Primrose School at Liberty Park students celebrated the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day with the spirit of giving. On Friday, March 1, students presented the Birmingham Chapter of Reach Out and Read, a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting literacy through pediatric primary care, with more than 550 books they had collected during a month-long book drive. Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html

The Murphy Writers Group will host a Spring Writers Event on March 21, at 6 p.m. at Coffee Tree Books and Brew, 7900 Bailey Cove Road. (File photo) HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - The Murphy Writers Group will host a Spring... Pat Ammons | pammons@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/pammons/index.html

Skip Tucker took his interest, particularly in Confederate General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, and created the historical fiction novel “Pale Blue Light.” He will be signing copies of the book at Costco in Hoover Saturday, March 9 at 11 a.m. Mia Watkins | mwatkins@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/mswatkins1/index.html

Liberty Park Middle School students recently experienced a taste of the wild—at least for an afternoon. On Tuesday, February 26, “Alabama Moon” author Watt Key gave LPMS students a glimpse into what it was like to grow up in the bay with a swamp right across the street. Those experiences, growing up in Point Clear, Ala., helped inspire Key’s award-winning 2006 debut novel. In 2009, the best-seller made it onto the big screen, complete with a cast that included Clint Howard and John Goodman. Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html

Jackson's new book, "Temple Sweepers," explains how she has linked habits for healthy body and soul. Kay Campbell | kcampbell@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/klcampbel/index.html

This week’s Brown Bag Lunch program will feature a well-known member of the community: Former Mountain Brook Mayor Margaret Porter will be on hand on Wednesday, March 6 to discuss the plans put in place by the city’s founding fathers—foundations that still remain in place today. Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html

Rachel Powelson plans a career translating the Bible for some of the world's unwritten languages. Kay Campbell | kcampbell@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/klcampbel/index.html

The Coweeta Poets are a collection of 10 North Alabama women who first gathered in 1994 to learn more about their craft. Their workshop took place in the mountains of North Carolina, where their sessions were held on the porch of the historic McClure Mill Resort, just above the “talking waters” of Coweeta Creek. Beth Thames http://connect.al.com/user/bthames/index.html

Fall for "The Girl of the Golden West." Tamara Ikenberg | tikenberg@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/Ikenberg/index.html

Louis Pizitz Middle School and Liberty Park Middle School are gearing up to welcome award-winning author Roland Smith at their campuses next week. On Tuesday, March 12, Smith, author of over 20 releases ranging from novels to picture books, will be talking to Vestavia Hills students about his life experiences. Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html

Various literary events are planned for 2013. Book festivals, writers conferences, workshops and stage adaptations of classics will be featured throughout the year. Nathan T. Prewett | nprewett@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/NPrewett/index.html

Perez Hilton is a dad, Eric Clapton says he’ll stop touring when he’s 70 and the Stone Temple Pilots fire frontman Scott Weiland. We have these stories and more in today’s entertainment news from around the web. Mia Watkins | mwatkins@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/mswatkins1/index.html

Since the beginning of the year, the Homewood Public Library has had one major goal: teach as many people to feel comfortable using a computer as possible. In January and February, the library hosted an array of workshops geared toward teaching even the most inexperienced users how to properly use a computer. As the month of March approaches, the library is gearing up to offer both the follow-up workshops geared toward complimenting previous lessons and basic, introductory classes. Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html

The write stuff. Tamara Ikenberg | tikenberg@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/Ikenberg/index.html

They lined up one by one to study their reflection in the mirror. They twirled around to see the fit of a pair of jeans, the length of a school jumper and the colorful designs on a brand new T-Shirt. Today, 40 boys and girls from C.J. Donald Elementary spent their morning trying on their new wardrobe at the Assistance League of Birmingham on Oxmoor Road. Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html

A youth safety conference inn Decatur will feature information from an expert in school shooters on why teens kill and a presentation on youth culture that comes with the warning that content is “graphic and shocking.” Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/KKazek/index.html

From dream analysis, the BP oil spill and a film festival, the Homewood Public Library promises a month full of activities for adults with all types of interests. During the month of March, the library invites patrons to join a book club, meet well-known authors, attend a host of film screenings and partake in discussions concerning oil spills and Medicare. Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html

The month of March at the Homewood Public Library is scheduled to be a kid’s paradise. From Monday night movies, story time and even a spring planting party, guests are sure to find something that sounds like fun. Here’s what to expect as described by the library: Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html

It’s finally here: The official start of The Emmet O’Neal Library Book Sale. The annual book sale kicked-off last night, Feb. 21, with the Friends of the Library Preview Party. Although the preview event was only open to Friends members only, the library accepted a $25 donation at the door for patrons wishing to gain early access to an array of rare and first-edition publications. The official book sale—open to the public—begins today Friday, Feb. 22 and will continue through the weekend. On Friday and Saturday, the sale, which includes first editions, collector’s books hardbacks and paperbacks from a wide range of genres, will take place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html

Thom Gossom Jr., Auburn’s first black walk-on football player, spread a message of literacy awareness Wednesday afternoon at Better Basics’ 4th Annual Love for Literacy Luncheon. Mia Watkins | mwatkins@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/mswatkins1/index.html