A panel discussion featuring environmental leaders and climate activists will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, at CNY Rise, 275 W. Seneca Turnpike. Representatives of local climate action groups will be available to provide information about how the public can work together to respond compassionately to the effects of climate change. A musical performance by Dylan Gilbert will introduce the program. The event, organized by the Zen Center of Syracuse, is free and open to the public. Co-sponsors include CNY Rise, Syracuse Peace Council/ Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON), Skä•noñh – Great Law of Peace Center and Interfaith Works of Central New York.

"Becoming" by Michelle Obama will be discussed at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, during a gathering of the ACTS-sponsored "Race Matters" Book Club.

For four Thursdays in August, a different Syracuse neighborhood will resound with the sounds of national and local jazz artists. On Aug. 29, listen to Games and Silent Disco from 4 to 6 p.m. and West End Blend from 6 to 8 p.m. Concert is free and open to the public.

Hosted by Joan Hillsman's Music Network, Inc. and The Golden Hearts Ministry of Bethany Baptist Church, this event in remembrance of Aretha Franklin will screen the historical movie "Amazing" that celebrates The Queen of Soul. Known as a Civil Rights advocate and extraordinary musician of all genres, Franklin never forgot her roots: Gospel music. All are invited to view this video presentation. Admission and pop corn are provided at no cost; a free-will offering will be accepted. For more information, contact the church office at (315) 446-5080. 

This QuickBooks class is taught in four sessions - Sept. 3, 10, 17 and 24 - in small group setting. Laptops with QuickBooks provided if needed. Sorry, no Apple or Cloud versions allowed.  Free follow-up individual sessions are available. To register, visit https://syracuse.score.org/. Cost is $95 for all four sessions; veterans are free. Parking is free. Call the Syracuse SCORE Office for more information at  (315) 471-9393 ext. 245.

Joan Hillsman's Music Network has supported the Syracuse community and beyond by providing talent exposure, mentoring and musical lessons for all ages for nearly 10 years in Syracuse. This annual benefit breakfast helps to support Hillsman's work. The morning event will feature an all you can eat breakfast, music, entertainment, prizes, awards, a silent auction and more. Cost if $35 for adults and $20 for children 12 and older. To reserve your ticket, contact Hillsman at (315) 373-0805, (315) 229-4928 or email your intent to jhillsman@twcny.rr.com. If you cannot attend, JHMN welcomes tax deductible donations; checks may be made payable to JHMN and mailed to P.O. Box 83, Syracuse NY 13205.

The 2019 Northside Festival will be held as a street festival in the 800 block of North Salina Street from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8. Attendees can enjoy family fun, activities for kids, Northside food vendors, the Vietnamese Dragon Dance and Italian, Bhutanese and Bavarian musical performances. To learn more, contact Mary Salibrici at msalibrici@yahoo.com.

Tomorrow's Neighborhoods Today Southside regularly meets at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. Meetings are subject to change if necessary. For more information or to be added to the group's email list, call TNT Operations Manager Tina Zagyva at (315) 448-8178 or email TZagyva@SyrGov.net. Note September's meeting meets on the second Monday of the month due to the Labor Day holiday.

A representative from the 2020 Census will be on hand to help people apply for Census jobs. For more information, call the library at (315) 435-1940.

Internationally-renowned lacrosse stickmaker, Alf Jacques of the Onondaga Nation, will talk about how he creates traditional wooden lacrosse sticks from tree to finished stick. He will discuss the game of lacrosse from an historical, cultural and religious perspective and will have his personal collection of antique lacrosse sticks on display. To learn more, call  the library at (315) 435-1940