Going out

        Opening Day: Yeah, yeah, the calendar says one thing, but in Cincinnati, it's not spring 'til Opening Day. Today. Baseball season opens in high flying style with the Findlay Market Parade — floats, politicians, bands, movers and shakers begin at the market, proceed south on a clogged Race Street, left on Fifth Street. 10 a.m. parade; game against Atlanta Braves, 1:05 p.m., Cinergy Field. 421-7337.

        Pat Mitchell: Miami University's Lecture Series cranks up the heat a tad when this veteran broadcaster and president of the Public Broadcasting Service tackles “Social Responsibility and Business.” 8 p.m. today, Hall Auditorium, Oxford. Free tickets distributed one hour before lecture. (513) 529-2730.

        Madcap: It's a greatest hits sort of thing, don't you see, when Madcap Productions Puppet Theatre pulls the strings on its new show. Our Favorite Fairy Tales is all full of the troupe's favorite children's stories from around the world. 7 p.m. today, Hyde Park Branch Library, 2747 Erie Ave., free. 369-4456.

Staying In

        TV picks: Warren Harrison (Mackenzie Astin) is an earnest young lawyer who lacks the breezy social skills of his colleagues. He also has a secret. Tonight, Patty Duke — Astin's mother in real life — plays his mom and Warren plans to tell her he's gay. Then he's detoured. First Years, 9 p.m., Channel 5.

        April love: This is one of those lightweight movies that work just fine and dandy on TV. Jennifer Aniston lusts for handsome hunk Kevin Bacon, but she pretends to be engaged to Jay Mohr. The lie grows in predictable, but humorous, ways. Picture Perfect, 8 p.m., Channel 9.

Web site of the day

        March Madness: The big game is today (9 p.m., Channel 12), and here's a tasty way to supplement your TV viewing: Navigate this site to a page that gives real-time statistics and shows player actions on a diagram of the court: From the Main Sections menu, select Broadcast Schedule, pick a game and click “TotalCast.” www.finalfour.net

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Jennifer Chiaverini reads tidbits, then signs and discusses The Cross Country Quilters, latest novel in the ever so popular Elm Creek Quilts series. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 396-8960.

        48 hours out: Violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman tunes up and plucks a string or two in Oxford. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday,Millett Hall, Miami University. $15-$30. (513) 529-3200.

        72 hours 'til Thursday: Sure it's an easy target. But it's a fun one too, when Ensemble Theatre opens Miss Something, a musical satire on the hair spray encrusted world of beauty pageants. It's part of the company's Off-Center/On-Stage series. 8 p.m., 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. $10. 421-3555.

98º pops back into Tristate on latest tour
Meditation helps people heal
Family gathers to replenish spirit
Ask A Stupid Question
Get to It
Stair climbers find creative ways to improve fitness
Good technique important when doing squats
Don't let emotions send you snacking
Fit Bits