tenor vocals on the right – White is his most adventurous yet. From folk-noir “I Think I Found the Culprit” to barrel-piano-tinged “Alone In My Home,” to the twang-soaked “Entitlement,” White leaves few territories unexplored, creating a sonic tidalwave, that upon first listen, engulfs listeners but leaves them refreshed by the seventh. – Ben Speggen

Owen Pallett In Conflict Domino

wen Pallett’s last album may have been released back in 2010, but the Canadian musician Ocertainly hasn’t been resting on his laurels. In the years since his concept album about a self- aware character in a made-up 14th century country, Pallett has kept busy arranging strings for Arcade Fire, contributing to the likes of The National and Taylor Swift, and earning an Oscar nom- Thu. Jun. 11 Freaks on a Leash / Octane ination for the soundtrack of Her. Fortunately, his return to his solo career results in the excellent In Conflict. The album may abandon many of the fantastical elements of past albums, eschewing sci-fi and adventurous themes for personal first-person takes, but the results are surely fantas- tic, from the pained cry of “I’ll never have any children” on opener “I Am Not Afraid” to the final Fri. Jun. 13 Jessie & The Greyhounds string plucks of “—-> (2)”. It doesn’t take long to get sucked in by the swells of strings and pulsing tones of In Conflict, and it continues to reward upon repeated listens. – Alex Bieler Waiting for Never / Impending Sat. Jun. 14 Parquet Courts Lies / I-Scream Sunbathing Animal What’s Your Rupture? Thu. Jun. 19 Court of Mayhem

ust a year ago, Andrew Savage and his Parquet Courts cohorts found their way to the top of Fri. Jun. 20 Hammerd Jthe slack-rock world with the fast-paced Light Up Gold, 15 songs that lasted a punchy, and extremely enjoyable, 33 minutes. Appropriately, the band didn’t wait very long to start working on their follow up effort, resulting in Sunbathing Animal, an album that finds the Brooklyn band more focused than before, but without sacrificing the ramshackle feel that drew in listeners from Sat. Jun. 21 I-90s (The Ultimate 90s Tribute) before. “Bodies Made Of” and “Black and White” start the album off with a bang, each song con- taining enough ferocity to keep the songs from unraveling, a musical roller coaster ride where you don’t quite know where Sunbathing Animal will turn next. Sometimes those swerves end up in some less pleasant sonic territory, like the last half of “She’s Rolling,” but the adventure is a fun 508 State Street 18-20 North Park Row 814-453-7760 enough ride to make up for the bumps in the road. – Alex Bieler 16 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 11, 2014 Lavender Country Reissue An Interview with Patrick Haggerty

By: Dan Schank

avender Country's self-titled album from 1973 is believed to be the first L country record to openly explore themes of homosexuality. And frontman Patrick Haggerty wasn't delicate about the subject, either. The record's blunt, R-rated lyrics confront homophobia directly, re- sponding with exasperation, humor, and melancholy to an intolerant era. When I asked about the origins of the album, Hag- gerty’s response was surprising. “The early part of the Lesbian and Gay movement was all about public education,” according to the singer, who lives in west- ern Washington state with his husband of

28 years. “I know that sounds boring, but it Photo Contributed Preview Party & Summer Sale! really was! It was very exciting and a funda- -Get a Sneak Peak at What’s New- mental, necessary step – you had to tell peo- Patrick Haggerty, the frontman for Lavender Country, running for Washington Saturday, June 21 ple who you were and what you were about. State Senate with Nation of Islam runningmates 1988. FREE GIVEAWAYS! And nobody had any information. We didn't NEW Loyalty Program have any information... We were making Though Lavender Country's music was tory by Haggerty, which carefully details the our own valid information.” often confrontational, the appeal of the album's eccentric history. New Hours Starting in June Recently, the North Carolina-based indie record isn't limited to political agitation. As you might imagine, the audience for M, T, W, F, Sa: 10-5 label Paradise of Bachelors reissued the With its laid-back style and careful piano a gay country record was pretty limited Th: 10-8 record, and it’s finding a much broader au- arrangements, it shares many similarities in the wake of Richard Nixon's landslide dience than the one that greeted it in the with other “outlaw country” favorites of re-election. Haggerty laughs as he recalls early seventies, but the idea for the album the seventies, such as Townes Van Zandt or the dismissive responses: “You're either gay began with “Back in the Closet Again,” the The Flatlanders. Speaking of the latter, Hag- or country; you can't be gay country. Even band's subversive update on the Gene Autry gerty's voice calls to mind a gentler, more ec- though a ton of sissies came from Nebraska cowboy classic. It's a strangely multifaceted centric Jimmie Dale Gilmore, adding sweet- and Idaho and all over the place. Of course song. When Haggerty exclaims, “Whoopee ness and vulnerability to his punchy tales of there's gay country. Duh... We came from ti yi yea/It’s sure a bummer being Gay,” one sexual alienation. There's plenty of dark hu- everywhere!” Fortunately attitudes are be- might be tempted to dismiss it as an ironic mor throughout the album, but there's also ginning to change, and the songwriter is novelty. But the song's celebratory piano sadness, warmth, a touch of psychedelia, impressed with the diverse, enthusiastic and fiddle arrangements transform it into and a remarkable sense of urgency. response to the reissue: “There's been a par- something more substantial and emotion- Haggerty is particularly proud of the com- adigm shift in who's interested in Lavender al. Haggerty wrote it in response to the in- munal aspects of the record's production: Country. They don't care that it's country. tolerance he encountered as an activist: “[It] “The joy that you find in the Lavender Coun- They think that's interesting, kinky and was about the struggle to be admitted into try music was the joy that we were having in kicky... The line has moved. Any half-baked the anti-war movement – the left, progres- the Lesbian and Gay Liberation movement. ignoramus who aspires to not be a bigot sive, socialist movement. Because at the We were having fun... It's a true community would like Lavender Country. That's what time, they had to re-organize their thinking piece, produced by the community... sold by happened.” too. We had to fight our way into the anti- the community to the community, raised IS TODAY war movement and the various movements from the community, very much so. I could Dan Schank can be Dan Schank can that were happening at the time. And we never have made Lavender Country on my be contacted at DSchank@ THE DAY weren't necessarily accepted into any of own. And that's a really cool aspect to the ErieReader.com. To follow this YOU IGNITE them, though the women's movement was, vintage of the album now.” In this spirit, the story or comment, scan the QR code YOUR FUTURE? of course, always a friend.” reissue includes a long, fascinating oral his- or visit http://erirdr.com/hr2xq If you have the spark, we have the programs to guide you toward a rewarding career. FORTIS offers programs in the following areas: G’S ROOK KIN Nursing • Medical/Dental KINGCLUB’S ROOK Information Technology FREE! Business • Skilled Trades Cosmetology

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18 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 11, 2014 Geeked Out The next level of next-gen games is finally here.

By: John Lindvay

t’s time to talk videogames – next gen- Transistor is a game about a eration videogames, that is. woman named Red. As the cur- How many of you hopped on the tains draw, we see Red mourn- ‘next gen’ console wagon like me? We ing over her deceased lover as Iall can agree that grabbing a new gaming the Transistor, a giant translu- console at launch is always a risky prop- cent blade shaped like a circuit osition. Sure, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox board, juts out of his abdomen. One have a suite of features that we all The Transistor communicates can drool about, but what about the actual to the player, “Hey Red, we’re games? not going to get away with this Recently, a nice set of new game releases are we…” It then orders you to has helped usher in this next generation of retrieve the sword and you and gaming we’ve all been promised. Games it/he are on your way. like Infamous: Second Son and Titanfall But what is the Transistor? have shown us the next step of next gen. This question is never truly an- Photo Contributed Unfortunately, the latest “next gen re- swered. It’s obvious that it’s a lease,” WATCH_DOGS, seems like a step weapon of immense power. It is also sen- ing. It helps us as players understand the Supergiant’s Transistor is the game back. Heck, even Nintendo, who seemed tient. It seems to have captured the soul of world at large in a seamless and engaging you’ve been waiting for. down and out of this next gen race, is back your deceased lover and now he uses it as a way. in fighting action with its latest stellar re- conduit to Red, a.k.a. you the player. The first discovery we find is that Red ing us to take a Turn() again. It’s a smart lease of Mario Kart 8. A signature of Supergiant’s body of work has lost her voice and a mysterious Illu- hybrid of traditional button mashing and But I want to talk about an awesome is the steady stream of narration that oc- minati-esque group called the Camerata thoughtful tactical planning. game that few of you may know about that curs. The Transistor is not only the key has taken it. We also learn that they were As the game progresses and the story un- was also recently released on PS4 and PC: source of conflict in the game, it is also the cause of the Transistor killing our un- folds, we unlock new skills to play with. Supergiant Game’s Transistor. I’m a sucker the device used to expose the story to the named lover. The Transistor urges us to Further along in the game, we get the abil- for indie games, and Transistor is one of the player. It is all delivered as if a close friend flee, but Red has one thing on her mind – ity to augment moves with other moves. reasons I purchased my PS4, not WATCH_ was trapped inside and is now guiding us and that is vengeance, which is when and As an example, we get an attack that DOGS. through the hazards the game is present- where the game really becomes exciting. shoots out a piercing projectile that will Narratively, the game is superb. go through walls and multiple enemies. Bits of information and facts of We then can combine that to another skill the world trickle in as we piece that normally shoots out a cluster of explo- together where we are, who we sives; the result is a piercing projectile that are, and why all this is happen- splits in three directions. The reason this is ing. It is not like the average worth mentioning is that it allows for play- game where cut scenes dominate ers to find their own style of play. and we are beaten over the head In other words: Do you like to charm en- with whatever nonsense mili- emies and sneak around looking for back- tary jingoistic teenager plot the stabs? Yep, there’s a skillset for that. writers dreamed up in fervor. In- It is difficult to talk about Transistor with- stead, voiceover contextual nar- out talking about Supergiant’s first game ration occurs to help fill in some Bastion. Bastion also had the similar trap- of the gaps. pings of an omnipresent narrator akin to But like all good fiction, we the the Transistor and it also had a striking viewer are expected to invest visual style. Bastion was a successful de- and help flesh it all out. Things but game for a small, indie studio because are left purposefully ambiguous, it felt fresh while building off of what was which allows us to interpret what already familiar. That’s what I would say is we experience. the Supergiant signature, there is always But narrative isn’t enough for a this feeling of familiarity. Both Bastion great game, is it? Transistor in ac- and Transistor feel like a well-worn pair of tion is just as smart. What starts shoes in which you just feel like you know off to be a seemingly simple run what to do before you are prompted to do around and mash your attack so – even if you’re taking steps in direc- on enemies as they crop up ul- tions you thought you’d never go. timately turns into something So I strongly recommend you check out much more thoughtful. Players Transistor, which is currently available on can institute what the game calls PlayStation 4 and PC. The soundtrack also a Turn(). During this action, time KILLS and I haven’t been able to stop lis- dilates and the player can queue tening to it. up a series of actions. We are now tasked to think tactically John Linvday can be contacted at and all of our actions now carry [email protected], and you more weight, because after the can follow him on Twitter @ command is issued, we are left FightStrife. To follow this story vulnerable as we eagerly await or comment, scan the QR code the Transistor to recharge allow- or visit http://erirdr.com/cqyzr June 11, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 19 Upfront Another Brick from the Wall

By: Cory Vaillancourt few weeks ago, using my Span- ish skills and my dollar bills, I was able to walk away with an armload of bricks from the Janes AMansion, which is now consigned but to ADVERTISE memory and dusty dog-eared photographs. Each of those bricks has at least one side WITH slathered in that ghastly blue – ghastly, but iconic nonetheless. Long story short, I've only got one left, but those bricks are all that US really remain of the place, as far as I know. One thing I do know is that I'm no more an architect or lawyer than I am urban plan- ner or economist. I'm not qualified to speak TAKE THE NEXT STEP FOR YOUR BUSINESS! much about the building's significant style, or the legality of the quickie demolition, or the zoning restrictions, or the financial impact of the undignified parking lots that will soon take the place she held for a hun- dred-something years.

I'm not qualified to speak on those things, Photo Contributed but I am a human being who is alive in the built environment, and I can't stand by and structures over the past 59 years. Leaving just a memory, this brick is a watch Erie continue to commit aesthetic sui- Obviously, most of that was done before snapshot in Erie’s album of history. cide any more. things like Facebook and Kickstarter. AD DESIGN AVAILABLE For far too long, we've relied on the intel- The effect these seven women had on Sa- Contact [email protected] ligence and foresight of legislators and the vannah has been noticeable in more ways goodwill and charity of capitalists to pre- than one; what started as a desire simply to Yes. We'd have an absolute treasure with serve the historic legacy of Erie; and now preserve the history and beauty of the built three levels of wood flooring and plastered we have parking lots. Lots and lots of lots. environment inadvertently led to it becom- corners and our own gas well in a neighbor- We might as well start a nonprofit called ing a routine winner of "America's Most hood that needs all the help it can get. And GRAPHIC DESIGN "PaveErie" and just get it over with already, Beautiful City" polls and a major tourist des- we'd clean it up and rent it out as office space, I N T E R N S H I P because no one can take my brick back and tination. or performance space, or whatever space, rebuild. Destinations = dollars, people. Lots and lots and we'd fix it up and once it took root, we'd DO YOU HAVE A PASSION Taman Shud. It is done. of lots do not. sell it to someone who'd continue to devote We – me and people like me, who aren't Granted, these seven women were women the loving care to it that we had, and then FOR KERNING & TRAC KING, necessarily preservationists but are human of means, and splitting a $150,000 building we'd use the money to do the same thing. beings alive in the built environment – need Again, and again, and onward ad infinitum. AND NEED EXPERIENCE to do something to stop this from happening For far too long, we’ve Sorry, that was my John Steinbeck "Tell me TO BEEF UP YOUR RESUME? again. Because doing nothing hasn't worked relied on the intelligence about the rabbits, George" moment. I don't so far. know if that particular building has a date And since legislating away the private and foresight of legislators for the demolition ball, but as you can see, REQUIREMENTS property rights of landowners is as ludicrous I'm excited about the creation of an HSF- Must have great layout skills. and the goodwill and Must be knowledgeable in as asking them to conform to our aesthetic style revolving fund in Erie, because that Adobe CS. — out of their own pockets, mind you — charity of capitalists to bulding just might have to go to that dance Must be in a college-accredited the only option left is to get some skin in the alone. And if it doesn't, another historic graphic design. preserve the historic legacy Must be available at least game. building surely will. 2 days a week. The Historic Savannah Foundation was of Erie; and now we have We live in a city that has one of the most Must have a laptop with Adobe founded in Savannah, Ga. by seven little vibrant nonprofit communities in the en- Suite and be able to work ol' southern belles in 1955 after a string of parking lots. tire Commonwealth; Erie is one of the most remotely if needed. Must be able to work on historically and architecturally significant charitable and giving communities I have quick deadlines. buildings suddenly became parking lots. between six other people is out of reach for ever been a part of, which is what allows Sound familiar? most of us. But not all of us. those nonprofits to exist. With Erie's non- PERKS Spurred into action by the impending dem- As I alluded to before, there's this thing profit know-how and the generosity of peo- Earn money. Gain college credits. olition of the Isaiah Davenport House (built called the Internet, and crowdfunding is but ple whose causes range from kitty-cats to Develop your creativity while around 1820) these pioneering women did one avenue available today that was not in cancer cures, is there anyone in this commu- you quickly build your the only thing they could do – they bought 1955. And while I couldn't possibly think of nity willing to step up and make this happen. professional portfolio. the place. donating $21,248.57 (one-seventh the cost If so, let me know. I'll give them my brick so Professional experience. Networking. Since that time, what came to be known of that metaphorical $150,000 building) to they can start building. as the Historic Savannah Foundation has a nonprofit, I could donate $214.28 (one sev- SEND PORTFOLIO & RESUME gone from putting out fires to preventing en-hundredth the cost of that building) to Cory Vaillancourt is a brilliant writer/ to Brian Graham them altogether. They've grown into a ro- save something as historic and important complete hack and can be complimented/ [email protected] bust, award-winning, nationally-known lo- as the Erie Estate Buyers building on Parade heckled at cVaillancourt@ cal preservation nonprofit organization that Street. And if just 699 people felt likewise, ErieReader.com. To follow this story has raised millions upon millions of dol- well, then we'd have something, wouldn't or comment, scan the QR code or lars and saved more than 350 irreplaceable we? visit http://erirdr.com/hce6d 20 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 11, 2014 Contributed Photos Contributed

to late march – and invited the there was plenty of existing capacity to han- Cont. from 11 The proposed Rail Terminal neighboring townships, county executive dle the volume. We were looking into ways and others – and then had a public forum in to deal with the different traffic patterns and Project came to a screeching halt early April to appeal to nearly 500 citizens. trying to cover them all. There were solu- May 15. We really considered ourselves at the begin- tions to these concerns. ning stages of the public engagement pro- RS: As I understand, the criteria for this cess. But it was early on that the process got project location were specific. Were there really heated – before our studies were con- any other location options, and why did you cluded, we didn’t anticipate such a reaction. ultimately choose that site? We really didn’t have the opportunity to have JE: DevelopErie had started looking at sites them can proceed without the others. a full discussion of what the real impacts years ago. There were five sites we conducted There are still opportunities here and were and the extent of the studies and how analysis on – and ultimately two sites we did we will pursue them. their issues could be mitigated. We learned preliminary designs for – the International SR: There really is a lot of support a lesson – going forward we’ll go about it in a Paper site in the city and Harborcreek. As we for a rail facility in Erie County. We’re were working with the railroad and operat- continuing our efforts to pursue it. ing partners, we identified really unique at- The rail terminal is just the start for “It’s a high hurdle tributes that a good site required. We didn’t economic benefits for the greater Erie that needs to be want a residential district – we didn’t want economy as a whole. Our private in- to require relocation of farms, homes, and vestors still want to see the project go cleared in order to businesses and didn’t want to have to use forward. There’s a broad consensus build and operate a eminent domain – so we ultimately needed from both the public and private side sound financial and to be able to purchase any land that would that the terminal would provide Erie be used. with substantial benefits – but it also has to tap into new markets they haven’t thought operational business One of the unique attributes of the Harbor- meet the physical, operational, and finan- of before. In addition, the federal govern- – and to justify creek site was that it had existing rail siding cial requirements to successfully operate a ment has implemented tougher regulations that would save several millions in construc- private terminal that will provide sufficient on the trucking industry. Freight costs will the investments. tion costs. This was a very difficult puzzle to returns to investors. We are currently work- increase making Erie businesses less com- Intermodal, as an put together with all of these site character- ing on a whole new approach that will be petitive – as truck pricing is actually grow- industry, is not well istics and the site had to fit the local zoning presented to DevelopErie board and public ing faster than inflation this year. Which and land use plan. Naturally, we wanted to partners over the next several weeks. also explains why the intermodal industry understood. That site be close to the businesses that would use the JE: We’re an investor in the project and it has grown faster than inflation in the last was a perfect fit.” terminal. The further away we are, the less has always been our intent to transition to ten years. The railroads are having a great attractive it was going to be to those busi- a minority role. We’ll continue to support year. When companies are looking for loca- nesses as an economic opportunity. It was the rail terminal plans to move forward. We tions to grow, they’re looking at factors like very different matter and engage them earli- our goal to avoid unnecessary expenses, as it have several other projects going on as well energy costs and labor costs and so many are er in the design. was a private investment driven project. that continue to move forward. looking at logistics. This would make us a RS: As time went on, what were the major SR: It’s a high hurdle that needs to be RS: Keeping with this line of thinking, if more attractive place to grow business. We concerns of the citizens and how were they cleared in order to build and operate a sound this project does move forward in another need our community as a partner. It’s going addressed? financial and operational business – and to capacity, what do you see as the short- and to require a lot of effort, and the public all JE: What we heard repeatedly were the justify the investments. Intermodal, as an long-term benefits to the region? working together, if this is going to succeed. number of additional trucks along Buffalo industry, is not well understood. That site JE: The most obvious is the cost savings I think it does have a chance at new life here Road and the impact of the retail business- was a perfect fit. to current businesses – shipping products and it’s a project worth doing. We have a es of that stretch. We heard from township RS: Has this decision had an affect on the in and out of Erie. Between Erie and L.A., natural harbor which grew around our rail- supervisors that the additional traffic may Inland Port Initiative overall? businesses can save $200 to $2,000 per ship- roads - it’s part of our history and potentially hinder the growth of the retail sector. Resi- JE: The Inland Port Initiative is still going ment by changing modes of transportation a great part of our future. dents were concerned with Depot Road and forward. The Initiative includes multiple from truck service to rail service. Overall, the the schools located along it. From the begin- projects at multiple sites. The Rail Terminal project improves their national and global Rebecca Styn can be contacted at rStyn@ ning, PennDOT took responsibility to fix the was a large and very important part of the competitiveness. Intermodal provides new ErieReader.com, and you can follow width and grade of the road – regardless of project – and the Initiative is now smaller opportunities for those shipping in bulk – it her on Twitter @rStyn. . To the Rail Terminal development. They were without it. However, we have always been will allow for the possibility of taking some follow this story or comment, going to address the Depot Road issues that intentional about keeping these projects of that bulk product and moving it by rail, scan the QR code or visit the public identified. They also believed that moving independently and that any one of overall providing even more cost savings to http://erirdr.com/evlqm June 11, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 21 coach Pete Flinn ended up as an ultra-suc- cessful cage boss at McDowell. ER Sports 8. 1991 STRONG VINCENT football team – The SV gridders lost one game and captured a state championship. The Shaming of Erie School District These are just a small taste of the great per- formers and teams. Where would you go to By: James R. LeCorchick find the rest of them? It would be nice to drive by our City schools Geez, I wonder why he ended up the head and see some kind of recognition of their football coach at McDowell. great athletes and teams outside the school. A LITTLE INFO FOR THE I wonder if there is even anything inside re- membering each school's finest. ERIE SCHOOL DISTRICT: Again, the blame can't go to the current 1. ART BAKER (Academy) – If he had Erie School Board or the current adminis- accomplished this in Canton or Massillon, tration, but they haven't helped either. these towns would have a statue of him As former Superintendent Jim Barker used somewhere and a school named after him. to say when I called him, "That's a great Last time Art was in Erie, he was an assis- idea." Little did I know, he must've been tant football coach at Cathedral Prep. laughing himself sick after the phone call Should the current students know these ended. facts? I have three words for past and current Baker was the second African-American School Board members and past and cur- to win a PA state title in wrestling and the rent administrations – (1) SHAME) (2) ON second to do it in the NCAA while at Syra- (3) YOU! cuse, as a matter of fact winning two state crowns at 165 (1956) and 185 (1957). He also FAN MAIL! started for the Orange national champion- ship football squad in 1959, playing next to wo weeks ago I was coaching at the Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis, the TPIAA State Championships for Track/ Contributed Photo Contributed first African-American winner of that pres- Field in Shippensburg, Pa. As my female tigious award. athlete approached the starting line, I could 'm not sure why, but I really do care – a FORMER ACADEMY star Art baker Baker played two years with the Buffalo not help thinking: "How many of these ath- lot. rushes for yardage against Texas in Bills in the AFL, four in the CFL, and was letes made it to this level by training on a 6 Other than kindergarten, I never at- the 1960 Cotton Bowl, the ex-Lion also the number-one choice of the Philadel- inch wide dirt track?" tended a public school, but I have al- helping Syracuse University to the phia Eagles in the 1960 NFL draft. My guess was ZERO. Iways rooted for their teams – of course National Championship. 2. CRAIG and R.J. Costello (Tech) – Dy- During practice, my track team looks more the exception being when they played my namic brother combination for the Cen- like a rugby team, covered head to toe in alma mater. I have no apologies for that, the legends of yesteryear as we look to in- taurs, starring in football as well as I know I have been more than fair to the spire them and show them what's possible as capturing state wrestling ti- teams and athletes over the years. today. tles. This is why I have no qualms about writing I keep hearing about lack of funds every 3. BILLY and BOBBY BRA- this article; being a fan is as good as being year and how we need more money for the BENDER (Strong Vincent) – The an alumnus, and I am no Johnny-come-late- "kids." Well, I have a bulletin: It doesn't first brothers to win state cham- ly when it comes to rooting for the Erie pub- take much to remind the students of today pionships in wrestling, the fiery lic school teams. This was almost a rant, about history. Where would you go in the twins were also great coaches in but I actually waited a couple days to calm Erie School District to find about our great the Erie School District, Bobby at down before putting this on paper – or in athletes and teams from the past? SV and Billy at East. the computer. It is a disgrace to go past our high schools 4. WOODY THOMPSON I have been covering Erie sports for nearly and not see signage reminding everyone of (East) – A football, wrestling, and 40 years, and I have been extremely consis- individual state champions and that team track star for the Warriors, the tent in my opinion of the support – or lack that "won it all." I'm sure with all the tal- powerful Thompson starred in

of support – by the Erie School District (Erie ented young people we have in the District, college at the University of Mi- Photo Contributed School Board) for its teams, coaches, and this would be easy to get done and cost very ami (FL) and played in the NFL athletes. As a matter of fact, at times it has little money. with the Atlanta Falcons and Where’s the Track? -- This is the almost been unethical as well as extremely I am going to give some samples of some Cleveland Browns. track (that 6-inch piece of dirt) that frustrating. of those greats from the past, and I wonder 5. (Strong Vincent) – TOM LAWLESS the Strong Vincent team practices on. First, each school not having its own Hall if any of the students today have any idea Lawless was a baseball and wrestling star of Fame is beyond obscene; addressing about them. But it's not their fault. for the Colonels and an outstanding base- this should've been done years ago – many, What’s more, I wonder how many School ball player at Penn State Behrend. He was mud. many years ago. As in at least 50 years ago. Board members can tell me who these peo- best remembered for hitting a game-win- I think it is very sad that a school district And if the schools didn't have enough ple are? ning home run in the 1987 World Series for our size does not have a track at all. North- gumption to do it themselves, then Erie It seems to be a lot easier to whine about the St. Louis Cardinals. east, Fairview, Harbor Creek, and Fort LeB- School District should have a Hall of Fame lack of money instead of doing something 6. ESSIE HOLLIS (Strong Vincent) – One oeuf all have beautiful tracks. – Geoff Filutze for all the schools, but this would've taken inexpensive to inspire our youngsters. It's a of the most popular athletes in Erie history, some work. Heaven forbid! lot easier waiting for a handout than it is to "Easy Essie" was a high school All-American [Editor’s note: Geoff Filutze is the The worst part of all of this is that it's do some research. basketball player at SV, led St. Bonaventure highly-respected track and field way, way too late to honor our past greats, Also, I could write for days about the lack to an NIT title, and played in the NBA with coach at Strong Vincent.] as that horse has left the barn. Keeping in of facilities for the Erie kids. How about this the Detroit Pistons. mind, though, that this is something that one tidbit to showcase that setting? He also played in Spain where he achieved James R. LeCorchick can be contacted at should've been done a long time ago, it's When Jon Cacchione coached baseball Michael Jordan-type status with the fans. [email protected], and you impossible to blame the past few school at Strong Vincent for three very successful can follow him on Twitter @ boards and the past few administrations. years, his practice fields were the softball 7. 1985 STRONG VINCENT basketball JRLSports. To follow this story However, something should be done cur- field at Grover Cleveland and the football team – The Colonels lost one game that or comment, scan the QR code rently to remind our young people about field at SV. season and romped to a PIAA state title. SV or visit http://erirdr.com/as2s5 22 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 11, 2014 June 11, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 23