While many readers worry about "life after Harry" next week, there's lots of literary life percolating in this part of the world right now.

Here's what's happening this week:

The South Side Summer Poetry Reading

	Jim Daniels will read Thursday on the South Side. Click photo for larger image.

Three well-known locally based poets head the bill Thursday for the traditional summer of verse on East Carson Street.

The poets are Rina Ferrarelli, Timons Esaisas and Jim Daniels.

The South Side Local Development Co. and the Pittsburgh Poetry Exchange are the co-presenters of the event, something that's been held in a variety of rooms and formats for more than a decade.

A poet in her own right, Ferrarelli is also an award-winning translator and a contributor to the Post-Gazette Saturday Poetry column. She's a Duquesne University graduate and Mt. Lebanon resident.

Esaias' poetry has been published in baseball and science-fiction reviews, and he's placed fiction pieces in a variety of publications. He lives in Pittsburgh.

Daniels lives in Oakland, where he teaches writing at Carnegie Mellon University. He's the author of 10 poetry collections; his 11th, "In Line for the Exterminator," will appear in the fall. He's also written extensively in fiction and drama.

The readings are at 7:30 p.m. at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2705 E. Carson St. They're free. Call the poetry exchange at 412-481-7636 if you don't believe me.

Gist Street Cookout Extravaganza

Six writers are on the grill Saturday when the Gist Street Reading Series throws its summer picnic at James Simons' studio, 305 Gist St., Uptown.

The group -- Lee Gutkind, Floyd Skloot, Michelle Herman, Joe Mackall, Terese Svoboda and Dinty Moore -- are all connected with the University of Nebraska Press, but there's been no word if any corn will be husked during the picnic portion of the program.

Moore and Gutkind are familiar names around town, but the others need some background.

Skloot's fourth novel, "Patient 002," was published in April. Nebraska published his 2005 memoir, "A World of Light." Poetry and essays are also part of the Skloot resume.

"Tin God," one of Svoboda's four novels, was a Nebraska title. She's also written poetry and nonfiction.

Nebraska published Herman's "The Middle of Everything," a memoir of motherhood and domestic issues, in 2005. She's also written collections of essays.

Mackall edits the literary journal River Teeth and has published a memoir, "The Last Street Before Cleveland," with Nebraska. His latest book is "Plain Secrets: An Outsider Among America's Most Traditional Amish," released this year.

Nebraska Press published Gutkind's "Forever Fat" and will publish Moore's "Between Panic and Desire" next year. Both are memoirs.

The eating and drinking (attendees must supply both food and beverages) start at 7 p.m., readings at 8 p.m. You still must pay $5 no matter how much booze you bring. Consult the Web site -- www.giststreet.org -- for more details.

Johnstown's Lunchtime Poetry in the Park

This free poetry series at the Gazebo in Johnstown's Central Park kicks off tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Plans are to meet every Wednesday through Aug. 15 depending on the participation.

Craig Grossman is the organizer and can be contacted at Johnstownpoetry@yahoo.com.