"Quilling Ornaments" demonstration at CCAA Gallery Dec. 5

CALUMET -- Adorn your Christmas tree with snowflakes created by "quilling." Enjoy another evening of creative seasonal fun at the Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) First Friday demonstration, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, when Jeanne Diebel will demonstrate the art of quilling in the CCAA Gallery.

Snowflake ornaments created through "quilling," or paper filigree. (Photo courtesy Copper Country Associated Artists.)

Quilling is an art form that dates back to the Renaissance. Also known as paper filigree, quilling is the art of creating different shapes and designs using thin strips of paper.

Try your hand at creating a fun snowflake ornament with materials provided free at the CCAA Gallery. First Friday CCAA demonstrations are an opportunity to introduce visitors to a variety of arts and fine craft techniques by some of the area’s most talented practitioners.

The CCAA Gallery is located at 112 Fifth Street in Calumet. Gallery winter hours are Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On First Fridays the Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information about the CCAA call 906-337-1252 or visit our web site at ccaartists.org.

Poor Artists Sale to offer variety of art, handicrafts for gifts Dec. 6 in Calumet

Copper Country Suzuki musicians render "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" in their December 2007 concert in Michigan Tech's McArdle Theater. On Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, you can hear them perform at 1 p.m. during the Poor Artists Sale in the CLK Gymnasium in Calumet. Celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas while you shop for quality gifts and enjoy musical entertainment and homemade baked goods. (Video © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Council celebrates its 32nd annual Poor Artists Sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Calumet High School (CLK) Gymnasium in Calumet. This year’s sale offers the work of over 60 artists including 13 that are new to the event along with the return of many long-standing favorites.

Copper Country Suzuki students will perform at 1 p.m. Shop and visit with friends in a festive atmosphere and enjoy homemade baked goods at the hospitality table.

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.

Renew your Arts Council membership (or join for the first time) and take advantage of a preview shopping hour for members only from 10 to 11 am.

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 and more.

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.

Learning from Worms: Forestry researchers build new underground lab at Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech University and US Forest Service scientists will be studying the effects of worms on the soil of the forest floor, in a new underground research structure called a mesocosm, being built just above the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science off MacInnes Drive at Michigan Tech.

Research ecologists Chris Swanston, left, and Erik Lilleskov, Michigan Tech adjunct faculty members who also work for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, are pictured here earlier this fall at the construction site of the mesocosm, a new underground research facility being built near MTU's School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University. Reprinted with permission.)

It's the only one of its kind for northern forest research and one of very few anywhere in the country.

A mesocosm is an experimental enclosure designed to simulate natural conditions while environmental factors are manipulated. Its name refers to its size: It's larger than a microcosm or miniature model but smaller than a macrocosm or large-scale representation of reality.

In their first mesocosm research project, research ecologists Erik Lilleskov and Chris Swanston, will be tracking what they call "the ecosystem engineers" of the forest floor. Swanston and Lilleskov, who work for the USDA Forest Service, also are adjunct faculty members at Michigan Tech. Their research will be a uniquely integrated analysis of the impact of invasive earthworms on the ecology of northern forests....

Read the whole story by Jennifer Donovan on the MTU Web site.

Stupak to close application period for Inauguration tickets Dec. 1

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) will stop accepting ticket requests for the 2009 Inauguration through his office at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1. Stupak began accepting requests for tickets the morning after the election. Since that time, more than 1,000 requests have been received.

"Interest has been overwhelming for tickets to President-elect Obama’s Inauguration," Stupak said. "Due to the very limited number of tickets available, I regret that the majority of people who have requested tickets will not receive them. However, my office will make every effort to allow as many northern Michigan residents as possible to take part in this historic day."

All members of the U.S. House of Representatives were recently notified by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies that they would be allotted 198 tickets to distribute. Stupak plans to notify by Dec. 12 those who will be receiving tickets. Inauguration tickets are available to the public only through their U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators’ offices.

Stupak reminds northern Michigan residents to beware of online scams promising tickets to the Inauguration.

"No web site or other entity has tickets to sell, regardless of what they might claim," Stupak said. "Those interested in tickets should beware of online promises of tickets as no tickets are yet available."

Residents of Michigan’s 1st Congressional District interested in tickets or additional information about the Inauguration can visit Stupak’s web site at www.house.gov/stupak.

Finlandia to sponsor Salvation Army Food Drive at Pat's Foods Nov. 29

HANCOCK – The Finlandia University Upward Bound program will collect food pantry donations for the Salvation Army Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.

Donations of canned foods and other non-perishables can be dropped off between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Pat’s Foods in Hancock, Calumet and L’Anse. Tables will be set up near the entrance of each store.

For additional information, please contact Upward Bound at 906-487-7343.

Paavo Nurmi Center Closed Wednesday to Sunday

HANCOCK -- The Finlandia University Paavo Nurmi Center will be closed from 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 30. It will resume regular hours Monday, Dec. 1.

Click here for information about the Paavo Nurmi Center Athletic Facility, including its regular hours, community programs, etc.