The Autism Society of Minnesota will be hosting the 2007 Minnesota State Autism Conference on May 2-5, 2007 in Minneapolis.  (It looks like the deadline for registration has already passed, but I'm sure there is no hurt in contacting AuSM if you really want to go.)

Highlights of the conference will be talks given by Temple Grandin, Martha Herbert and Nick Dubin.  The Keynote Address will be given by Roy Richard Grinker who is a friend of BlogCadre contributor and autism advocate, Kristina Chew.

Roy Richard Grinker is the Professor of Anthropology and Director at George Washington University Institute for Ethnographic Research, and a father to a child with autism.  He recently had a book published, Unstrange Minds, where he discusses a controversial idea.

If you live in the New York City area (or feel like making a trip to New York), I'd like to encourage you to attend the conference, Autism and Advocacy: A Conference of Witness and Hope, that James T. Fisher, Ph. D. has been organizing.

Interested?  Here is detailed information about the conference:

Autism and Advocacy: A Conference of Witness and Hope
Location: Fordham University - McNally Amphitheatre, 140 West 62nd St., NYC
Date: October 27, 2006
Time: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Conference is free and open to the public.
Registration is required. (See attached flyer for registration contact information.)

What will be discussed at the conference?

Here is a photo of my new niece, Siena Terese.  She was born on September 28 weighing in at 8lbs 2oz and measuring 19 3/4 inches long.

My good friends also had a baby!  On September 22, Joseph John was born weighing in at 7lbs 10oz and measuring 20 inches long. 

We'll be visiting both babes this weekend in Wisconsin.  I wonder if Zach will teach them how to be naughty.

This weekend will be full of babies, babies, babies!