DREW BROWN INTRODUCING america’s tastiest driveTM Bu alo’s corner taverns have been perfecting the chicken wing since it was invented at the legendary Anchor Bar in 1964. Secret recipes, historic charm and Bu alo-style hospitality make the new BUFFALO WING TRAIL an experience to be savored. Come to Buffalo this summer to taste the delicious dozen. The wet naps are on us. buffalowingtrail.com @buffalowingtrail #WingBUF #NeverRanch DREW BROWN CONTENTS: From the Editors The only local voice for news, arts, and culture. July 4, 2018 Dialing into our Editors-in-Chief: independence Brian Graham & Adam Welsh hat do a tattoo parlor, daycare Managing Editor: Nick Warren center, barber shop, vintage Erie at Large: Let Us Begin Anew – 5 clothing boutique, oddities and Copy Editor: W Matt Swanseger Looking at the future of Erie’s Democratic Party antiques depot, herbalist, ice cream shop, Contributing Editors: barbecue restaurant, and hippie gift shop Ben Speggen Representing the 814 – 6 have in common? Ponder that for a mo- Jim Wertz ment. Certainly you could run through Contributors: How the area code became ours and how it the list and find connections — for in- INTRODUCING Maitham Basha-Agha was nearly taken away stance, barbecue and ice cream are items Mary Birdsong you might ingest; vintage clothing and Charles Brown Jonathan Burdick The Smoke Be With You Always – 9 antiques are items you might collect; and Tracy Geibel haircuts, childcare, and body art are ser- Lisa Gensheimer How Federal Hill Smokehouse came to flavor a vices you might pay for. But the overarch- america’s Angie Jeffery america’s neighborhood ing theme is they are all different, yet they Miriam Lamey Tommy Link coexist. Aaron Mook Independence Hill: An Entrepreneurial Unique, eclectic, and maybe sometimes Dan Schank even a little weird (see Black Eagle Goods: tastiest Tommy Shannon Collage – 11 tastiest where else do you see preserved frogs and TM Ryan Smith Jen Sorenson Insights into the eclectic shopping district pay phones in the same retail space?) — Ti Sumner along 26th and Peach these businesses comprise the neighbor- Cara Suppa hood known as Independence Hill, where drive Bryan Toy A Chat With Colin Mochrie – 15 all are free to do as they will. Nick Warren Cover Design and Matt Swanseger spoke to some of the Nick Warren Playing ‘Whose Interview Is It Anyway?’ village elders as well as some newcomers Bu alo’s corner taverns have Photographer: in composing the content of this issue, Maitham Basha-Agha with the popular Canadian comedian and been perfecting the chicken improviser as we pay homage to one of the bedrock Publisher’s Assistant: ideals this country was founded on — the Emily Hanisek wing since it was invented at liberty to create one’s own destiny as epit- Intern: Spotlight on Erie – 17 omized by small business and entrepre- the legendary Anchor Bar in Hannah McDonald neurship. 1964. Secret recipes, historic Oh, one warm summer night, I’ll hear fireworks 1001 State St. Suite 1315 outside As we celebrate Independence Day, we charm and Bu alo-style Erie, Pa., 16501 recognize the sanctity of individuality, but [email protected] also realize our fates are bound together hospitality make the new Eerie Roller Girls Speed as a community. What’s in store for the 814, BUFFALO WING TRAIL Back Around – 20 as we’ve so lovingly come to term the Erie The Erie Reader is published every area (see Jonathan Burdick’s wonderful an experience to be savored. other week and distributed at over Roller derby team ready to jam for home opener retrospective on how the area code system 250 high foot-traffic locations in Come to Buffalo Pennsylvania from North East to All-American Mixture – 24 was instituted, just in time for Erie Read- this summer to taste Girard to Edinboro. In addition to er Volume 8, No. 14)? In the short term, a appearing in print, Erie Reader adds whole heck of a lot, as represented by our the delicious dozen. new content daily at ErieReader. AmeriMasala hopes art can dissolve robust Spotlight on Erie and Calendar sec- com as well social media sites. All humanity’s artificial divisions The wet naps are on us. rights reserved. All content © Flag- tions. This is truly a land of opportunity, ship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State St., with the freedom to choose from a pletho- Suite 1315, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of So Far, So Good: ra of events on any given day of the week. this publication may be reproduced But as we savor our summer fun, let us not without permission. The opinions of The Top 10 Albums of 2018 – 30 lose sight of the future. Are we a city, state, our columnists and contributors are Find a Summer album before you make your their own and do not always reflect nation, and world we’re proud to associate that of the editorial board or orga- list this Winter with as individuals? nization. Direct sales inquiries to At times it seems we’re stuck playing a 814.314.9364. For editorial inquiries, email [email protected]. Movie Reviews – 32 game Whose World Is It Anyway?, when in Velociraptors and wolves return to theaters for truth it should belong to all of us. Indeed, it can seem as if the rules are made up and seconds our points don’t matter. When it comes to freedom, we’re not always the best impro- Crossword Puzzle – 33 visers (unlike the exceptional Colin Mo- buffalowingtrail.com This week’s stumper from David Levinson Wilk chrie, whom we interview in this issue). But we can start by being good neighbors, whether that’s between W. 26th and 24th @buffalowingtrail Maitham’s Corner – 34 streets on Peach or wherever you may #WingBUF #NeverRanch Dr. Eric Schwartz of Sarah Reed Children’s make your home. Let’s begin with being Center our best selves, and in turn becoming our best community. July 4, 2018 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 In sports, performance is everything The same is true for sports medicine. LECOM Sports & Orthopedic Medicine offers a complete range of orthopedic and sports medicine services for the everyday athlete as well as varsity, college and professional players. Our team’s comprehensive, personalized approach focuses on relieving pain and getting you back in the game. Anthony Ferretti, DO Steven Habusta, DO Patrick F. 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Staying at home and I am humbled by the challenges we because your candidate didn’t make it face as Democrats, in general, and as through the primary is not an option. Erie County Democrats, in particular. It’s a lesson we learned too late in 2016 The concept of unity within the party and it is a mistake we can never make weighs heavily upon my decision mak- again. ing as the party evolves, expanding its Democrats may approach the funda- base, speaking directly to and creating mental issues of our time from different space for young people, African-Ameri- vantage points, but the goals remain cans, New Americans, Organized Labor, the same: to build better communities LGBTQIA, and working families of ev- and a stronger country by providing ac- ery design. The ideological differences cess to education and opportunity. Our that have pushed us apart in recent shared purpose will inform our actions campaigns are easily overcome by the and civility will be our guiding light. principles of the Democratic Party — living wages, affordable healthcare, The ideological differences educational and occupational oppor- tunities for everyone, voting rights, that have pushed us apart in and common sense reforms — which recent campaigns are easily brought us together to begin with. overcome by the principles These are times of renewal, as well as of the Democratic Party MAITHAM BASHA-AGHA change.