>I am aware that modal forms turn off the menu, except for certain system menu items which remain active. Anyone know of a way to keep some of MY menu items enabled even when a modal form has the focus?

You are going against general standards with such an interface, but you can achieve the type of control you want by using a modeless form set Alwaysontop = .t. Then disable selected menu/toolbars as desired. Simulate a modal form, basically.