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

Rename Seattle Parks Help rename York Substation and three other badly named (or unnamed) city parks by sending suggestions to Paula Hoff at Seattle Parks & Rec (paula.hoff@seattle.gov) by Monday, Feb. 28. (The other parks are Ballard Civic Center Park, Smith Cove, and the park at Lake Union Waterway 14 and Northlake Way on Lake Union.) Submit names by Mon., Feb. 28.

Astronomy Lecture University of Washington astronomy prof Toby Smith evaluates the work of the Cassini-Huygens space probe, which recently landed on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. UW Kane Hall (Room 120), 206-616-1084. Free. 7 p.m. Wed., Jan. 26.

Carkeek Park Workshop Series This week’s session, “Building Your Backyard Wildlife Habitat,” should put you on excellent terms with your furry neighbors. Environmental Learning Center, 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Rd., 206-684-0877. Free. 7-9 p.m. Wed., Jan. 26.

Walter Denny The renowned expert in the field of carpet studies talks about synagogue rugs and royal floor coverings from Turkey, Italy, and Tibet, and other carpet-rich cultures. Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-324-1126. $5. 7 p.m. Wed., Jan. 26.

Film Screening Seattle’s annual Cuban Film Festival begins with the 2001 documentary Great Day in Havana, which surveys the island nation’s cultural life (and includes several musical performances). 911 Media Arts Center, 402 Ninth Ave. N., 206-682-6552. $10. 7 p.m. Wed. Jan. 26.

Michael Williams The Northwest Light Brigade ringleader explains how the organization (whose stated aim is “to make the world’s largest artificially lit photograph”) illuminated Mount St. Helens last fall. East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 S.E. 32nd St. (Bellevue), 206-725-8440. Free. 7 p.m. Wed., Jan. 26.

André Aciman The New Yorker contributor talks about his childhood in Egypt (and subsequent exile), as recounted in his new memoir, Out of Egypt. Part of the Nextbook series of Jewish literary events. Benaroya Hall (Nordstrom Recital Hall), 200 University St., 888-621-2230. Free. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 26.

Buddhist Reading Group Sakya Monastery hosts a discussion of “a short text on the Five Paths” (the five main stages of Buddhism) by lama Rongdon Shecha Gunrik Shakye Gyaltsen. 108 N.W. 83rd St., 206-789-2573. $12/session. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 26 and Tues., Feb. 1.

Malcolm Gladwell The New Yorker contributor reads from and discusses Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, his new book about how human beings make split-second decisions. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 26.

Jazz Lecture The Experience Music Project presents a talk on the Blanton-Webster Band by EMP staffer Bob Santelli and University of Washington music professor Marc Seales. Jazz demonstration and discussion to follow. 325 Fifth Ave. N., 206-367-5483. Free. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 26.

Policy Professionals Panel If you’re looking to work in the State Department, this University of Washington/Bothell panel on breaking into the world of public policy, “from research to advocacy to implementation,” is for you. UW1 Building (Third Floor), 18115 Campus Way N.E. (Bothell), 425-352-5000. Free. 7:30-9 p.m. Wed., Jan. 26.

Stormwater Seminar Learn how to use rainwater in landscape design with help from architect Patrick Carey and water-quality field agent Curtis Hinman. Center for Urban Horticulture (NHS Hall), 3501 N.E. 41st St., 206-685-8033. $40. 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 27.

NASA Astronaut Remembrance Week The Museum of Flight presents a special exhibit honoring the bravery of fallen U.S. astronauts, from Christa McAuliffe in 1986 to Whidbey Island’s Willie McCool in 2003. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5720. Free with museum admission ($12 adults, $11 seniors, $7.50 youth). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 27-Tues., Feb. 1.

Film Screening/Panel Discussion The University of Washington’s Bothell campus hosts a screening of Echoes of Brown: Youth Documenting and Performing the Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education, a documentary about the landmark Supreme Court case. A panel discussion follows the screening. North Creek Cafe (UW Bothell campus), 18115 Campus Way N.E., 425-352-5331. Free. 5-7:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 27.

Benefit Concert “Political troubadour and activist” Jim Page headlines this fund-raiser for the Seattle International Human Rights Coalition. Also on the program: a talk on turmoil in Sudan. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., 206-547-7735. $10 (suggested donation). 7 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 27.

Cycling Talks At the University District’s R+E Cycles, KUOW-FM personality and cyclist Willie Weir talks about his biking adventures in Bosnia. 5627 University Way N.E., 206-527-4822. $7 ($5 advance). 7 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 27-Sat., Jan. 29.

CityClub Luncheon Forum Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative head Jeff Morris, and venture capitalist Nancy Floyd examine the state of alternative energy (e.g. solar power and hydrogen fuel cells) in America today. Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave., 206-682-7395. $40. Noon-1:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 28.

Science Seminar Highline Community College continues its winter seminar series with a talk titled “Lost or Missing in America: Sleep,” presented by Highline professor Ruth Frickle. 2400 S. 240th St., 206-878-3710 ext. 3283. Free. 2:10-3 p.m. Fri., Jan. 28.

Jared Diamond The Pulitzer Prize winner (for Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies) discusses his upcoming nonfiction book, Collapse, about the lessons to be gleaned from failed civilizations. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 28.

Will Durst The political comedian, once compared to Will Rogers by the Los Angeles Times, appears at Kirkland Performance Center. 350 Kirkland Ave. (Kirkland), 425-893-9900. $20 ($17 seniors, $15 youth). 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 28.

Mariners FanFest At this Safeco Field celebration, you can pal around with M’s players (Jamie Moyer, et al. on Saturday; Bret Boone, et al. on Sunday) when you’re not taking cuts in the batting cage, pitching from the mound, or taking a clubhouse tour. (Spring training starts March 3!) 1250 First Ave. S., 206-622-HITS. $10 ($5 children 6-14). 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., Jan. 29-Sun., Jan. 30.

New Exhibit The Washington State History Museum hosts the touring 9/11 exhibit, “Bearing Witness to History,” which attracted a million visitors in less than a year at the National Museum of American History. 1911 Pacific Ave. (Tacoma), 888-238-4373. $7 ($6.50 seniors, $5 students/military). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Sun., Jan. 29-Sun., April 24.

Tsunami Relief Garage Sale Gently used merchandise for sale; the proceeds benefit the nonprofit aid group World Concern. Parking garage at 1st Security Bank’s Financial Building, 6920 220th St. S.W. (Mountlake Terrace), 800-683-0973. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., Jan. 29.

Family Fun Workshop Create custom mission patches in memory of astronauts lost on the Challenger and Columbia. Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5720. Free with museum admission ($12 adults, $11 seniors, $7.50 youth). 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Sat., Jan. 29-Sun., Jan. 30.

Middle East Discussion On the eve of elections in Iraq, University of Washington professors Ellis Goldberg and Resat Kasaba talk about the ongoing struggle for stability in the region. St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., 206-323-0300. Free. 12:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 29.

Burns Night Celebration The Seattle branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society honors “Auld Lang Syne” lyricist (and prolific poet) Robert Burns with a rollicking festival; expect traditional food, music, and rug-cutting. Mercer Island Congregational Church, 4545 Island Crest Way, 425-670-9084. $12. 7 p.m. Sat., Jan. 29.

Mysteries of Nikola Tesla “Weird science guy” Bill Beaty hosts a geek gathering devoted to the pioneering electrical engineer who developed the famous “Tesla coil.” Museum of the Mysteries, 623 Broadway Ave. E., 206-328-6499. $5 (suggested donation). 7-9 p.m. Sat., Jan. 29.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Arguably both the best-known and best-loved American environmentalist and social crusader (sorry, Ralph), RFK Jr. makes his first Seattle appearance at the Paramount Theatre. 911 E. Pine St., 206-325-3554. $20-$75. 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 29.

Film Screening Belltown’s Rendezvous shows Revolution: Why It’s Necessary, Why It’s Possible, What It’s All About, a filmed lecture by Revolutionary Communist Party chairman Bob Avakian. 2322 Second Ave., 206-441-5823. $5-$10 (sliding scale). 6:30 p.m. Sun., Jan. 30.

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., Jan. 31.

Film Screening Produced by AmeriCorps and the Seattle Public Library, The Power of Literacy is a documentary about Literacy Source, a nonprofit learning center in Fremont. Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., 206-782-2050. Free. 7-8 p.m. Mon., Jan. 31.

Pike Place Market Ghost Tour The popular spectral walkabout becomes a fixture this week. Led by “Emmy nominated film researcher” Mercedes Yaeger, the ghost tour covers various paranormal elements of the Market, hopefully including a guide to where the shade of Emmett Watson does most of his chowder-eating nowadays. Call for location: 206-322-1218. $10. Time by appointment. Tours begin Tues., Feb. 1.

Northwest Stream Center Class The winter series begins with “Winter Bats Are Where It’s At,” taught by “bat expert” Barbara Ogaard. 600 128th St. S.E. (Everett), 425-316-8592. $6. 11 a.m. Tues., Feb. 1.

CEO Lunch Series Learn from the guys on top—no women, sadly—at the first in a series of luncheon lectures sponsored by the UW Alumni Association. This month’s speaker is Steve Gillis, head of immunology R&D firm Corixa. Columbia Tower Club, 701 Fifth Ave., 206-543-0540. $38 ($30 for UWAA members). Noon-1:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 1.

“The Crusades” Lecture Series The five-week series, sponsored by the University of Washington and taught by UW history professor Robert Stacey, continues with a session devoted to the downfall of the 13th-century “crusader kingdom.” UW Kane Hall (Room 130), 800-289-2586. $15 ($5 students). 7 p.m. Tues., Feb. 1.

Jewish Studies Lecture “Judaism and Justice: Foundations and Possibilities” is the subject of this talk by Rabbi Zari Weiss, sponsored by the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center. Seattle University (Hunthausen Hall), 901 12th Ave., 206-223-1138. $5 (includes refreshments). 7-9 p.m. Tues., Feb. 1.

Travel Discussion Turkish travel guide Meli Seval helps you distinguish Kyrgyzstan from Kazakhstan while preparing for adventures in Central Asia and Mongolia. 4411A Wallingford Ave. N., 206-634-3453. Free. 7 p.m. Tues., Feb. 1.

Film Discussion Series UW/Bothell’s extracurricular survey of world cinema takes off with Window to Paris, which chronicles the zany exploits of a Russian émigré in Paris. (Discussion after the film.) UWB2 Building (Room 021), 18115 Campus Way N.E. (Bothell), 206-543-4852. Free. 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wed., Feb. 2.

Environmental Issues Course A catchall for the eco-conscious, this class taught by “local environmental experts” touches on global warming, forest conservation, agriculture, earth-friendly economics, and low-pollution transport solutions. The Mountaineers, 300 Third Ave. W., 206-284-8484. $50 ($45 for Mountaineers members). (Single lectures: $8/$7.) 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 2-April 6.

Northwest Stream Center Class The winter series continues with “Fascination With Crows and Ravens,” taught by University of Washington science prof John Marzluff. 600 128th St. S.E. (Everett), 425-316-8592. $6. 7 p.m. Wed., Feb. 2.