Mark your calendar or set your alarm. IHOP restaurants (11 Twin Cities locations) will be offering a free short stack of

pancakes (3 large buttermilk pancakes, a $4.99 item) between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28.

In return diners will be asked to make a voluntary donation to support the Children's Miracle Network at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul. (The designated charity varies in other parts of the country.) IHOP has raised more than $8 million for charities nationwide since it started the program in 2006.

And it's being offered all day long, so the crush of customers can be spread throughout the day.

One unrelated bargain tip: Menards in Richfield (612-798-0508) has now increased its storewide discount to 20 percent during its closing for remodeling sale. About the time that the Richfield location closes, the newly remodeled Golden Valley store is supposed to open March 13.

One final tip:Goldstar is offering discounted seats to Disney on Ice Dare to Dream on March 2, 3, 4. Tickets are normally $22 but are currently discounted to $16.50 (including fees).You need to register if you're a new Goldstar

customer but it's free to register.