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. CONTENTS: From the Editors The only local voice for Embracing love for everyone. news, arts, and culture. February 1, 2017 Editors-in-Chief: t’s easy for some people to feel angry in Brian Graham & Adam Welsh times like these. Things seems like they’re Managing Editor: Women Take Washington – 5 Nick Warren Icrumbling down around us so quickly that Copy Editor: Standing up for good in Trump’s it’s difficult to even keep track. But a recurring Katie Chriest America sentiment is also making its way through to our Contributing Editors: psyches, and it’s an important one: love. IS TODAY Ben Speggen And what an appropriate time for love it is. Jim Wertz Just a Thought – 6 It’s the early days of February, and that marks Contributors: No, Napoleon. Some animals are not Maitham Basha-Agha one thing for sure: Valentine’s season. Of course, Ed Bernik more equal than others. it’s a “constructed” holiday. But at least it’s one Mary Birdsong that was constructed around a noble purpose. Tracy Geibel Lisa Gensheimer LGBT Rights at Risk – 9 There are plenty of different ways to share Gregory Greenleaf-Knepp the spirit of the holiday. Join 14 local musicians Dan Schank Conservative religions erect barriers THE DAY Tommy Shannon who all have something to say about love. Lis- Ryan Smith against same-sex couples ten to a mixtape just for you and let them lead Ti Sumner you through the ups and downs of love’s curious Matt Swanseger A better, brighter, bolder future –10 Bryan Toy path. Cover Design: Almi Clerkin, candidate for mayor, The sentiment is for everyone too, not just the Nick Warren YOU IGNITE relationshipped. Miriam Lamey gives you plen- Photographers: outlines her vision for a 21st century Maitham Basha-Agha ty of ideas for Valentine’s Day whether you’re Ryan Smith Erie single, a couple, or a family. Matt Swanseger ab- Brad Triana stracts the idea even further, detailing several Publisher’s Assistant: Harrisburg Happenings – 13 Emily Hanisek historical Erie pairings of every sort. YOUR FUTURE? Intern: Concerns over gaming revenues, the The week leading up to this issue was book- Angie Jeffery closure of unemployment centers, and ended by protests. On Saturday, Jan. 21, a crowd 1001 State St. Suite 901 the growing opioid epidemic estimated at over 2,500 people assembled in Erie, Pa., 16501 Perry Square for the Erie Women’s March. On [email protected] News of the Weird – 17 that unseasonably warm day, people came out If you have the spark, we have the programs to in droves to march and listen to speakers. One The Erie Reader is the local voice for From inappropriate imbibing to speaker, Doris Cipolla, has offered her personal guide you toward a rewarding career. news, arts, and culture, and is Erie’s only take on several important subjects that we’re independent, alternative newspaper. gratuitous gratuity Founded in 2010, the Reader has quickly happy to feature in this issue. FORTIS offers programs in the following areas: become the region’s award-winning Erie Affairs – 20 Erie’s Women’s March was a sister march, one source for arts coverage, a strong cul- echoed around the entire world. The “main tural compass, and a dynamic resource And their well-bred and misbegotten for news and opinion. With a dedication event,” so to speak, was in Washington, D.C. Nursing • Medical/Dental • Business to long-form journalism and a commit- outcomes Mary Birdsong recounts her experience partic- ment to provoking thoughtful discus- ipating in this iconic event, where she was one sion, the Reader tells the stories of the Spotlight on Erie – 23 Criminal Justice • Skilled Trades people and places making and shaping of an estimated 500,000 to 1 million individu- Erie, while highlighting the events and Some moments last forever, but some als. It was a rallying cry for women around the issues influencing life in northwestern world to come together in meaningful, peaceful Pennsylvania. The Erie Reader is pub- flare out with love, love, love lished every other week and distributed demonstration. at over 250 high foot-traffic locations in A Very Erie Valentine’s – 30 On Sunday, Jan. 29, protesters assembled Pennsylvania from North East to Girard again to stand with immigrants and refugees. to Edinboro. In addition to appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new content dai- Fun local activities for couples, singles, Though the day was at least 30 degrees colder ly at ErieReader.com as well social me- and families than the previous week, hundreds were eager CALL 1.855.445.3276 dia sites. All rights reserved. All content to make their voices heard in solidarity with © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State St., Suite 901, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of Erie Gems – 31 Erie’s new Americans. Speakers addressed the TEXT “IGNITE” TO 367847 this publication may be reproduced crowd, including the Erie Reader’s own Maitham without permission. The opinions of Presque Isle’s Gull Point Basha-Agha. The Iraqi-born photojournalist re- our columnists and contributors are their own and do not always reflect that Mixtape: My Erie Valentine – 33 cently exhibited his series Rust Belt New Ameri- of the editorial board or organization. cans, which focuses in on the moving life stories FORTIS.EDU IGNITE YOUR FUTURE Direct sales inquiries to 814.314.9364. Fourteen local songwriters weave tales behind dozens of resettled refugees. Through For editorial inquiries, email contact@ ErieReader.com. of love and loss witnessing beautiful photography and touching biographical accounts, the viewer quickly forges Music Reviews – 37 a personal connection with each local subject. The series is ready to view online. New releases from The xx, The Flaming When it feels like forces throughout the world, Lips, Cherry Glazerr, and JPNDRDS and even in our own country, seem hell-bent FORTIS INSTITUTE on shutting others out, love is a very important Erie Faces Erie 38 thing to hold onto. 5757 WEST 26TH STREET, ERIE, PA 16506 A look through photographer Ed Love for humanity is a force that can change Bernik’s lens the world. Now is the time to embrace and cele- Financial Aid Available for those who qualify. Career Placement Assistance for All Graduates. brate it, whether it happens to be Feb. 14 or not. For consumer information, visit Fortis.edu. February 1, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 Invest in a Vibrant Future UNITEDWAYERIE.ORG @UnitedWayErie facebook.com/ErieImaginationLibrary THE ERIE ARTS ENDOWMENT An Endowment Dedicated to Advancing Arts and Culture in our Region IT JUST MIGHT BE THE BEST HOUR OF YOUR KID’S WEEK! With an Established Fund for Arts Education Learn more at www.erieartsandculture.org or by contacting Amanda Hurd at 814-452-3427 or [email protected] Photo Credit: A local student tie-dyes at Erie Arts & Culture’s booth during JUMP! Back to School Expo 2016 SCHEDULE PowerZone Kids at McLane Church is designed to provide NOW! a safe and caring environment where your child will learn % 10OFF about Christ in an age-appropriate, creative and fun way! Call now to schedule a furnace CALL NOW! clean & check and receive 10% 459-8255 off (Just $62.95 after discount) FREE ESTIMATES NEW CUSTOMERS RECEIVE FOR NEW FURNACES! 10% OFF THE ENTIRE BILL PA0005218 Like us on and visit us at www.KeepHeating.com Presents • Criminal • DUI • Divorce A Celebration of Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Sat. March 4 from noon to 3pm at Blasco Library • Custody • Screening of the Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot about That! • Personal Injury • Fun Science Activities • Storytime First 200 Kenneth A. Bickel, Esq. • Green Eggs & Ham kids Bickel Law Office 557 • Face Painting by Taradoodles receive West 8th Street • And much more! a Cat Hat Erie, PA 16502 For more information, visit erielibrary.org/events or • FREE CONSULTATIONS • contact Kathy at 814.217.6001 or [email protected] 4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 1, 2017 NEWS & VIEWS Women Take Washington Standing up for good in Trump’s America Flourishes of pink wool dot the salute the same great Amer- nation’s capital in a small section of ican flag.” As a veteran, I say the Women’s March on Washington hear-hear to the latter and that took place Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. happily honor the flag of my country. I would disagree that we ity quickly filled every pocket all enjoy the same freedoms, of space around the National however. Women, immigrants, Mall. As we slowly made our gays, lesbians, the transgen- way through the growing sea, dered, and people of color still the mood never soured. face stubborn discrimination, David Dennis, owner of Lake and are fighting for equality in Country Bike in North East healthcare, wages, and the jus- said, “I am still trying to wrap tice system. Yes, freedom is not my mind around the expe- a synonym for equality. But rience of so many culturally equality makes true freedom different Americans standing achievable. united. There was no violence, Lisa Gensheimer, a writer, MARY SCUTELLA MARY no panic, and no chaos, but un- documentary producer, and believable order.” Erie Reader contributor from Everyone worked hard to not North East, said she came be- By: Mary Birdsong The new president also sug- people.