Send listings two weeks in advance to braincity@seattleweekly.com.Addressing Torture University of Washington politics prof Jamie Mayerfeld examines the role of torture in war, which he calls “morally indefensible and practically self-defeating.” UW Kane Hall (Room 210), 206-634-3400. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 20.Ask the Docs MDs David Dunner and Gregory Simon address mental illness at a Q&A sponsored by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Swedish Medical Center, 747 Broadway Ave., 206-386-6000. 7 p.m. Wed., Oct. 20.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. Wed., Oct. 20.Seattle Follies Town Hall’s political cabaret series marches on with appearances by former Almost Live! troupers Nancy and Joe Guppy, plus state Sen. Bill Finkbeiner and HappyPants! playwright Scott Warrender. KJR-FM radio host Pat Cashman is tonight’s emcee. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $18 ($15 in advance). 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 21.Kent Stowell and Francia Russell The artistic directors of the Pacific Northwest Ballet discuss their time in the dance biz, from the peak of the Balanchine era to the present day. PNB dancers and renowned choreographer Donald Byrd will also be in attendance. Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $10. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 20.Blood Drive Donate some hemoglobin to the Puget Sound Blood Center. (Visit www.psbc.org for a full list of times and places to give blood.) Bank of America Tower, 701 Fifth Ave. (Suite 4040), 800-398-7888. Free. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 21.Teach-In Local activist Martin Schilde leads this forum on war, imperialism, and the looming threat of a draft. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave. E., 206-325-3113. Free. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 21.Awards Ceremony Sponsored by Seattle’s Ethnic Heritage Council and KCBC World Television, the Spirit of America Awards honor “inspirational, unsung heroes”; this year’s slate of honorees includes Kids Without Borders founder Son Michael Pham and Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen. New City Hall, 600 Fourth Ave., 206-447-1430. Free. 6 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 21.Clean Water Forum Gather at Carkeek Park’s Environmental Education Center to discuss threats to pure H2O with panelists David Brock of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, scientist Philip Dickey, et al. 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Rd., 206-363-4116. Free. 7-9 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 21.Travel Lecture Authors Beth Davies and Ben Cole recommend hoofing it through Iberia in Walking the Via de la Plata, which they’ll elaborate on at this slideshow Q&A. Wide World Books & Maps, 4411 Wallingford Ave. N., 206-634-3453. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 21.UW “Defining Moments” Lecture Series A series of weekly talks addressing the history of the University of Washington. This week’s lecture, by UW politics prof Margaret Levi, drama prof Mark Jenkins, and King County Council member Larry Gossett, deals with the campus as a protest site during the ’60s and ’70s. UW Kane Hall, Room 130, 800-AUW-ALUM. $15 ($5 students). 7-9 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 21.Film Screening Radical Women hosts a screening of Senorita Extraviada, a documentary concerning the murders of more than 200 women in and around the Mexican border town of Juarez. New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., 206-722-6057. Free ($6.50 for dinner). 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 21.Leadership and Women Conference Sponsored by Seattle’s Ernst Becker Foundation, this weekend confab (keynoted by Jean Lipman-Blumen—see below) salutes female achievement in the workplace and elsewhere. Seattle University (Campion Ballroom), 901 12th Ave., 206-296-6000. $25-$250 (sliding-scale donation). Fri., Oct. 22-Sun., Oct. 24.United Nations Day Luncheon “Imagine: A World With Gender Equality!” is the subject of this year’s UN Day lunch program; among the scheduled speakers is Rev. Monica Corsaro, the first official Planned Parenthood chaplain in Washington. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-568-1959. $35 ($15 for students). 11:30 a.m. Fri., Oct. 22.Popular Science Seminar Highline Community College continues its weekly lecture series with a talk titled “Economic Anthropology,” presented by Highline professors T.M. Sell and Jean Harris. 2400 S. 240th St., 206-878-3710 ext. 3283. Free. 2:10-3 p.m. Fri., Oct. 22.Protest Rally A march against police brutality, beginning at Westlake Park and proceeding to the INS/ICE Detention Center at Sixth Avenue and Airport Way, is followed by an evening program of speakers. March begins at Fourth Ave. and Pine St., 206-264-5527. Free. 4:30-9:30 p.m. (speakers begin at 5 p.m.). Fri., Oct. 22.Legal Seminar The Washington State Bar Association is sponsoring this useful (but pricey) session on protecting social and financial rights in unmarried and same-sex unions. Seattle Center (Olympic Room), First Ave. and Republican St., 206-443-WSBA. $199/person. Registration begins at 7:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 22.Family History Expo Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, featured speakers include University of Washington genealogy expert Sarah Thorson Little and a scientist from the Molecular Genealogy Research Group. Bellevue Stake Center, 14536 Main St. (Bellevue), 425-562-7193. Free. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23.Health Seminar It’s that time of year: Bastyr University hosts Dr. Nancy Welliver for a talk titled “Kitchen Medicine for Colds and Flu”; she’ll emphasize homegrown remedies rather than over-the-counter methods. 14500 Juanita Dr. N.E., 425-602-3075. $49. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23.Watchable Wildlife Tour Join Whale Museum staffer Kari Koski and Whale Watch Operators Association director Anna Hall on an educational whale-watching excursion around San Juan Island. Tour departs from Friday Harbor, 206-762-1976. $80. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (board at 8:30 a.m.). Sat., Oct. 23.Volunteer Orientation A training session for those who wish to work as volunteer interpreters at the Seattle Aquarium. (The preferred minimum commitment is 100 hours.) Pier 59, 206-386-4320. Free. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Sat., Oct. 23.Free Screening For people of all ages who show signs of ADD, autism, and/or learning disabilities. Developmental Movement Center, 12351 Lake City Way N.E. (Suite 102), 206-525-8038. Screenings from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (call to reserve a time). Sat., Oct. 23.Northwest Captive Breeders Expo Tarantulas, Gila monsters, snakes, and other scaly and/or scary pets are the stars of this annual Puyallup exposition. Puyallup Fairgrounds, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W. (Puyallup), 425-861-7964. $6/day ($10 for both days). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Oct. 24.Try Rowing Bash The Washington Rowing Club’s last introductory session of the year covers the basics and awards all participants a souvenir T-shirt. 910 Northlake Way, 206-547-1583. $30. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23.Cedar River Salmon Journey Join Seattle Aquarium volunteers at Cedar River for a lively lesson in sockeye salmon spawning behavior. Call 206-386-4300 for site. Free. Volunteers are present from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23-Sun., Oct. 24.Day of Remembrance A memorial for victims of gun violence, sponsored by Washington CeaseFire. Green Lake Park, N. 73rd St. and W. Greenlake Dr. N., 206-684-4075. Free. 11 a.m. Sat., Oct. 23.TurkFest The land of Istanbul, not Constantinople, gets the weekend-festival treatment. Expect music, folk dancing, dressmaking workshops, and traditional chow. Seattle Center (Center House and Fisher Pavilion), 206-684-7200. Free. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Oct. 24.Celebrate, Commemorate, Educate A multifaceted event honoring women affected by breast cancer, keynoted by author and Essence editor-at-large Stephanie Stokes Oliver and featuring everything from a dance performance to a “pampering room.” Garfield Community Center, 2323 E. Cherry St., 206-335-1719. Free. Noon-5 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23.Fall Bird Migration Cruises Journey to Protection Island with staffers from the Port Townsend Marine Science Center on a three-hour bird-watching tour; some cruises include up to 80 species! Tour departs from Point Hudson Marina, 103 Hudson St. (Port Townsend), 360-385-5582. $45. 1-4 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23.History Lecture Part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park’s fall lecture series, this week’s talk by Peri Mulhich of Historic Seattle concerns the so-called Mercer Girls, a group of women who left the East Coast for Seattle when the pioneer city was still at a loss for female residents. 117 S. Main St., 206-553-7220. Free. 2 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23.John Billingsley A co-founder of Seattle’s Freehold Theater Lab and Book-It Repertory Theater, the actor who portrays Dr. Phlox on Star Trek: Enterprise should appeal equally to local stage buffs and raging sci-fi geekazoids. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 5 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23.Ralph Meany The subject du jour is crop circles; photographer Meany will provide local evidence. Seattle Museum of the Mysteries, 623 Broadway Ave. E., 206-328-6499. $2 (suggested donation). 6-9 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23.Film Screening The University of Washington Women’s Center and several local Indian-American groups present the documentary The Day My God Died, about child sex slavery in India and Nepal. Architecture Lecture Hall, Room 147 (UW campus), 206-685-1090. $5. 6:30-9 p.m. Sat., Oct. 23.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Education Day Chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which together affect 10 million Americans, are the twin subjects of this seminar, which includes a panel of patients and doctors. University of Washington Medical Center, Hogness Auditorium (UW campus), 866-229-2768. Free. 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sun., Oct. 24.Mock Archeological Dig Aspiring Indiana Joneses can use authentic field tools to unearth artifacts at this hands-on event. Burke Museum, N.E. 45th St. and 17th Ave. N.E., 206-543-5590. $8 ($6.50 seniors, $5 students). 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Oct. 24.History Lecture The versatile red cedar tree serves many purposes for Northwest Native Americans; historian Barbara Winther will discuss a few, using slides, at this Bainbridge Island History Series talk. Island Center Hall, 8395 Fletcher Bay Rd. N.E., 206-842-2773. $5 ($2 for those under 18). 2 p.m. Sun., Oct. 24.Staged Reading Local actors give the new play Not So Happily Ever After, about domestic violence in Jewish-American homes, a live read-through; then a DV panel addresses audience concerns and questions about the work. Hillel at the University of Washington, 4745 17th Ave. N.E., 206-527-1997. $5 suggested donation. 4 p.m. Sun., Oct. 24.Dharma Video ClubPathways to Peace, a film of the Dalai Lama’s 2001 appearance in Portland, is this week’s selection. Sakya Monastery, 108 N.W. 83rd St., 206-789-2573. Free. 7:30 p.m. Sun., Oct. 24.Jean Lipman-Blumen The author and politics professor (at Claremont Graduate University) inaugurates the Center for Ethical Leadership’s luncheon series with a talk on “toxic leaders” (paging Dubya . . ) and how to deal with them. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-328-3020. $25. 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mon., Oct. 25.Travel Lecture Wanna visit West Africa but can’t find a travel buddy? British Columbian writer Laura Enridge went on her own, and she’ll tell you how. She’ll also teach you how to pronounce Ouagadougou (the capital of Burkina Faso). Wide World Books & Maps, 4411 Wallingford Ave. N., 206-634-3453. Free. 7 p.m. Tues., Oct. 26.Women and War Philippine writer Ninotchka Rosca speaks on the involvement of female civilians and soldiers in military conflict. Shoreline Community College, 16101 Greenwood Ave. N. (Shoreline), 206-546-7841. $10 ($8 students/seniors, $4 SCC students with I.D.). 7:30 p.m. Tues., Oct. 26.Employment Law Seminar Dealing with harassment, firing workers who possess inside information, and handling persistent performance problems are among the delicate topics addressed in this session, presented by two business associations and a local law firm. SBA/SCORE Business Enterprise Center, Sixth Ave. and University St., 206-553-7317. $40. 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Wed., Oct. 27.Senior Job Club Seattleites 55 and over are invited to attend this employment workshop, sponsored by the Mayor’s Office. Alaska Building, 618 Second Ave., 206-684-0500. Free. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Wed., Oct. 27.Mediation Class Not meditation—mediation. Learn how to navigate everyday conflicts using tried-and-true techniques. Certified mediators Patti Dinsmore and Andrea Friedman are your guides. Jewish Family Service, 1601 16th Ave., 206-861-3146. $15. 7-9 p.m. Wed., Oct. 27.Lobsters, Art, and Public Policy Theatre Communications Group director Ben Cameron leads this discussion of the role and value of art, with emphasis on its potential as a political tool and on the ways in which it is (and isn’t) funded in America today. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., 206-684-7171. Free. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 27.