World Water Day: March 22, 2008

MARQUETTE -- Today, March 22, 2008, is World Water Day. an international day of observance and action to draw attention to the plight of those without access to safe drinking water.

How clean is our water? Martin Auer, Michigan Tech University professor in environmental engineering, specializing in surface water quality engineering, shows a young visitor how to examine samples from Portage Lake during an educational boat ride on MTU's research boat Agassiz during the Strawberry Festival in Chassell last July. (Keweenaw Now file photo © 2007 Michele Bourdieu)

According to the World Water Day Web site, "For more than a billion people –- about one in six people on earth -- getting safe water each day is no easy task. Women and children around the world walk 200 million hours every day for water -- water that often comes from a polluted source."

In Tamil Nadu, India, more than 20,000 women will attend the Gramalaya World Water Day Celebration. Gramalaya in association with WaterPartners International and WaterAid, UK, is organizing this event to highlight the importance of water conservation, sanitation and hygiene practices among rural and urban communities.

Here in the Keweenaw, surrounded by our large fresh-water lake, perhaps we can reflect today on ways to conserve water and keep our beautiful watershed clean.

Thanks to Save the Wild UP for this reminder.

Visit the World Water Day Web site to learn more.

Vertin Gallery exhibits "Butterflies in Snow"

"Butterflies in Snow," by Carrie Flaspohler, is part of an exhibit at the Vertin Gallery in Calumet.
(Photo courtesy Keweenaw Krayons)

CALUMET -- "Butterflies in the Snow" is the theme for the March Show at Calumet ’s Vertin Gallery. The opening reception, featuring artist Carrie Flaspohler, will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Mar. 21.

Flaspohler uses nature as a metaphor, striving to communicate the beautiful, fragile and ultimately resilient nature of the human experience.

"In many of my paintings, the central iconic image represents composure, strength and hope," she stated.

Flaspohler, who has two butterfly in the snow paintings in the show, uses butterflies, birds and dragonflies as symbols of the human capacity to adapt to changing circumstances. In these paintings, she places the butterfly or bird in adverse environments such as fires, thorns or ice.

“Essentially, my work is about hope and rising above adversity,” she explained.

Kerri Corser, gallery associate for the Vertin Gallery in Calumet, has had the thought of butterflies in the snow for at least a year.

"What a miracle it would be to actually see a butterfly in the snow, when many are craving bright colors after months of snow and ice," Corser said.

Flaspohler’s paintings will be joined by brightly colored butterflies and snowflakes, created by Melissa Hronkin’s Ontonagon School ’s elementary art classes.

"These will be hanging in the side windows of the gallery during the exhibit," Corser noted.

Current hours at the Vertin Gallery, which is located on the corner of Oak and Sixth Street in Calumet, are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information may be obtained by calling the Vertin at 337-2200.

Hancock Council to consider land purchases, Gov't Lot 5 recommendations Mar. 19

By Michele Bourdieu

HANCOCK -- The City of Hancock will hold a Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2008, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 399 Quincy St, to consider public comments on several proposed property purchases and the purchases and acceptance of easements. The Hearing will be followed immediately by the regular monthly meeting of the Hancock City Council. A work session will be held at 6:30 p.m., before the Hearing. These are all open to the public.

The Agenda for the meeting includes considering a motion to approve these eight real estate transactions.

Also on the Agenda for the Mar. 19 meeting are two recommendations from the City Council Ad Hoc Committee on Government Lot 5, which was appointed in November 2007 after considerable public input last summer and fall in the Council's discussions of a potential sale of parcels near Swedetown Creek.

City proposes eight acquisitions of land, easements

The first seven of the proposed acquisitions (as described in the Public Notice for the Hearing) are related to Hancock's current water project. They include a proposed 3.0 acre parcel in Government Lot 7, Section 35, for $45,000; a .12 acre parcel, also in Government Lot 7, Section 35, for $5000; a 20-ft. wide easement along the eastern boundary of Lot 13, plat of Naumkeg Shores, Portage Township, located North of the Houghton Canal Road, for $21,000; and several other easements in Section 35 and one in Section 9, with prices not indicated.

The eighth proposed acquisition is a 140-acre parcel in Section 23, which includes a small part of the Maasto Hiihto ski trail (leading to the Churning Rapids Trail) and waterfront on Swedetown Creek, which runs through the property. The official description of this parcel in the Notice of the Hearing is as follows: "...a 140 acre parcel of real property located in the NW 1/4, except the S 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of the NW1/4, and except the Soo Line Railroad right of way, in Section 23, T55N, R34W Quincy Township for $120,000."

The Railroad right of way is actually a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) snowmobile trail (see map below).

This map shows the location of the 140-acre parcel in Section 23 (Tourangeau property within dotted lines in center) being considered for purchase by the City of Hancock. Click on image for larger version. (Map courtesy City of Hancock)

Some local residents, including members of the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) and members of the Hancock Citizens' Forum, have expressed their interest in knowing whether the City has specific intentions for the use of this 140-acre parcel, should the purchase be approved.

"The City is proposing to buy it for future opportunities," Hancock City Manager Glenn Anderson said.

Anderson did not indicate the City had any specific plans for residential or other development. He said he was aware of the KNSC interest in the property.

At their February meeting KNSC board members discussed the possibilities the parcel offers for extending the Maasto Hiihto Ski Trail along the Swedetown Creek gorge.

Members of the Hancock Citizens' Forum, who met recently to discuss residents' priorities for the future character of Hancock, including public open space as an asset for both residents and visitors, have expressed their wish to see the City acquire this parcel with Michigan Natural Resources funding rather than with a cost to Hancock taxpayers.

Participants in the Hancock Citizens' Forum, held Feb. 26, 2008, at Lakeview Manor in Hancock, discuss their priorities for the City, from open space and recreation to walkability to exploring ways to reduce the City's carbon footprint. Pictured here, clockwise from left, foreground, are Joe Kaplan, Ann Pace (standing and writing list for the group), facilitator Susan Burack, Allyson Jabusch, her daughter Renata Jabusch (who is working on a Master's Degree in urban and regional planning at the University of Michigan), Kim Duffy and Vern Simula. Not visible are Keren Tischler and Jay Budd, who also participated. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

Ann Pace, a participant in the Hancock Citizens' Forum, said she hopes the City is open to the possibility of working together with citizens to acquire this property without spending $120,000 of taxpayers' money.

"We hope the City embraces this opportunity to join other communities in the Keweenaw that have successfully secured recreational lands through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. We feel this parcel is a perfect match for the Trust Fund program and could be acquired by the City of Hancock at minimal cost."

Council to consider making Government Lot 5 parcels City Park

Part of Government Lot 5 has traditionally been used for recreation at the mouth of Swedetown Creek, where it flows into the Portage near M-203.

The City had expressed interest in selling parcels in Government Lot 5 for residential development -- a proposal that met with considerable public opposition at both City Council and Hancock Planning Commission meetings last summer and fall.*

At their September 2007 meeting, the City Council was made aware of the 1941 deed through which the City acquired Government Lot 5 from the Michigan DNR that conveyed the property to the City for $1 with the understanding that it be used solely for park and recreational purposes. The deed included a reversion clause that provided for returning the land to the State of Michigan should it not be used for park and recreational purposes. In 2003 a Quit Claim Deed reversed the reverter clause of the original deed, but the City is still expected to use the land for recreation while owning it. The City can sell the property for fair value when the city no longer needs the land, but sale proceeds are to be handled by the County Treasurer with a full account given to the State of Michigan.

At that September meeting the Council directed Anderson to do some research on the property's potential for becoming a public park. He requested information from the City's attorney, Don Hiltunen. In a letter to Anderson dated Sept. 26, 2007, Hiltunen wrote, "Section 14.3 of the (Hancock City) Charter indicates that all property purchases or sold by the City must be approved by 5/7 of the council. This section also states that no existing park after adoption of this Charter (August 2, 1988) may be sold unless approved by the majority of electors."**

Hiltunen adds that he understands no new parks have been created by the Council since August 2, 1988, so the only parks in existence now would be those that existed at the time of the Charter.

"Since the Charter or Ordinances have no mention or section on how land is to be a park, this matter would be left to determination of the City Council by majority vote," Hiltunen concludes.

In a second letter to Anderson, dated Oct. 23, 2007, Hiltunen discusses the 1941 deed and reverter clause and a lease dated Sept. 12, 1956, under which the DNR used the land (a 1.25 acre parcel at the mouth of Swedetown Creek) for a fishing and boat launch site. The site is still being used for this purpose (and, according to Anderson, the DNR still picks up litter there) despite the fact that the lease expired in 1986.

Hiltunen adds, "It appears that this property is not listed as a park under the City's Park and Recreation Committee jurisdiction."

Hiltunen's Oct. 23 letter includes attachments of paragraphs from Public Act 451 of 1994, authorizing the DNR to release the reverter clause from deeds granted earlier. Hiltunen also mentions the Quit Claim Deed of 2003 that released the City from the reverter clause.

"This would free up the property for other public uses in the event they desired," Hiltunen writes. "It also allowed the City to sell the property if it determined the City no longer needed any portion of the land for public purposes."

At the September meeting, Pat Toczydlowski had mentioned the point that "need" was not defined and could serve as a basis of a lawsuit should the land be sold for other than park and recreational purposes. Hiltunen did not, however, comment on how the City would determine it "no longer needed" the land for public use. He did include in this letter the same points
Toczydlowski had brought up at the September meeting concerning the fact that the proceeds of such a sale would go to the County Treasurer to be distributed to various public units, with the City receiving a portion.

Ad Hoc Committee meets Mar. 10, 2008, for recommendations on Government Lot 5

In November the Council appointed an Ad Hoc Committee of three Council members -- Ted Belej, Tom Gemignani and Lisa McKenzie -- to discuss Government Lot 5 and to make a recommendation to the Council. That committee, after some postponements, finally met on March 10, 2008. They decided to recommend making the City-owned portion of Government Lot 5 a City Park. They also recommend making the Wright Addition/Lake Street 500 ft. waterfront parcel, 2.5 acres, a City Park. These recommendations are to be taken up by the City Council at their Mar. 19 meeting.

During the Mar. 10 Committee meeting City Manager Glenn Anderson gave the committee extensive background on Government Lot 5, including the information from Hiltunen's letters and research Anderson himself did last fall concerning precedents of municipalities returning land sale proceeds to the County for distribution to government units.

Members of the Hancock City Council Ad Hoc Committee on Government Lot 5 meet to discuss the possibility of making the remaining Government Lot 5 parcels, including land at the mouth of Swedetown Creek, a park. Pictured are, from left, Councilors Lisa McKenzie and Ted Belej, Keren Tischler and Joe Kaplan of the Hancock Citizens' Forum, Councilor Tom Gemignani and City Manager Glenn Anderson. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Anderson found the 1941 Tax Records in the Michigan Tech Archives which indicated City land sale proceeds would be distributed thus: 15.34% to the County, 36.40% to the School and 42.25% to the City, assuming the City did not charge for maintaining the lands for protecting public health and safety.

However, after consulting with DNR staff and the Houghton County Treasurer, Anderson found that "there doesn't seem to be a lot of information saying communities have done that (returned sale proceeds to the County for distribution)."

Anderson added that further research might find some municipalities have turned over such proceeds for County distribution.

The 1941 DNR Tax Reverted Deed included 10 parcels for the City. Despite being designated for park and recreational use, six of these were sold, including some for the old hospital built in the 1950s; one was a partial sale; and three are still City-owned, one of which is the Pine Street Park.

The Committee also heard from Anderson that the recent survey of Government Lot 5 indicated a house on the land was formerly included in a May 2, 2000, deed for 22.89 acres, including 13.7 acres of a city cemetery parcel in Government Lot 8. Should Government Lot 5 become a park, some negotiations with the owner would be needed to solve the problem of the house, which was formerly believed to be in Government Lot 8.

Anderson brought the Committee up to date on the history of Government Lot 5, including an August 2004 recommendation by a City Council Committee that a survey of Government Lot 5 be done to determine feasibility of residential lot sales (The 2004 committee had identified for the Council in 2004 a number of city-owned areas that might be sold). Anderson also mentioned the Hancock Planning Commission recommendation last summer to sell Parcels A and B for residential development, reserving a buffer of public land near Swedetown Creek. Anderson added the issue of the portable Sintkowski shed on the property, but noted Sintkowski seemed willing to move it should the city decide not to sell the land.

Council and Committee Member Lisa McKenzie said after reviewing all this information and giving the issue a lot of thought, she believed the 1941 deed was in force at the time the City's 1988 Charter was approved.

"That 1941 Deed states that that land is for public park and recreational use, so to me that just says it was a park," McKenzie noted. "It just didn't happen to get listed appropriately as a park."

McKenzie added that even with the 2003 reverter, the Charter still says it's a park.

"If we want to sell it, we have to go to the vote of the people," she said.

Council and Committee Member Ted Belej said he thought some of the parcels that were sold in 1941 did not have the best end result, despite good intentions.

"I think cementing this in as a park would be a good way to kind of make up for that," Belej said. "It's not worth the 40 grand or 80 grand or whatever it is that we'll end up getting out of it."

McKenzie noted she agreed.

"I don't think we can legally sell it," she said. "That's the legality of it, but I think we have to take care of it now so that there isn't this confusion."

Council Member Tom Gemignani, chair of the Committee, said he felt the Quit Claim Deed does give the city the right to sell it with a 5 to 7 vote.

"Whether it's the right thing to do, I think, is the question." Gemignani added.

Anderson said Hiltunen's letter indicates the attorney didn't think the area met the definition of a park because there was no motion of the City Council or actual record making it a park. Anderson said he didn't think there was such a record, though there could be.

McKenzie insisted the 1941 deed saying the land was for recreational use has precedence over the 2003 deed.

Gemignani said he agreed; but, since legally it is kind of a grey area, the Council needs to set it aside as a park.

"We can rectify that now," Gemignani said. "I would like it to be a park. I would like it to be a canoe and kayak boat ramp."

"It's been assumed to be a park forever," McKenzie added. "It's an important watershed, too."

Gemignani noted that if it had park status funds might be available for maintaining the site, which is often littered with trash, fires, etc. He suggested it the possibility of putting Adirondack shelters like those on Isle Royale or tent sites in the area (and perhaps eliminate tent sites from the City Campground).

Gemignani also said it didn't really need a physical boat ramp for canoes and kayaks and the area could actually be left as it is, but cleaned up.

Anderson mentioned the opposition expressed to the idea of a boardwalk that was suggested at the Planning Commission meeting.

The Committee members all seemed to be in agreement that the proximity and vulnerability of the Maasto Hiihto trail farther up Swedetown Creek was another consideration for protecting this area as a park. Committee members also mentioned other advantages of making it a park -- using it as an outdoor classroom for the schools in the area and taking advantage of the fact that the Copper Country Audubon Club is offering $1000 for helping to maintain the area if it is kept as a park.

Joe Kaplan of the Hancock Citizens' Forum, who was among visitors attending the Committee meeting, suggested there was a need for a larger process of officially identifying city properties and what their status is.

"The recommendation in 2004 was to have a survey," Kaplan noted, "and that wasn't done until there was lots of citizens' concern last fall."

Anderson agreed that the Charter lacked language (that should have been included but wasn't) stating this area was a park.

Committee makes two recommendations for City Council

The Committee finally recommended setting aside all of the remaining Government Lot 5 as a park, asking Mr. Sintkowski to move his shed and exploring the issue of the house that was believed to be on Government Lot 8 but is actually on Government Lot 5. They agreed to ask the City Council at their meeting this Wednesday, Mar. 19, to consider this recommendation and a separate recommendation to make the 2.5 acre, 500 ft. Lake Street waterfront parcel (also included in the properties of the 1941 deed not yet sold) a City Park as well.

"I believe the Ad Hoc Committee has a genuine interest in protecting this (Swedetown Creek) parcel," Kaplan said after the meeting. "They used the 1941 deed and the 1988 Charter to justify their decision, and this is in keeping with public sentiment on this issue."

Besides Kaplan, others who attended the Committee meeting included Ann Pace, John Slivon, Allyson Jabusch, Kurt Hauglie for The Daily Mining Gazette and Gustavo Bourdieu for Keweenaw Now.

Editor's Notes:
* See Keweenaw Now's articles on the Swedetown Creek issue: the Sept. 17, 2007, article, "Planning Commission recommends larger buffer for Swedetown Creek" and the Oct. 16, 2007, article, "Hancock's Swedetown Creek area may become public park, following 1941 deed."

** See the City Charter on Purchase and Sale of Real Property, available on the City of Hancock Web site.

MTU student engineers to host "Great Lakes Water Issues" Mar. 18

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech's Engineers Without Borders and the Society of Environmental Engineers are sponsoring a discussion on "Great Lakes Water Issues" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 18, in the Forestry building lecture hall G002.

This event, part of MTU's "Popcorn and Policy" series, brings together academia, government agencies and the community for discussion on important policy issues. The public is invited.

"The Great Lakes are one of the most valuable (and beautiful) natural resources in the nation," writes Joe Dammel, MTU student in Environmental Engineering, member of Engineers Without Borders and president of Chi Epsilon National Civil Engineering Honor Society. "We live on the shores of the largest Great Lake -- a lake system facing many challenges as we head into the future. Popcorn and Policy is your opportunity to discuss these challenges with experts."

The experts who will make up the panel for this event include the following:

Dr. Alex Mayer, professor of Geological and Environmental Engineering and director of MTU's Center for Water and Society. Mayer is the principal investigator for a recently-awarded, $1.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to assess the future value of Great Lakes water resources under conditions of land use and climate change.

Katie Alvord, freelance writer, author of Divorce Your Car! Ending the Love Affair with the Automobile and winner of the 2007 Science Journalism Award for Online Reporting from the American Association for the Advancement of Science for her series of articles about the Great Lakes, published on Keweenaw Now. Read about her award and find links to the articles.

Jay Glaser, biologist for the National Parks Service (NPS) Midwest Regional Fishery, stationed at Isle Royale National Park, whose work on aquatic invasive species, among other things, spans the "Great Lakes Network" of the NPS.

Bruce Lindgren, co-chair of the Lake Superior Binational Forum, acting president and CEO of the Coalition for Eco-Industrial Development.

More info on the Great Lakes can be found at the following sites:
http://www.iaglr.org/factsheets/iaglr_crossroads.pdf
http://www.great-lakes.net/lakes/
http://www.keweenawnow.com/contributors/katie_alvord.htm
http://www.greatlakes.org/

Peace Vigil to commemorate "Five Years Too Many" Mar. 19

HOUGHTON -- Members of the Keweenaw Peace Community invite the public to join them from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the sidewalk in front of Veterans' Park in Houghton to vigil on the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq.

Signs are provided or participants may bring their own. Parking is available east of Veterans' Park. If you have questions email sburack@pasty.net.

This is part of a nationwide effort. For more information visit the United for Peace Web site.

Rolf Peterson to speak on Wolf-Moose study for MTU Earth Week Mar. 20

This photo of the Middle Pack on Lake Desor, Isle Royale, was taken in February 2006 by John Vucetich, co-leader, with Rolf Peterson, of Isle Royale wolf-moose research. It is one of the 135 photos one can find in the Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale DVD.* (Keweenaw Now file photo © 2006 John Vucetich. Reprinted with permission.)

HOUGHTON -- Rolf Peterson, world-renowned researcher, will give the keynote speech, “The Wolves of Isle Royale After 50 Years,” for Michigan Tech University's Earth Week, sponsored by MTU's Students for Environmental Sustainability (SfES).

Peterson's talk will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 20, in Room U115 of the Minerals and Materials (M&M) Building on campus. Free copies of his book The Wolves of Isle Royale - A Broken Balance will be given to the first 75 people to arrive, and free trail mix will be available.

"Each year the Students for Environmental Sustainability hope to increase awareness of environmental-related issues on the Michigan Tech campus and in the community," said Heather Wright, SfES member. "We feel it is important to show environmental issues, whether on a local, regional, or global scale, in a fun and exciting way that encourages other individuals to get involved."

Other Earth Week events include two movies to be shown at 7 p.m. in Room U113 of the Minerals and Materials (M&M) Building on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

On Tuesday, Mar. 18, the film Seasonal Forests will be shown. One of the 11 episodes of the Planet Earth series, this film tells the story of seasonal forests and plant survival. It includes areas from Siberia to Tasmania to the Upper Peninsula and footage of elusive wildlife.

Princess Mononoke, a Japanese animated film, will be shown on Wednesday, Mar. 19. It focuses on the struggles between supernatural guardians of the forest and humans who are consuming its resources. The hero, Ashiitaka, struggles to help both the humans and the creatures of the forest find balance and harmony.

MTU's Earth Week correlates with International Earth Day (March 21, the Vernal Equinox) rather than the United States Earth Day (April 22).

*Editor's Note: For more information on the 50th Anniversary of Wolf-Moose Research on Isle Royale, visit the Web site.

Great Bear Chase photos: some winners

Skiers set off for the start of the 2008 Great Bear Chase races on Sunday, March 9, in Calumet. The classic and freestyle races combined attracted 472 skiers. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo © 2008 Adam Johnson of Brockit.com. Reprinted with permission.)

CALUMET -- Skiing conditions were excellent and the turnout was great for the 28th Annual River Valley State Bank Great Bear Chase cross-country skiing races Sunday, Mar. 9, 2008, at Swedetown Trails in Calumet. The 26-km Classic and 26- and 50-km Freestyle races combined attracted 472 skiers -- mostly from Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.

Brittany Drengler, 17, of Wausau, Wis., is all smiles after her first-place win in the women's 26-km Classic race. Her time was 01:29:14.6. The finish of the race was again on Fifth Street in downtown Calumet. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

"Conditions were fantastic," said race coordinator Dave Mayo-Keily. "Swedetown groomers: Dave T-11, Steve R and Pat S did a wonderful job of creating a perfect course. Nothing but rave reviews from skiers."

Mayo-Keily also expressed appreciation for the many volunteers who made the race a success.

"Overall the event was a huge success," he said. "Volunteers are a big reason for that. We utilized probably over 100 volunteers to put on the race, and without them it simply wouldn’t happen."

Anders Osthus, 25, of Duluth, Minn., heads for a number-one finish in the men's classic 26-km Classic race. His time was 01:11:07.4. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Jared Cregg, 19, of Houghton, finishes second in the men's 26-km Classic. His time was 01:14:00.2. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Justin Young, 20, right, of Green Bay, Wis., takes third place in the men's 26-km Classic, followed very closely by Scott Nesvold, 40, of Washburn, Wis., who was fourth in the race. The time recorded for both was 01:16:09.8. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Another Copper Country native son, Ryan Tervo, 20, of Chassell, glides in for a fifth-place finish in the men's 26-km Classic. His time was 01:18:15.8. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Daniel Putman, 17, of Green Bay, one of the youngest winners, heads for a sixth place in the 26-km men's Classic race. Putman's time was 01:19:43.0. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Answea Lundberg, 18, of Roseville, Minn., takes seventh place in the 26-km men's Classic with a time of 01:20:05.6. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Jim Mullen, 51, right, of Hazelhurst, Wis., heads for ninth place in the 26-km men's Classic, with a time of 01:21:3.6. Behind him, but a few seconds faster is Jukka Lyly-yrjanainen, 42, of Elk Grove Village, Il, who finished eighth with a time of 01:20:56.8. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

At the Finish on Calumet's historic Fifth Street, the atmosphere is festive. Roberta Kozloski, left, celebrates the finish with Christine Demerath. Both from Green Bay, they skied in the 26-km Freestyle race. Demerath placed fourth in her age group, and Kozloski fifth. Both had a recorded time of 01:46:30.2. In the background is the Keweenaw Heritage Center (former St. Anne's Church) where skiers were served refreshments. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Frank Fiala, owner of the newly opened Fifth and Elm Coffee House, welcomed skiers and spectators needing good, hot coffee, espresso drinks or a snack during and after the race. Later that day, Fiala volunteered to help with the traditional skiers' spaghetti dinner. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)


The Fifth and Elm Coffee House (at the corner of Fifth and Elm streets, of course) is located just around the corner from the Calumet Theatre. Owner Frank Fiala recently restored a former gas station building to create the new café. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

For complete results of the Bear Chase race visit the Bear Chase Web site.

Katie Alvord accepts journalism award for climate change articles on Keweenaw Now

HOUGHTON -- Freelance journalist Katie Alvord of Houghton recently accepted her $3000 Award for Excellence in Online Reporting for her series of articles on climate change in the Lake Superior basin, which appeared on Keweenaw Now last summer.

Katie Alvord accepts her Award for Excellence in Online Reporting at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts during the Annual Conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Alvord received the $3000 cash award from AAAS for a series of articles on climate change in the Lake Superior Basin, published on Keweenaw Now. Also pictured is Peter Spotts of the Christian Science Monitor, MC for the awards ceremony. (Photo © Michael J. Colella. Colellaphoto.com for AAAS.)

The awards were presented at this year's American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Journalism Awards ceremony held on Feb. 15, 2008, at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum is a few blocks from the convention center where the AAAS Annual Conference was headquartered. Nine to ten thousand writers and scientists attended the conference.

"It's a real boost to get this kind of recognition," Alvord said. "I'm very grateful to AAAS and to the many researchers who generously shared their time and information as I was writing this series."

Against a backdrop of Renaissance art at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Katie Alvord gives an acceptance speech to a crowd of writers and scientists at this year's American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Journalism Awards ceremony on Feb. 15, 2008. (Photo © Michael J. Colella. Colellaphoto.com for AAAS.)

The awards were first announced last November. As the Keweenaw Now blog reported at that time, the press release for the awards mentioned Keweenaw Now as the publisher of Alvord's three articles, stating, "In a solid example of localized science reporting for a community-based Web site, freelance writer Alvord described the potential local impacts of global warming on a local Michigan community."*

The three articles, illustrated by photos, can still be found on the archived Keweenaw Now site.

In the first article, "Lake Superior warming fast: Researchers surprised by strong trends," published on May 7, 2007, and updated on July 10 and July 15, 2007, Alvord quoted researchers from the University of Minnesota at Duluth on the rapid rise in Lake Superior's average summer surface temperature. Their data showed not only that the lake has become warmer, windier and less icy since 1980, but also that its surface waters have warmed twice as fast as the region’s air. The article also discusses the effects of the lake's declining ice on the Isle Royale Wolf-Moose study, the lower lake levels reported at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and studies of Lake Superior's CO2 emissions by scientists at Michigan Tech University.

In the second article, "Lake Superior Basin feeling heat: Part 2," published June 3, 2007, and Updated July 15, 2007, Alvord reports scientific findings concerning the effects of warming temperatures on the wolf and moose of Isle Royale, various small mammals found in the Upper Peninsula, migrating birds and even microscopic plankton.

Finally, in "Businesses feel the heat: Lake Superior warms up, part 3," published on June 30, 2007, and updated July 15, 2007, Alvord cites the effects of warmer winters on Keweenaw tourism and sports -- from snowmobiling to skiing to mountain biking. She interviewed some local bikers who, because of warm temperatures and lack of snow, chose mountain biking as an alternative to snowshoeing in Copper Harbor on New Year's Day, 2007. Alvord also mentions some efforts of local residents to invest in alternative energies such as wind, solar and fuel cells for home and business.

*Editor's Note: Click on the above links to read each of Katie Alvord's prize-winning articles on Keweenaw Now. See also our Nov. 15, 2007, article, "Local Writer wins journalism award."

Woodbeck reports news of Junior Olympics on new blog

Dean Woodbeck shares this photo of the Portage Glacier, about an hour south of Anchorage, Alaska, where he is attending the Junior Olympics cross-country ski competition. (Photo © Dean Woodbeck. Reprinted with permission from his blog, Keweenaw Tales.)

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA -- Dean Woodbeck of Keweenawtrails.com has a new blog, Keweenaw Tales, with day-by-day reports from the Junior Olympics cross-country ski competition taking place this week at Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Alaska.

Woodbeck, his wife Jan Woodbeck and Teresa Shoup are the parental contingency accompanying five skiers from the Copper Country Ski Tigers race team who have qualified -- Kai Sharp, Jay Woodbeck, Olivia Orr, Madelaine Shoup and Ruth Oppliger -- as well as Ski Tigers alumnus Mariah Featherly.

Dean reports on his blog that the races are expected to go as scheduled despite rather warm temperatures. Sunday's high was in the 40s and the next few days may be in the mid-30s. Monday was sprint day, the first day of the competition, held in spite temperatures as high as 40 in the afternoon.

Referring to Monday's competition, Dean notes, "Among our locals, Christina Mishica came closest to moving to the next round. She placed 27th in qualifying among the OJs and 24 moved on to the quarterfinals."

Since Tuesday was a training day, the three parents took advantage of free time to ski at the Portage Glacier. Read the account of this and see more of Dean's photos on his blog, http://keweenawtrails.blogspot.com/

See also Dean Woodbeck's reports of the race on crosscountryskier.com.

Finlandia to present "Two By Two" Mar. 14, 15, 16

HANCOCK -- Finlandia University will present a production of the hit Broadway musical Two By Two Mar. 14, 15 and 16 at the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock.

Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. A Sunday matinee performance begins at 3 p.m.

Co-directed by Dan Maki and Mike Aubin, the light-hearted musical tells the story of Noah’s preparation for the Great Flood and its aftermath.

"Two By Two is a lively, humorous musical that everyone will enjoy," Maki says. "But while the show is generally lighthearted, it has somber moments, too. Noah’s family has its dysfunctional aspects, and there is a good bit of generational conflict."

The story of Noah, his family, and the ark full of animals is well known. In the musical, Maki says, the characters are very human and God is presented as an entity whose existence is both a comfort and a mystery to those He created.

Maki, local thespian and Finlandia professor, plays Noah. Aubin, a local school teacher and longtime Calumet Players actor and director, plays Noah's son Japheth.

Finlandia students Samantha Horst, Emily Pierce, Amanda Moyer, and Lauren Logue play, respectively, the parts of Noah’s wife, Esther, Noah’s daughters-in-law Leah and Rachel and Goldie the priestess.

Finlandia student David Petretti-Watring plays Shem, Noah’s eldest son, and Calumet Player Pete Manderfield plays Noah’s son, Ham. Local musician and Finlandia associate music professor Melvin Kangas is the music director.

The liner notes from the play’s soundtrack introduce the story line as follows: "Start by imagining Noah as your average 600-year-old, working-class guy from the Bronx, somehow transported back to the days of Genesis. He has a loving wife, three sons, two daughters-in-law, and a chicken farm. One day, God plays a visit, informs him that the world is going to be destroyed and gives him the job of saving two of every living species, along with his own family. Noah reacts as many of us would with the song, 'Why Me?'"

Two By Two is based on a book by Peter Stone, with lyrics by Martin Charnin and music by Richard Rogers. It is a musical version of a 1954 play, The Flowering Peach, by Clifford Odets.

Tickets are $8 per person. They will be available at the door prior to each performance, or they can be reserved in advance. To obtain additional information and to reserve tickets, contact Lynne Sweeney at 906-487-7204.

Editor's Note: This press release courtesy Karen Johnson, Finlandia University.

International Women's Day, March 8, marked by demonstrations

PARIS -- From Paris to Afghanistan, International Women's Day, March 8, 2008, is being marked by demonstrations demanding women's rights and equality and protesting violence against women worldwide, according to an article in Yahoo News.

In France a demonstration called attention to Ingrid Betancourt, the French-Colombian hostage of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), who was captured in February 2002 as she campaigned for the Colombian presidency. Her cause is in the news lately because of the recent summit (the Rio Group) which brought together the Presidents of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela to discuss Colombia's recent attack on the FARC within Ecuador.

In the summer of 2004, in the Champs de Mars near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Keweenaw Now witnessed and photographed this demonstration calling attention to the capture of Franco-Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and demanding negotiations to end the violence in Colombia. Today, six years after her capture, Betancourt is still being held as a hostage by the FARC. (Keweenaw Now file photo © 2004 Michele Bourdieu)

Women in Baghdad rallied against violence and asked for equal social status with men, while in Italy women protested in favor of abortion rights.

The Yahoo article also mentions that President Hamid Karzai, president of Afghanistan, spoke against forced marriages -- which, according to the United Nations, affect up to 80 percent of Afghan women -- and against the Taliban threat to girls' education.

Read details in the article "International Women's Day protests highlight violence, inequality" on Yahoo News.

Community Arts Center celebrates March as Youth Arts Month

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Center in Hancock is featuring artwork from area elementary, middle and high school students through March 29. The Youth Gallery and the Kerredge Gallery are filled floor to ceiling with amazing youth art.

This handmade postcard by M. Wilson is one of many made by students in local schools to raise awareness of the March Youth Arts Exhibit. Art teachers participated by having students create designs on blank postcards provided by Jack Eberhard fo the Book Concern. (Image courtesy Community Arts Center)

March is 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. Their guidance and support helps to enrich the lives of area youth.

A reception for Celebrate Youth Arts Month will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, at the Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy Street, Hancock. Phone 482-2333 for information.

For a slide show of youth art, visit the Community Arts Center Web site.

Omphale Gallery to exhibit art by Cynthia Coté March 7-29

CALUMET -- "Levity vs. Gravity" by local artist Cynthia Coté will be on exhibit at the Omphale Gallery March 7-29. An opening reception will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 7, in the Gallery, located at 431 Fifth Street, Calumet.

Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Call (906) 337-2036 for more information.

Greg Green's paintings on exhibit at Reflection Gallery through March 21

Artist Greg Green is exhibiting large, colorful paintings like this one at Finlandia's Reflection Gallery through March 21. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

HANCOCK -– The student-run Reflection Gallery at Finlandia University’s Portage Campus is hosting an exhibit of work by local artist Greg Green through March 21. An opening reception and gallery talk will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, in the Gallery.

Included in the show are several of Green’s large, colorful paintings. Green says the paintings are about a natural process of painting and the finding of one's true nature.

"I work from scratch with no concrete plan and follow a series of problem solving moves," Green explains. "I throw myself in the middle of the lake and am forced to swim out. The result is a trail of creative processes, letting the corrections show. Hopefully keeping contrived ego moves at bay, I am showing my true nature or the rhythm of nature."

This painting by Greg Green, titled "Rabbit meet Bunnies," is mixed media on canvas. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

Artist Joyce Koskenmaki says Green is a master abstract painter.

"His work is full of soul," Koskenmaki notes. "The way he approaches his paint process, keeping the spontaneity of the moment, totally present to the work, is very Zenlike. I admire him greatly for being able to do that. He is in touch with mystery. Each work celebrates it, in its own way. Viewers who are unfamiliar with this way of working find that the work 'grows on you' and continues to release its energy. This work bears revisiting, more than once."

Green says his most recent work is about "living out of your heart and not your head."

Several of the paintings are mixed media on canvas. Green said these can include fabric, charcoal, oils or house paint. He shops at the St. Vincent de Paul second-hand store for fabric that he selects for color, pattern and sometimes a "vintage" look.

This mixed media painting has a three-dimensional look. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Green is a resident of Keweenaw County and works as Assistant Manager of the Keweenaw Co-op in Hancock. He has a Master in Fine Arts (MFA) degree from the University of Minnesota.

The Reflection Gallery is located in the Finlandia School of Art and Design, on the second floor of the old hospital, 200 Michigan Street, Hancock.

For additional information, please contact Finlandia studio arts associate professor Yueh-mei Cheng at 906-487-7375.

Updated: Great Bear Chase ski races to connect with downtown Calumet March 9

Skiers climb a challenging hill during a previous Great Bear Chase race on the Swedetown Trails. (File photo © Keweenaw Now)

CALUMET --The 28th annual River Valley State Bank Great Bear Chase cross country ski competition will be held on Sunday, March 9. The 26 km classic race begins at 8:40 a.m., and both the 26 km and 51 km freestyle races begin at 9 a.m. This year both the start and the finish of the race will be in or near downtown Calumet.

This year’s race will feature a newly relocated start line. Skiers will line up and begin the race behind the Christ Episcopal Church on Red Jacket Road. Bear Chase participants and spectators may recall that last year marked a similar change: the relocation of the finish line to downtown Fifth Street, which will be repeated this year.

According to the Bear Chase race planning committee, holding the competition’s start near Calumet’s downtown is a great way for the community to get a better view of the skiers. Spectators will have the opportunity to witness the competitors -- approximately 500 in total -- as they take off from the start line.

Dave Mayo-Kiely, a coordinator with the race planning committee, said the locations of the start and finish lines will add to the atmosphere of the event -- for skiers and spectators alike.

"Holding elements of the race in Calumet’s downtown really adds to the overall event," said Mayo-Kiely. "The atmosphere of the historic buildings and churches makes everything that much more exciting. Plus, it’s great that the spectators can head into the downtown shops and businesses."

The race planning committee has also once again assured participants that they are hard at work to provide good skiing conditions -- well groomed trails with plenty of clean snow, even in the downtown areas and away from the regular trails.

The remainder of the race will mimic last year’s competition, with participants in the three events -- 26 km classic, 26 km freestyle, and 51 km freestyle -- skiing the Swedetown trail system before heading down for their big finish on Fifth Street.

The race planning committee notes another key benefit: participants will end the race within close walking distance to the Keweenaw Heritage Center, which serves as the staging and refreshment area. Skiers will be able to refuel and head right back out to cheer on their fellow racers.

Thanks to owners Frank and Emily Fiala, skiers can also take advantage of coupons to visit the new Fifth and Elm Coffee House, near the Calumet Theatre, which will be open all day Sunday for racers and visitors.

Online registration will not be available on the day of the race; to pre-register or to obtain more information, visit www.bearchase.org.

Volunteers needed

Volunteers are still needed to help with the race. On Saturday for registration volunteers are needed from 12 noon to 4 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

On Sunday several road crossings from downtown to the snowmobile trail need to be staffed throughout the whole day; back-up timing people are also needed. For both road crossing and timing functions the duties will be split between shifts running from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. and then from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

If you can help out, please send Dave Mayo-Kiely an email at mayokiely@msn.com and indicate your preferred task and time.

Junior Bear Chase

The Junior Bear Chase, a youth Nordic ski race for skiers up to 16-years-old, will take place on Saturday, March 8, at the Michigan Tech Trails. All finishers receive a participation award. Awards will be presented for first, second and third place in each age/gender division in each race.

The race is sponsored by the Copper Country Ski Tigers, a youth nordic ski organization.

Fees are $5 if received by March 6, 2008; $7 day-of-race. Mail registration forms, with check payable to Ski Tigers, to Ski Tigers, PO Box 512, Hancock MI 49930. NOTE: Registration must be RECEIVED BY March 6 to qualify as pre-registered.

For more information visit the Ski Tigers Web site.

Conservation District's Annual Tree Sale now underway

HOUGHTON -- The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District (HKCD) is hosting its annual tree sale. The deadline for ordering trees is Monday, March 31, with pickup on May 2 and 3 at the Houghton County Arena in Hancock. Extra stock will be sold at that time.

Mother’s Day is on May 11th. Here’s your opportunity to purchase something unique for her such as a native tree, shrub, fruit tree, berry bush, bat house, bluebird house or numerous other merchandise HKCD has for sale.

The tree sale is the district’s biggest fundraiser. Last year’s tree sale funds helped fill the gap left by the 50% state budget cut. For 2008 the State of Michigan slashed the Operations Grant to $11,605 and failed to fund the Forestry Assistance Program, forcing HKCD to eliminate the two forester positions that served landowners in the counties of Houghton, Keweenaw, Gogebic and Ontonagon.

"We truly appreciate all of the help and support from our volunteers and customers over the years," said HKCD Administrator Sue Haralson. "We are looking forward to your continued support again this year."

Order forms are available at the HKCD office at 600 E. Lakeshore Drive, #2 , Houghton, online at www.hkconserve.com, at the MSU Extension Service and the Keweenaw Co-op Natural Foods and Groceries.

Visit the HKCD Web site for the tree sale catalog and ordering information.

For more information about HKCD or the tree sale, call HKCD Administrator Sue Haralson at 482-0214 or email sue.haralson@mi.nacdnet.net.

Vaclav Havel's "The Memorandum" continues at MTU's McArdle Theatre through March 5

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech's Department of Visual and Performing Arts is presenting Vaclav Havel's satiric comedy The Memorandum at 7:30 p.m. in the McArdle Theatre (Walker 207 on the MTU campus). The performances began on Feb. 27 and continue daily (except Sunday) through Wednesday, March 5.

Director Christopher Plummer says he's looked forward to staging one of Havel's plays for years, fascinated by his brilliance and insight into how people attempt to control others, especially through misuse of language.

Havel, a political activist as well as a philosopher and writer, put it this way: "Alongside words that electrify society with their freedom and truthfulness, we have words that mesmerize, deceive, inflame, madden, beguile, words that are harmful -- lethal, even. The word as arrow."

Havel's fame as a writer contributed to his emergence, during the 1970s and '80s, as a leader of the pro-democracy movement in Czechoslovakia. To his own amazement, the quietly charismatic professor became the first president of the democratic Czech Republic.

More information on The Memorandum and Havel can be found on Tech Today and on the visual and performing arts website, http://www.vpa.mtu.edu/. Tickets to the play are available from the Rozsa Box Office (487-3200 and http://www.tickets.mtu.edu/) and at the door an hour before performances: $10 general, $5 students.

"Hung Up on "Color" exhibit continues through Feb. 29 at Reflection Gallery

On exhibit in Finlandia's Reflection Gallery, "The Thinker" is one of Andrea Puzakulich's photos of a colorful window display of London fashion. Click on the photo for a larger version and look for reflections. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

HANCOCK -- "Hung Up on Color," fashion photography and fiber works by artist and designer Andrea Puzakulich (formerly Baldridge) is still on exhibit through Feb. 29 at Finlandia University's Reflection Gallery, located on the second level of Finlandia's Portage Campus.

The photos and fiber creations were inspired by Puzakulich's observations of the London fashion scene. Puzakulich notes the images of boldly colored window displays give the viewer the gift of color in the heart of winter.

This colorful fiber creation by Andrea Puzakulich is titled "May I have this dance." (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

"George (Dewey) and I were on our honeymoon in London," Puzakulich said, "and while we were there I photographed these display windows on Sloan Street."

Andrea Puzakulich (formerly Baldridge) and her husband George Dewey pose in front of one of the "reflection" photos taken on their honeymoon in London last summer. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

Puzakulich said she took the photos with a Canon 8-megapixel digital camera and didn't notice their full artistic quality until she printed the photos.

"At first my interest was to capture the colorful window display, but after looking at the enlarged prints I noticed the subtle reflections in the photos," Puzakulich explained.

Click on the larger version of this photo by Andrea Puzakulich and look for reflections of the opposite side of Sloan Street in London, where it was taken. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

Whether or not you can make it for one of the last few days of the exhibit, visit Andrea Puzakulich's studio, Distant Drum, where she makes and sells fiber art to wear or display. The studio is located on the first level of Finlandia University's Portage Campus (the old hospital). The address is 200 Michigan Street, Suite 210, Hancock, MI 49930.

Andrea Puzakulich in her studio, Distant Drum, located on the first level of Finlandia University's Portage Campus building (the old hospital) in Hancock.

Distant Drum Studio hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, or by appointment. Visit the Distant Drum Web site or call (906) 487-7460 for more information.

Updated: "Wilderness is ..." community art project continues at Omphale Gallery through Feb. 29

By Michele Bourdieu

CALUMET -- "Wilderness is ...," a community art project of photos and anonymous drawings, is still on exhibit through Friday, Feb. 29, at the Omphale Gallery in Calumet. It also continues on a Web site that is updated weekly with post card art.

These post card responses to artist George Desort's "Wilderness is ..." project are on exhibit at the Omphale Gallery in Calumet through Feb. 29. The exhibit continues on a Web site that is updated weekly. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

The exhibit drew a large crowd at the Jan. 11 opening, which also included a free showing of the "Wilderness is ..." DVD by local artist George Desort, who, as artist-in-residence in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park last August, asked park visitors to finish the thought, "Wilderness is ..." with one word, which they wrote on poster board. Photos of their responses are exhibited at the Omphale, along with post card drawings also expressing personal ideas about Wilderness.

Anonymous post cards responding to George Desort's "Wilderness is ..." community art project are still on exhibit in the Omphale Gallery in Calumet through Feb. 29. (Photo © 2008 and courtesy George Desort)

John Vucetich, Michigan Tech University professor and co-leader of Isle Royale wolf-moose research, introduced the exhibit at the Jan. 11 opening. He explained the purpose of keeping the post card artists anonymous.

"Because the artist is anonymous, we don't know if the person who made (the post card) was very ignorant or very wise," Vucetich said. "The only thing we know for sure is that our own view of wilderness is incomplete, so we have to wrestle with this ourselves."

John Vucetich, left, MTU professor and co-leader of Isle Royale wolf-moose research, introduces the showing of the DVD, "Wilderness is ...," by artist George Desort, right, as local artist Joyce Koskenmaki looks on, during the Jan. 11 opening of the exhibit at the Omphale Gallery in Calumet. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

Desort hiked with a video camera on his shoulder and took shots of a variety of natural scenes in the Porkies. A voice-over by Joe Kaplan juxtaposes the visitors' one-word answers to "Wilderness is ..." with the visual beauties of the park. The DVD is the result. Desort said nothing about the film was preconceived. *

At the Jan. 11 reception for the exhibit, Desort explained how the project began with his two-week stay in the Porkies.

"I was there just filming and getting people to write words on posters," he explained. "The words are from people who were in the Porcupine Mountains Park during those two weeks."

Photos of visitors to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park with their posters and one-word responses to "Wilderness is ..." are on display in the Omphale Gallery in Calumet through Feb. 29. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

Those who wanted to express more than one word could make a 4" x 6" post card. The post card art is also displayed on the Web site, Wilderness is ... at http://desort.pixyblog.com/

The Jan. 11 reception drew a large crowd, including Canadian Kjerstin Maki, a museum conservator from Victoria, British Columbia.

"Wilderness is evolving; and, if you're there looking at it, it's not wilderness anymore," Maki noted. "I think we should protect it from the outside."

Sarah Green of Calumet said she liked the idea of exhibiting participatory art.

"I like the combination of the photos and post card art," Green said.

These anonymous post card responses to "Wilderness is ..." are on display in the Omphale Gallery. More of them can be found on the Wilderness is ... Web site, which is being updated with more contributions to the project from the public.

"The Wilderness is... project is growing. The website is updated with a new collection of post card art every Tuesday," Desort reported recently in an email message. "I am still looking for more post card art expressing the different interpretations of wilderness. And thank you to all who have already participated. The collection is displayed at the Omphale Gallery in Calumet, MI, until the end of the month."

This post card is displayed on the Wilderness is ... Web site, which is updated with a new collection of post card art every Tuesday. (Photo © 2008 and courtesy George Desort)

The Omphale exhibit by George Desort also includes over 200 of his color photographs of birds killed as a result of the recent botulism e outbreak in the northern waters of Lake Michigan. A two-minute video of a long-tailed duck stricken with the bacterium is part of this exhibit.

This photo by George Desort depicts the destruction of birds as a result of the recent botulism e outbreak in the northern waters of Lake Michigan. Over 200 of these photos are part of the "Wilderness is ..." exhibit at the Omphale Gallery in Calumet through Feb. 29. (Photo © 2008 and courtesy George Desort)

The Omphale Gallery is at 431 Fifth Street in Calumet. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Call (906) 337-2036 for more information.

* Visit the Wilderness is ... Web site in order to learn how you can order the DVD, "Wilderness is ..." or contribute to this ongoing community art project with your own post card art.