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

Historic First Hill See how our forebears lived by taking a guided tour of the Stimson-Green Mansion (1899–1901) and the Henry H. Dearborn House (1907). The tour offers insights into the architecture and design of both homes as well as the life and times of First Hill at the turn of the 20th-century. Registration is required. 206-622-6952, www.historicseattle.org. $10/$8 Historic Seattle and Washington Trust members. 1–2:30 p.m. Tues., May 9, and every second Tuesday throughout the year.

Healthy Aging The Healthy Aging Fair for seniors and baby boomers is a free event presented by the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens. Have cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose checked; learn about nutrition and home safety; get body fat analysis, posture/spine screenings, mini-massages, and healthy snacks and bottled water. Central Building, 810 Third Ave. (between Columbia and Marion streets), 206-684-0500, www.seattle.gov/humanservices/mosc. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Thurs., May 11.

Motherhood Be at the launch of Momsrising.org., designed to give women a voice and to work to change legislative and workplace policies in support of women and families. Joan Blades, co-founder of Moveon.org and author of The Motherhood Manifesto, and Kristen Rowe-Finkbeiner, author of The F-Word, provided the blueprint for this grassroots group, and they’ll be on hand, along with roots-alt-country singer Christy McWilson. Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-5858, www.townhallseattle.org. $5. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., May 11.

Peace Prize Winner Hear Shirin Ebadi, the winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize, read from her memoir, Iran Awakening. The human-rights activist was the first female judge in her country but was forced to resign with the advent of the Islamic republic in 1979. She established a law practice defending intellectuals and the rights of women, children, and refugees. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. Free. 7:30 p.m. Fri., May 12.

Green, Green Walk and talk with the people responsible for designing and building Alcyone Apartments, one of the city’s first green buildings. Seattle Architecture Foundation, 206-667-9184, www.seattlearchitecture.org. $10 adv. Registration required. 3 p.m. Fri., May 12.

How a City Grew Jeffrey Ochsner, a University of Washington professor, will present two lectures on the history of architecture and urban development in Seattle and the Puget Sound Region. The first will trace developments from rebuilding after the 1889 Great Fire to the 1930s. The second will cover the 1930s to the present. Microsoft Auditorium, Seattle Central Library. Seattle Architecture Foundation, 206-667-9184, info@seattlearchitecture.org. Free. 1–3 p.m. Sat., May 13 and Sat., May 20.

Mothers and Peace Mothers (and others) will gather at the Army/Navy recruitment office for a short program including music, speakers, and a dramatic reading of Julia Ward Howe’s 1872 proclamation, which called for Mother’s Day for Peace. Participants will then march to Westlake Mall, handing out copies of the proclamation along the way. Period costume is encouraged. 23rd Avenue and Jackson Street, jannap@u.washington.edu. Noon Sat., May 13.

On the Avenue Stroll along Ballard Avenue with members of the Ballard Historical Society and learn about the area’s heyday from 1890 to 1920. Bergen Place Park. 206-706-9236 (register, space is limited). Free. 10 a.m. Sat., May 13.

Year of the Dog The Seattle Pug Gala promises hundreds of pugs and their humans in a fund-raiser for Seattle Pug Rescue. Expect to see pugs in races, a costume contest, and a talent show, and a special Parade of Rescued Pugs. Airplane Hangar No. 30, Sand Point Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E. 206-419-7186, www.seattlepugs.com. $10/under 12 free. Noon–4 p.m. Sat., May 13.

Take Back Mother’s Day Make clear whose day this is while enjoying music, speeches, and kid’s activities, then a parade, thanks to Mothers Acting Up. Columbia Park, corner of Rainier Avenue South and Alaska Street South, Columbia City. Activities begin at 1 p.m.; parade at 2 p.m. Sun., May 14.

Peace, Out Thinking about joining the Peace Corps? Get the skinny from Emilie Ross, who is a volunteer in Tanka-Lokoto, Niger. She’ll tell of her experiences at a community forum, and Peace Corps staff members will be on hand to answer questions and handle signups. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 4805 N.E. 45th St., 800-424-8580, seattle@peacecorps.gov. 7–8:30 p.m. Wed., May 17.

Habitat for Wildlife Learn to welcome birds and butterflies into your backyard. Among the offerings at the Backyard Wildlife Festival are workshops such as Gardening With Friends and Foes; experts on hand to answer questions; and a guided bird walk with Carol Schulz of the Rainier Audubon Society. Participants can dress in costumes replicating their favorite animals and join in the Procession of the Species Parade (10 a.m.). At 3 p.m., participants can take a self-guided tour of local gardens that are certified backyard wildlife habitats. Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave., 206-768-2822, www.backyardwildlifefair.org. Free. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sat., May 13.

A New World Charles de Lint will talk about mythic fiction (where myth and archetype are integrated into modern urban life) and read from his new book, Widdershins. The award-winning author of 47 novels and accomplished Celtic musician and his wife, MaryAnn, will perform music, including songs written to accompany his stories. JBL Theatre, EMP, 325 Fifth Ave. N., www.sfhomeworld.org. Free. 4–6 p.m. Sun., May 14.

Color of Money Learn about the racial wealth at the Color of Wealth workshop, presented by Betsy Leondar-Wright, communications director for United for a Fair Economy and co-author of The Color of Wealth: The Story Behind the U.S. Racial Wealth Divide. Sponsored by the King County Labor Council and United for a Fair Economy, the event includes pizza and soda. Preregistration is required. Washington Association of Churches, 419 Occidental Ave. S., Suite 201, 617-423-2148, ext. 107, tsturgis@faireconomy.org. Workshop is free, pizza donation requested. Pizza at 6 p.m., workshop 6:30–8:30 p.m. Tues., May 16.

10th Planet From the Sun Astronomer/author Ken Croswell has news of the solar system beyond Neptune, including the newly discovered 10th planet, which is 9 billion miles from the sun, and will discuss whether Pluto and the 10th planet even deserve the mantle “planet.” Croswell’s latest book is Ten Worlds: Everything That Orbits the Sun. Seattle Astronomical Society, UW Physics/Astronomy building, room A-102, 206-523-2787, www.seattleastro.org. Free. 7:30 p.m. Wed., May 17.

Civil Rights Patricia Williams, a legal scholar, a MacArthur genius award winner, and one of the most provocative intellectuals in American law, will give a talk on “Civil Rights in an Era of Civil Wrongs.” Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., www.townhallseattle.org. 206-616-1825. Free; tickets are required and are available at any University Bookstore location. 6:30 p.m. Thurs., May 18.

Bicycles The National Ride of Silence, 14 miles at 12 mph, will commemorate the many cyclists who have been injured or killed in traffic accidents while riding on public roads. Gas Works Park, 2101 N. Northlake Way, Seattle, www.rideofsilence.org. Free. 7 pm. Wed., May 17. The Starbucks Bike to Work Day will offer 37 stations where commuting bicyclists can get free maps, snacks, commuting information, and have their bikes checked. Throughout the region, www.cascade.org. Free. Morning commute hours, Fri., May 19.

Warp Speed Tickets are on sale for the Star Trek 40th Anniversary Gala and Conference in Seattle. Buzz Aldrin and Jason Alexander are confirmed guests, as are the actors who played the faves, including Nichelle “Uhura” Nichols and George “Sulu” Takei. The first day of the conference marks the 40th anniversary of the first episode’s broadcast, Sept. 8, 1966. Science Fiction Museum, 325 Fifth Ave., www.sfhomeworld.org. Various packages and prices. Fri., Sept. 8–Sun., Sept. 10.