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

Why Are Some Trees Prettier than Others? University of Washington Biology Professor Gordon Orians explores whether beauty really is in the mind of the beholder, at least when it comes to flora. Bellevue Community College, room C-130, 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Bellevue, 425-564-2550 www.bcc.ctc.edu. Free. 12:30 p.m. Wed., March 15.

U.N. Reform United Nations Undersecretary General Shashi Tharoor discusses how the organization should reform to better reflect current geopolitical realities. Discussion follows. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 401 17th Ave. S., 206-441-5910, www.world-affairs.org. $25/nonmembers. 7 p.m. Wed., March 15.

Seattle Astronomical Society Victor Debattista, the Brooks Fellow at the University of Washington astronomy department, talks about barred spiral galaxies at the club’s monthly meeting. Physics-Astronomy Building, room A102, University of Washington campus, 206-523-2787, www.seattleastro.org. Free. 7:30 p.m. Wed., March 15.

Inside Zumiez’s Corporate Culture CEO Richard Brooks talks about the inner workings of one of the fastest growing sports retailers in the country at the 2006 University of Puget Sound Seattle Business Breakfast. Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66, 206-879-3451. $20. 7-8:45 a.m. Thurs., March 16.

Kathleen Shaputis The author is here to sign and talk about 50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family, a relocation guide to small town and large cities friendly to families of all kinds. Pacific Place Barnes and Noble, 600 Pine St., 206-264-0156, www.barnesandnoble.com. Free. 12:30 p.m., Thurs., March 16.

Red Cross Month The local chapter celebrates with an open house with displays and information about emergency prevention and preparedness and light refreshments. Seattle headquarters, 1900 25th Ave. S., 206-323-2345, www.seattleredcross.org. Free. 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thurs., March 16.

African Americans and Foster Care The Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas presents a civic dialogue about the disproportionality of African-American children in the foster care system—although only 7 percent of the child population in King County is African American, these children comprise 38 percent of the foster care population. Ethnic Cultural Center, 3940 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., 206-323-4032, www.cdforum.org. $7. 7 p.m. Thurs., March 16.

Dr. Wangari Maathai The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner—and Kenya’s Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources—asks Seattleites to rethink concepts of peace and security while discussing social responsibility, empowerment, and environmental accountability. Mark Taper Auditorium at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-325-2993, www.foolproof.org. $25-$75. 8 p.m. Fri., March 17.

Lauren Artress The author of Walking a Sacred Path and founder/president of Veriditas leads an introductory lecture and subsequent workshop on reconciliation and other psycho-spiritual concerns that face the modern-day person. St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., 206-323-0300 ext. 297, www.veriditas.net. $10, introduction, 7-9 p.m. Fri., March 17. $50, workshop, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sat., March 18.

Women Fly! The Museum of Flight holds its annual event for young women interested in aviation and aerospace careers. Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-768-7228, www.museumofflight.org/womenfly. Free. 8:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m. Fri., March 17.

Russian Women Aviators For those who have not gotten their fix of female fliers, three Russian aviators discuss overcoming obstacles to fly MiG fighters and train with the cosmonaut corps. Museum of Flight William M. Allen Theater, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5720, www.museumofflight.org. Free. 2 p.m. Sat., March 18.

Sierra Club’s Global Warming Workshop Clean energy experts, faith and labor-union leaders, and King County Executive Ron Sims discuss smart energy solutions at the city level that will save taxpayers money and reduce dependency on oil. South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 S.E. Newport Way, Bellevue, 206-378-0114, www.sierraclub.org. 8:45 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., March 18.

The Apprentice Casting Call Pick the Donald’s brain and become a wildly successful and savvy businessperson after competing on NBC’s sixth season of the hit show, to be filmed in California. Bring a completed application, downloaded from www.nbc.com. Bellevue Square, N.E. Eighth Street and Bellevue Way. Wristbands distributed at 9 a.m. for open call at 10 a.m. on Sat., March 18.

Daily Life in Iraq and the Possibility of an Impending Civil War Eman Ahmed Khamas, who recently arrived in the U.S. with a delegation of Iraqi women who want to tell their stories and encourage peace, speaks about her firsthand experience, especially the escalation of violence since the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra. Trinity United Methodist Church, 6512 23rd Ave. N.W., 206-419-7957, www.womensaynotowar.org. Free. 7:30 p.m. Sat., March 18.

Nutritional Secrets to Happy, Healthier Dogs and Cats Dr. Jean-Paul Ly, holistic veterinarian, teaches how pets can lead a more vibrant and disease-free life through better eating habits. RSVP to 800-959-3395. Doubletree Guest Suites, 16500 Southcenter Parkway. Free, dinner included. 6:30-9 p.m. Mon., March 20.

Dr. John Gottman The author lectures based on his best-selling book, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, to help couples learn to have a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. Presented by ParentMap. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255, www.townhallseattle.org. $25. 7 p.m. Mon., March 20.

Gus Lee The author of Courage: The Backbone of Leadership and nationally recognized ethicist joins the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development to speak on developing organizational courage. The Mezza Cafe, Starbucks SODO center, 2401 Utah Ave. S., 206-224-6644, www.astdps.org. $30. 7:30 a.m. Tues., March 21.

Dr. James Gordon The author of Manifesto for a New Medicine will screen a preview of PBS’s upcoming documentary The New Medicine as part of a conversation about a philosophy of care that integrates all aspects of health: mind, body, and spirit. Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255, www.townhallseattle.org. Free. 7:30 p.m. Tues., March 21.