Since being formed six years ago, the Moving People Transportation Coalition has been committed to conversations that acknowledge that big changes result in both embracing new possibilities and accepting the need for adapting old ways of doing things. The group believes we share more in common than divides us in a collective choice with I-81, and all want economic growth and prosperity for the region with a vital city as its hub. Thus the group is asking: "How can we avoid the binary problem of “winners & losers” when it comes to the best possible replacement alternative for the I-81? Bring your questions to a conversation with your fellow citizens from the suburbs and the city to work together to define a new perspective where there is a sense of win-win for all stakeholders. The conversations will be facilitated by Peter Sarver, executive director of ACTS and convener for Moving People Transportation Coalition. 

The Citizen Review Board (CRB) was established to ensure an open civilian controlled process for investigating complaints against members of the Syracuse Police Department. The board holds monthly public meetings, with a  public comment period beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are held in the Common Council Chambers, on the third floor of City Hall, 233 E. Washington St.

A free youth writing conference will be held from students ages 12 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the South Side Communication Center, 2331 S. Salina St. Middle and high school students can engage in a day of writing workshops which will include interactive sessions with Syracuse community writers, authors and teaching artists. This will be the 10th year Writing Our Lives has been held.

Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II will convene a meeting of the County-Wide Shared Services Committee regarding the property tax savings plan for shared, coordinated and efficient services as adopted by the local governments within the county at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at Syracuse City Hall, 233 E. Washington St.

A Neighborhood Preservation Committee meeting will be held at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, in the Common Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to demonstrate an overview of the Greater Syracuse Land Bank's updated website now that all Land Bank properties have been published.

Attend a health awareness fair held in honor of Worlds AIDS Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Ramada Inn Hotel, 6555 Old Collamer Road in East Syracuse. The health fair will include free HIV testing, safe sex education, program recruitment, workshops and discussion about an HIV pill to stay negative. Then later that evening, A World AIDS Day Ball will be held. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the ball begins at 9 p.m. and runs to 2 a.m. The Masters of Ceremony will be Leggoh La Bella & Alvernian Prestige. Music will be provided by DJ Take Over. To register or to purchase tickets for the ball, contact Kareem Royalty Everett at (315) 427-0292 or Alvernia Prestige at (646) 823-3050. Cost to attend the ball is $25.

The Citizen Review Board (CRB) was established to ensure an open civilian controlled process for investigating complaints against members of the Syracuse Police Department. The board holds monthly public meetings, with a  public comment period beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are held in the Common Council Chambers, on the third floor of City Hall, 233 E. Washington St.

Come by for baked goods, unique gifts, coffee, tea, cocoa bar and holiday fun with friends.

Plowshares Craftsfair and Peace Festival celebrates a world where people enjoy their work and have control over it. With 130 area craftspeople and community groups, it is a marketplace of ideas and beautifully diverse, hand made items. More than a craftsfair, it is a peace festival, with music, food and a spirit of fellowship, creating a weekend of grassroots commerce and community. It's a wonderful opportunity to connect at year's end with old and new friends and share in the life of a village marketplace that has no corporate headquarters. The Syracuse Peace Council's major fundraiser of the year, admission is sliding scale, $2-$5 (no one turned away for lack of funds) with under 16 and over 65 free.