CONTENTS: From the Editors The only local voice for The future might freak you news, arts, and culture. April 12, 2017 Editors-in-Chief: out, and it probably should. Brian Graham & Adam Welsh erhaps The Amazing Criswell put it best Managing Editor: Nick Warren Just a Thought – 5 in the introduction to Ed Wood’s Plan 9 Copy Editor: Millfair is worth dirtying your PFrom Outer Space, insightfully remark- Katie Chriest ing that “we are all interested in the future, for Contributing Editors: hands. that is where you and I are going to spend the Ben Speggen rest of our lives.” Jim Wertz In her detailed piece, Mary Birdsong warns Contributors: A Candidate’s Future, a Maitham Basha-Agha that our Great Lakes are in danger. Facing Ed Bernik Citizen’s Now – 6 deep budget cuts at the hands of the Trump Mary Birdsong administration, the Environmental Protection Tracy Geibel How what we learn before the Lisa Gensheimer Agency finds itself in dire circumstances. The Gregory Greenleaf-Knepp primary may matter through physical and economic health of our city, along Dan Schank Tommy Shannon 2030 with countless others in the U.S. and Canada, Ryan Smith depends on the health of all the Great Lakes. Ti Sumner Matt Swanseger The stakes are high, and at the moment, the Bryan Toy Sailing on Choppy Waters – 9 outcome looks bleak. Cover Design: Nick Warren Potential devastation in the Photographers: wake of EPA budget cuts Maitham Basha-Agha Ryan Smith The physical and economic health Brad Triana Publisher’s Assistant: News of the Weird – 15 of our city, along with countless Emily Hanisek others in the U.S. and Canada, Intern: Firefighting jetpacks and Angie Jeffery onstage enemas depends on the health of all the Great Lakes. The stakes are high, 1001 State St. Suite 901 Erie, Pa., 16501 and at the moment, the outcome [email protected] Blunt Terms – 18 looks bleak. The condition of cannabis use The Erie Reader is the local voice for news, arts, and culture, and is Erie’s only in Pennsylvania independent, alternative newspaper. Founded in 2010, the Reader has quickly If you’ve been hearing that we’re at a pivotal become the region’s award-winning Spotlight on Erie – 23 moment, that’s because it’s true. As Americans, source for arts coverage, a strong cul- and as Erieites, we stand at a crossroads. Some tural compass, and a dynamic resource Don’t criticize it, and I will for news and opinion. With a dedication good news is that the direction Erie is moving to long-form journalism and a commit- advertise it isn’t just in the hands of our 70-year-old dem- ment to provoking thoughtful discus- agogic commander in chief. Ben Speggen re- sion, the Reader tells the stories of the people and places making and shaping turns with another volume in the growing sto- Erie, while highlighting the events and Portraits of Us – 34 ry of Erie’s mayoral race. Diving into our city’s issues influencing life in northwestern history, he discusses the issues brought on by Pennsylvania. The Erie Reader is pub- Gary Cardot’s take on our rich lished every other week and distributed diversity term limits. He also looks ahead to several de- at over 250 high foot-traffic locations in bates happening prior to the May 16 primary Pennsylvania from North East to Girard election, including one hosted in part by the to Edinboro. In addition to appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new content dai- A Review of Galaxy Love – 36 Erie Reader on Thursday, May 4. ly at ErieReader.com as well social me- If you are freaking out about the future, may- dia sites. All rights reserved. All content The 92-year-old secular rabbi be you can take something to calm down. One © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State St., Suite 901, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of of American poetry, ferocious particular “something” that garners quite a bit this publication may be reproduced and funny as ever. of attention is marijuana. In our cover story without permission. The opinions of examining the illustrious history of the drug, our columnists and contributors are their own and do not always reflect that Matt Swanseger looks at the current state of of the editorial board or organization. The Legend of Zelda: Breath legal marijuana in Pennsylvania and what’s in Direct sales inquiries to 814.314.9364. store for Erie County. Will the state of legaliza- For editorial inquiries, email contact@ of the Wild – 37 ErieReader.com. tion change? Only time will tell. Franchise’s freedom sets open And if you’re still feeling pessimistic about world game apart what lies ahead, remember there’s plenty com- ing up to be excited about. A quick look through our event spotlights and calendar will give you Music Reviews – 38 oodles of things to look forward to this month. Mount Eerie, Richard Edwards, There’s a lot coming up in the future – every- thing, in fact. The Buttertones, Laura As far as who said it best, for now let’s give Marling that one to Mahatma Gandhi: “The future de- pends on what you do today.” April 12, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 SEE THE DIFFERENCE CALL 814.455.7591 To schedule your free LASIK consultation & receive 10% off your blade free procedure! Or visit us online at www.erielasereye.com LASER EYE SURGERY OF ERIE 311 W. 24th St. Erie, PA 16502 Exp. 4/26/2017 INDIVIDUAL RESULTS MAY VARY AND ARE NOT GUARANTEED. THIS PROCEDURE MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL PATIENTS. Topics Included: Sponsored By T Tiny Homes as an Affordable Housing Option The Erie County Human Relations Commission T Updates on PHARE and other Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Products TH T How Tenant Income Relates to Rent Approval for Section 8 11 ANNUAL T Transgender Discrimination in Housing T Energy Efficiency & Green Building Opportunities in FAIR HOUSING SEMINAR Affordable Housing T Creating Win-Win Partneships with Landlords T State of Solar in NW Pennsylvania JOIN US TUESDAY T Criminal History & Expungements 101 T SDHP—Introduction to Services April 25, 2017 9:00am to 4:00pm Participants: (Registration 8:15am) T Joseph Aguglia, Esq., ECHRC T Carla Falkenstein, PHFA Charge – $10 T Rev. Faith Folwer, Cass Community Social Services (include continental breakfast/lunch) T Gale Schwartz, Housing Alliance of PA T Robert Catalde, Erie County Clerk of Courts T Kevin Huwe, Self-Help Determination Project BLASCO LIBRARY T Darrin Kinnader, Housing Authority City of Erie T Amy Clabbatz, Erie County Housing Authority HIRT AUDITORIUM T Guy McUmber, Green Building Alliance T John Purvis, Solar Revolution RSVP for an Interpreter or other Accommodation by April 20, 2017 Pre-Register by emailing [email protected] Or by phone at (814) 451-7021 | Fax (814) 451-7066 Dietary Restrictions? please let us know For more information: www.eriecountypa.gov/HRC 4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com April 12, 2017 NEWS & VIEWS TOWNHOUSE FOR RENT Just a Thought Millfair is worth dirtying your hands. Lush leaf compost from Millfair Compost and Recycling Center, against a backdrop TANDEM of seedlings it's helping to grow. TOWNHOUSES Last summer, I came into a cache - Beautiful country setting of gorgeous ornamental grasses that - Located in Fairview PA had been divided from giant mature - Laundry facilities on site plants. That I had nowhere to plant - Rent is $685 plus gas & them didn’t stop me from filling our poor car’s trunk. (Logic has never Electric been my strong suit when faced with - 24 Hour emergency free flora.) maintenance I laid down cardboard boxes to - 2 Bedroom stifle underlying grass in what’s left - 1 Bath of our lawn, then headed to Millfair - No pets permitted SHELDON PETERSON with a shovel and a couple of gar- bage cans sticking out of the trunk. - Off street parking Shortly thereafter, I’d built up a bed By: Katie Chriest body with a garbage can or bucket of soil and leaf compost for virtu- he urge to “get the dirt on can bring home enough for smaller ally no money. I added composted someone” fuels tabloids and projects – often for around the cost manure I’d acquired from Liz and Twebsites, while focusing on of a cup of coffee – and get a good George Farms on Route 99 (also shov- CALL OUR actual soil seems less titillating. But shoveling workout, to boot. eled into garbage cans in the trunk – OFFICE TODAY it shouldn’t. I learned about the center a few need a ride, anyone?) and the grasses Wendell Berry calls soil “the great years back at one of Environment are thriving today. connector of lives, the source and Erie’s composting workshops. I was We’ve installed several raised beds 814.474.5778 destination of all. … Without proper in the midst of developing what in the last few years, and Millfair’s care for it we can have no communi- can now only be described as an leaf compost has been a key com- ty, because without proper care for it obsession with growing things – es- ponent in all of them, just as it was we can have no life.” pecially food. Of course, the soil’s when our neighbor started a com- Our soil absorbs everything we do, the thing, regardless of what you’re munity garden in her big side yard DOWNLOAD. everything we are, everything we’ll growing. And though compost truly down the street. Leaf compost isn’t ever create or buy or throw out or is the “black gold” it’s often called, it’s as nutrient-packed as kitchen com- dream up or be.