Goodness there’s a lot going on this weekend! It’s like everyone planning events looked at their calendars at the end of last year and all decided that March 1 would be the perfect day for their fundraiser/yak auction/open house. What, did they think Spring would be here and we’re all inching to ditch the cabin fever? Well, that’s kind of true but I wish it was a little warmer.

We’re all busy so I’m going to make this short and sweet …

Start your weekend off with a little more cash. If you get to McDonald’s by 10:30 a.m. both Thursday and Friday mornings and buy at least a medium drink ($1.53 including tax) you’ll get a McSkillet Burrito FREE. No coupons needed.

We’ve already told you about Susannah Felts’ book signing/reading complete with band at Bottletree Thursday night. Go read Trav’s interview with the author. Then go buy a book. Or two.

So you missed P-Diddy on ABC Monday night. That’s okay. Thursday and Friday nights the talented kids at The Altamont School will also be performing Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.” The shows are FREE and start at 7 in the Cabaniss Fine Arts Center. The school is located at 4801 Altamont Road.

Friday night I’m going to my first Birmingham gala — Leading Edge Institute’s Lighting the Way Gala. And I’m real excited about it too. Check out our calendar entry.

Saturday morning is the 24th Annual Kiwanis Club of Homewood-Mountain Brook Pancake Day. From 7 a.m. to noon, enjoy sausage and pancakes at Homewood High School. Get fed and help kids at the same time. Cost is $5 with all proceeds returned to the community in the form of children’s programs.

And you’re going to need the strength of a hearty breakfast because there are all kinds of shopping opportunities Saturday. We’re talking deal-o-rama. I strongly suggest you make Avondale United Methodist Church your first stop (500 40th St. South). The multi-family garage sale from 7 a.m. to noon is a fundraiser for the church’s Parents Day Out program. The gym is full of all kinds of stuff that would look great at your place. Not only am I pimping the sale, I’m working it too. Come by and see me around closing time.

If you have kids, there are three other sales you may be interested in as well. The Birmingham Area Mothers of Multiples (BAMOM) group is having their “Twice as Nice Sale” Saturday at the Zamora Shrine Temple (3521 Ratliff Road, Irondale) from 7:30 to noon. More details here. Take a break for lunch and then head to Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church (2061 Kentucky Ave.) for their “Whale of a Sale.” The children’s consignment sale will feature spring and summer clothing, equipment, toys and more. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. but the half-price sale begins at 4.

The mother of all children’s consignment sales opens to the public Monday and goes all week with discounts Friday and Saturday. Kid’s Market and Mom is big enough to take over the former Food World location in Hoover off Valleydale Road (4524 Southlake Parkway). They are strict about what you can bring in so read the website carefully. Mom-passed tips: Use a belt/leash to drag a laundry basket behind you. If you see something, grab it quick or it won’t be there. You can always take it out of the basket later.

One last kid item: the magazine Alabama Baby is hosting a FREE Kidsfest at McWane Science Center Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. One-stop shopping to see what activities are available for kids, especially things like summer camps. But it’s not just picking up brochures, there will hands-on stuff for the kids to do too. Check out the website for a list of participants. Note, the fest is free, the rest of McWane is not. But it’s cold outside so I suggest you pony up the money and let the kids run around inside until they pass out.

A reminder that if you haven’t see a “Full Monty” yet by the Red Mountain Theatre Company, the curtain closes Sunday. They remind you, the show is intended for mature audiences.

Another reminder, you have until Monday to vote for your favorite comics in The Birmingham News. The future of (insert name of your favorite comic) is in your hands. Just like political elections, you can’t complain about the outcome unless you vote.

Okay, so maybe this wasn’t short but I sure hope you got some sweet ideas for the weekend. I barely scratched the surface so if you know of other events around town, please tell everyone by leaving a comment.