about the sample entries: you must have some code (probably in one of your models files) that adds sample entries when an empty database is detected. not sure though without looking at the application.
your view error is provided in the traceback (though perhaps cryptic). something in index.html or one of the files it includes or extends is trying to access the 'replace' attribute of a variable that is None. you may have the proper include/extend syntax but are not setting a required variable in the controller. cfh
