HANCOCK -- The Hancock Chalet is now open on a daily basis for skier warmup, restroom use, etc. It is opened sometime in the morning and closed about dark.
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Hancock Chalet now open daily
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Happy holidays from Keweenaw Now!
This year we have tried to connect you with important issues and events -- not just in the Keweenaw, but also as far as New York and Normandy, thanks to our guest reporters and photographers and our news links on Facebook and Twitter.*
We welcome your letters and comments. Tell us what you like / don't like about our articles and offer us suggestions of what you'd like to see in 2015. Email us at andersm@pasty.com or post your comments on individual articles.
We wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year!
* In case you missed them, see our series of articles on the New York City People's Climate March -- a highlight of our 2014 news -- by clicking on our Dec. 9, 2014, article on the march and checking the links at the end for the three previous articles in the series. See also our slide show in honor of the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
Keweenaw Now photo: "Paloma de la paz," by Gustavo Bourdieu.
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Backroom Boys to play dance music New Year's Eve at Copper Island Beach Club
HANCOCK -- The Backroom Boys Jazz Band will play dance music from 8:30 p.m. to midnight on New Year's Eve -- Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Copper Island Beach Club in Hancock.
This time out, the Backroom Boys will be Bob "Smooth Slide" Norden -- trombone, vocals, and high-jinks; John "Mr. French Quarter" Munson -- clarinet, tenor sax, keyboard; Matthew "Matti Poika" Durocher, once again voted the Keweenaw's Best-Looking Fretless Bass Guitar Player; and Oren "Vieil Homme" Tikkanen -- guitar, banjo and vocals.
The Copper Island Beach Club is on the Hancock waterfront at the bottom of Tezcuco Street. No cover or admission charge!
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Calumet Art District to offer Omphale Reopening plus art exhibits, activities, receptions for First Friday, Jan. 2
CALUMET -- The Calumet Art District welcomes 2015 with a wide array of Gallery Shows and the reopening of the famous Omphale Gallery and Café this First Friday, Jan. 2.
Omphale Gallery and Café: Reopening, "Butterfly Show," live music
The Omphale Gallery and Café, at 431 Fifth St. in Calumet, is reopening with a new menu and a special First Friday meal, courtesy of Chef Mike Porter of the Eagle Café (Eagle Harbor) and the Miscowaubik Club.
During January and February, the Omphale gallery will feature "The Butterfly Show" with works by Karen Runvik and Miriam Pickens. Karen fills her transparent watercolors with vibrant colors and light as she enjoys capturing the essence of the beauty of flowers and their pollinators. She currently spends her time at her woodland studio in the the Baraga area. Miriam has been taking close-up photos of the butterflies of the Maasto Hiihto trails in Hancock. She has photographed over 50 species and incorporates these and other delightful creatures in her work with ceramics.
The two will be presenting their works this First Friday evening, Jan. 2. During the Opening, enjoy the live music, visit with the artists and view their matted photographs, prints and portfolios. Please call Chef Mike at 235-9191 for more information.
Update: According to their Facebook page, the Omphale is now called the Omphale Restaurant and Gallery. Reservations are appreciated for dinner. Visit their Facebook page for the tentative menu.
Calumet Art Center: Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 2
The Calumet Art Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on First Friday, Jan. 2, but will be closed for the evening. Karena Schmidt is offering a felted mittens class on Thursday evenings in January and February, and there are still a few openings. The staff at the Calumet Art Center wishes you a Happy New Year, and will see you at First Friday in February. For more information call 934-2228.
Paige Wiard Gallery: Opening Reception
For the month of January the Paige Wiard Gallery, 109 Fifth St., will be showing work from the talented artists that can be found in the gallery every day! Stop in and show your support for the artists that make this gallery so special. An opening reception will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. First Friday, Jan. 2. For more information call 906-337-5970 or email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com.
Galerie Bohème: Group show
Galerie Bohème is pleased to bring you a group show featuring multiple local artists. Check out the six-foot-long sturgeon that Tom Rudd just completed. The opening reception will be from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 906-369-4087.
Galerie Bohème is at 423 Fifth St. in Calumet.
Copper Country Associated Artists : Dry wall carving
Dry wall carving will be the featured activity at Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) for First Friday, Jan. 2. Learn how to create a beautiful carved tile from a material that is readily available as scrap. As this requires the use of exacto-knives, participants will be restricted to older teens and adults. All materials will be provided, and the activity will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
During the winter, the CCAA Gallery will be open most Thursdays from 11 a.m. - noon and on first Fridays from about 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. as well as for special events such as the Copperdog 150.
The CCAA Gallery is at 205 Fifth St. Call 337-1252 for more information.
Cross Country Sports: Art by Greg Green
For the month of January, Cross Country Sports will feature new works by Calumet master painter Greg Green. His new paintings, titled "Winter, Buddha, and a Trip to the Circus," celebrate paint, shapes and color in an abstract expressionist style. Enjoy an open house, refreshments and talk with Greg from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2.
Cross Country Sports is at 507 Oak Street in Calumet.
Hahn Hammered Copper: New found objects
Hahn Hammered Copper will be participating in the Marquette-based "100 Day Project" again this year. The Hahns will be "Exploring Beauty" in the found object and will have new works on display monthly from now until the Spring Equinox. Stop in on First Friday and help guess the little brass Mystery Object. Whatever your taste, you're sure to find something at Hahn Hammered Copper, 203 Fifth Street.
Café Rosetta: Poetry Reading; art by Chris Schmidt
Café Rosetta is pleased to host a Community Poetry Reading and Original Short Stories, open mic beginning at 6 p.m. on First Friday, Jan. 2.
During the month of January, the art of Chris Schmidt, longtime bicycle racer and avid photographer, will be featured. Inspired by the Tour de France, Schmidt has been photographing races and creating posters, flyers and t-shirts. A winter collection of skiing and cycling images in photography and graphic art will be on display at Café Rosetta, 104 Fifth Street, during January.
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Just Keweenaw project seeks to promote Copper Country, support community charities; fundraising deadline: Jan. 8, 2015
Local residents Jonathan Soper and Michael Juntunen are opening a store in Calumet along with a website (justkeweenaw.com) to promote the Keweenaw and give back to the community by utilizing their current web development and graphic design business, Base Nine Studios (baseninestudios.com). They have been working with other local businesses, merchants, metalsmiths, printers, and artists -- all of whom are very excited about participating in this project.
This conglomerated effort will produce high quality shirts, coats, drinkware, jewelry, and crafts -- all created locally by folks we know, thus ensuring that everything offered from Just Keweenaw is built to last. Just Keweenaw aims to donate five percent of all future monthly sales to local charities and to showcase them on the Just Keweenaw website and social media in order to raise public awareness about organizations that need help.
"We'll be working to benefit the artists -- that's our mission," Soper explains. "And we'll be selling both on the website and in the Calumet storefront."
Just Keweenaw is currently raising startup funds on Kickstarter.com, a popular crowd-funding website. When you make a pledge on Kickstarter, you'll receive rewards in return. You are not charged until, and only if, the project reaches its funding goal.
The deadline for this Kickstarter fund raiser is next Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015.
Everyone is encouraged to visit JustKeweenaw.com, watch the video, like their Facebook page, and make a small pledge on Kickstarter if possible -- by Jan. 8. Just Keweenaw is working hard to meet their funding goal by the Jan. 8 deadline. They are confident that people will love to show off their Keweenaw pride with style.*
Jonathan Soper and Michael Juntunen live in the Keweenaw and have 30 years’ experience in marketing, business management, design and interactive development. Base Nine Studios has developed websites for many local businesses -- including The Michigan House (michiganhousecafe.com); Carmelita's, a Southwestern Grille (carmelitasasouthwesterngrille.com); and Fitzgerald's Restaurant/Eagle River Inn (eagleriverinn.com).
* Click hereto go directly to Just Keweenaw's Kickstarter page and learn more about the project and rewards for supporters!
(Just Keweenaw logo courtesy Jonathan Soper.)
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Dance Zone Marquette offers week of dance activities beginning Jan. 4
- TONIGHT, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, 6 p.m. -- Free Trial Session Waltz and Fox Trot. The actual class begins on Sunday, Jan. 11, also at 6 p.m.
- Monday, Jan. 5 -- Square dancing at 7:30 p.m. with class at 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Jan. 6 -- International Folk Dancing at 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 7 -- Choreographed Ballroom (Round) Dancing at the Jacobetti Center on Fisher Street (Rec room in lower level), 6:45 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 8 -- First session of the Ballroom Basics dance class (6 session class), 7 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 9 -- Contra dance with All Strings Considered, 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Jan. 10 -- Ballroom dance with Blue Champagne, 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
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Houghton Energy Efficiency Team to meet TODAY, Jan. 6, at Portage Library; team leaders sought
HOUGHTON -- The Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) will meet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. TODAY, Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the Portage Lake District Library in Houghton. All are welcome to attend this important meeting.
Key on the agenda is to slate the leaders who will guide HEET's efforts moving forward to implement the Community Energy Plan. Interested persons are asked to consider taking on a leadership position and/or recommending others in the broader community who they know would do a good job.
You may read the job descriptions and make nominations and self nominations online at: http://houghtonenergyefficiency.com/leadership/*
Houghton County is one of 50 official semifinalist communities in the Georgetown University Energy Prize! This means Houghton County is in the two-year long competition to reduce energy usage. Leaders for implementing HEET's Community Energy Plan could be key to winning the prize.**
* NOTE: This link, previously accessible only within Michigan Tech, is now open to all. HEET apologizes for this inconvenience.
** More on this prize coming soon!
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Houghton County Dems to host Solar Power presentation TONIGHT, Jan. 7, at Super 8
HOUGHTON -- The first regular membership meeting of the Houghton County Democratic Party in 2015 will be held at 7 p.m. TONIGHT, Wednesday, Jan. 7, in the conference room of the Super 8 Motel in Houghton. Members and friends are welcome.
Did you see that glimpse of sunshine this week? What better time to celebrate the sun in January than to find out how solar power is easier and more affordable than you think?
The meeting will feature a presentation by Abhilash "Abhi" Kantamnemi, a research engineer at the Keweenaw Research Center. He has done extensive research into the viability of solar power in the Upper Peninsula and has helped several area residents install solar power for themselves.
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Abhilash (Abhi) Kantamneni, second from left, joins in a discussion during the Oct. 3, 2014, Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) core leadership team meeting at Portage Lake District Library. (Keweenaw Now file photo)
"The basics of solar is really pretty straightforward; a lot of people in the area have installed solar themselves," Kantamnemi said. "Your installs could be 50 percent cheaper if you DIY (do it yourself)."
His presentation will feature an idea to start solar "co-ops," in which interested parties can put in a bulk order to save on costs and shipping charges.
For those who might be interested in obtaining solar power but may want a professional installation Kantamnemi suggested Dave Camps at Blue Terra (906-231-3995) in Hancock or Ian Olmsted from Marquette (517-242-2558).
More information can be obtained at www.SolarizeHoughton.org .
Did you see that glimpse of sunshine this week? What better time to celebrate the sun in January than to find out how solar power is easier and more affordable than you think?
The meeting will feature a presentation by Abhilash "Abhi" Kantamnemi, a research engineer at the Keweenaw Research Center. He has done extensive research into the viability of solar power in the Upper Peninsula and has helped several area residents install solar power for themselves.
"The basics of solar is really pretty straightforward; a lot of people in the area have installed solar themselves," Kantamnemi said. "Your installs could be 50 percent cheaper if you DIY (do it yourself)."
His presentation will feature an idea to start solar "co-ops," in which interested parties can put in a bulk order to save on costs and shipping charges.
For those who might be interested in obtaining solar power but may want a professional installation Kantamnemi suggested Dave Camps at Blue Terra (906-231-3995) in Hancock or Ian Olmsted from Marquette (517-242-2558).
More information can be obtained at www.SolarizeHoughton.org .
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MDEQ to hold public hearing on Humboldt Mill surface water discharge permit Jan. 13
MARQUETTE -- The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) will hold a public hearing on the proposed surface water discharge permit for the Eagle Mine - Humboldt Mill in Marquette County beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at the Westwood High School Auditorium, 300 Westwood Dr., in Ishpeming.
A brief presentation, beginning at 6 p.m., will be followed by a question-and-answer session. The hearing will begin no later than 7 p.m., but may begin earlier. The hearing will end at 9 p.m. and the building vacated by 10 p.m. All interested parties are invited to attend.
Comments or objections to the draft permit and proposed decision regarding the Antidegradation Demonstration received by January 16, 2015, will be considered in the final decision to issue the permit.
Eagle Mine, LLC, operates the Humboldt Mill and the associated tailings disposal facility to process copper and nickel ores. The applicant discharges treated process wastewater, treated laboratory wastewater, and treated water treatment backwash through a pipeline to the wetland contiguous to the Middle Branch Escanaba River in the SW1/4, SE1/4, and in the NE1/4, SE1/4, Section 2, Town 47 N, Range 29 W, Marquette County. This draft permit, a renewal of Eagle Mine's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, includes several modifications on the previously issued permit.
Steve Casey, MDEQ Upper Peninsula District Supervisor, Water Resources Division, said the increase in discharge by the Mill required Eagle Mine to submit an Antidegradation Demonstration.
"Anytime there is an increased discharge, water quality will be lowered," Casey told Keweenaw Now. "We believe the proposed permit and the Antidegradation Demonstration both meet the requirements of the statute."
Two complaints about the water level from discharge into wetlands led to Eagle adding a pipe under U.S. 41 to take some of the treated discharge from the Mill to wetlands that are adjacent to the Middle Branch Escanaba River, Casey explained. Originally the discharge went through culverts from wetlands near the Humboldt pit under the highway to wetlands on the north side of U.S. 41. Some of the increased discharge will continue to take that route and some will go through the pipe.
The DEQ Public Notice on this permit states, "This draft permit authorizes an increased loading of pollutants to the wetland contiguous to the Middle Branch Escanaba River, which will lower the water quality with respect to certain parameters. The permitted discharge shall not lower the existing water quality of the receiving water below State Water Quality Standards."*
Casey also commented on the new discharge limits on various pollutants.
"The limits they are required to meet are protective of water quality in both the wetlands and the river," he said.*
Save the Wild U.P concerned about water quality degradation
Urging concerned citizens to attend the Jan. 13 hearing, Save the Wild U.P. recently made these comments on the proposed permit renewal: "Serious, unresolved environmental issues plague the Humboldt Mill. Tailings produced by Eagle will be deposited into the existing pit, adding to legacy contamination. There is an ongoing investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the mill’s status as a superfund site. An outflow pipe was built between the tailings pit and wetlands of the Escanaba River without permits or public involvement. As proposed, the NPDES permit for Eagle Mine - Humboldt Mill will degrade water quality in the Escanaba River."
Concerning the EPA investigation, Casey noted he was present when EPA officials and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) tribal staff toured Humboldt facilities last fall, to provide historical information from his long experience with the Humboldt site, but he was not present when EPA met with KBIC officials afterwards.
"They (EPA staff) did not share any conclusions with me," Casey said.
Eagle Mine: Water treatment plant surpasses standards
Eagle Mine also issued a statement concerning the proposed permit: "Since the issuance of the original NPDES permit additional background and operational data has been collected. This data helps ensure the permit conditions align with the operation. For example, the new permit would allow for an increase in discharge volume and a second discharge location which provides operational flexibility and allows for better water management.
"The renewed permit would not change the operation of the water treatment plant. The plant has had an exceptional performance record and continues to treat and discharge water that surpasses NPDES water quality standards."
MDEQ: Eagle's Antidegradation Demonstration "adequate"
MDEQ also states this in the public notice: "The Department proposes that the applicant’s
Antidegradation Demonstration, based on information required by Subrule (4) of R323.1098, shows that lowering of water quality is necessary to support the identified important social and economic development in the area. This is solely for purposes of satisfying state water quality regulations and is not intended to supplant local requirements, including land use or zoning laws. It is not, and should not be construed as, a finding by the Department that the proposed development meets local requirements or ordinances. In addition to the proposed permit, the Department is proposing to accept the Antidegradation Demonstration as adequate."*
Casey also confirmed that, during the Jan. 13 hearing, MDEQ will give an update on the groundwater discharge permit for Eagle Mine, which was the subject of the March 25, 2014, MDEQ public hearing at Westwood High School.
"We had a lot of good comments, and we made changes with regard to those comments -- which took a long time," Casey said. "There's one unresolved issue that we'll talk about on Tuesday (Jan. 13)."**
Notes:
* Click hereto read more details on the permit in the MDEQ Public Notice.
** See our April 1, 2014, article on the March 25, 2014, public hearing: "Citizens question, challenge MDEQ proposed Groundwater Discharge Permit for Eagle Mine."
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Houghton County to be announced Jan. 14 as semifinalist for $5 million Georgetown University Energy Prize
HOUGHTON -- Residents of Houghton County are taking charge of their power bills, thanks to the efforts of the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET). On Wednesday, Jan. 14, Houghton County will be announced as one of 50 semifinalists for the Georgetown University Energy Prize (GUEP), a nationwide competition challenging communities across the USA to reduce energy consumption. The community which most drastically reduces energy consumption will be the winner of a $5 million dollar prize.
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Houghton County’s entry is an initiative launched and led by Michigan Tech computer science graduate student Abhilash Kantamneni (pictured here), with the support and help of the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET), the Houghton County Board of Commissioners and many Michigan Tech and community individuals and groups.
Photo: Abhilash ("Abhi") Kantamneni is pictured here at a HEET meeting during discussion of Houghton County's energy efficiency initiative mission statement and energy plan. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)
A kick-off event will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the circuit courtroom, Houghton County Courthouse, 401 E. Houghton Avenue in Houghton. The event is open to the public.
A selected group of speakers will describe their excitement for the GUEP competition, pledge their support, and encourage the community to participate. After the event, a photo will be taken on the steps of the Houghton County Courthouse (weather permitting) with speakers and any community leaders who wish to participate. Bakery will be provided by Roy's Pasties and Bakery and Suomi Home Bakery and Restaurant.
HEET will partner with utilities and other groups to expand upon the work already being done, as well as explore alternative energy sources in order to reduce energy consumption, and more importantly power bills, in Houghton County for the two-year duration of the competition.
"This is a community effort," Houghton County Commissioner Scott Ala said, "This is a chance for the residents of Houghton County to be involved in something that will benefit the entire community."
This comes as timely news for Houghton County as the residents of the Upper Peninsula wonder whether their power rates will spike given the uncertain future of the Presque Isle Power Plant. The UP already pays some of the highest power rates in the country. Only Hawaii has more expensive electricity.
"The whole project has been gathering momentum and it’s good to see," said Bruce Woodry, Chairman and CEO of the Sigma Capital Group and a member of HEET’s Community Action Board. "Everybody wins on this deal. The community will win and individuals who winterize or have energy savings will win, period."
The community is encouraged to help win the Prize for Houghton County by taking some simple actions at home, such as caulking windows and doors and turning down the thermostat at night.
"Houghton County, as well as mayors and executives from across the country, have told us that the Prize gives them the momentum to accelerate their energy efficiency efforts," said Dr. Francis Slakely, Founder and Executive Director of the Georgetown University Energy Prize. "These semifinalist communities are leading the way for other small and medium size cities and counties to secure their energy future."
The local business community has already taken a step in jump-starting this effort for Houghton County residents by offering a 10 percent discount on weatherization products for anyone mentioning HEET at the time of purchase.
Efficiency UNITED Booths
Efficiency UNITED is a state and utility partnership program that helps people and businesses to become more energy efficient. They will have representatives in Houghton and Hancock Wednesday, Jan. 14, and Thursday, Jan. 15, to discuss the multiple rebates and programs they offer to Semco and UPPCO customers. They will also be selling energy efficient items (like LED light bulbs and low-flow showerheads) at cost.
Here are the locations:
Local hardware stores have agreed to provide a 10 percent discount on "consumable" energy efficiency products (CFL and LED light bulbs, winterization supplies, etc.) from January 14-31 for customers who request the HEET (Houghton Energy Efficiency Team) discount.
Dates: January 14-31
Participating Stores: Swift’s Hardware, Houghton; Risto’s Hardware, Hancock; Ace Hardware, Calumet.
Learn more at energizehoughton.org
For more information about HEET’s efforts and ways to get involved in saving money on your utility bills while winning the Prize for Houghton County, visit www.energizehoughton.org to stay on top of the latest ideas and opportunities HEET will be acting on locally or contact Robert Handler by email at rhandler@mtu.edu.
"The competition looks truly like America," said Dr. Slakely. "Not only do these communities come from across the map, they come from across the political spectrum, represent all socioeconomic strata and include demographically diverse populations. Some are paying the highest prices for energy; some have the ambition to be carbon net-zero, but all communities share the goal of transforming America’s energy future."
To learn more about the Georgetown University Energy Prize and to track the competition’s progress, visit www.guep.org, or follow the Prize on Twitter @GUEnergyPrize or on Facebook www.facebook.com/guenergyprize.
*Information on Efficiency UNITED can be found at www.efficiencyunited.com.
Photo: Abhilash ("Abhi") Kantamneni is pictured here at a HEET meeting during discussion of Houghton County's energy efficiency initiative mission statement and energy plan. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)
A kick-off event will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the circuit courtroom, Houghton County Courthouse, 401 E. Houghton Avenue in Houghton. The event is open to the public.
A selected group of speakers will describe their excitement for the GUEP competition, pledge their support, and encourage the community to participate. After the event, a photo will be taken on the steps of the Houghton County Courthouse (weather permitting) with speakers and any community leaders who wish to participate. Bakery will be provided by Roy's Pasties and Bakery and Suomi Home Bakery and Restaurant.
HEET will partner with utilities and other groups to expand upon the work already being done, as well as explore alternative energy sources in order to reduce energy consumption, and more importantly power bills, in Houghton County for the two-year duration of the competition.
"This is a community effort," Houghton County Commissioner Scott Ala said, "This is a chance for the residents of Houghton County to be involved in something that will benefit the entire community."
This comes as timely news for Houghton County as the residents of the Upper Peninsula wonder whether their power rates will spike given the uncertain future of the Presque Isle Power Plant. The UP already pays some of the highest power rates in the country. Only Hawaii has more expensive electricity.
"The whole project has been gathering momentum and it’s good to see," said Bruce Woodry, Chairman and CEO of the Sigma Capital Group and a member of HEET’s Community Action Board. "Everybody wins on this deal. The community will win and individuals who winterize or have energy savings will win, period."
The community is encouraged to help win the Prize for Houghton County by taking some simple actions at home, such as caulking windows and doors and turning down the thermostat at night.
"Houghton County, as well as mayors and executives from across the country, have told us that the Prize gives them the momentum to accelerate their energy efficiency efforts," said Dr. Francis Slakely, Founder and Executive Director of the Georgetown University Energy Prize. "These semifinalist communities are leading the way for other small and medium size cities and counties to secure their energy future."
The local business community has already taken a step in jump-starting this effort for Houghton County residents by offering a 10 percent discount on weatherization products for anyone mentioning HEET at the time of purchase.
Efficiency UNITED Booths
Efficiency UNITED is a state and utility partnership program that helps people and businesses to become more energy efficient. They will have representatives in Houghton and Hancock Wednesday, Jan. 14, and Thursday, Jan. 15, to discuss the multiple rebates and programs they offer to Semco and UPPCO customers. They will also be selling energy efficient items (like LED light bulbs and low-flow showerheads) at cost.
Here are the locations:
- 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 14 -- Pat's Foods in Hancock.
- 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15 -- Econo Foods in Houghton.
Local hardware stores have agreed to provide a 10 percent discount on "consumable" energy efficiency products (CFL and LED light bulbs, winterization supplies, etc.) from January 14-31 for customers who request the HEET (Houghton Energy Efficiency Team) discount.
Dates: January 14-31
Participating Stores: Swift’s Hardware, Houghton; Risto’s Hardware, Hancock; Ace Hardware, Calumet.
Learn more at energizehoughton.org
For more information about HEET’s efforts and ways to get involved in saving money on your utility bills while winning the Prize for Houghton County, visit www.energizehoughton.org to stay on top of the latest ideas and opportunities HEET will be acting on locally or contact Robert Handler by email at rhandler@mtu.edu.
"The competition looks truly like America," said Dr. Slakely. "Not only do these communities come from across the map, they come from across the political spectrum, represent all socioeconomic strata and include demographically diverse populations. Some are paying the highest prices for energy; some have the ambition to be carbon net-zero, but all communities share the goal of transforming America’s energy future."
To learn more about the Georgetown University Energy Prize and to track the competition’s progress, visit www.guep.org, or follow the Prize on Twitter @GUEnergyPrize or on Facebook www.facebook.com/guenergyprize.
*Information on Efficiency UNITED can be found at www.efficiencyunited.com.
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MDOT Traffic alert: M-26 detoured for Portage Lake Lift Bridge project
HANCOCK -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be detouring northbound M-26 traffic in the city of Houghton beginning TODAY, Wednesday, Jan. 14.
As part of ongoing bridge maintenance work, the M-26 northbound ramp onto the bridge in the city of Houghton will be closed until further notice. Traffic will be rerouted through downtown Houghton.
Motorists also should expect a single-lane closure of the outside northbound lane on the bridge. Both southbound lanes will be reopened Wednesday morning.
UPDATE from Tech Today: Change in Portage Lake Lift Bridge Closures
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will close the US-41/M-26 Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock for 10 hours beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17. The bridge is scheduled to reopen at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18. The hockey game on Saturday, Jan. 17, has been moved to 5:07 p.m. to accommodate Huskies fans north of the bridge. In case of a weather delay, an alternate bridge closure date of Jan. 24 has been set.
Short Closures Schedule Change
The contractor has notified MDOT the previously scheduled four two-hour closures for Jan. 20, 21, 22, and 23 from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. will need to be rescheduled. The two-hour closures will be announced at a later date.
In addition to the Saturday, Jan. 17, closure, motorists should expect:
As part of ongoing bridge maintenance work, the M-26 northbound ramp onto the bridge in the city of Houghton will be closed until further notice. Traffic will be rerouted through downtown Houghton.
Motorists also should expect a single-lane closure of the outside northbound lane on the bridge. Both southbound lanes will be reopened Wednesday morning.
UPDATE from Tech Today: Change in Portage Lake Lift Bridge Closures
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will close the US-41/M-26 Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock for 10 hours beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17. The bridge is scheduled to reopen at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18. The hockey game on Saturday, Jan. 17, has been moved to 5:07 p.m. to accommodate Huskies fans north of the bridge. In case of a weather delay, an alternate bridge closure date of Jan. 24 has been set.
Short Closures Schedule Change
The contractor has notified MDOT the previously scheduled four two-hour closures for Jan. 20, 21, 22, and 23 from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. will need to be rescheduled. The two-hour closures will be announced at a later date.
In addition to the Saturday, Jan. 17, closure, motorists should expect:
- Nearly 170 intermittent 15- to 20-minute closures from January to March, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- One 11-and-a-half-hour closure on March 21 from 9 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. with an alternate date of March 28 in case of weather delay.
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Contra Dance to be held TONIGHT, Jan. 14, at Finnish American Heritage Center
HANCOCK -- A Copper Country Contra Dance will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. TONIGHT, Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy Street, Hancock.
Colin Hoekje provide instruction and call the dances. The Thimbleberry Band will provide live music. No need to bring a partner -- everybody dances with everyone else. Admission is $6 per person. Great wood floor for dancing!
Colin Hoekje provide instruction and call the dances. The Thimbleberry Band will provide live music. No need to bring a partner -- everybody dances with everyone else. Admission is $6 per person. Great wood floor for dancing!
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Hancock researcher, author to speak at Houghton-Keweenaw County Genealogical Society meeting Jan. 15
HOUGHTON -- The Houghton-Keweenaw County Genealogical Society will hold its first meeting of 2015 at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 [NOT THE NORMAL MEETING DAY], at the Portage Lake District Library, in Houghton.
The meeting will feature a presentation by John Haeussler, author of Images of America: Hancock (published by Arcadia Publishing in 2014, part of Arcadia's Images of America series). The presentation will be a discussion of images of early Hancock: virtually all pre-1940, many pre-1900.
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At a Hancock Fire Dept. Pancake Breakfast in October 2013, Hancock researcher and former City Councilor John Haeussler (center) chats with City Councilor John Slivon, right, and Ann Pace (Slivon's wife) about Hancock history and the Hancock Sesquicentennial book, to which Haeussler, Sesquicentennial Committee chairman, contributed significantly. Haeussler will speak about his book, Images of America: Hancock, at the Houghton-Keweenaw County Genealogical Society meeting Thursday, Jan. 15, at Portage Lake District Library. (Keweenaw Now file photo)
In addition to showing a few of his favorite images, Haeussler plans to focus on looking at the detail within the images, at times looking at as many as six-to-eight items within a single image. One "sidebar" topic will be a series of images in which the Norwegian Lutheran Free Church appears. Four ca. 1880 images from the Smithsonian will also be included. There will be time for Questions and Answers, and audience participation will be highly encouraged. Books will be available for purchase and can be signed.
John Haeussler is an academic researcher. He moved to Hancock in 2007 and recently completed a four-year term on the Hancock City Council. Haeussler continues to serve on multiple local governmental boards. He was Committee Chair of the City's Sesquicentennial in 2013, and co-editor and co-author of the City of Hancock's Book, Hidden Gems and Towering Tales: A Hancock Michigan Anthology.
The meeting is open to the public. For further information, call 369-4083 or emailHKCGSociety@gmail.com.
The meeting will feature a presentation by John Haeussler, author of Images of America: Hancock (published by Arcadia Publishing in 2014, part of Arcadia's Images of America series). The presentation will be a discussion of images of early Hancock: virtually all pre-1940, many pre-1900.
In addition to showing a few of his favorite images, Haeussler plans to focus on looking at the detail within the images, at times looking at as many as six-to-eight items within a single image. One "sidebar" topic will be a series of images in which the Norwegian Lutheran Free Church appears. Four ca. 1880 images from the Smithsonian will also be included. There will be time for Questions and Answers, and audience participation will be highly encouraged. Books will be available for purchase and can be signed.
John Haeussler is an academic researcher. He moved to Hancock in 2007 and recently completed a four-year term on the Hancock City Council. Haeussler continues to serve on multiple local governmental boards. He was Committee Chair of the City's Sesquicentennial in 2013, and co-editor and co-author of the City of Hancock's Book, Hidden Gems and Towering Tales: A Hancock Michigan Anthology.
The meeting is open to the public. For further information, call 369-4083 or emailHKCGSociety@gmail.com.
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State Rep. Scott Dianda takes oath of office, announces Committee assignments
LANSING – State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) was sworn in Jan. 14 beginning his second term at the official opening of the 98th session of the Michigan House of Representatives at the state Capitol in Lansing. Dianda’s House District 110 covers the western Upper Peninsula counties of Keweenaw, Houghton, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Iron and Baraga as well as part of Marquette County.
"I'm an honored that the residents of House District 110 have sent me back to Lansing to continue working on the issues that are important to our U.P. communities," said Dianda.
In his first term, Dianda fought for proposals to improve U.P. communities including tax relief for middle-class families and helped convince Gov. Rick Snyder to declare a state of emergency after brutally cold temperatures caused frozen and burst water pipes in many U.P. communities. He also fought for fair distribution of Michigan Department of Transportation road funding.*
Dianda's Committee assignments
For the new legislative session, Dianda will be the Democratic minority vice chairman of the Regulatory Reform Committee and will serve as a member of the Energy and Transportation Committees.
"I am pleased to be the Democratic vice chairman of regulatory reform, and I look forward to working with my House colleagues on establishing sensible regulations that work for our communities. As a small businesses man myself, I will always be the private sector guy looking for ways to make Michigan a better place for small businesses," said Dianda. "I look forward to working on the energy committee to lower costs for the U.P. and generate power in the Upper Peninsula. As we saw last winter, and as we are seeing now over the issue of energy generating plants, U.P. residents have unique issues and needs. As a member of the transportation committee, I will be working with the Michigan Department of Transportation to reduce costs and find more cost savings before the May ballot vote on transportation funding. I am eager and ready to get to work."
The House Regulatory Reform Committee handles legislation covering many different areas including, to name just a few, licensing requirements for occupations, regulating athletic contests such as boxing and mixed martial arts, liquor license regulations and other liquor related issues and construction code regulations. The House Energy Committee considers legislation including utilities and current methods of energy generation as well as new ways of generating energy. The House Transportation Committee considers legislation that affects both state and locally maintained highways, roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure, as well as licensing and traffic control issues.
"I will continue to put U.P. residents and our unique needs first as we debate legislation at the state Capitol," Dianda added. "I encourage people to contact me with their thoughts and ideas through email, my website or by phone. My staff and I are always ready to hear new ideas and to offer our help to people trying to navigate their way through state government."
Dianda can be contacted toll-free by phone at (888) 663-4031, by email at ScottDianda@house.mi.gov and through his website at www.dianda.housedems.com.
* Editor's Note: See our Nov. 27, 2014, article, "State Rep. Scott Dianda notes concerns about clean energy, road improvement, public transit, more ..."
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Michigan Tech observes Martin Luther King Day today
From Tech Today
Posted Jan. 19, 2015
HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech and its Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) will observe Martin Luther King Day today, with the third annual MLK Day of Service, an MLK Banquet and an interfaith worship service and candlelight vigil.
Approximately 40 student volunteers will visit Houghton Elementary School and Barkell Elementary School in Hancock, where they will read books to the children about Martin Luther King's life. They will be at the schools between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The MLK Banquet is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Tickets are free but must be picked up in advance from CDI. The keynote banquet speaker is Daymond Glenn, vice president for community life, chief diversity officer and assistant professor of urban studies at Warner Pacific College. A student, Nathan Shaiyen, will sing and a student jazz group will perform.
Immediately following the banquet, the Cooperative Campus Ministry will host an interfaith worship service with students from various faith backgrounds sharing insights about their faith as it relates to Martin Luther King and peace. A candlelight vigil will follow the service.
Posted Jan. 19, 2015
HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech and its Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) will observe Martin Luther King Day today, with the third annual MLK Day of Service, an MLK Banquet and an interfaith worship service and candlelight vigil.
Approximately 40 student volunteers will visit Houghton Elementary School and Barkell Elementary School in Hancock, where they will read books to the children about Martin Luther King's life. They will be at the schools between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The MLK Banquet is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Tickets are free but must be picked up in advance from CDI. The keynote banquet speaker is Daymond Glenn, vice president for community life, chief diversity officer and assistant professor of urban studies at Warner Pacific College. A student, Nathan Shaiyen, will sing and a student jazz group will perform.
Immediately following the banquet, the Cooperative Campus Ministry will host an interfaith worship service with students from various faith backgrounds sharing insights about their faith as it relates to Martin Luther King and peace. A candlelight vigil will follow the service.
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Water expert Wendy Pabich to speak TONIGHT at Finnish American Heritage Center
Pabich is an environmental scientist, speaker, educator, adventurer and artist obsessed with all things water. As the founder and president of Water Futures, Pabich works to find innovative solutions to one of the planet's most pressing problems -- the quest for sustainable water.
The Servant Leadership House at Finlandia is an intentional residential experience built on the core commitments of service, leadership and community. The house, with up to six female students each year calling it home, was established in the fall of 2014 after the hard work of many people came together to help restore the former Robinson House.
As part of the experience for the students this year, they are studying the topic of water, which includes reading Pabich's book Taking on Water. In it she shares her story of attempting to measure and reduce her own water footprint in her day-to-day household water needs, the food she consumes and the clothes she wears. Mixed in with the facts and figures of how water permeates our lives, Pabich offers suggestions for small, but important, changes everyone can make toward changing our wasteful water habits.
Copies of Pabich's book can be found at Finlandia's Sulo and Aileen Maki Library or at Finlandia's bookstore, North Wind Books.
Learn more about Pabich at waterdeva.com. Read about Water Futures at waterfuturesinc.com and Finlandia's Servant Leadership House at finlandia.edu/servantleadershiphouse.
Inset photo of Wendy Pabich courtesy Finlandia University.
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Houghton County, HEET celebrate semifinalist status for Georgetown University Energy Prize competition
By Michele Bourdieu
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At their Jan. 14, 2015, celebration in the Houghton County Courthouse, Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) members and visitors pose for photos with a banner announcing Houghton County's semifinalist status in the Georgetown University Energy Prize competition. (Photo by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now)
HOUGHTON -- The Houghton County Courthouse was the scene of a celebration on Jan. 14, 2015, as members and community supporters of the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) formally announced that Houghton County has been included as one of 50 communities competing nationally for the Georgetown University Energy Prize (GUEP) -- $5 million for the best achievement in energy efficiency.
Since September 2014, HEET has worked on a long-term Energy Plan for Houghton County, which they submitted to GUEP.* Now that the competition has entered the two-year semifinalist stage, from January 2015 to December 2016, the challenge is to implement the plan in order to reduce utility-supplied energy consumption in a manner that is likely to yield continuing improvements within this community and replication in other communities. To determine finalists and winners, GUEP has restricted community energy consumption measurements to energy supplied by gas and electric utilities directly to all residential and municipal customers.**
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At the Sept. 17, 2014, Community Visioning Meeting for Saving Energy, held at the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock, HEET organizer Abhilash ("Abhi") Kantamneni, a PhD student in Computer Science at Michigan Tech and a researcher in solar energy, points out that electric rates for the Upper Peninsula are among the highest in the U.S. (Photo by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now)
Richelle Winkler, Michigan Tech University assistant professor of sociology and demography, who has acted as a facilitator for the HEET meetings, welcomed HEET members and visitors to the Jan. 14 celebration and introduced speakers.
Abhilash "Abhi" Kantamneni, a PhD student in Computer Science at Michigan Tech and a researcher in solar energy, has been a lead organizer for the HEET group and their participation in the GUEP competition.
Here Winkler introduces Kantamneni at the Jan. 14 celebration:
Abhilash ("Abhi") Kantamneni, an organizer of the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team, speaks about the Georgetown University Energy Prize during a celebration at the Houghton County Courthouse marking Houghton County's status as one of 50 semifinalist communities in competition for the prize. (Videos by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now)
Following Abhi's introduction, Jay Meldrum, executive director of Michigan Tech's Keweenaw Research Center and an active member of the HEET group, read a letter of congratulations by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.
During the celebration of Houghton County as semifinalist in the Georgetown University Energy Prize competition, Jay Meldrum of the Keweenaw Research Center reads a letter of congratulations from Michigan's Gov. Rick Snyder.
Rick Kasprzak, Houghton County Democratic Party vice chair and a new member of HEET, announced that State Rep. Scott Dianda, while unable to attend the event since he was in legislative session in Lansing, is aware of HEET's work and very supportive of their efforts to empower Houghton County residents to take charge of their own utility bills.
Kasprzak later told Keweenaw Now he is extremely proud of Houghton County as one of the semifinalists in the GUEP competition.
"The competition for the Georgetown Prize will make the residents of Houghton County winners whether or not we are able to win the Prize, as everyone will benefit from learning how to conserve energy while putting money in our pockets," Kasprzak noted. "Although Houghton County is by far the most rural community competing for the Prize, Houghton County is also a community of resourceful and determined people, and I have every confidence when the residents of this county are inspired to take charge of their own utility bills they will rise to the top of the competition."
Other political figures -- Congressman Dan Benishek and State Senator Tom Casperson also sent messages of congratulations that were read to the audience.
The three local utilities, UPPCO, OCREA (electric) and SEMCO (gas) have worked with HEET to identify residential and municipal accounts within Houghton County limits.
The Houghton County Energy Plan provides information about energy data collection to be submitted to GUEP.* During the celebration, David McCowen, representing SEMCO ENERGY Natural Gas Company, spoke about SEMCO's role in helping to implement the Houghton County Energy Plan.
David McCowen, Key Accounts executive with SEMCO ENERGY, who is responsible for all new natural gas services in the SEMCO areas of the U.P., speaks about SEMCO's ongoing efforts to help customers with energy efficiency and SEMCO's support of the Houghton County Energy Plan.
Michigan Interfaith Power and Light has been working to help support HEET efforts. They recently granted funds for five local congregations to do energy audits and efficiency upgrades to their buildings. They are also doing an educational campaign on energy efficiency with members of these congregations this month.
At the HEET celebration, Bucky Beach, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Houghton, spoke about his church's commitment to improving energy efficiency in their building and educating the public about it.
Bucky Beach, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church pastor, addresses the audience during the Jan. 14 Georgetown University Energy Prize announcement in the Houghton County Courthouse. His church is one of several in the community tht are participating in the county's new Energy Plan by working on energy efficiency and educational programs.
Houghton County Commissioner Scott Ala, who has been working closely with the HEET group, gave the closing speech at the celebration in the Courthouse.
In his closing speech at the celebration, Houghton County Commissioner Scott Ala explains the purpose of HEET's Energy Plan for the county and the importance of community participation.
Local residents who have been involved with the HEET group were enthusiastic about the GUEP semifinalist qualification and the new Energy Plan.
"I am excited about the county-wide approach that is required by this project," said Carolyn Peterson of Houghton. "We can always use more practice in working with Copper Country residents who live in different neighborhoods."
HEET member Linda Belote of Hancock also shared her enthusiasm for the endeavor.
"This is very exciting," Belote said. "I think we have a good chance of winning because our community knows how to work together. This is an excellent challenge for us. Even if we aren't the top winners, we will still have gained a lot in the attempt."
Nominations for Energy Plan leadership positions still open
HEET will continue to lead and manage the Houghton County Energy Plan.* As stated in the plan, HEET's more than 60 volunteer members include municipal government officials, committed residents, utility executives, service organization leaders, university staff and students, and local business and school leaders.
On Jan. 6, 2015, a group of HEET members met to discuss the structure of leadership for implementing the County Energy Plan and to make suggestions for nominations to leadership positions.
Richelle Winkler outlined the structure, which will include a Community Advisory Board, an Energy Manager and volunteer coordinators for outreach/marketing, education, service organizations, alternative energy, energy efficiency, government, volunteers and fundraising. The Energy Manager position will be a part-time paid position, possibly to be funded by a $30,000 Joyce Foundation Grant recently awarded to the HEET group.
At the Jan. 6, 2015, meeting of HEET members, facilitator Richelle Winkler outlines the structure for leadership as the team prepares to nominate leaders to implement the new Houghton County Energy Plan.
While some nominations for these leadership positions have been made and accepted, the new HEET Web site offers an opportunity for additional online nominations for these positions.*** HEET invites interested persons to join the team or become involved with their efforts in various ways.
Community events coincide with HEET celebration
As part of the HEET celebration, businesses in Hancock and Houghton participated by promoting energy efficient products, and weatherization of a home in Calumet was sponsored by New Power Tour, Inc.
Efficiency UNITED, a state and utility partnership program that helps people and businesses to become more energy efficient, set up booths at Pat's Foods in Hancock and Econo Foods in Houghton to discuss the multiple rebates and programs they offer to Semco and UPPCO customers. They also sold energy efficient items to customers.****
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Efficiency UNITED representatives, from right, Wayne Formolo and Bill Wittenbach of Iron Mountain, talk to Bucky Beach, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church pastor, and Barbara Manninen of Hancock about energy efficient products and rebates at Pat's Foods in Hancock on Jan. 14. They also had a similar booth at Econo Foods in Houghton on Jan. 15 to help create awareness of their company's work. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)
Bucky Beach, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church pastor, bought eight LED lightbulbs at the booth at Pat's Foods.
"We're trying to go as energy efficient as we can at my church and at home," Beach said.
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Some of the energy efficient products being promoted by Efficiency UNITED include these LED light bulbs and night lights and a water saving shower. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)
Efficiency UNITED is in partnership with SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company and Upper Peninsula Power Company to help customers discover ways to save energy through innovative energy efficiency programs and educational tools such as online energy audits.
In addition, during the month of January, hardware stores in Houghton, Hancock and Calumet are offering a 10 percent discount on "consumable" energy efficiency products (CFL and LED light bulbs, winterization supplies, etc.) through Jan. 31, 2015, for customers who request the HEET (Houghton Energy Efficiency Team) discount.
Another event associated with the HEET celebration was a weatherization of a residence in Calumet last week by New Power Tour, Inc.
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During the Jan. 14 HEET celebration, Melissa Davis, managing director of New Power Tour, Inc., and a HEET member, speaks about the need for volunteers to help winterize homes through the New Power Tour program. (Photo by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now)
New Power Tour works with Construction Engineering students from Michigan Tech University, training high school students while winterizing the homes of low-income and elderly members of the local community. The project makes an economic and thermal difference in the lives of residents, and students learn skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.*****
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This ice dam caused damage to the roof and leaking water in the home of Loran and Shirley Kommes. New Power Tour volunteers spent a whole semester winterizing the house to solve the problem. (Photo © and courtesy New Power Tour, Inc. Reprinted with permission.)
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To solve the problem student volunteers insulated the attic with blueboard that they tacked down and sealed around the edges with spray foam. (Photo © and courtesy New Power Tour, Inc. Reprinted with permission.)
Notes:
* Click here to read the new Houghton County Energy Plan.
** Go to guep.org to learn more about the Georgetown University Energy Prize.
*** Click here to learn about the HEET leadership nominations and to become involved with the project.
**** Visit the Efficiency UNITED Web site for more information.
***** Click here to learn more about New Power Tour and their winterization program.
HOUGHTON -- The Houghton County Courthouse was the scene of a celebration on Jan. 14, 2015, as members and community supporters of the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) formally announced that Houghton County has been included as one of 50 communities competing nationally for the Georgetown University Energy Prize (GUEP) -- $5 million for the best achievement in energy efficiency.
Since September 2014, HEET has worked on a long-term Energy Plan for Houghton County, which they submitted to GUEP.* Now that the competition has entered the two-year semifinalist stage, from January 2015 to December 2016, the challenge is to implement the plan in order to reduce utility-supplied energy consumption in a manner that is likely to yield continuing improvements within this community and replication in other communities. To determine finalists and winners, GUEP has restricted community energy consumption measurements to energy supplied by gas and electric utilities directly to all residential and municipal customers.**
Richelle Winkler, Michigan Tech University assistant professor of sociology and demography, who has acted as a facilitator for the HEET meetings, welcomed HEET members and visitors to the Jan. 14 celebration and introduced speakers.
Abhilash "Abhi" Kantamneni, a PhD student in Computer Science at Michigan Tech and a researcher in solar energy, has been a lead organizer for the HEET group and their participation in the GUEP competition.
Here Winkler introduces Kantamneni at the Jan. 14 celebration:
Abhilash ("Abhi") Kantamneni, an organizer of the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team, speaks about the Georgetown University Energy Prize during a celebration at the Houghton County Courthouse marking Houghton County's status as one of 50 semifinalist communities in competition for the prize. (Videos by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now)
Following Abhi's introduction, Jay Meldrum, executive director of Michigan Tech's Keweenaw Research Center and an active member of the HEET group, read a letter of congratulations by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.
During the celebration of Houghton County as semifinalist in the Georgetown University Energy Prize competition, Jay Meldrum of the Keweenaw Research Center reads a letter of congratulations from Michigan's Gov. Rick Snyder.
Rick Kasprzak, Houghton County Democratic Party vice chair and a new member of HEET, announced that State Rep. Scott Dianda, while unable to attend the event since he was in legislative session in Lansing, is aware of HEET's work and very supportive of their efforts to empower Houghton County residents to take charge of their own utility bills.
Kasprzak later told Keweenaw Now he is extremely proud of Houghton County as one of the semifinalists in the GUEP competition.
"The competition for the Georgetown Prize will make the residents of Houghton County winners whether or not we are able to win the Prize, as everyone will benefit from learning how to conserve energy while putting money in our pockets," Kasprzak noted. "Although Houghton County is by far the most rural community competing for the Prize, Houghton County is also a community of resourceful and determined people, and I have every confidence when the residents of this county are inspired to take charge of their own utility bills they will rise to the top of the competition."
Other political figures -- Congressman Dan Benishek and State Senator Tom Casperson also sent messages of congratulations that were read to the audience.
The three local utilities, UPPCO, OCREA (electric) and SEMCO (gas) have worked with HEET to identify residential and municipal accounts within Houghton County limits.
The Houghton County Energy Plan provides information about energy data collection to be submitted to GUEP.* During the celebration, David McCowen, representing SEMCO ENERGY Natural Gas Company, spoke about SEMCO's role in helping to implement the Houghton County Energy Plan.
David McCowen, Key Accounts executive with SEMCO ENERGY, who is responsible for all new natural gas services in the SEMCO areas of the U.P., speaks about SEMCO's ongoing efforts to help customers with energy efficiency and SEMCO's support of the Houghton County Energy Plan.
Michigan Interfaith Power and Light has been working to help support HEET efforts. They recently granted funds for five local congregations to do energy audits and efficiency upgrades to their buildings. They are also doing an educational campaign on energy efficiency with members of these congregations this month.
At the HEET celebration, Bucky Beach, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Houghton, spoke about his church's commitment to improving energy efficiency in their building and educating the public about it.
Bucky Beach, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church pastor, addresses the audience during the Jan. 14 Georgetown University Energy Prize announcement in the Houghton County Courthouse. His church is one of several in the community tht are participating in the county's new Energy Plan by working on energy efficiency and educational programs.
Houghton County Commissioner Scott Ala, who has been working closely with the HEET group, gave the closing speech at the celebration in the Courthouse.
In his closing speech at the celebration, Houghton County Commissioner Scott Ala explains the purpose of HEET's Energy Plan for the county and the importance of community participation.
Local residents who have been involved with the HEET group were enthusiastic about the GUEP semifinalist qualification and the new Energy Plan.
"I am excited about the county-wide approach that is required by this project," said Carolyn Peterson of Houghton. "We can always use more practice in working with Copper Country residents who live in different neighborhoods."
HEET member Linda Belote of Hancock also shared her enthusiasm for the endeavor.
"This is very exciting," Belote said. "I think we have a good chance of winning because our community knows how to work together. This is an excellent challenge for us. Even if we aren't the top winners, we will still have gained a lot in the attempt."
Nominations for Energy Plan leadership positions still open
HEET will continue to lead and manage the Houghton County Energy Plan.* As stated in the plan, HEET's more than 60 volunteer members include municipal government officials, committed residents, utility executives, service organization leaders, university staff and students, and local business and school leaders.
On Jan. 6, 2015, a group of HEET members met to discuss the structure of leadership for implementing the County Energy Plan and to make suggestions for nominations to leadership positions.
Richelle Winkler outlined the structure, which will include a Community Advisory Board, an Energy Manager and volunteer coordinators for outreach/marketing, education, service organizations, alternative energy, energy efficiency, government, volunteers and fundraising. The Energy Manager position will be a part-time paid position, possibly to be funded by a $30,000 Joyce Foundation Grant recently awarded to the HEET group.
At the Jan. 6, 2015, meeting of HEET members, facilitator Richelle Winkler outlines the structure for leadership as the team prepares to nominate leaders to implement the new Houghton County Energy Plan.
While some nominations for these leadership positions have been made and accepted, the new HEET Web site offers an opportunity for additional online nominations for these positions.*** HEET invites interested persons to join the team or become involved with their efforts in various ways.
Community events coincide with HEET celebration
As part of the HEET celebration, businesses in Hancock and Houghton participated by promoting energy efficient products, and weatherization of a home in Calumet was sponsored by New Power Tour, Inc.
Efficiency UNITED, a state and utility partnership program that helps people and businesses to become more energy efficient, set up booths at Pat's Foods in Hancock and Econo Foods in Houghton to discuss the multiple rebates and programs they offer to Semco and UPPCO customers. They also sold energy efficient items to customers.****
Bucky Beach, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church pastor, bought eight LED lightbulbs at the booth at Pat's Foods.
"We're trying to go as energy efficient as we can at my church and at home," Beach said.
Efficiency UNITED is in partnership with SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company and Upper Peninsula Power Company to help customers discover ways to save energy through innovative energy efficiency programs and educational tools such as online energy audits.
In addition, during the month of January, hardware stores in Houghton, Hancock and Calumet are offering a 10 percent discount on "consumable" energy efficiency products (CFL and LED light bulbs, winterization supplies, etc.) through Jan. 31, 2015, for customers who request the HEET (Houghton Energy Efficiency Team) discount.
Another event associated with the HEET celebration was a weatherization of a residence in Calumet last week by New Power Tour, Inc.
New Power Tour works with Construction Engineering students from Michigan Tech University, training high school students while winterizing the homes of low-income and elderly members of the local community. The project makes an economic and thermal difference in the lives of residents, and students learn skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.*****
Notes:
* Click here to read the new Houghton County Energy Plan.
** Go to guep.org to learn more about the Georgetown University Energy Prize.
*** Click here to learn about the HEET leadership nominations and to become involved with the project.
**** Visit the Efficiency UNITED Web site for more information.
***** Click here to learn more about New Power Tour and their winterization program.
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Dreaming of Finland Dance to be Jan. 23 -- fund raiser for Kivajat Dancers
HANCOCK -- The Dreaming of Finland Dance will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock to raise funds to help the Kivajat Dancers youth group perform in Finland this summer.
The Thimbleberry Band will be playing that good old-time "Finn Hall" music -- polka, schottische, waltz, maybe swing! Every dollar raised will be matched from a Finn Fest grant. Tickets are $5 (so the kids will get $10 for every ticket sold!).
Come and dance on the Keweenaw's best dance space -- it's for the kids!
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Finlandia's Young Women's Caucus for Art to hold Soup and Art fundraiser Jan. 24
HANCOCK -- Finlandia University's Young Women's Caucus for Art will hold a Soup Lunch and Silent Art Auction fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, in room 323 at the Jutila Center, 200 Michigan St, Hancock.
Music will be provided by music by flute and violin duet Megumi Kaneko and Aoi Buto and solo guitarist Yifan Zhang. Kaneko played with a Japanese chamber orchestra in Vienna over Christmas break.
Cost is $10 adults, $7 students -- all you can eat -- fabulous soups!
It’s been a busy few months for 13 Finlandia University students as they’ve worked hard to raise funds and make the necessary preparations for a trip to New York City this February. The group is attending Access, the annual conference for the national Women’s Caucus of Art.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to connect with a national organization and have contact with some legendary artists," said Phyllis Fredendall, professor of fiber and fashion design at Finlandia’s International School of Art and Design.
The event includes a chance to watch the 2015 WCA Lifetime Achievement Awards. This year’s award winners are Sue Coe, Kiki Smith, and Martha Wilson, while the recipient for the 2015 President’s Art and Activism Award is Petra Kuppers.
"These are some amazing artists," Fredendall said. "Our students will have the chance to interact with them and see them in person talk about their careers."
Aside from the award ceremony, the event will lead the students through dozens of options of breakout events over a three-day period of time. It will also allow the students to see the art scene in New York City.
"New York City is a mecca for art," Fredendall said. "We’re absolutely thrilled to have so many enthusiastic art students participating this year."
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First bats to die from white-nose syndrome this winter reported in Keweenaw County
KEWEENAW COUNTY -- On Friday, Jan. 23, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that it has received the first reports this winter of bats dying from white-nose syndrome. Members of the public found dead bats outside the opening of an abandoned copper mine near Mohawk in Keweenaw County and reported it to DNR field staff.
"White nose syndrome is now a very serious issue for our area," said Gina Nicholas, Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District chairperson. "The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District will have bat specialist(s) as the featured speaker(s) at the Annual Meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at the Ramada Inn, Hancock."*
White-nose syndrome was first discovered in Michigan in late winter 2014 in Alpena, Dickinson, Keweenaw, Mackinac and Ontonagon counties. Widespread die-offs of hibernating bats are expected in all of these counties, and potentially others, this winter. Experience with white-nose syndrome in northeastern states suggests that most dead bats will be found within 100 yards of the openings to the mines, caves or other places in which they hibernate (called "hibernacula"), but some bats may travel a mile or more before dying.
Because most of the major bat hibernacula in these counties are in relatively remote areas, most people will probably not see the bat die-offs.
However, in towns like Iron Mountain, Hancock and Norway, where large numbers of bats hibernate in mines within the city limits, area residents may see dead and dying bats. These bats may be on the ground, or roost on trees, buildings or other structures close to humans and domestic animals.
While there is no connection between white-nose syndrome and rabies, bats can carry rabies, a virus that infects the central nervous system of mammals, including people, and causes death if not properly treated. Rabies is most commonly spread by the bite (or contact with the saliva) of an infected animal. Bats are the animals most commonly found infected with rabies in Michigan, although the disease is relatively rare even in bats.
"We understand the public will be concerned, and we share their concern for the plight of these bats," said DNR wildlife veterinarian Dan O’Brien. "Unfortunately, there is nothing that the public can do to help the bats that are now dying. There is currently no practical way to treat the large number of bats affected by white-nose syndrome. For public health reasons, it is very important that people not touch bats with bare hands, and to keep children, pets and livestock away from bats. Pets and livestock can also be protected by making sure they have a current rabies vaccination."
The DNR asks that bat die-offs this winter be reported on the DNR website or by calling 517-336-5030. The DNR will not be collecting and disposing of bat carcasses where die-offs have occurred. The public can safely dispose of dead bats by picking them up with a shovel or heavy gloves and placing them in plastic trash bags for routine garbage disposal.
Rehabilitation of bats is prohibited in Michigan because of the potential for exposure of humans and domestic animals to rabies.
Long-term, the public can best help bat populations recover from the effects of white-nose syndrome by staying out of mines and caves where bats hibernate (unless proper biosecurity precautions are taken), becoming educated about the critical ecological roles bats play, and supporting bat research and conservation.
For more information on bats and white-nose syndrome, visit www.michigan.gov/wns and www.whitenosesyndrome.org.
*More information about the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District meeting will be announced at a later date.
Editor's Note: The Center for Biological Diversity reported recently that 7.7 million metric tons of insects are not consumed each year in the eastern United States because of die-off of the northern long-eared bat due to white-nose syndrome.
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