DIVERSIONS


FRIDAY 12/1

BASIC HANDGUN SAFETY--Just in time for the holidays. No, wait, this is a self-defense class for women offered by Home Alive. Wade's Eastside Guns and Bellevue Indoor Range, 13570 Bel-Red Rd, 720-0606, 6 pm, $5-$25 sliding scale.


SUNDAY 12/3

MASTURBATION 202--A Date with Yourself is a hands-on, experimental workshop on the Lord's least favorite (but the ladies' most favorite) pastime. Pre-registration required. Toys in Babeland, 707 E Pike St, 328-2914, 7:30 pm, $35.


TUESDAY 12/5

CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP--This rescheduled lecture by Dr. Rudy Crew asks, "What is to be done to close the achievement gap between wealthy and poor, white and minority students in Washington state and the nation?" An introduction will be provided by UW Professor Quintard Taylor. Quintard? What kind of cruel parents set their child up for ridicule by naming him Quintard? Before he's even speaking, people will be calling him Retard. Hell, in the nursery, the candy stripers were probably already calling him that. Jeez. Kane Hall, Room 110, UW Campus, 323-4032, 7 pm, free.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE--Hosts Riz Rollins and Colby Wink lead a spirited forum for gay, bi, and trans men of all colors and race and community. Topics, among others, promise discussions on the following: Does race affect who you date, have sex with, love?; is Will and Grace everyone's favorite show?; and what is the deal with dick size? Sign language interpreted. Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St, 860-6969, 7 pm, free.


WEDNESDAY 12/6

BASEMENT WATERPROOFING & REMODELING--Whether you've already had a catastrophe or just want to prevent one, this class will teach you how to keep your basement as dry as review code requirements, construction methods, and earthquake safeguards. Phinney Neighborhood Association, 6532 Phinney Ave N, 783-2244, 7:30 pm, $17 ($10 PNA members).