Going out

        Jaci Valasquez: She headlines the Crystal Clear Tour with her salsa-drenched Contemporary Christian music. Plus One, the Christian version of the oh so hot boy band phenom, is with her. 7 p.m. today, Tri-County Assembly of God, 7350 Dixie Highway, Fairfield. $20. 874-8575.

        Inspirational musical: Here comes that old question again: Can a Woman Make a Man Lose His Mind? Gospel stars Keith Washington and Jackie Clark belt out answers in the hot new show. Three-day run opens 8 p.m. today, Aronoff Center's Procter & Gamble Hall. $19.50-$27.50. 852-9883.

        "Dracula': It's fangs, toe shoes and tutus when the Royal Winnipeg Ballet sinks its teeth into a full-length ballet based on Bram Stoker's creepy thriller. With music by Gustav Mahler no less. 8 p.m. today, Millett Hall, Oxford. $11-$23. (513) 529-3200.

        Music showcase: German record label Blue Rose rolls out a musical showcase with local roots rockers Big in Iowa, Columbus singer/songwriter Fred Haring and alt-country kings Hensley Sturgis. 10 p.m. today, Southgate House, 24 E. Third St., Newport. $5. (859) 431-2201.

Staying In:

        TV picks: ER continues to prove why it's one of TV's best dramas when Dr. Greene (Anthony Edwards) is injured in a helicopter crash, and Dr. Kovac (Goran Visnjic) does not show up for work after beating a man to death last week (10 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter says his sons won't be competing on Battle of the Child Geniuses 2, at least this time (8-10 p.m., Channels 19, 45).

Web site of the day

Toy surfing: Compare the kids' extensive Christmas lists to some you'll find at www.toyhotline.org, new from the Toy Manufacturers of America. Includes tips on toy safety, selection, maintenance and lists of allegedly hazardous toys and toy hazards. Such as: Toys on steps, toys with small parts, sharp points or rough edges, uninflated balloons, heating elements and, the biggie, inadequate supervision. The Internetless can call (877) 486-9723.

Planning Ahead

24 hours out: Everything old is new again when Bogart's hosts The Tubes in a retrospective mix 'n' match of '80s hits and new material. 8:30 p.m. Friday, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. $12-$14. 562-4949.

        48 hours out: Covington's MainStrasse Village jump-starts the holidays when merchants fling open doors for their Christmas Open House. Well-stocked stores, holiday tunes and St. Nick too. Saturdays-Sundays through Nov. 19. (859) 491-0458.

        72 hours 'til Sunday: The four singing women of Anonymous 4, known for their astonishing vocal blend and wide range of early sacred music, crank out the new 1000: A Mass for the End of Time. 3 p.m. Sunday, Cathedral of Saint Peter in Chains, 325 W. Eighth St., downtown. $22-$25. 421-2222.

        Get To It appears daily. Send items to Get To It, Tempo, Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202; fax: 768-8330.

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Pigs on the Block
A City in the Making/20th in a series
KNIPPENBERG: Taft grad returns for debut of novel
The Early Word
Theater review: Account Me Puppet
Get to it