By Jim Knippenberg
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Going out

Mix it up: Perfect. Here's a chance to make a whole batch of new friends, enjoy a cocktail and make money for the FreeStore/FoodBank. SingletoMingle, the Web-based networking group that tries to get young professionals out and meeting people, has a Happy Hour Mix & Mingle - three hours of cocktails and maybe some new faces. 6 p.m. today, Club Clau, 12th and Sycamore streets, Over-the-Rhine, $20. 218-1573.

Artsy knitters: So with knitting all the rage right now it just makes sense to have a pro show off her work, right? Right. Knitware designer Carole Kuhn has a show of modular knitting - 14 vests, jackets and coats made from knitted modules of squares, triangles and shells, plus 12 knitted purses. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. today-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday through Jan. 10 (closed Dec. 24-29), Fitton Center, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton, free. 863-8873.

Scoot along: The Clifton Business Association kicks off Clifton Jollydays, a celebration full of special events, with a whole row of window displays showing off new and vintage scooters. Check them out, then pop into one of the many fun places on the strip for a bite or cocktail. Today through Jan. 5, Ludlow Avenue business district. 227-2090.

Holiday Treats

Victorian chow: Hillforest Mansion has two luncheons to celebrate the season in the 19th century mansion. It's great for groups of friends or something different for the office lunch. Guided tours of the mansion are included in the price. 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Hillforest Mansion, 213 Fifth St., Aurora, $22-$25. (812) 926-0087.

Holiday tales: Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati checks in with Expectations of Christmas, a light and lively series of holiday tales and songs written by D. Lynn Meyers and David Kisor. Proceeds benefit Tender Mercies and Hays-Porter-Washburn Elementary School, 7 p.m. today, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, $10. 421-3555.

Christmas past: WMKV-FM (89.3) bows to tradition with "Cincinnati's Christmas Past," a series of vignettes narrated by the venerable Don Herman and focusing on Cincinnati Christmases from 1895 to 1985. The vignettes have been airing since 1991. They run at various times during the day through Dec. 28.

Albums of the Year

Choose your favorites: The voting has begun for WNKU-FM's (89.7) top 89 albums of the year. The public radio station, which specializes in adult alternative music, offers listeners the opportunity to pick their five favorite records of the year. The votes will be counted and the results will be played from 9 a.m. Dec. 30 through 2 p.m. Jan. 1. Voters can win CD grad bags, and one grand prize winner will receive the top 20 CDs plus a handmade CD case from Uncle John's Woodshop. Vote online (www.wnku.org) . (859) 572-6500.

Planning Ahead

24 hours out: Poet, columnist, performance artist and all-around innovative guy Mark Flanigan will read from his monthly column "Exiled on Main Street," published first in X-ray Cincinnati, then the literary Web site (www.semantikon.com) . 8 p.m. Tuesday, Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside, free. 542-3603.

Also 24 hours out: The Hofbrauhaus hauls out its brew master to lead guests through samples of specialty beers served up with a four-course dinner. 6 p.m. Tuesday, 200 E. Third St., Newport, $40. (859) 491-7200.

48 hours out: Here's something different for lunch: Local jazz favorite Eugene Goss belts out a batch of jazzy holiday songs to spice up your afternoon. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Mercantile Library, 414 Walnut St., downtown, free. 621-0717; (www.eugenegoss.com) and (www.mercantilelibrary.com) .

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E-mail: jknippenberg@enquirer.com or fax:768-8330