This Week in Freeattle, February 22, 2010

Image via Flickr ConanilHappy Monday!  This is a very dramatic Week in Freeattle. It starts with muuuurder, has a little sex, but Sunday ends with the uplifting sounds of gospel.

Monday, February 22

• 7pm: Book Talk: "The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York" at Elliott Bay Book Company.
• 7-8:30pm: “Facing Nature Deficit Disorder: A Roundtable Discussion” at Seattle REI. “New research continues to show the health benefits of unstructured play outdoors, at a time when children's health issues such as obesity, attention-deficit disorders, depression and others, have in some places reached epidemic proportions….Join us to discuss this important issue with some of Seattle's leading outdoor and environmental educators and organizations. Please bring your questions and concerns to this crucial conversation about Nature Deficit Disorder.”

Tuesday, February 23:

• 7-9pm: “Plan Ahead Before You're Dead” Talk at Issaquah Library. “It is never too early to learn about getting your personal and financial affairs in order. This seminar is a general overview of basic estate planning issues including the use of a will and trusts for handling your estate. Discussion will cover proper titling of assets, the importance of updating your estate documents and a review of some more general tax law changes affecting your estate.”
• 7pm: "Best Sex Writing 2010" talk at Elliott Bay Cook Company.
• 7pm: “The Splendid Magic of Penny Arcade: The 11 1/2 Anniversary Edition" Book Signing at UW Bookstore. “Penny Arcade is basically the gold standard for the geek-tastic web comic. Video games, role-playing games, computers and technology—all are fodder for its humorous commentary on pop culture.”
• 7pm: Book Talk: "Rediscovering Values: On Wall Street, Main Street, and Your Street: A Moral Compass for the New Economy" at Seattle First Baptist Church.
• 7:30pm: “Conversations In The Humanities: Social Activism and The Arts” panel at Edmonds Community College. “A panel of local arts leaders discusses the convergence of art and activism.”

Wednesday, February 24

• 6:30pm: Best Desert Hikes in Washington talk at Issaquah Library. “Best Desert Hikes in Washington features 100 of the best trails on the dry side of the Cascades. It’s a great way to extend your outdoor adventures through three seasons.” Library: Issaquah Library Other Information:Program will be held at KCLS Service Center, 960 Newport Way. Contact: Alan Bauer Presenter: Alan Bauer
• 7pm: SAM Talks: Jim Olson, Architect. “With projects as varied as an art collector's retreat along Lake Washington and an estate outside Hong Kong, Olson's work captures intangible qualities of nature, art and the sensibilities of the collector. Free and open to the public. Registration required if planning to attend.”
• 7pm: Career Spotlight: Video Game Industry at Redmond Library. “Do you love video games? Have you ever wondered what it took to turn your passion into a career? Find out what it takes to get a job in the video game industry by attending this informative workshop led by Steve Rabin, Digipen instructor and author of ‘Introduction to Game Development.’”

Thursday, February 25

• 12:15-1pm: Preview SAM's 'Alexander Calder: A Balancing Act' Exhibit at the Central Library.
• 3:30pm: Hands On Henna Demo at White Center Library.
• 6pm: Financial Credit Workshop at the Rainier Beach Branch. “This workshop will discuss the importance of establishing good credit, the downfalls of credit, and credit terms and guidelines…Learn what a credit report is and view a walk-through on obtaining your free annual report online. You also will be given information on how you can improve your credit and credit score.”
• 6:30-7:45pm: Great Decisions 2010: 'Peace Building and Conflict Resolution' at the Ballard Branch. Featuring Dr. Trevor McMorris-Tate from the Political Science and International Studies program at Bellevue College.
• 6:45pm: Lecture: Sexuality & Cancer at Gilda’s Club. “Your sex life isn’t the first thing your doctor talks about when you’re going through cancer treatment, though most people experience changes to their sexuality at this time. Babeland sex educators talk to people about their sex lives every day, and have lots of great suggestions to help you start enjoying your body again, solo or with a partner. Our speaker, Shannon, brings a sex-positive attitude, lots of ideas, and armloads of ‘props’ to this discussion, and is sure to bring a smile to your face.”

Friday, February 26

• 5pm: Free Film: Beavers - The Biggest Dam Movie You Ever Saw! “Bring a comfy blanket or pillow and we'll pop the popcorn. Help reduce waste and bring your own cup or bowl. All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult…Plunge in and meet your illusive neighbor. This movie shows several beaver families in their wild surroundings. With breathtaking underwater photography, you travel inside the lodge for a rare look at these charming and industrious creatures, see them evade predators and build their homes. Movie 30 minutes, plus optional "Making of" 27 minutes. Best for age 8+.”
• 6:30pm: Book Talk: "Danger to Self : On the Frontline with an ER Psychiatrist" At Third Place Books Lake Forest Park. “As a professor of psychiatry at UC San Francisco, and a clinician/teacher in the Psychiatric Emergency Service at San Francisco General Hospital since 1992, Paul Linde accurately shares the fast-paced combat zone pressure of psychiatric emergency rooms.”
• 7pm: “Kayak, Camera, Sea: Photo Tips from Skinny Boats” at Seattle REI.  

Saturday, February 27

• 12pm: Rescue Your Roses gardening talk at Maple Valley Library.
• 1pm: Saturday Matinee Film Series: 1pm: Stalag 17 at Mercer Island Library.
• 1pm: Discover This! Hands on Science--My Amazing Body, Ages 5-12 at Bellevue Library.
• 7pm: African American Writers Alliance Group Reading at The Elliott Bay Book. “As has happened here for going on twenty years now, this last Saturday of African American History Month features this group reading by Seattle's African American Writers Alliance. This ever-changing, -shifting, -growing group writes from different levels of experience, in several different forms.”

Sunday, February 28

• 10am-5pm: Free Admission to the Seattle Art Museum for Seattle Public Library Cardholders.
• 2-3pm: Total Experience Gospel Choir at the Third Place Commons Stage. “There could be no better way to celebrate African American Heritage Month than with Pastor Patrinell Staten Wright’s internationally known gospel singing choir. The Total Experience Gospel Choir bursts with love, joy and enthusiasm, and is hailed as one of the Pacific Northwest's finest soulful ensembles.”
• 2-5pm: “The Price of a Life: Part I” at the Central Library. “‘Legislating to Liberate’ is the first program in the three-part film and discussion series, ‘The Price of a Life: Modern-Day Slavery and Human Trafficking,’ which highlights local and international efforts to end trafficking and slavery…Learn how and why Washington State is in the forefront of national legislation regulating against human trafficking and slavery.”