Who’s in town
Comedian Nick Griffin performs at the Punch Line. Griffin’s TV credits include appearances with David Letterman and Conan O’Brien and on Comedy Central. [8 p.m., Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St., S.F.]
Lectures
National Geographic: Contributors to National Geographic share fieldwork stories and studies. Speakers include authors Cynthia Gorney, Edwin Dobb and Timothy Ferris. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
David Talbot: The journalist and Salon.com founder discusses the civil strife and tragedies that beset San Francisco from 1967 to 1982 and led to The City’s ultimate rebirth. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
City streets: Speakers discuss emerging visions for public thoroughfares that challenge the 20th-century paradigm of automobile-centric streets. Shaping San Francisco presents the talk. [7:30 p.m., CounterPulse, 1310 Mission St., S.F.]
Shelby Hasbun: The San Francisco Zoo staff member discusses her participation in a climate-change study conducted at the Arctic’s edge in Manitoba, Canada. [Noon, Lurie Education Center, San Francisco Zoo, 1 Zoo Road, S.F.]
Literary
Two poets: Jacqueline Kudler (“Easing Into Dark”) and Judy Halebsky (“Space/Gap/Interval/Distance”) read their poetry. [7 p.m., Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
Imran Ahmad: The Pakistan-born, Britain-raised writer presents “The Perfect Gentleman: A Muslim Boy Meets the West.” [7 p.m., Books Inc., 301 Castro St., Mountain View]
John T. Edge: The Southern food authority talks about “The Food Truck Cookbook.” [6 p.m., Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez St., S.F.]
At the colleges
Paul Ingrassia: The author of “Engines of Change” discusses how the automobile has propelled and reflected the American experience. [7 p.m., Automotive Innovation Facility, 473 Oak Road, Stanford University, Stanford]
At the public library
Elder care: The Eldercare Services program addresses what to do when a parent shows signs of memory loss. [6:30 p.m., Presidio Branch, 3150 Sacramento St., S.F.]
Green living: Six pros offer helpful advice on “going green without going broke.” [6:30 p.m., Burlingame Public Library, 480 Primrose Road, Burlingame]
Local activities
Two jazz quartets: The Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quartet meets the Francis Wong Special Edition Quartet in “4x4,” a special concert for one night only. [8 p.m., African American Art and Culture Complex, 762 Fulton St., S.F.]
Spring cocktails: Bartenders and chefs take part in “May Flowers: Cocktails of the Farmers Market,” an evening of drinks and food containing floral essences, edible flowers and spring crops. [5:30 to 8 p.m., Ferry Building, The Embarcadero at Market Street, S.F.]
Outdoor dance: Kathryn Roszak’s Danse Lumiere presents “BridgeDance,” a performance created for the 75th birthday of the Golden Gate Bridge. [12:30 p.m., Union Square, 333 Post St., S.F.]
Art exhibit: The San Mateo County History Museum presents “Romance of the Rail,” an exhibit of paintings by local artist Fred Sinclair Jr. of trains that have traveled down the Peninsula. [10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 2200 Broadway, Redwood City]
Dining out
Parallel 37: Crispy soft-shell crab, with mango and red-onion chutney and micro cilantro, is a recommended appetizer. A highlighted entree is the local king salmon. [Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton St., S.F.; (415) 773-6168]
