TALK: Head to Berkeley for a refreshing take on life in the 21st century and beyond in An Optimist’s Tour of the Future, in which writer, deep-thinker, and stand-up comedian Mark Stevenson talks about his travels around the globe in pursuit of answers on what the future holds, resulting in surprisingly reassuring discoveries.

7:30 p.m. // First Congregational Church of Berkeley (2345 Channing Way) // $12, buy tickets

FILM: Did you know there's a Short Film Channel? Well, we didn't. Shorts TV presents The Oscar Nominated Short Films 2011 series at Lumiere, featuring two separate screenings, an animated and a live-action.

5 and 7:30 p.m. // Lumiere Theatre (1572 California Street) // $8-10.50 (for each screening)

FUNDRAISER: Join SFist Editor Brock Keeling, Beth Spotswood, Kate Ryken, and a large line-up of other local luminaries at the Fundraiser to Benefit the Displaced Residents of the Castro Arson Fires. Come out for a drink, make some new friends, and donate what you can at the door to benefit your fellow neighbors. Be sure to join the raffle too.

7 to 10 p.m. // The Lookout (3600 16th Street) // free