See our right-hand column for announcements and news briefs. Scroll down the right-hand column to access the Archives -- links to articles posted in the main column since 2007. See details about our site, including a way to comment, in the yellow text above the Archives.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Portage Library to offer nature programs

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library will offer nature programs by local park rangers as part of its summer series of events.

Isle Royale National Park Interpretive Ranger Jordan Kibat will offer a special "Trees Storytime" at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20. Children will listen to stories about trees, learn about the different types of trees on Isle Royale and in our region and make a leaf prints project to take home.

At 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, Baraga State Park Interpretive Ranger Rebecca Prich will share facts and stories about black bears in her program "Bear With Me." Participants will learn about the lives and habits of black bears, the differences between black bears and grizzlies and safety and nuisance issues with bears. There will be photos of bears, tract casts and a hide on display.

Weekly Storytimes continue throughout the summer on Mondays and alternating Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. All children are welcome to listen to stories and do a project afterwards.

Everyone is invited to attend library programs and presentations are free. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Calumet Art Center to host Fireside Chat on Ojibwe and copper Aug. 15

CALUMET -- The Ojibwe living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan discovered outcroppings and float copper of a very pure form of copper ore, the most pure in the world. They forged tools from the copper to fit their life needs. Hear Jikiwe (Ed Gray) share the story of his ancestors, the Ojibwe, the Keweenaw’s first people, and Miskwabik.

A Fireside Chat, "First People of the Keweenaw with Jikiwe (Ed Gray)," will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Calumet Art Center, 57055 Fifth Street. For information call 906-281-3494.

Photo: The new Calumet Art Center, the remodeled community church at 57055 Fifth Street, is next to the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne's. (Photo courtesy Ed Gray)

Club Indigo to feature Hitchcock's "Vertigo" Aug. 14

CALUMET -- Club Indigo -- tonight, Friday, Aug. 14, at the Calumet Theatre -- will feature one of Alfred Hitchcock's most suspenseful mysteries, Vertigo.

Club Indigo is a food and film event sponsored by Mu Beta Psi music fraternity. A gourmet buffet prepared by chefs at the Keweenaw Co-op will be served at 6 p.m., and the movie will follow at 7:15 p.m.

The cost for both is $18; the film alone is $5. For children, half fare. To reserve a seat at the buffet, call the theater at 337-2610.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Tamburitzans to perform Aug. 15 at Calumet Theatre

Poster for the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, who will perform Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Calumet Theatre. (Photo courtesy CLK Rotary)

CALUMET -- The CLK Rotary will be hosting the internationally famous Duquesne University Tamburitzans at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the historic Calumet Theatre. Club President Jim Lowell said tickets for the performance are still available and proceeds from the show will help fund several charitable efforts the CLK Rotary Club undertakes -- including its recently announced CLK Rotary Education Scholarship.

The Duquesne University Tamburitzans, whose name originates from the stringed instruments they play during the performance, have been hailed as America’s premier folk ensemble -- incorporating the rich music and electrifying dance of Eastern and Central European folk culture. One of America's longest-running live stage shows, the Duquesne University Tamburitzans' ornate costumes, rapid dance movement and engaging music have entertained audiences around the world for over 70 years.

Formed in the late 1930s, the group was visiting Calumet, the home of one of the group, during their first year and put on a performance for a local audience. The performance was well received, and they have returned every year since then.

The group is made up of 36 students from Duquesne University, all of whom are students first, artists second. The quality of the performance, however, belies this fact. They are as close to professional quality as Big Ten football is to the professional equivalent. The comparison doesn’t stop there. As with any sport, the competition for spots on the team is fierce. Each summer they spend weeks in a "training camp" in Wisconsin drilling for the upcoming "season." Scholarships are a key part of their program, just like college football.

The CLK Rotary club has hosted the Tamburitzans for countless years and invites people of all ages and interests to come to this delightful, exciting and unique performance.

Tickets can be purchased at the Calumet Theatre box office or through any CLK Rotarian. All seats are $15. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. and two and a half hours before performances. For more ticket information please call the theatre box office at 906-337-2610.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Updated: Red Metal Radio Show to be broadcast live from Calumet Theatre Aug. 13

CALUMET -- The Red Metal Radio Show will be broadcast live from the Calumet Theatre at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, on Eagle Radio, WCUP-FM, 105.7.

"You're invited to come out to the theatre to be part of the live audience," says musician Oren Tikkanen. "Bring your ears, your imagination, and $5, and you'll hear the sounds your predecessors heard 100 years ago. Meet a number of natives and immigrant settlers from diverse foreign lands, and listen to some of their music."

The audience must be in the theatre by 6:50 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the music starting at 6:15 p.m. Come early and listen to the Red Metal Radio Band play a wide-ranging set of old-time music that the radio audience will not hear. Once seated, everyone will need to remain seated until the broadcast is complete. Door prizes will be offered in a drawing after the show.

The band members are Libby Meyer, fiddle; Doug Bacon, banjo; Eleanor Taylor, accordion; Matt Durocher, bass; Dave Bezotte, piano and vocals; Deb McDowell, mandolin; Bob Orton, mandolin; with vocals by Marian McKellar, Melissa Lewis, Perrie Vanpembrook and Dan Maki.

Those who want to buy the $5 tickets in advance can call the Calumet Theatre at 337-2610 to pre-buy the general admission tickets.

Let your ears take a walk around Calumet--sorry, that's Red Jacket in 1909 -- this Thursday. The music starts about 6:15 p.m., the broadcast at 7 p.m.

The Red Metal Radio Show will be held during Main Street Calumet's Calumet Heritage Celebration. Visit the Main Street Calumet Web site to see the schedule of activities.

Main Street Calumet is sponsoring the Red Metal Radio Show, in conjunction with the Keweenaw National Historical Park. Eagle Radio is a media partner. This activity is supported by the Copper Country Community Arts Council and is a program of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Monday, August 10, 2009

MTU to receive grant for advanced electric drive vehicle program

WASHINGTON, D. C. -- U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced that Michigan Technological University (MTU) has been awarded $2.98 million to help fund the university’s advanced electric drive vehicle education program. The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"This investment in Michigan Tech is an important step toward producing and researching clean energy right here in Michigan," Stupak said. "U.S. batteries and electric vehicles have shown promise as a way to help our environment and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. This funding reaffirms that Michigan, and the Upper Peninsula in particular, will continue to be a leader in developing clean energy jobs."

DOE announced $2.4 billion in grants, with $875 million going to 12 Michigan companies and universities in cities across the state. The funding is intended to accelerate the manufacturing and deployment of the next generation of U.S. batteries and electric vehicles through advanced battery manufacturing, electric drive components manufacturing and transport electrification.

Michigan Technological University will use its grant money to institute an electric vehicle engineering degree program for students, including an interdisciplinary master’s and engineering degree and graduate and undergraduate certificates in Advanced Electric Drive Vehicle Engineering. It will also provide a comprehensive electric vehicle distance learning program to train engineers currently working in the industry. MTU is proposing unique outreach opportunities to the public and K-12 students through a mobile laboratory and showcase to promote and raise broad awareness for transportation sustainability through electric propulsion systems. Demonstrations will be conducted in Houghton as well as in the Detroit metro area.