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Greg Critser The author of Generation Rx will discuss American drug culture, including our growing sense of entitlement to pharmaceuticals, as part of Town Hall’s Center for Civic Life series. Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Nov. 9.

Phil Hoose and Gene Sparling The author (The Race to Save the Lord God Bird) and birder tell the amazing story of the ivory-billed woodpecker, a species long considered extinct until Sparling rediscovered it in Arkansas less than two years ago. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-343-4345. $10. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Nov. 9.

Mark Crispin Miller An New York University media-studies professor, he calls Dubya a repeat offender in his new book, Fooled Again: How the Right Stole the 2004 Election and Why They’ll Steal the Next One Too (Unless We Stop Them). Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-325-3554. $10 ($5 students). 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 10. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 206-634-3400. Free. 7 p.m. Fri., Nov. 11. Elliott Bay Books, 101 S. Main St., 206-624-6600. Free. 4:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 12.

Andrew Weil The author (Healthy Aging) and “integrative medicine” expert talks about recent developments. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 10.

Veterans Day Ceremony At the Museum of Flight’s Veterans Day event, a quartet of Korean War–era Air Force vets recount experiences and answer questions. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5700. $14 ($13 seniors, $7.50 youths 5 to 17). 1 p.m. Fri., Nov. 11.

Cultural Crossroads Care for some kabuki with your Balkan cabaret? How about a little tango in your LEGO sculpture garden? Watch global arts mix and match at the Eastside’s premier multicultural festival; this year, a parade (10 a.m. Saturday) is the marquee event. Crossroads Bellevue, Northeast Eighth Street and 156th Avenue Northeast (Bellevue), 425-644-1111. Free. 5-10 p.m. Fri., Nov. 11. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., Nov. 12. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun., Nov. 13.

Richard Sher The host of NPR’s Says You! quiz show records two Northwest-oriented episodes at Town Hall. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $25. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Nov. 11.

Oral History Workshop Learn how to preserve everyday history at a workshop led by the Museum of History and Industry’s Lorraine McConaghy. 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-324-1126. $45 ($35 MOHAI members; $40/$30 in advance). 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 12.

Laura Holgate Representing the Nuclear Threat Initiative, an international think-tank consortium, she’ll break down the global risk of nuclear terrorism in a talk sponsored by the World Affairs Council. University of Washington HUB, 206-441-5910. Free. 7 p.m. Mon., Nov. 14.

Health Care Panel The nonprofit advocacy group CodeBlueNow joins Foolproof and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in sponsoring a forum on America’s health care woes; panelists include ex-Minnesota governor Arne Carlson and former Florida congressman Paul Rogers, with the P-I‘s Mark Trahant as moderator. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-325-3554. $5. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Nov. 14.

Jill Tarter The head of the SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) Institute (and the model for Jodie Foster’s Contact heroine) shares the latest developments in the quest for alien life to kick off the Science Fiction Museum’s new exhibit, “SETI: Fact and Fiction.” 325 Fifth Ave. N., 206-724-3428. $13 ($7 SFM members). 6:30 p.m. Tues., Nov. 15.

Said Hyder Akbar The son of Fazel Akbar, chief spokesperson for Afghani president Hamid Karzai, describes his homeland’s baby steps toward democracy in his new memoir, Come Back to Afghanistan, which he’ll elaborate on tonight at Town Hall. Sponsored by Foolproof. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-325-3554. $10 ($5 students). 7:30 p.m. Tues., Nov. 15.

Marriage Forum University of Pennsylvania sociology prof Kathy Edin and Evergreen State College instructor Stephanie Coontz talk about the ties between healthy marriage and effective childrearing, and whether local “marriage-strengthening programs” have been successful. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-464-6151. Free (preregistration required). 11 a.m. Wed., Nov. 16.

Stephen Hawking The world-renowned cosmologist, math genius, and Brief History of Time author shares “New Perspectives on the Origin of the Universe,” including theories about “dark energy” and possible exceptions to Newton’s Law of Gravity. (Earlier in the evening, at an invite-only ceremony, he’ll officially donate a paper on black holes to the Science Fiction Museum.) Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., 206-467-5510. $35-$125. 8 p.m. Wed., Nov. 16.