Now that you've given most of your life's blood to the government, it's time to get what's left of it really pumping at one of our local races. There are several runs -- from 5Ks to marathons -- taking place throughout May and June, with courses ranging from the patiently forgiving to the savagely grueling -- and if you put down that admittedly delicious gelato and start running right now, you could participate in one or more of them.

I won't be running any marathons, myself. I only run when the morning bus is pulling away. But you could, and rub it in my face when we run into each other outside the gelateria.

Music
The sonic universe of Stars of the Lid
The Triple Door welcomes the "drone" guitar duo whose music Pitchfork's Mark Richardson rightfully called "sculpted fields of sound." Local ambient artist Lusine opens.
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Books
Comic stripping: 'The Virgin Project'
Kevin Boze and cohort Stasia Kato relate the stories of first-timers, both gay and straight, in comic-book style. Boze discusses their (literally!) graphic novel, "The Virgin Project," at Jackson Street Books.
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Restaurants
Bizzarro's 300-mile menu: Prepare for glory!
Wallingford's favorite Italian bistro has a tasty new quirk: a menu of delicious pastas, antipastos and gelatos with ingredients drawn from within 300 miles of Seattle.
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Entertainment
The Rat City Rollergirls vs. Wisconsin
It's roller derby time! The Dairyland Dolls from Madison roll against Rat City's Grave Danger, while the Derby Liberation Front and the Sockit Wenches bash out their differences.
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Shopping
Take baby steps to the shoe boutique
Baby's first shoes are cute, but what happens when they inevitably wear out or become too small for toddlin' feet? Don't worry. Several local children's shoe boutiques will keep your baby steppin' in comfort and style.

Music
Southern Culture on the Skids
Bring your best dirt-track date out for a night of "Countrypolitan Favorites," as played by the best damn garage/rockabilly band you ever danced up a sweat to.

Nightlife
Girl4Girl at the SoDoBox
The Showbox SoDo presents the ever-popular ladies' dance night, with DJ Automaton working the decks and all the usual drinkin' and flirtin'. Attention fellers: Stay the hell away.

More in NWsource
Dive into the South Lake Union rummage sale and come up with nautical treasures.
Suzanne Burns, Kevin Sampsell and others tell tales at Neptune Coffee in Greenwood.
Sherman Alexie reads from "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" at All For Kids Books.
Come to the Puyallup Spring Fair for the rides and entertainment; stay for the fried food on a stick.

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