Charles Simonyi aboard the International Space Station. (NASA Photo)

— Not many people can say they’ve traveled to space. Not many can say they were also the original developer of software so prevalent today that most people wouldn’t be able to work without them. But Charles Simonyi can claim both of those accomplishments, along with a slew of others. Simonyi started the applications group at Microsoft that built the first version of Word and Excel. He has also been to space as a tourist twice; started his own company (which was subsequently purchased by Microsoft); and created a non-profit foundation that donates millions of dollars to the local arts and sciences communities in Seattle. Simonyi will be speaking about his life and career from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 26 at Atlas Workbase.

— Homelessness has become pervasive in the Seattle area. City leaders are looking to large tech companies such as Amazon to pay taxes to help combat the problem. But the solution to the homeless crisis may go beyond one company and its taxes. Radio station KNKX and The Seattle Times have worked on a Project Homeless podcast series that examined the problem in Olympia in an effort to learn more. The Project Homeless team members will be talking about their experience in Inside ‘Outsiders’: What One City Can Teach Us About Homelessness at 7:30 p.m. on March 3 at The Great Hall.

Here are more highlights from the GeekWire Calendar:

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