Hancock High students take first place in MTU Bio-Athlon

HOUGHTON -- Students from Hancock High School took first place in the 20th annual Department of Biological Sciences Bio-Athlon, held May 6 at Michigan Technological University.

The team members were Holly Bekkala, Josh Hendrickson, Stacy Ruotsala and Jari Sague. Their coach was Kristin Schourek. Each team member will receive a $200 U.S. Savings Bond.

The Bio-Athlon aims to stimulate interest and problem-solving in biology among area youth. Teams from 15 Upper Peninsula high schools participated, including Baraga, Chassell, Dollar Bay, Jeffers and Lake Linden-Hubbell.

The teams spent one hour solving each of four problems involving dissection, field identification, biological principles and microscopic freshwater algae. None had biology course work beyond the traditional high school sophomore course.

Bio-Athlons also provide workshops for the participating biology teachers. Funding is provided by the Michigan Tech Admissions Office, the Department of Biological Sciences and the Michigan Tech Fund and by Michigan Tech alumni Mark Cowan, M.D.; Robert DellAngelo, M.D.; Olive Cornish Kimball, D.Ed., Ph.D.; and Sandra Lewin.

Editor's Note: This press release courtesy Marcia Goodrich, senior writer, MTU Marketing and Communications.

Dick Storm Interview on MTU's Rail Transportation Program available on MP3

HOUGHTON -- Pasi Lautala, director of Michigan Tech's Rail Transportation Program, and graduate student Shane Ferrell, president of the Rail Engineering and Activities Club (REAC), were invited guests of Dick Storm recently on his "Keeping It in the UP" radio program on WOLV 97.7.

To download an MP3 file of the interview, which focuses on rail transportation in North American and rail activities at Michigan Tech, click here.

Kerredge Gallery features art by Stacy Vaughn Davis

"Uh-oh!... Who is Judging Who?" is the title of this pen and ink drawing by Stacy Vaughn Davis of Republic, Mich. Davis is the featured artist in the Kerredge Gallery of the Community Arts Center through May 30. (Photo courtesy Community Arts Center)

HANCOCK -- The May exhibit in the Community Arts Center’s Kerredge Gallery is "Through My Eyes in Black and White," pen and ink drawings by Stacy Vaughn Davis. Davis tells his stories through intricately detailed drawings with areas of rich texture and repeat pattern creating depth and movement.

"My art has been a major driving force in my life since I was a young child," the artist states. "I truly hope to move people deeply when they view my work."

The exhibit will run through May 30. This exhibit is supported by a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. For more information call (906) 482-2333.

Stewards of Bete Grise Preserve to meet May 7

HOUGHTON -- Stewards of Bete Grise Preserve (SBGP) will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, in the first floor conference room of the UPPCO Bldg in Houghton. New members are welcome.

"The Board is very excited about our new logo and recent order of hats, t-shirts and canvas bags,” said Anita Campbell, SBGP secretary. "Our mission to raise awareness of the Bete Grise Preserve and encourage folks to enjoy and protect it has begun!"

The group kicked off their first sale of the new items at the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District (HKCD) Tree Sale last weekend. They include hats in tan or blue; T-shirts in tan or gray (adult sizes S, M, L and a few children's sizes also); and bags in a natural tone canvas w/logo.

"They make great gifts and remind the community to help protect one of Lake Superior's crown jewels," Campbell said.

New brochures prepared by HKCD Administrator Sue Haralson are also available.

If you would like to place an order for any of the new items -- all priced at $15 each -- checks may be made payable to SBGP and sent to Sue Haralson at 600 E. Lakeshore Dr., Suite 2, Houghton, MI 49931.

Presentation on sustainable communities to be held May 6

HANCOCK -- "Sustainable Keweenaw: Learning from Northern Communities," a free public presentation, will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, at the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock. Learn how businesses, governments, tribes, schools and organizations are working together to preserve and enhance quality of life while saving energy and resources.

Representatives from the Alliance for Sustainability will share their experiences in revitalizing Lake Superior communities using practical ideas developed in Sweden and adopted by the American Planning Association. Its model comes from The Natural Step, an international nonprofit research, education and advisory organization that uses a science-based systems framework to help organizations, individuals and communities take meaningful steps toward sustainability.

Partners often include colleges and universities. Northland College and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College are "early adopters" in the Sustainable Chequamegon Initiative, and the University of Wisconsin-Superior is part of the Sustainable Twin Ports Initiative.

Find out how The Natural Step's flexible, science-based sustainability framework can benefit organizations and communities.

The Finnish American Heritage Center is at 435 W. Quincy Street in Hancock.

Finlandia art students exhibit Diploma Works through May 22

Finlandia Art and Design student Jordan Siegler's diploma works exhibit is an exploration of culture’s ability to consume its people. This is part of Finlandia University's 2009 International School of Art and Design Diploma Works Exhibition at the Finnish American Heritage Center. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

HANCOCK -- The 2009 International School of Art and Design Diploma Works Exhibition is featured at the Finlandia University Gallery of the Finnish American Heritage Center through May 22, 2009.

Ansley Knoch's exhibit,"Repurposed for Good," is a line of bags, purses and accessories made primarily from recycled/repurposed plastic shopping bags that can be manufactured and sold.

A reception for the artists will take place at the gallery from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

This exhibit features the "diploma works" of graduating Finlandia bachelor of fine arts (BFA) students. Each individual’s exhibit represents his or her final body of student work. The work takes the forms of intensive research projects, series of individual artworks, or design prototypes.

Colleen Carroll's exhibit is titled "Ocarinas: Listening to the Clay."

Graduating BFA seniors featured in the exhibit are: Colleen Carroll (Calumet, Mich.); Chaslyn Duffek (Pelkie, Mich.); Jennifer Hamel ( Livonia, Mich.); Stacy Karvonen (Nisula , Mich.); Jennette Katona (Negaunee , Mich.); Ansley Knoch (Madison, Wis.); Fred Knoch (Madison, Wis.); Joss Martin (Crystal Falls, Mich.); Jessica Millar (Acton, Calif.); Anne Patrick (Hancock, Mich.); Jordan Siegler (Felch, Mich.; and Whitney Sirard (L’Anse, Mich.).

The Finlandia University Gallery is located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., or by appointment.

Please call 906-487-7500 for more information.

Ontonagon High School to host Fine Arts Night May 8

ONTONAGON -- Fine Arts Night will be held on Friday, May 8, at Ontonagon Area Jr. Sr. High School. Art viewing, refreshments and slide show will be from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m., followed by a Band and Choir concert at 7 p.m. Art will remain on exhibit through and after the show as well. Please help us celebrate Youth Arts.