We spend hours upon hours digging for wonky political events and random happenings in the city for The Stranger's one-a-kind, caramel-coated, hand-dipped, bonito-flake-sprinkled NEWS CALENDAR. Know it, love it, pawn your Pet Rock collection for it. Here are a few samples:

"Weekday" Live (Fri Aug 12, 9–11 am.)
KUOW's local news talk show is going to be recorded live in front of an audience. Thrill as the Stranger's Eli Sanders, book superstar Nancy Pearl, Seattle Times columnist Joni Balter, and harrumpher Knute Burger talk about the tunnel and stuff in front of your very eyes. $5.

Dog Days of August Beerfest (Sun Aug 14, 12–4 pm.)
The West Seattle Nursery wants to give you free beer and hot dogs. This event is a fundraiser—donations will be accepted throughout the event—in support of the Furry Faces Foundation, an organization that finds home for strays. Free.

Cocktails for a Cause: A Fundraiser Benefitting the Clients of Planned Parenthood NW (Fri Aug 19 at 7 pm.)
Planned Parenthood provides family planning, contraception, counseling, and a ton of other useful health services for folks who wouldn't be able to afford such things otherwise. Support Planned Parenthood by buying a $10.00 wristband (the money is a donation to Planned Parenthood) and abusing happy hour prices at BalMar. $10.

It's all RIGHT HERE. Don't miss out on all the awesome events we've posted or you'll make us sad. You don't want to make us sad, do you?