1. Democracy Now's Amy Goodman will be reading from her new essay collection Breaking the Sound Barrier at Elliott Bay Book Co. this afternoon, a few days in advance of her scheduled Friday appearance at Town Hall.

Goodman is the no-frills/no-bullshit host of the Democracy Now radio program. If you don't know Democracy Now, you might remember that Goodman got arrested at the Republican National Convention last year.

Noam Chomsky loves her. Bill Clinton, not so much.


The event is free (unlike the Friday's Town Hall talk, which is $15). This afternoon at 3 pm at Elliott Bay Books.

2. The International Special Review District Board (are those words out of order?) is meeting this evening to review any proposed zoning or height changes or proposed developments in the International District. Because the International District is designated by the city as "historic," all building and land use decisions in the ID have to go through this board first.

This evening at 4:30 pm, at the Bush Asia Center, on 409 Maynard Ave. S.

3. The Books. I know I overrode Anand's recommendation last week, but the Books are playing again tonight, and you really should see them if you can cough up $15.

I always thought of the Books as more of a headphone band than a live band. Like, to listen to on your iPod while sitting in the stacks in your college library, reading post-colonial theory, or your sociology textbook. But their cello player is supposed to be killer. Maybe you can bring a book to the show or something.

Tonight, the Triple Door, 9 pm, $15.