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

Bird-watching Excursion Scan the Snoqualmie Valley for bald eagles, ducks, and smaller birds on an Aubudon-sponsored jaunt. Meet at Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy. N.E. (Redmond), 425-881-5422. $2 (plus $1 parking at Marymoor). 9 a.m. Thurs., Feb. 10.

Northwest Stream Center Class The pop biology courses continue with “You’ll Be Lichen It,” taught by Tacoma-based lichen collector Katherine Glew. 600 128th St. S.E. (Everett), 425-316-8592. $6. 10 a.m. Thurs., Feb. 10.

Art History Exhibit As part of Kirkland’s yearlong centennial celebration, the Kirkland Arts Center hosts a rundown of the city’s history as depicted by local artists. 620 Market St., 425-822-7161. Free. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Opens Thurs., Feb. 10.

Geology Slide show Learn about the Burgess Shale fossil site in the Canadian Rockies. The Mountaineers, 300 Third Ave. W., 206-284-6310. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 10.

Richard Grossman and Thomas Linzey The founders of the Program on Corporations, Law & Democracy and the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, respectively, speak on civic activism in an age of increasing corporate power. Trinity United Methodist Church, 6512 23rd Ave. N.W., 206-784-2227. $5 (suggested donation; no one turned away). 7 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 10.

Michael Palliser Britain’s longtime undersecretary of state discusses American-British relations since the establishment of the European Union. Sponsored by the World Affairs Council and the University of Washington. Bank of America Executive Education Center (UW campus), 206-616-2415. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 10.

Willie Weir At the University District’s R+E Cycles, the KUOW-FM personality and cyclist talks about his three-month biking adventure in Turkey. 5627 University Way N.E., 206-527-4822. $7 ($5 advance). 7 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 10-Sat., Feb. 12.

Colors of Love This evening fund-raiser for the Seattle-based MAVIN Foundation, devoted to spreading awareness about multiracial individuals and families, includes dessert, wine, and testimonials from local interracial couples. Smith Tower (Chinese Room), 506 Second Ave., 206-622-7101. $50/couple. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 10.

Science Seminar Highline Community College continues its winter seminar series with a talk titled “Leeches in Medicine,” presented by HCC professor Donna Rydberg. 2400 S. 240th St., 206-878-3710, ext. 3283. Free. 2:10-3 p.m. Fri., Feb. 11.

Cat Show The annual feline expo features more than 175 pedigreed cats. Seattle Center (Fisher Pavilion), 206-684-7200. $6 ($4 seniors/children). 4:30-10 p.m. Fri., Feb. 11. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sun., Feb. 13.

Tibetan New Year Festival Ring in the Wood Bird Year with Tibetan food and music at Seattle First Baptist Church. 1111 Harvard Ave., 206-323-6108. $10 (kids are free). 7-10 p.m. Fri., Feb. 11.

Film Screening The October 22nd Coalition shows The Murder of Fred Hampton, about the career, death, and legacy of the Black Panther leader. Safeco Center, 306 23rd Ave. S., 206-264-5527. Free (donations accepted). 7-10 p.m. Fri., Feb. 11.

Nonviolence Event Bothell’s Center for Spiritual Living continues its weekly series of peace happenings with a workshop called “Forgive Your Way to Peace and Joy,” led by the Rev. Bonnie Barnard. 18102 102nd Ave. N.E. (Bothell), 425-941-9717. $25 (a third of proceeds benefit peace organizations). 7:30-9:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 11.

Humane Education Workshop The International Institute for Humane Education offers pointers on making socially conscious choices and leaving a minimal ecological footprint. University Christian Church, 4731 15th Ave. N.E., www.iihed.org. $45-$145 (sliding scale; $40 students). 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Feb. 13.

Video Game Industry Job Conference If you think you’ve got the next Grand Theft Auto in you, come out to this Shoreline job fair, where representatives from Microsoft Xbox, TKO Software, Konami, and other industry titans can hear your pitch. Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 First Ave., 206-368-4122. $60 ($45 advance). 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12.

Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the “Western Buddhist nun” leads a daylong workshop on love and romance, and the pain they sometimes bring, from the perspective of Eastern philosophy. Kadampa Buddhist Temple, 6556 24th Ave. N.W., 206-526-9565. $40 (includes lunch). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12.

Gardening Class “Professional pruner” David Nabinger explains how to go all Edward Scissorhands on your trees at a workshop hosted by Swanson’s Nursery. 9701 15th Ave. N.W., 206-838-2722. Free. 11 a.m. Sat., Feb. 12.

Family Fun Workshop Make your own flying machine at this kid-friendly Museum of Flight event. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5700. $12 ($11 seniors, $7.50 youth). 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12-Sun., Feb. 13.

Mysteries of Frances Farmer Revealed Capitol Hill’s Museum of the Mysteries hosts a discussion of Frances Farmer, the Seattle-born actress whose tormented life in and out of asylums inspired both a 1982 biopic and a Nirvana song. 623 Broadway Ave. E., 206-328-6499. $5 (suggested donation). 7-9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12.

Pirates of Penzance Sing-Along MOHAI screens a 1998 film version of the Gilbert & Sullivan show, with recent congressional candidate and KIRO-AM host Dave Ross as the Modern Major General! Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-682-0796. $15 ($10 advance, $6 teens). 7 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12.

Try Rowing Bash The Washington Rowing Club’s first introductory session of the year, with a special Valentine’s Day rate for couples. 910 Northlake Way, 206-547-1583. $30/couple. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12.

Uno Voce The resident chant ensemble from the Center for Spiritual Living does its stuff at Sakya Monastery. 108 N.W. 83rd St., 206-789-2573. $12. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12.

Women’s Hockey The Seattle Women’s Hockey Club delivers plenty of frosty, rough-and-tumble fun in two exhibition games at Kirkland’s Kingsgate Ice Arena. 14326 124th Ave. N.E. (Kirkland), 206-369-6978. $5. Games at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 12.

Film Screening Conscientious objection from World War II to the present is the subject of The Good War and Those Who Refused to Fight It, hosted by West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice and the West Seattle Library. 2306 42nd Ave. S.W., 206-932-9522. Free. 2-4 p.m. Sun., Feb. 13.

Staged Reading A performance of Frankenstein, adapted by leading Mary Shelley scholar Betty Bennett, is followed by a discussion of the work with cast, crew, and Bennett herself. Panamonica’s Cafe, 1117 Tacoma Ave. S. (Tacoma), 253-591-5666. Free. 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 13.

Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle Quoth SW visual-arts calendar editor Andrew Engelson: “This one-weekend exhibit showcases the history of the ‘Buffalo Soldier’ cavalry units involved in the Indian Wars and settlement of the American West. Uniforms, artifacts, and photos will be on display.” South Seattle Community College (Art Gallery), 6000 16th Ave. S.W., 206-764-5300. Free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon., Feb. 14-Tues., Feb. 15.

Dharma Social Club Sakya Monastery hosts this philosophical discussion group, which addresses love, anger, compassion, and other key issues from a Buddhist perspective (though all faiths are welcome). 108 N.W. 83rd St., 206-789-2573. Free. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Feb. 14.

Northwest Stream Center Class The series of pop biology courses continues with “Salamanders of Mystery and Amphibians of Enchantment,” taught by herpetologist (reptile expert) Rob Arlen. 600 128th St. S.E. (Everett), 425-316-8592. $6. 11 a.m. Tues., Feb. 15.

Lou Whittaker The veteran climber and Climb for Clean Air chairman tells you how to scale Mount Rainier safely. REI, 222 Yale Ave. N., 800-732-9339. Free. 6:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 15.

Education Forum Hate the WASL? Love the WASL? Either way, you’ll want to attend this Town Hall talkfest on the relationship between student-assessment tests and higher education. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-685-6413. Free. 7 p.m. Tues., Feb. 15.

Financial Planning Workshop Intended for female investors, this seminar, titled “Smart Women Finish Rich,” is hosted by Edward Jones adviser George Andrade. 313 W. McGraw St., 206-285-3727. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 15-Wed., Feb. 16.

Open Slide Night The U District’s Blue Dog coffeehouse welcomes both amateur and professional slide makers for a visual free-for-all. 5509 University Way N.E., 206-523-1933. Free. 7 p.m. Tues., Feb. 15.

Travel Lecture Mountainous Slovenia and Croatia, both formerly part of Yugoslavia, are the twin subjects of this talk by travel guide Matthew Brumley. Wide World Books & Maps, 4411 Wallingford Ave. N., 206-634-3453. Free. 7 p.m. Tues., Feb. 15.

Travel Lecture South Seattle Community College continues its winter series with a talk of local interest: “Lakes, Locks, Bay Cruises, and Tillicum Village.” 6000 16th Ave. S.W., 206-764-5300. $5. 7-8:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 15.

Writers’ Roundtable If you’re a fan of Steinbeck’s Travels With Charley, you’ll enjoy this mini-seminar on travel as a form of literary inspiration. Bainbridge Public Library, 1270 Madison Ave. (Bainbridge Island), 206-842-4162. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 15.

Biotechnology Forum A panel of academics and development officials chat about Northwest biotech policy and its economic ramifications. University of Washington/Bothell (North Creek Cafe), 18115 Campus Way N.E., www.uwb.edu/maps. Free. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 16.

Brian Greene He’s a physics prof at Columbia University and the author of The Elegant Universe, the latest best seller on string theory; tonight at Town Hall, KUOW-FM’s Steve Scher interviews him onstage about scientists’ ever-changing concept of reality. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 16.