A F.O.C.U.S. Forum on "Public Safety Through Technology and the Environment" will be held from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at City Hall Commons on the first floor. The guest presenter will be Frank Fowler, Syracuse Chief of Police. Fowler will discuss how new technology and changes in the environment work to make a safe community. To be an Age-Friendly community, safety is a vital factor. Read the recommendations in the F.O.C.U.S. report “Shaping an age-Friendly CNY” found on at: www.focussyracuse.org. All are welcome.

Test your skills on the Nintendo Wii and enjoy an assortment of games. Open to ages 6 through 12. For more information, call (315) 435-3395.

The Engineering History of the Erie Canal will be presented Sept. 19 as part of TACNY’s Junior Cafe Scientifique lecture series. Samuel P. Clemence, P.E., PhD teaching at L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University, will present. The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, links the waters of Lake Erie in the west to the Hudson River in the east. The engineering achievements of the Erie Canal are one of the great stories of American technology. It has been called the Mother of Cities, Pathway to an Empire and the Eighth Wonder of the World. The presentation will be multi-media including songs and videos and animations describing the planning, construction and completion of the canal. The presentation will also include a description of the history and construction of the City of Canals—Venice Italy. The City of Venice is facing serious problems with rising tides and floodwaters damaging the fabric of the city. Learn about the massive construction project has just been completed to protect this historic treasure. Middle-school students and others interested in learning more about the Erie Canal are invited to attend the free. Walk-ins are welcome, but we ask that people RSVP by emailing jrcafe@tacny.org by Sept. 11. Students must be accompanied by an adult and may explore the MOST at no cost after the event.

The 6th annual CNY Volunteer Fair will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Destiny USA. The fair will welcome more than 50 organizations needing volunteers. It is a wonderful opportunity for students in need of service credit, people exploring careers or job paths and for everyone who would like to spend time helping their community. Free to attend. For more information, contact Diana Abdella at (315) 428-9651.

Children can celebrate their favorite characters and authors with books, songs, rhymes and fun activities. For more information, call (315) 435-3395.

An event will be held to mark the 8th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day on Sept. 23. From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. seniors, age 60 and above, are welcome to attend a free falls risk assessment on strength and balance. This year’s theme is “Take a Stand to Prevent" The Onondaga County Office for Aging is a member of the Onondaga County Step Up To Stop Falls Coalition; a diverse group of organizations whose mission is to support healthy aging by measurably reducing the incidence of falls, related injuries and resulting mortality among individuals, age 60 and above, living in the community. Registration is required by calling (315) 435-2352 ext. 4942; or email ellenmccauley@ongov.net.

The Citizen Review Board (CRB) of Syracuse is a city agency which conducts fair and independent investigations in response to complaints filed against members of the Syracuse Police Department and makes policy and disciplinary recommendations to the SPD. The CRB will host a series of community outreach and education events. Events will provide the public with information on the CRB process and the role of the CRB in the community. There will also be a discussion on how to safely interact with police officers in which the CRB will provide recommendations on how to increase the likelihood that an interaction with police goes as smoothly as possible.