Going out

        Vans tour: Alternarockers take over the town at the super-sized Vans Warped Tour featuring power rock acts such as Bad Religion, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Hot Water Music, Alkaline Trio and more. Noon today, Riverbend Music Center, $29.50. 562-4949.

        County fair: There's old fashioned fun — and really sinful food — when the Hamilton County Fair opens its five-day run. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. today, county fairgrounds, Vine Street and Paddock Road, Carthage, demolition derby 7:30 p.m., $7. 761-4224.

        Big band: The Sound Body Jazz Orchestra tunes up for a concert under the stars. 7:30 p.m. today, Burnet Woods Bandstand off Clifton Avenue, free. 352-4080.

        Raptors: The Mary Ann Mongan branch library swoops in with Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky for a program featuring an American Bald Eagle, Red Tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture and more. 2:30 p.m. today, Fifth and Scott Streets, Covington. (859) 491-7610.

Staying in

        TV picks: Field reporter Jamie (Rowena King) faces pressure on both sides when covering the small-town murder of a gay man, while Janet (Myndy Crist) has a painful piece on child-labor abuse. Breaking News, 8 p.m., Bravo.

        • Researchers discuss whether differences in brain activity can explain contrasts between men and women. ABC News Special, 10 p.m., Channel 9.

Web site of the day

        Phone woes: Looking to change long distance carriers and trying to find the best deal? Looking to get the dreaded telemarketer out of your life? Looking for some general consumer advice? This is the site: Tollchasers is an unbiased look at all things telephone (junk mail, too), from money issues to efficient use. Go to tollchaser.com and knock yourself out.

Planning Ahead

        24 hours out: Prolific bestselling author Catherine Coulter makes her only area stop at Books & Co. in Dayton to promote her new FBI thriller Eleventh Hour. 7 p.m. Thursday, 350 E. Stroop Road, Kettering. (800) 777-4881.

        48 hours out: The Free Friday Flicks series has a showing of the mega hit Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone outdoors on a giant screen. 7:30 p.m. Friday,President's Park, Dudley Road, Edgewood. (859) 331-5910.

        72 hours out: Jazz legend Cleo Laine belts a batch of tunes for the Crown Jewels of Jazz concert with saxophonist John Dankworth, 7:30 p.m., Music Hall ballroom. $35. 241-7469.

— Jim Knippenberg

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

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