Going out

        Chamber music: The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra dives into an ambitious program with Mischa Santora conducting and guest violinist Axel Strausstackling Schumann's Violin Concerto in D Minor, Part's “Summa” and Mozart's Symphony No. 38. 3 p.m. today, Corbett Auditorium, University of Cincinnati, $5-$20. 723-1182.

        Travel-Sports-Boats: The super-sized expo full of all things outdoorsy continues showing off its wares 11 a.m.-6 p.m. today,Albert B. Sabin Convention Center. Runs through next Sunday,$8, $2.50 youth. 281-0022.

        Open house: The William Howard Taft Historic Site swings open for its annual New Year's open house with free refreshments and tours of the late president's birthplace. Noon-4 p.m. today, 2048 Auburn Ave., Mount Auburn, free. 684-3262.

        Family art fun: The Cincinnati Art Museum takes aim on families with a Family Fun Workshop with a youth-oriented tour of the Asian Treasure Chest, tea ceremony demonstration and Japanese calligraphy exercise. 4 p.m. today, CAM, Eden Park, $5-$7 (reservation required). 721-2787.

Staying in

        TV picks: PBS' The American Experience, produced by Westwood native Margaret Drain, opens its season with a two-part portrait of President Woodrow Wilson (9 p.m. today and next Sunday, Channels 48, 54, 16).

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also says Channel 9 repeats Laure Quinlivan's Visions of Vine Street documentary commercial-free at 5 p.m. today, while HBO's Sex and the City returns at 9 p.m.

The Goods What's in stores today

        Let's see if we have this correct now. There's a firm out there selling shoe inserts with inspirational biblical verses printed on them? Yep. Standing on the Word ministries has a line of inserts, laminated so your sweaty feet won't blur the type, with different verses on each. The company, its Web site says, offers “a scriptural prayer and faith-filled confession to help you stand on the promises of God.” They're $3.95 a pair from www.pcisys.net/(tilde)y2kgold/word.htm.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Poinsettias, cyclamens, evergreens and all manner of other plants from the Home for the Holidays exhibit are priced to sell. End of Show Sale runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Krohn Conservatory, Eden Park. 352-4080.

        48 hours out: Poet Terri Ford performs her original poems with musician Christian Schmitdoing backup at the Riverbank Poetry Project series, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton. 863-8873.

        72 hours 'til Wednesday: Hot suspense author James W. Hall hits town to discuss and sign his new Blackwater Sound. 7 p.m., Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood. 396-8960.

People to watch in 2002
2002 Grammy nominees are the real thing - finally
Clark takes on the Grammys
DEMALINE: The arts
Former ballet star plans summer job
Harry Potter fan also collects cool comments
Jack Rosen, the 'marrying judge'
KENDRICK: Alive and well
Campbell's Scoop
MARTIN: Food stuff
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