A vigil hymn

Members of the California University of Pennsylvania Choir perform "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" before a candlelight vigil Thursday for Jeron X. Grayson, 18, a Pittsburgh man who was shot and killed Sunday at an off-campus homecoming party.

The are singing in front of a sculpture of Vulcan, a god of fire and also the school's mascot.

Today's news conference on the arrest of a suspect in the Cal U. homecoming slaying

California University of Pennsylvania's student newscenter did a fine job today filming Washington County District Attorney Steve Toprani outlining the arrest of 19-year-old Keith Edward Jones of Monessen.

Jones is accused of firing five or six rounds into an off-campus Cal U. homecoming party, killing Jeron X. Grayson, 18, of Pittsburgh.

Guitar players show up at the wrong show

Outside the Box Primitives

WEST ALEXANDER, Pa. - Robin Armstrong Seeber usually wakes up each morning with a picture of a doll in her mind.

Before the West Alexander woman has time to think, it's 11 a.m. and her creation is well under way to being sold online at eBay or via her Web site.

"It is my passion in life. It makes me happy," said Seeber, who has made such a success with her folk art that she left her career as a registered nurse.

It's also taken her a long time to get to this place.

She missed an opportunity for fame as a doll maker three decades ago when the upscale FAO Schwarz of New York liked a toy she had made in response to the chubby, pillowy 1980s sensation known as the Cabbage Patch Doll.

Fast forward to this year:

Seeber is excited about a new line of her small dolls that will be mass produced in resin in the Philippines by Bethany Lowe Designs Inc. in Illinois. Lowe's business has grown from her farm to become a major global wholesaler of collectibles made or designed by folk artists. The work is sold in luxury department stores from coast to coast.

"When I went through her catalog, I saw that she had cloth dolls," Seeber said. "I said, 'I'm going to pop her a couple pictures to see what she has to say.'

"She responded, and three days later I had a contract to sign. I felt like I was dreaming. I gave her 13 or 14 submissions. She accepted them and immediately sent them to her factory."

Seebers' dolls will be in Lowe's catalogs in July and in stores in January.

(The above is an excerpt from a story in the Observer-Reporter newspaper, Washington, Pa.)

Random local music

The Depressionaires perform at the Black Cat Bar in California, Pa., on a Thursday open stage. The alternative-country band members are: Todd Edwards, vocals, guitar and harmonica; Bob Houston, bass guitar; Scott Kennedy, banjo, guitar; and Tom "Catfish" Johnson - drums.

Part dog, part man (genius)

(This video is the work of soxovici)

This marching band looks fun, not mad

It would be cool in Pittsburgh, Pa., if someone there started up something similar to the March Madness Marching Band of Lexington, Ky. (video by Jennifer Miller)

It's "Snuggie Time"

This is a silly video put together by Harry Funk, the online editor at the Observer-Reporter, and featuring staff members at the newspaper in Washington, Pa.

Click here to read the story it promotes.

The creepy mourning art of hair weaving

Granny Sheila needs her meds

What good would the holidays be without such kids as Kenzie and the kooky and creative things she pulls out of her head?

Mon Calendar Girls

Old coal trucks in the Mon Valley

Pfile, Marino and other unidentified coal trucks on job sites in southwestern Pennsylvania during the late 1940s. Submitted by a reader.

In search of the common chorus

World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale from World Science Festival on Vimeo.

(Video by: World Science Festival 2009)

Graveside tribute to a brave soldier

Members of Monongahela Veterans Council gather today at the grave of Sgt. Russell D. Wakefield to honor him during Memorial Day services at the historic Mingo Cemetery near Finleyville, Pa.

Wakefield was award the Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He is buried near prominent men who participated in the Whiskey Rebellion, including the notorious Tom the Tinker.

51 Things in the Newsroom

The publisher, writers, editors and young reporters known as Flipsiders at the Observer-Reporter newspaper in Washington, Pa., share their favorite things in the newsroom in this silly video.

"One Love" shared around the globe

Playing For Change | Song Around The World "One Love" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.