Hubble and Global Trouble

Send listings two weeks in advance to braincity@seattleweekly.com. For a more complete list of events, go to www.seattleweekly.com.

World Space Party Be a part of the international celebration commemorating the anniversary of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human to leave Earth's atmosphere (April 12, 1961). Eating, drinking, dancing, and real-life astronauts are promised. Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 866-468-7623, www.museumofflight.org. $25/advance, $30/door. 7 p.m. Wed., April 12.

Too Hot to Handle Join HBO executive producer Laurie David and Mayor Greg Nickels for the premiere of this one-hour documentary that illustrates the effects of global warming in the U.S. and features leading environmental scientists. Discussion and reception to follow. Seattle Central Public Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., 888-684-0385. 6 p.m. Thurs., April 13.

Green Jobs, Not Jails Attorney and human-rights activist Van Jones discusses a strategy for achieving clean air, clean water, and peaceful streets through the creation of living-wage, zero-pollution jobs in urban America. University of Washington, Kane Hall, 206-543-3920, www.simpsoncenter.org/prpw. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs., April 13.

Yes on I-86 Several community leaders will rally support for Seattle Initiative 86, which would seek to regulate military access to youth. Seattle Central Community College, Room 3211, Broadway and Pine St. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs., April 13.

Who is African American? The Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas hosts a lecture and discussion—with community leaders and intellectuals—about what the term "African American" means. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., 206-323-4032, www.cdforum.org. $7. 7 p.m. Thurs., April 13.

Dr. Tim Flannery The scientist and author of The Weather Makers: The History and Future of Climate Change talks about the urgent need to address global climate change. Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255, www.townhallseattle.org. $5. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., April 13.

Welcome the Whales Day Honor and celebrate the arrival of resident gray whales to Whidbey Island with fun and educational activities, music, presentations from biologists, and a parade of species. Beginning at Waterfront Park, First and Anthes St., Langley, 360-678-3451, see www.orcanetwork.org for complete activity list. 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sat., April 15.

Oral History Interviewing The Museum of History and Industry conducts a daylong training in the practice of recording oral history interviews. 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-324-1346, www.seattlehistory.org. $40/prior registration, $45/day-of. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat., April 15.

Da Vinci Exposed Lewis Perdue, author of The DaVinci Legacy and Daughter of God, talks about the controversy surrounding the Da Vinci Code (soon to be released as a blockbuster movie). Seattle Museum of the Mysteries, 623 Broadway E., 206-328-6499, www.ideaworx.com. $5. 7-9 p.m. Sat., April 15.

Sears/Starbucks Center Tour the significant building and learn how it's been restored during Historic Seattle's second quarterly meeting. Meet at the third-floor Mezza Cafe, First Ave. S. and S. Lander St., 206-622-6952, www.historicseattle.org. Free. 6:30-8 p.m. Mon., April 17.

Climb for Clean Air The American Lung Association holds an information session about the annual two-day fund-raising climb of Mount Rainier led by famous mountaineer Lou Whittaker; beginners welcome. Seattle REI meeting room, 222 Yale Ave. N., 206-441-5100, www.alaw.org. 6:30 p.m. Mon., April 17.

Building a Fighting Labor Movement The Freedom Socialist Party begins a nine-week study group discussing Stanley Aronowitz's From the Ashes of the Old: American Labor and America's Future, which shows how racism, sexism, and labor-management cooperation schemes have crippled modern unions. New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., 206-276-9088, www.socialism.com. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. consecutive Mondays, April 17-June 19.

Tom Brokaw City Club celebrates its 25th anniversary with a gala featuring a conversation with the renowned former NBC Nightly News anchor. Washington State Convention Center, Seventh and Pike St., 206-682-7395, www.seattlecityclub.org. $100/member, $125/nonmember. 11:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Tues., April 18.

Bike Repair Class Bike Works hosts a repair training for youth ages 9 to 17; afterward, attendees can help the nonprofit organization fix bikes and give them to community members in need. After 24 hours of volunteer work, attendees earn a free bike of their own. 3709 S. Ferdinand St., 206-725-9408. $50 (scholarships available). 4-5:30 p.m. consecutive Tuesdays, April 18-June 8.

The View from the Center of the Universe Physicist Joel R. Primack (an originator of the theory of cold dark matter) and science philosopher Nancy Ellen Abrams discuss their new book and show astronomical videos with images from the Hubble Space Telescope while they connect matters of cosmic significance with the environment and the fate of human life on Earth. Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255, www.townhallseattle.org. $5. 7:30 p.m. Tues., April 18.

An Evening of Elegance Preston Bailey, internationally celebrated event designer who's worked for celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Donald Trump, shares trends and ideas over dinner. Spirit of Washington Event Center, 233 Burnett Ave. S., Renton, www.isesseattle.com. $60. 6 p.m. Wed., April 19.