Who’s in town
Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA, discusses the next chapter for his organization — addressing poverty as a human rights issue. [6 p.m., World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter St., S.F.]

Lectures
Dean Ornish: The physician for the Preventive Medicine Research Institute talks about how changing your lifestyle can affect the way your genes behave. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]

Gervais Tompkin and Laura Crescimano: The workplace planning and design gurus from Gensler discuss the future of the office. [12:30 p.m., SPUR, 654 Mission St., S.F.]

Literary events
Litquake: The literary festival continues through Saturday. Today’s bill includes “Tales of Hollywood Hell: Litquake and Porchlight,” with Exene Cervenka, Michael Tolkin, Joyce Maynard and others. [10 a.m. onward, various venues, www.litquake.org]

Christopher Chabris: The cognitive psychologist talks about “The Invisible Gorilla.” [7 p.m., Borders, 400 Post St., S.F.]

Dave Eggers: The local writer talks about “Zeitoun.” [12:30 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, S.F.]

Steven Kotler: The author, journalist and co-founder of the Rancho de Chihuahua dog sanctuary talks about “A Small Furry Prayer.” [7 p.m., Kepler’s Books and Magazines, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]

At the colleges
Poetry reading: Poets Keetje Kuipers, and Robin and Keith Ekiss read from their work. [6 p.m., Stanford University bookstore, main level, sports-music section, 519 Lasuen Mall ]

Art show: UC San Francisco hosts its annual Faculty and Staff Art Show. Guitarist David Marsden performs at noon. [10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Millberry Union, 500 Parnassus Ave., S.F.]

At the public library
Jazz talk: Lecture, presented by SFJazz’s Cory Combs, tells the story of the complex social, musical and economic factors in New Orleans that led to the creation of jazz. [6 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]

Author tribute: The late author Iris Chang and her work to expose the truth about the Nanking massacre are celebrated in the exhibit “Iris Chang and Her Unfinished Dream.” [9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Main Library, Chinese Center, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]

Homework help: Volunteers assist K-7 students with homework assignments. [4 to 6 p.m., Mission Branch, 300 Bartlett St., S.F.]

Local activities
Water-bottle film: “Tapped,” Stephanie Soechtig’s documentary about the multibillion-dollar water bottle industry, screens at SPUR. A brief discussion follows. [6 p.m., 654 Mission St., S.F.]

Russian music: Pianist Daniel Glover performs works by Tchaikovsky and Liapunov. The program is part of Noontime Concerts’ October Russian Music Festival 2010. [12:30 p.m., Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California St., S.F.]