by David Kauffman

SUNDAY 2/27

DAVID JAMES DUNCAN-Duncan, author of The River Why, and Sherman Alexie, author of Indian Killer, will read selected parts of their works at an event designed to raise awareness about salmon restoration and dam removal in the Columbia River Basin. Training in effective public testimony on environmental concerns will follow the readings. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave (at Seneca St), 7 pm, $5 (ticket sales benefit the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, and can be purchased in advance at Elliott Bay Book Co. or at Patagonia's Seattle Headquarters).

TUESDAY 2/29

FINGERPICKING CLINIC-Who would've thought that Tukwila would lead us into the 21st century with its pioneering support of fingerpicking guitar. You'd expect something cool like a "Guitar Center" to show up in Seattle way before it ever hit the suburbs; I'm a little perturbed, actually, that this isn't the case. But so it is, and to boot, this week the Guitar Center has a clinic on fingerpicking styles. Chris Proctor, renowned fingerpicker, will teach this seminar and explain techniques for ragtime, Celtic, shuffle, and blues guitar. Guitar Center for Tukwila, 12608 120th Ave, 7 pm, free.

DAVID BRANCACCIO-The host and senior editor of Marketplace lectures this week about his new book Squandering Aimlessly, an exploration into the spending habits of the extremely wealthy. Kane Hall 120, UW Campus, 634-3400, 7:30 pm, free, but tickets must be obtained in advance from the University Book Store.

WEDNESDAY 3/1

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES-Inform yourself on the E.U.'s recent re-introduction of morality into West-Central European international relations. Terri Givens delivers her lecture, "Extreme Right Parties Gaining Ground: Recent Electoral Victories in Austria and Switzerland" as part of the series, "International Updates: Trends and Transitions in Your World." Dinner is included, and consequently, seats at the table must be bought and reserved in advance-- a small price to pay for something as timely and intriguing as this. Kane Hall 225, Walker-Ames Room, UW Campus, 634-3400, 5:30-8 pm, $22.