Going out

        Bite-sized: Taste of Cincinnati continues dishing up food and music with more than 40 restaurants serving samples for under $4. Noon-midnight today, Central Parkway, downtown. 579-3100.

        Richard Buckner: The husky-voiced folk-country rocker sings a tune or 10 from his new The Hill CD. 8 p.m. today, Southgate House, 24 E. Third St., Newport, $12. 779-9462.

        Mariemont bells: The Mary M. Emery Memorial Carillon chimes in with its first concert of the season — a special children's program with works such as Brahms' Lullaby and performances by Cincinnati KinderBallet. 7 p.m. today, Pleasant Avenue, Mariemont, free. 271-8519.

        Veterans ceremony: Arlington Memorial Gardens celebrates the holiday with its annual flag-raising ceremony and featured speaker, Nick Clooney. 1 p.m. today, 2145 Compton Road, Mount Healthy. 521-7003.

Staying in

        TV picks: HBO's In Memoriam: New York City, 9/11/01looks at the Sept. 11 World Trade Center terrorist attacks through film and video shot by more than 115 New Yorkers that day (9 p.m. Sunday, HBO).

        • TV critic John Kiesewetter also says Erich Kunzel conducts the National Symphony Orchestra with performances by Charlotte Church, Heather Headley, Tony Danza and Daniel Rodriguez on the National Memorial Day Concert (8 p.m., Channels 48, 54, 16).

Web site of the day

        For the birds: Well, this is perfect timing, what with spring arriving and birds chirping all over town. Here's a site that teaches how to identify birds by look, sound and behavior. Or, if you're visiting some national park this summer, what birds to watch for. There are even numbers to call if you get really lucky and spot a rare bird somewhere. Flap your wings all you want at www.birding.com.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: The rowdy alternametal act Monster Magnet rattles the walls after a warm-up from up-and-coming power rockers Adarma. 8 p.m. Monday, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, $15. 562-4949.

        48 hours out: Writer and painter Dorothy Weil talks about her new book, The River Home, a memoir of growing up around the rivers of the Midwest. Noon Tuesday, Mercantile Library, 414 Walnut St., downtown, $5 (members free). 621-0717.

        72 hours 'til Wednesday: The Cincinnati Film Society hosts the Ann Arbor Film Festival Tour with winning selections from the notable new film showcase. 7 p.m., Cincinnati Art Museum auditorium, Eden Park, $4-$6. 721-2787.

— Jim Knippenberg

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

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