Here we are, almost in March.. the most ambiguous of months. It's not spring, but hardly winter, a little slow on events, and come St. Patty's, you'll have an entire day of it you've no recollection of.

If how you start a month indicates how it will proceed, then let me throw out a game plan here...

Eat 'budget consciously' with the CheapEats Toronto 2006 guide which launches this Wednesday at the Rivoli. Even cheaper = free, so RSVP to attend the launch party from 7-9pm and enjoy light snacks and Pelee island wine.

At the party, you're likely to make a few new friends, so the logical next stop is a coffee date or two. And so, because you're so humble and arty, you'll want to head over to Poor John's Cafe (1610 Queen St W) and take in 3 of the 6 SitewayLit works by Antony Hare (recently featured in Eye) that'll be on display.

Finally, a little philanthropy would round things off well, so get some rest and on March 2nd, attend the RetroACTIVE! Fundraiser for a Mine Free World at Paaeez Lounge. Various mine ban campaigners will present over a light buffet, silent auction and finally retro grooves on the dancefloor. Tickets avail for only $10 through allison [ at ] dangermines.ca.