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. A Year of Potential Energy Editors-in-Chief: January 3, 2018 Brian Graham & Adam Welsh ow’s the time. Time to harness every one of Managing Editor: those good intentions that come springing forth Nick Warren Stepping Into a New Line of Nas the new year begins, and actually do some- Copy Editor: Inquiry – 5 thing with them. With 2017 in the books, 2018 (so far) re- Matt Swanseger mains a blank slate. The opportunities are endless. We Contributing Editors: Ben Speggen Asking questions, and lots of have nearly an entire calendar year left to go before 2019 Jim Wertz them begins, and we all start getting retrospective again. IS TODAY Contributors: When next year does come around, where do you want Maitham Basha-Agha to be? Do you want to be stuck making excuses for why Mary Birdsong Erie At Large – 6 Charles Brown things didn’t go the way you wanted them to in 2018? Tracy Geibel Meet Chris Rieger, Democrat for Do you want to keep blaming those same things — ev- Lisa Gensheimer Tommy Link Congress erything but yourself — for why nothing has changed Aaron Mook for the better? Will you lament, rationalizing that you Dan Schank set your goals too high, that you over-reached for some- Tommy Shannon Coming Full Circle – 11 THE DAY Ryan Smith thing that could never possibly be done? Jen Sorenson Let’s not make more excuses. We do, of course, have Ti Sumner Legacy, Community, and Pop- Cara Suppa Culture Theology at the Erie to be realistic. Not everything can be done in one year, Bryan Toy Philharmonic but some things can. Just think of how much in 2017 Cover Art spun out of control and went oh-so wrong. If that many YOU IGNITE Bryan Toy Photographers: things can be undone in a single 365.25-day span, then Maitham Basha-Agha certainly the inverse is possible. Granted, it’s always Ryan Smith easier to knock something down that it is to build it Publisher’s Assistant: Emily Hanisek up, so the herculean efforts that some people make to YOUR FUTURE? Intern: progress things forward can’t be understated. As frus- Libby Rosequist trating as it is, “two steps forward, one step back,” is still progress. That step back might feel like a mile. Hell, It 1001 State St. Suite 901 Erie, Pa., 16501 might even be more than that. It might be painful, and [email protected] probably bring more than its share of tears, feeling like If you have the spark, we have the programs to more of an avalanche sometimes. The important thing The Erie Reader is the local voice for news, CONTRIBUTED PHOTO is: keep going. We need to take those two steps, and you, guide you toward a rewarding career. arts, and culture, and is Erie’s only inde- along with the world around you, will be better off be- pendent, alternative newspaper. Founded cause of it. FORTIS offers programs in the following areas: in 2010, the Reader has quickly become the region’s award-winning source for arts Spotlight on Erie – 15 This year has been referenced constantly since the coverage, a strong cultural compass, and election results in 2016. “Midterms — there will be a a dynamic resource for news and opinion. This must be it, welcome to the pushback, just you wait.” Some version of that has been Nursing • Medical/Dental • Business With a dedication to long-form journal- ism and a commitment to provoking new year uttered nearly every day. Now, it’s right in sight. We talk thoughtful discussion, the Reader tells to one of the Democratic candidates looking ahead, can- the stories of the people and places mak- didate for US House of Representatives Chris Rieger. Criminal Justice • Skilled Trades ing and shaping Erie, while highlighting Must See Shows – 19 the events and issues influencing life in The Butler County lawyer announced his run in August northwestern Pennsylvania. The Erie Mechanical Heart Premiere and (and was the second Democrat to do so, after Hermit- Reader is published every other week and age’s Brian Skibo) against incumbent Mike Kelly, first distributed at over 250 high foot-traffic Arts Education Benefit at PACA locations in Pennsylvania from North elected in 2010. East to Girard to Edinboro. In addition to Film Grain: Dinner and a With her own well-versed report on things, another appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new politician — newly elected Erie City Councilwoman Liz content daily at ErieReader.com as well Movie – 20 CALL 1.855.445.3276 social media sites. All rights reserved. All Allen — offers her unique point of view, coupled with content © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 Film Society of NWPA’s new series decades of journalistic experience with the Erie Times State St., Suite 901, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part News. Her transparent, first-person take on the work- TEXT “IGNITE” TO 367847 of this publication may be reproduced off to a “Wonder”-ful start without permission. The opinions of our ings of local government will certainly be something columnists and contributors are their special to look forward to in the coming year. own and do not always reflect that of the Crossword Puzzle – 23 Also seeking to harness that special energy is the editorial board or organization. Direct FORTIS.EDU IGNITE YOUR FUTURE sales inquiries to 814.314.9364. For editorial This week’s puzzler courtesy of Erie Philharmonic. The organization — over a century inquiries, email [email protected]. old — still continues to do positive things in our com- David Levinson Wilk munity, bringing music, education, and outreach to the Erie area. Find out what’s behind the music, driving the Movie Reviews – 24 group to forge ahead into the new year and beyond. Our takes on The Shape of Water It’s a new, fresh time, the light of unbridled possibility lighting our way. It’s in these first few desperate hours and The Last Jedi FORTIS INSTITUTE in the dawn where we feel invincible. That feeling isn’t a naive shroud influenced by a couple of presents and 5757 WEST 26TH STREET, ERIE, PA 16506 Music Reviews – 26 champagne toasts, it’s something real. It’s the moti- New cuts from Eminem, N.E.R.D, vating spirit that drives us to get things done. It’s that Financial Aid Available for those who qualify. Career Placement Assistance for All Graduates. spark, that can set a warming fire ablaze even in seven Serpent Power, and Glassjaw feet of snow. For consumer information, visit Fortis.edu. January 3, 2018 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 GENERIC_Erie_10.5x12.25.indd 1 7/7/17 11:20 AM APARTMENTS FOR RENT $200 off the first month’s rent! Beautiful country setting Fairview, PA Laundry facilities on site 24 Hour emergency maintenance 2 Bedroom & 1 bath No pets permitted Off street parking Rent is $685 plus gas & electric (814) 474-5778 CALL OUR Everyone loves OFFICE TODAY! TANDEM a bright smile! TOWNHOUSES FREE DENTAL SCREENINGS LECOM Dental Offices are looking for patients to help our dental students pass their licensure exams. LECOM will offerfree dental X-rays and screenings on Friday, February 23 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Screenings will identify patients who meet the following criteria • are 18 years of age or older • have most of their back teeth • have valid ID UNLIMITEDUNLIMITEDY • must be available April 6, 7, and 8 Please note, those who need emergency care will not qualify. • UNLIMITED YOGA Friday, February 23, 7:00 am-7:00 pm • UNLIMITED GROUP EXERCISE No appointment necessary • UNLIMITED INTERVAL TRAINING QUALIFIED PATIENTS WILL RECEIVE • UNLIMITED YOUTH SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES FREE DENTAL CARE DURING THE APRIL LICENSURE EXAMS. All this and more comes with a membership at your local Y! Now for only $29/month for individuals and $69/month for families, achieve unlimited For more information call (814) 868-1001 fitness possibilities while being involved in your and mention licensure exam community. Schedule a tour or sign up today! The LECOM Dental Offices are a community outreach service of the LECOM School of Dental Medicine located in Bradenton, Florida. ymcaerie.org/unlimitedY L E C O M LECOM Dental Offices LAKE ERIE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE 2000 West Grandview Blvd. SCHOOL OF DENTAL MEDICINE 4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com January 3, 2018 NEWS & VIEWS Stepping Into a New Line of Inquiry Asking questions, and lots of them After spending decades as a journalist, newly elected City Council member Liz to keep using my journalism skills to Allen carries a penchant for inquiry into her ask questions at City Hall. It’s hard to new office. turn off the interrogative sentences when you’ve been doing it since age 18, vote. which is when I began my first report- One way to determine facts is to ask ing job, at the former Morning News. questions, and I asked a lot of them at It was May 1972 and I had started my council’s three budget sessions.