Send listings two weeks in advance to braincity@seattleweekly.com.
Quilt Show Montana's Kate Carroll is the featured quilter at this year's expo. Throughout Leavenworth (Visitor's Center: 894 Highway 2), 509-548-5311. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Sept. 8-Sun., Sept. 12.
Empowerment: What's It About? Not a tiresome self-help course but a primer on Buddhist theory, taught by UW–schooled theology scholar Stephanie Prince. Sakya Monastery, 108 N.W. 83rd St., 206-789-2573. $12 ($6 for students/seniors). 7:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 8.
Disaster Preparedness Symposium Learn how to set up an emergency plan for your family at this all-day workshop, sponsored by the Evergreen Safety Council. Qwest Field, 800 Occidental Ave. S., 800-521-0778. $165. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 9.
Birdwatching Expedition Following a Native American trail from Phantom Lake to Kirkland, this Audubon Society–sponsored trek includes wetland, meadow, forest, and field habitats. Trip begins at Wilburton Park & Ride, 720 114th Ave. S.E. (Bellevue), 425-881-5422. $2. 9 a.m. Thurs., Sept. 9.
Rauda Morcos The "Palestinian lesbian activist" discusses current conditions for LGBT Israelis and Palestinians in a talk co-sponsored by several local political and gay-rights organizations. Friends Center, 814 N.E. 40th St. Contact trolleys@ix.netcom.com for more information. $5-$20 (sliding scale; no one turned away). 6:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 9.
Multiple Sclerosis Talk MS sufferer David Lander ("Squiggy" from Laverne and Shirley) and Virginia Mason MS specialist Dr. Mariko Kita discuss the ailment that plagues 400,000 Americans, as well as The West Wing's President Bartlet. Seattle Marriott, 2100 Alaskan Way, 866-955-9999. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 9.
Documentary Production Workshop Emmy-winning producer Laszlo Pal and University of British Columbia film prof Raymond Hall team up to teach this three-day mini-course on making nonfiction film. Westcott Bay Institute, Roche Harbor (San Juan Island), 360-370-5050. $350. 9 a.m.-early evening. Fri., Sept. 10-Sun., Sept. 12.
Puyallup Fair You don't really have to "do the Puyallup," as the ads demand—all you need to enjoy the enormous annual fair is a healthy appreciation of livestock, hypnotists, slightly over-the-hill comedians (e.g., Bill Cosby), and honest-to-goodness rodeo riding. Puyallup Fairgrounds, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W., 253-845-1771. $10 ($7 for seniors/youth). 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Fri., Sept. 10-Sun., Sept. 26.
Lullabies and Love Songs from the "Axis of Evil" A clever event organized by MoveOn, this arts spectacular showcases the music and dance of Sudan, Iraq, Cuba, and North Korea, the nations declared most dangerous by the Bush administration after 9/11. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $25 ($20 in advance). 7:30-10 p.m. Fri., Sept. 10.
September Project Events Co-sponsored by Seattle Public Library, the September Project is a citywide effort to remember 9/11 and consider its consequences. Five SPL branches, including the Central Library, are hosting discussions and film screenings today to commemorate the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon; the complete event schedule is available at www.spl.org. Central Library and other SPL branches, 206-386-4103. All events are free. Times vary. Sat., Sept. 11.
SAF Walking Tour "Town and Gown in University Park" is the subject of this stroll, which will examine, from an architectural standpoint, the micro-neighborhood where Frat Row abuts civilian life. Sponsored by the Seattle Architectural Foundation. Call for meeting place: 206-667-9184. $20. 9 a.m. Sat., Sept. 11.
Elder Law Clinic and Workshop Learn how current state laws affect senior citizens at a free informational event co-sponsored by the King County Bar Association. Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Ave. S., 206-726-4926. Free. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Sat., Sept. 11.
Aki Matsuri A crash course in Japanese culture, this two-day festival includes a performance on the tsugaru shamisen (Japan's answer to the lute), some serious woodcarving, and several cooking classes, not to mention a Japanese-style flea market and tons of Hello Kitty memorabilia. Bellevue Community College, 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., 425-861-7865. Free (workshop costs vary). 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 11. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Sept. 12.
SAF Walking Tour The second Seattle Architectural Foundation tour of the day focuses on "urban open spaces," those undeveloped patches of the city that define it as much as any manmade structure. Tour begins at Rainier Square Atrium, 1333 Fifth Ave. (Suite 300), 206-667-9184. $12 ($10 in advance). 10 a.m. Sat., Sept. 11.
Volunteer Training Prepare to donate your time to the LGBT Community Resource and Referral Network at this daylong training session. LGBT Community Center, 1115 E. Pike St., 206-709-1114. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., Sept. 11.
Taiko Workshops Learn traditional Japanese drumming during a weekend of classes for beginners. Bellevue Community College (3000 Landerholm Circle S.E.), R Building: Room 207, 425-861-7865. $15/individual or parent-child team. Noon-1:30 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. Sat., Sept. 11. 1-3 p.m. Sun., Sept. 12.
Voter Registration The League of Women Voters will hook you up and provide you with nonpartisan election info. Half Price Books, 115 Belmont Ave E., 206-329-4848. Free. Noon-6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 11-Sun., Sept. 12.
Koi Show Japanese ornamental carp are judged by world-famous experts (and roundly admired by everyone else) at the yearly competition. Country Village Shopping Center, 23718 Bothell-Everett Hwy. (Bothell), www.washingtonkoi.org. Free. 2-5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 11. 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sun., Sept. 12.
