Going out

Susan Powter: The woman known mostly for her Stop the Insanity! diet campaign in the early '90s kicks off the national tour for her new self-help title The Politics of Stupid. 7 p.m. today, Barnes & Noble, Newport on the Levee. (859) 581-2000.

Library book: John Fleischman, author of Free & Public: 150 Years at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County 1853-2003, signs and discusses his pictorial history of one of the country's busiest library systems. 7 p.m. today, Norwood Branch Library, 4325 Montgomery Road. 369-6037.

Cool jazz: The Blue Wisp Jazz Club hosts the Gordon Brisker Trio for happy hour jazz 5-7 p.m. today, followed by Ed Moss and the Society Jazz Orchestra, 9 p.m.-midnight, 318 E. Eighth St., downtown. 241-9477.

On TV

Top pick: Catch country music's best - live and on tape - when Shania Twain, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney perform at the live telecast of the CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards, country music's only music video awards show (8-11 p.m., Country Music Television).

• Critic John Kiesewetter also says Ted Koppel, with the U.S. Army's Third Infantry Division in Iraq, reports from the Tip of the Spear (8 p.m., Channels 9, 2).

The goods

Pet dining: So you have your own fine china, shouldn't Fido and Tabby? Sure should, says Signature Housewares, which offers Spot Pet Bowls - fine dinner ware for pets. Chose from three dog and two cat bowls, airtight treat canisters and vinyl place mats. Bowls are available in stoneware and melamine in bunches of colors and patterns, $3.99 to $39.99 at pet stores. Or hustle yourself off to www.sighouse.com.and shop around.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The American Jewish Committee hosts a Community Intergroup Seder officiated by Rabbi Gary P. Zola, noon Tuesday, Plum Street Temple, Eighth and Plum streets, downtown, $9 includes lunch. 621-4020.

48 hours out: 2700 Erie hosts home design master Jay Strongwater for a trunk show of his upscale jeweled picture frames, boxes and table top accessories, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Edwards Road and Erie Avenue, Hyde Park. 533-0042.

72 hours till Thursday: Sesame Street Live "Everybody Makes Music" begins a four-day run at U.S. Bank Arena, 7 p.m. All opening night seats are $12. 562-4949.

Coming Saturday: It's the '70s all over again when Poco, Firefall and Covington's own Craig Fuller (formerly with Pure Prairie League, Little Feat) bring Country Rock Fest to the Madison Theater, 730 Madison, Covington. Don't bother counting the original members in the bands; all of the hits will sound just like they did on the radio. 8 p.m. $30 and $22 at Ticketmaster, 562-4949; www.ticketmaster.com. (859) 655-4800.

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com