keyboard shortcut key to access options in menu bar- mac os x 10.6

mac os noob here.

yes, so which keys need i press to access the options in menu bar, yes i know i can just click the menu options but keyboard shortcuts are faster.

Also, when i press "command-m" it minimizes any given window to the stack area(dont know if its called that) but when i "command-tab" and select the window i just minimized in an effort to bring it up again, it doesn't(the menu bar changes but i cant see the window itself). Which keyboard combos need i press to bring the window back on focus again?

Thanks in advance.