Sim Van der Ryn, a renowned leader in sustainable design, will give a slide presentation and lecture on "Design for Life," Thursday at 8 p.m. at Northern Arizona University's Cline Library Assembly Hall. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Drawing on his more than 35 years as an architect, Van der Ryn will talk about how to create buildings and communities that are alive and sensitive to place, climate and human interaction.

The author of several best-selling books, Van der Ryn is a lifelong advocate of the idea that buildings and cities are part of organic life. His work in ecological design has influenced a generation of architects to design with nature.

As California State Architect under Governor Jerry Brown, Van der Ryn developed energy and disability access standards that were widely adopted. At the University of California at Berkeley he developed an international reputation for socially and environmentally responsible design. He founded the Farallones Institute which promotes national awareness of "ecologically integrated living design."

The lecture is part of NAU's Environmental Lecture Series: "Conversations For the Future," co-sponsored by the Master of Liberal Studies Program, the Program in Ecological Monitoring and Assessment, the Center for Sustainable Environments, the Program in Community Culture and Environment, and the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, with support from Flagstaff Cultural Partners. For more information call 523-2382.

Women poets invited to reading

Men of Flagstaff, fear not. You may not be allowed to read, but you are encouraged to participate in a night of poetry reading by women tonight at 7:30 at Applesauce Teahouse in downtown Flagstaff. NORAZ Poets is holding a night of women's poetry, hosted by Meghan Jones.

Claiming the night as a chance to "rock the boy's club of Flagslam," all women of the community are encouraged to come out and speak your words. Said Rita Kuppelmeir of Sedona, "I wouldn't miss this event for all the crystals in the Verde Valley."

And on Tuesday night at 7:30, NORAZ Poets presents poetry movie night, also at Applesauce Teahouse, featuring "Il Postino."

This movie about the life of Pablo Neruda is infused with poetry and expresses the power of the written word to bring hearts together.

Hosted by the ever frisky Greg Nix, the night will start off with a gentle reading of selections from Neruda. The mic is open to all audience members to share with others their favorite Neruda pieces, or maybe, just their favorite pieces of poetry.

Let's talk
Clean Elections

The League of Women Voters supports keeping the Clean Elections Act strong in Arizona. As part of its effort to support Clean Elections, the League is hosting a program in Flagstaff Saturday with Barbara Lubin, executive director of the Clean Elections Institute, who will address the successes and challenges facing Clean Elections.

The Legislature again is preparing various legal measures to weaken or eliminate Clean Elections in the state of Arizona, and Lubin's talk is designed to keep the public informed about what is at stake. Candidates who are gathering signatures to run for office have also been invited to attend.

Saturday's meeting is at 10 a.m. at Federated Community Church, 400 W. Aspen.

Regional artists
wanted for show

The St. George Art Museum has invited artists in Arizona, Nevada and Utah to apply to be accepted to show as part of its Regional Exhibit that runs from April 8 through June 24.

Guidelines and rules are available on the St. George Art Museum's website at www.sgcity.org/arts/. The brochure is available online in a downloadable format.

Feb. 18 is the deadline and last day for entries to be accepted or received by the St. George Art Museum in slide format.

This exhibit is a showcase for the finest art currently being produced in the tri-state region in all media, including contemporary installation art. The distinguished juror and is Campbell Gray, the Executive Director of the Brigham Young University Art Museum. Gray will also judge the displayed art in order to determine the awards.

Send your Around the Town news to Abbie Gripman at agripman@azdailysun.com or call 556-2241.