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

Beyond the Bench This CityClub panel on mentoring in the legal profession features Charles V. Johnson of the NAACP, King County Superior Court Judge Richard Jones, and Bonnie Glenn, the deputy chief of staff for King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng. Seattle University School of Law, 901 12th Ave., 206-682-7395. $10 ($7 for those under 25). 5-6:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Butterfly Lecture Insect expert Kiyoshi Hiruma, once a faculty member at the University of Washington, speaks on “Pigmentation in Butterflies.” Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., 206-364-4935. Free. 7 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Home and Garden Class The Phinney Neighborhood Association’s summer series continues with a workshop on eco-friendly house painting taught by home-improvement instructor Mike Clay. Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., 206-783-2244. $25 ($20 PNA members). 7-9 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Gregory Berns Think a poolside seat, a piña colada, and an empty schedule can make you happy? Think again. In his new book, Satisfaction, neuroscientist Berns says stress, not leisure, is most conducive to a good life. Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Jeff Van Duzer The dean of Seattle Pacific University’s School of Business and Economics talks about the underlying causes of recent business scandals. Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E. (Bellevue), 425-454-3082. Free. 7:30-8:45 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Ed Viesturs The accomplished mountaineer, who recently became the first U.S. climber to scale all 14 of the planet’s 8,000-meter peaks, presents a slide-show lecture. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $15. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7.

Primary Election Debate CityClub hosts the candidates for City Council positions 2, 4, and 8 for a debate moderated by KIRO-TV’s Essex Porter. The monorail, the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and urban density are among the issues up for discussion. Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave., 206-682-7395. $24 ($18 CityClub members; both include box lunch). Noon-1:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

Candidates’ Forum Mayoral, City Council, and other local candidates state their views on issues related to human services at a forum sponsored by the Seattle Human Services Coalition. Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 1609 19th Ave., 206-324-3063. Free. 6-9:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

Frankly Speaking About New Discoveries in Cancer Hall of Fame ballplayer Paul Molitor talks about his struggle with lung cancer and the University of Washington’s Dr. Renato Martins discusses new findings in cancer research at this Safeco Field seminar. Sponsored by the Wellness Community, Gilda’s Club, and UW. 1250 First Ave. S., 206-346-4000. Free (includes dinner). 6 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

Seattle Trivia Bee Watch teams from Seattle Men’s Chorus, Seattle Public Library, and Seattle Children’s Hospital compete against more than a dozen rivals at this fund-raiser for local adult-literacy programs. Evening Magazine‘s John Curley emcees. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., http://seattletriviabee.org. $35 (includes dessert buffet). 7-10 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

Which Way Seattle? Series Pillars of the African-American arts community, including Black Arts/West’s Douglas Q. Barnett and 4Culture’s Doreen Mitchum, assess “The State of Black Arts” at this discussion hosted by the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., 206-323-4032. $7 ($5 CD Forum members/students/seniors, sliding scale for artists). 7 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

Child Care Forum The United Way’s Karen Howell-Clark, state Rep. Ruth Kagi, and others examine new developments in child care. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters. First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave., 206-325-6051. Free. 7:30-9 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 8.

West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium The biggest kayak event in North America gears up for another weekend of classes, equipment and boat demos, presentations, and a silent auction. Sponsored by the Trade Association of Paddlesports. Fort Worden State Park, 200 Battery Way (Port Townsend), www.wcsks.org. $60/day ($120 full pass, $25 beach pass for demos only). Fri., Sept. 9-Sun., Sept. 11.

Puyallup Fair Whether you’re a rodeo person, a corndog person, or just the sort of person who likes to zoom through the air in a circle until you’re slightly nauseated, there’s something to delight you at this wonderland. 110 Ninth Ave. S.W. (Puyallup), 253-845-1771. $10 ($7 youth/seniors). 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Fri., Sept. 9-Sun., Sept. 25.

Mainstream or Extreme What direction will conservative politics take in the wake of Bush II? Thanks to Foolproof, we get a sneak peek. This panel on “The Future of the Republican Party” includes liberal pundit (and son of the Gipper) Ron Reagan Jr., Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed, KVI-AM host John Carlson, Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland, and Log Cabin Republicans head Patrick Guerrero. UW Meany Hall, 206-325-2993. $25-$75. 8 p.m. Fri., Sept. 9.

BizFair 2005 Renton Technical College hosts an informational fair for small business owners. Resources on tap include advice from business and trade experts and seminars on such topics as “Even If It’s Your Home, It’s Still a Business.” 3000 N.E. Fourth St. (Renton), www.bizfair.org. Free. 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10.

PAWSwalk Walk a 5K course with your canine, or “in honor of your favorite animal,” to raise money for the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, a Northwest nonprofit that shelters homeless animals. Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., 425-742-4009 ext. 833. $25 ($20 advance). 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10.

Aki Matsuri Martial-arts demos, authentic food, taiko drumming, origami, and kimono dress-up sessions at Bellevue Community College’s Japanese cultural fest. 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E. (Bellevue), 425-861-7865. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Sept. 11.

Greenspire Medieval Faire Lords and ladies, preferably costumed, may enjoy era-appropriate combat demos, games, and food, including “dragon burgers.” Co-sponsored by the Society for Creative Anachronism. 5041 Ninth Ave. N.E., 206-361-9324. Free. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10.

Gardening Workshop Carrie Becker of Bellevue Botanical Garden explains how to prepare your garden for the winter months. Swanson’s Nursery, 9701 15th Ave. N.W., 206-782-2543. Free. 11 a.m. Sat., Sept. 10.

Korean Cultural Celebration Welcome the harvest season to the beat of authentic Korean folk music, then take in a film screening, some traditional dance, or a tae kwon do performance. Seattle Center (Center House), 206-684-7200. Free. 1-5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10.

The September Project Seattle Public Library’s three-week program on the state of the First Amendment begins with several screenings of Unconstitutional: The War on Our Civil Liberties, a documentary about the federal legislation that resulted from the terrorist attacks. An ACLU rep will lead a discussion following each screening. Ballard Library, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W., 206-684-4089. Free. 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10. Green Lake Library, 7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N., 206-684-7547. Free. 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10. West Seattle Library, 2306 42nd Ave. S.W., 206-684-7444. Free. 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10. Central Library (Microsoft Auditorium), 1000 Fourth Ave., 206-386-4636. Free. 2 p.m. Sun., Sept. 11. Capitol Hill Library, 425 Harvard Ave E., 206-684-4715. Free. 3 p.m. Sun., Sept. 11.

Film Screenings Pomona College Black Studies professor Phyllis Jackson’s Comrade Sister: Voices of Women in the Black Panther Party examines gender roles within the BPP and how the media have depicted the party since its 1966 inception. Jackson will be on hand after each screening for a Q&A. Central Cinema, 1411 21st Ave., 206-686-6684. $5. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10.

9/11 Remembrance Program Seattle’s R1 Band headlines a day of speakers and music at Westlake Park. Fourth Avenue and Pine Street, 206-706-0661. Free. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Sept. 11.

Phinney Garden Tour Find out if the grass is always greener in someone else’s garden at this annual stroll through eight patches of floral paradise, including Ballard’s new Sixth Avenue Northwest pocket park. Tour begins at Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N, 206-783-2244. $10. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Sept. 11.

Sleepwalking Apocalypse: 9/11 Previously performed during the Art of Resistance Conference in May, this work of political theater by local playwright Edward Mast delves into themes related to 9/11, including “the troubled dreams of a divided people at war.” Greenlake Park, 63rd Street and East Greenlake Way North, 206-633-1086. Free. 2 p.m. Sun., Sept. 11.

9/11 Panel Discussion Panelists from the ACLU, the FBI, American Muslims of Puget Sound, the Anti-Defamation League, and other organizations discuss the notorious past and uncertain future of the USA Patriot Act. First United Methodist Church, 811 Fifth Ave., 206-622-7278. Free. 7 p.m. Mon., Sept. 12.

First Hill Historic House Tour See how the other half lived at a guided tour of two turn-of-the-century homes: the Stimson-Green Mansion and the Henry Dearborn House. Sponsored by Historic Seattle. Henry Dearborn House, 1117 Minor Ave., 206-622-6952. $10 ($8 Historic Seattle/Washington Trust members). 1-2:30 p.m. Tues., Sept. 13.

Potluck Barbecue with City Council Candidates Bring something for the barbecue and a shareable dessert, then ask any of the dozen candidates for City Council about their views on density, mass transit, and other issues of the day. Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave. E., 206-323-5929. Free. 6-9 p.m. Tues., Sept. 13.

Library Expansion Forum Weigh in on the proposed expansion of the Seattle Public Library’s Broadview branch, or just ask questions of SPL reps and designers from Miller Hayashi Architects, the firm hired for the project. Broadview Library, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-615-1329. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. Tues., Sept. 13.

Chris Mooney The author of The Republican War on Science talks about “intelligent design” and the status of the ongoing fight between Darwinists and Creationists. Sponsored by Foolproof. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-328-0888. $10. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Sept. 13.

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.