Wednesday, December 12, 2007

HOLIDAY DINNER: Jack Shroder on Afghanistan at The New Delhi Restaurant

A geologist and physical geographer with the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Jack Shroder first visited Afghanistan in 1973. He quickly became head of the Kabul University seismic station, coordinating with the US Embassy, which gave him carte blanche access to its classified map program. Shroder helped organize the map collection, which he recalls was a “disorganized mess” when he arrived. When the Soviets invaded, he started to understand why they’d wanted his expertise. By the time that war was won, he’d built up an Afghanistan Studies Center at the University of Omaha, along with research centers in the country. He and his colleagues encouraged the US to invest in a peaceful Afghanistan. Their advice fell on deaf ears. And, he says, on September 11, 2001, he knew immediately who had flown the planes into the World Trade Center. Not the individuals, but the country where the plan originated.

When Osama bin Laden’s tapes started to air, Shroder’s colleagues asked him if he recognized where bin Laden was sitting. He did. Someone told a reporter, and soon he was fielding calls. The Feds followed almost immediately, and, in the ensuring weeks, he found himself aiding intelligence agencies. At our holiday dinner, he’ll share the story of how a geoscientist helped track Osama bin Laden through Tora Bora. He’ll also share his thoughts on the future of Afghanistan, the country’s untapped natural resources, and whether the US government has learned to listen to geoscientists.

Join us for Shroder’s talk and to meet your national colleagues. As we do every year, we've timed the party to coincide with the big American Geophysical Union meeting, just a few blocks away in downtown SF. A couple dozen friendly writers and editors covering AGU from out of town will join us for a cosmopolitan evening of mingling. By unpopular acclaim, NCSWA once again will bestow fabulous science-themed door prizes upon guests who correctly answer trivia questions. Amaze your peers with your deep grasp of useless minutiae that may or may not have anything to do with AGU.

LOCATION:
160 Ellis Street (near Union Square)
San Francisco, Ca.
Phone: (415) 397-8470
For directions and parking information see http://www.newdelhirestaurant.com/directions.html

SCHEDULE:
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm No-host happy hour
7:00 pm - 8:45 pm Dinner
8:45 pm - Speaker

ABOUT NEW DEHLI:
Named “one of the finest Indian Restaurants in the United States” by the New York Times and featured on the Galloping Gourmet TV Show, the New Delhi has been the Indian restaurant of choice for celebrity chefs such as Julia Child and Paul Prodhome, as well as politicians such as Bill Clinton and Willie Brown. Decorated like a Maharajah's ornate banquet room, the restaurant serves food that has earned numerous awards and gold medals for its excellence. Hors d’Oeuvres served during the Happy Hour will include Bari Pakora and Samosas (vegetable fritters and turnovers filled with lightly spiced potatoes) Hariyali Tikka (chicken barbecued in a tangy mint and cilantro marinade)and Seekh Keebab (spiced lamb rolls prepared over a charcoal fire served with Mint and Tamarind Chutney). The family style dinner menu for NCSWA’s holiday bash will include Murg Akbari, an exotic preparation of chicken with cashews and raisins simmered in a blend of mild spices; Karahai Gosht, a flavorful Lamb curry cooked in North Indian spices; Paneer Makhani, housemade paneer cooked in tomato cream sauce and seasons with fenugreek leaves; Alu Palak, spinach cooked with potatoes and seasoned with garlic; Kali Dal New Delhi, slow simmered black Lentils with Ginger and Tomatoes; Peas Pullao, Saffron flavored Basmati rice with green peas, all of which will be accompanied with Nan, Raita, Chutney, Kachumber Salad, and condiments, plus dessert.Delhi, slow simmered black Lentils with Ginger and Tomatoes; Peas Pullao, Saffron flavored Basmati rice with green peas, all of which will be accompanied with Nan, Raita, Chutney, Kachumber Salad, and condiments, plus dessert.

PAYMENT:
The cost is $34 for NCSWA members who can bring one guest at the $34 rate; $24 for student members of NCSWA, and $40 for AGU and all other non-members.

SEND CHECKS, MADE OUT TO NCSWA, By 4:30 P.M. on December 11, 2007 TO:

Lynn Yarris
926 Carmel Ave.
Albany, CA 94706