This main corridor at South Avenue receives heavy commuter traffic every day. This annual clean-up is named in honor of Jim Gifford, a kind and selfless man whose life exemplified city living from his South Avenue home and whose death through violence, eight years ago, brought many in Elmwood together at a heartbreaking moment. Jim cared deeply for his neighborhood - he walked to work, to church, to shop, to live his life - and this event aims to honor his hopes for the community around him.

Onondaga VOTES! and Greater Syracuse Southside Neighborhood Association will hold a series of Talk Tuesdays political debates to help voters be more informed. Hear from mayoral candidates from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, at the Well of Hope Church. The session will also be live streamed.

Each Wednesday, Project S.O.U.L. (Southside Organizing Urban Lives) will hold a food pantry for South Side residents in need of food assistance. A free box of food will be provided. Boxes are limited to one per household and distributed while supplies last. There is no income requirement but identification is required. For delivery options, email thegreatersyracuseprojectsoul@gmail.com or call (315) 991-4203.

FOCUS Greater Syracuse, GreeningUSA and CNY Solidarity Coalition will present a joint Mayoral Candidate Forum from noon to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 8 as both an in-person and virtual event. If attending in person, masks will be required and seating will be socially-distanced and limited.

This event is free but registration is required.

Each Friday, Project S.O.U.L. (Southside Organizing Urban Lives) will provide fresh foods for South Side residents in need of food assistance. A free box of food will be provided. Boxes are limited to one per household and distributed while supplies last. There is no income requirement but identification is required. For delivery options, email thegreatersyracuseprojectsoul@gmail.com or call (315) 991-4203.

City Market features vendors from all over the region selling ceramics, vintage clothing, furniture, home décor, handmade crafts, antiques and much more. Parking at OnCenter garage is $2.50 with Everson Museum validation.

Each Wednesday, Project S.O.U.L. (Southside Organizing Urban Lives) will hold a food pantry for South Side residents in need of food assistance. A free box of food will be provided. Boxes are limited to one per household and distributed while supplies last. There is no income requirement but identification is required. For delivery options, email thegreatersyracuseprojectsoul@gmail.com or call (315) 991-4203.

A fall tick bite prevention virtual workshop will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, via Webex. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about how to reduce the possibility of tick bites through personal protection, habitat management and cultural controls. The program will also provide information on the types of ticks that exist in Central New York and preferred habitats. The workshop is free and pre-registration is not required. It is offered by the city of Syracuse in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County.

Each Friday, Project S.O.U.L. (Southside Organizing Urban Lives) will provide fresh foods for South Side residents in need of food assistance. A free box of food will be provided. Boxes are limited to one per household and distributed while supplies last. There is no income requirement but identification is required. For delivery options, email thegreatersyracuseprojectsoul@gmail.com or call (315) 991-4203.

A fully-staged premiere of a Society for New Music's commissioned opera with a 10-piece chamber ensemble and music by Mark Olivieri and libretto by Kyle Bass will premiere Oct. 17 at Tucker Missionary Baptist Church.

Born in the segregated south, Libba Cotten was a singer/songwriter whose "Freight Train," written when she was 11, is still performed by internationally-renowned artists today. Married at 15, Libba was "discovered" at age 60 by the folk music world. She spent the last 20 years of her life in Syracuse, during which time she toured nationally and performed regularly at the now STEAM at Dr. King Elementary School. She was declared the first "living treasure" of Syracuse and won a Grammy at 93.

Tickets for this special opera performance are $20 regular, $15 seniors/students and free for ages 18 and younger.