| City
Notes
Edited
by Mike Murray
Mailbox
Dear editor
Local history is the glue that holds our communities together. The stories, shared experiences and difficulties are what unite us; our history connects us. On a personal level, when you see the stories of your family and friends and their life work celebrated and acknowledged in an exhibit or program, in a way it validates their lives and contributions to our community. This is an intangible, but very important role that local history plays. It is connected to self-esteem and community pride.
This history glue is important in another way. Belonging to a community and feeling connected to something provides us with a sense of security in times when we are fearful of the future. When we have history to look back on, we can see that we have survived tough times before. Statistics are showing that visitation to museums is on the increase as we seek out experiences that provide positive reinforcement.
We are the keepers of our county’s stories, accomplishments and artifacts. The Marquette County History Museum performs a great service to our area, and we’ve done such a good job for ninety-two years that we have to move to continue our work. There is satisfaction in knowing your investment in our heritage will not depreciate in value; quite the opposite. It will be here in this community for our county to experience for generations. You will see it every time you drive down South Third Street in Marquette.
Kaye Hiebel
Executive Director
Marquette County History Museum
Dear editor
I would like to clear up misinformation printed in a letter from Karlyn Rapport regarding the Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts amendment in the health care reform bill. Our amendment simply applies current law to H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.
The ban on public funding for abortion has been federal policy for more than thirty years and has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Current law prohibits federal funding of abortion in all federal health programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).
Claims that our amendment makes insurance coverage for abortion unavailable are false. Under the Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts amendment, private plans within the health insurance exchange can offer abortion services and individuals purchasing plans with their own money can choose a plan that covers abortion. Our amendment specifically states that even those individuals who receive federal subsidies can purchase a supplemental policy with private money to cover abortion.
During its thirty-three years of existence, the Hyde amendment has not inhibited private health insurers from offering abortion services. There is no reason to believe that a continuation of this policy would suddenly create undue hardship for the insurance industry.
For example, currently the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) provides health insurance to more than eight million Americans, but does not allow abortion coverage in any of its policies. Yet the same companies that offer abortion-free plans to federal employees also offer plans with abortion coverage to nonfederal employees. Given that insurance companies already are offering separate plans with and without abortion coverage it seems unlikely it will be significantly more difficult for them to continue to do so in the newly established health insurance exchange.
Our amendment also is in line with public opinion. Two polls conducted by Washington Post-ABC News and CNN found sixty-one percent of Americans do not believe taxpayer dollars should fund abortions. Another report released recently by Rasmussen found fifty-three percent of voters favor a ban on abortion coverage in any health insurance plan that receives federal subsidies.
My positions, my votes, and my motives on health care have been consistent throughout my career and as Congress moves towards real health care reform I will work to make sure the legislation meets the needs of Northern Michigan residents while maintaining current law of no federal funding of abortion.
Bart Stupak
Member of Congress
Dear editor
Chocolay Township versus Lakenenland Sculpture Park: the purpose of this letter is to try to end or at least bring a little awareness to the ongoing struggle I’ve had with Chocolay Township in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
For those who have never been to or heard of Lakenenland, let me first explain what it is. Lakenenland is a thirty-seven-acre parcel of land fifteen miles east of Marquette in the Township of Chocolay. I purchased it in September of 2003 with the sole purpose of building a sculpture park.
Currently, I have a trail through the property with approximately eighteen iron sculptures, built two ponds and had them stocked with perch and bluegill for kids to fish. Also allowing the Chocolay Township Fire Dept. to install a "dry hydrant" on the property for water in an emergency. Snowmobile Trail #417 runs thru the middle of the property where I built a lean-to shelter and fire pit with plenty of firewood each year for anybody visiting in the winter. I finished a band shell in August 2009 with hope that someday somebody would use it.
I am forty-seven years old and have worked my entire life as a welder in the construction industry. Fourteen years ago I quit drinking and needed something to keep occupied during times of layoff. I started building metal sculptures from scrap iron obtained from different construction jobs.
Each new sculpture was placed in front of my home in Chocolay Township until one day the township decided my art was considered signs and illegal in a residential area. After refinancing my home for another 100 years, Lakenenland became a reality. I still work construction and leave Lakenenland open to the public 24/7/365 completely free of charge. The public have been very respectful and appear to enjoy the place. I have logbooks with signatures of people worldwide who have been thru the park.
I have had nothing but grief from the Chocolay Township officials. They have threatened me with: tickets for a sign on my property, tickets for a Health Department-approved outhouse, tickets for a DNR approved unattended fire in the middle of winter with snow cover, tickets if I allowed any camping. They denied my Freedom of Information Act request for any correspondence or public complaints. They asked for a legal easement to access the dry hydrant.
I agreed so they would never hesitate to get water in an emergency. They drew up a perpetual easement for my entire thirty-seven-acre parcel to access the hydrant 138 feet off the highway. Needless to say, they are still welcome to get water but no legal easement. Now they are revoking my previously issued permit for the band shell—reason being: zoning changes, permit was issued in error. When is their madness going to stop?
I always have obtained permits as required and never tried to skirt any regulations. Chocolay Township needs to realize this park is for the pure enjoyment of the public and not built to give them an ongoing irritation. I wonder whether there are any other townships that would like to have a sculpture park? I'm tired of Chocolay Township's games.
Tom Lakenen, Chocolay Township
Editor’s Note: For details on the park, visit www.lakenenland.com
Dear editor
Reference February issue, “Food & Other Important Things” (by Don Curto, Page 25). What is more important than food? No recipe for Wild Porcini Mushroom Heart-Shaped Fresh Ravioli with fontina fondue or Organic Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio or a similar delectable creation to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Deeply disappointed.
Theresa Brodowski Scram, Marquette
Editor’s Note: Don Curto replies: “Adjective: CUTE. Verb: SCRAM.”
MGH, Bell management form strategic partnership
Marquette County’s two hospitals announced their intention to form a strategic partnership that will support and create health care jobs, improve the quality and efficiency of care and increase access to medical treatments and services in the local area and across the Upper Peninsula.
Bell Hospital in Ishpeming and Marquette General Hospital have executed a letter of intent to form Superior Health Partners. The partnership is not a merger of the hospitals or a purchase of one by the other. Both hospitals will remain independent but strategically aligned.
The partnership will emphasize high quality, which will encourage more people to receive care close to home.
Touring Arts Program lists U.P. performances
The 2009-12 edition of Michigan’s Arts & Humanities Touring Program features 203 of the state’s most talented performing and visual artists and humanities presenters. The Touring Program, a joint project of the Michigan Humanities Council and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, offers performers and presenters the opportunity to present their work throughout the state and provides grants to Michigan nonprofit organizations to help cover costs of engaging them for arts and cultural programs..
Robert Jones and Matt Watroba will perform three musical programs: one on at 4:00 p.m. on April 11 at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp in Crystal Falls; and, two at 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park Schools in Crystal Falls and at 1:00 p.m. at Kingsford Middle School in Kingsford on April 12.
For details, visit www.michigan humanities.org or call (517)372-7770.
Spaghetti Western Orchestra performance cancelled
The performance of the Spaghetti Western Orchestra scheduled for April 23 at Michigan Tech University’s Rozsa Center in Houghton has been cancelled.
The band’s management agency informed Rozsa officials that the band was unable to secure sufficient underwriting or international sponsorships to make its 2010 North American spring tour viable. For details, call 487-3200.
Delta announces enhanced schedule at Sawyer airport
Beginning in April, Delta Airlines will offer twice-daily service from Sawyer International Airport to both Detroit Metro and Minneapolis-St. Paul on fifty-seat regional jets.
“The return of service to Minneapolis-St. Paul is by itself significant,” airport manager Keith Kaspari said. “The announcement to serve both Detroit and Minneapolis with multiple flights with all regional jet aircraft signifies a new era in air service for passengers flying to and from Sawyer.”
Marquette County selected for national health initiative
Marquette County has been selected to participate in ACHIEVE—Action Communities for Health, Innovation and Environmental Change. The program is administered by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors.
The county is one of forty communities selected to advance community leadership in the nation’s efforts to prevent chronic diseases and related risk factors through a local, collaborative approach.
Club Indigo presents Czech film on February 26
Club Indigo will feature the Czech film Closely Watched Trains at 7:15 p.m. on February 26 in the Calumet Theatre. The film will be preceded at 6:00 p.m. by a Czech buffet.
Closely Watched Trains, a comic satire, won the 1966 Oscar for best foreign-language film.
The event costs $18 per person for the meal and film, $5 for the film alone. Reservations for the dinner must be made at least a day in advance. For details, call 337-2610.
MSU Extension presents e-commerce workshop
The Marquette County MSU Extension Office will offer a workshop on rural businesses and e-commerce from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on March 2 in the Peter White Public Library computer lab.
The workshop will include hands-on computer access, and participants will learn how economic value has evolved from commodities to goods and services.
Registration is $20 and includes handouts and computer use. For details, call 475-5731.
Ski and snowshoe fundraiser supports MooseWood
The Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe Fundraiser is set for 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 6 at Presque Isle Park. All proceeds will benefit science and nature education programs and exhibits at MooseWood Nature Center.
Trails in the park will be lit by candle luminaries.
Tickets are $5 for children, $10 for adults and $25 for families. Advance tickets will be sold at MooseWood, Mares-Z-Doats, Marquette Food Co-op and will be available from staff and board members. Snowshoes will be available for rent.
Drawings for door prizes will be held throughout the evening. MooseWood sponsors are CoCo’s, Gophers Café and U.P. Rehab Services of Marquette.
For details, call 236-9573.
Preserve plans backcountry ski trip, receives grant
The Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve has scheduled a backcountry ski trip into the McCormick Wilderness on March 6. Participants will meet at 10:00 a.m. at Peter White Public Library and carpool to the south entrance of the McCormick.
The five-mile trek is described as easy-to-medium and includes a stop at a heated winter camp where lunch will be provided.
A donation of $15 per person is suggested, and proceeds will support the YDWP. Space is limited. For details, e-mail ydwp@yellowdogwatershed.org or call 345-9223.
In other news, Patagonia recently awarded the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve a $6,050 grant to continue protecting the area’s water resources. This is the second time the group has been awarded funds from the clothing company.
Pair of ski events planned for greater Keweenaw area
The inaugural Backcountry Snow Race will take place on March 6 and 7 in Copper Harbor. The two-stage race will traverse most of the single-track around Copper Harbor, and racers can use skis, snowshoes or both. Solo and team categories are offered.
Day 1 of the event features an eleven-mile course, while Day 2 will be six miles. Racers are welcome to camp at Fort Wilkins; food will be provided.
Registration will be on site, and the cost is $60 per person or $80 per team. For details, visit www.copperharbortrails.com
To the south, Mount Bohemia Mardi Gras also will be held on March 6. The ski hill will team with Mariner North, Zik’s and the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge to crown a Mardi Gras king and queen. T-shirts will be given to all who participate in the pub crawl. For details, call 888-MA-NORTH.
Volunteers needed for Hiawatha greenhouse project
Hiawatha National Forest is seeking volunteers to work in its greenhouse in Marquette on March 11 and 30. The greenhouse is located at 1030 Wright Street, at the U.S. Forest Service facility.
The work involves native-plant restoration on Grand Island. Volunteers are needed from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and are asked to bring a dish to pass for lunch.
The session on March 11 will take place in the greenhouse, where temperatures average seventy-two degrees when the sun is not out; it’s much warmer when the sun is shining, so volunteers are reminded to dress appropriately. On March 30, some of the work will take place in an unheated area.
For details, call 387-2512, ext. 19.
Arts series to feature dance performance during pow wow
Northern Michigan University’s International Performing Arts Series will present the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on March 11 at the Forest Roberts Theatre. It’s part of a weekend of events featuring First Nation performances and celebrations, including the annual “Learning to Walk Together” pow wow on March 13.
Tickets are $5 for students in advance and $6 at the door and $13 in advance for faculty, staff and seniors sixty and older and $15 door. Cost is $18 in advance for the general public, and $20 door.
Tickets can be purchased at the Superior Dome, Forest Roberts Theatre, TCF Band, the Vista Theater or through the NMU ticket office at 227-1032 or www.nmu.edu/tickets
MSHS students to present Our Town at Kaufman
Marquette Senior High School’s drama department and Kaufman Auditorium will present Thornton Wilder’s Our Town at 7:30 p.m. on March 12 at Kaufman. The event is a fundraiser for the drama department and auditorium.
Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door. They are available at the Superior Dome, Forest Roberts Theatre, TCF Bank, the Vista Theater or through the NMU ticket office at 227-1032 or www.nmu.edu/tickets
Powell troupe to perform musical at local school
The musical Don’t Rock the Boat will be presented at 7:00 p.m. on March 12 and 13 at the Powell Township School in Big Bay. The production will be staged by the school and community members. Admission is $3.
Beekeeping workshops to be held in Ewen-Trout Creek
Ontonagon County’s MSU Extension is once again teaming up with Les McBean, owner of White Birch Apiary in Bruce Crossing, to offer two backyard beekeeping workshops.
The beginners workshop will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on March 13 at the Ewen-Trout Creek School. An advanced workshop will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on March 27 at the school.
Preregistration is required. The registration fee, $25 for adults and $15 for twelve- to eighteen-year-olds, includes lunch.
For details, call 884-4386 or write to msue66@msu.edu
CSS offers program focused on strengthening families
Catholic Social Services of the Upper Peninsula is offering a free program for families who are challenged by a substance-abuse or mental-health problem and who want to improve family life.
The program, called Strengthening Families, takes place from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday until April 22 at Grace United Methodist Church, 927 West Fair Avenue in Marquette.
This program is designed for parents and children. Each session begins with a free family meal, and free child care is available for children under three. For details, call 227-9119.
U.P. environment group announces U.P. celebration
The Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition has scheduled its second annual “U.P. Celebration at the Three Corners”—the Landmark Inn, Peter White Public Library and the Women’s Federated Clubhouse—on March 19 and 20.
Michigan Tech biologist Rolf Peterson and filmmaker George Desort kick off the event with a celebration of Isle Royale at 7:00 p.m. on March 19.
On March 20, presentations and films from a variety of local outdoor enthusiasts, artists, authors, homesteaders and others will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the three locations.
At 3:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the library, a panel of biologists and land-conservancy and forestry experts will lead a discussion titled “Protecting the U.P. Landscape: A How-to Guide for Landowners Large and Small.”
From 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on March 20, there will be a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception at the clubhouse in honor of past UPEC board members.
All events are free and open to the public.
Ishpeming alumni to present Night of Music festivities
The Ishpeming High School Alumni Association will present “A Night of Music” at 7:00 p.m. on March 20 in the W.C. Peterson Auditorium. Scheduled to perform are GLC, VIP, Shot Gun Kelli and State 51, Wednesday Night Music Club, Strictly Gospel and Wayne Oien.
Tickets cost $10 and are available at Fox Motors Negaunee, Super One Foods in Negaunee, Ezekiel, Congress Pizza and Lounge, Jubilee Foods and the alumni association office.
For details, call 485-1381.
Hiawatha Music Co-op offers youth music scholarship
The Hiawatha Music Co-op hopes to present a youth scholarship to the 2010 Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia. The scholarship is open to Marquette-area young people, ages twelve to twenty-one, who have an applied interest in traditional, acoustic American music. The application deadline is March 24.
The Augusta Heritage Center is a nationally and internationally renowned center for traditional folk-life and folk arts of many cultures with an emphasis on the Appalachian region.
The Hiawatha Scholarship will help the recipient attend week five of the Augusta summer schedule, August 8 to 15. Week five will feature old-time music, dance and vocal, including the Augusta Festival over the final weekend. The program will include a wide selection of classes taught by top traditional musicians, workshops with master artists and performers, extensive jamming, the concert and dances.
For details, call 226-8575 or visit www.hiawathamusic.org
Calumet Art Center hosts watercolor workshop
Longtime art educator Carl Mayer will conduct a watercolor painting workshop March 26 and 27 at the Calumet Art Center.
The workshop opens with a session for high-school students from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on March 26. Registration is limited to ten students; a $5 donation is suggested.
The adult workshop will kick off with a demonstration by Mayer from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on March 26, followed by the class from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on March 27.
Space is limited to fifteen participants, and the registration fee is $80. Participants may bring their own supplies or purchase them at the workshop for an additional $10.
Mayer, a native of Lake Linden, taught art at Marquette Senior High School for thirty-five years. He has conducted watercolor workshops since 1970.
Preregistration and prepayment are required. For details, call 281-3494.
Marquette County Humane Society sets fundraiser
The Marquette County Humane Society will host its annual Cause for Paws charity event on April 9 at Upfront & Co. in Marquette. Social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Live music will be provided by Bordertown.
All proceeds will support the local shelter, which cares for 1,800 animals each year.
Tickets are $35 per person and will be on sale at Mares-Z-Doats, Negaunee Veterinary Clinic or by calling 226-7255. For details, visit www.upaws.org
Co-op farm forum scheduled for March 31 at NMU
The Marquette Food Co-op will present a farm forum and intern fair at 7:00 p.m. on March 31 in the Cadillac Room of the Don H. Bottum University Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University.
The forum will focus on fresh food and flowers from local farms as well as internship and volunteer opportunities. Local farmers will give brief presentations about their operations. For details, call 225-0671, ext. 23.
Experience Works helps seniors develop job skills
A nationwide organization is ready to help seniors compete in today’s job market. Experience Works Inc. offers paid training and job-search assistance for low-income seniors fifty-five and older.
Participants are paid minimum wage while receiving training in marketable job skills by assisting nonprofit and community organizations. They also get help related to online applications, resumes and interview skills. For details, call 346-9410.
Fortune Lake representatives attend ministry conference
Staff and board members of Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp in Crystal Falls attended an outdoor ministry conference January 17 to 20 in Lakeville (Minnesota).
The conference covered topics such as fund development, marketing and board development. Eight FLLC representatives attended the conference, including three board members from Marquette County: Pastor Peter Andersen of Marquette, Ann Gonyea of Negaunee and Kathy Magnuson of Ishpeming.
Former Watersmeet priest removed from ministry
The Rev. Aloysius J. Hasenberg of Watersmeet has been permanently removed from ecclesiastical ministry, the Catholic Diocese of Marquette announced recently.
Hasenberg, eighty-seven, was temporarily removed from ministry in October 2008 following an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor dating back several years. He is prohibited from wearing clerical clothes and publicly presenting himself as a priest.
The decision was made by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Grant to promote Gogebic, Ontonagon counties
Northern Initiatives has received a grant of $100,000 from the North American Development Bank, U.S. Community Adjustment and Investment Program to stimulate job creation through nature- and cultural-based tourism in Ontonagon and Gogebic counties.
The funding will position the communities to attract new markets and increase overall tourism revenues by better promoting their natural and cultural attractions.
Cliffs announces acquisitions, revenue figures
Cliffs Natural Resources announced recently that it has completed the acquisition of its former partners’ interest in the Wabush Mines for $88 million.
The company exercised its right of first refusal to acquire U.S. Steel Canada’s 44.6 percent interest and ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s 28.6 percent interest. Cliffs now owns 100 percent of the operation, which it has managed since 1965.
The Wabush Mines operation includes the Scully Iron Ore Mine near Wabush, Newfoundland, Labrador; the pellet plant and port facilities at Point Noire, Quebec; and integrated rail facilities.
In addition, Cliffs acquired Freewest Resources Canada Inc., a Montreal-based exploration company. The deal gives Cliffs access to what it calls “one of the premier chromite deposits in the world.”
In the fourth quarter of 2009, the company’s revenue reached $821 million with net income of $108 million. For the year, Cliffs posted revenue of $2.34 billion and net income of $205 million.
Lake Superior group seeks award nominations
The Lake Superior Binational Program is accepting nominations for its seventh annual Environmental Stewardship Awards Program. The organization seeks to honor “extraordinary achievements by ordinary people.”
Nomination categories include youth, adult individual, business, industry, organization and municipality or tribe/First Nation. The application deadline is April 16. For details, visit www.superiorforum.org
Portage Health plans ‘Day for Women’ on April 17
Portage Health in Hancock will sponsor “A Day for Women” from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 17. The event will be a day of learning and pampering in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere.
The cost is $20. Lunch will be provided, and child care will be available. For details, visit www.portage health.org or call 483-1149.
Wine tasting to benefit DeVos Art Museum at NMU
A wine-tasting fundraiser for the DeVos Art Museum is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on April 23 at the museum on the campus of Northern Michigan University.
Participants will taste thirteen hand-selected red, white and dessert wines from Everyday Wines in Ann Arbor. Cheeses and desserts will be paired to complement the wines.
Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased by April 16. For details, call 227-2627.
Sister Cities seeks Marquette delegates to visit Finland
The City of Marquette Sister City Advisory Committee will be sending a delegation to Kajaani, Finland from June 29 to July 10, 2010.
The city of Kajaani is located in the province of Kainuu. This is in the northern area of Finland. From the northern border of Kainuu, the delegation goes into Finnish Lapland. On the east, the border is with Russia. This location has put Kainuu in the center of centuries of border disputes and caused the construction of a castle to protect the border and in 1651 the city of Kajaani at the castle site.
Additional information about the program is available from the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center. This information will also be available at the meeting. The cost of the trip is about $2,500 and is the responsibility of each delegate.
For details, contact Marty Eskelinen at 225-5784 or marty.up@att.net
NMU establishes transfer scholarships for fall
Northern Michigan University has established four new scholarships for transfer students that will be awarded beginning with the fall semester.
The amounts range from $500 to $2,000, based on grade-point average, similar to the university’s scholarships for freshmen. The new awards are part of a broader commitment to make NMU more “transfer-friendly.”
Local authors corner
• Kathleen M. Heideman of Marquette has been named artist-in-residence at Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Her month-long residency will take place in March. Heideman’s project will combine poetry, geology, paleontology, GPS data and landscape sketches. This is her sixth artist residency with the National Park Service.
• Sarah Dean of Chocolay Township recently published Coming Clean: My Letter-Writing Journey. The book is a collection of letters written for the sake of healing and growing from the past. For details, visit www.sarah-dean.com
• Robert D. Dobson’s newest book, The City Built at the Shiny Mountain, details the history of Negaunee. The book, which costs $22.64, begins in 1844 and includes information spanning more than 2,500 issues of the Negaunee Iron Herald newspaper. Dobson will sign copies from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on February 27 at Snowbound Books.
• A mother-and-son writing team from Traverse City has published Traverse Travesty: A Year of Terror and Care in Northern Michigan. Lilija Golubovskis and George Golubovskis write a critique of health care and nursing homes.
Political news briefs
• U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) introduced legislation to attempt to prevent the intrusion of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. Stabenow sponsored the CARP ACT—Close All Routes and Prevent Asian Carp Today. She said Asian carp pose a serious threat to Michigan.
• Stabenow praised General Motors for the company’s plan to fully pay back TARP loans to the U.S. Treasury Department by June.
• Stabenow and U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan) joined other members of Congress in commemorating the ninety-seventh anniversary of the birth of civil-rights icon Rosa Parks. In 2005, Stabenow led the campaign to name the Detroit Homeland Security building in honor of Parks.
• Several Upper Peninsula fire departments have received funding from the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, Stabenow and Levin announced recently. The Munising Volunteer Fire Department ($39,330) and the McMillan Township Fire Department in Ewen ($41,748) received funds for equipment, training and related needs. Hurontown Fire and Rescue in Houghton ($17,006), the L’Anse Fire Department ($34,960), the Copper Harbor Fire Department ($19,931) and the Tri-Township Fire Department in Rock ($26,733) received funds for operations and safety. The Spalding Township Fire Department in Powers received $49,875 for its first-responder program.
• Amy Clickner, CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership in Marquette, was recently elected to the Michigan Economic Developers Association board of directors. Joe Esbrook of Marquette, director of business and community development for Michigan Works!, was reelected to the board.
• Stabenow, the Senate author of the “Cash for Clunkers” bill, has issued a statement criticizing the Japanese version of the program, known as the Eco-Friendly Vehicle Purchase Program. Japanese leaders initially excluded all U.S. cars from the program but now allow a limited number. Stabenow said the small number is “unacceptable and threatens American jobs.”
• Stabenow has drafted the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act, which provides a definition and methodology for determining currency manipulation, which would help prevent foreign countries from gaining an unfair competitive advantage at the cost of American jobs. The latest cosponsor of the legislation is Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania). Levin is also a cosponsor.
• Levin and Stabenow announced the Department of Health and Human Services will provide Michigan with $34.6 million in grants to advance the adoption of information technology among health care providers across the state.
Local business news…in brief
• Two Upper Peninsula residents recently began serving as program managers in the Marquette Service Center of Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes; Emily Koren of Marquette will oversee programs in the western U.P. and Jill Johnson of Manistique will manage programs on the eastern end of the peninsula.
• The U.P. Pioneers Good Sam Club donated funds to be used for the operation of Beacon House in Marquette, which provides lodging and other services for patients and their caregivers traveling to Marquette County for medical treatment.
• Six Marquette County businesses participated in the Lake Superior Community Partnership’s Plus One program, which supports and recognizes growth of the Marquette County workforce: Pepp Motors; Bell Hospital; City Insurance; Marquette Pediatric Dentistry; U.P. Home Health, Hospice & Private Duty; and Upper Peninsula Health Plan.
• The Marquette Area Public Schools Education Foundation presented these five grants: “Advancing Photography,” $2,499.72 for three Sony Cybershot digital cameras and accessories; “Project 64,” $1,849.50 for three document cameras and accessories; “Moving Seniors to MAPS,” $270 to the Senior Citizen Involvement Committee for MarqTran passes for seniors who volunteer in MAPS buildings; “Students Connect with Digital Cameras and Mini Notebook Computer,” $2,329.01 to purchase one Mini Notebook PC, ten digital cameras, two video cameras and accessories; and $300 from the Coccia-Holmstrom Family Science Fund Grant for the Mastering Physics Tutoring Program.
• Terry L. Jutila has been named senior vice president and chief credit officer of Range Bank; Jutila joined Range Bank in 2001 and has thirty years of experience as a commercial loan officer and business banker.
• Kayla West has been named chief executive officer of Lake Superior Hospice; West most recently served as executive director for the American Red Cross in Marquette.
• Dr. Fritz Hoenke has earned recertification in geriatric medicine from the American Board of Family Medicine. Hoenke, who is board certified in family medicine, serves as vice president and medical director for all physician practices owned and operated by Marquette General Health System.
• Dr. Maciej Czechowski, family medicine specialist for Doctors Park Family Physicians in Escanaba, a service of Marquette General Health System, has achieved board certification in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine.
• Dr. Santosh Gowda, medical oncologist for Marquette General Hematology/Oncology in Escanaba, has earned board certification in medical oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
• Marquette General Health System has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. MGHS earned this distinction after the commission conducted an extensive on-site review last fall.
• The Lake Superior Community Partnership has announced the recipients of the 2010 Distinguished Service Awards, sponsored by the Marquette County Ambassadors. The Mining Journal was selected in the business category, and John F. Marshall is the individual award recipient.
• Kent Randell has been named archivist of the Finnish American Historical Archive at Finlandia University in Hancock; he specializes in local history and manuscripts, genealogy and Web presentations.
• NMU professor Tawni Ferrarini, is the inaugural recipient of the National Association of Economic Educators’ Abbejean Kehler Award; the award honors an NAEE member who is instrumental in promoting the use of technology to improve the delivery of economic education programs and build a stronger network for educators.
Star Date: March 2010
Moon & Planets—March starts out with Venus setting about an hour after sunset. By the time the final days of March approach, it will remain above the western horizon for 90 minutes. Mercury will also become easily visible in the evening twilight during these last few days of the month as it edges toward Venus from the lower right. Mars becomes the brightest planet in the night sky after twilight ends. The red planet’s luster is starting to wane, however, due to its movement away from the Earth. Saturn is at opposition in March so it will be rising at sunset and remain visible all night long. A very, very thin day-old crescent moon will be to the right of Venus on the16th, and the next night, a more discernible crescent will be located above the Evening Star.
Constellations—Spring begins with the equinox on the 20th. The early evening sky, however, is still dominated by the winter constellations. High in the west is the distinctive “V” pattern of stars that form the head of Taurus the Bull. Extending a line upward from each side of the “V” leads to another star. These two moderately spaced stars denote the tips of the Bull’s horns. Beta Tauri is on the right and the brighter of the two. It is one of a handful of stars that can be said to have a dual citizenship. Located to Beta’s right is the constellation of Auriga the Charioteer. Auriga is an elongated pentagon consisting of five stars that include Beta. Beta Tauri (a.k.a. Gamma Aurigae) is claimed as a member by both constellations. It lies exactly on their common border and is considered part of each one’s traditional pattern.
—Craig Linde
Courtesy of the Marquette Astronomical Society. The next meeting is at 7:00 p.m. on March 19 at Shiras Planetarium. Visit www.geocities.com/sstobbelaar/mqtastro.html for details or download a free monthly star chart at www.skymaps.com
A word to the wise
Verbum satis sapientibus: A word to the wise is sufficient
If you paid any attention at all to Super Bowl XLIV (44) or the XXI (21st) Olympics, you might have considered yourself blessed that our world has adopted Hindu-Arabic rather than Roman numerals.
Imagine balancing your checkbook by subtracting XXI from XLIV. Square roots would be great sport too, and I reckon logarithms would not bear even thinking about (not that most of us do anyway). Then too, Caesar and Cicero lacked the zero, which is probably why they did not develop modern communication systems, with their reliance on the binary system’s zero and one.
At any event, I’m inspired this month to write a little column on numbers, not so much for their own sake but for ways we use them in writing. We’ll also look at some common problems we face in using numbers.
What we commonly call Arabic numerals might more properly be called Hindu, since this system originated in the Far East. With its useful zero, it made its way to the Mideast via Arab traders by about 900 A.D. Because of its obvious utility, the Hindu-Arabic decimal system spread rapidly through the Western world.
Two styles of usage for numbers exist among book and periodical publishers. These are the simple newspaper or Associated Press style and the Chicago Manual style. Whichever style is used, consistency is finally all that matters.
The AP style writes out only numbers below 10—three, nine and so on—while figures are used for 12, 29 and all the rest. For ordinals, the same idea applies—third, ninth, etc., and 12th and 29th. Almost all newspapers follow this system, largely to conserve precious space.
In your writing classes and research papers, however, you probably learned the more formal Chicago style. In this system, used by this publication and most books and magazines, numbers up to ninety-nine are written out.
Exceptions abound in either style, but most of them are transparently sensible. For one thing, when lining up a series of numbers, editors generally employ the same style: thus, 60 and 120 and 180 instead of sixty, 120 and 180.
A second major exception concerns numbers at the beginning of sentences. Instead of writing, “2,033 persons attended the show,” it is standard to begin “Two thousand thirty-three persons.” Better yet, rewrite the sentence, because larger numbers are easier to read as figures: “The show attracted 2,033 patrons.”
Both styles also generally use figures exclusively for data like money, scores, voting totals, temperatures, ages and dates and times: e.g., $6, 2-1 final score, 2 years old.
Problems or confusions seem often to arise in two particular instances: with the use of percentages and with averages. Percentages occasionally are better expressed as whole numbers, especially when the numbers are low. For example, if a salesman sells two cars one week and three the next, he could boast accurately if deceptively of a 50 percent sales increase. But it’s only one car. And a very common error is to describe an increase from, say, 10 to 11 percent in unemployment as a 1 percent increase. It is indeed one percentage point, but it is fully a 10 percent change (1 over 10).
As for averages, they too can be deceptive. To use a simple instance, if five houses in the area sell at 50, 60, 70, 80 and 500 thousand dollars respectively, that’s an average of $152,000. (You of course add the five together and divide that sum by five.) However, the single expensive house is an anomaly that skews the reality. The median price, on the other hand, which is the middle number—$80,000—may be more indicative of typical home prices in the neighborhood.
Next month, “Fun with the Metric System.” Just kidding.
Word for the month
Duodecimal, an adjective direct from the Latin referring to something based on the number twelve. While the Arabic decimal system is our standard, we do have a vestigial duodecimal system in some limited measurements: feet and inches, the hours of the clock and day, and the circle.
—Gerald Waite
Editor’s Note: Questions or comments are welcome by writing MM or at marquettemonthly@chartermi.net
MM
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