Cast your vote

        Today is your last chance to vote for your favorite Graeter's ice cream flavor at Cincinnati.Com. Do it by 11 a.m., then look for the poll results in Wednesday's Food section, along with a taste test of premium vanilla and chocolate ice cream.

Blige concert canceled

        Tonight's Mary J. Blige concert at Riverbend was canceled Monday. No reason was given for the cancellation, but ticket sales were reportedly far below expectations. Refunds are available at the point of purchase.

Going out

        Alicia Ross: The food columnist made famous by her “Desperation Dinners” swoops in to sign and discuss her new Desperation Entertaining. 7 p.m. today, Books & Co., 350 E. Stroop Road, Kettering. (800) 777-4881.

        African life: Three African priests visit Combini Mission Center to shed light on their work in Sudan and Kenya. 7:30 p.m. today, 8108 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township. Free. 474-4997.

        Crochet: Haul out the needles and learn to make a hat, bag, vest or pillow at a free program hosted by the Union Township Branch Library. 7 p.m. today, 4462 Mount Carmel-Tobasco Road, Clermont County, participants need a size J or G hook. Reservations: 528-1744.

Staying in

        TV picks: Here's the conclusion of a terrific two-parter with two disasters. Daphne's mom (Millicent Martin) keeps criticizing her; a neighbor (Brian Stokes Mitchell) keeps one-upping Frasier. Frasier, 9 p.m., Channel 5.

        • This might be a good time to start watching this series, a Baywatch knockoff that ranges from juvenile humor to clever parody. Tonight, young men are disappearing from the beach, and RuPaul is suspected. Son of the Beach, 10 p.m., Fx.

The Goods: Video picks

        Critic's picks: The new release sure to get the attention this week is Britney Spears' film debut in Crossroads. But Margaret A. McGurk says the big news is the too-long-delayed DVD of the wonderful nature adventure Never Cry Wolf, starring Charles Martin Smith.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: The Village Players of Fort Thomas open a production of William Inge's famous and gritty Bus Stop. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Village Players Theater, 8 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, $9. (859) 441-1441.

        48 hours out: The Pete Wagner Band swings into a free concert on the lawn of Twin Towers Retirement Community. 7-9 p.m. Thursday, 5343 Hamilton Ave., College Hill. 853-2801.

        Also 48 hours out: Joseph-Beth Booksellers hosts author Gary Pomerantz for a signing and discussion of his new book, Nine Minutes, Twenty Seconds: A True Story of Tragedy and Triumph, 7 p.m. Thursday, Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood. 396-8960.

— Jim Knippenberg

        Contact Jim Knippenberg by phone: 768-8513; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: jknippenberg@enquirer.com.

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