Penn State Behrend will host a free discussion Thursday by an expert on zombie cinema.

Peter Dendle, author of “The Zombie Movie Encyclopedia,” will give a talk titled “Zombie Movies: Redefining the Zombie for the ‘War on Terror’” at 7:30 p.m. in 180 Jack Burke Research and Economic Development Center, 5101 Jordan Road, Harborcreek Township.

To learn more, visit http://psbehrend.psu.edu/news-events/events-on-campus/zombie-movies-presentation or call (814) 898-6108.

Former Newsweek journalist Peter Annin will deliver a free lecture today at Penn State Behrend in Harborcreek Township.

Annin is the author of the book “The Great Lakes Water Wars,” which is also the title of his talk at 7:30 p.m. in the Reed Union Building’s second-floor auditorium.

He will discuss historical and expected water-sharing controversies and other environmental pressures on the Great Lakes, according to the school’s website. Visit http://psbehrend.psu.edu/news-events/events-on-campus/february-18-author-peter-annin-fights-the-great-lakes-water-wars or call (814) 898-6171 to learn more.

Penn State Behrend is hosting a free talk this week by a Food Network personality.

Chef Jeff Henderson will be the Speaker Series presenter Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in McGarvey Commons in the Reed Union Building on the Harborcreek Township campus.

Henderson’s talk is titled “From the Streets to the Stove: The Power of Potential.”

To learn more about the event  or Henderson, call (814) 898-6171 or visit http://psbehrend.psu.edu/news-events/events-on-campus/january-23-chef-jeff-henderson-shares-his-life-story-from-the-streets-to-the-stove

At least two free events are taking place Thursday at a couple colleges in northwestern Pennsylvania.

At Allegheny College in Meadville, the St. Olaf Orchestra will perform a concert at 7 p.m. in Shafer Auditorium. Call (814) 332-3100 or visit http://sites.allegheny.edu/news/2012/10/10/st-olaf-orchestra-to-perform-free-concert-at-allegheny-college/

At Penn State Behrend in Harborcreek Township,financial journalist Adam Lashinsky will discuss “Inside Apple” at 7:30 p.m. in the Jack Burke Research and Economic Development Center. Call (814) 898-6171 or visit www.psbehrend.psu.edu

Penn State Behrend’s Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel will be the site of a free concert Monday at 7 p.m.

The performance will feature organist Larry Allen, director of music at Mount Lebanon United Lutheran Church, and oboist Scott Bell, from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, according to a news release from the college.

Free parking will be available in the Junker Center lot.

Call (814) 898-6063 to learn more.

Adam Davidson and Alex Blumberg of NPR’s Planet Money will give a free talk Tuesday at Penn State Behrend about the current economic crisis.

Their program, “Planet Money LIVE: The Economy, Explained” will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Behrend’s Samuel P. “Pat” Black III Conference Center in the Jack Burke Research and Economic Development Center on the Harborcreek Township campus.

The talk will include a human, humorous look at where the economic crisis is leading, according to a news release.

Call (814) 898-6171 to learn more.

Planet Money's Adam Davidson, left, and Alex Blumberg will give a free talk at Penn State Behrend.