Celebrate your pet with two great new movies:, "Secret Life of Pets (noon) and "Nine Lives" (2 p.m.) screening on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Funding your education requires careful planning, persistence and knowing how and where to look for funding. Mark Kantrowitz, Publisher/VP at Cappex.com and nationally recognized financial aid expert, covers searching for scholarships, writing winning essays, acing the scholarship interview and more in this one hour webinar. Following the program, a librarian will be available for questions and assistance in beginning a scholarship search. Call 435-1900 to register.

Want to start making music in GarageBand? Join the Central Library for a beginner session covering the basics of recording, producing and mixing. For ages 12 and up. Register in person or online at www.onlib.org/events/calendar.

The Syracuse Housing Authority and Norstar Development USA, L.P. will hold two public meetings related to the construction of the Freedom Commons affordable
housing development located at 450 Burt St. At the meetings, set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, and again 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, upcoming bid packages will be discussed and questions will be answered. The meetings will be held at the South Side Innovation Center, 2610 S. Salina St.

SHA is encouraging local companies, New York State Certified MBE/WBE and Section 3 firms and individuals to attend either of these two meetings to learn about upcoming employment and construction bid opportunities. Freedom Commons involves the new construction of building that will include 54 new affordable housing units, supportive service space and temporary shelter space. The project will be financed through the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and NYS financing sources. It is anticipated construction will commence in Spring 2017; with individual bid packages released in February for general trades, plumbing, HVAC, electrical and fire protection.

New York State Certified MBE/WBE and Section 3 Business participation is strongly encouraged, as this project is committed to meeting New York State and the Syracuse Housing Authority’s MBE/WBE and Section 3 Workforce and Business goals. Potential bidders are advised that by submitting a signed bid proposal they are agreeing and committing to the MBE/WBE, Section 3 and EEO requirements, which are a part of this project. The project is tax exempt.

For additional information, call Norstar Project Manager Benjamin Hughes at (313) 749-7692 ext. 105.

The Syracuse Housing Authority and Norstar Development USA, L.P. will hold two public meetings related to the construction of the Freedom Commons affordable
housing development located at 450 Burt St. The second meeting is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, to discuss upcoming bid packages and answer questions. The meeting will be held at the South Side Innovation Center, 2610 S. Salina St.

SHA is encouraging local companies, New York State Certified MBE/WBE and Section 3 firms and individuals to attend to learn about upcoming employment and construction bid opportunities. Freedom Commons involves the new construction of a building that will include 54 new affordable housing units, supportive service space and temporary shelter space. The project will be financed through the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and NYS financing sources. It is anticipated construction will commence in Spring 2017; with individual bid packages released in February for general trades, plumbing, HVAC, electrical and fire protection.

New York State Certified MBE/WBE and Section 3 Business participation is strongly encouraged, as this project is committed to meeting New York State and the Syracuse Housing Authority’s MBE/WBE and Section 3 Workforce and Business goals. Potential bidders are advised that by submitting a signed bid proposal they are agreeing and committing to the MBE/WBE, Section 3 and EEO requirements, which are a part of this project. The project is tax exempt.

For additional information, call Norstar Project Manager Benjamin Hughes at (313) 749-7692 ext. 105.

"Syracuse Snapshots" was curated by students from the Institute of Technology from the Syracuse City School District. This exhibition highlights Syracuse’s cultural legacy as it relates to national trends in fashion, sports clothing and music, as well as technological achievements. Syracuse, like many other mid-size cities cultivated it’s own sense of style and sound, while also being the birth place of many inventions; such as the Stearns Bicycle, L.C Smith typewriter, the shot clock, synthetic penicillin, and the Brannock device, just to name a few. The exhibit opens Jan. 26 with a reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Join the Teen Story Time for a read-aloud of "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets and pillows and make themselves comfortable. Light refreshments will be served. Relax and enjoy a grown-up story time with the Central Library. For ages 12 to 18. No registration necessary.

Believe in Syracuse’s Fourth Birthday Party will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at the Museum of Science & Technology. Presented by AP Professionals of Syracuse and Bluerock Energy, the event will celebrate local arts, provide live entertainment and networking opportunities and free food and beverage samples. The third annual Believe in Syracuse Awards will be presented. Event is free for Believe in Syracuse members; $5 for nonmembers. Sign up to become a member at believeinsyracuse.org/membership. To learn more, email john@believeinsyracuse.org.

Presented by the Syracuse City School District Parent University in collaboration with Syracuse University featuring workshops, maker stations, performances, information and presentation of Youth Unsung Heroes. Free childcare and transportation.

The annual Martin Luther King Celebration will be held Sunday, Jan. 29, at Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome. Dinner precedes the program at 4:30 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m.; the program starts at 5:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Visit the Schine Box Office for tickets. Cost is $30 for individual tickets for the dinner. Blocks of 10 tickets are $300. All tickets are for general seating. Best-selling author, actor, U.S. Army veteran and motivational speaker J.R. Martinez will provide the keynote address. The evening will also include presentation of the 2017 Unsung Hero Awards, music by a community choir and entertainment by student performers. To learn more, call
Hendricks Chapel at (315) 443-5044.