Going out

        Weakest Link: So maybe it's you, 'eh? The weak link, we mean. Find out at auditions for a new half-hour syndicated version of the game show — expect a written test and maybe a mock game. Begins 9 a.m. today, Omni Netherland Plaza, Fifth and Race Streets, downtown. (800) 390-1001.

        Haunted hunt: The creative planners at Party Central go the haunted route with a spooky scavenger hunt in one of the creepy abandoned houses on the grounds of St. Rita's School for the Deaf. Get yourself scared witless and compete for a prize package worth $100. 7 p.m. today, 1720 Glendale-Milford Road, Evendale, $5. 956-7418.

        Contemporary Irish: The seven-piece Sligo band Dervish spices up traditional Celtic sounds with a modern touch. 8 p.m. today, 20th Century, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley, $15-$18. 281-9195.

        Classical matinee: The 91st season of the ever-so-venerable Matinee Musicale kicks off with Argentine pianist Sergio Tiempo hammering out works by Ravel, Chopin and Prokofiev. 11 a.m. today, Scottish Rite Auditorium, 317 E. Fifth St., downtown, $15. 961-0622.

Staying in

        TV picks: Crittenden's Rodger Bingham, winner Tina Wesson and other contestants from the first two Survivor series recall their experiences on Survivor: Countdown to Africa (8 p.m., Channels 12, 7). CBS also will show audition tapes of the 16 Survivor: Africa participants.

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also say PBS' Frontline opens the season with “Target America,” a look at U.S. policies dealing with terrorists (9 p.m., Channels 48, 54; 10 p.m., Channel 16).

The Goods (What's in stores today)

        Colorful treats: A little Halloween treat here that won't rot the kids' teeth: Colors. That from Crayola, which introduces the Crayon Treat Pack and the MiniStamper Treat Pack. The crayon pack is 20 packages of crayons, three per pack, in traditional Halloween colors of orange, black and silver. The MiniStamper pack is 18 washable (a key word if we ever saw one) stamps. They look like markers, but instead of a point they have tips in the shape of pumpkins, spiders, black cats and crescent moons with a big smile. They're $3.99 a pack.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra welcomes hot young violinist Jennifer Frautschi for an all-Tchaikovsky all the time program. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Greaves Concert Hall, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, $13-$18. (859) 431-6216.

        48 hours out: The Vinoklet Arts and Wine Festival pours out tastings of six estate-grown wines along with artists, musicians and more. Noon-11 p.m. Saturday,noon-7 p.m. Sunday, 11069 Colerain Ave., Dunlop. 385-9309.

        72 hours 'til Sunday: The red-haired comedian Carrot Topbrings his outrageous and uproarious “Lord of the Props Tour” to the Taft Theatre, 8 p.m., Fifth and Sycamore streets, downtown, $25. 562-4949.

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

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