Readers to Your Marks: Get Set for Newberry Sale

Thousands of hardback and paperback works of fiction, mysteries,how-tos, cookbooks, travel, children's classics and collectibles -all at prices lower than a snake's belly - are on sale this weekendat the Newberry Library's famous Book Fair.

Wear your running shoes and polish your attack maneuvers forthis popular annual event, which always draws legions ofbargain-hunting bookworms.

The fair runs from 4 to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrowand noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St.(312-943-9090, Ext. 282.)

THE POLISH STYLE: "Architecture of Old Vilnius," an exhibit of 70panels depicting the history of the Lithuanian capital, is on displaythrough Oct. 18 at the Polish Museum of America.

The show traces the emergence of a particular baroquevariation known as Vilnius baroque, as well as the over-alldevelopment of the city's 18th-century Polish-style architecture.

The exhibit is part of a series on the Polish architecturalinfluence internationally that last winter included a segment onChicago.

The Polish Museum, 984 N. Milwaukee (312-384-3352), is openfrom noon to 5 p.m. every day. Admission is $2.

BABY FACES: Photographers Debora Hunter and Sue Packer, lensespoised, went about stalking the wild baby - and the result is"Sitting Pretty," their wacky show of unusual infant portraits, atthe Art Institute starting tomorrow.

The exhibit features about 30 offbeat pictures, in color andblack-and-white, which transcend - to say the least - the usualpull-down-backdrop shots.

The show will run through Jan. 3 at the Art Institute, Michiganat Adams (312-443-3600). Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday,Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6 foradults, $3 for students, seniors and children. Tuesdays are free.

SWEEPERS NEEDED: The Shedd Aquarium-coordinated Great LakesBeach Sweep is recruiting volunteers for this year's Sept. 12cleanup.

The effort, to take place from 9 a.m. to noon, will coordinatewith the Center for Marine Conservation's Coastal Cleanup, designedto promote public awareness about the hazards of beach debris andcollect data that will help determine just what is polluting theGreat Lakes.

Chicago beaches scheduled for sweeps include Calumet, Rainbow,South Shore, 64th Street, 57th Street, 31st Street, 12th Street,North Avenue, Oak Street, Fullerton, Montrose, Foster, Hollywood,Loyola and Leone. Wilmette's Gillson Park Beach and Waukegan Beachin Waukegan will also be swept.

For information on helping with regional cleanups, call theShedd at (312) 939-2426. For statewide information, call the LakeMichigan Federation at (312) 939-0838.

FIELD GOAL: The Field Museum has announced that those attendingBears games at Soldier Field this season can present their gameticket for half-price admission (and free readmission) on game days.

Fans are encouraged to avoid traffic and parking snafus bycoming early, enjoying the museum, then attending the game.

For information on the program, call (312) 322-8859.

The Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Road at LakeShore Drive, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Regularadmission is $4 for adults, $2.50 for children aged 3-17, seniors andstudents, $13 maximum for a family.