Going out — Henry Taylor: The Pulitzer winning poet shares his works in a free reading. 8 p.m. today, Elliston Poetry Room, Langsam Library, University of Cincinnati. 556-1570.

        Mother's Day: Just in time for mom's big day, Enquirer columnist Laura Pulfer tools over to Barnes & Noble Newport to sign her collection of columns, Mothers and Other Heroes. 7 p.m. today, Newport on the Levee. (859) 581-2000.

        For kids: Acclaimed children's book author Nancy Carlson (Louanne Pig, ABC I Like Me) steps up to read selections from her books. 9:15 and 10:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m. today at Children's Learning Center, Main Public Library, 800 Vine St., downtown. 369-6945.

        Classical: The Coriolanus Wind Quintet tunes up and belts out a few at Christ Church Cathedral's Music Live with Lunch series. 12:10 p.m. today, 318 E. Fourth St., downtown, bring lunch or purchase one for $3.50. 621-1817.

Staying in

        TV picks:Fox's terrific 24 heads into the final three episodes with Balkan criminal Victor Drazen (Dennis Hopper) using CIA agent Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland) as bait to get his son (9 p.m., Channels 19, 45). Next week: The mole inside the CIA will be revealed.

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also says Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) is taken hostage by a gunman in the interrogation room on NYPD Blue (10 p.m., Channels 9, 2).

Video picks

        Critic's Pick: This week's big-name release is Ocean's Eleven with George Clooney and company, but Waking Life, Richard Linklater's trippy, hypnotic trot through an animated dream world, is Enquirer film critic Margaret A. McGurk's top choice. The DVD version includes commentary from each of the 25 animators who gave the movie its “look.”

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Artworks, a locally produced independent film, needs volunteer extras for several scenes, including one at an Over-the—Rhine art gallery. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. No pay, but lunch is served. Call 861-4042.

        Also 24 hours out: The folky Gen-X singer-songwriter Dan Bern plays 8:30 p.m. Wednesdayat the Southgate House, 24 E. Third St., Newport. $10-$12. 779-9462.

        48 hours out: The “Justice for All Tour” is a panel discussion on the death penalty with Hamilton County prosecutor Mike Allen, William Seitz (R-Cincinnati), Ohio Senator Mark Mallory and more, 7 p.m. Thursday, Townsley Auditorium, Beech Acres, 6881 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township, free. 574-4308.

        72 hours 'til Friday: There's bluegrass music, mountain crafts and living history at the hootin' and howlin' Appalachian Festival, Friday-Sunday, Coney Island, $3-$6. 251-3378.

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

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