Who's in town

Helen Fielding, creator of “Bridget Jones's Diary,” discusses “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,” the third installment in the series. [7 p.m., Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]

Lectures

Jaron Lanier: The computer scientist, virtual-reality pioneer, composer, artist and author appears in conversation. [7:30 p.m., Nourse Theater, 275 Hayes St., S.F.]

Estelle Freedman: The Stanford professor explores rape throughout U.S. history and how women's-rights and racial-justice advocates have tried to redefine rape in law and culture. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]

Janet Napolitano: The University of California's new president outlines her vision for the UC system. [6 p.m., Mark Hopkins Hotel, 999 California St., S.F.; www.commonwealthclub.org]

At the colleges

Scary concert: Faculty pianists Inara Morgenstern and Victoria Neve perform their annual concert of Halloween-themed music. [1 p.m., Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building, SFSU, 1600 Holloway Ave., S.F.]

Javier Sicilia: The Mexican poet and activist gives a talk titled “Peace Beyond the Drug War.” A discussion follows. [4:30 p.m., Bechtel Conference Center, Stanford University, 616 Serra St., Stanford]

Literary events

Reinventing California Cuisine: Chefs David Kinch (“Manresa: An Edible Reflection”) and Daniel Patterson (“Coi: Stories and Recipes”) discuss their cookbooks. [7 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St., S.F.]

Margit Liesche: The novelist talks about “Triptych.” [7 p.m., Books Inc., 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto]

At the public library

Write your will: The workshop, led by estate planner and probate lawyer Stuart Bronstein, helps participants create fully functional wills. Bring a pen. [4:30 p.m., Richmond Branch, 351 Ninth Ave., S.F.; to register: (415) 355-5600]

Forbidden love: The “Gems From the Archives” event features a screening of the 1990s documentary “Forbidden Love: The Unashamed Stories of Lesbian Lives.” [6 p.m., Koret Auditorium, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]

Local activities

Salon guitar concert: The Beijing Guitar Duo — Meng Su and Yameng Wang — performs a “Salons at the Rex” concert featuring melodies old and new. [6:30 p.m., Hotel Rex, 562 Sutter St., S.F.]

In touch: The Tactile Dome reopens at the Exploratorium. The sense of touch becomes your only guide during this interactive trip through darkness. [Pier 15, S.F.; details at www.exploratorium.edu, call (415) 528-4444 to register]

Opening night: American Conservatory Theater presents “Underneath the Lintel,” Glen Berger's solo play about an eccentric librarian's ambitious quest to learn the history of a very overdue book. [8 p.m., American Conservatory Theater, 415 Geary St., S.F.]

Stylish 'staches: San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology hosts its “Movember Kickoff and 'Stache Styling Primer,” a mustache-themed launch for a month of events benefiting the fight against male cancers. [8:30 a.m., 1067 Folsom St., S.F.]

Dining out

Wexler's: Entrees include smoked short ribs with sofrito-braised cranberry beans, pickled onions, mashed potatoes and barbecue au jus as well as smoked cheddar grits with glazed Brussels sprouts, dried figs and port. [568 Sacramento St., S.F.; (415) 983-0102]