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

Michael McCloskey The Wilderness Act of 1964 prioritized preservation on a federal level, a sea change that the former Sierra Club chairman will discuss, including his role. Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main St., 206-624-6600. Free. 5:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 7.

Jany Jacob The former Peace Corps volunteer talks about the organization’s current goals and her own experience abroad. Northeast Library, 6801 35th Ave. N.E., 206-684-7539. Free. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 7.

Eric Baer The Highline Community College geology professor assesses the volcanic potential of Mount Rainier. 2400 S. 240th St. (Des Moines), 206-205-3130. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 7.

Joy DeGruy-Leary The Portland State University professor draws on her psychology and social-work expertise to comment on “Race in America: From Hate to Healing” at Mount Zion Baptist Church. 1643 19th Ave., 206-684-4500. Free. 6-8 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 8.

CityClub Panel Bill Gates Sr. and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray are among the panelists at this “Year in Review” discussion moderated by the Seattle Channel’s Eric Liu. Crowne Plaza, 1113 Sixth Ave., 206-682-7395. $40 ($30 CityClub members). Noon-1:45 p.m. Fri., Dec. 9.

Stephen Zunes How powerful is international law? The San Francisco State University politics professor addresses this and other questions about human rights in a talk sponsored by several local nonprofits. University Heights Center (Room 209), 5031 University Way N.E., 206-285-2154. $5-$10 (suggested; no one turned away). 7 p.m. Fri., Dec. 9.

Rob Crawford In observance of International Human Rights Day, the University of Washington/Tacoma history professor leads a workshop on the legal and ethical challenges posed by wartime torture, with emphasis on recent examples like Abu Ghraib. Vashon Island Public Library, 17210 Vashon Hwy. S.W. (Vashon Island), 206-463-5117. Free. 1-3 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10.

Adolph Reed Jr. The political scientist, who has taught at New York’s progressive New School and the University of Pennsylvania, leads a discussion on the relationship between the labor movement and electoral politics. Sponsored by the nonprofit Fight Back 05. UW Savery Hall (Room 239), 253-351-0511. Free. 3-5 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10.

Steve Horn Bosnia’s recovery from civil war is the subject of the photojournalist’s first book, Pictures Without Borders: Bosnia Revisited. Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main St., 206-624-6600. Free. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Dec. 12.

Robert Cumbow The local attorney talks about Washington’s Personality Rights Act, which defines legal (and illegal) use of the likenesses of celebrities. 911 Media Arts Center, 206-682-6552, www.wa-artlaw.org. $40 attorneys, $30 paralegals, $20 artists/students. 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Tues., Dec. 13.

Clay Jenkinson A rock star among humanities scholars, he’ll portray Teddy Roosevelt in a Town Hall appearance sponsored by Seattle Public Library. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-386-4636. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 15.