IHOP to give away pancakes

If you love pancakes, then IHOP is the place you want to be Feb. 24. IHOP restaurants nationwide have declared this day as IHOP's National Pancake Day Celebration.

In efforts to raise money for Children's Miracle Network, IHOP is offering guests a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. For each stack of pancakes, IHOP guests are invited to make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network program at the Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center.

The event will run from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Otherwise known as Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day has been celebrated for centuries in England, according to an IHOP release. Shrove Tuesday marks the beginning of fasting during Lent, and. long ago, strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during this religious period. Pancakes were made to use up the supply of milk, butter and other dairy products, thus the name Pancake Day.

IHOP served 1.5 million free pancakes on National Pancake Day 2008.

RECAP

Here are some highlights from The Pinch last week:

STATE FARM LOWERS SOUTH CAROLINA AUTO RATES: If you're a South Carolina resident with State Farm insurance, you're in luck. The insurance company is lowering your auto rates, effective March 9.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. is lowering its overall auto insurance rate in South Carolina by an average of 2.1 percent. This represents an annual savings of $10.9 million for South Carolina customers, according to a news release.

Using claim experience over the past several years, State Farm projects the number and cost of future claims. Rates are set in accordance with that information to meet the promises made to policyholders. State Farm was able to reduce rates because of less than expected claims experience.

Premiums for liability and collision coverage are decreasing for most customers. The price of comprehensive and medical payments coverage is not affected by this rate change. Comprehensive coverage pays for losses from such perils as theft, storm, fire, vandalism and glass breakage.

Overall premium changes for motorists will vary depending on factors such as the coverage they carry, the discounts for which they qualify, where they live, the kind of car insured, who drives the vehicle and how many miles they drive.

EVERYTHING MUST GO

Circuit City and Goody's Family Clothing on Robert C. Daniel Parkway have kicked their going out of business sales into second gear.

The stores have signs posted for additional markdowns. At Circuit City, all merchandise is 20 to 50 percent off the original price. LCD televisions are 25 percent off, and plasma TVs are 30 percent off. Here are some additional savings:

Printers, scanners, home audio and digital cameras: 30 percent off

CDs, DVDs, GPS units, PC software and PC accessories: 40 percent off

All furniture and selected mobile audio and accessories: 50 percent off

At Goody's, everything is 60 to 80 percent off the original price. Fixtures, furniture and equipment are on sale, too. Ask the store manager for details.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Shane's Rib Shack in Evans is celebrating its first anniversary Thursday by giving away a Big Dad (pulled pork) sandwich and a T-shirt to the first 50 customers.

Shane's Rib Shack opens for lunch at 11 a.m. There will be several giveaways throughout the day, including Frisbees, shirts and koozies.

Reach LaTina Emerson at (706) 823-3227 or latina.emerson@augustachronicle.com.

Read LaTina Emerson's blog on saving money and shopping smarter in Augusta at blogs.augusta.com.