Reminder: Dues Due January 15
Just a friendly reminder that AIA membership renewals are due January 15. New this year, you can access your membership renewal invoice through your Personal URL online http://aia.hbp.com/add your 8-digit AIA member ID number, then print your invoice, renew online by logging in at www.aia.org/renew or mail it with a check. The log-in to access your renewal invoice is your e-mail address. Passwords are generally your last name (capitalized appropriately). Please contact Information Central, 800-242-3837, if you experience any difficulty accessing your 2009 renewal invoice or completing your transaction on line.

AIA St. Louis Invites You to Enter the AIA Photo Competition
Entries due electronically March 2
AIA St. Louis is once again pleased to host the AIA Photography Competition, open to all architects actively registered in the U.S., AIA Associate members, and AIAS members or student members with any AIA chapter. The top 15 entries will be exhibited at the AIA 2009 National Convention in San Francisco, April 30–May 2. These entries, plus some 40 additional images selected from all submitted, will be featured in a 2010 engagement calendar. (A complimentary calendar will be provided to all entrants whose images are selected.)

Eight Architects Declare Candidacy for Three Offices
Elections for the Institute’s next first vice president/president-elect, vice presidents, and treasurer will be held in April at the AIA 2009 National Convention and Expo in San Francisco.

AIA 2009 National Convention Web Site Is Up and Ready for Registration
Register for the convention—April 30-May 2 in San Francisco—before February 17 for early-bird rates
You can now register online for the AIA 2009 National Convention and Design Expo to take place April 30–May 2 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The Web site has some cool new features this year, including an interactive convention guide that allows AIA members to design their convention curriculum using new keyword and drilldown search options. Themed “Diversity: Practice in a Complex World,” the convention offers more than 500 continuing-education seminars and some 70 fabulous tours. Visit the AIA Convention Web site for more information and register now. Register on or before February 17 to take advantage of early-bird rates and get your first choice of programs and hotels. (And this year, we’re offering an additional 5 percent discount to all AIA members who register using the promo code, “MEMBER.”) See you in the City on the Bay. (Photo courtesy of the Only in San Francisco visitors’ bureau.)

kiplinger connection
2009 Economy • Water Highways • Municipal Bonds
2009 Economy: Clashing factors may bring a midyear recovery.
Water Highways: Look for a building boom around inland ports.
Municipal Bonds: Part of a stimulus: revival of the muni market.

Taking Care of Business
Letters to the Editor
This week, we explain why we publish ethics violations. We also have a nice letter about Jim Atkin’s Il Duomo series and a challenge to any of our readers who are in love with a building and want to write about it.