Michigan Tech students hold fundraising dinner for Nepal earthquake relief; fundraiser continues online

By Michele Bourdieu

Students enjoy a fundraising dinner at the Canterbury House in Houghton on Apr. 29, 2015. The event raised about $1,800 for victims of the recent earthquake in Nepal. With a goal of $10,000, Michigan Tech's Nepalese Student Organization continues the fundraiser online. So far they have collected more than $8,000. Serving food, at left, is Ezequiel Medici, who, along with Evan Post and other Canterbury House students, helped organizer Sara Alian with the food preparation. (Photos © and courtesy Allan Baker)

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech's Nepalese Student Organization and friends raised about $1,800 Wednesday night, Apr. 29, during a fundraising dinner at the Canterbury House for victims of the recent devastating earthquake in Nepal. Since then, the students' fundraising for Nepal has continued online HERE.

Sara Alian, center, one of the organizers of the dinner for Nepal earthquake relief, chats with friends in the Canterbury House during the event. Alian noted food was provided by Canterbury House.

So far the online fundraiser has collected more than $8,000 toward a goal of $10,000. The Nepalese Student Organization members hope to send the money to help in the best way possible. As of Thursday, April 29, they were still considering where to send the money.

"We have not yet decided to whom to give the money as we have not reached our target, but it seems we will meet our target pretty soon," said Dolendra Karki, president of the Nepalese Student Organization and graduate student in the Department of Physics. "However, we are thinking of providing part of it to the local groups working for relief efforts in Sindhupalchok District and Gorkha District."

These districts are in one of the remote areas most devastated by the earthquake, he explained.

Students provided food with an international flavor, including vegetarian dishes, for the Apr. 29 fundraising dinner.

Karki said the students were taking time to select the relief group to be sure it is trustworthy. They want to be sure the money will be spent on the people in need and not be misused. Another possibility under consideration is to give the funds to the Red Cross, which is helping people in those areas.

Ashma Vaidya, a member of the Nepalese Student Organization, sent an email out to students to let them know how donations can be made online.

"It is very discomfiting for us, members of the Nepalese Student Organization at MTU, that we are unable to be with our loved ones back home at this hour of such huge tragedy," Vaidya writes. "While there is so little we can do about it, we are determined to do all that we can to help provide relief to the affected people in Nepal."

Visit the Michigan Tech Nepalese Student Organization Facebook page to learn more.

Enjoy First Friday Art Walk through Calumet's Art District May 1

CALUMET -- The Calumet Art District will offer poetry, art exhibits, music and activities this First Friday, May 1. Here are some treats the galleries have in store for visitors Friday evening:

Café Rosetta: Poetry Open Mic

Photo courtesy Café Rosetta.

Start your First Friday tour of the art galleries in Calumet with the Poetry Open Mic from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, at Cafe Rosetta, 104 Fifth Street. Share your latest poem or a poem from your favorite poet. Don’t have a poem? Share a tiny story. Don’t want to share? Grab a hot beverage and listen.

Paige Wiard Gallery: Art and Paper

Paper art by John Hubbard. (Photo courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

Artists have been integrating paper into their work for years. Because of the endless possibilities paper adds to art, artists have been creating amazing and unique works. Visit the Paige Wiard Gallery, 109 Fifth Street, on May 1, 2015, to view the ways artists have integrated paper into their artwork. An opening reception will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information please email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com or call 906-337-5970.

Galerie Bohème: New works by three artists

Art by Cynthia Coté. (Photo courtesy Galerie Bohème)

Galerie Bohème will feature new works by Cynthia Coté, Tom Rudd and Margo McCafferty this month. Meet the artists, enjoy the snacks and conversation on First Friday, May 1. The Galerie will be open on First Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call 906-369-4087 for more information. Galerie Bohème is at 423 Fifth Street in Calumet.

Calumet Art Center: Explore work from classes

Visit the Calumet Art Center on First Friday between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on First Friday and see what students have created in the latest art classes. To learn about the Center and their work see a new video with Ed Gray, artist and executive director, on their Web site (Click on "A Welcome"). The Calumet Art Center is at 57055 Fifth Street. For more information call 906-934-2228.

Hahn Hammered Copper: Copper icicle ornaments

This First Friday evening see what's new at Hahn Hammered Copper -- their own hand-hammered copper icicle ornaments and also a large collection of near-mint Jewel Tea Autumn Harvest dinnerware. Hahn Hammered Copper is at 203 Fifth Street.

Copper Country Associated Artists: Art of Tin Cans workshop

Learn about the Art of Tin Cans at Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) Gallery from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. this First Friday. All you need to bring is your imagination and a hammer. You will learn the techniques and inspirations needed to transform a fruit or vegetable can into a beautiful silhouette candleholder with just a nail and hammer. Then you'll combine color alcohol inks to finish off your creation.

Please bring a hammer if attending this event. All other supplies will be provided. For safety reasons all participants must be over 12 years of age. CCAA is at 205 Fifth Street.

Cross Country Sports: "Art of Biking"

Cross Country Sports welcomes the biking season with a show titled "The Art of Biking" for the month of May. Artists participating with a variety of media include Joyce Koskenmaki, Cynthia Coté, jd slack, Shelly Hahn, Christa Walck, Elaine Eikenberry, Heather Ann Mroz and Jen Szubielak. Enjoy an open house and refreshments from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 1 at 507 Oak Street. For more information call 337-4520 or check the Cross Country Sports Facebook page.

Omphale Restaurant and Gallery: Music, Art of Jeremy Rowe

The Omphale Restaurant and Gallery, 431 Fifth Street, will host the Music and Art of Jeremy Rowe from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. First Friday, May 1 -- ONE NIGHT ONLY! Enjoy Dinner and Music every Friday. Visit the Omphale Facebook page for details.

Students to hold fundraising dinner to help Michigan Tech Nepalese students' families Apr. 29

Poster for Help Nepal Fundraiser courtesy Sara Alian.

HOUGHTON -- A group of Michigan Tech students and friends will be holding a dinner-style fundraiser for Nepal to support Nepalese Students at Michigan Tech and their families back home who are suffering from the recent severe earthquake and its terrible aftereffects.

The dinner will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at the Canterbury House, 1405 E. Houghton Avenue in Houghton. Donations of any amount will be accepted. Students will provide the food.

If you cannot attend the dinner and would like to send a check, please make the check out to Sara Alian and mail it to her at The Canterbury House, 1405 E. Houghton Avenue, Houghton, MI 49931. Indicate that it is for the Nepal fundraiser.