Going out

        CSO: The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra welcomes guest conductor Jaime Laredoand pianist Joseph Kalichsteinfor an all-Beethoven program beginning 8:30 p.m. today at Riverbend Music Center. $17-$32. 381-3300.

        Conservation series: Manatee expert Bob Bonde speaks on the animal's behavior and the conservation efforts under way to save this endangered species, 7:30 p.m. today at Rockdale Temple, 8501 Ridge Road, Amberley Village. Part of Cincinnati Zoo's Barrows Conservation Lecture Series. $6-$9. 559-7767.

        Book signing: Author Jeff Bowers discusses and signs On Your Own for the First Time: A Guide to Starting Off in the Real World, a book with practical advice for recent graduates, 7 p.m. today, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 396-8960.

        Trunk show: Movado Timepieces is at Bailey Banks and Biddle Fine Jewelers displaying a rare collection of museum-quality watches along with showing their new futuristic designs, today-Sunday at the Kenwood Towne Centre store. 793-2205.

Staying In

        TV picks:Long before he was the TV dad on Eight is Enough, A&E's Biography (8 p.m.) points out that durable Dick Van Patten was a child Broadway star and a regular on one of the first TV sitcoms (Mama, 1949-56).

        • Critic John Kiesewetter also says Martin Short, Missy Elliott and Nelly Furtado visit The Tonight Show (11:35 p.m., Channels 5, 22), while David Brenner and Blink 182 guest on CBS' Late Show (11:35 p.m., Channels 12, 7).

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: The Contemporary Arts Center welcomes performance poet Ralph La Charity for its Contemporary Fridays series, 6-8 p.m. Friday, 115 E. Fifth St., downtown. $5, members free. 721-0390.

        48 hours out: Camp Buzz Music Festival features more than 30 live bands on three stages, Saturday-Sunday at Camp America near Oxford. Event also includes free camping, vendors, art installations. more. $30-$40. 751-5346.

        72 hours 'til Sunday: Treasures for a Queen: A Millennium Gift to Cincinnati opens to the public at Cincinnati Art Museum and includes more than 100 works of art donated to the museum by collectors and corporations, on display through Sept. 2. $4-$5. 721-2787.

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

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