We can think of nothing more important than helping kids beat cancer. And we can think of few things more fun than a good meal. So…do good and eat well Monday night, when the state chapter of the International Special Events Society sponsors Dining Spaces 2008 to benefit the Valerie Fund (www.thevaleriefund.org). New Jersey’s top event planners, event designers, florists and caterers will be at the Pines Manor in Edison (www.pinesmanor.com) for this benefit. You can be there too, if you register at www.njises.org.

Something else on behalf of children this weekend is…Shakespeare for kids? Yep. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (www.shakespearenj.org), in Madison, hopes to help kids appreciate the Bard of Avon with special 60-minute productions of two of his most lively plays. Performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream take place tonight at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m., while Romeo and Julietis on stage Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Two free children’s admission with each $12 adult ticket.

We know of two cool weekend-long events. In Jersey City it’s JC Fridays, the quarterly celebration with so many art shows, concerts, dance performances and food offerings we won’t even begin to list them here — go check www.jcfridays.com.

Then there is the Springfest  Flower and Garden Show (www.springfestgardenshow.com), tonight through Sunday at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta. Some of the state’s premier landscapers and garden merchants will be there with gardening advice, plants, flowers and displays specific to New Jersey. It’s organized by the New Jersey State Fair to support agricultural initiatives and scholarships.

You can get fresh flowers free at the Short Hill Mall, which is picking out random customers to gift them spring posies to celebrate the coming season of bloom.

There’s also Tex Mex rock in New Jersey this weekend. Los Lobos (www.loslobos.org) are in concert Friday at William Patterson University (www.wpunj.edu/calendars/default.asp), and Saturday at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, (www.mccarter.org).

Also at McCarter, this being the weekend before St. Patrick’s, The Chieftains (www.thechieftains.com) are in concert Thursday at 7:30 p.m.   

There’s plenty more New Jersey Irish. Saturday there are St. Patty’s parades in South Amboy (www.saparade.com) and Trenton (www.trentonparade.com). Sunday parades in West Orange (www.westorangeparade.com) and Woodbridge (www.amerirish.com/_wsn/page4.html). Check www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/nj/index.htm for the full month’s schedule in the state.

And what about St. Hubert’s? The “animal welfare center” (www.sthuberts.org) with shelters in Madison and North Branch is hosting its eighth annual Canine Cotillion, a formal gala benefit at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany. Just think…both you and your dog can wear tails.