Who’s in town
David Brooks, The New York Times columnist and the author of “The Social Animal,” appears in an onstage conversation with author Michael Lewis. [8 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
Lectures
Dayna and Robert Baer: The former CIA agents discuss their lives as spies and as a married couple. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Kate Rutter: The senior practitioner at Adaptive Path discusses how to create a workplace culture that embraces creativity. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Future of books: Authors discuss the future of books, writers and the publishing industry. [7:30 p.m., CounterPULSE, 1310 Mission St., S.F.]
First Amendment rights: Media Law Resource Center sponsors a talk titled “From the Federalist Papers to Wikileaks: Anonymous Speech, Confidential Sources, and the First Amendment.” [7 p.m., Green Arcade, 1680 Market St., S.F.]
Literary events
Crime novelists: Allison Brennan (“Kiss Me, Kill Me”) and Zoe Sharp (“Fourth Day”) talk about their novels. [7 p.m., “M” Is for Mystery, 86 E. Third Ave., San Mateo]
Meredith Baxter: The television actress discusses “Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering.” [7:30 p.m., Books Inc., 2275 Market St., S.F.]
Margo True: The food writer and editor talks about “The One-Block Feast: An Adventure in Food From Yard to Table.” [7 p.m., Kepler’s Books and Magazines, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
At the colleges
College baseball: SFSU plays Hillsdale College. [2 p.m., SFSU, Maloney Field, 1600 Holloway Ave., S.F.]
At the public library
Science journalist: The California Academy of Sciences’ Healy Hamilton talks with journalist Mark Hertsgaard about his new book, “Hot.” [6 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., S.F.; RSVP: (800) 794-7576]
Family story time: Program features stories, songs and rhymes. [4:30 p.m., Ingleside Branch, 1298 Ocean Ave., S.F.]
Local activities
Japanese cinema: The horror films “Kuroneko” (1968), directed by Kaneto Shindo, and “House” (1977), directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, screen as a double feature. [3:10, 5:05, 7 and 9 p.m., Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., S.F.]
Garden show: The 2011 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show begins. The celebration features garden designs, plants, vendors, seminars and chef demos. [10 a.m. to 7 p.m., San Mateo Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo]
Standup comedy: Comedian Al Madrigal performs. [8 p.m., Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St., S.F.]
Help wanted: Presidio Native Plant Nursery needs volunteers to help restore San Francisco’s national park. Activities include pruning, composting and planting. [1 to 4 p.m., 1249-A Appleton St., Presidio; RSVP: (415) 561-4826]
Dining out
Kasa Indian Eatery: Chef Anamika Khanna’s menu features kati rolls — flaky roti (handmade bread) wrapped around a chosen main dish. Also, diners can choose thali, a home-style combination plate. [4001 18th St., S.F., (415) 621-6940]
