This year's Washington State legislative session, otherwise known as Bloodbath 2011, begins this week. For the next three months, legislators will carve the gristle off the bones of the state budget to close a looming $1.1 billion gap. This means more education cuts, more health care cuts, and death to many social service programs. The session looks bleak, for sure, but nothing numbs bleeding wounds better than sharing strong drinks with like-minded liberals. And if you've never followed a Washington legislative session, this group is more than happy to stick your head in the meat grinder and show you how the sausage is made. (Montlake Ale House, 2307 24th Ave E, 726-5968, 8 pm, free)