Kuhl's Koffee House will be having their Seasonal Grand Opening on Friday, May 25, 2012 at 7am.   Kuhl's proudly serves Michigan roasted coffee, offers awesome drinks and outstanding customer service.  Come in relax, take full advantage of their wireless internet and enjoy your full relaxing beverage experience. 

The United Way of the EUP has been the lucky recipient of 23 prints donated by Huntington Bank.  Some of these prints are of the Edmund Fitzgerald and are signed by local artist David Conklin and 2 are signed by Gordon Lightfoot as well.  There are also a few Pat Norton prints.  If you would like to review them they are visible at the United Way of the EUP homepage at www.UnitedWayEUP.org.  Each print is framed and matted with descriptions and measurements with each photo.  A public auction of these items will take place on Tuesday, June 19th at Huntington Bank from 5:30pm - 8:00pm.  Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served with artwork on display in public locations in Sault Ste. Marie throughout the month of May. 

 

Want to recognize a deserving volunteer? Help recognize the unsung heroes who volunteer their time and talents to make the U.P. a better place to live by nominating them for the 2012 U.P. Services awards. Nominations are due June 1, 2012. Awards are made possible by the U.P. Volunteer Network.     

 

The International Bridge Authority is "Celebrating International Friendship"    

"The celebration events, festivities, and initiatives that are planned were developed with our bi-national community in mind," said IBA General Manager Phil Becker. "The goal of the plan is to commemorate what the bridge has meant to citizens in our twin cities, the province of Ontario, the state of Michigan, and our two great nations over the last 50 years." A full slate of activities is in store for the celebration, including a bridge lighting, bridge walk, and much more.  See the full schedule of celebration events here...

 

The Summer Sault Ste. Marie Farmers' Market is back once again with a recent opening on their old stomping ground on May 2!  Back at their old location under the canopy at the corner of Ashmun St. and Easterday Ave, they're excited about another summer of helping local farmers and crafters share the fruits of their labor with the public. There will be one change this year - to help ensure customer safety. Although vendors will begin setting up around 3 pm, there will be NO CUSTOMER SALES until 4 pm.       

Hospice of the Eastern Upper Peninsula

is seeking volunteers willing to get on stage for its second annual Dancing with the Stars.

  

The friendly contest that pits friends and neighbors against each other for a good cause - raising money for Hospice of the EUP's Hospice House -- is set for Oct. 19 at Kewadin Casino's Dream Makers Theatre. Similar to the Dancing with the Stars that is seen on national television, eight couples will compete in front of a panel of judges and the audience for bragging rights, the People's Choice Award and the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.  Learn more... 

 

War Memorial Nurses Association Hosts 5K Run/Walk for Hospice House

and raises $5,000.  Charlotte Folkersma (right) presents a check for $5,000 to Tracey Holt, Executive Director of Hospice of the EUP on Saturday, May 6 before the start of the Race for Hospice 5K Run/Walk in Sault Ste. Marie.    

 

Community Shower for Hospice of the EUP is set to take place this June with all items going towards the new Hospice House.  Registries are available at many local businesses and cash donations are accepted as well.  Learn more...   

 

The Bill Dowd Memorial Park Playground committee is looking for your help on June 16th at 8 am to help with the development of the new park.  Come build memories and community spirit at the corner of Shunk Road and 10th Ave.  Learn more... 

 

Golf, Golf, Golf!  Summer is nearly upon us which means there are a slew of golf opportunities in our area.  The Chamber Challenge kicks off the month of June at Wild Bluff which is then followed by the Lock City Open on June 9th and 10th at the Sault Ste Marie Country Club.  At the same time, LSSU will travel south for the Lake State Golf Classic June 8 - 10 at the Otsego Club in Gaylord.  Shortly thereafter, the 1st Annual Jackman Golf Scramble will take place at Munoscong Golf Course on June 16th.  Once the fun wraps up in June, LSSU will be back at it again for the Bud Cooper Classic on July 20th at the Sault Ste Marie Country Club.  Not be outdone, summer will end with lots more golf fun on Friday, August 31, for the annual War Memorial Hospital Development Fund Golf Outing at Wild Bluff. Take your pick or pick them all, there is enough golf to go around for everyone this summer!

 

DNR urges public to prevent nuisance bear problems: put away birdfeeders, trash cans

Each spring as hibernating bears leave their winter dens and resume daily activity, wildlife officials in northern Michigan receive many calls about bears hanging around and even destroying man-made food sources such as birdfeeders, trash cans and grills. This year has been no exception, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

 

"At this time of year, bears are on the move and are looking for food," said DNR bear specialist Adam Bump. "They are hungry after spending months hibernating, and will often resort to finding food in unnatural places, such as residential backyards."  Read more...   

 

Michigan elk and bear hunting licenses are now being accepted through June 1. Hunters may apply online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings or at any retail license agent.

 

There are 200 elk licenses available for the 2012 hunting season, divided evenly between hunts in August/September and December. The August/September hunt is designed to target elk outside the primary elk range before these elk move for the breeding season. The December hunt will occur in the core elk range and also allows additional harvest outside the core area.  Read more... 

 

The public is being asked to comment on regulation options through an online survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BrookTroutRegulations. You can also take the survey over the telephone by calling Debbie Robinson at the Plainwell Operations Service Center at (269) 685-6851. The online and telephone surveys will close on Friday, May 25.   

 

Interested in having your business partner with the DNR?  Consider signing up for the Recreation Passport Perks program.  The Passport Perks program will get your business posted on the DNR website and expose you to thousands of recreational park users throughout the state.  Learn more... 

Interested in having your community news or event published in the Chamber Newsletter? Please send prepared and edited releases to director@saultstemarie.org.  Any additional items must be provided in a pdf format.  The Sault Area Chamber of Commerce reserves final right of publication with all submissions for Community Notes. 

 

 

The Univeristy of Michigan Road Scholars paid a visit to Sault Ste Marie on April 30. Pictured above are community panelists from local organizations as they prepare remarks at the Ramada Plaza Ojibway Hotel.  From left to right, Phil Becker of the International Bridge Administration; Justin Knepper of the Downtown Development Authority; Dr. David Finley, Dean of Business, Engineering, and Economic Development at LSSU; Kevin Sprague of the Army Corps of Engineers (Soo Locks Authority); Kristen Claus of the Economic Development Corporation; and Jeff Holt of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians.  The panelists presented information on various aspects of the local community and region to over 30 traveling faculty from the University of Michigan known as the Road Scholars.  The event was coordinated and co-sponsored by the Economic Development Corporation and Sault Area Chamber of Commerce.  Read more... 

 

Smart Ground Breaking: Administrators from Lake Superior State University and the city of Sault Ste. Marie turn the first bits of ground at the city's air industrial park in preparation for construction of an entrepreneurial center that will offer services for small business start-ups. Construction begins May 1 and should be completed by mid-February. The building is part of Sault Ste. Marie's SmartZone, which brings together the Sault Economic Development Corporation, LSSU's Product Development Center and more to promote establishment of businesses in the area. From l-r with shovels are: Eric Becks, co-director of the LSSU PDC and president/CEO of SSMmart; Sault Mayor Tony Bosbous; LSSU President Tony McLain; Sault EDC Chair Jeff Holt; Sault EDC Director Kristen Claus and David Finley, dean of the LSSU College of Business, Engineering and Economic Development. (LSSU Photo by John Shibley) 

Read more...

 

In an effort to bridge the distance between the Upper Peninsula and Lansing, committee chairman Senator Tom Casperson organized the meeting on Thursday, April 26 to provide U.P. residents with the opportunity to make their voices heard without traveling to the capital.  Read more... 

 

 

Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency is hosting a series of free educational seminars for Michigan businesses from April 12th thru October 16th of 2012 to answer questions regarding the state's unemployment insurance program (UI).  If you are interested in dates and locations, please read more... 

 

Legislative Activity   

 

Senate Bill 300: Restrict credit score use in insurance underwriting Passed 36 to 1 in the Senate on May 2, 2012, to prohibit insurers from using "credit information" (under a broad definition of that term contained in the bill) to deny cancel or choose to not renew a policy. Also, to impose restrictions, plus requirements for credit-status confirmation, disclosures and more, on an insurer using credit or credit-based "insurance scores" to determine the price at which it will issue an insurance policy.

Senate Bill 321: Exclude medical marijuana from reimbursable no fault insurance services Passed 35 to 2 in the Senate on May 8, 2012, to exclude medical marijuana from the reimbursable expenses provided to injured or disabled individuals who are receiving benefits under the unlimited personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage mandated by the state's no-fault auto insurance law. 

Senate Bill 888: Impose new fee (tax) on grain dealers

Passed 71 to 35 in the House on May 10, 2012, to impose a new fee (tax) on produce sales from farmers to "grain dealers," who are subject to a state regulatory regime and government insurance scheme.

Senate Bill 1065: Cut tax imposed on business tools and equipment Passed 23 to 14 in the Senate on May 10, 2012 to revise

details of the "Plant Rehabilitation and Industrial Development Act" to accommodate the proposal in Senate Bills 1069 to 1072 to cut or eliminate the property tax businesses currently pay on their tools and equipment (called the "personal property tax").

Senate Bill 1068: Cut tax imposed on business tools and equipment Passed 23 to 14 in the Senate on May 10, 2012, to revise details of the "Plant Rehabilitation and Industrial Development Act" to accommodate the proposal in Senate Bills 1069 to 1072 to cut the property tax that manufacturers currently pay on business tools and equipment (called the "personal property tax"), and eliminate it for smaller non-manufacturing businesses.

Senate Bill 126: Vehicle trade-in "use tax on the difference" only Passed 37 to 1 in the Senate on May 15, 2012, to exempt from

tax the value of a trade-in on the purchase of a new motor vehicle or titled watercraft. The buyer would only pay tax on the difference between the value of the trade-in and the purchase price of the new item.     

Laker Basketball coaches Steve Hettinga (Mens Coach) and Justin Rees (Womens Coach) wish to speak to community groups this summer regarding Lake Superior State Basketball Programs.  They have a lot of exciting things going on in their programs, from camps and clinics to community service projects.  The coaches are looking to tell you about their quality student athletes and the hard work they are putting in at Lake State and throughout the Sault Ste. Marie community.  They are trying to create a relationship between their players and more people in the community to support them in their Student/Athlete lives.  If you are interested in learning more, please contact Men's Assistant Coach, Tim Kisner at 635-2607.