UPEC to host 6th annual "Celebrate the UP" March 21-22 at Jutila Center, Hancock

HANCOCK -- The Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC) will hold its sixth annual "Celebrate the UP" Friday and Saturday, March 21-22. All presentations will take place at Finlandia’s Jutila Center, Hancock. This is a free event and a great antidote to cabin fever, bringing together people who enjoy the region's outdoor environment.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, with "At Home in the Northwoods: Reflections on Belonging to a Place," a presentation by author and naturalist, John Bates.

Between 9:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, a variety of speakers will give three simultaneous one-hour presentations, with a break for lunch. The Kangas Café in the Jutila Center will be open all day Saturday for delicious snacks, lunch, desserts, and drinks.

At 3:30 p.m. Saturday three speakers will participate in a Panel Discussion: "50 Years of Wilderness."

The day’s event will conclude with a public reception from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Click here for the Schedule.

Rozsa Center presents "H.M.S. Pinafore" by New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players TONIGHT, March 19

HOUGHTON -- The Rozsa Center welcomes the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players as they present H.M.S. Pinafore, at the Rozsa Center at 7:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Wednesday, March 19. Don’t miss the intrigue on the high seas and romance among very different classes in this charming, fully staged production, where according to The New York Times, "broad comedy and stylish singing carry the day."

As their first international hit, this seaworthy satire put the wind in Gilbert and Sullivan's sails. It opened in London in 1878, and within a year more than 150 unauthorized productions cropped up across the United States. Catch a faithful new full production -- complete with live touring orchestra and full sets -- by the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players.

Now in its fourth decade of operation, New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players (NYGASP) is America’s preeminent professional Gilbert and Sullivan repertory ensemble. Under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Director Albert Bergeret, who has been hailed as "the leading custodian of the G and S classics" by New York Magazine, NYGASP has created its own special niche in the cultural mosaic of New York City and the nation.

And, to make your day complete, the Rozsa has arranged a special deal for the H.M.S. Pinafore audience! Present your HMS Pinafore tickets, and receive a 10 percent discount on your "Afternoon  Tea" or "Full Afternoon Tea."

Seats are still available, but limited! To purchase tickets, call (906) 487-2073, go online at rozsa.mtu.edu or visit Ticketing Operations at Michigan Tech’s Student Development Complex (SDC). Tickets are $24 for adults, $12 for youth (17 and under) and $5 for Michigan Tech Students.

Please note the Rozsa Box Office is closed during regular business hours, and will only open two hours prior to show times. 

Green Film Series to present "Gasland" -- part of World Water Day observance at Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON -- The Green Film Series at Michigan Tech will present the film Gasland as part of several events scheduled on campus to observe World Water Day.

This 100-minute documentary will be shown from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 20, in the Atrium and G002, Hesterberg Hall, in the Michigan Tech Forestry building. It will be followed by a discussion facilitated by Richelle Winkler, Michigan Tech assistant professor of sociology and demography. Coffee and dessert will be served. (Please bring your own mug.)

The event is free and open to the public; a $3 donation is suggested.

Focusing on U.S. communities impacted by natural gas drilling (fracking), the director, Josh Fox, spent time with citizens in their homes and on their land as they relayed stories of natural gas drilling including a variety of chronic health problems directly traceable to contamination of their air, of their water wells or of surface water. Hydraulic fracturing was exempted from the Safe Drinking Water Act in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. 

The Green Film Series is co-sponsored by Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative,  Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society, Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and Keweenaw Land Trust.

Next week the following events will be held in observance of World Water Day:

Lecture and Poster Session Wednesday, March 26:
Dow Lobby -- campus side -- 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Student authors present -- 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Lecture by Dr. Robert Howarth, Cornell University professor of ecology and evolutionary biology -- 5:30 p.m. in Dow 641. Reception following.

Panel discussion on hydrofracking, Thursday, March 27
Moderator: Dr. Jennifer Arrigo, Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI) -- 10 a.m. to noon, GLRC 202

Water’s Edge Art Exhibit, March 20 - April 23
Artists Amy Arntson, Joyce Koskenmaki, Bonnie Peterson -- Great Lakes Research Center -- 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors. The public is invited to attend a "meet the artists" event from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, at the Great Lakes Research Center.

World Water Day events are sponsored by Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society, Sustainable Futures Institute, Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Keweenaw Land Trust, Great Lakes Research Center, Michigan Tech Dept. of Visual and Performing Arts, and Finlandia University. A grant/partial funding has been provided by the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI)

Finnish American Heritage Center to host contra dance March 19

HANCOCK -- Contra dancing is coming to the Finnish American Heritage Center on Finlandia University’s campus TOMORROW, Wednesday, March 19, with music by The Thimbleberry Band with Oren Tikkanen and friends and guest contra caller Colin Hoekje.

Hoekje, a student at Michigan Tech, has recently returned from a major contra dance event in Lower Michigan.

The dance will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (with a teaching workshop from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Contra dance -- popular in New England, Eastern Canada, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and more -- is a fun and easy activity in which couples dance in two facing lines or a square.

All ages and skill levels are invited to attend.

Admission $6 per person -- free with a student ID. No partner nor experience needed. You don’t need a partner. Singles and children welcome.

Come one, come all! Left feet and right! Spread the word!!! For more information call 487-7302.

The Finnish American Heritage Center is at 435 Quincy Street, Hancock.

Citizens encouraged to attend March 18 Permit Workshop, March 25 MDEQ Hearing on Eagle Mine Groundwater Discharge Permit

By Michele Bourdieu, with information from Save the Wild U.P. and Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality

MARQUETTE -- Local grassroots organization Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP) will hold a Permit Workshop with a panel including former federal oil regulator Jeffery Loman, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Geologist Chuck Brumleve, and attorney Michelle Halley to educate concerned citizens about the problems with the proposed Groundwater Discharge Permit for the Eagle Mine project. The panel presentation will begin at 6 p.m. TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 18, in the lower level, classroom 3, of the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

Poster announcing March 18 Permit Workshop in the proposed Groundwater Discharge Permit for the Eagle Mine. The workshop is intended to help concerned citizens prepare for the March 25 Michigan Department of Environmental Quality hearing on the permit. (Poster courtesy Save the Wild U.P.)

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) will hold a Public Hearing regarding a proposed Groundwater Discharge Permit for the Lundin Eagle Mine at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, at the Westwood High School, 300 South Westwood Drive, Ishpeming. The MDEQ will begin by answering questions regarding the draft permit. During the public hearing, which will follow the question period, MDEQ officials will take comments from the public but will not respond during the hearing. In order to accommodate as many speakers as possible, oral presentations / comments are limited to five minutes.*

Citizens are urged to attend the March 25 MDEQ Public Hearing to raise questions and provide comments to the MDEQ on the proposed permit. The March 18 panel, sponsored by Save the Wild U.P., is intended to provide information to prepare citizens for the hearing.

Kathleen Heideman, SWUP president, said, "It’s a matter of public record that this proposed permit would exponentially increase the pollutants, compared with Rio Tinto’s own 2004 reported baseline data. In some cases, it would allow groundwater contamination to exceed the EPA’s legal limits for drinking water. Clearly, groundwater quality will be undermined by this permit."

According to data from the Community Environmental Monitoring Program, a joint venture of the Superior Watershed Partnership and Lundin Mining (previously Rio Tinto), the Eagle Mine has exceeded its permits over 40 times since the previous 2007 groundwater discharge permit was issued.

Attorney Michelle Halley, who has worked extensively on Eagle Mine issues, said, "This permit allows water that people drink to be polluted. MDEQ is making the same mistakes over and over. If you're relying on MDEQ or Lundin Mining to keep our drinking water as clean as it has always been, don't."

During a presentation on the National Wildlife Federation report, "Sulfide Mining Regulation in the Great Lakes Region: A Comparative Analysis of Regulation in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ontario," in Ashland, Wis., in March 2012, Michelle Halley points out the first loophole in the Clean Water Act, which allows mines to dump untreated waste into waters of the U.S. by impounding rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands. (File photo by Keweenaw Now)

According to Halley's analysis of the permit for Freshwater Future, this permit's exceedances include pH, arsenic, copper, lead, molybdenum, silver, and vanadium.

"MDEQ has taken no enforcement action," Halley writes in her analysis. "In fact, the mine has exceeded its vanadium limit more than 20 times. Instead of enforcing the limit, in this renewal permit, MDEQ is easing the limit. This is completely backwards. The MDEQ’s role is regulator, not conciliator. The limits were set, supposedly based upon sound science, as MDEQ strenuously argued during the months-long contested case that encompassed the current groundwater discharge permit. Now, rather than protecting water quality, the draft simply increases the limits to industry’s preferred levels."

Steve Casey, MDEQ Upper Peninsula District Supervisor, Water Resources Division, told Keweenaw Now in February that he believes Halley's concerns can be appropriately addressed.

"These exceedences are not attributable to the Eagle Mine groundwater discharge," Casey said. "67 percent were before Eagle started discharging; 26 percent occurred after they started but were in the historical ranges for those wells; and the other 7 percent were copper and lead from a well that was disturbed during construction but is now compliant."

In her analysis, Halley also notes that "the scope of monitoring and compliance is far too small to assess impacts to the aquifer that inevitably extend beyond the postage stamp this permit purports to regulate."

Casey's replied to that comment, saying, "The right place to monitor the groundwater is close to the discharge so that if there is a problem we can find out quickly and take corrective action."

Casey admitted Halley's comment on the outdated contour map in the permit was justified.

"We mistakenly attached the old contour map to the new draft permit," Casey said. "Eagle submitted an updated contour map with their application for this permit re-issuance.  Some have said the new contour map is hard to read. We will get a clearer version of the updated contour map and put it on our website and attach it to the permit when it is finalized."

Both the old and the new map show that the water flows to the northeast, towards the Salmon Trout River, he added.

In her analysis of the permit, Halley also points out the following:

"MDEQ continues to refuse to regulate, as required by the Clean Water Act, the surface water discharge at the seeps (aka springs), where the water regulated by this permit indisputably expresses to surface water. The draft permit, in Part III, No. 1 on p. 22 states:

'Discharge to the Surface Waters

'This permit does not authorize any discharge to the surface waters. The permittee is responsible for obtaining any permits required by federal or state laws or local ordinances.'"

This photo shows how groundwater flows into springs, or "seeps" (considered surface water) that eventually flow into the Salmon Trout River. Some volunteers from the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community have been sampling these springs for several years. They note that the springs have a measurable physical flow in gpm (gallons per minute) that can be seen as running water, carrying audible sounds. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo © and courtesy Jeremiah Eagle Eye. Reprinted with permission.)

In her analysis of the permit, Halley expresses her concern that state regulators have not required the Eagle project to apply for a federal permit for discharge to surface waters.

"Michigan has been delegated by the United States the authority to regulate surface water discharges via the Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)," Halley writes. "Its failure to do so is egregious."**

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community members have also commented on this draft Groundwater Discharge Permit.

"The MDEQ's proposed revised Groundwater Discharge Permit is inconsistent with federal law, fails to protect the Yellow Dog Watershed -- and the process for issuing this revised permit violates both state and federal administrative procedures act requirements," said former federal offshore oil regulator and KBIC tribal member Jeffery Loman. "I intend to hold the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accountable for these failures as they are the trustee for treaty-protected tribal resources threatened by this reckless regulatory fiasco."***

Jessica Koski, KBIC mining technical assistant, told Keweenaw Now she believes the present draft Groundwater Discharge Permit is actually less protective in many ways than the original permit that KBIC and coalition partners challenged in 2007.

"Reporting requirements largely 'report' only on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis with no maximum daily limits specified," Koski said. "Such lax reporting requirements are unacceptable when discharges will enter the aquifer at a rate of 504,000 gallons per day. How may the company ever be found in violation of discharge limits if there are no numeric permit limits for many constituents? Sounds pretty convenient for the permit holder, in this case a Canadian mining company with no previous mining experience in the United States."

Koski also questioned the wastewater treatment technologies being used at Eagle Mine.

"Michigan's first permitted sulfide mine in the Lake Superior watershed is an experiment in that the company is using an untested combination of wastewater treatment technologies, which, while reasonably successful at treating water individually, may prove difficult and unreliable given its complexity -- especially if the company underestimates the maximum amount of inflow into the treatment system and/or if the influent water is more contaminated than predicted once mining begins," Koski notes. "Uncertainty and risk are further heightened in the current era of climate change, in which our region is expected to experience more frequent and intense rain events that will challenge existing mine infrastructure."

This Reverse Osmosis system in the Eagle Mine Water Treatment Plant removes ions from water that has already gone through previous purification steps. (Keweenaw Now file photo © and courtesy Rio Tinto)

Casey said KBIC has submitted good comments on how MDEQ can do a better job on the allowable operating range for the (reverse osmosis) wastewater treatment plant.

"The allowable operating range should be set in a way that we're more sure that copper and other contaminants won't be above the limits in the permit," Casey explained.

The permit already has a requirement that Eagle stop discharging immediately if the water quality falls outside the allowable operating range.

"They'd have to stop the groundwater discharge right away, even if it meant that they'd have to stop the mining," Casey added.

Dan Blondeau, Eagle Mine advisor in communications and media relations, said in February, "Since issuance of Eagle’s original GWDP (Groundwater Discharge Permit) we’ve collected additional groundwater data. Thus, the permit parameters were adjusted to align with the natural conditions of the water reflected in the data. This does not change the quality of Eagle’s treated water. Our water treatment plant has performed exceptionally and continues to treat water to better than drinking water quality standards."****

The comment period for the draft Groundwater Discharge Permit now extends to April 1, 2014. Written comments can be sent to the following address: Department of Environmental Quality, Water Resources Division, Permits Section, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing, Michigan 48909.

MDEQ officials have been reviewing comments. After the comment period ends they will summarize their responses to comments in writing, Casey said.

*Click here to access the proposed permit, public notice, and application. These documents are also available at the Water Resources Division's Upper Peninsula District Office located at 1504 West Washington Street, Marquette, Michigan 49855. Telephone: 906-228-4853.

**Click here for Michelle Halley's analysis of the permit as posted on Save the Wild U.P.'s Web site.

*** Click here for our May 2013 video clip with Jeffery Loman's questions on groundwater and surface water during a Rio Tinto Community Forum in L'Anse. See especially the second part of the video.

**** UPDATE:  Lundin Mining Company has posted "Water Questions" explaining the Eagle Mine Groundwater Discharge Permit from their point of view.

Michigan Tech Iranian Community to sponsor film March 17, New Year Celebration March 29.

Poster for Iranian New Year Norouz Celebration to be held at Michigan Tech on Saturday, March 29. (Poster courtesy Michigan Tech Iranian Community)

HOUGHTON -- The Iranian Community at Michigan Tech is sponsoring two events on campus this month -- a showing of the film The Color of Paradise TONIGHT, Monday, March 17, and a celebration of the Iranian New Year (Norouz) on Saturday, March 29.

The Color of Paradise will be shown from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. TONIGHT, March 17, in Fisher Hall Room 135. The film is free and open to the public.

This film, written and directed by Majid Majidi, is about a blind boy at a Tehran school for the blind who is waiting for his father to pick him up for summer vacation. The boy longs to go home to be with his family and enjoy life in the countryside. The film portrays beautifully the boy's closeness to Nature; yet his father's selfishness poses an obstacle ...

Click here to read about the film on the IMDB Web site.

The Iranian Community will celebrate the Iranian New Year (Norouz) for the first time at Michigan Tech campus beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 in the MUB Ballroom.

Norouz is the ancient Persian holiday to celebrate New Year on the first day of spring. Michigan Tech's first Norouz celebration includes a Persian banquet, dance performance, and live traditional music. It will be followed by a fun open floor after-party featuring A.D.Dj.

Tickets are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from March 24-28 in the MUB Commons, and are $10 for students and $12 for non-students.

Gluten-Free Recipe Exchange to meet TONIGHT, Mar. 17, at Portage Library

HOUGHTON -- Regular meetings of the Gluten-Free Recipe Exchange are held on the 3rd Monday of each month, September through May, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Portage Lake District Library. The next meeting will be TONIGHT, Monday, March 17, and everyone is invited to participate.

Each month features a different type of food, and March’s meeting will focus on hot or cold pasta dishes. Participants are welcome to bring their favorite dish for sampling and are encouraged to share their recipes. Copies of the recipes will be made at the library. Please list all ingredients used in making foods that are shared at these meetings and identify the brand names of the gluten-free ingredients. Bringing food is not a requirement for attendance.

The Gluten-Free Recipe Exchange is organized by and for those who are interested in or required to follow a gluten-free diet. Gluten-free eating requires the avoidance of all wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Most people find it challenging at first, but are excited to find recipes and foods that are fun and easy to make and tasty to eat. The Gluten-Free Recipe Exchange is an opportunity to share those great recipes and learn from others. Everyone who is interested in learning more about gluten-free eating is encouraged to attend.

This program is free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

Renowned ceramist Sadashi Inuzuka to visit Michigan Tech March 17, 18

HOUGHTON -- Sadashi Inuzuka’s transcendent ceramic art is celebrated for exploring the overlap between the natural world, science and society. Over the past 20 years, Inuzuka has exhibited his work to national and international audiences.

After having been deemed legally blind, Inuzuka was discouraged from pursuing a career in the arts, but he used his visual impairment as a motivation to reach out to other disabled individuals and to help develop their own artistic identities.

Inuzuka has been awarded a University of Michigan Thurnau Professorship, the highest award for undergraduate teaching. Inuzuka is considered a pioneer in the design and implementation of community engagement courses. He has created courses that enable students to see first-hand the role art can play in social change.

At Michigan Tech, he will help students move beyond their perceived creative limitations in an open, brown bag luncheon discussion from noon to 1:30 p.m. TOMORROW, Monday, March 17, in Walker 202. He will share images of his diverse artwork to help lead the discussion. The event is free, and all are welcome.

Inuzuka will also meet with Michigan Tech students in courses such as Creative Ceramics, Art Appreciation and Creative Drawing.

He will discuss his current artistic endeavors, especially "Whaletown" Project, at a lecture free and open to the public from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, at the U. J. Noblet Forestry Building G002.

Support for the visit comes from Michigan Tech's Department of Visual and Performing Arts and the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Potential state senate candidate, North Woods Conservancy founders speak to Houghton County Dems

By Michele Bourdieu

Chris LaMarche, right, of Gladstone, speaks to Houghton County Democrats at their March 5 meeting in Houghton. LaMarche, 22, hopes to run against State Sen. Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) in the November midterm election. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON -- Houghton County Democrats heard from two energetic speakers at their March meeting last week -- first, 22-year-old Christopher (Chris) LaMarche, a new potential candidate to oppose Republican State Sen. Tom Casperson next November, and second, John Griffith of North Woods Conservancy (NWC). The first asked Dems for political support, the other for donations to help pay off a debt that has resulted from NWC's purchasing Keweenaw lands for environmental preservation and public access.

Chris LaMarche, potential State Senate candidate, cites priorities for change

LaMarche, 22, of Gladstone, an Eagle Scout, born and raised in the Upper Peninsula, introduced himself and his Dad, Gary LaMarche, who told the group Chris had just recently made the decision to run for the Michigan State Senate. Chris is about to graduate from Michigan State University with majors in microbiology and genetics and a minor in science policy.

In this videoclip, Chris tells the Houghton County Dems he has decided to run for office because he wants to raise his children in the U.P. and he sees a need in Michigan for investment in education, respect for labor rights and protection of the environment.

At the March 5, 2014, meeting of the Houghton County Democratic Party, Chris LaMarche gives a brief summary of his reasons for wanting to run for political office. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

Chris LaMarche told Keweenaw Now he opposes the philosophy of those he calls "the 2010 class" -- Republicans and Tea Party candidates, including Casperson, who were elected in 2010 -- a philosophy intended to help businesses and keep taxes down for the wealthy.

"My philosophy is not that we have to tax the rich to the point where they get in trouble but that (the state) needs to give more tax cuts to the middle class," Chris said.

Noting he is from Casperson's home region, Chris said another objection he has to the 138th District Senator is his failure to do anything to improve roads.

"Tom Casperson is chair of our Transportation Committee, and he hasn't been able to fix the roads up here," the young challenger added.

In this video Clip, Chris LaMarche talks about his interest in politics, his recent opportunity to work with U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, to meet President Obama for the signing of the Farm Bill, and more ...

Chris LaMarche gives a few details about his background and interest in politics. He notes he may be running in the Aug. 5, 2014, Democratic Primary against another candidate.

Brian Rendel of the Houghton County Dems mentioned at the meeting that a second Democratic candidate for Casperson's senate seat, Chris Germaine of Delta County, may be coming soon to speak to the group.

Potential candidates for the November midterm election must register by April 22, 2014.

Later in the meeting Chris LaMarche spoke with Houghton County Democratic Party members about his support of unions. He also welcomed their suggestions for his campaign.

Chris LaMarche exchanges views on support of unions with Houghton County Democrats. He notes both his parents -- Gary and Laura LaMarche -- are union members.

Chris LaMarche was among 15 Michigan State University students to receive the honor of participating in the William A. Demmer Scholars Program, which helps students experience the public policy decision-making that concerns preserving natural resources in North America. The program allowed Chris to work as an intern on the Farm Bill with Sen. Debbie Stabenow and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry in Washington, D.C., last summer.*

Local Democrats at the meeting had positive comments about the new young candidate.

"It was great to hear a candidate state -- among his top priorities -- a concern for environmental quality," said Houghton County Democratic Party member Ann Pace of Hancock.

Janet Gregorich, Houghton County Democratic Party vice-chair, saw Chris's youth as an advantage.

"I am glad to see a young person so interested to be involved in the political system and be willing to run for state senate," Gregorich said. "Chris seems to have the education and knows some issues for our district. Hope he can get the youth interested and out to vote."

Rick Kasprzak, Houghton County Democratic Party co-chair, noted any candidate is welcome to speak to the group.

"It is exciting to see a young person inspired to run for office," Kasprzak said. "I believe Chris has potential as a candidate and I like his priorities. However, it is too early in the process to make a clear choice. It appears we will have a choice of 'Chrises' as Mr. LaMarche appears to have a primary opponent in Chris Germaine. Mr. Germaine will have the opportunity to speak to our membership as well and make his case for why he should be our choice."

John Griffith outlines North Woods Conservancy's successes, needs

At the March 5 Houghton County Democrats' meeting, John Griffith of North Woods Conservancy (NWC) displays photos of Keweenaw sites NWC has purchased, with the help of grants and donations, for preservation and public access.

The second guest speaker at the Houghton County Dems' March 5 meeting, John Griffith of Allouez Township and Calumet -- co-founder with his wife, Jane Griffith, of North Woods Conservancy -- offered an enthusiastic history of NWC. He summarized how the couple came to found NWC, a 501(c)3 non-profit land trust and to invest their time, money and energy for the past 20 plus years in their dream of saving special Keweenaw sites of beauty, biodiversity and non-invasive recreation potential for environmental protection and public access.

In this video clip, John Griffith relates how it all started:

At the March 5, 2014, Houghton County Democratic Party meeting, John Griffith describes how he and his wife, Jane Griffith, founded the North Woods Conservancy in 1992 to save land on the Keweenaw Peninsula.

John Griffith gave an overview of how he and Jane successfully wrote government grants and collected donations to save such places as the Keweenaw County Gratiot River Park, Dore Woods, Merganser Pond, Gratiot River North, Seven-Mile Point and Conglomerate Falls -- as their mission statement says, "for the benefit of native biological diversity, science and education, and public enjoyment."

In this video clip, John shows photos of some of the NWC properties and describes their unique features:

John Griffith of North Woods Conservancy displays photos of properties the conservancy has purchased for environmental protection and public access in the Keweenaw Peninsula and explains why these places are worth preserving.

The NWC properties -- totaling 1,000 acres and two miles of lakeshore -- were purchased with funding from annual memberships, donations, state and federal grants, partnerships, member loans, and bank loans.

Now the conservancy is trying to pay off its debt with a fundraising campaign -- asking donors to give $10 a month, or 33 cents a day, in order to pay a monthly mortgage of $5000. Smaller and larger donations are also welcome.

John Griffith shows Houghton County Democrats a poster explaining North Woods Conservancy's current fundraising campaign to pay off their debt for preserving unique properties on the south shore of Lake Superior in Keweenaw County.

"This is ... part of why I'm a Democrat," John told the Houghton County Dems. "I believe in conservation, in science, in information, in public access, in wildlife, and education -- school kids can go there, long-term studies for Michigan Tech (are done) at some of these properties."**

Along with Jane Griffith, John requested also that anyone in the audience concerned about wildlife sign the petition for a referendum against the recent Michigan wolf hunt legislation, which allowed the Natural Resources Commission to designate the wolf as a game species and led to the limited wolf harvest, involving three areas in the U.P., last fall:

John Griffith of North Woods Conservancy explains, from a biologist's point of view, why a wolf hunt goes against good science and asks for signatures on the petition for a referendum on the recent Michigan wolf hunt legislation.***

Chris LaMarche, who said he is a hunter himself as well as a fisherman, asked about his views on the wolf hunt legislation supported by State Sen. Tom Casperson, said he believes any such hunt should be based on science.

"I would be in favor of postponing another hunt until more studies have been done to determine the effects on the environment and species populations," he said.

Houghton Dems Co-chair Rick Kasprzak commented positively on John Griffith's presentation.

"John Griffith and his wife Jane are obviously passionate about their conservation efforts," Kasprzak noted. "I felt his stirring presentation really hit home for many of our members, and I believe he may have inspired us to get involved in some way with his endeavors. Naturally protection of our most precious resource, our surroundings, is something a majority of our members strongly support and consider a top priority. The fact the Griffiths are preserving these very special areas in such a way as to continue to keep them available to the public is especially appealing to me."

Editor's Notes:

* Learn more about potential State Senate candidate Christopher LaMarche by visiting his Facebook page.

** To learn more about North Woods Conservancy visit northwoodsconservancy.org.

*** The petition with more than 229,000 signatures for a referendum on Michigan's wolf hunt was handed in this week. Click here for an update from Keep Michigan Wolves Protected.

Ski Club reports Maasto Hiihto Trails safe for moon-fire-ski TONIGHT, March 15

HANCOCK -- Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club’s monthly moon-fire-ski is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. TONIGHT, March 15, at Maasto Hiihto Trails.

"As promised, KNSC has checked the trail conditions at Maasto Hiihto to see if they would allow for a fun, safe moonlight ski to the fire by the creek tonight -- and yes, the trails are indeed safe and ski conditions are surprisingly good," says KNSC's Sandy Aronson.

The official/guided start is from the chalet, but skiers may start from Tomasi trailhead if they wish. The fire will be located at the Glide 'N Gorge soup station, which is between the bottom of Sisu hill and the Middle Bridge.

This morning the city side, gorge, and Australia/Mud Lake Loop trails were dragged and tracks reset. Churning Rapids will be left ungroomed, i.e., skier groomed.

"I skied this morning on ungroomed, dragged, and tracked trails and found that the ungroomed trails were just fine, dragged trails were great, and tracks only were ok as they were somewhat icy on the bottom so not such good grip," Aronson adds. "On a side note, ungroomed snow was silent while the groomed snow was noisy and abrasive. Also, wind was super cold yet the sun warm! Quite a study in contrast out on the trails today."

KNSC's John Diebel reports the Fairgrounds chalet will be open this weekend for people to use for lunch and changing, but the water lines remain frozen and the toilets are out of service.

"Due to the very high expense of thawing out such a long supply line and the limited time left in the season the water line is expected to remain out of service for the remainder of the ski season. Plan accordingly," Diebel notes.

Calumet artists to exhibit work at Flatlanders Gallery in Blissfield, Mich., March 15

"Winter Stop," woodcut reduction by Tom Rudd and Margo McCafferty. (Photos courtesy Tom Rudd)

CALUMET -- Artists Margo McCafferty and Tom Rudd of Calumet will be in Blissfield, Mich. (near Toledo, Ohio) this Saturday, March 15, to install and open a show at Flatlanders Gallery (and sculpture supply).

"Creek Chub," mixed mediums, by Tom Rudd.

Flatlanders is east of Blissfield on US 223. The building  is surrounded by many sculptures, heaps of snow-covered stone and a sign that says "Last chance for Art in Michigan."

A reception will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday March 15, at Flatlanders.

"Sheep's House," drawing on Herculene, by Margo McCafferty.

"We will be there along with our art and stories of the north," says Rudd. "We are excited to see old friends and new. Please join us -- there will be goodies and a plastic cuppa."

For more information call Flatlanders at 517-486-4591 or Tom Rudd at 906-369-4087.

Piano concert to feature works by Sibelius March 15

HANCOCK -- A program of solo piano works by world-famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius will be performed by Minnesota based musician Gail Olszewski at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, at Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center.

Olszewski has been heard in solo and chamber recitals on piano, fortepiano, harpsichord, organ, harmonium, celesta and synthesizer in the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America and Australia. She has performed in concert with many singers in the U.S. and Canada.

The concert is only $5 per person, with admission payable at the door. For more information about the concert, call (906) 487-7549 or (906) 487-7302.

Portage Library invites kids to puppet-making, poetry workshops Mar. 15, 22, 29 and Apr. 12

HOUGHTON -- Calling all junketeers! Children in grades 1-6 are invited to use recyclable materials and just plain ol’ junk to build cool puppets and have fun writing poems about them at the Portage Lake District Library.

Puppet-making workshops will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, March 15, 22 and 29. Plenty of recyclable supplies and all manner of tape, glue, staplers, string, and dowels will be on hand for the construction. Children are also encouraged to bring their own clean junk with them to the workshops.

On Saturday, March 22, Michigan Tech graduate student Jennifer Pelto will introduce the poetry unit while kids continue to work on their puppets. She will read poems that will get the gears turning as kids begin to interact with and think about their own puppets. Kids will have time to write poems that describe the characters they are creating.

On Saturday, March 29, Michigan Tech student Melissa Michaelson will discuss the impact that throwing things away has on the environment. She will show slides of a display of 600 plastic water bottles she created to illustrate how many bottles of water people consume in less that one-half second. Children will also have time to finish their puppets and poems.

On Saturday, April 12, kids who participated in this workshop will perform at noon in a puppet show and poetry reading at the Copper Country Mall for the annual Kiwanis Family Fun Day event. There will be a cast party afterwards at the library, and puppets and poems will be on display in the library during April for National Poetry Month.

This event is offered by the Copper Country Reading Council in partnership with Michigan River of Words and the Portage Lake District Library.

Library programs are free, and everyone is invited. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 and ask for Chris.

Calumet Theatre to host Klezmer music program March 14

Poster for "An Evening of Klezmer Music with Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi" courtesy Calumet Theatre.

CALUMET -- Klezmer musicians Hot Pstromi will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the Calumet Theatre. The trio, led by Yale Strom, present ROMANIA RUMENYE -- a mix of Klezmer, Balkan, and Yiddish music.

Yale Strom on violin and Elizabeth Schwartz, vocals, with Peter Stan on accordion provide a memorable musical experience. Strom, a leading artist-ethnographer, collects and researches music in Romania and is one of the foremost authorities on Klezmer music and its connection to Roma (Gypsy) music.*

Klezmer music, for those not familiar with it, is folk music of the Jews of Eastern Europe (think Fiddler on the Roof). Itinerant Klezmer groups provided music at weddings and Bar Mitzvahs -- and still do. It is centuries old and draws on the music of Russia, Poland, Roma (Gypsy) and other places where Jews lived. When Jews immigrated to America, massively from 1880 to 1924, Klezmer was influenced by jazz and vice versa. A Klezmer revival which began in the 1970s has made the energetic music more popular around the world.

Composers Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copeland, Gustav Mahler, Dmitri Shostakovich, and George Gershwin were influenced by Klezmer. Some say the opening of Rhapsody in Blue acknowledged the klezmer clarinet. The swing jazz of Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw may have derived from Klezmer. Jazz and Klezmer have been blended by jazz musicians John Zorn and Don Byron and recently found there way into Ska.

In the past 25 years, there have been three local performances of Klezmer music. The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band performed at the Calumet Theatre as part of the 75th Anniversary celebration of Temple Jacob. Several years ago the Calumet Theatre booked
the Yiddishe Cup Klezmer Band from Cleveland; and the Klezmer Conservatory from Boston, led by Klezmer aficionado Hankus Netsky, filled the Rozsa Center not too long ago.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Calumet Theatre Box Office inside the theatre today, Wednesday, March 12, and Thursday, March 13, from noon to 5 p.m., and Friday from noon through the concert intermission. Phone (906) 337-2610 or visit www.calumettheatre.com for more information.

This concert is sponsored by Temple Jacob and supported by a grant from the Ravitz Foundation Michigan Small Jewish Communities' Initiative of the Michigan Jewish Conference, a program of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.

* Click here to listen to a sample of Klezmer music by Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi.

Rep. Scott Dianda seeks to protect landline telephone service, urges health care cost transparency

LANSING -- State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) recently expressed his concern on two issues affecting Upper Peninsula residents, especially senior citizens. One is his opposition to the passage of Senate Bill 636, which could jeopardize landline telephone service; the other is his House Resolution 314 on health care cost transparency.

Dianda opposes Senate Bill that could jeopardize landline telephone service

State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) was disappointed by the passage of Senate Bill 636, which could put landline telephone service in jeopardy across Michigan. Seniors who use medical alert devices -- most of which currently work only through landline services -- are in danger of losing this life-saving tool.

"This bill could be devastating to the countless U.P. residents who rely on landlines to communicate," Dianda said. "I guess Republicans who voted for this bill have never tried to make a cell phone call in the U.P."

House Democrats say this does not take into account emergency situations such as a power outage, when cell phones cannot be charged and VoIP devices cannot be powered. Furthermore, reliable wireless and broadband options are not available in every part of Michigan, which would make the use of landline telephone communication a necessity -- especially in the case of an emergency.

Either way, studies have shown that landline services are much more reliable regarding 9-1-1 and emergency calls.

"This bill does not take into account the safety of rural residents who cannot rely on cell phone reception," Dianda said. "It does not make sense to replace a system that is tried, tested and successful with one that could leave people without access to communication."

It is more expensive for service providers to install, replace and maintain copper wiring for landline services than it is to move to a newer technology such as wireless or VoIP. If passed, this bill would allow companies to remove already established copper wiring connection if they petition the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) successfully, leaving many in both rural and urban areas with no possibility of traditional landline services. Residents could appeal this, but at the expense of a mountain of paperwork.

"With the passage of this bill, Republicans are going to force people to go up against the decisions of the federal government and the FCC," Dianda said. "This bill allows phone companies to profit at the expense of Michigan citizens."*

Dianda resolution aims for healthcare cost transparency

State Representative Dianda recently introduced House Resolution 314 (HR 314) encouraging the United States Congress to pass a law that would expand Medicare claims data availability and improve medical care.

"Most of us don’t actually know how much our health care costs because not all insurance companies send us a copy of the bill listing the charges," said Dianda. "Since we can’t compare costs we don’t know if we’re getting the best price or even the best care. Medicare is one of the biggest payers of health care costs, so if claims data are available, we would have a better view of the health care marketplace and could make educated decisions on costs and quality."

At present, this Medicare claims information is inaccessible. Federal law allows certain health care reporting entities, known as "Qualified Entities" (QEs), to prepare reports on health care performance measures using Medicare claims data. These QEs can freely disseminate their reports, but they are restricted from selling or otherwise providing the claims data to others. Legislation in Congress -- the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014 -- would remove this restriction and allow QEs to provide or sell Medicare claims data to health care providers, health insurance companies and others to assist them in quality improvement activities.

"Having this claims data is an important first step toward increasing health care price transparency, improving quality and lowering costs," said Dianda. "My resolution encourages Congress to pass this legislation immediately."

HR 314 was referred to the House Committee on Health Policy.**

* (Updated) Click here for information on SB 0636.
** Click here to read about HR 314.

Genealogical Society to meet TONIGHT, March 11, at Portage Library

HOUGHTON -- The Houghton-Keweenaw County Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. TONIGHT, Tuesday, March 11, at the Portage Lake District Library in Houghton.

The meeting will feature a presentation on and discussion of immigration and naturalization records, with an emphasis on local records. The meeting is open to the public.

For further information call 483-2149 or email HKCGSociety@gmail.com.

Portage Library Wellness Series to host presentation on milk March 13

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library will host its monthly program in the Natural Health and Wellness series from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13.

Shelby Laubhan, owner of Jai Yen Wellness: Eco-Holistic Health Coaching and Retreats, will present "Milk. It Does a Body Good." But, she asks, does it do YOUR BODY good? Skim, 2 percent or whole? Pasteurized or raw? Dairy-free or lactose-free? Explore the ins and outs of Mother Nature’s perfect food, and find out what may be right for you.

Laubhan is a professional EcoHolistic Health Coach. She helps clients create a healthier and happier life, have more energy, and permanently reach health and life goals that include weight loss and stress management.

The Natural Health and Wellness series is held on the second Thursday of each month. All library programs are free, and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

Register now for Hand-Stitched Photo Book class at Community Arts Center

Hand-stiched photo book. (Image courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center)

HANCOCK -- Today, March 11, is the last day to register with a discount for the Hand-Stitched Photo Book class to be offered from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, at the Copper Country Community Arts Center. The final day to register is March 18.

In this class with paper artist Debra Charlesworth, students will create a hand-stitched book that is perfect for holding square photographs, your personal memories, or act as an artist’s journal. Learn how to create a book with spacers so it will be able to accommodate dimensional materials. As a bonus, this book will also fit inside the clam-shell box made in next month’s class.

Fee: $35 if registered and paid by March 11; after March 11, $45. Deadline to register is March 18.

The Copper Country Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. Call 906-482-2333 for more information.

Nordic Film Series to present Finnish film about three women March 13

HANCOCK -- On Thursday, March 13, the Nordic Film Series screening at Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center will feature Stars Above, a deep and beautiful, yet humorous film about three generations of a Finnish family.

Showings are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and are open to the public. Donations are appreciated.

Stars Above (Tähtitaivas talon yllä) follows the stories of three women from the same family in three different decades. The main characters -- Saima, Tuulikki and Salla -- live in the same country house. Saima´s story takes place in wartime 1942, when Finland fought against Soviet Union; Tuulikki´s story occurs in 1978; and Salla’s story is in the present day. Each woman is between 30 and 40 years old during her segment of the film.

In the film, the women’s stories overlap, and gradually the individual fates of the women, scattered across decades, form a whole picture.

The film is about one hour and 40 minutes and is in Finnish with English subtitles.

The Finnish American Heritage Center is located at 435 Quincy Street in Hancock. For more information, call (906) 487-7302.

Levin, Stabenow hail final passage of bill to preserve Sleeping Bear wilderness land

Sleeping Bear Dunes. (File photo courtesy Sen. Carl Levin's office)

WASHINGTON, DC --  On March 4, 2014, Michigan Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow welcomed final House passage of a bill they introduced to protect more than 30,000 acres of wilderness at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, located along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in Leelanau County and Benzie County.

The Dunes rise more than 400 feet above Lake Michigan. This National Lakeshore includes 65 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and numerous inland lakes and streams.

House passage of S.23, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act, which Levin and Stabenow introduced in 2013, sends the bill to President Obama for his signature. The Senate passed the bill in June 2013.

"Final passage of this legislation is good news for all of us who cherish the matchless beauty and the ecological importance of Sleeping Bear Dunes," Levin said. "The local community has worked long and hard to preserve this valuable wilderness while ensuring that visitors can access and appreciate it, and I am pleased that the House has followed the Senate to preserve this important part of Michigan’s heritage."

The legislation culminates 13 years of efforts by the local community, the National Park Service and Congress to update the lakeshore’s general management plan and protect the park’s unique natural habitat from harmful development while enabling public access to its beaches, trails and streams.

"I’m glad the House has joined us in recognizing the importance of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This designation will protect their breathtaking beauty for generations to come," Stabenow said. "The Dunes bring 1.2 million visitors a year to Michigan from across the country. By designating this wilderness land, we are helping promote one of our state's top Pure Michigan tourist attractions and protecting an integral part of our Great Lakes."

Celebrate Youth Arts Month 2014 at Community Arts Center

"Chinese New Year Dragon," by Chloe Hohnholt, Grade 1, Houghton Elementary School. (Photos courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center)

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Center (CCCAC) in Hancock is featuring artwork from area elementary, middle, and high school students March 8-29 for Celebrate Youth Arts Month 2014. An opening reception will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 at the Arts Center.

"Long-Legged Birds," by Damien Heikkinen, Grade 2, South Range Elementary School.

The Youth Gallery and the Kerredge Gallery at the CCCAC will be filled floor to ceiling with local youth art.  March is a time when our young artists get to shine. And it’s a time not only to celebrate youth art, but to appreciate the art teachers who work throughout the school year encouraging and inspiring their students.

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

Hancock Tori (Market) to be open March 8 at First United Methodist Church

HANCOCK -- The Hancock Tori (Market) will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, at the First United Methodist Church next to the Quincy Green, downtown Hancock.

Check out some hand-crafted items by local artisans -- and more. All are welcome.

Portage Library invites kids to Dr. Seuss celebration

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library invites children of all ages to a "Dr. Seuss Extravaganza" at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 8. This annual event will celebrate the anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and the whimsical magic of his stories.

This event is sponsored by members of Michigan Tech’s Circle K Service Organization. Circle K students will read classic Dr. Seuss stories and lead the kids in decorating Cat in the Hat cookies with a Dr. Seuss-ish flourish. Gluten-free cookies that are made in a dedicated kitchen will also be available.

Circle K International Service Organization looks for opportunities for service, leadership, and friendship. Their wide range of projects includes activities such as picking up trash on highways, playing board games with the elderly and doing story times.

Library programs are free and open to all. For more information, call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

Khana Khazana to serve Nepalese, Syrian and Korean cuisine Friday, March 7

HOUGHTON -- Khana Khazana will feature Nepalese, Syrian and Korean food this Friday, March 7. Aadarsh Upreti will cook Nepalese Chicken Momo, a fried dumpling filled with spiced chicken and onion stuffing served with pickled veggies; Roba Bdeir will present Basbouseh, a sweet Mediterranean cake made of cooked semolina, coconut and yogurt that is soaked in sugar syrup and topped off with almonds. Korean kimchi soup, a spicy and sour Korean traditional soup made of vegetables with variety of seasonings, will also be served.

The weekly international lunch is served in Michigan Tech's Memorial Union Food Court from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A full meal costs $6.95, with individual dishes available for $2.50 each.

Khana Khazana is a collaboration of international students and Michigan Tech Dining Services.

First Friday in Calumet to feature new art exhibits March 7

CALUMET -- First Friday in Calumet, March 7, will offer several new exhibits, receptions, music and art activities -- some with a theme based on the recent Copper Dog race, held last weekend.

Dog Art Show at Galerie Bohème

"Race," woodcut reduction by Margo McCafferty and Tom Rudd. (Photo courtesy Galerie Bohème)

Galerie Bohème will be open from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on First Friday, March 7, and will feature The Dog Art Show: color pencil and pen and ink drawings by Cynthia Coté, drawings on Herculene by Joyce Koskenmaki , casein paintings from Margo McCafferty, wooden copper dog by Tom Rudd, and dog woodcuts from Tom and Margo.

"We will have some new works, artworks that weren't in last Friday's show, but still with the dog theme in mind," says Rudd. "If you're in town stop by and peruse some unique dog art. Have a bread, cracker, cheese and a plastic cup of something, see and talk to friends and art lovers."

Galerie Bohème is at 423 Fifth St. in Calumet.   

Open Studio at Calumet Art Center

The Calumet Art Center will offer an Open Studio from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. this First Friday. Start, continue or finish that art project that you are working on. The Center offers plenty of space. Find your inspiration while touring their clay, glass bead making and weaving studios. Come and see some of the wonderful projects students have been working on. The Gallery has several examples of the latest Snowbank Smoke Fired pottery, paintings and woodcuts for sale. The Calumet Art Center is at 57055 Fifth Street. Email info@calumetartcenter.com for information.

"Let the Dogs Out!" at Paige Wiard Gallery

Drawings and paintings of favorite dogs are on exhibit this month at the Paige Wiard Gallery in Calumet. (Photo courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

March is the month for the Copperdog 150, so join the Paige Wiard Gallery to celebrate how amazing dogs are! During the month of March artists will be displaying not only sled dogs but the dogs that are near and dear to their hearts! So stop in and see the amazing dogs that have touched the lives of the artists in the gallery. An opening reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 7 in the Gallery at 109 5th street, Calumet. If there are any questions, please call 337-5970 or email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com.

UPDATE: Author Laura Smyth will be signing her book, Adventures in the U.P. (all four Jack-o'-lantern stories in one book, including the sled dog adventure) during the First Friday art reception at the Paige Wiard Gallery. Is there a young dog lover on your shopping list? Or a transplanted Yooper who might enjoy a little taste of the U.P.? Check out Jack's adventures in this collection of four stories, each prefaced with a young-reader-friendly article explaining ideas in natural science and history. Perfect for teachers, parents, home schoolers and kids of any age.

Learn calligraphy at Copper Country Associated Artists

Calligraphy by Millie Little. (Photo courtesy Copper Country Associated Artists)

Learn the fine art of calligraphy, a beautiful way to write the alphabet and create a signature, with Calumet artist Millie Little during a March 7 First Friday workshop at Copper Country Associated Artists Gallery, 205 Fifth St. Supplies will be provided, but space is limited and participants should be at least 13 years old. Stop from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and try your hand at this program. This event is free and open to the public, but donations are welcome.

Hand-knit items by Karena Schmidt at Cross Country Sports

Work by Karena Schmidt will be featured at Cross Country Sports for the month of March and at an Open House from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, March 7. Karena is an accomplished fiber artist and designer, specializing in one of a kind, wearable winter garments including hand-knit sweaters, hats, felted mittens, and accessories. Karena's unique designs celebrate the flora and fauna of the Keweenaw and reflect a deep connection to nature. Her intricately knit stitches are reminiscent of traditional Scandinavian patterns where each motif is intended to convey a precious meaning to the artist or the wearer.

This month Cross Country Sports will have some of Karena's beautiful and whimsical knit hats in the shop as well as some springtime festive decorated gift boxes which Karena makes to celebrate the seasons and her love of nature. Cross Country Sports is at 507 Oak Street in Calumet. For more information call 906-337-4520.

"Omphale Goes to the Dogs" at Omphale Gallery and Café

"Omphale Goes to the Dogs" is a mixed media dog-themed exhibition featuring the work of a range of Keweenaw artists. Stop in between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. for art, music and refreshments at the Omphale Gallery and Café, 431 Fifth St.

Café Rosetta features art by Dave Walli

Café Rosetta at 104 Fifth St. is exhibiting pictures by Dave Walli. A poetry reading may be possible Friday, March 7. The Café will be open until 8 p.m.

Editor's Note: Thanks to Laura Smyth of Main Street Calumet for sharing information about these activities via Facebook.

Calumet's Swedetown Trails ready for Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon March 8, Junior Bear Chase March 7

Skiers climb one of the more challenging hills at Swedetown Trails during a previous Great Bear Chase race. (File photo by Keweenaw Now)

CALUMET -- Skiers and organizers are hoping for warmer temperatures for the Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon this Saturday, March 8, and the Junior Bear Chase Friday, March 7, at Swedetown Trails in Calumet.

Cold temperatures and snow have been a challenge, but the Swedetown trails are well groomed and ready for the races. Saturday's races include 50 km Freestyle, 50 km Classic, 25 km Freestyle, 25 km Classic, 10 km Freestyle and 10 km Classic.

"This year’s high snowfall has required more grooming passes to keep the base packed nice and firm," Swedetown Trails Club President Cynthia MacDonald said. "Also, the snow load on the trees has required the groomers to clean up some downed trees and spend more time trimming overhanging limbs."

The groomers have been busy, and the reward is a base of snow that’s about as good as anyone could ask for. Groomer Pat Szubielak, who is also organizing Swedetown's third annual Snow Bike Race, said there’s no doubt the depth is at least three feet. MacDonald said in the woods it’s likely that it’s no less than four feet.

"All I keep hearing from people is that the base is terrific," MacDonald said. "This is one year where we certainly don’t have to worry about losing our base in March. We’ll be skiing all of March, and likely beyond."

Click here to register on line for the race.

Volunteers still needed

"We are still in need of about 40 volunteers for the Great Bear Chase this Saturday, March 8!" Angela Luskin of Portage Health announced early this week. "Please consider donating a few hours of your time to support a great local event."

Contact Luskin at aluskin@portagehealth.org if you have questions on positions. To volunteer, fill out the form at the following link: http://www.greatbearchase.com/volunteer/. Positions and shifts that may still be needed are below:

De-Chipper 12-3 p.m.
Bag Attendant 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Chipper 7 a.m.-10 a.m.
Back-up Timer 12-3 p.m.
Fire Tender 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Registration Friday 2 p.m.-5 p.m., 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Beer Server 11a.m.-3 p.m.
Banquet Set-up 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Banquet Assistant 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Result Printer 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Aid Stations 7:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m., 8 a.m.-9:45 a.m., 8:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Ski Pole Attendant 7:45 a.m.-10 a.m.
Stadium Crew 6 a.m.-8 a.m., 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Parking Assistant 6:30 a.m.-9 a.m.
25K Forerunner on skis 7:15 a.m.
25K Sweep on skis 10 a.m.

Ski Tigers to host Junior Bear Chase March 7

The Copper Country Ski Tigers are once again hosting the Junior Bear Chase on Friday night, March 7. Registration for the event will run from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Swedetown Trails Chalet. Races will start shortly after 5 p.m.

Read all of the details on the Junior Bear Chase, including information on how to save 30 percent by registering ahead of time, by going to greatbearchase.com/juniorbearchase.

Great Bear Square Dance to be held at Laurium Ballroom March 8

The  5th Annual Great Bear Square Dance will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Laurium Ballroom, 310 Hecla Street in Laurium (across from Miller Lanes, above the Police Dept.)

The caller is Donn Christensen who comes from the Washburn, Wis., area to ski the race and then call squares, circles, contras, etc. This is a community dance open to all. $5 per dancer appreciated.

Read more about the Great Bear Chase at greatbearchase.com.

Club Indigo to feature "The Quiet Man" March 7 at Calumet Theatre

By Joe Kirkish*

CALUMET -- The Quiet Man is Club Indigo's choice for March at the Calumet Theatre -- this Friday, March 7 -- as the annual tribute to the wearin' of the green.

The movie, now considered one of the most memorable uses of Ireland as its base, was created, ironically (and well), as a labor of love from Hollywood's Republic Studios; and the cast is comprised of Hollywood stars mixed in with some of the best from the Auld Sod as well. The result: the kind of classic that American audiences never tire of seeing over and over.

John Wayne performs to tell the story of Sean Thornton (John Wayne), who was born in Inisfree, went to Pittsburgh where he became a prize fighter, then left to settle in his homeland with a dark secret accompanying him. There he meets a charming red-headed beauty, Mary Kate (Maureen O'Hara), and after a tempestuous initial relationship they fall in love. Despite her brother's reluctance to a wedding, and thanks to the good offices of a wily marriage broker, the priest, the vicar, and the townspeople -- and after a wildly rousing homeland go-around -- the film settles down to the makings of a lively romantic comedy. But not before director John Ford has his pleasure in creating the battle-to-end-all-Irish-set-battles to complete this decidedly Hibernian tribute to historic film making.

With a supporting cast including Barry Fitzgerald, Ward Bond, Victor McGlaglen, and Mildred Natwick, how could the film not succeed?  But with cinematographer Winton Hock's gorgeously shot scenery and Victor Young's appropriately Irish music, the film's historic place in great film making has been cinched.

The movie begins at 7:15 p.m., preceded at 6 p.m. by a Hibernian buffet from the Irish Times, including corned beef specially imported from Dublin. (For those not eating meat during Lent, a special, also appropriate, substitute will be supplied.) Cost for both food and film, $20. Film alone, $5. There is a special discount for kids ten and under.

The Quiet Man has been sponsored by the Shelden Grill, Houghton, and the Irish Times, Laurium. For seating at the buffet, call the Calumet Theatre before 5 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at 337-2610.

*Author Joe Kirkish, host of the Club Indigo film series, is a local photographer and film critic.

Portage Library to host Keweenaw Garden Club presentation on composting March 3

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library will host the Keweenaw Garden Club for an evening of learning how to turn food and yard waste into "black gold" for your garden.

Matt Manders will present "The Dirt on Composting" from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 3. Manders has been growing an organic vegetable garden and using composting techniques for over a decade in the Houghton area. He and his wife, Lynette Potvin, own and operate Superior Skills Workshops, which offers hands-on learning about gardening, landscaping, craftsman construction, and renewable energy.

The Keweenaw Garden Club was established by and for gardening enthusiasts. They have meetings and presentations at the Portage Lake District Library on the first Monday of each month. Those who are interested in learning more about the club are welcome to attend the general meeting at 6:30 p.m. prior to the presentation at 7 p.m. or visit https://sites.google.com/site/keweenawgardenclub/. 

Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl,org.

African Night is TOMORROW, March 1, in MUB Ballroom

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech's African Students Organization will host an African Night celebration from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 1, in the Memorial Union (MUB) Ballroom. African delicacies will be served.

The program includes a dance and fashion show, a professional performance of Congolese drumming with a dance ensemble, and a tribute to Nelson Mandela by Sezi Fleming, director of Michigan Tech's Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

Admission is $8 for students and $10 for faculty, staff and the public.

Portage Library to host TEDxManhattan "Changing the Way We Eat" Viewing Party March 1

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library and the Keweenaw Co-op are teaming up to give everyone front row tickets to a revolutionary live viewing party of the TEDxManhattan "Changing the Way We Eat" event. This one-day conference features a dynamic and diverse group of speakers addressing issues in the sustainable food movement and will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, at the library.

The event features a line-up of experts who will explore the state of the food system and the progress that is being made toward sustainability in eating and farming. The goal of the event is to introduce viewers across the country to the innovative work being done to elevate the food system to one that is more equitable, healthier, and sustainable for all.

Some of the most important experts in the food movement will discuss topics that include the food movement in historical context, in praise of big organic, how big business had the right idea but went wrong, crickets as a protein source, meatless Monday: a simple idea goes global, Congress and a sustainable food system, changing what students eat at school, restaurant workers, the negative effects on human health of antibiotic use in animal production, local food distribution, and more.

Participants may come and go and watch as many of the talks as they choose while enjoying refreshments made by the Keweenaw Co-op’s Organic Produce and Deli department. Coffee donated by Keweenaw Coffee Works in Calumet, tea and juice will also be served.

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It began as a four-day conference 30 years ago and has grown to support world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. Two annual TED conferences invite the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes on a diverse mix of topics, which can be viewed free at TED.com. TED speakers have included, Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Isabel Allende and many others.

TEDx programs are local, self-organized events that bring people together for discussions. The lead sponsor for TEDxManhattan is the nonprofit program Change Food and the event will take place in the Times Center in New York City.

All events at the library are free and everyone is welcome. For a schedule of speakers and more information, please call Chris at the library at 482-4570 or call Faye at the Keweenaw Co-op at 482-2030.

Celebrate regional artists with Great Lakes Showcase, opening Feb. 28 at Rozsa Gallery

HOUGHTON -- The Rozsa Center is pleased to announce the opening of the 2014 Great Lakes Showcase: An Annual Juried Exhibition of Fine Arts and Crafts, TOMORROW, Friday, Feb. 28. The exhibit is sponsored by Michigan Tech’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts. A community mainstay for over 35 years, the Showcase celebrates the vibrant artists who work in or visit the Upper Peninsula and surrounding region.

Artist: Benjamin Argall, "Wolf Warrior" (Photos courtesy Rozsa Center)

Says Great Lakes Showcase (GLS) Co-coordinator Sarah Fayen Scarlett, "Every year when we unpack the works and arrange the gallery, my excitement is renewed for the art being made in our region. The range of materials and viewpoints, as well as the thoughtful creativity, are cause for recognition and celebration. Thanks to all the artists for participating!"

The public is invited to a reception for the artists from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28. The 2014 GLS Awards Judge, Ginny Baer, will provide comments to the public and discuss the 2014 award winners at 6 p.m. Artwork is available for purchase, in person at the opening or anytime during the duration of the exhibit. Visit http://vpa-live.mtu.edu/gls/ on line, or call Michigan Tech Ticketing Operations at (906) 487-2073.

In addition, new to the 2014 showcase will be a gallery discussion led by Kathleen Carlton Johnson, PhD, titled "What Art Can Do For You and Why" at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 6.

"We are thrilled to include a public talk this year given by a long-time Great Lakes Showcase committee member and former art teacher in Lake Linden," Scarlett notes. "Kathy is a passionate advocate for art and art education."

2014 GLS artist entries were up 25 percent from last year, and the show will feature more than 90 artworks from 57 artists. Media range from hand-made baskets to woodturning, delicate works on paper to bold mixed-media collage -- and include of course the full range: paintings on canvas, watercolor, mixed media, glass and ceramic, mixed media installation, prints, cast metal sculpture, photography, fiber art, and artists' books.

Artist: Marc Himes, Birds Eye Maple Vase

"The work in this year's show highlights a particular sensitivity to materials," Scarlett explains. "From creative photographic printing media to collages made with cut up credit cards, many works in the 2D category challenge our expectations and perceptions. In the 3D category, traditional sculptural and craft techniques show off wood, ceramics, brass, glass, and natural woven fiber to great effect in surprising ways."

This year's judge for awards, Ginnie Baer, is assistant professor of art at the University of Wisconsin--Barron County in Rice Lake. As in previous years, the awards are as follows:
BEST IN SHOW, $1000 (sponsored by the MTU President)
FIRST PLACE 2D, $500 (sponsored by the MTU Provost)
FIRST PLACE 3D, $500 (sponsored by the MTU Dean of College of Sciences and Arts)
SECOND PLACE 2D, $200
SECOND PLACE 3D, $200
3 HONORABLE MENTIONS, $50 each
COMMUNITY CHOICE AWARD:  The community Choice award will be announced on the 2014 Great Lakes website, http://www.mtu.edu/vpa/art/showcase/ at the end of the show -- come cast your vote!

The show will run through March 28, 2014, and is free and open to the public. Regular Gallery hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.