Quiz the Candidates

Send listings two weeks in advance to braincity@seattleweekly.com.

Beyond the Bench This CityClub panel on mentoring in the legal profession features Charles V. Johnson of the NAACP, King County Superior Court Judge Richard Jones, and Bonnie Glenn, the deputy chief of staff for King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng. Seattle University School of Law, 901 12th Ave., 206-682-7395. $10 ($7 for those under 25). 5-6:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Butterfly Lecture Insect expert Kiyoshi Hiruma, once a faculty member at the University of Washington, speaks on "Pigmentation in Butterflies." Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., 206-364-4935. Free. 7 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Home and Garden Class The Phinney Neighborhood Association's summer series continues with a workshop on eco-friendly house painting taught by home-improvement instructor Mike Clay. Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., 206-783-2244. $25 ($20 PNA members). 7-9 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Gregory Berns Think a poolside seat, a piña colada, and an empty schedule can make you happy? Think again. In his new book, Satisfaction, neuroscientist Berns says stress, not leisure, is most conducive to a good life. Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Jeff Van Duzer The dean of Seattle Pacific University's School of Business and Economics talks about the underlying causes of recent business scandals. Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E. (Bellevue), 425-454-3082. Free. 7:30-8:45 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Ed Viesturs The accomplished mountaineer, who recently became the first U.S. climber to scale all 14 of the planet's 8,000-meter peaks, presents a slide-show lecture. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $15. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Primary Election Debate CityClub hosts the candidates for City Council positions 2, 4, and 8 for a debate moderated by KIRO-TV's Essex Porter. The monorail, the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and urban density are among the issues up for discussion. Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave., 206-682-7395. $24 ($18 CityClub members; both include box lunch). Noon-1:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

Candidates' Forum Mayoral, City Council, and other local candidates state their views on issues related to human services at a forum sponsored by the Seattle Human Services Coalition. Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 1609 19th Ave., 206-324-3063. Free. 6-9:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

Frankly Speaking About New Discoveries in Cancer Hall of Fame ballplayer Paul Molitor talks about his struggle with lung cancer and the University of Washington's Dr. Renato Martins discusses new findings in cancer research at this Safeco Field seminar. Sponsored by the Wellness Community, Gilda's Club, and UW. 1250 First Ave. S., 206-346-4000. Free (includes dinner). 6 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

Seattle Trivia Bee Watch teams from Seattle Men's Chorus, Seattle Public Library, and Seattle Children's Hospital compete against more than a dozen rivals at this fund-raiser for local adult-literacy programs. Evening Magazine's John Curley emcees. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., http://seattletriviabee.org. $35 (includes dessert buffet). 7-10 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

Which Way Seattle? Series Pillars of the African-American arts community, including Black Arts/West's Douglas Q. Barnett and 4Culture's Doreen Mitchum, assess "The State of Black Arts" at this discussion hosted by the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., 206-323-4032. $7 ($5 CD Forum members/students/seniors, sliding scale for artists). 7 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

Child Care Forum The United Way's Karen Howell-Clark, state Rep. Ruth Kagi, and others examine new developments in child care. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters. First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave., 206-325-6051. Free. 7:30-9 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium The biggest kayak event in North America gears up for another weekend of classes, equipment and boat demos, presentations, and a silent auction. Sponsored by the Trade Association of Paddlesports. Fort Worden State Park, 200 Battery Way (Port Townsend), www.wcsks.org. $60/day ($120 full pass, $25 beach pass for demos only). Fri., Sept. 9-Sun., Sept. 11.

Puyallup Fair Whether you're a rodeo person, a corndog person, or just the sort of person who likes to zoom through the air in a circle until you're slightly nauseated, there's something to delight you at this wonderland. 110 Ninth Ave. S.W. (Puyallup), 253-845-1771. $10 ($7 youth/seniors). 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Fri., Sept. 9-Sun., Sept. 25.

Mainstream or Extreme What direction will conservative politics take in the wake of Bush II? Thanks to Foolproof, we get a sneak peek. This panel on "The Future of the Republican Party" includes liberal pundit (and son of the Gipper) Ron Reagan Jr., Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed, KVI-AM host John Carlson, Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland, and Log Cabin Republicans head Patrick Guerrero. UW Meany Hall, 206-325-2993. $25-$75. 8 p.m. Fri., Sept. 9.

BizFair 2005 Renton Technical College hosts an informational fair for small business owners. Resources on tap include advice from business and trade experts and seminars on such topics as "Even If It's Your Home, It's Still a Business." 3000 N.E. Fourth St. (Renton), www.bizfair.org. Free. 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10.

PAWSwalk Walk a 5K course with your canine, or "in honor of your favorite animal," to raise money for the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, a Northwest nonprofit that shelters homeless animals. Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., 425-742-4009 ext. 833. $25 ($20 advance). 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10.