IS TODAY THE DAY YOU IGNITE YOUR FUTURE? If you have the spark, we have the programs to guide you toward a rewarding career. FORTIS offers programs in the following areas: Nursing • Medical/Dental • Business Criminal Justice • Skilled Trades CALL 1.855.445.3276 TEXT “IGNITE” TO 367847 FORTIS.EDU IGNITE YOUR FUTURE FORTIS INSTITUTE 5757 WEST 26TH STREET, ERIE, PA 16506 Financial Aid Available for those who qualify. Career Placement Assistance for All Graduates. For consumer information, visit Fortis.edu. GENERIC_Erie_10.5x12.25.indd 1 7/7/17 11:20 AM CONTENTS: From The Editors The only local voice for news, arts, and culture. Curbing cabin fever Editors-in-Chief: February 14, 2018 to the extreme Brian Graham & Adam Welsh Managing Editor: here does adrenaline come from? Nick Warren Shifting Focus – 4 Physiologists might point to the adrenal Copy Editor: glands directly above the kidneys or the Matt Swanseger Body cameras and community policing W neurons of the sympathetic nervous system, which Contributing Editors: emerge as priorities for Erie in 2018 Ben Speggen governs the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. The ma- Jim Wertz jority of us, however, would point to a wildly diverse IS TODAY Contributors: range of external stimuli — the things that drive us, Maitham Basha-Agha excite us, or perhaps even flat-out scare us. These Mary Birdsong Solutions Journalism – 7 Charles Brown things are not found within an anatomy textbook, Jonathan Burdick A conversation with Wendell Potter, founder of but within the binding of experience. The things that Tracy Geibel Lisa Gensheimer Tarbell.org quicken our pulse are often not merely cheap thrills; Angie Jeffery they are markers of our identity. When adrenaline is Miriam Lamey heightened, so is our sense of self. THE DAY Tommy Link Aaron Mook Slavery and Abolition in Erie County – 8 Since most of us don’t come across marauding bears Dan Schank or man-eating sharks during our daily routines (may- Tommy Shannon Ryan Smith Complicated past echoed in complicated be former classmates or coworkers we’re dead-set on Jen Sorenson present avoiding — which may be worse), many of us rely on Ti Sumner YOU IGNITE Cara Suppa sport for an epinephrine boost. Whether you’re a par- Bryan Toy ticipant or a spectator, sports may not only captivate Cover Photo individuals, but also enthrall entire nations. The Win- Mary Birdsong Running Fast on Hard Water – 12 Cover Design ter Olympics currently transpiring in Pyeongchang Nick Warren Icy dream comes true on Presque Isle Bay are the perfect distillation of this phenomenon — YOUR FUTURE? Photographers: athletes competing against not only their own fears Maitham Basha-Agha Ryan Smith and expectations, but those of their countries. It’s an Publisher’s Assistant: Erie Extreme – 15 adrenal avalanche; awareness elevated to its peak. Emily Hanisek Life is much more meaningful when there is some- Intern: Local fishing program approaches angling thing at stake. ‘Tis better to have luged and lost than If you have the spark, we have the programs to Roman Sabella from all angles to have never luged at all. Or in lieu of luge, whatever guide you toward a rewarding career. 1001 State St. Suite 1315 pursuit applies to you. In Erie, Pa., far north of Pyeo- Erie, Pa., 16501 ngchang and certainly north of many of the world’s FORTIS offers programs in the following areas: [email protected] Spin Is In – 16 kidney-holders, several locals accelerate their heart rates with methods outside the mainstream. The Erie Reader is the local voice for news, Raising a racket at the Erie Table Tennis Club Some go to such extremes as to affix runners to the arts, and culture, and is Erie’s only indepen- Nursing • Medical/Dental • Business dent, alternative newspaper. Founded in 2010, side of a boat and hurtle across ice at 100 miles per the Reader has quickly become the region’s hour (see “Running Fast on Hard Water,” wherein award-winning source for arts coverage, a strong cultural compass, and a dynamic re- Spotlight on Erie – 19 Mary Birdsong describes her first time iceboating on Criminal Justice • Skilled Trades source for news and opinion. With a dedication Presque Isle Bay). Others punch holes in that same ice to long-form journalism and a commitment to See, if you know what love mean, well, provoking thoughtful discussion, the Reader with a fishing rod in hand, hoping to engage in inter- tells the stories of the people and places mak- somebody tell me! species tug-of-war (and capture it on camera — pro ing and shaping Erie, while highlighting the angler Dave Lefebre and sidekick Terry Olsen share events and issues influencing life in northwest- ern Pennsylvania. The Erie Reader is published the success of their one-of-a-kind fishing program in every other week and distributed at over 250 “Erie Extreme”). Then there are those who would pre- high foot-traffic locations in Pennsylvania Write Into It: Abadon Faluz – 24 from North East to Girard to Edinboro. In ad- fer to stay indoors — that’s okay, sometimes all you CALL 1.855.445.3276 dition to appearing in print, Erie Reader adds The dark folk artist reflects on his favorite need to get your blood flowing is two rackets, a pro- new content daily at ErieReader.com as well so- cial media sites. All rights reserved. All content composition jectile, and a nimble opponent standing across the ta- TEXT “IGNITE” TO 367847 © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State St., Suite ble (Matt Swanseger traces the history of ping-pong 901, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of this publication from Victorian England to the Erie Table Tennis Club may be reproduced without permission. The opinions of our columnists and contributors Movie Reviews – 31 in “Spin Is In”). are their own and do not always reflect that of Outside of the realm of sports and recreation, the the editorial board or organization. Direct sales Four and half stars between Hostiles and 12 FORTIS.EDU IGNITE YOUR FUTURE inquiries to 814.314.9364. For editorial inquiries, quest for truth is a spark for some. Wendell Potter, email [email protected]. Strong a big pharma defector and founder of non-profit journalism startup Tarbell.org, is a prime example. Crossword Puzzle – 33 City Council President Sonya Arrington is compelled to end racial profiling in our justice system — Dan This week’s puzzler courtesy of David Levinson Schank collects the latest findings on police body Wilk cameras. Racial conflict is far from a new develop- FORTIS INSTITUTE ment, of course — Jonathan Burdick delves into the complicated history of slavery in Pennsylvania. 5757 WEST 26TH STREET, ERIE, PA 16506 Music Reviews – 34 Freedom can be an elusive concept, but don’t let it elude you. Free yourselves from your afghan cocoons Financial Aid Available for those who qualify. Career Placement Assistance for All Graduates. Legacy pop, breaking pop, and two from and get out there. Is it too extreme to say that hiber- Domino Records nation is overrated? For consumer information, visit Fortis.edu. February 14, 2018 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 GENERIC_Erie_10.5x12.25.indd 1 7/7/17 11:20 AM NEWS & VIEWS “Highest Member Shifting Focus Body cameras and community policing Satisfaction Among emerge as priorities for Erie in 2018 Commercial Health Plans in Pennsylvania, Two Years in a Row” –J.D. Power SKYWARD KICK SKYWARD By: Dan Schank Police body cameras are being explored as an option to put an end to racial s City Council President in profiling and hold law enforcers accountable for their actions. Some Erie, Sonya Arrington hears a studies suggest, however, that the Alot about racial profiling. Sto- cameras had minimal impact on ries of drivers pulled over because enforcement methods. they “match a description,” and cars that are searched because an officer pectations are reasonable. We have to claimed to smell weed. Although she understand that there are limitations is quick to clarify that not all of our to what the cameras will see and how police officers abuse their authority, clearly they will see it.” Spizarny notes Arrington has called for more over- that “live body cam filming is not the sight because “police can’t police same as watching a television show” When it comes to the quality of care you and your family themselves.” and that environmental factors like deserve, second best just won’t do. And when you’re a This concern initially led her to sug- weather, lighting, and movement will member of UPMC Health Plan, it doesn’t have to. gest a citizen’s review board to investi- affect the quality of the evidence they UPMC Health Plan provides access to the world-class doctors gate allegations of police misconduct produce. and hospitals of UPMC as well as thousands of community in Erie. But after some conversations There are ethical concerns as well. doctors and hospitals. Global medical services from Assist with our new mayor, she now be- When recently asked why a body America, coverage for children until age 26 no matter where lieves that mandatory body cameras camera should have an “off” button they live, and outstanding member service all mean YOU get may be a better way to ensure trust in the first place, Spizarny had to jok- the best health care plan. between the community and law en- ingly remind a constituent that his forcement. This technology can be officers occasionally use the bath- Find out why more and more people are choosing costly, so Schember has tasked his room. More substantive questions UPMC Health Plan at upmchealthplan.com/choose.