Weekend calendar

Animal events

Cool City Pets

SAT Meet small animals available for adoption, including hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and mice, with information on their care; all ages welcome, children must be accompanied by adult, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Seattle Animal Shelter, 2061 15th Ave. W., Seattle (206-386-PETS or www.seattleanimalshelter.org).

Woodland Park Zoo

ONGOING Elephant talk, 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays; feeding live fish to piranha, 11:15 p.m. Fridays; raptor-training center, 2:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; Willawong Station bird-feeding experience, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekends, seedsticks $1/each; historic carousel; Zoomazium activities, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $11/ages 13-64, $9/ages 65 and older, $8/ages 3-12 through April 30; as of May 1, summer season rates $10-$15 (206-548-2500 or www.zoo.org).

FRI Fundraising dinner and auction for nonprofit agency that helps youth experience the world through photography, 5:30 p.m. Friday, South Lake Union Armory, 860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle; $70-$80 (206-407-2121 or www.youthinfocus.org/index.html).

Rwanda Partners

FRI Rwandan dancing, singing, basketry for sale to benefit the work of Rwanda Partners, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue (888-342-4999 or www.rwandapartners.org).

Jazz gala

FRI Newport High School Jazz Ensembles music, dinner, auctions to benefit school's music programs, 7 p.m. Friday, Golf Club at Newcastle, 15500 Six Penny Lane, Newcastle; $80-$175 (www.newportband.org/jazzgala).

Literacy Laps Fundraiser

SAT Jog or walk laps on Franklin's track with lawn games and kids' activities to raise money for literacy programs, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Franklin High School, 3013 S. Mount Baker Blvd., Seattle; registration free, donations requested (206-422-5400).

Old Dog & the New Tricks

SAT Old Dog & the New Tricks blues band, snacks, beer and wine cash bar, keynote speaker, proceeds benefit efforts to purchase the surplus school site as a community resource, ages 21 and older only, 7 p.m. Saturday, Crown Hill School, 9250 14th Ave. N.W., Seattle; $20-$30 (206-229-7948 or www.crownhillproject.org).

James Bond Casino Night

SAT Black tie, James Bond-theme casino-style games and silent auction to benefit Farestart and Rise n' Shine Children's Academy, 8 p.m. Saturday, Columbia Tower Club, 701 Fifth Ave., Seattle; $125-$150 (206-386-5076 or www.imaginecds.com/CasinoNight/).

Benefit for Carry5

SAT Acoustic music by local teens, coffee and dessert with gift baskets and bake sale to benefit Carry5 nonprofit that addresses water inequity as it affects young women throughout the developing world, 7 p.m. Saturday, Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 N.E. 80th St., Redmond; minimum donation $5 (206-799-3125 or www.carry5.org).

VMCP Fundraising Auction

SAT Vashon Maury Co-Op Preschool fundraising auction with food, drinks, entertainment, live and silent auctions, 7 p.m. Saturday, Vashon VFW Hall, 22100 Vashon Highway S.W., Vashon; $20 (www.vmcp.org).

City Year Seattle/King County's Ripples of Hope

PLAN AHEAD City Year Seattle/King County honors Bill Gates Sr. and Mimi Gardner Gates at City Year fundraising dinner, 6 p.m. April 24, Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers, 1400 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $125 (206-219-5008 or www.cityyear.org/seattle).

Washington Women In Need Bellevue Spring Benefit

PLAN AHEAD Luncheon with program on the health-care and education needs of low-income women and services of Washington Women In Need, 11:30 a.m. April 24, Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue (425-451-8838 or www.wawomeninneed.org/).

Crooked Trails Spring Fundraiser and Auction

PLAN AHEAD Crooked Trails nonprofit organization, promoting culturally and environmentally responsible travel, hosts fundraiser with world-fusion snacks, wine, Northwest microbrews, world music, live and silent auctions, 7 p.m. April 26, Museum of History & Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., Seattle; $50 (206-383-9828 or www.crookedtrails.org).

Antiques Appraisal Show

PLAN AHEAD Experts provide oral evaluations, $5 per item, limit 6 items per person, proceeds benefit residents and programs, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 26, Providence Mount St. Vincent, 4831 35th Ave. S.W., Seattle (206-938-6191, ext. 28191, or www.providence.org/themountfoundation).

Art For Change Auction

PLAN AHEAD Auction benefiting artistic programming for homeless and at-risk youth at the Sanctuary Art Center with entertainment by Jet City Improv, dinner buffet, 6 p.m. April 26, Trinity Parish Episcopal Church, 609 Eighth Ave., Seattle; $35-$250 (206-522-6256 or www.sanctuaryartcenter.org/events.htm).

Childhaven Butterfly Tea & Fashion Show

PLAN AHEAD Tea, desserts, children's fashion show, 1-3 p.m. April 27, Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St., Seattle; $150-$250/adults, $50/children (206-957-4844 or www.childhaven.org).

SAT Skills needed to ride a tandem, no fee if you bring your own tandem, club-provided tandems, $25 membership fee (per team) required, helmets required for test riding, 10 a.m. Saturday, Cascade Bicycle Club office, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Bldg. 30, Seattle (425-275-3425 or www.tinyurl.com/2lvjl9).

Tulip Country Bike Tours

ONGOING Easy recreational bike tour along the Tulip Route with stops at display gardens, local attractions and for lunch at a garden cafe, approximately 15 miles total, bikes, helmets, tour guide, lunch and entry fees to events included, 10 a.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during April, Tulip Country Bike Tours, 13391 Avon Allen Road, Mount Vernon; $60-$75 (360-424-7461 or www.countrycycling.com).

Birding

Seattle Audubon presents Peter Ward

THU Book-signing and talk by author of "Out of Thin Air: Dinosaurs, Birds, and Earth's Ancient Atmosphere," 6 p.m. today, REI, 222 Yale Ave. N., Seattle (206-523-4483 or www.seattleaudubon.org).

Port Susan Bay Preserve Guided Tour

SAT The Nature Conservancy leads visitors on guided walking tours at its Port Susan Bay Preserve near Stanwood, some of the finest estuarine habitat in the Puget Sound, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. third Saturdays through September, Port Susan Bay Preserve, near Stanwood (206-343-4345 or www.nature.org/washington).

SAT Enclosed motor yacht trip to discover birds along the Puget Sound wilderness shoreline, 1-4 p.m., Saturdays through May 3, Hudson Point Marina, 103 Hudson St., Port Townsend; $55, preregister (360-385-5582 or www.ptmsc.org).

Dance

Skandia Folkdance Society

FRI Dance lesson, 7:30 p.m., dancing to live Nordic music, 8:30 p.m. Friday, Cedar Valley Grange, 20626 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood; $7-$9 (206-784-7470 or www.skandia-folkdance.org).

Swing and Everything

SAT Salsa-dancing lesson, 7 p.m., dance to a variety of ballroom, Latin and swing music, singles and couples welcome, 8-11 p.m. Saturday, North Bellevue Community & Senior Center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E., Bellevue; $15 (425-889-8000).

Rockin' at the Barn

SAT Waltz lesson, 7:30 p.m.; Christian Singles Night dance to rock, country and swing music for singles and couples age 18 and older, 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Rockin' Horse Dance Barn, 11820 150th Ave. S.E., Renton; $12 (425-255-9211).

Festivals/Expos

Spring Fair

THU-SUN Exhibits, rides, food vendors, farm animals, garden show, Fiesta Mexicana, science fair, entertainment, 3-10 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday; Thrivefest games, inflatables, entertainment for middle-school and high-school students, 6-10 p.m. Friday; demolition derby, 6 p.m. Saturday, Puyallup Fair and Events Center, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W., Puyallup; $8/adults, $7/ages 6-18, ages 5 and younger free; ages up to 18 free today only. Military Appreciation Day Friday, with free admission to active, retired and reserve military and their dependents with valid military ID. Thrivefest $5, plus fair admission. Slamfest Demolition Derby, $12/adult, $8/ages 6-18, plus fair admission, discounts available with online advance tickets. (253-841-5045 or www.thefair.com).

Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival

FRI, SAT, SUN Event commemorates Japan's 1976 gift of 1,000 blossoming cherry trees to Seattle with ikebana flower displays, taiko drum performance, Japanese food, art displays, tea ceremony demonstrations, 10 a.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Seattle Center, Seattle (206-684-7200 or www.seattlecenter.com).

Everett Home and Garden Show

FRI, SAT, SUN Home-improvement, gardening, new-building and remodeling exhibits, vendors and seminars, noon-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Comcast Arena at the Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Avenue, Everett; $6.50-$7, ages 16 and younger free (866-332-8499 or www.westlakepromo.com).

Downtown Mount Vernon Street Fair

FRI, SAT, SUN Celebrating the Tulip Festival with arts and crafts, food vendors, music, children's activities, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Mount Vernon (360-336-9277 or www.downtownmountvernon.com).

SAT Family 5k and 10k walk, start 8-11 a.m.; information on health, nutrition and exercise classes, kids' activities, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; meet the Mariner Moose, 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 N.E. 80th St., Redmond (425-556-2300 or www.redmond.gov/recreationarts/health/).

Norway Day in Olympia

SAT Norwegian music, dancers in native costumes, demonstrations of traditional Norwegian crafts, genealogy information, Norwegian foods, vendors offering artwork, sweaters, jewelry; watch for the Viking Ship and the fjord horses, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3045 Carpenter Road S.E., Olympia; $2, ages 12 and younger free (360-923-1242).

Welcome the Whales Day

SAT Festival to celebrate the spring arrival of gray whales to Whidbey Island with activities, music, presentations and parade of species, bring your "critter" costume to participate or make a costume in 10 a.m. workshop at Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, Third Avenue and Anthes Street, Langley; parade begins at 1:30 p.m. from Cascade and First streets ending at Langley Waterfront Park for music and celebration, Langley (360-221-6765 or www.orcanetwork.org/news/).

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

ONGOING Tulip fields in bloom, farms, art events, tours, daily through April, information available at Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Office, 100 E. Montgomery St., Mount Vernon (360-428-5959 or www.tulipfestival.org); events and venues include Cow Town historic family farm, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 15925 Fir Island Road, Mount Vernon; $4/adults, $3/seniors and children (360-445-6681); Kiwanis Club Salmon Barbecue, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. today through Sunday, Hillcrest Lodge, Hillcrest Park, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon; $12/adults, $10/children and seniors (360-420-9610); art shows and sales at Art in a Pickle Barn, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through April, 15379 State Route 536, Mount Vernon (360-428-8576), Art at the School House, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through April 27, Christianson's Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon (360-466-3821 or www.stanwoodarts.com)and Skagit Artists Together, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Conway Muse Old Auction Barn, 18844 Main Street, Conway (360-445-3000).

Discovery Walk Festival

PLAN AHEAD International Volkssport festival with a variety of walking, swimming and biking events, April 25-27, Vancouver, Washington (www.discoverywalk.org).

Food events

An Evening with Paul Gregutt

FRI Five-course wine dinner with book included, celebrating new book of writer and Seattle Times columnist Paul Gregutt: "Washington Wines & Wineries," 7 p.m. Friday, Columbia Tower Club, 701 Fifth Ave., Seattle; $135 (206-622-2010 or www.columbia-tower.com).

Wine & Cooking Class

SAT Learn to create a variety of dishes to celebrate the spring vegetables, fruits and meats, with Chef John Sarich of Chateau Ste. Michelle, and wine pairings, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Albert Lee Appliance Co. (Tukwila), 404 Strander Blvd., Tukwila; $40, advance tickets required (www.albertleeappliance.com/events/).

Gardening

Urban Herbs and Vigorous Veggies

SAT Growing herbs and vegetables in any size space, 10 a.m. Saturday, Swansons Nursery, 9701 15th Ave. N.W., Seattle (206-782-2543).

Puget Sound Dahlia Association

SAT Large selection of locally grown, exhibition dahlia tubers for sale, most priced at $3.50, dahlia-growing experts available for advice; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Kent Memorial Park Building, 850 N. Central Ave., Kent (425-836-4487 or www.pugetsounddahlias.org).

Garden Journals Workshop

SAT Tear and glue snippets from old garden books, wallpaper and vintage papers to a schoolbook journal, add stamped images, ribbons and envelopes for your seed packets, 10 a.m. Saturday, The Salvage Studio, 650 Edmonds Way, Edmonds; $32, preregistration required (425-330-5425 or www.thesalvagestudio.com).

Yoga for Gardeners

SAT Primarily standing exercises, observe or participate, bring your own mat/rug, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sunnyside Nursery, 3915 Sunnyside Blvd., Marysville (425-334-2002 or www.sunnysidenursery.net).

Climbers & Vines

SAT, SUN Learn which vines work best for your garden and how to grow and maintain vines and climbers, 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Wight's Home and Garden, 5026 196th S.W., Lynnwood (425-775-3636 or www.wights.com).

Fuchsia sale

SAT, SUN Sno-King Fuchsia Society sale of variety of fuchsias other perennials and annuals, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Country Village, 23732 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell (425-483-2250 or www.countryvillagebothell.com).

NPA Spring Plant Sale

SUN Northwest Perennial Alliance sale of member-donated and specialty nursery plants and garden art, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, North Seattle Community College, 9600 College Way N., Seattle (206-527-3600 or www.northwestperennialalliance.org/).

Native plants

SUN Learn about using native plants in your landscape, 1 p.m. Sunday, Molbak's, 13625 N.E. 175th St., Woodinville (425-483-5000 or www.molbaks.com).

Roozengaarde Tulips

ONGOING Part of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, tulip fields, 3-acre display garden, gift shop with cut and potted tulips and other flowers, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through April, Roozengaarde, 15867 Beaver Marsh Road, Mount Vernon; admission $3/person, $2/military with ID, ages 10 and younger free (360-424-8531 or www.tulips.com).

Tulip Town

ONGOING Part of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, tulip field with 60 varieties of tulips, International Peace Gardens, trolley rides with elevated view for photography, garden shop with tulip bouquets and potted tulips, indoor tulip and garden display, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily, later when weather permits, through April, Tulip Town, 5002 Bradshaw Road, Mount Vernon; admission $5/person, $4/military with ID, ages 16 and younger free; trolley rides $2, ages 12 and younger free (360-424-8152).

Hiking/Walks

Eastshore Singles

SAT Exploring Olmsted Mount Baker and Colman parks on 3 mile, scenic walk with one steep loop; no dogs, lunch nearby walk, 11 a.m. Saturday, Mount Baker Beach Park, 2301 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle (www.eastshoresingles.org).

Issaquah Alps Trails Club

SUN Cougar Mountain 6-mile loop to Longview Peak, hiking shoes, rain gear, daypack, food, water required, 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Issaquah Alps Trail Club clubhouse, First and Bush Streets, Issaquah (425-882-3435 or issaquahalps.org).

SAT Display and contest with hundreds of models, register 9 a.m.-noon, public viewing 10 a.m.-3 p.m., awards 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Highway, Renton; $5/spectators, $10 adults, $5 juniors/participants (www.ipms-seattle.org).

Washington State Button Society

SAT Learn about the hobby of button collecting, 10 a.m. Saturday, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1315 N. 160th St., Shoreline (206-323-6016).

Trains, Trains and More Trains

PLAN AHEAD Model-train show with operating layouts, vendors, swap tables, entertainment, historical-society displays, activities for kids, clinics for modelers of all skill levels, 10 a.m. April 26-27, Puyallup Fair and Events Center, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W., Puyallup; $8-$20 (www.ttmtshow.com).

Museum events

Science With a Twist

THU African Ascent program for ages 21 and older only, happy hour 6 p.m., presentation 7:30 p.m. today, Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave. N, Seattle; $20 includes first drink from the bar, reservations required (206-443-3611 or www.pacsci.org).

The Life and Times of General George Pickett

THU Theatrical performance on Civil War Confederate general and San Juan Island Pig War history, 6 p.m. today, Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle (206-386-4636).

Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War

THU-SUN Last weekend of exhibit from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia detailing the secession, slavery and civil liberties constitutional crises faced by President Abraham Lincoln, and companion exhibit "Blue vs. Gray: The Civil War in the Pacific Northwest" depicting the multitude of influences the Civil War had on life in the Northwest, both through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Museum of History & Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., Seattle; $7/adults, $5/ages 5-17 and ages 62 and older (206-324-1126).

Free Friday Night

FRI KidsQuest Children's Museum is open to the public and free every Friday night from 5-8 p.m. with fun, interactive and educational activities for families, KidsQuest Children's Museum, 4089 Factoria Blvd. S.E., Bellevue (425-637-8100 or www.kidsquestmuseum.org).

American Fighter Aces Panel

SAT World War II combat pilots describe their experiences and sign autographs, 2 p.m. Saturday, Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle (206-764-5700 or www.museumofflight.org).

Digital aviation photograph

SAT Presentation by aviation photographer John Dibbs with display of equipment used in aviation photography, 11 a.m. Saturday, Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle (206-764-5700 or www.museumofflight.org).

Family Day at EMP/SFM

SAT Family art activities, live music, 10 a.m. Saturday, Experience Music Project, 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle; $12-$15, ages 10 and younger free (206-367-5483).

Free Family Day: Celebrate Earth Day

SUN Exhibits, "green" Earth-friendly art activities for all ages, 1 p.m. Sunday, Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue (425-519-0770 or www.bellevuearts.org).

Viking lander flight capsule tip-to-tail tour

SUN Tour of spacecraft used in NASA's Viking Mission to Mars, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle; $7.50-$14 (206-764-5700 or www.museumofflight.org).

Plateau Native Arts Celebration

PLAN AHEAD Storytelling and demonstrations of traditional Indian crafts including beadwork, cornhusk-weaving and saddle-making by the Yakama Nation and other Columbia Plateau tribes, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 26, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle; $8/adults, $6.50/seniors, $5/student, youth (206-543-5590 or www.burkemuseum.org).

Park events

Sea stories

FRI Salmon dinner, documentary film and songs, poems and stories by present and former north Pacific commercial fishermen, 6 p.m. Friday, Fort Flagler State Park, Marrowstone Island, Hadlock; program free, suggested donation $5; dinner $12, reservations recommended (360-379-3538).

Duwamish Alive Earth Day

SAT Greenbelt-plant restoration, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Earth Day Festival with nature hikes, barbecue, 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Cooper Elementary School, 1901 S.W. Genesee St., Seattle (206-252-8170 or www.nweec.org).

Earth Day at Olympic Sculpture Park

SAT Art activity using recycled materials, for families with children age 12 and younger, 10 a.m.-noon, Climate Day for Kids Earth-friendly information and family activities, noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Olympic Sculpture Park, Broad Street and Elliott Avenue, Seattle (206-654-3100 or www.seattleartmuseum.org).

Earth Day at Piper's Creek Watershed

SAT Service projects, 8:30-11:30 a.m., festivities for all ages, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Carkeek Park, 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Road, Seattle (206-363-4116).

Miller Community Center anniversary

SAT Mayor Greg Nickels kicks off the 10th anniversary celebration with performance by the Meany Middle School Jazz Band, magic show, craft activities, volleyball and basketball tournaments, food, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave. E., Seattle (206-684-4753 or www.seattle.gov/parks/centers/miller.htm).

Leap for Green: An Earth Day Celebration for Kids of All Ages

SAT Indoor and outdoor activities including music, storytelling, pizza, art, live reptiles and learning easy ways to be kinder to the environment, 10 a.m. Saturday, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St., Mercer Island (206-275-7609 or www.mercergov.org/leapforgreen).

Lake Wilderness Arboretum Tour

SAT Guided tour to see gardens and learn about plants and history of the area, 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Lake Wilderness Arboretum, 22520 S.E. 248th St., Maple Valley (425-413-2572 or lakewildernessarboretum.com).