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.

Kids ski with parents in first Barnelopet at Maasto Hiihto

Steve Foix of Calumet, left, was one of several parents who skied with their children at the First Annual Barnelopet on Feb. 16 at Maasto Hiihto in Hancock. Steve's sons, Alexander James Foix, 13, and Daniel Foix, 11, skied in the 2 Km event. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

HANCOCK -- Undaunted by single-digit temperatures, young skiers, aged three to 13, and their parents showed up at Maasto Hiihto Ski Trails for the Copper Country's First Annual Barnelopet family ski event, sponsored by the Sons of Norway, the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) and Portage Health on Feb. 16.

Brandy Kinnunen, 11, of Tapiola, heads for the finish line in the Barnelopet 4 Km event at Maasto Hiihto on Feb. 16, 2008. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

Several parents skied with their children in this non-competitive cross-country event. Participants skied 1 Km, 2 Km or 4 Km on the trails, both skating and striding.

Brandy Kinnunen, 11, and her brother, Jack Kinnunen, 9, came all the way from Tapiola for the event. Their dad, Russ Kinnunen, skied with them.

Nancy Imm, right, of Portage Township, language instructor for the Sons of Norway and a member of KNSC and the National Ski Patrol, poses for a photo with Brandy, center, and Jack Kinnunen of Tapiola after their 4 Km Barnelopet event. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

"It was O.K. but very tiring," Brandy said. "It's the first time we skied in a race."

Three-year-old Naomi Hohnholt of Hancock and her dad, Chris Hohnholt, skied the Barnelopet 1 Km event together. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

Volunteer and KNSC member Ray Sharp showed up to help with starting the races.

"It was very well organized for a first-year event," Sharp said. "I hope the participation grows exponentially."

Wayne Stordahl, left, of Hancock, a member of the Sons of Norway, organized the Barnelopet, assisted by KNSC member Jay Green of Houghton, who also made the chili. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

Barnelopet is a Norwegian word meaning "kids' ski tour," Sharp explained.

"The Sons of Norway have traditionally promoted youth skiing, so generations of American kids can learn to ski as kids do in Norway," he added.

Grant Haataja and Hendrick Haataja of Calumet pause for a photo after finishing the 4 Km race. At right is (their?) Mom who skied along. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Sharp noted a similar event -- attended by more than 1,000 young skiers -- is the Barnebirkie, which precedes the annual Birkebeiner races held in Hayward, Wis.* These races are also of Norwegian origin. Birkebeiner means the leggings made of birch bark worn by Norwegian soldiers in the Middle Ages, he explained.

During the Barnelopet, KNSC volunteers, from left, Eileen Stordahl, Sandy Aronson and Bill Marlor offered hours of their time to prepare and serve a variety of refreshments in the Maasto Chalet, including soup, chili and the yummy lemon bars at right. Free coffee, hot chocolate and cookies were also available. Not pictured is Arlyn Aronson, who was grooming the Maasto trails. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Skiers, parents and volunteers enjoyed free hot chocolate, coffee and cookies while warming up in the Maasto Hiihto Chalet. Soup, chili and other refreshments were also available for lunch.

"Portage Health provided the coffee, hot chocolate and cookies," said volunteer Eileen Stordahl.

She noted the group may consider raising the age above 13 next year to attract more skiers.

Although the Barnelopet is non-competitive, volunteer timers Mary Gardner, left, and Christine Young recorded skiers' times. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

While the Maasto Hiihto Trails are now for striding, groomer Arlyn Aronson put in skating lanes just for this event.

Each skier participating in the Barnelopet received a medal like this one from the Sons of Norway. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Editor's Note: The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) will hold their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, at the Maasto Chalet in Hancock. One of the topics under discussion will be an exciting opportunity to purchase 140 acres of property that are part of the trail system.

* To read about the Barnebirkie, held on Feb. 21 in Hayward, Wis., visit their Web site.

Ski Tigers win third State High School Title

HOUGHTON -- The Copper Country Ski Tigers cross country ski team won their third overall state championship in a row this past weekend in Walloon Lake, Michigan. Olivia Orr of Hancock won both the pursuit and sprint individual girls' state titles. Ski Tigers head coach, Mike Young, was named Great Lakes Coach of the Year, as well.

State Champion Olivia Orr at the Michigan State High School Championships in Walloon Lake. (Photo © 2008 Dean Woodbeck)

The Ski Tigers scored 375.5 points on the weekend, with Marquette's Superiorland club placing second with 338.5 points.

Traverse City Central placed a distant third with 200 points. In addition to the overall title, the Ski Tigers won the girls' state title and the boys were runners-up.

Kai Sharp and Jay Woodbeck led the Ski Tigers boys' team with top-ten finishes in both the pursuit and sprint. Sharp was fourth in the pursuit and seventh in the sprint. Woodbeck placed fifth in the pursuit and was sixth in the sprint.

Elias Featherly also broke into the top ten, with an ninth place in the pursuit and tenth in the sprint. Al Toczydlowski rounded out the scoring for the boys, finishing 18th in the pursuit.

The pursuit competition consists of two races the same day. Skiers competed in the freestyle race in the morning. For the afternoon classic race, starting times were determined by the morning finish. The leader went out first. Then, if the skier in second was five seconds off the morning pace, she started five seconds behind the leader in the afternoon.

The Ski Tigers won the girls' championship with five skiers in the top ten for every race. In the pursuit, in addition to Orr's victory, Louise and Ruth Oppliger finished fifth and sixth, respectively; Madelyn Shoup was eighth, and Emily Humes was ninth.

Rounding out the scoring for the Ski Tiger girls were seventh-grader Evelyn Delong (12th), Jane Gregg (13th), Kara Donahue (18th) and Rachel Toczydlowski (19th).

In the sprint, the four-person final included three Ski Tigers – Orr, second place Louise Oppliger and third place Ruth Oppliger. Shoup placed seventh, and Humes was eighth.

Ski Tigers head coach Mike Young said, "We have a lot of depth on the girls team and had some very gutsy performances by our boys. We would not have won this year's title without everyone skiing their best. That doesn't always happen on any given weekend, but this weekend it did for us."

Five to compete in Junior Olympics in Anchorage

As a result of this race, and other qualifying races throughout the season, five Ski Tigers have qualified for the Junior Olympics, the national championships for skiers ages 19 and under. Competing in the week-long series of races, March 9-15 in Anchorage, Alaska, will be Olivia Orr, Jay Woodbeck, Kai Sharp, Madelyn Shoup and Ruth Oppliger.

The Ski Tigers race team is open to middle and high school students from throughout the Copper Country.

For complete results and photos see keweenawtrails.com.

Editor's Note: This press release, dated Feb. 18, 2008, is courtesy Dean Woodbeck of Keweenaw Trails.

Hancock residents invited to express views at Feb. 26 Citizens' Forum

HANCOCK -- Hancock residents are encouraged to attend a Citizens' Forum from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Lakeview Manor Community Room to discuss their major concerns about the city.

At previous community and ward meetings residents have expressed their desire for such things as better access to the waterfront, better-maintained parks and beach, a safer and more easily walkable and bikeable city, less street lighting and less sprawling development. Falling revenues to the city, and rising costs, have made it increasingly difficult to meet citizens’ needs.

The goal of this meeting is to develop recommendations to the City Council, which will begin its budget-planning in March. Residents are invited to this Forum to discuss how the 2009 budget can successfully meet citizens’ needs and priorities. For more information call 482-5413.

"Miniature Show" to open at Miskwabik Ed Gray Gallery in Calumet Feb. 15.

CALUMET -- An opening for the "Miniature Show" art exhibit will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, at the new Miskwabik Ed Gray Gallery, 109 Fifth Street, Calumet. This juried exhibit includes entries from about 50 local Upper Peninsula artists. It will run through March 16, 2008.

A few of the miniature art works in the Miskwabik Ed Gray Gallery "Miniature Show" are pictured here. All entries are smaller than 5" x 5" x 5". (Photo © 2008 Ed Gray. Reprinted with permission.)

"We have 149 entries," said gallery owner Ed Gray. "It's a great show."

Refreshments will be served during the opening on Friday. The Conglomerate Café is catering the show with "miniature" delectables.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Visit the Ed Gray Gallery Web site for a listing of future exhibits.

Candlelight Vigil Feb. 14 to honor Yellow Dog Plains, oppose DNR decision

MARQUETTE -- Local groups opposing the recent decision by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to lease 120 acres of public land to Kennecott Minerals are planning a candlelight vigil in honor of the Yellow Dog Plains, where Kennecott plans to put a nickel and copper sulfide mine.

The Salmon Trout River flows through an area proposed for Kennecott Minerals' Eagle Project sulfide mine. The river contains a rare population of Coaster Brook Trout. (Photo © 2007 and courtesy lexup at Save the Wild UP)

The vigil will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Valentine's Day -- Thursday, Feb. 14 -- at Harlow Park, off Washington St. in Marquette.

Please remember to dress for the cold. If you do not have a candle, one will be provided.

The event is sponsored by Yellow Dog Summer, Northwoods Wilderness Recovery, Keepers of the Water, and Save the Wild UP.

On Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, at a Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting in Lansing, DNR Director Rebecca Humphries granted final approval of the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company's (KEMC) Mining and Reclamation Plan and Land Use Lease, but with stipulations that Kennecott cannot break ground until all contested cases have concluded.

KEMC was seeking to construct surface facilities for their projected sulfide mining operation on 120 acres of state-owned property on the Yellow Dog Plains in northwestern Marquette County. The Director's decision came one month after a refusal to grant Kennecott's lease because of a failure to provide information on a number of critical questions.

Sufficient information is still lacking. Kennecott has failed to address subsidence concerns and leak prevention. These failures, aided by the State's inadequate monitoring fees (only $4,000 a year), leave the State of Michigan vulnerable to pollution and economic burdens.

According to Michelle Halley, attorney for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the amount set aside for monitoring will not cover costs of the most basic of water quality testing, collecting samples and on-site inspections.

"Experts tell us that this project is still fatally flawed, making the DNR land-lease approval even more appalling," Halley said. "The lease will leave the DNR and Michigan taxpayers vulnerable to bearing clean-up costs from pollution, and it would put the DNR in the inappropriate role of facilitating a mining district in the U.P."

Cynthia Pryor, executive director of the Yellowdog Watershed Preserve, also expressed her disappointment with the DNR decision.

"It is unfortunate that the DNR has forgotten the premise for which it was formed -- to protect and conserve our natural resources for use by the public. This decision turns state forest lands into an industrial outlet and our region into a paradise lost," she said.

Kennecott still has to obtain an underground injection permit from the Environmental Protection Agency.* Meanwhile lawsuits and contested cases are on-going in regards to Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permits related to the Eagle Project. In addition, NWF and other concerned citizen groups plan to mount a legal challenge to the DNR lease approval.**

* Read more about how the public can express views on the EPA federal permit requirements.

** Read the entire NWF press release.

Editor's Note: This information is from Save the Wild UP. Learn more about sulfide mining on their Web site.

Sons of Norway, ski club to co-sponsor "Barnelopet" family ski event Feb. 16

HANCOCK -- Members of the Sons of Norway Lodge 5-620 will sponsor a Barnelopet children’s cross country ski event from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Maasto Hiihto cross country ski trails, Hancock.

The event is open to youth through age 13. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. The entry fee is $5.00 for one skier and $10.00 for a family of two or more. Parents are encouraged to ski with their children.

The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC), co-sponsor of this new children’s ski event, will lay 1 km, 2 km, and 4 km ski tracks especially for the day. Skiers can "skate" or "stride" any one of the three courses.

Volunteers are needed to help. Volunteers will meet at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 14, at the Chalet at the Fair Grounds (Driving Park). Call Wayne Stordahl for details on volunteering or racing at 482-0292.

The first fifty children who finish their event will receive a Sons of Norway Olympic-style enameled medallion. The kids will also be treated to cookies and hot chocolate. The KNSC will be selling lunch at the Maasto Hiihto ski chalet, and hot drinks and soup will be available.

A registration form and more information can be found at www.keweenawtrails.com.

Winter Carnival 2008: more photos ...

HOUGHTON -- Keweenaw Now captured these photos of Winter Carnival's "Frightful Creatures with Chilling Features" on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 7 and 8. Click on the photos for larger versions.

Phi Kappa Tau's "Van Helsing Calms the Hysteria in Transylvania," located in Hancock, took first prize in the fraternity division of the snow statue competition. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

The finely crafted details of Phi Kappa Tau's scene from tales of Dracula included several icy bats like this one. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Another fine detail in ice was this candelabra in the center of the scene. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)*

Frankenstein works at his lab table as his monster creation awakens in the background of this winning scene by Alpha Gamma Delta, "Frankenstein's Creature From Long Ago Comes Alive Again in Snow," which took first place in the women's group division. It is in front of the Walker Arts and Humanities Center on the MTU campus. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Next to the Walker building a slippery broomball game draws spectators. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

"Under the Sea, Out of the Snow, Evil Ursula Reigns in the Ocean Below," created by students of West Wadsworth Residence Hall, took a fourth place in that category. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Delta Sigma Phi took second place in the fraternity division for their grand-scale "Nightmares Consume a Child's Room." (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Especially notable among the details of the "Nightmares" sculpture are the chains of ice, pictured here in the foreground and also on the creature with icy horns. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

A rocking horse of ice in the "Nightmares" sculpture steals the show. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

The Mu Beta Psi music fraternity won first place in the on-campus one-nighter competition with this snowy musical group in front of the library. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

The Keweenaw's mysterious Paulding Light inspired this creation by Fair Warning / Incognito (men's residences in East Wadsworth Hall). It took 6th place among the university residence one-nighters. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

The Bastille (men's residence in East McNair Hall) took second place in the university one-nighter competition with their scene of Old English lore, "Beowulf's slice slays a Sea Beast of ice." (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

Carnival visitors enjoy a dog sled ride on campus Friday afternoon. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

* Editor's Note: See more photos of Phi Kappa Tau's winning snow scene in Hancock in our Feb. 8 article.

Dracula, Frankenstein's monster inspire MTU Winter Carnival snow statue winners

HANCOCK, HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech's 2008 Winter Carnival theme, "Frightful Creatures with Chilling Features," inspired some creative snow and ice sculptures with scary monsters, werewolves, vampires and more.

Phi Kappa Tau's scenes from the world of Dracula captured first place in the fraternity division of Michigan Tech's 2008 Winter Carnival snow statue competition. The fraternity's creation is located on M-203 in Hancock. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Phi Kappa Tau's elaborate sculpture of a scenes from Dracula won first place in the month-long fraternity competition. Icy bats and a captured monster in a cage are among the impressive details of this winner, located on M-203 in Hancock.

This captured werewolf is bending the bars of his icy cage, an impressive detail of Phi Kappa Tau's winning snow sculpture in Hancock. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)

In the women's group category, Alpha Gamma Delta's icy interpretation of Frankenstein's laboratory grabbed first place. The elaborate scene, "Frankenstein's Creature From Long Ago Comes Alive Again in Snow," is located in front of the Walker Arts and Humanities Center on Michigan Tech's campus.

It depicts the awakening of Frankenstein's creature in a lab adorned with bottles of chemicals crafted from pure ice.

For more results of the statue competition see the article on Tech Today.

Visit the Winter Carnival Web site for photos, videos and more info on the Winter Carnival, sponsored by Blue Key Honor Fraternity.

Michigan Nature Association to lead snowshoe, ski trips in Keweenaw sanctuaries Feb. 9, 16

HANCOCK -- Join a Michigan Nature Association sanctuary steward on an exploration of two Keweenaw sanctuaries in winter on two Saturdays, Feb. 9 and Feb. 16.

The first will be a Snowshoe Hike into Redwyn Dunes Nature Sanctuary at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9. Meet at the trailhead on M-26, about 1.5 miles north of the Jam Pot, across from Great Sand Bay and a few miles south of Eagle Harbor. Parking is available 1/8th mile further at the turn-out overview.

A view of Great Sand Bay in winter. (Photo © 2008 and courtesy Charles Eshbach)

This beautiful 1-mile loop trail takes you through the Red Pine covered dunes of Great Sand Bay, down along the dune ponds, then up a grand dune to a magnificent view east to Brockway Mountain. It's short, easy, and scenic. Bring a thermos and a snack to enjoy as you admire the view.

"The Redwyn Dunes snowshoe at Great Sand Bay should be attractive to the casual snowshoe hiker who maybe isn't in the best physical shape," says MNA's Charles Eshbach, who will be leading the snowshoe hike. "This trail is gently rolling over old sand dunes. The weather will be cold (teens) so that will help us older folks from over heating. It will be a great time."

Those who prefer a ski adventure can join MNA's Cross-Country Ski Trip into the Estivant Pines at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16. Meet at 11 a.m. at the end of Lake Fanny Hooe Rd. near Copper Harbor.

"The Estivant Ski Trip is a nice workout for most occasional skiers," Eshbach notes. "It is a very gradual climb from Lake Fanny Hooe to the Estivant Pines on the snowmobile trail / road, then one mile of twisty up and down trail through the old giants. Then a beautiful glide back down to Copper Harbor."

This 5-mile, round-trip adventure will take you into the wilderness sanctuary where the solitude is deafening, as you ski through the ancient white pine in their winter dress. Bring a lunch and don't forget your layers as it is warm going up and cool coming down. It's moderate in difficulty as we negotiate the easiest loop trail.

"Jim Denomie: Recent Work" opens at Finlandia Gallery Feb. 7

HANCOCK – A reception for Minnesota Ojibwe artist Jim Denomie will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Finlandia University Gallery in Hancock's Finnish American Heritage Center. "Jim Denomie: Recent Work" will be on display in the Gallery through March 19.

"Untitled" by Jim Denomie. Oil on canvas, 2005. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

Beginning at 7:30 p.m. Denomie, a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Ojibwe, will present a slide lecture about his work in the theatre adjacent to the gallery. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

This is Denomie’s second visit to Finlandia University. In 2004 he participated in a brief visiting artist program.

"Although I was raised in Minneapolis, I always went back to the reservation for summer and winter breaks and stayed with my grand parents," Denomie says. "I am still strongly connected to my reservation and other Indian communities in the area by my many friends and relatives."

"Untitled" by Jim Denomie. Oil on canvas, 2005. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

In 2005 Denomie embarked on a "Painting-a-Day" project, creating a painting every day of the year, resulting in over 430 small-scale works, of which approximately 300 are portraits. He calls the series "Rugged Indians"; and together the series reflects the powerful shifts of thought, emotion and events that mark daily life.

"During the Painting-a-Day project, I fell in love with portraiture but also tried a number of other ideas and subjects," says Denomie. "I will probably always do some portraits here and there, but I also intend to work on large canvases involving storytelling in the future. And I will always listen to new ideas that float my way and hopefully I will continue to evolve."

Artist Jim Denomie in his studio. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

These quick studies of the face, the portal into the expressive and complex nature of an individual, are usually completed within 15 to 30 minutes.

What can you express about an individual in such a short time? In a 2005 article for mnartists.org, "Finding the New Country in the Old," Lightsey Darst describes the power of Denomie’s brushwork.

"He does not try to create a perfect work of art; instead he lets himself play with the paint. He uses the colors already on the palette or adds new ones based on his mood. Daily surges of emotion affect the work, sometimes directly -- one day’s face is grinning, another sour, one yelling (after the Red Lake shooting) -- but more often indirectly: the faces evolve their own personalities, their own neutral but suggestive expressions, so that looking at many of the faces at once is like staring into a crowd of strangers."

Jim Denomie received a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Minnesota in 1995. His work has been widely exhibited, most recently in solo exhibits at the Bockley Gallery of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. His work is included in the permanent collections of the Westphalian Museum of Natural History in West Germany, the Tweed Museum of Art in Duluth, the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota and the Montana Museum of Art and Culture at the University of Montana.

The Finnish American Heritage Center is at 435 Quincy Street, Hancock. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., or by appointment. Please call 487-7500 for more information.

* For the text of this article, visit mnartists.org.

DNR to make recommendation on Kennecott mining lease Feb. 7

MARQUETTE -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company (KEMC), which is seeking permits for a nickel and copper sulfide mine on the Yellow Dog Plains near Marquette, recently met to discuss the requested information on Kennecott's Land Use Lease and Mining and Reclamation Plan.

According to Tom Wellman of the DNR's Mineral and Land Management Section, "The DNR has issued a letter to Kennecott…whereby it will recommend an approval of an amended Mining and Reclamation Plan and Surface Use Lease to the Director (Rebecca Humphries) for the February 7, 2008, Natural Resources Commission Meeting."

According to Save the Wild UP, this is only a recommendation and no official action has been taken.

The Feb. 7 Natural Resources Commission Meeting will be held at the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing.

See the updated agenda for that meeting.

Michelle Halley of the National Wildlife Federation explains, "While DNR staff continue to recommend that Director Humphries approve KEMC's surface use lease request, we urge you to let her know that this policy decision is in her hands. Sacrificing public land as corporate welfare is not acceptable to Michiganders. Please, write or call Director Humphries and urge her to protect our public lands for public use!"

At the January 10, 2008, Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing, the Michigan DNR announced that it was delaying its decision on approving a surface use lease for 120 acres of public land for 35 years, requested by Kennecott for the proposed sulfide mine near Marquette. The MDNR decision is the second part of the State approvals required for the mining operations. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has already announced its approval of Kennecott’s permit to develop the sulfide mine. On December 21, 2007, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Huron Mountain Club and Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve announced they were filing a contested case petition and a lawsuit against MDEQ as the first step in a legal challenge to halt the mine.

See the Michigan DNR Web site for documents related to Kennecott's application for a surface use lease on state land.

You may express your views to DNR Director Rebecca Humphries at humphrir@michigan.gov.

Editor's Note: This information was received through Save the Wild UP. For more information and related news visit their Web site.

Ski for Heart fundraiser offers family fun Feb. 9; volunteers needed

CALUMET -- The annual "Ski For The Heart of Our Community" fundraiser, which includes cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Swedetown Ski Trails in Calumet.

Participants (from left) Jaqueline Mace, Mary Herlevich, and Joan Hosafros test their snowshoes as they get ready to rack up kilometers during the "Ski, or Snowshoe, For the Heart of Our Community" event to be held Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Swedetown Trails in Calumet. (Photo courtesy Lois Berg)

The money raised will benefit two local non-profits, Omega House and the Copper Island Cross Country Ski Club.

Omega House funds will continue to provide much needed hospice care to local residents, while the money for the Copper Island Ski Club will help maintain their chalet and beautiful network of trails in Calumet.

"This is a great way to get yourself and your family outdoors during mid-winter," said Lois Berg, one of the event organizers. "Besides fresh air and exercise, participants will be treated to food and drinks, along with t-shirts and door prizes. The Swedetown Trails are beautifully groomed for skate and classic cross-country skiing as well as for snowshoeing. We encourage children and adults to come out for a fun day."

Participants of all ages can cross-country ski or snowshoe individually or join a team. Donations are collected in advance and turned in during registration the day of the event. For more information and registration materials call Omega House at 906-482-4438. Registration materials can also be obtained at the Swedetown Chalet. Hours are 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday through Tuesday.

Everything is set for the Ski for Heart event except lining up CHALET VOLUNTEERS, who are needed for two shifts: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The first shift will be doing lots of registering, and the second shift will include clean up. Both have the potential for lots of good eating. If you want to work one of these shifts please contact LOIS BERG at 482-5960 or loisaberg@charter.net.