Katie, Jesse and Allie celebrate at The Roasted Pear

We continue to celebrate Jesse’s Sweet 16 birthday. Opened presents on Tuesday, followed by dinner at Taco Bell (Jesse’s favorite). Then we had a family dinner on Friday at the Roasted Pear in Burnsville. Jesse wanted to wait for Katie to get home from college for her big celebration and also invited our “third daughter,” Allie to dinner. Saturday, we’re taking 10 teens by train to downtown Minneapolis for shopping and chocolate fondue at the Melting Pot, followed by a sleepover.

Nearing the end of Day 4 in my Movember drive as part of Team Minnesota Swarm to raise funds for men’s health research and support.

I’m more than halfway to my goal of $500, and just $5 shy of $300 at this writing. If you’ve given already, thank you so much. If you haven’t, won’t you consider a donation of just $5 to push me past the $30 mark? Together, we can change the face of men’s health.

Online donations may be made here.

For your Friday enjoyment, I give you this humorous look at moustaches through the ages (should I feel bad that Frida Kahlo’s ‘stache was better than any I’ll ever grow?) Thanks to the folks at break.com, who have their own Movember team.

As you might have already read, I am participating in the Movember fund-raiser for men’s health research and support. For the month of Movember, I am growing a moustache and collecting donations to support prostate cancer research and such organizations as the LiveStrong Foundation.  My goal is to raise $500 — you can donate online here, if you are so inclined.

I am participating in this fund-raiser in honor of some very special men in my life.

My in-laws, Mick and Marge Wyant, with Jesse, Laurie and me in Florida earlier this year

My father-in-law, Mick Wyant, is at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston awaiting treatment for liver cancer. He has been bravely battling the disease for about a year now. He means an awful lot to me and has taught me more about being a standup husband and father than he will probably ever know. He is one of the kindest and most hard-working men I know.

My Uncle Jon and me at my dad's 70th birthday party in 2009

My dad’s kid brother, Jon, passed away earlier this year after a battle with lung cancer. Jon was always my cool uncle: undercover cop; motocross racer; Vietnam vet; owner of a successful gun shop. He was funny, cynical, smart and had a well-honed ability to cut through bullsh1t. I learned a lot from him about the ways of the world, about our family and the strong men who came before me. I also learned that his mother always loved him more than she loved my dad — that’s why she always made him chocolate chip cookies. At least that was Jon’s story. I miss Jon a lot.

Anyway, I wanted to share a little bit about the men in whose honor I am participating in this fund drive. Thanks to everyone who has donated so far. Be sure to check back often on my Movember site to track the progress of my moustache (such as it is).

Check out this video by the Medicine Warriors youth group at the Division of Indian Work in Minneapolis. The Medicine Warriors (Mashkiki Ogichidaag) program teaches American Indian youth about the traditional uses of tobacco and develops native youth into traditional tobacco advocates. The young people work in the local community in commercial tobacco prevention, cessation and policy work. (Full disclosure: I am on the board at DIW). More videos are available on the DIW YouTube channel here.

From today’s Pioneer Press:

In Bemidji, Occupy1stCityOnMississippi has held a couple of demonstrations at a park near the statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

“We’re a small town. People know each other. We don’t tend to want to get into each other’s faces,” said organizer Luke Whiting.

You’re welcome! (Hat Tip to former Norfolk Academy classmate Brint Keyes)

Be wise. Shoot between the eyes.

Katie asked me to dig up and post some photos from her days dancing with the Young Spirit Dancers in Rochester, NY. Here are some shots from 1999 and 2000, just before we moved to Minnesota