Posts Page - Word on the Street

Old Enemies, New Friends

By Brian Cabell on January 25, 2018 at 5:45 am

71 YEAR OLD Vic Romback offers no regrets, no apologies. He was an airman doing his duty for his country back in 1967-68 when he served 18 months in Vietnam. "We were told the reason we were at war was because the Cold War was getting hotter," he says. "And we had to go to Vietnam to beat down communism. I did my ... Continue Reading

A Buyer for the Nordic Theater?

By Brian Cabell on January 22, 2018 at 12:57 pm

A THEATER IN downtown Marquette is one step closer to reality. Word is, the Lake Superior Theater, which now operates out of the Boathouse, is interested in purchasing the so-called Book World building on West Washington Street. It would operate as a non profit theater for not only movies but live events, as ... Continue Reading

Allenatore Opens, Johnny Dogs Moving, Dia de los Tacos Reconsiders Plans, a Buyer’s Market Downtown, Hospital Hiring More Nurses, the Grandview Has Vacancies, Marquette Seeking Out-of-Town “Creatives”, the Symphony Looks to Broaden Appeal, and Lip Syncers Are Ready for Folly and Fun

By Brian Cabell on January 18, 2018 at 5:45 am

ANOTHER OPTION FOR Marquette coffee lovers. Allenatore (Italian for "coach"), a European style coffee shop, opened its doors this week on Third Street, three doors south of Vango's. Very different from the other new coffee shops. If Contrast has a bright, spacious, industrial look and Velodrome has a hip, minimalist ... Continue Reading

YMCA’s Astonishing Comeback, Barrel and Beam’s Opening, Meijer’s Outreach, Ampersand’s Plans, Heidi Johnson’s Dismay, Temple Beth Sholom’s New Day, and the Bible of Bike Tests

By Brian Cabell on January 11, 2018 at 5:45 am

PHOENIX RISING. The mythical bird re-arising from its own ashes is an appropriate metaphor for the Marquette County YMCA. A year ago, it was more than $7 million in debt, its very future, with 5000 members, was in doubt. It sold off some assets but it was still $5.5 million in the red. A staggering sum for a small ... Continue Reading

Another Commissioner Vacancy, Honda’s in Town, Glass Recycling Dilemma, Lyft Is Up and Operating, TV 6 Dominates, Sam Ali Departs, Lighthouse Park to Open Up, Lumi Starts Up, and the Russian Tanker Is Still Freezing and Forlorn

By Brian Cabell on January 5, 2018 at 5:45 am

HEAVY HEARTS IN Marquette these last several days, but for the city commission, its time to get back to business. Among the first items on the agenda? Filling a vacancy on the commission. Again. Looks like they'll go through the same process they used last month in replacing Sara Cambensy, who left her position to ... Continue Reading

Thomas and Michael: The Story of a Special Relationship

By Brian Cabell on December 31, 2017 at 5:45 am

TALK ABOUT AN unlikely pair. Tom Baldini, the elder statesman, the reserved gentleman, the non-athlete. And Mike Koskiniemi, the muscular, hyper-energetic younger guy who runs Motions, the fitness gym in north Marquette. Baldini was 33 years older than Koskeniemi, and yet, remarkably, they were best of friends for the ... Continue Reading

Questions for Substance Abuse Patients, Hope for the Nordic Theater, Zero Degrees Progress, a Sailing Entrepreneur, NMU on NBC, and a Man with Class Leaves Us

By Brian Cabell on December 28, 2017 at 5:45 am

MURMURINGS FROM INSIDE the UP Health System Marquette. We're hearing that the new $300 million hospital being built out on the highway won't offer inpatient substance abuse services. The current hospital, on the other hand, we're told, has been offering those services. Seems a little strange, given the opioid ... Continue Reading

Recovery Room up for Sale Again, Bayou Price Slashed, Vicky’s Looking Toward the Ministry, No Progress in Nurses’ Negotiations, Former Boss at TravelMarquette Talks, Praise for the Villa, the Casa and Remie’s, and New Hotplate Owner Identified

By Brian Cabell on December 21, 2017 at 5:45 am

ARE YOU LOOKING for a Christmas bargain? You might want to consider the Recovery Room downtown. Like, in actually buying it. It went back on the market last month for $450,000. And then last week, the price was reduced to $425,00. Back in 2015 when it was called the Rover, it was listed at $595,000 and nearly sold ... Continue Reading

A Theater in Downtown Marquette

By Brian Cabell on December 20, 2017 at 5:45 am

MAYBE. It's very early in the process but two men are quietly putting together plans, with the help of a few other locals, to buy the building being vacated next month by Book World on West Washington Street. And then transform it into a 400 seat theater for both cinema and the performing arts. A one screen theater ... Continue Reading

Cafe Intermezzo Making Final Preparations, Bugsy Takes on his Latest Venture, Newest Commissioner Is Appointed, and “Be Local Buy Local” Concerns Answered

By Brian Cabell on December 13, 2017 at 5:45 am

THAT MUCH RUMORED "European-style" coffee shop on Third Street is still at least a couple of weeks away from opening. Sasa Kosic, the proprietor, says Cafe Intermezzo has two more final inspections to complete and then he'll be ready to start serving coffee in what was formerly the Strictly Business Uniforms ... Continue Reading