Going out

Jayhawks: The renowned alt-country act cozies up for an intimate evening of acoustic treats. 8:30 p.m. today, 20th Century, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley, $17. 562-4949.

Children's books: Children's book author George Ella Lyon and author/illustrator Peter Catalanotto hit town to sign and discuss Because of Anya and Matthew A, B, C. Noon-1:30 p.m. today, Blue Manatee Children's Bookstore 3054 Madison Road, Oakley, free. 731-2665.

House tour: The "Hearts, Home and Holidays" tour to benefit the Point/Arc of Northern Kentucky peeks into some right tasty homes. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. today beginning at 211 Eden Ave., Bellevue, $25. (859) 491-9191.

Staying in

TV pick: Cowabunga! The Simpsons returns for a 13th season with a Halloween special (8 p.m., Channels 19, 45), followed by the season premieres of King of the Hill (8:30 p.m.) and two Malcolm in the Middle episodes (9 p.m.).

Critic John Kiesewetter also says Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys plays Jay of Jay and the Americans on NBC's American Dreams (8 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

Hot tickets

Set sail: Riverboat tickets for 2003's Tall Stacks Music, Arts & Heritage Festival go on sale at noon today. Prices run $18 to $75. A the Tall Stacks Store at Tower Place, by phone (866) 497-TALL (8255) or at www.tallstacks.com.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: Meet Nero Blanc, pseudonym for the husband-wife team behind A Crossword to Die For, the newest in the popular series of whodunits with real crosswords. 7 p.m. Monday, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 396-8960.

48 hours out: Contemporary Christian superstars the Newsboys are at U.S. Bank Arena with ZOEgirl, Superchic and By the Tree, 7 p.m. Tuesday. $19-$25. 562-4949.

72 hours 'til Wednesday: The Taft Museum of Art's Duncanson Artist-in-Residence program kicks off with a reception and concert with this year's recipient, jazz pianist William Menefield, 5:30 p.m., Frank White Gallery and Frame Shop, 514 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. 241-0343, Ext. 22.

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com