Upcoming Monthly Men's Sunday Brunches (bring something to share/cook up): June 21st (Father's Day -children welcome) at Jim Lovestar's backyard picnic table, 2629 Upton Ave N, Minneapolis 55411(1 block east of Theodore Wirth Parkway and near the Broadway/Lowry Jct), 612-588-8984. July 19th at Patrick Nathan's spacious old home at 2700 Pillsbury Ave S, Minneapolis (between Nicollet and Lyndale). Bobby Schauerhamer will co-host and cook, 612-670-6508. 23 men attended the May brunch at Andy Mickel's. - Andy Mickel, 2009-05-11.

"Andy, thanks for the handwritten note...I live far from you but want to support men's work in this small way. I am a friend of Joe Kelly from St. Paul. <http://www.TheDadMan.com/>" - William Klatte, Greenfield, WI 2008-12-09

"Some ideas I invite you to ponder: 'Fostering Peace by Healing Men's Wounds' and 'Obama and the Future' in Madison Friends Newsletter" Recent articles by Roy Schenk plus: 'About CNVC and NVC' by Center for Nonviolent Communication. - Roy Schenk, <ruschenk@charter.net> 2009-05-01

Join One Voice Mixed Chorus, Minnesota's GLBTA chorus, for Lavender Green: Thinking Globally, Singing Locally at the History Theatre, 30 E 10th Street, Saint Paul at 7:30 p.m. Saturday June 13 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday June 14. Tickets are $18-$25 with $10 tickets for students and seniors. FFI: <http://www.ovmc.org> to order tickets. - Kate Reilly, Co-Chair
One Voice Mixed Chorus Board of Directors, 2009-04-30

25th Annual Minnesota Men's Conference: WHERE IS IRON JOHN NOW?
September 8-13, 2009 Camp Miller, Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota
Teachers: Robert Bly, John Lee, Miguel Rivera, Daniel Deardorff, Martin Shaw, Orland Bishop, Tom Gambell, Doug von Koss, Timothy Young, Jay Leeming, Thomas R. Smith...and many other teachers and friends

Twenty five years have passed since the first Minnesota Men's Conference and what has happened? Men's work began by asking what sort of fathering and mentoring was possible for young men inside their own families and within the culture as a whole.

There is a deep hunger for intelligent leadership from adult men. It seems clear that many men have become involved in the complicated work of fathering and mentoring young men and women, yet it is also clear there's a lot more to be done.

In the early 80's Robert Bly used the story of "Iron John" to lay out a map of the soul's journey in maturing the deep masculine. This year as we retell the story "Iron John", we will ask those new to this story, and those who have lived it: 'Where are we now in this story? What is valuable about this story of Iron John?' What other stories do we need? FFI: Craig Ungerman 860-923-6987; 860-942-1658 mobile; <hiddenwine@earthlink.net> <http://www.hiddenwine.com/MMC> - Mark Stanley, 2009-05-01.

Enjoying the art of conversation, welcome to www.BurningTruck.com An eclectic mix, men talking about serious stuff, the world's oldest wood -ancient kauri, introducing an airplane museum, antique fire trucks sounds and interviews. Some good podcasts there you might enjoy.
- John Teisberg, 651-645-9299 2009-04-29.

The next ManKind Project-Minnesota New Warrior Training Adventure will be held Oct 9-11, 2008 at Eagle Lake Camp near Brainerd, MN. The cost is $650, with many payment plans and partial scholarships 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. - Andy Mickel, 2009-03-07.

The Minnesota Fathers & Family Network MFFN NEWS May Excerpts:
1) TOUR OF INNOVATIVE FATHERHOOD PROGRAMS: Join MFFN on Tuesday, June 16, 9:00-1:00 for a pre-Father's Day tour of four fatherhood programs in south Minneapolis. Details at: http://www.mnfathers.org/Tour2009.pdf

2) FATHERS TO THE FOREFRONT: POLICY YEAR-IN-REVIEW: Thursday, July 23, 2009, 10:00am - 2:30 pm. Minneapolis/St. Paul location to be determined. For 4 years, fatherhood advocates from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota have been gathering to generate a higher level of cooperation and collaboration among father-serving agencies and organizations. We have made a good deal of progress! Fathers are being brought "to the forefront" in the policies and practices of state agencies, statewide associations, direct-service providers, and across the spectrum of the human services fields. Join our next conversation about changes taking place in government policies around father-inclusion. The agenda will include 2009 Legislative Highlights (invited presenters will include Minnesota legislators); State and Federal Policies - Changes that Affect Dads; and Beginning a Conversation Around 2010 Legislative Priorities. Lunch will be served. Sponsored by the Minnesota Fathers & Families Network with support from the McKnight Foundation. RSVP: Space is limited; registration is free; RSVP is required. You may RSVP at the Minnesota Fathers & Families Network: info@mnfathers.org or (651) 222-7432.

3) WORKING WITH MEN - NETWORKING BREAKFAST: The next monthly networking meeting for professionals who work with men and males will take place on Friday, June 5 at 9:00 am at Maria's Cafe, at 11th Ave. and Franklin Ave. in South Minneapolis. This monthly gathering is an informal opportunity to network, learn about other fatherhood services and men's services in Minnesota, and share your professional challenges and successes. Meet in the back room at Maria's. Open to the public; no RSVP is required.

4) FESTIVAL FOR FATHERS: Join the planning committee for the 19th annual Minnesota Festival for Fathers & Families. The next planning meeting will take place on Wed. May 27, 10:00am at North Commons Park (1801 James Ave. North, Minneapolis). Help with fundraising, recruiting performers, reserving rides, and planning for the best-ever free family festival. The festival will take place on Saturday, August 8 at North Commons Park. Learn more online at www.mnfathers.org/festival.html. (Subsequent planning meetings are scheduled for the 4th Wed. of each month at 10:00am at North Commons Park.)
- Paul Masiarchin, MFFN, 161 St Anthony Ave, Suite 845, St. Paul, MN 55103
651-222-7432 <http://www.mnfathers.org/> - 2009-03-03.