RIANE EISLER
Riane Eisler, author of the popular revisionist history The Chalice and the Blade, proposes more proactive revision to the educational system: teaching myths and fables that promote cooperating societies, not competitive ones. This new, sure-to-be-politically-controversial book is titled Tomorrow's Children: Partnership Education for the 21st Century. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
MICHAEL PATRICK MCDONALD
A prettily written memoir where a sensitive child grows up in the projects, dominated by violence, poverty, and social warfare -- but it's not Angela's Ashes. It's Michael McDonald's All Souls: A Family Story from Southie. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
JAMES GURLEY, NEILE GRAHAM
Gurley and Graham work a poetry of collaboration, being husband and wife. Each has a new collection: Gurley's recently published chapbook is titled Radiant Memory; Graham's completed manuscript is called Blood Memory. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave, 622-9250, 7 pm, free.
MELISSA EVERETT
If your soul empties every day you go to work like a bowl full of candy in front of hungry children, you may want to check out Melissa Everett's career guide, Making A Living While Making A Difference: The Expanded Guide to Creating Careers with a Conscience. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 5 pm, free.
ANITA SHREVE
The author of the Oprah favorite The Pilot's Wife churns out another Hollywood plot, this one described as a "polished variation on Wuthering Heights" (Amazon). In Fortune's Rocks, a young heroine finds herself at odds with social mores of the day (it's 1899). A sweeping, tragic romance ensues, and a happy ending is assured -- meticulously researched. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
BART BAXTER, PAUL HUNTER
Two pillars of the local poetry scene read as part of the "Passion for Poetry" reading series. Barnes & Noble, 31325 Pacific Hwy S, Federal Way, 253-839-7541, 7:30 pm, free.
J.T. STEWART, ROD SLEMMONS, & FRIENDS
Poetic and photographic local history is documented in the attractive Seattle Poets and Photographers: A Millennium Reflection. Some participating artists include Marsha Burns, Paul Dorpat, Denise Levertov, Sherman Alexie, Colleen McElroy, and Heather McHugh. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm.
MICHAEL DALEY
Seattle poet Daley reads from his new collection, Original Sin, which is packed with metaphor, drummed tight with delicious local imagery, and set off by practice. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3300, 4:30 pm, free.
WADE DAVIS
Wade Davis is an ethnobotanist, which means that he is fascinated by diversity. He's turned this fascination into detailed studies of marginalized cultures in such books as The Serpent and the Rainbow and Nomads of the Dawn. He discusses vanishing cultures, and signs his latest book, Shadows in the Sun. Meany Hall, University of Washington, 624-5677, 7:30 pm, $8.50/$16.
ROBERT KAPLAN
Zero ain't just nothin' in Robert Kaplan's study, The Nothing That Is: A Natural History of Zero. Kaplan attempts to connect a spiritual idea of zero with a mathematical one, drumming up arcane historical tidbits to link the two. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
*COLSON WHITEHEAD
See Stranger Suggests, page 39. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
TIMOTHY FINDLEY
A critically acclaimed novel from Canada, Findley's Pilgrim ambitiously plants immortality in a plot that spans from Hector to Henry James -- but is "aimed at the general reader," according to Publisher's Weekly. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
OPEN MIC
Note to regularly programmed open mics: The Stranger will list events only if we receive an announcement -- regular listings will be dropped unless we are notified that the events are in fact ongoing.
665
Count the days no more -- 665 is back, reconfigured by Salon Productions. This open mic is hosted by Sarah Sharp, with featured readers adding to the equation. Four Angels Cafe, 1400 14th Ave at Union, 264-5139, 7:30 sign-up, free.
SPOKEN WORD
Each and every Thursday, this venerable Pioneer Square venue spotlights music, poetry, and comedy. Pioneer Square Saloon, 73 Yesler Way, 624-6444, 8:30 pm, free.
HOMELAND
Hosted by Circus & friends, "Seattle's own Little Bohemia" emerges from a hiatus transformed. The Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave at Pike, 264-5139, 7:30 sign-up, free.
SEATTLE POETRY SLAM
With a new venue and a new night, Seattle's biggest poetry slam is alive and kickin'. Tonight: two-time Bumber-Slam champ Jeff Meyers, and open mic. Rupert's, 309 First Ave S, 628-7703, www.seattlepoetryslam.org, 9 pm, $3.
