Nature in the Balance at Museum of History & Industry

   A powerful mix of original photography and artwork, Nature in the Balance: Past Exploits, Future Hopes, Eternal Beauty in the Evergreen State, runs March 31-Sept. 9 at this popular Seattle museum located just south of the University of Washington. The show features historic and contemporary photographs exploring the complex relationship between people and nature in Washington state during the last 150 years – including a 1926 photo of Eddie Bauer with a catch of steelhead. Free admission every first Thursday. (206) 324-1126, www.seattlehistory.org

The Alps: Giants of Nature at Pacific Science Center

   Opening March 30 with showings at various times, this 40-minute film is centered in the heart of Europe where the Alps are home to some of the most famous peaks in the world. The film features dramatic footage following the exploits of climber John Harlin III and his attempt to climb the Eiger – the mountain that took the life of his famous climbing legend father, John Harlin, nearly 40 years ago. (206) 443-IMAX, www.pacificsciencecenter.org

Fiorini’s to close doors

   Since 1960, Fiorini Sports has been an anchor tenant and retail ski fixture at Seattle’s University Village. This month, Fiorini’s will end its 47-year run with a “Thank You & Good-Bye Sale” with store-wide savings at 50 percent off. Fiorini’s opened as a mom and pop ski shop 47 years ago by Buzz and Julie Fiorini, after starting the Fiorini Ski School in 1947. Their mission: To provide their ski school students with the best equipment at the best prices. The store is now managed by their son, Jeff, while daughter Georgianne will continue to operate the ski school. Fiorini’s was the first recipient of the prestigious Ski Industries of America Retailer of the Year. Ski Magazine named Fiorini’s a Gold Medal Ski Shop Award Winner for the 1998-99 season and back-to-back seasons from 2003-05. www.fiorinisports.com

Feeling Groovy in Eugene

   Running in the Footsteps of Legends is the motto of the inaugural Eugene Marathon April 29. With a logo reminiscent of the psychedelic era of the 70s, a harkening to the glory days of University of Oregon track and field hero Steve Prefontaine and the start line in front of Hayward Field, home to three Olympic Trials, runners will enjoy a flat, fast, scenic course. The race offers a full marathon, half marathon, 10k and one-mile Kids Race for those ages 5-17. Nike is putting up prize money for winners of the marathon – with bonus dollars to their Eugene Nike store awarded to those who hit the Olympic Trials standard time. The marathon is a qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Trials. A health and fitness expo on April 27-28 will feature various vendors and local running icons as well as serve as packet pick-up for race participants. www.eugenemarathon.com

Seattle/Portland ski shows align

   There will be a new look and feel to this year’s Washington State Ski & Snowboard Expo. In February, Dan and Rebecca Schindler, producers of the Portland Ski Fever & Snowboard Show for nearly 30 years, purchased the Seattle show from BEWI Productions who has owned the show for the past 12 years. Show dates are still being finalized for the Seattle show, however, it’s rumored that more selling exhibitors will be on hand in addition to the popular travel vendors. www.portlandskifever.com

State Parks Clean-up

   Volunteer groups are encouraged to contact their local Washington state park to help clean storm-strewn debris from trails and parking areas in time for the summer season. The following parks are seeking assistance: Bridle Trails, near Bellevue, (425) 649-4276; Dash Point, near Tacoma, (253) 661-4955; Kitsap Memorial, near Poulsbo, (360) 779-3205; St. Edward, Kenmore, (425) 823-2992; Seaquest, Castle Rock, (360) 274-8633; Spencer Spit, Lopez Island, (360) 468-2251; Wenberg, Stanwood, (360) 652-7417; Moran, Orcas Island, (360) 376-3636. For more information, contact the State Park Volunteer Services, (360) 902-8583.

Ginger Tofu or Mahi Mahi anyone?

   Exploring New Waters is the theme of the 11th annual Washington Water Trails Association auction and dinner March 23 at the Community Center at Mercer View (Mercer Island). Besides the wowee-wowee food, auction items include a $1,000 shopping spree at Seattle’s Raft and Kayak, a seven-day Holland America cruise for two and sushi for eight. Tickets are $70 per person. (206) 545-9161, www.wwta.org/auction. And don’t forget the WWTA’s second annual Sea Kayak Spring Seminar, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. April 28 at the Renton Community Center. Keynote speaker is Jennifer Hahn, author of Spirited Waters: Soloing South Through the Inside Passage. Cost is $35. www.wwta.org/seminar/

Bellingham earns Bicycle Friendly Award

Bellingham recently won a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community Award from the League of American Bicyclists. The city was recognized for achievements in supporting the five E’s of bicycling: education, enforcement, engineering, evaluation and encouragement. Past Northwest winners of this award, at the Bronze Level, are Oregon’s Bend, Corvallis, Portland, Eugene, Ashland and Beaverton, and Washington’s Vancouver. www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org/profiles.htm

TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival

The record-setting winter at Whistler wraps up April 13-22 with this annual festival. Featuring major professional ski and snowboarding competitions, the largest free outdoor concert series in Canada and photo and film showdowns, this is the festival’s 12th year. (604) 935-3356; www.tourismwhistler.com, www.whistlerblackcomb.com\