First Friday in Calumet, Aug. 5, to offer art, music, poetry, more ...

Color pencil drawing by Cynthia Coté from her exhibit, "The Tribe," at Galerie Bohème in Calumet. (Image courtesy Galerie Bohème)

CALUMET -- Art, music and refreshments await visitors to the galleries in Calumet this First Friday evening, Aug. 5. Don't miss the artist receptions and new and continuing exhibits in downtown Calumet.

Galerie Bohème: Drawings by Cynthia Coté

Galerie Bohème, 423 5th Street in Calumet, will host an open house and refreshments from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on First Friday, Aug. 5. Cynthia Coté will be showing her exquisitely unique color pencil drawings, "The Tribe." Cynthia's show will run from Aug. 5 through Aug. 31.

Color pencil drawing by Cynthia Coté. Her exhibit continues through Aug. 31. (Image courtesy Galerie Bohème)

Gallery hours are 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by chance or appointment. Contact Tom Rudd at 369-4087.

Paige Wiard Gallery: Experimental artist Patti Sevensma

Patti Sevensma is the featured artist for the month of August at the Paige Wiard Gallery. An opening reception for Patti's exhibit of "Some things old, Several new. . ." will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on First Friday, Aug.5, at the Gallery, 109 5th Street. Patti has used the beauty of the lakes and environment around her to influence her work.

"Be Free," by Patti Sevensma. (Image courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

Starting with photography she developed a combination of painting, drawing and photography to create unique pieces of art. Patti's ideas and creativity have opened many opportunities for her, including membership in the National College Society and the International Society of Experimental Artists, of which she is president. Stop in, meet Patti and enjoy her amazing works of art. For more information, email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com or call 906-337-5970.

The Vertin Gallery: "Industrial Places Embracing Spaces"

The Vertin Gallery, Oak and 6th streets, presents "Industrial Places Embracing Spaces" from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug.5. Featured Michigan Artist Rob Zupko brings his photographic perspective of ruins in the Keweenaw along with Live Music from local guitarist Steve Hamil, all surrounded by a fashionably rugged vibe with industrial flair for your space. Enjoy refreshments, vintage and antique décor, jewelry, furniture, barware, and fine art.

The Vertin is a co-op family of artists and lovers all things old and unique. Currently open for consignment of Artwork, Vintage, Antiques and quality furniture. Pre-estate planning and consultation available. Open noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; Wednesday and Sunday by appointment. For more information email vertingallery@gmail.com or call 906-934-2655.

Cross Country Sports: Josh K. Winkler

Continuing for the month of August at Cross Country Sports is a very special exhibit by Minnesota artist Josh K. Winkler, assistant professor of printmaking at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota. He works with traditional and contemporary print media, including woodcuts, drawings, etchings and lithographs. The works in this exhibit reflect on the history of Euro-American settlement in the United States and the difficult narratives of American westward expansion -- how the destruction of forests and waterways and the devastation of native peoples continue to teach us lessons on sustainability, the importance of our natural resources, and cultural discrimination.

Sturgis, color woodcut 2016, by Josh K. Winkler. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Stop in for the reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, at 507 Oak St. in Calumet.

Hahn Hammered Copper: Art and Calumet history

Visit Hahn Hammered Copper this First Friday for a glimpse of Old Calumet. In honor of the Calumet Township Sesquicentennial the Hahns will display the artwork of local artist Jerry Hammes. Jerry’s paintings depict his memories of growing up in Calumet -- neighborhoods, businesses, churches, mining and more. They also have prints of Joanne Thomas’s painting of Ana Clemenc, better known as "Big Annie." Ana was a fearless woman who stood for  the rights of the copper miners in the 1913 Strike.

Painting of "Big Annie" Clemenc, by Joanne Thomas. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

As always, hand-hammered art copper as well as interesting objects are displayed throughout the store. While in Calumet, notice the Main Street Calumet "Windows into the Past" displays in various buildings on 5th Street. This year's display is all about Calumet and can be seen in the windows of former establishments -- the Evergreen Restaurant, Merchant’s and Miner’s Bank, The Calumet Drug Store, Rowe’s Furniture, Herman Jewelers, the Baer Meat Market right next to Hahn Hammered Copper, the JC Penney store and more.

Calumet Art Center: Quilting, Splake and more

Visit the Calumet Art Center Heritage Rose Garden. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Visit the Calumet Art Center on Friday evening, Aug. 5, and see the progress being made by the Sandstone Piecemakers Guild members as they continue the Community Quilting Bee - Finish the Quilt! Project! on the beautiful quilt in the performance hall. All are welcome to help on the quilt or to just stop in to learn more. Once again, Connie Boruta will be providing accompaniment on the original pipe organ. Outside, be sure to admire the roses in the Center's Heritage Rose Garden!

Calumet Art Center staff maintain the roses and walking paths for your enjoyment in the Heritage Rose Garden. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Meet T. Kilgor Splake, Midwestern poet-photographer-writer to whom the Splake Writing Room and Library at the Calumet Art Center are dedicated. Splake has had many literary award nominations including Upper Peninsula Writers’ Association "UP Writer of the Year" and life achievement recognition. Splake will have on hand his numerous books of prose and poetry writings.

Find many new beautiful works of art for sale in the gallery! Ed Gray is getting ready for another pit fire soon.

Café Rosetta: Poetry, art, and music by Backroom Boys

First Friday, Aug. 5, at Café Rosetta will begin with a Poetry Open Mike session hosted by Renee at 6:30 p.m. Bring your favorite poem or short reading -- original or by someone else -- and share it. Backroom Boys traditional jazz band will entertain with live music from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admire the work of this month's artists, Lena Wilson and sister Sara. You can enjoy the music, art, good food, excellent coffee, and stay as long as you wish. Go tour the art galleries, see all your friends, and bring them back for a refresher and some more down-home jazz and blues. Join the fun!

Rozsa Center calendars available now; 2016-2017 Arts Season Tickets Packages offer discounts

Rozsa Center calendars are available now and FREE. Season Tickets Packages went on sale Aug. 1, with early discounts. (Photo courtesy Rozsa Center)

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech's Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts announces its new FREE calendars for the 2016-2017 Arts Season are now available and Season Tickets Packages are on sale now with early discounts.

Once again this year the Rozsa offers both full-size wall calendars and the handy pocket/desk calendars that fit neatly in purses, pockets, and of course by your phone on your desk. Pick up one of each or even both at the Rozsa Center or at any of the more than 120 local Houghton and Hancock businesses who display and distribute them each year.

Featured this year are eight Rozsa Presenting Series events; more than 27 Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) events including music, theater and visual arts events; and the ever-popular 41 North Film festival. Season Ticket Packages went on sale this week, on Monday, Aug. 1, with the best discounts available on all the season has to offer! From BreakSk8, to two nights of Russian National Ballet, to Cirque Mechanics' Pedal Punk, to West Side Story, many great shows at the Rozsa are all available to you at a 20 percent - 40 percent discount on single ticket prices for all Rozsa and VPA events if you buy early. Season tickets are available for a limited time only, so find out more today! Not interested in a Season Ticket Package? Single ticket sales begin Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016.

The popular "Pick 6" Season Ticket Package has returned, and it is an even better value this year. New this year are both a 3-show "Flex-Pass" option for people who want to get their discount now and pick their shows later. Also new this year is the discounted "Family Pack" option that will help you bring the whole family to a big show at an affordable price, on sale on Sept. 1. Finally, the Rozsa is offering a discount "Ballet Package" so that everyone can see both nights of ballet at a great deal, also on sale Sept. 1. Find a package that works for you! The Rozsa thanks all their long-time Season Ticket holders. To new Season Ticket buyers, welcome!

Not interested in a Season Ticket Package? Single ticket sales begin Sept. 1, 2016. To obtain more information or to purchase tickets, contact Michigan Tech Ticketing Services at the Central Ticket Office (SDC), at 906-487-2073, or go online at rozsa.mtu.edu.

Lon Johnson wins Democratic Primary vote for First District U.S. Congressional seat

Poster courtesy Lon Johnson for Congress.

TRAVERSE CITY -- Last night, Aug. 2, Lon Johnson won the Democratic nomination to serve as the next Member of Congress representing the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan.

After securing the nomination, Johnson stated, "Tonight, our campaign earned the Democratic nomination, and I’d like to recognize Jerry Cannon and thank him for running a strong campaign. I admire Jerry’s commitment to fighting for the values of Northern Michigan and appreciate his continued service to the people of Northern Michigan and to our country."

Johnson then delivered a message to his supporters that reflected on the hard work that led to this victory, and he challenged his supporters to continue their work for victory in November.

"I could not have done this without the support of thousands of people in Northern Michigan and the U.P. who believe like I do that we need a government that reflects the values of the hardworking families who have made this country great," Johnson said. "Together, over the past year we contacted more than 100,000 voters and drove thousands of miles and raised over $1 million in grassroots donations. Now we look toward to November and keep running a campaign based on our values -- to create a government that puts people first, not special interests, corporations, or Wall Street schemes."

Johnson will face Jack Bergman, Republican Primary winner for the First District Congressional seat. Bergman, of Watersmeet, is a retired Marine lieutenant general.

Johnson won 72 percent of the Democratic Primary vote, with a reported 31,677 votes, while his opponent, Jerry Cannon, received 28 percent with 12,539 votes.

Bergman captured 33,624 Republican votes, or 39 percent -- defeating State Sen. Tom Casperson, who received 27,811 votes (32 percent) and former Michigan Sen. Jason Allen, who received 25,604 votes (29 percent).

Johnson to hold Town Hall meeting in Menominee Aug. 8

Johnson has announced on his Facebook page that he will continue his Town Hall tour with a meeting next Monday, Aug. 8, in Menominee. The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in UTC-05 at Schloegels Bay View Restaurant, 2720 10th St, Menominee, Michigan 49858.

During his Primary campaign, Johnson received many endorsements from national, state and local leaders -- including the Houghton County Democratic Party, who hosted several visits with him.

"When I am in Congress, I will work to create a Northern Michigan and U.P. where our families can stay and succeed by investing in, and protecting, our greatest assets: our people, land and Great Lakes," Johnson told supporters after his Primary victory.

More information about Lon Johnson’s campaign can be found on the campaign’s website at   http://www.LonJohnson.com.

Lon Johnson, 1st District U.S. Congressional candidate, challenges Casperson on Line 5 pipeline issue

First District Congressional Candidate Lon Johnson speaks at a Town Hall on Line 5, the aging pipeline under the Mackinac Straits. More than 100 concerned citizens attended the Town Hall, held last spring at Little Bear Arena Community Center in St. Ignace, Mich. (Photo courtesy Lon Johnson)

TRAVERSE CITY -- In his extensive campaign for U.S. Representative in Congress in Michigan's 1st District (including the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan), candidate Lon Johnson has given priority to the Line 5 pipeline issue, joining efforts by bipartisan elected officials -- national, state, tribal and local -- as well as communities and groups from unions to environmentalists, to shut down the 63-year-old Enbridge oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.

In response to news that Michigan Congressional Rep. Candice Miller introduced legislation to shut down Line 5, Johnson released the following statement:
"I am glad to see that our efforts on the ground across the U.P. and Northern Michigan have resulted in bipartisan action on both the state and now the federal level. I have said for months that this 63-year-old Enbridge oil pipeline should be shut down at the Straits of Mackinac so it can be independently inspected to be safe. The impact on the health of our Great Lakes and on our economy in the event of an oil spill would be devastating.*

"While I’ve been calling for lawmakers to address the issue of Line 5 for months, it’s disappointing that Lansing politicians like Tom Casperson would rather defend a Canadian oil company than protect the health and jobs of the people of the U.P. and Northern Michigan. Maybe it’s the $28,000 in campaign donations Casperson has taken from oil and gas industry PACs that’s influencing his decision?"

When State Senator Casperson (R-Escanaba), who is a Republican Congressional candidate for Michigan's 1st District, defended Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline running through the Great Lakes in a speech on the Senate floor in Lansing, Johnson reacted to that speech saying, "Among many things Michiganders learned from the crisis in Flint was not to trust politicians in Lansing when they tell us not to worry about our water. Here we have in Tom Casperson yet another Lansing politician trying to shout down the protests of 29 mayors, communities, and townships in Michigan who are calling for the Line 5 pipeline to be inspected.

"Instead of listening to the people of the U.P. and Northern Michigan, Casperson takes to the Senate floor to defend a Canadian oil company, risking another Flint-level water crisis in the Great Lakes to protect the oil companies funding his campaign."

Johnson has been taking on Enbridge officials at numerous town halls in the U.P. and Northern Michigan, as well as helping local communities pass resolutions urging their elected leaders address the pipeline. Townships, local boards, and communities have passed resolutions.**

Congressional Candidate Lon Johnson addresses a large crowd during the May 7, 2016, Houghton County Democratic Party Spring Fling. The Houghton County Democratic Party has endorsed Lon Johnson as candidate for Congress.
(Photo courtesy Houghton County Democratic Party)

Johnson has summarized his position on the Line 5 Pipeline as follows: "I’ve said this consistently: 1) Shut down the Line 5 oil pipeline at the Mackinac Straits; 2) Independently verify if it’s safe; and 3) Work with the Governor’s task force to seek alternatives to this pipeline."

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 2, local voters will decide through the State Primary Election which of the following candidates will lead their party in the race for the Michigan 1st District U.S. Congressional Representative in Congress, the seat now held by Congressman Dan Benishek, who is retiring.

Johnson will face Democrat Jerry Cannon, a retired general from Kalkaska, while Casperson will run against two other Republicans, Jason Allen of Traverse City, and Jack Bergman of Watersmeet Township. In the State Primary Election voters must vote for one party only.****

* Click here to see Lon Johnson's YouTube video on why Line 5 should be shut down.

** See the list of communities that have passed resolutions here.

*** See our Apr. 28, 2016, article, "Candidate Lon Johnson to Houghton County Dems: Shut down Line 5, protect fresh water, more ...," including an interview with Johnson during his April 2016 visit with Houghton County Democrats.

**** See our right-hand column for helpful voting information. Click here to see the long list of Lon Johnson supporters.