You can’t pick your family. The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reported this unusual story today. Chuck Cummings was murdered on Dec 23 in Portage PA. Three days later his wife and step son were charged with the murder. Merry Christmas. Daughter Shannon Sweeney took over duties as head of household for the three small kids aged 5 years to 19 months. Shannon and the kids were forced to leave the family house by the authorities. Happy New Year. They found temporary shelter but that didn’t last long. They showed up on the doorstep of the Salvation Army where they stayed for another week. Sometime later, the mother of the 3 small kids, Tonya Yost finally claimed the kids and has moved back to her family home in Erie County. When asked why she didn’t come and get the children she mothered right after the murder and arrests she said she thought everything was all right. WTF.

The first 100 blood donors who come to the Erie Community Blood Bank today will receive a buy 1 get 1 free movie pass to Plaza Cinemas. On Deck tavern will be providing food from 11-1pm and is also giving away coupons for buy 10 wings get 10 free. “You can practically smell the popcorn. Since we’re all attuned to the movies because of the Oscars the time for this event is perfect!” Said Dan Desrochers, Director Public Relations at the Community Blood Bank. “Both Plaza Cinemas and On Deck are locally owned and operated (Plaza Cinemas is the ONLY locally owned theater in Erie County) and they know the importance of helping their community and they are helping the blood bank out with these great give-aways.”

Presque Isle State Park in Erie was mentioned in the latest issue of Coastal Living magazine as one of the great places to go for a bike trip. A 13 1/2 mile bike path circles the peninsula.

Trent Reznor postponed 3 concerts last week because he had the flu. Nine Inch Nails is expected to go ahead as scheduled with their concert in London Ontario tonight and the Erie PA concert on Tuesday.

The Erie Broadway Series presentation of “Thoroughly Modern Millie” will be held on Wednesday March 8 at the Warner Theatre. Tickets are still available.

The National Christian Invitational Tournament on March 9-11 at Family First Sports Park. Expect the area hotels and restaurants to be packed.

Seneca High School, 10770 Wattsburg Road, is presenting Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat March 9-11. Tickets are $4 for students and $5 for adults.

The Celtic Tenors will perform on Friday, March 10 at 8 pm in the Mercyhurst College Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. Tickets run from $15 for students to $30 for adults. The box office number is (814) 824-3000.

The McDowell Center for Performing Arts invites you to a fundraiser production of “The Irish and How They Got That Way” starring: Mike Hayes, Karen Nasca, Michael Malthaner, Jean Malthaner, and Shawn Clerkin. The play will be performed March 10 at 7:30 pm at the McDowell Intermediate Little Theater, 3320 Caughey Road. Tickets are $20 each (includes cookies and punch). Phone 836-6925 for more information. Proceeds benefit new seats for the theater.

Young Erie Professionals are preparing to announce the 2nd Annual Generation-E Leadership Award winners. This year’s recipients will be honored on Friday, March 10, 2006, during a special event at the Avalon Hotel and Conference Center, 16 W 10th Street, in downtown Erie. A pre-gala reception will kick off the celebration at 6:30 pm, followed by the award presentation and dinner at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $35 for the semi-formal event, and attendees must purchase a ticket in advance.

The Erie Runners Club will be holding their St Pat’s 10K Run/5K Walk on Saturday March 11 at 10 am at Presque Isle State Park.

The Erie Playhouse Youtheatre is presenting the musical ‘Treasure Island’ March 10-12, 2006. For info and tickets call (814) 454-2852.

The Erie Zoo will hold their annual St Patrick’s Parade on Saturday March 11. For details call the zoo at 814-864-4091 because their are no details available on the piece of crap web site.

The Edinboro men’s basketball team (21-9) earned the 7th seed in the East Region of NCAA Division II and will face WVa State.

The Edinboro women’s basketball team received a bid for the NCAA Division II East Regional basketball Tournament. The Scots were seeded 8th and will play top seed Charleston.

McDowell offensive lineman Dan Matha made a recruiting trip to Notre Dame on Saturday. They offered him a scholarship. That’s the third offer he’s recrived after earlier offers from West Virginia and Pittsburgh. Matha is 6′ 7″ and 310 lbs. Penn State is next on his list of stops. He also has Iowa and Ohio State on his list.