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The Men's Center of Los Angeles
Beverly Hills/Woodland Hills
in Association with
Sacred Path Productions
Newsletter for June 2005
Voicemail: (818) 348-9302
Web Site: www.menscenterlosangeles.com
Contact: info@menscenterlosangeles.com
Our Mission:
"Bringing good men together and bringing out the best in
them"
Our Approach:
Helping develop a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment for
men by fostering vision, passion, authenticity and intimate connection
to self and others
Our Services:
Psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups, as well as
our Sacred Path and Call to Adventure Retreats,
Workshops, Seminars, and Monthly Men's Gatherings
CHECK
OUT THE INFO ON THE FALL '05 RETREAT UNDER UPCOMING EVENTS!
IN THIS ISSUE:
A Message from the Director
Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendar
- Ed Munter: Soul Journey
- Albert Marrewa: Martial Arts Workshop – Bo
Staff Level 1
- Dan Franklin and Albert Marrewa: Beyond Self-Improvement
– Opening to Our Authentic Nature
- Fall Retreat October 20-23, 2005
- Ongoing Men's Groups
A Review of the Sacred Ways First Annual Fundraising Event
A Review of Larry Starr-Karlin's Dream Workshop
A Request from Bob Fimiani and Bobbi Liberton
... And One From Glenn Sacks
A New Store for Native American Spiritual Artifacts
Men's Teams
Important Web Links
Sacred Path Alumni Yahoo Group
Contribute to the Newsletter
A Message from the Director - Dr. Stephen Johnson
 Greetings,
It's Memorial Day, and I remember writing to you last year
at this time as the World War II bomber squadron flew overhead
in the missing man formation. Each year at approximately 11
AM the squadron flies out of Van Nuys airport, crossing the
San Fernando Valley and heading for the coast, where they fly
out over the beaches prior to their return flight to the base.
I think of the beaches in Normandy and the fierce battle that
took the lives of thousands of servicemen in one single day.
I run up the steps in my backyard to the top of the hill to
gain a closer glimpse of the formation. It always sends goose
bumps up my spine as I reflect about those who have served so
gallantly throughout history, and about those valiant men and
women who are serving their country today by putting their lives
on the line.
The news each day out of Iraq resonates with the same theme
that more of our service people and countless civilians have
been killed in car bombings and drive-by executions. The number
of military dead rises each day. When my mind goes negative
concerning something that frustrates me about my life, I'm blessed
to be reminded of those who are serving our country so that
we are free to have the kind of life that's easy to take for
granted. In other parts of the world, nothing is taken for granted.
Even the run-of-the-mill frustrations seem banal when contrasted
with what can suddenly erupt into a really bad day.
My meditation today is centered around not taking for granted
the blessings that have been bestowed on me. I am truly grateful
for my life and all the Grace that flows to me and through me.
As we honor those that have served and serve, I wish you and
yours a life full of all the blessings that you deserve.
Namaste,
Stephen
Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendar
Ed Munter: Soul
Journey
Find the Love You've Been Looking For... Look Inside!
Can art save the world? A Christian, A Muslim, and a Jew
performing in a revolutionary new musical seem to believe
it just might be possible. In this critical time, when mankind
seems to be divided into warring factions and we seem to be
balanced on the brink of a Holy War, Soul Journey
presents a completely different perspective that is inspiring
and universally accessible. Soul Journey, currently playing
at the Earth & Sky Performing Arts Center, plays like
a funny and touching spiritual fable of the soul's adventure
through the human experience.
As an audience, we are led through a soul-discovery process
to the moment of enlightenment that opens up to a joyful celebration
of our commonality. This collective discovery cuts through
global politics, religious beliefs, doctrine, dogma, spiritual
rhetoric and current world conflicts to arrive at a deeper
connection within us all.
Join Ed Munter, Christo Pellani, and Rashid Lanie
in this revolutionary theatrical experience.
Saturday, June 25th, 8PM; Continuing
on the last Saturday of Each Month
Earth & Sky Performing Arts Center
5521 Grosvenor, Playa Vista
(310) 281-6601
405 to 90 freeway / Centinela exit /
left on Centinela to Jefferson / right on Jefferson
Tickets are $20.00 in advance, $25.00
at the door
Albert
Marrewa: Martial Arts Workshop – Bo Staff, Level 1
WHEN: Saturday, June 4, 2005, from 3PM to 5PM
WHERE: Veterans' Park in Westwood, CA (on Sepulveda
Blvd. just south of Wilshire Blvd.)
Greetings, Gentlemen,
I am planning on facilitating a 2-hour Bo Staff - Level
1 workshop on Veterans' Park on Saturday, June 4, from
3PM to 5PM for the men in our community. The cost for the
workshop is $75.00, which includes the purchase price of one
5-foot hardwood Bo Staff for each participant. All subsequent
Bo Staff workshops will be priced at $50.00 per participant.
The Bo Staff is a traditional weapon used in several martial
art disciplines including my own, Kung Fu San Soo, a southern
Chinese fighting art. The staff was the weapon of choice for
Grandmaster Jimmy H. Woo (Chin Siu Dek), who brought Kung
Fu San Soo to the U.S. many years ago. Kung Fu San Soo, more
traditionally known as Tsoi Li Ho Fut Hung, is a "freestyle"
fighting system originating at the Kwan-Yin (Goddess of Mercy)
Monastery in the village of Pon Hong, Guangdong Province,
in Southern China. It was here that monks were trained in
the art of self defense in order to protect themselves in
a region plagued by bandits and criminals.
In this beginner's workshop (for men of all ages) you will
learn how to handle this weapon as a defensive tool
(with a little bit of offense thrown in there as well). But
more importantly, in addition to the basics of weapon control,
eye-hand development, body awareness, and mental strengthening,
you can expect to access the depth of your own masculine essence
soon after picking up your weapon. In fact, you may be reluctant
to put your weapon back down once the workshop has concluded.
And so, if you'd like to get out of your head, drop into
your body, breathe, relax, and have some fun in the sun for
a couple of hours with your fellow brothers and Bo Staff in
hand, here's all you do:
1. E-mail me no later than May 10, 2005, at albertmarrewa@aol.com
indicating your desire to participate in this workshop.
2. *On or before May 10, 2005, mail your check in the
amount of $75.00 (made payable to "Albert Marrewa")
to:
Albert Marrewa
4712 Admiralty Way, Suite 424
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
*All payments are non-refundable after
June 1, 2005
Approximately one week prior to Saturday, June
4, I will contact all participants via e-mail with more details
pertaining to this workshop.
I look forward to seeing you at the park!
In brotherhood,
Albert Marrewa
(310) 428-7981
To view my biography, go to: www.albertmarrewa.com
Beyond
Self-Improvement: Opening to Our Authentic Nature – an
Anti-Workshop Workshop
THE MEN'S CENTER OF LOS ANGELES
Presents
A 2005 Workshop Series Event
facilitated by
Dan Franklin, M.A., MFT, Associate Director
and
Albert Marrewa, M.A., M.P.H.
TIME: Saturday, June 18, 2005, from 3PM to
6PM
PLACE: The Body-Mind Institute, 11081 Missouri
Avenue, Los Angeles 90025
FEE: $75.00
Are you tired of nonstop self-consciousness and the feeling
that you're never good enough? Is even personal growth work
getting to you? Is trying to get better and be more or be
less of something starting to feel like a burden rather than
a blessing? If you desire to go beyond needing answers and
want to experience a fuller engagement of life, we have the
approach for you.
There is an antidote, born of the great wisdom traditions,
contemporary psychology, and common sense! The vehicle for
real transformation and the express lane to self-realization
lies in "OPENING".
Simply put, OPENING is adaptation to life as it unfolds and
presents itself. It is more a state of being than doing. The
destination is always right where you are. It is working with
external situations, circumstances, and people as well as
internal energies, emotions, thoughts and beliefs. OPENING
is the activating ingredient, both the starting and end point,
the process and the goal.
Join us in this powerful exploration in the tradition of
the great spiritual teachings on the path of self-knowledge,
self-acceptance, and self-realization. To realize anything
is to understand and experience its true nature, to connect
to what's real. Let's get real together!
This experience will be engaging and fully inter-active.
We request you bring all available willingness, authenticity,
and spontaneity.
Space is limited and interest is already high, so please
indicate your desired participation as soon as possible to
insure a spot.
Mail your check in the amount of $75.00 to Dan Franklin.
All payments are non-refundable after June 7th.
Mail to: Dan Franklin
9012 Burton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
To Register, e-mail: danfranklinmft1@aol.com
By phone: the Men's Center of Los Angeles - (818)348-9302
ALL REGISTRANTS WILL BE CONTACTED WITH
PERTINENT DETAILS ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE EVENT
FUTURE WORKSHOPS
The Wonders of the Enneagram: and Exploration of the
Nine Personality Types – Tentatively scheduled for
September 2005
Join Dan Franklin in this exciting journey into the
profound and uncanny world of personality as we discover
how we present ourselves to the world
Romance: Falling In and Out of Love and Into Relationship
– Coming in December 2005
Dan Franklin and Albert Marrewa tackle the fascinating
world of love, sexual attraction, and illusion. Don't miss
it!
Dates, times, and other details for the remainder of the
series to be announced in upcoming newsletters and/or contact
DanFranklinmft1@aol.com
or (818) 348-9302 for further information.
Weekly Men's Groups
are available in Woodland Hills and Beverly Hills. Please call
for information.
Fall Retreat on
the Mountain, October 20-23
Because of our desire to maintain the momentum and the depth
of our work generated by the successful Spring '05 Retreat,
we are once again holding a combined event this fall. We are
hosting the 19th Annual Sacred Path Men's Fall Retreat in
conjunction with the 5th Annual Sacred Path Rites of Passage
Fall Retreat for Fathers and Sons/Boys and Mentors. A staff
of 30 will be on hand to assist. There are openings for 40
participants in the Men's Retreat, and 40 in the Rites of
Passage Retreat comprised of 20 men and 20 boys (12 years
old and up) and young men. Once again we are offering a limited
number of discounted half-price registration fees for first
time participants, 12 on the Men's Retreat and 12 on the Rites
of Passage Retreat. We will also be rewarding scholarships
to those in need. For each new registrant you bring in, you
can reduce the cost of your enrollment by $100. The Early
Bird discount of $25.00 is also in effect, so those of you
who receive the newsletter and act now have the opportunity
to take advantage of all the discounts prior to the mass mailing
announcing the retreat. Anyone desiring to register now or
to register someone new can e-mail us at info@menscenterlosangeles.com
and we will expedite his enrollment process. This retreat
is sure to be full, so the sooner one registers, even with
a deposit of $175, he will be assured a spot.
We continue to focus on the Way of the Spiritual Warrior.
We are empowering men to live their lives as Good Men by bringing
good men together and bringing out the best in them. We have
witnessed the remarkable transformations that occurred on
the mountain this spring, and know that the Fall Retreat holds
more in store. Be a part of the magic!
A Review of Sacred Ways First Annual Fundraising
Event
On Sunday, May 15, over 70 guests attended the Sacred Ways
First Annual Fundraising Event on the breathtaking grounds of
the Casa Barranca in Ojai. This home, designed by Green and
Green, is a perfectly restored Craftsman-style building filled
with lovely antique furniture. The tables for the guests were
set up on the lawn under giant oak trees, an appropriate setting
for Andrew Soliz' quietly powerful aura. Scott Edwards, one
of our Sacred path members, provided the guitar music for the
occasion.
Speakers included our own Matthew Burke and Richard (Richie
from the Bronx) Bizzaro. Several notable friends of Andrew's
also spoke, one a Lakota Sioux Grandfather who had driven his
truck from South Dakota to be with us. He blessed us several
times in the language of the Lakota and shared many words of
wisdom and humor with us. Another friend was a man who had just
been released from San Quentin the previous week. He spoke passionately
about how Andrew had become a father/mentor to him and other
inmates who had never experienced fathering in their lives.
All who attended were greatly moved by the homage paid by so
many to Andrew, who has become such an important and loving
part of the Sacred Path community. Let's pray that Andrew and
Sacred Ways are on their way to a long and healing life.
A Review of Larry Starr-Karlin's Dream Workshop
The Los Angeles Men's Center presented a Dream Workshop facilitated
by Larry Starr-Karlin on May 21 in Woodland Hills. During the
workshop, participants each did a piece of experiential work
with one of their dreams. The Gestalt approach, was easy, fun,
and interesting. Direction was provided by Larry, who is an
experienced dream worker and an empathic leader. The dream exercise
brought the dreams to life in the present moment, awakening
feelings and concerns about areas of personal growth, current
issues and situations. Everyone left with some new insights
or had a deeply felt emotional connection to the material which
they can work with later in their individual therapy or journaling.
Larry told the group a little about the history of dream work.
He is both clear and authoritative and made an excellent leader,
sharing some of his own experience to clarify and answer questions.
We recommend this workshop as a way of introduction to a new
method of working with your dreams. It is suitable to all levels,
from novices to experienced dream workers to practicing therapists.
You will leave with some specific tools to use at home.
Larry will be holding another Dream Workshop on Saturday morning,
July 23rd in West Los Angeles.
A Request from Bob Fimiani and Bobbi Liberton
In case you don't remember Bob Fimiani, let me refresh your
memory. Bob ran a workshop on better communication for the Sacred
Path participants at the spring retreat, as well as speaking
so eloquently from his heart during the Saturday night Coming
of Age Ritual. Bob has been a member of the Sacred Path Wisdom
Council and a retreat tribe leader for many years, giving unselfishly
of himself and his wisdom to Sacred Path. We now have a chance
to stand up and support Bob and his wife, Bobbi Liberton, in
their fledgling venture, Working Relationships.
Here is what Bob wrote to the men of Sacred Path:
Dear Sacred Path Brother,
We believe deeply in the work we are doing, and we're asking
all our friends for their support at this time. We think you
will agree that the client testimonies on our website, www.workingrelationships.org,
illustrate the value and effectiveness of our services to
organizations. And, at this developmental stage of our one-year-old
Consultation/Training Practice, it is financially critical
that we expand our client base. We simply need to get in front
of more potential clients.
Are you willing to explore your heart, mind, and address
book for any organizational decision-makers to whom we can
offer a consultation, at no charge or obligation to them?
In our conversations with people you might refer us to, we
will explore the communication/relationship strengths and
challenges of their organization and give them a sense of
how we might serve their specific needs. That's it! No pressure.
Yeses are gifts, and Noes are immediately honored.
We will be grateful if you decide to pass this letter on
to others you might think would value our work enough, after
examining our website, to refer us to their friends and associates.
Thank you very much for whatever thought you give to our
request.
With gratitude,
Bob Fimiani and Bobbi Liberton
... And One from Glenn Sacks
As you know, Glenn Sacks' radio show, His Side, deals
with men's issues and supports men in their various life struggles.
Our director, Dr. Stephen Johnson, has appeared as a guest on
his show a number of times, dealling with emotional and spiritual
issues in men's lives.Glenn's show originates on KTIE 940 AM,
which has a very limited broadcast range in the LA area. Most
of us who listen to the show do so via live streaming on his
website or by accessing the archives of the show.
Glenn would very much like to be heard throughout the LA area
on the radio, and has asked us to call or e-mail the program
directors of several larger radio stations to ask whether they
would be interested in carrying his program. They will be interested
to know that you listen to the show via the web and would like
to hear it via radio broadcast.
Here is their contact information:
KFI 640 AM
Program Director: Robin Bertolucci robinbertolucci@clearchannel.com
or programming@kfi640.com
(818)559-2252
3400 W. Olive Ave., Suite 550, Burbank, CA 91505
www.kfi640.com
XTRA Sports 570 AM
Program Director: Don Martin
donmartin@clearchannel.com
Contact address and phone same as KFI
KLSX 97.1 FM
Program Director: Jack Silver jack.silver@infinitybroadcasting.com
(323)971-9710
3580 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010
www.fmtalki.com
Progressive Talk 1150 KTLK (Air America Radio)
Program Director: Don Martin donmartin@clearchannel.com
Contact address and phone same as KFI
www.ktlk.com
KABC 790 AM
Program Director: Erik Braverman erik.s.braverman@abc.com
(310)840-4900
3321 S. La Cienega, Los Angeles, CA 90016
KMPC 1540 AM
General Manager: John Ryan jryan@1540theticket.com
Program Director: Tim Parker
tparker@1540theticket.com
(310)-452-7100
2800 28th Street #308, Santa Monica, CA 90405
KPFK
Program Director: Armando Gudino pd@kpfk.org
ext. 202
Programming Assistant: Jennifer Kiser jkiser@kpfk.org
ext. 204
(818)985-2711
3729 Cahuenga Blvd. West, North Hollywood, CA 91604
A New Store for Native American Spiritual Artifacts
Ivor Weiner has discovered a new store in the
West Valley which offers Native American spiritual artifacts
for sale. The info is:
Native Spirit Stones - Greywolf's Spirit Stones
21523 Sherman Way
Canoga Park, CA 91303
(818)703-7046
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 12 Noon to 6 PM
Closed Monday and Tuesday
The owner, Greywolf, has a gift for any man identifying himself
as being from the LA Men's Center. The prices are reasonable,
and you can avoid having to turn to the web or higher-priced
dealers for spiritual artifacts.
Men's Teams
The ongoing eight-man San Fernando Valley team will meet again
on Monday, June 6, at 7:30 PM, at our regular meeting room at
CSUN. We are now up to eight men, and membership is closed for
the present. If you'd like to get on the waiting list, call
Ivor Weiner at (818) 268-1589, or e-mail him at:
ivor.weiner@csun.edu.
The West Side/West LA team held their first meeting on Thursday,
May 19, and the response, though small in number, was enthusiastic.
Five men attended out of a core of seven. The next meeting will
be held on Thursday, June 23rd, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM, at Mark
Kreher's home, 155 Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica. The meeting
may be held on the beach, which is only steps away from Mark's
door! For more information, call Mark at (310)581-6616 or e-mail
him at: mark.kreher@verizon.net.
You can also call David Sacks at (323) 650-8239, or e-mail him
at: dasacks@yahoo.com.
There is still room for interested members, so call or e-mail
ASAP.
Matthew Burke is open to starting a men's group in Thousand
Oaks. Contact Matt at (818)774-1000, or e-mail him at: matthewburke@singerburke.com.
David "Stongbear" Myers is heading up a team in the
San Gabriel Valley. If you're interested in joining, talk to
Strongbear at (818)541-9499, or e-mail him at: dj0814myers@earthlink.net.
Lastly, a new group is forming in the Mountain View area of
Northern California. Check on e-mail with the LA Men's Center
for further info.
Important Web Links
ANCIENT WAYS, Andrew Soliz' organization dedicated to
promoting growth and healing through traditional Native American
teachings and ceremonies. To check on the latest events, ceremonies,
sweatlodges, and other information, log on to www.sacred-ways.org.
To contact Andrew directly, e-mail Andrew@sacred-ways.org.
ALBERT MARREWA, counselor, instructor of martial arts,
consultant, lecturer, and workshop facilitator. Access Albert's
web site at www.albertmarrewa.com
for biographical information, lists of services, and calendar
of events, or e-mail Albert directly at albertmarrewa@aol.com.
HIS SIDE, the weekly radio program on KTIE 940 AM hosted
by Glenn Sacks. Go to www.hisside.com
to find out about future programs, sign up for the weekly newsletter,
listen live via streaming audio at 5 PM every Sunday, and contact
Glenn directly.
MEN ALIVE, the web site hosted by Jed Diamond, psychologist,
author, and speaker. Jed spoke at our first monthly gathering
and again last November, outlining his new book, "The Irritable
Male Syndrome: Managing the 4 Key Causes of Male Depression
and Aggression". Go to: menalive-on@lists.mcn.org
to receive Jed's weekly newsletter online, and contact Jed directly
at: jed@menalive.com.
CHRISTO PELLANI, Sacred Path's Master Percussionist.
Stay current with events featuring Christo and his friends by
logging onto his web site: www.soundformation.com.
ED MUNTER, originator and star performer of Soul
Journey. Find out about the latest performances of this
soul-stirring experience, as well as CD ordering info and more
about Ed himself. Log onto www.innerpathproductions.org
INTERFAITH INVENTIONS, an organization dedicated to
enriching the lives of children and adults through programs
that promote respect and understanding between people of diverse
faiths. They are developing a national network of summer camps
to bring together Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Native
American, and other faiths' children to have fun and to form
lasting relationships. The camp experience includes developing
a relationship with the natural world around them; sharing family
stories, food customs, drumming and music; exploring shared
values of compassion, reconciliation and respect for others
through sacred texts and stories from their traditions as well
as art projects, games, camp fires, and informal play time.
The summer program includes following up activities to help
forge lasting relationships between the children and their communities.
For more info on this highly worthwhile organization, go to:
www.interfaithinventions.org
Sacred Path Alumni Yahoo Group
What does Sacred Path do to support men after they have completed
their retreats? The Sacred Path Alumni Discussion Group is one
answer to that query. It provides a means for our community
of men to have ongoing e-mail contact and discussions with their
fellow Sacred Path Retreat graduates. Membership is restricted
to graduates of a Sacred Path retreat. The simplest way to sign
up is to send an e-mail (its content is irrelevant) to: Sacred_Path_Alumni-subscribe@Yahoo.groups.com.
You can also join from the Sacred Path Alumni's home page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sacredpathalumni.
Once you have become a member of the discussion group, you
can begin using our Sacred Path Alumni Yahoo Group immediately.
Members are able to use any or all of the following features:
- Post a message
- Create group polls
- Invite others to join
- Share files and photos
- Create group calendars
- View the archives (past postings)
When you join the group, please remember to use only lower-case
letters and numbers in choosing your group ID name. Yahoo doesn't
recognize capital letters!
Contribute to the Newsletter
Does your creativity need an outlet? Here's a chance for your
unique words to appear on the printed page (or at least a computer
screen)! Send us an article, an anecdote, a poem, a joke; whatever
tickles your fancy. Please address your e-mails to Rich Manners
at: jyngleman@sbcglobal.net.
Bribes will be cheerfully accepted!
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