Going out — Bach & Beyond: The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra tunes up and tones out with its small orchestra series. Conductor and violinist Jamie Laredo will lead Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart and Tchaikovsky, 7:30 p.m. today, Corbett Auditorium, UC, $30. 381-3300.

        Gardening: Representatives from the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati turn your thumb green with a free container gardening workshop. 6:30 p.m. today, Fort Thomas Branch Library, 1000 Highland Ave. (859) 572-5033.

        Richard Russo: The best-selling author is at Joseph-Beth Booksellers signing his Pulitzer-Prize winning Empire Falls.7 p.m. today, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 396-8960.

        British folk: The revered singer/songwriter Martin Carthy hits town in a mellow mood with the upbeat vocal act Acappellics Anonymous at 8 p.m. today, Rhythm and Blues Cafe, 1142 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, $12. 684-0080.

Staying in

        TV picks: From Gone With the Wind to When Harry Met Sally, Hollywood has savored love stories. Now an American Film Institute poll has picked the best. Expect lots of clips and comments. AFI's 100 Years . . . 100 Passions,8p.m., Channel 12.

        • Ever since she moved there, the British have been fascinated by Madonna. The BBC and A&E try to figure out why in this portrait. Biography, 8 p.m., A&E.

The Goods: Video picks

        Critic's Pick: This week, Enquirer film critic Margaret A. McGurk recommends his-and-hers choices among new DVD/VHS releases: The based-on-fact war story Black Hawk Down with Josh Hartnett and Tom Sizemore, and the time-traveling romantic comedy Kate & Leopold,with Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman. Also new this week: Monster's Ball, featuring an Oscar-winning performance by Halle Berry.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: R&B-influenced reggae sets toes a'tapping when Morgan Heritage and LMS hit town. 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, 20th Century, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley, $18-$20. 562-4949.

        48 hours out: The Showbiz Players get historical when they open Frank Wildhorn's musical The Civil War. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Salerno Center for Performing Arts, Mount Notre Dame High School, 711 E. Columbia Ave., Reading, $10-$12. 981-7888.

        72 hours 'til Friday: The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center has an opening reception for a new show of works by Voss Finn, James Klinger, Ronald & Jessie Cooper and Wendi Smith. 6-9 p.m., 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington. (859) 491-2030.

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

They're best friends
Doctor prescribes friendship for herself
Author pushes creative theory
What you are reading
Food channel feasts on Cincinnati
Hot cars, hot food send hearts racing
Law office clerk dresses to please herself
Versatile clothes ideal for trips
Make use of Office programs every day
Symphony's summer 'Sundaes' debut with Russian flavor
Get To It