Going out

        Pops freebie: Cincinnati Pops Orchestra belts out its free Concert on the Green with Erich Kunzel leading a night of traditional American music, including a special arrangement of Stephen Foster's “My Old Kentucky Home.” 8 p.m. today (grounds open at 6 p.m. for picnics), Union Central Insurance and Investments lawn, Mill and Waycross Roads, Forest Park. 595-5200.

        Big bands: A word to the wise from The Enquirer's Larry Nager: Don't miss the Blue Wisp Big Band's final gig at its namesake club's 19 Garfield Place digs. Saturday is the final night at the club before it moves to 318 E. Eighth Street. The band will be recording the evening for posterity. The music starts at 9 p.m. and there's an $8 cover (721-9801).

        Budget Italy: Travel writer Margo Classe signs and discusses her Hello Italy! Best Budget Hotels in Italy guidebook with a whole batch of slides. 7 p.m. today,, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 396-8960.

        Jonathan Richman: The punk rock pioneer hits town to knock out a whole batch of tunes from his recent greatest hits compilation. 8:30 p.m. today, Southgate House, 24 E. Third St., Newport, $10-$12. 779-9462.

Staying in

        TV picks: Gentlemen, start your engines! The Learning Channel's Junkyard Wars finals air tonight with two teams — the Turbines and the Pit Crew — having 10 hours to build remote-control demolition derby cars (9 p.m., TLC).

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also says Showtime's Soul Food (10 p.m.) and Resurrection Blvd. (10:45 p.m.) return today for a third season.

The Goods

What's in stores today

        • He's about to open Men in Black II, so what better time for self-promotion prince Will Smith to drop Born to Reign (Sony; $18.98 CD, $12.98 cassette).

        • Hard-rockin' TV dad Ozzy Osbourne is ready to cash in on his MTV success and his Ozzfest 2002 tour with Live at the Budokan (Sony; $18.98) also available as a DVD (Sony; $19.98).

        • He doesn't have a movie or a TV series, but rapper Nelly expects to sell a lot of Nellyville (Universal; $18.98 CD, $12.98 cassette) on the old-fashioned idea that music sells itself.

        • He's been dead for almost 25 years, but Elvis keeps turning out hits. His latest is the four-CD box, Elvis, Today, Tomorrow & Forever (RCA; $69.98 CDs only) including 100 previously unreleased tracks.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Dig up hard-to-find tropical, water and house plants from nurseries around the state at the final Smith & Hawken Plant Collector Market of the season. 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 731-3133.

        48 hours out: Final Friday is opening night downtown and Over-the-Rhine with exhibits at Linda Schwartz Gallery, DesignSmith Gallery, YWCA Art Gallery and more. Receptions 6-9 p.m. 621-4700.

        72 hours out: Get ready for the powerful new indie/emo act Juliana Theory with Piebald, Noise Ratchet and Celebrity.8:30 p.m., Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, $10-$12. 562-4949.

— Jim Knippenberg

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

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