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August 2006 News

Stupak addresses bio-fuel plant opening
Posted 08/21/2006 

WASHINGTON, D. C. -- Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) spoke at the Aug. 18 opening of a bio-fuel plant in Gladstone, Michigan -- the first biodiesel plant in the state. The facility, which is being opened by AG Solutions Inc., is expected to produce more than 20 million gallons of biodiesel fuel per year from agriculture projects. Speaking alongside Governor Jennifer Granholm (D-MI), Stupak used the event to call for a new direction in U.S. energy policy. Stupak said he has been working in Washington to support laws and policies that foster innovation and development of alternative energy use. more

Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District announces Board of Directors vacancy
Posted 08/15/2006 

HOUGHTON -- The  Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District (HKCD) announces a vacancy on its Board of Directors. HKCD promotes the wise use of our Natural Resources while improving and protecting our environment. The District Board is actively involved with the annual native plant/garden tree sale, the  Forestry Assistance Program and a resource library. HKCD also maintains preserves, such as the Joseph and Mary Lizzadro Preserve and the Bete Grise Preserve, that are open to the public. Any Houghton or Keweenaw county resident who is of legal voting age and is interested in serving on the Board of Directors is encouraged to contact the Conservation District Office at 482-0214 or email Sue Haralson, Administrator, at sue.haralson@mi.nacdnet.net. HKCD monthly meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the UPPCO Building in Houghton and are open to the public. The next meeting will be Wednesday, Aug. 16. To learn more about HKCD visit their Web site. Photo: Children enjoy the beach at Bete Grise South, now a preserve open to the public for non-invasive recreation, thanks to the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District and other conservation partner organizations, including The Nature Conservancy. (Keweenaw Now file photo © 2005 Michelle Manarolla)

Houghton, Keweenaw county voters support Democratic candidates in Primary
By Michele Anderson  Posted 08/10/2006 

HOUGHTON, EAGLE RIVER -- In the Aug. 8 Primary election, voters in Houghton and Keweenaw counties showed support for Michigan Democratic candidates -- both incumbents and newcomers. Governor Jennifer Granholm received a total of 1731 votes in the two counties, leading her Republican opponent, Dick DeVos, who garnered only 905 Houghton-Keweenaw votes. A two-county total of 1696 votes helped Mike Lahti, presently Houghton County Commission chair, in the race for 110th District State Representative. He secured the Democratic candidate position over local Democratic opponents and more than doubled the two-county total of 819 Primary votes received by his Republican opponent, Dave Schmidt. Voters in the Primary also sought changes in some county offices. more

State Rep. Rich Brown endorses Mike Lahti for Aug. 8 Primary Election
Posted 08/07/2006 

HANCOCK -- In a recent letter to constituents, Rich Brown (D-Bessemer), term-ended state representative for Michigan's 110th House District, expresses his support for Mike Lahti of Hancock, who is running for this seat in the primary election to be held Aug. 8, 2006. "Mike has a keen knowledge and understanding of our community," Brown writes. "As a small-business owner, he knows the challenges we face in creating good-paying jobs. He also knows the importance of quality education and the need to make college affordable (Lahti served for seven years on the Hancock School Board and currently is vice-chairman of Finlandia University's Board of Trustees)." Brown adds, "Mike also will work to protect our Great Lakes. He will work to protect our rivers, lakes and streams, and to preserve our beautiful Great Lakes State." Lahti is currently Chairman of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners. Three other Democrats are running in the primary for this two-year-term position: Wendell Patrick Dompier of Baraga, Keith D. Hamel of Iron River and Travis Peterson of Baraga. See the Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing. Learn more about Mike Lahti's campaign on his Web site www.mikelahti.org. For voter information visit the Michigan Voter Information Center. Photo: Mike Lahti. (Photo © 2006 and courtesy Mike Lahti and State Farm Insurance Co. Reprinted with permission.)

Students learn practical side of research at Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair
By Julia Kalloz and Ezekiel Fugate  Posted 07/27/2006 

HOUGHTON -- Custer, a small town not much more than a cluster of homes, sits just outside of Stevens Point, Wis. Approximately 2,000 people normally call Custer home; but from June 23-25, 2006, nearly 19,000 inquisitive people flocked to a large farm owned and operated by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s (MREA's) ReNew the Earth Institute in order to attend  the MREA’s 18th annual Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair, which offered 160 workshops on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable living and showcased products and information from over 200 exhibitors. Students doing research in sustainability through Michigan Tech University's Sustainable Futures Institute program, Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), who attended the Fair, present their impressions and photos of the event. more
Photo: Julia Kalloz and Ezekiel Fugate, co-authors of this article, visit one of the solar energy exhibits at the 18th annual Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair in Custer, Wis., last June. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo © 2006 Michele Anderson)

Finlandia University hosts book signings at North Wind Books
Posted 07/19/2006 

HANCOCK -- Finlandia University is hosting several book signings by noted authors at North Wind Books in Hancock during July and August. On July 17, Wendy Anderson, award-winning journalist and poet, signed copies of her collection of poetry, Wild Things in the Yard. Originally from Maine, Anderson, who is of Finnish descent, currently teaches poetry in the Chicago area. At 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, her brother Lauri Anderson, local author and Finlandia professor of English, will sign copies of his books, many of which  celebrate the Finnish-American character. Nancy Barr, local author and award-winning Daily Mining Gazette editor, will launch her first novel, Page One: Hit and Run, at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25. On Thursday, Aug. 3, James Armstrong will sign copies of his latest collection of poetry, Blue Lash, inspired by the landscapes of Lake Superior. On Tuesday, Aug. 8, Harley Sachs, a retired Michigan Technological University professor, will sign copies of many of his books, including his most recent, Threads of the Covenant: The Jews of Red Jacket. The readings are free and open to the public. Call 906-487-7217 for information.
Photo: Wendy Anderson, award-winning journalist and poet, signs copies of her poetry collection, Wild Things in the Yard, at North Wind Books on July 17.  Click on photo for larger version. (Photo © 2006 Michele Anderson)

U. S. Sen. Carl Levin addresses local Democrats
By Michele Anderson  Posted 07/10/2006  Updated 07/26/06

HANCOCK -- United States Senator Carl Levin (D-Detroit) spoke of his views on Iraq and the policies of the Bush administration and fielded questions from Houghton County Democrats during their July 2, 2006, dinner at the Ramada Inn in Hancock. Levin, a member of the Armed Services Committee, spoke about the recent Levin-Reed amendment, which was intended to urge President Bush to tell the Iraqis we are going to begin our redeployment out of Iraq this year. Although the amendment failed, Levin said he believed most of the public and the American military agree on ending the open-ended commitment we have in Iraq. He also commented on the need for checks and balances "to rein in this president, who thinks he's all powerful ..." Levin welcomed questions from the audience and expressed strong support for Michigan Democrats running for re-election, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak. more
Photo: Cassie Van Dam, 12, Houghton Middle School student, asks U.S. Senator Carl Levin for his autograph during Sen. Levin's visit with local Democrats in Hancock on July 2, 2006, at the Ramada Inn. Also pictured are Cassie's grandmother Carol Kurtz of Calumet and George Love of Houghton. (Photo © 2006 Michele Anderson)

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