Skatepark a Good Thing, But Who's Enforcing the Rules? (March 15, 2010)

Whomever, Today we noticed that the Skateboard Park was opened with about a dozen young people there, most with boards. We watched for a minute or two and I couldn't help noticing that the sign said: skating at your own risk! Beneath it read: helmet and pads required. Not a one had a helmet, a couple with shorts on didn't have knee pads and they all had on tee shirts, you guessed it nothing on the elbows. They did some pretty neat things and it's a good thing for Ironwood to have it available, considering all the difficulties that led to what's presently there. Here's the poser. For the sign with the rules, is this going to be like with the ATV and Snowmobile traffic on city streets? If I remember, that's at the discretion of Public Safety. Or, will it be like the Blight Ordinance, Rat on your neighbor? It must be a liability thing.

Scott Warren
Ironwood MI

Another Perspective on Daylight Saving Time (March 13, 2010)

Here is one perspective on the reality behind Day Light Saving time. You can listen to the broadcast or read the transcript. Pretty fascinating and surprising (or maybe not!).

Leah Gramith

EDITOR'S NOTE: The link above directs you to National Public Radio's All Things Considered. In the program host Melissa Block talks with Michael Downing, author of Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time.

Thanks for the Buddy & Sisu Stories (March 12, 2010)

I apologize for not responding sooner but experiencing computer problems. Thank You Keri Singleton for your wonderful coverage of the stories on Sisu and Buddy. You have such a flair for getting to the heart of the story and reporting with so much heart. You are extremely talented.

We would also like to thank both you and Jim Albert for your continuing support of the animal shelter. It is certainly appreciated. Keep up the good work!

Edna & Bert Tatham

Less Government Is Better Government (March 11, 2010)

In the past Ironwood managed to survive flooding, tornado-like winds, gas line ruptures, blizzards, water breaks, fires, yada-yada-yada. Not only did we survive, we did it without sirens, administrative assistants, and emergency management people. Things were much simpler then. We hear that grant money is used for much of this newfangled stuff. Grant money is actually our money coming back to us via our government and it usually comes with conditions and strings attached. The government is becoming far to intrusive in my life and I do not like it. We are becoming a nation of thralldom.

Unpleased With Intrusive Government

Isn't It A Little Late for Christmas Spirit? (March 9, 2010)

Isn't it about time for the City of Ironwood to take down the brown, dead Christmas wreaths and "Sisu Skifest" signs which adorn the downtown?

Ken Jacobson
Ironwood, MI

IRONWOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (IEDC) SPECIAL MEETING  - A special meeting of the Ironwood Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is scheduled for Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 10:00 AM in the Community Development Conference Room on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building. Items on the agenda for the special meeting include:  (1) Call to Order; (2) Roll Call; (3) Oath of Office: James Peterson; (4) Approval of the Docket; (5) Citizens wishing to address the Corporation on Agenda Items. (3 Minute Limit); (6) Discuss and Consider Action on the Entrée Companions (Mike Farney) Revolving Loan Fund Request; (7) Discussion and Consider Action on the Interlocal Agreement Resolution of Participants and the Interlocal Agreement to Establish the Western Upper Peninsula Revolving Loan Fund Consortium; (8) Citizens wishing to address the Corporation on items not on the Agenda (3 Minute Limit); and (9) Adjournment.

SILENT GALA 110TH ANNIVERSARY - The Calumet Theatre will be celebrating its 110th anniversary of opening night with “Silent Gala” on Saturday, March 20, 2010, beginning at 6:00 PM, during its annual fundraiser and silent auction. Open to the public, over 21, event located at: Red Jacket Ballroom, 340 Sixth Street, Calumet, MI, features guest speaker, world-renowned photographer and MTU professor emeritus, Joe Kirkish, gives a journey through silent films from an unforgettable era.

Guests are asked to dress as their favorite silent film character, in black & white, or business attire. Tickets are $60 per person with discounts available for groups of 8. Reserve your tickets today by calling the Calumet Theatre (906) 337-2610. Price includes hors d’oeuvres, beverages, presentations, door prizes, and a special buffet dinner catered by Chef Rod of the Miscowaubik Club of Calumet. The dinner features: whole roasted top sirloin with bourbon wild mushroom demi-glaze, fresh pan-seared Atlantic salmon topped with shrimp profencale sauce, whipped redskin potatoes, medley of sautéed vegetables, garden salad, and assorted desserts.

All proceeds benefit the Calumet Theatre to enhance your experience. Seating is limited and tickets will NOT be available the day of the event. $44 is tax-deductible under Federal Tax Code. We welcome all donations and silent auction gifts! Please visit our website for additional event information www.calumettheatre.com. Featured Silent Auction items: Herman Jewelers:Valencia Collectible; Marilyn’s Stained Glass: beveled glass window hanging; overnight accommodations from AmericInn, Best Western Franklin Square Inn, Centennial Cottages, Country Inn & Suites of Marquette, Dapple Gray Bed & Breakfast; Daily Mining Gazette 1 year subscription; Aspirus Keweenaw Fitness; Sonia Goltz & Jim Northey; Barbara Appleyard limited edition prints; Made Arrangements; Baldwin Theater Organ; Joe Kirkish original prints; gift packages; Theatre paraphernalia; and much more.

PARKS GRANT APPLICATION PUBLIC HEARINGS - Public hearings have been scheduled for Monday, March 22nd at 4:55 PM & 5:00 PM to receive comment on submitting two “Parks” grant Applications to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund. This hearing will be followed by the second regular March meeting of the Ironwood City Commission.

10th GEAR JETTRIDE DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE - On Monday, March 22, beginning at 6:00 PM, the 10th Gear JettRide: 3800 Miles to a Cure documentary will be shown at the Olde Suffolk Ale House, 125 South Suffolk Street, Downtown Ironwood. It will be the Upper Peninsula Premiere of this award winning documentary of the 2007 JettRide. Come early for food and drinks at 6:00 PM, with the film being shown at 7:00 PM.

FRIENDS OF THE MINERS MEMORIAL HERITAGE PARK MEETING - The March FMMHP meeting will be held on the 4th Tuesday of March: Tuesday, March 23. The meeting will be held from 7:00 PM until 8:15 PM in Room B25 of the Jacob Solen Business Center at Gogebic Community College. Selection for our group's President and Historian will be made. The planning committee's work of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park will be reviewed. Hope you can attend.

HOSPICE TELECONFERENCE - Regional Hospice Services, Gogebic County MSU Extension, and Iron County UW-Extension will join together later this month to present the Hospice Foundation of America’s 17th annual Living With Grief teleconference.

This year’s topic focuses on “Cancer and End-of-Life Care.” The teleconference will address care options related to cancer diagnoses as well as loss and grief reactions for patients, families and professional caregivers. The teleconference will also examine psychosocial aspects of cancer, pain management, and ethical issues related to the disease.

The teleconference will take place on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, from 12:15 PM - 3:30 PM in the county board room of the Iron County Courthouse in Hurley. There is no cost to attend, but preregistration is encouraged by calling Regional Hospice at (906) 932-7076 or MSU Extension at 663-4045 or toll-free at 1-888-MSUE-4-MI (Gogebic).

DOWNTOWN IRONWOOD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DIDA) - The regular monthly meeting of the DIDA has been scheduled for Thursday, March 25, 2010, beginning at 8:00 AM in the Women’s Club Room on the 2nd Floor of the Municipal Memorial Building, Ironwood, Michigan. Items on the agenda include:  (1) Call to Order; (2) Recording of the Roll; (3) Consider approval of the February 25, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes; (4) Approval of the Docket; (5) Citizens wishing to address the Authority on Agenda Items (3 Minute Limit); (6) Discussion on Re-instating TIF District; (7) Discussion on Implementing the Blueprint Plan – Section “Business Development Actions”; (7a) Update on Action Plan; (8) Discuss and Consider Action on Advertising for Person to Water the Hanging Flower Baskets for 2010; (8a) Authorize sending letters for Flower Basket Donations ($35). (9) Discuss and Consider Action on Pocket Park Maintenance Contract; (10) Review and Consider Action on 2010/2011 Budget; (11) Discuss and Consider Action on Advertising in the 2010/2011 Ironwood Chamber Adventure Guide; (12) Update on Downtown Brochures; (13) Citizens wishing to address the Authority on items not on the Agenda (3 Minute Limit); (14) Other Business; and (15) Adjournment.

ADVANCED BEEKEEPING WORKSHOP - An Advanced Beekeeping workshop will be held on  Saturday, March 27th at the Ewen-Trout School, 144 Airport Road, Ewen, from 10 am to 4:30 PM EST. $25 for adults, $15 for youth 12-18 years old includes lunch. Contact the Ontonagon County MSU Extension at 906-884-4386 or email msue66@msu.edu.

RELAY COMMITTEE'S FIRST TEAM CAPTAIN'S MEETING- The Relay Committee of the Gogebic Range Relay for Life will be holding the first team captain’s meeting on Monday, March 29 at 6:30 PM at the Comfort Inn in Ironwood, for those returning from previous years and those interested in starting a new team.

All interested people are invited to attend.

FRIENDS OF THE IRONWOOD CARNEGIE LIBRARY PLANNING MEETING - On Saturday, April 10, 2010, at 10:00 AM the Friends of the Ironwood Carnegie Library will be holding a Planning meeting at the Ironwood Carnegie Library at 235 East Aurora Street, Ironwood, Michigan. 

Members of the Friends of the Ironwood Carnegie Library are invited to attend. 

IRONWOOD'S MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY - The City of Ironwood will be conducting a “Make a Difference Day”, done in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce. On Saturday, May 8th, 8:00 AM at the Depot Building, people meet and adopt an area of town to essentially clean up, and rid it of winter garbage. It is a spring cleaning for the city. All interested people are encouraged to participate to "Make a Difference" in our community.

IRONWOOD'S SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY - Saturday, May 15th at 8:00 AM is Spring Clean-Up Day, where Ironwood residents and property owners can come and dump their unwanted items at the site across from Northwoods Auto on Ayer Street in downtown Ironwood. This is not for household garbage; rather, items like old dressers, old furniture, no longer used appliances, waste and scrap metal, junk, and things of this nature.

CIVIC CENTER BOARD SEEKING COMMITTEE MEMBERS & IDEAS - The Pat O'Donnell Civic Center Board is seeking individulas to serve on 1 of 2 committees that are currently being organized. Those committees are Building, Maintenance, and Capital Improvements. The other committee is Marketing and Promotional.

Interested parties should contact the Ironwood City Clerk, Karen Gullan at (906) 932-5050. The Civic Center Board is also looking to the public for entertainment or facility use ideas.

Suggestions can be sent to the following address: City of Ironwood; c/o Pat O'Donnell Civic Center; 213 South Marquette Street; Ironwood, MI 49938.

HOUSING REHABILITATION NOW AVAILABLE - Housing rehabilitation funds are still available for homeowners located in the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) District. The NPP District is bordered by the WI-Central Railroad/Pabst Street to to the North, Lawrence Street to the West, Vaughn Street to the South and Lake Street to the East. For more information on qualifying requirements, please contact Jane Bowman, (906) 932-5050 Ext. 125 in the Community Development Office between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

BOARD MEMBERS WANTED - Citizens interested in serving the Ironwood community as a member of the following boards: (1) The Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) - Board member to fill an unexpired term (Must be a resident of Downtown Ironwood); and(2) Carnegie Library Student Board Member - (Must be under 18 years of age.)

Board applications can be obtained from the Ironwood City Clerk's Office, Memorial Building or on the City website at www.cityofironwood.org.

No Parking on Ironwood City Streets - October 31 to April 1 - 2:00 AM to 7:00 AM - Vehicles must not be parked on City right-of-way, for the safety of your vehicles, park inside your property line.

Vehicles found parked in violation of this notice will be towed away at the owner's expense and subject to fine. The City will not be liable for any damage to cars illegally parked.

Robert J. Erspamer
Ironwood Public Safety Director 

We will gladly post your want ads here. All you need to do is email them to classifieds@superiorchronicle.com. For best results, include at least one clear digital photo of the item or items you are selling. Ads must have contact information such as a telephone number, email address, or physical address. All that we ask is that you contact us as soon as you no longer need to have the ad posted!

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT - Downtown Ironwood: 668 square feet of office space for rent in the Coleman Engineering Building, downtown Ironwood. Parking lot, handicap entrance, convenient to downtown. For more information call 906-932-5048.

SLOT MACHINES FOR SALE - Pachislo slot machines are authentic Japanese gaming machines used in international casinos. Pachislo slot machines feature skill stop reels which is why they are also called Skill Stop Machines. You control when each reel stops, putting skill into the game. These are not your run of the mill slot machines. Hit a jackpot and get your cup ready as the tokens spill from the machine. Several models to choose from. They make great Christmas gifts. Can be retrofitted to accept and pay out quarters. Prices range from $450.00 to $600.00. Phone (906) 932-1810 or email deaf_services@sbcglobal.net. (Posted 10/14/2009)

Professional sound system, keyboard with case, and more musical equipment. Email: papa.daddy@hotmail.com for more information.