2007 Archive of Events

2006 Archived Events

STACEY’S EVENTS –NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007
581 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
www.staceys.com
415-421-4687

Thursday, November 1st @ 12:30
Maira Kalman
The Principles of Uncertainty

Maira Kalman is an author, illustrator, and designer who has created a number of New Yorker covers, written children’s books, and designed fabrics. In her idiosyncratic book The Principles of Uncertainty, she invites the reader to examine the world in a different way and ponder the existential questions: What is identity? What is happiness?

Friday, November 2nd @ 12:30
Dan Lyons
Options

Dan Lyons, senior editor at Forbes magazine and the mysterious writer who used his blog, the Secret Diary of Steve Jobs, to lampoon Mr. Jobs and other Silicon Valley personalities and companies, brings his wit and insider knowledge to his latest novel Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs, a Parody.

Wednesday, November 7th @ 12:30
Daniel Walker Howe
What Hath God Wrought

In the early19th century, the United States expanded to the Pacific and achieved dominance over the richest part of the North American continent. In What Hath God Wrought, historian Daniel Walker Howe provides a narrative history of that transformation, starting with the battle of New Orleans and ending with the war against Mexico.

Thursday, November 8th through Saturday, November 10th
Stacey’s Semi-Annual License to Save

For three days only, Stacey’s Literary License members save 20% on everything (excluding periodicals) in the store. Not a Literary License holder? Why not? It’s free: sign up at the Mezzanine Service Desk.

Thursday, November 8th @ 12:30
MYSTERY PANEL
Simon Wood, Tim Maleeny and Mark Coggins
Paying the Piper, Beating the Babushka, and Runoff
Stacey’s is delighted to host our second panel of San Francisco “men of mystery”: Simon Wood, Tim Maleeny and Mark Coggins. Wood’s new book, Paying the Piper, looks at a coldhearted serial kidnapper and the strange connection he has with the crime reporter who has followed his career. In Maleeny’s Beating the Babushka, private detective Cape Weathers takes on the Russian mob. Coggins’ modern noir, Runoff, takes readers to the streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Join us for a chance to hear about these new mysteries set in the streets of San Francisco.

Monday, November 12th @ 12:30
John Truby
The Anatomy of Story

John Truby is one of the most respected and sought-after story consultants in the film industry, and his students have gone on to pen some of Hollywood’s most successful films, including Sleepless in Seattle, Scream, and Shrek. The Anatomy of Story is his long-awaited first book, and it shares his secrets for writing a compelling script.  Want to write a screenplay? Truby can provide you with the tools you need to succeed.

Tuesday, November 13th @ 12:30
Dave Isay
Listening is an Act of Love

NPR regular and acclaimed radio documentarian Dave Isay has collected an array of stories drawn from the National StoryCorps Project—the largest and most ambitious oral history project in American history. Listening is an Act of Love is proof of the importance of our individual stories and the way in which they shape our national identity and sometimes even correct our recorded history.

Wednesday, November 14th @ 12:30
Bruce Watson
Sacco and Vanzetti

At a time when immigrant rights are at the forefront of public conversation—from those arriving illegally over our southern border to those from the Middle East facing prejudice—it is of utmost importance that we recall our country’s historical relationship with its new arrivals. In Sacco and Vanzetti, Bruce Watson tells the story of one of the most infamous executions in our nation’s history and the cause of massive protests for immigrant rights around the world.

Monday, November 19th @ 12:30
Anthony Bourdain
No Reservations

Writer, bad-boy chef, traveler and television host, Anthony Bourdain offers a hell-bent-for-leather world tour of food, travel, and mayhem in exotic places.  No Reservations mixes beautiful photos with handy travel tips and outrageous tales, and is an indispensable opportunity to hit the road with the man himself. We’ll have tasty treats provided by the food entrepreneurs of La Cocina.
 
Tuesday, November 27th @ 12:30
MODERN SPIRITUALITY
COSPONSORED BY JAPAN SOCIETY
Hiroshi Tasaka
To the Summit

After years of living in two of the world’s richest countries, citizens of America and Japan don’t seem to be any happier by the measurement of most psychologists today. Philosopher and entrepreneur Hiroshi Tasaka uses a compelling mix of Zen Buddhist philosophy and the teachings of Nietzsche to make a logical argument for the adoption of purpose in our lives. Tasaka doesn’t provide answers but does ask the question: What sort of life would you be comfortable repeating, over and over again?

Wednesday, November 28th @ 12:30
Dr. Devra Davis
The Secret History of the War on Cancer

In The Secret History of the War on Cancer, award-winning scientist Devra Davis tells the story of how big business, government, and scientists often did nothing to stop materials they knew to be carcinogens from becoming a part of our culture and community. Please join us for what promises to be a lively discussion.

Friday, November 30th @ 12:30
Courtney Cochran
Hip Tastes

Certified sommelier and author of Hip Tastes Courtney Cochran will be pouring some of her hip choices for the holidays and showing you how to have fun learning about wine. Join us for a fab kickoff to the holiday season.

AFFILIATE EVENTS

Thursday, November 1st @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Kevin Bales
Ending Slavery

In his new book, Ending Slavery, Kevin Bales presents the ideas and insights that can finally lead to slavery’s extinction and freedom for the 27 million people currently held in slavery worldwide. Recalling his own involvement in the antislavery movement, he recounts the lives and stories of today’s slaves, and explains how governments and citizens can build a world without slavery. President of the human rights organization Free the Slaves, Mr. Bales joins the Council to discuss what is needed to bring global slavery to an end and how to rebuild the lives of freed slaves and victims of human trafficking. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Monday, November 5th @ Noon
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
David Sandalow
Freedom from Oil

Former Assistant Secretary of State David Sandalow delivers a fast-paced narrative of the debates on how the next president can shape energy policy and end the United States’ addiction to oil. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 11:30 am. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Monday, November 5th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Stephen Grey
Ghost Planes

British investigative journalist Stephen Grey joins the Council for a screening of his PBS’ FRONTLINE video report, Extraordinary Rendition, and to discuss the CIA’s controversial practice of kidnapping terror suspects for interrogation, often in countries where torture is common. Grey is a leading authority on the Agency’s controversial “rendition” program, having quit his job as head of investigations at The Sunday Times of London in order to independently pursue his investigation. Author of Ghost Plane: The True Story of the CIA’s Rendition and Torture Program and one of the first reporters to track the CIA’s rendition flights around the world, he travels to sites in Europe and Africa, and ultimately to Washington, D.C. for this report, which presents new details and evidence about the U.S. government’s clandestine interrogation program, as well as rare on-camera interview with former Egyptian detainee Abu Omar. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Monday, November 5th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Joseph Ellis
American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies in the Founding of the Republic

Come hear a renowned historian discuss the prominent figures and ideological battles that resulted in the turbulent but triumphant birth of the American republic. Joseph Ellis' biography of Thomas Jefferson, American Sphinx, received the National Book Award in 1997 and his Founding Brothers was the 2001 Pulitzer Prize winner for history. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members, $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, November 6th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Trita Parsi
Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran and the United States

With talk of the Iranian nuclear threat heating up, tension between Iran and Israel is dangerously high and the risk of a war involving the United States looms. In his new book, Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran, and the United States, Trita Parsi describes the Israeli-Iranian rivalry of the 1990s as well as the strained Iranian-American relationship since the overthrow of the Shah. Drawing on extensive personal interviews with key policy players in all three countries, Dr. Parsi examines the strategic and geopolitical tensions feeding the growing conflict between Iran and Israel. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Thursday, November 8th @ 6:00 pm
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE
Fritjof Capra
The Science of Leonardo

Internationally acclaimed physicist, Fritjof Capra, author of The Tao of Physics and The Hidden Connections, presents a radically new interpretation of Leonardo Da Vinci’s science from a 21st century perspective. Although never published during his lifetime, he left behind more than 6,000 pages of voluminous notebooks with detailed descriptions and analyses of his experiments and drawings in the areas of optics and anatomy, water vortices and military defenses, flying machines, and the nature of light. Known for his masterful paintings, Leonardo’s true genius was his intellectual curiosity which allowed him to approach the world and how it works—"holistically"—as an artist, creator and scientist. Please note: This event will take place at the Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post Street. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-393-0100 or email rsvp@milibrary.org.

Thursday, November 8th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Rosabeth Moss Kanter
America the Principled

What steps can we take to resuscitate America's leadership in the worlds of business and politics? Rosabeth Moss Kanter is a strategy and innovation specialist and the recipient of 22 honorary doctoral degrees. She was a professor at Yale and Brandeis before coming to Harvard and has served as the editor of the Harvard Business Review. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Monday, November 12th @ 6:30 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Mark Halperin and John Harris
The Way to Win: Taking the White House in 2008

As media professionals with a pulse on presidential politics and public opinion around the country, top political analysts Mark Halperin and John Harris join the Council for the third event of the 2007 Richard and Judith Guggenhime Series. Just one year out from the 2008 elections and with the presidential primaries around the corner, a frank discussion of the issues that matter in this race, mistakes that have been made, and important points that have thus far been overlooked will be highlighted and analyzed in preparation for the upcoming elections. Please note: This event will take place at the Mexican Heritage Plaza Theatre, 1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose. Admission is $20 for members (standard seating), $45 for members (premium seating), $35 for non-members (standard seating), $65 for non-members (premium seating). For reservations please call City Box Office at 415-392-4400.

Tuesday, November 13th @ 6:00 pm
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE
Neil MacFarquhar
The Sand Cafe

Neil MacFarquhar, a national correspondent for The New York Times and the newspaper’s Cairo Bureau Chief from 2001 to 2006, will discuss important developments in the Middle East in light of U.S. military directions and foreign policies, and give a brief reading from his novel, The Sand Cafe. His new book, now out in paperback, satirically exposes the perils and plunders of reportage in the midst of the 1991 Gulf War, from the setting in the confines of a Saudi Arabia hotel. As front lines heat up with American troops amassing on the Kuwait/Iraq border, tensions brew between the press corps and TV personalities—all vying to be first to "break" the news of war. Please note: This event will take place at the Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post Street. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-393-0100 or email rsvp@milibrary.org.

Tuesday, November 13th @ 6:30 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Mark Halperin and John Harris
The Way to Win: Taking the White House in 2008

As media professionals with a pulse on presidential politics and public opinion around the country, top political analysts Mark Halperin and John Harris join the Council for the third event of the 2007 Richard and Judith Guggenhime Series. Just one year out from the 2008 elections and with the presidential primaries around the corner, a frank discussion of the issues that matter in this race, mistakes that have been made, and important points that have thus far been overlooked will be highlighted and analyzed in preparation for the upcoming elections. Please note: This event will take place at The Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. Admission is $20 for members (standard seating), $45 for members (premium seating), $35 for non-members (standard seating), $65 for non-members (premium seating). For reservations please call City Box Office at 415-392-4400.

Wednesday, November 14th @ 8:00 pm
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
James Kugel
How to Read the Bible

While it's hard to imagine the Bible as a hot intellectual commodity among Harvard students, enrollment in James Kugel's introductory course topped all other undergraduate courses for years—even economics! The now retired professor makes his home in Jerusalem, and brings us access to the very popular course for the first time through this book. Please note: This event will take place at the Jewish Community Center, 3200 California Street at Presidio. For reservations and more information, please call 292-1233 or email arts@jccsf.org.

Wednesday, November 14th @ 6:30 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Vijay Vaitheeswaran
Zoom: The Global Race to Fuel the Car of the Future

Vijay Vaitheeswaran joins the Council to give a glimpse inside the global race to build the car of the future, as pioneers in Japan, India, China, and the USA tackle the challenge of creating automobiles that will run on cleaner energy sources. While tracing the history of the linked industries of oil and automobiles, the “industry of industries,” and how the two have shaped domestic capitalism and the international landscape, he will discuss how Toyota topped American competitors to become the world’s largest automobile manufacturer and, more importantly, a leader in hybrid cars using electric power. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Thursday, November 15th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Amy Chua
Day of Empire

In Day of Empire: How Hyperpowers Rise to Global Dominance—And Why They Fall, Amy Chua examines the hyperpowers of history—Persia, Rome, China, the Mongols, the Dutch, the British, and the United States—and argues that they all have two things in common: They rose to preeminence through toleration and declined during a period of intolerance and xenophobia. Chua reasons that America’s ascension to global dominance differs from its predecessors because it is the first democratic hyperpower and therefore cannot secure loyalty and allegiance by way of conquest. As its dominance appears to be regressing, Chua questions whether America can sustain its position as a democratic hyperpower. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Thursday, November 15th @ 7:00 pm
SF AMERICAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION
Erich Joachimsthaler and Jim McCann
Hidden in Plain Sight and A Year Full of Flowers

Companies must innovate to grow, but they often forget to look beyond their own brands. Take Sony, for example. Its success with consumer innovations like the Walkman blinded it to obvious changes in how, when, and where people wanted their music. Apple capitalized on those changes in demand with the iPod, providing a new way of listening to music and of managing one’s entire music library. Join 1800Flowers.com CEO Jim McCann in conversation with Vivaldi Partners CEO Erich Joachimsthaler as they discuss Erich’s bestselling book, Hidden in Plain Sight: How to Find and Execute Your Company's Next Big Growth Strategy. Please note: This event will take place at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, 750 Kearney Street. Registration and networking is at 6:00 pm, program at 7:00 pm. For reservations and information, please access www.sfama.org.

Tuesday, November 20th @ 5:45 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus
Break Through

In October 2004, Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus argued in an influential essay that environmentalism was incapable of dealing with global warming and should die so that a new ecological politics could be born. Two months later, former Sierra Club President Adam Werbach extended their critique in a major address at the Commonwealth Club. Now, Nordhaus and Shellenberger will make their case for a new "politics of possibility" to replace the old "politics of limits"—from environmentalism to liberalism to conservatism—grounded in changing social values and an expansive new vision of the future. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members, $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:15 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, November 27th @ 6:00 pm
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE
Michael A. Stusser
The Dead Guy Interviews

What would it be like to sit down and talk with Alexander the Great? Edgar Allen Poe? Henry VIII or Emily Dickinson? Michael A. Stusser tries to answer these questions in his witty and illuminating book, The Dead Guy Interviews, a collection of his “Interview With a Dead Guy” columns from MENTAL_FLOSS magazine. Based on research by Harvard historian Anne Kaiser, these “interviews” bristle with fascinating tidbits about famous and infamous personalities as Genghis Khan, Albert Einstein and Benjamin Franklin. Part interview and part stand-up comedy—come for some fun and fascinating facts! Please note: This event will take place at the Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post Street. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-393-0100 or email rsvp@milibrary.org.

Tuesday, November 27th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Chip Conley
Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow

Noted author and entrepreneur Chip Conley presents a creative and thought-provoking new approach to running a business. He brilliantly applies Abraham Maslow's theories to management and provides insightful prescriptions that will help you gain peak performance in your company. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members, $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, November 27th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Michael Levi
On Nuclear Terrorism

In his new book, On Nuclear Terrorism, Michael Levi takes us inside nuclear terrorism and behind the decisions a terrorist leader would be faced with in pursuing a nuclear plot. Levi draws from long experience with terrorism and believes the nuclear possibility shares much in common with other terrorist threats. As a result, he argues, defeating it is impossible unless we put our entire counterterrorism and homeland security house in order. While no defense can completely eliminate nuclear terrorism, he believes it is the “right strategy” that will minimize the risks. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Wednesday, November 28th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Frank McCourt
Angela and the Baby Jesus

Frank McCourt's memoir of immigration to America from Ireland, Angela's Ashes, captivated readers all across the country and won a 1997 Pulitzer Prize. After two more memoirs, he now tries his hand at a children's book, Angela and the Baby Jesus, about a little girl who sees a naked baby Jesus and wants to keep him warm. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members, $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, December 4th @ 2:30 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Cecilia Chiang
The Seventh Daughter

A pioneer in the food word, Cecilia Chiang introduced Americans to authentic Chinese cuisine at   her wildly popular restaurant San Francisco restaurant, the Mandarin, in 1961. The restaurant closed in 2006.  Her book includes not only recipes, but tales of growing up in China and her remarkable journey to life as a famous restaurateur in the U.S.  Listen to her story as you sip wine and dine on Chef Alexander Ong's delectable contemporary Asian cuisine, including samples of recipes from the book. Please note: This event will take place at Betelnut Restaurant, 2030 Union Street, San Francisco. Admission is $75 for members, $90 for non-members. Check-in is at 2:15 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, December 4th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Sidney Drell, Adele Simmons, and Adlai Stevenson III
Political Legacies of Adlai Stevenson

Adlai Stevenson, Illinois governor and presidential contender against Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956, is best known for advocating cooperative diplomacy, promoting the role of the United Nations to assist the third world and to mitigate conflict. He also advocated international oversight of nuclear weapons to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict. Our distinguished panel of speakers will recall another political environment in a time when peace and cooperation were the primary objectives, discussing the political legacies of Adlai Stevenson and the application of his ideas to the world today. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Thursday, December 6th @ 7:00 pm
SF AMERICAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION
Guy Kawasaki
The Art of the Start

What does it take to turn ideas into action? What are the elements of a perfect pitch? How do you win the war for talent? How do you establish a brand without bucks? These are some of the issues everyone faces when starting or revitalizing any undertaking, and Guy Kawasaki, former marketing maven of Apple Computer, provides the answers. The Art of the Start will give you the essential steps to launch great products, services, and companies—whether you are dreaming of starting the next Microsoft or a not-for-profit that’s going to change the world. It also shows managers how to unleash entrepreneurial thinking at established companies, helping them foster the pluck and creativity that their businesses need to stay ahead of the pack. Please note: This event will take place at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, 750 Kearney Street. Registration and networking is at 6:00 pm, program at 7:00 pm. For reservations and information, please access www.sfama.org.

Thursday, December 6th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Michael Maccoby
The Leaders We Need

Without exceptional leadership, our organizations and our world are increasingly in deep trouble. We need those with character and competence to bring us together to take on thorny issues and stiffening competition while avoiding deadening bureaucracy. Globally, we face historic threats and daunting challenges. With over 35 years of working with leaders and followers in business, government, healthcare, and education, Michael Maccoby advises about becoming and selecting the leaders we need. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, December 11th @ 8:00 pm
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
Anne Lamott
Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith

Anne Lamott writes and speaks about big subjects: alcoholism, motherhood, faith. Armed with self-effacing humor—she is laugh-out-loud funny—and ruthless honesty, Lamott converts her subjects into enchantment. The author of six novels and four best-selling books of non-fiction, Lamott, says The New Yorker, "can make you laugh and cry in the space of a few paragraphs." Please note: This event will take place at the Jewish Community Center, 3200 California Street at Presidio. For reservations and more information, please call 292-1233 or email arts@jccsf.org.

Thursday, December 13th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Amy Zegart
Spying Blind

In Spying Blind: The CIA, the FBI, and the Origins of 9/11, Amy Zegart argues that many of the failures of the intelligence community in the months leading up to 9/11 can be attributed to an aging organizational structure that had not been updated or modified to deal with contemporary threats like global terrorism. Six years later, Zegart argues that all of the nation’s worst intelligence deficiencies remain, and the time is ripe for a reconsideration of the organizational weaknesses that have afflicted American intelligence agencies for decades and continue to stand in the way of reform. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Wednesday, December 19th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Elizabeth Falkner
Demolition Desserts: Recipes from Citizen Cake

Citizen Cake, the beloved San Francisco dessert destination, showcases creations of chef Elizabeth Falkner who turned dessert making into an art form. Her desserts simultaneously satisfy the sweet tooth and delight the eye. Demolition Desserts presents her favorite creations, from cookies, brownies and cupcakes to the plated desserts that many crave. You will enjoy one of her treats as you listen to her story. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $10 for members,  $17 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.
STACEY’S EVENTS –OCTOBER 2007
581 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
www.staceys.com
415-421-4687

Tuesday, October 2nd @ 12:30
John Dean
Broken Government

John Dean, ex-Nixon White House counsel and Watergate whistle-blower, presents a vigorous critique of the Republican political machinery. Dean, an outspoken and perceptive critic of the current Bush administration and author of the New York Times bestsellers Conservatives Without Conscience and Worse Than Watergate, faults Republicans for the epidemic of mismanagement in government. Please join us for what promises to be a provocative discussion.

Monday, October 8th @ 12:30
MYSTERY CIRCLE
Andrew Vachss
Terminal

Stacey’s is delighted to welcome back Andrew Vachss for his new Burke thriller. When the former kingpin of one of the country’s most feared white supremacist prison gang contacts Burke about information on a decades-old crime, Burke sees an opportunity for revenge—and a lot of money.

Wednesday, October 17th @ 12:30
Chip Conley
Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow

Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, offers advice on how Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a pyramid that ranks human needs from basic survival to self-actualizing, can transform a business and its people. Conley's book is packed with thoughtful, instructional stories and advice for entrepreneurs as well as Fortune 500 managers.

Thursday, October 18th @ 12:30
Carl Bernstein
A Woman in Charge

From award-winning author Carl Bernstein comes a revealing look at the life and career of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Love her or hate her, Clinton seems to inspire an almost obsessive interest in what makes her tick. Bernstein marshals all the skills and energy that propelled his Watergate reporting to provide a sophisticated and comprehensive account of the woman who helped define one presidency, and may march into another.

Monday, October 22nd @ 12:30
David Kirp
The Sandbox Investment

David Kirp, professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, provides an unusually clear and comprehensive account of developmental psychology and how it relates to the long-term impact of early experience. In The Sandbox Investment, he analyzes current policy discussions and outlines what a genuine “kids first” policy would include.

Monday, October 29th @ 12:30
Mike Farrell
Just Call Me Mike – A Journey from Actor to Activist

Mike Farrell, best-known to most of us as B.J. Hunnicutt from M*A*S*H, has written an honest and disarming autobiography. From his days of growing up working-class in the shadows of wealthy Hollywood, to finding happiness and fame on M*A*S*H, to his tireless advocacy against capital punishment and deep commitment to environmental causes, his life has been defined by passion, outrage, and stubborn optimism. The event is co-sponsored by Death Penalty Focus.

Thursday, November 1st @ 12:30
Maira Kalman
The Principles of Uncertainty

Maira Kalman is an author, illustrator, and designer who has created a number of New Yorker covers, written children’s books, and designed fabrics. In her idiosyncratic book The Principles of Uncertainty, she invites the reader to examine the world in a different way and ponder the existential questions: What is identity? What is happiness?

Friday, November 2nd @ 12:30
Dan Lyons
Options

Dan Lyons, senior editor at Forbes magazine and the mysterious writer who used his blog, the Secret Diary of Steve Jobs, to lampoon Mr. Jobs and other Silicon Valley personalities and companies, brings his wit and insider knowledge to his latest novel Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs, a Parody.

AFFILIATE EVENTS

Monday, October 1st @ Noon
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn shares the results of 20 years of research and the nutritional strategies that he claims can reduce the effects of, and even eliminate, heart disease. With health epidemics running rampant in the United States, come learn about alternatives to surgery, drugs and heart disease itself. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 11:30 am. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Monday, October 1st @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
David Friend
Watching the World Change: The Stories Behind the Images of 9/11
The attack on the World Trade Center was the most watched event in human history. The footage came not only from TV cameras, but from tourists and workers. David Friend has uncovered the stories behind the images. In his new book, Watching the World Change, he traces the images back to the sources and charts their impact over the next seven days. Friend’s slideshow presentation will include pictures from amateur photographers who happened to grab a camera on that day and whose images never made it to print. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Wednesday, October 3rd @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Wesley Clark
A Time to Lead

Wesley Clark sought the presidency during the 2004 elections, seeking to bring a less hawkish perspective to the White House. After the campaign, Clark did not end his crusade for what he sees as a better America, one that supports his vision of a responsible foreign policy. He believes that hard work, leadership and determination will ultimately turn the country around. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12  for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, October 3rd @ 6:30 pm
SPECIAL AUTHOR DINNER
Phoebe Damrosch
Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter

Fresh out of college, Phoebe Damrosch couldn't decide what was next. While casually applying to graduate programs and waiting for divine inspiration, she turned to bussing tables to pay the rent. Always a foodie, the pulse of restaurant life agreed with her, and after a serendipitous encounter with famed chef Thomas Keller, Damrosch found herself with a coveted position at Per Se, the most exclusive new restaurant to open in the United States. She quickly rose to become one of the only two female captains in a New York four-star restaurant. In her charming and witty memoir, Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter, Damrosch provides intimate, behind-the-scenes details from this bastion of culinary perfection. Please note: This event will take place at the City Club, 155 Sansome Street. Admission is $75 and includes a wine reception and three-course dinner. Check-in and reception is at 6:00 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415.362.2480 or email reservations@cityclubsf.com.

Thursday, October 4th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS C OUNCIL
Svetlana Broz
Good People in an Evil Time

Granddaughter of Josip Broz Tito, Svetlana Broz is an eyewitness to war in the Balkans, and has catalogued its impact on people there through interviews in her books Good People in an Evil Time and Essays in Civil Courage. She will discuss the wars in the former Yugoslavia as the first serious crisis of the post-Cold War period. She suggests that the lessons learned in Bosnia and Herzegovina can be applied today in places like Chechnya, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Friday, October 5th @ Noon
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Idel V. Ramos
Philippines: A Vision of the Future

Joseph Estrada, who was President of the Philippines from 1998 until his ouster in 2001, has just been sentenced to life in prison for plunder. On the other hand, his predecessor, Idel V. Ramos, is known for having boosted the economy and pacified rebel armies during his presidency and has since enjoyed a favorable legacy. An author and occasional diplomat, Ramos will discuss the future for democracy in the Philippines and the many challenges his country now faces. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 11:30 am. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, October 9th @ 6:30 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB/LITQUAKE
Michael Lerner, Joan Roughgarden, Robert Russell, George Smoot and Joe Quirk
Science and Religion: Are They Irreconcilable?

San Francisco's annual blockbuster literary festival Litquake returns to INFORUM for an evening with a rabbi, an astrophysicist and Nobel laureate, a biologist, and a theologian. Religion and science have long competed for the answers to questions about the origin of the universe and the existence of the soul. Our panel of experts takes up the questions that humans have been considering from time immemorial. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $20 for non-members. Check-in is at 6:00 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, October 10th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Michael Krasny
Off Mike

Michael Krasny is one of the country's leading and most intellectually compelling interviewers, but it didn't start out that way. Come hear this legend of the airwaves talk about his path to "Forum" and how he advanced his career by asking the age-old question: How should a good man live? Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Thursday, October 11th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Greg Behrman
The Most Noble Adventure

On June 5, 1947, Secretary of State George C. Marshall, viewed by many as the man who had ensured American victory in World War II, spoke at Harvard University and outlined what would become known as the Marshall Plan. With the 60th anniversary of the Marshall Plan fast approaching, its insights and lessons are stunningly relevant in today’s political climate. In The Most Noble Adventure: The Marshall Plan and the Time When America Help Save Europe, Behrman discusses the story behind this initiative that would launch America as a modern superpower, set Europe on the greatest economic boom in its history, and trigger the Cold War. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Friday, October 12th @ Noon
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Joan Wallch Scott
The Politics of the Veil

In her new book, The Politics of the Veil, Joan Wallach Scott offers new criticism of Europe’s response to Muslim headscarves. Critical of the French government’s ban on wearing headscarves in public schools, Scott argues that this law exacerbates the very problems it purports to address. As France’s decision has garnered worldwide attention and sparked new debate regarding religious affiliation in schools, the Council is pleased to present Scott’s engaging and timely discussion on the challenges and issues raised. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 11:30 am. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Friday, October 12th @ 7:30 pm
LITQUAKE
Opium Magazine’s Literary Death Match
Gary Kamiya, Daniel Handler, Wesley “John Wesley Harding” Stace, and Evany Thomas

You’ve heard the fanfare (and tall tales of beers flung), now come see Opium’s Literary Death Match set off verbal pyrotechnics at Litquake. Hosted by Opium editors Todd Zuniga and Elizabeth Koch, the Litquake LDM marks the launch of Opium’s fifth print issue. Free copies of Opium5, hot off the presses, will be passed out at the door. Judges for the death match are: Shaun Landry, Oscar Villalon, and New Yorker editor Ben Greenman Please note: This event will take place at the Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market Street. Admission is $15. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets available through www.cafedunord.com or Ticketweb.

Saturday, October 13th @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
FRENCH CONNECTION WINE EVENT
Courtney Cochran
Hip Tastes: The Fresh Guide to Wine

Kick off the holiday season with K&L Wine Merchants at our “French Connection” Wine Event. This tented wine tasting is a one of a kind opportunity to taste over 50 fabulous champagnes, Bordeaux and Burgundies as well as French Regional, Rhone and Alsatian wines. Special producers include Mouton Rothschild, Pontet Canet, Lynch Bages, Yquem, Dom Perignon, and Laurent Perrier. Light appetizers to be provided from Coco 500 and Say Cheese. Please note: This event will take place at K&L Wine Merchants San Francisco, 638 4th Street. Admission is $75 plus tax when prepurchased, $85 at the door. Call 415.896.1734 for tickets and information.

Monday, October 15th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Lilia Shevtsova
Russia: Lost in Transition

One of the most respected political analysts in Russia and the West, Lilia Shevtsova will discuss key Russian domestic developments and Russia's foreign policy under President Putin. In her new book, Russia: Lost In Transition, Dr. Shevtsova addresses the complex economic and political landscape of Russia, today and tomorrow. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Tuesday, October 16th @ 6:00 pm
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE
Richard Rhodes
Arsenals of Folly: The Making of the Nuclear Arms Race

Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Rhodes examines the arms race during the final years of the Cold War and the Reagan-Gorbachev decade from memoirs, interviews, and newly released documents. The use of “fake intelligence” and “threat inflation,” invoked from that era, are eerily prescient of President Bush’s foreign policies in the Middle East today. Please note: This event will take place at the Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post Street. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-393-0100 or email rsvp@milibrary.org.

Tuesday, October 16th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Lilia Shevtsova
Russia: Lost in Transition

After more than 15 years of decline and retreat, Russia's new assertiveness is upsetting the international equilibrium of the post-Soviet era, promulgating its own vision of energy security and threatening to retarget its missiles at Western Europe. The author of numerous books and articles on both Soviet and post-Soviet Russia, Shevtsova will take a break from her posts in Moscow and Washington, D.C. to help us decipher Russia's recent behavior. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, October 16th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Martin Meredith
Diamonds, Gold, and War

In his new book, Diamonds, Gold, and War, Martin Meredith recounts the turbulent years leading up to the founding of the modern state of South Africa in 1910. Southern Africa was once regarded as a worthless jumble of British colonies, Boer republics, and African chiefdoms; a troublesome region of little interest to the outside world. Discovery of the world's richest deposits of diamonds, and gold, was followed by a costly war between the British and the Boers for control of the land and its natural resources. The history of this war and its consequences, for the native peoples of the region, for the rise of Afrikaner nationalism, and its effects for much of the 20th century in South Africa will be discussed by this respected author of several books on Africa. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Wednesday, October 17th @ Noon
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Garry Wills and Brian McLaren
Head and Heart: American Christianities and Everything Must Change

The United States was ostensibly created as a nation where all religions are welcome to practice and believe freely, but the founders of this country anchored their beliefs in Christianity. Panelists will take a closer look at Christianity's place in American life—from the arrival of the first Europeans, through the waves of immigration to the present. Hear these distinguished thinkers explore the benefits and drawbacks of Christianity as the predominant religion in our society, culture and political landscape. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 11:30 am. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, October 17th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Michael Mandelbaum
Democracy’s Good Name

In 1900, only ten countries could be counted as democracies. Today, 119 of the world’s 190 countries have adopted democracy, and it is by far the most celebrated and prestigious form of government. In Democracy’s Good Name, Michael Mandelbaum explores the reasons for democracy’s extraordinary surge in the twentieth century. Mandelbaum will also share with the Council his assessment of establishing democracy in Russia, China, and the Arab world, and why the US has found it so difficult to foster democratic governments in other countries.  Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Wednesday, October 17th @ 5:15 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Marc Freedman
Encore: Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life

The question, “What should I do with myself now that I am retired?” will be posed millions and millions of times in the next few years as baby boomers reach retirement age. Author and CEO Marc Freedman finds that recent retirees are increasingly finding themselves not on golf courses or in saunas but, instead, in meaningful encore careers. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 4:45 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, October 17th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
William Ury
Getting to Yes

Harvard negotiation specialist and best-selling author William Ury will present his latest work on the delicate art of reaching agreement. Drawing on 25 years of international mediation experience, Ury will discuss how to negotiate difficult issues in the workplace and the political arena. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Thursday, October 18th @ 5:45 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Callum Roberts
The Unnatural History of the Sea

Drawing on firsthand accounts of early explorers, pirates and fisherman, Roberts will explore the colorful history of commercial fishing and trace the depletion of marine life through history. He will also describe the newest marine ecosystem research that is now being used to reverse the decline of our ocean resources. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:15 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Monday, October 22nd @ Noon
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Francisco Goldman
The Art of Political Murder

Critically acclaimed novelist Francisco Goldman's first nonfiction book The Art of Political Murder: Who Killed the Bishop? tells the story of the murder of Guatemala’s leading human rights activist, Bishop Juan Gerardi. Bishop Gerardi was murdered two days after he had presided over the publication of an unprecedented human rights report that found the Guatemalan Army primarily responsible for the war-time deaths and disappearances of 200,000 civilians. The murder case resulted in the first ever trial and conviction of Guatemalan military officers for participating in a politically motivated extrajudicial assassination. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 11:30 am. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Monday, October 22nd @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Walter Russell Mead
God and Gold

In his new book, God and Gold: Britain, America and the Making of the Modern World, author and foreign policy expert Walter Russell Mead argues that the key to the predominance of the United States and England has been the individualistic ideology of the prevailing Anglo-American religion. Mead explains how this helped create a culture uniquely adapted to capitalism, a system that brought both English-speaking powers to the pinnacle of global power and prestige. Council and CFR Members ONLY event. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Tuesday, October 23rd @ 12:30
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE
Yann Martel
Life of Pi (New Illustrated Edition)

A new, lavishly illustrated edition of this international best-seller! Life of Pi is the wild, harrowing story of Pi Patel, the 16-year-old son of a Pondicherry zookeeper who finds himself adrift on a lifeboat with a 450 pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. “In rich, hallucinatory passages, Pi recounts the harrowing journey as the days blur together, elegantly cataloging the endless passage of time and his struggles to survive.” Please note: This event will take place at the Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post Street. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-393-0100 or email rsvp@milibrary.org.

Thursday, October 25th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
David Cortright
Uniting against Terror: Cooperative Nonmilitary Responses to the Global Terrorist Threat

Join us for a discussion of American policy in the struggle against terrorism and how it should focus on international cooperation to improve the intelligence base, strengthen law enforcement capabilities, restrict terrorist access to funds and weapons, and address underlying factors driving people to radical violence. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Friday, October 26th @ Noon
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Mollie Katzen
The Vegetable Dishes I Can’t Live Without

Legendary Moosewood Cookbook author Mollie Katzen has profoundly shaped the way America eats. She was recently inducted into the James Beard Foundation Cookbook Hall of Fame and has become a living legend in the food world. She will lead us stomach-first on a discovery of how to eat, how Americans go wrong in their food choices, and why good food is so seductive. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 11:30 am. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, October 30th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Paul Krugman
The Conscience of a Liberal

Paul Krugman brings a sharp political, social and economic analysis of what happened to the middle class in the 20th century and where America’s social policy is headed in the future. Krugman, New York Times columnist and author of The Great Unraveling and The Conscience of a Liberal, is probably the most widely read economist of our time. Please note: This event will take place at the Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street, San Francisco. Admission is $15 for members, $30 for non-members; premium seating (in the first few rows) is $55 for members, $75 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, October 30th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Adrian Levy and Catherine Scott-Clark
Deception: Pakistan, the United States and the Secret Trade in Nuclear Weapons

In Deception: Pakistan, the United States and the Secret Trade in Nuclear Weapons, Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark reveal the three-decade story of A. Q. Khan and Pakistan’s nuclear program.  In 1975 A. Q. Khan, a young Pakistani scientist working in Holland, stole top-secret blueprints for a revolutionary new process to arm a nuclear bomb to provide Pakistan with a counter to India’s recently unveiled nuclear device.  Levy and Scott-Clark bring together a decade of research and interviews in the most complete account of Pakistan's illicit nuclear program. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Tuesday, October 30th @ 8:00 pm
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
Bruce Dern
Things I’ve Said, But Probably Shouldn’t Have

Currently featured on HBO's Big Love, Bruce Dern's movies include Hang 'Em High, The Cowboys, They Shoot Horses Don’t They?, Silent Running, The Great Gatsby, Black Sunday, Coming Home, and That Championship Season. Over the course of his career, Dern has worked with Alfred Hitchcock, John Frankenheimer, Jack Nicholson, Paul Newman, Bob Dylan, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, Jane Fonda and John Wayne, and he's not afraid to say what he really thinks about them. Find out why, after Dern was already famous, he agreed to star in The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant, which was only the second best 2-headed transplant horror film that year and arguably the worst horror film of all time. Please note: This event will take place at the Jewish Community Center, 3200 California Street at Presidio. For reservations and more information, please call 292-1233 or email arts@jccsf.org.
 
STACEY’S EVENTS –SEPTEMBER 2007
581 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
www.staceys.com
415-421-4687

Monday, September 10th @ 12:30
Ruthanne Lum McCunn
God of Luck

Stacey’s is delighted to welcome back local author Ruthanne Lum McCunn for her new book, God of Luck. Mc Cunn tells an epic love story set in China and Peru. Ah Lung and Bo See are separated by the 19th century slave trade, but they strive to keep alive the hope of someday being reunited.
 
Tuesday, September 11th @ 12:30
MYSTERY CIRCLE
Michael Harvey
The Chicago Way

Michael Harvey is the cocreator and executive producer for the television show Cold Case Files. He’s turned his talents to writing crime fiction, and this debut novel features a tough talking Irish cop turned private investigator. The Chicago Way is fueled by a ferocious energy and steeped in the gritty atmosphere of its namesake.

Wednesday, September 12th @ 12:30
ONE CITY ONE BOOK
Lalita Tademy
Cane River

Now in its third season, One City One Book celebrates the rich debut novel from local author Lalita Tademy. Cane River is an extensively researched personal odyssey, bringing to life four remarkable women in Tademy’s family, beginning in slavery, sweeping through the Civil War, and into the pre-Civil Rights South. As we follow these four women through extraordinary hardship, they learn to empower themselves and, despite overwhelming pressures, get their due and preserve their heritage. For more information about One City One Book, access www.sfpl.org.

Thursday, September 13th @ 12:30
EVOLUTION OF A WRITER
Sophie Gee
The Scandal of the Season

Sophie Gee has written a sexy and audacious novel that reconstructs the real-life scandal that inspired Alexander Popes famous and bestselling poem, “The Rape of the Lock.” Please join us as Ms. Gee talks about the writing process and her irresistible look at the foibles of 18th-century London's young, rich and arrogant.

Friday, September 14th @ 12:30
MYSTERY CIRCLE
Douglas Preston
The Wheel of Darkness

Following the bestselling The Book of the Dead, FBI Agent Pendergast returns with a trip to Tibet and the search for a stolen artifact that had been guarded by generations of monks.

Tuesday, September 18th @ 12:30
COSPONSORED BY ASIA SOCIETY
Anita Amirrezvani
The Blood of Flowers

Local author Anita Amirrezvani tells the story of a young girl in 17th-century Iran who learns the art of making rugs.  In her stunning debut, Amirrezvani deftly weaves centuries-old folklore and craft tradition into an observation of gender roles and cultural mores. We’re delighted to join the Asia Society in toasting Ms. Amirrezvani’s efforts with some Persian treats.

Tuesday, September 25th @ 12:30
EVOLUTION OF A WRITER
Courtney Thorne-Smith
Outside In

Courtney Thorne-Smith is best known for her roles as Alison on Melrose Place and Georgia on Ally McBeal. Thorne-Smith uses her years spent in the spotlight to look at the flip side of fame. Please join us as Ms. Thorne-Smith talks about her wisecracking and charming debut, and about the transition from one form of expression to another.
 
Wednesday, September 26th
STACEY’S 84th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Stacey’s is 84 years old! We know that most people just celebrate the big anniversaries, but we figure when you get to be our age every year should be marked in a special way. There will be treats throughout the day and an opportunity to win one of four $84 gift cards. We hope you’ll join us!

Tuesday, October 2nd @ 12:30
John Dean
Broken Government

John Dean, ex-Nixon White House counsel and Watergate whistle-blower, presents a vigorous critique of the Republican political machinery. Dean, an outspoken and perceptive critic of the current Bush administration and author of the New York Times bestsellers Conservatives Without Conscience and Worse Than Watergate, faults Republicans for the epidemic of mismanagement in government. Please join us for what promises to be a provocative discussion.

AFFILIATE EVENTS

Wednesday, September 5th @ 5:45 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Sissell Waage
Ignition: What You Can Do to Fight Global Warming and Spark a Movement

If you want to do more to address global warming than just change your light bulbs and ride public transit, come hear one of the leading thinkers on climate change action, economic innovation, and the building of a new movement. Sissell Waage describes a new paradigm for strategic action that can fundamentally save energy and decrease greenhouse gas emissions at all levels—individual, corporate and societal. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:15 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, September 5th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Julia Flynn Siler
The House of Mondavi

Veteran Wall Street Journal writer Julia Flynn Siler chronicles the turbulence that has roiled four generations of the Mondavi family. The House of Mondavi is a fascinating and, at times, heartbreaking story of the building of a business empire and the ambition and passion that fueled it. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Thursday, September 6th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Egil “Bud” Krogh
Integrity

President Nixon hand-picked Bud Krogh to head a project that ultimately brought down the administration and landed Krogh in jail for playing a key role in the Watergate scandal. Krogh recounts his experiences and explores ethics and honor. How does a generally good person lose his or her moral compass? Hear his candid story. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Sunday, September 9th @ 6:00 pm
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE
Gertrude and Alice: 100 Years, 100 Roses
Charmed Circle Tea Readings

Enter the famous salon of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas at 27 Rue de Fleurus, Paris, 1907. View their gallery of painting and art, enjoy some of Alice’s favorite recipes including her Oeufs Picabia, delectable cakes, and tea laced with framboise. Seating will be salon-style, in the round, so that one can converse with other literati. Then enjoy a presentation of some of Stein’s seminal work. Readings by local actors and aficionados will include selections from, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, The Making of Americans, Tender Buttons, Three Lives, Portraits of Painters, and other works by Gertrude Stein and other literary icons of their time. Please note: This event will take place at the Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post Street. Advance Reservations Required. Admission is $5 for members and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-393-0100 or email rsvp@milibrary.org.

Wednesday, September 12th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Stefan Halper
Silence of the Rational Center

Stefan Halper has served under four American presidents and in the State Department as an expert on U.S. foreign policy, national security policy, and contemporary international security issues. Halper will discuss the challenges and predicaments that our next president will encounter in the international arena. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:00 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Friday, September 14th @ 7:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL/MARINES’ MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
Lawrence Wright
The Looming Tower

In his Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Looming Tower, Lawrence Wright explains the growth of Islamic fundamentalism, the rise of al-Qaeda, and the intelligence breakdowns that culminated in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Wright re-creates the transformation of Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri from incompetent and idealistic soldiers in Afghanistan to leaders of one of the most successful terrorist groups in modern history. He also follows FBI Counterterrorism Chief John O’Neill as he uncovers the emerging danger from al-Qaeda in the 1990s and struggles to track this new threat. Based on five years of research and hundreds of interviews that he conducted in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the United States, his book provides a detailed look at daily life inside al-Qaeda, the U.S. agents who saw the threat, and the long road to September 11th. Please note: This event will take place at the Marines’ Memorial Association, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco. Admission is $20 for members,  $30 for non-members. Admission Price includes a paperback copy of The Looming Tower. Check-in is at 6:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-673-6672, ext 215 or visit www.itsyourworld.org.

Tuesday, September 18th @ 5:15 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Cathryn Jakobsen Ramin
Carved in the Sand

Anyone knows that forgetfulness can be unnerving, frustrating and even terrifying. Cathryn Jakobsen Ramin sets out to discover what midlife forgetfulness is all about. Her search draws on physiology, psychology, sociology and her own unreliable memory for clues to the causes of memory loss. She has consulted experts in sleep, stress, traumatic brain injury, nutrition, and the burgeoning field of drug-based cognitive enhancement. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 4:45 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, September 18th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Tim Weiner
Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA

With the recent acknowledgment of its own questionable activities from the 1950s to the 1970s, is the Central Intelligence Agency a buffer of freedom against dangerous foes, or a malevolent conspiracy to promote American policy abroad? In his new book, Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA, author Tim Weiner examines the first sixty years of the Central Intelligence Agency and its covert actions abroad. A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner for national security reporting, Weiner has covered the CIA for the last 20 years; and for the last 13 years at the New York Times. To chart some of the Agency’s never-revealed clandestine operations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, his book is based entirely on more than 50,000 documents from the CIA, the White House, and the State Department; “on the record” interviews with ten former Directors of Central Intelligence and over 300 CIA officers; oral accounts from American diplomats, spies, and presidential aides; and travels to Afghanistan, the Sudan, and Guyana. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Tuesday, September 18th @ 6:00 pm
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE
Richard Kluger
Seizing Destiny

Richard Kluger takes an unflinching and erudite look at the history of American expansionism from Manifest Destiny to our latest territorial acquisitions. The less-than-heroic story of land-grabs, manufactured wars, and broken treaties is outlined in this candid chronology of the making of America. Kluger is the author of Simple Justice, The Paper: The Life And Death of the New York Herald Tribune, and Ashes to Ashes, a critical history of the tobacco industry, which was awarded the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction. Please note: This event will take place at the Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post Street. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-393-0100 or email rsvp@milibrary.org.

Tuesday, September 18th @ 6:30 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Robert Reich
Supercapitalism

Hear this famed economist and former secretary of labor for President Clinton discuss our current economic transformation and how we can best navigate it while spreading prosperity. Robert Reich has written 11 books, including The Work of Nations, and was co-founder of The American Prospect. Please note: This event will take place at the Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street, San Francisco. Admission is $15 for members, $30 for non-members; premium seating (in the first few rows) is $45 for members, $65 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:45 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, September 19th @ 6:30 pm
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
Mitch Albom
For One More Day

Experience an inspiring lecture about the families we love and the chances we miss with Mitch Albom, whose international bestselling books, Tuesdays With Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven, have touched the lives of millions around the world. Don’t miss this treat for the holidays. Please note: This event will take place at the Jewish Community Center, 3200 California Street at Presidio. For reservations and more information, please call 292-1233 or email arts@jccsf.org.

Thursday, September 20th @ 7:00 pm
SF AMERICAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION
Lynn Upshaw
Truth: The New Rules of Marketing in a Skeptical World

Consumers and B2B buyers today are better informed, better armed to resist marketers and more skeptical than ever about businesses behaving badly. With thousands of messages bombarding them every day, buyers are demanding brands they can believe in from companies they can believe. Join Upshaw Marketing principal and UC Berkeley MBA faculty member Lynn Upshaw, author of Truth: The New Rules of Marketing in a Skeptical World for an insightful, provocative exploration of this topic with Debbie Cantu, VP of Brand Marketing and Advertising for Kaiser Permanente, and Phillipe Suchet, GM of Acxiom Digital. Please note: This event will take place at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, 750 Kearney Street. Registration and networking is at 6:00 pm, program at 7:00 pm. For reservations and information, please access www.sfama.org.

Thursday, September 20th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy

Originally publishing “The Israel Lobby” as an essay in the London Review of Books in March 2006, John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt’s analysis of the Israel Lobby and its influence on U.S. foreign policy was one of the most controversial articles in recent memory. Having deepened and expanded their argument to confront recent developments in Lebanon and Iran, Mearsheimer and Walt join the World Affairs Council for a public exchange in San Francisco, where they will discuss their contention that the material and diplomatic support provided by the United States to Israel is due largely to the political influence of a loose coalition of individuals and organizations that actively work to shape U.S. foreign policy in a pro-Israel direction, arguing that this lobby has a far-reaching impact on America’s posture throughout the Middle East. Please note: This event will take place at the Fairmont Hotel, Terrace Room, 950 Mason Street. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is $10 for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Tuesday, September 25th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Christine Arena
The High-Purpose Company

Christine Arena presents substantial evidence indicating that the widely held notion that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is about "doing good" marginalizes an important aspect of doing business in the 21st century. Instead, it's about innovation for change as the world is changing. She describes extraordinary companies driven by purposeful ideas that succeed, and also examines the fundamental skills involved in building enduring social, environmental and financial value. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, September 26th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Yaroslav Trofimov
The Siege of Mecca

On November 20, 1979, hundreds of gunmen stunned the world by seizing Islam’s holiest shrine, the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Armed with rifles that they had smuggled inside coffins, these men came from more than a dozen countries, launching the first operation of global jihad in modern times. With nearly 100,000 worshippers trapped inside the holy compound, Mecca’s bloody siege lasted two weeks, inflaming Muslim rage against the United States and causing hundreds of deaths. This dramatic and consequential story was barely covered in the press in these pre-CNN days, as Saudi Arabia imposed an information blackout and kept foreign correspondents away. In his new book The Siege of Mecca, Yaroslav Trofimov reveals the roots of today’s Islamic extremism and how the Saudi’s reaction to the uprising loosed the forces that later led to the attacks of 9/11. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.
STACEY’S EVENTS –AUGUST 2007
581 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
www.staceys.com
415-421-4687

Tuesday, August 7th @ 12:30
Thomas Ricks
Fiasco

The American military is a tightly sealed community, and aside from the handful of Generals who have gone public with their views on the Iraq war, few outsiders have access to the personal views of senior officers. However, many officers have shared their thoughts with renowned military reporter Thomas E. Ricks. In his book, Fiasco, Ricks combines these on-the-record military accounts with his own on-the-ground reportage to create a distinctive account of this war. While there was never any question that the U.S. military would topple Saddam Hussein, Ricks concludes there was also never any real thought about what would come next, and that this short-sightedness has ensured the current Iraq dilemma. He concludes that the Iraq war will hold a place in history that is nothing less than a “fiasco.”

Wednesday, August 8th @ 12:30
William Gibson
Spook Country

Stacey’s is delighted to welcome back William Gibson for his first new book in four years, Spook Country. Milgrim and Tito are working on the same job—it might be military, it might be political, but it most certainly involves a lot of money and danger.
Spook Country is a contemporary novel with international implication and is strikingly descriptive of the current political climate.

Thursday, August 9th @ 12:30
EVOLUTION OF A WRITER
COSPONSORED BY ASIA SOCIETY
Fran Wu
February Flowers

In February Flowers, first time novelist Fan Wu uses the compelling story of two university students as a lens through which to observe this unique time in China. At once engaging and enlightening, this literary debut is a finely wrought coming-of-age novel that takes readers inside the hearts and minds of two young Chinese women. Please join us as Ms. Wu discusses her new novel and the writing process.

Tuesday, August 14th @ 5:15 pm
SPECIAL EVENT
Julia Alvarez
Once Upon a Quinceañera

Please join us for a Special Event featuring Julia Alvarez and her new book, Once Upon a Quinceañera. We will be taking Stacey’s Author Event Series to the Women’s Building, 3543 18th Street, for an evening gathering of local organizations and a celebration of Hispanic culture.

Friday, August 17th @ 12:30
Deirdre Leigh Barrett
Waistland

In Waistland, Harvard psychologist Deirdre Barrett tackles the obesity and fitness crisis from an evolutionary standpoint. Barrett shows that we are basically hunter-gatherers lost in a jungle of burgers, lounge-chairs and TV remotes, with instincts designed for the African savannah, not for food courts. She marshals everything from hypnotic imagery and cognitive-behavioral techniques to political campaigns to demonstrate how our intellect can get us back on course. Please join us for what promises to be an enlightening talk.

Thursday, August 23rd @ 12:30
Daniel Cassidy
How the Irish Invented Slang

Daniel Cassidy, co-director of the Irish Studies program at New College of California and co-founder of the Crossroads Irish-American Festival, cuts through two hundred years of Anglo-American academic “baloney” and reveals the massive, hidden influence of the Irish language on American vernacular and slang. From “poker” and “jazz” to “scam” and “slum,” Irish words and phrases are scattered all across the American language, in the same way Irish-Americans have been scattered along the crossroads of North America for four hundred years.

AFFILIATE EVENTS

Friday, August 3rd @ Noon
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Alrie Middlebrook
Designing California Gardens

How can we promote sustainability with our own gardens? Award-winning landscape designer Alrie Middlebrook creates native plant gardens with sustainability in mind, using less water and fossil fuels while taking advantage of California’s natural beauty. Middlebrook will share her insights on native gardens and their impact on our community and environment. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 11:30 am. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Monday, August 6th @6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL/MARINES’ MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
Thomas Ricks
Fiasco

The American military is a tightly sealed community, and aside from the handful of Generals who have gone public with their views on the Iraq war, few outsiders have access to the personal views of senior officers. However, many officers have shared their thoughts with renowned military reporter Thomas E. Ricks. In his book, Fiasco, Ricks combines these on-the-record military accounts with his own on-the-ground reportage to create a distinctive account of this war. While there was never any question that the U.S. military would topple Saddam Hussein, Ricks concludes there was also never any real thought about what would come next, and that this short-sightedness has ensured the current Iraq dilemma. He concludes that the Iraq war will hold a place in history that is nothing less than a “fiasco.” Please note: This event will take place at the Marines’ Memorial Club, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco. Admission is free for members, $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Tuesday, August 7th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Thomas Ricks
Fiasco

The American military is a tightly sealed community, and aside from the handful of Generals who have gone public with their views on the Iraq war, few outsiders have access to the personal views of senior officers. However, many officers have shared their thoughts with renowned military reporter Thomas E. Ricks. In his book, Fiasco, Ricks combines these on-the-record military accounts with his own on-the-ground reportage to create a distinctive account of this war. While there was never any question that the U.S. military would topple Saddam Hussein, Ricks concludes there was also never any real thought about what would come next, and that this short-sightedness has ensured the current Iraq dilemma. He concludes that the Iraq war will hold a place in history that is nothing less than a “fiasco.” Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Monday, August 13th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Deborah Kaufman and Jeffrey Snitow
Thirst

Drought, global warming, pollution, and population growth may make water the “oil” of the 21st century. While most water resources and services are in the public domain, corporations hope to profit from water scarcity. This program focuses on the clash between public stewardship and private profit in the battle to control our most precious natural resource. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, August 28th @ 6:00 pm
MARINES’ MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
Daniel Lanahan
Justice for All: Legendary Trials of the 20th Century

Mr. Dan Lanahan will talk about his book: Justice for All: Legendary Trials of the 20th Century. Mr. Lanahan is a very successful lawyer in Sonoma County, with a record of service to the community, including volunteer service on several important boards dealing with health care and education. As an Army Veteran, he has an intense interest in programs that serve our Military Veterans. His book is a collection of the lectures he delivered while teaching courses in the Continuing Education Programs at Sonoma State University. Please note: This event will take place at the Marines’ Memorial Club, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco. Admission is free. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and information, contact www.marineclub.com.

Thursday, August 30th @ Noon
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Paul Johnson
Fish Forever

Enjoy a three course lunch of coastal cuisine paired with a selection of wines from New Zealand, against the backdrop of Farallon Restaurant’s “Pool Room.” Hear a discussion of sustainable seafood and the need to maintain the health of our oceans for future generations. Farallon is the acclaimed collaboration between Chef Mark Franz and restaurateur/designer Pat Kuleto. Please note: This event will take place at Farallon, 450 Post Street. Admission is $65 for members, $75 for non-members. Check-in is at 11:30 am. For reservations and information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, September 5th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Julia Flynn Siler
The House of Mondavi

Veteran Wall Street Journal writer Julia Flynn Siler chronicles the turbulence that has roiled four generations of the Mondavi family. The House of Mondavi is a fascinating and, at times, heartbreaking story of the building of a business empire and the ambition and passion that fueled it. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

STACEY’S EVENTS –JULY 2007
581 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
www.staceys.com
415-421-4687

Monday, July 9th @ 12:30
COSPONSORED BY ASIA SOCIETY
Lisa See
Peony in Love

Lisa See, critically acclaimed author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, tells the tale of three women in seventeenth-century who become obsessed with a famous opera, “The Peony Pavilion.” Against the backdrop of this rich history, Lisa See brings to life the haunting tale of Peony, who is determined to choose her own destiny.

Wednesday, July 11th @ 12:30
Curt Wilder
The Clean Tech Revolution

Clint Wilder, contributing editor at the clean-tech research and publishing firm Clean Edge, documents how investors, businesses, individuals, entrepreneurs and governments are working together in the rapidly expanding clean-tech revolution. Green technology is no longer just an issue championed by environmentalists, but is potentially the largest wealth creation opportunity in a generation.

Thursday, July 12th @ 12:30
Moira Gunn
Welcome to BioTech Nation

Biotech is coming of age, and it’s time to incorporate it into national public health policies says Moira Gunn, NPR host and author of Welcome to BioTech Nation. Drawing on extensive research and hundreds of her own radio interviews, Gunn presents “Five for the Future” that show biotech is here and on a roll. Please join us in what promises to be a fascinating discussion.

Tuesday, July 17th @ 12:30
MYSTERY CIRCLE
Ridley Pearson
Killer Weekend

Ridley Pearson kicks off a new series set in Sun Valley, Idaho with down-to-earth hero, Sheriff Walt Fleming. Charged with protecting a presidential candidate, Fleming has to juggle small town politics, a tycoon whose lifestyle (and ego) is a source of scorn and awe, and his own emotional baggage to find the cunning assassin before it’s too late.
Thursday, July 19th @ 12:30
Marc Freedman
Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life

Sixty-four million baby boomers will reach retirement age by the year 2010. They will be the healthiest, longest-living and best-educated generation in American history, but what will they do with their time? Through a series of inspirational stories, Marc Freedman makes a convincing case for an “encore career.”

Thursday, July 19th through Saturday, July 21st
Stacey’s Semi-Annual License to Save

For three days only, Stacey’s Literary License members save 20% on everything (excluding periodicals) in the store. Not a Literary License holder? Why not? It’s free: sign up at the Mezzanine Service Desk. Don’t forget—Saturday, July 21st is Harry Potter Day!

Monday, July 23rd @ 12:30
SAN FRANCISCO CELEBRATION
Arcadia Publishing Panel

Join Stacey’s and Arcadia Publishing for a celebration of San Francisco history. Arcadia’s books about San Francisco neighborhoods have been flying off the shelves, and we’re delighted to host a panel featuring the authors of San Francisco’s Portola; The Key System: San Francisco and the Eastshore Empire; San Francisco’s Treasure Island; and San Francisco Bay Area Aviation. We’ll also be serving some special San Francisco treats.

Monday, July 30th @ 12:30
Jasper Fforde
Thursday Next: First Among Sequels

Full of bizarre subplots, bestselling author Jasper Fforde’s fifth novel to feature intrepid literary detective Thursday Next, blends elements of mystery, campy science fiction and screwball fantasy. If you haven’t already discovered Fforde’s wacky world, this is a chance to enjoy satiric literary humor at its best.

AFFILIATE EVENTS

Monday, July 9th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Robert Sutton
The No Asshole Rule

We all know those who Robert Sutton terms “certified a—holes,” the jerks and bullies at work who demean and criticize others. Join Sutton as he declares war and shows how to stop abuse in no uncertain terms while bringing relief and empowerment to those affected by workplace hostility. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, July 11th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Andrew Ferguson
Land of Lincoln

Mixing biography and popular history, Andrew Ferguson leads a curiosity-fueled trek through the life of Abraham Lincoln. In a unique narrative that investigates America’s relationship with its own history, Ferguson’s hilarious and poignant coast-to-coast journey examines Lincoln’s legacy, showing surprising ways in which his personality, philosophy and mythology have endured. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Thursday, July 12th @ 6:00 pm
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE
Dixon and Ruthanne Long
Markets of Paris

At the heart of every French neighborhood is a thriving street market that is the pulse of its residents, merchants, and local character. From vintage books to botanical prints, antique dressers to the freshest of vegetables—explore and shop the way Parisians do, on foot and with a sense of adventure. Please note: This event will take place at the Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post Street. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-393-0100 or email rsvp@milibrary.org.

Wednesday, July 18th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Riane Eisler
The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics

Riane Eisler, author of The Chalice and the Blade and The Real Wealth of Nations, argues that many problems of our time are due to flawed economic systems that set wrong priorities and misallocate resources. There is a need to properly value and support the essential work of caring or people and nature. She outlines a practical plan for promoting human welfare along with productivity through a new model: caring economics. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Thursday, July 19th @ 6:00 pm
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE
Arthur Bloomfield
Gables and Fables

This lively, addictively readable, and charmingly illustrated book is bound to appeal to anyone who has passed some of the city’s striking old homes and wondered about their history. Arthur Bloomfield and the late Anne Bloomfield offer up a house-by-house account of the mansions of Pacific Heights, combining an encyclopedic knowledge of local architectural history with personal reminiscence and a touch of gossip. Please note: This event will take place at the Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post Street. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-393-0100 or email rsvp@milibrary.org.

Thursday, July 19th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Rosario Marin
Leading Between Two Worlds

Rosario Marin was the first Mexican-born treasurer of the United States. She currently serves in Governor Schwarzenegger’s cabinet as secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency, and has always been an outspoken advocate of people with disabilities. She’ll tell the amazing story of how, at age 14 and speaking no English, she moved to California from Mexico and rose to become the highest-ranking Latina in the Bush administration. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Monday, July 23rd @ 6:30 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB/INFORUM
Kristin Gore
Sammy’s House

Ever wonder what it’s like to work as a staffer in the White House? In her second novel, the daughter of Al and Tipper Gore, moves deeper into the heart of American politics and provides and insider’s look at the life of a young researcher. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 6:00 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, July 24th @ 5:45 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Alan Weisman
The World Without Us

What would happen if humans vanished? Alan Weisman has created a view of our planet as it would be if we suddenly disappeared. What damage has been done? What part of humankind’s creativity would survive? How would Earth’s other species fare?  To find the answer, Weisman interviewed scientist from various fields and came to some fascinating conclusions. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:15 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, July 24th @ Noon
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Robyn Meredith
The Elephant and the Dragon

Robyn Meredith has written a compelling analysis of the major changes in store as America faces increasing competition from India and China, two emerging economic giants. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 11:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Wednesday, July 25th @ Noon
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Michael Tucker
Living in a Foreign Language

Packing up and moving to a 350-year-old Italian villa might seem like a dream, but Michael Tucker and his wife Jill Eikenberry, both of “L.A. Law” fame, did just that after their youngest child left for college. Tucker recounts their adventures and invites us to share in the culinary and romantic magic of the Italian countryside. Attend a discussion of food, family, and what makes a house, or villa, a home. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 11:30 am. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Monday, July 30th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Michael Moe
Finding the Next Starbucks

Succeeding in business is against the odds, so how can one tell in the early stages whether a company is heading toward success, mediocrity, or even failure?  Michael Moe identifies remarkable companies through a systematic evaluation of people, products, potential, and predictability. He also talks about where the greatest opportunity for success lies: exactly where society's biggest problems are. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Monday, July 30th @ 6:00 pm
MARINES’ MEMORIAL CLUB
William Taylor
Rescued by Mao

For the first time ever, Bill Taylor shares his story of escape as a prisoner of war during World War II. Rescued by Mao details Taylor’s astonishing experiences as a POW and his eventual meeting with the famous Communist leader Mao Zedong. Please note: This event will take place at the Marines’ Memorial Club, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco. For reservations and information, please call 415-673-6672.

Tuesday, July 31st @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
China Galland
Longing for Darkness

Driven her entire life to explore the meaning of darkness—from the Black Madonna to women's struggles in Latin America—best-selling author China Galland brings new insight to an issue closer to home: slavery and its long-term ramifications in our current society and culture. Bill Moyers of PBS has called Galland's latest work "the riveting story of a remarkable effort to resurrect the dead. And it couldn't have come at a more crucial time." Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey’s at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

STACEY'S EVENTS -JUNE 2007
581 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
www.staceys.com
415-421-4687

Thursday, June 7th @ 12:30
EVOLUTION OF A WRITER
Larry Doyle
I Love You, Beth Cooper

Larry Doyle, former writer for Beavis and Butt-Head and The Simpsons has written a rollicking story of a day in the life of Denis Cooverman . . a day that just happened to start with Denis proclaiming his love for the most popular and best looking girl at Buffalo Grove High School. Dave Barry says of I Love You, Beth Cooper, "This book made me laugh out loud. I'm not saying it will make you laugh out loud, but I am saying that if it doesn't, something is wrong with you."

Tuesday, June 12th @ 12:30
Mother/Daughter Tea
Shannon Hale
Austenland and Princess Academy

Bestselling author Shannon Hale won a Newbery Honor Award for her young adult novel Princess Academy. She turns her gift for storytelling to her delightful adult debut, Austenland. Austenland is themed resort and a dream come true for every woman who's read Pride and Prejudice and wanted a crack at Mr. Darcy. Hale's protagonist Jane Hayes discovers that her fantasy of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman may more real than she ever imagined. We invite you to bring your daughter (or your mom!) for an opportunity to sip some proper English tea with this gifted writer.

Wednesday, June 13th @ 12:30
MYSTERY CIRCLE
Martin Cruz Smith
Stalin's Ghost

Martin Cruz Smith follows up Wolves Eat Dogs with Stalin's Ghost, the latest entry in the internationally bestselling series of Russian crimes, broken hearts and the mysteries of the soul. Detective Arkady Renko returns to his Moscow base and finds out what has-and hasn't-changed in the "new" Russia.

Tuesday, June 19th @ 12:30
Julia Flynn Siler
The House of Mondavi

Veteran Wall Street Journal writer Julia Flynn Siler chronicles the turbulence that has roiled four generations of the Mondavi family. The House of Mondavi is a fascinating and, at times, heartbreaking story of the building of a business empire, and the ambition and passion that fueled it. We will, of course, sip some wine.

Thursday, June 21st @ 12:30
Lauren Kessler
Dancing with Rose

Like many loved-ones of Alzheimer's sufferers, Lauren Kessler was devastated by the changes in, and eventual loss of, her mother. In order to deal with her grief, Kessler enlisted as a caregiver. Dancing with Rose is the intriguing narrative of what she discovered about the relationships and realities of end-of-life care and the people who give a human face to what is often a dehumanizing condition.

Monday, June 25th @ 12:30
John Perkins
The Secret History of the American Empire

John Perkins chronicled his descent from Peace Corps volunteer to international pawn of corporate greed in his bestseller, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. In this sequel, he elaborates on previous themes with a behind-the-scenes look at a conspiracy of corruption that has fueled instability and anti-Americanism around the globe.

Thursday, June 28th @ 12:30
STACEY'S COMMUNITY FORUM
PROJECT READ

Please join Stacey's as we celebrate the gift of literacy and Project Read, the program that has helped thousands of adults learn to read. We will hear about the experience of learning to read as an adult and learn about ways that you too can get involved.

AFFILIATE EVENTS

Monday, June 4th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Jan Yanehiro and Jackie Speier
This Is Not the Life I Ordered

Come hear a remarkable and uplifting story of four extraordinary women who found comfort, support and strength in a collective friendship that has spanned more than a decade. Taken together, they have had six marriages and 14 children and have faced a host of challenges; one was even shot and left for dead in South America. From the joys of raising children to the disappointments of professional shortfalls, these women have experienced it all. Their stories will inspire others struggling with life, work and personal relationships. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, June 6th @ Noon
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Bill Bradley
The New American Story

Bill Bradley and Alan Simpson, two former senators, reach across the aisle to take an inside look at the impact of big money on our political system. They will discuss how money influences who runs for office, who gets elected, and the ability of elected representatives to remain in office. They will explain why they now support public funding of federal elections and the reasons behind their affiliation with Americans for Campaign Reform. Please note: This event will take place at Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street. Check-in is at 11:15 am. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, June 6th @ 6:30 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Zbigniew Brzezinski
Second Chance

The Council is proud to welcome Zbigniew Brzezinski as the first speaker in the 2007 Richard and Judith Guggenhime Series. Considered one of America's most distinguished commentators on foreign policy, Dr. Brzezinski will offer his evaluation of the foreign policies of the last three presidential administrations, the challenges that future American leaders will face, and how America can regain its lost prestige abroad. Please note: This event will take place at The Montgomery Theater, 291 South Market Street, San Jose. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Wednesday, June 6th @ 8:00 pm
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
Joyce Carol Oates
The Gravedigger's Daughter

Joyce Carol Oates' prodigious output and talent for creating characters who draw us in never ceases to amaze. Nor does the insight she offers into all strata of human behavior-from Jeffrey Dahmer and Marilyn Monroe to the plainly dressed housewife next door. The newest novel by this National Book Award and PEN/Malamud Award winner is The Gravedigger's Daughter, a masterful epic about a young woman's struggle for identity and survival in post-World War II America. Please note: This event will take place at the Jewish Community Center, 3200 California Street at Presidio. For reservations and more information, please call 292-1233 or email arts@jccsf.org.

Thursday, June 7th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
76th ANNUAL CALIFORNIA BOOK AWARDS

Join us for a literary extravaganza as The Club honors the winners of the 76th annual California Book Awards. Enjoy an elegant reception and mingle with writers and readers alike. This year's winners are Ngugi Wa Thiong'o (Gold Medal for Fiction); T.C. Boyle (Silver Medal for Fiction); James Greer (Silver Medal for First Fiction); Michael Pollan (Gold Medal for Nonfiction); Sonia Nazario (Silver Medal for Nonfiction); R.J. Smith (Silver Medal for Californiana); Ishmael Reed (Gold Medal for Poetry); Katherine Sturtevant (Silver Medal for Young Adult); and Milly Lee (Silver Medal for Juvenile). Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Thursday, June 7th @ 6:30 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Zbigniew Brzezinski
Second Chance

The Council is proud to welcome Zbigniew Brzezinski as the first speaker in the 2007 Richard and Judith Guggenhime Series. Considered one of America's most distinguished commentators on foreign policy, Dr. Brzezinski will offer his evaluation of the foreign policies of the last three presidential administrations, the challenges that future American leaders will face, and how America can regain its lost prestige abroad. Please note: This event will take place at The Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell Street, San Francisco. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Friday, June 8th @ Noon
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Mark Buchanan
The Social Atom

Why does segregation persist? How do fashion trends take off? What makes bullish investors turn bearish? According to Buchanan, the social sciences are dominated by fundamentally un-testable theories, but observation reveals that our behavior follows precise mathematical patterns. Does this method of thinking devalue human life, or does it merely accept that the mathematics of ordinary bodies apply to us as much as anything else? Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 11:30 am. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Monday, June 11th @ 5:15 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Philip Zimbardo
The Lucifer Effect

Psychologist Philip Zimbardo watched normal college students turn into sadistic guards and hapless victims when he ran the classic Stanford Prison Experiment in 1971. Now, he links his observations to the Abu Ghraib abuses and to everyday evils; asking whether cruelty comes from a "few bad apples," a "bad barrel," or "bad barrel-makers." Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 4:45 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, June 12th @ Noon
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
Hans Galas
Alice B. Toklas Cookbook

As part of the JCCSF's participation in the international celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first meeting of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, the Hayes Street Grill will host a special luncheon with recipes inspired by the infamous (brownies, anyone?) Alice B. Toklas Cookbook. A conversation with a culinary connoisseur will enlighten the audience about all things Gertrude and Alice. Please note: This event will take place at Hayes Street Grill, 324 Hayes Street, San Francisco. For reservations and information, please call 292-1233 or email arts@jccsf.org.
 
Tuesday, June 12th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB/MARINES' MEMORIAL CLUB
Nigel Hey
The Star Wars Enigma

Nigel Hey discusses what he sees as the critical role played in the Cold War victory by President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative. Hey traces the origin, the proponents and opponents, and the drama that accompanied the overturning of forty years of American defense strategy, and in so doing, "removed the threat of an East-West nuclear holocaust," according to Robert C. McFarlane. Of particular interest is the role Margaret Thatcher played in facilitating the crucial relationship between Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, June 12th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Dennis Ross
Statecraft

How did it come to pass, asks Dennis Ross, that not so long after 9/11 brought the free world to America's side, U.S. foreign policy is in a shambles? In Statecraft Ross argues that the Bush administration's problems stem from its inability to use the tools of statecraft-diplomatic, economic, and military-to advance our interests. While statecraft is as old as politics, Ross explains that in the globalized world, with its fluid borders, terrorist networks, and violent unrest, nation states' skillful employment of statecraft is necessary simply to keep the peace. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.

Monday, June 18th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Anthony Romero
In Defense of Our America: The Fight for Civil Liberties in the Age of Terror

President Bush says the U.S. is fighting a "different kind of war," but does that mean it must become a different kind of country? Rather than justifying the usurpation of constitutional powers, this kind of war demands that we stick to our core values more strongly than ever, says Anthony Romero, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union. Romero shares examples from the legal war that he and his organization have been fighting at home. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Monday, June 18th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Stuart Skorman
Confessions of a Serial Entrepreneur

More than just an amoral money-making machine, the successful enterprise of the 21st Century should be driven by the higher purpose of making its community a better place. As an entrepreneur, Stuart Skorman has spent a lifetime creating new businesses that enrich people's lives. Drawing on his own experiences, from hundred-million-dollar dotcoms to Whole Foods, Skorman shares secrets for success as a socially-conscious entrepreneur. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Tuesday, June 19th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Elisabeth Drew
Richard M. Nixon

Richard M. Nixon may have been a crook, but he also happened to be one of America's most complex and interesting presidents. Nixon was suspicious, often out of control, and motivated by resentment and paranoia, says Elisabeth Drew. Is it possible that, although receiving over 60 percent of the popular vote when he ran for president as an incumbent in 1972, Nixon was never fit to hold America's highest political office? Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, June 20th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Celebrating World Refugee Day
Valentino Achak Deng and Khaled Hosseini
What Is the What and A Thousand Splendid Suns

Join the World Affairs Council of Northern California as it teams up with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to celebrate World Refugee Day in San Francisco. Over the past five years the global refugee population has fallen by one third and now stands at the lowest level since 1980, comprising 8.4 million people. A total of 1.1 million refugees went home voluntarily in 2005, including 752,000 to Afghanistan and 70,000 to Liberia, and only 136,000 new refugees fled to neighboring states in 2005, the smallest number for 29 years.  Despite the huge number of Afghans who continue to return home, they remain the largest refugee group, with 1.9 million scattered across 72 countries. Sudanese refugees compose the second largest group, comprising almost 700,000 people.  A growing number of civilians uprooted by violence who remained within their own countries, the group known as internally displaced persons (or IDPs), is also cause for concern. We are very pleased to host both Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, and Valentino Achak Deng, subject of What Is the What, as representatives from the Afghani and Sudanese refugee groups, respectively; and Philippe Lavanchy of UNHCR to bring attention to the plight of the millions of refugees who continue to live in terrible situations around the world. Please note: This event will take place at Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason Street, San Francisco. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is $10 for members and students, $20 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600. Pre-payment is required.

Thursday, June 21st @ 6:00 pm
MECHANICS' INSTITUTE
Steve Vogel
The Pentagon: A History

Veteran Washington Post war reporter Steve Vogel offers a fascinating account the Pentagon-from its hurried beginnings during FDR's presidency and World War II to the efforts to rebuild after the 9/11 attacks. Vogel brings to life those who built it, worked within it, and reconstructed it after one of the most terrible days in American history. The Pentagon is a portrait of both a building and of the American military's reaction to crises from the 1940s to the present. Please note: This event will take place at the Mechanics' Institute, 57 Post Street. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-393-0100 or email rsvp@milibrary.org.

Friday, June 22nd @ Noon
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Nina Planck
Real Food
 
The latest fad diets and gastronomical trends blame foods like beef and butter for the epidemics of diabetes, heart disease and obesity, but that's all wrong, says Nina Planck, one of the leading proponents of farmers' markets. In Real Food, Planck contends that the foods we've abandoned in the quest for health are actually better for us than the synthesized, manufactured "health" products found on the shelves of supermarkets. Ms. Planck will in conversation with Sabella Kraus, Director of Sustainable Agriculture Education. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 11:30 am. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Monday, June 25th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Andrea Nguyen
Into the Vietnamese Kitchen

Vietnamese food offers a treasure trove of artful flavor combinations, subtle complexities and spectacular presentations. Marrying East and West, the cuisine of Vietnam is defined by a rich history and varied geography. Join Southeast Asian food expert Andrea Nguyen in a lively discussion of the culinary traditions of Vietnam. Learn about the history, essential ingredients and cooking methods of the cuisine. Then observe and taste dishes prepared by this gifted teacher and writer. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.
 
Wednesday, June 27th @ 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Rick Kushman and Hank Beal
A Moveable Thirst

One part Sideways, one part Wine for Dummies and one part travel guide, Rick Kushman and Hank Beal's wine country travelogue is destined to be a hit with wine lovers and travel lovers everywhere, as well as anyone who enjoys a good road story. Learn the insider's way to navigate the 141 public tasting rooms in Napa Valley and gain tips for tasting to make the most of your next trip. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $8 for members,  $15 for non-members. Check-in is at 5:30 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Wednesday, June 27th @ 6:30 pm
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Dennis Ross
Statecraft

Almost six years after 9/11 rallied international support, is U.S. foreign policy in shambles? Dennis Ross argues that the Bush administration has abandoned the tools of classical statecraft-the principles and strategies of Plato, Machiavelli, Bismarck and Kissinger. He argues that only a revival of statecraft can produce a realistic, ambitious foreign policy. Please note: This event will take place at the Commonwealth Club, next door to Stacey's at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is $12 for members,  $18 for non-members. Check-in is at 6:00 pm. For reservations and more information, please call 415-597-6705.

Thursday, June 28th @ 6:00 pm
MECHANICS' INSTITUTE/ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA
David Shalleck and Erol Munuz
Mediterranean Summer

Part travelogue, part food memoir, this Mediterranean voyage (on an exclusive yacht) charts unusual culinary territory as Chef Shalleck must create elegant new menus each day, to satisfy the demands of  "La Signora" and the glitterati dining on board along the ports of call. It's a tall order for a lone chef in a small galley cucina-but then, its 'la dolce vita"!! Please note: This event will take place at the Mechanics' Institute, 57 Post Street. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-393-0100 or email rsvp@milibrary.org.

Thursday, June 28th @ 6:00 pm
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Susan Shirk
China: The Fragile Superpower

Why does China's prosperity make its leaders uneasy and threaten global stability? In China: The Fragile Superpower, author Susan Shirk explores how China's internal politics could derail its peaceful rise. She concludes that the real danger lies in the insecurity of its leaders who face a troubling paradox: the more developed and prosperous the country becomes, the more insecure and threatened they feel. As the world's fastest growing economy, Shirk argues that the ruling regime has become increasingly afraid of its own citizens, and this fear motivates many of their decisions when dealing with the U.S. and other foreign nations. She believes that unless we understand China's brittle internal politics and the fears that motivate its leaders, we face the very real possibility of an otherwise avoidable conflict with China. Please note: This event will take place at the World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor. Check in is at 5:30 pm. Admission is free for members, $5 for students, and $15 for non-members. For reservations and information, please call 415-293-4600.