Cheap Thrills

TAKE ONLY MEMORIES. Learn about leave-no-trace camping in a free class at Summit Hut.

The "Outdoor Ethics" should be mandatory for all deranged Forest Service workers because it includes information about how to not start fires.

As the rains have started and natural areas in Arizona start to reopen, why not spend an hour learning how to be better stewards of our wilderness playgrounds?

Join the Summit Hut folks for an informative overview of the seven principles of Leave No Trace. Topics will include how to -- plan ahead and prepare; travel and camp on durable surfaces; be respectful of wildlife and other visitors; dispose of waste properly; and, the very timely subject of how to minimize campfire impacts.

Whether you day hike, backpack, climb, or ride, the Leave-No-Trace principles can help you and others enjoy the great outdoors.

The event starts at 7 p.m. Thursday at Summit Hut, 5045 E. Speedway Blvd. at Rosemont. For more information, call 325-1554 or visit www.summithut.com.

ALL AMERICAN. Artists Luke Stettner and Jeremy Dyer have taken a long hard look at America.

The result, an exhibition called American Landscape, is open at the Lionel Rombach Gallery. The show features photographs of city and highway settings, seen through the eye of the American artist.

Check out the exhibition through the summer at the Lionel Rombach, on the UA campus at the southeast corner of Park Avenue and Speedway Boulevard. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

DYSFUNCTION ON THE BIG SCREEN. I saw My Life as a House a few weeks ago and couldn't go the distance.

Ostensibly, the film is about a guy (Kevin Kline) who is dying of cancer and decides to rebuild his dream house. In the process he tried to rebuild his life.

Death wouldn't be a bad thing for this guy, though; his relationships are so messed up it's hard to empathize, let alone sympathize, with the character.

OK. That's just my take. I'm sure there's more to it because everybody in Hollywood seems to want to teach us something profound.

Anyway, if you want to see this piece of junk at least you won't have to rent it.

A free showing takes place Friday night at St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church.

The film is part of the Tacheria Interfaith Spirituality Center's 10th annual series. Snacks will be served during the free screening and a discussion about the film and its message will follow. My Life starts at 7 p.m. in the East Murphey Gallery on the St. Philip's campus at Campbell and River.