7:30 PM. US-Middle East Relations. Author Tamim Ansary clarifies why Western and Islamic civilizations grew up oblivious to each other, what happened when they intersected, and how the Islamic world was affected by its slow recognition that Europe had somehow "hijacked" destiny. Town Hall, Seattle; enter on Seneca Street. Info: 800-838-3006.

7:30 PM. Born Into Brothels. Transformation, hope and beauty amid squalor and cruelty is featured at Friday Film Nights at Saint Mark's Cathedral, Leffler House Living Room, 1245 10th Ave. E., Seattle. Info: Kevin Meadows FilmNights@saintmarks.org or http://www.SaintMarks.org.

8 PM. Confronting Fascism in the Obama Era. An evening of underground film and discussion with Franklin "The Stimulator" Lopez of subMedia.tv. 90 minutes of short films, mash-ups, and clips from the series "It's the End of the World and We Know It and I Feel Fine." Info: press@submedia.tv or 604-630-2441 or http://subMedia.tv/tour.

SATURDAY, MAY 16

9 AM. Seattle's All-Volunteer Annual Park Clean-Up. Calling all volunteers: 200 needed to help us care for Seattle's Golden Gardens Park. Come out and have fun and make a difference in your community! Info: http://www.dayinthepark.org/.

10 AM-4 PM. Transition From Homelessness To Permanent Housing. The Sharehouse, a program of the Church Council, invites you to their Spring Benefit Sale at The Sharehouse, 5706 Second Ave. S., Seattle. The Sharehouse furnishes approximately 2,000 newly established homes each year. Info: http://www.thesharehouse.org or 206- 767-5280 or sharehouseinfo@thechurchcouncil.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 17

1 PM and 3:30 PM. Taking it to the Street Fair! Civic engagement project leader Nancy Amidei leads U District activists from the past and present in an engaging impromptu conversation. Jump in and share your own stories. University District Street Fair, Brooklyn Avenue NE and NE 42nd Street. Part of the ongoing Open To Question exhibit. Info: http://opentoquestion.org/exhibition.

1 PM-7 PM. Celebrating 10 Years Of Town Hall. Imagine an entire Town Hall season rolled into one rich, raucous day, and you're at our tenth anniversary free-for-all. Celebrate ten years of programs that reflect and inspire Seattle's highest aspirations toward creativity, empathy, expansive thinking, and an ever-stronger community. All events are free, but advance registration for each event is requested at http://www.brownpapertickets.com. Info: http://www.townhallseattle.org.

2 PM-5 PM. Straightlaced: Gender's Got Us All Tied Up. NW Premiere to benefit the Safe Schools Coalition and the Respect for All Project at GroundSpark. Pacific Place Theater, 6th and Pine, Seattle; reception at Il Fornaio restaurant, downstairs. Info: http://groundspark.org/2484.

7 PM. Conflict Between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Local author Lesley Hazleton will speak on the roots of this centuries-old conflict at University Unitarian Church, 6556 35th Avenue NE, Seattle. Tickets $12, available at the door or by calling 206-525-8400. Sponsored by University Unitarian Church. Info: http://www.uuchurch.org.

MONDAY, MAY 18

12 PM-1:30 PM. Power of Choice Luncheon 2009. Please join the NARAL Board and staff members in celebrating Karen Cooper's 15 years of leadership of NARAL at Seattle Sheraton Hotel. Proceeds from this event will ensure a successful transition to keep NARAL Pro-Choice Washington as strong and active as ever! Info: http://www.prochoicewashington.org/events/powerofchoice.shtml or Natalia Fior nataliafior@prochoicewashington.org or 206-624-1990.

TUESDAY, MAY 19

6:30 PM-8:30 PM. Negawatts: The Power Of Not Using Power. "Negawatt Power" is an energy-saving technique that works by investing to reduce electricity demand rather than to increase electricity generation. EOS Alliance Offices, 650 S. Orcas St., Suite 220, Seattle.

7-9 PM. I-100 No New Jail Campaign. The Green Party of Seattle invites all interested citizens to our May meeting at Cascade People's Center, 809 Pontius Ave N. All people interested in learning more about this issue and finding ways to volunteer and participate are invited to attend. Info: Andrew Rose arose_1@yahoo.com or http://www.seattlegreens.org or 206-762-2553 or http://www.eosalliance.org.

7 PM. Coffee: From the Grounds Up--Sustainability from Crop to Cup. A lecture and panel discussion that will highlight efforts being made to reduce poverty, improve the lives of coffee workers and increase environmental sustainability in coffee-producing regions of the world. University of Washington, Kane Hall, Room 120, Seattle. Info: 206-543-0540.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

4:30 PM-6:30 PM. Saludos Centroamerica! This informal gathering will give you and your colleagues an opportunity to share your experiences and ideas, and to connect with others who are actively working in Central America. Centro De La Raza, 2524 16th Ave S., Seattle. Please RSVP to melissa@globalwa.org or 206-547-9330.

6:30 PM-9 PM. Fourth Annual Auction and Benefit: In Partnership for Youth. Come and support the amazing VISTA and Americorps team members at the Fremont Abbey, 4272 Fremont Ave. N, Seattle. VISTA members help build capacity for non-profits who serve youth, and the AmeriCorps members work to empower at-risk youth in our communities. Register at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/63222. Info: cdekar@thechurchcouncil.org or http://www.soundyouth.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 21

1 PM. Building A Labor Movement. Author Bill Fletcher will be available to discuss working together to build change in the labor movement. "Change We Can Believe In" is Fletcher's topic, and includes a critical examination of labor's current crisis and a plan for a bold new way forward into the 21st century. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, Seattle. Info: 206-543-7946, pcls@u.washington.edu, or http://depts.washington.edu/pcls.

FRIDAY, MAY 22

12:30 PM-2 PM. Paradigm Shifts in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict.. Before Gaza, after Gaza with Sara Roy, Harvard University at Allen Library, Petersen Room, University of Washington, Seattle. Info: jeanp@u.washington.edu.

SATURDAY, MAY 23

6 PM. 9th Annual All Around The Campfire Dinner and Auction. A benefit for Camp Ten Trees, the Northwest's only residential summer camp for children of LGBTQ families and youth whose daily lives outside of camp often include harassment and silencing. Tickets and info: http://www.camptentrees.org or 206-288-9568.

TUESDAY, MAY 26

9 AM-5 PM. Strategies For Sustainability. Understanding and customizing leading sustainability strategies and frameworks at NWETC Headquarters, 650 South Orcas Street, Suite 220, Seattle. Participants will leave with an expanded capacity to facilitate sustainability. Info and to register: http://nwetc.org/sust-501_05-09_seattle.htm.

THURSDAY, MAY 28

Noon-2 PM. Activism for a New Century. Join Nancy Amidei in a conversation exploring the new roles and ways of activism today. University Heights Center, 50th and University Way. Part of the ongoing Open To Question exhibit. Info: http://opentoquestion.org/exhibition.

8:30 AM-5:30 PM. The Law of Climate Change and Human Rights. Confronting the humanitarian crisis at the heart of climate change. The UW School of Law invites you to join world leaders with expertise in climate change, human rights, public health, humanitarian relief, science, and international and US law. William H. Gates Hall, Room 138, University of Washington, Seattle. Continues on Friday, May 29. Info: http://threedegreesconference.org/home.

SATURDAY, MAY 30

12:30 PM. Healthcare For All Rally and March. Mothers leading the way for health care reform will gather at Pratt Park, 18th Ave. S., Central District, Seattle. More than 75 local organizations, led by Mothers for Police Accountability and WCAN (WA Community Action Network), with the goal of achieving health care for all are assembling with your support. Info: http://www.may30march.org or 206-805-6669.

9:30 AM-6:30 PM. Alternatives To Violence Workshop. Learn to transform conflicts in the workplace, family and relationships with peace and confidence. Seattle Pacific University. Continues on Sunday, May 31. For details or questions, or group workshops contact Roger at 206-856-4444 or rkluck@comcast.net.

For an excellent and much, much longer compilation of upcoming and ongoing progressive events in Seattle, check out Jean Buskin's Peace Calendar: http://www.scn.org/activism/calendar/ or e-mail her at bb369@scn.org. Also, check out http://www.seattleactivism.org.

Eat the Airwaves

Hear Eat the State! political commentary on Mind Over Matters every Saturday morning from 8:30 to 9:00 on KEXP 90.3 FM. If we can get up that early, the least you can do is turn on your radio and listen! If you can't - you can listen to archived programs on the web.