Send listings two weeks in advance to braincity@seattleweekly.com.
Clothing Drive Donate coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and/or pants to Operational Emergency Center's winter drive to benefit disadvantaged King County citizens. 11410 Renton Ave. S., 206-772-9232. Free. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Through Fri., Jan. 14.
Association for Corporate Growth Meeting Don Bielen of the Rainier Group is the guest speaker at tonight's gathering; he'll explain how businesses can weather the economic storm by identifying and retaining crucial staffers. Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave., 206-362-6975. $40 ($25 ACG members). 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.
Kathryn Gustafson The renowned landscape artist talks about her work in Seattle (which includes Kreielsheimer Promenade) and other cities around the world. Sponsored by the Seattle Art Museum. 100 University St., 206-654-3121. $8 ($5 students). 6:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.
ISO Forum Jesse Hagopian of the Washington Teachers Union addresses the topic "Is Revolution Possible in the United States?" at an event sponsored by the International Socialist Organization. Seattle Central Community College, 1701 Broadway Ave. E., 206-931-2922. Free. 7-9 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.
Tsunami Relief Benefit Town Hall presents pianist Craig Sheppard, a master of the Beethoven sonata, plus Indian classical dancer Joyce Paul, Indonesian musician I Wayan Sinti, and Thai dance ensemble Chao Praya in a fund-raiser for victims of the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami in South Asia. Also scheduled to appear: actor Tom Skerritt and politicos Jim McDermott and Ron Sims. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $25-$75. 7 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.
Peter Whybrow The director of UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Institute deals with U.S. consumerism run amuck in his new book American Mania: When More Is Not Enough, which he'll discuss tonight at a talk hosted by Seattle University. Wyckoff Auditorium, 901 12th Ave., 206-296-6000. Free. 7-9 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.
Great Film Directors Seattle Arts & Lectures taps University of Washington professor Albert Sbragia, the director of UW's Cinema Studies program, to teach a biweekly course on 20th-century auteurs, from Francois Truffaut to Quentin Tarantino. Henry Art Gallery, 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 41st Street, 206-621-2230. $75. 7:30-9 p.m. Every other Wednesday from Jan. 12 through Mar. 9.
Morris Dees The domestic-terrorist tracker, whose experience in that field includes suing branches of the KKK and keeping tabs on radical militias, chats about his chosen profession at Shoreline Community College. 16101 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-546-4606. $14. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.
Jazz Lecture The Experience Music Project presents a talk on Miles Davis by EMP staffer Bob Santelli and University of Washington music professor Marc Seales. Jazz demonstration and discussion to follow. 325 Fifth Ave. N., 206-367-5483. Free. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.
Cycling Lectures At the University District's R+E Cycles, KUOW-FM personality and cyclist Willie Weir explains how he traversed India—all 5,000 miles of it—by bike. 5627 University Way N.E., 206-527-4822. $7 ($5 advance). 7 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 13-Sat., Jan. 15.
Travel Lecture The author of Crossing Sunday Furlong: Lessons of a European Journey, Tom Lincoln, talks about the everyday Europe not every tourist sees. Wide World Books & Maps, 4411A Wallingford Ave. N., 206-634-3453. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 13.
Zoning Discussion The Department of Planning and Development hosts an open house at City Hall regarding a proposal to rezone the downtown area. 600 Fourth Ave. (Bertha Landes Room), 206-615-1486. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 13.
Steve Coll The former Washington Post managing editor provides the backstory to 9/11 in Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001, which he'll read from and talk about tonight at Town Hall. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-624-6600. $5. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 13.
Seattle Boat Show It's anchors aweigh for 10 days as Qwest Field and Lake Union host approximately 1,000 seagoing vessels, including an attempt to create the largest ship ever made with Lego building blocks. Landlubbers can enjoy seminars while mariners test their sea legs, and anglers can get their bait on at the 30,000-square-foot fishing center. Visit www.boatsafloatshow.com for hours and other details. Qwest Field, 800 Occidental Ave. S. and Chandler's Cove (on Lake Union), 809 Fairview Pl. N. Fri., Jan. 14-Sun., Jan. 23.
Jazz Workshop Musicians Jason Parker, Matt Perry, and Laura Etting give an overview of jazz history, then provide a hands-on demo for newbies. Experience Music Project, 325 Fifth Ave. N., 206-367-5483. $5. 10-11 a.m. Fri., Jan. 14.
Science Seminar Highline Community College continues its winter lecture series with a talk titled "MaTHEMEatics: Perspectives on the Nature of Time, Space, Humanity, and God," presented by Highline professor Eric Scott. 2400 S. 240th St., 206-878-3710 ext. 3283. Free. 2:10-3 p.m. Fri., Jan. 14.
Richard Rudis The Buddhist practitioner of "vibrational healing" demonstrates his methodology at East/West Bookstore. 6500 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-523-3726. $20. 7 p.m. Fri., Jan. 14.
Marriage Seminar Pastor Casey Treat, profiled in 2003 by SW reporter Nina Shapiro ("Blessed for Success"), joins his wife, Wendy, in a marriage-themed "teaching session," panel discussion, and Q&A, all designed for married or engaged couples. Christian Faith Center, 21024 24th Ave. S., 206-870-3531. $10. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 14.
Monster Truck Rally Watch them crush unlucky cars. 2727 East D Street (Tacoma), 253-572-3663. $5-$16. 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 14. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 15. 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sun., Jan. 16.
