Going out

Powerboat Regatta: Speedboaters from around the country descend on the quaint river town of Aurora, Ind., for racing, watercraft shows and all kinds of festivities. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today, Lesko Park, off U.S. 50, just west of downtown Aurora, free. (800) 322-8198.

Taste of Blue Ash: Some of the city's best restaurants offer festival-size portions alongside three stages of live music and a huge family fun area. noon-10 p.m. today, Hunt and Cooper roads, Blue Ash. 745-8511.

Germania fest: The German cultural preservation society hosts its annual Bavarian extravaganza full of imported beers, homemade German dinners, live music and folk dancing. Noon-10 p.m. today, Germania Park, 3529 W. Kemper Road, Dunlop. 742-0060.

Billy Idol: The rebel yeller brings his hard-edged pop to TimberWolf Amphitheater, 6:30 p.m. today, Paramount's Kings Island. $14.99-$39.99. 562-4949.

On TV

Top pick: You can make a "top pick" from these cable gems: Biography profiles Steven Spielberg (8-10 p.m., A&E); Failure Is Not An Option, a look at NASA engineers (9-11 p.m., History Channel); Unseen and Untold: Animal House, a 25th anniversary special about the John Belushi movie (9 p.m., Spike); and The Desilu Story: Rags to Riches Success of the Desilu Empire, about the legendary Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz TV studio (9-11 p.m., Bravo).

• TV critic John Kiesewetter says Reds fans should set the VCR for Red Hot October (10:30 a.m., Channel 64) and Game 4 of the 1976 World Series sweep of the Yankees (11 a.m.-2 p.m., Channel 64).

Casting call

Local production: An open casting call for more than 50 players (men and women of all ethnicities) for a locally produced short film, Living in Technicolor, will run from 2 to 7:30 p.m. today at Lowry Photography, 1700 Madison Road (find directions at www.lowryphoto.net) . Acting Guild members will work under experimental agreement terms. Shooting is set for Oct. 17-27 in Cincinnati. Contact Brian Risdon, 476-4862, or e-mail brian@ftmpro.com.

The goods

Smelly cars: Auto air fresheners take a step forward with DriveFresh. It's an air freshener that uses a gel pack and plugs into the cigarette lighter. And it's adjustable depending on how much cigarette odor or spilled chili you need to snuff out. Available in wood grain and an assortment of colors and scents (it uses replacement gels from Glade PlugIns and Renuzit). $5.95-$7.95

Planning ahead

48 hours out: Red-hot NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick is at Tom Gill Chevrolet to sign autographs and participate in a question-and-answer session, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Commerce Drive, Florence. (859) 371-7566.

Also 48 hours out: Fantasy writer J.E. Modesitt Jr. introduces his new Darknesses: The Second Book of the Corean Chronicles, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood. 396-8960.

- Jim Knippenberg

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