Going out

Taste of Blue Ash: Some the city's best restaurants serve up festival-size portions at the annual Taste of Blue Ash, largest of the community food fests. Kicks off 6-11 p.m. today, Hunt and Cooper roads. Music headliners are Starship featuring Mickey Thomas and War starting at 8 p.m. 745-8511.

Germania fest: The authentic Oktoberfest held by the Germania cultural preservation society offers German food, dancing, music and more, opening 6 p.m.-midnight today, continues Saturday and Sunday, Germania Park, 3529 W. Kemper Road, Dunlop. 742-0060.

Conch Republic comedy: The popular Pete & Wayne musical comedy act out of Key West continues its stint at Pirates Cove on the river, 9 p.m. today and Saturday, above Four Seasons Restaurant, 4609 Kellogg Ave., Columbia Tusculum, no cover. 871-1820.

Zoo bargain: Hamilton County Appreciation Days at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden features half-price admission and parking all weekend. There are also extended hours with gates open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. today-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (park open one hour after gates close). 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Adult admission (with discount) is $5.25, $4.50 seniors, $3 age 2-12 (parking is $3.25). 281-4700.

At Bogart's: The emo-punk Drive-Thru Records Tour includes acts such as the Starting Line, Homegrown, Senses Fail and more. 8 p.m. today, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, $12.50-$14. 562-4949.

On TV

Top pick: In the second-season finale, Monk (Tony Shalhoub) tracks a possible serial killer - when he isn't complaining to his dry cleaner (10 p.m., USA).

• TV critic John Kiesewetter also says I Love the '70s concludes with "1978" and Animal House, Grease, Dallas, WKRP in Cincinnati, the Bee Gees and the Commodores

(9 p.m., VH1), and "1979" with Alien, The Jerk, Mork & Mindy, Bo Derek, the Village People, Donna Summer and "My Sharona" (10 p.m.).

Opening Today

Critic's pick: Capturing the Friedmans (unrated documentary).

• Camp, PG-13: Daniel Letterle, Joanna Chilcoat.

• Le Divorce, PG-13: Kate Hudson, Naomi Watts.

• The Medallion, PG-13: Jackie Chan

• My Boss's Daughter, PG-13: Ashton Kutcher, Tara Reid

• Marci X, R: Lisa Kudrow, Damon Wayans.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: Local rockers Over the Rhine sign and perform from their new CD, Ohio, 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood. 396-8960.

Also 24 hours out: The Miami University Theater Department begins three nights of the Sanskrit classic The Little Clay Cart outdoors in the Ernst Nature Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Miami's western campus, Oxford, free. (513) 529-3053.

Next weekend: Coney Island presents its annual Cruise-a-Palooza classic car extravaganza in Moonlite Mall, noon-5 p.m. Aug. 30, I-275 and Kellogg Avenue, Anderson Township, free ($5 parking). 232-6701.

Jim Knippenberg

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