Send listings two weeks in advance to braincity@seattleweekly.com.
Public Meeting Plans to improve Pioneer Square's Occidental Park are the subject of this open-to-the-public forum; besides basic maintenance issues, there's talk of a possible ice rink in the park, which could be completed as soon as November 2005. Occidental Park (Occidental Avenue South and South Main Street) and the Grand Central Arcade (214 First Ave.), 206-667-0687. Free. 3–7 p.m. Wed., Aug. 11.
Femme Talk "Feminine-identified queers" are invited to participate in this weekly community forum; tonight's discussion centers on social choices—romantic and platonic—and how they relate to gender identity. Dunshee House, 303 17th Ave. E., 206-322-2437. Free. 6 p.m. Wed., Aug. 11.
Bowl Against Bush Pretend the one-pin is Dick Cheney at this fund-raiser for No Vote Left Behind, one of several local anti-Bush organizations gearing up for the November presidential election. Garage Bowl, 1134 Broadway Ave. E., 206-322-2296. $40 (includes two drinks and appetizers). 6:30 p.m. Wed., Aug. 11.
Rediscovery Environmental Educators Institute This two-day seminar offers extensive guidance to teachers intent on making their classes more eco-conscious. Northwest Stream Center, 600 128th St. S.E., 425-316-8592. $75. 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 12–Fri., Aug. 13.
Woodinville Idol It may not be the brainiest of events, but who can resist an American Idol–style performance contest judged by Woodinville mayor Don Brocha and a Mills Music talent scout? DeYoung Park, 13680 N.E. 175th St. (Woodinville), 425-398-9327. Free. Noon. Thurs., Aug. 12.
Socially Engaged Buddhism If you think Buddhism is all self-isolation and passivity in the face of political turmoil, you have another think coming. Buddhist scholar Tom Yarnall will explain why enlightenment and activism aren't mutually exclusive at this Sakya Monastery discussion. 108 N.W. 83rd St., 206-789-2573. $12 for adults, $6 for students/seniors. 5:30 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 12.
Bellingham Bay History Cruise Whatcom Museum education curator Richard Vanderway leads this informative evening tour of Bellingham. Meet at the Island Mariner Dock at Squalicum Harbor (Bellingham), 360-676-6981. $20. 7–9:30 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 12.
Surprise Hard Hat Tour. Today's educational tour of a downtown construction site, directed by the Seattle Architectural Foundation, is a "surprise" in that the site in question remains a mystery until the moment you arrive! Call for meeting place: 206-667-9184. $10 in advance, $12 on the day of the tour. 10 a.m. Fri., Aug. 13.
Jobs With Justice Benefit Concert "Creatively radical" folkies Chris Chandler, Anne Feeney, and Vance Lelli headline this fund-raiser for the social-justice nonprofit. Call for outdoor venue: 206-441-4969 (rain location: Seattle Labor Temple Hall 8, 2800 First Ave.). $10. 6 p.m. Fri., Aug. 13.
Political Film Screening The Freedom Socialist Party hosts a showing of Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony, a documentary about the music of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement. New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., 206-722-2453. $3. 7 p.m. Fri., Aug. 13.
Xbox Audio Creation Seminar Calling all non-Luddite composers: Scott Selfon of Microsoft will be demonstrating the music-making power of XACT, also known as the Xbox Audio Creation Tool, at a free tutorial in Redmond. Microsoft Building 41 (Room 1511), N.E. 31st Street and 156th Avenue N.E. (Redmond), 877-673-8368. Free. 8–9:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 13.
Birdwatching Tour This Audubon-sponsored Whidbey Island excursion is an all-day adventure that begins before 7 a.m.; the wide variety of waterfowl and shorebirds at Crockett Lake, Penn Cove, and Dugualla Bay should make the sunrise start worth the trouble for serious 'watchers. Tour begins at the Kingsgate Park 'n' Ride, 13001 116th Way N.E. (Kirkland), 425-881-5422. $5 (plus ferry cost). 6:45 a.m. Sat., Aug. 14.
Summer Garage Sale The Kirkland Performance Center wheels out clothing, kitchen items, antiques, sporting goods, and plenty of other bargain doodads at its first annual thrift bonanza. 355 Kirkland Ave. (Kirkland), 425-828-0422. Free. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat., Aug. 14.
Family Volunteer Day Food Lifeline, Washington's largest food-distribution nonprofit, invites families to prepare packages for the hungry during an all-day drive (divided into convenient two-hour shifts). Volunteer Action Center, 1702 N.E. 150th St. (Shoreline), 206-545-6600 ext. 247. Free. Shifts at 9 a.m., noon, and 2:30 p.m. Sat., Aug. 14.
Arboretum in Bloom Lonnie Garceau and Don Morrow of the American Rose Society keynote this annual celebration of botany and horticulture at the South Seattle Community College arboretum. 6000 16th Ave. S.W., 206-768-6873. Free. 10 a.m. Sat., Aug. 14.
Outside the Box: Urban Open Spaces If skyscrapers aren't your style, try this guided exploration of the city's undeveloped landscapes—the third Seattle Architectural Foundation excursion this week. Tour begins at Rainier Square Atrium, 1333 Fifth Ave. (Suite 300), 206-667-9184. $10 in advance, $12 on the day of the tour. 10 a.m. Sat., Aug. 14.
What's Up: Skyscrapers Learn about the history and design of Seattle's tallest structures on another informative Seattle Architectural Foundation tour. Tour begins at Rainier Square Atrium, 1333 Fifth Ave. (Suite 300), 206-667-9184. $10 in advance, $12 on the day of the tour. 10 a.m. Sat., Aug. 14.
Home Movie Day at MOHAI Heaven only knows what you'll see at the Museum of History and Industry's inaugural festival of amateur film; though everything from Timmy splashing around in the pool to serious documentary shorts is welcome, you're more likely to get screen time if you bring your work in before the day of the fest. 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-324-1126. $7 for adults, $5 for youth/seniors. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat., Aug. 14.
