WHO'S IN TOWN
PBS president Paula Kerger visits the Commonwealth Club for a discussion with KQED president John Boland about where public broadcasting is headed. Robert Rosenthal, of the Center for Investigative Reporting, conducts the conversation. [6 p.m., 595 Market St., S.F.]
LECTURES
Ethical traveling: Jeff Greenwald, of Ethical Traveler, and Malia Everette, of Global Exchange Reality Tours, discuss which countries are the most ethical travel destinations. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Stewart Patrick: The global development expert discusses why some fragile nations become global security threats while some create misery only for their own citizenry. [6 p.m., World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter St., S.F.]
Seismic safety: Speakers from the Community Action Plan for Seismic Safety outline CAPSS’ work-plan priorities and share their visions for achieving a more seismically safe city. [12:30 p.m., SPUR, 654 Mission St., S.F.]
Alec Soth: The photographer, who recently took a road trip from Texas to California as part of Magnum Photos’ “Postcards From America” project, discusses his work. [7 p.m., SFMOMA, 151 Third St., S.F.]
LITERARY
Yiyun Li: The fiction writer discusses “Gold Boy, Emerald Girl.” [6 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, S.F.]
Brad Thomas Parsons: The author and bitters enthusiast talks about “Bitters: A Spirited History of a Classic Cure-All, With Cocktails, Recipes, and Formulas.” [6 p.m., Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez St., S.F.]
COLLEGES
Chamber music: Woodwind students perform chamber works. [8 p.m., San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 50 Oak St., S.F.]
David Malkiel: The Jewish history professor gives a talk titled “The Poetry and Art of Italy’s Jewish Tombstones.” [Noon, Building 360, Conference Room, Stanford University, Stanford]
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
David Barsamian: The founder and director of the Colorado-based Alternative Radio audio series discusses journalism, academia and censorship. [6 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
Trina Robbins: The comic book artist and historian presents her new book, “Lily Renee: Escape Artist.” [6 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Room, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
CITY
Comedy benefit: Comedian Russell Brand appears in an evening of stand-up comedy benefiting the David Lynch Foundation, which funds stress-reducing meditation programs for at-risk populations. [8 p.m., Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St., S.F.]
Midday music: Farley Pearce (Viennese bass, viola da gamba) and Yuko Tanaka (fortepiano) perform works by Johann Sperger and C.P.E. Bach. [12:30 p.m., Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California St., S.F.]
Reggae night: Three reggae bands from Latin America — Puerto Rico’s Cultura Profetica, Chile’s Gondwana, and Argentina’s Los Cafres — join the local band Bayonics for a show at the Mezzanine. [8 p.m., 444 Jessie St., S.F.]
Old musicals: “The Paul Meienberg Show” returns to the Roxie Theater. Tonight’s edition parodies a 1930s radio show. Live musical entertainment and a 1930s musical film are on the bill. [7 p.m., 3117 16th St., S.F.]
DINING
Le P’tit Laurent: Chef Julio Caceres cooks French cuisine, and a “Neighborhood” ($25) menu is available Mondays through Thursdays. This week’s dinner includes a choice of soup du jour or smoked duck breast and salad; a choice of sauteed tilapia filet with cauliflower puree and pesto sauce, or beef stroganoff with fresh pasta; and dessert. [699 Chenery St., S.F.; (415) 334-3235]
