Going out

        Country: Red-hot honky-tonker Gary Allan lets fly his ever so offbeat country act. 8 p.m. today, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. $17.50. 562-4949.

        Book signing: Kentucky author Silas House heads for the hills in Clay's Quilt, a true-to-life portrait of contemporary Appalachian life. He signs and discusses it 7 p.m. today, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood. 396-8960.

        Family story time: A little something to warm the heart: An evening of stories about moms for children of all ages. 7 p.m. today,Covedale Branch Library, 4980 Glenway Ave. 369-4460.

        Guy Clark: The venerable singer/songwriter hits town for a round of mellow folk and blues. 8 p.m. today, Southgate House, 24 E. Third St., Newport. 779-9462.

Staying In

        TV picks: The 33rd annual Action Auction, postponed during the April street violence, opens today (3 p.m.-midnight, Channel 48). The $1-million fund-raiser, which generates about 16 percent of WCET-TV's operating budget, airs through June 9.

        • Critic John Kiesewetter also says Biography profiles Tristate native Rosemary Clooney (8 p.m., A&E).

Contest report

        So then, you think your kid's the country's greatest baseball fan? Tell it to Ritz and Oreo. As in crackers 'n' cookies. The two food houses are trying to sniff out the greatest young baseball fan. Do this: Write on a postcard why your child — 5- to 17-years-old — is the world's greatest fan. Mail to Ritz/Oreo America's Greatest Baseball Fan, Box 281, 847-A Second Ave., New York, NY, 10017. Deadline is June 18.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: The Ann Arbor Film Festival hits the road with a boatload of independent films, mostly shorts from this A-list film festival. 7 and 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Cincinnati Museum Center's Scripps Newsreel Theater. $5. 287-7000.

        48 hours out: WGRR pops a freebie. It's Oldiesfest with such evergreen acts as Tommy James and the Shondells, Chubby Checker, the Grass Roots and more. Noon-dark Saturday, Butler County Fairgrounds, Hamilton. Free tickets available at select locations. 699-5945.

        72 hours 'til Sunday: Celtic Heritage Day kicks up its heels with the McGing Irish Dancers, music by Murphy's Law,storytellers, vendors and more. Noon-9 p.m., Harbor Area, Miami Whitewater Forest. 521-7275.

        Contact Jim Knippenberg by phone: 768-8513; fax: 768-8330.

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