Willie Brown of Erie was released from a New York jail when his attorney presented a letter from Alabama authorities saying they would not prosecute him as a fugitive for his 1961 escape from a prison work camp. There is still some doubt that Brown is the same person that escaped 45 years ago. His fingerprints matched but the listed hight was off by 4 inches.

It’s hot.

Constitution Party candidate Tim Hagberg will be running against Rep Phil English of Erie and Dr Steve Porter for the 3rd Congressional District.

Due to the overwhelming positive response of July’s Picnic on the Patio Series, the Series will now continue through August at the Sunset Cafe. Attendance has been increasing weekly and the enthusiastic response has resulted in the decision to extend it throughout the remainder of summer. Now through August, every Thursday will bring the Picnic on the Patio Series to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center’s Sunset Cafe.
Bring the entire family down to the Picnic on the Patio at the Sunset Cafe between 4pm–7pm any Thursday in August. Enjoy live music, great food and a BIG movie experience. The Big Green Screen Theatre offers discounted movie packages with a featured special for August – a “Taco About a Movie” Package. This special package is available during the Picnic on the Patio event and includes a Gourmet Taco, Coke and a Movie Ticket for only $6.95 per person. Choose from either one of the current featured films, “The Living Sea” or “Lewis and Clark”, both now showing on the Big Green Screen.
Enjoy live music on the patio! August 5th will feature Sam Hyman playing popular tunes from the 60′s and 70′s from 5 pm – 7 pm. On August 10th, John Sedelmyer and Rob Gibson will return with popular covers from James Taylor to Van Morrison to Jimmy Buffett, the Beatles and more. Every week brings great music to the Patio!
The “Picnic on the Patio Series” offers an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy great food, live entertainment, family fun and a captivating film at the Big Green Screen Theatre. This event is made possible through the efforts of the Presque Isle Partnership, Sunset Cafe and the Big Green Screen Theatre.

The Erie SeaWolves take on the Portland Sea Dogs tonight at 7:05 pm. It’s a buck night with concessions including draft beer, Pepsi soft drinks, Smith’s hot dogs, and popcorn are only $1. The Detroit Tigers have acquired 1B Sean Casey from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Erie SeaWolves relief pitcher Brian Rogers. Rogers, an Eastern League All-Star in 2006, has been the most consistent relief pitcher in the ‘Wolves bullpen. He has compiled a record of 3-2 with a 2.39 ERA. Rogers leads the bullpen in ERA and strikeouts with 69. Rogers is expected to join the Altoona Curve as they travel to Harrisburg.

Key West Express performs the Liberty Park Pepsi Amphitheater Tuesday Aug 1 for 8 Great Tuesdays. Admission is free for the Eight Great Tuesdays.

Every Wednesday is free admission to all fourErie Art Museum galleries from 11 am to 5 pm.

The weeks downtown Erie block party takes place Thursday Aug 3 at 7 pm on the 1100 block of State Street in front of the Plymouth Tavern. The Blues Beaters and the Earthquakers performs. The event is FREE. Food and beverages will be available for sale.

Mambo will perform a free concert at 7 pm in the Patricia McCain Amphitheater at the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park on Thursday August 3 on Arts at the Arboretum night.

Holy cow was there a large crowd for last weeks Guelcher Film Series at the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park, aka Free Movies in the Park. Movies will begin at 9 pm on Fridays. Stormy Weather (1943) will be shown August 4. Here’s the rest of the schedule: August 11, 2006 Waking Ned Devine (1998); August 18, 2006 CelebrateErie Week, That Thing You Do (1996); August 25, 2006 Triplets of Belleville (2003); September 1, 2006 Half Way to Saint Patrick’s Day, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969).

Dan Rice Days takes place Aug 4 – 5 in Girard PA. After decades of sponsoring fireworks in Erie and in North East, Mercyhurst College will light up the night sky for the second year in a row in western Erie County as it partners with the annual Dan Rice Days celebration. On Saturday, Aug 5, at 10 pm, Zambelli Internationale will launch fireworks from the former Divine Word Seminary property off Route 20 in Girard, which Mercyhurst purchased last year for the launch of its third campus, Mercyhurst West. This year’s fireworks are planned to celebrate the inauguration of Dr Thomas J Gamble as Mercyhurst’s 11th president and to mark the opening of classes at Mercyhurst West on August 30. Classes will be held at a temporary site, the former Faith Lutheran Church at 824 Main Street East in Girard, as the college prepares to develop its new campus on Route 20.

The 14th annual Erie Art Museum Blues and Jazz Festival takes place at Frontier Park Saturday and Sunday, August 5 and 6, with an exceptional lineup of national and regional acts. The Festival is free, and takes place rain or shine.

The St Paul’s Annual Italian Festival takes place August 11-13 at the parish located at 1617 Walnut St in Erie.

Scooters is hosting the 1st annual Motorcycles 4 Meals poker run to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of NW PA on August 12, 2006. Registration starts at 9 am at the Food Bank, 1703 Ash Street with the first bike leaving at Noon. There will be FREE food, FREE music, Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle at Scooters (last stop). First place winner gets $200, 2nd place $100 and 3rd place $50. For more information visit the link above or call Michele King at 459-3663.

The Erie PA Sport Fishing Association is hosting their 1st Walleye and Steelhead Pro-Am Team Tournament on August 12 and 13 from the port of Erie. There will be $20,000.00 worth of cash and prizes given out between the professional and amateur division.

Celebrate Erie takes place Aug 18-20 in downtown Erie. The Clarks, Seven Mary Three, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Povertyneck Hillbillies and the Beach Boys are a few of the musical acts. Theis event was formerly called ‘We Love Erie Days.’