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

International Updates Lecture Series University of Washington doctoral candidate Duong Bich Hanh addresses “Tourism in China and Northern Vietnam” at a UW-sponsored dinner lecture. UW Kane Hall (Walker-Ames Room), 206-221-6374. $25. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wed., March 9.

Don Munro The head of Coastal Environmental Systems, a leading manufacturer of weather instruments, talks about building a capable staff. Sponsored by 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., March 9.

Tax Workshop for Artists Let local attorney Neil Sussman teach you how to keep the term “starving artist” from applying to you. Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St., 206-328-7053. $50 for attorneys, $35 for paralegals, $20 for artists and students. 6:45-9:30 p.m. Wed., March 9.

Nature Workshop Learn “Secrets of the Salmon-Wildlife Relationship” at a Carkeek Park class. Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center, 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Rd., 206-684-0877. Free. 7-9 p.m. Wed., March 9.

Parenting Workshop “Taking Care of Our Children: Drug Awareness and Prevention” is the subject; Steve Morris of Jewish Family Service leads the seminar. Stroum JCC, 3801 E. Mercer Way (Mercer Island), 206-461-3240 ext. 3146. $15. 7-8:30 p.m. Wed., March 9.

Parenting Workshop What does it take to raise a well-adjusted boy in the 21st century? Clinical therapist Andrew Koerner passes on his wisdom at this Jewish Family Service–sponsored class. 3801 E. Mercer Way (Mercer Island), 206-461-3240 ext. 3146. $15. 10-11:30 a.m. Thurs., March 10.

Bernie McGrenahan The comedian warns against alcohol abuse at Everett Community College. 2000 Tower St. (Everett), 425-388-9505. Free. 11-11:50 a.m. Thurs., March 10.

Film Screening Several local women’s groups host a screening of the documentary Speak Out: I Had an Abortion, in which women from diverse backgrounds describe the experience. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave., 206-388-0500. Free. 6-9 p.m. Thurs., March 10.

Stuart Gordon The notorious director of the cult horror classic Re-Animator reflects on his odd trajectory from schlock to family films (Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and its sequel) and back to B-grade horror (last year’s gruesome King of the Ants). Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S. (Tacoma), 253-591-5666. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs., March 10.

Home Restoration Workshop Learn how to reduce, reuse, or recycle aging parts of your abode with help from remodeling professionals Pat Finn and Rick Sever. Sponsored by Historic Seattle. Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. (Room 202), 206-622-6952. $10. 7-8:30 p.m. Thurs., March 10.

Parenting Lecture Child-development experts Susan Spieker and Jean Kelly discuss the fundamentals of early parent-child bonding. Sponsored by ParentMap.com. Benaroya Hall (Nordstrom Recital Hall), 200 University St., 206-232-1940. $12. 7-9 p.m. Thurs., March 10.

Science Panel University of Washington professor Jody Bourgeois and other scientists break down the physical forces that lead to tsunamis and assess the risk of a local occurrence. UW Kane Hall, Room 120, 206-616-9769. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. Thurs., March 10.

Travel Lecture Turkish scholar and Cultural Folk Tours director Bora Özkök offers a multimedia overview of his homeland. Seattle Westin, 1900 Fifth Ave., 206-728-1000. Free. 7-9 p.m. Thurs., March 10.

Plant Stewardship Program Help improve your local ecology as a Washington Native Plant Society steward; visit www.wnps.org for more information and to download an application for the 11-week training program. Deadline is Friday, March 11! Classes at South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., 206-527-3210. Free. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 30-June 15.

Science Seminar Highline Community College concludes its winter seminar series with a talk titled “Tsunami,” presented by Highline professor Carla Whittington. 2400 S. 240th St., 206-878-3710, ext. 3283. Free. 2:10-3 p.m. Fri., March 11.

Dr. Louis Ignarro The 1998 Nobel Prize winner and heart-health expert discusses America’s ongoing cardiovascular crisis. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., 206-366-3316. Free. 6:30 p.m. Fri., March 11.

Nonviolence Event The Center for Spiritual Living continues its weekly series of peace happenings with a film screening and discussion concerning “synthesis dialogues” with the Dalai Lama. 18102 102nd Ave. N.E. (Bothell), 425-941-9717. Pay what you can. 7:30-9 p.m. Fri., March 11.

Arts Panel Following the March 11 performance of Influence at Theatre Babylon, former Seattle Weekly writers and editors Sheila Farr, James Bush, Katherine Koberg, and John Longenbaugh join SW founder David Brewster for a discussion: “Alternative Papers, Alternative Arts: Are Either Fulfilling Their Mission?” Oddfellows Building, 915 E. Pine St. (Velocity Mainspace, Second Floor), 206-720-1942. $18 ($15 advance, $12 students/seniors). Play at 8 p.m., discussion to follow. Fri., March 11.

Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show Special guest Jon Provost, who played Timmy on the TV series Lassie, should make this year’s show especially memorable. Qwest Field Event Center, 1000 Occidental Ave., 206-381-8057. $10 ($5 seniors/children). 8 a.m.-3 p.m. or later. Sat., March 12-Sun., March 13.

Language Lesson Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Early risers can start learning the language of Wagner and Goethe at this introductory session sponsored by Seattle Language Academy. Wide World Books & Maps, 4411A Wallingford Ave. N., 206-634-3453. Free. 9:30 a.m. Sat., March 12.

Try Rowing Bash The Lake Washington Rowing Club hosts a session that covers the basics and awards all participants a souvenir T-shirt. 910 N. Northlake Way, 206-547-1583. $30. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., March 12.

Veg Fest Thinking about going vegetarian? Get the facts first at this yearly meatless festival packed with nutrition seminars, free samples, and cooking classes. Seattle Center (Fisher Pavilion), 206-706-2635. $5 (free for children 12 and under). 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., March 12-Sun., March 13.

Landscape Design Workshop What does your front walk say about you? More important, does your door have “curb appeal”? Explore these questions and more at this week’s In Bloom class, titled “Making an Entrance.” 4437 California Ave. S.W., 206-932-2588. Free. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sat., March 12.

Gardening Workshop This time of year, garden classes are as plentiful as cherry blossoms. City People’s joins the fray with “Savvy Seeding,” a how-to on planting from scratch. 2939 E. Madison St., 206-324-0737. Free. 11 a.m.-noon. Sat., March 12.

Cat Adoptathon Pick up a “fabulous feline” and give it a silly name (the Maestro?) at Magnolia Community Center. 2550 34th Ave. W., 206-386-7387. $82-$87 (includes tests, vaccinations, and pet license). Noon-3 p.m. Sat., March 12.

Irish Week Get a jump on St. Paddy’s Day at Seattle Center’s annual Celtic festival, where traditional dancers get jiggy with it, anyone can learn Gaelic (or try to, anyway), and those who feel fit as an Irish fiddle can compete in contests and games. For the aesthetes among ye, there’s storytelling and cinema galore. Seattle Center House and Fisher Pavilion, 206-684-7200. Free. Noon-6 p.m. Sat., March 12-Sun., March 13.

Pro-Choice Rally Speak out in favor of Roe v. Wade (and, needless to say, against Dubya) at the south plaza of Seattle Central Community College. 1701 Broadway Ave. E. Free. Noon. Sat., March 12.

Gardening Class Toss out your dried herbs and learn to grow fresh ones; Rolf Hokansson of Swanson’s Nursery shows you how. 9701 15th Ave. N.W., 206-838-2722. Free. 1 p.m. Sat., March 12.

Shrine Room Tour Explore Sakya Monastery’s authentic Tibetan shrine room with a guide at your side. 108 N.W. 83rd St., 206-789-2573. Free. Noon. Sun., March 13.

Magic Lantern The Frye Art Museum continues its discussion series on film and visual art with host Robert Horton and guest Joseph Park, the artist behind two local exhibits recontextualizing classic cartoon characters. 704 Terry Ave., 206-622-9250. Free. 2 p.m. Sun., March 13.

Sunday Meaningful Matinees The screening series, hosted by West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice, continues with The Yes Men, a 2004 documentary chronicling the wacky stunts of two anti-globalization performance artists. 2306 42nd Ave. S.W., 206-932-9522. Free. 2-4 p.m. Sun., March 13.

Travel Lecture RV fanatic and “travel filmmaker” John Hould gives you the inside scoop on heading north to Vancouver Island, Ketchikan, Sitka, and the Yukon. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St. (Bellevue), 206-547-4787. $12 ($8 teens and under). 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Mon., March 14.

Film Screening The documentary Oil on Ice examines the ecological, financial, and social effects of oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Sponsored by the Audubon Society. Northlake Unitarian Church, 308 Fourth Ave. S. (Kirkland), 425-576-8805. Free. 7 p.m. Mon., March 14.

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., March 14.

Education Forum Tom Vander Ark of the Gates Foundation, University of Washington professor Paul Hill, and former Seattle School Board head Don Nielsen discuss the state of local public schools and how to improve them. Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7:30 p.m. Mon., March 14.

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., March 15-Wed., March 16.

Travel Lecture Hear colorful tales of South America from travel guide Kurt Kutay, who specializes in Peru and Bolivia. Wide World Books & Maps, 4411A Wallingford Ave. N., 206-634-3453. Free. 7 p.m. Tues., March 15.

International Updates Lecture Series University of Washington professor Robert Burrowes and Holy Cross professor Mathew Schmalz address “Social Narcotics: Betel Nut in India and Qat in Yemen” at a UW-sponsored dinner lecture. UW Kane Hall (Walker-Ames Room), 206-221-6374. $25. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wed., March 16.

Josh Rushing, et al. The former Marine, featured prominently in last year’s documentary Control Room (about the Qatar-based news network Al-Jazeera), leads a panel of other ex-military officers in a discussion of the war in Iraq. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7 p.m. Wed., March 16