GOING OUT
               Globetrotters: What happens when you get a bunch of skilled basketball players eager as all get-out to show off a tad? You get fantastic tricks like spinning a ball on one finger, dribbling behind backs and making baskets without looking. The 'Trotters trot at Firstar Center, 7 p.m. today.$13-$76. 562-4949.

        WNOP-AM wake: The joint will be jumpin' in Oakley tonightfor the wake for jazz station WNOP-AM, which signs off Sunday. Cal Collins, Big Joe Duskin, Lomax, Mike Wade, Bill Caffie and Deborah Locke are scheduled to rock the stage. 8 p.m. 20th Century, 3021 Madison Road. $10. 421-9667.

        Calligraphy: About time you spruced up the old penmanship, don't you think? Try this: From noon to 1 p.m. today at the Main Public Library, reps from the Greater Cincinnati Calligraphy Guild will teach “Decorated Initials: Decorating Initial Capitals for Fun and Impact,” in conjunction with Kalli-Graphia: The Art of Beautiful Writing. Still more free classes on calligraphy through Jan. 31. 369-6970.

Staying In
               TV picks: Whew, talk about your heavy hitters all in one place at one time. Chuck Berry, Placido Domingo, Clint Eastwood, Angela Lansbury and Mikhail Baryshnikov are honored; Little Richard, Glenn Close, Nathan Lane, Len Cariou, the B-52s and others perform. And the venerable Walter Cronkite hosts. It's the annual Kennedy Center Honors, 9 p.m., Channels 12, 7.

        Sick fun: So then, how about some fava beans and a big helping of liver? It's Silence of the Lambs (9 p.m.Lifetime). Jodie Foster won an Oscar for her portrayal of Clarice Starling, the FBI agent sent to interview Hannibal “the Cannibal” Lecter, a jailed serial killer (Anthony Hopkins in another Oscar-winning performance). Starling must dig into her repressed childhood memories to help save a woman abducted by another killer.

What's in stores today
               Latrine training: And this for those enjoying their new Christmas puppy but not enjoying the occasional oopsie on the carpet: You need PoochPad, a product that absorbs and neutralizes as much as 48 ounces of, um, liquid. It's machine washable and reusable up to 300 times. Vinyl bottom prevents seepage on floors. Available in five sizes (up to 4 feet square) at pet stores and catalog companies. Medium sizes: $20-$25. For more information, go to www.poochpad.com or call (888) 766-2472.

Planning Ahead
               24 hours out: Sassy singer Dixie Karas belts 'em out with the help of jazz pianist Billy Larkinat Havana Martini Club. Stop by for an after-work cosmopolitan and hear her offer up all manner of songs in all manner of styles. 8:30-11:30 p.m. Thursday, 580 Walnut St., downtown. 651-2800.

        48 hours out: A little something for everyone here: Old and new sacred songs, hymns, inspirational Broadway tunes and more. It's vocalist Mary Marxen's “A Night of Inspiration and Prayer Through Song.” 7:30 p.m. Friday, Mother of God Church, Sixth and Russell streets, Covington. (859) 384-1356.

        96 hours 'til New Year's Eve: Cincinnati Zoo uncages a family-friendly party long enough before midnight to keep the kids from getting crabby. Festivities begin at 5 p.m., then heat up with an early (9 p.m.) countdown featuring a mechanical monkey. All throughout the park, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. $11, $5.50 age 2-12. 281-4700.

        Get To It appears daily. Send items to Nancy Berlier, Deputy Tempo Editor, at nberlier@enquirer.com.

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