Copper Country "Festa Italiana" to offer family fun, food, entertainment Aug. 9 in Hancock

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country "Festa Italiana" will take place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. TOMORROW, Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Houghton County Arena, 1500 Birch St. in Hancock.

The event will include traditional Italian American food and beverages for sale by local vendors, traditional Italian American music, contests and entertainment.

Admission is $5 (12 and over). Tickets for food and beverages must be purchased at the ticket booth. No cash sales inside the venue. Beer and wine sales require proof of age.

16 teams will compete in a Bocce Tournament. Games and activities will be held for children. Contests include a Spaghetti Eating Contest, a Grape Stomp, a Pizza Toss and Italian American Trivia.

Here is the entertainment line-up:

11 a.m. -- Opening Ceremony, announcements and the National Anthem performed by local soloist Annette Butina

11:30 a.m. -- PJ Olsson's Rock Camp Kids

12:30 p.m. -- Contest Hour: Spaghetti Eating, Pizza Toss and Grape Stomp

1:30 p.m. -- Anastasia Lee -- Classical Crossover Artist

2:30 p.m. -- Jim and Teri Enrietti and Don Masnado

3:30 p.m. -- Joe Magnino and Lori Giese-- Festival European

4:30 p.m. -- Jim and Teri Enrietti and Don Masnado and special guests

5:30 p.m. -- Jan and Gino -- The Soundz of Time

6:30 p.m. -- Award for BocceTournament and Italian Trivia

7 p.m. -- Jan and Gino -- The Soundz of Time

8 p.m. -- The Whatevers

10 p.m. -- Ciao and Grazie!

Eagle Harbor Art Fair to feature 60 artists Aug. 9, 10

The annual Eagle Harbor Art Fair will be held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9 and 10, near St. Peter's by the Sea in Eagle Harbor, Mich. (Photo courtesy Copper Country Associated Artists)

CALUMET -- Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) will host the Eagle Harbor Art Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 9, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10, in Eagle Harbor, Mich.  CCAA has been hosting the fair for more than 50 years, and the 2014 Fair will feature 60 artist vendors selling their wares -- photography, pottery, jewelry, painting, woodworking and more.

Miriam Pickens, ceramic artist and photographer, will be the featured artist at this year's Fair. The event takes place in a large park near St. Peter's by the Sea church.

Ceramic artist Miriam Pickens displays her wheel-thrown pottery at the Houghton Art and Music Festival. This year she will be the featured artist at the Eagle Harbor Art Fair. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

"I'll be in the church basement with all my wares, underglazing a plate," Pickens notes.*

Goodies to eat are provided by Eagle Harbor Township to raise money for various projects. The annual Eagle Harbor Art Fair is an enjoyable family event -- free and open to the public. Several motels, a swimming beach and restaurants can be found in Eagle Harbor as well as a few miles up or down the road in Eagle River or Copper Harbor.

Editor's Note: Miriam Pickens also takes beautiful photos of butterflies. Visit her Facebook page to learn more.

Calumet Art Center to present New Chamber Music Concert TONIGHT, Aug. 8

Poster for New Chamber Music Concert TONIGHT, Aug. 8, 2014, at Calumet Art Center. (Poster courtesy Calumet Art Center)

CALUMET -- The public is invited to the Calumet Art Center's annual New Chamber Music Concert at 7:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Friday, Aug. 8.

Hosted since 2011 by the Calumet Art Center and composer and guitarist Paul Seitz, the concert will also feature soprano Christine Seitz, composer/percussionist Tom Bjoraker, pianist Jon Ensminger, cellist Pat Quimby, vibraphonist Briana Trainor, violinist Erica Bjoraker, and friends. They will present recent works by composers with close ties to Calumet, the Upper Peninsula, and the participating artists.

A suggested donation is $8.

Portage Library to host Keweenaw Family Music's "Something Awesome" Aug. 8

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library invites everyone to bring a lunch and enjoy "Music on the Menu," an outdoor series of events held on the dock outside the library.

"Something Awesome" will perform from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, August 8. This group is made up of people who attend Keweenaw Family Music’s weekly adult jam session and who have a great time singing and performing on ukulele, guitar, accordion, cello, fiddle, drums, and piano.

The group plays a variety of folk and popular songs and will feature Amanda Plummer on ukulele and guitar, Kari Lyle on guitar and vocals, Sharon Levine on accordion, Chris Plummer on guitar and cello, and Matt Seigel on ukulele. Audience participation is welcome and encouraged.

Everyone is invited to eat, relax, and enjoy the lunch hour while listening to some great music. In the event of bad weather, the program will be held in the community room.

Club Indigo to present original "KING KONG" Aug. 8 at Calumet Theatre

CALUMET -- KING KONG, the original 1933 film, restored and uncut, will be this month's Club Indigo food and film event -- to be shown Friday evening Aug. 8, at the Calumet Theatre.

The film is at heart the amazing ape (and dinosaur) animation of Willis O'Brien, his cutting-edge model work, the CGI of its day; but it's also the tragic story that stays etched on the memory, well beyond the imitations that followed and attempted to recreate a power and majesty that never quite adds up to the same overwhelming experience of the original -- arguably THE monster movie of all time, the abiding take on the beauty-and-the-beast motif that still has a mythic power which belies its years.

The plot is well recognized: Hollywood filmmaker Robert Armstrong imperils starlet Fay Wray on a prehistoric island in his bid to turn a local legend into a celluloid hit. Taking the giant gorilla back to civilization for entrepreneurial gain turns out badly for all concerned, not least the captive creature who ends up on top of the Empire State Building in one of cinema's greatest climaxes. This is a thrilling adventure with a good heart, offering an early eco-message at the same time.

For more information call the theatre at 337-2610.

New exhibit, "Flight Path," to open Aug. 7 at Community Arts Center in Hancock

Collages by Melissa Hronkin (at left) and mobiles by Judy Sarosik are part of the August exhibit, "Flight Path," opening TOMORROW, Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Copper Country Community Arts Center in Hancock. (Photo courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center and Melissa Hronkin)

HANCOCK -- "Flight Path" is the new exhibit opening Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Copper Country Community Arts Center's Kerredge Gallery in Hancock. The exhibit features photographs, collage and encaustic paintings by Melissa Hronkin and origami mobiles by Judy Sarosik.

A public reception for the artists will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. TOMORROW, Thursday, Aug. 7. The exhibit continues through Aug. 30.

Earlier this year Melissa Hronkin took part in The 100 Day Art Project, a community challenge to make 100 pieces of art in 100 days. Because of her tight schedule and commute to work her studio became mobile. Her photographs became a springboard for new work, exercising "being in the moment and looking outward." She used her collection of words, papers, and drawing and painting materials to collage the photos and make meaningful art.

Walking the beaches of Marquette, Judy Sarosik has always picked up special pieces of driftwood, playing with balance and creating mobiles -- adding beads, bells, coins, etc. She combined these with her love of patterned paper and the craft of folding, both Japanese origami and iris folding, which originated in Holland. Each mobile she makes is a meditation. Each one, with all its elements, holds special meaning -- often symbolizing good fortune, wealth and prosperity.

Together their work makes a stunning display of color and movement, paying homage to the beauty of nature and the act of finding the time and space to create art.

Enjoy Perseid meteor shower at Michigan state parks Aug. 9-16

LANSING -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites residents to grab their blankets and head to participating Michigan state parks Aug. 9-16 to enjoy one of the biggest and most visible astronomical events of the year: the Perseid meteor shower.

Some state parks in Michigan are staying open late and offering "Meteors and S’mores" events in honor of this natural light show. Many of these events feature astronomy presentations, as well as -- you guessed it -- s’mores. A few participating parks also will offer free movies to complement this natural light show.

Meteors and S’mores events are scheduled at the following state parks (counties). Parks with an asterisk next to the name will offer a free movie before the meteor shower:

Saturday, Aug. 9

•  Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 p.m. (beach parking lot)
•  Fort Wilkins Historic State Park (Keweenaw), 10 p.m. (parade grounds) This program features guest speaker Joel Kimball, professor at the South Dakota School of Mining and Technology

Sunday, Aug. 10

•  *Ionia Recreation Area (Ionia), 8:30 p.m. Star Wars: A New Hope (beach day-use area)
• Leelanau State Park (Leelanau), 8:30 p.m. (day-use picnic shelter)
• Van Riper State Park (Marquette), 10 p.m. (campground shelter building)

Tuesday, Aug. 12

• Brimley State Park (Chippewa), 7 p.m. (visitor beach playground)
• Muskallonge Lake State Park (Luce), 9 p.m. (community fire pit in the day-use area)
• Silver Lake State Park (Oceana), 9 p.m. (dune pedestrian lot)
• Hoeft State Park (Presque Isle), 9 p.m. (hospitality site)
• Wilderness State Park (Emmet), 9 p.m. (amphitheater)
• Rifle River Recreation Area (Ogemaw), 10 p.m. (ranch ball field)
• Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon), 9 p.m. (Union Bay campground)
• North Higgins Lake State Park (Crawford), 9 p.m. (park beach pavilion)

Wednesday, Aug. 13

• Young State Park (Charlevoix), 10 p.m. (park baseball field across from loop 4)

Thursday, Aug. 14

•  Van Buren State Park (Van Buren), 9 p.m. (southern side of the beach parking lot)

Friday, Aug. 15

• Baraga State Park (Baraga), 10 p.m. (park picnic area)
• *Pontiac Lake Recreation Area (Oakland), 8:30 p.m. Star Trek (2009) (west picnic area) 
  

Saturday, Aug. 16

• Aloha State Park (Cheboygan), 8:30 p.m. (camp host site no. 47)
• Burt Lake State Park (Cheboygan), 9 p.m. (fire pit on the west side of the interpretive building)
• Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston), 9 p.m. (Chilson Pond behind the park headquarters). This program features guest speakers from University Lowbrow Astronomers.
• Hartwick Pines State Park (Crawford), 8 p.m. (campground amphitheater)
  

For more information about Meteors and S’mores events at Michigan state parks, please check the state park event listings at www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors, or contact Elissa Dennert at 989-313-0000. For specific information about a state park, please contact the park directly.

There is no charge to attend Meteors and S’mores, but a Recreation Passport is required for any vehicle entering a Michigan state park. The Recreation Passport is an easy, affordable way for residents to enjoy and support outdoor recreation opportunities in Michigan. By checking "YES" for the $11 Recreation Passport ($5 for motorcycles) when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State (by mail, kiosk, online at www.expresssos.com or at branch offices), Michigan motorists get access to state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, non-motorized state trailhead parking and state boat launches. In addition, Recreation Passport holders can experience real savings at businesses and retailers that participate in the Passport Perks discount program.

The Recreation Passport is valid until the next license plate renewal date. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($31 annual; $9 daily) at any state park or recreation area or (annual passes only) through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.

Learn more about this creative way of sustaining Michigan's outdoor recreation and natural resources at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport. For information on Passport Perks shopping discounts or how businesses and retailers can enroll in the program, visit www.michigan.gov/passportperks.

Photos: Copper Harbor celebrates Lake Superior Day 2014 with R/V Agassiz excursions, ROVs, canoe races, picnic, more ...

By Michele Bourdieu

Visitors to Copper Harbor on July 20, Lake Superior Day, board Michigan Tech's Research Vessel Agassiz for an educational tour of the harbor. Checking names of passengers (who reserved seats in advance) is Lloyd Wescoat, Copper Harbor resident and project advisor for Michigan Tech's Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative program. At right is Xena Cortez, Michigan Tech environmental engineering student who has been assisting with Michigan Tech's Ride the Waves program (funded by General Motors) -- a series of community activities including public education about the Great Lakes on the Agassiz. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

COPPER HARBOR -- Free educational boat rides on Michigan Tech's Research Vessel Agassiz were a popular attraction at Copper Harbor's July 20 Lake Superior Day celebration.

"We're so grateful the Agassiz could come here because it's just never happened in Copper Harbor before," said Lloyd Wescoat, Copper Harbor resident and project advisor for Michigan Tech's Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative program.

During Copper Harbor's July 20, 2014, Lake Superior Day celebration, Michigan Tech's Research Vessel Agassiz takes visitors around the harbor to learn how scientists use the boat to study Lake Superior and nearby waterways.

Wescoat noted the 25-minute excursions scheduled between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. were all filled with visitors, mostly from the local Keweenaw area, who were asked to sign up for a specific time in advance. She was able to add an extra ride at 4:30 p.m. but, unfortunately, had to turn some people away after that. For many of the visitors it was a first-time ride on the Agassiz, which holds 15 passengers plus the captain and a scientist.

In Copper Harbor, Michigan Tech doctoral student and researcher Marcel Dijkestra of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was the Great Lakes scientist who offered a presentation on the boat as it cruised around the harbor, driven by Captain Travis White.

Dijkestra spoke about his research in ecosystem modeling.

"We are building an ecosystem model to evaluate the impacts of changes to the ecosystem that can be due to climate, invasive species or nutrient loadings to the lake," he said.

Marcel Dijkestra, Michigan Tech doctoral student in environmental engineering, speaks about the health of Lake Superior to passengers on the Agassiz as the boat cruises around the harbor during Copper Harbor's 2014 Lake Superior Day celebration. In the background, driving the boat, is Captain Travis White.

The Agassiz excursions have been part of several community events scheduled this summer, thanks to the Ride the Waves program, funded by General Motors.*

"The whole Lake Superior Day celebration creates awareness of the importance of protecting the waters of Lake Superior," said Wescoat, who noted this was the second year Copper Harbor has celebrated the event as a community and the first year the Agassiz has been part of it.

Visitors this year also had an opportunity to learn about the Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) designed and constructed by Dollar Bay High School students.

This curious young man just happens to be Mathijs Dijkestra, son of Michigan Tech scientist Marcel Dijkestra. Xena Cortez, Michigan Tech student in environmental engineering, helps Mathijs drive the ROV that can be seen in the water next to the dock. He can observe its movements on a computer screen.

Matt Zimmer, left, Dollar Bay High School science teacher, explains the workings of an ROV to Tom Paynter, owner of the Delaware Mine in Keweenaw County. They discussed the possibility of using one of the ROVs to explore what's under the water in the mine.

In addition to these educational activities, Lake Superior Day in Copper Harbor included canoe races, rowing and paddling demos, painting for kids, a copious picnic all day, musicians -- and solo songs by Don Kilpela, Jr., Isle Royale Queen captain and lead organizer of the event.

More photos ...

Lake Superior Day visitors participate in a canoe race in the harbor. Here they are rounding a buoy before rowing back to the dock for the finish ...

Canoe racers head for the finish ...

On the boardwalk visitors cheer for the winners of the canoe race ...

Canoe race winners Gail and Bill Drake of Lac LaBelle paddle toward the dock.

Participants in one of Keweenaw Adventure Company's "Porter's Island Paddle" kayak tours are guided by instructor Ryan Holt (in green kayak). The tour was not officially part of Lake Superior Day, but kayak tours were available that day.

Dan Weirsgalla, also one of Keweenaw Adventure Company's instructors, demonstrates kayaking techniques for Lake Superior Day visitors lined up along the Copper Harbor boardwalk.

Here Weirsgalla demonstrates the proper way to do a kayak "roll."

Terry Smythe, fitness director and founder and coach of Michigan Tech's Rowing Club, demonstrates some rowing techniques for the audience.

Kids have fun painting a model freighter during the Lake Superior Day celebration in Copper Harbor July 20, 2014.

Two Megs painting together -- Meg (Vivian) North, former Grant Township Supervisor and now science and math teacher at Horizons Alternative High School in Mohawk, helps young Meg Ruhonen of Atlantic Mine put finishing touches on her contribution to the model freighter painting.

After a picnic of hot dogs and sausage, corn on the cob, soup, salad, and ice cream served all afternoon in Copper Harbor's 6th Street park, visitors enjoyed some of this special Lake Superior Day 2014 cake to top off a great day!

* Editor's Note:
This is the second in a series of articles about the Agassiz, Michigan Tech's research vessel, and its use in community events for education about the Great Lakes this summer. See our first article in the series, "Adults and kids learn about Great Lakes research, fish food web, marine robotics, more ..." -- posted July 22, 2014.

VOTE: August 5 Primary Election is TOMORROW; info, sample ballots available online

HANCOCK -- Tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, is the day to vote in the Michigan Primary Election. Voters can obtain information about candidates on several non-partisan Web sites.

First, the State of Michigan lists all official candidates for the Aug. 5 Primary Election here. Some candidates' names are linked to their Web sites.

The Michigan League of Women Voters provides information on candidates' answers to questions on certain issues. Go to http://www.vote411.org/ to find your polling place and to access their voters' guide to learn where candidates stand on certain issues. Unfortunately not all candidates have responded to their questions, but by typing in your location (for your privacy the Web page does not save it) you can find out which candidates are on your local ballot and compare the views of those who have replied to the non-partisan League's questions.

Mlive.com also provides voter information and another way to compare candidates' views on issues. Again, though, some candidates have not replied to the questions. Click here to access the Mlive Voter Guide.

One State Ballot Proposal is on the Aug. 5 Primary Ballot: Michigan Use Tax and Community Stabilization Share, Proposal 1. Click here for a detailed explanation of Proposal 1 and lists of officials and organizations in favor of the proposal as well as those opposed. Citations from media editorials are also included. See also Public Act 80 of 2014, on which the proposal is based.

For Houghton County voters, there is also a Renewal of County Road Millage proposal.

You can obtain a sample Michigan ballot by filling in your information on the Michigan.gov Web site here.

Contested races

For the major U.S. and State legislator seats, the local primary ballot shows only two contested races: On the Democratic Party ballot, two candidates are running for the 38th District State Senate seat now held by State Sen. Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba): Christopher M. Germain and Chris LaMarche. To read about Christopher M. Germain, you can visit his Web site: http://www.votegermain.com/. To learn about Chris LaMarche visit his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LaMarcheforSenate/timeline.

Recently Germain and LaMarche participated in a forum sponsored by the Delta County League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Women and the Delta Chamber of Commerce. See "Germain, LaMarche differ on state spending cuts in candidate forum," by Craig Woerpel on upperpeninsula.biz.

See also Keweenaw Now's March 15, 2014, article on Chris LaMarche's visit to the Houghton County Democratic Party at their March meeting.

On the Republican Party Primary ballot, U.S. Congressman Dan Benishek is being challenged by Alan Arcand of Iron River, who appears to be a Tea Party candidate.

Pine Mountain's Glenn Basham to join Steve Jones, Garden City Hot Club Aug. 4 at Orpheum Theater

Guitarist Steve Jones and violinist Glenn Basham with the Garden City Hot Club. (Photo courtesy The Orpheum Theater)

HANCOCK -- The Orpheum Theater will host a special Gypsy Jazz and Swing show Monday evening, Aug. 4, with hometown boys Steve Jones, Bob Hiltunen, Scott McIntosh, aka The Garden City Hot Club -- but that's not all!

"Once a year Glenn Basham joins the hot club crew for an amazing blowout performance -- and Monday is that show for this year!" says Orpheum owner Mike Shupe. "Glenn is the violinist for the Pine Mountain Music Festival's Bergonzi String Quartet (as well as a major Symphony Orchestra down south) and he also plays a mean jazz violin! The Garden City crew and Glenn will also be joined by other special guests for the performance, so this show is a must not miss event!"

Music starts about 8:30 p.m., and doors open at 7:30 p.m. or just after sound check. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens, and $5 for kids. 

The Orpheum Theater is at 426 Quincy St. in downtown Hancock.

Gratiot Lake Conservancy to sponsor kayak tour Aug. 3

Kayaking on Gratiot Lake. (Photo courtesy Gratiot Lake Conservancy)

GRATIOT LAKE -- Gratiot Lake Conservancy (GLC) will sponsor a kayak tour of Gratiot Lake, led by nature educator Brian Rajdl, TOMORROW, Sunday, Aug. 3.

This event is totally weather dependent. High winds or stormy weather will cause cancellation.

Here is the schedule:

9:30 a.m. -- Meet at the public boat access at Gratiot Lake to review kayaking technique with certified kayak instructor Brian Rajdl.

9:50 a.m. -- All kayakers meet at public boat access for launch. Tour includes stops at the Noblet Field Station and GLC Preserve land.

3:30 p.m. -- Arrive back at public access.

Come prepared for a day on the water. Bring hiking shoes to walk on GLC trail. Bring water and bag lunch for picnic at Noblet Field Station.

Need equipment? Kayak rental: Keweenaw Adventure Co. 289-4303. Ask for Sam. Indicate that it is for the Gratiot Lake Kayak Tour (Gratiot Lake Conservancy).

For more information or if unsure about weather conditions call Bonnie at 337-5476.

Save the Wild U.P. to sponsor Iron Ore Heritage Trail bike ride Aug. 2

Bike ride poster courtesy Save the Wild U.P.

MARQUETTE -- Save the Wild U.P. will sponsor a bike ride TOMORROW, Saturday, Aug. 2, along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail -- for cyclists of all abilities. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Cliffs Shaft Museum in Ishpeming and enjoying the 18-20 mile gently sloping trail down to Marquette, ending at the Commons/Ore Dock area in downtown Marquette. Snacks, a water bottle, and a camera are all highly recommended.

Riders arrange their own drop-off in Ishpeming, pick-up in Marquette. Click here for a map.

Michigan Nature Association to sponsor Bare Bluff Geology Field Trip with Erika Vye Aug. 2

CHASSELL -- Michigan Nature Association (MNA) will sponsor a Bare Bluff Geology Field Trip and Hike at Grinnell Memorial Nature Sanctuary at 11 a.m. TOMORROW, Saturday, Aug. 2.

Join Erika Vye, Michigan Tech Geology PhD student, for a hike leading up to the high bluffs for a spectacular view of Lake Superior. Along the way, participants will learn about the soaring rhyolite outcrop and the fascinating Keweenaw Fault. Pack a lunch and water, bring bug repellent and sunscreen, and wear sturdy hiking boots.

To get there, drive north on US 41 to eleven miles south of Copper Harbor. Turn right at the sign for Lac La Belle and Mt. Bohemia. Drive about 5 miles to Lac La Belle, turn left on the Bete Gris Road and drive about 2 miles to the Smith Fisheries Road and turn left. Bear right and travel another 2.5 miles to the parking area on the right, marked with an MNA sign.

Visit new art exhibits on First Friday, Aug. 1, in Calumet

Currently on display upstairs in the Performance Hall at the Calumet Art Center are 40 quilts from the collection of the late Geraldine Pennington. The display continues through the month of August. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

CALUMET -- First Friday in Calumet, Aug. 1, offers a variety of new art exhibits and activities -- free and open to the public. Some exhibits reflect Calumet's theme for the month of August: the buildings and architecture of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Paige Wiard Gallery: Art in Architecture

Late September, by Georgi Tsenov. (Photo courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

During the month of August the Paige Wiard Gallery will be celebrating art in architecture. The Keweenaw Peninsula is known for all its natural beauty, but sometimes the man-made beauty is overlooked. Luckily this area has a lot of amazing artists that see the beauty of the local buildings. Artists have captured the ornate designs in the old buildings, the simple structures of every day homes, and ruins from old weathered structures -- and have turned them in to amazing artwork.

Houghton Overlook, by Mark Gregg. (Photo courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

The public is invited to an opening reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at the Paige Wiard Gallery, 109 5th Street, Calumet.

"While you are out enjoying Calumet’s August First Friday take a minute to peek in the windows of the store fronts on 5th Street," says owner Paige Wiard. "The Main Street Calumet Design Committee has done a wonderful job with the Art in Architecture displays!"

If you have questions please call 906-33-5970 or email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com.

Galerie Bohème: New Works from Patty Ouellette Watson

Galerie Bohème, at 423 5th Street, will present "New Works from Patty Ouellette Watson" during August.

Patty Watson. Oil on canvas. (Photo courtesy Galerie Bohème)

A reception with the artist will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1.

A native of the Keweenaw, lifelong artist Patty Ouellette Watson now spends her time painting at her homes on Lake Superior near Gay and in the mountains of Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. Working with oil on canvas, she produces vibrant abstract expressionistic representations complementing both environments.

This show runs from August 1 through September 4. Gallery hours are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday .

For more information, please contact galerieboheme@gmail.com or Tom Rudd at 906-369-4086.

Copper Country Associated Artists: Jewelry Making

Copper Country Associated Artists Gallery and Studio (CCAA) will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on First Friday, Aug. 1, for a special jewelry making workshop. Come learn the simple basic method of creating your own jewelry. Pamela Hecht will share with you the technique to make a simple bead drop pendant and a pair of pierced earrings.

For more information you can call Pamela at 906-337-2274. Leave a message if necessary. 

Or just stop in to view the gallery filled with art work done by the local artists of the Copper County. You’ll find that unique piece of art that you have been looking for -- at the CCAA Gallery!

The CCAA Gallery is at 205 Fifth Street in Calumet.

Calumet Art Center: Quilt Show, Iversen paintings, more ...

One of 40 quilts from the collection of the late Geraldine Pennington, on display in the Calumet Art Center through August. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

The Calumet Art Center will hold an Open House on First Friday evening, Aug. 1. Be sure to see the display of 40 quilts from the collection of the late Geraldine Pennington upstairs in the Center's Performance Hall. These quilts were inherited by her daughter Harriett White, and granddaughter-in-law, Kirsten White, who wished to share them with the public this summer.

Some of the quilts were made by family members, and many of the quilts were purchased from auctions in the northern Indiana area from the 1970s through the 1990s. Many patterns and sizes are represented. These quilts will be on display throughout the month of August. Come in to learn about the history of this collection, and to appreciate all the hard work and creativity that went into making these beautiful quilts!

Also on exhibit at the Calumet Art Center are 45 oil paintings by Eric Iversen -- a generous donation by Mr. and Mrs. Eric Iversen.

Oil painting by Eric Iversen. (Photo courtesy Calumet Art Center)

Find your inspiration while touring the Center and open studios featuring looms of all types, lamp work bead station, library and writing studio and the clay studio where there are several works in progress. Learn about recent classes -- including Summer Youth Art Immersion -- as well as projects and upcoming events.

Tie-dye class at Calumet Art Center. (Photo © Mark Gregg and courtesy Calumet Art Center)

The Calumet Art Center is at 57055 Fifth Street. For more information visit their Web site, calumetartcenter.com.

Hahn Hammered Copper: Architectural elements salvaged

For August, Hahn Hammered Copper will host "Salvagion" -- Beautiful architectural elements salvaged from our throwaway society and saved from sure destruction. They will also feature "What is it?" -- Guess the mystery object and win a hand-hammered copper zipper pull.

Café Rosetta: Art by Jacquelyn Williams

Café Rosetta's featured artist for August is Jacquelyn Williams from Waterford, Michigan. Jackie displays talent in a wide variety of artistic genres and pulls inspiration from whatever surroundings she may find herself in. Examples of her original artwork include detailed oil pastel sketches, woodburnings done on Lake Superior driftwood, and acrylic paintings that incorporate beautiful textures as well as Lake Superior beach glass, agates, and thomsonite. She also does custom artwork upon request.

Jackie’s original pieces will be on display at Café Rosetta for the month of August, and she would be honored if you would come and share her life’s joy!

Café Rosetta is at 104 Fifth St. in Calumet.

UPDATE: Cross Country Sports: Photography by Adam Griffis

For the month of August, Cross Country Sports, 507 Oak St., will display photography by Adam Griffis, featuring scenes from the Great Deer Chase Mountain Bike Race. Adam's photographs capture the action, excitement and competitive spirit of Calumet's premier mountain bike race, set against the backdrop of historic downtown Calumet and the beautiful Swedetown Trails.

Cross Country Sports will host an open house and refreshments from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, August 1.

Folias Flute and Guitar Duo to perform Aug. 1 at Orpheum Theater in Hancock

Folias Flute and Guitar Duo, of Grand Rapids, will perform TOMORROW, Friday, Aug. 1, at the Orpheum Theater in Hancock. (Keweenaw Now file poster courtesy Pat Valencia)

HANCOCK -- Folias Flute and Guitar Duo from Grand Rapids will present a concert at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at the Orpheum Theater in Hancock.

The duo -- Carmen Maret on flute and Andrew Bergeron on guitar -- play jazz, chamber music and tango. These talented musicians combine their classical music training, their experience as tango bandleaders, their love of Astor Piazzolla and their knowledge of the jazz idiom. They have performed in concert halls and clubs and for tango events across the U.S., Europe and Argentina. In June 2012 they performed at the Jutila Center in Hancock to an appreciative audience. They're back -- this time to perform at the Orpheum!

Music starts about 8:30 p.m., and $10 gets you in (or $8 if you're a student or senior citizen).

The Orpheum Theater (Studio Pizza) is at 426 Quincy St. in Hancock.

Youth Traveling Cooperative Institute, with Save the Wild U.P., to offer free co-op business training

MARQUETTE -- The Youth Traveling Cooperative Institute (TCI) is sponsoring a FREE peer-to-peer cooperative business development and entrepreneurship training for folks in their late teens to early thirties. Through this training, you will get a better idea of what a cooperative is, how it could be relevant to your life, work, and community, as well as a glimpse at how to start one. Free workshops are being offered in the local area from July 31 through Aug. 8.

In the Upper Peninsula the Institute is cooperating with Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP) as their local host. SWUP's work to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Upper Peninsula align with the community asset building work being done through the Youth TCI.

Midwestern cooperative developers and educators who identify as youth (late teens to early 30s) will be traveling throughout the region to provide free workshops for their peers to train one another in cooperative business development. The workshops offer an opportunity to learn how cooperative entrepreneurship can play a role in helping youth  realize a dream job or help their community. In the Winter of 2014 and 2015, people who have attended the workshops and have an idea they want to develop can get a scholarship to attend a full day training in their region to incubate their project.

Here is a schedule of the free workshops:

Escanaba -- 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. TONIGHT, Wednesday, July 31, at 230 Ludington St.

Marquette -- 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3. Baraga Community Room.

Sault Ste Marie -- 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4. Chamber Meeting Room, 2581 I-75 Business Spur.

Hancock/Houghton -- 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Portage Lake District Library, 58 Huron Street, Houghton.

Ironwood -- 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Northwind Natural Food Co-op 116 S. Suffolk St.

For blog, full calendar, and more info visit northcountryfoundation.org/youthtci. See also their Facebook page.

Road work on County Road AAA polluting wetland

From: Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve
Posted July 29, 2014, on yellowdogwatershed.org
Reprinted in part with permission

Tons of sediment pollution entering the Salmon Trout Watershed due to a ruptured spring. (Photo courtesy Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve. Reprinted with permission.)

BIG BAY, Mich. -- Over the past two weeks, Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve has been investigating and documenting a serious water quality concern caused by the road construction on the County Road AAA. A spring that feeds the East Branch of the Salmon Trout River had been ruptured during construction activities and it is releasing spring water into construction areas. The eruption of water caused significant and severe runoff of sediment into the stream. From there, the sediment was transported into a wetland downstream. After the wetland reached its capacity, the sediment continued downstream into the East branch of the Salmon Trout River.

Massive releases of sediment can cause damage to local streams and wetlands. Suspended sediment can clog the gills of native trout, increase mortality of aquatic insects that the trout feed on, and fill in the deep holes and undercut banks where trout seek refuge. In addition, wetlands that have experienced this level of sedimentation can no longer function as a "filter" that keeps streams healthy. ...

Click here to read the rest of this article and comments on the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve Web site.

Portage Library to host Bergonzi String Quartet children's concert Aug. 2; more Bergonzi performances this week

HOUGHTON -- The Bergonzi String Quartet, celebrating their 20th year with the Pine Mountain Music Festival, will perform Pamela McConnell’s version of Peter and the Wolf in a children’s concert at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, in the community room of the Portage Lake District Library.

Children in attendance are invited to come dressed as characters in the performance: Peter, Grandfather, Bird, Miss Duck, Cat, Forest Rangers (no guns, please) and Wolf.

The Bergonzi String Quartet, with Glenn Basham on 1st violin, Scott Flavin on 2nd violin, Pamela McConnell on viola, and Ross Harbaugh on cello, has been Quartet-in-Residence at the Pine Mountain Music Festival since 1995. The Bergonzi Quartet was formed in 1992 and is Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, where they are all faculty members. The members have extensive collective experience, performing in virtually every major center in the world -- with concerts throughout Europe, North and South America, New Zealand, and Asia. The quartet has generated enormous excitement around the world for their superb blend of seasoned and sensitive virtuosity and is an important cultural asset for the Pine Mountain Music Festival and the Upper Peninsula.

Adults are welcome to attend this concert if they bring at least one child. There is no admission for this concert and all are welcome to attend.

For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

More Bergonzi concerts ...

With a repertoire including Mozart, Janáček, and Schubert for the adult concerts, the Bergonzi String Quartet will also perform at the following concerts this week:

At 7:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Wednesday, July 30, the Bergonzi will perform at Immaculate Conception Church, 500 East Blaine St., Iron Mountain, Mich. General Cost: $30. Student/Child Cost: $10.

The Bergonzi will perform another children's concert at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, at Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St., Marquette. The concert is free.

At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, the Bergonzi String Quartet will perform at Reynolds Recital Hall, Lee Hall Drive and 7th Street, Marquette. General Cost: $30. Student/Child Cost: $10.

Finally, the Bergonzi will perform at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3, at the Calumet Theatre, 340 6th St., Calumet. General Cost: $30. Student/Child Cost: $10.

For more information about the Pine Mountain Music Festival, click here.

Wisconsin Public Radio: Documentary on Gogebic Taconite's proposed Penokee mine touring Wisconsin

View of the Penokee Hills in northern Wisconsin, where Gogebic Taconite (GTAC) plans to put a huge open pit iron mine.  (File photo © Pete Rasmussen, Moving Water Photography, and courtesy Penokee Hills Education Project. Reprinted with permission.)

NORTHERN WISCONSIN -- On Monday, July 28, John Munson of Wisconsin Public Radio (filling in for Joy Cardin) interviewed two filmmakers from Milwaukee-based 371 Productions concerning their Al Jazeera America Fault Lines documentary Wisconsin's Mining Standoff -- about Gogebic Taconite's (GTAC’s) controversial proposal to dig an open-pit iron mine in northern Wisconsin.

Brad Lichtenstein, writer and director of the film, and Devon Cupery, producer, told Munson they wanted to present the facts they researched for the film in order to inform the public -- not only local residents affected directly by the proposed project but people all over Wisconsin.

According to Cupery, they were aware of "passionate feelings on both sides of the issue" and they wanted the documentary to include both sides.

The film takes viewers to Wisconsin's Ashland and Iron Counties, where GTAC (a subsidiary of "Cline Resource and Development" of Florida) has set off a battle over the state’s natural resources by proposing to dig -- in Wisconsin's Penokee Hills -- what could be one North America’s largest open pit mines. The film explores the potential impacts of the mine and how legislation changed the state’s mining laws.

Lichtenstein said the filmmakers did research into GTAC's claims about their record and found them not to be true. In fact, the filmmakers confirmed serious violations of laws by the company's owner, Chris Cline, (in West Virginia and Illinois) and by GTAC President Bill Williams, who has been charged with environmental crimes in Spain.

Munson, noting he was from northern Wisconsin himself, said he was aware of the high unemployment rate in the area -- the need for jobs -- as well as the concerns about the potential environmental impacts and "boom and bust" economic impacts of the proposed mine.

This interview is still available on the Wisconsin Public Radio Web site.

About the film: "Fault Lines" correspondent Josh Rushing travels to Ashland and Iron Counties to report the story.

Viewers meet the players at the heart of the standoff, visiting a century-old, family-owned dairy farm that could be impacted by the mine. We hike deep in the woods in the harshest of winters to spend time with the Chippewa tribes who have set up an education and resistance camp to oppose the mine. The Bad River Chippewa tribe, who have lived in the region for generations, raise concerns that acid mine drainage would contaminate the water, fish and wild rice on which they depend. And we meet Leslie Kolesar, Chairwoman of the Iron County Mining Impact Committee, who tells "Fault Lines" the mine would bring 700 desperately needed jobs to a region with high unemployment.

"Fault Lines" talks to Wisconsin State Senator Bob Jauch, who opposes this mining project and tells the audience how GTAC ignored its critics. "Fault Lines" also interviews Bob Seitz, Director of External Affairs for GTAC, who denies allegations that the company had a hand in writing mining legislation and defends the company’s record of environmental and safety violations.

It’s an unfolding battle in a pristine wilderness where even the tiny Iron County board election attracts money from outsiders like the Koch brothers-funded Americans for Prosperity. This is a story about money and power versus environmental concerns and a way of life for thousands of local residents. It’s a story ultimately about the state of our democracy.

The 25-minute film is touring the state of Wisconsin this summer in a series of film screenings followed by community discussions and panels. The documentary premiered June 14, 2014, on Al Jazeera America’s award-winning investigative documentary program, "Fault Lines." It addresses a crucial issue for Wisconsinites heading to the polls in November for gubernatorial elections.

Screenings of the film began July 24. Several upcoming screenings in Wisconsin are planned or in the process of being planned. Others will be added as they are finalized. All are open to the public.

The following screenings are scheduled for August:

Wednesday, Aug. 13 -- Madeline Island -- Tom’s Burned Down Café, 9 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 14 -- Mellen -- Mellen Library, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 17 -- Montello -- MORE Healthy Foods Café, 4 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 28 -- Milwaukee -- St. John’s on the Lake, 3:30 p.m.

To obtain more details on screenings or to learn how you can arrange a screening of this film for your community click here.

UPDATE: Bad River Watershed Association recently hosted a showing of 371 Production's Wisconsin Mining Standoff run on Al Jazeera America. After the showing, there was a panel discussion with Tracy Hames, Wisconsin Wetlands Association; Pete Russo, Chair, Ashland County Board; Devon Cupery, producer; Charles Ortman, Ashland County Board; Mike Wiggins Jr, Chairman, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Sen. Bob Jauch (D-25). Allie Raven, member of Bad River Watershed Association and Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, facilitated the discussion. See 8 videoclips of the discussion, posted on YouTube. Click here for Part 1.

Finlandia Gallery hosts exhibit by Finnish artist Anna Alapuro through Sept. 12

HANCOCK -- "Anna Alapuro: Fragments from Mänttä" is on display through Sept. 12, 2014, at the Finlandia University Gallery, located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock.

Alapuro will travel from Finland to attend a closing reception at the gallery from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Mänttä, by Anna Alapuro. Carborundum print, 2013. (Photos courtesy Finlandia Gallery)

Alapuro's exhibit includes a series of 35 carborundum prints representing different views and fragments from Mänttä, a small forest/industrial town located in the Pirkanmaa region in central Finland. Seen together, these prints create a kind of memory map of Mänttä, delivering a colorful and impressionistic vision of the Finnish town.

Mänttä is home to a paper factory with declining employment and the town has become quiet.

"In my work I focus on the details of the small community, logos, structures of the factory buildings, designs of the products of the factory," said Alapuro. "Some of these are part of the common memory to all Finns, some are more difficult to identify."

Artist Anna Alapuro in her studio. 

Alapuro’s prints range from abstract to realistic; this contrast leaves the work open to different interpretations and fosters a sense of universality.

"Even if my work deals with a small Finnish community, it reflects the common experience of place and everyday life with its signs and decorations," notes Alapuro. "Hancock has many similarities to Mänttä; it is a small town with a great history of mining industry. In both towns, industry was blooming already over 100 years ago, and there were many Finnish workers in Hancock. This makes it interesting to bring these prints to Hancock."

Alapuro has her Bachelor of Art from the Lahti Institute of Fine Arts, and also completed studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary, and the Art School of Lahti. She is currently teaching at the Saimaa University of Applied Sciences, Programme of Visual Arts, Imatra. Her work has been exhibited widely in Finland and internationally -- including exhibits in Denmark, Estonia, Vietnam, China and Spain.

Her work is included in many art collections including Finlandia University, the State of Finland, the City of Helsinki, the Finnish Parliament Art Collection, the City of Tampere, the Oulu Art Museum and the Lahti Art Museum.

The Finlandia University Gallery is in the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy Street, Hancock. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by appointment.

For more information, call 906-487-7500.