Summer Reading Kick-Off Party will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 27. Youth can kick off for a sweet summer with everyone’s favorite – chocolate! Work through activities and challenges to earn your chocolate medal in the Chocolate Olympics.

The Rotary Community Chat will host Dr. David Dasher at 6 p.m. June 27 at the Grace Episcopal Church, 819 Madison St. Dasher is the director of Amaus Health Services, a free volunteer-run health clinic at 421 S. Warren St., offering dental services to the homeless and uninsured. To RSVP to attend the chat, contact the City Rotary Club by the preceding Friday at RotaryCommunityChats@gmail.com or call (315) 468-1025.

The planning workshops organized by Tomorrow's Neighborhoods Today will analyze the conditions of the neighborhood, identify neighborhood assets and challenges and then provide goals and recommendations — followed by an action plan. These workshops are designed to bring together members of the community to assess physical, economic, social and perceptual conditions, and to create a shared vision for the entire South Side. Two additional workshops are planned: Workshop 2 — June 27: Goals and objectives for the South Side’s future, and Workshop 3 — July 25: How to achieve the desired future for the South Side. Each workshop runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the South Side Innovation Center, 2610 S. Salina St.

Mindful T’ai Chi Chih will be offered for free by the Institute for Caregivers (ICare) from 1 to 3 p.m. June 28 at the Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave.

Zoo to You will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 29. Live zoo animals will visit the library with an educator from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Fascinating facts and close-up views of the creatures will be featured. Which animals are coming is kept secret, so be prepared for feathers, fur, scales and other possibilities.

Cooking Up Literacy event will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 6. The award-winning program returns with a tasty way to fuel your body for your summer activities. Space is limited; to sign up call the library at 435-3395.

Music in McKinley Park will be offered from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, at McKinley Park, West Newell Street. Hosted by The McKinley Park Supporters, a program of the Southside Interfaith Community Development Corp., the band concert will feature the Youth All Start Band. Bring a lawn chair/blanket; children can play on the playground. Free; parking available in park near bath house. For more information, email Audrey Haskell at aah1102@aol.com

Betts Branch Library will host a Summer Concert Series on Wednesday evenings, beginning July 13 with Kristin and David, musicians who perform Celtic, French Canadian and American Traditional tunes. Performance begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Stand's annual Photo Walk will begin 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16, starting at the South Side Innovation Center, 2610 S. Salina St. Participants will follow a path through the South Side, leaving from the South Side Innovation Center, taking photos of the neighborhood and neighbors along the way. The event will open with a short lesson by a professional photographer. After the walk, participants will share their photos with the group and receive feedback. A limited number of digital cameras are available for loan. To reserve a camera and/or sign up for the Photo Walk,
contact Ashley Kang by email before July 6. For more information, call (315) 882-1054 or email ashley@mysouthsidestand.com

Workshop: How to Draw Cartoons with Paul Merklein at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, at Southwest Community Center Branch, 401 South Ave. Cartoonist Paul Merklein will show young, budding artists how drawing cartoons is a fun, fast and easy way to express yourself. Open to ages 12 and older. Free, but limited to 20 attendees. To reserve a spot, call (315) 671-5814.

A workshop on how to draw cartoons will be held 10 a.m. July 20, at the Southwest Community Center library branch. Cartoonist Paul Merklein will show youth how drawing cartoons is a fun, fast and easy way to express your ideas and share them with your audience. Attendance is limited to 20. For ages 12 & older.

Betts Branch Library will continue its Summer Concert Series with the Stan Colella All-Star Band at 6:30 p.m. July 20. The band is a youth jazz ensemble that showcases some of the finest high school musicians from Syracuse.

Joined Artists, Musicians and Singers, Inc. (JAMS) Third annual Artists Cookout will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday July 23, at Clark Reservation State Park, 6105 E. Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville. Features live bands such as Mike and Anjela Lynn and the Talented Ones, Trump Tight 315 and more to be announced. Sponsored by CNY Arts, JAMS and The Stand. Free to attend; purchase tickets for food and beverages. To learn more, call (315) 479-9620.

The planning workshops organized by Tomorrow's Neighborhoods Today will analyze the conditions of the neighborhood, identify neighborhood assets and challenges and then provide goals and recommendations — followed by an action plan. These workshops are designed to bring together members of the community to assess physical, economic, social and perceptual conditions, and to create a shared vision for the entire South Side. The third and final workshop will be held July 25. Its focus is on "How to achieve the desired future for the South Side" and will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the South Side Innovation Center, 2610 S. Salina St.

The 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act will be celebrated from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 26, at the Atrium at City Hall Commons, 201 E. Washington St. Event will promote awareness about cross-disability rights and issues. This year’s theme is voting and empowering people with disabilities to participate in democracy. Free and open to the public. To learn more, contact Beata at (315) 671-2929 or Sally at (315) 410-3370

The City of Syracuse will hold a public open house and Eminent Domain Procedure Law hearing for the Onondaga Creekwalk Phase 2 Project at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at the Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave.

Betts Branch Library will continue its Summer Concert Series with the CNY Irish American Cultural Group at 6:30 p.m. July 27. The band performs traditional Irish music with Lucht Ceoil.