Who’s in town
Grammy-nominated trumpet player Chris Botti returns to Davies Symphony Hall for an evening of jazz classics. [7:30 p.m., 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
Lectures
Forest wars: Speakers discuss the struggle between dollars and deforestation in the journey to create a more sustainable future. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Conversations about landscapes: Photographer Cris Benton and restoration ecologist John Bourgeois discuss salt landscapes in the South Bay area. [6:30 p.m., Exploratorium, Pier 15, S.F.; RSVP (required): (415) 528-4646]
Literary events
Gary Snyder: The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet talks about “Mountains and Rivers Without End.” [7 p.m., City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
Ryan Coonerty and Jeremy Neuner: The co-founders of NextSpace and co-authors of “The Rise of the Naked Economy” discuss their book. [6 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, S.F.]
Mark Nepo: The author, poet and philosopher discusses “Reduced to Joy.” [7 p.m., Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
At the colleges
Early music: Stanford’s Early Music Singers perform a program of 16th-century Italian music. [7:30 p.m., Memorial Church, Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford]
Farmers market: The UC San Francisco market features fresh produce at two campuses. [10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Elevator G Breezeway, Parnassus campus, 500 Parnassus Ave., S.F.; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., plaza, Mission Bay campus, 500 Gene Friend Way, S.F.]
At the public library
Affordable Care Act: The session, presented in Spanish, reviews health care programs available to San Francisco residents, regardless of immigration status. [7 p.m., Excelsior Branch, 4400 Mission St., S.F.]
Chocolate tasting: Participants can learn about the history of chocolate and challenge others to a taste test in this session for ages 10 to 18. [3 p.m., Bernal Heights Branch, 500 Cortland Ave., S.F.]
Festive fundraiser
Glide hosts its Holiday Festival, celebrating 50 years of community service. Guests include poet Maya Angelou. The event benefits Glide programs. [7 p.m., War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
Local activities
Comedy show: Chris Garcia, known for his appearances on NPR’s “This American Life” and “WTF With Marc Maron,” performs a stand-up show. [8 p.m., Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St., S.F.]
Art reception: Artist Deborah Sibony opens “Linear Space,” a show featuring a series of new, architecturally-inspired monotypes. [6 to 9 p.m., Levy Art and Architecture, 1286 Sanchez St., S.F.]
Opera singers: Soprano Marina Harris and mezzo-soprano Laura Krumm perform a “Salon at the Rex” program of solos and duos. [6:30 p.m., Hotel Rex, 562 Sutter St., S.F.]
54 Mint: The spaghetti alla carbonara — with egg, guanciale, black pepper and pecorino — is recommended. Chef Mattia Marcelli also recommends the porcetta — slow-roasted Niman Ranch pork with polenta and balsamic cipollini. [6 Mint Plaza, S.F.; (415) 543-5100]
