Good morning, State College.

Chipotle Mexican Grill will open its new Centre County location at 1880 S.

Atherton St in College Township on Wednesday, Mar. 18 with a drive-thru pickup lane replacing Chen’s Mongolian Buffet that closed in 2025. The store operates (10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.) daily and is hiring staff.

Big League Productions brings its national tour of ‘The Music Man’ to Eisenhower Auditorium at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, offering a family-friendly performance with ASL & audio description services available.

Critically acclaimed musician Leah Wellbaum will visit Penn State on Tuesday, Mar.

24 for a conversation on music, communication and creativity at 62 Willard Building from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The event welcomes students + the public.

Kelli Anderson will deliver the Penn State University Libraries’ 2026 Mann Lecture titled “Moveable Books and Unblackboxing” on Friday, March 27 from 4 to 5 p.m. in a hybrid format at Foster Auditorium (102 Paterno Library), with a free paper engineering workshop at noon and a reception afterward.

The Penn State neuroscience community will host Brain Awareness Week from Monday, Mar.

16 to Sunday, Mar. 22 with daily videos & local events. Residents can join a tour of the MRI facility on March 17 as part of a fundraising campaign with a donation match from alumna Kay Mooney.

Penn State Extension will host a webinar on strengthening local food systems on Mar.

18 at noon. Claudia Schmidt (associate professor), Brian Moyer and Robin Perry-Smith will discuss community strategies, and registration is required to join the online session.

Professor Xiaoyong Zheng will give a free public talk on the unintended effects of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax on beer purchases at noon on Wednesday, March 25 at 157 Hosler Building (Penn State University Park campus).

Ethan Tapper, forester and bestselling author, will host a guided forest walk and book reading on Monday, March 23 at Penn State and Webster’s Bookstore Cafe, then deliver a Sustainability Showcase keynote at Kern Building on Tuesday, March 24—events free and open to the public.

Clearwater Conservancy will mark its 30th Watershed Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 18 from 8 a.m. to noon by inviting volunteers from across the region to remove trash along streams, roadsides and sinkholes.

Registration (closes March 27) is available online.

A study by Penn State published March 13 found that targeting flu virus proteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase in ferrets significantly reduced airborne spread + kept viral levels low.

The findings may shape future vaccine design.

Penn State baseball won its Big Ten opener Friday afternoon at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park by defeating Iowa 11-6, snapping a five-game losing streak with strong starts by pitcher Colin Fitzgerald and relief from Ben DeMell.

Penn State softball lost 8-2 to Oregon on Friday night in their Big Ten opener as Oregon built an early lead with strong pitching throughout the game.

Game 2 is set for today at 7 p.m. as the teams aim to even the series.

Penn State's men's volleyball team will face No. 5 USC today at 8 p.m. as the Nittany Lions try to break a two-game losing streak on the West Coast, with both teams featuring key NCAA-ranked players.

America at 250 Concert

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Nittany Valley Symphony — Ticket purchase required — Celebrate a diverse musical heritage with American masterpieces across genres.

2026 Penn State Bass Expo

March 20-21 — Penn State School of Music — Free entry — Celebrate double bass artistry with guest musicians and a vibrant community atmosphere.

The Shawshank Redemption Screening

8:00-9:31 p.m. — The State Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the timeless story of hope and friendship within the confines of a prison.

Better Than Ezra Live

8-11 p.m. — The State Theatre — Ticket limit: 10 per customer — Experience legendary rock music with Better Than Ezra's engaging performance.

Crafts & Cocktails at The Rivet

This adults-only, station-based evening gives you a punch card to enjoy craft activities *and* craft cocktails and mocktails. Every ticket sold supports STEM and maker programs for our community, so get your ticket (3/25 or 5/6) and let's craft for a cause!

Peppa Pig Live - My First Concert

6-7 p.m. — Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State — Ticket prices vary — Engage with Peppa Pig and family in a delightful introduction to orchestral music for young children.

Bab L'Bluz Concert

7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — From $15 — Experience the soulful blend of Franco-Moroccan music with Bab L'Bluz's captivating Gnawa beats.

Maurice Louca 'Fera' Quartet Live

7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — $22 GA / $12 Students — Experience the intricate and hypnotic sounds of Maurice Louca's Fera in a captivating live performance.

Tauren Wells Concert

7-10 p.m. — C3 Sports — Tickets available — Experience the uplifting vibes of Tauren Wells on the Take It All Back Tour with special guests.

Alex Harding and Lucian Ban Duo

7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — Ticket pricing not specified — Experience a night of soulful blues with the talented duo Alex Harding and Lucian Ban.