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

StoryCorps The volunteer-driven oral-history project spearheaded by National Public Radio arrives in Seattle for a two-and-a-half-week stay. Learn more about how to contribute your own story, or interview someone else, at www.storycorps.net. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St. (South Fountain Lawn), 206-221-2501. $10 (suggested; includes CD of your recording session). 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon./Fri.; 1:30-7:30 p.m. Wed./Thurs.; 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Through Mon., Sept. 26.

Boats Afloat Show The biggest on-the-water boat expo in the Northwest, this yearly event includes a sailing race, dozens of seminars, hundreds of powerboats and sailboats on display, and more. Chandler’s Cove, 901 Fairview Ave. N., www.boatsafloatshow.com. $10 ($5 youth). 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed., Sept. 14-Fri., Sept. 16. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17-Sun., Sept. 18.

Mike Dunlop The software consultant-turned-aerospace impresario talks about business standards, tactics, and principles at a meeting of the Association for Corporate Growth. Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave., 206-362-6975. $40 ($25 ACG members). 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 14.

Jimi Hendrix Event The Experience Music Project screens portions of the newly released DVD set Jimi Hendrix: Live at Woodstock (Deluxe Edition); following the screening, Billy Cox, who played bass with Hendrix at Woodstock, and Eddie Kramer, who engineered many of Hendrix’s records, answer audience questions. 325 Fifth Ave. N., 206-367-5483. $10 ($7 EMP members). 7:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 14.

Herb Garden Reception TV host Ed Hume (Gardening in America) is the featured speaker at this swank Bastyr University event, where guests may enjoy hors d’oeuvres and organic wine, a tour of the school’s herb garden, and a stroll down the “reflexology footpath.” 14500 Juanita Dr. N.E. (Kenmore), 425-602-3272. $30. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 15.

Parenting Workshop Vicki Smolke of the Infants and Wobblers Program at Bellevue Community College expounds on “The Joys and Challenges of Childraising.” Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way (Mercer Island), 206-232-7115 ext. 304. $15 ($25/couple). 6:30-8 p.m. Fri., Sept. 15.

Beyond Labels A two-hour seminar, sponsored by the nonprofit HANDLE (Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopmental and Learning Efficiency) Institute, on “Identifying and Treating the Root Causes of Learning and Behavioral Disorders.” Casey Family Bldg., 1300 Dexter Ave., 206-204-6000. Free. 7-9 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 15.

Film Screening Seattle Radical Women screens Amazon Sisters, a documentary about indigenous women fighting to preserve the Amazonian rainforest. New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., 206-722-6057. Free. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 15.

Tiffany Reiss The chair of Bastyr University’s Exercise Science Department addresses body-mass index, the so-called obesity epidemic, and the untruths currently surrounding health and fitness in America in a talk hosted by the personal-training firm Fitness Together. 16130 N.E. 87th St. (Redmond), 425-739-4668. Free. 6:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 16.

Joe Conason The Salon columnist, political commentator, and author (The Hunting of the President) shares his views on the latest right-wing conspiracies. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 16.

Workshop on Bipolar Disorder The co-founders of the nonprofit Maureen J. Meehl Foundation, Mark and Debra Meehl, lead a daylong workshop titled “The Six Keys: Successfully Living with a Depressed or Bipolar Partner.” Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., www.meehlfoundation.org. $49 (scholarships available). 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17.

Literacy Tutor Training Literacy Council of Seattle hosts the first of two training sessions for aspiring tutors. 811 Fifth Ave., 206-233-9720. $35 (materials fee). 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17.

Gardening Class Volunteer Park Conservatory curator Stephanie Toliver-Johnson leads a workshop on orchids and epiphytes (plants that grow above the earth, not rooted in it). Swanson’s Nursery, 9701 15th Ave. N.W., 206-782-2543. Free. 11 a.m. Sat., Sept. 17.

Family Fun Workshop Ever wonder how boomerangs find their way back to you? You won’t once you’ve taken this weekend’s Museum of Flight workshop, where you’ll make your very own boomerang. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-768-7126. $14 ($13 seniors, $7.50 youth 5 to 17). 11:15 a.m. or 1:15 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17-Sun., Sept. 18.

Fiestas Patrias The best of Latin culture on display at Seattle Center: mariachi bands, both kinds of salsa (music and sauce), traditional folk dance, enough tacos to feed an army, art exhibits, dressmaking demos, and more. Seattle Center (Center House), 206-684-7200. Free. Noon-midnight. Sat., Sept. 17. Noon-6 p.m. Sun., Sept. 18.

Science Seminar Highline Community College’s fall seminar series on environmental science begins with “Wastewater Treatment,” led by John Phillips of King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division. 2400 S. 240th St. (Des Moines), 206-878-3710. Free. Noon. Sat., Sept. 17.

Northwest Toxic Communities Summit The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition hosts a brown-bag lunch, led by Antioch University professor Don Comstock, on strategies for toxic cleanup operations; then, in the evening, the DRCC screens Heavy Metal, a documentary about the effects of industrial poisoning on an Idaho community (Q&A to follow). Antioch University, 2326 Sixth Ave., 206-954-0218. Free. Forum: 12:10-1:50 p.m. Screening: 7-10 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17.

Film Screening The documentary Busting Out, scheduled to premiere on Showtime in October, explores America’s fascination with the female breast. Tonight’s screening at the Henry Art Gallery is sponsored by Women in Film/Seattle. 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 41st Street, 206-447-1537. $5 ($3 WIF members). 1-3 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17.

Psychic Fair Sponsored by Everett’s CDM Psychic Institute, this event includes meditation workshops, psychic readings, and “aura healings,” and all proceeds support the Red Cross. Church of Divine Man, 2402 Summit Ave., 425-258-1449. Free ($10/reading or workshop). 1-5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17.

Adoption Information Meeting Talk to an adoptive family and learn about the logistics of adopting a child from Asia, Russia, or the U.S. at a session sponsored by the World Association for Children and Parents. Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave. N.E. (Bellevue), 206-575-4550. Free. 2-4 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17.

Sandra Bernhard The actress/activist keynotes the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Northwest dinner and auction. Westin Hotel, 1900 Fifth Ave., www.hrcseattle.org. $200 (includes dinner and drinks). 6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17.

Mysteries of Bruce and Brandon Lee The deaths of the father-son movie stars remain unexplained, but if anyone can get at the truth, it’s Capitol Hill’s Museum of the Mysteries. 623 Broadway Ave. E., 206-328-6499. $3 (suggested). 7 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17.

Bug Blast Snuggle up to our six- and eight-legged friends during a day of hands-on insect activities at the Burke Museum. Plenty of bug experts will be on hand to answer questions, and the squeamish can look at specimens under a microscope rather than touching them. Northeast 45th Street and 17th Avenue Northeast, 206-543-5590. $6.50 ($5 seniors, $4 youth). 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sun., Sept. 18.

Duwamish River Boat Tour Environmental activist B.J. Cummings is your guide on a two-hour excursion down the Duwamish; you’ll learn about its history and native species, and current efforts to clean it up. Call 206-954-0218 for departure location. $10 (suggested). 10 a.m.-noon. Sun., Sept. 18.

Foster Island Bird Tour Spot herons, eagles, ducks, and songbirds in their natural habitat with help from Washington Park Arboretum guide Janine Anderson. Tour begins at Graham Visitors Center, 2300 Arboretum Dr. E., 206-685-8033. Free. 1 p.m. Sun., Sept. 18.

Kayak Demonstration If you’ve never given the long, narrow boats a try, now’s the time. Wilderness Inquiry and Seattle Parks & Rec are co-sponsoring this event, open to kids and those with disabilities. Green Lake Small Craft Center, 5900 Green Lake Way N., 206-615-0617. Free. 1-5 p.m. Sun., Sept. 18.

Panel Discussion Proud to be a Ballardite? Psyched about Phinney Ridge? Find out how Seattle’s neighborhoods are managed, financially and otherwise, at a CityClub panel moderated by Katie Hong of the Gates Foundation and featuring Boeing’s Dale Smith, King County’s Val Thomas-Matson, and others. Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave., 206-682-7395. $40 ($30 CityClub members). Noon-1:30 p.m. Mon., Sept. 19.

Public Forum Speak your mind on proposed amendments to Washington’s child-support guidelines at a forum hosted by the Department of Social and Health Services. Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 360-664-5052. Free. 6:30 p.m. Mon., Sept. 19.

David Cole As part of Seattle Public Library’s September Project, the Georgetown University law professor, author (Terrorism and the Constitution), andNPR commentator speaks on the state of free speech in the post-9/11 era. Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., 206-386-4636. Free. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Sept. 19.

Barbara Ehrenreich She told heartbreaking stories of minimum-wage survival in Nickel and Dimed; in her new book, Bait and Switch, the author explores the frustration of white-collar unemployment. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-624-6600. $5. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Sept. 19.

Michael Bair At the Museum of Flight, the Boeing executive talks about the development and production of the company’s highly fuel-efficient new aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5700. Free. 6 p.m. Tues., Sept. 20.

George Galloway The British politician, who ardently attacked U.S. foreign policy on the Senate floor in May, talks about the war in Iraq and Dubya’s (non-)response to Katrina. Joining him are local antiwar activists Muna Coobtee, Amy Hagopian, and Monica Benderman, whose soldier husband is doing time at Fort Lewis for refusing to return to Iraq. UW Kane Hall, 206-851-4862. $12 ($8 students). 7 p.m. Tues., Sept. 20.

Travel Lecture Travel guide Rita Zawaideh conducts a virtual tour of Morocco. Wide World Books & Maps, 4411A Wallingford Ave. N., 206-634-3453. Free. 7 p.m. Tues., Sept. 20.

Gardening Workshop Learn about “Yard Waste and Food Waste Composting” at the Center for Urban Horticulture. 3501 N.E. 41st St., 206-205-3130. Free. 10 a.m.-noon. Wed., Sept. 21.

Multicultural Health Fair A daylong info expo packed with reps from 15 local organizations, including Jewish Family Service, Kin On Community Health Care, and Asian Counseling and Referral Service. Crossroads Shopping Center, Northeast Eighth Street and 156th Avenue Northeast (Bellevue), 425-644-1111. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Sept. 21.

Vigil for Darfur Poetry, music, speakers, and plenty of information on the Sudanese region where genocide has killed 400,000 people and displaced another 2.5 million. Westlake Plaza, Fourth Avenue and Pine Street, www.savedarfur.org. Free. Noon-12:45 p.m. Wed., Sept. 21.

Home and Garden Class The Phinney Neighborhood Association’s summer series ends with a class on working with tile. Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., 206-783-2244. $25 ($20 PNA members). 7-9 p.m. Wed., Sept. 21.

Seattle Follies A political cabaret to celebrate the retirement of David Brewster, the founder of Seattle Weekly, Sasquatch Press, and Town Hall. Among the toasters (and roasters) expected: former Seattle City Attorney Mark Sidran, frequent Follies emcee Mike Egan, author Jonathan Raban, and Book-It Theatre heads Jane Jones and Myra Platt. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-214-9980. Free (RSVP required). 7:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 21.