Woodcarver Stuart Baird to offer class on bird carving at Community Arts Center

HANCOCK -- Woodcarver Stuart Baird will offer a class on bird carving this summer at the Copper Country Community Arts Center.

Carving of chickadee. (Photo courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center)

In this class, Introduction to Traditional Bird Carving: Carving the Black-capped Chickadee, students will learn the art of traditional woodcarving and use traditional tools, chisels, gouges, and carving knives. In the process of carving the bird, students will learn how to mount glass eyes and pewter feet, learn feather groups and how to carve them, and receive instruction on how to paint and finish their chickadee.

Woodcarver Stuart Baird demonstrates some of his techniques to young admirers at an exhibit of his work in Calumet a few years ago. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

The class happens from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays -- June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26 and August 2 -- at the Copper Country Community Arts Center located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. Fee: $130 if registered and paid by June 14; $140 after June 14. Deadline to register is June 18. Materials Fee: This class has an additional materials fee of $75 per student, due to the instructor the first day of class.

Call 482-2333 for more information. 

Artist booth applications available for Houghton Art and Music Festival

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Center has artist booth applications available for the 12th annual Houghton Art and Music Festival happening in downtown Houghton on Saturday, June 21. The Festival is co-sponsored by the Copper Country Community Arts Council and the City of Houghton.

Stop by to pick up an application or call 482-2333 for more information. The Copper Country Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock.

Artists may also apply online. Click here for more information and an online application. Deadline to apply is Friday, May 30.

Houghton County Democrats to hold 2014 Spring Fling May 17

HOUGHTON -- The Houghton County Democratic Party (HCDP) will hold their annual Spring Fling beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the Shelden Grill (7th Floor of the Franklin Square Inn) in Houghton.

Here is the schedule for the evening: 5:30 p.m., Silent Auction; 6:30 p.m., Dinner; 7 p.m., Program.

The Program will include brief speeches by the following Democrats and Democratic candidates: Jerry Cannon, candidate for the First Congressional District (seat now held by Republican Congressman Dan Benishek); Tony Pintar, HCDP vice chair (rules); Jennifer Kelley-Lorenz, candidate for Houghton County Clerk; Chris LaMarche, candidate for State Senate, 38th District (seat now held by Republican Tom Casperson); and State Rep. Scott Dianda, 110th District.

Silent Auction item: Hand crafted Wolf Bracelet created by Benjamin Argall of Blue Mohawk Studio. Benjamin also donated a Wolf Necklace and a set of Wolf Ear Rings.
Visit http://www.bluemohawkstudio.com/.

Reservations are required for this event. Reserve your tickets by making a special contribution at the level that you choose. Tickets are available online (click here).

Tickets are $25 for students and retirees and $35 regular admission.

Check out the HCDP Facebook page to see photos of more silent auction items.

For more information please email houghtondems@gmail.com or call (906) 523-1233.

TV documentary spotlights students who built a handcycle for wounded veterans

By Jennifer Donovan, Michigan Tech Director of News and Media Relations
Posted May 15, 2014, on Michigan Tech News
Reprinted in part with permission

Michigan Tech Senior Design student with one of the team's handcycle prototypes. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University. Reprinted with permission.)

HOUGHTON -- It started out as a senior class project.  It ended up as a passion for a team of engineering students and their unlikely partners -- a group of wounded veterans.

Now a documentary has been made about the handcycles designed and built by Michigan Technological University mechanical engineering students for the Achilles Freedom Team athletes -- wounded veterans who race in marathons. 

The documentary, called The Wings of Angels, premieres this month on the American Heroes channel, a Discovery cable channel. Three showings are scheduled:

    9 a.m. Saturday, May 17
    9 a.m. Saturday May 24
    9 a.m. Saturday May 31

The 50-minute documentary follows the lives of two wounded veterans who have become Achilles Freedom Team marathon handcyclists and the teams of Michigan Tech students who designed, built, tested and refined handcycles for them.

In the Michigan Tech viewing area, the documentary will air on Charter Cable channel 203, Dish Network channel 195 and Direct TV channel 287....

Click here for the full story on Michigan Tech News.

Unsilvered Screen Film Series to feature "Death by Hanging" May 16

HANCOCK -- The Unsilvered Screen Film Series, hosted by filmmaker and photographer Pedro Trevino, will feature Death by Hanging, directed by Nagisa Oshima, at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 16, in the Copper Country Community Arts Center ballroom.

The Unsilvered Screen Film Series traces the imprint of cinema on culture, politics, and the arts through viewings of unfamiliar and subversive works.

Screenings will be preceded by a brief talk contextualizing each film's history, themes, and aesthetics. For mature audiences. Freewill donation to attend.

The Copper Country Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. Call 482-2333 for more information.

Algomah Acres to host 3rd Annual Arts and Starts Farmer's and Artist's Market May 17

GREENLAND, Mich. -- Haven't made it out to Algomah Acres Honey House yet? Now is your chance before another busy summer begins!! 

On Saturday, May 17, the 3rd Annual Arts and Starts Farmer’s and Artist’s Market will take place at 611 Plank Rd. in Greenland, Mich., at the former Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic church, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST, rain or shine, and is free and open to the public. 

Live music will be provided by Elijah Halpin, Swallowtail, and Viney Willa, all playing traditional and folk-influenced tunes from the choir loft throughout the day. A savory lunch will be prepared by John, and free mead tastings will take place all day (over 10 types brewed in site in the Western UP’s only winery!)

Vendors will include a bakery and dessert fundraiser spearheaded by Michelle Smith benefiting the Ontonagon County Fair, Judy Hiltunen paintings and a painting activity for kids, Jenny Varecha’s art, Jody Wolf paper arts, Gini Moreau fibers and more, Colleen Szabo blockprints and Carrie with Clay Ocarinas, Bread by Joe, Brenda Walma Lapidary, Kim Nixon photography, Doug Kikkebush Glassworks, Grace Strong woven rungs,  Finnsight cultural Finnish goods, Tammy Kero Artist, Jacalyn Salloum Hope Soap,  Pamela Hecht wire wrapped jewelry, Wintergreen Farms, Presence Chainsaw Carving, and Mike Osborne woodworking. Organic heirloom plant starts will be for sale (tomato, peppers, cabbage, pumpkins, and more!) along with Algomah Acres Hive products. 

Check out the Algomah Acres Facebook event page for updated information and highlights of what will be featured.

Peace Corps ranks Michigan Tech tops in the nation -- again

By Jennifer Donovan, Michigan Tech Director of News and Media Relations
Posted May 7, 2014, on Michigan Tech News
Reprinted with permission

Peace Corps Masters International graduate student Erica Jones helps a village boy shuck beans in Panama. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University)

HOUGHTON -- For the ninth year in a row, Michigan Technological University ranks as the number one university nationwide for the number of Peace Corps Master’s International (PCMI) students currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers. Michigan Tech has 32 graduate students overseas, earning the University top spot on the Peace Corps’ annual ranking of PCMI and Paul D. Coverdell Fellows graduate schools.

Michigan Tech has 10 different PCMI programs in three colleges and schools. The Peace Corps said that is the largest number of PCMI programs at any university in the nation.

In the PCMI program, students incorporate Peace Corps service as credit toward their master’s degree. The Coverdell Fellows Program provides returned Peace Corps volunteers with scholarships, internships in underserved American communities, and stipends to earn an advanced degree after they complete their Peace Corps service.

"One of Michigan Tech’s primary goals is to conduct innovative research and education that promotes sustainable economic and social development worldwide," said Michigan Tech President Glenn Mroz. "Our Peace Corps Masters International Program is clearly achieving that goal. It speaks to Michigan Tech’s commitment that a school the size of ours is consistently first in the nation in the number of Peace Corps volunteers."

Carrie Hessler-Radelet, acting director of the Peace Corps, said the Peace Corps’ partnership with colleges and universities creates invaluable opportunities for students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-life situations. "This hands-on experience along with the cross-cultural, language and technical knowledge that come from living and working abroad uniquely prepares students to succeed in today’s global job market," she remarked.

Since Michigan Tech became a PCMI partner in 1995, more than 140 graduates have earned graduate degrees through the program. The University’s 10 PCMI programs (including two under development) attract global-minded students to the university, while helping Peace Corps meet host country needs for skilled professionals to serve and assist communities in key areas of need, such as agriculture and food security, environmental conservation, water and sanitation, public health, and education and English teaching.

PCMI programs at Michigan Tech include Applied Science Education, Geological and Mining Engineering Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Rhetoric and Technical Communication, Biological Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Applied Natural Resource Economics, Forestry, and two under development: Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science.

"We have an amazing group of students who enter our program each year from all walks of life," said Kari Henquinet, director of Michigan Tech’s PCMI program. "They are not only dedicated academically, but also able to apply what they have learned to problem solve and work collaboratively on the ground. Our Master's International programs are set up to produce scientists and professionals who think creatively, understand social problems and function in multiple cultures.  Our graduates go on to work for places like USAID, environmental engineering firms, and non-profit groups such as Doctors Without Borders."

Michigan Tech also offers a Coverdell Fellows program for returned Peace Corps volunteers looking to further their education while continuing to make a difference here at home. Michigan Tech Fellows can choose between graduate degrees in biological sciences, forestry, applied ecology, forest ecology and management, forest molecular genetics and biotechnology, environmental policy, and industrial archaeology.

Michigan Tech’s PCMI graduate students have applied their skills and knowledge gained in the classroom to sustainable, community-driven development projects in 52 countries including Armenia, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Madagascar, Nepal, Paraguay, Senegal, Tanzania, Ukraine and Zambia.

More than 208 Michigan Tech alumni have served in the Peace Corps overall. Michigan is among the top-producing states for volunteers, and 271 Michigan residents are currently serving in the Peace Corps. Overall, 6,988 Michigan residents have served since the agency was created in 1961.

Top five Master’s International universities and colleges:

(The number in parenthesis represents the number of students enrolled in the program and serving overseas as of September 30, 2013.)

1. Michigan Technological University (32)
2. Monterey Institute of International Studies (25)
3. Tulane University (24)
4. University of Denver (22)
5. University of South Florida (21)

Final film in 2014 Green Film Series is May 15

HOUGHTON -- The final showing of the Spring 2014 Green Film Series will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at the Michigan Tech Forestry Building. This month's film is GMO OMG.

GMO OMG explores genetically modified organisms (GMO) whose genetic material has been intentionally altered by man. The film examines the systematic corporate takeover and degradation of humanity's most precious and ancient inheritance: seeds. The director investigates how the loss of seed diversity and corresponding laboratory assisted genetic alteration of food affects young children, the health of our planet, and our options for naturally-grown food. The film primarily follows one family's struggle to live and eat without participating in an unhealthy, unjust, and destructive food system.

Ray Sharp from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department will lead a discussion following the film. Light snacks will be served. The event is free and open to the public, though donations are encouraged to help fund future Green Film Series showings.