Who’s in town

Hip-hop artist, music producer and Haitian politician Wyclef Jean appears to talk about his memoir “Purpose: An Immigrant’s Story” in a City Arts and Lectures presentation. [7:30 p.m., Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St., S.F.]

Lectures

Barb Stuckey: The food industry professional discusses her book “Taste What You’re Missing,” which addresses how biology, the brain and genetics make every person’s sense of taste unique. [2 p.m., Peninsula Jewish Community Center, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City]

Joan Walsh: The Salon editor and MSNBC analyst discusses ethnic- and gender-related demographic divides among voters, in regard to the current presidential campaign. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]

Thea Bellos: The photographer and professor discusses her exhibit “Timeless Explorations” and her interest in promoting global stewardship and building a more peaceful world. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]

Science Literacy: The Physical Science of Climate and Climate Change is the focus of a five-Monday course with University of the Commons. It starts today. [5:30 p.m., Modern Times Bookstore, 2919 24th St., S.F.; www.uotc.org]

Literary events

Salman Rushdie: The award-winning author discusses “Joseph Anton,” his memoir about his years spent in hiding. [7 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St., S.F.; event is sold out and a live streaming is planned; www.jccsf.org]

Naomi Duguid: The cookbook author talks about “Burma: Rivers of Flavor.” [6 p.m., Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez St., S.F.]

Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis: The lead singer of the Decemberists and his wife, the illustrator Carson Ellis, discuss “Under Wildwood,” a fantasy adventure. [7 p.m., Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]

At the colleges

Double-bass player: Artem Chirkov, principal double bassist of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, appears in recital. [7 p.m., Knuth Hall, Creative Arts building, SFSU, 1600 Holloway Ave., S.F.]

Judie Bamber: The artist, whose drawings and paintings explore issues of gender representation and personal biography through photorealistic visual language, speaks. [7:30 p.m., San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut St., S.F.]

At the public library

Book group: The Mission Branch Club discusses Haruki Murakami’s latest novel, “1Q84.” [6:30 p.m., Mission Branch, 300 Bartlett St., S.F.]

Flamenco fest: The 2012 Bay Area Flamenco Festival, a weeklong series celebrating the dance and music form, begins. A film program, including Carlos Saura’s 2010 “Flamenco, Flamenco” at 7 p.m., is on the bill today. [Embarcadero Center Cinema, 1 Embarcadero Center, S.F.; www.bayareaflamencofestival.org]

Local activities

Risotto challenge: Museo ItaloAmericano hosts “Take Me Out to the Pasta,” a fundraising contest-dinner. Celebrity chefs prepare risotto dishes. Attendees vote on them. [6 p.m., Il Fornaio, 1265 Battery St., S.F.; RSVP: (415) 673-2200]

Rock and metal: Alternative-metal singer-songwriter Serj Tankian, best known as a member of the rock band System of a Down, appears at the Fillmore. [8 p.m., 1805 Geary Blvd., S.F.]

Tweet station: Twitter’s Biz Stone holds a live “Project Imaginat10n Tweet Station” to comment on photos consumers have submitted to inspire a film he plans to direct. [Noon, Justin Herman Plaza, S.F.; www.imagination.usa.canon.com]

Dining out

Bin 38: The California wild king salmon — with butterbeans, heirloom tomato, corn, gypsy pepper succotash and bagna cauda vinaigrette — is recommended today. Also look for the Bin burger. [3232 Scott St., S.F.; (415) 567-3838]

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