Going out

        John Mellencamp: The ever-popular Indiana favorite son, no longer looking for a “lover who won't drive me crazy,” unloads a whole ton of hot licks with a little help from the rootsy Wallflowers led by Jakob Dylan. 8 p.m. today, Riverbend, $25-$65. 562-4949.

        Teachers night: Hometown educators need to spend an evening with Nora Gaydos, author of the new series for beginner readers Now I'm Reading, complete with parent's guide and incentive stickers. 7 p.m. today, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 369-8960.

        Gardening: Thought lawn care season was over, did you? Wrong. “Troubleshooting Your Lawn,” topic of the Year Round Gardening Series, has all kinds of tips on reseeding, insect problems, weed control and a bunch of other late-season chores. 7 p.m. today,Monfort Heights Branch Library, 3825 West Fork Road, free. 369-4472.

        Story time: Clouds take center stage for a craft and story hour for boys and girls and children of all ages, not to mention people who have looked at clouds from both sides now. 1:30 p.m. today, Barnes & Noble Florence, Mall Road. (859) 647-1652.

Staying In

        TV picks: Carole King and Gerry Goffin. Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry. The early rock songwriting couples gave us such hits as “Oh! Carol,” “Leader of the Pack,” “Up on the Roof,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” Their lives and loves — with plenty clips — go on display today. Biography: The Teens Who Stole Pop Music, 8-10 p.m., A&E.

Auditions

        Shooting stars: Last call for budding stars looking to land a role in Other People and The Last Place On Earth.The experimental films are open to all, union actors and otherwise. Dayton auditions are noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Wright State University Creative Arts Center, Rm T109. In Cincinnati they're noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 2 at UC's Langsam Library, Room 606. Call Amanda Lippert at (513) 662-0289 or e-mail otherpeoplefilm@aol.com to schedule an audition.

Planning Ahead
        24 hours out: Blue Ash fires up its brass and goes Dixieland when Buffalo Ridge shows up for the Tuesday Concert in the Park series. 7:30 p.m., Amphitheater Park, Cooper Road and Reed Hartman Highway, free. 745-8550.

        48 hours out: Another last call: The summer's final LaRosa's Party in the Park — hot music from disco revue Funkytown, cold beer most everywhere, lots of mixing 'n' mingling — is 5:30-10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Yeatman's Cove, downtown. 579-3191.

        72 hours 'til Thursday: The Cincinnati Zoo's Barrows Conservation Lecture Series gets earthy as all get-out when botanist Dr. Peter Raven speaks about plants and their role in biodiversity. 7:30 p.m., Rockdale Temple, 8501 Ridge Road, Amberley Village, $6-$9. 559-7767.

        Contact Jim Knippenberg by phone: 768-8513; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: knipenquirer@yahoo.com.

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