Upcoming Monthly Men's Sunday Brunches (bring something to share/cook up): August 17th, 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 21st (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. October 19th at the Men's Center 3249 Hennepin Ave S, Suite 55, Minneapolis 55408 33rd anniversary celebration. 18 men and boys attended Jim Lovestar's Father's Day brunch in June. - Andy Mickel, 2008-07-15.

Festival for Fathers for 2008 will be at North Commons Park, 1801 James Ave. North Minneapolis on Saturday, August 9, 2008, noon - 4pm. See details at <http://www.mnfathers.org/festival.html/> - The Men's Center and ManKind Project Minnesota will share a table at the event. - Andy Mickel & Malik Holt-Shabazz, 2008-06-20.

The next ManKind Project-Minnesota New Warrior Training Adventure will be held October 3-5, 2008 at Eagle Lake Camp near Brainerd, MN. The cost is $650, with many payment plans and a scholarship fund available. To register, contact Taylor Burr, 651-274-1212. 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 authentic connection to feeling at 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, 2008-07-12.

"Rekindling the Unselfish Way" is the theme of the 24th Annual Minnesota Men's Conference, Sept 30-Oct 5, at Camp Miller in Minnesota. $750, $150 deposit by Sept 1st. Young men (ages 13-20) $400, $75 deposit. "There has been tremendous pressure these last years to regard selfishness as the normal way, perhaps, the American Way. Big money interests get what they want, many suffer - especially the jobless, the children and the returning veterans.It would be good for grown men to imagine what a more unselfish road would look like. There needs to be discussion - in what way do men encourage each other to be selfish? How can we change that habit? What might be a way to begin?" - Robert Bly. Teachers include: Danny Deardorff and Martin Shaw, with their great love of old stories and myths, will bring us tales about Rekindling the Fiery Horses of Generosity through the Waters of Longing. Malidoma Some and Miguel Rivera, whose voices are deeply rooted in the indigenous world of Nature, will talk to us about what happens when we become disconnected from that generous source. Tom Gambell, with his compassionate, open-hearted Aikido, and Doug Von Koss, with his arrows of love songs, will courageously lead us to break down the Dungeon Walls of Selfishness. Robert Bly and Haki Madhubuti, great lovers of the spoken word, fierce and outspoken defenders for social justice and life long friends, join together once again to encourage and harangue us, as only true elders can, towards the righteous path of the Unselfish Way. - FFI: Craig Ungermann, 860-923-6987, <www.hiddenwine.com> - 2008-06-01.

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.

Dads Make a Difference: Building Youth Capacities for Healthy Futures and Responsible Parenthood celebrated its 15th anniversary with a fundraiser featuring live entertainment & food. Executive Director Jan Hayne, reports that during its history, DMAD has educated over 62,000 Minnesota youth about the importance of fathers and the personal, economic, and social impact of decisions they make before becoming a parent. - Andy Mickel, 2008-06-11.

MAN-MAKING Blog's latest posting concerns "Boys Will Be Boys Photos" <http://journeytomanhood.blogspot.com/> This is the most recent addition to my collection of Boys Will Be Boys photos. I'm guessing it reminds you of the kind of trouble you got into when you were a "normal" adolescent male. I can remember getting caught stealing candy, jumping from high places, sneaking into the girls bathroom (not sure why), and other forms of (innocent) young male adventure and self-discovery. - Earl Hipp, 2008-07-09.

Long-time Men's Center members Roy U. Schenk of Madison Wisconsin, our own Jim Lovestar have co-authored a short piece (work in progress) entitled "Fostering Peace by Healing Men's Wounds". In its draft form it is 6 pages with a diagram with its central theme being the "Compassion Belief System" - Andy Mickel, 2008-06-21.

The article, "Angry Men Really Grieving Underneath" by Scott McKeen appeared in the Edmonton Journal, Edmonton, Alberta on June 23rd. University of Victoria professor Calvin Sandborn author of book, Becoming a Kind Father: Journey to a Man's Heart, gave a workshop on the topic of male anger. - Calvin Sandborn, 250-472-5248, 2008-06-28.

Working With Men-Networking Breakfast: The next monthly networking meeting for professionals who work with men and males will take place on Friday, Sept 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. - Paul Masiarchin, Minnesota Fathers & Families Network <www.mnfathers.org> - 2008-07-09.

Urban Ventures Family Center presents Re-Entry Resource Panel, 1st Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm at 2041 4th Ave S. Minneapolis 55408. Meet local agencies to help find resources needed to transition back into the community and learn about potential employment opportunities, house, education, health resources. FFI: TWarna 612-455-4640 <monacasn@urbanventures.org> - 2008-07-10.

Nurturing Parents & Children Program is a domestic abuse and family violence prevention program, promoting and supporting families to live violence-free lives by providing parenting classes, support groups, case management and resources. No-cost parenting classes held every Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m. FFI: Sandra Lester, Lutheran Social Service of MN, 612-879-5211. - Randy Genrich, 2008-07-10.

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.