Prehistoric logs found near Arnheim may pre-date Lake Superior

These logs, found below a pond near Arnheim, may possibly pre-date Lake Superior, according to Michigan Tech forestry researchers. (Photo courtesy Michigan Technological University)

HOUGHTON -- Asked to dredge a pond on Dennis Myllyla's farm near Arnheim, Mich., the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) found a prehistoric forest 15 feet down. Preserved in the soil, the trees may possibly pre-date Lake Superior. They could be more than 10,000 years old, according to researchers in Michigan Tech's forestry department.

Read Jennifer Donovan's story about the logs on the Michigan Tech web site.

Poor Artists Sale to join downtown Calumet for festive shopping Dec. 1

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Council celebrates its 31st Poor Artists Sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the CLK Gymnasium in Calumet. This year’s sale offers the work of over 60 artists including 15 that are new to the event along with the return of many long-standing favorites.

Shoppers will find handmade jewelry, pottery, wreaths, ornaments, baskets, functional and decorative wood art, blown glass, stained glass, furniture, rugs, rustic garden décor, art clothing and accessories, books, dolls, fiber art, journals, candles, soaps, paintings, photography, gift baskets and much more.

Shop and visit with friends in a festive atmosphere and enjoy homemade baked goods at the hospitality table. Copper Country Suzuki students will perform at 1 p.m. Renew your Arts Council membership (or join for the first time) and take advantage of a preview shopping hour for members only from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Don’t miss the biggest holiday art shopping event in the U.P. as the Poor Artists Sale teams up with Calumet galleries, artist studios, restaurants and shops for “Calumet Celebrates the Arts”! Calumet shops will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. with refreshments, music and artist demonstrations. Horse-drawn wagon rides will shuttle people from the Poor Artists Sale to downtown Calumet.

The Poor Artists Sale is put on by the Copper Country Community Arts Council and is a benefit for the Community Arts Center in Hancock. For more information stop by the Community Arts Center at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock or call 482-2333.

Film series to show documentary on peak oil Dec. 4 at Daily Grind

HANCOCK -- The Norwegian documentary film, Peak Oil: Produced by Nature, will be shown at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Daily Grind Coffeehouse in Hancock. The film is free and open to the public.

The film describes the history of oil production and its consumption, the impending end of cheap petroleum energy and the projected massive impact on human civilization. A discussion will follow the film.

This film series is sponsored by the Copper Country Citizens for Progressive Change. For more information, call 482-3270.

Keweenaw Co-op to hold Party, Open House, with music, dancing Dec. 9

HANCOCK -- The Keweenaw Co-op invites all its members and customers to their Annual Party and Open House from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Keweenaw Brewing Company (KBC) in downtown Houghton. If you wish to attend either the Brunch Potluck or the Dinner Potluck, please bring a dish to pass.

Family time (alcohol- and smoke-free) will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include the Brunch Potluck with music by Melissa Davis and Tom Katalin. The Dinner Potluck will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with music by the Keweenaw Brewgrass Band.

The party will also include door prizes, mortgage burning and dancing. Come and celebrate Community!

For more information about the Co-op, visit their Web site. You can also read the Co-op's Fall 2007 Newsletter, Circumspice, on the site.

Keweenaw Co-op logo reprinted with permission.

Updated: Popcorn and Policy: Forum on local Climate Change Nov. 29

By Heather Wright

HOUGHTON -- In the past century, as a result of human activities, greenhouse gases have increased to levels that scientists have concluded are changing our climate. Although these changes are global in scale, the impacts can be seen at the local level. Some of the climate changes that can be expected in the Great Lakes Region include warmer temperatures and increased precipitation -- with more falling as rain.

It is expected that winters will get shorter due to increases in temperatures, and increased evaporation will impact water levels. In fact, the most significant impact of climate change in the Great Lakes Region is likely to be on water levels. These will continue to fluctuate seasonally, and at times they may drop below historic lows.

The adaptation options available to coastal communities depend on their vulnerability. For instance, the Keweenaw Peninsula is vulnerable to changes in rain/ice/snow regimes, increases in extreme weather and shorter winters that will negatively impact winter sports and tourism.

Fortunately, some positive adaptation opportunities also exist for coastal communities. Here in the Keweenaw, these opportunities include reduced heating costs and energy use with warmer winters, reduction in salt use on roads with improvements to water quality and longer summers that may increase tourism.

Join the Michigan Tech Students for Environmental Sustainability and Engineers Without Borders from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, for a discussion on Climate Change in the Keweenaw. At this Popcorn and Policy event, panelists from academia, industry and the community will talk about causes, changes and what you can do!

This event will take place on Michigan Tech’s campus in the ME-EM (Mechanical Engineering Building) Room 112. Attendants are encouraged to bring their questions and comments!*

The panelists include Kristine Bradof (Environmental Sustainability Committee), Dr. Kathy Halvorsen (Michigan Tech faculty), Dr. David Shonnard (Sustainable Futures Institute), Kateryna Lapina (Michigan Tech graduate student), Michael Moore (Keweenaw Sustainability Project), and Jane DeMartini (Keweenaw Biodiesel).

This Popcorn and Policy event is free and open to the public. Come for the popcorn… stay for the policy!

Editor's Notes: Guest author Heather Wright is a doctoral candidate in Michigan Tech University's Environmental Engineering program. At MTU she is also the president of the Students for Environmental Sustainability, a member of the Environmental Sustainability Committee and an Integrative Graduate Education and Research Trainee (IGERT).

For background on climate change in the Keweenaw Peninsula, see Keweenaw Now contributor Katie Alvord's prize-winning articles. Go to "Local writer wins journalism award" and follow the links to read her articles on keweenawnow.com.

*Editor's Note: We regret the incorrect name of the building posted previously. This event is in the R. L. Smith Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Building (ME-EM), which is number 20 on the campus map.