Public meeting on proposed Penokee Iron Ore Mining project to be broadcast Jan. 19

WISCONSIN -- Wisconsin Public Radio will broadcast a discussion about the proposed Penokee Iron mining project beginning at 6 p.m. (CST) TONIGHT, Wednesday, Jan. 19. The two-hour live broadcast will include representatives from Gogebic Taconite Company, the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey (WGNHS), and the Ashland and Iron County Development Associations.

In the second hour of the discussion, which will take place at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, the public is invited to ask questions about this proposal.

The program will be broadcast on KUWS (91.3FM Superior, 102.9FM Ashland), WHSA (89.9FM Brule, 104.7FM Ashland), WHBM (90.3FM Park Falls), WLBL (930 AM Auburndale), and WHAA (89.1 FM Adams). This public affairs event is sponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio, the Ashland Daily Press, Northland College and the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. Click here for the agenda of the meeting.

Below are two of the presentations to be discussed during the live broadcast:

Iron Mining in the Gogebic Again?
An Overview of Wisconsin's Regulatory Process
and the Public's Access to Decision Making
Tom Evans, WGNHS

Iron Mining and Iron Resources
Western Gogebic Range, Wisconsin
Bruce A. Brown, WGNHS

Click here for more info from Wisconsin Public Radio and for the live streaming of the program.

Barry Scott offers Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., at Michigan Tech

In a powerful, dramatic voice, Barry Scott of Nashville, Tenn., portrays Martin Luther King, Jr., as he delivers the famous "I Have A Dream" speech on the steps of Michigan Tech's Memorial Union Building on Monday, Jan. 17, 2011 -- Martin Luther King Day. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photo © 2011 and courtesy Emil Groth. Reprinted with permission.) Click here for a YouTube video of Scott's rendition of the speech.

By Michele Bourdieu

HOUGHTON -- Barry Scott -- actor, writer, producer, director, motivational speaker, voice over artist -- told an audience at Michigan Tech University the story of how, as a young boy he watched a film of Martin Luther King, Jr., give his "I Have A Dream" speech and how it inspired his life's work.

"It captivated me. He was singing, not just speaking," Scott said of his child's impression of the famous speech King delivered on Aug. 28, 1963, during the March on Washington. "I wanted to be him. I wanted to talk like him."

Scott offered evidence of achieving his childhood dream in the presentations he gave on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 17, 2011, at Michigan Tech.

An authority on the life and works of Martin Luther King, Jr., Scott is the founder and producing artistic director of the American Negro Playwright Theatre at Tennessee State University. He is known for his Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. -- powerful dramatic presentations of King's words -- both spoken and written.

He began his Tribute to Dr. King at Michigan Tech on Monday, Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Day, by giving King's "I Have A Dream" speech on the steps of the Memorial Union Building -- an annual tradition at Michigan Tech -- which was followed by a candlelight Peace March to the Rozsa Center.*

Michigan Tech students, faculty and community members listen to Barry Scott's dramatic rendering of Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. Participants in the Peace March that followed carry candles and song sheets for the march. (Photo © 2011 and courtesy Emil Groth. Reprinted with permission.)

In the Rozsa atrium, students and visitors enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies and doughnuts before the second part of the Tribute -- Scott's stories about his own life experience growing up during the Civil Rights era of the 1960s, interspersed with excerpts from King's speeches and writings.

Arriving at the Rozsa Center with the Peace March after the "I Have A Dream" speech, Michigan Tech University President Glenn Mroz commented on Scott's portrayal of King.

"Our visitor who was the speaker today just made the speech come alive as if you were there at the Lincoln Memorial so many years ago," Mroz said. "It really reminds you of what a great man King was and how much we have to be grateful for and again how much we have yet to do."

This copy of Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech is on display in Michigan Tech's Van Pelt and Opie Library as part of a Traveling Trunk exhibit for Martin Luther King Week. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Scott first spoke about King as a great man who inspired him -- and about his own father who, in 1968, after King was shot, projected a film of King giving the "I Have A Dream" speech on the family's living room wall -- three times -- and then again on the wall of the bedroom Scott shared with his brothers. Scott related how he had jumped up and down on his bed shouting, "I have a dream" over and over, and then, expecting to be punished, was surprised at his parents' positive reactions.

"I went to bed that night feeling good about myself, and that was hard to do when you were growing up colored," Scott said.

After the Peace March, Barry Scott addresses an audience in the atrium of the Rozsa Center on Jan. 17. While Michigan Tech cancels classes on Martin Luther King Day, a diverse group of students and community members attended this second part of Scott's Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

He told more stories about "growing up colored" -- some humorous, like the time his father made him read the "I Have A Dream" speech in his family's Baptist church at the age of 12 -- and some terrifying, like being harassed to tell lies about his own parents by a racist policeman pointing a gun at his face when he was a teenager.

Scott asked the audience to imagine what it would be like to live in the South under segregation, before the Civil Rights laws, when they would not be able to eat in most restaurants, stay in most hotels, sit where they wanted in a movie theater; when they would have to sit in the back of a bus -- even an empty one -- drink from only certain drinking fountains, use only the dirty toilet.

"Imagine that for you these were just a few of the everyday facts of your everyday life," he said. "What would you feel?"

Scott mentioned the murder of young Emmett Till, the protest of Rosa Parks. He asked the audience to imagine what King would say today about his dream for America -- if he hadn't been assassinated.

Photo of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., part of the Traveling Trunk exhibit in the Van Pelt and Opie Library at Michigan Tech. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

With intense emotion, Scott dramatized King's speech in Montgomery, Alabama, when he had been named leader of the Montgomery Improvement Association -- a group that wanted to boycott the Montgomery transit system after the 1955 incident where Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger.

Scott chose to quote powerful phrases from the speech, such as these: "'If we are wrong, justice is a lie. And we are determined ... to work and fight until justice runs down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.'"

Making history come alive through King's words, Scott then quoted from King's famous 1963 "Letter from Birmingham Jail," when he challenged a group of clergymen who were critical of civil rights demonstrations with phrases like "'We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal of America is freedom.'" **

In his Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., Barry Scott portrays the Civil Rights leader with selections from his speeches and writings. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Scott recalled the bombing of the church that killed four little girls in Birmingham. He was seven years old and refused to go to church because of the bombing -- and he described his mother's mixed reaction.

Scott quoted King's advice to young people -- to remember the sacrifices of those who fought for their freedoms and to do their best at whatever they chose to do: "'Keep moving!'"

He concluded his talk with questions like "What do you think? What do you feel? What kind of person will you become?"

Shezwae Fleming, director of Michigan Tech's Center for Diversity and Inclusion, asked Scott about the origin of the "I have a dream" phrase in the speech.

Scott said he believed it came from King's own education and reading of great thinkers as far back as Aristotle.

Fleming said she had learned that the phrase wasn't in the formal part of the speech but that the gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, a good friend of King's, reminded him (in the middle of his speech) to include it.

"So much of Dr. King's legacy is attributed to that very phrase," Fleming noted. "What would have happened and where would we be without that component?"

Mel Norwood, outreach coordinator in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, asked about the concept "We Shall Overcome" -- a song from the Civil Rights Movement that participants sang during the Peace March from the Rozsa.

"If King were here today he would compliment us on how far we've come," Scott said. "He would remind us we've come a long way, but he still would say there's more to be done."

Barry Scott answers a question from Mel Norwood, right, standing, outreach coordinator in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Norwood invited Scott to give his presentation at Michigan Tech after finding a video of Scott on YouTube. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Norwood is the person who invited Barry Scott to participate in Michigan Tech's Martin Luther King Day event. Traditionally a Michigan Tech student gives the "I Have A Dream" speech, but Norwood was looking on YouTube for a child who might do it this year. He happened to come across a YouTube video of Barry Scott's Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I was looking for maybe a child to do it who would impress, and I came across him (Scott) and I stopped looking," Norwood said. "He kind of invoked the presence of Dr. King, so I decided to invite him to join us for this event. He was gracious enough to accept and to come up to the U.P. all the way from Nashville, Tennessee."

Betty Chavis, former director of Michigan Tech's Outreach and Multi-Ethnic Programs, and now a local business owner, said she was very impressed by Scott's Tribute to Dr. King. The sound of Scott's voice, she added, was reminiscent of her memories of seeing and hearing Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I had heard Dr. King on two occasions (in Detroit and New York), and it brought back a lot of reflected memories," Chavis said. "As a matter of fact, I have an autographed picture of him. It's in the window of my store at the Copper Country Mall."

Several international students -- from Michigan Tech and Finlandia universities -- also attended the presentation. One Nigerian student, Jide Ayanniyi, who just arrived at Michigan Tech this week, said he liked the way Scott, through King's words, challenged the people in the audience to do their very best.

"It was awesome," Ayanniyi said.

Notes:

* Click here for Emil Groth's YouTube video of Barry Scott's Jan. 17, 2011, presentation of the "I Have A Dream" speech at Michigan Tech.

** Click here to read King's historic Letter from Birmingham Jail.

See the schedule for more Michigan Tech events during Martin Luther King Week.

Mining Journal: Kennecott changes ore hauling plan

MARQUETTE -- An article today, Jan. 18, 2011, in the Marquette Mining Journal reports Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co. (KEMC) has abandoned a plan to build a north-south haul road for Marquette County (known as County Road 595) connecting its Eagle Mine with a processing facility in Humboldt Township.

Mining Journal staff writer John Pepin says in this article that KEMC now plans to develop the trucking route on existing County roads AAA, 510 and 550, but in Marquette will use Wright Street to U.S. 41 and then west to Humboldt (instead of the railhead proposed in the original plan).

"The decision comes after a December meeting between representatives from the Marquette County Road Commission, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Grand Rapids company King and MacGregor, which does environmental engineering for Kennecott, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," the article explains.

Read more in the Mining Journal.

Update: See a reaction from Save the Wild UP.

Editor's Notes: See our Oct. 25, 2010, article,"Opponents of proposed 'public' mine haul road call for more public input," on the Oct. 18, 2010, meeting during which the Marquette County Road Commission voted to move forward with "County Road 595."

See also an article posted today, Jan. 18, 2011, by Gabriel Caplett in Headwaters News, noting the objections by three federal agencies against the Woodland Road, which KEMC had first proposed as an alternative to using existing roads.

Portage Library to offer second seminar on new databases Jan. 19

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library recently acquired two remarkable databases for its patrons to use: Mango and Universal Class.

Shawn Leche, library director, will again present a seminar on these databases from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Mango is an online language learning system that teaches practical conversation skills for real communication. Each lesson combines real life situations and audio from native speakers with simple, clear instructions. The courses are presented with an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world application that integrates components of vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and culture. It includes over 30 languages and 10 courses which teach English as a second language.

Universal Class offers over 500 online continuing education courses taught by real instructors with remote, 24/7 access so people can study at their convenience on their own schedule. Patrons can enroll in up to five courses at a time and have six months to finish each course. A complete list of classes is posted on the library’s website.

Mango and Universal Class are available free of charge to all Portage Lake District Library patrons.*

This seminar is free and open to all. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

* Editor's Note: See our Jan. 15 article on the Library Director Shawn Leche's first presentation on these databases, given last week.

Hancock's Orpheum Theater to present live music Jan. 21

HANCOCK -- Three groups -- Chris Bathgate, The Chanteymen and This is Deer Country -- will perform live music beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, at the Orpheum Theater, located behind Studio Pizza in Hancock (formerly the Pic theater).

Chris Bathgate is considered one of the best performers in the Michigan music scene right now -- a must-see act.

According to NPR, "It's clear that Chris Bathgate knows his way around pretty, minor-key indie-folk...If Bathgate has mastered one thing in his young and enormously promising career, it's the art of distilling alienation into bruised-sounding beauty."

The Chanteymen are known as Marquette's premiere nautical acoustic rock outfit.

The Houghton duo This is Deer Country just released the album What Wandering Heart.

Proceeds from these shows go toward supporting the touring musicians and theater maintenance.

Calumet Art Center to host open working studio Jan. 19

CALUMET -- The Calumet Art Center is hosting another open working studio night from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19. Artists are invited to come and work on projects of their choice, bringing their own materials for the projects. The open working studio is held every first and third Wednesday of the month.

Soup and bread are served from 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. Open studio is available until 8 p.m. No pre-registration is required. A five dollar donation is requested.

The Calumet Art Center is at 57055 Fifth Street. For more information call 281-3494.

NOSOTROS to hold Latin Music social, dance Jan. 21

HOUGHTON -- Another great Latin American event is coming up! Learn how to dance to Latin music and make new friends at the Latin Music social to be held from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, in the Memorial Union Ballroom A on the Michigan Tech campus.

From 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. take advantage of free salsa lessons -- followed by two hours open floor with salsa, merengue, bachata and much more! No partner needed! Family friendly! All levels! Free!

This event is organized by NOSOTROS, Hispanic Student Organization at Michigan Tech. For information contact Alessia Uboni, at auboni@mtu.edu.

Poster courtesy NOSOTROS.

Photos and videos: Jibba Jabba Rail Jam

HOUGHTON -- Undaunted by the cold temperatures this weekend, competitors and spectators turned out for the third annual Jibba Jabba Rail Jam snowboarding competition in downtown Houghton on Saturday, Jan. 15.

A young snowboarder hits the wall during the third annual Jibba Jabba Rail Jam snowboarding competition Jan. 15, on Huron Street in Houghton. (Video clips and photos by Keweenaw Now)

The Rhythm Skate Shop sponsored the event, along with several Houghton businesses.

Here are some "off the wall" photos:




And some more action:

Nice turns!

Great balance!

Thanks to the sponsors ...

And across the Portage Canal, lots of skiers were enjoying the snow on Mont Ripley!

Portage Library offers new data bases for online learning

By Michele Bourdieu

HOUGHTON -- Portage Lake District Library patrons now have the opportunity to access Universal Class -- a data base that offers a selection of more than 500 online, non-credit continuing education courses -- and Mango -- a data base for learning foreign languages. Anyone holding a Portage Lake District Library card can access these for free, either from home or in the library. Visitors without a library card can access them from library computers for a simple $1 computer use fee.

Portage Lake District Library Director Shawn Leche answers a question from a library patron during his recent presentation of new data bases he acquired for the library -- Universal Class and Mango. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

Library Director Shawn Leche demonstrated the use of both data bases in a recent presentation in the library. He will offer the same presentation on these new data bases at 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday, Jan. 19. The presentation is free and open to the public. Those who attend receive a handout listing all 500 courses available through Universal Class and a set of frequently asked questions about the program, as well as a handout on Mango listing the languages taught.*

UNIVERSAL CLASS: user-friendly online courses

Projecting pages from a sample course, Time Management, Leche showed how Universal Class offers step-by-step modules with a user-friendly sequence that guides the student through each course -- from registration through exams.

"It's very, very self-explanatory," Leche said. "You have six months to do a course."

The program also allows one to take up to five courses at a time. The student may begin a course at any time.

Students first log in with their library card number, a username and password to introduce themselves to the professor. A click on the class syllabus offers them a list of requirements (if any), topics of each lesson, materials, grading scale, assignments for each lesson and exams. After finishing one module, the student can go on to the next one. The number of modules depends on the course.

"I'm taking a course in Excel," Leche noted, "and there are 12 modules in the course."

The Universal Class Web site lists more than 20 courses just on home schooling, from courses on how to teach certain subjects to computer basics to behavior management. In addition to academic courses like math or history, Universal Class includes more than 70 courses on crafts and hobbies -- from Genealogy 101 to Yoga.

In answer to a question on whether a student needs to download material to a computer, Leche replied that all the work is done through the data base. Downloading isn't necessary. The student types answers to questions and the professor keeps track of his/her work. The student is asked for the library card number only for the initial registration in a course.

"To my knowledge there are no course fees if you're a member of this library," Leche explained.

An exception would be a fee for a printed certificate -- a hard copy to show completion of a course.

MANGO: foreign language learning data base

Leche introduced the Mango data base for learning foreign languages with a YouTube video titled "Mango Languages Tutorial." This brief introduction to the program uses Japanese as an example.**

Students using the Mango foreign language data base have a wide choice of languages, including English as a Second Language.

Mango uses native speakers in a method called "Intuitive Language Construction" based on four components for speaking a language: vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and culture. Color-coded words, phrases and sentences assist comprehension of grammar structure and meaning. The program is self-paced, allowing the student to adjust the speed of the conversation elements, repeat the audio and see answers to quizzes. A simple mouseover gives phonetic equivalents for pronunciation help. Grammar and culture notes are also integrated into each lesson.

"Mango also is very, very simple," Leche noted. "You just point your mouse, and a pop-up box tells you what to do."

In addition to the tutorial, he projected some slides from Mango's French and Spanish lessons at the request of some of the library visitors in order to show how the program works.

"I'm a French native speaker, so I took several minutes of the French course to see how it's taught," Leche explained. "It's done very, very well."

Mango also has a recording feature, allowing the student to record his or her voice and compare it with the native speaker's voice. This "language lab" capability requires a computer with a microphone.

At present the Portage Library is anticipating a broadband connection, which will greatly improve the speed of the library's computers. Once the Michigan Tech Lakeshore Center (former UPPCO building near the library) is connected to broadband, the library will also be connected to it, hopefully within the year, Leche noted.

Leche said his real goal in purchasing the data bases for the library is to make these programs available without fees to library members' home computers.

"Then I've brought the library to you," he said. "It fits my philosophy of a library without walls."

Portage Lake District Library Director Shawn Leche has acquired new data bases for the library -- accessible from patrons' home computers -- as part of his philosophy of having a "library without walls." He also hopes to expand the Library District to include more Keweenaw communities.

Several visitors who attended the presentation, including some non-members from outside the district, voiced positive reactions.

"I appreciate the library offering this service," said Patti Lund of Calumet.

Pat Bacon of Hancock said she found the presentation interesting. Her sister, Marlys Bacon, of Hancock Township, said she often brings her grandchildren to the Portage Library, which offers many programs for children.***

Director hopes to expand Portage Library District

Non-members interested in taking courses in Universal Class or Mango on their home computers may find that the non-resident fee for a library card is more economical than paying for the courses on their own.

Portage Lake District Library District is a tax-supported institution including Chassell and Portage Townships and the City of Houghton. District residents pay no additional fees for obtaining a borrower’s card. A non-resident fee is $85 per person and $130 per family and is good for twelve months. Michigan Tech University students may use the library without a fee if they live on-campus or in the City of Houghton, Chassell Township or Portage Township.

Leche would like to see the Portage Library District expanded to other communities, provided the residents agree to vote for the millage.

"I'm going to try to get Stanton and Adams townships, Hancock and Calumet to join," he said.

Leche -- originally from Strasbourg, France -- came here from Santa Fe, NM, last summer to accept the position of Library Director. He is enthusiastic about the Portage Library -- its book collection, data bases and other resources, as well as community activities.

"It's just wonderful how much is available," he said. "Physically it's a jewel, and in its entirety it's a major draw for the community of Houghton."

Notes:

* Visit the Portage Lake District Library Web site and go to Online Resources. Click on Universal Class to see a list of all the courses offered. This page also allows library members to log on to the program. See also universalclass.com for more information.

Click here for the Mango Web site, including a list of languages taught.

** Click here to see the Mango tutorial.

*** An example is the summer reading program. See our July 28, 2010, article -- "Portage Library Summer Reading Program: More than just a good read," by Samantha Stauch -- and read about Chris Alquist, Portage Library Community Program director.

Clay Beads with Ed Gray to be offered at Calumet Art Center

CALUMET -- Clay Beads with Ed Gray will be offered in four Tuesday evening sessions at the Calumet Art Center: Jan. 18 and 25 and Feb. 1 and 8. The class will meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Clay beads and necklace. (Photo courtesy Ed Gray)

Create beads of various shapes and sizes in the palms of your hands, then add surface textures. Underglazes for color and a clear overglaze will be used. Students will then make two necklaces using the beads from the class, found objects and copper.

Pre-registration and payment are required; student space is limited. The class fee is $85, and the material and firing fee is $40.

The Calumet Art Center is at 57055 Fifth St. For more information call 281-3494.

Michigan Tech events to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech will celebrate its annual Martin Luther King Week beginning Monday, Jan. 17. Events include King's iconic "I Have a Dream" speech; a peace march in the spirit of the great peacemaker; actor Barry Scott's tribute to his idol; and a closing banquet that features Charles Pugh, president of the Detroit City Council, a respected journalist turned popular civic leader.

Here is a schedule of events:

Monday, Jan. 17, noon -- "I Have a Dream" speech, Memorial Union steps, followed by a candlelight vigil and a peace march to the Rozsa Center.

Monday, 1 p.m. -- Reception, Rozsa atrium. Following the candlelight vigil and peace march, the campus community is invited for light refreshments in the atrium of the Rozsa Center. This reception will feature remarks from the Black Student Association and music by the Praise in Effect Choir.

Monday, 2 p.m. -- Actor Barry Scott's tribute to King, Rozsa Center.

Tuesday, Jan. 18, noon -- Traveling Trunk exhibit in the Van Pelt and Opie Library; includes photos, videos, speeches and background information.

Wednesday, Jan. 19, noon -- Blood drive, Van Pelt and Opie Library Reading Room.

Friday, Jan. 21, 4 p.m. -- Basketball invitational, SDC Wood Gym.

Saturday, Jan. 22, 9 a.m. -- Service Saturday at the Keweenaw Family Resource Center's Tree House, where there will be stories and snacks for the children.

Saturday, Jan. 22, 6 p.m. -- Banquet, Memorial Union Ballroom, features Charles Pugh, president of the Detroit City Council. Admission is $15 a person.

For more information, contact the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at 487-2920.

Jibba Jabba Rail Jam snowboarding event to be held Jan. 15

HOUGHTON -- The third annual Jibba Jabba Rail Jam snowboarding competition will take place tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 15, on Huron Street in downtown Houghton. The Rhythm Skate Shop will again sponsor the event.

Registration is at 9 a.m. next to the Skate Shop. Once competitors have paid the $35 entry fee, they can enjoy free riding to test out the terrain. The competition starts at noon and continues until judges have made their decisions. The four classes of competition are beginning, intermediate, advanced and skis.

New Fifth and Elm Coffee House to open Jan. 15 in Houghton

Jibba Jabba spectators and competitors alike may wish to take advantage of the "soft opening" of the Fifth and Elm Coffee House, which recently moved to 326 Shelden Ave. in Houghton from their former Hancock location. The new Fifth and Elm (named for its Calumet location) will be open for coffee, including espresso and other hot drinks and a limited menu from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15. Regular hours and a full menu will be announced later.

To read about last year's Jibba Jabba Rail Jam, visit the Michigan Tech Lode.

Art from the Kalevala: Group exhibit at Community Arts Center

HANCOCK -- The Kalevala is a 19th Century work of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Finnish and Karelian oral folklore and mythology. It is regarded as the national epic of Finland and is one of the most significant works of Finnish literature.

Death and Rebirth, by Paul Osmak. (Photo courtesy Community Arts Center)

In connection with Hancock’s mid-winter Heikinpäivä celebration, twelve local artists have interpreted various scenes in a range of mediums to present Art from the Kalevala at the Community Arts Center’s Kerredge Gallery during January. The artists are Eileen Sundquist, Jack Oyler, Paul Osmak, Paul Olson, Eric Munch, Clyde Mikkola, Jan Manniko, Joyce Koskenmaki, Melissa Hronkin, Susan Hamilton, Bob Dawson, and Cynthia Coté.

War With Tree Gods, by Jan Manniko. (Photo courtesy Community Arts Center)

The exhibit includes paintings, a photograph, a pair of fur boots by Eileen Sundquist titled Aino’s Boots, a leather and clay doll by Joyce Koskenmaki titled Lemminkainen, and an arrangement of decorative jars of honey and encaustic block printing on rice paper by Melissa Hronkin.

A closing reception will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29. Everyone is invited to come meet the artists. Refreshments will be served.

The Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. For more information call (906) 482-2333 or visit the Community Arts Center Web site.

Dances, dance lessons at Heikinpäivä

HANCOCK -- Here’s a summary of dance opportunities during the mid-winter festival of Heikinpäivä 2011. These are all OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! (Some fees apply; many are free.)

Saturday, Jan. 15: Old-Time Midwinter Dance at the Finnish American Heritage Center on Quincy St. in Hancock; music by the Thimbleberry Band. Bring a dish to pass and your own tableware, napkins, etc., for a potluck supper at 6 p.m. Coffee provided. Dancing -- on the wood dance floor from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. -- will consist of traditional polkas, waltzes, schottisches, tangos, etc. Also, Ann Pace will teach and call some "figure dances" -- squares, contras, circles. It promises to be easy, fun and family friendly, but best of all, FREE! (Donations accepted.)

Friday, Jan. 21: FREE dancing lessons for Heikinpäivä, sponsored by Finlandia University Campus Enrichment. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Class taught by Kay Seppala at Finlandia Hall on the Finlandia campus (dormitory west of the gymnasium). Learn traditional Scandinavian ballroom type dances: Raatikkoon, schottische, and others by request: mazurka, waltz, polka.

Thursday, Jan. 27: MTU MUB Commons, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. FREE dance lessons: Finnish Tango and Humppa, taught by Ralph Tuttila from St. Paul, Minn. Sponsored by the MTU Social Dance Club.

Friday, Jan. 28: "Karhun Tanssi" at Michigan Tech MUB ballroom. Dance lessons 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ($3 for the public) by Ralph Tuttila: Schottische and more, Finnish Tango. The dance (only $5 --note change from previously listed price) will start at 8 p.m. and will go to 11 p.m. Music by the PasiCats. Sponsored by the MTU Social Dance Club.

Note: Pasi Cats will also play from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tori (Finnish-American Heritage Center) on Saturday, Jan. 29 (FREE).

Saturday, Jan. 29: Heikinpäivä Tanssi (Dance) at Finlandia Hall, Finlandia University. 8 pm., following the banquet. Music by Wilho Kilpela and Friends. ($5, or dance free with banquet ticket.)

Click here for the complete Heikinpäivä 2011 Schedule.

Who Says You Can't Walk -- or Run -- on Water?

By Jennifer Donovan*

HOUGHTON -- Kids of all ages will never forget the Einstein Project Science Expo in Green Bay this Saturday, Jan.15, 2011. That’s when they will have a chance to dash or dance over the surface of a non-Newtonian liquid called oobleck, a sticky white substance that will grab their feet and hold them fast if they dare to slow down.

Fun with Oobleck. (Photo courtesy Michigan Technological University. Reprinted with permission.)

Oobleck is just one of the exciting hands-on science experiences that a high-energy band of students and staff from Michigan Technological University will use to demonstrate what a blast science can be. The Michigan Tech MIND TREKKERS are bringing one of nearly 60 do-it-yourself science exhibits coming to the annual expo, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Shopko Hall in Green Bay.

Visitors to the MIND TREKKERS’ booth can also make (and taste) liquid nitrogen ice cream and make their hair stand on end by touching a Van de Graaff generator.

The Expo also features stage shows on the Omnova Main Stage, including Professor Gizmo’s Feats of Science and Discovery World’s Fire and Ice Show.

Projects entered in the Ameriprise Science Fair will be on display. They will be judged and winners announced during the Expo. Michigan Tech is providing full-ride 2011 Summer Youth Programs scholarships to the winners of the Fair.

Tickets are $4 for children age 3 to 18, $2 for adults and free for children 2 and under.

*Editor's Note: Jennifer Donovan is Michigan Tech University Director of Public Relations. This article and photo are reprinted with permission from the Michigan Tech News.

Khana Khazana to offer Chinese lunch Jan. 14 at Memorial Union Food Court

HOUGHTON -- Khana Khazana (food treasure), a weekly international lunch cooked by Michigan Tech University international students, will kick off the semester this Friday, Jan. 14, with authentic Chinese dishes. Rui Pan and Chung Zhang, both undergraduates from China, will prepare fried rice, a very popular Asian dish; vegetarian fried shuang dong (black mushrooms and bamboo shoots); and a richly flavored beef and potato soup.

Parawee Pumwongpitak, a graduate student from Thailand, is in charge of food production for Khana Khazana this semester.

The ethnic lunches are a collaborative project of international students and Michigan Tech Dining Services. Food is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, in the Memorial Union Food Court. A full meal costs $6. Dishes are available à la carte for $2.

Khana Khazana is open to the campus and the community.

Voting for Calumet Theatre roof funding continues through Jan. 31

CALUMET -- Voting for the Calumet Theatre Pepsi refresh project has been extended for the month of January 2011. If the Calumet Theatre receives the most votes in the month of January, it will receive a grant in the sum of $250,000 to be used to replace the roof on the Theatre. All votes in the previous month are not carried over to the next month.

The Pepsi Refresh Project awards grants to causes and organizations that receive the most votes in a month. Grants range from $5,000- $250,000. A new round of voting began on January 1st and continues through January 31st. You may cast your votes daily in the ARTS AND CULTURE $250,000 project category listed as "Save a Magnificent, Historic Theatre."

Three votes are allowed per person per day. You may cast your vote at the Pepsi Refresh web site (www.pepsirefresh.com), through your Facebook account, a Twitter account and by cell phone with text message code # 104720 to Pepsi (73774).

To receive a daily reminder and a link to forward to others who would like to vote, send an email to newroof@calumettheatre.com.

More information, as well as a YouTube link to our project, go to www.calumettheatre.com. You may also contact Calumet Theatre Executive Director Laura Miller at (906) 337-2166.

Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission to meet Jan. 18

CALUMET -- The Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission will convene for its regular quarterly meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, at park headquarters located on the corner of Red Jacket Road and Hwy. US-41 in Calumet.

Agenda items include updates from the Executive Director, an update from the Development Committee, and a report from the Preservation-Stewardship Committee. The Keweenaw NHP Advisory Commission, paneled by citizens appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, represents the general public and works collaboratively with the National Park Service to advise and assist with managing the resources of Keweenaw National Historical Park. The Commission’s quarterly meetings are open to the public.

For further information or directions, please contact the park at 337-3168.

Thimbleberry Band to play for Old-Time Midwinter Dance Jan. 15

HANCOCK -- The Thimbleberry Band will be playing for an Old-Time Midwinter Dance from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Finnish American Heritage Center on Quincy Street in Hancock. Bring a dish to pass and your own tableware for a potluck supper at 6 p.m. preceding the dance.

Dances will include traditional polkas, waltzes, schottisches, tangos, etc. Also, Ann Pace will teach and call some "figure dances" -- squares, contras, circles.

"It will be easy, it will be fun, it will be family-friendly, and it will be free," says musician Oren Tikkanen. "The best offer you'll get this week. See you there."

Heikinpäivä events to begin Jan. 10

HANCOCK -- Heikinpäivä -- Hancock's mid-winter festival -- is coming, and some events begin this week.

Monday, Jan. 10:

2 p.m. and 6 p.m. -- Nisu-making class by Edith Mäki, Zion Lutheran Church, Hancock. $15 fee. To register, call (906) 487-7505.

6 p.m. - 8 p.m. -- Build your own five-string kantele class by Jim Lohmann, Zion Lutheran Church. $125 fee includes materials. You go home with a kantele. Class continues on Jan. 17. To register, call (906) 487-7505.

Thursday, Jan. 13:

2 p.m. and 6 p.m. -- Nordic Film Series, presents Shadow of the Two-Headed Eagle, Finnish American Heritage Center. For information, call 487-7302. Click here for details.

Friday, Jan. 14:

6 p.m. - 8 p.m. -- Family Fun Night, by Kay Seppälä and Sherry Saarinen. Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock. $5/family. To register, call (906) 523-6271. Kids of all ages (3 - 93) will have a grand time doing traditional Finnish song games! If you can walk, you can join in the fun, and the more the merrier! Get a Finnish name, learn a few Finnish words, make a mehupilli (Finnish straw whistle), join in the song games like pukki (goat) or BINGO (the singing game, not the number/board game). Learn a few simple folk dances and end the evening with an enchanting Nordic chain dance. Refreshments provided. Bring the family, bring grandma. A good time will be had by all!

Click here for the 2011 Heikinpäivä Schedule.

Nordic Film Series to present Finnish film Jan. 13

HANCOCK -- Shadow of the Two-Headed Eagle is the feature film of this month’s Nordic Film Series at the Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock.

The film will be shown at 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 13.

Released in 2005, Shadow of the Two-Headed Eagle (Kaksipäisen kotkan varjossa) is set in the early 1900s as the Russian emperor tightens his grip on Finland and begins an aggressive campaign to "Russify" Finnish citizens.

A musical written and with an original orchestra score by director Timo Koivusalo, the film tells the story of poet Aaro Manner who is persecuted by a Russian commander for his opposition to the Russification plans.

The 105-minute film is in Finnish with English subtitles.

There is no charge to attend the film, but donations are accepted.

The Finnish American Heritage Center is located at 435 Quincy St., downtown Hancock. For additional information, please call 906-487-7549.

Friends of Calumet Public Library to meet Jan. 11, host events

CALUMET -- Friends of the Calumet Public Library will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 11, in the library. This is an open meeting; new members and new ideas are welcome. There are many ways to lend a hand at the library: programming ideas, volunteer opportunities, the Red Jacket Readers book club, and more! Come find out what's ahead this winter at the Calumet Public Library.

Julie Waara will be presenting "How to REcreate a Room" at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12, in the library. This informative session will move you beyond knowing that something should be done to discovering the hidden potential of your home and your own creative ability. Julie will help participants go from inspiration to actualization, offering practical tips and affordable solutions. Learn how to recreate your living space with a dream, a plan, some paint, and a little effort this winter.

The first 2011 session of the Red Jacket Readers book club, open to everyone, will be at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, in the library. The group will be discussing Wilhelmina, by Mary B. Michelson. Multiple copies of this, and the other selections, are now available for check out at the library.

The book club discussion is open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Wilhelmina paints the story of a young woman growing up in the Copper Country during the early 1900s. Born in Ishpeming in 1898, the author moved here as a young girl, graduated from Painesdale High School and went on to live most of her life in the area. Her autobiography is an unpretentious tale of family, friends, and a familiar setting.

These events are sponsored by the Friends of the Calumet Public Library. For more information, visit the library or call 337-0311 ext 1107.

(In case of bad weather, when school is canceled, all library programs are canceled.)

Letter: Correction for the KEMC power line extension permit

[Editor's Note: A Jan. 4, 2011, article in the Marquette Mining Journal, "Mine power issue debated," cites several citizen comments on a DNRE (Department of Natural Resources and Environment) hearing held Dec. 7, 2010, concerning a power line extended from Marquette County Road 550 to the vicinity of the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co. (KEMC) Eagle Mine and whether an amendment to Kennecott's mining permit application is needed. In the following letter to the editor, mining expert Jack Parker comments further on that hearing.]

When announcing the most recent DEQ approval of the power line extension permit for Kennecott -- the OGS Director (DNRE Office of Geological Survey) erred, intentionally or otherwise, by describing the request as follows: "To change from on-site generation of electricity to purchase from Alger Electric."

As described in the letter from KEMC to Joe Maki, DNRE, dated 11.15.2010, the request was for: An amendment to MP012007 to extend electric power from County Road AAA (CR AAA) to the Power House located in the mining area …

Similarly the Notice of Public Meeting issued for Dec. 7, 2010, by the DNRE described the request as being "For an amendment to extend electric power from County Road AAA to the power house located in the mining area … "*

The Director then dismissed public comments because they did not apply to the request as he described it.

Clearly the permit was granted for a request which did not exist, is in error, and must therefore be revoked and the power must be cut off.

The Director repeatedly made deceptive statements in this permitting procedure, in public, and is subject to the penalties prescribed.

The permit is also invalid because the Triple AAA extension was itself not permitted properly and should be removed.

Thank you,

Jack Parker, Mining Engineer
Baltic MI 49963
January 6th 2011

*Editor's Note: See our Nov. 25, 2010, article, "MDNRE to hold public meeting on Kennecott mining permit amendment request Dec. 7."

From Tech Today: Robert Janke, former biology professor, passes

By John Gagnon, Michigan Tech promotional writer*

HOUGHTON -- Robert A. Janke, who loved cross-country skiing, indulged a pronounced sweet tooth, mainly in the form of pies, and devoted himself to his work at Michigan Tech and on Isle Royale, died Wednesday, Dec. 22, at PortagePointe. He was 88.

Janke taught at Tech for more than 40 years -- first physics, then biology. His specialty was plant ecology, in particular the identification of the flora of Isle Royale, where he also studied forest succession -- from both natural change and fire -- as well as the effects of moose on the forests.

Colleagues recall Janke as physically fit, intellectually solid, and socially inclined. "He just liked people," said Ken Kraft, a colleague. "He loved to lead a group on weekend cross-country skiing outings."

Kraft, a former associate professor, first met Janke in 1961. Kraft described Janke as both a park naturalist and a scientist on Isle Royale, where he worked every summer, beginning in the 1940s.

"He had an affection for Isle Royale," Kraft recalls. "He'd still be there if he could."

Professor Emeritus Rolf Peterson, who first met Janke in 1967, recalls him as "a very cheerful guy who was helpful and reliable."

Peterson didn’t work with Janke, but they both worked extensively on Isle Royale, so they crossed tracks often. Peterson described Janke as a man of integrity and accomplishment -- "known for his work in forest ecology for many decades, and one of the first two forest ecologists at Tech."

Janke, who retired in the early 1980s, earned a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Michigan, a master's in physics from Michigan Tech, and a doctorate in biology from the University of Colorado.

Janke attended Portage Lake United Church, in Houghton, where he was active in the choir. He also enjoyed singing in the Copper Country Chorale and the Ecumenical Choir, and he enjoyed folk dancing.

In 1944, he married the former Nadine Key. The couple lived first in Houghton and then Boston Location. His wife preceded him in death in 2006.

*Editor's Note: Keweenaw Now wishes to express our deepest sympathy to the family of Robert Janke. This obituary appeared in the Jan. 4, 2011, issue of Tech Today. Reprinted with permission.

First Friday in Calumet to offer art openings, basket making

CALUMET -- The first Friday of 2011, Jan. 7, will feature exhibit openings and art activity in three Calumet galleries.

Vertin Gallery to exhibit art by Ray Ellison

The Vertin Gallery presents the work of Ray Ellison in his show Ring, Rang, Rung: Communication…Past, Present and After Now!

Ray Ellison graduated with his Masters in Fine Art from Michigan State University in 1976. Since then he has been an active member of the Lansing art scene, co-founding galleries and doing art installations. Currently he is a Vertin Artist with a cabin in the Upper Peninsula and a desire to become a permanent resident.

Ellison’s show deals with the telephone and the changing way we communicate through it as it changes from a fixture at the corner store to something we keep in our pocket. He examines how society’s attitude toward the receipt of a phone call has changed and expresses regret over the loss of the event that a phone call used to be.

"The phone had a special place in the home. When it rang it was news (good or bad) from far away places. It brought voices that evoked emotional responses; news of births, deaths, special events that were taking place!" Ellison says. "Today there is no phone in the hallway; it’s in your pocket. The ring tones are as varied as the stars in the sky. This immediate contact is eroding personal communication skills in the young. Looking someone in the eye when you talk or shaking hands on a contract is a thing of the past."

Ring, Rang, Rung: Communication...Past, Present and After Now! will be on display from Jan. 7 through Feb. 2. An opening reception will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7, with an artist talk at 7:15 p.m.

Located in the heart of downtown Calumet, the Vertin Gallery is one of the Upper Peninsula’s premiere galleries, featuring art across all mediums including painting, copper, jewelry, sculpture and fine woodworking. The work in the gallery changes frequently and, each month, premiers a new exhibit to feature fresh new artists of the highest quality. For more information on the gallery and upcoming events, please visit www.vertingallery.com or call (906) 337-2200.

Ed Gray Gallery to feature All Gallery Show

The Ed Gray Gallery features Gallery artists in an All Gallery Show during the month of January 2011. An opening reception will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7.

For the February Miniature Show, the Ed Gray Gallery is issuing a call for entries, with a deadline of Jan. 26, 2011. This all media-juried show will be exhibited Feb. 4 - Mar. 3, 2011. Entries are limited to outside dimensions of 5 in. by 5 in. by 5 in. The opening reception for the Miniature Show will be held on Friday, Feb. 4, 2011.

Basket Making at Copper Country Associated Artists

Like Brigadoon, Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) are appearing from their winter nap just for this First Friday event on Jan. 7, 2011.

Participants will create a small basket that can hold, for example, napkins and stuff. Learn the basics of this art, and have an enjoyable time…for the evening and the rest of the winter.

Talented members will assist you as the evening, starting at 6 p.m., grows intense until 9 p.m. Materials are provided for the evening.

First Friday CCAA demonstrations are an opportunity to discover a variety of arts and fine craft techniques from some of the area’s most talented artists. The CCAA Gallery is located at 112 Fifth Street in Calumet.

For the winter, the Gallery will be open only for First Friday events. So,come visit and enjoy.

For more information about the CCAA call 906-337-1252 or visit ccaartists.org.

Portage Library to offer new database Webinars Jan. 11

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library recently acquired two remarkable databases for its patrons to use: Mango and Universal Class.

Shawn Leche, Portage Library director, will present a Webinar that will teach people how to use these databases from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Mango is an online language learning system that teaches practical conversation skills for real communication. Each lesson combines real life situations and audio from native speakers with simple, clear instructions. The courses are presented with an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world application that integrates components of vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and culture. It includes over 30 languages and 10 courses which teach English as a second language. Patrons can choose a level of instruction from basic to complete courses that are more in-depth. The database features a fluency button to click on to hear a word pronounced at normal speaking speed.

Universal Class offers over 500 online continuing education courses taught by real instructors with remote, 24/7 access so people can study at their convenience on their own schedule. Patrons can enroll in up to five courses at a time and have six months to finish each course. A complete list of classes is posted on the library’s website.

Mango and Universal Class are available free of charge to all Portage Lake District Library patrons.

This Webinar is free and open to all. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

"Embracing Mortality" course to be offered at Portage Library

HOUGHTON -- "Embracing Mortality," a five-week course exploring end-of-life options available here in the Copper Country starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Portage Lake District Library.

Participants can expect a supportive atmosphere, group discussions, and group speakers that include a physician, Hospice nurse and funeral directors. The classes are sponsored by the Community Coalition of Grief and Bereavement. Class size is limited to 25 people, but the course will not be offered unless 15 people register.

"Facing the enormity of the term limits we all live with need not be frightening or morbid," says instructor Carolyn Peterson. "In fact, we laugh a lot in this course! A major goal of the course is to add joy and meaning to whatever time we have left to live."

To obtain more information and to pre-register, contact instructor Peterson at 482-4696 or email ccpeter650@hotmail.com.

Sons of Norway to meet Jan. 9

HANCOCK -- Sons of Norway will hold their general membership meeting at 6:30 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. Members will plan the 2011 Kalendar for the Ulseth Lodge.

Please bring a dessert or finger food to share. The program will feature "Cabin Experiences in Norway" presented by Lois and Gary Blau.

For more information visit the Sons of Norway Web site.

Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance Board members re-elected

HOUGHTON -- Bob Mark, Michigan Tech University School of Business and Economics, and Dave Olsson of the Marketing Department were re-elected to three-year terms on the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) Board of Directors at the organization’s annual meeting in December 2010.

According to Phil Musser, KEDA Executive Director, "Both Bob Mark and Dave Olsson are experienced business people, are fully tuned in to the business community, and are absolutely committed to helping grow the Keweenaw regional economy. We are fortunate to have them on the Board."

Other KEDA Board members include: Jim Baker, Michigan Tech office of Technology and Economic Development; Brian Baccus, Peninsula Powder Coating; Brian Helminen, Designotype Printers; Chuck Nelson, Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital; Steve Palosaari, Superior National Bank; Glen Simula, GS Engineering; and Phil Musser, KEDA Executive Director.

KEDA is a private, non-profit, economic development organization that helps grow local companies and jobs in Keweenaw, Houghton and Baraga Counties by helping local entrepreneurs start up new companies, helping existing companies expand, and attracting companies to the Keweenaw. KEDA provides hands-on assistance including business plans, project feasibility, financing, professional development seminars and employee training, and other assistance. KEDA also initiates special projects that create opportunities for future economic growth.

For more information, contact Phil Musser at 906-482-6817 or via e-mail at pmusser@kedabiz.com.

Calumet Art Center to host Open Studio nights

CALUMET -- The Calumet Art Center will host Open Studio nights on the first and third Wednesdays of the month beginning Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. Artists are invited to come to work on any project of their choice from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Soup and bread will be provided for participating artists. A five dollar donation is requested.

The Calumet Art Center is located at 57055 Fifth Street in Calumet. For more information call 906-281-3494.

Thoughts about biomass, forests, and our energy future

By Steve Garske, invasive plant specialist for GLIFWC*

ODANAH, WIS. -- Humans have been using biomass ever since they figured out how to make a fire. And for most of human history this strategy worked quite nicely. But the landscape is changing fast. The rush for new sources of energy is on, driven by declining oil and gas reserves, increasing reliance on imported fossil fuels, rising energy prices, and the risks of global climate change. In an attempt to address these serious issues (or cynically capitalize on them, as the case may be), some politicians and corporate "leaders" have been touting "biomass" and "biofuels" as solutions. ...

Click here to read the rest of this well documented article published recently in the Winter 2010-2011 issue of Mazina'igan.

Mining updates from GLIFWC*

Click here to read, in this same issue of Mazina'igan, the article "Base metal mine development activity in the ceded territories," by John Coleman and Esteban Chiriboga, GLIFWC staff. The article includes maps showing metallic mineral leases and exploration boreholes in the ceded territories in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

*The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) represents eleven Ojibwe tribes who reserved hunting, fishing and gathering rights in the 1837, 1842, and 1854 Treaties. As a tribal resource management agency, GLIFWC strives to provide opportunities for tribal members to exercise treaty rights during well-regulated, off-reservation seasons throughout the treaty ceded territories. Visit their Web site at www.glifwc.org.

Michigan Tech scientists to probe secrets of clouds

By Marcia Goodrich, Michigan Tech senior writer

HOUGHTON -- Clouds play a crucial part in regulating climate, but precious little is actually known about their inner workings and their role on Earth. A group of scientists hopes to change that, thanks to a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

The grant provides the lion's share of the funding for a chamber that will allow researchers to study cloud processes under realistic temperatures, pressures, and humidity levels -- mimicking conditions from sea level to the lower levels of the stratosphere, where jet planes fly.

The chamber, to be located in the Great Lakes Research Center, won't be built until later in 2011, but lead investigator Raymond Shaw expects it will be in the shape of a cylinder, two meters in diameter and one meter high.

"With a volume of pi, we have taken to calling it the pi can," says Shaw, a professor of physics. ...

Read the rest of this article on Tech Today.

Marquette's Oasis Gallery to present exhibit by Catherine Brunet, Rosa Musket

MARQUETTE -- The Oasis Gallery will present De vie et mort (Of life and death), an exhibit by Marquette artists Catherine Brunet and Rosa Musket, from Jan. 5 through Jan. 29, 2011. The public is invited to join the artists at a reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7, at the Gallery.

"Continuum" by Catherine Brunet. Mixed-media fiber art. (Photos courtesy Bernard Park, Oasis Gallery curator)

Brunet will exhibit mixed-media fiber wall hangings along with paintings on paper inspired by her life-long exposure to the Upper Peninsula's engaging landscape.

Musket features colorful and insightful constructions that reference her life from growing up in the industrial downstate city of Pontiac, Mich., and her eventual migration to the Upper Peninsula.

"Hot Time, Summer in the City," art construction by Rosa Musket.

The Oasis Gallery is non-profit exhibition space for contemporary art located at 130 W. Washington in the Masonic Square, Marquette Mich. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

For more information call 906-225-1377 or visit oasisgallery.com.

Letter: Additional orebodies in the UP: Its future hangs in the balance, in your hands

By Jack Parker

THE QUESTION: A concerned citizen, Sara Culver, asks a good question: How many potential mines are known to exist in the UP, other than the Kennecott Eagle project? What are we letting ourselves in for?

THE QUICK ANSWER: We, the people, do not know. The mining and exploration companies, primarily Kennecott, Prime Meridian and possibly Aquila, have some answers but do not share them.

Let us count them, to the best of our ability.

1. The Kennecott Eagle on the Yellow Dog Plains is the furthest ahead, flagrantly disregarding the mining laws to get into production.* Their application for permits came out in February 2006, disclosing about 4.5 million tonnes of exceptionally high grade ore -- enough to last ten years, they said, later changed to eight years, now six. (A metric tonne = 2205 pounds). I expect to learn later that both tonnage and value were understated, just as they were understated at Kennecott’s Flambeau mine in Wisconsin -- as if to minimize the impact.

2. Also at the Eagle property we know of about a BILLION DOLLARS’ WORTH of leaner ore, referred to as "disseminated sulfides," which they do not intend to mine. A responsible operator would blend the leaner ore with the high-grade to recover more of the values and to extend the life of the mine another 12 to 16 years.

If the State of Michigan’s incoming administration has the intestinal fortitude to enforce the state requirement to ensure responsible recovery of our resources, the disseminated sulfides become a second orebody.

3. At last year’s Annual Meeting Rio Tinto disclosed something we already knew about -- a significant amount of ore east of Eagle Rock, which they refer to as Eagle East, not yet fully defined at depth. I would count that as a third.

4. We already knew of several additional targets within a few miles of the Eagles, but Rio Tinto-Kennecott only hints at these. Although these ores are hidden by younger rocks and by glacial sand and gravels, their presence is disclosed by "airborne geophysical mapping," which senses gravity, magnetic and electromagnetic properties associated with metallic ores. I will be conservative and assume that only one of them will be an orebody. That makes four.

5. When Kennecott first disclosed some results from their airborne surveys, they told us they had about 35 promising targets on and around the Plains. Can we assume that 10 percent will work out? Say three of them? That would make seven.

6. Prime Meridian has done its own airborne surveys and plans on diamond-drilling one of them this winter, in Section 35, north and west of the Eagles. Eight?

7. Prime Meridian tells us that they have three or four additional targets on their mineral rights within two or three miles of the Eagles. Total now nine?

8. West of the Plains, within the KBIC Reservation but on a parcel of private land, another copper/nickel orebody has been drilled already. It is ore-grade -- sometimes recognized as one percent combined nickel and copper -- not as rich as the Eagles. Ten!

Still in the UP but west of the Porkies State Park is the Orvana Copperwood deposit, much like the White Pine orebody, ready to apply for permits. Eleven!

And in the Lower Upper Peninsula, at the Wisconsin border, lies the Aquila orebody, primarily zinc and gold.

SO I DON’T THINK WE’D BE FAR OFF IF WE THOUGHT THAT A DOZEN OR SO OREBODIES COULD BE BROUGHT INTO PRODUCTION WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE OR TEN YEARS.

And not just the mines -- but all that comes with them. Think about that.

All are waiting to see the outcome of the Kennecott Eagle permitting process -- whereby the would-be mine operator will say anything, promise anything, do anything -- to get the permits from an unqualified agency -- and think about details later, as they have done at the Eagle and at the Flambeau operations.

It is obvious that neither the DNR nor the DEQ, nor even the Federal EPA, has funds and qualified manpower to evaluate and oversee even one operation; and we are inviting disaster. More than one such operation would bring chaos.

WE MUST NOT ALLOW THE PRESENT KENNECOTT/MDEQ/ALJ SHENANIGANS TO SET THE PRECEDENT!

WE NEED TO CALL AN OFFICIAL TIME-OUT, DEAL WITH THE LAW-BREAKERS, THEN FORMULATE A LONG-TERM PLAN FOR OUR RESOURCES, FOR A HUNDRED YEARS PERHAPS, BEGINNING January 1st 2011.

Jack Parker, Mining Engineer, Baltic Michigan 49963

* Author’s Note: For more information on this aspect of the Kennecott Eagle mine, email Jack Parker at jprockdoctor@gmail.com.

Christmas wishes from Keweenaw Now

Keweenaw Now sends wishes for a very blessed and happy Christmas to all our readers! (Image: Postcard circa 1900)

Midnight Poet: Christmas Light

By Mick McKellar*

I have walked abroad on Christmas night, and in the silence of the cold, felt the warmth of brilliant lights gleaming from windows and rooftops, as they twinkled on freshly fallen snow. Shuffling my boots through several inches of winter white made little or no noise and the sighing of a whispering breeze through pines and between houses took over, singing a carol that coldly caressed my face and hands. The touch of snowflakes on my face felt like the feather touch of Christmas lights reaching out to welcome my spirit and warm my soul. I felt I could fly, borne aloft on lights alone.

Alas, Christmas walkabout will remain only a memory this year, as we can't have old Mick tottering about in the snow after dark. Yet, were I to fly home, I would love that it be on a crisp, cold Christmas night and that I be carried home on the red and green and golden beams that break from a thousand gleaming windows on the eve of peace and love.

Christmas Light

Through all the piercing cold and precious chill,
And all a winter's night of silence beamed,
The wondrous warmth and distant twinkling thrill,
Of lights all red and green and gold, which gleamed
Upon the road ahead's unbroken white.
Snow softly silenced footsteps as he tread,
And gazed at icy darkness, pierced by light
That danced upon his path, as forward lead
He felt the ancient night of love embrace,
His heart and spirit dancing in his chest;
And with the Christmas lights upon his face,
He softly flew home to his blessed rest.

*Editor's Note: Guest poet Elwin "Mick" McKellar is a free-lance writer and resident of Laurium, Michigan. To read more of his work, visit his blog, "Out of my mind," at http://mickmckellar.blogspot.com/. The above text is reprinted with permission.

Letter to Mining Journal: Changes are coming

By Thomas Polkinghorne, Champion
Posted Dec. 19, 2010

MARQUETTE -- To the Journal editor:

I take exception to County Board Chairman Gerald Corkin's comments reported in The Mining Journal on Oct. 19. Corkin stated opponents "later opposed the Woodland Road, designed as an alternative. Now they oppose the alternative to the alternative."

Corkin wants us to believe people opposed everything. The fact is, the "alternative" is nearly a twin to the original Woodland Road.

In addition, no evidence was given by the road commission that they considered any other route. A thinking, functioning board would have displayed all of the proposed routes and discussed with the public the pros and cons of each. ... Read more in the Marquette Mining Journal.

Editor's Note: Thomas Polkinghorne of Champion, author of this letter, and County Commissioner Gerald Corkin are both quoted in our Oct. 25, 2010, article, "Opponents of proposed 'public' mine haul road call for more public input."

From Mining Journal: Professors, knowledge and the politics of mining

[Editor's Note: Here is an excerpt and a link to the Dec. 19, 2010, opinion from Jon Saari, retired Northern Michigan University (NMU) professor, published in the Marquette Mining Journal.]

By Jon Saari

MARQUETTE -- ...In recent years, the mining controversy in our region has drawn NMU faculty into its vortex. At least five faculty members (three retired, including this writer) have been active opponents of the Eagle Project on the Yellow Dog Plains, while a number of others have seen it as an opportunity for professional research, even collaboration with a new multinational mining corporation.

Such diverse reactions are to be expected in an academic subculture of free thinkers and professional entrepreneurs.

But one recent collaboration between two NMU faculty members and Kennecott Eagle Mineral Company has a number of observers raising their eyebrows.... Read more on the Marquette Mining Journal.