Going out

Artsy party: The Cincinnati Art Museum gets global as all getout when it throws one of its monthly One World Wednesdays happy hours, a young professionals type bash. Similar to summer's Parties in the Park, this month's party salutes African-American heritage with R&B by local artists from Liberated Souls, DJ Splotty Kaeco playing a ton of hip-hop and African-American films running all night. There's also soul food from A Taste of Julia's, cocktails and lots of art to ogle. 5:30 p.m. today, Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park, $6, $3 Enjoy the Arts members. 639-2995.

Take a sip: Or you could skip the art and go straight to the wine. Ludlow Wines, one of the city's best stocked shops, warms up a winter night with a merlot tasting - comfort wines, they call them. Merlots, both light and hearty, from Australia, California, Chile and France are on the menu. 7 p.m. today, Ludlow Wines, 339 Ludlow, Clifton, $15 includes light appetizers. 751-3727.

Buying art: Closson's Phyllis J. Weston Art Gallery has what looks to be a "can't miss" show: Several walls full of works by a laundry list of Cincinnati favorites, including Melissa Harshman, Pamela Jarrett, Jens Jensen, Frank McElwain, Holly Schapker, Harry Shokler, Ellen Scott and others. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Phyllis J. Weston Art Gallery, 2643 Erie Ave., Hyde Park. 762-5510.

Horse talk: Believe it or not, Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit is still on the best-seller lists. The story of the little horse that could - also subject of a hugely popular movie - is the topic of today's Book Discussion over in Northern Kentucky. 7 p.m. today, Kenton County Public Library, Erlanger Branch, 401 Kenton Lands Road, free. Register at (859) 962-4002.

Web sites of the day

Airborne: Now that the high-flying frenzy of the Wright Brothers centennial is calming down, it's time to sit back and, courtesy of Knight Ridder News Service, play with a few Web sites dedicated to same:

• The attempt to re-create the Wrights' first flight was a bust (weather, you know), but the virtual re-creation at this site is a success every time with a video that puts you on the rickety plane. http://media.dsc.discovery.com/convergence/wright/flights/flights.html

• The HowStuffWorks site is always ready with an explanation, including a basic tutorial on flight. Links explain how helicopters work, and "how flying cars will work." www.howstuffworks.com/airplane.htm

• The location of the Wright brothers' first flights on North Carolina's Outer Banks is overseen by the National Park Service. At this site you get a downloadable book about the Wrights and about the history of the memorial. www.nps.gov/wrbr/hrs/hrs.htm

Planning ahead

24 hours out: Cincinnati's favorite DeZydeco band, namely Robin Lacy and his musical pals, replace the oom-pahs with some Southern Louisiana twang over in Newport. The six-piece group - accordion, sax, rub board and lots of other stuff - is also a Cammy-winning ensemble. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday, Hofbrauhaus Newport, 200 E. Third St., Newport, no cover. (859) 491-7200.

E-mail: jknippenberg@enquirer.com; fax: 768-8330