Going out

Gary Paulsen: The Newbery Medal-winning kid book author chats it up, takes questions and signs his new How Angel Peterson Got His Name. 7 p.m. today, Walnut Hills High School, 3250 Victory Parkway, Evanston, free. 731-2665.

Play reading: Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati dims the lights for a breathy reading of Brooks Appelbaum's edgy family drama If You Don't Know Now. 7 p.m. today, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, $5. 421-3555.

CCM jazz: University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music faculty artists practice what they preach when Brad Goode, trumpet, and Phil DeGreg, piano, team for a tune or 20. 8 p.m. today, Robert J. Werner Recital Hall, UC, free. 556-4183.

Nile: The death metal superstars team with Napalm Death, the Berserker and Strapping Young Lad for a night of power rock. 8 p.m. today, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, $17.50-$20. 562-4949.

On TV

Top pick: Now somebody loves Robert on Everybody Loves Raymond (9 p.m., Channels 12, 7). The tall, geeky police officer (Brad Garrett) proposes to Amy (Monica Horan, wife of executive producer Phil Rosenthal), right, before discovering that her parents (Georgia Engel, Fred Willard) are crazier than his.

Critic John Kiesewetter also says the daughter of police officer Faith Yokas (Molly Price) overdoses on drugs on Third Watch (9 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

Win this

Drooling models: So then, you think your kid has the cutest little baby face? Prove it at Lazarus' baby model search, where kids 3- to 18-months are invited to smile, giggle, coo and drool for a panel of judges and maybe win a spot on the cover of the store's June sale book, plus a $100 baby wardrobe (all of the top five get this one). It's 2-4 p.m. March 1 in the children's department at Lazarus' Kenwood store. 562-6770 for info.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: Acclaimed singer-songwriters Jimmy LaFave, Ellis Paul, Slaid Cleves and Eliza Gilkyson bring their Woody Guthrie tribute tour to Southgate House, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, 24 E. Third St., Newport. $15-$18. 779-9462.

48 hours out: Best-selling author John Lescroart (The Oath) signs and discusses his new chiller, The First Law, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Edwards and Madison roads, Norwood. 396-8960.

72 hours `til Thursday: Stage First Cincinnati gets classical as all getout with an original Italian commedia dell'arte-style musical Illuzzio (Or a Man's Best Servant is Himself), 8 p.m., Fifth Third Bank Theater, Aronoff Center. $13.50-$17.50. 241-7469.

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com