Going out

        Jazz concert: Tons and tons of jazz when vocalist/pianist Ora Reed and high-end tenor Derrick Alton join a batch of other jazz artists at the Classical Jazz Concert and Reception kicking off four days of hot events celebrating African-American achievement in the arts. 6-10 p.m. today, Contemporary Arts Center, 115 E. Fifth St., downtown, free. 721-0390.

        Howie Mandel: The actor-comedian-producer brings in his over-the-top stand-up act, so you have something to laugh about after losing a few bucks at the casino. 8 p.m. today, Belterra Casino and Resort, Switzerland County, Ind., about 45 miles southwest of Cincinnati. $30-$35. (888) 235-8377.

        Thom Shaw: The politically charged artist fires up the projector and shares slides of his new Inner Sanctums, Urban Medals and Other Short Subjects exhibit. 7 p.m. today, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum, Hamilton-Cleves Road, one mile south of Hamilton, free. 868-8336.

        Clyde Brown: The soul man and his eight-piece band croon a tune or 10 in a freebie on Wyoming's Village Green Concert Series. 7 p.m. today, 400 Wyoming Ave. (next to Sturkey's restaurant). 821-4742.

Staying In

        TV picks: All aboard for the Great Steam Train Tours (7:30 p.m., Channel 48; repeating at 10:30 p.m.), a two-hour excursion through Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia on a trio of huffing and puffing steamers.

        • TV Critic John Kiesewetter also says ER repeats the episode in which Dr. Weaver (Laura Innes) launches an investigation into a sweatshop, and Tom Bosley and Tom Poston play nursing home residents (10 p.m., Channels 5, 22).

The Goods (What's in stores today)

        Greetings: Looks as if there's a Redneck headed for your mailbox. Referring here to Jeff Foxworthy's "You Might Be a Redneck” bit and how it has ended up on a line of cards from American Greetings. There are 28 of them — birthday, friendship, thank you, missing you, encouragement, mushy romance — all with a different drawing and Redneck warning. They're $1.99 at Wal-Mart stores.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Jump the gun on Fourth of July festivities at the Aurora Firecracker Festival, complete with boat parade, music, air show and, of course, fireworks. 7 p.m.-midnight Friday, Lesko Park along the Ohio River. (800) 322-8198.

        48 hours out: Family Fun Day — Collect-O-Rama they call it — at the Cincinnati Art Museum includes a life-size version of the popular board game Masterpiece, hands-on craft activities, family-oriented tours and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, free. 721-2787.

        72 hours 'til Sunday: Spend an evening paging through the Great American Songbook when smoothie Tony Bennet joins the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra at Riverbend. 8 p.m., $17.75-$52.25. 562-4949.

Looking good, seeing well
Sopranos on singing
Arts events to honor African-American experience
Concert reviews
Knip's Eye View
'Survivor' Rodger to go on tour
The Early Word
Top 10s
Get to it