Join Onondaga County Library via Zoom at 10 a.m. Aug. 11 for an interactive nature activity geared at preschoolers. Register by visiting bit.ly/GrowingUpWildAug11. Participants will be sent a Zoom meeting link. Sponsored by the Izaak Walton League of CNY, and supported by funds from the M&T Charitable Foundation.

The Friends of the Central Library welcomes New York Times bestselling author Tayari Jones for an exclusive online lecture, as part of the 25th season of the Rosamond Gifford Author Series. Jones's books include "An American Marriage," "Silver Sparrow" and "Leaving Atlanta." Tickets provide access to the online lecture for viewing anytime from Tuesday, Aug. 11, through Tuesday, Aug. 18. Ticket costs are $35 standard and $10 students. For more information, call (315) 435-1832.

City of Syracuse will host an Interstate 81 Jobs “Big Table” meeting from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. The virtual meeting will explore policy, legislative and regulatory actions to ensure city residents can benefit from the jobs and economic opportunity that the Interstate 81 project will create.

The “Big Table” meeting will involve representatives of federal, state and local government; business, and organized labor and community stakeholders. The program will address best practices in local hiring; business and workforce preparation, and local spending and contracting on public works projects.

Panelists scheduled to join Mayor Ben Walsh include: New York State Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman William Magnarelli; Mark Frechette, project director, New York State Department of Transportation; Deka Dancil, president of the Urban Jobs Task Force; Greg Lancette, president of the Central and Northern New York Building and Construction Trades Council (CNNYBCTC); Mitchell Latimer, council representative of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, and a representative from the office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Syracuse Common Council President Helen Hudson and Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens will also participate.

Attendees can register to listen to the Big Table at this link.

The Table Community Food Pantry will offer a drive-thru style food giveaway will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 15. Enter through the 298 entrance to receive one box/bundle of food per family and remember to bring proof of address for each family.

Learn the basics of ballet with Miss Liz. Liz Bryson has studied ballet for 25 years and teaches Ballet IV and Adult Beginner Ballet at the Syracuse School of Dance. Warm up with plié, tendu and relevé; learn to walk, run, skip and march like a ballet dancer, and then "pantomime" (act out) your own scene. All you'll need is a chair, socks and a little space to move. Intended for children ages 5 to 12; both girls and boys are welcome. Register by visiting bit.ly/BalletAug15. Participants will be sent a Zoom meeting link.

Tucker Missionary Baptist Church will hold an annual giveaway from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, for the community and in honor of the memory of Sis. Gwendolyn Mack.

The Connected Church Syracuse will provide a bag of food to residents in need. To learn more, email Demetria Hooks at Helps@theConnectedChurchSyr.Org

"How the Children Got the Sun Up in the Sky & Other Stories from Around the World” is a collection of stories that celebrates children and the things that are important their lives: Family, friends, the environment and more. Join LuAnn Adams and travel around the world in stories and meet children from Africa, India and other locations. She will use props, music and lots of audience participation to bring the stories to life. Intended for children ages 0 to 5. Register by visiting bit.ly/LuAnnAdamsAug18. Participants will be sent a Zoom meeting link. Program supported by funds from the M&T Charitable Foundation.

The Sankofa Wellness and Resource Center presents a bi-weekly food share on Wednesdays. The center will provide dry goods (rice, beans etc.) and fresh produce. Items are set up for Grab N Go, and organizers will be utilizing social distancing guidelines to provide the food items. Photo ID is preferred. Pre-registration is not required. Limited spots for delivery for members of the community that are unable to find transportation to the event will be provided. To register, call (315) 345-4239.