January 2006

In this issue:

1. Intro — Oscar Night® on Ice is new and improved!
2. What's new at MAP — Author Frederick Smith to discuss his book, Down for Whatever
3. Current volunteer opportunities — Be a Truth Teller or a Tuesday Niter!
4. Upcoming volunteer opportunities — Oscar Night & Poster Blast
5. Did you know? — listen to our Community Forums online
6. MAP staff recommends — from Darin Rowles, case manager and pop culture maven

Intro

Oscar Night® on Ice is new and improved!

That chill in the air means we're gearing up for our 19th annual Academy Awards® gala, Oscar Night® on Ice, which will take place on March 5! We have a lot of great new features this year — here's a sneak preview:

• Group ticket sales: Get rewarded for bringing your friends! Group ticket purchasers will receive incentives such as free tickets, recognition in the program, and official Academy Awards programs.
• Signature dishes: don’t worry, our famous dessert court isn’t going anywhere! This year, we’re just adding some savory dishes from area restaurants to help you over that sugar rush. All complimentary, of course!
• Milk bar: After all those desserts, head on over to the Schroeder Milk Bar for some white, chocolate or strawberry milk.
• VIP reception: the VIP experience was the talk of the town last year, and this year it will be even more special, with the addition of wine tasting, a chocolate fountain, and Palomino’s private room that opens directly onto the mezzanine of the theater.

This is just the beginning. You can find out more on our Oscar Night® on Ice website.

Also, there is still time to take the volunteer survey! Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to tell us your thoughts. We’d love to hear from even more of you! As our agency continues to grow and adjust to a changing epidemic, we need your input to make sure that the volunteer program is meeting your needs. Take the Online Volunteer Survey here.

What’s new at MAP

Frederick Smith Forum at MAP

Mark your calendars for January 10! Author Frederick Smith will be presenting a forum entitled “Down for Whatever: True love and the clash of family, community, ethnicity and class” at 7 p.m., here at MAP. Described as a cross between “Sex and the City” and “Queer as Folk,” novelist Frederick Smith’s Down for Whatever weaves together the lives of a group of African American and Latino guy-loving men. Underlying the story is a smart explanation of the socioeconomic and class issues facing gay and bi men of color and how they play out in dating, friendship and family dynamics. Smith sheds light on why standard terms used in the media dealing with sexual orientation just don’t work for many African American and Latino men. He explores the myth that African American and Latino communities are more homophobic and less accepting than other communities. Perhaps the media hype about these men being “on the down low” is too simplistic. Their lives are much more interesting, lively and complex. It’s more like being “down for whatever.”

Current volunteer opportunities

Looking for “Truth Teller” Volunteers

Photo: Gracey Stinson

A “Truth Teller” volunteer will monitor local media outlets, particularly newspapers, for items on HIV policy and related issues, or those concerning or mentioning MAP. After monitoring local media outlets, the Truth Teller volunteer will educate the public by responding to news items on HIV policy and related issues, primarily by writing letters to the editor of local newspapers. Additionally, the Truth Teller volunteer may place phone calls to targeted media when appropriate and under the direction of MAP staff. This volunteer position is on an on-call basis, approximately four hours per month. Truth Tellers conduct their volunteer work from their own home or office. For more information on this opportunity, contact Kate, our Public Policy Coordinator.

Tuesday Niters

Last month Tuesday Niters put together two mailings; assembled packets; labeled hundreds of expired condoms that our MAP AIDSLine staff will use in trainings; and unpacked, separated, counted and bagged many thousands of condoms. What will this month hold? Find out on January 24, here at MAP. We will be meeting from 4:30 – 7 pm; let me know if you can make it!

Upcoming volunteer opportunities

Oscar Night® on Ice

March 5, State Theatre and LaSalle Plaza

Volunteers are the real stars on Oscar Night®! They help make the event a success by ushering, wristbanding, selling raffle tickets, assisting in the Silent Auction and in the Desserts & Signature Dish Extravaganza, decorating, setting up, and tearing down. Volunteer recruitment for Oscar Night on Ice will open mid-January. I will send an email with the orientation dates and instructions on how to register as a volunteer. All spots are first come, first served. If you'd rather attend as a guest, buy tickets on our Oscar Night® on Ice website.

Poster Blast

February 25, 9:30 a.m. at MAP

Want a great way to spend a Saturday morning? Why not come to MAP for some bagels and coffee, then help us spread the word about the MN AIDS Walk! Round up some friends and come to MAP on February 25 to get a bag of posters, point-of-purchase displays and other materials promoting the Walk, and select the area you would like to cover. We’ll give you tips for approaching businesses and asking them to support the Walk by displaying our materials. Volunteers will need their own transportation. This is a great opportunity for you to volunteer with your corporate, college or high school group. If you are interested, let me know!

Did you know?

Listen to our Community Forums online

Maybe you missed our Community Forums with author Esther Kaplan and former Senator Allan Spear. Maybe you were there and would like to hear them again! Either way, you can Listen on the Web to these forums on our website. It’s free and simple, and you’ll probably learn something new!

MAP Staff Recommends

Darin Rowles is a case manager at MAP, and he volunteers on our Oscar Night® Steering Committee, helping with program ad sales. He’s also the biggest Prince fan I’ve ever met. Here’s what he recommends:

Book

Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins

Skinny Legs and All aims to reveal the seven basic truths to life. It's a blend of fiction and fact; exploring the history of Jerusalem as well Christian views on the end of the world. Tom's unique story telling ability keeps you laughing through to the end. The story is told by a redneck driving a big turkey, a rising waitress/artist, as well as a can of beans, a dessert spoon and an old sock which become infused with life. It's a very original work but by the time the final truth is revealed, everything makes sense.

Movie

Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit

I would say that Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit is the funniest animated movie in years, but that would be a bit demeaning. This is actually the funniest movie of any type I have seen in a long time. While many current movies base their humor on pop-culture satire, the humor in this movie is smart and pure. The claymation is stunning and adorable. If you need a movie to make you smile, this is the one. It is still out at some discount theaters or will be coming to DVD in February.

Last Updated: Tuesday, April 3, 2007
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