The Goethe Institute is holding a panel titled Bringing Eastern Market Back on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the restoration of Eastern Market, built by German architect Adolf Cluss in 1872. Photo by William Lebovich, courtesy of the Goethe Institute.

DCist's guide to lectures and panel discussions in the D.C. area (plus bonus readings this week!)

Tuesday:
>> On Tuesday, the New American Foundation presents A Grand Bargain With Iran: What Would It Look Like? from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The moderated discussion will explore the idea that the U.S. "should reorient American policy toward the Islamic Republic of Iran as fundamentally as President Nixon transformed American policy toward the People's Republic of China in the early 1970s." If you can't make it over to their Connecticut Avenue location for this free event, tune in online for a live webcast.

>> From 6:30 to 8 p.m., join the Goethe Institute for a panel discussion titled Bringing Eastern Market Back. The Institute's interest in Eastern Market revolves around the 1872 building's German architect, Adolf Cluss. The panelists will discuss the building's renovation and the role of historic preservationists in this process, and residents of the architect's hometown in Germany will share their insight. RSVP to 202-289-1200 ext. 166 or rsvp [at] washington.goethe.org.

>> To further celebrate RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture, SAAM is holding a Conversation with Nikki Giovanni at 7 p.m. in the McEvoy Auditorium. D.C. playwright Jennifer L. Nelson will interview the poet, as they discuss Giovanni's life and work, her views on hip hop culture, and her two new books.

Wednesday:
>> At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, head to the Shirlington Branch Library in Arlington to hear NPR's Tom Gjelton speak about his book, Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: the Biography of a Cause, and find out the story of the rum-making Bacardi family.

Thursday:
>> The legendary Bud Anderson will be at the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theatre in the Air and Space Museum on Thursday at 8 p.m. for a free lecture and book signing. He'll discuss his 30 years in the Air Force as a pilot and commander in Korea and Southeast Asia, as well as at the McDonnel-Douglas Flight Test Facility. Tickets are required.

>> Humorist and NPR fixture Sarah Vowell will be at the Avalon Theatre at 8:15 p.m. to read from & sign copies of her new book, The Wordy Pilgrim. Sponsored by Politics & Prose, contact the bookstore for ticket info.

Friday:
>> War buffs have it made today. First, from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., head to the Russell Senate Office Building, Caucus Room 325 for the New America Foundation's Al Qaeda 3.0: The ‘War on Terror’ After the Bush Administration. A panel of policy makers, scholars, journlists and law enforcement officials will examine the current al Qaeda threat as well as the steps the next administration should take. Free.

>> Then, at 8 p.m., veterans of Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraq discuss their experiences at the Folger Shakespeare Library. In the Quagmire: America at War will be moderated by author Clarence Page, and will feature authors Albert French, Colby Buzzell and Anthony Swofford. Tickets cost $15.

Saturday:
>> From 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, U. Va. professor Dr. David Smith will be at the Naturalist Center in Leesburg for The Dead Zone of the Cheasapeake Bay. He'll be discussing the Bay's expansive "dead zone," which lacks enough oxygen to support a viable ecosystem. Free, call 703-779-9712 or 800-729-7725 for more info.

Sunday:
>> Author Louella Bryant will be at the Shirlington Branch Library at 3 p.m. to discuss her book, While in Darkness There is Light. The book tells the tale of a gorup of Americans who fled to Australia during the Vietnam War and lived in an agrarian commune.