Syracuse Healthy Start's Annual Report to the Community, the "State of our Babies' Health in Syracuse" will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Syracuse Community Connections/ Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave., and will feature the latest data trends and community stories on issues impacting Maternal and Child Health in Syracuse.

During this session -- "Is "Bus Rapid Transit" Coming to Syracuse?" attendees may find out answers to this and related questions at the roll-out of the final feasible study for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Sky Armory, 351 South Clinton Street downtown. Open House is hosted by the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council, which has been engaged in a multi-year enhanced transit feasibility review called SMART1 . Formal presentations on the alternatives and next steps will take place at 5 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m.

TNT Area 3 Southside regularly meets on the 1st Monday at 6 p.m. at the South Side Innovation Center, 2610 S. Salina St. Meetings are subject to change if necessary. For more information, or to be added to the email list, call TNT Coordinator Tina Zagyva at (315) 448-8178 or email TZagyva@SyrGov.net.

AARP wants to hear residents' transportation concerns during A Community Conversation on Livability held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 900 Vine St., Liverpool. Age-friendly or livable communities have walkable streets, housing and transportation options, access to key services and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities. The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities encourages states, cities, towns and counties to prepare for the rapid aging of the U.S. population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults. By doing so, these communities are better equipped to become great places, and even lifelong homes, for people of all ages. Associate State Director Randy Hoak will share inspiring and successful projects from New York State and beyond as a prelude to a conversation on what might work to make communities better in the Syracuse area. Learn more about AARP's local chapter, which holds monthly luncheon meetings, by visiting Chapter 243's website at aarponondagachapter243.org.

Unexpected medical expenses could put your health and your financial future at risk. Experts from the Salvation Army will be on hand to help you figure out your options with the NY State of Health Marketplace.

Central Village's First Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Boys & Girls Club Central Village Club location, 212 Van Buren St. The event, hosted by the Central Village Torch Club, will be a brief honoring of some very special people who have supported Central Village over the years -- volunteers or workers who have exemplified exactly what the center's current director Jeff Eysaman preaches to the youth: kindness, selflessness and a caring for their community. Attendees should dress to impress. To RSVP, call Jeff Eysaman at (315) 579-5401.


Join Hazard Branch Library this month for a discussion of Trickster: Native American Tales by Matt Dembicki. Trickster is available for FREE online through Hoopla – all you need is your library card. Attendees will discuss the book, eat pizza and using the book as inspiration to work on their own graphic novels. Open to ages 13 to 19.

Neighborhood teens are invited to celebrate fall at Paine’s Fall Festival. Enjoy classic fall foods: apple cider, donuts, popcorn and of course, pumpkin pie. A time will be given to add inspirations onto the library's Thankful Tree.

Join Central Library,
 447 S. Salina St., for a Big Feast. Attendees will pin the feathers on the turkey, make placemats and work up an appetite for the big day. All ages welcome; no registration necessary. This program will meet at the second-floor KidSpace.


Unexpected medical expenses could put your health and your financial future at risk. Experts from the Salvation Army will be on hand to help you figure out your options with the NY State of Health Marketplace.

Listen to the story of “The Polar Express,” and then help set up The Polar Express American Flyer model train set. Put the track together, set the train cars on the track and use the remote control to blow the whistle and start the train. Open to children ages 6 to 12.

The Syracuse Peace Council will host its 47th annual Plowshares Craftsfair and Peace Festival on Dec. 2 and 3 at Nottingham High School, 3100 E. Genesee St. Admission to the fundraiser is a $2-5 sliding scale (more if you can, less if you can't), free for under 16 and over 65. The complete list of vendors is now available online. In addition to the 120 craftspeople and community groups, Plowshares is also a festival, complete with ongoing live entertainment and food for sale from The Mission restaurant. For further information, contact Carol Baum at (315) 472-5478, carol@peacecouncil.net or visit peacecouncil.net/plowshares.

Ring in the holiday season at Petit. Belle Aire plays on 4 1⁄2 octaves of English handbells, performing music ranging from Bach to the Beatles. Bring the whole family for this special musical event.

The Syracuse Peace Council will host its 47th annual Plowshares Craftsfair and Peace Festival on Dec. 2 and 3 at Nottingham High School, 3100 E. Genesee St. Admission to the fundraiser is a $2-5 sliding scale (more if you can, less if you can't), free for under 16 and over 65. The complete list of vendors is now available online. In addition to the 120 craftspeople and community groups, Plowshares is also a festival, complete with ongoing live entertainment and food for sale from The Mission restaurant. For further information, contact Carol Baum at (315) 472-5478, carol@peacecouncil.net or visit peacecouncil.net/plowshares.