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Tensions run high, and the stakes run even higher, when two U. S. soldiers find themselves on trial for the death of a fellow Marine in the Civic Theatre performance of A Few Good Men.

When a fresh, young Navy lawyer is prodded into plotting a defense case, rather than a plea bargain, the situation sparks an explosive trial that places the Marine code of honor under fire.

See the much loved screenplay in person!

This intense drama was written by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network), and later adapted the play for the 1992 film of the same name starring Tom Cruise and Demi Moore.

A Few Good Men will be performed: Sat., Sept 8, 8 p.m., with performances on Sun., Sept. 9, 2 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 14, 8 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 15, 8 p.m. and Sun., Sept. 16, 2 p.m. All performances are at the Arts United Center, 303 East Main Street in downtown Fort Wayne.

For information regarding tickets and season subscriptions, call (260) 424-5220, or visit the Civic Theatre website at www.fwcivic.org.

When you find yourself in downtown Fort Wayne for either work or play, there are definitely a variety of things to do and places to go.

However, if you find you need a moment of peace while you’re here, there are plenty of options open to you for taking a well-deserved break. My top five favorites are:

1. The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory: Situated in the heart of downtown, the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory provides visitors with a chance to stop and let the world go by, while taking in the sights and scents of natural, floral beauty. Wander casually through their Showcase Garden with featured seasonal displays, take in the beautiful Tropical Garden with gorgeous orchids and a soothing waterfall, or enjoy the serenity of the Desert Garden. Visit the Botanical Conservatory Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Conservatory is closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day and Christmas Day. Admission is $5 adults, children (age 3-17) $3; children age 2 and under admitted free.

The Allen County Public Library offers a peaceful stop - and a Dunkin' Donuts on site!

2. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art also offers a quiet respite in the middle of the city. Walk the whisper-quiet galleries at your own pace, taking in exhibitions and collections designed to provoke thought, insight or amusement. The museum is located at 311 Main Street, and is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Art Museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $5 adults, $3 for students Kindergarten through college and $10 for families. The museum offers free admission on Sundays and Thursdays.

3. If you’re looking for a different kind of quiet, check out the Allen County Public Library. Make a quick stop at Dunkin’ Donuts (conveniently located adjacent to the southeast entrance) to pick up a treat and your favorite hot or icy beverage. The library’s main hall alone is worth the time to walk and explore. The two-story open area is home to a larger-than-life wall mural featuring inspirational quotes from some of the world’s most profound thinkers. Wander the departments, peruse a book or two or check out the featured exhibits on display. The main library is open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Please note the main library is closed on Sundays from May 27, 2012 to September 1, 2012. You can find the library at 900 Library Plaza (bordered by Wayne St., Ewing St. and Washington Blvd.)

Beautiful Freimann Square offers downtown serenity, despite being only steps away from busy Main Street

4. We’ve all heard jokes about the fickle tendencies of Indiana weather: “If you don’t like it, wait a minute and it’ll change,” and the weather in Fort Wayne is no exception. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a little bit of time on a pleasant day, visit Freimann Square. This fountain-adorned park offers a surprising amount of serenity despite being only steps away from busy Main Street. Pick a bench and enjoy cool shade or the full-on warmth of the sun, bring your lunch or enjoy a book. Freimann Square is located on the west side of the Arts United Center/Fort Wayne Civic Theatre. (Parking entrance accessible from South Clinton St.)

5. Finally, tucked into former firehouse number 3 – located at 226 W. Washington Blvd. – is the Fort Wayne Firefighter’s Museum. Station 3 was closed in 1972, and within a couple of years, plans were being made to turn the building into a museum full of local history. Years of work ensued, and the museum opened on a limited basis in 1981. In 2001 a staff was hired and regular hours took effect. The equipment and memorabilia in the museum were all once used by the Fort Wayne Fire Department, and were generously donated by the firefighters and their families. The museum is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is closed Wednesdays, Sundays and most holidays. Admission is $4 adults, seniors and students (K-12) $3. Children 5 and under are free.

What about you? Are there any downtown quiet spots that you’d recommend?

Spring break: (n) Period of time, usually one week, where families escape winter doldrums of northern and Midwest states and head for warmer, tropical locales. Also refers to the time period where adults and children can relax, recharge and reconnect without being held to the demands of normal work/school routine.

Spring break is one of the first things to look forward to after the holidays. Many people find themselves staring at the calendar on February 1st chanting “eight more weeks…” While countless families pack up and make extensive travel plans, there are also many families who opt to get away a little closer to home. When your vacation becomes a “staycation,” there are still many great things to do here in Fort Wayne that are inexpensive (or, better yet… FREE!) to relax, recharge and reconnect with your family.

Get Back to Your Roots
Whether your family is tightly-knit or scattered to the wind, spend an afternoon in the Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library and take a look at your family tree. This extensive collection of genealogical information and resources will provide an interesting glimpse into your ancestry. Use the ACPL genealogy database to start piecing together your family’s history. Who knows? You might even learn some interesting things about your family that you never knew before.

Cindy’s serves the world – 15 people at a time!

Sample a Classic Taste
Enjoying fun and fabulous food on vacation is a must – and if you’re on a “staycation,” it shouldn’t be any different! If you want to sample some of the most classic and long-standing tastes of Fort Wayne, look to the downtown area. There’s Coney Island on Main Street – tasty hot dogs with that one-of-a-kind Coney sauce, all nestled into a steamed bun. Cindy’s Diner, on the corner of Wayne and Harrison, offers great diner fare, but if you really want to indulge? Order “Garbage” on the breakfast menu. It may not be pretty, but it tastes incredible. Another delicious downtown destination is Powers Hamburgers on South Harrison St. On a good day, you’ll smell the burgers & onions before you even get there. And, when lunch is finished, don’t forget to top it off with a frosty treat from Fort Wayne’s own Zesto shops. Located just south of downtown on Broadway and Creighton, southwest on Falls Drive, north just off Washington Center Road or northeast at St. Joe Road and Maplecrest, Zesto’s ice creamy goodness will put a happy twist on any day.

Take a Dip
Many of us associate “spring break” with spending time on a warm, sandy beach with the prospect of playing in the cool water just a few feet away. While we don’t have the warm, sandy beach in Fort Wayne, we definitely have options to play in the water… or on the water. Check out Earth Adventures Unlimited just west of downtown, or Fort Wayne Outfitters just north of the city to rent a canoe or kayak and set out to explore the rivers in our midst.

Hometown Tourism
If these starter ideas aren’t going to do the trick, be a true tourist in your own town and head to www.visitfortwayne.com for more spring break staycation ideas. You’ll find everything you need to cover a week’s worth of days with family fun. You’ll find details on things to do, places to eat and special events. Don’t forget to click the DEALS tab, for specials and coupons to save a few dollars while you make many memories.

If you’re not heading for hot sun and beaches this spring break, make Fort Wayne your destination, and enjoy spring break right in your own hometown!

The Fort Wayne Dance Collective is pleased to present the Choreographers Laboratory 2012 on Saturday, February 18 at 7 pm and Sunday, February 19 at 2 pm at the Dance Collective’s Elliot Studio, 437 E. Berry in Fort Wayne.

This program allows local and regional choreographers the chance to showcase their talents and receive anonymous feedback from the audience. Performers from Indiana University’s Contemporary Dance Program are scheduled, as well as Indianapolis-based Motus Dance Theatre and local student dancers from Weisser Park School, North Side High School, South Side High School and Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne.

The Choreographers Laboratory 2012 will be held Saturday, February 18th at 7 pm and Sunday, February 19th at 2 pm.

Tickets for the Choreographers Laboratory are $8 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, and are available for purchase online. For more information, contact the Dance Collective at (260) 424-6574 or by emailing info@fwdc.org.

The Fort Wayne Dance Collective is a nonprofit organization, whose mission is to provide people of all ages and abilities a respectful environment in which to learn, collaborate and perform using movement, rhythm and language. The organization began in 1978 with a group of five women who met at a modern dance workshop and banded together to bring creative expression to the Fort Wayne community. In its history, the Dance Collective has brought many innovative performances to Fort Wayne, including Pilobolus, Urban Bush Women, Katari Taiko, Rennie Harris Puremovement and the Trisha Brown Dance Company. The Dance Collective’s programming calendar includes on-site classes, a touring company and outreach programs. To learn more about the Fort Wayne Dance Collective, visit their website at www.fwdc.org.

Join the Fort Wayne Ballet for an enchanted performance about the boy who can fly!

This February, the Fort Wayne Ballet presents Peter Pan, based on the J.M. Barrie classic story about Peter and his friends as they share adventures on the island of Neverland.

As part of the Ballet’s Family Series, these performances allow the audience to get up close and personal with the dancers while enjoying all the classic tale of a mischievous boy whose refusal to grow up leads everyone on a magical adventure. During the 35-minute performance, you’ll be whisked away to Neverland where you’ll meet the Lost Boys and encounter pirates, mermaids and fairies. Following the performances, guests will enjoy an interactive party with the characters, so bring your camera for photos with the cast!

The Fort Wayne Ballet Presents Peter Pan Feb 18th, 2012

Performance is scheduled for Saturday, February 18 at 10 am and 11:30 am. Tickets are just $10 per person for all ages. Peter Pan will be performed in the new studios at 300 E. Main St. in Fort Wayne; please bring a blanket to sit on the floor for the performance. Seating is limited, so make plans to visit Neverland today!

Tickets are available by calling the Fort Wayne Ballet at (260) 484-9646, Mon.-Fri. between 9 am and 6 pm. You may also purchase tickets in person at the Auer Center for Arts & Culture, 300 E. Main St. in downtown Fort Wayne, daily between 9 am and 6 pm.