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Lecture: Seeing the Medieval in the Modern: Cairo the City Victorious, May 4^th, free.  They've been building and rebuilding this city for the last thousand years, so if you want to go back into a certain phase in history, all you need to do is look a the right building.  ж  Also, Surviving Cancer, What Comes Next, May 3rd, free.  After you've fought this heroic battle, here's what to do next.  Dr. Debra Freidman of the Hutch discusses the medical, psychological, and societal issues facing cancer survivors.  ж  Also, US-Korea Relations Luncheon, May 5^th, $42.  It is impressive that they've lined up the US Ambassador to Korea and the Korean Ambassador to the US.  They discuss politics, security, and trade.

Symposium: Spineless Wonders of Puget Sound-- Giant  orange slugs, flying devils, and coral forests, May 7^th, $10.  There's gotta be a Far Side cartoon in here somewhere.  Setup: a married set of slugs.  Dialogue: wife to husband, "Why don't you stand up to him?"  Husband to wife, "Hey, what do you mean, none of use have backbones!"  ж  Also, Public Arts in a Time of Crisis, May 5-6^th, free, how historic crises of censorship and racial tensions have been expressed artistically

Music: Seattle Hall Presents, May 4^th and 18^th, free.  This is Seattle bringing arts to the people with free concerts during lunchtime at City Hall.  This is really cool, and the big bummer of noontime concerts is that it's only presented at City Hall.  If you're within walking distance, it's a great treat; if not, then you're stuck at your desk.

Performing Arts: Pippen, starting May 5^th, $18.50+.  A five-Tony award-winner, Prince Pippen is searching for the ultimate in life through battle, sex, and political intrigue, before figuring it all out on his own.  ж  Also, Seattle's Symphony's Made in America musical series, starting May 5^th, $20+.  It's the homegrown stuff, some really good and some just esoteric, but all of it's interesting.  ж  Also, Enchanting April, starting May 5^th, $12.  Two old biddies in 1920's London take off from their husbands for a little vacation, and end up hooking up with two other odd-ball characters.  Somehow, they make it all work.

Charity Events: King County Big Breakfast by Big Brothers and Big Sisters, May 2^nd, by donation.  Consider this half business, half charity.  The charity part is obvious.  This group has great support from the local business community, so for the business side, this breakfast is a great networking event.  ж  Also, Travel and Leisure Auction, May 6^th, $125, the usual gala formula of a fancy feast with entertainment and one-of-a-kind auction items for your next vacation.  ж  Also, In the Spotlight by Futurewise, May 6^th, $85+, with proceeds going to help environmental efforts.

Voice: There's some big national opera conference going on in town.  If you're an opera head, it may be worth going to since it's local.  If you're more of a casual enjoyer of opera, then go to the best of this conference, the New Works Opera Sampler, May 5^th, noon - 1:30 pm at the downtown Seattle Public Library.  ж  Also, Lake Washington Singer's Concert, May 6^th, $7, presenting the Moods of Spring.  The sun is coming out, and it's starting to feel like spring, so why not?

Sales: Seattle Tilth Edible Plant Sale, May 6-7^th.  Here's how to jump-start your garden the easy way, with organically grown vegetables, culinary herbs, and drought-tolerant, disease-resistant perennials.  ж  Also, the Greater Kent Historical Society Museum has its own garden sale, May 5-6^th, free, of garden paraphernalia: homemade soaps, garden journals, gloves, garden art, and bunches of plants.  Actually, for a free hobby, gardening can actually end up costing a lot.  ж  Also,  I Heart Rummage, May 7^th (and June 14^th).  The title is a bit misleading on this one.  It's not like this is a big rummage sale of everyone's leftover crapola as a fundraiser for some rinky-dink charity.  Rather, it's a showing of 50 Northwest indie designers and crafters, meaning really cool artsy stuff you can't find elsewhere, typically with the price tag to match.

Family Event: Colors of Our Community, May 6^th, free, at Bellevue Community College.  Actually, the timing of this event is pretty fortuitous.  One bad joke by a professor, and this school is under scrutiny, but at least the college is on top of the ball with the incident.  Anyway, this is a family- oriented activity with performances by different ethnic dancers, food from around the world, a kid's fair, fire engine tours, Native American story tellers, salsa dance lessons, and the ever ubiquitous "more."

Commerce: Seattle Annual Trade Show, May 3^rd, $10 with free parking.  Three things about this show: first, the participants are the small-medium size companies.  Second, it's all local companies, such as a pressure-washer rental place, a downtown hotel, and a carpet-cleaning service.  Third, the businesses at the show are as diverse as Seattle itself, so that means you'll find some businesses of little interest, and a couple of others on the flip side with great relevance.

Organization: Allied Arts of Seattle, a group improving the cultural livability in Seattle by taking on the behemoth task of improving arts, urban design, and historic preservation.  If it weren't for this group, the Pike Place Market would've become just another condo building thirty years ago.

The Consignment Trinity.
Everyone has their favorite little shop.  Here are three clothing consignment stores for treasure-hunting bargains with something for everyone, all within walking distance of the other.  

Fury: Since women tend to be fussier about their clothes, only top-end clothes make the cut to the sales rack at this store, meaning big designers, current and stylish fashions, and like-new quality clothes, jewelry, and hand bags.  Fans of this store all have their favorite tale of bargain, finding an in-style piece of couture at a sliver of original retail.

Gentlemen's Consignment: This store knows the difference between style and fashion, presenting timeless pieces that a man always looks good in season after season.  Actually, you can't find most of the inventory here at any other store in Seattle, including vintage clothes, men's jewelry, neckwear, pocket squares, gloves, and braces (or "suspenders," if you're from Arkansas.)  If you dig finding a suit 85% off original price or 70% off a pair of wingtips or saddle shoes, this place is for you.

The Pregnant Pause: This store is about 40% maternity wear and 60% baby and kids' clothes and accessories.  Bodies are changing fast at this point in life, so there's hardly time to wear anything out.  Consequently, this store carries all of the hip stuff for moms and kids of high end brands.  You can buy it for $40 at the mall, or $12 here; $100 at the boutique or $30 here.  These folks also specialize in local made goods, toys, and gifts for kids ages 0-8.

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About: Seattle Spin is a weekly email newsletter highlighting the best restaurants, activities, and venues in Seattle this particular week Contact: Publisher: Gerard Wirz; Editor: Nathaniel Hollywood; Contributors:  Mike Ford and Mary Novak .