After roughly a month of inactivity, MQT Social Scene will return to regular publication on Monday, June 2.

MQT Social Scene will return with a brand new website with features never seen before on an Upper Peninsula website. It will include new formats for tags, social media interaction and reviews.

Delays in publication have been due to this web construction and other hosting issues.

Continue to follow MQT s

MQT Social Scene is currently in the process of changing our website layout, design and functionality. This has taken much longer than expected and is why we haven't put up any new articles on the page.

Until then, please check out our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages as we look to complete this process quickly.

Thank you,
Brice Burge
Owner, Editor in Chief
MQT Social Scene

UPDATE: The location of the building has multiple residencies. Those residing in the building, but not the unit where the shooting was located, were evacuated. Those in neighboring houses were not evacuated. We apologize for the confusion.

PHAT is a clothing resale shop, but Kelgar said it’s important to note that the store is not a consignment business because customers don’t have to wait for their clothes to be sold to get cash.

“You get two offers when you come in to sell to us: we make you a cash offer or a store credit offer,
which is completely different from consignment. You never have to make an appointment,” Kelgar said.

The in-store credit is stored indefinitely and does not have to be used right away, which Kelgar said
works very well for her customers. She said roughly half her customers take store credit over cash.

The store’s employees are only looking for the best of the best in fashionable outerwear, and Kelgar said this sets them apart from area resale stores. The store doesn’t accept career clothing, for example.

“We’re pretty picky about what we take, and we are looking for things that are less than two years old,” she said.

The store is setup to look more like the high-end retail outlets seen in big malls as opposed to thrift stores, and Kelgar said many first-time customers are uncertain if items are new or used because of the high-quality of her merchandise.

Still, Kelgar has been a thrifty shopper her whole life and she said her drive for this business began when she was a teen who was missing out on fashionable clothes.

“When I was in high school, I couldn’t afford the types of things girls were wearing and I wish there was a store like this,” she said. “People brag about where they get their items, a $90 jacket for $30. With our economy kind of in the gutter it’s cool now to say you got something for the fraction of the original cost.”

Kelgar also said she doesn’t believe there will be much crossover from local consignment shops or area thrift stores because she’s targeting the younger demographic.

“We aren’t trying to take business from anyone. I’d like to keep great relationships with local businesses: MQT has Re-Blossom and there’s another store in town here that sells pre-owned merchandise. I really don’t think we’ll hurt their business or that they’ll hurt ours,” she said.

With prices at well-affordable levels, Kelgar doesn’t mark down merchandise. However, she cycles all wares with a two-month maximum, meaning her wares are always fresh and trendy. Kelgar said unsold items are stored in her warehouse until a special event held three or four times per year, which she calls the 3-2-1 sale.

“The 3-2-1 sale is where I take all the unsold clothes out of the warehouse and sell them for $3, $2, or $1. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Coach purse of Ugg boots, I’ll sell it for cheap during that sale,” Kelgar said.

In keeping with the thrifty shopper’s mentality, Kelgar said the 3-2-1 sale often occurs at critical times during the year: in August before school goes back in session and around Thanksgiving so parents can afford quality, brand-name clothes for the holidays.

Kelgar’s business is now three stores strong with her flagship store in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. and her second store in the Canadian side of the Soo. According to Kelgar, the expansion into the area fits a need and theme that MQT wants.

"We’re so pleased to be part of the community because there’s just a great vibe in Marquette. People here are extremely pleasant. People seem very into recycling and upcycling clothing and furniture here,” Keglar said.

John Becker is the new Managing Editor of MQT Social Scene. He can be reached at johnedwardbecker@gmail.com.

By Sarah Carstens
Staff Writer

In an attempt to better connect young professionals, the group 40 Below has been working to improve the MQT area.

"It is vital to a thriving community to bring young people together to economically stimulate the community in a positive manner for years to come, as they represent the future.” said 40 Below President Ryan Nummela.

40 Below has connected the young professionals of MQT since 2010. Created by the Lake Superior Community Partnership, the group tries to bring professionals under the age of 40 together for networking, professional, social, recreational and civic development for opportunities that benefit both the people and the community. 

"We are the future of our communities and the faster that we can get out of the gate towards building relationships professionally and personally the better our communities will fair economically for many years to come," Nummela said.

Casey Phillips was introduced to 40 Below by his former high school class mate and current member Justin Carlson. As a prospective member Phillips attended two events.  At the events, Phillips met with others that  has since been working with them on his thesis project and helping to analyze their business strategy.

“Being a member will allow me to network with other young professionals and share insight and experiences that may help me in my future career, after I complete the MBA graduate program at NMU,” Phillips said.

40 Below also create events to benefit the community, like the Iron Range Roll for June 7 on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail. The race which can be on foot, bicycle or in a relay is to celebrate the connection of our communities along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, according to Nummela.

“We have taken great strides in creating opportunities to give back to the community with different civic causes that we work on throughout the year.  We realize the importance of giving back,” Nummela said.

For more information about 40 Below and becoming a member visit their website www.40belowmqt.org.

Sarah Carstens is a new writer, starting her journalism work at MQT Social Scene. She can be reached through our Contact page.

By MQT Social Scene staff

MQT Social Scene is recapping and updating the biggest stories of the week, all stories that readers can greatly influence if they wish. Make it happen MQT.

According to the Baby Isaiah Facebook group, Isaiah had signs of an intestinal blockage on March 12. Mother Erica Kaye posted the information and said that due to the earlier intestinal issues caused by the necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), surgery was necessary.

More tests were done earlier this morning to determine what would be the best type of tube to insert into Isaiah, according to another post by Kaye.

Both Kaye and Joe Gatiss, father of Isaiah, are with the child at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. Kacie Hanford is leading the aid efforts in MQT. She can be found for more information through the Facebook group or can be found at the Ore Dock Brewing Company.

READ: MQT supports local infant

Dia de los Tacos (DDLT), the only independent food truck in the area, was nominated for Food Truck Taco of the Year on the website mobile-cuisine.com. Voting ends tonight at 1 a.m. MQT time.

MQT Social Scene first broke the story after it was posted on the DDLT Facebook page. Since then, TV6 and ABC5&10 have both covered the contest. What was originally a three-horse race, Box of Chacos of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla took a commanding lead, with less than 24 hours to go.

DDLT is owned by Mike and TeriLynn Walker, who have overcome permit issues, laid off of their jobs and infrastructural challenges since starting their business. Now they operate a food truck five days a week during the Michigan Winter, while also providing food for weekends and special events at different bars throughout MQT.

Voting is still available on the mobile-cuisine.com website on the lower right-hand corner of the page. An earlier link from MQT Social Scene was used so many times, it started preventing people from voting, so manually type in the website name to vote.

READ: Dia de los Tacos nominated for food truck taco of 2014

READ: Love of tacos prevails as Dia de los Tacos hits the streets

The MQT Royales have already accomplished a lot in their first season of existence.

They won 22 games in a row earlier in the season to help bring a Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL) Great Lakes Divisional championship. The team has partnered with two charities to raise money for organ donation awareness and youth hockey programs across the Upper Peninsula.

Now they will play in their first home playoff game in franchise history.

The Royales should have spent last weekend beating the St. Louis Frontenacs in a lopsided 1-8 matchup, but St. Louis was excused from the playoffs by the divisional general managers. Instead, MQT played the Portage Lake Pioneers in an exhibition game.

Tonight, March 14, the Royales will play the Wooster Oilers. The sixth-seeded Oilers won just one of six games in the season series, but are fresh off an upset sweep of the Central Wisconsin Saints. The Oilers and Royales will play a best-of-three-series.

If the Royales win, they will go onto the MnJHL round robin championship, where the top two teams in the pool will move onto the USA National Championships. The Royales, rival Illiana Blackbirds, Maple Grove Energy and the Wisconsin Dells Ducks are the favorites to advance to the round robin.

The Royales will be the only home event in a busy athletics weekend for MQT. The NMU Wildcats play in the first round of the WCHA tournament in Mankato, Minnesota. against the Minnesota State Mavericks. Also the women's basketball team will make their first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance since 2010 as the fourth seed in the Midwest Regional. They will play Quincy of the Great Lakes Valley Conference in Springfield, Missouri.

READ: Portage Lake drops MQT in exhibition game

READ: Royales get controversial bye in MnJHL playoffs

Earlier this morning, MQT Social Scene was added to the news section of the Marquette Mobile app. The app, available for most smartphones, is locally developed and covers many aspects of the MQT area, including news sources, online menus, a blog and more.

Also MQT Social Scene now has an Instagram and will be using it as a source for different styles of reporting. MQT Social Scene Instagrammed the UP Builders Show and attached the pictures to the Twitter account to give real-time reports of the show. We also took those pictures and added them to our blog, so those that did not have the social media platform could still view the pictures.

We also have a Twitter and live tweeted the Pigs and Heat hockey game on Wednesday, March 12. MQT Social Scene took a different approach to the coverage, focusing on the game instead of just another charity event. Live tweeting helped further that journalistic concept and added details that were not found elsewhere. MQT Social Scene will continue to use social media in new ways to add depth of local coverage.

READ: #INSTAGRAMMING- UP Builders Show

READ: Pigs torch Heat in annual charity game

By Brice Burge
Editor in Chief

Returning to the community room of the Ore Dock Brewing Company, Breakwall Comedy will have their monthly show tonight, March 11, at 8 p.m..

Each show has a headliner, a featured act and locals that will have various lengths of standup. Headlining this show will be Nathan Timmel, a national-touring comedian showcased on the Bob and Tom Show, Sirius satellite radio and Raw Dog Comedy. Featured will be Tucker Diedrich, a comedian from Northern Wisconsin.

According to founder of Breakwall Comedy Bryan Hampton, shows are scheduled to increase availability of well known acts. Scheduling shows on Tuesday nights when most shows in bigger cities like Grand Rapids, Milwaukee or the Twin Cities are on the weekends makes MQT more appealing for these acts.

“(Past headliner) Chris Shaw I saw perform in Maryland, so you get to know some of the people in the scene to bring them up,” Hampton said. “If I know a guy is touring in the Upper Midwest at the time of the show, I try to get them.”

The shows are scheduled for the second Tuesday of every month to help build excitement for each act. Hampton believes that once a month gets more people to attend more than weekly or bi-monthly shows.

“We're making people feel that they can't afford to miss each show,” Hampton said.

The shows have been steadily increasing in popularity, with over 180 people at February's show, over three times the size of the first show in September. The crowds are also receptive of the jokes, according to multiple performers, which makes the shows more fun for acts and attendees alike.

“This town is definitely ready for comedy,” February headliner Johnny Beehner said. “The crowds are a lot of fun and looking for a laugh.”

The larger crowds have also inspired other MQT natives to try a stand up act of their own. Two locals, Rosemary Fields and Alex Ratliff will take to the stage for their first ever act.

“Its nerve wracking. All my friends are going to be there and its in front of that hometown crowd,” Ratliff said. “If I was anywhere else, I could get away with whatever I want. But if I don't do too hot, I'm going to have to see these people in class and around town.”

That local involvement was one of Hampton's goals for MQT after moving back to MQT from Baltimore in 2013. Creating local opportunities helps other MQT acts from traveling to places like Chicago or Madison, Wisc. for just a few minutes on stage.

“Not having to travel to a show is great,” said MQT comedian Jordan Asayag. “You would hop in a car and drive four hours one way just to do a three-minute act and drive four hours home.”

The show is 18-and-up and the doors open at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets are available at the door, $7 for general public, $5 for students. Dia De Los Tacos will be available during the show.

Brice Burge is the Editor in Chief of MQT Social Scene. He can be reached at briceMQT@gmail.com.

By Brice Burge
Managing Editor

Dia De Los Tacos (DDLT) is a finalist in the Mobile-Cuisine.com 2014 Food Truck Taco of the Year. As of publication, DDLT was tied for first place with 895 votes, 25 percent of the total voting population.

According to Mike Walker, who owns the truck with his wife Teri Lynn, he is confident that fans of the truck will give DDLT the edge.

"It's hard to mess with the people that consider themselves our fans. We've had people stand outside in negative 20 wind chills for our tacos," Walker said. "If any of the other trucks can claim that, we'd be surprised."

Walker said the nomination came through votes on the website.

"A friend with a food truck in Green Bay sent the link to me and we thought, 'let's share this and see if anything happens'," Walker said. "Apparently, a bunch of folks nominated us in the first stage, which got us on the ballet."

DDLT is less than a year old, at least as far as the truck goes. Starting off as a specialty business in Ore Dock Brewing Company and other travel locations in MQT, the blue food truck seen around the city rolled out for the first time in June 2013.

That food truck made history as the first restaurant to use a truck as the main sales outlet in the MQT area. With assistance through the Downtown Development Authority and Lake Superior Community Partnership, DDLT navigated the permit wasteland that allowed them to hit the streets.

Compared to the other food trucks in the competition, the youth and uniqueness of DDLT could be an advantage, according to Walker.

"The fact that we're a new business might be helpful, in that people in Marquette might be a little excited about it still," Walker said. "I think that our bigger advantage is that most of the other trucks on the ballet are from much larger markets, where there might be people who prefer a different truck. Here if you like a food truck, its us."

According to Mobile-Cuisine.com, to be eligible for the title, the food truck had to be open before 2014 and must regularly serve taco dishes from their truck. There are no rules for ingredients or hard or soft shell distinctions. Any truck can be nominated from across the world.

There are 15 finalists for the title. DDLT is one of the two Michigan entries, with Happy's Taco Shop in Boyne City also in the running.

This is the second year of the competition. The inaugural winner was El Gastronomo Vagabundo from Ontario, Canada. They are currently in fifth place with 149 votes. Happy's is in seventh with 120.

By Brice Burge
Managing Editor

The nationally-distributed beer Samuel Adams has said that they will be focusing in on the greater MQT area this upcoming year, according to a national representative for the beer.

“Sam Adams is excited to be up here full time,” said Carmine Polisei, Market Manager for the company. “MQT is a lot of fun. There is no reason to think Sam Adams won’t grow up here.”

Samuel Adams is the flagship beer of the Boston Beer Company, located in Boston. The company was founded in 1984 by Jim Koch, who still maintains a presence in national advertising campaigns. Boston Beer Company also makes the Twisted Tea and Angry Orchard brands. They are distributed locally by Bayside Beverages, a division of Great Lakes Wines and Spirits of downstate Petosky.

According to Polisei, advertising in MQT is part of a national plan to target the 21-30 market. Events like the Mystery Beer debut at the Wild Rover on January 24 and Angry Orchard mixology competitions at Buffalo Wild Wings on January 23 have already occurred, while more are in the works according to Polisei.

Initial feedback has been mixed to the brewery’s plans. While some think it will be a good thing for the national attention to the area, others think that a big business might contradict the craft beer movement in MQT and the state.

“Given Michigan’s craft brew movement it might be stepping on some toes for some. Craft beers though are accepted everywhere and Sam Adams is a craft beer, so it could go either way,” said

Samuel Adams success was defined by the craft beer movement. Boston Beer Company went public in 1995, the height of the first wave of smaller breweries across the country. According to the Brewers Association – a trade group focusing on smaller breweries and homebrewers – Boston Beer Company is the largest craft brewery by sales volume. 

"With (MQT) being a craft beer town at times, this is another craft flavor for them to enjoy," said Bryan Lopac of Bayside Beverages.

Brice Burge is the Managing Editor of MQT Social Scene. He can be reached at briceMQT@gmail.com.