Going out

        Boar's Head: Christ Church Cathedral looks to the olde days with its Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival, celebrating Christmas drama, medieval music and the spiritual meaning of the holidays. 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. today, Fourth and Sycamore streets, downtown. 621-1817.

        Jazz: The Mike Wade Jazz Sextet with vocalist Bill Caffiegets into the swing of things with a tune or 20, 6-9:30 p.m. today,Jazz in the Park Lounge, 1180 W. Kemper Road, Forest Park, $7. 648-9698.

        Bird count: The National Audubon Bird Count flutters right along all over the East Side. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. today, Cincinnati Nature Center's Rowe Woods (4949 Tealtown Road, Milford) and Stanbery Park (Oxford Street, Mount Washington). 831-1711.

        Rockettes: The high kickers head out of town after one last swift kick in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. 1, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. today, Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, $20-$55. 241-7469.

Staying in

        TV picks: Two major must-sees, thanks to the union of writer Aaron Sorkin and director Rob Reiner . . . A Few Good Men is a strong story about a military murder trial with Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson, Kiefer Sutherland, Noah Wyle and Cuba Gooding Jr. American President is a romance between a noble president (Michael Douglas) and a lobbyist (Annette Bening). Tape one, watch the other. A Few Good Men (WTBS), The American President (TNT); both 8 p.m.

The Goods: What's in stores today

        Not that you need it, but some people do: It's cell phone etiquette lessons on a site that promotes civility between users and people around them. Like jammering on the bus when everyone else is trying to sleep. Or babbling on an elevator where no one cares what you need defrosted for dinner. Learn now, the site warns, before we find ourselves outside sneaking a cell phone call the way smokers have to sneak a cigarette. Go to www.cellmanners.com and get mannerly.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Jillian's “Red, White and Blue 2002” New Year's Eve celebration is floor after floor and wall to wall buffets, DJs and live music from Vanilla Ice at 11 p.m., 1200 Jillian's Way, Covington, $55. (859) 491-5388.

        48 hours out: Off-Broadway's screamingly successful Vagina Monologues serves up a preview of its three-week run. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jarson-Kaplan Theatre, Aronoff Center, $44-$48. 241-7469.

        72 hours 'til Wednesday: The Scooby-Doo in Stagefright show settles into the Taft Theatre for five days beginning 7 p.m., Fifth and Sycamore streets, downtown, $12.50-$25. 562-4949.

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

DEMALINE: Theater
GELFAND: Classical music
KIESEWETTER: Television
MCGURK: Best movies of 2001
NAGER: Pop music
Anime artist to speak at CAC
Warm reward for those who brave cold
KENDRICK: Alive and well
Rhino's baby steps are huge
Tuned in to Taz
New year puts new wines on my palate
No-frills steak old hat at Maury's, F&N
The Best Tastes of 2001
Get to it