A GRAND EVENT!

There will be an opening event for the Big Read. This will take place on March 13, which is a Friday, from 2 until 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Please join us at Arte Americas Casa de la Cultura, 1630 Van Ness Ave in Fresno. Music and dance from the 1930s will be performed. The first fifty people to attend will receive a free copy of the Big Read book, "The Maltese Falcon" by Mr. Dashiell Hammett.

FILM NOIR.

Though the term "film noir" was first applied to Hollywood films by French critic Nino Frank in 1946, many in the film industry at the time knew these films as melodramas. Please join this discussion led by Mr. Paul Kaser, accompanied by clips of some of the classic noir films. There will be two discussions, the first being on Monday March 23 at half past six (6:30pm) in the evening at the Fig Garden Library, followed by the second on April 9, also at half past six (6:30pm), at the Sunnyside Library.

A GRANDDAUGHTER SPEAKS.

Mr. Hammett's granddaughter, Julie Rivett, will discuss unpublished fiction, screen stories and an unfinished Sam Spade adventure left by Mr. Hammett. Ms. Rivett has also edited four volumes of works about her grandfather. The Woodward Park Library will be the site of this lecture on Saturday, March 21 at half-past one (1:30) in the afternoon.

THE MOTION PICTURE.

Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet (in his film debut) and starring HUMPHREY BOGART. 1941's best mystery thriller follows private detective Sam Spade as he takes on a case with eccentric criminals, a beautiful liar, and their quest for a statuette of a bird. There will be three showings, one each at Gillis Library, Fowler Library, and Sunnyside Library. Please view the full flyer for dates and times.

AN EVENING OF DANCE AND ENTERTAINMENT!

A popular affair during the previous Big Read, we will reprise a "whodunit" speakeasy, complete with music and games. Hors d'oeurves will be provided and a no-host bar will be available. Please dress as a character from the book or in a costume contemporary to the period. It is rumored a criminal may be present! This affair will be held at the Fresno City College Library on Saturday, March 21, at 7 o'clock in the evening.

LIVE RADIO BROADCAST.

Return with us to the golden days of radio. You will witness an ensemble performance of the play "The Maltese Falcon". Sam Spade returns in four performances on April 17, 18, and 19. Please view the full flyer for exact times. Tickets are available free of charge at all Fresno library branches.

PERSONALITY DISORDER.

Journey through the mind of a psychopath by attending this presentation by Dr. Eric Hickey, a professor of Criminology at Fresno State. The Woodward Park Library will be the site of this affair, on Thursday March 26 at 7 o'clock in the evening.