Upcoming Monthly Men's Sunday Brunches (bring something to share/cook up): October 19th at the Men's Center 3249 Hennepin Ave S, Suite 55, Minneapolis 55408 33rd anniversary celebration. November 16th at Stephen Sewell's or Paul Busch's, 647 Lincoln Ave #F, St. Paul, 55105 (just east of Dale Av) 651-917-2495. or 1523 Laurel Avenue, St. Paul 55104 651-646-4656. December 21st at Rick Gravrok's 2925 Monterey Ave S, St. Louis Park, 55416 952-926-6655. (on the west side of Lake Calhoun, off Lake St.). 12 men Dave Mueller's/Tom Weaver's brunch in August. - Andy Mickel, 2008-09-15.

"Your Anger Management class has bettered my life more than anything else I have ever done." - Doug S., 2008-08-15.

""Keep up the good work!" - David W. Johnson, 2008-07-16.

The Numbers Are In: We Need Your Help Although attendance levels for Men's Center support groups remain the same as last year, the total amount of money collected from attendees has dropped significantly, according to figures recently received by the board of directors. Treasurer Gerry Obremski reports that support group income has fallen $2,000 from the previous fiscal year. Board chair Bobby Schauerhamer suggests that a weak economy is largely to blame for the decrease. Because The Men's Center receives no corporate or government funding, we rely on the voluntary donations of those who seek benefit through our various support groups. This income is needed to cover our monthly rent and modest operating costs. The board is exploring new ways to increase revenue and welcomes your ideas and suggestions. In the meantime, when you attend your next support group session, please try to give what you can afford-every dollar will help keep our support groups accessible to all who need them. - Don Haumant, 2008-09-11.

Expressive Arts Therapy Training Series, 12 weeks, September 10 - November 26, Wednesdays 1-3p.m. Learn to harness the power of the arts for healing and transformation and integrate the creative process into your practice / profession-be it therapist, life coach, organizational consultant, etc. with your creative life as an artist, musician, poet, writer, or actor, etc. Expressive Arts Therapy integrates all the arts-music, poetry, drama, dance, drawing, sculpture, masks, puppets and more-into healing and transformational processes. In this hands-on experiential training you will learn to:

• Identify your creative strengths and limitations
• Build safety through creativity
• Use and combine all the arts modalities for healing and transformation
• Choose the best arts approach for a wide variety of situations
• Work with individuals and groups
• Use the arts to support yourself in your practice

$25/session, FFI, <www.ArtsOfPassage.com>, 612-360-0833. - Harry LeBlanc, 2008-09-06.

New Twin Cities GLBTQ Writers Group sponsored by the Loft Literary Center meets 3rd Wednesdays 7-9 p.m. at the Loft, 1011 Washington Ave, 3rd floor book club room #305. All members of the GLBTQ community of all ages, experience levels and writing genres who are writers or interested in becoming writers are welcome. - Danny Eitingon, 651-649-4538 <doctordanny@prodigy.net>, 2008-07-18.

Wholeness Retreat for Men ages 14 - 100, Saturday, October 11, 8:30a.m. - 3:45p.m. Join with like-minded men to experience a day of self-care and fellowship. Workshops on Letting Go, Mind/Action, Homeopathy, Dominance/Partnership, Male Archetypes, Spiritual Progressives, Breath Work. Also available: Massage, Healing Energy Work, Personal Life Coaching, Food, Music, Prayer, Meditation. $45 (includes lunch) Unity Christ Church, 4000 Golden Valley Road, 763-521-4793. - Blaine McCutchan, Michael Obsatz, Walter Cook, John Kuyper, 2008-09-07.

Open Circle of Warriors events at the Men's Center every 2nd Wednesday, 7-9 p.m, or the Lion's Den Men's Group every 4th Wednesday also at the Men's Center. Contact Andy Mickel with any questions 612-279-6416 or see: <http://minnesota.mkp.org> for Open I-Group dates/times. - Andy Mickel, 2008-09-12.

Men seeking support and encouragement in their spiritual journeys are invited to attend a Retreat for Men: Living Well at the Benedictine Center from Fri. October 31 - Sat. Nov 1. An opportunity for men who want to integrate contemplative spirituality into their everyday lives with times for conversation, prayer and quiet led by David Sagula, PhD, a licensed psychologist and management consultant and expert in male spirituality. "Sometimes it's hard being an everyday guy trying to integrate contemplative practices into an everyday life-this is an opportunity to see you are not alone. Participants don't have to be spiritual athletes, just willing to show up." Cost is $100 including lodging and meals. FFI: <http://www.stpaulsmonastery.org> (click the Benedictine Center link) 651-777-7251, <benedictinecenter@stpaulsmonastery.org>. The Benedictine Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters at St. Paul's Monastery, is located at 2675 Larpenteur Avenue East in Maplewood 55109. - Kathleen Lindstrom, 2008-09-01.

Along with nearly 50 other state agencies and organizations, the Men's Center is co-sponsoring a free, 1-day interfaith conference "Open Doors - Open Hearts: Spiritual Transitioning After Prison and Recovery" Sat., Oct. 11,8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to be held at The Recovery Church, West Campus, at Wesley United Methodist Church, (next to the Minneapolis Convention Center), 101 E Grant St Minneapolis, MN 55403. Focus: "What Are the Issues, Opportunities, and Next Steps Around Spiritual Transitioning After Prison and Recovery?" Using an "Open Space" model of co-creation, we will bring together those who are in transition, community service professionals, and representatives of spiritual communities in the Twin Cities to share ideas and perspectives. All participants will have an equal opportunity to be heard and to contribute to the outcomes. To Register:<oct11conference@aim.com> or 651-644-5851 Include name, address, phone number, e-mail, sponsoring organization (if any), and if you wish a vegetarian lunch. - Don Haumant, 2008-07-10.

Beyond the Wall: Ex-Offender Empowerment Group -for anyone with a criminal record. We will be discussing job searching, relationships, furthering your education, reaching your dreams/goals, and what it takes to set a better example of men and women in our community. All are encouraged to come on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. The first will be held this Saturday, September 6 at Goodwill/Easter Seals. I will be facilitating this group on my own and not as an employee of Goodwill. FFI: Andre Corbett, Employment Support Consultant 651.379.5954, Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota, 553 Fairview Avenue North St. Paul, MN 55104. 2008-09-01.

Fathers and Children's Mental Health: Engaging Fathers in Supporting Healthy Development of Young Children: A series of seven workshops across Minnesota will provide a training opportunity for individuals working in family services, child welfare, family courts, parenting education, early childhood development, public health, child support enforcement, fatherhood advocacy and other social service organizations. Topics will include research and theory about parent-child mental health birth-to-three, mental health community support for parents, principles for engaging men as clients and colleagues, and community resources for promoting parent engagement in early childhood development. Offered by MFFN, Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, DHS Children's Trust Fund, the Minnesota Initiative Foundations, and St. Cloud State University. FREE to MFFN members, Child Abuse Prevention Council members, Early Childhood Initiative members, Thrive Initiative members, and Circle of Parents members. Nonmember registration fee is $20.00. Details and registration information are available at www.pcamn.org or call (651) 523-0099.

• Bemidji: Friday October 3, 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Little Falls: Tuesday October 7, 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Albert Lea: Friday October 10, 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Litchfield: Tuesday October 21, 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Metro/Twin Cities: Tuesday October 28, 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Duluth: Friday November 7, 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Alexandria: Friday November 21, 10:30am - 3:30pm (note later start time)

- Paul Masiarchin, Minnesota Fathers & Families Network, 651-222-7432 <pmasiarchin@mnfathers.org>, <www.mnfathers.org> - 2008-09-02.