Congratulations to the winners of the Dashiell Hammett Writing Contest!

Overall Winner: Andrea Rochat, Penn State MFA student, for "How It All Adds Up."

Alternative category: Jarod Rosello, Penn State MFA student, for "In the Words of Dashiell Hammett,"

It was a day like no other, I hung my trench coat on a hook and went through my mail. I opened the manilla envelope with a sense of trepidation and unease. I should have known I had nothing to fear as I noted the return address. My public library was reminding me that it was time once again for Centre County Reads!

Celebrate Spring at Centre County Reads Nowruz Persian New Year Event

• Paint Banners and balloons with Nowruz resolutions.

• Make holiday cards that say "Happy Nowruz" or, in Persian, "Eyd-e Shoma Mobarak" for sending to friends and family.

• Sample authentic Persian foods.

See the Academy award nominated animated film based on Persepolis and Persepols 2 at the State Theatre.

Learn about the significance of middle eastern jewelry.  Make some of your own beaded creations!  Pre-registration is required. All are invited!

Perspolis by Marjane Satrapi (autobiographical graphic novel): The great-granddaughter of Iran's last emperor and the daughter of ardent Marxists describes growing up in Tehran in a country plagued by political upheaval and vast contradictions between public and private life.