County Chess Championship will be held Sunday, March 12, at Southside Academy Charter School. Students in grade K through 12 will compete for medals and trophies in three age groups. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the first of four rounds starts at 12:30 p.m. Entry fee is $12 early or $15 at the door. Children must be with an adult. Contact Bob Nasiff at (315) 289-4616 or email yankee@twcny.rr.com. Refreshments for sale onsite. Bring a set if you can.

"Sistah Words" readings from Vanessa Johnson, Georgia Popoff and Mary Slechta will be held at 3 p.m. March 12.

"Reflections Unheard: Black Women in Civil Rights" will be screened at 7 p.m. March 14. A discussion will follow. Event hosted by Patricia Clark.

Loving Myself. Loving My Sisters. presents a free Hands-Only CPR training for the entire family. Hosted by The International League of Muslim Women, Inc. - Syracuse NY Chapter, FORCE and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Session will also include free blood pressure checks provided by Syracuse Area Black Nurses Association. Loving Myself, Loving My Sisters is a coalition-based program coordinated by the Syracuse Chapter of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association focusing on the heart health of the Syracuse African-American community. This series is made possible through support from the CNY Community Foundation and sponsorship from Loretto. For information, contact Gina.Rivers@Heart.org or (315) 728-7576.

Saturday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Maple Day will be offered to celebrate Spring in the city. Events take place behind Corcoran and Roberts schools and include a pancake breakfast to benefit the Corcoran PTSO, view the process of making maple syrup, music, games and outdoor activities. The event is FREE and open to the public. There will be tapping and boiling demos courtesy of Next Generation Maple Products. Visitors can also hike through Elmwood Park and see a modern sugarbush with a tubing system and collection tank. Syracuse City Parks will have activities on site - even snowshoeing if conditions permit.

The Butler-Sheehan Academy of Irish Dance makes its 18th appearance at Betts Branch Library. Performing in traditional costume, this accomplished school-age troupe was established more that than 46 years ago, making it the first in the Syracuse area.

Young students from the Francis Academy of Irish Dance on Tipperary Hill will perform traditional Irish dancing.

Visioning Voices Community Speaker Series & Workshop is open to those who want to learn how to make positive changes in their neighborhood. Community members and neighborhood organizations city-wide are encouraged to participate in this event and take lessons learned back to their community. This event is free and open to the public. It is Hosted by SUNY ESF, Northside UP, NEHDA, Hawley-Green Neighbors and TNT. Meet at the Assumption Church - Fellowship Hall, located at 812 N. Salina St.; entrance off Catawba Street.

Learn basic robotics, electronics, wiring and programming in this hands-on workshop. Open to ages 12 and up.

The Teen Advisory Board is a group that helps plan programs and make the Central Library a great place for teens to hang out. New members always welcome. For youth ages 12 to 18. No registration necessary.