"John Hubbard: Recent Paintings" to be on exhibit at Finlandia Gallery May 28 - July 17

HANCOCK -- An exhibit of recent paintings by Marquette artist John Hubbard will be featured from May 28 to July 17 at the Finlandia University Gallery, located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock.

Artist John Hubbard in his studio. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

An opening reception for the artist will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at the gallery. An artist talk will begin at 7:15 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Drawing inspiration from well-known Canadian painters, The Group of Seven and the California impressionists, John Hubbard’s recent series of landscape paintings, created during a recent sabbatical, express the rugged beauty and luminous light of the northern landscape. Closely cropped water patterns, treetops viewed from below and the blue-green light of the deep forest fill Hubbard’s canvases.

Spider Trees 2009, Oil on Canvas, 18" x 24," is one of John Hubbard's recent northern landscape paintings. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

Working alla prima, from the Italian "at once," Hubbard created each painting in one sitting. He begins his process by searching the surrounding woods and photographing thousands of images, seeking to capture a fleeting quality of light that will bring authenticity to his landscape painting.

"My goal as a painter is not to duplicate the photo, but to bring to the viewer those aspects of the image that are significant and to make it look not like a photo, but a painting that was done with brushes, rags, fingers and paint," notes Hubbard. "The interest in a painting or any work of art is the unique visual formation of the marks that differ from one person to the next."

Hubbard is also interested in conveying through his work the inherent value and vulnerability of nature.

"The relation of man and nature has been explored by many artists, especially the Hudson River artists; but my concern is different in that I am fearful of man’s impact on the environment as we face global warming and other events that may affect our world as we know it," says Hubbard, adding that his future work will continue to explore these concerns.

The productive and creative momentum created in Hubbard’s recent sabbatical, and continuing intensive painting research, are significant influences in his work. In this new series of landscape paintings, Hubbard continues to refine his process as he discovers new techniques and ideas.

A professor in the School of Art and Design at Northern Michigan University for nearly 40 years, Hubbard teaches drawing, painting and printmaking. His work has been exhibited in numerous one-person and juried exhibits. Public commissions of his work include the Fredeen Art Project in Marquette and the Copper Country Mental Health Building in Houghton.

The Finlandia University Gallery is in the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy Street, Hancock. Gallery hours are Monday to 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.

Vertin Gallery seeks musicians for Saturday "Music at Noon Hour"

CALUMET -- The Vertin Gallery in Calumet is participating in the Main Street Calumet summer window display theme, "Keweenaw Music Traditions." We are hoping to attract some volunteer musicians who would like to come and perform on Saturdays at noon for one hour in the gallery throughout the summer.

Just an hour or so...we would be happy to pass out your business cards or flyers in lieu of payment while you are with us. Plus we will be advertising the "Music at Noon Hour." If we have enough names, we can publish them in press releases and announce them on radio to give you more exposure.

We are looking for anything from singles to doubles to trios to whatever! Keep in mind it is a gallery space so we hope to attract some milder, sweeter music. Heavy metal or really loud stuff probably won't do in this venue.

If any one is interested, please call the Vertin Gallery at (906) 337-2200 and ask for Kerri or leave a message!

Volunteers needed for Chain Drive bike races June 20

HANCOCK -- Volunteers are still needed for the Portage Health System Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival mountain bike races on Saturday, June 20. People to help with traffic control from the race start to the top of the Hancock Cemetery hill are especially in demand.

"Volunteers do not have to be cyclists!" says Dan Dalquist of Keweenaw Trekkers, organizers of the Chain Drive race. "Time commitment is typically 30-45 minutes on Saturday morning. We do have some positions that are longer -- for example, at the finish line."

If you wish to volunteer, fill out the form on the Chain Drive Web site. Please be sure to include your t-shirt size.

Cyclists who wish to register for the Chain Drive should note the $10 discount for registering by Sunday, May 31. Visit the Chain Drive Web site for details.

The challenging 16-mile and 32-mile cross-country races traverse the Maasto Hiihto/ Churning Rapids trail system in Hancock. The course includes miles of singletrack and lots of elevation change. The finish will be at the Portage Health System hospital parking lot in Hancock.*

The Junior Chain Drive starts at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20. The race will be on a single-track trail in a wooded area east of the hospital and will end at the Portage Health campus. The event includes timed races for youth ages 8-13 above and non-timed races for those age 7 and under. Click here for details.

* Editor's Note: Photo: Participants in a previous Chain Drive Race cross the Portage Lift Bridge from Houghton to Hancock at the start of the race. This year construction in Houghton may result in a variation on the start of the race. Watch for an announcement on this. (Chain Drive file photo © Keweenaw Now)

Low-cost natural weight / wellness classes begin May 27 in Hancock

HANCOCK -- A group of natural wellness experts from Finlandia's Jutila Center for Global Design and Business will launch a series of low-cost community classes called "Perfect Weight and Wellness" at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, in Room 324 of the Jutila Center.

Subtitled "Bringing Balance to Your Relationship with Food and your Body," the series will run on Wednesday evenings through the summer and cover topics ranging from mind-body wellness to why popular diets don't always work.

Patty Markham Peterson, RN, of Keweenaw Natural Wellness will introduce the series with her class titled "The Physical Body and the Energy Body," based on her experiences working locally in natural wellness since 1997.

Patty Markham Peterson, RN, of Keweenaw Natural Wellness, is an energy healer. She is pictured here teaching a previous class on wellness at the Jutila Center in Hancock. (Photo courtesy Patty Markham Peterson, Keweenaw Natural Wellness)

"As I work with clients I see how much energy affects their health," Peterson said. "In this class, I'll talk about how that happens and how we can manage our energy to stay healthy."

Peterson has taught previous wellness and intuition classes, which have grown in popularity since beginning about three years ago. As part of the current series, she will also teach the classes "Eating Without FEAR" (June 24) and "Conscious and Unconscious Beliefs and Body Weight" (Aug. 5).

Kim Menzel, LMSW, of Indigo Creek Counseling; Vicki Usitalo, RN, of Preventive Health Maintenance; and Katie Alvord of North Coast Holistics will present additional classes in the Perfect Weight and Wellness series.

Menzel, a clinical psychotherapist who works closely with area health care providers in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, will present the classes "Mindfulness and Body Image" (June 10), "Overcoming Self-Sabotage" (July 22) and "Food as a Metaphor" (Sept. 9). Menzel has been in practice since 1994 and has operated Indigo Creek Counseling since 2006. She specializes in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

Usitalo, a registered nurse who has worked locally in natural health since 2002, specializes in field control therapy, a method of internal cleansing which uses homeopathy and herbs. Her June 17 class will focus on ways this method can reduce fatigue, support weight management and improve overall wellness.

Alvord, an award-winning writer and educator with training in holistic health and nutrition, will present the classes "Journaling for Perfect Weight and Wellness" (July 8) and "Popular Diets vs. the Unique You" (Aug. 19). She will also host the class "Tapping for Wellness" (June 3) on neural tapping, a technique related to acupressure and designed to promote self-healing.

Alvord stressed the low-cost aspect of the classes.

"Especially with the economy now, we wanted to offer classes that are both practical and affordable," she said. "We hope the holistic approaches we'll cover will help people save money on medical bills, too."

All classes are $10 at the door, and will be held at Finlandia's Jutila Center for Global Design and Business at 200 Michigan Street in Hancock. All will run from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, with informal discussion to follow. For more information, call 487-7451 or email NorthCoastHolistics@gmail.com.

For a complete schedule of the classes, visit the North Coast Holistics Web site.

Coaster brook trout protection denied by USFWS

MARQUETTE -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced a 12-month finding on a petition to list the coaster brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The petition also asked that critical habitat be designated for the species.

According to a May 18, 2009, article in the Duluth News Tribune, environmental groups have sought federal protection since 2006 for the native fish now found only in Lake Superior near a few streams.

"Coaster brook trout are brook trout that spend a portion of their life cycle in the Great Lakes," the article states. "At one time, there were more than 50 runs in the U.S. waters of Lake Superior. They also were found in Lakes Huron and Michigan, where they now are extinct.

"Today, there are only four known wild populations in the U.S. waters of Lake Superior, all in Michigan -- one in the Salmon Trout River in the Upper Peninsula and three on Isle Royale."*

The Salmon Trout River is now threatened by Kennecott Minerals / Rio Tinto's proposed sulfide mine for nickel and copper.

The article also notes that USFWS "determined that the coaster is not a 'distinct population' from other brook trout and that it doesn’t deserve special designation because the overall brook trout population is not in peril."

From the USFWS: "After review of all available scientific and commercial information, we find that the coaster brook trout is not a listable entity under the Act, and therefore, listing is not warranted. We ask the public to continue to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the taxonomy, biology, ecology, and status of coaster brook trout and to support cooperative conservation of coaster brook trout within its historical range in the Great Lakes."

Editor's Notes:
* For the complete online article, go to: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/120559/

This update is courtesy Save the Wild UP.

Stupak introduces legislation to address excessive energy market speculation

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) has introduced revised legislation aimed at closing loopholes that have allowed speculators to manipulate energy markets and artificially inflate prices. Stupak’s Prevent Unfair Manipulation of Prices (PUMP) Act, H.R. 2448, takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the loopholes that allow energy traders to evade federal oversight and for the first time establishes carbon derivatives as a regulated energy commodity.

"The crises in the housing and financial sectors have shown us what happens when federal regulators are not keeping a close eye on Wall Street," Stupak said. "The Obama Administration’s announcement this week to strictly regulate the derivatives market and put an end to some of this excessive speculation is a welcome step. Congress must take what the Administration has proposed and build on it to create a strong regulatory system that protects American consumers."

Next week the House Energy and Commerce Committee, of which Stupak is a member, will markup energy and climate change legislation, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which will create an entirely new carbon derivates market which speculators can manipulate. The 2009 PUMP Act would give the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) the authority to regulate carbon derivates as an energy commodity.

"The carbon derivatives market should based on a strong regulatory framework," Stupak said. "The finite nature of carbon credits and absence of a physical commodity leave it particularly vulnerable to speculation. That is why it is so important that any cap and trade system we consider includes the strong provisions the PUMP Act provides."

Stupak noted that although energy costs are down substantially from a year ago, the American people, Congress and federal regulators should not be lulled into a false sense of complacency. Addressing excessive energy speculation should be a key part of any new energy policy because another dramatic increase in oil prices, such as the one we saw last spring and summer, would further devastate the already weakened economy.

"We need look no further than today’s oil prices, which have jumped 30 cents in some communities in the past week, to see the effect speculators have on energy prices," Stupak said. "Supply is at a 20-year high, demand is at a 10-year low, yet oil prices are up 70 percent since the beginning of the year. The national average price for gasoline was $1.61 in January; today it is $2.29. This cannot be explained by simple supply and demand. Speculators are driving these prices."

Stupak is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. In this role, Stupak has led House investigations into the role speculators play in driving up the cost of energy. Documents and testimony related to the Subcommittee’s investigation in the 110th Congress can be found at http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1393&catid=31&Itemid=58 and at http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=635&catid=31&Itemid=58.

For more information on Congressman Stupak's issues, visit his Web site.

Arts Center to offer children's class on Henri Matisse May 23

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Center presents "An Afternoon with Henri Matisse," an art class for students ages 6-12 years old. The class will study the life and work of artist Henri Matisse. Students will then make art in the style of Matisse’s cut outs.

The class will be taught by Leona Blessing from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. Students must register by Wednesday, May 20.

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

Sons of Norway to celebrate Norwegian Constitution Day May 17

HANCOCK -- Please join the Sons of Norway for their Annual Syttende Mai celebration from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Hancock.

The event will include a potluck dinner and musical entertainment by the children, Robin Oye and special guest musicians Dave Bezotte and friends, playing Norwegian music. This is the Norwegian Constitution Day celebration, which is one of Norway's most important Celebrations of the Year, so you do not want to miss this! If you have Norwegian clothing, please wear your outfit.

"Bring the family, friend(s) and a dish to share and be ready for fun!" says Connie Julien, member and webmaster, Ulseth Lodge, Sons of Norway. "We will eat about 6 p.m. so arrive early!"

For more information about the Ulseth Lodge, Sons of Norway, visit www.nlc-calumet.org/son.

"Kalevala: Land of Heroes" to be May 15, 16 in Negaunee

MARQUETTE -- A special two-day run of "Kalevala: Land of Heroes" will be performed on Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16, at the Vista Theater in Negaunee.

Evening shows begin at 7:30 p.m., and the Saturday Matinee will be at 2 p.m. (with special reduced pricing).

Come about 15 minutes ahead of curtain to hear Tanya Stanaway play a lovely mini-concert before each performance.

If you are unable to make the show, Paul Olson offers some video from the show on his YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/olsonpau

Olson notes also that a segment of the show (approximately 30-45 minutes) will be performed at Marquette's Scandinavian Midsummer Festival on June 20.

Bike to Work Day offers events, info, prizes May 15

HOUGHTON -- Join a group of cyclists who will hold Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 15. The event is co-sponsored by Michigan Tech Sports and Recreation and the Outdoor Activities Club.

The point: demonstrate how easy it is and encourage the activity.

Cyclists on the waterfront trail in downtown Houghton can enjoy free food and beverages. Cyclists and pedestrians can also pick up commuting information, visit a bike fix-it booth and see the City of Houghton's new bike rack design.

For those cycling from north of the bridge to Michigan Tech, the recommended route is riding southbound on the bridge, then turning right by the Powerhouse and connecting with the waterfront trail and on to the Tech campus.

Other events include a bike expo from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Shelden Avenue.

"The city is closing a couple of blocks (no, not the ones that currently have large holes)," says Dean Woodbeck of Keweenaw Trails. "We'll have giveaways, prizes, discounts on commuter gear from Cross Country Sports, bike movies at the Rhythm Theater, details on Downwind's summer bike to work program, tricycle races for all ages, a kids' mountain bike skills course and much, much more."

Cyclists can register for Bike to Work Day, making them eligible for a prize drawing, by visiting www.keweenawtrails.com/commute. Details about all of the events are also available at Keweenaw Trails.

Mont Ripley offers its two parking lots, on either side of M-26, to Michigan Tech employees to park for free and either bike or carpool to campus.

Volunteers needed for Hancock Clean Up May 9

HANCOCK -- Hancock Clean Up Day is tomorrow, Saturday, May 9. Volunteers will meet at Jim's Pizza at 8 a.m. for a free buffet breakfast. Free gloves will be provided for the first 50 people. The City of Hancock will furnish free garbage bags for all. Areas will be assigned for pickup.

At 9 a.m., following the breakfast at Jim's, Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club volunteers will clean around the chalet and the sand pit not too far from the chalet. In case you arrive late, the sand pit is at the top of Sisu Hill which is the climb out of the Gorge at the downstream end of the River Trail; from the chalet just go through the fence onto the trails and take the first marked trail to the left.

Volunteers are simply asked to help as long as they can stay. Anyone with questions on the ski club part of the clean up may call Jay Green at 487-5411.

Hancock Clean Up Day is sponsored by the City of Hancock, Hancock Downtown Development Authority and the Hancock Professional Businessperson Association.

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.

First Friday in Calumet to feature 3 art events May 1

"Sun Dance," Acrylic, by Artist Ed Schuck, is part of his exhibit "THE UNIVERSE" at the Vertin Gallery from May 1 to June 3. An opening reception will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 1. (Photo courtesy Vertin Gallery)

CALUMET -- First Friday in Calumet offers three interesting art events, open to the public, this Friday evening, May 1.

Vertin Gallery exhibit, "THE UNIVERSE," to open with artist reception

The Vertin Gallery will present its newest exhibition, "THE UNIVERSE," paintings by Artist Ed Schuck, with a public reception for the artist from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 1. The exhibition will be on display through June 3, 2009.

Schuck , originally from the Big Apple, New York City, has been a resident of the Keweenaw for the past 30 years. This exhibit features his large format acrylic abstract paintings, inspired after the images of our universe, that have been produced by the Hubble Telescope. He received a BFA in Painting and Film Making from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan.

Located in the heart of downtown Calumet, Michigan, the Vertin Gallery is one of the Upper Peninsula’s premiere fine art galleries, featuring sculpture, painting, copper, glass, fiber, woodworking, jewelry and a fine selection of books. The work in the gallery changes frequently, and each month premieres a new exhibit to feature artists of the highest quality.

For more information on upcoming events and the gallery itself, visit www.vertingallery.com or call Kerri Corser, artistic coordinator, at 906-337-2200.

CCAA First Friday Demonstration with Clyde Mikkola

Clyde Mikkola’s drawings are admired by many for the feelings his work exudes. Enjoy hearing him discuss his approach, then pick up a pencil and put your own hand to paper. Mikkola's CCAA (Copper Country Associated Artists) First Friday demonstration runs continuously so join in anytime from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 1, at the CCAA Studios and Gallery in Historic Downtown Calumet.

The essence of Mikkola’s demonstration will be to explain how he sees and how he uses what he sees to create a drawing. Hearing Clyde discuss his personal style is sure to inspire beginners and accomplished artists alike.

A still life will be set up, and everyone will be supplied materials and can work according to the explanation of Clyde’s approach. All CCAA demonstrations are free, so come and enjoy.

First Friday CCAA demonstrations are an opportunity to introduce visitors to a variety of arts and fine craft techniques by some of the area’s most talented practitioners.

The CCAA Gallery is located at 112 Fifth Street in Calumet. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, Thursday through Saturday. First Fridays, the Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information about the CCAA call 906-337-1252 or visit ccaartists.org.

Ed Gray Gallery to feature "Places and Dwellings"

An opening reception for the one-person show "Places and Dwellings," by Todd A. Erickson, will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 1, at the Ed Gray Gallery, 109 Fifth Street, Calumet. The exhibit features unique bronze castings created by the "lost wax" tradition.

For more information call 906-337-5970 or visit http://www.edgraygallery.com.

Conservation District Volunteers help prepare for Tree Sale May 1 - 2

Wrapping trees and plants to keep them fresh, volunteers help Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District Administrator Sue Haralson, center, on Monday morning, Apr. 27, in preparation for the HKCD Tree Sale pick-up this Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2. (Photo © 2009 Gustavo Bourdieu)

HANCOCK -- Volunteers have been working hard this week preparing trees and plants for the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District (HKCD) Tree Sale to be held this weekend. Pick-up times are 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 1, and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, May 2, at the Houghton County Arena in Hancock. While most items have been pre-ordered, extra stock will be sold at that time.

The tree sale is the District's biggest fundraiser. All proceeds go to conservation efforts and education in Houghton and Keweenaw counties.

For more information about HKCD or the tree sale, call HKCD Administrator Sue Haralson at 482-0214.

"Where Do the Children Play?" film, discussion to be at Portage Library May 4

HOUGHTON -- As adults, some of our fondest childhood memories include exploring in the woods, streams and sand boxes in our backyards. In contrast, children today are often connected to electronic media or scheduled sports events that leave them little time to imagine or engage in make-believe play. Time spent building forts, playing neighborhood games and exploring nature’s wild edge is slipping away from children’s lives. Should we be concerned?

Where Do the Children Play? -- a one-hour award-winning documentary produced for Michigan Public Television will be shown from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4, at the Portage Lake District Library. A discussion will follow for those who wish to examine whether this is a concern in our own communities.

The film visits three separate locations (Beaver Island, a suburb and an inner-city Detroit neighborhood) to probe how sprawl, congestion and suburban development may be impacting children's mental and physical health.

Parents of young children, childcare givers, grandparents, teachers and everyone interested in the well-being of all life is encouraged to attend.

This program is sponsored by the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education; Get Outdoors Michigan! Western U.P. Summit Planning Committee; the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative; Western U.P. Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education; and Michigan Technological University.

For more information, contact the library at 482-4570 or the Western U.P. Center (Email Joan Chadde at jchadde@mtu.edu or call 487-3341). Library events and presentations are free and open to the public.

Peter Van Pelt to deliver Finlandia Commencement address May 3

HANCOCK -- Peter Van Pelt, executive director of the Pine Mountain Music Festival, will deliver this year’s Commencement address at Finlandia University on Sunday, May 3. Finlandia is pleased to honor Peter Van Pelt with an honorary doctoral degree in recognition of his sincere and substantive engagement in the life of the western Upper Peninsula.

Peter Van Pelt, executive director of the Pine Mountain Music Festival, will deliver this year’s Commencement address for Finlandia University graduates and will receive an honorary doctoral degree on Sunday, May 3, 2009. (Photos courtesy Finlandia University)

Commencement exercises will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2009, at the Paavo Nurmi Center, Hancock. Finlandia will award diplomas to 108 graduation candidates.

A Baccalaureate worship service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 3, at the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock. The Rev. Dr. Lee Goodwin, the director of the ELCA Northern Great Lakes Synod Sabbath Project, will deliver the sermon.

The Finlandia University Class of 2009 Valedictorian is Lauren VanderLind. She has completed a bachelor of arts in Liberal Studies: English, with concentrations in philosophy and religion. If she had to name three things she’s gained at Finlandia, Lauren says they would have to be confidence, a direction in life and a voice. Lauren graduated from Houghton High School in 2003. She lives in Hancock with her husband, Blake. Her parents, Joan and Marshall Logue, live in Houghton.

Degrees conferred to Finlandia’s Class of 2009 are: 8 Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in Elementary Education; 4 B.A.s in Liberal Studies; 1 B.A. in Liberal Studies: English; 1 B.A. in Liberal Studies: Social Science; 5 B.A.s in Human Services; 28 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degrees; 13 Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degrees; 14 Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees; 12 Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees in Criminal Justice; 15 A.A.S. degrees in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA); and 7 Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.) degrees.

Alumnus speaker Jan Wisniewski is a senior fiscal analyst for the Michigan House of Representatives, overseeing the fiscal budgets of the Michigan State Police and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Jan earned an associate degree in English at Suomi College in 1993 and was awarded a bachelor of science in English and a master of public administration degree by Northern Michigan University.

For additional information, please contact the office of Finlandia University Provost Jeanne Rellahan at 906-487-7512.

Johnson / Wiitanen photography exhibit continues through May 15 at Rhythm Skate Shop

A large number of visitors attended the Apr. 17 reception for the collaborative project by photographer Adam Johnson (pictured here, far right, greeting guests) and artist/model Heidi Wiitanen -- on exhibit at the Rhythm Skate Shop in Houghton through May 15. (Photo © 2009 Gustavo Bourdieu)

HOUGHTON -- A large crowd attended the Apr. 17 reception for "A Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness: An acknowledgment of life, death, grief and rebirth" -- a collaborative project by photographer Adam Johnson and artist/model Heidi Wiitanen -- at the Rhythm Skate Shop in Houghton.

"I didn't expect so many people," Johnson said as he greeted visitors in the spacious, remodeled shop, an interesting venue for the exhibit.

The 11 black-and-white nude photographs conveying the emotions involved in the process of life, death, grief and rebirth are Wiitanen's tribute to her mother's long battle with cancer. Also displayed with the photographs is the mask her mother wore for radiation treatments. The exhibit continues through May 15.

Visit the brockit.com blog for details.

Kivajat Children's Dance Group to host fundraising dance in South Range Apr. 24

HANCOCK -- To raise funds for a trip to Finland this summer, the Kivajat Children’s Finnish-American Folk Dance Group is hosting an Old-Time Copper Country Dance beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 24, at the South Range Community Center.

Members of the Kivajat Children’s Finnish-American Folk Dance Group perform at Michigan Tech's 2008 International Night in the Rozsa Center. (File videoclip © 2008 Keweenaw Now)

Kivajat director Kay Seppala says the evening will feature "great dancing, great food and great fun. Bring grandma, bring the kids!"

For just $5 admission (children 12 and under are free), folks can dance to good ethnic music by the Thimbleberry Band and the Pasi Cats, as well as enjoy a performance by the Kivajat, who will use the funds to help them travel to Finland and represent the Copper Country at a dance festival this July.

For folks who work up an appetite during the waltzes, polkas, schottisches and swing dancing, the Kivajat Moms will provide an array of refreshments, including some tasty Finnish baked goods. A silent auction will also take place during the dance.

For more information about the dance, or about how you can help the Kivajat fund their travels, call Seppala at 523-6271.

Celebrate Earth Day! Attend film showing, discussion on proposed UP mining

View of Salmon Trout River where Kennecott Eagle Minerals, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, plans to put a sulfide mine for nickel and coppper. (Photo courtesy SavetheWildUP)

HOUGHTON -- Happy Earth Day! What is the Earth without fresh water? Show you care about protecting the Lake Superior watershed from mining threats by attending the showing of the award-winning documentary Mining Madness, Water Wars: The Great Lakes in the Balance at 7 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, Apr. 22, in Fisher 135 on the Michigan Tech campus. A panel of scientists and activists will hold a question-answer session after the film. See details in articles below or click here.

Big Fish Bonanza Indoor Expo to be Apr. 26 in Hancock

HANCOCK -- The Upper Peninsula Fishing Tournament Trail (UPFT) Springtime Big Fish Bonanza Indoor Fishing and Sports Show will be held from Noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Apr. 26, at the Houghton County Arena, Hancock Fairgrounds. A Big Fish-n-Boat Float Parade at 11 a.m. will precede the Expo.

Expo activities include a fish fry dinner with a $1000 cash drawing; new and used boat, tackle and sports gear swap; a big fish mounts exhibit; 2008 U.P. Angler Awards; trout pond and derby; entertainment, contests and more.

The family event is a community fundraiser for the UPFT, to support future walleye fishing tournaments in the area.

Admission is $5 for 12 and up, $3.50 for ages 6 to 12 and Seniors, free for children under 6. Admission includes the Expo, drawings for public raffles and the Big Cast Contest. Fish Fry Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and include the $1000 drawing and the Expo.

Advertising sponsors, vendors and concessions, entertainers, volunteers and hired help may still be needed. For more information call Aaron Gagnon at (906) 281-0678 or email upadventure2009@yahoo.com.

Children's book illustrator to offer family workshop Apr. 23 at Portage Library

HOUGHTON -- Children's book illustrator Wendy Halperin will present "Drawing Children into Reading" at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 23, at the Portage Lake District Library in Houghton.

Halperin has years of experience in teaching children how to draw and linking artwork to literacy. Her work emphasizes the connection between the development of fine motor skills and the development of the brain.

This will be a hands on presentation for families and children. Halperin will teach participants how to draw. All art materials will be provided.

"In all of her workshops like this, the results have been stunning," said Chris Alquist, Portage Lake District Library Community Programs coordinator.

Please check Wendy's website at www.wendyhalperin.com. You will recognize many of the books she has so beautifully illustrated.

This program is co-sponsored by the Copper Country Reading Council and the Portage Lake District Library.

UP citizens address Rio Tinto Board in London concerning Eagle Mine

LONDON, UK -- A beleaguered Rio Tinto board defended itself from criticisms coming from a number of shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) last Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2009, in London, England. High on shareholders' minds was the proposed $19.5 billion deal to sell access to a number of key company assets, including Kennecott Minerals, to the Chinese government-owned Chinalco as part of what many speakers described as offensive to existing shareholders and a direct result of poor investment and management decisions made by the company over the last several years.

At the meeting, Lutheran pastor Jon Magnuson, from Marquette, presented a document signed by one hundred faith leaders of ten faith traditions in Marquette, Baraga and Keweenaw counties. Magnuson said that the document was part of a petition that collected roughly ten thousand citizens' names in opposition to Rio Tinto’s Eagle Project nickel and copper mine, located on the Yellow Dog Plains in Marquette County.

"Many of our parishioners and members of our faith communities are . . . involved in the mining industry," said Magnuson. "But on this particular project we have taken a very strong position -- in this place, at this time, for these specific reasons. And one is the massive environmental damage that is threatened to the Great Lakes; and the second and most prominent concern is that what we perceive and experience is a cavalier dismissal of the claims of one of the major Indian tribes in Michigan, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community."*

In response, company CEO Tom Albanese said that Rio Tinto is "not unmindful of the questions and the controversy" and claimed that Rio Tinto Copper CEO Bret Clayton "visited the site and met with a number of the stakeholders as a result of requests of some of the questions that came up in last year’s AGM."

While Clayton did visit with a number of parties sympathetic to the mine’s development, including the local Chamber of Commerce and various local politicians, he made no attempt to meet with tribal representatives or with other Michigan citizens opposed to the mine.

Eagle Project's unsafe crown pillar design noted at meeting

Gabriel Caplett from Skandia, Mich., spoke to a lack of competence and care in designing the Eagle Project mine.

"I’m just wondering if other shareholders are curious as to why this project hasn’t been brought on line yet and I think there’s a very simple reason for that and it lies within the mine design itself," said Caplett. "The mine as designed could be charged with fraud under Michigan’s metallic mining law. The mine, as designed, would collapse -- the crown pillar holding up the mine ceiling would collapse. Many technical experts have agreed on that."

Caplett explained that Dr. David Sainsbury, a rock mechanics expert hired by the State of Michigan to review the mine’s mine structure inquired with Rio Tinto if anyone at the company had rock mechanic’s expertise.

"He didn’t receive a response" said Caplett.

Sainsbury, who was transferred to work overseas after continually reporting to the State that the company’s conclusions regarding the crown pillar’s stability were "not defensible," told a mine engineering colleague that the Eagle application, produced by Golder and Associates and Foth and VanDyke, was equivalent to "high school level" work.

Caplett asked the Rio Tinto board if, after deferring the Eagle Project mine, they would be willing to waste any more shareholder money on this project or would ultimately abandon it.

Rio Tinto shareholders note company's unethical practices

Two shareholders addressed concerns regarding Rio Tinto’s continued involvement in the controversial Grasberg Mine, in West Papua. According to shareholder Andrew Hickman, last year the government of Norway divested roughly $800 million in shares, calling the company’s record in West Papua "grossly unethical." Hickman said that mine officials have acknowledged paying the Indonesian military "less than" $1.6 million to guard the facility and repress local opposition to the mine.

Other shareholders addressed the recently acknowledged leakage of roughly one hundred thousand liters of contaminated tailings water at Rio Tinto’s Ranger uranium mine in Australia, as well as concerns regarding the company’s joint venture arrangement with Muriel Mining Co. in Colombia. The latter venture has forced the relocation of an indigenous community and occupied a sacred mountain.

The Reverend Magnuson and Caplett also met with representatives at the Church of England’s Pension Board and Ethical Investment Advisory Group and with the United Kingdom’s Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Review.

For photos and more information visit: http://riotintoagm2009.wordpress.com/.

* For video coverage of Rev. Magnuson speaking in London, click here.

Editor's Note: This press release courtesy Save the Wild UP. Read about the documentary film on the proposed Eagle Mine, to be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Apr. 22 (Earth Day) in Fisher 135 on the Michigan Tech campus. The film will be followed by a panel discussion / question-answer session with scientists and activists.

Kennecott ignores EPA request on drinking water for 3 years

MARQUETTE -- For three years, an official request from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific information on the proposed metallic sulfide mine has gone unanswered by Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co., a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, according to EPA correspondence.

In a letter dated Mar. 13, 2009, Rebecca Harvey, chief of the underground injection control branch of EPA, prodded the mining company for information relevant to ground water safety for the third time in as many years.

"We are requesting that you respond to our questions in order to assist us in determining whether this is any endangerment of an underground source of drinking water," Harvey stated in the letter.

The first request for this information came in March 2006, according to Harvey. Although the company responded to some questions previously, they have failed to respond to EPA inquiries about the proposed mine backfill. Apparently not content to continue waiting, Harvey attached an Apr. 30, 2009, deadline to her request.

Opponents of the proposed mine have consistently expressed concern regarding ground water safety and question why the company has failed to cooperate with the EPA request for three years.

"Kennecott’s evasiveness on questions related directly to the safety of drinking water sources raises another red flag about the company’s ability to operate a mine safely," said Michelle Halley, Lake Superior Project Manager for National Wildlife Federation. "The company submitted its application to mine more than two years ago. Are they refusing to provide the required items or are they simply lacking this critical information? Neither of those scenarios provides any comfort to the citizens of Marquette County."

Halley will be at Michigan Tech to participate in the panel discussion / question-answer session on the proposed sulfide mine, following the showing of the award-winning documentary Mining Madness, Water Wars: The Great Lakes in the Balance at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Earth Day, Apr. 22, in Fisher 135. See more details on this event.

MTU Earth Day event Apr. 22 to feature anti-mining film, local activists, scientists

HOUGHTON -- The award-winning documentary Mining Madness, Water Wars: The Great Lakes in the Balance will be shown at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 22 (Earth Day 2009) in Fisher Hall Room 135 at Michigan Technological University (MTU).

Mining Madness, Water Wars illustrates the stories behind a controversial proposal to develop a mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The documentary describes scientists’, community activists’, and tribal officials’ views on the project’s flaws, which could place workers in peril and jeopardize a Lake Superior tributary and its watershed, and the lack of responsiveness of the government agencies responsible for reviewing permit applications from the company proposing the mine.

Following the showing of the film, there will be a question and answer session with a panel of several of the activists and scientists featured in the film, including Michelle Halley, Senior Manager, National Wildlife Federation; Cynthia Pryor, Executive Director, Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve; Stan Vitton, Mining Engineer and MTU Professor; Jack Parker, Mining Engineer; and David Flaspohler, Wildlife Biologist and MTU Professor.

This event is sponsored by the Society of Environmental Engineers, Michigan Technological University. Mining Madness, Water Wars: The Great Lakes in the Balance was underwritten by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and produced by Brauer Productions, Inc., and Summit Public Relations Strategies, LLC.

Johnson / Wiitanen photography collaboration on exhibit in Houghton through May 15

HOUGHTON -- "A Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness: An acknowledgment of life, death, grief and rebirth," is a collaborative project by photographer Adam Johnson and artist/model Heidi Wiitanen now on exhibit at the Rhythm Skate Shop, 418 Shelden Ave. in downtown Houghton, through May 15.

A reception will be held from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Apr. 17. The event is open to the public.

Although these local visionaries have worked together for several years on various photography shoots, this is a first-time collaboration for photographer, Adam Johnson, and artist / model, Heidi Wiitanen, presenting the public with a very special project -- 11 black-and-white nude photographs and a mask, conveying the emotions involved in the process of life, death, grief and rebirth.

Visit the brockit.com blog for details about the exhibit.

Finlandia to hold second annual Fusion Fest Apr. 18

HANCOCK -- Finlandia University’s second annual Fusion Fest will take place this Saturday, Apr. 18, at Finlandia’s Jutila Center campus. All events are open to the public; and admission is free, with the exception of the evening Community Dance.

Fusion Fest activities will take place from Noon to 6 p.m. and include art booths, community painting, tie-dying, hot-from-the-grill hot dogs and bratwurst, a bake sale, art exhibitions and art sales, glassblowing and other activities and art demonstrations.

Music will be performed throughout the day by the groups Gratiot Lake Road, On the Spot Blues Band and The Pasi Cats. A Community Dance featuring the band ANENUKI will follow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Community Dance is $5 per person. Music is in Room 211.

Here is a tentative schedule of time slots for the bands:

Noon - 1:30 p.m., Gratiot Lake Road; 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., The On the Spot Blues Band; 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Pasi Cats; 6:15 p.m. - 8 p.m., Community Dance: THE ANENUKI.

Art events include the following, with approximate times:

Art Booths: Noon-6 p.m. in Room 104
Community Painting: Noon-6 p.m. in the Reflection Gallery Lounge
Kids' Art: Noon-2 or 3 p.m. in the Reflection Gallery Lounge
Art Slide Show: Noon-6 p.m. in Room 205
Tie-dyeing: Noon-6 p.m. in the Fiber Studio
Scavenger Hunt: Noon-5:45 p.m. on the 1st and 2nd floors
Door Prize Drawing: 6 p.m. at the Finlandia Booth
Capoeira Demonstration: 5-6 p.m. on the 1st floor
Glass Blowing Demonstration: Noon-6 p.m. outside the Glass Studio
Open Studios: Noon-6 p.m., varied, in respective studios.

Food: The grill will be running from Noon to 4 p.m. on the 1st floor in front of the elevators, outside the Ceramic Studio, near the Glass Blowing Demonstration. Any extra pop and chips will be available for sale during the dance.

Fusion Fest proceeds will help Finlandia University art and design students travel to Chicago for the annual Self Employment in the Arts conference.

The Jutila Center is at 200 Michigan Street, Hancock. Please call 487-7225 for more information.

CCGAP to hold fundraiser with music, prizes Apr. 17

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Guatemala Accompaniment Project (CCGAP) is having its annual fund-raising party with dance music provided by the UPTOWN SWINGSTERS. Music will start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 17, at the MTU Forestry Building. (Access from 7th Avenue.)

There will be a drawing with two grand prizes: a handwoven wool blanket from Guatemala, OR $100 worth of merchandise from the import business Heart Of The Sky Fair Trade. There will be other prizes AND a silent auction of Guatemalan handicrafts including textiles, bags, wood carvings, wall hangings and more.

Admission is free; drawing tickets will be sold at the door for $5 apiece. Dance and enjoy the music until 10:30 p.m. Snacks will be available.

Finlandia Nordic Film Series to present "Sweet Land" Apr. 16

HANCOCK -- The Finlandia University Nordic Film Series continues Thursday, Apr. 16, with the 2005 film Sweet Land. Showings are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock.

Sweet Land, filmed on location in southern Minnesota, is a poignant and lyrical celebration of land, love and the American immigrant experience. It was written and directed by Minnesota native Ali Selim and is based on the short story "A Gravestone Made of Wheat," by Minnesotan Will Weaver.

Inge (Elizabeth Reaser), who grew up in Norway but speaks only German, arrives in Minnesota toting a Victrola but without her papers, so when she connects with Olaf (Tim Guinee) -- the dour, strapping Norwegian farmer it has been arranged for her to marry -- the two aren’t allowed to go through with the ceremony.

Instead, they coexist in an awkward limbo as Inge stays with a neighboring family, where she learns the English language, American ways and a hard-won independence.

Inge and Olaf slowly come to know each other; and, against the backdrop of endless farmland and cathedral skies, they fall in love -- a man and a woman united by the elemental forces of nature.

Sweet Land won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2005 Hamptons International Film Festival.

For additional information, please contact James Kurtti at 906-487-7302 or james.kurtti@finlandia.edu.

CCGAP accompanier to speak about Guatemala Apr. 16

Mary Sennewald, accompanier, and Sue Ellen Kingsley, CCGAP executive director, in front of Guatemala's National Palace in October 2008. Sennewald returned from her six-month service as a human rights observer in Guatemala in March 2009 and will be speaking in Hancock Thursday, Apr. 16. (Photo courtesy Copper Country Guatemala Accompaniment Project)

HANCOCK -- Mary Sennewald, published author and journalist, recently served as the Copper Country Guatemala Accompaniment Project's accompanier in Guatemala. Sennewald will give a public presentation to share her experiences living with massacre survivors in Guatemala at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 16, at the First United Methodist Church in Hancock. A potluck dinner at 6 p.m. will precede the presentation.

Sennewald served in a region of Guatemala that suffered extreme violence during their civil war. She will give an update on the genocide trial through which victims of the violence continue to seek justice.

Mary Sennewald will also bring copies of her book Road-schooling Ryan: Learn As We Go, a memoir of the year she spent with her high-school age son on the road.

The Copper Country Guatemala Accompaniment Project promotes human rights by responding to requests for international accompaniment from Guatemalan organizations and/or communities and also by increasing awareness of Guatemala in the Copper Country of Michigan.

Read letters from Mary written during her service in Guatemala on the CCGAP (Copper Country Guatemala Accompaniment Project) Web site.

Free computer classes to be offered at Portage Library

HOUGHTON -- Robby Emmert of Houghton invites beginners and those with some computer experience to participate in "Surfing in the U.P.," his series of free instructional computer classes at the Portage Lake District Library. Emmert is offering this course to the community as his Eagle Scout project, and all are invited to attend.

Emmert's classes are designed to provide local community members with basic computer knowledge, including email, internet browsing, Office programs such as Word and Excel, data management and music and video management.

The workshops are incremental, and by attending all four sessions participants will know enough to explore on their own on a Personal Computer (PC). A limited number of computers will be provided to practice on, and participants may bring their own laptop. (At present classes will be given for PCs only, although MACs may be accommodated in the future.)

Classes will take place in the library’s community room and the schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, Apr. 15, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. -- Complete beginner’s course: learn computers from scratch.

Friday, Apr. 24, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. -- Exploring your PC: programs, settings and data management.

Saturday, Apr. 25, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Learn how to surf the internet: e-mail, browsing and safety.

Thursday, Apr. 30, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Multimedia: get the most out of your computing experience.

Everyone is invited to attend library events and presentations are free. For more information, please call the Portage Lake District Library at 482-4570.

T.E.A. group to hold more fundraisers for Central Asia Institute schools

HOUGHTON -- Students from Michigan Tech's T.E.A. (Taking Education Abroad) group, aided by some Finlandia students, have been selling raffle tickets for a free massage. The Raffle ends this Wednesday, Apr. 15.* Tickets are sold for any donation.

The proceeds will be sent to the Central Asia Institute, Greg Mortenson's 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the mission to promote and support community-based education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Greg Mortenson, co-author of Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time, with Khanday schoolchildren, Pakistan. (Photo courtesy Central Asia Institute)

"We are raffling off three massages -- two half-hour massages valued at $40 each and one hour- long massage valued at $80," said Jessica Banda, vice-president of MTU's T.E.A. chapter. "A massage therapist named Beverly Maynard was kind enough to donate the massages."

The students established the MTU chapter of the T.E.A. organization after a presentation by Mortenson at M.T.U. last August. A former mountain climber, Mortenson has been building schools since the 90s in remote regions of the Himalayas where he used to climb.** Several colleges and universities in Michigan and other states also have T.E.A. chapters that are raising money for Mortenson's efforts. The local MTU chapter hopes to raise $12,000, the cost of building a school in one of these remote areas, in one year. Last summer students at both Michigan Tech and Finlandia University read the book Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time, co-authored by Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Mortenson spoke to students from both universities and some local high schools during his visit to MTU last summer.**

Schoolgirls in Khanday, Pakistan, with new uniforms. (Photo courtesy Central Asia Institute).

The MTU T.E.A. group will meet between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in Fisher 329 for a brown bag decorating event to prepare for a community pop can drive, which will take place Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, Apr. 17 and 18, in Hancock and Houghton. New members are welcome. Volunteers are asked to bring to the meeting any pop cans they would like to donate.

In addition to the raffle and pop can drive, local T.E.A. members will be planning an end-of-the year campfire for Friday, April 24.

Student T.E.A. members are asked to bring their Fall 2009 schedules to the Apr. 15 meeting to facilitate scheduling a meeting time for the fall semester. Students who can’t make it to Wednesday’s meeting but would like to be involved with T.E.A. next semester, should feel free to e-mail their schedule to Jessica Banda at jebanda@mtu.edu or to T.E.A. President Travis White at tmwhite@mtu.edu.

The T.E.A. chapter at MTU has raised more than $500 through their fundraisers this semester. A recent bake sale netted $110. The T.E.A. organization is a non-profit, and donations are tax-deductible.

* If you wish to purchase a massage raffle ticket before the Apr. 15 meeting, send an email to either of the above addresses. If you are at Finlandia, please email Keweenaw Now at andersm@pasty.com.

** Read more about T.E.A. and Greg Mortenson's inspiring visit in our Feb. 12 article.

To learn more about the Central Asia Institute, visit their Web site.

Finlandia Singers, Pep Band, Choir to perform Apr. 9

Members of the Finlandia University Singers and Pep Band, who will be performing, along with the University Choir, at 7 p.m. tonight, Thursday, Apr. 9, at Grubbie's Café in Finlandia Hall, include (back row, from left) Brooke Thompson, Niki Webb and Sami Horst; and (foreground, from left) Matt Sundquist, Kumiko Takahashi, Toshi Mita and Kazuki Nishiyama. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

HANCOCK -- The Finlandia University Singers, Pep Band and Choir will be performing in a concert at 7 p.m. tonight, Thursday, Apr. 9, at Grubbie's Café in Finlandia Hall, Hancock. The event is open to the public.

Performing with the Choir will be singers Amanda Moyer and Sara Spangler, accompanied by pianist Carla Phillips, adjunct instructor of music.

Sign of Spring! Coast Guard breaks ice on Portage

This Coast Guard vessel could be seen breaking through the ice on the Portage Waterway today, Apr. 8, 2009, a sunny "Spring" day in the Keweenaw. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo © 2009 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Updated: Houghton County Democrats to hold annual Spring Fling Dinner Apr. 18

HOUGHTON -- The Houghton County Democratic Party will be hosting their annual Spring Fling Dinner on Saturday, Apr. 18, at the South Range VFW Lounge. Cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. with Dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Speakers (tba) and an Awards Ceremony will follow the dinner. Now that HCDP has a permanent location in downtown Houghton, the Spring Fling annual dinner and awards program is a way to help raise money for expenses. It is also a time when elected officials and recipients of the annual Wisti Award are recognized. Several Service Awards and special Youth Awards will also be given.

Tickets can be reserved online at www.rsvpit.com by entering the code SP09HCDP, by emailing houghtondems@gmail.com or by calling (906) 680-4075. Tickets are $22 and will be reserved for you at the door.

Update: Funds raised from the dinner help support the Houghton County Democrats' Office, located at 509 Shelden Avenue, Houghton. The office, staffed by volunteers, is open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays (except the first Wednesday of the month) and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The HCDP regular monthly meeting is held at 7 p.m. every first Wednesday of the month at the Super 8 Motel in Houghton.

More information can be found online at www.houghtoncountydems.org.

Hancock Council to hold public hearing concerning Anthony St. Apr. 8

HANCOCK -- The Hancock City Council will hold a public hearing and special meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2009, at at City Hall, 399 Quincy St., on the abandonment of Anthony Street between Spruce Street and Emma Street, a distance of 430 feet. The proposed abandonment is based on a petition from Finlandia University, which hopes to build an athletic complex in that neighborhood.

The project is intended to provide a facility for Finlandia to expand its sports programs and still provide utilization by the Hancock Public Schools.

At a public hearing held by the Hancock Planning Commission Mar. 23, commissioners and residents heard a presentation on the $4 million, three-phase proposal. According to the draft minutes of that meeting, the proposed project is to include construction of a soccer/football field with lighting and synthetic surface, two football practice fields, a 1500-seat grandstand with locker room, a nature trail, softball diamond and lighting, an alumni pavilion and new tennis courts and lights.

At the Mar. 23 hearing several residents expressed their support of the project as well as concerns about safety and walkability in the area and the impact of construction activities on events at a nearby church. Stan Kaczmarek, senior estimator for Gundlach Champion, which will be involved in the project, noted construction would occur from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. No weekend work would be scheduled, he said; thus the noise and dust from the work shouldn’t affect church events on weekends.

Chairperson Dan Lorenzetti read a letter from former mayor Barry Givens, 1301 Garden Street, saying he supports the project and the vacation of a portion of Anthony Street to accommodate it. He also cited community access for the new facilities as an important consideration.

Artist/teacher to speak on "Art as Activism" Apr. 7

HANCOCK -- Professional artist and teacher Helen R. Klebesadel will discuss the place in which art and activism come together at a free community lecture from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 7, at the Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., preceding the lecture.

The title of her talk is, "The Personal Is Political: Art as Activism."

Klebesadel is working this week as an artist-in-residence with Finlandia art and design students.

Klebesadel is director of the Women’s Studies Consortium at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In 2006 she was appointed by Governor Jim Doyle to a three-year term on the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Best known for her feminist subject matter, Klebesadal’s current work is centered around environmental themes and the relationship of humans to nature. She also teaches art workshops that focus on empowering participants to create art from their own life experiences.

Klebesadel notes that the arts are one of the ways a culture defines what they value. Visual artists, for example, not only relay aesthetic, and sometimes personal, content in their work, but also may use the content of their own lives to express their understanding of cultural, social, and political issues.

Klebesadel exhibits widely and has written several publications on using student-centered pedagogies in college-level art teaching. In her teaching, she says, she is committed to student-centered, multicultural pedagogies.

An exhibit of watercolor paintings by Klebesadel was featured this March at the Vertin Gallery, Calumet. See Keweenaw Now's slide show of the exhibit on this page.

For additional information, please contact Yueh-mei Cheng, associate professor of studio arts and illustration, at 906-487-7375 or yueh-mei.cheng@finlandia.edu.

Multi-media installation at Community Arts Center Apr. 7-30

HANCOCK -- TIME. SPACE. BEING is the exhibit in the Community Arts Center’s Kerredge Gallery this April. Artist Yueh-mei Cheng, associate professor of art and design at Finlandia University's International School of Art and Design, has created a spatial-temporal chess board as a collaborative multi-media installation.

Untitled Image from the multi-media art installation, "Time. Space. Being," created by artist Yueh-mei Cheng and collaborators. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

This New Media installation will be on display from Apr. 7 to 30. An opening reception for the artist will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Apr. 9, at the Community Arts Center.

New Media art describes creative projects that make use of emerging media technologies such as digital art, computer graphics, computer animation, virtual art and interactive art technologies. Their aim is to explore the cultural, political and aesthetic possibilities of these tools.

Artist Yueh-mei Cheng arranges some elements of her multi-media installation, "Time. Space. Being," in the Community Arts Center. (Photo © 2009 Gustavo Bourdieu)

The genre emerged in the 1990s as the Internet and electronic communication methods began to pervade modern society. New Media projects are often completed in collaboration with other artists. To create the installation, Cheng is collaborating with artists Aaron Radzwilowicz, sound design; Jonathan Soper, computer animation; Donica Dravillas, glass design; and Karl Larson, electrical support.

During her work of setting up the installation in the Kerredge Gallery of the Community Arts Center, artist Yueh-mei Cheng, left, pauses for a photo with her collaborators, from left, Donica Dravillas, glass design; Jonathan Soper, computer animation; and Aaron Radzwilowicz, sound design. (Photo © 2009 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Cheng says the installation places each visitor in a unique position to play 3D visual chess. Derived from her meditative experiences, "TIME. SPACE. BEING" creates images that echo the existential reality of meditation.

She cites Albert Einstein as saying, "Space and time are not conditions in which we live, but modes in which we think. A human being is a part of a whole, called by us 'universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest . . . a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness."

Untitled image from the multi-media art installation, "Time. Space. Being," created by artist Yueh-mei Cheng and collaborators. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

Cheng adds that -- in art -- time, space and beings are interwoven and inseparable. She says that in this art installation, one’s internal vision is represented by pictographic images and metaphoric symbols. The letters of the alphabet become beings that live beyond the ordinary dimensions of perception, invoking the ancient mystics. The viewer’s sense of time and space is influenced externally by the artist’s imagined appearance of form, color, light and sound.

Yueh-mei Cheng's most recent book, Visual Chess (published in 2008), is also closely related to the topic of this installation.

Untitled Image from the multi-media art installation, "Time. Space. Being," created by artist Yueh-mei Cheng and collaborators. (Photo © 2009 Gustavo Bourdieu)

The exhibit is made possible with a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs with funding through the National Endowment for the Arts. For additional information, please contact the Copper Country Community Arts Center at 906-482-2333.

Finlandia Student Fashion Show highlights Art Exhibit opening

HANCOCK -- Finlandia's Student Juried Art Exhibit opened on March 31 with a Student Fashion Show exhibiting original creations by fiber art students of Finlandia's International School of Art and Design.

Among the student art works on exhibit in the Finlandia Gallery of the Finnish American Heritage Center is "It's Not Just the Forest," by Juice DeMers, fiber artist, who also designed several dresses for the Fashion Show. See videos, below, and our slide show, above right. (Photo © 2009 Keweenaw Now)

"The fiber students look forward to this show every year," said Phyllis Fredendall, Finlandia associate professor of fiber and fashion. "They find the models and choose their music. It's a delightful group effort. The fiber studio has been buzzing this semester!"

Keweenaw Now presents here some video clips of the Fashion Show. See also our slide show with photos (top right corner of the page).

"Plush Living by Proper Etiquette" is the title of this collection of fiber designs by Juice DeMers. Phyllis Fredendall, Finlandia associate professor of fiber and fashion, describes the outfits and the stuffed toys -- eggplant, stuffed olive, melon, poptarts and a rice ball -- carried by the models as they dance to this catchy tune.

A large crowd filled the theatre and the gallery at the Finnish American Heritage Center to enjoy the event.

Pamela Kotila's colorful designs are presented in this lively choreographed segment of the Fashion Show. Models shown here are Kotila herself, in the pink hair, followed by "angel" Sarah Anderson and Kazuki Nishiyama.

The Juried Student Art Exhibit continues through April 21 at the Finlandia University Gallery in the Finnish American Heritage Center, located in downtown Hancock at 435 Quincy Street (U.S. 41 North). The Heritage Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.