Upcoming Monthly Men’s Sunday Brunches (bring something to share/cook up): Sunday, August 20th, Tom Weaver co-hosting together with Dave Mueller at Dave’s home in Hastings at 1318 Ramsey St, 55033 (Hwy 61 south of St. Paul 20 minutes) at 1318 Ramsey St (take a left on 10th from 61), 612-827-6442. September 17th (Fall equinox) at Andy Mickel’s, 106 SE Arthur Ave, Minneapolis, 55414 (in Prospect Park off University Ave near I-94 and 280), 612-331-8396. These brunches are open to all men from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m; plan to come and chat and eat for a 1/2-hour to 2-hour period anytime – inevitably some men stay on until 2 p.m. 12 men attended February’s Men’s Brunch at the Eric Mann’s and 7 were at April’s Brunch at Andy Mickel’s in Minneapolis. - Andy Mickel, 2006-07-07.

Plan on attending the 2006 Festival of Fathers & Families, a day of celebration, recognition, food, music, and fun. Throughout the day there will be community resource information (look for the Men’s Center & ManKind Project table) available for parents, games, entertainment, a petting zoo, cotton candy and much much fun. This event is Free. Saturday August 12, Noon-4pm; Ages: Ages 0-99 North Commons Recreation Center, Minneapolis 55411: 612 370-4921 - Andy Mickel, 2006-07-07.

The 22nd Annual Minnesota Men’s Conference, Sep. 12-17,Camp Miller, Sturgeon Lake, MN. Teachers: Robert Bly, Martín Prechtel, Haki Madhubuti, Daniel Deardorff, Miguel Rivera, and Doug von Koss. What is Stealing the Courage of so Many Men? People say that our grandfathers and great-grandfathers once played a golden harp. But the story of Jack in the Beanstalk says that the harp was stolen by “The Giant”. What have you found useful for protecting yourself and your children from the Giant? For a long time now we have been stuck in the cupboard, watching the giant with his unending greedy appetite devour the world. Haki Madhubuti, who will be teaching this year, would probably agree that the US is exhibiting absolutely astonishing giant-behavior in the larger world. We can all talk about that. Robert will describe the ways the giant keeps both men and women from growing up. $700, $150 deposit. FFI: Craig Ungerman: (877) 333-3136, <hiddenwine@earthlink.net>, <http://www.hiddenwine.com/MMC>. - Mark Stanley, 2006-06-24.

The next ManKind Project-Minnesota New Warrior Training Adventure will be held October 27-29 at Eagle Lake Camp near Brainerd, MN. The cost is $595, with payment plans available. To learn more, attend an Open Circle event: Observe, Ask Questions (or Participate if you like) in a safe container with a group of men who are practicing authenticity and connection to feeling at Open Circle of Warriors events at the Men’s Center every 2nd Wednesday, 7-9 p.m. Contact Andy Mickel with any questions 612-279-6416 or see: <http://minnesota.mkp.org> for Open I-Group dates/times. Register online at <http://minnesota.mkp.org> or call Eric Lucas, at 952-237-3532, <welucas4@frontiernet.net> - Andy Mickel, 2006-07-01.

Larry Johnson and Elaine Wynne are Key of See Storytellers who appear 7:30p.m. Sat Aug 27 and Sat Sep 30 at Loring Park Dunn Bros. Coffee Shop, They are also available to do experiential workshops for a group, helping people find and form their own stories to use in making their work more effective whether it’s parenting, teaching, training, political organizing, etc. FFI: Larry 612-747-3904. - Larry Johnson, 2006-05-28.

Twin Cities Dads Make a Difference (DMAD) promotes positive involvement of fathers and educates youth about responsible parenting. DMAD is transitioning to a non-profit organization having been sponsored for its first 12 years at the U of Minnesota and Concordia College. FFI: Jan Hayne, 651-603-6327 or visit <http://www.dadsmakeadifference.org/> - Jan Hayne - 2006-05-31.

Minnesota Fathers & Families Network (MFFN) is a statewide network that initiates, promotes and supports effective programs to enhance the responsible involvement of fathers in the lives of children, families and the community. Upcoming programs: Preston Garrison, chief executive of the World Federation for Mental Health will lead an evening session, Thurs, Sept 28 at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN as part of the annual Men’s Lives Series on campus. On Fri, Sept 29, Garrison will deliver the keynote and lead a panel at the day-long Mental Health Conference in Minneapolis. FFI: MFFN, 1700 NE 2nd St, Minneapolis, 55413, 612-787-4091 <http://www.mnfathers.org/>

Gender Relations in Progress (GRIP) magazine (formerly Everyman, A Men’s Journal) will now appear in an online edition only at: <http://www.gripmagazine.org/>. Upcoming themes: July: Fears men & women face; September: Gender Politics; December Equal but different; March: Parenting, co-parenting. In its last paper issue, Spring, 2006 feature articles included: “Is Marriage Obsolete?” by Maureen Geddes and David Shackleton, “Are We There Yet? Gender Equity in the Canadian Legal Profession” by Sandy Jakob, and “Genital Integrity and Gender Equity” by Steven Svoboda. - David Shackleton, 2006-06-07.

Beyond Pink and Blue: Just Who Has the Power? a 1- or two-day Community Building Gender Workshop with Maureen Geddes and David Shackleton, Sept 16-17, The Purple Door, Lake Pointe Centre, 848 Grove Road, Ypsilanti MI, $145-195 before Aug 28. FFI: Madelainne Rudy Joss, 734-485-4560 or <mkjoss@gridhost.com> - David Shackleton, 2006-06-07.

Our web site, <http://www.tcmc.org/> continues to attract about 400 visitors per month - Andy Mickel. - 2006-07-07