Who’s in town
Jennifer Shahade, a two-time U.S. women’s chess champion, speaks and signs copies of her latest book, “Play Like a Girl! Tactics by 9 Queens.” It’s the first book with combinations all executed by female chess champions. [5:15 p.m., Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post St., S.F.]
Lectures
Joshua Foer: The science journalist, memory champion and author of “Moonwalking With Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything” speaks. [8 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
Kriss Deiglmeier: The executive director of Stanford University’s Center for Social Innovation explains her views on social innovation and entrepreneurship. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Robert Elias: The USF professor talks about baseball’s longstanding role in U.S. foreign policy. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Saltworks debate: Urban planner Peter Calthorpe and Save the Bay’s David Lewis present the pros and cons of the proposed Saltworks development in Redwood City. [6 p.m., SPUR, 654 Mission St., S.F.]
Literary events
Sasha Lilley: The journalist and broadcaster talks about “Capital and Its Discontents.” [7 p.m., Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia St., S.F.]
Lisa Taylor: The urban-gardening educator presents “Your Farm in the City.” [7 p.m., Green Arcade, 1680 Market St., S.F.]
Dayna and Robert Baer: The husband and wife former CIA couple talk about “The Company We Keep.” [7 p.m., Cubberley Theatre, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto]
At the colleges
‘No Nukes, Now, Never’: The program features an interview and film with William J. Perry, a former U.S. secretary of defense, on the subject of ridding the world of nuclear weapons. [5 p.m., USF, Fromm Hall, 2130 Fulton St., S.F.]
Ruth Reichl: The food writer and critic gives a talk titled “The Intersection of Food, Culture, and History.” [6 p.m., Cubberley Auditorium, 485 Lasuen Mall, Stanford University]
At the public library
Local history: David Kipen and Gray Brechin discuss “San Francisco in the 1930s: The WPA Guide to the City by the Bay.” [6:30 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
Local activities
Staged reading: Golden Thread Productions presents a reading of “444 Days,” a play by Torange Yeghiazarian about a young Iranian revolutionary linked by fate to an American attache. [7 p.m., Z Space, 450 Florida St., S.F.]
Midday music: Pianist Lara Downes performs works by Samuel Barber, George Gershwin and Florence Price. Noontime Concerts presents the program. [12:30 p.m., Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California St., S.F.]
Motown star: Mary Wilson, a member of the original Supremes — one of the most successful female singing groups in recording history — performs. [8 p.m., Yoshi’s, 1330 Fillmore St., S.F.]
Dining out
Social Kitchen & Brewery: “Good home comfort food” is the restaurant’s focus, along with the idea that beer plays a role in dining. Recommended dishes include grilled rib eye with buttered veggies and a “loaded baked potato.” [1326 Ninth Ave., S.F., (415) 681-0330]
