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Shoe Drive Bring new pairs for children ages 5 to 10 for donation to the Assistance League of the Eastside, which provides underprivileged kids with unused clothing. Redmond Town Center, 16495 N.E. 74th St. (Redmond), 425-867-0808. Free. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. Through Fri., Sept. 30.

Meditation Class Learn to center yourself spiritually during the first of eight classes at the CDM Psychic Institute. 2402 Summit Ave. (Everett), 425-258-1449. Donation requested. Noon or 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 17-Oct. 5.

AntiPoverty Rally Sen. John Edwards is scheduled to speak at this protest against low wages, the high cost of health care, and other factors that keep skilled workers below the poverty line. March begins at Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Pl.; rally at Westlake Park, Fourth Avenue and Pine Street. Call 206-448-7348 for details. Free. 2-3:30 p.m. Wed., Aug. 17.

Preventing Nuclear Terrorism Ira Shorr of Physicians for Social Responsibility presents a lecture on the threat of nuclear terrorism, and what average citizens can do to combat it. University Baptist Church, 4554 12th Ave. N.E., 206-547-2630. Free. 6-9 p.m. Wed., Aug. 17.

Home and Garden Class The Phinney Neighborhood Association’s summer series continues with “Earthquake Home Retrofit,” a preventative workshop led by Roger Faris of Seattle Project Impact. Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., 206-783-2244. $25 ($20 PNA members). 7-9 p.m. Wed., Aug. 17.

Meredith Clausen The University of Washington art professor talks about the architectural transformation of Paris during the mid-1800s, focusing on the use of photography to document the changing face of the city. Henry Art Gallery, 206-543-2280, 206-543-1675. Free. 6 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 18.

Blood Drive Donate to the Puget Sound Blood Center. (Visit www.psbc.org for a full list of times and places to give blood.) 1111 Third Ave., 800-398-7888. Free. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri., Aug. 19.

A Taste of Lewis & Clark in the Northwest The Army Corps of Engineers hosts a multimedia tribute to the explorers, including folk music performed by Blackfeet Indian singer Jack Gladstone, paintings by watercolorist Michael Haynes, and a film festival spotlighting L&C documentaries. Chittenden Locks, 3015 N.W. 54th St., 206-789-2922 ext. 211. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri., Aug. 19-Sun., Aug. 21.

Cool Blast at Woodland Park Zoo Find out how the penguins, grizzlies, tigers, elephants, and orangutans chill out during a day of cool-down demonstrations. 5500 Phinney Ave. N., 206-684-4800. $10 ($7 children 3 to 12). 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri., Aug. 19.

Thomas Hays The man behind “Replacements Needed,” a series of antiwar posters affixed to walls and poles throughout the city, discusses his work at the Museum of the Mysteries, which is hosting an exhibit of all 70 full-color originals that runs through September. 623 Broadway Ave. E., 206-328-6499. $3. 6-8 p.m. Fri., Aug. 19.

Film Screening Get a dose of political cinema al fresco, as Community Alliance for Global Justice screens the Mexican education-reform documentary Granito de Arena at Judkins Park. 2150 S. Norman St., 206-405-4600. $10 (requested; no one turned away). 8:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 19.

SAF Neighborhood Tour The Seattle Architecture Foundation’s summer tour series continues with “An Industrial Treasure,” a guided stroll through historic Georgetown. Call 206-667-9184 for starting location. $20. 9 a.m.-noon. Sat., Aug. 20.

Canterbury Arts Festival Puppetry, Irish step dancing, Chicano music, mariachi bands, and juggling at Kent’s Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park and Senior Activity Center. 742 and 600 E. Smith St. (Kent), 253-856-5050. $2 (includes both days). 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., Aug. 20-Sun., Aug. 21.

Hempfest This year’s theme is education, as expressed in the marijuana-legalization festival’s catchy new slogan: “Don’t just burn it, learn it!” An estimated 150,000 will be doing just that at Myrtle Edwards Park, where City Council member Nick Licata, NORML head Allen St. Pierre, and state Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Wells are scheduled to speak. There’ll also be plenty of info on industrial hemp and lots of semi-covert toking. Pier 70, www.seattlehempfest.com. Free. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 20-Sun., Aug. 21.

Try Rowing Bash The Lake Washington Rowing Club hosts a session that covers the basics and awards all participants a souvenir T-shirt. 910 N. Northlake Way, 206-547-1583. $30. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., Aug. 20.

Gardening Class At this week’s In Bloom workshop, learn how well-placed plants can turn your cubicle into a tranquility garden. 4437 California Ave. S.W., 206-932-2588. Free. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sat., Aug. 20.

August Harvest Faire Dream analysis, tarot readings, handmade jewelry, and “an open circle focused on gratitude and abundance” are among the highlights of this event hosted by Spiralwalk Center for Pagan Art, Healing, and Education. 3241 63rd Ave. W., 206-321-3386. Free. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Aug. 20-Sun., Aug. 21.

Nat Turner Teach-In Learn about the history of slave resistance, black leadership, civil rights, and African Americans’ ongoing fight for education at this educational event sponsored by Communities Against Rape & Abuse (CARA). (Open only to people of color.) East Cherry YWCA, 2820 E. Cherry St., 206-322-4856 ext. 105. Free. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat., Aug. 20.

Family Fun Workshop Smokejumpers—firefighters who leap from planes into forest fires—are the focus of this kid-friendly workshop, where you can construct a fire-jumping parachute of your very own. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-768-7126. $14 ($13 seniors, $7.50 youth 5 to 17). 11:15 a.m. or 1:15 p.m. Sat., Aug. 20-Sun., Aug. 21.

Eastlake Shake A neighborhood celebration featuring kickball, a beer garden, and a local-music showcase. TOPS Seward School/Rogers Playfield, 2500 Franklin Ave. E., www.eastlakeshake.com. Free. Noon-10 p.m. Sat., Aug. 20.

The Uterine Files, Episode One Actor/educator Jourdan I. Keith’s choreopoem is “a story of reproductive disruption told through the lives of three women.” Rainier Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3515 S. Alaska St., 206-322-4856 ext. 107. $10 (suggested). 8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 20.

Scenic Seattle Tour Hop a bus for a three-hour joyride around the city, led by volunteers from the Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association. Meet at Second Avenue South and South Main Street, 206-684-1816. $5 ($4 seniors/children). 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sun., Aug. 21.

Northgate Festival Children’s activities, pony rides, Filipino dance, Cajun music, and arts and crafts. Northwest Outpatient Center (parking lot and north lawn), 10330 Meridian Ave. N., www.northgatefestival.com. Free. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun., Aug. 21.

Book Sale Thousands of nonfiction and fiction volumes for mere pennies. Central Lutheran Church, 1710 11th Ave., 206-720-0313. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Aug. 20. Noon-6 p.m. Sun., Aug. 21.

BrasilFest Samba classes, capoeira demos, art exhibits, mask-making workshops, and probably a few renditions of “The Girl from Ipanema.” Seattle Center (Center House and Fisher Pavilion), 305 Harrison St., 206-684-7200. Free. Noon-8 p.m. Sun., Aug. 21.

Gardening Class Learn the basics of container gardening at a workshop taught by Swanson’s container guru, Wendy Welch. 9701 15th Ave. N.W., 206-838-2722. Free. 1 p.m. Sun., Aug. 21.

Voting Forum Washington Citizens for Proportional Representation hosts a discussion of voting systems around the world. University Library, Northeast 50th Street and Roosevelt Way Northeast, 206-285-2460. Free. 6-8:45 p.m. Mon., Aug. 22.

WSA Networking Reception Techies unite! Share resources, pass out business cards, and make lasting connections with other tech-sector workers at the WSA’s annual summer schmooze-a-thon. Register by Friday! CaterArts at the Lakeside, 2501 N. Northlake Way, 206-448-3033 ext. 107. $56 ($40 WSA members). 5:30-8 p.m. Tues., Aug. 23.

Women of Wisdom Potluck Bring salad, dessert, or something for the grill to WOW’s summer frolic, where belly-dancing, yoga, drumming, dancing, singing, and other forms of empowerment are likely to occur. Woodland Park (Shelter #2), North 50th Street and Woodland Avenue North; E-mail wow_picnic@yahoo.com to RSVP. Free (dish to pass). 6-9 p.m. Tues., Aug. 23.

John Seager The president of the overpopulation awareness group Population Connection delivers a talk titled “How Many People Can We Pack on the Planet?” NewHolly Library, 7058 32nd Ave. S., 206-386-1905. Free. 6:30 p.m. Wed., Aug. 24.