What better place than an airport to pick up a good read? Travelers connecting through Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) on upcoming select dates can meet an author and have their book signed at Borders located at Terminal A/B, Southwest Airlines. Of course, we hope you’re on your way traveling South for a warm vacation.

Scheduled for Friday, March 5
Poet and author Doris Washington will sign copies of A Blessing, Caring & Sharing and Faith, Hope and Love, two of her works of poetry that bring spiritual and inspirational messages of hope and love to the world of autism, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Capt. Edward Brittingham, a retired U.S. Navy officer and author of military-themed fiction and nonfiction, will sign copies of Sub Chasers, Operation Poppy, The Iranian Deception and Terrorism in the United States, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, March 12, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Author Austin Camacho will sign his five detective novels in the Hannibal Jones series, The Troubleshooter, Blood and Bone, Collateral Damage, Damaged Goods and Russian Roulette along with his two action thrillers, The Payback Assignment and The Orion Assignment.

Friday, March 26 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Former pastor and author Dr. Ken Newburger will be signing Hope in the Face of Conflict: Making Peace with Others the Way God Makes Peace with Us, which introduces the Judeo-Christian model of peacemaking.

Tuesday, April 27, 10 a.m. to Noon
Chris White, a writer and naturalist specializing in narrative nonfiction, will be signing copies of Skipjack, The Story of America’s Last Sailing Oystermen.

You can thank BAA Maryland, developer of the AIRMALL at BWI for arranging these author visits. And don’t worry about bringing a pen, these authors will be prepared.

Whether you have kids or not, you should know who Flat Stanley is. If not, you’ve probably at least seen him. He was introduced more than 45 years ago by author Jeff Brown. He gets kids to read and interested in geography. He doesn’t have magical powers like Harry Potter but is resilient.  He had a bulletin fall on him and thus, making him flat.

He’s cut from of paper, colored, and he either goes on vacation with his family or sent on his way to visit relatives and friends to explore where they live. Relatives and friends need to take photos of Flat Stanley and send them to Flat Stanley’s family.

Adventures by Disney and HarperCollins Children’s Books held a contest called, “The Search for Flat Stanley’s Next BIG Adventure” to inspire children ages 7 to 12 to create a specially-themed Flat Stanley and a short story describing the “Next BIG Adventure”. Hundreds of children entered but only three could win the Adventures by Disney vacation to one of 19 worldwide destinations and the opportunity to have their first name used in a future Flat Stanley book. That’s pretty cool! The winners are:

• 7-8 yr-old winner Lauren Shepard from Tennessee sent Flat Stanley to  Australia for a great adventure “Down Under”
• 9-10 yr-old winner Adia Chaney of Maryland designed a European-style Flat Stanley; her story highlighted the Queen of England
• 11-12 yr-old winner Destiny White from Texas captured her win with an Asian-inspired Flat Stanley and an unforgettable adventure to the Great Wall of China

The entries can be viewed online at flatstanleybooks.com/adventuresbydisney.

So, where would you like to take Flat Stanley?

Image Credit: PRNewsFoto/Adventures by Disney, Winner of the 7-8 year-old group, Lauren Shepard

When it comes to golf, Hilton Head has got it goin’ on which is why March 1 through 7, 2010, is designated Chamber Golf Week. The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce has joined up with Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association to celebrate golf. Activities range from putting contests to a golf fashion show. Check out the Chamber Golf Week Web site for a complete calendar of activities.

And, all activities support the Verizon Heritage PGA Tour tourney, which rolls into Hilton Head’s Harbour Town Golf Links April 12 – 18. Now celebrating its 42nd year, the Verizon Heritage tournament continues to be South Carolina’s only PGA Tour event.

There are several opportunities for golf fans to participate including the Pro-Am opportunities where golfers can play alongside skilled pros and improve their golf game. These will be held:

* Harbour Town Cup Pro-Am; Monday, April 12
* Verizon Heritage Pro-Am Opp; Wednesday, April 14

Some golf enthusiasts will want to take advantage of the Arnold Palmer Pass which includes weeklong tournament access and access to two private entertainment venues at the golf tournament. Tournament badges are also available providing various levels of access to the seven-day tournament. Check out the Verizon Heritage PGA tournament Web site for specifics and to purchase tickets or call (800) 234-1107.

Brian Gay took top honors in 2009, will he successfully defend it this year? Only the golf gods know but wouldn’t you like to be there to find out first-hand? Check out the fabulous availability of Hilton Head accommodations with Resort Rentals.