Going out

        String master: What you get here is everything from soulful ballads to teasing blues from one world-class guitarist. That would be Kenny Poole, strumming away at his regular gig at the Stein and Vine Pub. 7:30-10:30 p.m., 7664 Wooster Pike, Mariemont (in the Heritage Restaurant). No cover. 561-9300.

        Birding: Tired of watching them fly by and not knowing what the heck they are? Cincinnati Park Board naturalists have answers: A free introductory course on bird watching. Today's topic is basic bird identification — so you'll know what just scored a bull's-eye on your windshield — with more topics each Wednesday through the month. 10-11:30 a.m. today,California Woods Nature Center. 231-8678.

        Toy trains: Getting close to last call here: Only five more days to choo-choo over to Behringer-Crawford Museum for the Holiday Toy Trains exhibit. Kiddie-friendly layout is 28 feet long with 14 interactive stations for kids to operate trains. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Devou Park, Covington. $2-$3. (859) 491-4003.

Staying In

        TV picks: It's a rerun, but it's a stitch, this popular comedy with Robin Williams disguising himself as his children's nanny. Mrs. Doubtfire, 8 p.m., Channels 19, 45.

        Revenge: Bette Midler is the network's star tonight. In her sitcom, she learns not to fib on The View. In the wonderfully funny movie she joins Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton to wreak revenge on ex-husbands. Bette (8 p.m.), The First Wives Club,9 p.m., both Channels 12, 7.

        Deja vu: This replays the second half of the much-praised season opener filled with flashbacks showing the origins of the president's team. The West Wing, 9 p.m., Channels 5, 22.

The Goods (What's in stores today)

        Phoenecians: This for those who weren't around in 1550 BC. Glenn Markoe, curator of Near Eastern and Classical Art at the Cincinnati Art Museum, has The Phoenecians, all about the gifted artists, sailors, engineers and scholars of the ancient world. Covering their heyday from 1550 BC to 300 BC, the book takes up history, culture, trading, politics, religion, art and language (they're credited with transmission of the first western alphabet). $45 in CAM's gift shop.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: You think it's easy caring for kids age birth to 3 years? Nope, that's why we need Barbara Walker, ready-to-learn coordinator at WCET-TV, and her expert advice. She gives it to parents and caregivers in “Help Me Be Healthy.” 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Main Public Library, 800 Vine St., downtown. 369-6970.

        48 hours out: The Carnegie arts center unleashes a whole round of art with three exhibits, including a tasty show of portraits, ceramics by Larry Watson and paintings by Michael Sharp. Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Friday, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington. (859) 491-2030.
       72 hours out: You get two stars for the price of one when Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra rolls out virtuoso pianist Yefim Bronfman and guest conductor Michael Christie. Works include Rachmaninoff's difficult and lesser-heard Piano Concerto No. 4 and Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kije. 8 p.m., Music Hall. $12-$49. 381-3300.

       Get To It appears daily. Send items to Get To It, Tempo, Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202; fax: 768-8330.

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