(Note: these screen shots are from Windows XP, but I've confirmed that this works on Windows 7, and it probably works on Windows Vista as well.)
First, create a folder on your computer (anywhere you like) and create a bunch of shortcuts in it to everything you might need.
Second, right-click the menu bar and choose Toolbars > New toolbar. Select the folder you just created.
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Finally, click the little arrows next to the toolbar name. It will pop up with all your shortcuts. Hooray!
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Final tip - if you'd like to see the full date and time on your menu bar, right-click it again, deselect "lock the toolbar," and drag the toolbar edge up to make it taller. When the full date and time appears there, right-click again and re-lock it.
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Ta-da! No more double-clicking to see today's date on the calendar.