Upcoming Monthly Men's Sunday Brunches 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.). January 18th at Frank Brandon's, 975 Como Blvd E, St. Paul, 55103. 651-487-3008. (on the east side of Lake Como). 9 men attended Stephen Sewell's brunch in September. - Andy Mickel, 2008-11-17.

"Maybe [produce] another health symposium like you put on a few years ago [2001]-awesome- depression seemed the most popular lecture." - Tom Bachelder., 2008-10-15. Note from Andy: The 2001 Men's Health and Wellbeing Symposium was very well received and we all wanted to do another one; it also broke even (did not lose money). It also was so much work, that we haven't found the time or energy to do it again.

"Your services are superb. I refer my clients often. Thank you for continuing this fine, important, needed service." - anonymous, 2008-10-16.

Long-time Men's Center member and volunteer, support-group facilitator and fundraiser Bob Anderson has a new book: Out of Denial It's the memoir of a closeted gay married man who grew up in the conformist Fifties, took its values too readily to heart and got trapped in a maze of denial. It shows the toll this takes on him and those he loves, his struggle to break free and his eventual recovery of a lost boy and a submerged self. With frankness and humor, it celebrates the odyssey of coming out and the release of new energy for love and friendship, spirituality and creativity. Go to: <http://stores.lulu.com/OutofDenial> to get your copy, learn more about the author and even read chapter one.

Excerpts from the book...
"For years I denied a basic truth about myself, yet for all the damage that was done, what I see in the pattern of my life is an amazing generosity, a repeated invitation to step into the fullness of my being, whatever my resistance."

"A friend once said that being married and being gay, for him, was like living inside a glass jar. You saw everything that was happening to you, you went through the motions, but you didn't connect, you weren't fully present. You viewed yourself like a specimen under glass."

"The grief of inauthenticity is a grief many married gay men share. It runs deep and takes many forms... and is immeasurable, because it goes to the core of your being."

"Coming out didn't end my problems, and it created a host of new ones, but the difference was, I had a commitment to this life, it expressed me and had meaning for me. Every difficulty, therefore, was transformed into a learning opportunity, another step along the way; and embracing it, I turned it to my advantage." - Bob Anderson, 2008-11-10

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, 2008-11-11.

Many Voices, One Song: Hope for a World Beyond AIDS - A concert commemorating the 20th Anniversary of World AIDS Day Hopkins High School Auditorium, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka Friday, December 5, 2008, 7:30 pm & Saturday, December 6, 2008, 7:30 pm. Presented by One Voice Mixed Chorus and the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra. With community partners: African American AIDS Task Force, The Aliveness Project, Building Bridges, Minnesota AIDS Project, Rural AIDS Action Network. Tickets: $18 and $25 ($10 students and seniors). <http://www.ovmc.org/> or 651-298-1954. -Karen Muleski, 2008-10-22

Men's Issues in the News...article by: Pam Louwagie, Minneapolis Star-Tribune Sunday 09 November 2008: "Sexual Assault on Campus: Culture Change 101"

Tyler Jones was tipping back a couple of beers with friends at a Dinkytown bar when he suddenly had to take a stand. "Hey, see that girl over there?" Jones recalled an acquaintance asking, nodding toward a woman he wanted to take home. "She's almost drunk. Not quite drunk enough... What shot should I buy her?" There was a time, Jones says, when he might have laughed off the remark. Not anymore. "You want to buy her something really strong to like, basically knock her out?" Jones, a University of Minnesota senior, recalled saying. "Man, that's not right. That's rape. That's sexual assault." The acquaintance looked stunned. "Whatever," he mumbled, and walked away. Complete story at: <http://www.startribune.com/local/34129724.html>

"I am writing on behalf of Children's Home Society & Family Services. We truly appreciate having loyal and credible partners in the community, such as Twin Cities Men's Center:

Children's Home Society & Family Services strives to prevent child abuse and neglect by offering free or low cost, integrated services that provide 1) ongoing support and education in setting goals towards self-sufficiency, developing life skills and building healthy relationships, 2) helping families to create family plans in order to reach those goals and 3) connecting families to other resources in the community. Services include Parent Support, Domestic Abuse & Anger Management, Financial & Home Ownership Education and Learning Disabilities. Our service areas include Ramsey & Dakota (651-641-1300), Anoka (763-785-9222), and Chisago (651-674-8596) Counties. "
- Amy Lopez, Children's Home Society & Family Services. 651-641-1300 <http://www.chsfs.org/> - 2008-10-02

Minnesota Fatherhood Summit: Annual Winter Training Conference: Monday - Tuesday, January 12, 13, 2009, St. Cloud Civic Center. REGISTER NOW! Join MFFN for our 6th annual winter conference for professionals working in fatherhood programs, early childhood settings, public health, government agencies, and related family/social service organizations. Conference details and registration materials are available at www.mnfathers.org/summit.html or call (651) 222-7432. The 2009 theme focuses on healthy masculinity with keynotes by various noted speakers including:
- Dr. Christopher Kilmartin, author, stand-up comedian, actor, playwright, consultant, professional psychologist, and professor of psychology at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA.
- Dr. Leola Johnson, professor and chair of humanities and media and cultural studies at Macalester College in St. Paul. Dr. Johnson's scholarship focuses on hip-hop culture, rap music, sports, and other media representations of African Americans in news and entertainment.
- Joe Kelly, father, author, speaker, activist, editor, publisher, consultant, and a leading national voice for progressive parenting with vast expertise on issues affecting dads and daughters.
- Dr. Michael Obsatz, professor emeritus at Macalester College in St. Paul. His courses have included Institution of the Family, Human Sexuality, Male Socialization Issues and Violence, and Death and Dying.

Be sure to stay in touch with Men's Center workshops, classes, support groups and other events at: <http://www.tcmc.org/> - Andy Mickel, 2008-02-02.