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

Toxics in Puget Sound Mammals Orca researcher Peter Ross and human-health-policy developer Robert Duff illustrate the shared danger faced by all mammals—orcas, seals, and humans—living in and around the Sound. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-382-7007, www.pugetsound.org. $10/advance, $15/door. 7 p.m. Wed., April 5. Also, a workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Washington Butterfly Association Ian Young and Mary Maxwell share photos of butterflies and other creatures from their trip to Central America. Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., 206-364-4935, www.naba.org/chapters/nabaws. Free. 7 p.m. Wed., April 5.

Oct. 22 Coalition to Stop Police Brutality The local chapter presents a showing and discussion of the film Every Mother’s Son, a documentary about three mothers’ search for justice after their sons were killed by New York cops. Safeco Jackson St. Center, 306 23rd Ave. S., 206-264-5527, www.stolenlives.org. 7-10 p.m. Wed., April 5.

Christine Gregoire The governor talks to CityClub about her experience as governor, what grade she would give herself so far, and some of the big issues facing the state. Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave. 206-682-7395, www.seattlecityclub.org. $40. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thurs., April 6.

Japanese American Remembrance Garden Seattle University’s new Kubota-designed garden—in memory of the 12,000 Japanese Americans interned during WWII—will be celebrated in a dedication ceremony and reception. Seattle University, 900 Broadway, 206-296-6127, www.seattleu.edu. Free. 4:30 p.m. Thurs., April 6.

East Timor The Northwest International Health Action Committee presents a film (East Timor: Betrayal and Resurrection) and a panel discussion about the impact of war on human rights and health in the Southeast Asian country. University of Washington Health Sciences Building. 206-384-8604. 6 p.m. Thurs., April 6.

Reefer Madness Milton Love—who’s researched Pacific Coast fish for 35 years—shares photos and stories about rockfish (but not salmon, which he believes are “wussyfish”). REI flagship store, 222 Yale Ave. N., 206-229-2844, www.pugetsound.org. $8/advance, $10/door. 7 p.m. Thurs., April 6.

Pietra Rivoli The author of The Travels of a T-shirt in a Global Economy examines the social, political, and economic implications of world trade. University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner, Tacoma, www.ups.edu. Free. 8 p.m. Thurs., April 6.

Cybersecurity Dr. John Shovic, professor of cybersecurity at Eastern Washington University, tells how businesses and individuals can protect themselves from thieves who can steal security codes and other information over wireless networks. Bellevue Doubletree Hotel, 112th Ave. S.E., 888-398-2586, www.ewu.edu/easternedge/. $45. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Fri., April 7.

Shop Like a Pirate Get new and used maritime items, plus lots of miscellaneous stuff, at the Not-Just-Maritime-Sale, which supports maritime heritage. South Lake Union Maritime Heritage Center, 860 Terry Ave. N. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., April 8.

Dr. Cornel West The author of 17 books on race, justice, and democracy discusses his newest work, Democracy Matters, and talks about the arrested development of democracy in the Middle East. The Evergreen State College Recreation Center, 2700 Evergreen Parkway N.W., Olympia, 360-867-6220. $15/advance, $20/door. 7 p.m. Sat., April 8.

Manastash Ridge Mysteries Grant Goss presents a slide show of his outings to the Washington observatory, including his exploration of the south-side cave complexes and search for the supposedly bottomless Mel’s Hole. Seattle Museum of the Mysteries, 623 Broadway E., 206-328-6499, www.seattlechatclub.org and www.melshole.com. 7-9 p.m. Sat., April 8.

The Battle for Reproductive Justice Radical Women hosts an informal gathering to look at what is needed to guarantee all aspects of reproductive health—from abortion to birth control to sex education. New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., 206-722-6057. Free. 7:30 p.m. Sat., April 8.

Kevin Phillips The author speaks about “American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century.” Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-325-2993, www.foolproof.org. $15. 7:30 p.m. Sun., April 9.

Revolution in Latin America Reading Circle The freedom socialist party hosts a discussion about whether the road to revolution is through elections, guerilla warfare, or mass worker-led upsurge, using Hugo Blanco’s Land or Death for context. 4710 University Way N.E. #100, 206-722-2453, www.socialism.com. 7-8:30 p.m., Mondays, April 10-June 19.

Exploring the Challenges of Dementia The local Alzheimer’s Association hosts a workshop with ideas to help caregivers deal with communication and behavior changes associated with dementia. Swedish Medical Center Ballard, 5300 Tallman Ave. N.W., 800-848-7097, www.alzawa.org. 6-9 p.m. Tues., April 11.

Children and Books In honor of Beverly Cleary’s 90th birthday, Lynne McKechnie, Visiting Cleary Professor in Children and Youth Services at the University of Washington’s Information School, talks about public libraries in the development as children as readers. University of Washington, Haggett Hall, 206-543-0540. Free. 7 p.m. Tues., April 11.

Jonathan Lear The John U. Nef Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago gives a lecture, “Shame and Courage at the Collapse of Civilization,” about how people construct, change, and live with basic values during times of extreme cultural change. University of Washington, Kane Hall, 206-543-3920, www.simpsoncenter.org, Free. 7 p.m. Tues., April 11.

NonProfit Comedy Chuckle and chew on thoughtful political comedy to benefit the Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project. Comedy Underground, 222 S. Main St., www.standupeconomist.com. $10. 8:30 p.m. Tues., April 11.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. As keynote speaker of “GreenWorld06,” Kennedy draws on years of environmental work and activism to present the talk “Our Environmental Destiny.” Social event and after-party included. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St.. 206-762-6471, www.iida-northernpacific.org. $75. 4 p.m. Tues., April 11.

World Space Party Be a part of the international celebration commemorating the anniversary of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human to leave Earth’s atmosphere (April 12, 1961). Eating, drinking, dancing, and real-life astronauts are promised. Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way South, 866-468-7623. www.myspace.com/yurisnightseattle. $25/advance, $30/door. 7 p.m. Wed., April 12.