FRIDAY

These ain't just any ol' books, no sir: These are books used by them smart college students — and them smart Clark University students, to boot. The Goddard Library at Clark (Goddard Exhibition Room, 950 Main St.) is holding its annual used book sale yesterday and today (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.), featuring thousands of books that will be offered for $1 or less on Thursday. And today, all used books will be sold for half-price (so bring your quarters). And this will also give you a great excuse to visit the Goddard Library, again or for the first time.

Here's a great event in another great place: The YMCA of Central Massachusetts' Boroughs Family Branch will hold its annual live auction at The White Cliffs in Northboro (167 Main St.) to support the Strong Kids Campaign. Funds collected from the auction will help to support the children and families most in need in and around the Boroughs facility. With these funds, the YMCA can subsidize families who would normally not be able to take advantage of the life-building resources that the YMCA provides, such as after-school care, leadership and mentoring, and a safe place to play and exercise. In addition to the auction, there will be a dinner and other entertainment (you didn't think you were going to The White Cliffs and not have a nice meal, did you?). For more information or to purchase tickets, call 508-870-1320. And for more information on the YMCA of Central Massachusetts in general, visit www.ymcaofcm.org.

SATURDAY

You've seen it out there on the water for years, but how much do you really know about The Old Stone Church (Rtes. 12 and 140) in West Boylston? Well, here's your day and opportunity to find out. It all starts at the church itself at 11 a.m., when a ranger (we don't know who this ranger represents, but a snappy uniform is virtually assured) will talk about the church and its history. From there, head to the Masonic Hall on Church Street between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to see artifacts from the church and an exhibit of paintings and photos of the building, likely the Central Massachusetts equivalent of Motif No. 1 (the bridge in Elm Park runs a close second, we're sure). Concurrent with all of this, The Bigelow Tavern (Rte. 12), across from the Congregational Church (now there's some New England zoning regulations for you) will be open with more artifacts from the church from noon-2 p.m. It's all free, sponsored by the West Boylston Historical Society, and is part of the town's 200th anniversary celebration. For more information, visit www.WB200.com.

SUNDAY

He was ours once: We're talking about author and historian Kenneth Moynihan, currently professor of history at Assumption College and an op-ed columnist for the Worcester Telegram. Formerly a columnist for this august publication, he will be the featured speaker this afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Saxe Room at the Worcester Public Library for the Friends of the WPL's annual meeting. Following a brief business meeting, Ken will discuss his new book, A History of Worcester: 1674-1848. Refreshments and a book-signing will follow the talk, 'tis free, and all are welcome.

Now bear with us because this may seem a little incongruous: A student group at the College of the Holy Cross, Multiethnic Indentity Xploration (MIX — misspelling forgiven for the sake of the cute acronym), is hosting its annual MIX Bone Marrow Banquet and Drive this evening from 6-8 p.m. in the Hogan Campus Center ballroom. Students, faculty, staff and residents of the Greater Worcester community are invited to help people in need by finding out if they are a match for different types of transplants (all it takes is a little swab inside your face cheek). Tickets to the banquet are $7 for the Holy Cross community, $8 for Worcester Consortium members and $10 for the general public. Tix are available from March 31 to April 4 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on the first floor of the Hogan Campus Center or at the door this evening. Please bring an insurance card for verification. Now, it may seem a little, well, unseemly to have a banquet for this sort of thing — but food's a good way to bring people together for a good cause. And as long as they don't talk about gross medical stuff while we're eating (or soon thereafter), it ought to be OK. And no slides or pictures, please. For more information, call 508-793-2419. o