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Hi Moms. We have a three-day weekend coming up and it looks like the sun will be shining on Sacramento for Memorial Day.

Before we get started with the supermarket deals, there's something I need to say. It's going to sound cranky, but I'm tired of the grocery stores telling me I need to buy three or four or 10 of something or I won't get the super-discounted price. I can deal with the BOGO, but who needs 48 cans of soda? OK, I feel better now.

Back to reality. There's plenty to shop for this week if you are planning a backyard BBQ or picnic in the park.

Let's start with Raley's because they have the most patriotic-looking ad. They also have the "buy 5-8 packs of soda to get the great deal" deal but I'm going to ignore that!

If you're planning a gathering, check out the fresh corn (3 ears for 99-cents); max pack of fresh, pre-made hamburger patties for $1.97lb and 9-inch apple pies from the bakery for $3.97. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are $1.77lb; Ball Park franks are $2 a pack and Sara Lee bakery buns are $2.49 a pack. Seedless watermelon is 29-cents a pound; a 2lb bag of Vadalia onions is $1.99 and Yukon gold or red potatoes are 69-cents a pound.

Nabisco snack crackers are $1.69 a box; Lays chips are BOGO and a 3lb container of Raley's potato or macaroni salad is $4.99. In the drink dept., there's the aforementioned soda, and a case of Aquafina drinking water for $3.99. To add to your BBQ, there's Bush's baked or grillin' beans for $1.69 a can; Rosarita refries for 99-cents a can and Gallo sliced salami for $4.99. To top it all off, Cool Whip is 99-cents a container; Dreyer's ice cream is $2.99 and Yoplait yogurt is 10/$5. Be sure to clip the coupon for Best Foods mayo ($1.99) and grab a loaf of Raley's Hearty varitey bread for $1.99.

And if you're heading to a friend's house, don't forget the holiday bouquet for $6.99.

Over at Safeway, you'll get 50 percent off purchases of hot dogs. Lean ground beef is $3.99lb and Johnsonville brats are $3.99 per package. There's coupons for Best Foods mayo ($1.99); Lay's chips ($1.69 a bag) and Oscar Mayer weiners (2/$1.98). The next best coupon is for a tub of Red Vines for $6.99.

Check out the fresh cherries for $2.99lb; tomatoes on the vine for 99-cents a pound; corn on the cob 3/$1 and green bell pepper for 88-cents a pound.

Foster Farms split chicken breasts, thighs or drumsticks are 99-cents a pound. Bush's baked beans are $1.34 a can and Rosarita refries are $1 each. If you're making big burgers, Safeway has "giant" buns for $1.49 a package; Ball Park buns are $1.50 a pack; Vlasic pickles are $2.79; a jar French's mustard is $1.50 and Heinz ketchup is $2.69 for the large size. Tostitos chips are BOGO; snack crackers are $1.88 a box. Arrowhead drinking water is $3.50 a case. Life cereal is $1.99 a box.

For dessert, there's Safeway Select or Lucerne ice cream for $2.50 a container; fresh baked cookies for $2.49; Angel food cake for $2.99 and Lucerne aerosol whipped cream is BOGO.

When it comes time for cleanup, Windex is BOGO; Palmolive dish soap is $1.99 with coupon and Brawny paper towels are $5.99 with coupon.

Before the party gets started, the $5 Friday only special is the 8-piece Signature Cafe chicken. Take-and-bake pizzas are $5 each and deli counter salads are $3.99.

Next stop, Save Mart, where you can get quite the deal on everything from buns (99-cents a package) to Oscar Mayer dogs (some 2/$5; some 3/$5) to Moran's 80/20 hamburger patties - $9.99 for 3 pounds. Strawberries and Doritos are BOGO and there's a 72-hour sale that includes Bush's beans for $1.49 a can; whole seedless watermelon for $3.99 and Sargento shred cheese for $1.79 a package. Nabisco snack crackers are $1.68 a box; Sunnyside Farms dips are 99-cents each and La Mexicana salsa is $2.19 for a 24oz container.

Corn on the cob is 3/99-cents; Fuji apples are 79-cents a pound; Driscoll's raspberries are $3.99 for 12 ounces; green beans are 99-cents a pound and Iceberg lettuce is 99-cents a head. Red onion for your burgers or dogs is 69-cents a pound; Ball Park beef franks are $2.49 a package; meat franks are $1.99. Buns are also $1.99.

Arrowhead drinking water is $3.88 a case; Vitamin water, Gatorade or Propel is $1 each and 12-packs of Lipon ice tea is $4.99. Dreyer's ice cream is $2.99; Breyers ice cream bars are $3 a box and a 5-quart pail of Bayview Farms ice cream is $4.99. Cool whip is 99-cents and cream pies in the bakery are $4.99 each.

It's BBQ time at O'Brien's with Tri Tip for $2.77lb., Foster Farms Fryer Packs for $.97lb, Baby Back Ribs for $2.99lb.  If hot dogs is what you need they have Bar-S Franks for $.89 a pack, Ball Park franks 2 for $5 and an Alpine hot dog 5 lb picnic pack for $9.99 with coupon.

Finksh your meal off with Lays chips for $1.88, Kettle chips for $1.79, white corn 3 for $.99, seedless watermelon for $.27lb and Dole salad 2 for $3.

Other great values: Pace Picante Sauce or Salsa 2 for $4, 7up brands 2 liters 10 for $10, Foster Farms ice cream 2 for $5, O'Brien's fresh baked apple pie for $3.99, Bush's Baked Beans for $1.63 and Van Camps Pork & Beans for $.67 a can.

Now, another confession: I've been shopping at Winco on a weekly basis because some of their prices are hard to beat.Two gallons of milk for $3.48; 8 ounce container of cottage cheese for $1.18 and cibatta flat bread in the bakery for $1.98. Bananas are a good 20-cents less per pound than the majors and Quaker rice cakes are about half of what you'd pay elsewhere.

Pam Dinsmore is the Community Affairs Director for the Sacramento Bee.  Read more of her blogs at www.sacmomsclub.com.