Bess Metsa Memorial Garden Sculpture project kicks off

The project that I am directing has been awarded a Virginia Community Foundation Grant which covers part of the costs of the project. Several local businesses and individuals from Virginia and outlying areas have made generous donations toward the project as well as over 100 volunteer hours including some from the Virginia Teen Center. This is a community project that everyone is welcome to participate in when it is ready to be tiled. If you wish to put tile on the sculpture, come to the Bess Metsa Memorial Garden next to the Natural Harvest Food Co-op at 505 3rd St N. in Virginia. Everyone is invited to help. Watch for me and others working on the sculpture in late June/early July; I will be there most days as soon as the fundraising for the sculpture is completed.

About the project: The rose will be a4x4x3-footsculpturewithtwo tones of pink glass and additional fill colors. After much searching, I have found the right shades of pink which are difficult to get in glass. Getting the glass proved to be challenging due to recent demand in the auto industry for rare earth metals and the jump in gold and silver prices. Hybrid cars use the same element in their production as is used for one of the colors that I need and so has driven up the price of

this element, which then drove up the price of this glass. Because of the cost of production, Uroboros, the company that produces this glass, has suspended production of the color glass that I need for the project! Fortunately, when I called the company to inquire about the glass, they happened to have some

available. As for the other color, the jump in gold and silver prices created a six-week wait for that color because the company creates the glass on demand rather than having inventory. That said, and those hurdles crossed, the rose will be a beautiful landmark for the Metsa garden as well as an additional tourist attraction for the city of Virginia.

Progress to date: Mesabi Range Community and Technical College students, led by fellow student Tim Medina, have created the base for this project. Mike Miller has welded the armature that will hold the metal lath

supporting the cement creating the structure for the sculpture. Rebar and cement was donated by Seppi Bros., and gas for welding the armature was donated by Praxair, Inc., both of Virginia.

Mike Miller Auction Services » Real Estate & Estate Auction

REAL ESTATE: Sold at 12:00 noon sharp

HOME FEATURES:  Near 1 acre lot with updated septic.  Mobile home with addition “as is”, surround deck, 2 car garage with heated shop, storage sheds, mature trees.   TAXES: $416 H.S. County parcel # 35.14.34.100.005

TERMS: $2000 down day of auction from the highest bidder and balance of high bid due on or before  September 1, 2011, day of closing.   Sellers to provide clear clean title.

“Partial List”

4 WHEEL DRIVE JEEP: Grand Cherokee Jeep Laredo 4 wheel drive.

CAMPER : Coleman Fleetwood Pop-up trailer with awning; camp items; 10×10 outdoor canopy

YARD, SHOP & MISC :  Wood burning stove; John Deere LT 155 riding mower with snow blade, grass catcher, sprayer; 1500 PSI power washer; floor model tool chest; Stihl chain saw; 4HP air compressor; Craftsman 200 amp starter-charger; Craftsman toolbox (complete) many hand tools; Craftsman power tools; halogen shop lights; wheel barrow; come-along; shop vac; SCRAP IRON; extension ladder; grill; creeper; bench vise; garden & yard tools; chains; floor jack; dog kennel;

HOUSEHOLD & MISC: Electric guitar & amp; antique fern stand; chest freezer; gas range; apart size fridge; crystal antiques and collectibles; bedroom set; lawn chairs; space heaters; dining table & chairs; color tv; kitchen and household; file cabinet; lamps; coffee table & lamp tables; sm kitchen appliances; quilt stand; and more.

TERMS: Cash, good check, VISA, MASTERCARD& Discover.  Settlement required before removal of purchase and by conclusion of auction.  Preview of offering 1 hour before sale starts.

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